Motorcycle News - Best Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves
https://ift.tt/2Ev0FVx When it comes to outright protection in glove form, racing gloves are the way to go. But what if you don’t need all that jazz? If you’re never going to visit the track (or maybe partake in a handful of track events a year), but still want something that’s full-length, fully featured, somewhat sporty, and three-season capable – there are other gauntlet gloves you can choose from. Best of all, these gloves are much more affordable than their full-race cousins. Truth be told, there are dozens upon dozens of gauntlet gloves to choose that can handle everything from sport riding to touring and everything in between. Here are just a select few, presented in alphabetical order. Alpinestars SP-2 v2 Gloves $139.95The second version of the SP2 glove (hence the V2), this is one of many do-a-little-bit-of-everything gloves from Alpinestars. The general construction of the glove was modeled loosely around Alpinestars’ race gloves, as you can see by the TPU injected knuckle armor, but the SP2 is entirely cow leather. Accordion panels across the fingers and thumb provide greater flexibility compared to its predecessor, and lots of perforation from wrist to tip provide air flow. Dual wrist closures help keep the glove in place, and synthetic suede reinforcements are placed in key areas to resist abrasion. An underappreciated, and easily overlooked, addition is the small elastic panel between the thumb and first finger that provides a little more comfort. Lastly, the tips of the thumb and first finger are touchscreen compatible to operate your smart devices without the need to remove the gloves. Shop for the Alpinestars SP-2 v2 Gloves here Cortech Latigo RR 2 Gloves $89.99For 90 bucks, the Cortech Latigo RR 2 gloves are tied for the least expensive gloves on this list. But don’t confuse the price for being an underfeatured glove. The cow leather outer construction is doubled up on the fingers and palms for extra abrasion resistance. Rubberized padding is also used on the palms for another layer of protection. A TPU polyurethane knuckle is standard, while pre-curved palm and fingers help reduce fatigue. A large velcro wrist strap keeps things in place. Shop for the Cortech Latigo RR 2 Gloves here Dainese Assen Gloves $139.95Many would associate Dainese with racing, especially because of its ties with Valentino Rossi, but the brand clearly goes beyond the racetrack. The Assen glove is proof of that, despite sharing its name with the only racetrack that has been on the MotoGP calendar since the class was created in 1949. Built for the sport rider who may dabble in a trackday or two, the Assen is built with cow leather and features a polyurethane knuckle with padding underneath. Leather and elastic stretch panels allow the hand to move freely, while an extra layer of leather gives reinforcement for the palm. Pre-curved fingers add comfort, an adjustable cuff strap keeps things secure, and strategically placed soft inserts add comfort and protection. Shop for the Dainese Assen Gloves here Five RFX3 Leather Gloves $129.99The RFX3 glove from Five takes heavy inspiration from its more race-oriented cousin with its goatskin construction providing suppleness, and TPR injection molding on the wrist and palm slider providing high levels of protection for those delicate areas. Of course there’s hard knuckle armor (wrapped in perforated leather), accordion panels across the fingers and thumb for flexibility, and dual wrist closures to keep everything in place. The RFX3 has a lot of the same features as a true race glove but at a much more agreeable price. Shop for the Five RFX3 Leather Gloves here Helimot Buffalo Pro $209.00Subscribing to the K.I.S.S. mentality – Keep It Simple Stupid – the Buffalo Pro gloves from Helimot are unlike anything else on this list. In case you haven’t heard of Helimot, riders up and down the San Francisco bay area and Pacific Northwest will tell you Helimot is the best-kept secret in motorcycle protection. That’s because Helimot blends comfort and safety differently than the big names, and makes everything right here in the USA. Constructed from deerskin, the Buffalo pro is liner-less, but features a squeegee on the finger (you don’t know how useful this is until you try it) and reflective taping on the fingers for better visibility. The velcro retaining strap goes over the wrist unlike most other gloves that place it under, in a more vulnerable area, the fingers are pre-curved, and knuckle protection is via thick memory foam, not injection molded armor. Company founder Helmut Kluckner is committed to both comfort and safety and will help tailor the glove to the customer or help with repairs in the event of a crash (repairs, he claims, are largely superficial most the time). Helimot customers drink the cool-aid, but because the product works and lasts a long time. Shop for the Helimot Buffalo Pro Gloves here Joe Rocket Flexium TX Gloves $89.99The Flexium TX glove is a no-nonsense gauntlet glove for the rider on a budget. Genuine cowhide leather is topped with double stitching throughout, and extra layers of leather are integrated into the palm and side to help resist abrasion in a crash. Injection molded knuckle armor features air vents for a little circulation while riding. Accordion panels across the fingers and thumb provide good flexibility, while a large velcro cuff is supported by a secondary wrist strap to keep the glove securely in place. Shop for the Joe Rocket Flexium TX Gloves here Racer MultiTop 2 Waterproof Gloves $149.99For sport-touring riders who are committed to riding twisty roads no matter the weather, the Racer MultiTop 2 Waterproof gloves should be right up their alley. On the surface, the MultiTop 2 has similar features to the other gloves on this list – leather outer with kangaroo palms, carbon fiber knuckle and finger armor, padded palm protectors with a kevlar underlining, plus extra grip material along the hand for better feel at the controls. What sets this glove apart is the waterproof/breathable lining, which provides a layer against wind and cold that the other gloves here don’t. This could be the difference between a three-season or four-season glove depending on your cold tolerance. Shop for the Racer MultiTop 2 Waterproof Gloves here Rev’It Metis Gloves $129.99Rev’It has the style game down, and the Metis is just another example. Derived from the company’s equally stylish race gloves, the Metis features goatskin construction for instant comfort and feel while still providing excellent abrasion resistance. TPU knuckle armor takes the hit should you fall, and Temperfoam underneath reduces the amount of impact energy reaching your hand. Little foam protectors can be found above the fingers, and generous use of accordion paneling across the fingers and metatarsals allow the hand to move freely. Shop for the Rev’It Metis Gloves here RS Taichi GP-X Gloves $109.95For a glove barely tipping over the $100 barrier, the GP-WRX glove by RS Taichi is a very solid choice. Billed as RS Taichi’s entry level sport/street glove, the GP-X is a full-length gauntlet design with full leather outer construction and a polyester lining inside. It’s got all the features you’d expect in an entry-level glove, too: carbon knuckle protection, velcro closures, and flex paneling on the first three fingers for better range of movement. The “floating” knuckle armor allows the hand to move more freely, and strategic use of foam padding helps mitigate injuries in a fall. But what impressed us about the gloves when we reviewed them was how comfortable they were, instantly. Shop for the RS Taichi GP-X Gloves here Spidi STR-5 Gloves $139.90Arriving near the end of the alphabet, the Spidi STR-5 gloves draw their inspiration from the track, but are suitable for a wide range of street-focused riding. Constructed from 0.6mm – 0.8mm goat leather combined with high-resistance suede microfiber in reinforcement areas, the STR-5 promise great comfort combined with positive feel at the controls. Generous use of padding along the side and back of the hand keeps much of the impact energy away from your hand in a fall, and carbon knuckle protection is par for the course for gloves at this level. A large foam pad on the palms, again reinforced with suede microfiber, helps protect the key area that’s often the first part of the hand to touch the ground in a crash. Dual wrist closures ensure the glove stays put. Shop for the Spidi STR-5 Gloves here We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works. The post Best Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com https://ift.tt/2Std7JO February 25, 2019 at 04:27PM
MotoGP News - Qatar MotoGP test: Maverick Vinales leads Yamaha one-two
https://ift.tt/2T1GdVo Maverick Vinales concluded 2019 MotoGP pre-season testing by setting the fastest time of the week in Qatar, leading a Yamaha one-two ahead of satellite rider Fabio Quartararo Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei February 25, 2019 at 01:44PM
Motorcycle News - Exclusive: 2019 Zero SR/F Review – First Ride
https://ift.tt/2SqgCA0 2019 Zero SR/FEditor Score: 92.0%
It’s mind boggling to think that mass-produced street- legal motorcycles have only existed for 10 years. In 2009, Zero Motorcycles launched the Zero S and ushered in the electric age of two-wheeled street-legal transportation. During that model year, the S wasn’t just the only electric motorcycle in production, it was the only electric vehicle of any kind being mass-produced. To say that Zero was ahead of the curve is an understatement, but that early start has given the company the time – 13 years from its inception – to develop into its PR claim of being “the global leader in electric motorcycles and powertrains.” If your products created an entire category of vehicles, this is more than PR fluff. It is a demonstrable fact. 2016 Zero DSR First Ride Review Urban Electric Motorcycles: BMW C Evolution Scooter And Zero DSR Other motorcycle manufacturers have noticed the writing on the wall and are entering the market. BMW has its C-Evolution scooter. Energica has created a niche within the boutique electric performance market with the Ego, the Eva, and the Eva Esse Esse 9 – and hit the big time with the FIM naming it the supplier for the five race MotoE series that will tour with MotoGP in 2019. Lightning Motorcycles, the boutique brand whose LS-218 superbike conquered Bonneville and Pikes Peak, has recently announced its Strike model will be unveiled next month, and Harley-Davidson has finally given a launch date – in August as an early 2020 model – for its Livewire. Lest you think that simply producing exciting electric motorcycles guarantees success, consider for a moment the demise of Alta Motors. Meanwhile, Zero has been there toughing it out in the trenches longer than any other manufacturer, creating the electric motorcycle market. With this as the context, I recently gathered with the representatives of Zero and the editor of a well-known German publication to get an early glimpse of – and ride on – the 2019 Zero SR/F. So, while the rest of the world gets to learn about Zero’s StReetFighter in a press release, MO will be giving you a riding impression. But first, some backstory. How many motorcycle manufacturers get to say that the bike they are releasing is the one that they’ve always wanted to produce? The internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycle market is so mature and is segmented into niches within niches for marketing purposes that this statement is virtually unheard of. The electric market, however, is still very young, and the SR/F represents the third generation of Zero’s vision of electric motorcycling, the generation where the myriad of requirements for the company’s vision of an electric motorcycle can finally come together. According to Abe Askenazi, Zero Chief Technology Officer, the first generation Zero focused almost exclusively on the powertrain. The primary effort, says Askenazi, was spent answering the question: “How do you make an electric powertrain work?” The Zero S released in 2009 was the result. The second generation Zero S came in 2012/3 and looked to make it more motorcycle-like. So, in addition to expanding battery capacity and motor output, Zero also upgraded to Showa suspension, J.Juan braking componentry, Bosch ABS, and Pirelli tires. However, with so much brain power focused on the mechanics of the machine, the industrial design was a later consideration. “We had a battery box and we had this motor,” noted Askenazi. “We had these things that had been integrated from a technical and experiential standpoint, but from an aesthetic standpoint, [the industrial designer] kind of came in at the end of the project.” With the SR/F, the decision was to take all they had learned with the first two generations and apply it to a blank sheet of paper. Askenazi sums it up: “This [generation] gave us the ability to get it all from the start: industrial design, mechanical engineering, powertrain engineering, electrical engineering. When we started this project it was all about, now there’s no fences. How do you take advantage of that?” When the dust settled, the only parts shared with the previous generation Zeros were: footpegs, mirrors, turn-signals, e-throttle, handgrips, bar endcaps, wheel-speed sensors and magnets, horn, reflectors, and sidestand-switch. The resulting 2019 Zero SR/F is an offering that looks, to my eye, more like a full-sized motorcycle than any previous offering from Zero. Battery PackAccording to Sam Paschel, Zero CEO, the first three things people ask about an electric motorcycle are always: how far will it go, how fast can it go, and how long does it take to recharge? This should come as no surprise to anyone who has even a passing exposure to electric vehicles in general and, more specifically, electric motorcycles because of the size and weight constraints of the two-wheeled platform. While almost every iteration of Zero’s model line has improved the answer to the first two questions, being stuck to standard 110v outlets on previous generation Zeros meant any improvement in battery capacity was countered by an increase in charge time. Zero addressed that issue with the accessory Charge Tank Level 2 charger that can fit into the luggage area of the previous generation’s “gas tank” – and you can purchase additional chargers to speed up charge times – but those options are expensive and potentially cumbersome. The most elegant fix would be building it into the bike itself. For the SR/F, Zero integrated Level 2 charging into the base configuration while, in true Zero form, giving two more powerful Level 2 charging options for people who frequently need to charge on the go. Since the battery capacity retained the 14.4 kWh from the Z-Force Li-Ion integrated battery pack, the 3kW Level 2 charging capability in the standard SR/F dropped the full charge time from 9 hours to 4.5 hours. (Note: Typically, the last 10% of the battery charge takes about a half hour, so a 90-95% charge can be had in about 4 hours.) While the SR/F still comes with an adapter for 110V power to the Level 2 plug, you’ll need to hook the SR/F up to a 220V Level 2 charger to reap the benefits of the charger upgrade. Users who opt for the SR/F Premium will receive the ability to charge their mounts at 6kW, essentially halving the charge time again, to 2.5 hours from 0-100% capacity. Since many Level 2 charging stations offer a maximum of 7kW, the SR/F Premium will be able to take advantage of it. For the super power-hungry SR/F owner, an updated Charge Tank will be available later this year to offer an additional 6kW of capacity, bringing the total to 12kW and allowing a 0-95% charge in just an hour, with a full charge just 30 minutes longer. However, the charging station must be capable of providing that much power – which many are not. Now, some electro-cognizant readers will want to know why Zero didn’t include Level 3 Fast Charging. Zero’s reasoning was based on the current status of the charging infrastructure in the U.S. (and much of Europe) where 90% of the charging stations are Level 2. With Level 3 stations in their relative infancy, the decision was made to stick with Level 2 – but fast Level 2 – charging. Regarding the Level 3’s potential, Paschel says, “If you look in the future as Level 3 becomes more prominent, of course, we’re going to get our consumers the right solution.” Naturally, I’d assume it would be in the form of an updated Charge Tank. Before I go on, I’d like to make a point about all the worry about charge time. As an electric car owner, my daily experience of charge time is that it is no longer than the time it takes me to plug in a Level 2 cable at night and unplug it in the morning – essentially less than a minute total. Daily users of electric motorcycles would, I assume, have a similar experience. I suppose this would be a good time to mention the SR/F’s claimed range of 161 miles in the city (adding a Power Tank bumps it up to over 200 miles), 82 miles highway, and 109 miles combined. Pat yourself on the back if you noticed that this is about a 10% drop compared to the SR due to higher vehicle weight and larger tires. For more than 90% of my motorcycle use, the claimed range afforded by the SR/F would be plenty. If you’re looking for a bike to only ride in the mountains or tour on the weekends, the SR/F – and any electric motorcycle – isn’t what you’re looking for, anyway. With that said, you can bet that, when I get a test unit in my garage, I’ll subject it to the same ride up the Angeles Crest Highway I do all other electric bikes I encounter just to see how it stands up to sport riding in the mountains. But wait, we’re not done with the battery box yet. If you looked closely at the photos of the SR/F, you noticed that the battery box is significantly less box-like. In fact, it gained cooling fins to its new, cast aluminum structure. An even closer look at the fin density will show that there are more at the center than on the edges of the battery box. The reasoning for this is simple. The pouch cells that make up the battery are in contact with the sides of the box via thermal pads, but the cells at the front and back ends of the box have more exposure to the outside air. The denser fins are to keep the center cells a similar temperature as the end ones. You’ll also note that the fins are vertical rather than horizontal, because they do their work when the bike is stationary for charging. Motor and ControllerWhile the battery box is the heaviest component on the SR/F, the motor assembly comes in second. So, it was placed as low and far forward as possible to keep the center-of-gravity low. This placement also allows for the motor to be cooled without fans. Instead, the lower bodywork scoops the air from below the battery box and directs it over both the controller’s and motor’s cooling fins. The SR/F’s motor is a significant upgrade to the previous generation. First, it is 3cm wider, but the new internals are what really count. Additionally, the radial cooling fins allow better airflow and cooling. Finally, the power output has jumped considerably. The ZF75-10 motor puts out 140 lb-ft of torque and 110 hp. The SR/F is the first Zero to produce 100 hp. For comparison, the ZF75-7R motor in the previous generation SR put out 116 lb-ft and 70 hp. Another interesting fact is that the ZF75-10 achieves its new top speed of 124 mph thanks to not only the bump in power from the motor, but also a 1,000 rpm increase in the motor’s top rpm to 7,500 rpm. When producing that kind of horsepower and torque, the controller draws 900 amps from the battery. To make sure the battery isn’t stressed under a full load from the controller and motor, the battery pack itself is capable of producing 1,200 amps. In order to handle the heat generated by this level of power, the motor’s internals are “potted” in a thermal compound that surrounds the actual copper windings on the stator and bridges the space to the motor’s casing, which, in turn, provides an efficient path for the heat to travel out to the cooling fins. This motor has come a long way from the early Zero models that couldn’t maintain extended stints at 80 mph without having to reduce power for thermal protection. Instead, during development, the ZF75-10 was torture tested in 120° temperatures of Death Valley and the extended extreme loads of the race track. (An aside about the track: The development SR/F was timed against a race-prepped previous generation SR with the same rider and was able to beat it by 5 seconds a lap over a two-mile course.) One of the most interesting features of the motor is the fact that the direct drive shaft of the motor is also the point around which the swingarm pivots. Dubbed the Power Pivot by the development team, this coaxial pivot serves two purposes. First, it allows the motorcycle to be very narrow, making the reach to the ground easier for shorter riders. Second, by having the swingarm pivot around the motor’s drive shaft, the tension on the pulleys remains the same throughout the suspension’s stroke. This way the belt can have a very high tension to eliminate any lash from the driveline. ChassisWith the swingarm’s unique relationship with the motor, it should come as no surprise that the motor and battery box are both stressed members. A steel trellis frame wraps around the battery box, reaching between the motor and the headstock. From there, a fully-adjustable big-piston SFF Showa fork reaches down to the 3.50 x 17-inch front wheel. Out back, a fully-adjustable shock interacts directly with the shapely steel swingarm. Both cast aluminum wheels receive Pirelli Diablo Rosso III – 120/70-17 in the front and 180/55-17 in the rear – another step up in sizing when compared to the previous generation SR. Braking is handled by J.Juan componentry. The radial-mount, four-piston front calipers squeeze 320mm discs on custom carriers that mimic the design of the wheels. The rear brake is a 240mm unit that mates to a single-piston floating caliper. We’ll cover the ABS in more detail in a minute. The cast aluminum subframe holds the seat 30.3-inches high and houses a lithium ion 12V battery. Yes, the SR/F has a 12V battery to power the on-board systems. Previously, having the only power source being the 100V battery added a layer of complexity that was unnecessary. With the SR/F, the 12V battery acts as a buffer to the system powering the electronics while the 100V battery monitors the 12V battery and charges it as required. Electronics Galore!To control the combination of interrelated systems that are contained in the SR/F, Zero’s engineers created the Cypher III operating system to act as the central hub. Cypher III integrates the 12V system, charging system, battery and battery monitoring system, controller and motor, Bosch Motorcycle Stability Control, TFT dash, app bluetooth connection, and cellular connectivity module. Phew! The Bosch MSC is a first in an electric motorcycle. The MSC hits all of the major dynamic controls: ABS, cornering ABS, traction control, drag torque control – all of which are adjustable via the preset ride modes (Eco, Street, Sport, and Rain) and the 10 user-programmable custom ride modes. Using proprietary TFT instrumentation, the ride mode parameters can be accessed via an intuitive menu system controlled by a switch on the left grip, or as Zero has done with previous models, the settings can be massaged on the newly updated smartphone app. Cellular ConnectivityZero, working with Starcom Systems, has created the first commercially available connected motorcycle. This cloud-based cellular system allows the rider to remotely interact with their SR/F in five key areas: bike status + alerts, charging parameters, “ride relive & share,” customized user interface, and system updates. The bike status connectivity includes information like Find My Bike, bike statistics, state-of-charge (SOC), charging info, time to complete charge, available range, and system update. On top of that, the SR/F provides alerts, too. So, the rider would be informed if someone is tampering with their parked bike, charging is complete or interrupted, low SOC during storage, very low SOC, and new system update available. Additionally, the rider will be able to set a notification for when the SR/F reaches a desired SOC (say for a ride home) or designate times to begin charging to take advantage of off-peak electrical rates. Other customizable remote features are the ability to set up desired dash layout and colors or, as previously mentioned, create custom ride modes via the phone app. Since the cloud-based connectivity makes the SR/F part of the Internet of Things, Zero has included a social sharing capability within the app. After recording a ride, the information can be shared with other riders down to as granular a level as the rider desires. Everything from the route to the lean angle and speed at every point along the ride can be shared, if so desired, allowing the rider to relive the ride. Riders also have the option of keeping all their information anonymous and can be comfortable with the knowledge that no one is tracking their riding or utilizing their information without their explicit permission. Out on the RoadAfter the tech briefing, Zero provided us with a pair of SR/F Premiums fresh off of the production line in the company’s Scotts Valley, California facility. The roads around Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz are made for motorcycling. So, after a short stint to get out of town, we landed on some proper testing roads. My first impression of the SR/F was that it looked more like a full-sized motorcycle than the previous generation SRs and DSRs. Nothing against them, but throwing a leg over my mount confirmed my thoughts. The look and the feel of the SR/F is that of a machine cut from whole cloth. It feels like a unified whole, and the riding position and reach to the ground were in line with other street fighter motorcycles. In Street mode, the throttle response is quick but not abrupt. The acceleration curve (or is it power delivery curve?) does not reach full power, like the Sport mode allows, but only an extended period at full-throttle makes it obvious. The generous torque available off the line is perfect for most road use situations. For the record, both modes have different MSC settings geared towards typical road use and more aggressive riding, respectively. The most noticeable difference between the two modes is how the regenerative braking is triggered when the throttle is rolled off. In Sport mode, the regenerative braking doesn’t kick in until the grip is just a few degrees from fully closed. This allows for more precise application of regenerative braking and getting back on the throttle that most sport riders will prefer. In Street mode, proportional regenerative braking takes over several degrees from having the throttle completely off, and as the grip gets closer to the full off position, the regenerative braking increases. On the street, this allows the rider to modulate the regenerative braking as the situation allows. The only trade-off is that when rolling on the throttle, the initial acceleration isn’t as snappy. (I can’t wait to get a test unit to spend some extended time playing with the regenerative braking parameters to see what it is capable of doing.) Instant acceleration is exactly what one expects from an electric motorcycle. The SR/F doesn’t disappoint. It is strong throughout the rpm range. Yes, if you’re used to riding an ICE motorcycle with a peaky power band, you may miss the moment when the bike seems to jump into light speed, but what you gain at every other speed with the SR/F is well worth it. Instant torque is addicting. On our test ride, I was able to take a short blast up to the 124 mph top speed. Since the speed is limited by software, there is no fall off in power before the limit is reached. You simply arrive at 124 mph and stay there. All you hear on the naked SR/F at this speed is the wind, while lower speeds are accompanied by a futuristic whine that I find pleasant. With a slightly canted forward riding position and its formidable power output, the SR/F is a perfect mount for a tight, winding road. The steering is neutral, and neither trail braking nor braking mid-corner upset the SR/F from its line. The wide handlebar offers plenty of leverage for scything your way through a series of corners. The roads we were on ranged from billiard table smooth to extremely bumpy. While almost every bike works well on the smooth stuff, I was impressed with how well the Showa suspension soaked up the rough roads – sometimes with bumps mid-corner. Although different sized riders will want to fiddle with the suspension adjustments, the baseline settings were just about perfect for my 195 lb. frame. When it’s time to slow down, the J.Juan brakes offer good power and tons of feel at the lever. Although the roads were dirty after the recent rains, I never felt the tires slip under braking or acceleration. I did try a massive burnout in gravel, and after spinning the rear tire for a fraction of a second, the SR/F simply motored its way out of the gravel. Very cool traction control. My biggest complaint about my test ride on the SR/F was that it was too short, but that is what happens when an exclusive ride gets put together on an extremely tight schedule. Our ride was approximately 70 miles, including city traffic, mountain thrashing, repetitive photo shoot passes, a couple high speed sections (including a top speed run), and highway riding. After all of that, we returned with the SOC at 30% – and just begging to be depleted on more winding roads. So, how good is the Zero SR/F? As soon as I got my helmet off after the ride, I was requesting one for a long-term test. There are so many things I want to try with the custom ride modes. I want to take it on my torture ride up Angeles Crest. Mostly, though, I just want to ride the bike and see what it’s like to live with it. The SR/F is quite simply the best electric motorcycle I’ve ever ridden, and I can’t wait to put it head-to-head with another electric (or two – if they’re available) to explore what the current state-of-the-art is in the electric motorcycle market. The 2019 Zero SR/F comes in two colors, Boardwalk Red and Seabright Blue, and the base model’s MSRP is $18,995. The Premium model bumps the price to $20,995, but for that you get the 6kW Level 2 charger (instead of 3kW), the fly screen, heated grips, and aluminum bar ends. As of press time we don’t know much about the Lightning Strike, but the teasers Lightning have sent so far indicate a motorcycle with similar riding position, and considering Lightning’s sporting pedigree, we expect the Strike to be a high-performance machine. If the hype is to be believed, it should give the SR/F a run for its money, especially with its starting price of $12,998 undercutting the Zero’s significantly. As far as the SR/F is concerned, personally, I’d succumb to the siren song of shorter charge times and opt for the Premium – even if I’d mostly be charging the battery overnight. The 2019 Zero SR/F will be arriving in showrooms in April. Fans of electric motorcycles should start lining up for a test ride now.
Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com https://ift.tt/2Std7JO February 25, 2019 at 10:37AM
Motorcycle News - PIPEBURN REVIEW: Triumph’s 2019 Scrambler 1200 XE
https://ift.tt/2BNlidN Written by Mark Hawwa “THIS IS NOT A SCRAMBLER!” is what I shout to myself on repeat as I hit the first few corners of the famous Great Ocean Road in Australia’s south-east. Not a car in sight, my right wrist is only just warming up. Luckily, my hands are already comfortable thanks to the bike’s heated grips. From corner to corner, the 2019 Triumph Scrambler XE consistently proves that it was not only made to conquer the dirt, but the bitumen, too. The word ‘Scrambler’ became a industry phrase in the 50’s and 60’s for motorcycles that had both off and on-road capabilities. But in more recent times this really hasn’t been the case. It’s been turned into a fashionable term, falsely giving people the hope of adventure and promising that dreaded motorcycle misnomer, ‘freedom’. However, the tide has turned and Triumph recently decided to put a 21 inch wheel on a modern classic. It’s so large, I was immediately concerned that maybe Triumph have now focused on the bike’s off-road capabilities at the expense of the on-road. However from the first corner in to the last corner out, this bike blew me away. The Showa front end with its 250mm wheel travel, coupled with the twin spring Ohlins adjustable rear suspension gives the Scrambler smooth and seamless movement from corner to corner. A little unexpected, huh? It gives you the stability and the confidence to push it relatively hard on the tarmac. At this stage, it may be difficult to imagine this bike is a “scrambler”, what with the road performance being as fucking amazing as it is. My head now swimming, it begged the question: did Triumph build more street bike than dirt bike? The engine – as beautiful as it is – has been in a few current models, like the Thruxton R and Bonneville T120. I’ve ridden these bikes, however I could instantly feel the improvements made here. First and foremost, it delivers more power and more torque. Now pushing 110 foot-pound and 90 horses, it is truly more than enough of a power plant for a bike of this style. For those interested in watching their weight, the answer is 206 kilos (or 450 lbs) dry and around about 330 kilos with me on it, wet. Very wet. The TFT display is now in its second generation, and it has features galore. There are a heap of options, including the always-amusing ability to customise the name of the rider for a friendly welcome message. Mysteriously, the morning of day two saw all the journalists welcomed with greetings that were more than a little honest… Jokes aside, the display and overall setup is impressive, with a wide range of modes including the ability to customise your own. Traction control settings along with ABS can be turned off or on, with a bit of flexibility in between. The bike features six standard modes: Road, Rain, Sport, Off Road, Off Road Pro (or Dirt Burnout mode) and Rider, which is fully adjustable. I used ‘Sport’ mode the most, although once we hit the mountains it started to sprinkle so I tested out the rain mode. It felt like the bike deftly rolled off the power exactly when needed to be more manageable in those conditions, which is a nice touch on such an imposing bike. As the road continued, we reached an ‘off-road testing facility’. Typically, these are places where manufacturers go to test out their vehicles for all sorts of compliance reasons. So it was sort of like heaven, I guess. This was my playground for the second half of the day; a space where I could truly test the off-road capabilities of the bike. Put simply, the Triumph Scrambler XE quickly exceeded the capabilities of myself. The bike proved itself to be just as capable off-road as it was on, which is a big statement for a bike that looks as pretty as this. The modern-age scrambler game has officially been changed. This scrambler could fucking scramble, and it could scramble well. Steep down hill embankments, riding over logs, through water crossings or launched over woops – this bike could do it all! Sand, Water, Gravel, and Tarmac were all handled with ease. This truly is an everything bike. It’s the one bike you would choose if you needed to take your collection of two-wheelers and consolidate it into one big, beautiful ride. It’s basically the Swiss Army knife of motorcycles, and with a fantastic neutral riding position as well.
“The bike proved itself to be just as capable off-road as it was on, which is a big statement for a bike that looks as pretty as this.”
Other cool features include keyless ignition, a USB charger under the seat, full bluetooth capabilities, an integrated GoPro control system, Google maps on the dash, an integrated phone and music system and three-stage heated grips for those cold, lonely winter nights. When it comes to stopping, you know Triumph are serious when they use the set-up off the front end of the Street Triple RS; Brembo M50 callipers gripping down onto twin 320mm floating rotors. Tyre-wise, it’s important to note that just like any rockstar’s backstage groupie session, there was eventually a rubber change. On road, the Scrambler was sporting the dual purpose Metzeler Tourance Tyres. And when off-road, we shifted to the Pirelli Scorpion Rally. For those curious on just how many inches I was sporting, it was a front of 21 x 2.15″ and a rear of 17 x 4.25″. If you’re shy and don’t like conversing with people, this isn’t the bike for you. In its standard configuration, the exhaust note is louder than what you’d expect in an age where many bikes are getting quieter. No doubt, the 270 degree crank helps with such a lovely sound. The looks are stunning, from headlight design to the Monza cap, and the oval-shaped rear of the twin pipes. This bike started conversations everywhere I stopped. There were even propositions for nude photos on the bike, although it was me offering it to a lovely old lady who wanted to take photos for her husband. Would he of appreciated it? Who knows. But what I do know is that this bike doesn’t lack character in any form, and with two colour schemes available in the XE version, you’ll be hard set deciding which to choose. My final thoughts? This is not the sort of scrambler that Steve McQueen would use to jump the wire fence in The Great Escape, this is the scrambler Steve McQueen would use to jump Steve McQueen jumping the wire fence in The Great Escape. It’s seriously that good, and if you are in the market for a tick-all-the-boxes bike, this just might be the one.
Motorcycles via Pipeburn.com https://ift.tt/2LY9tnG February 25, 2019 at 07:21AM
MotoGP News - Cal Crutchlow 'not even close' to being ready for Qatar MotoGP race
https://ift.tt/2StrIVi LCR rider Cal Crutchlow admits he is "not even close" to being ready for the 2019 MotoGP season opener in Qatar with just one day of pre-season testing to go Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei February 25, 2019 at 07:13AM
MotoGP News - Jorge Lorenzo expecting 'difficult' first MotoGP races with Honda
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F1 News - F1 gossip: Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Red Bull, Renault, Hamilton, Bottas, Mercedes, Gasly
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MotoGP News - MotoGP set to adopt 'long lap penalty' after Qatar test trial
https://ift.tt/2IzKU3U MotoGP is set to add the 'long lap penalty' to the list of punishments available to stewards for the start of the 2019 season Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei February 24, 2019 at 02:39PM
MotoGP News - Qatar MotoGP test: Rins puts Suzuki on top on second day
https://ift.tt/2U0GaFE Suzuki's Alex Rins narrowly beat Maverick Vinales to the fastest time on the second day of MotoGP's pre-season test in Qatar Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei February 24, 2019 at 01:39PM |
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