MotoGP News - Leading MotoGP figures moot shorter weekends amid calendar growth
https://ift.tt/352hAcm Several MotoGP figures believe shorter race weekends could be an option for the series to explore, as the calendar gets set to expand beyond 20 races... Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei December 28, 2019 at 04:08AM
Motorcycle News - SuperStrada: Revisiting the Ducati 900 SS, 25 years on
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He runs L.A.-based Championship Cycles, which “began from the idea that less is more. Because more is heavy, and heavy is slow.”
“Last year, the owner of a 1995 Ducati 900 SuperSport contacted me,” says Mike. “It’s also one of my personal favorites, and he had a desire to create something unique.”
Despite this inauspicious starting point, the owner’s goals were very ambitious. “He was asking a lot from a 25-year-old motorcycle. But this wasn’t meant to be a restoration, so I had some creative latitude.”
“As Lotus design engineer Colin Chapman once said, ‘simplify, then add lightness.’ That’s my mantra,” says Mike.
Mike describes the engine swap as a “relatively easy” fit with the 900 SS chassis and swingarm, and as a bonus, the bigger engine is actually lighter than the older one—due to newer manufacturing processes. “You also gain reliable fuel injection, plus a mappable ECU.”
With the more powerful engine installed, it made sense to step up to fully adjustable suspension and radial brakes. Fortunately, as enthusiasm for the bike grew so did the budget—and more money was allocated to the project.
The brakes were upgraded with a Brembo 19RCS Corsa Corta master cylinder, plus Brembo GP-4RX billet calipers matched to BrakeTech’s CNC-machined ductile iron Axis rotors.
In the continuing efforts to keep weight in check, all of the bodywork is now carbon fiber. “I was able to find a perfect set of original Ducati Performance carbon side panels, and had a tail and nose fabricated to match,” says Mike.
Mike then went into the smaller details to lighten the 900 SS: he detabbed the steel frame, and tore out nonessential wiring and componentry. He also fabricated a bunch of bits out of lightweight aluminum, to replace heavier steel factory parts. Discreet LED lighting and a simple racing seat pad help matters too. “Essentially, I stripped the Ducati down to its core elements.”
With everything screwed back together, Mike took the Ducati up north to Willow Springs Raceway for a few shakedown laps on the big track.
Realistically, this Ducati is more likely to spend time carving roads in the nearby canyons than on the track. So Mike and his client stepped away from the obvious Superlight moniker, and chose SuperStrada as its new name.
We’re totally sold with the concept and even more with the execution. Now, if someone could produce a kit for the current Monster that captured this vibe … Championship Cycles | Instagram | Images by (and thanks to) Shaik Ridzwan of The Mighty Motor Motorcycles via Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2Mf9b0c December 27, 2019 at 11:19AM
Motorcycle News - 2019 PIPEBURN BIKE OF THE YEAR AWARD
https://ift.tt/39fHRqG Written by Martin Hodgson While Santa packed up his sleigh and headed off to fill his stomach with cookies, rum and hay, for Rudolph and the lads, back here at Pipeburn HQ we were locked in a small room trying to pick the best bikes of 2019. It’s no easy task, but thanks to the custom builders right around the world who continue to amaze and our dear readers comments, likes and shares; we managed to narrow down the field. Plenty of worthy contenders just missed out, we created two new categories to help capture the years best, but in the end there can only be one winner and to top the pack it had to be seriously special, Ladies and Gentleman, you’re Pipeburn Bike of the Year…
Young Gun Award – Supercharged Yamaha SR400 by Oily Rag Customs
When our fearless editor, Scott, headed for the Machine Show in Braidwood, NSW, Australia he expected to see some brilliant bikes. But what he couldn’t have imagined was that one of the standout customs of the show was built by a young lad, just 22 years of age. Motorcycle mechanic by day, young Keeley Pritchard spent 10 months on the tools with the moon overhead to bring his supercharged steed to life. And when his supercharger let go with just a week until showtime, two of Australia’s best builders stepped up to lend a hand; it’s what the custom community is all about! [Read original story here] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Writer’s Reward – Honda CX500 by Underground Custom Cycles Every week of the year Pipeburn scribe Tim Huber and I receive an inbox full of the most kick-ass customs from around the world. It’s truly an honour to get to hear the back stories behind each feature bike and learn more about the men and women who make these magnificent machines. But what makes a writer’s job a joy is a bike so comprehensive in its completed form that the article practically writes itself, and the UCC CX500 left no stone left unturned. [ Read original story here ] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10. 1978 KTM GS250 by Sam Customs There is nothing like the smell of two-stroke in the crisp alpine air to bring your morning to life! But rather than go for something new, Sam Luginbühl chose to breathe new life into a 40-year-old barnstormer and enjoy the character that comes with every kick. The metal fabricator by trade also builds high-end hot rods and applying those skills to the old ’78 delivered one killer KTM. [ Read original story here ] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9. BMW F 850GS by KrautmotorsWith 2019 marking 100 years since German architect Walter Gropius founded Staatliches Bauhaus, an art school whose philosophy was based on Gesamtkunstwerk, meaning ‘total work of art’, BMW decided to commission a build to celebrate the occasion. It had to incorporate the school’s approach, include elements both old and new, while still being able to ride into the museum like a boss. Krautmotors head honcho Rolf Reick lives, rides, races and wrenches on the brand from Bavaria and repaid the favour with this splendid speedy sculpture. [ Read original story here ] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8. MV Agusta F3 675 by Tricana MotorcyclesBeauty may well be in the eye of the beholder, but MV never fail to release products that have us all saying ‘Bellissimo’ around the world. So to take on the challenge of turning up the gorgeous gauge on one of their models takes a brave soul. Thankfully Tricana Motorcycles had it all in hand and not only delivered on the looks but perked up the performance to deliver one of the most desirable bikes of the year! [ Read original story here ] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7. KTM 950 SMR by Fabman CreationsTo find a balance between form and function can often mean making sacrifices in one area to achieve the desired result in the other. But Fabman Creations have found a way to combine both elements in not only the parts they crafted for their custom KTM but exquisite equilibriam in the entire execution. The big desert sled looks as good as it goes and had many lusting after one for their own garage. [ Read original story here ] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6. Cagiva Alazzurra by Ash KollmorgenAsh might have been after a Ducati when his search for a donor bike began, but the Cagiva ticked all the boxes and teaming up with DNA Custom Cycles they’ve created a copybook cafe racer of the highest order. From the monocoque bodywork delivering the killer curves to one of the most comprehensively built L-Twin engines you’re likely to see; everything about the Cagiva screams quality. [ Read original story here ] 5. Honda CB550 by Popbang Classics For generations small businesses have used Hot Rods to attract attention and bring punters through the doors and Justin at Popbang was asked to create a vehicle to do just the same for a beaut burger bar! Initially, the stance and vintage good looks draw you in, before your eye catches a glimpse of the supercharger and you realise things have really gone crazy with the girder forks and suicide shift. So to drink it all in you order a beer, grab a burger and fall victim to a job brilliantly done. [ Read original story here ] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4. Suzuki DR650 by Parr Motorcycles Few, if any, decades of the last century cop the sort of derision and ridicule like the ’80s, but it turns out if you want the internet to go crazy for your motorcycle then build a tribute to the period. Spencer has beaten bigger battles than most, surviving ocular cancer and through his struggle he’s developed an ability to build bikes that tug at the heart strings. This RM tribute machine seemed to get everyone nostalgic with its Pac-Man good looks and purpose-built performance. [ Read original story here ] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3. Bianchi Tonale by Plan B Motorcycles By the time you get to the top three you have to have done something pretty special and the little Bianchi with the big engine had us dreaming of riding this Moonshine racer with the lyrics of Copperhead Road running through our veins. Known as ‘Flying ’57 it’s a mix of a vintage frame, brilliant bodywork, with a modern motor and classic race parts to make one cool as can be custom. [ Read original story here ] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2. Ducati Monster 821 by XTR Pepo Whether under his old brand name or new, when Pepo Rosell delivers a delicious new Ducati the world sits up and takes notice. Few builders manage to hit a home run with every bike they lay their hands on, but the Spanish builder with a flair for Italian machinery has turned making race replicas into an art form and the modern Monster stood no chance of leaving his workshop as anything but a masterpiece. [ Read original story here ] ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1. Ducati Monster by Alonze Custom Taking out the top spot for 2019 meant overcoming some seriously stiff competition and it was a year when readers demands for a comprehensive creation have never been higher. Bolt-on mods just won’t cut it anymore, so it comes as no surprise then that Master Craftsman Jim Alonze has taken out the award. With not much more than a set of engine cases to begin with he’s fabricated an incredible frame and swingarm combination, built a carbon fibre monocoque and added touches like the tremendous titanium exhaust to build the bike that takes home the top trophy! [ Read original story here ] Thanks to all our readers, sponsors and bike builders for supporting us this year. Without your clicks, comments and shares we wouldn’t be able to bring you Pipeburn. Looking forward to an even bigger year in 2020 with a new site design launching very soon. Stay tuned and keep the shiny side up. Motorcycles via Pipeburn.com https://ift.tt/2LY9tnG December 26, 2019 at 06:03PM
Motorcycle News - Better Boxers: 2020 BMW R1250RS R1250R Review
https://ift.tt/2QkOUG1 2020 BMW R1250RS & R1250REditor Score: 91.75%
I’ve been reviewing BMW’s flat-Twin boxer powered bikes since I started testing motorcycles in the late ’80s and have burbled around on historic versions too, dating back to a beater ’64 R60/S my now ex-husband gave me to ride (quite possibly because it was less traceable then cyanide). Through it all, the boxer, with its punch-punch rhythm and unique seesaw jig always felt like an old friend, no matter the sprinkling of magic German engineering dust, or the ambition of the motorcycle BMW built around it. So, as you can imagine, when the opportunity arose to be the first journalist in North America to put BMW’s newest boxer-powered sportbike, the R1250RS, through its paces, I cleared my schedule. Heart of the MatterBMW’s new ShiftCam 1250cc flat twin, first introduced in the R1250GS adventure bike and RT tourer last winter, comes with changes much deeper than the 50cc bump in displacement insinuates. We’re seeing slight bumps in displacement and power across many models this year, most, purely compensatory gains to offset power sure to be siphoned as new, more stringent emissions regulations come into play for Europe. What the ShiftCam design represents is more of a full-on transformation. The payoff comes from utilizing a camshaft with two separate cam pairs to optimize and fuse power delivery. When you’re using low revs, partial-load cam profiles reduce valve lift and close any gaps in power delivery. Throw open the throttle, and the cam shifts to full-load profiles for maximum power development. The result is more usable power and tighter, more even distribution of that energy from commencement to redline. And we’re talking a good amount of get-up: a claimed 105 lb-ft of torque at 6250 rpm and 136 hp at 7750. There’s no arguing that the ShiftCam is a peach: so smooth you hardly recognize its relation to the strident horizontally-opposed boxer of yore – and with tangible elasticity that makes this twin feel especially futuristic. Body and SoulIf we’re calling the engine the heart of this motorcycle, then the chassis is the body and the bike’s performance, its soul. The RS is purely a sportbike. Not sharp-edged like its S1000RR sibling, but a solid canyon slayer with comfortable, neutral ergonomics that encourage longer rides. Steering is not overly quick, but very precise, and brakes – twin floating discs with 4-piston radial calipers up front and a single disc with a 2-piston floating caliper in the rear – provide phenomenal control. Weighing in at a considerable 537 pounds fully prepped, the RS feels much lighter underway. And at a stop, its narrow waist offsets a lofty 32.3-inch seat height to allow this 5’10” rider solid footing. The RS’s generous 60.2-inch wheelbase coupled with a 43mm upside-down telescopic fork and rear cast aluminum swing arm, aided by BMW’s shaft-damping Paralever, provide rock-steady posture and predictable tracking through the roughest of corners. And yeah, all that sounds a touch boring because there are no surprises here. BMW knows how to build a sound sport machine, and the RS is no less. What is something a buyer needs to figure out is how awesome you want your R1250RS to be. Basic awesome or awesome, awesome? The Cost of GreatnessWhether we’re into it or not, rider aids are here to stay, and BMW offers a boatload. Thing is, it sneaks you into needing options by sorting them into packages that are irresistible. The RS is the perfect example. Stock, it comes with the essentials: Basic ABS (switchable), 2 ride modes (Rain/Road), BMW’s switchable ASC (only wheelie when you want to), Dynamic Brake Control ( torque intervention to maximize braking power to rear wheel), and Hill Start Control. You also get the two-way adjustable windscreen (not that special, you need tools), super readable TFT display, LED lights, and so on. Then come the “Packages.” I’ll cut to the chase and tell you you’re going to want the “Select Package” because it’s everything: Dynamic ESA (electronic suspension adjustment), DTC (lean sensor-equipped traction control), ABS Pro (cornering ABS), Gear Shift Assist Pro (a.k.a. up/down quick shifting), Keyless Ride, and additional “Pro” Rider modes including a mode that can be customized. The Select Package also integrates heated grips, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, chrome exhaust and – get this – a handy-dandy center stand. And yup, of course it’s a chunk of extra dough: $3150. And that doesn’t include the cooler-than-black paint package you’re going to add for a smaller bag of coins. So really, instead of the marketed $15,695 base price, know up front you’re going to spend about twenty grand for this bike. With that out of the way, let’s talk about what all that extra money feels on the road. Flirting with PerfectionFlying the RS in and out of slow traffic or over mountain roads is effortless and exhilarating, and since rider modes as well as traction control and ABS are switchable on the fly, you can dial in your ambition as you go. Adjustments are evidenced on a new 6.5-inch TFT that is super bright, clear and easy to navigate. BMW’s left-hand switchgear and intuitive thumbwheel take you through all settings including navigation of the bike’s infotainment capabilities. The TFT is housed in a new, sportier-looking fairing that incorporates twin LED headlights for 2020. BMW’s quick shift system is fast and light, with low gear downshifts much more snickable than when I first tested the technology in 2016. Four rider modes are available with the premium package: Rain, Road, Dynamic Pro and Custom. While I didn’t have time to invent my perfect setup, I found riding in Road excellent for all real world conditions, saving Dynamic Pro’s sharper throttle response and firmer stance for the most aggressive rips. Three preload settings are available: solo rider, solo rider with luggage and two-up, the latter reminding you this rocket is intended to travel. Other hints include a hardwired docking cradle intended to receive BMW’s Navigator VI GPS system (yes, of course, more dough: $973 + monthly fee for updates) as well as a luggage rack and nubs and guards to receive BMW’s Touring Side Cases ($1461). Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to take the RS on an extended trip, but I did spend four days using it as my sole means of transport and found it very comfy, with neutral nearly-upright ergos, plenty of room behind the cylinders for my longer-than-average legs and a reasonably pliant saddle. If given the chance, I would load it up and chase the sunset any day. Those of you familiar with my review style know I don’t shy away from tearing into a bike when it deserves it. As a tester, the only challenge in writing up the R1250RS has been figuring out how to not make it sound like ad copy. It is that good. Sleek, lively, sophisticated, versatile. No groans except for the deceptive pricing. R1250R OptionWhen I turned in the R1250RS, I was happy to get a chance to try the new R1250R naked standard for an afternoon. You know that thing that happens when you get married, and then someone shows up who’s extra hot and interesting? That was my experience with my time on the R. Given the choice up front, I would have opted to spend the majority of my time styling around on the very on-trend, fast, fun, and undecidedly more versatile R version. What a bike. All the good stuff I said about the RS, but in a more classic package, with a more relaxed rake and upright ergos. I rode an especially stylish version: BMW’s new “Option 17 Spezial” (that’s not a typo) style package with the coolest Bronze Metallic paint and a brown stitched-pleather seat that added $1,200 to the R’s price. With all the premium electronics and riders aids, plus the cruise control and heated grips, the R came with retail tag of $19,640. The RS tested here, with its interesting Yellow Matte paint package, was comparably priced at $19,840. Less its Spezial treatment, the R is $1600 less, a considerable difference. Change is GoodBack when I first tested BMW’s flat twin in 1988, it was straddling the frame of a newly-revised R100GS. The big news about the bike, still carbureted and wearing a rear drum brake, was the introduction of BMW’s paralever swingarm, a magical fix for the shaft jacking effect that had previously marred performance. It was a good change. 2020’s ShiftCam 1250 is in the same league of upgrades. While there was nothing wrong with the previous liquid-cooled 1200cc boxer, there is even more right about its successor. While neither of these new models are bargain priced, the fact they are powered by BMW’s brand-new, best-ever boxer engine and equipped with class-leading components and electronics, the relevance of your investment is sure to last a minute. Or a lifetime, if you count the good times you’ll have – the only benefit BMW can’t charge you extra for.
Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com https://ift.tt/2Std7JO December 26, 2019 at 08:07AM
MotoGP News - Pramac Ducati's Miller: MotoGP 2019 my most complete season
https://ift.tt/2PV5Y6y Pramac Ducati rider Jack Miller believes the 2019 MotoGP season was his most complete in grand prix racing, even more so than '14 when he fought for the Moto3 title. Miller won six races for the Ajo KTM team in 2014 but lost the title by just two points to Alex Marquez - who only won three times - before stepping straight up to MotoGP in '15 with LCR Honda. The 2019 season marked Miller's second with Pramac and Ducati, and his first with works machinery from the manufacturer, which he used to tally up his best premier class podium haul of five third-place finishes. He cracked the top 10 in the standings for the first time in MotoGP in eighth on 165 points and was only 11 points away from ending the year as second-best Ducati runner. Though a race-winner in 2016 at a wet Assen, when asked by Autosport if '19 was his best season in MotoGP he said: "Definitely. "Even better than in 2014. [I made] a lot less mistakes, a lot more composed riding from my part, and I think it shows with the results. "I've been working on it, but also the surroundings of the team... we've got a great understanding [between] the team and myself. "I can't wait to be back here again next year with the group, with the guys. "It's the first time I've been in a team for two years now, so it'll be nice just to 'be at home' sort of thing." Miller will once again have machine parity with the factory Ducati riders next season, and he tested a prototype 2020 chassis and engine at Valencia. He did not have the new parts for the following Jerez test, though Miller believes the new bike "should help" Ducati's main issue of cornering. When asked if there was anything he didn't like about the 2020 bike, he said: "No. "It is always strange if you try a new bike - especially like that in Valencia - back-to-back, with the bike you've been riding all season [that] you have a great feeling for at the end of the season. "Everything feels a bit strange, but we try and look at the positives, and I think we found most of the positives out of it and understand where we should be. "I think the new bike should help with places like here [Jerez], with these fast, flowing corners. "But it is only speculation at the moment because I haven't been able to ride it here yet. "There was [an improvement] in Valencia, we needed to play more with the set-up but we had limited time. "I think they made headway, Dovi [Andrea Dovizioso] and those guys seem convinced. "We have to wait and see." Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei December 26, 2019 at 06:05AM
Motorcycle News - Fond Memories – JOE’S BMW R100RT
https://ift.tt/2ESQ7z5 Nostalgia can be a powerful motivator. For Joe Loss of Fremantle, Western Australia it started in his teenage years when his brother brought home a 1972 BMW R60/5. Since that day Joe has been unable to shake the allure of the venerable airhead boxer. Now with multiple custom builds under his belt, Joe found himself in the right place at the right time to start another when a 1981 R100RT found its way into his garage. Despite only showing 55,000kms since new it was in poor shape. The RT had been stored outside under a tarp for quite some time. This meant a complete strip-down was required to get the bike ready for registration. Once the bike was legally back on the road and running smoothly the real work on this slick BMW R100RT cafe racer build began. Motorcycles via Return of the Cafe Racers https://ift.tt/2M9riRb December 25, 2019 at 06:41PM
Motorcycle News - Happy Holidays From Motorcycle.com
https://ift.tt/2s831qh To all our favorite MOrons, the staff at Motorcycle.com would like to wish you the happiest of holidays and a wheelie great 2020! The post Happy Holidays From Motorcycle.com appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com https://ift.tt/2Std7JO December 25, 2019 at 08:07AM
Motorcycle News - Motorcycle Traveler – Book Review
https://ift.tt/34QmQ2E What would you do if you came face to face with your own mortality? For many of us, especially in this sport, it’s a scenario we think about in the abstract; we’re either going to go out in a blaze of glory doing something we love, or Father Time will continue undefeated. We don’t think, much less expect, something like cancer to get in the way of our plans. Peter Starr was one of those people, living comfortably – some would even say successfully – thanks to motorcycles. One fateful day in 2004 would turn his world upside down. Starr was diagnosed with colon cancer, bringing into crystal clear focus how finite his life really was. It was then that he stopped giving in to the excuses he told himself and decided to check off something he’d always wanted to do: explore the world on two wheels. In his book, Motorcycle Traveler, Starr takes us through his six-year journey, crossing 12 countries off his bucket list long before that was ever a phrase. The LegendIf the name Peter Starr rings a bell to some of you, there’s a good reason. If not, let’s put it this way: any motorcycle video you’ve ever seen since the 1970s has been shot and/or influenced by him. Starr is the godfather of motorcycle movie-making. Ever watched a race and marveled at the on-board footage? He started it way back in 1980, long before GoPros, putting a shoebox-sized camera on the gas tank of Don Emde’s bike and having it record during the 1980 AMA national at Laguna Seca. Yes, during the race. In all, Starr produced and directed more than 50 movies or TV shows centered around motorcycles and motorsports. The film Starr is best known for is his 1979 classic, Take It To The Limit, chronicling the life of the top motorcycle racers – spanning several different disciplines – of the time. These include Kenny Roberts, Wayne Rainey, Freddie Spencer, Mike Hailwood, Roger DeCoster, Jay Springsteen, and Barry Sheene, just to name a small few. Never before had viewers been exposed to the beauty of motorcycle sport in such a cinematic and immersive way. Motorcycle TravelerIt was because of his contributions to motorcycling as a filmmaker that Starr was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2017. But to only recognize Starr as a passionate motorcyclist with a camera would be doing a disservice. Since his cancer diagnosis, he has dedicated himself to cancer awareness and, as he puts it, living a purposeful life. This led to the desire to explore via motorcycle. In Motorcycle Traveler, Starr takes us along for his journey, and as any good motorcycle travel guide does, he describes the beautiful landscapes, delicious foods, and gracious people he meets along the way as he travels to Thailand, Poland, Canada, Ecuador, Wales/Isle of Man, New Zealand, Scotland, Taiwan, Finland, Romania, Australia, and Israel. Each country gets its own chapter, so it’s not imperative to read each chapter in successive order. Because of this, I chose to prioritize the countries I was personally interested in first. It just so happens my curiosity was piqued initially by Israel, the last chapter. Not a destination I’ve considered for motorcycle travel, as it turns out, it wasn’t on Starr’s list either. Ignorance and a misguided view from western media skewed Starr’s perception of the country, but an invite from a friend who organized a tour led by government certified tour guide Duby Nevo changed Starr’s perceptions entirely. Everywhere Starr rode – from Tel Aviv to Caesarea, Masada to Arad, the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, and of course Jerusalem, rich history was everywhere, explained in great detail by Nevo. And if the group couldn’t stop to see a sight, Nevo would talk about it via communicators in their helmets, making the ride that much more fulfilling for Starr. A self-proclaimed history buff, visiting a Jewish, Christian, and Muslim holy site like Jerusalem resulted in information overload. Personally, I enjoy a travel log so rich in sights, people, and food, that I forget all about the motorcycle. Sure we all want to ride on exciting roads, but the people you meet along the way and the experiences you share are the memories that will last far longer. In Motorcycle Traveler, Starr seamlessly intertwines the excitement of traversing foreign lands on two wheels with the excitement and wonder that comes with exploration. Take Thailand for example. A popular tourist destination, Starr’s imagery through Thailand showcases the breathtaking temples, statues, and people, with far fewer references and pictures of the motorcycle or the roads – partially because his hands are busy riding to take a photo, but also because that’s saved for the body text of the book, where I think it’s better suited. There Starr lets the reader imagine the scenery (and the conditions) through his descriptions, providing historical context along the way. The occasional exception is when Starr can show the curiosity locals have when encountered with a modern motorcycle. While not a self-proclaimed history buff, I do have an appreciation for the past, and Starr’s visit to Poland caught my attention for one simple reason: Auschwitz. It’s hard not to stop and reflect whenever Nazi death camps are mentioned. In reality, the chapter on Poland only briefly mentions Auschwitz and instead takes the reader on a whirlwind 1400-mile tour covered in 29 hours. The tales of castles, fine dining, and illegally riding motorcycles through the pedestrian walkways of Wawel Royal Castle (and the ensuring police intervention!) were fun and lighthearted, only to be weighed heavily by the imagery of the Birkenau extermination camp. Take It To The Limit remains a classic motorcycling film, and part of it had to do with the mystique surrounding the Isle of Man TT. So, it’s only natural for Starr to relive the nostalgia on his trip to the Island, this time going on a joy ride instead of filming a race – though, of course, he timed his visit to coincide with the world’s most famous road race. There have been many a documentary, diary, and story written about the TT. Starr’s is yet another reason to visit the tiny landmass should you ever get the chance. What was different in the book is the two-page aside where Starr reveals a fascinating secret about the legendary Mike Hailwood coming out of a ten-year retirement to not only race, but win, the TT. Only a few months prior, however, Hailwood needed a way to self-evaluate his own skills after the time off without raising any alarm bells the rumor mill could use to announce his comeback. It just so happens Starr needed someone to ride a camera bike around the 37-mile course and provide commentary. When fate collided, Starr got some amazing footage and commentary, while Mike The Bike confirmed he still had “it,” winning both in 1978 and 1979. No chapter in the book brings home the Purposeful Life message better than the chapter on Taiwan. In 2011, Starr watched a Youtube video about a group of old Taiwanese men sliding into the final years of their lives, looking back at their life’s adventures together, before one breaks free from the proverbial shackles of old age and decides to ride a motorcycle again. The rest soon follow and the message is about making the most of life. Shockingly, this was a commercial for a bank(!), but the message rang loud and clear for Starr. Turns out these men are real and are called the Grand Riders. Starr tracked them down and went on a ride with them – men ranging in age from 75 to 92! This initial ride led to more, wherein Starr brought an increasing number of Americans. As Starr notes, the difference between this ride and a more traditional motorcycle trek in foreign lands is the “cultural exchange between two peoples of similar needs and challenges where the glue that holds their experiences together is the joy of riding.” Further proof that, when the years behind you far outnumber the years you’ve got ahead, riding with like-minded, similarly-aged compatriots will still keep you young at heart. Parting MessagePeter Starr is still alive today, having done his best to keep cancer at bay. I spoke to him at length during a chance meeting at a vintage racing event, where he seemed calm, at ease, and yet still very excited about whatever life has in store. It didn’t really register with me at the time, but after reading the book, along with the accompanying DVD (which, honestly, was a small disappointment, as it features quick narration about each country from Starr followed by brief b-roll footage seemingly taken from a local travel bureau), I got a better understanding of Starr’s purposeful life message. Seeing the world helps break you of your prejudices, but seeing the world from the seat of a motorcycle expands your mind even farther. Motorcycle Traveler is a hardcover available in most places books are sold, though U.S. customers can buy direct from Starr at MotoDVD.com for $59.99. International customers will have to ask their local retailer. The post Motorcycle Traveler – Book Review appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com https://ift.tt/2Std7JO December 24, 2019 at 11:50AM
Motorcycle News - Revealed: The Top 10 Custom Motorcycles of 2019
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This year, outside of the top two builds, the competition was tighter than ever before. Some builds that dominated site traffic barely registered a blip on social media; other bikes that went haywire in our social channels simply didn’t translate to solid web traffic. As always, this Top 10 is driven by data alone, rather than the personal preferences of our writers. It’s based on page views, comments, incoming links, and shares on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. If there are dead heats, we weight the rankings according to long a bike has been ‘live’ on the site. Everyone will draw their own conclusions from the Top 10, but a few things stood out for us. Firstly, the generic ‘café racer’ category is well and truly dead. Many of the most popular bikes combine elements of different genres. The offroad vibe is on the rise, whether it’s hints of classic Dakar styling or a trend towards rebuilding enduro/dual sport machines. And classic racing in general, from flat track to endurance to MX, is having an increasing influence on builders. Functional styling (with a twist) and authenticity is increasingly appreciated. Read on, and you’ll see the ten bikes that revved our readers’ engines the most over the past year. Some you may have expected to see, but others may be a surprise.
K-Speed is the most visible of those high-volume builders, and despite the relentless pace in this Bangkok workshop, the output is fascinating.
This build follows a relatively standard formula—new subframe, seat, exhaust, bars, wheels and accessories—but the K-Speed secret sauce lifts it to a new level. Shop owner ‘Eak’ knows how to whip up the ingredients into a tasty recipe, and our readers were hungry for more, with over 16,000 giving their approval on Instagram alone. [More]
Long and low, it hits the sweet spot visually—but there’s an equal amount of trickery on the mechanical front. The forks are from a Ducati 999R, with an Öhlins monoshock to match, and the single-sided swingarm is from a Monster 796.
It’s a deceptively clever rather than flashy build from a guy who knows what he is doing, and even has an autoclave to make his own carbon fiber parts. [More]
That was enough to cement its legendary status, and also enough to spur Brad Peterson into commissioning this very classy replica. The frame is an accurate copy of an original Champion frame, and it cradles a 1977 TZ 750D Scott Guthrie Racing engine.
“When the revs hit about 7,000, it lights the back tire up violently—and at the same time lifts the front wheel, pulling hard all the way to 11,000,” says Brad. Magnificent stuff in an increasingly sanitized world—and we need more of this. [More]
Our favorite this year was this Scout from the Belgian builder Brice Hennebert, a man who marches to his own tune. Looking like a V-twin that has crashed into a jet engine, ‘Appaloosa’ gets extra juice from a nitrous system—and despite the massive fairing, weighs a whopping 42 kilos less than a stock Scout Bobber.
There’s custom CNC machined parts everywhere, the suspension is Öhlins all round, and Akrapovič built a one-off exhaust system too. Even with Randy Mamola as pilot, the Scout couldn’t quite win the drag race championship—but it took home the ‘Best Style’ award, wowing racegoers as well as our readers. [More]
The Chicago shop completed the build for a local client, who wanted a stylish urban wheelie machine that could also handle the occasional rough stuff. So Mike Müller and his crew whipped up a new bolt-on subframe, installed an SR500 tank, and a Honda VFR400 radiator.
But Shaun has built just about every type of custom in his storied career, and he’s not afraid to try something new. And in this case, it was a big swerve away from his usual fare.
Better late than never, as they say. And our Instagram followers felt the same way: over 15,000 people hit the like button. [More]
It comes from the Spanish outfit Fuel, who are no strangers to these pages. As well as building classy customs, Fuel are famous for organizing the annual Scram Africa expedition—a 4,000 km dirt tour running through North Africa.
The styling recalls 80s enduros and Paris Dakar bikes, but Fuel have added some neat functionality too—such as custom switchgear for turning the ABS off if required. Very clever. [More]
This Fat Bob was the second most widely viewed article on the site in 2019, and as soon as we clapped eyes on the shots, we knew it was going to be a hit. Harley customs tend to occupy a niche of their own—especially the larger bikes—but this build also appealed to folks who would never dream of stepping into a Bar and Shield showroom.
The stance is slightly slammed, the brakes are upgraded, and the bodywork and exhaust system are all-new. It’s edgy and aggressive, from the signature headlight grille backwards. (The heavily modified tank, intriguingly, started life as a Sportster fitment.) Congratulations Winston on a decade at the top of the game! [More]
‘Chun’ Hung of Onehandmade is one of the world’s finest metal shapers, but even he tried to dissuade his client from messing with his MH900e. But when his client insisted, he went all-out. The new aluminum bodywork flows seamlessly, looking elegant yet aggressive.
Onehandmade entered the Ducati into the Café Racer category at the AMD World Championship of bike building but, bizarrely, it only placed fourth. Our readers were quicker than the AMD judges to spot the brilliance of this build though, and an absolute torrent of web traffic and social shares followed. [More]
Everything on this machine is top-notch, and it looks like the kind of bike you’d see on a manufacturers’ stand at EICMA, as a concept to test public opinion.
The styling is spot-on, the fit and finish is superb, and it looks like something that Yamaha could build tomorrow. And maybe that’s the source of its appeal: this MT-07 is not an impractical fantasy, but a machine that could happily sit in a showroom.
The people have spoken: will Yamaha take the hint? [More] EDITOR’S NOTE The toughest part of these roundups is seeing the bikes that didn’t quite make it—because a lot of them are personal favorites. The winners are bikes that scored highly across all criteria, smashing not only page views, but also social shares across all major platforms. There were a few bikes that just missed the cut because they didn’t have the “full hand” for some reason, even if they scored hugely on one or two other criteria. This year, that included Jake Drummond’s Yamaha MT-07, VTR’s BMW S1000RR and S1000XR pair, Krom Works’ Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, Craig Rodsmith’s front-wheel-drive motorcycle, and JvB-Moto’s Yamaha XSR900. It’s also worth noting that both Triumph and Honda seem to have some catching up to do, while Yamaha and Royal Enfield are on the rise. As are builders from the Southeast Asia region. We’ll finish with a note of thanks. Particularly to the builders and photographers who create and capture these fascinating machines—and to the advertisers who keep our servers running and the site free for you to read. Please support these people as they support us. We hope you’ve enjoyed this year of custom motorcycles, and we’ll be in touch again in a few days, when Wes will publish his Editor’s Choice for 2019—an entirely personal view, free from the constrictions of data and social media. Motorcycles via Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2Mf9b0c December 24, 2019 at 11:12AM
F1 News - Formula 1's best moment of the decade
https://ift.tt/2rlRzqB What a decade it has been in F1. But which is your favourite? Vote below or, if you need a reminder of the standout moments of 2010-2019, read on... If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote. German GP 2010 - 'Fernando is faster than you'Canadian GP 2011 - Button's epic wet-race comeback3) Spanish GP 2012 - Maldonado wins for Williams4) European GP 2012 - Alonso wins brilliantly for Ferrari5) Brazilian GP 2012 - Vettel takes title from Alonso6) Malaysian GP 2013 - Vettel shuns 'multi 21' team orders7) Belgian GP 2014 - Rosberg and Hamilton collide8) Spanish GP 2016 - Verstappen wins on Red Bull debut after Hamilton and Rosberg take each other out9) Azerbaijan GP 2017 - Vettel's road rage on Hamilton10) Singapore GP 2018 - Hamilton's epic pole position#F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 December 24, 2019 at 05:12AM |
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