THE FIRST '49-MILE RIDE', 2001

Pete Young had the goofy idea to organize a ride following the 'Seagull' signs (see below) around San Francisco, which point the way for tourists to catch all the best views and trinket shops in town. Nominally a 49-Mile Drive, we've never once attempted to cover the official route!

As you can see, there were 7 of us that sunny day in October 2001, and this photo was taken at the parking lot of Coit Tower, where we hoisted Pete's leaky '37 Velocette MSS onto the concrete barrier for a better photo.

Last October our rider count reached 215 motorcycles, and while not as intimate, the ride is still as goofy as ever. The Yerba Buena Motorcycle Club helps keep the show together nowadays, but Pete and Kim still give out boxes of Rice-a-Roni ('the San Francisco treat') and Ghirardelli chocolate as prizes. If you're in town the last week of October, the ride is a must-see.

To see lots of photos and videos of past 49-Mile Rides, click here.

Aprilia RSV4 Motorcyclesa

2009 Aprilia RSV4 Wallpaper

2009 Aprilia RSV4 Picture

2009 Aprilia RSV4 Test Drive

Aprilia RSV4 Motorcycles

Aprilia RSV4 Motorcyclesa

2009 Aprilia RSV4 Wallpaper

2009 Aprilia RSV4 Picture

2009 Aprilia RSV4 Test Drive

Aprilia RSV4 Motorcycles

Honda to launch Super Bikes in India along with 125cc Bike

As other Motorcycle manufacturers are launching their Premium super/ sports bikes in India, Honda recently confirmed that they will also be launching their premium segment super sports bikes in India above 800cc including their Honda CBR 1000RR (Honda Fireblade). Hope they will be in the 2009 models. :)

Initially the big bikes will be available for sale in The Indian Metro Cities only and gradually the sales infrastructure will be increased.

Apart from launching the Super bikes HMSI also announced that they will be launching another models for the masses, likely in the 100 – 150 cc segment. It may be a 125cc bike.

Honda to lauch new bikes in India

Honda is planning to launch new sports bikes in India in the next couple of months. The Honda official said that they are going to launch new sports bikes in India in 2009. There has been a sudden surge in the number of sports bike brands entering the Indian bike market, over the past two years. Initially this trend was set by Kinetic with the launch of its 250cc Hyosung Comet in India back in 2005. Then Yamaha launched the Yamaha R1 in India and the MT-01 cruiser bike in 2007. Soon later followed by the Italian motorcycle leader Ducati launched an array of sports bikes costing up to Rs. 50 lakhs, and then finally Suzuki joined the super bike group in mid of 2008, with its Hayabusa sports bike and the Intruder cruiser.

Keeping with that trend, Honda also don’t want to be left behind. Honda now intends to provide some competition to the Yamaha R1 and the Suzuki Hayabusa by launching the new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade in India, sometime in the first quarter of this year. And for those who would like to have a naked muscle bike rather than a fully-faired bike, Honda also intends to launch the CB1000R in India. Both bikes are expected to be priced at around Rs 9.5-10.5 lacs, making them marginally less expensive than the R1 and the Hayabusa.

Honda going to lauch 800cc bike in india

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) planning to launch new 800cc bike in India by the end of this financial year. The senior executive of the Honda India said about the launch of new 800cc bike while unveiling Honda CBF Stunner.

HMSI will import new 800cc bike from the parent company. It is expected that Honda launch another bike or scooter later this year. HMSI sales and marketing head N.K. Rattan said, “It is too early to disclose if the other two-wheeler will be a scooter or a bike.”

“When we launch bike in India, we started with smaller engine sizes to cater to the masses. Now we are planning to launch new bike and by the end of this year Honda launch new 800cc bike for the Indian market,” Ayoma said.

HMSI also planning to launch bike in 100cc segment by 2010. HMSI sold 907,000 units in the financial year 2007-08, and clocks a growth of 27% over the 715,000 units sold in 2006-07.

Honda to launch VFR1000 bike in India

Honda in India is planning to launch VFR1000 bike in India. VFR1000 bike is a 1000cc version of its existing VFR800 bike in India in 2010. Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) is also planning to launch new bike VFR800 in India by the end of this financial year.

The Honda India spokes person confirmed the launch of new bike at the time of launch of new Honda CBF Stunner model. HMSI will import the 800cc bike, VFR800 as a CBU from the parent company, Honda Japan. It is also expected that Honda India will launch other bikes or scooters later this year. HMSI Sales and Marketing head N.K Rattan said: “It is too early to disclose that the other two-wheeler will be a scooter or a bike.

According to Indian journalists, they have been told that Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) is also planning to launch the new 1000cc variant of the VFR by 2010. HMSI sold 907,000 bikes in the financial year 2007-08 in India which is 27% up as compared to the 715,000 units sold in 2006-07.