As hard to believe as it may be, this motorcycle right here started life as a Honda CB 750 and was going pretty well until ending up in the hands of the guys at Garage Company Customs. They made it look, perform and sound even better and now call it the Honda CB 750 Cafe Racer. It looks more like a bobber than a café racer to us, but the name is the least important when looking at the actual bike.
This retains the original engine, which now breaths out through a custom exhaust system, while the modified frame and new, sportier suspensions are supposed to glue it to the road. The riding position looks a bit harsh, but does that even matter when you’ll be turning more heads than on any production bike out there, if that’s your goal. Also, beware of the paparazzi if you’re riding this custom made Honda CB around the streets of LA because they sure ruined Brad Pitt’s day and you’ll be looking like him on it. Hear that engine roaring in a short video after the break.
We just came across this on the web and look at it as to a prehistoric motorcycle (yes, even though it is actually a bicycle from 1791), especially after reading that it’s form was inspired by animals such as horses, birds and snakes.
Invented by frenchmen, Comte Mede de Sivrac this early precursor of the bicycle => motorcycle had no steering and we can’t see any pedals, so we guess that Fred Barney would easily find its place on it and ride with style.
When he’s not filming for the movie Knight and Day or flirting with Cameron Diaz on a Ducati Hypermotard during breaks on the set, Tom Cruise seems to enjoy riding his very own Ducati Desmosedici and make the front page of both tabloids and motorcycle magazines.
Being only 5’ 7” inch tall, the actor and first US owner of a Ducati Desmosedici seems to manage with the big Italian supersport motorcycle very well and still look cool along the way.
Looking at these pictures, we just have to ask: does Tom Cruise make the Ducati Desmosedici look better or is it the other way around?
French motorcycle website Motorevue has recently come up with their take on Yamaha’s future FZ8 naked and while that is very plausible, we tend to like more what the Germans from Motorrad see behind the front end that Yamaha has been teasing us with. The black and white color scheme looks much more appropriate for this serious two wheeled piece of machinery, while the engine is obviously the same 800cc inline-four.
Expected to be officially unveiled soon, the Yamaha FZ8 naked will be in a class of its own and address to riders with a taste for sweet handling and the closest torque and horsepower figures, translating into a very smooth powerband, which we’d love to explore if the thing will ever see its way to the United States. Yamaha, make your move once and for all because we can’t take it any more!
There’s nothing wrong with BMW wanting their S1000RR superbike to teach the Japanese liter bikes a lesson – and considering the Beemer’s 193hp and 403.5 lb dry weight, not to mention the $13,800 MSRP, the German giant has all the chances to do so - , but when we heard about the BMW S1000RR Carbon Edition, the first reactions sounded something like “this is just too good to be true” and, yes, we can’t take our eyes off this very exclusive motorcycle.
As the name suggests, the fairing is made of carbon fiber, but BMW options such as traction control, ABS and alarms are all standard on the special edition model. Also, the Akrapovic full exhaust system increases power with as much as 10hp while smoothening mid-range torque. Sounds great to us and with an MSRP of €24,990 ($35,685), the Carbon Edition can make a rider feel extremely proud of his new acquisition.
The Yamaha YZ450 is one of the best motocross bikes now around and little did we knew it can be adapted to a whole lot of riding conditions and even be turned into a 60’s style café racer if someone’s got the energy to undergo the demanding process of making a fact out of an innovative idea such as the oil-in-frame, just to give an example. The bike also features drilled engine plates and underseat pipe, but you’ll only notice that if you’re interested enough to look beyond the sleek fairing.
It is too bad we don’t have more information about this unique combination of style called YZ450 café racer as it was surely a bright idea and an exciting project.
You may have already heard of Tron Legacy and got a glimpse at the digital world’s sportsbikes, the lightcycles, but Disney Interactive Studios have recently announced they will also release a video game inspired from the movie even before Tron Legacy will arrive in theaters. Called Tron Evolution, the game offers players the possibility to get their own character on a lightcycle and defy the laws of physics.
With the game scheduled for release these Holydays there couldn’t be a better time for the introduction of a new kind of joystick fun. See the video after the jump.
DDB&Co Istanbul was commissioned by KTM Turkey with the making of a print ad that ended up bringing an award for the original idea. The ad is for their 250SX motorcycle, a veritable off-roader, so the rider’s behavior is almost justified.
Congratulations KTM for this ad, which reminds us of Aprilia’s…
Fiat On The Web got the chance to take some exclusive interviews with the Fiat Yamaha Team riders, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, and with the team staff at the end of the 2009 Moto GP season.
The five interviews are in Italian, but they had the kindness to subtitle them in English, allowing a much larger category of people to find out about Valentino and Jorge’s feelings, their thoughts about the season and about their future, while the team staff explains what’s needed to race always at the top level throughout a Moto GP season. Hit the jump for the official interviews with English subtitles.
Now that winter has demanded its rights, Italian bloggers from Triumph che passione thought at a way for bikers to keep on frenetically rolling down the throttle of their Triumph Street Triple 675 motorcycles and the best idea came to life with the help of photoshop.
Called Triumph Street Triple Trimotard, this winter edition of the great British bike has a caterpillar track instead of a rear wheel and spikes on the front tire. They’ve also modified the bodywork to match the new theme and we must admit that we do like the idea of having such a bike, but can’t say how much we would be able to ride it considering the low temperatures it’s meant to operate in. If this bike will ever turn into reality, it will definitely have to have heated grips and seat because we would really like to bring it up to its winter top speed.
Honda has recently unveiled the latest member of their famous CB series, the CB Twister, a 110cc bike that will sell in India. With styling cues similar to those of the CB1000R, the entry-level executive bike is guaranteed to stand out, but the question if: will it stay true to its name when it comes to performance?
Powered by a 110 cc four stroke single cylinder engine, the all-new Honda CB Twister benefits of no less than 9bhp and 9 Nm and it is claimed to go 70 km with a single liter of gas, which makes it a money saver right from the start. But with features such as the Tubeless tires, maintenance free battery and viscous air filter element, the small roadster also raises the standards of its class.
Different versions are available and the color options are at least attractive, so read the press release after the jump for details.
Although this is not a veritable Harley-Davidson trike, it does stand out as a lame attempt of virtually anything considered to be a mean of transportation. It looks very comfortable, but still too silly for our taste.
P.S. I would really like to see the guy riding this tent motorcycle.
The 2010 edition of the world’s toughest rally, Dakar, will see Team Giofil’s riders – Paolo Ceci, Gerard Farres, Francisco Lopez and Alex Zanotti – competing on the barely revealed Aprilia MXV 450 Africa.
This is the latest version of the bike that brought the team the last two consecutive Rally of the Pharoahs wins (in 2008 and 2009) and third place overall in 2009.
Although based on the standard MXV 4.5 model, the four competition bikes that Yamaha will supply Team Giofil with are all powered by a seriously modified engine and strengthened chassis, the bodywork and navigation equipment being actually the least stressful part when preparing any bike for 16 days of hell on earth.
Teams will be setting off on January 1 and surrender weapons on January 17, 2010.
A Bugatti Veyron supercar can inspire people to a lot of things, including ordering a corresponsive two-wheeled version such as the one seen here. It is called the Veyron China 1 and, as you can suppose, it was built to meet the requirements of a biker and lucky 1000hp car owner.
Walz Hardcore Cycles built this in 18 months around their limited Iceman chassis, which was developed for the Ferarri chopper of a certain Kimi Raikkonen.
Although we have to admit that the name Veyron initially directed our thoughts towards something probably even better than the MV Agusta F4, this chopper doesn’t disappoint a bit, at least at a first look.
Curious to see “what a big tree - which is four or five meters long - with a speed of more than one hundred km per hour looks like,” Chinese artist Shi Jinsong has created what he calls the tree motorbikes, meaning that his work starts at the point where dead nature hugs a motorcycle/scooter chassis for art’s sake.
Displayed at the ‘China - Contemporary Revival’ exhibit taking place in Milan, Italy until February 7, 2010 Shi Jinsong’s work is definitely something else among the multitude of paintings and sculptures also displayed there.
Although he does mention to have built these with working motorcycle parts, the Chinese artist does not say if they’re actually made to be ridden or not. We hope they are because that would make their creator happy and we’ll be looking for some action pics if we hear they do.
We do not know if Tiger Woods found out about his future mistress, Holly Sampson, when buying a motorcycle calendar or watching a porn movie, but we do know that Woods doesn’t have bad tastes at all as it is reported that the hottie talked about her affair with the multiple championship-winning golfer on a web radio station in May. But with the recent controversy created around the legendary golf player’s personal life, the case has only now got the attention of tabloids around the world. These say the 36-year-old Holly Sampson is the seventh woman to confess about her sexual relations with Tiger Woods.
While we’re in no position to criticize anyone, we can’t help but notice that motorcycle calendar girls are not for everyone.
Remember The Uno prototype, the unicycle that looked like a great way to face-plant? Well, it is now turning into more than a fact and inventor Ben Gulak plans to produce the thing. Meanwhile, he made sure to turn The Uno into a unicycle that transforms into a two-wheeler as it reaches the speed of 20mph and this should mean a safer ride.
The inventor itself says: “The original Uno was quite scary to speed up on. This is a much more user-friendly experience.” To us, it looks like they made sure not even clowns will ride the thing, but we do have to appreciate the ingenuity. Hit the jump to see the new Uno prototype and expect preproduction models early next year.
Little did Honda knew that one of their 125cc scooter will end up a tool for washing dog filth off the streets of London, but this picture says it all. GB imported the Honda street washing machine from France; it seems that the idea of such a utility vehicle was first put into practice back in the Eighties in Paris.
A water vacuum system and a 25-litre box set it apart from its standard siblings, but also the £12,000 ($19,981) price. Just make sure you don’t confuse it with a pizza bike because that can kill your appetite.
Last week we helped spread out the word that Suzuki was going to unveil a 25th anniversary GSX-R1000 limited edition model at the NEC Show in Birmingham to celebrate a quarter of a century since the first GSX-R model of the series was produced back in 1985. Meanwhile, Suzuki did more than keeping their promise. They have also revealed a limited edition version of the extremely popular GSX-R750 model with the same excuse in the back of their minds.
While the liter bike will sell in a number of 1000 units, its smaller sibling, the GSX-R750 (which is available only in Great Britain), will be even more exclusive as only 25 such motorcycles will be produced. But what will those who miss the chance to buy one lose? Technically nothing apart from the awesome-looking Yoshimura exhaust, but those who like the special color scheme replicating the 1996 blue/white one most likely don’t care about that. Each of the very special 25 Suzukis comes with a commemorative number on the top yoke and certificate.
Zero Motorcycles has announced their entry into the 2010 TTXGP series, which turns them into competitors for Team Agni and CRP Racing. The company’s race bike will be built around a Mavizen TTX02 chassis, the same as on KTM’s RC8 superbike, while the battery packs and electric motors will be those of the Zero’s Z-Force.
Sounds like the competition is getting stiffer and stiffer in the TTXGP’s electric motorcycle racing series, eGrandPrix and we can’t wait for next year’s May, when the first race is scheduled at Infineon in California.
Press release is attached after the jump.
Electric bikes have entered on an ascendant path and we’re seeing more and more interesting concepts. Among these, we’re caught up by Dan Anderson’s Voltra. Living in Sydney, Australia, the industrial design student created the electric café racer of the future for his final year thesis project. Dan says “the Voltra is the result of research into motorcycling history, society and culture as well as technology, materials and manufacturing and product semantics,” but you can see that by simply taking a look at the bike.
What you can’t really tell is what’s powering it and the claimed performances. Our Australian designer made sure to mention that an AC induction motor with a programmable controller is powered by Li-Ion batteries, which allow the thing to run an estimated 90 minutes after a full recharge, which lasts two hours. In return, riders get 129Nm of torque and a 200 kg weight (thanks to its carbonfibre monocoque chassis), translating into an impressive top speed of more than 200 km/h.
I wouldn’t be surprised if I hear about this concept turning into a prototype and heading to production in a couple of years.
This is Lauro Franco’s Kimmera Concept Motorcycle. It draws our attention because it takes the best from the world of choppers and that of sportsbikes, meaning that it offers a fairly relaxed riding position and power is supplied by a large displacement four-cylinder motor. It kind of resembles the HD V-Rod, but it is supposed to be much more powerful and aggressive, while also showing European influences such as the Ducati-like frame.
Obviously, this concept addresses to those not willing to turn to electric bikes in the future and who prefer the rush of a good old (or new) Japanese engine while being comfortably accommodated. In fact, looking at the Kimmera, we can’t understand why it is only in animation stage as there are surely plenty of bikers willing to give it a chance.
After Max Biaggi was recently confirmed for an additional WSBK season with Aprilia, the Italian bike manufacturer issued a release saying that 23-year-old British racing rider Leon Camier has joined Aprilia’s SBK team for the 2010 season. It seems that Aprilia was more than satisfied with Camier’s results on the RSV4 during the last race of the season at Portimao, where he obtained place sixth and seventh, as well as by the post-race tests on the Portuguese circuit. Their final decision completes the team for the 2010 WSBK Championship.
Leon Camier was born in Ashford on 4 August 1986, won the British 125 cc championship title in 2001 and made his world debut in the 125 class in 2003. He then got into four-stroke bike competitions and won the 2005 British Supersport title. Following this achievement was his 2007 debut in the British Superbike championship, which was an unfortunate one because of a serious crash that caused Camier to be placed eight overall. 2008 saw him finishing the championship in fifth place and in 2009 he won detached the British Superbike championship title with 18 first-place victories out of 26 races and three second places. This British rider’s racing trajectory propelled him to compete in the Magny Cours meeting and the last race of the season at Portimao in Portugal and, finally, to becoming Max Biaggi’s teammate.
The 2010 Star Road Star Silverado and Silverado S are ready for the long haul and don’t mind letting everyone notice this fact. Packed with floating floorboards, a tall windscreen passenger backrest as well as with hard-shell sidebags, the Silverados are comfortable and offer plenty loading capacity.
And the extra load is properly dealed with loads of torque and a harmonious rumble provided by the 102-cubic-inch V-twin engine powering the two cruisers.
Star builds the Road Star S and Road Star following the classic recipe, but adds a high-tech fuel injection system as well as a range of distinctive features that have become this maker’s emblems by now. Features such as the belt final drive, 9-spoke cast wheels as well as the amazing fit and finish are setting Star apart from the rest of the Japanese crowd and closer and closer to Harley-Davidson built quality.
The two classic Road Star models address to mature and experienced riders who demand the most from a cruising-type motorcycle and also prefer the possibility of accessorizing their standard bikes instead of going for those touring Silverado ones that Star also offers.
This is the latest motorcycle made by Lorenzo Cycles, it is called The Icon and it will be produced in a limited number of only 13 units. The chopper is a beautiful result of the small company teaming up with custom bike builder Eddie Trotta, who substitutes Ralph Randolph, the creator of the first two bikes.
We happen to like The Icon, but feel there is much more potential waiting to be exploited from the new company. Also, the specs – which you can read after the break – are in accordance with any renegade’s standards.
This is a wall clock conceived specially for motorcycle lovers and not only. It runs thanks to a small motor that moves a bicycle chain on which you will find attached the numbers, totalizing 12 hours.
But this thing has actually exceeded the conceptual faze and it is now a very exquisite item that surely won’t end up on the garage wall. That is mostly because of the $2.338 tag price, but if only things were that easy. You actually have to order and pay this wall clock for motorcycle enthusiasts and then wait four months until being delivered to you.
I reckon most bikers have an engineer side and can end up with something similar for as little as 50 bucks in less time, so why bother?
In order to pay a tribute to the 750SS Imola, Ducati’s notorious sportbike from the 1970s, Spain-based Radical Ducati has created an absolutely gorgeous café racer, which was recently revealed. They call it the RAD02 Imola and it is built for track use, but we hear it can be homologated with a few tweaks.
The engine is a 900SSie unit with hot cams, while the chassis is that of a Monster S4R with 749S fully-adjustable forks and MV Agusta ride-height adjuster. Also note the asymmetric megaphone cans, which we happen to like a lot.
The Spanish Ducati builders are already taking orders and mention that the price depends on the exact specs. Still, considering the hours spent to achieve this kind of built quality, the Ducati RAD02 Imola café racer addresses to riders with deep pockets.
Find out more here.
Say you have a Ducatisti in the house and don’t really know what to buy him/her for Christmas. Things are now made much easier for you with this new website that Pro Italia and Ducati have launched – Ducatigifts.com. Offering performance parts and accessories, protective gear and casual Ducati clothing, the site is like Santa’s bag of goodies for each and every fan of the Italian brand.
Press release is attached after the jump.
![ThermaHelm Cooling Helmet can turn out to be a live saver [w/video]](http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200911/thermahelm-cooling-h-1_460x0w.jpg)
Brain swelling is the immediate effect of head injury and it is a proved fact that the stopping of this effect can make the difference between life and death because of the pressure that the brain has to subdue when it meets the skull. This is precisely what paramedics are trying to prevent when applying a cold pack on the head of accident victims. So hearing about ThermaHelm having created the Brain Cooling Helmet, we started digging deeper into this potential life saving idea, only to find that the prototype stage is now completed and it should see production.
ThermaHelm’s Cooling Helmet works by storing separately gel or water and ammonium nitrate in a slim plastic packet positioned in the lining. During a serious crash, tiny spikes pierce through the separate compartments, causing the ammonium nitrate to mix with the gel or water, triggering an endothermic reaction that cools the brain, dramatically reducing the effects of the crash. Furthermore, it features an LED indicator that warns premature activation, small cameras that are able to record those crucial 60 seconds before a motorcycle crash, integrated Bluetooth headphones and fog-free visors. In other words, it brings helmets into the 21st century.
Press release and video are attached after the jump.
Star saw the immense potential of the custom cruiser market not long ago and they are already benefiting from the amazing success of their Raider models among those in search of bold looks and performance to match. The 2010 model years follow a natural evolution with few color scheme changes, while the engine remains the same 113-cubic-inch fuel-injected V-twin.
Why change it if it ain’t wrong? We couldn’t agree more!
Star Motorcycles really overpass themselves with the 2009 Stratoliner models as these were not only impressively powerful and offered great road behavior – like all other model years before them –, but also stood out in the style chapter. Truly unique motorcycles not only in their manufacturer’s lineup, but among all other big displacement cruisers available on the market today, with each year that passed by, the Stratoliners only demanded some new color schemes and they were good to go. For 2010, things are different as Star launched the all-new Stratoliner Deluxe and carries on producing the Stratoliner S without any upgrades, while the standard Stratoliner will only sell as a 2009 model year.
Whether that’s good or bad, we cannot yet say, but we can say a thing or two about these 2010 models that caught our attention.
It is enough to take one look at this 1980s Suzuki Katana 1100 to see that the bike is hours and hours of work away from its original state and all the credit goes to UK-based Steve Adams, owner and customizer of what turned out to be one of the most beautifully reinvented legends among Japanese motorcycles.
Among the modifications brought to our Brit’s Katana we would have to name the 1,170cc Wiseco piston kit, gas flowed head, EFE 1100 cams with adjustable cam sprockets, Keihin 37mm carbs, titanium bolts and custom-made exhaust system as being the most important and this is only in the engine department.
The frame was reinforced and a Suzuki Bandit 1200 swingarm was bolted on it. This Suzuki now rolls on 17-inch Dymag magnesium alloy wheels supported by a GSX-R750 K4 front fork and Ohlins rear shock units. The high performance brakes feature Yamaha R1 and Suzuki TL1000 parts such as the Brembo radial master cylinder up front, while the rear brake is thumb-operated.
How’s that for a way to make an old motorcycle new again?
