Motorcycles

In Good Hands: Italian Helmet Ads are Cool, Creepy

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:55:11 -0600

Helmet makers BYE, and Italian brand that’s owned by motorcycle mainstays Yamaha, have devised a few clever print ads for European use. Clever, but really disconcerting too. The digital helmets may not be production ready (to say nothing of DOT approved), but the photos have a subtle, monstrous quality that just can’t be ignored. Who’s touching me?

Check out both in our gallery above.

+ BYE

ELV to Display Electric Bicycles and Scooters at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show

Hardy Shen — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:40:35 -0600

Held every January in Las Vegas, NV, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will feature a Greener Gadgets Techzone section for 2009. The exhibits will be displayed in Central Hall, and highlight pioneering technologies that benefit the environment and sustainability of global economy.

Amongst the crowd will be ELV motors, one of the first electric transportation companies to participate at CES. The company presents a whole range of "Fleet Certified" electric bicycles and electric and hybrid scooters. At its booth will be both the regular and police versions of the company’s 2009 A2B electric bicycle, equipped with a 500 watt, throttle driven motor.

Also to be displayed at the ELV booth include the 2009 Verde Motors VM3000H, a 3000 watt, 149cc hybrid scooter that can travel 45mph with 130mpg, a dual motor E-1600 all electric scooter which has a 1600 watt dual motor electric scooter and can travel 30mph for up to 40 miles per charge, and finally the UM24 electric foldable commuter bicycle— a 250 watt pedal assisted electric bicycle that can travel 16 mph for 20 miles.

"New hi-tech and stylish electric bicycles like the A2B, the fun to ride electric scooters like the E-1600," said President & CEO of ELV Motors, Inc. Douglas Schwartz, "the all new Verde Motors hybrid gas/electric scooters are great ways to save money while helping to save our environment,"

The company believes that these electric bikes and scooters will be perfect for anyone— including companies, fleets, security patrol, police, commuters, students, and vacationers— who want to save money in an environmentally conscious way.

Custom Scooters from Japan

John Beltz Snyder — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:17:22 -0600

Like rats, we have an affinity for shiny objects. We especially like
shiny objects that go "vroom." It follows, then, that we find these
custom Japanese scooters to be worth a peek. Pink Tentacle put
together a gallery of some of Japan's most photogenic scooters, ranging
from artistic to futuristic to unnecessary.

Click through the gallery above for some examples.

+ Pink Tentacle: Japanese custom scooters

Moto-Terminator Screen Shots

John Beltz Snyder — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:24:25 -0600

We have already posted some concept art for the Moto-Terminator character-slash-vehicle from the upcoming film, Terminator Salvation. Now we have screen shots, complete with fire, showing the deadly motorcycle in action. View them in the gallery above.

+ Album du vendredi, Terminator Salvation

Video: Robot Scooter is Born

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:20:57 -0600

Though it may fall mostly into the category of “things that are totally unnecessary,” this remotely controlled scooter project didn’t’ take long to warm our hearts. The video has a bit of an unfortunate soundtrack, so make sure to turn the volume down while you sit back and watch the purity of human invention unfold.

+ YouTube: Unmanned Motorcycle

Grind & Go: Inflatable Pumpboard Concept

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:43:55 -0600

Designer Maciej Puzon has envisioned what the world of skateboarding may look like in the not-so-distant future, with his Pumpboard concept that seeks to make the world’s most portable deck. The three-wheeled concept is inflatable with a removable rear axle, allowing the “board” to be rolled into a very compact unit when not in use. Pumpboard’s semi-ridged top and bottom give the needed superstructure when the deck has been filled with compressed air.

We’re still waiting on the hoverboards that were promised to us in Back to the Future 2, but Pumpboard might make and interesting intermediate step for board sports in the meantime. Have a closer look at the concept in our gallery above.

+ Maciej Puzon

Vintage Video Vendition: British Vespa Edition

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:26:19 -0600

Vespa; scooter enough for the manliest of British guardsman, perfect for the lady in your life, and even occasionally self-driving. These three vintage Vespa ads make a strong case for the iconic scooter, with a heavy helping of cheese on the side. Click on the video above and enjoy.

+ YouTube: go vespa go

Gundam Motorcycle Helmet Priced for Real Fans Only

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:44:04 -0600

With offerings of television shows, movies, comic books, and nearly unfathomable amounts of toys, the Japanese Gundam series amounts to multi-billion yen industry around the world. Hoping to capitalize on some of that juice, Lalabit Market is releasing an ultra limited edition series of full-face motorcycle helmets, all tagged with golden Gundam war paint.

Attractive enough in their own right—even to those who may not be obsessed with the anime series—the helmets’ price tag may scare away all but the most ardent Gundam fan. Lalabit will produce 100 of the shiny lids, asking more than $2500 (258,000 yen) for the collector’s piece.

+ Akihabara News

Video: You Make Scooters Look Good

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:58:14 -0600

Have you always thought that you might look pretty good sitting astride a super hip motor scooter, but haven’t had the time/opportunity to take one for a test ride? That’s the premise behind a new guerrilla marketing campaign from one Italian ad agency, which has taken to the streets with a sort of scooter visualization device. A clever approach; have a look by clicking on the video above.

+ YouTube: Guerrilla Marketing - Lanzi Moto

The Greenfly: DIY, LPG-Powered Custom Bike

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:01:56 -0600

Motorcyclist, inventor, and green-thinker Dave Akhurst has built an LPG powered motorcycle that should be the envy of any DIY garage. Called the Greenfly, Akhurst started with a 1970s-era Yamaha XT500 and modified the bike to run on compressed natural gas. The high octane rating, cheap running costs, and clean-burning nature of LPG are all plusses in the inventor’s book—enough so that the prospect of a potential bomb-like detonation if the tank is ruptured doesn’t really make him sweat. We should all be so brave.

The 500cc single-cylinder engine is tuned to deliver approximately 30 horsepower while returning about 70 miles per gallon—about a 20 mpg improvement over the standard, gasoline-burning motor. Additionally, Akhurst has done a raft of custom metalwork on the bike, including a hanger for a full-size spare behind the front fork, quick-change hubs on the custom five-spoke alloys, and a massive touring pannier that can be swapped out for the removable pillion seat.

The Greenfly is an exceptionally well-done piece of work from what we can see, and a standard bearer for green, DIY projects everywhere. Have a closer look at the bike in our gallery of images above.

+ The Biker Gene: Dave Akhurst’s Greenfly: the LPG-powered custom motorcycle.

Italian Micro: Moto Graziella Scooters Attract Cult Status in Europe

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:21:23 -0600

Regaining a measure of popularity recently in its native Europe, the supremely funky Moto Graziella foldable scooter seems to offer equal parts fun and humiliation to the daring rider.

The tiny bike with the stretched seat post and handle bars—and looking an awful lot like a little, motorized gazelle—is powered by a heroic Sachs 502/1A engine, which displaces 47cc and produces 1.8 horsepower at 4500 rpm. Believe it or not, but the Italian company maintained that that motive force was enough to carry riders of up to 286 pounds, though we’d guess any one that beefy would have a hard time reaching the quoted top speed of 25 miles per hour.

Have a closer look at the distinctive Italian mini scooter in our gallery above.

+ Museo De Transporte

Video: Star Trek Trailer Shows Future Motorcycle Concepts, Car Crashes

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:47:22 -0600

In May of next year, science fiction fans will be treated to the eleventh (!) motion picture sized installment of the Star Trek series, getting to see a fresh face (Chris Pine, sorry Shatner) playing the monumental role of Captain James T. Kirk. In this early trailer for the movie, we not only get a chance to see the Trek crew’s imagining of the future’s motorcycle (George Lucas’s imperial speeder bike had better watch its back), we also are treated to a very young Kirk making a very foolish move with a Corvette. Geek out a little with the video above.

Karl Abarth's Birthday Present: the Yamaha FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corse Concept Bike

Hardy Shen — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:43:56 -0600

Over the years, Fiat's sport division Abarth has been building a reputation for tweaking and intensifying cars to offer just that little bit more Italian insanity. Though the company primarily sticks to Fiats, it seems that it really doesn't stop them from getting its fingers on whatever is deemed fit. To wit, the tuning company recently got hold of a Yamaha FZ1.

And the result? A red, white, gold and black painted “naked bike” dubbed the Yamaha FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corse Concept Bike. But the attraction is not only skin deep as a new Akrapovic exhaust as well as suspension and brake upgrades have been fitted on. The FZ1-based concept also has a 150 horsepower 1.0-liter engine derived from the Yamaha R1 supersport bike.

This Yamaha concept was developed in cooperation with Abarth as part of a celebration to commemorate the firm founder Karl (Carlo) Abarth's birthday on November 15. Along with the motorbike is the release of a limited edition version of the 500 Abarth and a funky Abarth badged desktop computer powered by an Intel Core i7 Extreme processor.

+ Carscoop: Yamaha FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corse Concept Bike with 150HP R1 Engine

‘Moto-Terminator’ Bike Coming to Terminator Salvation

Seyth Miersma — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:42:16 -0600

Since the first Terminator movie made its debut in 1984, the mega-budget franchise has been the showcase for amazing action, and ground-breaking special effects. There have also been some first rate chase scenes—our favorite being a young John Conner (Edward Furlong) racing his dirt bike through the L.A. River in T2—which isn’t likely to change for the latest installment, Terminator Salvation.

Set to debut in May of 2009, and starring new action hero Christian Bale, the new movie joins Conner in his struggles against the nefarious Skynet after the nuclear holocaust. In this apocalyptic setting “the machines” are taking a much bigger role, and far more interesting forms than in the previous three movies.

Production director Martin Laing was responsible for envisioning some of the near-future killing devices, and has created (among a lot of other scary looking metal) this Moto-Terminator motorcycle. The bike seems to be the chilling Terminator character we know and love in motorcycle form (note the signature red “eyes”), replete with plenty of new mean toys attached. Have a look at more images in our gallery above.

+ Quiet Earth: Take a better look at Martin Laing's TERMINATOR SALVATION production art

Confederate C120 Renaissance Fighter for Sale through Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:00:15 -0600

Iconoclastic motorcycle builder Confederate is offering up its C120 Renaissance Fighter for 45 shoppers of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book this year, an utterly singular motorcycle in both design and execution.

Build largely from unadorned aircraft billet aluminum—with titanium used for parts of the chassis and suspension and wheels constructed from carbon fiber—the Fighter is no ordinary American made bike, despite its use of a big 1966cc V-twin for its motive force. That engine has had considerable attention paid to it as well, with forged alloy pistons, billet aluminum heads, and a dual counter-shaft balance system all in play. And the price of such two-wheeled glory? A cool $110,000, thanks for asking.

Confederate has also drafted a press release that is almost as idiosyncratic as its motorcycle. (We especially like, “The Fighter clarifies opaqueness and nullifies hype with straight-forward true to concept certitude.”) Read the full release, along with the Fighter specs below.

The Fighter clarifies opaqueness and nullifies hype with straight-forward true to concept certitude. At the source is a classic right triangle. Proportion is classically derived. Scale is middle way. Bearing exudes structural permanence. Human integration deploys yang energy, vitality, and power in the most simple, pure and direct form. Geometry is optimized for the medium and/or long disciplined journey of sensory heightened motion. Torque to weight is maximized. Engine, suspension and ergonomic luxury and ease of use is optimized. Materials utilization is the finest. Individual piece and component specification is highest and best.

Craft preparation and specification is uncompromised. The aesthetic is fresh, industrial, sculptural, holistic and honest. The saddle of the Fighter is your place for those outings which require extended time, geography, meditation and distance. Personal liberation will result!

Power:
45 degree radial twin
120 c.i. / 1966 c.c.; 2 litre
4 1/8” bore; 4 1/2” stroke
Forged lightweight alloy pistons
CNC aircraft billet aluminum heads; Confederate “Combat” design
Dual counter-shaft balance system

Dimensions:
Weight: 430lbs.; Wheelbase: 64"; Seat Height: 27"

Chassis:
Confederate triple load path design; CNC aircraft billet aluminum front and rear bulkheads;
pure high-grade titanium 5 inch outer diameter .095 wall backbone; oil bearing

Transmission:
Confederate design; 5 speed; close ratio; CNC aircraft billet aluminum cases

Primary:
Confederate design; CNC aircraft billet aluminum engine, transmission,
swingarm pivot outrigger bearing supported mounting system; belt drive

Suspension:
Front- Girder-type CNC aircraft billet aluminum and titanium multi-link
Confederate-Vincent design; centered coil-over shock; dual carbon fiber blades

Brakes:
Front- CNC aircraft billet aluminum 4 piston caliper;
aluminum-ceramic matrix floating lightweight rotor
Rear- CNC aircraft billet aluminum 2 piston caliper;
aluminum-ceramic matrix floating lightweight rotor

Wheels:
Front- 3 inch x 19 carbon fiber
Rear- 8 inch x 18 carbon fiber

Lighting:
Front- Integral LED headlamp; turn signal
Rear- Integral LED tail lamp; brake; turn signal

Tires:
Matched Pirelli
Front- 120 ZR x 19
Rear- 240 ZR x 18

Preview: BMW Motorrad Launches F 800 R in Milan

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:42:29 -0600

Seeking to add, “an urban edge” to its growing range of motorcycles, BMW has just launched a new mid range bike at the EICMA Milan Show—the stylish F 800 R.

Joining the popular F 800 series that was launched in 2006, the R bike will be offered to the public sometime in May of next year, and will retail in the for a hair under £6000 (about $9400) in the UK. (There’s no word yet as to if the new bike will make it to North America.) The R will be powered by an 87 horsepower version of the series’ 798cc, four-valve parallel twin engine, giving the bike a nice balance between spirited performance and good fuel economy.

BMW Motorrad also boasts that the F 800 R will offer the same high levels of safety and comfort that riders have come to expect from the company, including ABS braking, and cozy seating for both rider and passenger. Read on below for the full press release and check out a few images of the new BMW F 800 R in our gallery above.

New BMW Motorrad F 800 R roadster unveiled at the EICMA Milan Show

BMW Motorrad has unveiled the latest model in its F 800 series, launching the sporting new F 800 R at the EICMA 2008 Milan Motorcycle Show. This highly distinctive new roadster, a naked BMW bike in the mid-market segment, has been designed to deliver uncompromising handling, agility and steering precision, as well as maximum riding enjoyment. Alongside the K 1300 R, this is the second BMW roadster to be launched this year.

The F 800 R is set to be launched in May 2009 at an on-the-road price expected to be sub-£6000. It is fitted with a parallel twin engine with 4-valve technology and a capacity of 798 cc - already familiar to the F 800 S – but with power uprated to 87hp. The in-line 2-cylinder engine is already class-leading, with its strong pulling power, spontaneous response and low fuel consumption.

Closely based on the design of the BMW K 1300 R, the distinctively sporty F 800 R possesses considerable sprinting power. The shorter gear ratios from fourth to sixth gear provide faster acceleration, while the excellent pulling power of the two-cylinder engine delivers agile performance.

The new F 800 R is also fitted with a new double-sided swingarm. Constructed from a light alloy cast, the design of the swingarm highlights the dynamic characteristic of the new F 800 R, especially at the rear. Final drive is by an ‘O’ ring chain.

But the new F 800 R boasts more than just sporting talent: in the very best BMW tradition, it also possesses classic virtues such as outstanding seating comfort for rider and pillion passenger, as well as exemplary levels of safety. For example, the F 800 R is available with an ABS system whose newly developed pressure sensor provides an even finer regulation and therefore even greater safety.

BMW has also paid special attention to quality details in the immediate field of vision of the rider. In addition to re-drawing the faces of the instrument panel, the upper fork bridge with steering stem clamps, milled covering caps and butted handle bars are finished to a very high standard.

Additional accessory parts, including the sport windshield, radiator trim panels, a pillion passenger cover and an engine spoiler, can also be added to further individualise the F 800 R.

Tony Jakeman, BMW Motorrad UK Marketing Manager, said: “BMW Motorrad recently struck out on a new path into medium category motorcycles with the F 800 series, originally launched in 2006. The first model variation was the sporty F 800 S, followed by the F 800 ST with its touring capabilities. The F 800 GS and the F 650 GS, two dynamic enduro models in the very best BMW Motorrad GS tradition, then followed. The F 800 R is a logical expansion of our F 800 series, adding an urban edge to our ever growing range of models.”

2009 Zero X EV: Zero Guilt Dirt Bike

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:22:17 -0500

California-based Zero Motorcycles has just announced the latest and greatest in its line of zero emission, fully electric motorcycles, the very off-road friendly 2009 Zero X.

The go anywhere two-wheeled EV draws power from its lithium-ion battery pack, powering the motor to deliver 23 horsepower and 50 pound-feet of torque at peak output. That grunt, married to a lightweight, hand-welded aluminum frame, should make the Zero more than capable (0-30 mph in under two seconds) of providing motive thrills—even before the bike’s ability to ” handle monstrous 65-foot jumps" is factored into the equation. The super-tough suspension, with fully adjustable front forks and a double-diamond rear swing arm, help to make such aerobatic maneuvers possible for the lithe EV.

The Zero X has got a range of about 40 miles between charges—each of which takes about two hours for a full dose—and carries a price tag of $7450 for those who get there orders in before the end of November. Order for delivery after the New Year and the price rises to $7750.

+ Zero Motorcycles

Can You Design A Bike to Get Drivers Pedaling?

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:55:04 -0500

The Bicycle Design blog has opened up a competition, whose goal is to find bike designs that might convince more commuters to get out of their cars and on to a cycle as often as possible. Bike maker Cannondale has agreed to chip in one of its Bad Boy bikes (pictured above) as a prize for the winning design.

Contestants are asked to design a cycle that could, “persuade the average person, with no prior interest in cycling, to park the car and pedal to work.” No mean feat, to be sure, but one that we’d guess will provide a fertile starting place for ambitious concepts. Thinking outside of the current market will be a key to success here, though submissions are required to not “break the laws of physics, etc.” Fair enough.

Click through the link below for more contest details and submission requirements, and be sure to check back in to see the results after the contest is called on December 5th.

+ Bicycle Design

Custom Segways: Not All Choppers are Motorcycles

Seyth Miersma — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:27:18 -0500

It seems as if the already rather geeky (and we mean that in the nicest possible way) cadre of Segway owners is taking a step towards the bizarre, by embracing the blooming trend of customization in the personal mobility market. Adorning their rides with acres of diamond plate and colored Lucite, these bold individuals aren’t afraid of standing out from the crowd—not as much as they fear walking a few blocks, at any rate.

Is a fully chromed and chopped Segway with matching tow-along trailer a true bid for individuality, or just another sign of the impending apocalypse? You can judge for yourself by sifting through our gallery above.

+ GeekAlerts

Energya: Canadian Designed Three-Wheel Motorbike

Hardy Shen — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:18:42 -0500

What do you get when you cross a motorcycle with an F1 car? Mix that hybrid with a fetish for the Volkswagen GX3 concept and a product like the Energya will likely come about. The three-wheeled "recreational vehicle" was conjured up by a Higgins-Aubé Inc., a Canadian start-up company, and is currently in the early design stages.

With the rear of a motorcycle, the intake of a formula racer, the Energya is a looker that does not hold back with its smooth curves and sharp lines. The open-cockpit vehicle with two-seater set up will be made up of mostly aluminum, and so far it's estimated to weigh a measly 770 pounds.

The Canadian company will start initial designs with a motorcycle engine, but could lead to becoming an electric vehicle if development funds appear.

+ Green Car Advisor: Eye Candy For Relief From News About Politics and a Slumping Economy