Husqvarna Mille3 explained On tuesday we showed you the Husqvarna Mille3 and, well, didn’t really understand the point. Don’t worry, Husqvarna has issued a statement explaining what the Mille3 is. Apparently, the V3, cruiser/tracker concept is supposed to demonstrate that the company is “ahead of the game.” Here's Husqvarna's blurb: THE MESSAGE Emotion is irrational, curiosity is a gift, and anti-conformism is i... By HFL Staff News - Nov 4 2010 -
Let’s play, “Where’s HFL?”! You may have noticed that, for the last couple of days, we’ve been hiding small versions of our sheep skull logo in some of our photographs. We were doing that because we wanted to create a fun game for our readers. Because just about every other motorcycle publication on the Internet rips its content directly from HFL, these logos were scattered far and wide and now you can win fabulous prizes ... By HFL Staff News - Nov 3 2010 -
Photos: Honda Crosstourer Concept Not to be confused with the VFR800X — as the name suggests, a VFR800 with faux adventure styling — the Honda Crosstourer Concept allegedly isn’t a production model and actually plans to venture off-road. We showed you the Crosstourer yesterday, but here’s a full gallery of high-res images. The frame, 1,200cc V4 and dual-clutch transmission have been lifted directly from the VFR1200. Nothin... By HFL Staff News - Nov 3 2010 -
Photos: Honda New Mid Concept Yesterday, we showed you the Honda New Mid Concept and poked a little fun at it for making outrageous claims like claiming to “reinvent the way we look at two wheeled travel.” It’s a maxi-scooter with the engine inside the frame, 17-inch wheels and the dual clutch transmission from the VFR. Now, look upon these high-res image and weep for the future. Here’s Honda’s official spiel: Hon... By HFL Staff News - Nov 3 2010 -
KTM 450 Rally: bespoke Dakar race bike This is KTM’s response to The Dakar’s new 450cc capacity limit, a bespoke race bike that has little in common with any production model. At first we assumed this was based on the 450 EXC, then we saw the massive trellis frame and the larger bore and smaller stroke, likely indicating that this engine has been tuned to rev higher for more outright power and less low-down oomph. Of course, there By HFL Staff News - Nov 3 2010 -
2011 Honda CBR600F: a faired Hornet It seems like Honda’s big idea for 2011 was to repurpose existing or old models into brand new ones. First, the VFR800 turned into the 2011 Honda Crossrunner and now the Honda Hornet gains a fairing, transforming it into the 2011 Honda CBR600F. A simple approach, but is it an effective one? The gap in the market for the CBR600F was created by this century’s trend towards ever more track-focus... By HFL Staff News - Nov 2 2010 -
2011 Honda Crossruner: VFR800 reborn for naked adventure Here’s the 2011 Honda Crossrunner, which uses a 100bhp 782cc V4, summed up in a single sentence: “Extensive customer research indicated that whilst buyers liked the appearance and the image of adventure bikes, for some the compromised stability caused by long travel suspension, taller seat heights and dual purpose tyres was a concern.” That’s right, it’s an adventure bike that won’t be... By HFL Staff News - Nov 2 2010 -
Get excited about this Vespa It might not look like it, but this isn’t a classic Vespa, it’s a new model for 2011. Word is, it’ll be equipped with a hand gear change and a two-stroke engine, basically, it’ll be the engaging, exciting Vespa of old, targeted at the hardcore of scooter enthusiasts. Modern Vespas are, unequivocally, wonderful. They’re convenient, frugal and flatter anyone, anywhere. They’re even ama... By HFL Staff News - Nov 1 2010 -
2011 Honda CBR600F: the return of the practical 600 The flying Dutchmen from Oliepeil.nl have managed to infiltrate the EICMA show in Milan a day before it opens, scooping these photos of the 2011 Honda CBR600F. Only making 100bhp and 47lb/ft, this Honda won’t be giving an R6 any trouble around the track. But that’s not the point because this CBR will be comfortable. Beyond looking at these shots and these images, we don’t have any further ... By HFL Staff News - Nov 1 2010 -
Entire 2011 KTM model line up leaks Oh hey, it’s all the 2011 KTMs, leaked a few days ahead of their official debut at EICMA. There’s only one significant new model, the KTM 350 EXC-F Factory, which is basically a motocross racer with lights that they’ll be dominating enduro with next year, but there’s new colors and minor tweaks for bikes like the 2011 KTM RC8 R too. Like most such things you read on Hell For Leather, we’... By HFL Staff News - Oct 29 2010 -
Dainese D-Air: satellites, accelerometers and the safest suit ever This is the final production version of Dainese D-Air, the new airbag equipped racing suits that you’ve seen Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo racing in this year. Dainese’s is the most sophisticated motorcycle airbag yet. 10 years in the making, D-Air incorporates GPS, three accelerometers, three gyroscopic sensors, the ability to fully inflate in .05 seconds, deflate in 5 seconds and it will... By HFL Staff News - Oct 27 2010 -
What if Shamu and the CBR1000RR made a baby? This is Thailand’s new CBR150R, a budget sportsbike from Honda that clearly draws inspiration from both the VFR1200 and CBR1000RR. Word is, the European and Canadian market 2011 Honda CBR125R will look just like this, as will the all-new Honda CBR250R. The CBR125R is a significant motorcycle because, in countries with a sensible approach to regulating motorcycle licenses, it’s learner legal,... By HFL Staff News - Oct 20 2010 -
Shamu 2, the revenge of the whale Assuming that Shamu was the biggest whale hiding in the ocean was our fatal mistake. Mock it and that’ll be the end of bloated bikes, right? Wrong, because Shamu has a mom and she’s pissed. This official teaser sketch shows a new “adventure” touring bike, presumably based around the 1200cc V4, that will first be shown in concept form at the EICMA show next month. What’s our beef with t... By HFL Staff News - Oct 14 2010 -
Spy Photos: Ducati Massive Breach sits up and begs These photos, snapped by the modernist transportation enthusiasts at Le Container, give us the clearest look yet at the riding position of Ducati’s upcoming muscle bike. A archetypal example of sit-up-and-beg, the new Ducati does without the non-functional feet-forward riding position of traditional cruisers. Does that hint at a bike that should forever alter the way we think about cruiser perfo... By HFL Staff News - Sep 20 2010 -
2011 Aprilia RSV4: 186bhp, traction control A source connected to Aprilia has exclusively revealed to Hell For Leather that the 2011 Aprilia RSV4 will be gaining 8bhp over the 2010 model and a switchable traction control system. That power boost comes courtesy of a slightly increased compression ratio and new timing chains. Other additions include traction control; a new, less ugly exhaust can and revised gearing. Notably absent from the ... By HFL Staff News - Sep 18 2010 -
Details: Moto Guzzi V12 strada concept The Moto Guzzi V12 Strada concept is the third member of the trio that also includes the Moto Guzzi V12 Le Mans and Moto Guzzi V12 X and, like those bikes, these exclusive photos are first time we've seen it in a studio. The roadster-like Strada combines technical features seen on both those bikes, but includes some pretty neat new stuff too. Flyscreen: included in order to mimic the shape of a tr... By HFL Staff News - Jul 22 2010 -
Details: Moto Guzzi V12 X concept Like the Moto Guzzi 12 Le Mans concept, these are the first studio shots every published on the supermoto-like Moto Guzzi V12 X. A lot of the details differ from the Le Mans, here's a rundown. >Oil coolers: there's actually two oil coolers and a rectifier hidden behind the screen. The cutout in that screen feeds cooling air to them. Suspension: all current production spec stuff. Hmm...interest... By HFL Staff News - Jul 22 2010 -
Details: Moto Guzzi V12 Le Mans concept Here's the first studio photos of the Moto Guzzi V12 Le Mans concept ever published. There's an awful lot going on here, so we had Pierre Terblanche talk us through all the details. > Frame: made from rotational moulding nylon polymer, it's more resilient than steel and easier to produce, while weighing in about the same. It's a monocoque design that incorporates the airbox at the rear. Tank... By HFL Staff News - Jul 22 2010 -
Pininfarina designs a motorcycle helmet As far as Pininfarina -- one of the most influential forces in the car design world -- is concerned, the problem with helmets is that they look like cheap plastic easter eggs no matter what percentage of the shell's composition is carbon fiber or kevlar. The solution? Hide the shell and all its ugly vents under a sheet of fabric. There's actually three enormous scoops in the helmet above, but you ... By HFL Staff News - Nov 11 2009 -
2010 Husqvarna SM630: more power, more comfort The 2010 Husqvarna SM630 has been updated over the previous 610 with an all-new chassis and a modified engine. The DOHC engine now displaces a full 600cc and makes 20% more power than the previous 570cc unit -- 56bhp and 41lb/ft of torque -- which only needs to motivate 158kg/348lbs (dry). Comfort has been improve for both rider and passenger with thicker seat padding and new grab handles, while p... By HFL Staff News - Nov 11 2009 -
Moto Guzzi's V12 Strada concept: just in time for 2012 The third of Terblanche's trinity of V12 concepts unveiled at EICMA, the Moto Guzzi V12 Strada concept is a purist's motard, taking cues from classic enduro design and contemporary MX simplicity while keeping the focus on the mechanical details. Two of our favorite mash-ups of old-made-new are the flat-faced, numberplate-style LED headlamp and the MX fuel cap with breather hose. The real star of t... By Grant Ray News - Nov 10 2009 -
Moto Guzzi V12 X concept: a new archetype for naked Guzzis If you're having a little trouble telling the three Pierre Terblanche/Miguel Galluzzi (the guy responsible for the Monster and RSV4) bikes apart aside from the colors, you're not alone and these live photos don't help. We'll hopefully be able to bring you studio shots soon. Apart from being the white one, the Moto Guzzi V12 X is less of an outright sportsbike than the red Le Mans, but more sportin... By HFL Staff News - Nov 10 2009 -
Moto Guzzi V12 LeMans concept, Terblanche returns with a masterpiece Moto Guzzi is for old fogies. Moto Guzzi have lost their way. Slow, fat and lifeless. Ugly and boring. Terblanche can't design his way out a paper bag. For all of you who have ever said any of the above statements, you can now collectively shut up. Pierre Terblanche's V12 LeMans concept is beautiful. It is easily on par with his other iconic design that shaped over a decade of motorcycle design, t... By Grant Ray News - Nov 10 2009 -
2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 Evo SP: lighter, faster and... The Here's an optioned-up Evo SP for people that lack taste, yet simultaneously have an abundance of cash.The Hypermotard 1100EVO SP takes the whole Hypermotard concept to a new level of extreme. Higher ground clearance, higher spec suspension, higher bars and even less weight makes the 1100EVO SP track-ready for action.When Ducati first launched the Hypermotard project they knew that there would ... By HFL Staff News - Nov 9 2009 -
