My Street Bike!

The new Kawasaki ZX-10R scores an easy five out of five; it surely must be the fastest production 1000cc bike of the current crop. But this ZX-10R is not all about Kawasaki’s new blistering engine and head-banging attitude, it’s controllable and handles much better than the previous ZX-10R and despite the blistering pace is actually easier to ride. Not for the faint hearted, the new ZX-10R is a true superbike for the road.

As the latest ZX-10R is brand new, it’s near impossible to comment on the motorcycle’s reliability. However there haven’t been any problems with previous models, and Kawasaki engines are generally regarded as bullet proof. On face value there is high level of quality materials used and recent high mileage Kawasakis we’ve ran on the MCN fleet have coped with everything, even a few freezing salt ridden winters.

If you want torque and bottom end power then look away now. However if you want arm ripping acceleration and a 1000cc engine that seems to rev like a 600 you’ll be wanting the all-new ZX-10R. Kawasaki is quoting nearly 200bhp with ram air, more than last year’s bike which was never a slow bike.

Kawasaki was the first manufacturer to fit a back torque limiter or slipper clutch, and it’s the same again for the new ZX-10R. There’s also radial brakes, petal discs, fully adjustable suspension front and rear and an Ohlins steering damper as standard. Also, don’t forget Kawasaki new Kawasaki Ignition Management system, which is designed to reduce wheel spin under extreme circumstances.

Mission One Electric Motorcycle
Today at the TED conference, the nascent Mission Motors is debuting its Mission One electric motorcycle. It was designed by world-renowned designers Yves Béhar and fuseproject, and Mission Motors claim that it is the “world’s fastest production all-electric motorcycle.” Will it do for electric motorcycles what the Tesla Roadster did for electric cars?

Mission One Electric Motorcycle Tech Specs
I’m sure everybody’s curious about the technical specifications, so without further ado:

Aside from the zero tailpipe emissions, one thing that this electric motorcycle has that gasoline models can’t match is a very linear torque curve with lots of torque from basically 0 RPM.

Will the Mission One make motorcycle enthusiasts lust after electric motors in the same way that the Tesla Roadster made many car enthusiasts discover electric cars? Time will tell, but from a “green marketing” perspective, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have highly desirable vehicles that use clean technologies. Most people probably will never drive a Tesla or Mission Motors, but the halo effect might make some people who would never have taken a second look at electric vehicles take notice.

Background on Mission Motors
Mission Motors, the company, was founded in 2007 by entrepreneurs Forrest North (CEO), Edward West (President), and Mason Cabot (VP of Engineering), but it was called Hum Cycles at the time. Its HQ is in San Francisco, California.

From the press release:

“As a motorcycle enthusiast and engineer I knew I could combine my passion for motorcycles with my passion for innovation and create a motorcycle that truly sets a new standard in the perception of electric vehicles,” said Forrest North, Founder and CEO, Mission Motors. “With the Mission One, we’re writing the next chapter in motorcycle design, delivering a new riding experience without sacrificing performance or design in a zero emissions vehicle.”

To prove the performance of their electric motorcycle, Mission Motors will compete in the TTXGP on June 12, the first “zero-emissions motorcycle race on the Isle of Mann.”

Via Mission Motors

Photos: Mission Motors. Source: Tree Huggers.

After numerous spy shots and leaked details, Aprilia has finally pulled the wraps off its upcoming RSV4 superbike. This is the machine that the Italian company will use to contest the Superbike World Championship in 2009 against the Ducati 1098 and the Japanese literbikes.

To properly do battle, the RSV4 will make some 210-horsepower — fully competitive with the best the series currently has to offer. While the race-going RSV4 is an amazing piece of kit, it’s the street-bred RESV4, which will come in both normal and factory guises, that’s of the most interest… since you’ll actually be able to purchase one sometime next year.

Powered by a 999cc V-Four engine mated to a six-speed gearbox with slipper clutch, we expect the Factory to be on par power-wise with the Ducati 1098R, meaning about 180 horses or more. Coupled to a wet weight of 418 pounds the RSV4 will be one seriously fast machine. A ride-by-wire system will likely allow Aprilia to offer more than one engine map to adjust power for specific conditions. One of the more interesting bits of kit that will be standard across the line are the numerous chassis adjustments, including the ability to alter the swingarm position and the headstock angle. Styling-wise, the new RSV4 tips its hat to the RSV 1000R that we tested earlier this year with its third eye headlight that mimics the shape of the old ram-air duct from the twin. The rest of the bike looks thoroughly new and appropriately awesome. We’re not sure how much it’ll cost, but we know we want one regardless.

Let the speculation end! BMW has officially pulled the covers off of its S 1000 RR race bike, which will sprout a production model next year. General Director of BMW Motorrad Hendrik von Kuenheim says that the company is committed to building 1,000 units of the new model next year. Featuring a 1000cc inline-four transversely mounted between the frame rails and an upside-down front fork, the RR is rather conventional by BMW standards.

This has allowed the Motorrad to keep the bike as compact as possible, which can be attested to by the fact that it has been spotted lapping tracks in Yamaha R6 bodywork. So far, no specifications have been given regarding power levels, but we fully expect it to be competitive with the Superbike front-runners. Traction control is also reportedly put to good use. Judging from the extensive use of (bare) carbon fiber, we’d expect the weight to be on par with the competition, as well. There’s an entire speech pasted after the break, so be sure to check it out.

BMW plans to crack the top ten next year in World Superbike racing and is expecting podium finishes the following year. Considering the fact that the Big Four Japanese manufacturers literally have a head start measuring a few decades on BMW, it’s probably wise to set attainable goals for now.

MORE PHOTO’S

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Former Yamaha engineer Jean-Michel Thiers has developed an all-new hub-centre steer superbike using an R1 engine to prove that the system offers a real advantage over conventional telescopic forks.

Thiers set up his own company Tier Motorsports to develop and market the single-sided hub-centre concept with planned products ranging from hub-centre-steering conversion kits for motocross bikes to a full-on superbike built around the 180bhp engine from Yamaha’s R1.

He was also the man responsible for the design of Yamaha’s own GTS1000 in the early 1990s, but Thiers’ patent-pending system is unique to his new machine. He said: “What differentiates us from previous attempt at front swing arm is our patent-pending Four-Bar steering mechanism inside the hub of the wheel.

“This alone eliminates feedback of road disturbances, pot-holes etc, into the handlebars leaving you with very light and very precise steering.”

“I never saw the rider” is one of the most common things automobile drivers say after they’ve struck a motorcyclist, an unfortunate reflection on how easy it is for riders to slip under the radar. Here are tips on how to stay visible while you ride.

The first and most obvious way to avoid being hit is to stay out of the blind spots of other vehicles and give yourself enough room to react. Ways to do so include:

• Making sure you can see the drivers of the cars around you; if you can see them (through eye contact or in their mirrors), chances are you’re in their line of sight… but never assume anything.
• Creating a safety buffer around you, which means leaving enough distance ahead of you, and giving yourself space to maneuver away from trouble.
• Avoid lingering in the blind spots created by the A-pillars and C-pillars of cars; those are the front 3/4 and rear 3/4 angle views out of the driver seat. Passing can be a dangerous maneuver, so be especially aware when overtaking a car or another rider.