Top Speed

Lazareth Wazuma V8F

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Posted on 12.16.2011 20:00 by Kirby
Filed under: BMW Ferrari | custom | quad atv | Motorcycles | Motorcycle News

French bike builder, Lazareth, has come out with their latest creation, which not only raises eyebrows for its design, but also because of the power train it carries.

The vehicle is called the Wazuma V8F, a quad vehicle that looks the part of a trike, except that it actually has four wheels. The standard three-wheel configuration makes it confusing but upon further inspection, you’ll notice that it actually has a pair of rear tires attached closely together.

The curious design of the Wazuma V8F is one of many things that are peculiar about this vehicle. For a bike of its size, Lazareth put a lot of attention in adding some expensive parts, including the extensive use of carbon fiber that can be found all over the machine. On top of that, the Wazuma V8F also has a new set of modified 18" MOMO wheels to go with Brembo caliper brakes, and four horizontal shock absorbers specifically designed for the vehicle.

And then here’s where it gets really interesting. The Wazuma V8F has quite a power train inside of it, one that comes courtesy of a famous Italian automaker you’re probably familiar with. Yep, inside this intriguing quad lies a 3.0-liter Ferrari V8 engine that produces in excess of 250 horsepower and mated to a BMW M3-sourced six-speed sequential gearbox.

A Ferrari engine mated with a BMW gearbox and encased in this design? Yeah, that’s what makes the Lazareth Wazuma V8F a quad like no other.

Lazareth Wazuma V8F originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 16 December 2011 20:00 EST.

Video: Jorian Ponomareff shows off his incredible motorcycle drifting skills

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT

The name Jorian Ponomareff may not be all that familiar to some. In fact, we’ve never heard of him before this video, but his amazing drifting skills have made him quite a sensation and we decided it was time to learn a little something about him.

Jorian Ponomareff started his motorcycle training when he was 14 years old and got his first two-wheeler. Since then, he has become one of the best stunt drivers in the world. He became so good that he is now traveling all over the world performing his skills in shows that can only be described as amazing.

After years of training and no doubt, thousands of falls, one can perfect a skill and Ponomareff’s dedication to the craft has made him an impressive stunt driver and entertainer. Enjoy the video!

Video: Jorian Ponomareff shows off his incredible motorcycle drifting skills originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 26 November 2011 09:00 EST.

Honda NSF250R Coming to the U.S.

Sulthoni@topspeed.com(Sulthoni), Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

America has waited enough, Honda. Now the Japanese company is finally dropping the wait after announcing the arrival of the 2012 HRC NSF250R. Developed for the FIM GP road racing competition in the Moto3 class, the NSF250R promises to live up to the hype - and so much more.

It’s powered by an all-new liquid-cooled single-cylinder 249cc four-stroke engine that has been specifically designed for racing. The sleek design features technical highlights that include a front-intake and rear-exhaust configuration with a high charging efficiency. To be able to generate strong power throughout the high-rpm range, the NSF250R also comes with titanium valves for both the intake and exhaust to reduce friction and lighten the valve train.

Furthermore, the NSF250R’s design reduces friction between piston and cylinder, improving the bike’s overall durability by offsetting the cylinder centerline and applying nickel silicon carbide (Ni-SiC) for the cylinder surface treatment. Lightweight and well-balanced, the NSF250R offers impressive power output and superb handling to achieve a great blend of high performance plus rider-friendly traits well suited to up-and-coming racers.

"This is a great opportunity for people who want to start road racing with a full-on track bike," said Keith Dowdle, Assistant Manager Honda Riders Club of America. "Now riders have the option of buying a purpose-built race-ready motorcycle right out of the box, as an alternative to modifying a street bike—all at a reasonable price of $28,599."

Orders for the bike are now open so if you’re planning to purchase bikes to race in 2012 moto-racing series, now’s the time do so.

Honda NSF250R Coming to the U.S. originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 08:00 EST.

Type 9 by Zero Engineering

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Posted on 09.15.2011 13:00 by Simona
Filed under: | sportsbikes | Motorcycles | Motorcycle News

Zero Engineering has revealed the first details on the 2012 Type 9 - a motorcycle that honors American motorcycle building history since its inception back in the 1950’s. The new Type 9 isn’t just an all new performance oriented frame and suspension, it also has a killer look that will make everyone swoon.

The Type 9 features an F-1 racing inspired suspension that uses a multi-link system and high-tension shock to deliver an incredibly quick and smooth response to the road. This kind of suspension is a first in the industry and is combined to an S&S 96" Evo engine and a Primo Rivera 5-Speed transmission.

The company is also offering its customers the possibility to customize their bike just theway they would want it. Engine sizes range from 96" to 124" and come in natural and black finishes. Pegs come in brass, aluminum, or black anodized aluminum.

Type 9 by Zero Engineering originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 15 September 2011 13:00 EST.

BMW Scooter Spied Testing

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Wed, 7 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

A while back, BMW brought out the E-Scooter Concept that would be previewing the brand’s electric drive line. Not much has been said about the production model as of yet, but our spy photographers were quick to click when they spotted this future electric bike testing, and they say it sounds just like a gas-powered model.

It is believed that the scooter caught testing is, in fact, a production version of the BMW Concept C unveiled in 2010 at the EICMA Motorcycle Show. Known as BMW’s maxi scooter, the new model will use a 650 cc engine and will be offered in two different versions. However, don’t expect to see much from the concept in the production version, especially those blue tires and lasers that made many fall in love with it to begin with. Those will definitely not be showing up as the production model will adopt a more conventional appearance.

gallery: 2010 BMW Concept C

gallery: BMW Motorrad E-Scooter Concept

BMW Scooter Spied Testing originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 7 September 2011 14:00 EST.

Video: Kawasaki ZX-10R blazes the Nurburgring in 7:50

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Tue, 6 Sep 2011 10:00:00 GMT

It seems that every time there’s a discussion about a hot lap around the Nurbugring, we immediately assume that another edgy supercar is at it again. The list of manufacturers that have taken stabs at the ’Ring is as long as the course itself so excuse us for being a little excited watching a motorcycle take center stage around the track.

The lap comes courtesy of Bridgestone test driver, Tim Rothiq, and a Kawasaki ZX-10R. We won’t have to remind you about the face-morphing characteristics of the Kawasaki superbike because Rothiq was able to do it for us.

The ’Ring offers plenty of challenges even for the most astute of riders so watching Rothiq navigate around the track and blast through it in spectacular fashion is a sight to behold.

Don’t be fooled by the 7:50 time being way short of the record 7:14 lap time of the Lexus LF-A; the latter is a supercar after all. It’s about as impressive a bike lap as you’ll find anywhere.

And a big kudos to Tim Rothiq for his incredible effort coercing the Kawasaki ZX-10R to behave during the lap time. Lord knows the slightest mistake can lead to a pretty nasty spill.

Check out the video and enjoy the ride, folks!

Video: Kawasaki ZX-10R blazes the Nurburgring in 7:50 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 6 September 2011 10:00 EST.

2012 Iron & Laces calendar features bikes and babes galore

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:00:00 GMT

We know its already the middle of the year, but then again, it’s never too early to change that calendar you have hanging on your wall. If you’re like any warm-blooded man with a penchant for high-powered bikes and bikini-clad vixens, then we suggest that you take a good look at what you can get with the new 2012 Iron & Lace Calendar.

Featuring a 16-month look at the world’s top American V-Twin and custom bikes together with sexy centerfold models in revealing lingerie, the 2012 Iron & Laces Calendar will give you all the visual eye candy you need on a month-to-month basis. The fact that it can tell you what day it is is just an added bonus.

The photos are the work of noted photographer, Jim Gianatsis, and it comes with some of the world’s finest customized bikes from the 2010 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. Among the steel steeds included in the calendar include the "Beezerker" from Chris Flechtner and Speed Shop Design, the "Veon" from Freddie ’Krugger’ Bertrand and Krugger Motorcycles from Germany, and the Metric V-Twin winner "Kimosabe" built by Jim Guffaw.

There are plenty more award-winning bikes included in the calendar and all of them come with some of the most beautiful women on the planet, including Hustler’s Barley Legal centerfold and adult film star Bree Daniels, Playboy Playmate Tamara Witmer, Playboy Special Edition models Tiffany Toth and Laya Bella, and Hollywood movie starlets Jennifer Englund, Sara Balint and Candise Lakota.

The calendar’s 16-month spread begins in September 2011 all the way up to December 2012, making for one of the most eye-catching calendars you can ever have. They’re printed in full color on 15x15-inch dull coated heavy art board and wire spiral bound with a hang clip for easy wall display and page turning and sealed in a clear plastic envelope with cardboard stiffer for easy protection.

For the affordable price of just $16.95, you can have own this smoking hot calendar. All you have to do is head over to www.fastdates.com or call their toll-free number, 1-800 461-1226.

2012 Iron & Laces calendar features bikes and babes galore originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 19 August 2011 15:00 EST.

Anne Hathaway aka Catwoman will be riding the Bat-Pod

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:00:00 GMT

The next Dark Knight film, "The Dark Knight Rises," will star Anne Hathaway as the Catwoman. Okay, maybe she is not the best actress to play a badass woman-turned-feline, but she still looks pretty hot and this is illustrated in the new Warner Bros image released featuring Catwoman riding a fascinating looking Bat-Pod motorcycle.

The Bat-pod debuted for the first time back in the 2008 movie, The Dark Knight. Since then, the motorcycle has been updated to have a meaner look and better technology. The bike will be followed by an all-new "green" Batmobile constructed from carbon fiber and designed by Gordon Murray.

Along with the new Batmobile and Batpod, the Lamborghini Aventador will also make an appearance in the movie, driven by Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne).

The movie has an estimated budget of $250 million and is currently filming in Bucharest, Romania. The official debut will be made in July 2012.

Anne Hathaway aka Catwoman will be riding the Bat-Pod originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 09:00 EST.

Pagani Zonda Cinque Custom Bike

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Mon, 1 Aug 2011 07:15:00 GMT

The Pagani Zonda has earned a reputation as one of the most exotic supercars on the planet, and with that designation, it has likewise given birth to some pretty amazing special edition models.

One Zonda model that has captured our attention in the past is the Zonda Cinque, a powerhouse of a supercar that comes with an AMG-sourced 7.3-iter V12 engine that produces north of 680 horsepower with a 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds and a 0-124 mph time of just 9.6 seconds.

As it turns out, there’s plenty more about the Zonda Cinque than we previously thought. Here, ladies and gentlemen, is arguably one of the rarest motorcycles on the planet, a custom-built Pagani Zonda Cinque bike.

You read that right, the Zonda Cinque has a two-wheeled offspring. We don’t have details as to what kind of drivetrain this special edition bike has, but we do know that there are only five of these bad boys in existence, which adds to the exclusivity since there’s no word as to whether the other are still around.

Motorcycle fans are just about whetting their appetites now and we certainly can’t blame them. If e saw one of these babies out on the streets, we’d be reaching for some napkins too.

Pagani Zonda Cinque Custom Bike originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 1 August 2011 07:15 EST.

Peg Perego Ducati Mini Motorcycle

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:15:00 GMT

Posted on 07.26.2011 07:15 by Simona
Filed under: Ducati | gift | Motorcycles | Motorcycle News

Kids are probably winding down from their summer vacation, but there’s still time to get in on a little bit of fun before returning to school. So, what can you do? Round out the summer with a little Ducati motorcycle produced by Peg Perego.

The Ducati mini motorcycle is designed for children from the age of 6 years and up, and can hit a top speed of about 10 mph. Remember, it’s your children’s safety we are talking about here, so a helmet is mandatory!

There are five different bikes to choose from, each carrying the same color scheme as their bigger brothers. All of them are powered by a 24 volt battery.

And if your child has just turned two or still under the age of six, there is also a three-wheeled Ducati Desmosedici Rider and Desmosedici to take up a little of their time as well.

Peg Perego Ducati Mini Motorcycle originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 26 July 2011 07:15 EST.

Orphiro Electric Motorcycle Cruiser Concept

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:15:00 GMT

Posted on 07.25.2011 17:15 by Kirby
Filed under: | Street bike | electric bikes | Motorcycles | Motorcycle News

As with all concepts, whether they’re cars or motorcycles, there’s no certainty that the models will ever hit the production block. It all depends on how the market sees it and how much interest it receives. For some, it becomes such a hit that the demand immediately calls for supplies. Other times, though, the concept is left largely at that.

For the Orphiro Electric Motorcycle Cruiser Concept, the truth arguably lies somewhere in between. Coming from the Netherlands, the Orphiro is described as a bare wide-body electric cruiser that features a bobber-style seat and wire spokes. It also has an electric battery that comes with a top speed of 75 mph and a battery range of around 60 miles, making it ideal for short joy rides and less so for cross-country treks.

According to Orphiro, the bike "combines all ideals when it comes to new motorcycling: fully electric, fast loading and one with nature. An enormous acceleration power, a lovely cruising speed and a range that covers all work-living distances easily.”

As it stands now, Orphiro is looking at launching the bike sometime in the next few months at a price of €49,000, which is around $70,000 based on current exchange rates.

It’s got some potential, but for that kind of money, we’d probably just opt for something that’s already established a name for itself in the industry. Paying that much for a ’concept’ sounds like a bad investment.

Orphiro Electric Motorcycle Cruiser Concept originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 25 July 2011 17:15 EST.

Bill Warner becomes the first person to break 300 mph on a motorcycle

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

There’s a saying that records are always meant to be broken and Bill Warner recently proved that in scintillating fashion.

With a high-powered Suzuki motorcycle, the resident of Wimauma, Florida used the Loring Timing Association Land Speed Race as the site of his record-breaking run, becoming the fastest man on a motorcycle with a top speed of 311.945 mph.

What’s more impressive than Warner breaking the record at such a sprightly age is the fact that he completely blew away the existing record of 273.356 mph with relative ease.

The event was organized to host a number of record-setting attempts, but none came in a more convincing fashion than the way Warner blew past the existing mark, even if the attempt brought some certifiable danger to it. It certainly goes without saying that breaking 300 mph on a motorcycle presents certain dangers, including the ability to keep the bike in control at such high speeds. "The bike was bouncing, hopping, skipping and sliding," Warner said. "Needless to say, I got it stopped safely. It was a little scary."

Congratulations to Warner for his record-setting achievement. Just goes to show that with a lot of hard work, coupled with some luck, any record can be broken on any given day.

Bill Warner becomes the first person to break 300 mph on a motorcycle originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 08:00 EST.

Marvel and Harley Davidson collaborate on 1200 Sportster bike giveaway

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:15:00 GMT

Chris Evans hits the cinemas next week as the star-spangled hero in Captain America and as with most blockbusters of its stature, there are plenty of companies looking to capitalize on the vast marketing potential the movie is expected to draw. In this particular case, one company that’s all too familiar with the period setting of Captain America – World War II, if you didn’t know – has decided to hitch a ride with the American patriot. That company is Harley-Davidson.

History lessons on this subject will tell you that around the time of the second World War, Harley Davidson had over 70,000 WLA bikes – they were affectionately called the “Liberators” - built for the soldiers of the war to use in whatever means they could. This wasn’t lost in the movie as trailers have shown Cap himself riding one of these bad boys in America’s fight against Red Skull and his evil band of German henchmen. All in all, Harley Davidson collaborated with Marvel to build five Cross Bones bikes modified to make them look like the WLAs of the 40s.

On top of producing the bikes used in the movie, the two companies also collaborated on building two special edition bikes for their “H-D Free the World” promotion, one to a member of the military and another to a plain old Joe like all of us. As part of the giveaway, the two lucky winners will travel to the Harley production facility in Milwaukee to receive a pair of Sportster 1200 that can be customized to their tastes and preferences.

To learn more on how you can be that lucky civilian to win a customized Harley 1200 Sportster, feel free to check out the link and found out all the information you need to enter the contest.

gallery: 2009 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom/Low/Nightster

Marvel and Harley Davidson collaborate on 1200 Sportster bike giveaway originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 July 2011 14:15 EST.

Tudor Fastrider Chronograph

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:15:00 GMT

Posted on 07.11.2011 11:15 by Simona
Filed under: Ducati | gadgets | gift | Motorcycles | Motorcycle News

Usually we talk about watches inspired by high performance cars, but this time around, we’ve come across a special timepiece that was inspired by Ducati’s line of motorcycles. The new Fastrider Chronograph was designed by Tudor and combines the traditional red and black colors of Ducati bikes with their time-tested chronographs. If anyone is interested in picking one of these bad boys up then expect to pay between $4,143 to 4,379, depending on the customization options.

The watch features a 42mm steel casing with polished satin finish, while the main movement of the watch is powered by the self-winding mechanism, which never lets time display lag behind. The watch offers a power reserve of approximately 46 hours. The winding screw is engraved with the Tudor logo, with another one being placed at the upper part of the dial. The watch also gets 2 totalizators; a 30 minute totalizator placed at the 3’o’clock mark, and the 12 hour totalizator placed at the 6 ‘o’ clock mark. It is waterproof to a depth of 150 m (500 ft).

Tudor Fastrider Chronograph originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 July 2011 11:15 EST.

Video: Aprilia and the RSV4 pay tribute to the space shuttle

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 21:00:00 GMT

The Aprilia RSV4 has raced and been compared to a number of different things over the years so it’s a little refreshing that for a change, Aprilia USA is taking its competitive juices aside to pay tribute to the the of man’s greatest technological achievement: the space shuttle.

When the first shuttle mission launched back in 1981, it opened the gates for a golden age in technological advancements that coursed through various industries, including the automotive and motorcycle segments. The space shuttle program made so many things possible in this world and opened our eyes to a world full of never-before-though-of possibilities.

Now that the space shuttle is nearing its end, the folks over at Aprilia USA have released a pretty cool video paying tribute to the space shuttle program and all the men and women responsible for designing, building, and operating the very machine that made space travel possible.

As part of the video, Aprilia uses facts from both the space shuttle and their very own RSV4 superbike to note how the former set the precedent - in more ways than one - for the latter, and so many other machines, to become the technological marvels that they are in their own right.

It’s not so much a comparison video this time around for the RSV4, but more of Aprilia tipping their helmets off to one of mankind’s finest achievements as it makes its final voyage into the cosmos.

gallery: 2011 Aprilia RS4

Video: Aprilia and the RSV4 pay tribute to the space shuttle originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 8 July 2011 21:00 EST.