Motorcycle News - Eight Things KTM Got Right With The 390 Duke
http://bit.ly/2vldUTs KTM made a really cool motorcycle in the 390 Duke, but it became even better in 2017 when the folks in Mattighofen gave it some much-needed upgrades. We’ve covered the 390 Duke extensively on the digital pages of MO, but if you’re new around here – or especially new to motorcycles in general – let this be a Cliff Notes guide to why the 390 Duke is a great little bike. The short reason why we like the bike so much is because it punches way above its weight. In the past if you presented us with a 373cc Single, yawns would follow. Not so with the 390 Duke. Fun is the name of the game with this little terror, and below are eight reasons why it should be on your radar if it isn’t already. Don’t get us wrong – it’s not a perfect motorcycle, and we’ve included a couple reasons why. Nailed ItLooksJust look at this thing. Small displacement motorcycles have no right to look this good. And the pictures don’t do it justice, either. In person, the design is very impressive. Some people don’t like the headlight, which is shared with several other KTM models and is a staple for the company. Personally, I dig it. It adds personality, and ties off the angular lines from back to front. Equally impressive is the lack of errant wires, hoses, or cables sticking out where they shouldn’t, especially under the fuel tank where you might expect to see a loose cable or two. Get rid of that huge license plate holder and the proportions will look just right. Supermoto modeThere aren’t too many settings or options to adjust on the 390 Duke, but there is one – the brakes. ABS comes standard on the 390 and defaults to reading wheel speeds at both ends. However, flip the switch to Supermoto mode and the computer turns ABS off for the rear wheel, meaning, as the name would suggest, supermoto-style slides can now commence! Charge hard into a corner, hit the front brake, pop a few successive downshifts, tap the rear brake, and slide to your heart’s content! To have this option on a small-displacement motorcycle is a little silly, but it also speaks to KTM’s “Ready to Race” mantra. Slipper clutchOf course, purposely getting the baby Duke out of shape is helped by the fact it comes standard with a slipper clutch when you accidentally get the baby Duke out of shape. Botched downshifts aren’t a big deal anymore, and the lack of rear wheel hop makes rear wheel slides in Supermoto mode easier and smoother. You don’t need to be a hooligan to appreciate a slipper clutch, obviously, which gives the 390 great appeal to new and experienced riders alike. If, however, operating a clutch is still too much for you, as part of its Power Parts accessory bin, a Rekluse automatic clutch is an option (yes, really), basically negating the need for a clutch. Smooooooth engine. Punchy, tooHistorically, single-cylinder engines tend to vibrate a lot. The 390 Duke bucks that trend. Its counterbalanced 373cc engine is surprisingly smooth at the bars, despite the need to rev to 8000 rpm to cruise at 80 mph on the highway. And despite its small displacement, the little Duke doesn’t leave you feeling like a moving roadblock – far from it, actually. We’ve dyno’d the bike at nearly 40 hp and 24 lb-ft at the wheel. Combined with its 362-lb curb weight, it’s quite spritely when you twist the throttle. Surprisingly comfortable at speedFor a motorcycle without any sort of wind protection, I found it to be unexpectedly comfortable even at highway speeds. A touring bike the 390 most definitely is not, but it can handle a day ride. The rider triangle is positioned in such a way where I didn’t feel like a sail at speed. The forward lean to the bars doesn’t feel like much, but it’s just enough, apparently, to not yearn for a windscreen. If longer rides on the 390 are in your future, however, I’d opt for a seat that’ll coddle your tush better. Adjustable leversNo, adjustable levers aren’t anything new on a motorcycle, but it’s not common for small displacement/low-cost motorcycles to have them. The 390 Duke comes equipped with adjustable levers for both the brake and clutch. For newer riders learning what lever position works best with their hands, this is a nice touch on KTM’s part. TFT display is noiceIf adjustable levers aren’t common on little bikes, then the fact the 390 comes with a full TFT display makes it downright exotic! It’s nice, too; there are color-coded gauges nicely spaced out and everything is clearly visible even in direct sunlight. The gear position indicator could be a bit bigger, but it’s big enough in the upper right of the display to see at a glance. KTM My RideSince the youth market is the target KTM is aiming at (at least in Europe, where the 390 fits within the tiered licensing system), the My Ride feature is a handy option, allowing the rider to tether their smartphone directly to the bike. This gives full control over incoming calls and audio from your music library. All the information pops up on the bike´s display, letting you manage everything from the menu switch, while keeping your hands on the bars. Failed It$5499!This one is subjective, of course, but methinks the magic number when marketing a small displacement motorcycle is $5000. BMW’s G310R comes in at $4,845, and Kawasaki’s new Z400 goes even lower at $4,799. At $5,499, I wonder if KTM has put off some would-be buyers. Granted, you get a lot of motorcycle in the 390 Duke. Personally, I’d save up a couple more sheckels to get it, but will others? No TC?This might be the biggest oversight on the KTM. Sure the TFT display is nice, but I could live with an LCD screen if it meant having the added safety of traction control. Some will wonder when TC would ever be used on a bike struggling to make 40 hp, but if you ever find yourself on wet and/or slick roads, having that added safety net is huge. If you’re a newer and/or inexperienced rider, the extra peace of mind should make the cost worth it. Alas, it’s not equipped, and though it’s not a deal breaker, it’s more a missed opportunity. The post Eight Things KTM Got Right With The 390 Duke appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com http://bit.ly/2ComzZy April 25, 2019 at 07:07PM
Motorcycle News - BAAK builds a modern day ‘Bathtub’ Triumph
http://bit.ly/2IW6Swu
Edward Turner’s idea to enclose the rear wheel first appeared on the 1957 Triumph 3TA ‘Twenty One,’ and later the 1959 5TA ‘Speed Twin.’ It was a move to offer superior weatherproofing for British riders—but it was a total flop in the States.
But, as with all things vintage, what was a misstep back then is quirky and chic now. Which is why we love this reinterpretation of the Triumph bathtub, from French custom shop, BAAK Motocyclettes.
For this project, they acquired two bikes: a 2018 Triumph T120 Bonneville as a donor, and a 1962 Thunderbird as inspiration. And they did a bang up job: the new bike looks like a contemporary factory replica of its forebear.
He started by building a physical mockup with cardboard. Then he cut, hammered, English-wheeled, TIG welded and hand-sanded the final aluminum structure. All told, it took roughly twenty-six days to finish the bathtub off.
The aluminum front fender was made from scratch too, along with a set of classy mounting struts, and a sump guard. A little further up, BAAK sunk a Motogadget speedo into a custom headlight bucket, equipped with Lucas optics.
The rest of the cockpit’s equipped with handlebars from BAAK’s own catalog, Biltwell Inc. grips, KustomTech levers, and Motogadget bar-end turn signals. The crew also installed a long cable kit for the wider bars, and a set of super-sano triple clamps.
The Bonneville has had a slight stance adjustment too. The front forks were shortened internally, and the rear shocks swapped out for a smaller set from Shock Factory. And there’s now an 18” wheel up front and a 16” in the rear, with Avon MKII tires and a Beringer front brake disc.
For paint, BAAK drew inspiration from the iconic Porsche 356. A warm pearl grey is complemented by super-subtle champagne pin striping, and a set of cast aluminum tank badges.
It also has us wondering how well a factory-issued Triumph bathtub would fare today… BAAK Motocyclettes | Facebook | Instagram Motorcycles via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com April 25, 2019 at 12:26PM
F1 News - Lewis Hamilton 'understands how Charles Leclerc feels' in debut season
https://bbc.in/2IXsAQS Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari's Charles Leclerc reminds him of himself in his own debut season in Formula 1. Leclerc is just a point behind team-mate Sebastian Vettel in the title race despite team orders aimed at favouring the German in all three races so far. Hamilton said: "When I got to Formula 1, I wanted to win as soon as possible and beat the champion I was racing against. So it is very similar. "I see much of myself in Charles and he is doing a great job so far." Championship leader Hamilton added in the build-up to Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix: "With really high expectations at a huge team like Ferrari, he is driving so well, and he just has to keep doing what he is doing, it will come to him." The five-time world champion likened Leclerc's situation to his own when he was alongside two-time champion Fernando Alonso in his debut season with McLaren in 2007. Hamilton was angered by what he perceived to be the way McLaren manipulated the Monaco Grand Prix to prevent him having a chance to win, but took his first victory at the next race in Canada. "There have been a couple of scenarios when there are multiple world champions who demand the number one position and so you become a number two, and while it is a privileged position it goes against your core values," Hamilton said. "I understand how Charles feels because in his heart he believes he has the potential be the best and it is almost like having your light dimmed. "So as a racer and as a fierce competitor, you kind of rebel. They say to do one thing but the fighter in you wants to push against it. I experienced that." Leclerc, who was promoted to Ferrari after a stellar debut season for Sauber last year, lost what would have been a dominant maiden victory in the second race of the season in Bahrain when he was hit by an engine problem in the closing stages of the race, handing victory to Hamilton. In the first race in Australia, he was told to stay behind Vettel in the closing laps after catching him because of a better tyre strategy. And in the last race in China he was forced to hand third place to the four-time champion in the opening laps after Vettel said he could go faster. The move ensured Leclerc finished fifth behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen, while Vettel took third behind Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas. In Bahrain, Leclerc was also asked to stay behind Vettel for two laps when he caught him after dropping back because of a poor start. He ignored that order and passed his team-mate a few corners later. What does Leclerc say?Leclerc said he believed that his destiny was in his own hands and depended on him proving to the team he could be faster than Vettel. "It is frustrating when you are in the car to be told to let past another driver," the 21-year-old said. "But on my side I understand them in a way. "Seb is now in his fifth year with the team and has won four world titles and I am only coming in my second year in F1 so I have got a lot of things to prove and now it is up to me to do the best job possible in the car to prove to the team what I am capable of. "So I just need to continue doing what I am doing, trying to improve myself and hopefully it will change soon." Asked whether he felt he could beat Vettel over the season and whether he would be allowed to, Leclerc said: "I believe there is the potential to do so, but from the potential to actually doing it I need to do a lot of work and put all the things together. We will see." Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto has said Vettel will be favoured in what he called "50-50 situations" but added that the situation could change as the season develops. And asked whether he would accept further instances of team orders, Leclerc said: "There will always be team orders but it depends on the situation. In some situations, I would." Vettel said: "We try to maximise points. That's our first priority. It is normal you try to do everything to perform well. "I understand people are talking about decisions we made here and there but it will be impossible to know where we will be in a couple of months time or half a year." Can Ferrari finally win in Baku?Mercedes have taken one-twos in all three races so far but Vettel played down the idea that this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a "must-win" race even though he is already 31 points - more than a clear win - behind Hamilton in the championship. The Italian team have a major aerodynamic upgrade on their car in Baku. Vettel said: "It is different but if you improve the car in general it helps everywhere. The new bits are all targeted to make the car faster. "Hopefully we can find the same results we found in the tunnel. Hopefully the numbers stack up and we see how much of a jump we can do." Hamilton said he expected a reinvigorated threat from Ferrari this weekend. "You're going to see this weekend Ferrari are probably going to be extremely quick since they've got an upgrade and this is a track that has boded well for them in the previous years," he said. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://bbc.in/OHg7x6 April 25, 2019 at 10:30AM
F1 News - Alfa Romeo's Giovinazzi takes season's first engine-related grid penalty
https://bbc.in/2Pt1XV7 Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi has become the first driver in 2019 to take an engine-related grid penalty. The Italian will drop 10 places on the grid for Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix after his team fitted a new control electronics box to his car. It is Giovinazzi's third electronics change in four races and drivers are allowed two before being penalised. The incident highlights a weakness in Ferrari's electronics system, which has already cost the team a win this year. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was on his way to a dominant maiden victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix when he was hit by a loss of power, which was later traced to a short circuit in the electronics. As a result, all Ferrari-engined cars - those from the factory team and from customers Haas and Alfa Romeo - have already had to change their electronics boxes this season. But while Ferrari and Haas took the new-spec unit for the last race in China, Alfa Romeo did not. Giovinazzi then suffered an identical failure to Leclerc's in Bahrain during qualifying in Shanghai, but the replacement that was fitted for the Chinese Grand Prix was of the first specification. He and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen are both taking the new-spec control electronics (CE) for the race in Baku, in the interests of improved reliability. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://bbc.in/OHg7x6 April 25, 2019 at 07:42AM
MotoGP News - Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro: I'm in the best form of my MotoGP career
http://bit.ly/2UFCNn8 Aleix Espargaro believes he is "riding better than ever in my life", but that Aprilia must conquer its tyre wear issues to give him any chance of MotoGP podiums Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport http://bit.ly/2uOa9Ei April 25, 2019 at 07:02AM
F1 News - Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Red Bull & Toro Rosso first engine upgrade of season set for Baku race
https://bbc.in/2UzwgdM Honda will have its first engine upgrade of 2019 for Red Bull and Toro Rosso at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Technical director Toyoharu Tanabe said a reason for its early introduction had been the finding of a "quality control issue" with the previous engine. This led to Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat retiring at the last race in China. Tanabe said the "spec two" engine's main benefit was "improved durability and better reliability" but also with a "slight improvement in performance". The upgrade could boost Red Bull's hopes of challenging for a win at the Baku street circuit, which includes what is effectively the longest straight on the calendar. However, it is also likely to mean grid penalties for both Red Bull teams later in the season. Each driver is limited to three power units per season, which means an engine is scheduled to do seven races. Baku is the fourth race of the season, so it is unlikely Honda can get through the rest of the season on just one further engine upgrade. Red Bull have had the third fastest car so far this season, behind Mercedes and Ferrari, but clever strategy and strong driving has seen Max Verstappen beat at least one Ferrari in two of the three races so far. As a result, the Dutchman is third in the championship, 29 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, two ahead of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and three in front of Vettel's team-mate Charles Leclerc. Verstappen, who crashed out of the race in Baku last year with then-team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, said: ‟Baku is quite an interesting race because on a street circuit, you usually want to run a lot of downforce. "Because of the long straights between the corners in Baku, you have to find a bit of a compromise - so that means you have quite low grip on the track and you slide around a bit. "It's a lot of fun to drive and especially in the castle area, it's very narrow, but also it's really cool for pictures to look back at. "It's a decent track for overtaking because of the long straight and especially with the DRS [overtaking] zone, so it's always an exciting weekend and a lot of things can happen. It's a big show and hopefully this year's race will make for a good story." #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://bbc.in/OHg7x6 April 25, 2019 at 03:36AM
Motorcycle News - Design Filings Reveal Production Version of Yamaha 3CT Scooter
http://bit.ly/2ZyAB4A At EICMA last fall, Yamaha introduced the Niken GT, a sport-touring motorcycle with the company’s leaning-multi-wheel (LMW) technology. But the Niken GT wasn’t the only three-wheeler shown at EICMA; Yamaha also revealed a 300cc LMW scooter prototype called the 3CT. Thanks to a Yamaha filing we uncovered from the European Union Intellectual Property Office, we now know what to expect from the Yamaha 3CT production model, and how closely it resembles the prototype. The bodywork appears to be mostly unchanged, including the rather bird-like profile up front. The beak is high enough to show off the mechanism that allows the two front wheels to tilt and steer in tandem. While the lines are a bit sharper, there’s still a familial resemblance to Yamaha’s smaller 125cc and 155cc Tricity scooters which introduced its LMW technology. Apart from a tall windscreen and a less blinged-out seat, plus the necessary mirrors, turn signals and a combination rear turn signal, fender and license plate mount, the overall design looks about the same as the prototype: The prototype used Yamaha’s 300cc Blue Core engine (at least that’s what Yamaha calls it; technically, it’s a 292cc engine), the same motor offered on the XMax 300 which claims the engine produces 27.6 hp at 7250 rpm and 21.4 lb-ft. at 5750 rpm. We expect the same with the production model, barring any updates. The design filings also keep the small pedal found on the right floorboard of the prototype. Yamaha didn’t explicitly say it, but we assume the pedal is for the 3CT’s tilt lock assist feature which can keep the three-wheeler upright even at a stop. Piaggio’s MP3 has a similar feature whereas this is a first for a Yamaha three-wheeler. Unlike the MP3, however, Yamaha says the 3CT’s tilt lock assist works without locking the suspension. Yamaha says this makes it smoother for stop-and-go operation while also keeping the weight low. While the designs indicate it is going into production, what’s less clear is if the 3CT will be keeping that name. “3CT” is already pretty close to the Tricity branding Yamaha’s been using for several years now, with the “3” also describing the approximate engine displacement. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see this introduced as the 2020 Yamaha Tricity 300 at EICMA this November. The post Design Filings Reveal Production Version of Yamaha 3CT Scooter appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com http://bit.ly/2ComzZy April 24, 2019 at 04:52PM
Motorcycle News - Best Motorcycle Rain Suits
http://bit.ly/2GEGRAd We all know that the world shown in motorcycle advertisements isn’t real. As much as we’d like it, the sun doesn’t always shine, and we aren’t the only vehicle on the road. We can always dream, though. When it comes to bad weather, we all have to deal with it sometime – even those of us who reside in sunny SoCal. When the rain starts to fall, the best thing we can do is have proper rain gear to keep us dry. Touring and adventure touring riders will often make their stand against the elements with waterproof riding suits, which we’ve covered here. For the rest of us, a rain suit over our regular riding gear gets carried along when the weather looks like it could turn wet. When it comes to rain gear, the camps are pretty evenly divided between one- and two-piece suits. They both offer advantages and disadvantages. One-piece suits are easier to don and doff, while two-piece suits can more easily accept differing body types. Regardless of what you use, they’ll go a long way towards making a wet ride a fun one. Here is a selection of the best motorcycle rain gear we’ve found. Dainese Storm Jacket and Pants – $130/$95The Dainese Storm Jacket and Storm Pants offer comfort and dryness to your ride thanks to its breathable knitted fabric. This stretchable fabric allows free movement on the motorcycle without sacrificing waterproofness. The pants feature an elasticized waist and an adjustable cuff. The jacket includes an integrated hood along with an internal waterproof pocket. The jacket and pants are ultrasonically welded for a no-seam construction, and its four-way stretch material and coated zip closure offer the ultimate in comfort – on and off your motorcycle. The jacket is available in men’s sizes XS-2XL and women’s sizes XS-2XL in Black-Flou Yellow or Flou Yellow. The pants are sized men’s and women’s XS-2XL in Black only. Shop for the Dainese Storm Jacket and Pants here Firstgear Rainman Jacket and Splash Rain Pants – $90/$80The Firstgear Rainman Jacket is your basic motorcycle rain jacket, but don’t let that fool you. First, it is waterproof with fully taped seams, and the jacket’s breathability means that the interior doesn’t get too stuffy on a long, rainy ride. There are dual chest pockets for carrying little essentials. Plus, the integrated rain hood can be stowed in a collar pocket. The set-and-forget waist strap keeps any flapping to a minimum at speed. The jacket is stored in its own integrated stuff sack. Two colors are available Black-Silver and Black-Yellow in sizes S-4XL for $90. The Firstgear Splash Pant is available in Black only in sizes S-4XL and features the same breathable construction with taped seams. An elastic waist provides comfort, and ankle to knee zippers allow easy entry with boots on. The pants also include their own integrated stuff sack. Shop for the Firstgear Rainman Jacket and Splash Rain Pants here Klim Forecast Jacket and Pants – $200/$200The Klim Forecast Jacket and Pants are sold separately, but they are constructed of the same guaranteed-to-keep-you-dry materials. Constructed with Gore-Tex Paclite two-layer laminate technology, the Forecast gear keeps the rain out while allowing the rider within to breathe. Fit is adjusted via Velcro wrist cuffs and a bottom hem shock cord. The external zippers are all YKK water-resistant items, including the two external hand pockets. Available in Black and Hi-Viz-Black, the Klim Forecast Jacket is sized S-3XL. Like the jacket, the Klim Forecast Pants feature their own internal stuff sack and a guarantee of waterproofness in sizes S-3XL and M-2XL(Tall +$20). Shop for the Klim Forecast Jacket and Pants here Oxford Rain Seal Over Jacket and Pants – $50/$30The Oxford Rain Seal Over Jacket and Pants are simple-yet-effective tools for keeping the rain out. Don’t expect any bells or whistles, but you do get reflective striping and a choice of Black or Hi-Viz Yellow colors. The gear is fully lined, and the seams are water resistant. The cuffs are adjustable. The pants have an elastic waistband and adjustable ankle openings. All of this for a reasonable price in sizes S-6XL (no, that’s not a typo). Shop for the Oxford Rain Seal Over Jacket and Pants here REV’IT! Pacific 2 H2O Rain Suit – $130The REV’IT! Pacific 2 H2O Rain Suit comes in two colors, though we can’t imagine why anyone would buy the all-black version that, with the exception of the 3M Scotchlite laminated retroreflective stripes that light up in headlights, renders you all-but-invisible in poor weather. We’d opt for the Neon Yellow-Black version that makes you virtually impossible not to see. The suit itself is made of ultra-light and packable PVC-free polyester Oxford material that is 100% waterproof and breathable. Climbing in and out of the suit is made easier by the zipper that slants from the left side of the neck to the right knee. To keep the elements on the outside, adjustments are available at the collar, upper arm, and the cuffs and ankles. Additionally, suit flap is minimized by adjustment straps at the waist. The REV’IT! Pacific 2 H2O Rain Suit is available in sizes S-3XL. Shop for the REV’IT! Pacific 2 H2O Rain Suit here Spidi Touring Two Piece Rain Suit – $160The Spidi Touring Two Piece Rain Suit (and the Spidi Touring Two Piece Women’s Rainsuit) have got you covered. The polyurethane nylon fabric construction will keep you dry, while the fluorescent yellow panels and reflective striping will make sure you are seen during the impaired visibility of a storm. The waist is adjustable. The cuffs, too, can be adjusted to accommodate different glove and boot sizes. The center storm flap prevents water intrusion past the central zipper. Finally, it packs away in its included stuff sack for easy storage. The Spidi Touring Two Piece Rain Suit is available in sizes SM-3XL,. Shop for the Spidi Touring Two Piece Rain Suit here Tour Master Defender 2.0 Two Piece Rain Suit – $110The Tour Master Defender 2.0 Two Piece Rain Suit builds on the strengths of the first generation suit by including special updates. The waterproof chest pocket has been lowered and is vertical in its orientation – perfect for phones and other frequently accessed items. More reflective piping and triangles mean better conspicuity in conditions with limited visibility. One of the Defender’s unique features is the Aqua-Barrier Under-the-Helmet-Hood to prevent the dreaded down the back of the neck drip on long, wet rides. When not required, the hood tucks neatly away in the hidden collar pocket. For comfort, the collar is also lined with microfiber material, while polyester mesh combines with the underarm vents to promote moisture-reducing airflow. The pants have both suspenders and stirrups to keep them in place on and off the motorcycle. Additionally, the flex panel at the waist provides a comfortable fit in a seated position. Elastic cuffs on the sleeves and pant legs help to keep water out, as does the zipper’s storm flap. The Tour Master Defender 2.0 Two Piece Rain Suit is available in Black-Black, Black-Red, Black-Blue, and Black-Yellow in sizes XS-4XL. Shop for the Tour Master Defender 2.0 Two Piece Rain Suit 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 and other articles. Learn more about how this works.
The post Best Motorcycle Rain Suits appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com http://bit.ly/2ComzZy April 24, 2019 at 04:22PM
Motorcycle News - TXX Interceptor: A custom Royal Enfield 650 from Thrive
http://bit.ly/2GDaQIF
They’re also affordable. In the US, prices for the Interceptor start at a mere $5,799, which is well over $3,000 less than a Sportster Iron 883 or Triumph Street Twin.
A late-model R-series BMW in good condition might be a couple of grand less than a new Interceptor, but it’s still a quarter of a century old.
Fabricators Indra Pratama and Barata Dwiputra are no strangers to the Indian brand: two years ago, they built a gorgeous little scrambler based on the Bullet 350.
“But the beautiful new parallel twin gives the bike more performance and capability. We knew we’d expose the engine as the heart of the bike, and bring out its character and spirit.”
So they started by stripping the Interceptor of its gas tank, battery box, fenders and side panels, plus a boxful of brackets and guards.
For a vintage racer vibe, they’ve installed a set of replica Ceriani GP38 forks, hooked up with custom CNC’d triples.
The brakes have been upgraded to Brembos to match the extra traction available, with dual discs and M4 calipers at the front, and a twin-piston setup at the back.
The few bought-in parts are high-end: the Interceptor’s twin analog dials have been replaced by a discreet Motogadget Motoscope Tiny display, and the foot controls are from the iconic Italian brand Tarozzi.
The crowning glory is the new bodywork, fashioned entirely out of aluminum. The tank, side panels, fenders, and tail unit are all expertly hand-shaped, and there’s a tiny bikini fairing with concealed LED lighting too. The seat, with a pronounced upkick, is from the T/H/R/V catalog.
After more than 600 man-hours of work, Thrive finished this stunning Interceptor with a teal green and champagne color combo, which reminds us of Aston Martin and Lotus racing colors.
Thrive Motorcycle | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Ilham Nuriadi Motorcycles via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com April 24, 2019 at 12:20PM
F1 News - Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Can Baku deliver more surprises?
https://bbc.in/2IDbJmY Expectations were always going to be high for China to deliver a memorable grand prix. Unfortunately for those who watched, race number 1,000 will slip quietly into the history books with barely a backwards glance. Valtteri Bottas fended off Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to secure his seventh career pole position in some notable pre-race action. But when the lights turned green and the pressure cranked up, Hamilton eased to a comfortable win and a place at the top of the drivers' championship for the first time this season. The five-time world champion holds a six-point advantage over Bottas in the standings, with an even healthier 31-point gap over fourth-place Sebastian Vettel. "We arrived here not knowing how we would measure against Ferrari - they were so quick in the last race," Hamilton said in his post-race interview. Yet as with the opener in Australia and again in Bahrain, it wasn't Ferrari's pace and dominance that had people talking by the drop of the chequered flag. The phrase 'team orders' seems to be becoming a narrative throughout this season for the Scuderia, with Charles Leclerc ordered to let Vettel past during the opening laps in China. Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger said the team should be allowing the drivers an "open game" to race, with no priority given to the more experienced Vettel as a four-time champion. Monaco-born Leclerc has already thrown down the gauntlet by declaring Baku one of his "favourite tracks of the season". "I always enjoy driving on it, especially the castle part with all those tight corners," Leclerc said. "It's a unique track, you cannot find anything like it anywhere else in the world, so it's pretty special." So, what better place for an all-out scrap than a circuit that has produced controversial upsets and back-to-back madcap races? Rival road rage and Red Bull crashesAzerbaijan was given the one-off title of the 'European Grand Prix', following a reputed $70m a year offer for a race to be held in the capital Baku. A promise of thrills and spills at the fastest street circuit on the calendar didn't initially materialise at the first event in 2016 and the event was labelled a boring dud. But the mixture of tight corners among Baku's medieval city walls plus an exceptionally long straight through the boulevard along the Caspian Sea gives the circuit all the potential for drama. And that was borne out in 2017, as numerous crashes, three safety cars and Vettel and Hamilton's 'road rage' controversy all hit the headlines in what was now called the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 'F1 just got nasty' rang out from all corners as Vettel was penalised for deliberately driving into Hamilton, after the German accused the Briton of brake-testing him before the second safety-car restart. Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo held his nerve through the chaos to take the 2017 win, with the unlikely Williams of Lance Stroll celebrating his maiden podium in third place. If the 2017 race thought it had a chance of holding onto the title of 'most bonkers grand prix ever', then 2018 said: 'hold my beer'. Hamilton was handed victory on a plate following an incident-strewn affair that saw race leader Bottas suffer a puncture with three laps to go and pole-sitter Vettel and Ferrari caught out by a late safety car. Then Red Bull team-mates Max Verstappen and Ricciardo dramatically collided with each other after being on verge of a crash for much of the race. Both drivers were reprimanded for their part in the controversy and made to apologise to staff at the Red Bull factory. Giving hope to every midfield runner and struggling backmarker, Sergio Perez of Force India was the Stroll of 2018, taking his place on the podium thanks to the big boys' mistakes. Williams' George Russell has been reminiscing this week about his first Formula 2 win in Baku last year - surely not even Azerbaijan could pull off that level of craziness? Heavyweight boss selfieShanghai and the 1,000th race festivities may have been a weekend to forget for Ferrari. However, the team did manage to produce a souvenir that can take pride of place on the Maranello and Brackley fireplaces. Mattia Binotto and Mercedes' boss Toto Wolff took this sneaky team principals snap during the official drivers' photo. The image has reached a total of 23k likes on Ferrari's official Twitter account alone and has joined the list of most popular pictures so far this season. How can I follow the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?UK fans can cheer the return of sensible hours this weekend after the early morning wake-up calls for China. All three practice sessions, Saturday's qualifying and the all-important race on Sunday are available on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. As ever you can follow every twist and turn with BBC Sport's live text commentary and get involved with your thoughts and predictions using the hashtag #bbcf1 via Twitter. Click here for full coverage details. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://bbc.in/OHg7x6 April 24, 2019 at 06:00AM |
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4/25/2019
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