Classic Harley-Davidson collectors  should not pass by the lightweight, two-stroke engines in the smallest street bikes for model years 1948-1966.  These started off featuring a German-designed (DKW) 125cc two-stroke single.  For trivia fans, BSA motorcycles also used the DKW 125 in their Bantam in the late 1940s.

During the 1950’s, Harley opened it up the engine size to a 165cc, then to a 175cc displacement in the 1960’s.  It’s almost hard to imagine Harley-Davidson ever using two-stroke engines in their street bikes.  Harley big-twin fans, keep in mind that this all started long before the AMF years!

continue reading:  "Classic Harley-Davidson Hummers"

When we think of Ducati, we usually think of extremely fast and powerful racing motorcycles.  As many Italian motorcycle manufacturers did in the 1960’s, Ducati also came out with their own motor scooter, called the Brio.

Today, this vintage Ducati scooter is very collectible.

If you’re into scooters, what could be cooler than riding a vintage Ducati scooter?  On second thought, the vintage Harley-Davidson scooters and Cushman scooters from the same era have a cool-factor (and collectible factor) that’s pretty tough to beat too!

continue reading:  "Ducati scooter an Italian classic"

Myrtle Beach motorcycle rally.  Those little words stirred up a lot of controversy within the motorcycle community over the past year or so.  It still stings.  Well, the latest news from the Beach is that it is looking quite likely that the Harley-Davidson Dealers Rally may be held in North Myrtle Beach in May 2010.

This Harley-Davidson rally is being planned to coincide for 5 days with the Cruising the Coast Spring Rally.  The Cruising the Coast Spring Rally is planned for May 7th thru 16th.

continue reading:  "Myrtle Beach motorcycle rally rollercoaster"

The lines between motorcycles and scooters are becoming increasingly blurred as styling and technology advance.  A prime example of this is CFMOTO’s very cool looking CF250T.

It has a scooter engine and automatic transmission, but it looks a lot more like a automatic motorcycle than like a scooter.  Apparently, this can become tricky legal territory for a manufacturer.

continue reading:  "CFMOTO recalls automatic motorcycle"

Motorcycle insurance, like most any other type of insurance, is something us riding enthusiasts need to stay on top of.  One way to do that is to compare quotes that you can get very quickly online at some of the popular motorcycle insurance companies like GEICO.

According to press release from the Mass. Attorney General, a settlement was reached on January 14, 2010 involving 3 different insurance companies in Massachusetts that were apparently over-charging motorcycle insurance policy holders.

continue reading:  "Motorcycle insurance refunds in Mass."

I commute to work as much as possible on my motorcycle. This fall, the zipper on my 25 year old leather motorcycle jacket finally broke. The local leather repair shop wanted $45 to replace the metal zipper. I passed on that since the jacket didn’t fit me that well anyway (that’s why the zipper broke). Now, my problem was that I needed a motorcycle jacket right away, but I didn’t have the coin for a new one. Couldn’t ride with it, couldn’t ride without it.

Decent motorcycle jackets are well over a hundred dollars. For commuting, I want a good 3-season jacket. It would last me for years, but that’s going to have to wait. My back-up plan was to try to find a fairly durable, low-cost, motorcycle rain jacket that I could wear over layers use until I save up enough for the 3-season jacket.

continue reading:  "Motorcycle rain jacket not just for rain"

Several really interesting motor scooters were manufactured years ago.  Some of the most clever designs were for small scooters that could be carried and easily stored, like the Valmobile scooter for example.  But, a very old scooter, and perhaps one of the first, is the Gibson Mon-Auto scooter.

Small motor scooters have often gained attention for military applications, and the Gibson Mon-Auto was one of them.  Keep in mind this scooter was designed and manufactured near the start of WWI, well before motor scooters, such as the Cushman were ever around.  Mr. Gibson realized the military may want such a vehicle, as shown in the photo below of the early fendered version with the rifle attached to it.  The bullet styled frame seemed appropriate for that use too.

continue reading:  "Gibson Mon-Auto scooter is one of the oldest"

Ever look at those old ads for Honda and wish to go back to the good old days when the Honda Cub was introduced?  SYM, or Sanyang Industry Co. Ltd thinks you do and is now selling a Honda Cub look alike as the  SYM Symba.

SYM is headquartered in Taiwan and is a major player in the global scooter market.  It’s hard to ignore the popularity of the Cub.  After all, the Honda Cub is often credited as the best selling “motorcycle” of all time.

continue reading:  "SYM Symba retro scooter has Honda Cub style"

Anyone that is interested in learning how to ride a motorcycle and getting their motorcycle license had a great variety to choose from in 2009.  A large cruiser or a racy streetbike might be your ultimate goal, but starting out on a beginner motorcycle is the wisest choice if you lack street experience.

To learn how to ride responsibly, attend a MSF course, and leave your ego at home.  Start out on a beginner motorcycle, such as the five popular models we compared.

continue reading:  "5 best beginner motorcycles of 2009"

Laverda motorcycles was a rising star in the 1970’s for Italian motorcycle brands.  Unfortunately, Laverda stopped motorcycle production in 1985 due to financial problems.  Low cost Japanese motorcycles did a lot of companies in, and Laverda is no exception.

Some have attempted to resurrect the Laverda motorcycle brand, but none have been successful.

Today, the Laverda motorcycles brand is owned by the Italian motorcycle, scooter and airplane manufacturer, Piaggio Group. It appears that Piaggio has no plans to bring back Laverda motorcycles anytime soon.  Piaggio already has their hands full with with their other excellent Italian motorcycle brands such as Aprilia and Moto Guzzi and also Vespa scooters, just to name a few.

continue reading:  "Laverda motorcycles and the 1000 Jota"