January 18, 2011
News
Could this summer’s high gas prices jumpstart motorcycle sales?
Average gas prices are expected to top $5 a gallon this summer, around a $2 increase from their current level. That price exceeds June, 2008’s record $4.12 average. Back then, pre-Financiapocalypse, that expensive gasoline caused scooter sales to spike 66 percent and temporarily propped up flagging motorcycle sales. Could even higher prices bring about a similar renaissance in sales this year, w...
18 January 2011
Inside the Mission R electric superbike
Here’s a rare look inside the workings of of an electric race bike. The Mission R is unique not because of its 141bhp electric motor, but because it packs that plus a 14kWh battery pack (the 2010 MotoCzysz E1pc is only 13.75kWh) into a package no larger than a 600cc sportsbike. A big part of the ability to do that came from the James Parker-designed chassis. The following explanation comes dir...
18 January 2011
Custom: See See SR500
You know modern cafe racers. Thousands of hours spent on paint, authentic NOS components too valuable to see rain. Frames chopped-by-hand at home. Just like their chopper equivalents five years ago, they’re about as functional as rolling paperweights. But, Thor Drake tells us this SR500, which took only eight hours to build at his Portland shop, can (and has) land jumps like this all day. Photo...
18 January 2011
Castrol + Honda = win
Castrol Honda is the new HANNspree Ten Kate Honda. Not only does that make much more sense, but it brings one of the most successful color schemes ever back to superbike racing. We grew up watching first John Kocinski on a Castrol Honda RC45 and then Colin Edwards on a Castrol Honda SP2, now we’re going to watch Jonathan Rea and Ruben Xaus on a Castrol Honda CBR1000RR. Take a good look at the hi...
18 January 2011
News
Video: Aprilia Performance Ride Control Explained
It came as something of a shock when, in October, the tiny superbike manufacturer from Noale unveiled the most sophisticated set of performance-enhancing electronics ever fitted to a road-going motorcycle. Aprilia Performance Ride Control incorporates an incredibly advanced traction control system as well as wheelie control, quick shift and even launch control. Here, Aprilia walks you through the ...
18 January 2011