New Feature Polaris Indian


Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), owner of Victory and Indian motorcycles, reported Friday several organizational changes designed to align its leadership team with the company's long term strategic objectives.

Polaris hasn't announced any specific plans for Indian Motorcycles, but the post-jump press release does say that the motorcycle maker will operate as an autonomous brand. Polaris CEO Scott Wine says he's excited to be part of the revitalization of America's first motorcycle builder, adding, "With our technology and vision, we are confident we will deliver the classic Indian motorcycle, enhanced by the quality and performance for which Polaris and Victory are known.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops and I bet Harley is interested, too. One of the factors hurting Indian may have been customer concern over the future prospects for the company. The support of Polaris promises a brighter future and that alone may boost sales.

With this acquisition, Polaris adds one of motorcycling’s legendary brands to its strong stable of Victory cruiser and touring bikes. Indian will operate as an autonomous business unit, building upon the potent combination of Polaris’ engineering acumen and innovative technology with Indian’s premium brand, iconic design and rich American heritage.
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Moby Dick 1920s sell


Bonhams are returning to the International Motorcycle Show in Staffordshire on 16 October 2011 with another exceptional line-up of motorcycles. The star of the auction is the 1929 Brough Superior SS100 known as Moby Dick, the fastest motorcycle of the 1920s, which has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £240,000 - £280,000.

Melville had promised Bentley that the book would be ready that autumn, in expectation of which he was sent an advance of 150 pounds. His financial situation was poor and he was desperately in need of a publishing success. Nevertheless, he abandoned the nearly-finished romance to spend an entire year rewriting under a spell of intense intellectual ferment further heightened by the study of Shakespeare and a developing friendship with Nathaniel Hawthorne. The resulting work was finally shipped to Bentley on September 10, 1851: although it received many positive reviews, it sold poorly and accelerated the decline of Melville's literary reputation.

Further tuning of the modified 1,142cc v-twin engine later raised that figure to 115mph in top (third) gear, with 109mph achievable in second. Sold but later repurchased by the vendor's family, Moby Dick was restored in 1998 and since then has continued to delight and amaze enthusiasts wherever it appears. A 1924 Brough Superior 980cc SS80 represents a rare opportunity to purchase one of the earliest surviving SS80s.
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2011 kawasaki versys first ride


2011 kawasaki versys first ride Ever-increasing popularity of the jack-of-all-trades motorcycle has prompted the creation of this versatile machine. Powered by the same parallel-Twin found in the 650R sportbike, the Versys has enough thrust for the stoplight-to-stoplight drags of the morning commute or apex-to-apex carving on weekend jaunts.

The suspension on the BMW was absolutely amazing. The Lamphun-Chiang Mai highway is mostly made up of concrete slabs and the joints between the slabs are often not terribly smooth or level so it's a great place to test a bike's suspension. When I've ridden the Ninja 650R and ER6n on that road the chassis is easily unsettled by the bumps in the road while the BMW went through the bumps like a hot knife through butter. SMOOTH is the only word that comes to mind when I think of the handling of the F800GS.

The Versys’ compact, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 649cc, parallel-twin engine was the perfect powerplant for this light and nimble do-anything bike right from the start,it’s lively enough for advanced riders and predictable enough to inspire confidence in rank novices. The torquey twin delivers a deep ribbon of power in the lower and middle parts of its rev range, making the Versys a great commuter and relaxed traveling companion. Its surprising genius becomes readily apparent once the roads turn twisty, because despite its comfort and civility, the fun-to-ride Versys also offers genuine sportbike handling and excellent fuel economy. With its big, 5-gallon fuel tank you can go a long way between fill-ups.

2011 Kawasaki Versys Spesification
• ENGINE TYPE: DOHC inline-twin
• BORE x STROKE: 83mm x 66mm
• TRANSMISSION: 6-speed
• WHEEL TRAVEL Front/Rear: 5.9"/5.7"
• SEAT HEIGHT: 33.3 inches
• CURB WEIGHT: 454 pounds
• PRICE: $7,699

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New Custom Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14



The 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 can best be considered the Kawibusa. It is an arrow directed from Team Green right into the heart of Suzuki's iconic Hayabusa hypersupermegabike (also known as Widowmaker), and as such it is a supremely successful one. While prior to the advent of the latest models of the Ninja ZX-14 Special Edition the Suzuki was the only game in town, there is now a valid alternative option.

Kawasaki reported introduced their new Ninja ZX-14 2011 that pointed to fight with Suzuki Hayabusa.Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 comes with engine 4-strokes 1,352 cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder.The bike that uses hydraulic clutch and 6 speeds also applied a brake system called KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System).

The exact horsepower and torque figures of the Ninja ZX-14 are irrelevant, but a track day will tell you anything there is to know. As for the brakes, what we do know is that each piston in the calipers has its own brake pad, which increases cooling efficiency and decreases the chance deforming due to heat.

Uninterrupted fairing lines give the ZX-14 a smooth, flowing aesthetic image, all of which is made possible by the narrow frame/engine design that’s completely hidden by the cowling. Quadruple projector beam headlights adorn the ZX-14’s fairing immediately beneath its menacing ram air intake duct. Turn signals are cleanly integrated into the fairing and standard rear seat cowl, with a unique “V” design LED tail lamp capping off a sleek, aerodynamic package that reinforces Kawasaki’s aircraft heritage.

2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
• ENGINE TYPE: DOHC inline-4
• BORE x STROKE: 84mm x 61mm
• COMP. RATIO: 12.0:1
• TRANSMISSION: 6-speed
• WHEELBASE: 57.5 inches
• RAKE: 23 degrees
• CURB WEIGHT: 567 pounds
• PRICE: $13,599

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The New 2012 Beta RR Launching


The New 2012 Beta RR just got back in from a great day of riding the new 350 Beta. It left me with a very favorable impression on the Italian manufacturer’s 2012 line up. The 350RR has some distinct handling traits that make it a hoot to ride. The smaller motor makes power in a way that is fun and rewarding. In short, I found the littlest Beta a great trail companion.

The 2012 Beta 350 RR receives an array of updates and refinements less than a year after the first 2011 350 RR units arrived in the U.S. Changes to the Beta-designed engine (KTM mills were used prior to 2010) include a redesigned head that incorporated a stiffened camshaft bridge, new valve retainers and a quieter cam chain tensioner. A new clutch primary The 350 RR received a host of internal engine refinements and a new Brembo clutch master cylinder.gear and springs are mated with a new Brembo hydraulic clutch master cylinder, plus the oil volume has been increased to protect internals better.

Beginning with the 350RR, Beta feels this is the ultimate single-track motorcycle as its ability to change direction is unmatched while still offering enough torque and power for both play riders and racers. The 350 provides a "2-stroke feel" yet still offers the traction and smooth power delivery of a 4 stroke. Returning for 2012 are the proven 400, 450, and 498 RR models that have helped put Beta on the off road map. These models continue to impress the magazines as well as the riders that own them.

Engine Type:

Type: Beta-Built single cylinder, titanium 4-valve, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, electric start with back up kick starter.
Bore: 88mm
Stroke: 57.4mm
Displacement: 349cc
Compression Ratio: 12.4:1
Ignition: DC-CDI with variable ignition timing, Kokusan.
Spark Plug: NGK LKAR 8A-9
Lubrication: Twin oil pumps with cartridge oil filter. Separate oil for engine and clutch .8 liter each
Carburetor: Keihin FCR-MX 39mm
Clutch: Wet multi-disc
Transmission: 6-speed
Drive: O-ring chain
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The Pagani Zonda Bike


The Pagani Zonda Bike has earned a reputation as one of the most exotic supercars on the planet, and with that designation, it has likewise given birth to some pretty amazing special edition models.

The body in this special silver, black, red livery is equipped with a longer front spoiler, new rear wing, central air intake on monocoque, and extra air intakes for rear brakes. The floor pan is flat with new rear air extractors improving downforce up to 750 Kg at 300km. Overall, the Cinque's total weight will be 20 Kg lighter then the F model.

One Zonda model that has captured our attention in the past is the Zonda Cinque, a powerhouse of a supercar that comes with an AMG-sourced 7.3-iter V12 engine that produces north of 680 horsepower with a 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds and a 0-124 mph time of just 9.6 seconds.

For suspension the Cinque uses components made of magnesium and titanium. These components were developed using the latest technology from Swedish suspension specialist, Öhlins, in accordance to Pagani specifications. Wheels are APP monolithic wheels forged in aluminium and magnesium with special compound Pirelli PZero tires.

Technical Specifications
• Mercedes Benz AMG engine
• Power: 678 hp
• Torque: 780 Nm
• Carbon-titanium monocoque
• ECU, Traction control, ABS by Bosch Engineering
• Inconel/titanium exhaust system coated with ceramic
• Suspensions in magnesium and titanium
• Cima sequential gearbox (6 speed), robotized by Automac enginnering
• APP monolitic wheels forged in aluminium and magnesium, front 9x19, rear 12,5x20
• Pirelli PZero tyres, front 255/35/19, rear 335/30/20
• Pagani leather/carbon fibre racing seats
• Brembo brakes in carbo-ceramic self ventilated with hydraulic servo brake, Size: front 380x34 mm, monolitic 6 piston caliper; rear 380x34 mm, monolitic 4 piston caliper
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New Kawasaki's VN1700


The new, chopped-down, touring VN1700 Voyager Custom is the third bike in Kawasaki's Voyager line-up to hit the UK and neatly fills a gap between the fully-dressed touring Voyager and laid-back, unfaired Classic.

Very obviously the Japanese V-twin – Kawasaki’s first full dress machine since the 1986 1200cc Voyager – is not only pitched directly at the Electra Glide, it’s designed to look very much like it too. Even the white-on-black clocks with their serif font are in the same style as Harley’s so the look from the cockpit is as American as the bike’s profile.Having said that, generally it’s been well executed as the bike looks the part, to the point where it is indeed mistaken for an Electra Glide, although in practice it’s not quite as kitsch as the American original.

As befits a flagship, the bike comes equipped with a number of new systems including Kawasaki firsts. K-ACT (Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology) ABS is designed for smooth braking control and effective, confident braking. We would actually like to see ABS on all three of these bikes. It shares Kawasaki’s first fully electronic throttle valve system with its sister bikes for smooth engine response and easy starting in all conditions. Electronic cruise control and an impressive audio system compatible with iPod are also standard.

A number of features on the Voyager are intended to make long-distance touring as relaxing as possible for rider and pillion. The large, stylish fairing with its integrated lights is mounted to the frame so that any wind buffeting is transferred to the frame rather than the handlebars, helping to reduce rider fatigue on long trips. The windscreen was actually too high for all of us — nobody could look over it, which is the ideal on wet days. It’s not adjustable. We’d either install a shorter screen or cut down the existing one.
2011 Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager Custom specs

ENGINE

Engine type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke V-Twin
Displacement 1,700 cm³
Bore x stroke 102.0 x 104.0 mm
Compression ratio 9.5:1
Valve/Induction system SOHC, 8 valves
Fuel system Fuel injection:φ42 mm x 2
Ignition Digital
Starting Electric
Lubrication Forced lubrication, semi-dry sump
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New Models KTM 2011


KTM’s new models for the next three years have leaked after an American dealer managed to snatch a mobile phone picture from inside a presentation.The image shows plans through to 2014 with model highlights including an Enduro R 690 and new motocross bikes for 2012 with Duke 350, Adventure R 1090 and Super Duke R 1290 for 2013 and an intriguing sounding Moto3 350 and Enduro 350 for 2014.

Whilst in 2014 it appears an all new Moto3 inspired 350cc motorcycle will appear together with a KTM 1290 Adventure.KTM will be entering Moto3 in 2012 so a 2014 release should give them a nicely polished motorcycle.

Further away, in 2014, the Adventure gets the new 1290 engine and KTM promises two new 350cc bikes – an enduro and, intriguingly, a “Moto3”. That bike is likely to be KTM's next sports bike, taking the style of the firm's 250cc Moto3 racer and applying it to a 350cc single-cylinder road-going sports bike. The firm's boss, Stefen Pierer, has been championing the idea of 'downsizing' sports bikes ever since the financial crisis started decimating bike sales in 2008, and this looks like it's the culmination of that ambition; a relatively low-priced machine, with usable performance and handling that only a lightweight sports bike can offer. He'll be hoping it can catch imaginations like the two-stroke 250cc sports bikes of old.

We imagine there’s some angry phone calls going out right now to whichever dealer conference member snapped this photo (not to mention the likelihood of the wrong side of a lawsuit headed their way). That’s why most dealer meetings now require all phones to be checked at the door. Welcome to the information age KTM.
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