For 2009, Kawasaki engineers and designers worked closely together to refine the Ninja 650R into an even more user-friendly motorcycle with many design similarities to the ZX-6R.
Starting with the 650cc parallel-twin engine, continuing with the frame and finishing with the suspensions, the bike is now a more tempting approach for novices. But what exactly is that due to? For starters, the engine’s fuel injection system has been revised for greater low rpm torque and more linear power delivery, making it perfect for those leaving their cars in the garage in favor of motorcycles as a result of continuous gas prices increase.
Other modifications to the small and yet pushy engine (72 hp and 48.5 lb/ft) consist in moving the cooling fluid from the external hoses and inside the cases as well as adding a new catalyzer which helps Kawasaki stay true to its now consecrated color (meets Euro-III regulations).
Further easing a beginner’s choice is the lowered seat (now 31.1 inches), rubber-mounted handlebars as well as rubber threads fitted pegs. A rider would now feel more confident in maneuvering the bike as we all know that the slow-speed is the one that gets headaches into the helmets.
Having also upgraded the front suspension and the swingarm (even though not concretely mentioning what they’ve done), Kawasaki people are happy to price the new Ninja 650R at $6,799. It sure won’t get beaten when it comes to fuel consumption.
Remember the news about Michael Schumacher riding Team’s Ten Kate Honda Fireblade? Well, this is the video which completes it. Looks like the two wheels offer a whole new kind of excitement for a seven times F1 champion. Just look at him go around those corners!
Back to the grind of searching in the massive archives of the Google Patent Search, we stumbled upon this little item: a postal envelope in the shape of a motorcycle.
Scott Master filed the claim last year, and was awarded the patent last June.
The idea is interesting to say the least, but several problems spring to mind. First of all, there’s not much space to put something in the envelope. Something like a letter, unless the envelope is enormous.
Secondly, when the envelope hits the sorting stations of the Postal system, it’s going to loose parts of the bike, all the edges will probably get torn off.
And last, but not least, will the Postal system accept it?
But, it’s interesting. Would I use it? Maybe... would you?
Vectrix first unvieled its first Electric Superbike prototype at the Milan 2008 autoshow. It is claimed to be the first of its kind. Vectrix an established electric scooter company is willing to begin production of this electrifying concept as soon as it gets 500 orders at €55 000 . Vectrix is hoping to be in production within two years.
The Vectrix SBK concept is driven by a 240V, 60kW permanent magnet, brushless DC motor that delivers peaktorque of 102Nm at zero revs, with a 7.5kW/hour, lithium-ion battery that makes up 64kg of the bike’s all-up 204kg.
Range is claimed to be:
200km at a steady 40km/h
100km at 80km/h
70km at 120km/h
Vetrix claims top speed will be 200km/h and a standing quarter mile within 12 seconds. The batteries will hold enough charge for 20 flat-out laps of the Vallelunga circuit in Italy "in eerie silence". Gives a new meaning to ride the lightening!
Motorcycle artist Roland Sands has recently spent some time with the Yamaha R1 studying it and finding cooler parts and technologies to implement on the already mind blowing performing motorcycle.
The result is this one-off Kenny Roberts style colored “Performance Machine”, as it says on the rear end, which stands out thanks to the longer swingarm, custom wheels and exhaust (that must sound crazy).
Now don’t get me wrong, I love the design, but I don’t know how the bike performs while braking as, for example, in order to have the front wheel stand out a brake disc was removed. Also the rider would have troubles seeing anything in those nice small mirrors.
Seeing some guys doing what they do to their motorcycles in the video attached below makes me not only doubtful about their good relationships with their life partners, but even willing to give them the advice in the title.
This is actually an ad for natural bike wax by infusionworks. The thing is that “The Ultimate Paint Moisturizer” is being applied by hand, which is why it raises some question marks and it even contains Vitamin E. Can you believe that?
I can imagine a guy saying: “It’s just paint honey! Oh (seeing her reaction), I can do it to you also after I finish here…it contains Vitamin E, you know?”
Actor Tom Arnold gives an interview to Joe Capicotti from 2Xtreem Motorcycle TV after just finishing cutting the ribbon at the Motostars Exhibition. In its characteristic style, the rider talks about its passion for motorcycles, how it all began and how it evolved during the years.
Former F1 pilot Michael Schumacher had the opportunity to get a feel of the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade rode by Carlos Checa in the World Superbike championship and he made the most out of it. The bike is being tested on the French circuit of Magny-Cours by Checa and the Ten Kate team before the 3-5 Octomber round of the championship so that is where Schumacher tested the bike.
Having embraced motorcycle racing after he retired in 2006 as a seven times F1 champion, Schumacher raced a Honda CBR1000RR in this season’s IDM Superbike series so it was up for the challenge.
That is exactly what HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team manager, Ronald ten Kate, said: "I’m always a little nervous letting someone ride our bikes before the end of the season, but with Michael, I was happy to make an exception. He’s proved to be more than capable of handling the power of our CBR1000RR and he’s really a very good rider".
Schumacher said: "It was interesting to see how a professional superbike team works. It was difficult to understand the machinery fully with such a short amount of time but it was a great experience. It was also good to be a team-mate with Carlos who I have known for a number of years. I would like to thank Mr ten Kate for giving me the opportunity to try things out".
If you plan on going at the Intermot it is strongly recommended that you don’t miss stand E-021 in hall 9.1. There, you can get a glance on the leaning trike made in Norway by Brudeli Tech. It is called Leanster (obviously) 645L and it combines the racing abilities of a cart with the excitement of a motorcycle-like riding position and controls. Press release after the break. >> read
West is a matter of where you stand in the world, but in this case, the wild wild west is in South Korea. Apparently the motorcycle scene there is a gang-ho, all out, motorcycle rodeo.
It has become so dangerous, that the Korean government is planning a major crackdown on the motorcycle world. Their target? The couriers and delivery motorcycles. Some 400,000 are registered, representing probably half of what is really out there.
These motorcycle delivery boys & girls hop onto sidewalks and speed over them in order to make their delivery on time. Pedestrians are just obstacles in their daring race against time. Seoul city is gridlocked with cars, so they do not have any options. Enforcement is very difficult anyway, so the couriers get away with it. The traffic fine they are presented with, if they are ever caught, is the equivalent of US$25.
According to the head of an express delivery service company: “Quickness is what we are for. We know it’s illegal but when the road is jammed with cars, we don’t have any choice but to hit sidewalks to go fast.”
Not only will the Seoul Metropolitan Government hit motorcycles who are riding on sidewalks, but they also plan to go after the ones that ride in the bus-only lanes and park on sidewalks, hindering pedestrians.
The service owners do not think that the Government efforts will pan out to anything. They plan to continue their operations as normal.
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