EBR Unwraps 1190RX Sportbike, New Honda CBR300R

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

Erik Buell Racing has unwrapped its EBR 1190RX sportbike. Powered by an 1,190cc V-twin, the high-performance bike weighs in at 419 pounds and boasts 185 horsepower and 102 foot-pounds of torque. With an MSRP of $18,995, the 1190RX will go into full-scale production in December at the company’s factory in East Troy, WI. Harley-Davidson of Danbury is the lone EBR dealer in New England.

Meanwhile, EBR has also announced that it will be the exclusive North American distributor of Indian-made Hero motorcycles and scooters. Hero MotoCorp is the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheeled motor vehicles.

EBR’s launch of the Hero line will take place in mid-2014. Models and prices have not been disclosed. Hero owns 49.2 percent of EBR.

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Honda is reportedly upsizing its entry level CBR250R sportbike. For 2014, it will become the CBR300R (show at left). Or will it? While Honda calls it “a global motorcycle model,” the company is keeping mum on details and plans for the bike. No word on the exact engine size, power or price, or whether it will be sold in the U.S. Production will begin soon in Thailand.

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From the Vatican, Pope Francis has donated one of two Harley-Davidson that the company gifted him in June to help raise money for a hostel and soup kitchen that serve Rome’s homeless, “The National Catholic Register” reports.

“It is a precious gift that has once again made us happy in feeling the closeness of our bishop to the poor of the Church of Rome. We are deeply grateful to Pope Francis for this,” Msgr.  Enrico Feroci, the director of Caritas Rome, said at an Oct. 12 press conference.

The sale of the motorcycle will fund the renovation of Caritas’ Don Luigi di Liegro Hostel and Soup Kitchen at Rome’s Termini station. The two projects have operated since 1987 to help relieve the suffering of about 1,000 people every day, Caritas Rome reports.

The full story from “The National Catholic Register” is here.

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But really, officer, I had to pee…

That’s the excuse a rider in Pekin, IL used when clocked by the cops Tuesday night going about 140 miles per hours – with a 16-year-old female passenger on the back. Adam Lester, 26, was charged with  various traffic infractions, including speeding more than 40 mph over the limit, and fleeing and attempting to elude police. He was also charged with endangering the welfare of a minor. “The Daily Mail” has the story here.