video:

Travis Pastrana does backflip with the SHOE BIKE!

Master of backflips Travis Pastrana together with Ken Block and the guys at DC shoes have come up with a unique customization idea for the FMX Suzuki bike ridden by Travis. They thought at getting rid of the tires (they were too comfortable anyway) and slip the bike into something more stylish, like these pares of shoes. Said and done! The bike is featured in a DC ad and on an episode of MTV’s Nitro Circus, where you can see Travis doing a backflip and finally tearing the rear wheel apart in one of the sickest burnouts we’ve seen in a long time. See it all for yourself in the video attached after the jump.
> More

V12-powered Honda CBX café racer [w/video]

The ’V12 Andreas’ isn’t just one of those concept motorcycles that won’t ever turn into reality, but a running café racer that originally started life as a Honda CBX, which was a six-cylinder UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle). Although what Andreas came up with is anything but universal, his custom Honda CBX V12 Café Racer is actually powered by two such engines, which have been joined together, resulting the impressive V12 mill.

These are simple words to describe the amazing amount of work behind this project as Andreas spent a year working on the chains, tensioners and guides, just so that you get a clue of the dedication needed to achieve such a piece of mechanical jewel, but it takes a look at the old-timer’s face to see it was all worth it.

But the engine isn’t the only feature making sure this thing turns heads. This café racer’s entirely polished bodywork looks very cool, especially if you consider the fact that it was hand built. What a bike! Follow the jump for more pictures and no less than four videos of the V12-powered Honda CBX.

> More

Brad Pitt crashes his custom motorcycle on the streets of Beverly Hills [w/video]

Last Saturday, Brad Pitt, who was riding one of his custom motorcycles on the streets of Beverly Hills, was implicated in a minor crash with a car. The Hollywood star got through it with only a few scratches and although the bike was towed from the scene, it looked like it could have been ridden to the shop without problems.

Of course, paparazzi were on duty and there have even been speculations about a paparazzo hitting Pitt from behind and causing him to crash, but the most plausible scenario is that Brad was riding between a parked car and a car stopped at a red light when he clipped the parked car with the handlebar and crashed at slow speed.

After the crash, the caring biker inspected his motorcycle and talked to the other party involved. When the tow truck arrived, he walked away. See it all in the videos attached after the break.

We can’t help but wonder what Angelina Jolie has to say about this.

> More

Tokyo 2009: Yamaha HV-X Hybrid [w/video]

The 2009 Tokyo Motor Show saw Yamaha unveiling no less than five world premieres among which the HV-X Hybrid motorcycle has drawn the most attention for being the modern interpretation of the Universal Japanese Motorcycle (UJM). This means it offers an upright riding position and relies on a versatile character in order to turn out being everything from a commuter to a canyon carver.

Disposing of a hybrid powerplant working closely together with a scooter-like automatic transmission, the Yamaha HV-X knows a thing or two about fuel efficiency, eco and user-friendliness, while its TMax 500 chassis is the best thing in between a motorcycle and a scooter that Yamaha could pull off. The thing is built like a veritable all-rounder and can work in full-electric and combined gas/electric modes, as shown by the video attached after the jump.

If Yamaha gets positive feedback regarding this model, they might just have it mass produced. So, what do you think about the new Yamaha HV-X Hybrid?

> More

2010 Kawasaki Concours14 traction control demonstration video

Kawasaki has released a video explaining and demonstrating how the KTRC system on the new Concours14 works. Check it out.

9 steps to drawing a Harley-Davidson V-Rod [w/video]

Learning how to draw a motorcycle is apparently surprisingly easy if you follow 9 simple steps that the team at howtodrawwithpencil has put together. They took the Harley-Davidson V-Rod as the example, but the rules apply to all other bikes in the cruiser category. Please read the advices and watch the demonstration video after the break.
> More

Video: funny Yamaha commercial says “bigger is better”

A Yamaha dealer in Australia – Coast Yamaha – has come up with a very funny commercial in order to motivate riders to stop playing and get their own real motorcycle. They use a pocket bike to create an optical illusion and so determine viewers at least to watch the video over and over again if not rushing to the respective dealer and choose their bike.

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796

Get the Flash Player to see the videos.

Ducati has revealed their 2010 Hypermotard 796 ahead of the EICMA Show in Milan and the middleweight super motard turns out to be, as expected, a smaller and much more versatile twin-cylinder Italian motorcycle with sportbike credentials and very aggressive looks. Let’s see what more.
> More

Timea Majorova starring in Scorpion helmets commercial

Ardenti Films have come up with a very nice commercial for Scorpion helmets starring gorgeous fitness model Timea Majorova and Jett Schaeffer. Enjoy the video!

Scorpion Sweat Alex Ardenti Timea 45 - These bloopers are hilarious

Australia starts motorcycle safety campaign (w/video)

The risk of riding a motorcycle is the same regardless of country, so we’re witnessing an abundance of road-safety videos as part of the campaigns that different countries have. I’m writing this still thinking about the “we are small, but we’re not bugs” motto, which lead to a very original video meant to raise awareness of motorcyclists in Norway and today we’ve come across Australia’s latest road-safety campaign video targeting the dangers of motorcycling. This video may send a hard-hitting message, but at least you’ll be thinking about it and find that the throttle works both ways. Video after the jump.
> More