The Kawasaki Ninja H2

Designed to be the ultimate motorcycle, the street-going Ninja H2 is based closely on the closed-course Ninja H2R. Powered by a 200 PS supercharged engine, it offers intense acceleration, superb high-speed riding potential, supersport-level handling performance, and a sensory experience surpassing anything that riders can find today.

The “Ninja” name is synonymous with Kawasaki performance, and has been shared by many legendary models over the years. Representing Kawasaki’s leading edge, Ninja models have always been the performance leaders of their time, and have shown their prowess time and time again on the racetrack.

The 1971 H2 (750SS Mach IV) took the world by storm when it arrived. Powered by a 2-stroke 748 cm³ Triple, it was the fastest motorcycle of its time. But it was its intense acceleration that made it a worldwide sensation.

Designed to offer riding excitement at a level never before experienced, the Ninja H2 combines the joy derived from sport riding, from being able to skilfully control a high-performance machine—one of the greatest attractions of a Ninja motorcycle—and the same kind of intense acceleration for which the original H2 was famous. It is from this combination that the Ninja H2 name was derived.

Pete’s Cycle is a proud Kawasaki dealer and carrier of the new Kawasaki Ninja H2. Visit one of Pete’s three locations in Severna Park, Bel Air, and Baltimore.

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Ducati Sales

The motorcycle market is as healthy as it’s ever been, at least that’s the case for a number of bike brands have reported increased sales. Ducati is one of them after the Italian bike brand announced its achievement in setting a new company sales record in 2014. For the year, Ducati sold 45,100 bikes, two percent more than the number of bikes it sold in 2013. The 2014 gains also represents the fifth consecutive month Ducati has posted an annual increase. That’s as good a sign as any that more and more consumers are buying Ducatis all around the world. Pete's Cycle is now proud to be a Ducati dealer in Maryland, carrying the fierce Ducati Monster in its lineup.

Ducati experienced steady growth in a number of key markets, most importantly the US, considered as the brand’s largest markets. For the year, American customers bought a total of 8,804 units. Other areas around the world also brought its fair shares of Ducati bikes. In Asia, the company reported setting a new record for most units sold in the continent at 5,787 units, an improvement of 11 percent compared to its 2013 numbers. Thailand, in particular, sold 3,057 units in the year, a dramatic increase of 22 percent year-on-year.

As far as models are concerned, Ducati’s updated Monster line was arguably the biggest reason behind the surge in the company’s sales numbers. In 2014 alone, the Ducati Monster - and all of its derivatives - accounted for 16,409 of the units that were sold all over the world. That accounts for a little more than one-third of the firm’s entire sales figures. Of the 45,100 bikes Ducati sold, 9,788 came from its sports bike lineup with the most popular model being the Panigale 899 (5,806 units sold).

All signs seem to point to improved business numbers for Ducati. But while it did grow in a number of key markets, the company still saw its Europe arm suffer through a three-percent decrease in units sold, settling in at 19,743 units by the end of the year. The company’s own home market in Italy saw a slump in sales amounting to 4,284 units sold, 14 percent worse than its numbers a year ago.

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Triumph Speed Triple

Triumph’s best-selling Speed Triple range is set for a hefty makeover.

The new bike features a raft of changes the British firm will be hoping will be enough to keep the Speed Triple and higher-specification Speed Triple R able to fend off the competition in the naked bike class. The Speed Triple range can be directly traced back to 2005 when a slightly different bike was launched.

Since then the bike has seen mild tweaks and changes while all around it the naked bike class has been evolving. MCN’s road testers still rate the Speed Triple as one of the best road bikes in the class; its lack of power when compared to 160bhp bikes like the class-leading BMW S1000R. The three-cylinder engine has fantastic road manners and an engine note that still finds fans and for many the lack of electronic riders aids (apart from switchable ABS) appeals to many.

What we can see is a bike that has been given a set of styling and engineering tweaks to freshen up the design of a bike that can be traced in almost every regard back to the bike that was launched in 2005 and has barely been changed since. It appears this bike is the standard Speed Triple model but has been given a specification upgrade in terms of the brakes with the fitment of the Brembo brakes from the current R model to replace the lower specification Brembo radial calipers. The Showa forks from the standard bike are still in place.

We don’t really know the exact details of the specification changes we can see here because this bike is still 18 months away from being officially revealed MCN understands. This gives Triumph plenty of time to work on the smaller details and motorcycle firms often use a mish-mash of parts while bikes are testing as they are simply the ones that are at hand and fit.

One of the biggest changes to the bike remains one of the most mysterious in the form of the centrally-mounted air intake above the twin front lights. We can definitely see Triumph has added a ram-air system to the 1050cc three-cylinder engine and this would only have been done to boost power and overall efficiency. The ram-air scoop can be seen to run from above the front lights and then into a new headstock casting section which then attaches to the existing frame design. This is a cost-effective way of boosting power to the engine and only making the minimum of changes to the bike to allow the routing of the ram-air scoops.

Triumph never comments officially on spy shots taken of bikes before official launches so we can only estimate what improvements to power and torque can be expected but we reckon on power going up to around 140bhp from the current 133bhp with a corresponding lift to around 85ft lbs from 82ft lb currently.

The importance of any changes to the Speed Triple cannot be overstated for the British firm because the bike remains a big seller. In light of this it’s not hard to see why Triumph is apparently not making huge changes to the bike but the conservative nature of the tweaks to the bike may disappoint some who have been hoping for a much more radical overhaul.

Triumph insiders have told MCN this bike is an interim machine to tide the firm over while it works on a completely new bike which is many years away from showrooms as it has only just been started. Triumph has recently moved to refocus the work it is doing on the core of motorcycles which have come to be so integral to the modern history of the firm owned by John Bloor. Triumph has officially stopped work on a new single-cylinder 250cc range of bikes and has also recently closed a separate off-shoot called Trident Powersports which, after years of work, had now ceased to exist and all work in setting up a leisure sports division has been canned.

MCN understands a lot of work is underway at Triumph to give the current range of motorcycles a complete modernizing overhaul and the Speed Triple, along with the smaller Street Triple is going to be integral to that but we understand this bike will be revealed in finished form towards the end of 2016 for a 2017 model year release.

Before this bike comes along there will be an anniversary model launched called the Speed Triple 94 which will celebrate the 20 years since the bike was first launched. For now, Pete's Cycle is proud to carry this bike!

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Kawasaki Ninja H2R

One of the biggest announcements to come at the end of 2014 in the motorcycle industry was the release of the Kawasaki Ninja H2R streetbike, which is poised to be the fastest motorcycle ever built for the public. The announcement came at the EICMA expo in Milan, which was the biggest news story of the entire event.

The H2R is not for the faint of heart and has so much power that it can be driven only on the racetrack. To accommodate those who want the power on the streets, Kawasaki made a street legal version – the Ninja H2. However, with the growing attention of the H2, a lot of industry experts wonder if the motorcycle plans to live up to the hype. According to Cycle World, the H2 has an absolutely insane 300-hp engine and a price tag that is more than $50,000.

H2 Brings Extra Hype – Even For The Limited Bike

Even though the majority of riders will never get on top of one of these beast machines, it still has a ton of hype that brings back some memories of classic muscle cars or vintage bikes. Kawasaki claims the motorcycle weighs only 525 pounds wet – including fluids, gas and everything else needed to take the bike for a spin.

On the other hand, some experts in the industry said the Ninja H2 is much closer to the 200 hp range, and overall output was said to be much higher than originally expected, the source reported. All the excitement for the Ninja H2 comes from its supercharger and the ridiculous amount of horses it carries, but other super streetbikes are available with a much lower price tag.

Changing The Industry And Buyers’ Mindsets

According to the Times of Oman, Kawasaki said the Ninja H2 is the “most exciting and fastest motorcycle ever” and that it will change the way consumers and other bike manufacturers think about or create rides in the future. However, the bike is still exciting plenty of riders willing to splurge on the superbike.

“This is the most ultimate bike I’ve ever come across,” said Talal Husain Al Balushi, sportsbike owner and expert, according to the source. “It is entirely in a class of its own. It is pure thrill to even have a glance at the beauty. I cannot wait to see the bike in reality; to feel it up close. The bike’s sinister performance and devilish looks make it dangerously addictive.”

Some of the other features that make this superbike stand out among any competitors is that it is “meticulously hand-assembled” and has a flashy paint job that will excite any motorcyclist, Jalopnik reported. Still, some riders are skeptical about the reduced H2 version that will be street legal. However, Cycle World stated the newly revised H2 has only different camshafts, head gaskets, clutches and a legal exhaust system for public roads.

Orders Ended In December

Even if some riders are still on the fence and debating on biting the bullet to obtain the H2R or street legal H2, orders for the bike actually ended Dec. 19, but a list of specific guidelines for possible buyers was included and forced riders to acknowledge the rules before the company would accept the deposits for the motorcycle.

The H2R does not come with a warranty and requires service inspections for every 15 hours of engine operation above 8,000 rpm, which only makes the bike that much more expensive for the public. However, diehard riders who put their money forward will surely believe the hype when they finally get on top of the Ninja H2 or H2R.

Pete's Cycle is a proud Kawasaki dealer and excited hear news about the newest Kawasaki models!

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We're Happy To See More Female Riders!

While most people envision the roar of a motorcycle and expect to see a male rider on the saddle, more female riders are disproving the gender stereotype. According to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, several riders gather in front of Dues Ex Machina in Venice, California, with their modified and custom-built vintage Hondas, BMWs, Ducatis and choppers.

Some of the clubs that hang out in this big motorcycle gathering include the Seven Skulls, Vagos Motorcycle Club and the Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club. These clubs all make a presence with their tough bikes and rough and tumble biker image. However, new clubs such as the East Side Moto Babes, the Venice Vixens and the Velvets M.C. are all made up of female riders.

They all bond together in their groups and have the same thing in common: They love to ride motorcycles.

“I love the thrill of riding – the places you can go, the things you can see, the thrill of going fast,” said Jessie Gentry, co-president of the Velvets, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram. “And I’ve met really awesome people, especially some really awesome women (through riding).”

Growing Number Of Female Riders Noticed

All of the female riders are starting to get recognized in the scene as more female motorcyclists join. These women ride the same custom vintage motorcycles that the mostly all-male biker groups have too, the source stated. Several women are riding vintage Hondas, BMWs, Triumphs and custom café racer motorcycles.

“There’s a huge movement of women getting interested in riding, and it’s awesome,” said Gentry, according to the source. “For us, it’s really exciting, and that’s part of why we want to have our club. We want to be an awesome face for that and be able to be an example what you can do.”

Harley-Davidson Addressing More Female Riders

According to The Los Angeles Times, Harley-Davidson has been trying its best to get more female motorcyclists. Women own roughly 10 percent of the Harley-Davidson dealerships across the nation. Claudia Garber, director of women’s outreach marketing at Harley-Davidson, explained the new Ultra Low street cruisers are attracting more female riders because the motorcyclists can sit lower to the ground. They also have narrower grips, which are ideal for those with smaller hands.

The company even has a section on its website dedicated to women riders, hoping to reduce the barriers for prospective new female motorcyclists.

“Our job is to get more women into the sport of motorcycling,” said Garber. “And it’s working. We are selling more motorcycles to women than all our competitors combined.”

A More Welcoming Environment

The bands of female riders are gathering together because riding a motorcycle is no easy task. Ana Llorente, a motorcyclist and No. 2 of East Side Moto Babes, said riding was great, but when she did so around men, she felt intimidated, the Times reported.

Now, Llorente said she is around a more comfortable environment and worries a lot less if she’s going to drop her bike.

“It’s a group without any benchmark for brand or displacement,” said James Pluta, a veteran rider in the scene, according to the source. “It’s about the joy of riding – not cornering skill or how far can you wheelie on the 101.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, motorcycle manufacturers are trying to attract more Generation X riders with 70s-style motorcycles. Many riders are getting their first taste of riding while in their mid-30s and early 40s, but female riders are continuing to grow with the culture surrounding motorcycles.

With motorcycle manufacturers trying to come back after the economic downturn a few years back, more companies are opening their doors to whomever wants to ride. Visit Pete's Cycle today and get your ride today!

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Triumph Motorcycles Sees Increase in Sales

In the last decade, British icon motorcycle manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles increased its sales with new bikes and by attracting a different style of riders. According to Financial Express, Triumph recorded its highest number of global sales in the last 30 years with more than 54,432 units sold in 2014.

Additionally, the motorcycle manufacturer had a 4.5 percent increase in sales from the previous year, which was assisted by the growing markets overseas and the company’s steady investment in new motorcycles for a different generation of riders, the source added. Paul Stroud, director of sales and marketing for Triumph’s India market, explained the company’s success has largely been from helpful contributions from new budding places around the world.

“Growing markets like India and Brazil have been extremely critical and gratifying at the same time, and they have contributed substantially to our overall figures,” said Stroud, according to Financial Express. “The industry is undoubtedly experiencing its most successful season and demonstrates that riding is regaining popularity as a leisure pursuit, as well as a stylish option for the urban commuter across the world.”

Taking Chances With Newly Styled Motorcycles

Some of the success also comes from the fact Triumph is willing to take chances on bikes such as the Limited Edition Bonneville T214, Cycle World reported. Triumph has not been afraid to go to its past to craft a new ride. Triumph is notorious for its vintage styled motorcycles, and the Bonneville T214 is no different.

In 1956, Johnny Allen, a racer born in Texas, broke the record for land speed with the Triumph-powered Cee-Gar streamline, which reached a speed of 214.4 mph on the Salt Flats. According to the source, Triumph used this 1956 motorcycle’s aesthetic to craft the new Bonneville and pays a tremendous amount of respect to the land-speed record achieved more than half a century ago.
The bike ran in a 1,000 limited edition production line, and each motorcycle was individually numbered. The motorcycle also has the same color scheme that Allen’s Texas Cee-Gar used, according to the source. The price tag for the Triumph Bonneville T214 starts at $9,999.

Looking Ahead To More Success

Triumph has seen success in the past, and now, the motorcycle company is enduing a whole new era of popularity once again. Vimal Sumbly, managing director of Triumph’s India location, explained that global sales have truly made it a great year for the company, NDTV Auto reported.

“We are delighted with the way things have panned out for us in the last year,” said Sumbly, according to the source. “It has been extremely rewarding in terms of both sales and the love we have got from Triumph enthusiasts. Globally also this has been a great year for Triumph Motorcycles. We have not only established ourselves as a front runner in the luxury motorcycles industry but have also been successful in adding value to [our] global sales figures.”

Pete's Cycle is a proud dealer of Triumph Motorcycles. From the Tiger to the Daytona, Pete's has a great selection of all different models.

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The Suzuki GXS-R1000

Built with speed and adrenaline in mind, the Suzuki GXS-R1000 is a masterpiece of technology on two wheels.

It is propelled by a state of the art 999 cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine which is mated on a six speed constant mesh transmission. The engine delivers great throttle response, power, and acceleration at mid-range rpm speeds being perfectly suited for high speed riding.

Power without control is useless, so the Suzuki GSX-R1000 features a solid chassis design which is combined with a modern suspension to deliver a responsive handling at both high and low speeds.
On the other hand the motorcycle’s speed is kept under control by Brembo calipers which are paired with heat-resistant stainless steel brake discs.

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2015 Suzuki GSX-R1000

2015 Suzuki GSX-R1000

2015 Suzuki GSX-R1000

2015 Suzuki GSX-R1000

The more you look at the GSX-R1000, the more you realize that beauty has many forms. Bred from technologies conceived, refined, and track tested in the development of MotoGP machines like the GSX-RR, the GSX-R1000 proves that beauty is much more than skin deep...

For more than a decade, the GSX-R1000 was the most successful name in 1,000cc production-based road racing around the globe, earning it the title of The Top Performer. The 2015 Suzuki GSX-R1000 is ready to prove itself to be a legendary motorcycle with amazing throttle response, power, and acceleration at mid-range engine speeds – all with great fuel economy. Engineering your dream bike to go fast is not the only priority at Suzuki. Bred from the same DNA as our MotoGP machines, the GSX-R1000 draws heavily on Suzuki’s racing expertise.

Commemorating Suzuki’s 2015 return to MotoGP racing, the new GSX-R1000 is dressed in Suzuki Racing Blue to express Suzuki’s spirit and passion for racing. The GSX-R line delivers outstanding braking capabilities with its Brembo calipers and heat-resistant stainless steel brake discs. The bike maneuvers like a dream with a solid chassis design and responsive suspension. The ability to stop as you please, to turn as you command, is just as important to Suzuki as it is to you.

Simply put, the GSX-R1000 offers outstanding engine performance from idle to redline, smooth suspension performance, responsive handling, and superior braking to reclaim its Top Performer status and Own The Racetrack.

Come see the GSX at the Timonium Motorcycle Show this weekend at the Maryland State Fairgrounds! Pete's Cycle is excited to bring this awesome bike to the show! Come to the show or stop by our Baltimore location to check out this bike!

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