Jorge Lorenzo to stay at Yamaha for 2010

Despite Ducati having offered him a bit more money, Jorge Lorenzo has opted to stick with Yamaha for 2010 because they seem to have the best bike right now. Wise decision...

Jorge Lorenzo has renewed his contract with Yamaha and will stay with the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP team in 2010. ‘Today is a good day because I have decided to remain with the Yamaha factory team in 2010. It was a very important decision and that's why I have had to take the last few weeks to make it, but I think that this is the best decision for me in this moment,’ says Lorenzo.

‘We have no doubt that he has the ability and drive to become MotoGP world champion and we are proud that he has decided to remain with Yamaha, despite having received some very serious approaches from some of our competitors. This timely decision now allows us to focus on the present championship and to make definitive plans for our 2010 MotoGP program,’ said Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing.

MZ Emmely EL1: Are Chinese-made electric scooters the future of MZ?

The MZ Emmely EL1, with lithium-ion batteries and a top speed of 25km/h
Via Solo Moto

According to a report on Solo Moto, the legendary Germany motorcycle brand – MZ – is on the comeback path and will start manufacturing new motorcycles by 2011.

Malaysian company Hong Leong had pulled the plug on MZ back in 2008, and German ex-racers Ralf Waldman and Martin Wimmer bought the worldwide rights (excluding Southeast Asia) to the MZ name in March this year, for a rumoured 4.5 million euros.

Now, in a recent press conference in Germany, MZ have announced that they have signed an agreement with electric vehicle specialists Clean Mobile AG, and they will start producing electric and hybrid-engined scooters in 2010.

MZ’s first electric scooter, the Emmely EL1, will be manufactured in China. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the EL1 boasts of a top speed of 25km/h and will be sold in Germany as a moped. The EL1 will later be followed by EL2 and EL3 models, with top speeds of 45km/h and 80km/h respectively.

The MZ EL1 will go on sale in Germany by the end of this year, the EL2 will be available in 2010 and the EL3 is expected in 2011. We don’t know what MZ fans think of this, but we believe it’s a shame that a great name like MZ has been reduced to selling battery-powered Chinese-made scooters. Why did Ralf and Martin resurrect the MZ name if all they had to do was sell wimpy little electric scooters? Couldn’t they have just started a new company and established a new brand for that? We only hope they have something much better in store for MZ enthusiasts, which they will launch by 2011!

From left: The MZ ES150 from the 1970s, and the more recent MZ 1000SF

BMW F800R Chris Pfeiffer replica announced

Even if you can't ride like him, you can now have a bike that looks just like his

Via MCN

BMW have launched their limited edition (only 68 units will be built) Chris Pfeiffer replica F800R. Chris is a multi-time world and European stunt riding champ who uses BMW motorcycles for his stunts.

The Chris Pfeiffer replica F800R will come with a blue/white/red paintjob and a sticker kit which you fit yourself. The wheels are painted black (rear) and white (front), which is how it is on Pfeiffer’s own stunt bike. The headlamp mini fairing has been dropped for a stripped-out look, an Akrapovic street legal end-can is fitted as standard as indicators are LED items.

The bike will be available in Europe from early-2010 though prices are yet to be announced.

Here's Mr Pfeiffer doing what he does best

2009 Czech MotoGP: Race pics from Brno

Pics from the 2009 Czech Grand Prix. Race results and more pics

Even more pics from the 2009 MotoGP season