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Motorcycle
Aprilia RSV4 racebike unveiled
16:26 February 25, 2008 PST
February 26, 2008 Aprilia has taken the wraps off the 1000cc, V-4 engined superbike it plans to race in the World Superbike Championship in the 2009 season in front of an audience of more than 1,200 dealers attending the International Piaggio Group Convention in Milan. The race version of Aprilia's first ever 4-cylinder engine is already making a claimed 207 horsepower - with more room yet for development potential - and the new bike is due to make its road debut by the end of 2008. The unique, compact four-cylinder 65 degree V engine configuration achieves peak power at 13,500rpm and uses a computer controlled fly-by-wire system similar to that found in the recent R1 and R6 Yamahas for controlling power output and traction. Read More
Adiva release 250cc convertible scooter
21:33 February 17, 2008 PST
February 18, 2008 Gizmag road-tested the head-turning Adiva convertible scooter in when released in its 150cc guise, now news that a 250cc version of the rain-beating getabout has been announced. Read More
Phillippe Starck designed Voxan Cafe Racer Super Naked
23:19 February 12, 2008 PST
February 13, 2008 French designer Phillippe Starck has created this striking minimalist Cafe Racer Super Naked around Voxan's 1200cc engine. Weighing in at 180kg and putting out 140hp, the Cafe Racer Super Naked prototype is just that at the moment - here's hoping it makes the showroom floor. Read More
Aprilia’s FV2 concept bike
18:19 February 7, 2008 PST
Providing a futuristic showcase platform for the company's upcoming technical and styling directions, Aprilia’s FV2 concept bike incorporates a fly-by-wire injection system, traction control, ABS, electronically adjustable suspension and carbon fiber construction with a 1200cc, 90-degree v-twin engine that we are likely to see in the RSV and Tuono in the next couple of years. Read More
Acabion GTBO: faster than a Bugatti Veyron at only 20% throttle
By Loz Blain
21:12 February 6, 2008 PST
Bugatti Veyron owners, and indeed car owners as a group, have been looking very smug since the amazing supercar posted its awesome 250mph top speed and 1000 horsepower acceleration that not even the fastest motorcycles could match. But it seems Acabion has taken the crown back for the bike brigade, with its release of a road-ready streamliner that's capable of beating they Veyron's top speed using only 20% throttle. The Acabion GTBO is said to top out at around 340mph (close to 550kmh) if you're game enough to hold on to 50% throttle, and with engines varying from 350 to 750 horsepower, it's a very serious piece of kit... Even if it does have training wheels. Read More
Monster Motorbike: the 13 tonne car crushing colossus
15:52 January 29, 2008 PST
Almost thirty feet (9 meters) long, ten feet (3 meters) high and weighing as much as a school bus, the name emblazoned along the side of this menacing two-wheeled beast says it all - it's the "Monster Motorbike from Hell". Designed and built in Perth, Australia, by stunt driver Ray Baumann where it's been wowing fans with its car and caravan crushing capabilities, the Monster Motorbike is powered by a Detroit Diesel truck engine and six-speed Allison automatic and uses a two-speed Eaton differential from a road train to drive a huge chain on each side of the one-meter wide rear wheel, itself taken from a Caterpillar 80 tonne front end loader. Read More
Dainese tests electronically operated airbag system for motorcycle racing
17:28 January 24, 2008 PST
More than 10 years in the making, the Dainese D-Air Racing system is a new type of rider protection technology that uses a series of accelerometers and electronically operated rate gyros to deploy an airbag mounted in the aerodynamic hump of a leather racing suit when things go wrong on the racetrack. Taking only 40 milliseconds to trigger, the system provides protection for the neck, shoulder and collarbone, cushioning the falling rider before they hit the ground. Airbags have recently appeared into the world of motorcycles with examples like Honda’s airbag-equipped Goldwing and ripcord-operated inflating jackets from Motoair and Hit-Air. The difference with the Dainese system - which is currently aimed specifically at the racing environment - is that it does not require any connection to the motorcycle, kicking-in during front low-side, back lowside or high-side falls. Read More
Suzuki Bandit 1250 goes touring
17:02 January 15, 2008 PST
January 16, 2008 Suzuki’s big bad bandit 1250 has been reincarnated as a sensible mile muncher. Suzuki has announced the final specification and pricing for the new Bandit 1250 Grand Touring which sports a roomy top-box and pannier system, additional fairing lowers and Suzuki's bespoke Garmin Zumo Sat Nav system. Read More
Husaberg redesigns the four-stroke single
By Mike Hanlon
15:15 January 13, 2008 PST
January 14, 2008 The development of the four-stroke single cylinder motor is exactly as old as the internal combustion engine, but the needs of the motorcycle are still being understood. Accordingly, Husaberg’s radical new design just might be a significant breakthrough. The engine has been reconfigured to put the crankshaft near the off-roader’s center-of-mass and the KTM-owned company claims a significant improvement in handling because of it. Read More
Hillbilly’s 150kg, 150 horsepower Buell XBRR Chronos
By Jude Garvey
15:21 January 10, 2008 PST
January 11, 2008 Built as a tribute to Buell’s 25 years of innovation, the XBRR Chronos from Scandinavia’s Hillbilly motors is a 150kg, 150 horsepower custom racebike that matches the power to weight ratio of the latest japanese litre bikes and features some stunning innovations along the way. Read More
Dakar Rally canceled due to terrorist threats
By Loz Blain
18:10 January 4, 2008 PST
January 5, 2008 For the first time in its 30-year history, the Dakar Rally has been canceled, the day before it was due to start, due to direct threats launched against the race by terrorist organizations based in the area. It appears the event may be moved to sub-Saharan Africa from 2009 onwards. We commiserate with race fans, organizers and the 550-odd competitors for many of whom this "Everest of off-road" event is a lifelong dream. Read More
TriRod launches F3 Adrenaline 3-wheel motorcycle
19:21 January 3, 2008 PST
We've encountered a raft of exciting three-wheeled motorcycle designs in recent years including the Can-Am Spyder, Brudeli's Three-Wheel Leanster, the VentureOne plug-in hybrid and the T-REX from Campagna. More recently, scooter manufacturers have embraced the wide-track stability, braking power and cornering prowess of the two at the front/one at the rear configuration with the release of models like the Piaggio MP3. While many designs are still in prototype phase, it seems certain that the three-wheeled footprint will become an increasingly familiar site on the road with the latest example to cross our desk - the striking tandem seat F3 Adrenaline from San Diego based TriRod Motorcycles - now accepting reservations ahead of a Q2 2008 release. Read More
Two wheels versus four in Project Gotham Racing 4
By Darren Quick
18:03 December 10, 2007 PST
December 11, 2007 The Project Gotham Racing (PGR) franchise has always put gamers behind the wheel of some of the world’s most powerful and desirable cars, but with PGR4 gamers now also have the chance to throw a virtual leg over of some of the world’s best two wheeled vehicles including BMW's K 1200 R. Read More
The world's most expensive motorcycle?
By Loz Blain
17:32 December 10, 2007 PST
December 11, 2007 If you’re the kinda person that drives a Reventon, won’t tap on a laptop unless it’s a Luvaglio, and only sails Mangusta, then boy have we got the motorcycle for you! It’s called the Ecosse Titanium Series - so called because it sports the world’s first all-titanium frame. And from the 200-horsepower, 2150cc polished billet aluminum v-twin engine, to the MotoGP-spec Ohlins suspension, to the radially-mounted 6-piston billet ISR front brake calipers - with an individual brake pad for each of the 12 pistons - every detail screams "you can't afford me!" At USD$275,000 it's not cheap - but it does come with a free watch. Read More
Cargobike: proper storage capacity on two wheels
By Loz Blain
18:52 December 9, 2007 PST
December 10, 2007 While they offer huge advantages in getting through traffic, fuel economy, convenience and pure smiles-per-mile, it's no secret that onboard storage on motorcycles is generally absolute rubbish. You might fit a wallet, phone and a spare pair of gloves under the seat, but anything bigger than a helmet, and even a maxi-scooter's stumped. Which is why we were fascinated to discover Cargobike, a two-wheeled conveyance designed with one goal in mind: proper carrying capacity. And that it delivers - 150 whole liters of waterproof, lockable storage capacity, and a maximum load of a whopping 80 kilos in the cargo compartment which is nicely balanced where the tank and engine would be on a normal motorcycle. Read More
The 85cc mountainbike
17:47 November 29, 2007 PST
November 30, 2007 Design students from Colorado have come up with a mountainbike that incorporates a Kawasaki KX85 engine to bring a new dimension to the idea of lightweight motorcycle - around 125lbs, or just under 57 kilos. Read More
EV-X7: the electric future-cruiser
By Loz Blain
15:03 November 25, 2007 PST
November 26, 2007 With a style unlike anything that’s come before it, the EV-X7 is an electric streetbike with a 92mph top speed and a range of up to 110 miles. It looks like it runs some sort of hub-centre steering arrangement, and the prototype is now on display in Japan. Axle Group, the makers of the bike, will release a US$2100 mini-scooter using similar technology in the next 12 months. While 92mph represents quite decent performance for a zero-emissions, electric vehicle, we’re sure if you thrashed this oddball motorcycle along at that sort of speed for any length of time, the battery range would be closer to 25 miles than 110. Read More
Vectrix Electric Superbike unveiled at Milan
By Loz Blain
17:40 November 22, 2007 PST
November 23, 2007 Hot on the heels of its excellent electric maxi-scooter, Vectrix has finally delivered on its promise of an electric superbike, and it’s amazingly close to the concept drawings we saw a couple of years back. Unveiled at the Milan motorcycle show, the Vectrix Electric Superbike has a top speed of around 125mph, a range of around 70 miles and it’ll eat up the quarter mile in around 12 seconds, so it’s clearly got some punch behind the throttle. It'll go into production if interest is high enough - can this be the first true production electric performance motorcycle? And if so - how long 'til they start racing it? Read More
2008 Honda CB1000R
18:29 November 6, 2007 PST
November 7, 2007 Pictures have emerged of the 2008 CB1000R – Honda’s new sporty performance naked bike that sees a 1000cc Fireblade engine re-tuned for mid-range performance and dropped into a naked frame. Specs include fully-adjustable forks and radial front brakes taken from the Fireblade, all-new single backbone frame, single sided swingarm, a superb looking 4-swept-spoke ninja-star rear wheel, an all-digital dash and and H.I.S.S. security system. No horsepower figures as yet but expectations are for around 120hp from the re-tuned 1000cc engine. Read More
First ride: Piaggio’s MP3 three-wheeled carver
By Loz Blain
16:12 October 29, 2007 PDT
October 30, 2007 What a hoot! Piaggio’s new carving three-wheeler, with two independently suspended front wheels, opens up yet another whole new category of motorcycle – a category that will surely explode once people get a glimpse of the ability of these stunning bikes. The MP3’s triangle footprint produces some sensational handling characteristics, making it an exceptionally fool-proof learner/commuter bike – as well as a hilarious hooligan tool for more experienced riders. Gizmag spent an afternoon with the scooter that just won’t let you mess things up. Read More
Suzuki’s hydrogen-powered Crosscage motorcycle
By Loz Blain
01:23 October 25, 2007 PDT
Here’s one of the more radical concept motorcycles we’ve seen in a while – Suzuki’s Crosscage concept is a fuel-cell powered electric bike with single-sided suspension front AND rear. The brushless electric motor’s mounted inline with the rear wheel, and looks-wise it’s so far out there that it’s on its way back again. Seems like Bridgestone’s even developed a special futuristic-looking tyre to match the bike’s oddly tesselated discs. We’ve just encountered the amazing concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, where our heads are still spinning from all the ground-breaking technology on show. Read More
Bio-diesel powered motorcycle eclipses 100mpg
By Loz Blain
19:55 October 21, 2007 PDT
October 22, 2007 The 2007 Panasonic World Solar Challenge got underway yesterday with 40 teams from across the globe competing in the 3000 km race from Darwin to Adelaide in Australia. Among the competitors in the Greenfleet Technology Class - a category for internal combustion vehicles promoting an enhanced environmental profile - is the BioBike, a biodiesel-powered motorcycle, constructed by a group of students in Adelaide, Australia, that happily does 96kmh and returns a staggering fuel economy of only 2.2 litres per 100 kilometres. As the design is further refined, BioBike’s creators expect this to drop below the 2 litres per 100km mark (around 107 miles per gallon), and they believe it can be manufactured for around the same cost as a petrol-powered dirtbike. Read More
Custom-built GEICO Chopper to be auctioned for charity
17:15 October 20, 2007 PDT
October 21, 2007 Built by well-known motorcycle builder Rick “Big Rick” Hoffman, the customized “GEICO Chopper” will be auctioned online for the benefit of children’s charities with bids opening on October 22. Read More
2008 Yamaha YZF-R6 receives widespread “stealth” updates
By Loz Blain
16:36 October 18, 2007 PDT
Next year’s R6 might not look very different to the current model, but under the sharp-looking bodywork Yamaha’s 600cc Supersport missile has received some significant revisions aimed at improving the bike’s already scalpel-like handling and screaming power. As always, the 600cc Supersport road/track bike category will be extremely hard fought in 2008. With Triumph’s class-smashing 675 Daytona ruling the roost from out of nowhere for the last two years, the Japanese companies are throwing all their knowledge and technology at the category to wrestle back their supremacy. The customer is surely the winner in this battle - next year’s Yamaha YZF-R6 will contain more electronic goodies and tricky technology straight from the racetrack than anything that’s preceded it. Read More
Triumph’s 2.3-litre Rocket III gets re-invented as a tourer
By Loz Blain
22:06 October 17, 2007 PDT
October 18, 2007 Triumph have finally presented the touring version of their hairy-chested 2.3-litre mega-cruiser that they’ve been promising for over 12 months. The Rocket III Touring was unveiled to dealers last weekend in Atlanta. and rather than simply slapping a screen and a set of panniers on the original machine – which would have made for quite an acceptable touring bike – the British company chose to give it a full work-over. The engine has been “re-tuned for lazy, effortless touring” – which we take to mean it’s been partially relieved of its crazed top-end rush in favor of a torquier power delivery… Not that the tyre-smoking original could have been accused of lacking torque. Final power figures are yet to be released, but we wouldn't expect the Rocket III's 140 horsepower peak to be maintained in the Touring version. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
