Motorcycle
Ilmor MotoGP Project set to debut
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October 11, 2006 A completely new MotoGP machine is set to be unveiled tomorrow and although it doesn’t have the name of a well known motorcycle manufacturer behind it, there’s some quiet money being wagered that the new team will make a significant mark. MotoGP’s newest team, Ilmor, will unveil the X3 at the Estoril circuit in Portugal prior to the Portuguese MotoGP round at which the bike will compete for the first time. Though it is not expected to be competitive in its first race, the 800cc V4 with air valve springs is designed for the 2007 MotoGP rules, where it is expected to be highly competitive. The project is the brain child of the Swiss engineer Mario Illien (Ilmor) and Eskil Suter. Illien is better known for his many four-wheeled achievements in Formula One and Indy racing, his engine designs have won two F1 championship titles with McLaren-Mercedes plus the Indy 500 race 11 times.
Harley Davidson tests a new design direction with XR1200
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October 11, 2006 In an intriguing move, Harley-Davidson will use Europe’s premiere motorcycle show, Intermot in Germany, for the world premiere of the XR 1200 prototype motorcycle. As visually appealing as the bike may be, it is styled on an American-only racing motorcycle, the XR 750 dirt tracker, and is debuting in order to “gauge media and public reaction to a new kind of Harley-Davidson, with an emphasis on performance, handling and sporting style.” Though the XR 1200’s 85-90 bhp is hardly a “sporting” output (and would see it blown into the weeds by any self-respecting 600 class bike), the company is touting exceptional handling characteristics as its strength so we’ll reserve judgement for now. It will be interesting to see how Europeans respond to the decision to base the styling on a racing heritage that will mean nothing to most of them. Finally, amongst the PR for the XR1200 was the claim that the bike is based on “the most successful racing machine in the history of motorcycle sport.” It might be true in terms of outright wins (though nearly all of those wins were in homeland race series where the rules were sculpted), but if you’re going to make claims like that, don’t you need to back them up with numbers?
Honda wins MotoGP Constructors World Championship and reveals the secrets of its RC211V
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October 3, 2006 With five riders on three different brands of machinery still capable of winning the World MotoGP riders championship, it has gone almost unnoticed that Honda has taken its 17th Constructors’ Championship and eclipsed MV Agusta’s 16 Constructors’ titles. With 203 premier class victories since it first competed at the highest level in 1966, Honda now dominates the history of MotoGP by almost any measure. Astoundingly, at the Japanese GP, it called a press conference and in an unprecedented move it revealed the complete engine internals of its RC211V, the bike which had won 47 (58.75%) of the 80 races since the 1000cc formula was introduced. Our image gallery for this story contains imagery of many of the famous riders who have tasted World Championship success with Honda such as Hailwood, Spencer, Rossi, Lawson, Gardner and Doohan, plus the bikes they rode from the RC181 of the sixties to the NSR500 V4 and high res imagery of the internals of the RC211V – clearly Honda feels that the internals of the V4 800 of next year with its hydraulically operated valves are so far removed from the V5 1000 that it has nothing to fear. But if you’re a lover of fine engineering, feast your eyeballs on the Honda’s internals.
Suzuki B-King for 2007
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September 29, 2006 The Suzuki B-King, first shown as a concept bike five years ago and one of the most anticipated motorcycles in many years has finally surfaced as a production machine using the Hayabusa 1300cc motor, and without its original supercharger. In an announcement that also included an all-new 1250cc liquid-cooled Bandit and a completely overhauled GSX-R1000 supersport machine, the biggest news was the engine management system on the GSX-R which has four times the computing power of the current machine, and in an industry first, it has a user-selectable engine mapping system with the rider able to change on-the-fly between three different power delivery curves. Suzuki suggests it is possible for a rider to use one map for one section of a racetrack then switch to another map for a different segment of the track. Each engine map was developed using experience gained building racebike maps for rainy, mixed and dry conditions, and the possibilities for making a race or road bike more suited to different types of conditions are obvious.
Major factories reveal new 800cc MotoGP machines
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September 26, 2006 Images of next year’s MotoGP bikes and reports on the new bikes began to filter in yesterday as the major factories returned to action at the Motegi circuit for an afternoon of testing the next generation of machinery following Sunday’s Grand Prix of Japan. Repsol Honda team riders Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa were present with Hayden testing newly developed parts for his ‘New Generation’ RC211V while Pedrosa gave the newly announced V4 800cc MotoGP machine its first public viewing. At the same time Suzuki tested its 2007 V4 800cc machine with domestic test riders and Ducati rolled out the 800cc Desmosedici for both Capirossi and Gibernau to try. Pneumatic valves are likely to be run by all the machinery with realistic chances next year. The image agllery is a ripper, with detail pics of the Suzuki, Honda and Ducati machinery.
Extreme Electric Motocross Bike
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September 23, 2006 The recreational vehicle industry and specifically trail bikes look to be set for a whole new range of possibilities in the near future as electric motorcycles become viable. Electric dirt bikes offer several compelling advantages over their current petrol-burning brethren, the most significant being they are completely silent. There is nothing more out of place in the forest than the bark of a four-stroke or the staccato rasp of a two-stroke – at complete odds with the tranquility of the wilderness and quite capable of spoiling the experience for those ten miles away, motorcycling without the noise is long overdue. For this reason, bikes are essentially banned from suburbia. Proof of just how far electric dirt bikes have come is the US$5,500 Drift XC bike from Electricross. Though it only develops 19 bhp, the linear, predictable power delivery has broad torque available from the very bottom of the rev range and is absolutely ideal power for loose surfaces. The trick is in the weight though as the Neal Saiki designed bike is ultra light – just 140 pounds ready for riding compared to 240 pounds plus for a petrol engined bike of similar output. There is no wet weight for an electric bike as there’s no petrol to burn, engine oil or even a gearbox. Saiki’s cross country bike designs have won numerous World Cup mountain bike titles and he recently landed Mountain Biking magazine’s 2006 X-Country Bike of the Year, so he knows his stuff . Before bikes he designed the first successful human powered helicopter (pictured), claiming one of the plumb aviation design firsts in history. Inspired by the potential of the electric motor, Saiki has spent the last couple of years designing and building an electric cross country bike. Saiki found that motorcycle parts are generally too heavy (without the vibration, an electric bike can be built lighter) and bicycle parts were too weak for the forces he wanted to direct. The frame parts are all made from American-produced aluminum. Accordingly, every part had to be uniquely developed using computer analysis to optimize every component, such as the patent pending double diamond design that is lighter and stiffer than conventional swingarms.
Triumph’s new Tiger gets a 1050cc motor and loses 17kg
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September 19, 2006 Brand new for 2007, the Triumph Tiger 1050 is a completely new motorcycle compared with the current Tiger 955. The potent Speed Triple-derived engine has been tweaked to suit the Tiger’s unique temperament, delivering 115 bhp with its extra 100cc. Based on the same engine which appears in the Speed Triple and ST models, the overall Tiger weight has been cut from 215 kg to 198 kg at the same time as much fatter mid-range and a price which is yet to be announced but likely to be line-ball with the current model. A sophisticated engine management system offers twice as much memory as before, allowing a quicker start and improved fuel economy while multi-adjustable front and rear suspension keeps things firmly planted.
Ducati Hypermotard spotted in testing on Italian AutoStrada
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September 19, 2006 One of the most anticipated motorcycles of all time from Italian exotica manufacturer Ducati is Terblanche-designed Hypermotard which puts 130 horses on the ground and weighs just 175 kilograms. Since it was announced last November, it has been the focus of much media attention and in February was voted the best overall motorcycle design trophy winner for 2005 by the Motorcycle Design Association. Slated for production early in 2007, Motorcycle Blog Visordown managed a scoop on Sunday when Visordown regular John Hall was on his honeymoon in Italy and decided to visit the Ducati factory in Bologna for the factory tour. John tells the story: "We were driving back to Verona and stopped at an Autostrada stop just north of Modena at about 6pm. I saw these bikes pull up and couldn't believe my eyes. I'd seen the pictures of the prototype Hypermotard but never thought I'd see one in the flesh, let alone two! The test riders were not happy bunnies when they saw me taking photos, they jumped back on their bikes and shot off before I could get up close!"
Honda waves the wand over the 2007 CBR600RR
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September 15, 2006 Honda doesn’t like getting beaten on the world stage and the success of Yamaha’s all-new 2006 600 supersport is biting into Honda’s success in competition (after four World Supersport titles in a row, it is likely to be beaten by Yamaha Germany’s Kevin Curtain for the 2006 title) and on the showroom floor. So, for 2007, Honda has done a complete makeover of every molecule of the CBR600RR and it promises the most advanced 600cc machine in the class for next year. The motor features two-stage fuel-injection system and ECU programming giving it more pull in the 7000-10,000 rev-range and an amazing 118bhp (nearly 200bhp/litre). Chassis-wise, the CBR600RR has shed a stunning eight kilograms for a dry weight of just 155 kilos! The new 2007 bike is also 22mm shorter than the older model and now features a new Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) to keep the front-end of the bike securely planted on the road. An extensive article with lots of detailed pics inside on the CBR600 which celebrates its 20th birthday in 2007. No price has yet been fixed for this latest middleweight missile, but it will be available in March 2007.
Ducati shows Multistrada 1100 and 1100S
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September 13, 2006 Ducati has revamped its popular Multistrada model, pumping the capacity to 1100cc for the 2007 model year and breaking the one litre capacity with its L-twin Desmo motor for the first time. For 2007, the Multistrada features a potent new 95 bhp (up from 92 bhp) engine with a capacity of 1078 cc (up from 992 cc) of the previous version and 10.5 Kgm (up from 8.5 Kgm) of torque at 4750 rpm (max torque was at 5000rpm on previous model). Apart from a fatter mid-range with 20% more grunt, the new engine has a quieter, more robust wet clutch, vibration-isolated handlebars, and a new maintenance program that reduces running costs by as much as 50%. The Multistrada will also be available in an S version with the same powerplant and fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension derived from the Ducati Superbikes. The changes to the Multistrada will make an incredibly versatile machine even more adaptable to any road condition. On mountain roads it offers impressive cornering performance by way of Superbike-grade suspension, world-class brakes and the renowned Ducati Trellis frame. For long journeys, the longer travel suspension smoothes the way, vibration isolated handlebars reduce fatigue and the relaxed riding position optimises comfort for both rider and passenger. In town the agile chassis, wide bars and broad power of the new 1100 engine make crossing busy city traffic an adventure to look forward to.
Ducati 800cc MotoGP bike tests
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August 23, 2006 With the World MotoGP championship at its most exciting for more than a decade, progress is continuing behind the scenes for the radical restructuring of the class next year to an 800cc capacity limit. The day after his superb win at Brno on the weekend, Loris Capirossi made his track debut with the new 800cc Ducati Desmosedici and the Italian was immediately impressed right from the start. “The first impression was positive,” said Capirossi. “The bike's handling has improved a lot and that's important. This bike has to be ridden in a different way to the GP6, it's actually very enjoyable, a bit like a 250 machine and testing it now was interesting and useful so we can immediately start to work on it. The engine is different, obviously less powerful but it makes a great noise!”
The Ecorider runs on diesel or homemade biodiesel
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August 23, 2006 The Ecorider is a motorcycle like no other – for starters it’s a diesel, and hence a rare breed indeed. We only know of two other production diesel motorcycles, the Dutch Star Twin sports tourer and the military-only HDT, and they both have quite different roles to the Ecorider. Finally, it's not a motorcycle, or at least it isn't classified as one - it is classed under European Legislation as an ATV (Agricultural Type Vehicle) and in most countries (please check), you do not need a motorcycle licence to ride this vehicle. With rising demands on the Earth's vulnerable and finite resources, environmental concerns and increasing fuel costs, the Ecorider makes a lot of sense. It will deliver 120 mpg economy running on home-made biodiesel, and it is also deeply respectful of the environment as the wide tires offer a contact patch with just 2 PSI – given this equates to half the weight per square inch of the average human footfall, the bike actually does less damage than a human in the wilderness. Accordingly, the Ecorider’s reduced environmental impact is ideal for use in protected wilderness reserves, gardens, golf courses and other areas where ground damage needs to be minimal. Apart from being green, it’s also an ideal agricultural workhorse with a high and low ratio gearbox and a reverse gear. Throw in loads of rear wheel traction and a torquey diesel motor and the Ecorider offers an ideal platform for towing. It’s also VERY easy to ride and extremely forgiving, so it can be entrusted to novices and in the hands of an expert will go just about anywhere thanks to the 11 inch wide balloon tires. Extensive image library for this story.
550 horsespower, 157 mph after 220 yards
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August 17, 2006 When we saw the results from round six of the 2006 AMA Prostar Drag Racing Champs held at the weekend, we just had to mention them. Not that there’s anything technologically groundbreaking going on, just our continued amazement at what’s possible given a ten year-old engine, a turbocharger and a spot of engenuity. The Honda CBR 1100 XX started production in 1997 as the fastest street bike available at that time, and it still sells new for less than a Honda Jazz, despite the fact it produces 164 horsepower, will touch 180 mph on a long straight road with a tail wind, and cuts a quarter mile in 10.3 seconds. On the weekend, riding a modified CBR1100XX, Kent Stotz equalled the Pro Street ET record of 7.33 ET and set an official 1/8-mile top speed class record of 157.90 mph. For the jargon uninitiated, that means he was travelling at 157 mph after just 220 yards. How much power does the bike produce from its 1137 cc motor? More than 550-plus horsepower.
Motorcycle with two front wheels and speed-variable wheeltrack
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August 3, 2006 This vehicle concept combines attributes of both two and four wheels together to enable a two wheeler that changes its wheel track according to its speed – at low speeds the two front wheels have a wide track which reduces with increased speed until the wheels are together. The idea behind the radical wheel arrangement is that it enables a motorcycle and rider to be fully enclosed and capable of supporting itself at standstill in order to create a low risk category vehicle. “Motorcycles are economic in terms of energy consumption, road usage and parking space,” says designer Haim Haleva from the College for Teachers of Technology in Tel Aviv. “The problem is that they are dangerous, because a small bump can become a severe accident. Every year throughout the world, thousands of two wheels riders pay a heavy price, sometimes losing their life because they have chosen an economical, fast and environmentally sound form of transport.” “If we could make two wheelers acceptably safe for the masses, we could solve many of the urban transport problems.” Extensive image library.
The Fhybrid front-wheel driven hydrogen-powered scooter
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July 29, 2006 The Fhybrid scooter is a hydrogen electric hybrid two wheeler that has emerged as Crijn Bouman's graduation project at Delft University in Holland and it is a very different form of two wheeler than almost anything that has come before it. For starters, it’s the only front wheel drive two wheeler going around that we know of, has a reverse gear for parking (another first on a scooter), and a range equivalent to that of a normal scooter in that it can travel approximately 200 km on a full tank of hydrogen. Oh, and it doesn’t make any noise or produce harmful emissions and looks very different to normal scooter fare.
zumo navigation device for motorcycles
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July 20, 2006 Just when we figured the established GPS navigation systems had given up against the Tom Tom juggernaut in the motorcycle market, Garmin has announced the debut of zumo, a new from-the-ground-up design that even at a distance has some commendable features that indicate it’s more than just a ruggedised automotive unit. Firstly, the oversized touchscreen buttons can be operated with gloved paws and secondly, the thing is designed so it can be used with the left hand while your right hand keeps the go-juice flowing. There’s also display which can be easily read in sunlight, a Bluetooth “hands-free-to-helmet” wireless technology capability, and a rugged, dependable locking mount. The Zumo is expected to be available in October 2006.
Ducati to auction 2005 MotoGP-winning bike
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June 10, 2006 In an extraordinary move, Ducati has released one of its 2005 MotoGP-winning race bikes for sale by public auction. The Desmosedici GP5 with which Loris Capirossi won the Grand Prix of Malaysia last September will go to auction in Monterey during the weekend of the US GP at Laguna Seca. One wonders just exactly who might roll up with a chequebook on the day given that the Ducati was the horsepower king of MotoGP in 2005 and both Honda and Yamaha would no doubt love the chance to have a look inside the 190kW (255 bhp) Desmosedici which redlined at 16,550 rpm and regularly topped the best they could build by several km/h at the speedtraps. We are unaware of any precedent for the auction. See the image gallery for images of the actual bike to be auctioned.
BMW to introduce new integral ABS and ASC
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July 8, 2006 BMW’s announcement of its next generation Integral ABS this week could easily be overlooked as just another slightly better mousetrap, as anti-lock braking is not new. Indeed, in terms of function, the new ABS is not nearly as significant as the underlying technology and what it will mean for the future. The new Integral ABS incorporates the braking system into a fully networked system and provides the foundation for additional dynamic riding control systems. The first step in this direction will be known as BMW Motorrad ASC (Automatic Stability Control) and will be introduced on both K and R series motorcycles as an option next year. The idea behind ASC is to prevent the rear wheel from “spinning up” when accelerating on slippery surfaces or the front wheel from getting airborn under acceleration. ASC is the logical counterpart to ABS. The ABS wheel sensors determine the speed at which the wheels are turning. Registering any sudden change in the difference in speed front-to-rear, the electronic control unit is able to detect any risk of the rear wheel spinning. The immediate response is to interrupt the ignition to reduce engine power. If this is insufficient to restrict wheel slip, fuel injection is also interrupted. Of course the rider is able to deactivate the ACS at anytime, even on the move. Acting together, these two functions enhance riding stability and thus help to ensure a higher standard of safety on the road.
US$45,000 supercharged, Ducati-based 200 bhp Super Squalo
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July 7, 2006 UPDATED IMAGE LIBRARY Shown for the first time at the recent Italian round of the World Superbike Championships was a motorcycle with an interesting heritage and incredibly impressive specifications – the US$44,995 195 kilogram (dripping wet and fully fueled) Super Squalo supercharged 998cc v-twin. The bike is loosely based on a Ducati 999, and uses the same Testastretta motor with modified internals, plus a Sprintex series 4-150 supercharger to deliver 200bhp matched by a strong and ultra-flat torque curve starting very low in the rev range. World renowned motorcycle designer John Keogh worked with Vee Two’s Brook Henry and Sprintex to design this unique machine of which only 99 will be manufactured, each an individually numbered, limited edition, hand-built machine with a dazzling array of the latest top shelf gear including a close ratio six speed gearbox, powershifter, ceramic coated dual exhaust system, Ohlins suspension front and rear, Marchesini wheels, digital race dashboard and a rear-facing camera and in-dash video screen for rearwards view. The Super Squalo will feature at this weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The Tire Ball prevents flat tyres
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June 15, 2006 The pneumatic tire has been one of the stand-out commercially-successful inventions of history, with around 1.2 billion car and truck tires sold each year, and an indeterminate number of bicycle, motorcycle and RV tyres on top of that. Whatsmore, the better it works, the quicker it wears out, ensuring that there’ll be a market next year because 75% of the tires sold will be replacements. Quite remarkably, despite such ubiquitous usage, the pneumatic tire has a massive Achilles heel – lose the air and it stops the vehicle. The most-read story in the history of this fine publication is about Michelin’s Tweel, the first viable alternative to the pneumatic tire in more than a century with its greatest asset being that it doesn’t go flat. Now there’s another flat-proof inflation system based on individual balls or air cells that has evolved from motorcycle off-road racing, where to win, you need to be able to finish the race. Tire Ball not only offers virtual flat-proof characteristics but simultaneously improves traction and improves suspension performance. Right now it’s a technology that’s only commercially viable for off-road RV and motorcycle racing but materials technology promises to ultimately lead to highway applications for the product. In addition to racing, the Tire Ball is also a natural for agricultural, commercial and military applications where a flat might cost you a whole lot more than time.
Jim Redman’s Ex-Works Honda 250cc RC164 Grand Prix motorcycle for sale
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June 8, 2006 Every now and again, a special piece of machinery becomes available via auction and we always like to hear when that happens so we can tell the world. In this case the machine is a four cylinder RC164-1 Honda 250 Grand Prix racer. The bike was ridden by Jim Redman for most of the 1964 World Championship season before he switched to the new six-cylinder version for the final two races. Redman finished second to the Yamaha 250 two-stroke of Phil Read in one of the most hotly contested championships in history. Redman won the Isle of Man TT and the Dutch TT at Assen on the machine, on the latter occasion becoming the first man ever to win three Grand Prix classes in the same day. A further five second places, plus another win and a third place on the ‘six’ saw Jim finish with 58 points to Read’s 50, the latter taking the title by 46 points to 42 under the ‘best six results only’ system operating that year. Offered for sale by multiple World Championship winner Jim Redman, this machine (excellent detail pics in the image library) represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for serious collectors to acquire a genuine, ex-works, 1960s Grand Prix-winning Honda possessing impeccable provenance. Auctioneers Bonhams expect the bike to fetch in excess of UKP375,000 and might even make the highest price ever for a motorcycle sold at auction
Harley-Davidson kicks off construction of Its museum
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June 5, 2006 There are few (we actually can’t think of any) companies on the planet which engender greater customer loyalty than Harley-Davidson. How many other company logos do you see tattooed on the customer's arms, chests and girlfriend’s bottoms? So there's likely to be a new "Mecca" for Harley enthusiasts in the near future as Harley officially launched construction of the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee this week with a groundbreaking ceremony that kicked up more than just a little dirt. Held on the future Museum grounds, the groundbreaking was accomplished in a truly unique Harley-Davidson style: by setting aside the traditional golden shovel and instead, literally "breaking the ground" with a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. At the designated moment, legendary Harley-Davidson dirt track racer Scott Parker dropped the clutch of an XL 883R Sportster performing a burnout and sending the dirt flying off the spinning rear tire. Transport museums have featured several times recently with Porsche, Mercedes and Ferrari all creating masterpieces in which to house their finest. Harley, with more than 100 years of such rich and colourful history, the museum will no doubt draw visitors locally and from throughout the world to experience the people, products, culture and history of Harley-Davidson.
Ducati's US$70,000 Desmosedici RR MotoGP replica for the road
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Ducati became the first manufacturer to release a roadgoing version of a MotoGP race machine yesterday, when it showed the prototype version of the Desmosedici RR which will go on sale as an extremely limited edition next year – only 400 machines a year will be built and the price will be around US$70,000. Ducati chose the magical atmosphere of the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello to launch the RR production prototype and it was a fitting venue at which to show the first-ever road-going MotoGP motorcycle. You can put your name on the list to own one here and it should be noted that if you own a Ducati 999R, you get priority. Unlike the V-twin bikes which have made the Ducati name famous, the Desmosedici RR uses an L-four layout. That’s the replica and the original racer together. Full details and extensive photo gallery inside.
The two-wheeled TowTruck
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June 1, 2006 In the world of tow trucks, the early bird gets the business, so getting to the scene of an accident faster than all the other towtrucks is vitally important. One thing that might not be obvious to people who have never driven a towtruck is that the accident the towtruck is trying to reach often causes a traffic jam, rendering the towtruck just as helpless as all the other four wheelers. Which is why a Swedish company has modified a Honda Goldwing into a fully-fledged towing machine – the Retreiver. Motorcycles are immune to traffic jams, and the exceptional manoeuvrability and power of the Retriever gets it to the scene quicker than any other tow truck plus cover a wider area. The Retriever’s towing device remains folded on to the back of the motorcycle allowing for normal motorcycle operation (the towing device is just 95 cm wide when folded) and is unfolded just prior to towing. Fearful that the GoldWing might not have enough grunt for the job? Fear not – at 1800cc, the bike isn’t short on pulling power as can be seen from these videos (here, here and here)
Two wheeled audio system
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May 18, 2006 The recent Melbourne Autosalon saw the usual mass array of customised autos with every conceivable feature, though there was one that really caught our eye. Honda provided an NSS250 Forza scooter to Fusion Audio which in turn promised to come up with the most impressive two-wheeled audio system possible, and they did not fail to deliver. The resultant scooter is fitted with an FCD-100m Marine CD Tuner with Aux In, FCM-525 5.25" Component Front Speakers, FSM-5 5.25" Coaxial Rear Speakers, FM-402 Marine 2 Channel Under Seat Amplifiers and a FWM-10 Marine 10" Subwoofer. We are reliably informed that it can be heard from the moon.
MBI 2006 Motorcycling Star Awards
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May 15, 2006 A new organization of independent internet writers has banded together as Motorcycle Bloggers International (MBI) and created the Motorcycling Star awards. The first annual awards were announced last week and like most blogs, the informal approach is refreshing and knowledge factor high, so the awards have cred in our not usually very humble opinion. The Motorcycling Star awards are for noteworthy achievements ("Stars") and lapses of judgment ("Fallen Stars") in the motorcycle industry. Any new motorcycle or related product, service, event or action by an individual or organization is eligible for an award and amongst the gongs are such original awards as the ugliest new motorcycle (Boss Hoss), the Object of Lust (MV Agusta Tamborini), the Wish We'd Thought of That Award (SportVue MC2 Heads Up Display ) and the Best New Everyday Motorcycle (Triumph Scrambler).
Snoxcycle – US$3000 motorcycle conversion for the snow
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May 11, 2006 Riding a motorcycle on snow is a thrilling experience because you can’t see what the front wheel is about run into under the blanket of snow. Accordingly, when snow falls, so do dirt bikes, and the end result is that they get parked in the shed and in some climates, that accounts for roughly half of the year or more, and accounts for enormous wastage … or enormous opportunity. When Tim Jordan moved to Idaho, he missed his dirt bike during the winter months and seven years ago, began a quest to build a conversion for a motorcycle that enabled it to be ridden in the snow. The conversion is now fully developed and will turn a dirt bike into a snoxcycle for US$2895 inside 90 minutes and back again in an hour. The great news is that it handles just like a normal dirt bike, so there’s no learning curve for the average motorcycle rider.
Ducati shows its 2007 Desmosedici
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May 10, 2006 One of the biggest problems facing motorsport is the engenuity of the engineers and the march of technology forever increasing speed and power, improving handling and aerodynamics and reducing laptimes. Formula One car racing reduced the capacity from 3.0 litres to 2.4 litres this year and already the lap times are trending back to last year’s. Next year the premier motorcycle racing MotoGP class will have the current 1000cc capacity limit reduced to 800cc and no doubt we’ll see a similar situation. Last week Ducati became the first of the teams to show its new 800cc powered prototype Desmosedici GP7 machine and already the signs are there that the lap time gap won’t be very large for very long. With a capacity of 800cc (81mm bore x 38.8mm stroke), Australian Motorcycle News is reporting that the new bike is already producing 169kW (226 bhp) compared to the current machine’s 190kW (255 bhp), a power drop of just 11 percent compared to a capacity drop of 20 percent. This has been achieved because the motor now spins to 18,200 rpm compared to the old 86mm x 42.6mm layout which redlined at 16,550 rpm. Whatsmore, the smaller motor will enable a much smaller bike with room to move the engine within the chassis to get the best balance for each circuit/rider – a smaller, more nimble and adaptable bike is expected to further reduce lap times so it’s not out of the question that by the time the 2007 season starts, times won’t have increased much.
Night MotoGP racing on the agenda
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April 25, 2006 As television plays an ever greater role in the globalization and monetization of sport, sport is evolving. Once upon a time a time difference meant just delaying the telecast on the TV, but as the internet has hastened deadlines and live sport means “when it’s actually” happening, time-shifting events is now being considered. One such innovation on the horizon is night racing, a regular and ever more frequent autoracing fixture in recent years but until now not tried in the pinnacle sports of either car or motorcycle racing. Earlier this month the three permanent riders on the MotoGP Security Commission (Valentino Rossi, Kenny Roberts Junior and Loris Capirossi) tried out the Losail circuit in Qatar during full darkness to evaluate the feasibility of holding races at night. MotoGP points leader tried the circuit on a Ducati 999R, the headlamps of which proved to be indispensable for those parts of the track without the benefit of artificial lighting. Similarly, Rossi rode a Yamaha sports bike and Roberts rode a Honda CBR1000RR sports bike in their respective determinations.
The Limited Edition MV Agusta Nero F4 1000
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April 18, 2006 Limited edition everything is coming into vogue. As manufacturing becomes more intelligent and able to respond to an ever more discerning and directly available public, eventually we’ll see products made for very small markets that in many cases are a market of one. The MV Agusta F4 1000 Nero is just such a product – a limited edition of 21 all black F4 1000 motorcycles. The MV Agusta name is one of motorcycle legend. Started in 1945 in the village of Verghera by Count Domenico Agusta – a member of a powerful industrial family whose name is still worn today on some of the world’s most advanced helicopters. The Italian Meccanica Verghera (MV) Agusta company released its first 98cc model in 1945 and took to the race track to promote it. Within a decade the company developed multi-cylinder roadsters and fire engine red racers that came to own the world 500 and 350 titles for a decade before two-stroke machinery rendered four-stroke racers obsolete. Today, the marque no longer races in the MotoGP class but does produce a range of exquisite 1000cc sports motorcycles. The Nero Limited Edition is the brainchild of Australian MV Agusta distributor and former motorcycle champion Paul Feeney and will sell as a ready-made investment at AUD$32,990 (approx US$24,500)
Rd 2 MotoGP: Rossi fights back
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April 9, 2006 Camel Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi returned to the top step of the podium after a stunning ride in yesterday’s Grand Prix of Qatar. Rossi’s 54th career MotoGP victory was sealed with a perfectly timed run in the second half of the race, passing early leader Casey Stoner (Honda) on lap 10 of 22 and holding off a late attack from Nicky Hayden (Honda) and Loris Capirossi (Ducati), who completed the podium. The win brings Rossi’s premier-class tally level with that of Mick Doohan, with only the legendary Giacomo Agostini now ahead of him on 68 victories. Casey Stoner's pole position in only his second Grand Prix, followed by leading for the first ten laps indicates MotoGP has unearthed yet another potential star - though Stoner was eventually fifth, he already looks capable of winning a race when he gets some riding condition capable of sustaining his speed for an entire race.
Red Bull X-Fighters in Mexico City
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April 8, 2006 We wrote recently about a new form of motorsport known as drifting, the first four-wheeled motorsport in which speed is not the key factor. Instead of being the fastest, it’s about performing the best tricks and extreme manoeuvres. Motorcycling has two equivalents – one on tarmac, where stoppies, wheelies and all manner of trickery are performed on road bikes and Freestyle Motocross (FMX) which is performed over jumps using motocross bikes. Though all of these sports are in their infancy, FMX is already shaping up as a mainstream spectator sport thanks to being extremely spectacular. Red Bull is a name synonymous with Xtreme sports of all descriptions, having organized many competitions for fledgling Xtreme sports and supported many others. Red Bull is now developing the sport into a major arena sport as was evidenced last weekend when it filled the world's largest bull fighting arena, the Monumental Plaza de Toros in Mexico City for the Red Bull X-Fighters FMX. Still images don’t do Xtreme sports justice but we defy you not to be oggle the array of awesome pics in the image gallery of this story, or wonder at just what type of sports we may evolve in the future. The event was won by 23-year-old Swiss rider, Mat Rebeaud, who put on such a spectacular display that he forced odds-on favourite American "Wunderkind"Travis Pastrana to try a little too hard, crashing out of the final in spectacular fashion.
New 2-cylinder BMW F 800 S wins stunt wars
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April 4, 2006 BMW’s new twin cylinder 800 is getting rave reviews from around the motorcycle press for its responsiveness and lean and athletic nature but one of the most surprising tributes to the machine has been paid by former World motorcycle stunt champion Christian Pfeiffer. BMW Motorrad was happy to oblige when Pfeiffer requested an F 800 as his new "working tool" at the very start of the freestyle season. Pfeiffer debuted the new motorcycle with flying colours in February at the "Stunt Wars" in sunny Florida. "Stunt Wars" is the biggest freestyle motorcycle competition in the US and is regarded by pros as the unofficial world championship. Pfeiffer won hands down against the best stunt professionals in the world, with free-hand wheelie circles followed by a 230 degree turn - a feat never seen before. Pfeiffer was particularly enthusiastic about the F 800's engine characteristics: "The engine is really well connected to the throttle and the power is transmitted spontaneously and sensitively - much better than in my last motorcycle with chain drive. That is exactly what I have always wanted for my stunts - absolutely perfect. From the very beginning I felt good on this bike, the balance is great - I hardly had to do anything to it, almost everything stayed as standard."
MotoGP Round 1: Ducati leads the world
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March 26, 2006 Ducati’s Loris Capirossi won today's season-opening Spanish GP to put the Ducati Marlboro Team at the top of the MotoGP points table for the first time in history. The race could prove to be a pivotal moment in MotoGP history, as it saw reigning champ Valentino Rossi knocked off on the second corner, and the coming of age of two of Rossi’s much younger rivals in Danni Pedrosa and Casey Stoner. Pedrosa incredibly challenged for the lead in his first MotoGP race and headed a Honda RC211V freight train that stretched from second (Pedrosa) through sixth place (Hayden, Elias, Melandri, Stoner). Stoner was almost as impressive, as his sixth came after missing the pre-season meaning he started his first race on a bike that was well behind in development. With Kawasaki now competitive with race leading machinery and more promise from Suzuki, it’s clear that 2006 will be a far more evenly balanced year of competition. In true never-say-die fashion, Rossi remounted after his first lap crash and finished the race to grab 14th place and two championship points – perhaps a pointer to just how valuable points will be over coming months.
Yamaha's Fazer becomes even more brutal
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March 23, 2006 Way back in the Northern hemisphere autumn of 2000, Yamaha released the Fazer 1000 – a more upright, naked version of its R1 1000cc supersport machine for riders who wanted maximum power but didn’t want the "praying mantis" riding position because they spent a goodly proportion of their time on city streets. Over the last few years, as competition has increased in the 1000 supersport category, the R1 has evolved considerably while the Fazer has had only minor revisions. At the Salon Moto de Paris last year, Yamaha showed two versions of an all-new Fazer - a naked streetfighter N model sporting a cutting edge headlight design and the faired S model with half-cowl and R1 style lights. Both models reach the showroom floor this week, with an all-new aluminium frame and swingarm with optimal balance between torsional, lateral and vertical stiffness for a great-handling, responsive ride … oh, and 150 bhp in your right hand and a mid-range that’s 7% stronger than the already brutal R1! The new Fazer might now be the fastest point-to-point motorcycle on the roads if there's a city between those points.
