We’re not entirely sure what Jim McCraw managed to slip into the drinks of some influential Tifosi, but our eBay Motors Edition editor has somehow managed to liberate these world-exclusive photos of Michael Schumacher’s new custom-built Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

What is Schumacher doing with a two-wheeler, you ask? Well, the freshly-retired World Champion should have more time for such diversions soon, but this particular bike was specially commissioned for the World Champion as a retirement gift from the members of Ferrari Clienti, the fine folks who buy and race vintage and modern Ferrari competition cars. The suitably red bike was presented to Schumacher recently at a Clienti event at Monza, and we’ve got the first look at the retrosexual motorcycle.

This interesting-looking roadster is purported to be an early look at Austrian motorbike-maker KTM’s first crack at a production car. Looking a bit like a Smart Roadster fused with a set of front cycle fenders, this lightweight two-door appears to have the makings of a great driver.

After sixteen years of lying dormant, there's a battle for the two-wheeled land speed record heating up at the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speed Trials in Utah.

We don't normally think of MIT professors as riding around in motorcycles, but Ted Selker is just such a specimen. Better still, he's applied some of his experience as a research scientist and bike lover to create a 'smart helmet.'

Selker's lid has an internal microprocessor that allows the rider to tip his or her head to the side to activate turn signal beacons on the back of the helmet, among other functions.

David E.'s blog on the Ben Roethlisberger incident was one of the most commented posts of our young news site. On finding some useful information from the people at the NHTSA, we thought some of you would be interested in the following:

BMW has been putting anti-lock brakes on its motorcycles for some time already, but now has tied in its ASC (Automatic Stability Control) for 2007. The spin-control system will be available as a cost option on touring models in the company's K and Boxer Series, and marks the first time such a system is being marketed in the two-wheeled world.

With the addition of ASC, wheel sensors normally used for ABS are now charged with detecting rear wheel slippage for the purpose of retarding engine power. The system intervenes in the ignition angle initially, then cuts out fuel injection if further corrective action is necessary.

(More details after the jump)

Admittedly, we're not sure how to categorize the maniacal betreaded contraption shown above. Motorcycle? Tank? ATV? Snowmobile? The Hyanide's creators will just have to settle for one word: Inspired.

The brainchild of German designers Oliver Keller and Tillman Schlootz, Hyanide was developed expressly for the 2006 Michelin Challenge Design. Though it presently only exists as a one-fifth-scale model the idea shows promise, and not just because it looks like a crouching hyena.

Not all of the action at Goodwood is slated to happen on four wheels. Case in point — the $44,995 Vee Two Super Squalo, a Ducati 999-based motorbike set to make its UK debut at the upcoming Festival of Speed.

Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, managed to crash his Suzuki Hayabusa into a Chrysler New Yorker that turned in front of him. He was not wearing a helmet, and he flew headfirst into the Chrysler's windshield. Doctors were hard-pressed to determine whether or not he suffered brain damage, inasmuch as his brain obviously wasn't working worth a damn when he climbed onto his crotch-rocket without a helmet. They don't call them "organ transplant donor bikes" for nothing.

Harley-Davidson kicked off construction of its new museum in Milwaukee last week. Anticipated to open in 2008, the 130,000 square foot museum development will feature exhibit space as well as a restaurant, cafe, retail shop, meeting space and archives. The museum will be located on a 20-acre parcel of land at the corner of Sixth and Canal Streets near downtown Milwaukee.