Ducati’s 2009 SportClassic lineup features what can be presented as a café racer fitted with a classic style half fairing. Still, the bike is as modern as Ducatis get nowadays and this makes it a modern classic on which we were eager to jump. We did so and came across the best power-to-weight ratio of the category as well as over the refreshed, but still unique riding characteristics of a café racer.
> More
Honda’s Senior Managing Director Shigeru Takagi told MCN that the much-awaited Honda V4 will be unveiled this autumn and see dealerships in spring 2010. Also, while celebrating Honda’s 50 years of racing at the Isle of Man TT, Honda boss referred to the bike as being a “new breed of Honda”.
Takagi said: “We really believe we can develop a new era starting with this V4-powered machine. It is just the beginning and represents a new breed of Honda which will define Honda’s own taste and styling.
“This bike will be the perfect road machine that Honda customers have called for. It will be an epoch-making machine and more bikes from the V4 platform are possible.
“We know people think this bike is going to be a replacement for the VFR800 and the Blackbird but we do not see this bike as a replacement for anything. We see it as an all-new breed of machine, something very special.”
“The finished V4-powered machine will be seen in autumn 2009. The bike will be on sale in spring 2010.
"The bike is different to the concept shown for the first time at Milan in 2009 but the link between them is very clear to see.”
This is a very plausible concept that could enlarge BMW’s middleweight lineup in the future.
Based on the 800cc parallel-twin engine powering both models in the F800 range (the F800GS and F800R), the BMW HP2-800S was sketched by industrial designer Roberto Redaelli in strict accordance with BMW’s demands.
Apart from the 90bhp engine, the HP2 800S would use a lightweight aluminum frame and carbon-fiber bodywork. Overall weight is supposed to be of 385.8 pounds.
We have to admit that this concept looks very interesting and it stands honest chances to become reality given the fact that the most important aspects prior to production have been realistically thought at.
When Ducati set out to built the sport-touring Multistrada 1100 model they did it with top notch engineering, refinement and, most of all, style. As a 2009 model year, this represents the Italian way of building a bike that would prove efficient on the way to and from work during the first five days of the week and great fun during weekend trips as well.
Not only that, but Ducati also offers the “S” Multistrada 1100 model, which is no more or less than an upgraded model with performance suspensions and even carbon fiber insertions.
> More
Last autumn in Paris Suzuki unveiled its latest entry-level motorcycle entitled the Gladius 650. Basically a refined SV650, but, for the European crowd, a whole new kind of riding excitement, the new bike sits on the thin line between impressive performance and awesome styling.
> More
If there’s one thing any law enforcement officer needs to know, abusing your power can sometimes lead to your victims fighting back.
That’s the predicament highway patrol officers in Upstate New York now find themselves in after a motorcyclist named Mitchell Proner – who also happens to be a personal injury attorney – sued the New York State Police and the New York State and county authorities over what he claims to be the "misuse of safety inspections to delay and harass motorcyclists without any reasonable belief that any laws are being broken."
We don’t exactly know how many times Proner himself has been pulled by the fuzz, but it must have been enough to light a hot enough fire under him to go after these guys.
Continued after the jump.
> More
Because Marines and militaries in general use public roads and motorcycles on which they don’t have much experience (sport bikes) to go in search of an adrenaline rush similar to that experienced as soldiers, the US Marine Corp has launched what is called “Semper Ride”, an educational program that consists in a very interesting film containing an overall responsible riding theme, instructional material, and mentoring from some of the motorcycle industry’s most talented riders.
We’ve added the promotional videos of the actual film because this last is for the moment watched in military bases only.
See the videos after the break.
> More
Last year’s Intermot show in Germany saw BMW unveiling the 2009 K 1300 S, a bike that carries on the fame of the innovative K series by retaining the Duolever front suspension and single-sided swingarm with integrated shaft.
The new model makes a big impression on the industry’s scene not as much due to its 228 kg and 1293 cc inline-four engine that is capable of 175 hp, but more due to the optional quick shifter and the new ESA 2 (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) system.
Overall, the design hasn’t been changed except the slightly redesigned side fairings and black finished front air scoops. For 2009, the BMW K 1300 S is available in a range of new colors.
> More
An English motorcycle rider has invented a high-tech garage door opener system and adapted it to open/close his garage door when simply tapping the horn within a two second period. The sound-activated unit seems to work highly effective, quietly and requires no maintenance whatsoever.
See the full demonstration video after the break!
> More
The internet abounds with motorcycle riding guides, motorcycle riding tips as well as with advices for choosing the best motorcycle to start riding on, but some riders simply work with what they have and develop their own, more or less efficient, techniques for gaining those much needed skills.
Today, it’s all about maneuvering the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R at slow speed around the parking lot. Although it doesn’t sound dangerous (actually, it isn’t), most riders end up tipping their bikes over in the process so an innovative mind was needed. Apparently, the owner of this Kawi came with the oldest idea of them all – bolting on a pair of training wheels, which actually look genuine so I’m not asking where those came off from.
By looking at the rear tire, I can only be amazed by the fact that someone is actually riding that thing as such.
Pages: 
Picture Gallery
1 comment
RSS -
Webmaster free news |