Street Bike Life @ Large

Smart Car plus GSXR equals “Smartuki,” a VERY Smart Car

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:40:00 +0000

Let me introduce, Peter Bee. Peter is a sensible English fellow who took a liking to the Smart Car as soon as it was introduced, so he bought one. He found the car so much to his liking that he kept on buying them, great second car, nice for running errands, quick scoots around town, all very sensible. Problem is, Pete spends his days around MHP, makers of high performance exhaust systems. When you constantly see high performance vehicles of various sorts and drive a Smart, you soon get the urge to tweak it a bit and Peter did just that. He managed to get the engine up to around 100hp which isn’t a bad jump from the 60hp in the stocker, but Pete wanted more.

After seeing nothing else in the option list he looked further afield and started thinking GSXR1000. He talked to the fellows over at Z Cars, you know them, R1 powered Mini’s and the like, and they said “Sure, we can do that.” So Peter dropped off a brand new Smart Car and the fun began. He also talked to Phil Seton of Seton Racing who took a look at a GSXR1000 engine and found room for improvement. The result? Peter’s own personal pleasure button, a way to send his bliss-o-meter straight into the red zone.

Z Cars had to build a separate frame to house the engine along with a Cosworth differential and complete independent rear suspension. Phil Seton massaged the GSXR until it was putting out a reliable 180hp. Peter built up a full race MHP titanium exhaust system and then created a handmade wiring harness to integrate all of the Suzuki’s engine controls along with the tach, the one that goes red around 13,000rpm. Spax made up a set of coil overs with full height and damping adjustments. Then, someone thought they might want to slow this beast down and they added full floating wavy rotors up front with 6 pot calipers and solid wavy rotors in the rear.

They call the finished car the Smartuki. It’s the only one in existence and Z Cars is planning to offer it as an option. Does it run? 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, 1/4 mile in 12.4 seconds and tops out at 132mph. Definitely not your average Smart! Peter says running up to the traffic lights at 13,500rpm is always amusing since other drivers move over when they hear what sounds like a bike coming up fast. Autosport Magazine tested it against a Mistubishi Evo FQ-330. It didn’t win but fared better than the Subaru that tried a week earlier.

A few other features:

One off LED lights in the rear
A nice set of minilights
All braided hoses throughout
Brake bias with lock out for lighting the rear wheels
Electronic shifter with full power shift ability
Nice grill from Smarts R Us
Full alarm with remote start and roof open and close

Behold Bimota DB7

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:09:00 +0000

DB7th heaven
The latest Bimota superbike, the DB7, is stunning. And not just to look at. D is for Ducati, who have given the Rimini chaps the full-house 1098 motor. Rumours say the 180 bhp engine from the 1098R will also find a home in another DB7 variant. The motorcycle uses a trellis frame mated to a filigree-like aluminium section to great effect. The front is a narrow beak with stacked headlamps and gaping air intakes, while the pointy rear end is very Tesi 3D. While performance and output numbers are still to be revealed, carbon fiber in the fairing, rear section and everywhere else means the DB7 weighs only 170 kg,

Cops on electric Bikes? what about us ?

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:33:00 +0000

(From Idaho News) EAGLE, IDAHO - The mayor of Eagle idaho along with Ada County Sheriff’s deputies announced they will test two 100 percent electric motorcycles.

High Desert Harley Davidson offered the motorcycles for a year-long lease at no cost.

“It’s something that is completely new and we are just excited to be able to try it and see how well we can make it fit in our law enforcement efforts,” said Eagle Police Chief Brian Hippe

“(We are) Looking for opportunities to cut down on emission, increase visibility for alternative transportation, and this is just a great opportunity for a relationship among all those entities,” said Mayor Phil Bandy, City of Eagle.

The top speed for the Vectrix motorcycle is just over 60 miles per hour. David Thomas with High Desert says the motorcycles are a good match for the department – and the environment.

“If you use it 70 percent of what you use your regular vehicle it will reduce the co2 emissions by over 5 tons per year,” said David Thomas, High Desert Harley Davidson President.

The new bikes can run for nearly 40 miles after a full charge. (Article)

I cant passably see this being the new rage among police officers across America I think the zero emissions thing is great but lets face it the real joy we get from riding cant be duplicated by a electric motor... or can it? what you see below could very will be the newest addition to the sport bike world in the near future but what i want to know is would you own one? better yet would you trade your CC's for this energizer bunny ?

Vectrix Thrust

Vectrix, the little-known but increasingly famous maker of electric scooters, showed this, the Electric Superbike. They were quick to say that they would put the thing into production if there was enough response at the show. The 100 kph, 110 km scooter will be topped by this, a 200 kph capable, 204 kg missile. No, we're not kidding. Quarter mile times are in the 12-second region, which is what current 600s manage with ease. Oh boy, this electric business is getting serious.

Motorcycle Deaths & Helmet Laws

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:43:00 +0000

Two decades ago, 47 states required helmets for all riders. Today, 20 do. Twenty-seven states require helmets only for younger riders. Three — Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire — don't require helmets at all.

The analysis of data from the government's Fatality Analysis Reporting System of motorcycle deaths between 2002 and 2006 also found:

• About 42% of riders killed were not wearing helmets.

• Half of those killed lost control and crashed without colliding with another vehicle. Motorcyclists account for about 2% of vehicles on the road but 10% of all traffic fatalities, according to federal statistics

• Southeastern states had some of the highest fatality rates in 2006. Some of these states require all riders to wear helmets, but they also have long riding seasons that expose bikers to more risk over time.

• Nearly half of motorcyclists killed in 2006 were 40 and older, and nearly a quarter were 50 or older. The average age of those killed was about 38.

Transportation officials say the age trends reflect the growing popularity of motorcycles among older people with increasing incomes but decreasing physical dexterity and reaction times.

Critics of motorcycle helmet laws say riders should be guided by common sense rather than a government mandate.

Its pretty simple you ware a helmet and reduce your risk of being a statistic call it commen sense or call it whatever you want but in the end there is no "I told ya so"

You know your a Biker when...

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:51:00 +0000

- You ever bought saddlebags so you can carry more beer.

- Your girl follows you to the party with the car so you can take more beer.

- Your best friends are named after animals.

- Your best shoes have steel toes.

- You have motorcycle parts in the dishwasher.

- Your idea of jewelry is chains and barbwire.

- You can tell what kind of bugs they are by the taste of them.

- You're only sunburned on the back of your hands.

- You carry around a crushed beer can in the case of soft tar when you park the bike.

- You pull your bike into the motel room and use a bath towel to wipe it off.

- Your girl friend has to climb over the bike to do the laundry in the basement.

- You carry a picture of your bike in your wallet.

- Any day you ride is a good day.

- Your other vehicle is a truck with motorcycle ramps in it.

- You get hit by a Taxi in N.Y.C., slide 80 yards and ride the bike home 30 miles with a fractured hip.

- You've been too drunk to Piss but not to drunk to ride your bike home.

- Your three piece suit are Chaps, Leather Vests & a Leather Jacket.

- You don't think its a good party till someone rides his or her bike in and does doughnuts in the living room.

- You think Tequila is a Sex Aide.

- You wake up next to your girl and your first thought is if your bike will start.

- Your kids learn to ride on the back of your bike before they can walk.

- Your garage has more square footage than your house.

- Your coffee table collapses from the weight of motorcycle magazines on it.

- You throw a party and more bikes show up than cars.

- Your kids take a motorcycle chain to Show and Tell .

- All your ashtrays are pistons from your last engine rebuild.

The low down on Motorcycle theft

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:39:00 +0000

Here’s how most people picture it: Some punk walks up to your bike and disables the lock with some sleight of hand, then starts the engine by putting two wires together, and rides off with your baby… Probably to a chop shop where it will be taken apart in a matter of minutes and sold on the black market… If that’s what you think then congratulations, you’re not a thief! But unfortunately that also means many of the things you do to protect your bike from theft will be absolutely useless.

The problem is unless we can think like the bike thieves, it will be hard to defend against their attacks on our precious wheels. So here’s the inside scoop on how motorcycles get stolen in California as across the US.

A Profile of a Thief
Who are these bike thieves? Although there are organized crime rings that steal things for profit, many of bike thieves (stealing sport bikes) around the country are 20-30 something male “amateurs.” Like the rest of us, they love to ride, only instead of working for it they want to get their rides the “easy” way - and don’t have the frontal lobe activity to recognize it’s not worth jail time. Lucky for them they usually don’t get caught. And when they do, the maximum time they will do is a year and a half (which to the frontal-lobe-impaired seems not-too-bad). You can see some of these guys doing wheelies down by the park in Astoria. Yes, they are punks, but no, they’re not die-hard criminals (they’re not smart enough)…for the most part.

Now I know that other people out there that will tell you that stealing motorcycles is a lucrative business, but from what I can tell there are many better things to steal that will make more money with less risk. Bikes are easy to steal, but stolen bikes and parts are difficult to sell. The market is too small and specialized to make a lot of money doing this.

New or highly-in-demand bikes can be stripped and sold for parts or everything kept and installed on a new frame and registered like a new bike . But many of the bikes that are stolen, are simply ridden around or (joyriden). Motorcycles are “recovered” frequently…although not often enough and in poor condition.

The Tools of the Trade
The main tools used for bike theft are trucks, vans, U-Haul rentals… Didn’t think of that did ya? If you’ve ever had to haul a bike somewhere on a truck, it seems like a lot of work… but if you actually see how easy it is for three guys or even two to pick up a sportbike and put it in a van, you will think twice about ever parking your bike on the street.

Trucks and vans are the main way bikes get stolen in the city. If you have wheel locks, each wheel can be lifted onto a dolly and rolled up a platform - or with a U-Haul truck, put onto the automatic lift - or (for sportbikes) lifted by two or three guys into a van. The whole process takes around a minute. You can park right in front of your house and chances are you won’t catch them: the city is too noisy to look out the window at every truck or van that passes by. Once they have your bike, it’s just a matter of time (less than an hour) before they get the locks off and take your bike for a spin.

The Method
They often check out your bike before coming back with a truck. So if you have a bike for sale, they might just see your ad and come check out your bike, and all your other bikes, along with the kind of security you use. Most people with garages don’t bother to chain up their bikes in any serious way… Garages can give you a false sense of security.

If you don’t have anything for sale they might see you lubing the chain or follow you coming back from a ride to see where you park. These guys have more time on their hands than you or me, so it’s nothing for them to check out a few bikes a day and keep a mental catalog of possible hits.

For whatever reason, my informal poll in NY bike thefts indicates the thieves usually hit between 1AM and 3AM in the morning. Perhaps this gives them time to stash the bikes and get through the locks before morning - or perhaps these are the best times to show up with a truck.

Preventative Measures
So how can we prevent our bikes from being stolen? Some bikes are more likely targets than others. But keep in mind, even if your bike is a few years old and too worn to sell for parts, it can still be a target (especially H-D’s, CBR’s GSXR’s, R6’s and Ninjas). So the threat level might help determine how far you’re willing to go for your bike’s security.

Once you know how the thieves work, you have a few options. Here are a few easy suggestions:

1. Disc locks may be good for day-time parking on busy streets, but for the evening hours and not-so-busy-streets, you might want to step up the security a bit…

2. Alarm your bike - I hate car alarms! But…IF you park in places where your bike is always close or within viewing distance, an alarm with motion sensor will give you a little heads-up before they leave with your bike. Or better yet, get a 2-way alarm with a remote receiver that beeps in your pocket when your alarm sounds. The problem with bike theft is that lifting and trucking your bike happens so quickly (and quietly), a little bit of noise would make this more difficult to pull off smoothly.

3. Chain the front wheel to something immovable - just make sure it is actually immovable. Plumbing is easy to undo, and anything that “anchors” to the ground is (surprisingly) easy to pull up with a crow-bar. Street signs and telephone poles are good, but the only way to do this (usually) is to park on the sidewalk (which is fine on some streets, but will get you a ticket in others).

Why the front wheel? The rear wheel is a little easier to remove, and it’s (a little) easier to maneuver most bikes w/o a rear wheel rather than the front. I’ve seen articles recommend chaining the frame - but I’ve never personally owned a bike that you could do that with…the frame is too flush, and the chain is too heavy to get in there.

And by the way…Get a good chain! OnGuard chains and locks are heavy and can’t be cut with a regular bolt cutter…but they’re too heavy to carry around. Kryptonite has some lighter models that combine lighter weight with strength, but it’s always a trade off between the two.

4. Location Devices - this is the priciest suggestion, but for around $500 you can have LoJack installed. The problem with this is that it relies solely on the Police to recover your bike, and it is not activated until the Police file a report. Also, when the Police do recover a stolen motorcycle (when you are not present), it can be weeks before your motorcycle surfaces at the pound… I don’t know what they do, but motorcycles mysteriously disappear from police property for a time before arriving at the pound. For a little extra (plus a hefty monthly charge) there are remote GPS tracking devices that can track your bike in real time, anytime.

Yamaha R1 motor makes a hell of a Go Kart

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:41:00 +0000

R1 engine in a go-kart? Well sure, why not. I think the video really says it all. Considering *most* go-karts at the local go-kart rental places have 50cc engines, I can only imagine what the monster in this machine could do or better yet what the monster inside me could do with this machine: 150 HP and just under 300lbs? Oh my what a thrill. I would love to take this baby out for some drifting fun!

Tank protection at its best ! Bagster Rocks

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 09:38:00 +0000

I just wanted to take a moment to share this product with everyone just because i know not many people are aware of this quality tank cover/protector and i personally will vouch for its supreme quality and style these come custom made to order in virtually any color and are a full cover design not a half bra or cover as most seen on the market these days. This is truly a great product and worth some attention. This product is not only a way to attach your saddlebag but also covers your fuel tank to protect the paintwork. In this way, the Bagster tank protector is different from other products commonly called tank protectors, which have the sole purpose of attaching your saddlebags to the motorbike. More details at WWW.BAGSTER.COM

Good Times!

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 03:34:00 +0000

KTM Breaking ground in the sport bike scene

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 03:11:00 +0000

An extra 47cc of displacement gives KTM's RC8R a 10 horsepower increase over its regular spec sibling.

The superbike world keeps getting bigger, as European marques move in on the Japanese market. KTM, Europe’s second-largest manufacturer, has literally made its superbike bigger with the release of a higher-spec version of the RC8 at the EICMA 2008 Milan Bike Show.

The new RC8R, the second version of KTM’s inaugural superbike, ramps up the performance factor with a larger engine. Increasing the bore from 103 to 105mm (same 69mm stroke) bumped up displacement for the 75-degree V-Twin from 1148 to 1195cc. The compression ratio also spiked, jumping from 12.5:1 to 13.5:1.

The liquid-cooled Twin uses the extra room to produce a claimed 165 horsepower in stock trim. Torque production is 90.7 lb-ft. (The regular RC8 only powers up to 155 hp and 88 lb-ft, according to KTM PR claims.) For the real power junkies, and racers, a sport kit brings the RC8R peak ponies up to 180 – a claim which evens up the new R with its Italian rival, the Ducati 1098R.

A sport kit pumps the RC8R up to 180 horsepower, making it comparable to Ducati's R-model Superbike.

WP suspension components, a 43mm fork and monoshock, headline a near identical chassis spec sheet to its non-R sibling. Changes include a 5mm increase in trail (97mm – 3.82 in) and 5mm decrease in wheelbase (1425mm – 56.1 in). Another difference is the claimed weight (without fuel), with the R crossing the scales at a claimed 401.2 lbs (182 kg), 4.4 lbs lighter. In sport kit trim, the R would almost match the 1 to 1 metric power-to-weight ratio of the 1198cc Ducati Twin superbike.

No official word yet on when or if the new RC8R will turn competitive laps in the World Superbike championship. But with BMW and Aprilia all tossing their hats in the SBK ring, alongside with the dominance of Ducati, it’s not too big a stretch to imagine a European quartet vying against the Big Four from Japan. Stay tuned.

2009 KTM 1198 RC8R Specs

Engine: 75-degree V-Twin
Displacement: 1195 cc
Bore x stroke: 105 x 69 mm
Cooling: Liquid
Horsepower: 165 hp @ 10250 rpm
Torque: 90.7 lb-ft @ 8000 rpm
Compression ratio: 13.5:1
Transmission: 6 gears
Fueling: Keihin EFI (throttle body 52 mm (2.05"))
Clutch: Wet multi-disc hydraulic clutch
Frame: Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame
Front suspension: WP 43mm USD Fork, 4.7-in travel
Rear suspension: WP-Monoshock, 4.7-in travel
Front brake: Radial-mount Brembo four-piston caliper, dual 320mm discs
Rear brake: Brembo two-piston, 220mm disc
Wheels: Cast Aluminum 3.5 x 17"; 6 x 17"
Tires: 120/70 ZR 17; 190/55 ZR 17
Trail: 97 mm (3.82 in)
Wheelbase: 1425 mm (56.1 in)
Seat height: 31.69/32.48 in
Fuel Tank: 4.36 gal 0.92 reserve
Weight: 401.2 lbs (182 kg)

Purge kit on a street Bike ?

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:20:00 +0000

Well im sure alot of us have seen these NOS purge kits on the imports and muscle cars but how bout on a street bike? FYI you can run these purge kits with only compressed CO2 and get the same effect (Search purge kits on ebay for the best deal most being under $100 dollars) also a 10 or 20 oz paintball CO2 tank works great with this setup and saves you big $$$

StuntWars 09 !

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:33:00 +0000

For those that havent learned this trick yet

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:06:00 +0000

Some of you are aware of this trick already but for those that are not do yourself a favor and save some time and frustration and never back out again! And for those of you wondering.. NO your kickstand will not break. Myself and many others have been doing this for years on all sorts of bikes. give it a try you will be surprised how easy it is.

Something for the Christmas list

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:17:00 +0000

To be launched as part of BlueAnt’s latest product line up at this week’s CTIA Wireless 2007 Event in Orlando, the Interphone will be on display within BlueAnt’s booth (#1173). Easily attached to either full faced or open faced helmets, the fully weatherproof, water resistant Interphone incorporates a world class Digital Signal Processor (DSP) designed to reduce noise and echo to ensure excellent clarity of sound.

With automatic volume adjustment feature which fine-tunes to environmental noise caused by speed, the BlueAnt Interphone device enables excellent performance in speeds of up to 80mph. The microphone incorporates an anti-noise and anti-echo feature designed to minimize noise and wind interference. In order to increase usability and maximize safety whilst in use, the Interphone offers automatic voice answer,voice dialing and redial functionality.

The BlueAnt Interphone also incorporates an intercom capability which can be used between either pillion riders or motorcyclists riding in close proximity to each other (up to 490 feet). This facility is enabled when two units are being used.

BlueAnt Wireless Senior Vice President Peter George, says, "This handy device was designed with focus on its operating environment. Special attention has been given to the technology which eliminates external noise, which is changeable depending upon the speed of the rider. Additionally, careful consideration has been applied to the device’s ability to withstand exposure from the elements, particularly rain”.

“It offers up to 10 hours talk-time and an amazing 700 hours standby time. This is essential if the rider is on the bike all day for work, or on a long journey, and doesn’t have an opportunity to recharge the unit whilst on the run,” he said.

The Interphone Handsfree and Intercom is supported by BlueAnt's committed customer service program and 24-month hardware warranty.

The Interphone delivers a range of benefits including:

• Wireless headset for your Bluetooth enabled cell phone at a range of up to 33 feet
• Bike-to-bike Intercom for rider & passenger or two separate bikes up to 490 feet
• World class Digital Signal Processor (DSP) for noise and echo reduction
• Excellent performance at speeds of up to 80mph
• Microphone incorporates anti-noise and anti-wind feature
• Automatic volume adjustment depending on speed induced environmental noise
• All weather, water resistant including heavy rain
• Large multi-function button for easy use with gloves on
• Full duplex
• Configurable with Bluetooth Headset compatible GPS devices
• Easily mounts to all full faced and open faced helmets
• 2 clip mounts included - Clamp mount and Adhesive
• Voice answer, voice dialing & redial
• Up to 10 hours talk-time or 700 hours standby
• 2 year replacement warranty

MSRP- $189.00

For a list of available retailers, please refer to: www.myblueant.com/wheretobuy_online.htm

For product images, please visit our image gallery at www.myblueant.com/gallery.htm

Press Release Via BlueAnt Wireless

About BlueAnt Wireless
BlueAnt Wireless is Australia’s largest supplier of Bluetooth peripheral devices. BlueAnt’s product portfolio includes hands-free, stereo audio streaming and wireless communication products offering cutting edge technology, design and features. Based in Melbourne, Australia, BlueAnt has expanded its operations to the U.S with a North American office located in New York. For further information, please refer to BlueAnt’s North American website: www.myblueant.com

New take on Suzuki Bergman 400 Scooter ??

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:57:00 +0000

Some members of Suzuki’s R&D department decided to create this styling study for the company’s popular Burgman 400 scooter. It was created in an attempt to gauge customer interest in this type of scooter (apparently trying to gain a younger scooter audience than what it consists of at present) and displayed at Suzuki’s dealer show last September to gauge their interest as well. Apparently it was a hit with the dealers. What do you think? Let us know your thoughts on this sporting take on scooters by Suzuki.

Bikes outside the box

noreply@blogger.com (J) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Yamaha Tesseract Hybrid

Featuring 4 wheels for enhanced stability, the frame is apparently still not much bigger than a normal bike. And somewhere in there fits two different engines, one gasoline of undisclosed size and another electrical.

It brings motorcycle design input to level of Picasso’s single brush-stroke woman. The Renovatio is built around—and we do mean around—a water-cooled, GM-produced V-twin that puts out 150 hp in its normally aspirated version, and 190 horses in a supercharged variant. Much of the Renovatio is carbon fiber, making its 340-pound projected dry weight less than many of Japan and Italy’s sportiest sport bikes. [via popular mechanics - third one]

When he got home, Gulak drew up a plan for an all-electric unicycle that would emit no fumes and, he figured, be easier to weave through crowded streets than a standard two-wheeler. To give the ride more stability, he put the wheels side-by-side just an inch apart and directly under the rider, who accelerates by leaning forward, as he would on a Segway. When the rider leans into a turn, the inside wheel lifts and the outside wheel lowers, so both stay firmly on the ground. [via popsci]
Monster Motorbike
Damn! The wheels of this one weigh three tons and can easily crush a car (seen in the picture below).

It’s the Monster Motorbike from Hell, a 10-foot-tall, 15-ton beast that drags vans around racetracks and flattens sedans as if they were soda cans. Baumann knew he’d need big tires to stomp cars, so he bought a pair of old three-ton wheels from a Caterpillar front-end loader. To power them, he used a six-cylinder diesel engine and gearbox ripped out of a tractor-trailer. [via popsci]