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WANT!
Published July 13, 2010 | 
BMW has announced two new motorcycles built on a brand new Inline-6 powerplant. The K1600GT will presumably replace the K1300GT, while the K1600GTL will replace the K1200LT.
The powerplant is definitely the atttraction on these bikes. Weighing in at only 226 lbs, the motor puts out 160HP at 7,500 RPM and…wait for it…129 lb/ft of torque at 5,000 RPM. BMW also indicates that over 70% of maximum torque will be available from 1,500 rpm. So, right from a standing start, we’re talking 90 lb/ft of torque. That’s arm-wrenching acceleration worthy of a literbike. Indeed, compare and contrast to the 193 HP S1000RR, whose maximum torque is 83 lb/ft at 9,750 RPM.
Alas, there are no pictures of the bikes from BMW yet, except for a couple of crappy concept drawings that I’m uninterested in showing, as they are probably more misleading than accurate.
But from the specs, it looks like a monster power-tourer, with about 5 more horsepower hitting the ground at the rear wheel, and 27 lb/ft more torque than the current power king of sport-tourers, the Kawasaki Concours14.
The only remaining question will be how much it’ll set back your wallet to acquire the Beemer.
ATK Signs Deal for Street Bikes
Published June 1, 2010 | Back in November, I wrote that US dirt-bike maker ATK and Korean conglomerate S&T inked a deal for ATK to assemble ATK-branded street bikes at some select Harley-Davidson dealerships. It’s a dealer-level deal, and has nothing to do with the Motor Company itself, just some dealers put together by ATK’s CEO Frank White.
This week, we get an update, with ATK and S&T formalizing a deal for 33,000 motorcycles over the next four years. The models below are the ATK-assembled and badged bikes whose parts will be brought in from Korea:
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- ATK 250 V-Twin Cruiser
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- ATK 650 V-Twin Cruiser
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- ATK 250 V-Twin Sport
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- ATK 650 V-Twin Sport
There will be two 250cc models, a sportbike and cruiser, and two similar 650cc models.
According to Frank White’s statement in the ATK Press release:
White is quick to explain that The Harley- Davidson Motor Company does not endorse or support this joint venture in any way. White states; “Nevertheless, our new products fit the current Harley-Davidson dealer need and move to offer both the dealer, and more importantly, the retail customer, a complete staircase of V-twin based products, which only acts to complement the current Harley-Davidson product line-up.”
“The approach is simple; get new and younger riders to go into the Harley-Davidson dealerships,” explains White. “We want to capture those customers who are initially looking for a smaller displacement motorcycle, at an affordable price, and then over time these new riders will develop the aspiration for a traditional Harley-Davidson.”
HD may not have any part of this deal, but I’ll bet they’re watching it closely.
Another Barn Find
Published April 22, 2010 | So, this motorcycle shop owner over in Aalst, Belgium died, and the shop’s contents are going up for auction. That means that Troostwijk, an industrial auctioneer in Antwerp, had to go in and take stock of the shop’s contents. When they did, they got quite a surprise. Because they found eleven–count ‘em, eleven–brand new 1975 Norton 850 Commandos, unassembled, still packed away in factory crates. Oh, and a Matchless, too.
1975 Norton 850 Commando--Still sitting nicely in its factory crate.
And that’s not all. According to MCN:
The hoard also includes an ex-Peter Williams 1974 Norton works ‘space frame’ racer, a still-crated bike, a 1989 Rotax-powered Matchless G80, dozens of other Nortons and Triumphs, as well as masses of spasres [sic] and workshop machinery.
Anyway, for some reason, the auctioneers now think the estate auction may be slightly more profitable than originally thought.
If you’re going to be in Belgium, and you’ve got thousands of dollars on hand, you can find more information about the auction at Troostwijk’s web site. Better hurry, though, if you’re planning to get to Antwerp in time. The auction closes on the 26th.
Motorcycle Thefts Drop
Published April 13, 2010 | This seems like good news: The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported today that motorcycle thefts declined by 13% in 2009, with a total of 56,093 stolen last year, compared to 64,492 the previous year. The most popular bikes for thieves were Hondas, with 13,688 reported thefts, or 24.4% of the total.
In a blinding glimpse of the obvious, NICB reported that the months with the fewest thefts were December, January, and February.
Well, I guess if you’re stealing a bike in January, you want to ride bad.
California gets some company
Published March 30, 2010 | Via Motorcycle Daily, it looks like California will no longer stand alone in the US in allowing lane-splitting.
So kudos to the Arizona legislature for honoring the Goldwater legacy of personal liberty tempered by individual responsibility with Arizona House Bill 2475. Introduced by Harley-Davidson-riding Representative Jerry Weiers (say “wires,” R-District 12), the bill will legalize, for a one-year probationary period beginning January 1, 2011, lane-splitting in stopped traffic. It will only apply in counties with populations greater than 2 million (according to 2006 population estimates, this is just Maricopa county, with the Phoenix-Glendale-Scottsdale megalopolis). The bill sailed through the Transportation committee (which Weiers chairs) and the House Rules committee, and has been read to the State Senate as well. It's looking like there is little opposition to the bill so far, which makes sense: those who lean to the left should like the message of encouraging the lower environmental impact of motorcycle transportation, and those on the right should appreciate the individual-rights angle.
I don’t like lane-splitting in moving traffic, mainly because here in Southern California, no-signal-no-looking-lane-changing idiots are likely to run you over. On the other hand, I almost invariably lane-split at stoplights. As long as you exercise reasonable prudence, it’s not a big deal.
Harley-Davidson Racing
Published March 4, 2010 | Vance & Hines and the AMA Pro Racing series have teamed up to create a brand new racing series for the Harley-Davidson XR1200. Granted, the XR is the only Harley that can be said to have any pretensions to being a racing bike…of some kind. A&R has taken the press release of the big announcement, and helpfully translated it, line by line, as follows:
“We have racing in our DNA, Harley-Davidson has racing in their DNA and we are truly thrilled to bring Vance & Hines and Harley-Davidson back into AMA Pro Racing,” Terry Vance, a prolific champion as both rider and team owner, said of the new series. “The XR1200 has proven to be an exciting platform for spec racing in Europe and this class will be a perfect cost-effective platform to showcase new talent on a national stage. Many of the finest motorcycle racers all over the world got their start in the AMA Supertwins class of the 1990s.”
Translated: We’re going to just lie for a minute and then justify this series with some loose mentioning of racing in the company’s past, which an entire generation doesn’t remember because it happened before they were born. First one to mention flat-tracking loses the argument…
AMA Pro Racing Chief Operating Officer David Atlas welcomed the new series, “Adding another element to our events with a series of this caliber will be a great benefit to our sport. The specification of the XR1200 package will put the premium on the rider’s ability and will provide a great new class of racing that has ties to the past.”
Translated: We’re actually telling the truth now. This series will really showcase a rider’s skill, especially while they try and maneuver a 600lbs motorcycle through chicanes with some of Milwaukee’s finest engineering from the 1950’s.
Read the whole thing, it’s priceless.
Oh, by the way, the big purse for the winner is…$2,500. So, building an XR1200 into a race bike will be, like, totally worth it.
2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré (UPDATED)
Published February 25, 2010 | After months of speculation and teasers, Yamaha has finally revealed the new XT1200Z Super Ténéré. It seems like quite a bike. The 1200cc parallel-twin powerplant puts out…well…we don’t know. Yamaha hasn’t released HP or torque figures. But with a compression ratio of 11:1, I’m thinking we’re probably somewhere in the vicinity of 110HP and 80-ish lb-ft of torque.
Like the R1200GS, it sports a full set of aluminum panniers, and other goodies for going on the road–or perhaps off it.
The full specs for the shaft-driven, 574lb, adventure bike are below the fold.
The only question is, will this bike be released in the US, or will it only be available to our cousins in the Old Country?
UPDATE: The folks at Asphalt & Rubber come through in the clinch with the output of the ST’s engine:
With 1,199cc under the hoood, the XT1200Z Super Ténéré is aiming its sights on the class-leading BMW R1200GS and new-comer Ducati Multistrada 1200. The powerplant features a parallel twin motor with four valves per cylinder, and makes 108hp @ 7,250 RPM and 84lbs•ft @ 6,000 RPM.
Pretty much what I thought it’d be.
Aprilia Recalls RSV4s
Published January 23, 2010 | The Aprilia RSV4 has been one of this year’s most eagerly awaited motorcycles. It seems like it’s only just hit the showroom, however, and Aprilia is already issuing a serious recall. Apparently, the problem–which hasn’t yet actually occurred in any of their motorcycles–requires replacing the entire engine.
Following extensive testing and verification, the Italian manufacturer assessed that one component in a small group of engines assembled during a specific time period had failed to meet stringent factory quality standards, resulting in an unacceptable risk of future engine failures. To-date, there have been no warranty claims related to this potential issue in the U.S. market. However, in line with the premium quality standards of Aprilia motorcycles and potential safety implications, the manufacturer and its dealerships are committed to immediate action to ensure complete Aprilia owner satisfaction.
Kudos to Aprilia for recognizing and immediately fixing the problem. Unlike some manufacturers, for instance, one that hasn’t admitted their bikes have a final drive problem (cough–BMW–cough).
Kawasaki Police C-14?
Published December 5, 2009 | I wasn’t aware that Kawasaki made the Concours 14 in a police version, but I stumbled across this story tonigh, which says the city of Mesa, AZ will be shelling out a cool half-million to completely replace its current fleet of 1000Ps with C-14s.
Historically, the department has used a Kawasaki 1000 P, which has largely remained unchanged since it was introduced in the 1970s.
“Incidents where there were very serious conditions and collisions could be related to the lack of ABS and poor lighting,” Wessing said. “Those were the major safety downfalls of those motorcycles.”
Technology and safety features, such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), on the new Kawasaki Concours’, which will replace the 1000 P, mean officers will be able stop their bikes within half the distance.
So, apparently there is a Concours 14P. I can’t seem to find any images of one, but I have to admit, I’m curious.
Try This with your Road Glide
Published November 29, 2009 | Kain Saul has converted a Harley-Davidson Xr1200 to Dirt use–including a heavily modified suspension–taken it out into the Australian countryside…and done a back-flip on it.
Pretty cool.
And, yes, I do know that Chuck Carothers did the same stunt in Czechoslovakia. Or the Czech Republic, or whatever the hell it’s called now. But he didn’t stick his landing and got thrown off the bike.
FAIL!
BMW S1000RR: Training Aid
Published November 27, 2009 | Well, I have to say this is interetesting: Keith Code’s Sportbike/track/racing school has dumped the Ninja in favor of brand new BMW S1000RRs as the training sportbike for their racing courses.
“We are proud to offer our students training on this spectacular motorcycle,” his website proclaims (highlighting the last two words in red), and he’s not the only one to praise the Beemer; hyperbolic raves have been flowing from bike journos since the German bike’s recent introduction at the Portimao circuit in Portugal. Roadracing World says Keith has “no hard feelings” towards Kawasaki, which reportedly discontinued their sponsorship as a cost cutting measure.
It’s been interesting to see the powerfully positive reviews of the BMW S1000RR in the motorcycling press. And now, having gotten Kieth Code on their side–undoubtedly with valuable consideration changing hands–BMW has a powerful ally in California with Kieth Code using their bikes fore Superbike Training.
Naturally, I would be willing to provide a completely unbiased report on superbike training with the S1000RR…if Mr. Code would invite me up for a training session.
Hint, hint.
Times Are Tough All Over
Published November 27, 2009 | The US isn’t the only place where motorcycle sales have been dismal this year. ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry Association in Europe, is reporting that, as of September, year-over-year motorcycle sales in Europe are down by 27%. Here’s the ugly, ugly chart:
ACEM Sales 2002-2009 (September)
That’s definitely not the sales results graph you want to see.
No 2010 Suzukis in the US
Published November 21, 2009 | Hell for Leather is reporting that Suzuki will not be importing any of their 2010 model motorcycles to the USA. Due to the slowness of US motorcycle sales, Suzuki has seen their sales decline to 434k motorcycles for the first three quarters of this year, compared to 772k last year.
So, until the current inventory has been absorbed by buyers, no new bikes will hitting the US from Suzuki.
Free Erik? Done.
Published November 20, 2009 | As of this afternoon, Harley Davidson announced that Erik Buell has left the MoCo, and is opening a race shop. His new venture, Erik Buell Racing LLC, will specialize in creating race-use only 1125r motorcycles under a lciense from Harley-Davidson.
As such, he will no longer be an employee of Harley-Davidson, and will once again be directly involved in the motorcycle racing world.
The fascinating question is whether or not this is just a stop-gap venture to take up his time until February 2011, when his no-compete contract with H-D expires, and he is free to join up with another motorcycle company to begin building bikes for the rest of us again.
The full press release from Harley-Davidson is below the fold.
Pass the Popcorn
Published November 18, 2009 | The big difference between current MotoGP and WSB racing is that MotoGP racing is limited to 800cc bikes, while World Superbike runs literbikes. The reason for the MotoGP switch to 800cc bikes was that the literbikes were just too powerful and dangerous…or some such nonsense…for MotoGP racing.
Well, a few weeks ago, Dorna MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta said on Spanish TV that he wants MotoGP to return to literbikes for the 2012 season. Which means essentially that MotoGP and WSB would more or less be conducting the same races.
Well, this put WSB boss Paolo Flammini’s panties in a wad. he doesn’t like the idea one bit, and he’s said so to the Italian motorcycling news web site GPOne.com (in Italian). He also says,
I repeat what I said earlier: we have had assurances from the FIM President Vito Ippolito that this regulation would not be approved…We are ready to take whatever action is necessary to defend the contract we have with the FIM, which, let us not forget, also covers the 600cc class based on production bikes.
So, Ezpeleta says he wants literbikes, and Flammini says he can’t have them.
I expect someone is going to be deeply disappointed, but only after some hideously interminable court proceedings in Barcelona, Rome, and/or Brussels.