2012 Bmw R 1200 Rt on 2040-motos

Moto blog

British Moto-Journalist Kevin Ash Dies at 2013 BMW R1200GS Press Launch

(Updated with a message written by Kevin Ash’s oldest daughter, posted on the header of his blog AshOnBikes.) Respected British motorcycle journalist Kevin Ash has died following an accident at a BMW press launch in South Africa for the R1200GS. Ash was a long-time columnist at the U.K.’s MCN as well as the founder of British magazine Fast Bikes. Ash was also a popular freelancer, most notably as the regular motorcycle correspondent for the British newspaper the Daily Telegraph.

Bridgestone BT-023 tyre tested

Replacing the BT-021, the 023 has a uniform carcass construction but has two different compounds of rubber to alter its performance. The inner rubber is harder for increased life while the rubber on the tyre’s edges is softer for outright grip. On the brief dry sections of our ride the 023 seemed to get up to working temperature rapidly and delivered good dry grip, certainly more than enough for most road riders if you are honest about your riding ability.

OEMs Plug into Electric Bikes

KTM introduced its prototype electric motorcycle earlier this week, and electric bike manufacturer Zero Motorcycles almost immediately responded by opening sales on its 2009 Zero X dirt bike (look for our review of the 2008 model next week!). But these two companies aren’t the only ones exploring the possibilities of electric-powered motorcycles. In September, Japan’s largest industrial information journal Nikkei Business Daily reported that both Honda and Yamaha have set target dates for launching their own electric-powered motorcycles.