Moto Lovers

Old timer's heaven Pt.1

2014-03-21T20:58:00.000+02:00

We all love them.Black and white,vintage motorcycle photos,that remind the elders and teach the youngers.Enjoy

Kawasaki Vulcan 800 bobber by Blue Collar Bobbers

2013-12-11T16:29:00.000+02:00

Blue Collar Bobbers is a company which offers a wide variety of bobber kits for many motorcycles.The following is an amazing Vulcan 800 in blue-yellow which is in our opinion simply amazing.Enjoy

http://bluecollarbobbers.com/

Moto Guzzi SP by kaffeemaschine: Che bella moto!

2013-12-10T17:08:00.002+02:00

She is green,she is mean,she has the looks and she can make your heart race.The name Moto Guzzi SP. Enjoy the madness

That was really close!

2013-12-10T16:44:00.001+02:00

First Ride: 2014 Star Bolt

2013-04-17T10:50:00.000+03:00

Every motorcycle begins with a goal in a designer’s mind. The goal of Star with the 2014 Bolt was to create a product that would appeal to a new generation of cruiser riders. According to Star, these younger buyers are less affluent than their Baby-boom forbears, but they’re also looking for a simpler, more stripped-down aesthetic. Hipsters, for instance (and I’m not saying Bolt buyers will be hipsters, but I’m Just Sayin’) “fetishize authenticity,” according to Time Out New York writer Christian Lorentzen (I like Cracked’s definition of Hipsters – ed.). That means younger buyers want a more authentic experience — or to at least look like they’re riding the real deal … like something they found and rebuilt themselves (while wearing Ray Ban Wayfarers – ed.).
These new buyers are anti-establishment and want to ride something that’s simple, stripped-down—but unique. “They don’t want to follow fad or fashion—they want to be their own person,” said Yamaha Product Planner Derek Brooks. Showing us slides charting Star motorcycle’s branding strategies, there were lots of XS650 photos and references, a low-slung, torquey, vibey and imperfect motorcycle that has lots of fans and has been subjected to every kind of modification you can imagine, from bobber to flat-tracker to cafe-racer and every possible interpretation in between.
A retro, big-bore, air-cooled parallel Twin was never in the cards (I asked Bolt Project Leader Ooki Miyakozawa about that, and he just looked at me blankly). Instead, the design team started with the Star 950 V-Star’s four-valve, dohc, 942cc (58 cubic inch) air-cooled 60-degree V-Twin. The bore and stroke numbers are slightly oversquare at 85mm X 83mm, and it has other performance touches, like forged aluminum pistons and ceramic cylinder liners. “We do what we can to improve performance,” according to Yamaha testing division guru Mike Ulrich. That said, there’s but one throttle body, although it does offer up two 35mm injectors, working with a Mikuni system offering 3-D ignition mapping. The catalyzed exhaust system’s headers are forward-routed, which means the big bazooka of a muffler doesn’t stick too far to the rear.
Usability is the word for the motor. The gearbox uses five straight-cut gears, and it’s worked with a “light-pull” clutch to make it attractive to new riders. A 21mm reinforced belt looks nice and sends power quietly and efficiently to the rear wheel. The valves adjust with screws on the tappets, good news for budding do-it-yourself mechanics—and they’ll get plenty of practice, with 4000-mile valve-check intervals.

The frame is all-new, but familiar-looking nonetheless. It’s a rigid tube-steel item that solid-mounts the motor. Suspension is similarly simple, but Ulrich tells us the spring and damping rates have been carefully selected to get both a “high-quality feel and get a low look”—the preload-adjustable rear shocks offer just 2.8 inches of travel. The R-Spec’s reservoir-equipped gold-anodized units don’t just look better, they have different internal damping, though the springs are the same. The non-adjustable 41mm KYB fork locates a 19-inch aluminum wheel slowed by a 298mm wave-style disc/two-piston sliding-pin caliper. The 16-inch aluminum rear wheel gets the same diameter disc and a one-pot caliper. Tires are Bridgestone Excedras, a 100/90-19 and 150/80-16.
The rest of the bike is a mix of minimalistic nostalgia and high-tech touches. The fenders are steel, the solo saddle is low and thin (just 27.2 inches off the ground to deliver “showroom confidence,” Brooks says) and there are no passenger pegs (although they’re available)(Hipsters ride alone – ed.). But there’s an LCD speedometer, LED taillight and a multi-function switch on the left switchpod to toggle through the odometers and clock.
Okay, I’ll come right out and say it, since everybody’s thinking it—the Bolt’s styling is a clear shot across Harley-Davidson’s bow, with styling clearly derivative of the 883 Iron. From the exposed frame backbone, to the engine’s hulking look and the clever plastic covers over the cylinder heads to make them look like MoCo items, Star really nailed the look…until you get to that tank, or more specifically, the huge seams around the pressed-steel tank.
Ooki-san looked sad when I pointed the seams out, but what can you do? Harley just has a different way of doing things. To create the necessary spaces between bodywork and various components and get the tank the right width to achieve that narrow, purposeful look, you’re going to have a wider seam, especially if you want to keep the price point down below $8,000. I was surprised an accessory tank isn’t available. At least it carries a useful 3.2 gallons of gas, and if you ignore the seams the bike has a very appealing, well-proportioned and balanced design that certainly grabs your attention — that’s why you’re reading this, no?
The Bolt promises an authentic riding experience (Hipsters fetishize authenticity, remember?) — and it delivers. There’s just enough lub-a-dub vibration, but the motor isn’t too buzzy until you’re breaking the law. The exhaust note is loud enough to hear at freeway speeds, and it’s got just the right roar. The rigid frame, 19-inch front wheel and short-ish 61.8-inch wheelbase offer up a mix of nimble steering and stability not unlike a nicely set-up vintage ride.

It’s engaging in a way other metric cruisers can’t manage, but it’s still easy and comfortable to ride. It’s no beginner-friendly lightweight at 540 pounds, but that’s 40 pounds lighter than an 883 and 73 pounds less than the V Star 950 from whence the motor came. And the weight is low in the frame, so you mix that with the good steering lock, narrow bars and low seat and around-town confidence is great. The brakes, simple as the specs are, work very well, and the front fork offers similar utility. The rear shocks bottom out easily, but the damping soothes the experience enough to make it less miserable than it could be, and the R-Spec dampers make it noticeably better still. The buttery-soft clutch works well with the slick-shifting gearbox—a gearbox engineered with just enough throw and resistance to feel like a vintage machine.
On the open road, the Bolt’s capabilities are limited—but it’s still pleasant to ride. The seating position is pure Sportster, with the high flat-track bar and mid-mounted pegs that put the rider into a weird, hunched-over crouch. I started to feel (and probably look) like Quasimodo after a while, but a couple hours in the saddle won’t ruin your day. The buzzing and windblast over 80 mph might, so keeping it in that sweet spot around 75 is heartily recommended, even if the bike will break into triple digits just smoothly rolling on the throttle in fifth gear.

Some other niggles I noticed: even on a 70-degree day in breezy San Diego, the shielded header was still uncomfortably hot on my right calf, and I felt some fuel injection stumbles at low RPM. Some of the plastic bits and exposed wiring look schlocky (like I built it in my garage? – ed.), and the big Electrolux of an exhaust can won’t be hanging in the Museum of Industrial Art any time soon. The digital speedometer, while almost invisible in direct sunlight thanks to its cool tinted glass cover, at least seemed pretty accurate. But that’s a short list for a bike in this price range.
Who’s going to buy the Bolt? Nobody who wants a Sportster, probably. But at $7,990 ($9 less than the aforementioned 883 Iron), or $8,290 for the R-Spec (which includes blacked-out mirrors and color-matched stitching on the saddle, in addition to the upgraded shocks), the Bolt is a great platform for customizing (the accessories we saw were pretty unique for a Japanese factory, including some stylish apehanger bars and brass—yes, brass!—headlight bezels) or riders who want something that while not exactly authentically cool, is arguably a cool-looking and unarguably a fun-to-ride motorcycle that gets pretty close to the bare, minimalist ethos the targeted buyers want.

Riding John Hayes' R1 (Video)

2012-11-01T13:37:00.002+02:00

What would it be like to ride racing bike?Have you ever thought of it?A journalist from two wheels had the chance to ride John Hayes' superbike,a Yamaha R1 and the video says it all.Enjoy!

Crazy rider does 7' 50'' in Nürburgring on a Kawasaki ZX-10R (Video)

2012-10-22T18:53:00.001+03:00

What a rush to ride with a monster like kawasaki zx-10 in one of the most competitive tracks around the world, Nürburgring. Imagine what a rush it is to do so in less than 8 minutes, more specifically in 7 minutes and 50 seconds.The crazy rider's name is Tim Rothig and he is a test rider for Bridgestone.The video is amazing, we'll leave you to watch it.Have fun!

Motorcycle History 101 (Part 1): Lucius Copeland

2012-10-22T02:38:00.000+03:00

Lucius Day Copeland was a pioneering 19th-century engineer and inventor from Phoenix, Arizona who demonstrated one of the first motorcycles, a steam-powered Star high-wheeler at the first Maricopa County Fair in 1884. Copeland also invented the first successfully mass-produced three-wheeled car. About 200 of his "Phaeton steamers" were produced before he retired in 1891

In 1881 Copeland designed an efficient small steam boiler which could drive the large rear wheel of a penny-farthing, having a big wheel at the front and small wheel at the back, Star cycle at 12 miles per hour (19 km/h). The "Star" was able to cover a mile in four minutes and carry enough water to operate for an hour. Copeland set up the Northrop Manufacturing Co. in 1887 in Camden, New Jersey to produce the a three-wheeled version, the "Phaeton Moto-Cycle".

The steam-powered engine produced 4 horsepower at 2600 rpm with a 100 pounds (45 kg) boiler around the steering column with the water heated by kerosene. A simple leather belt drove the large rear wheel, yielding a top speed of around 15 miles per hour (24 km/h). Copeland had produced the first successful steam tricycle, with a range of 30 miles (48 km) and taking only 5 minutes to build up enough steam to average 10 miles per hour (16 km/h). Accompanied by another director of Northrop Manufacturing, Copeland successfully completed a return trip to Atlantic City of 120 miles (190 km) in one of his three-wheeled "Phaeton steamers". About 200 were produced before Copeland decided that he wasn't making enough money and retired in 1891.

The new 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000

2012-10-22T02:14:00.000+03:00

With all the commotion surrounding the new BMW R1200GS and KTM 1190 Adventure at last month’s INTERMOT show, Suzuki’s all-new DL1000 V-Strom “concept” almost got lost in the shuffle. It shouldn’t have. This bike is unlike most concepts in that the entire machine looks pretty much production-ready, complete with turnsignals and its very own beak.

The big, fuel-injected, dohc, 90-degree V-Twin that originated in the TL1000 many moons ago appears to still be in place but lodged in a new twin-spar aluminum frame supported by a burlier, inverted fork complete with adjustment knobs on top. In general, the new bike appears less “plasticky” than the existing 650 version and more cleanly functional in the BMW GS mold. Anti-lock brake rings are visible on the wheels (a 19-inch front/17-in. rear), which leads us to conjecture that Suzuki is probably on the traction-control bandwagon, as well. The 1000 still has chain final drive, which should please some potential buyers and disappoint others. Saddlebag mounts are obvious, though not in an ugly way, and the bags themselves are tucked in much more tightly than the ultra-wide panniers on the current 650 V-Strom Adventure.
Overall, the new DL looks like a big step in the right direction for Suzuki fans. Deep-throat sources at Suzuki tell us this bike is definitely coming to America, possibly not until later next year as a 2014 model, but maybe sooner. If Suzuki can keep the price anywhere in the vicinity of the current DL1000’s, we predict you’ll see a lot of these on the road. And more than a few off it. We’ll probably learn more at EICMA. Stay tuned.

GoPro: MX of Nations 2012 (Video)

2012-10-17T16:19:00.000+03:00

The Motocross des Nations is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross". The event has been staged since 1947, where the team of Bill Nicholson, Fred Rist and Bob Ray, representing Great Britain, took home the Chamberlain Trophy for the first time.

The event as it stands today is an amalgamation of three separate events, the original Motocross des Nations, raced with 500cc motorcycles, the Trophée des Nations, raced with 250cc motorcycles, and the Coupe des Nations, for 125cc motorcycles. Before 1984, the three events were held in different locations on different weekends, whereafter they were combined into a single event with one rider per class.
The scoring for the event works on the position system, i.e. first place is awarded one point, second place two, etc. Each class (currently MX1, MX2 and Open) races twice, each time against one of other two classes, for a total of three races. The worst score of three races is dropped, and the lowest combined score wins.
The event's name has been officially anglicised (as Motocross of Nations "MXON") since 2004, when Youthstream was awarded promotional rights for the World Motocross Grand Prix, although the general moniker Des Nations or MXDN is still very much in use.
Historically Great Britain dominated the early years, before the competition became more fierce. With the rise of motocross in North America from the 1970s, the USA embarked on a famous winning streak, lasting 13 years from 1981 to 1993.This year's winner was the team of Germany with Maximilian Nagl / Ken Roczen / Marcus Schiffer .

Enjoy a High Definition video from this year's MX of Nations through the eyes of the riders

Why do we ride? A brief documentary (Video)

2012-10-16T14:28:00.000+03:00

Why do we ride motorcycles? Is it the speed? The acceleration? The sense of freedom? This is a brief documentary with the main reason we live to ride our bikes every time we get the chance

Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight

2012-10-16T14:17:00.001+03:00

There is something special about being a survivor, like the Harley-Davidson Sportster has proven to be in its 55 years of existence. The XL is like a well-weathered and wise old coot who has seen it all along the way. But this Forty-Eight version just could be the coolest of the lot. Since 1986 (as far back as we could get sales records), Harley has sold over 1 million XLs. This is pretty amazing considering that number doesn’t account for the 30 years of sales prior to ’86 following the release of the iron-head XL in 1957.

The $10,499 Forty-Eight’s direct bloodline to the past makes it as authentic as the original but better in every way. Of all the Sportsters in the lineup, the Forty-Eight has just the right blend of past influences (2.1-gallon “peanut” fuel tank, staggered pipes) and modern interpretation of a “classic” custom (bobbed rear fender, foldaway license plate and undermount mirrors) to make it stand out. Fat, 16-inch tires on spoked wheels look the part and help deliver a cushier ride than the slammed rear end’s 1.6 in. of travel alone can provide (but it is far from cushy).

H-D’s Big Twins can be sweet, but the rubber-mounted 1200cc Evo Sporty conveys a more primal connection to Harley’s simpler past, despite modern niceties like fuel injection. It looks, sounds and feels like an American classic (because it is) and yet performs with a level of refinement and efficiency (45 mpg) that can only be termed modern.

All in a package that has stood the test of time. It’s not fast, it doesn’t rail corners, it doesn’t bristle with the latest technology. It just feels good to ride, which should ensure its staying power for generations to come.

Edwards second best CRT in Motegi

2012-10-15T15:28:00.001+03:00

A very small gap separated the NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team with its Suter-BMW bike from their direct competitor in the CRT category, Aleix Espargaró, with whom the team felt Edwards could have had battled with, if it hadn’t been for his unfortunate loss of his right knee slider on the fourth lap.

Colin Edwards

"The race started good and I saw Espargaró was right there. I started pushing and felt good. Four laps in, I went to put my knee down in the last corner and it nearly ripped me off the bike and I looked down on the straight and I saw I had no knee pad. It just fell off, I don’t remember hitting a curb or anything. Initially I was thinking I had to pull in because I ride like a tripod, put my knee down and let the bike work underneath me. I just thought about the Bootcamp, feet up, use your body, be smooth. We had a small issue with electronics during the race but overall the package is getting a little better. Thanks to my team, they’ve done a great job over the weekend."
Press release courtesy of NGM Mobile Forward Racing.

Ducati 900GTS Cafe Racer

2012-10-15T15:16:00.002+03:00

Nick Huber's stunning '79 Ducati 900GTS Cafe Racer that we featured back in July has emerged again with a fresh set of photos and details of Nick's custom motorcycle workshop, Staghead Moto. The workshop is a collaboration of Nick and John Christenson and specialises in the restoration and customisation of vintage European motorcycles. With a bike such as Nick's Ducati in the workshop no one would argue that their specialty is Cafe Racer's but it's not the only cool ride he's built...

This is Nicks '72 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport Replica Racer. The bike was a hand me down from an uncle who had owned the bike during Nicks childhood. As fate would it the Guzzi ended in Nicks possession after sitting in a garage collecting dust for years.

Nick rebuilt the entire Guzzi from the frame up and added a set of Borranni rims, an original V7 Sport tank, a new seat, fenders and a custom instrument cluster. The bike was then finished in classic metallic Guzzi green to complete the package.

If you're in New York and you've got a soft spot for classic European Cafe Racers I suggest you pay Nick and John at Staghead Moto a visit.

Source: http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com

Hypersport Shootout: 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R vs. 2012 Suzuki Hayabusa LE (Video)

2012-10-13T22:45:00.000+03:00

The test we have all been waiting for.A battle for the fastest bike in the world,the clash of the titans.The hypersport best seller Suzuki Hayabusa versus the monster named Kawasaki ZX-14R.Who will prevail?Just watch the next video.The mother of all battles is about to begin

Husaberg Four Strokes are back

2012-10-13T01:24:00.000+03:00

One year after winning Cycle World’s Best Enduro Bike honors in 2011 with its FE570S, Husaberg did not import any four-stroke models in 2012. But there is better news for ’13, as three new four-stroke ’Bergs are in the U.S. lineup: the FE 250, FE 350 and FE 501. The TE 250 and TE 300 competition two-strokes return with new chassis and minor engine updates.

All three FEs are brand-new from the ground up. The radical “upside-down” engine is gone, replaced by conventionally oriented units that Husaberg claims outperform the previous motor due to advancements in technology and reduction in weight and reciprocating mass. They all  are four-valve, counterbalanced Singles that share die-cast crankcases, fuel injection with 42mm throttle bodies, Keihin engine-management systems and electric starting. A key difference between the 250/350 and the 501 is the cylinder head: The latter has a single overhead cam with rocker-arm actuation, whereas the 250 and 350 use double overhead cams with finger followers and titanium valves.
Chassis highlights for the FEs include chrome-moly steel mainframes and re-inforced-polyamide fiberglass subframes. Brembo brakes and WP suspension are standard on all three FE models. Pricing for the ’13 Husabergs should be announced by the end of October.

Source: http://www.cycleworld.com

Confederate X132 Hellcat

2012-10-12T21:21:00.000+03:00

Named after the legendary F6F Hellcat fighter plane of WWII, the X132 Hellcat is the result of an uncompromised design and manufacturing approach. Drawing on the first and second generation Hellcats' distinctive drag race architecture, the third generation

Confederate X132 Hellcat advances that architecture with innovative engineering and avant-garde design.

The centerpiece of this uncompromised approach is the Hellcat's billet aluminum case. Instead of the usual casting method, the Hellcat's case is machined from two blocks of billet 6061 aircraft grade aluminum. This new case unites America's best V-Twin technology and America's superior powertrain technology into a singularity. Although this material selection and craft methodology is expensive, it is simply the best approach for maximizing strength and guaranteeing permanence. Simply put, the X132 Hellcat is America's most substantive road bike.

X132 Copperhead; 132 cubic inches (2,163 cc); 56° Fuel Injected V-Twin; 4.4” Bore x 4.4” Stroke; One-piece Forged Crank; Journal Bearing Design

Torque: > 150 Foot Pounds

Horsepower: > 132 BHP

Machined 6061 Aircraft-Grade Billet Aluminum

Confederate Patented 5-Speed Close Ratio; Patented Output Shaft Bearing Support System

3” 120 Wall Hard Steel Backbone; 3” 120 Wall Hard Steel Down Tube; Hand Tig Welded Fabrication

Front: Custom Marzocchi RAC 50mm Fork; Rebound and Compression Adjustable for Low and High Speed Actuation

Rear: Custom Race Tech Coil-Over-Shock; Rebound and Compression Adjustable for Low and High Speed Actuation

Carbon Fiber; Front: 3.5” x 17”; Rear: 6”x 17”

Front: Pirelli Diablo Rosso 120/70 ZR; Rear: Pirelli Diablo Rosso 190/55 ZR

Front: Dual Beringer 4 Piston AEROTEC Radial Calipers; Dual Beringer AERONAL Floating Stainless Steel Discs

Rear: Single 2 Piston Brembo Monobloc Caliper; Cross-drilled Brembo Stainless Steel Disc

5.75” Round LED Headlamp; Integrated High Beam, Low Beam, Running Lights; LED Tail Lamp, Brake, Running Lights, Blinker System

Confederate Proprietary Design; Deep-drawn Steel; 4.75 Gallon Capacity

Motogadget Precision Analogue Tachometer; Digital Speed, Status

Wheelbase: 62.5” ; Rake: 23.5 Degrees; Trail: 3.8”

Controls: Mid-Rear; Clip-On & 2” Rise 1” Back Clip-On; Seating: Solo Seat; Seat Height: 30”

500 lbs

$50,000.00 USD

Source: http://confederate.co

Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1100 custom

2012-10-12T17:26:00.003+03:00

Moto Borgatoro is a Brooklyn based workshop specialising in the restoration, maintenance and customisation of classic Euopean and British Motorcycles. Shop owner Peter Boggia opened his doors in 2008 with little more than a Moto Guzzi Lemans that was salvaged from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His reputation and the level of service he provides to his customers has seen his business grow to become one of NYC's most respected workshops.
The Moto Guzzi you see here is a Lemans 1100 built for a lucky customer from the frame up.

The Guzzi's motor and drive train represents a merging of a '95 1100 Sport engine with the bikes original Lemans 5 speed gearbox. To get the most out of the Guzzi's V-Twin (as if 90bhp wasn't enough) the airbox was replaced with a set of K&N pods and the carbs underwent some drastic re-jetting. A blacked out, upswept exhaust from LaFranconi in Italy also adds to performance improvements while a new ignition system and custom wiring harness keep the electrics in check. Then to keep all those horses under control the entire braking system has had an upgrade with Brembo calipers all round and 300mm dual rotors on the front.

To reduce clutter on the bars Peter wired custom, minimalist switches that sit beside the Tomaselli grips. Under the seat you'll find a custom handmade tray which houses the battery. The brackets holding the stock V7 Sport fender are also handmade and sitting on the righthand side you'll find a Clearwater asymmetrical LED driving light.

Much of the bodywork on the bike is original but individual items have been hand picked from other Guzzi models to create Peter's own vision of the Le Mans. As I mentioned the front fender comes from a V7 Sport same as the rear, the seat comes from an S-3 and retains it's flip-up functionality for access to the battery and storage and the tank and bikini fairing are original Le Mans items.

The frame and wheels are as fresh as the day the bike rolled out of the factory after being treated and powder coated while the tank and fairing got the royal treatment. Cycle Garden did an amazing job of painting the tank in candy apple red with with classic tank decals and some personalised lettering on the fairing.

All photography shot by Ryan Handt.

Source: http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com

2013 Yamaha FJR1300A Preview

2012-10-12T12:09:00.000+03:00

FJR loyalists can revel in the numerous updates Yamaha has unveiled for the 2013 FJR1300A, including restyled bodywork, ride-by-wire throttle control, new instrumentation, and the addition of traction control.

Starting at the front, the FJR’s menacing cat-eye headlights now have LED daytime running lights, a la Audi’s A series cars. The front fairing is restyled for improved aerodynamics as well as a sleeker but more aggressive appearance.

The 2013 FJR1300A gets a new, quicker-operating windshield, restyled bodywork, and a number of electronic aids, including traction control.

New, smaller faired-in LED turnsignals replace the incandescent bulb signals on the previous model, while new leg panels feature a tool-less adjustment that allows for redirecting hot air from the engine compartment away from the rider’s knee and lower leg area.

Most significant of the changes to the front is a wider, more rigid windscreen operated by an all-new motor that raises and lowers the shield at twice the rate as the previous shield, according to Yamaha. And, bonus, the screen now remains in position when the ignition is off, rather than defaulting to the down position, as was the case on the previous model.

An all-new dash features an info screen with a customizable display. A new dashboard includes an analog tach joined by a digital LCD speedometer, as well as an LCD info panel that features three display screens. The info panel is customizable, allowing the rider to select various data displayed (ambient air, odometer, trip meters, instantaneous fuel usage, average mpg, coolant temp, etc.) in whatever order the rider chooses.

Switchgear is updated to include electronic cruise control, and the starter button is integrated with the start/stop switch. Heated grips carry over from the previous model but now allow the rider to select temperature ranges for each (high, medium and low) of the settings.

Yamaha’s Chip Controlled–Throttle (YCC-T) has been a feature on the R6 and R1 for several years, and for 2013 it makes its way on to the FJR. The throttle body is redesigned, and the shape and length of the exhaust pipe have been changed to suit the YCC-T system. Yamaha claims smoother throttle response from YCC-T, and on the sport-tourer it will integrate with electronic cruise control and Yamaha’s two-mode (sport and touring) drive-mode selector, called D-mode – both new features for 2013.

New dual headlights feature daytime LED running lights, while front turnsignals are now LED.

Rounding out electronic rider aids is a simplified, single-level traction control system that works on a similar premise (cuts ignition, as well as the throttle valve and fuel) as the TC found on the Super Ténéré, according to Yamaha’s Mike Ulrich. Although the FJR lacks the Super T’s three-level TC, the FJR rider can, if desired, disable traction control altogether.

Finally, the fully adjustable 48mm fork receives a new aluminum piston rod and plunger and new spring rate, while the shock’s damping and spring rates are revised. The modest suspension tweaks are claimed to improve the FJR’s sporty handling without compromising ride comfort.

A quick spec chart comparo between the 2012 and 2013 models reveals the new model has shed 7 pounds from the previous bike’s fully fueled, ready-to-ride weight of 644 pounds California 2013 models will weigh 639 pounds.

Yamaha staff said the bike’s engine received a number of minor updates and refinements but declined to go into detail at the time of the FJR’s unveiling. Expect full details from the bike’s soon-coming press launch.

The dark section in the middle of the body panel is an adjustable wind deflector that also serves to redirect hot air from the engine bay, moving the heat away from the rider’s legs, according to Yamaha.

FJR1300 fans may have hoped for a sweeping redesign to the aging Yamaha sport-tourer, changes that might have included a more complex traction control system or the increasingly popular electronically adjusted suspension systems like those seen on Ducati’s Multistrada or BMW’s K1600GTL/GT. However, such high-end features come at a cost.

Although the FJR’s 2013 updates are more akin to a mid-cycle revamp, they are worthwhile, functional improvements that only add an insignificant $300 to the previous bike’s MSRP.

The 2013 FJR1300A will hit dealers this month, in Stone Gray color scheme, with a $15,890 price tag. No sign of the little-loved auto-clutch AE version.

The slate of improvements on the 2013 FJR1300A won’t add significantly to the MSRP but should prove welcome and useful upgrades to this sport-tourer that was in need of an update.

Source: http://www.motorcycle.com

Buy This Dakar-Ready Honda CRF450 Rally Bike!

2012-10-12T08:57:00.000+03:00

If you've ever fantasized about owning a Dakar-ready dirtbike, here's your chance to put a factory production race machine in your garage.
Honda has tackled the Dakar Rally with factory efforts 9 times since 1981, but 2013 will mark their first entry with a bike based on a production motorcycle. Using the $8,440 CRF450X as a platform, the souped up race specimen ditches the Keihin carburetor for fuel injection, adds capacity to the gas tank, incorporates a nav system, and beefs up the chassis and bodywork to handle a proper Dakar beating. The bike will be campaigned in next year's Dakar Rally by five riders, including 11-time Baja 1000 champ Johnny Campbell.

And while the racer looks like a solid rig, the greatest thing about the factory motorcycle is that its rally parts will be commercially available in kit form, much in the same way Honda has sold go fast bits through their race division, HRC.

"The pricing and distribution of the rally kit are still in the planning stages," American Honda rep Kevin Aschenbach told me over email. But whatever the cost (and the assumed non-legality of road use), how cool would it be to own a clone of a factory Dakar Rally race bike?!

MotoGP: Austin, Texas Race Confirmed for 2013

2012-10-12T08:51:00.001+03:00

Circuit of the Americas Press Release:

Circuit of The Americas today announced that the world’s premier motorcycle racing World Championship, MotoGP™, will join its roster of racing events next spring with the three-day series set for April 19-21, 2013, at the purpose-built Grand Prix venue.

MotoGP, the pinnacle of all motorcycle World Championships, consists of 18 races in 13 countries on four continents with pan-global television coverage. Nine nationalities of the world’s most skilled riders, including current U.S. riders Colin Edwards, Ben Spies and 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, compete with cutting-edge, prototype motorcycle technology produced by Ducati, Yamaha and Honda, as well as the new CRT regulation machines from the likes of FTR, Suter and Aprilia. The series traditionally holds three races, including Moto2 and Moto3 competitions, during each event for various classes of motorcycles based on engine size.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive officer for Dorna Sports, is extremely happy to add the Austin Circuit to the official MotoGP schedule. “We are excited to be working with Circuit of The Americas to expand our programming in the United States and bring our series to an exceptional new Grand Prix facility in Texas. We see tremendous opportunities to market MotoGP and grow its fan base through this agreement and know Circuit of The Americas is the right promoter to help us achieve that goal.”

Circuit President Steve Sexton added, “The Circuit of The Americas team is delighted to introduce yet another world-renowned racing series to our 2013 event calendar—one we know will be hugely popular with fans coming to experience MotoGP for the first time at our state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex in Austin. MotoGP has a worldwide fan base with more than two million followers watching races in person each year. We’re confident it will be a great addition to our programming and draw tens of thousands of people to Central Texas, creating yet another major event with significant economic impact for our region. We want to extend our thanks to the Austin Sports Commission for its help in securing yet another first-class event for our city and for helping us become the first U.S. racing venue to host two World Championship motorsport events.”

MotoGP 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden, who hails from Kentucky, rides for the Ducati Factory Team and said he’s eager to try out the new Austin circuit. “It’s great for riders and fans to have another MotoGP event in the United States, and Circuit of The Americas will give us a chance to expose more of our homegrown fan base to MotoGP in an up-close-and-personal way,” Hayden noted. “I love competing at new, fresh tracks and am really looking forward to racing at the Austin circuit.”

Texan Colin Edwards races for the NGM Mobile Forward Racing team and their CRT project. The former World Superbike Champion said a MotoGP race at a new circuit just two hours from his home in Conroe, Texas (near Houston), means he can actually “drive to work” for a change. “Adding a race to the U.S. schedule makes a statement that MotoGP is working to expand it influence on American soil. The best way to grow our sport is to add races, and with events on the East and West Coasts—and now one in Middle America—it’s the perfect opportunity for more fans to see us in action. Plus, my family is really looking forward to jumping in a pick-up truck and driving up to Austin to see me compete.”

Rider Ben Spies, who calls Longview, Texas, “home,” is also excited about the 2013 schedule. “Who wouldn’t be excited to have a MotoGP race in their home state? I hope all of my CMRA, WERA and AMA racing friends and family storm the track. It will be so easy for me to cruise down to Circuit of The Americas from my house in Dallas.”

Tickets for the MotoGP event at Circuit of The Americas go on sale Oct. 16, 2012.

Three-day reserved seats will range in price from $133 to $199 with three-day general admission tickets priced at $89. Advance MotoGP tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

For more information: www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com

The Fastest Bike in the World - Cockpit View (Video)

2012-10-11T21:47:00.000+03:00

Rocky Robinson set the land speed record for a motorcycle which is 376mph or 605,36km/h in Boneville.It's worth watching the try that got him the world record from his cockpit.Enjoy!

Men with balls of steel on Isle of Man (Video)

2012-10-11T18:04:00.002+03:00

Balls of steel is all you need to ride those monsters in the narrow streets of an island such as Isle of Man.Even Rossi himself was astonished by the way these riders run and put their lives at risk every time they compete in the TT where many have died.Enjoy this high definition video!

Kawasaki W650 Gold Digger

2012-10-11T16:42:00.002+03:00

I'm a sucker for a W, so when the boys from Ton Up Garage in Portugal sent through their latest Kawasaki W650 build I had no option but to share it. Shop owners Pedro and Daniel are avid off road enduro riders and had wanted to build a Tracker style custom for some time. They wanted a bike that would deliver just as many grins off the road as it could on, so when they got their hands on an lightly modified '04 W650 they knew that time had come. I'll let the Ton Up Garage guys take it from here...

"The W650's engine remains stock, it's a great performer so we haven’t changed a thing. To squeeze a bit of extra power out of the bike the airbox has been replaced by a pair of pod filters and carbs re-jetted. The exhausts were designed and handmade in our workshop, every bend and curve carefully cut and laid out before welding. The rear loop was shortened and off-road racer style plates were added to both sides of the rear of the bike. The seat itself was totally redesigned, it is now a single seat with a tracker style tail section and minimal rear fender."

"On the front we’ve used a grilled headlight to give the bike more of an off-road look and it was painted it in white pearl. The goofy stock Kawasaki indicators have been replaced with small units that can hardly be noticed, again to play on the off-road style. We’ve chosen a very small speedo, an off-road handlebar and clutch lever and we decided to use white handlebars to combine with the other white parts on the bike. The wheels were painted in black and fitted with semi off-road tires and the original rear shocks were replaced with top of the range Ohlins gas charged shocks. Regarding the mirrors, they didn’t fit anywhere that looked right so we opted to leave them off...(who wants mirrors on a bike like this anyway?)"

"We’ve decided to paint the bike combining three tones, black, gold and pearl white. The bright gold was chosen to "bring out its youth spirit" but also use colors that give the bike a certain distinction. The original W650 tank was replaced with a smaller unit to help narrow the bike making it much more suitable for bush tracks.

Ton Up Garage will be selling the Gold Digger in November so if you'd like to own this bike keep an eye on their facebook page.

Source: http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com

Stoner’s Farewell Tour Starts This Weekend In Japan

2012-10-11T16:34:00.001+03:00

The Paddock Respects Him

You won’t have Casey Stoner to kick around much longer. That’s right. He’s almost done. Find someone else.

Universally respected in the paddock for his tenacious, unrelenting competitiveness. Taming the ”unridable” Ducati for years, and pushing it closer to the edge, and winning on it much more than Marco Melandri…or even the great Valentino Rossi, outside the paddock some nitwit fans labelled him a “whiner”. Perhaps they knew more than his fellow MotoGP riders about Mr. Stoner’s character. Perhaps they knew more about Mr. Stoner’s willingness to risk it all than a 1000FPS video could capture. Perhaps they knew Stoner was faking Lactose Intolerance symptoms years ago, despite what his doctors said.Then…perhaps they are just nitwits,…or whiners themselves. Soon it won’t matter.
Stoner is returning to race this weekend at Motegi after rehabilitating his broken ankle. Four races left in a career some just didn’t appreciate or understand. It doesn’t look like Casey will miss it.