September 23, 2006
budlight
For 2008 the Kawasaki KLR650 has received many updates aimed at continuing its tradition as being the most reliable and touring ready dual sport on the road. It includes new front and rear suspension that both reduce the wheel travel (possibly a negative for the adventure minded rider). It also features a new petal style front rotor for increased heat dissipation, and resistance to warping. To improve upon its touring abilities Kawasaki lengthened the luggage rack 3.5 inches, added all new body work with a taller windscreen. It now features high output headlights, and the time tested engine has been updated with a throttle position sensor, revised ignition mapping and cam timing, as well as a revised cylinder head. It will come in three colors: Galaxy Silver/Blue, Galaxy Silver/Sunbeam Red, and Galaxy Silver/Candy Lime Green.
Read about older KLR’s and add more information as it comes about the 2008 KLR650 here in the Motorcycle Wiki. Also view Kawasaki’s official 2008 KLR650 Spec sheet.
More pictures:
Permalink
budlight
Kawasaki has announced its 2008 replacement for the ZG1000 Concours, the ZX-14 derived “Concours-14”. It is expected to have the designation numbers ZG1400-A8F. It will come in both ABS and non ABS derivatives. It will feature a smart key ignition allowing remote starts, and an accessory power outlet. There’s also an electronically adjustable windscreen, shaft drive and locking side cases, tire pressure sensors, 1,352cc engine with Variable Valve Timing.
Permalink
budlight
Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, America’s oldest motorcycle brand, has raised $30 million dollars and is buying a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in North Carolina.
This will be the second time the company has re-launched since its demise in 1953. Indian Motorcycles was once a prominent brand, in the 1940s they often sold as many as the iconic Harley Davidson.
The new company controlled by Stellican Limited, a London-based private equity firm, has promised to provide an accessory line for the abandoned 1999-2003 models.
Indian Motorcycles is currently led by President Steve Heese, and has 12 employees. Stellican Limited has promised to open two manufacturing plants in North Carolina, split between Indian Motorcycles and Chris-Craft Corp, the country’s oldest boatmaker. They plan to eventually employ more than 800 workers between the two plants.
Permalink
September 21, 2006
budlight
Victory Motorcycles, a Subsidiary of Polaris Industries, is now offer online customization until October 31. Victory’s website now lets you modify to your hearts desire any of four models. They have teamed up with legendary bike builders Arlen and Cory Ness, to let you create the right bike for you starting around 16 grand. I think this is more of a publicity stunt as they are requiring you to create an account before you can even start customizing.
While this idea is by no means novel it might just help them to sell more bikes. The reason the other major manufacturers are scared to do this is because it cuts out your dealer network. Victory, however doesn’t have as strong of a dealer network to damage(most Polaris dealers in my experience don’t end up keeping the Victory line and look upon it as more of a burden than a reward). Another problem I see with online ordering, is where do you get parts for that bike and how do you know what model it is. When the consumer is the one building his own custom bike he is normally of the mindset to be able to make something work and fix and take care of his own issues. However, an internet consumer isn’t as likely to be able to resolve small problems or to find non standard replacement parts.
Permalink
September 19, 2006
budlight
Carl Vogel of Long Island, N.Y is building electric Harley’s(does that make them still Harley’s) that have a biodiesel generator that can run on soybean oil in the back of the sidecar.
Kind of defeats the purpose of having a Harley(for the sound and mystic) in my opinion. I can’t imagine wrecking one of these and having sulfuric acid leaking out everywhere. Also Harold Benich is producing simply diesel powered Harley’s (which may have more of a market).
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=496309
Permalink
September 3, 2006
budlight
This website has lots of models you can print and make in minutes. I was quiet surprised that this was on the Yamaha Motors website for Japan. Apparently someone at Yamaha is a big origami fan. It’s good to see that they have artistic people working for them; I wish they had someone who could think up better names for their cruiser line rather than just naming everything royal star this or something star. I guess whoever made these models isn’t a fan of the “Star” line themselves.
read more | digg story
Permalink
