What puts a Hayabusa to ‘shame’, Enertia !

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Go green! Do we have an option though especially when we know the world is altering for the pits? Green, the word is conquering all with a vehemence which should be recognized as a norm, not an achievement; the need of the hour bears the answer. Yet, when a technology as that incorporated in the Enertia emerges, it deserves appreciation for it ain’t just a green machine. This ‘Plug-in’ two wheeler is absolute fun with efficiency guaranteed. Clearly not a typical motorcycle, the Enertia has no fuel tank and no internal-combustion engine. From a jaded (as the color green) fascia, it can reduce a commuter’s carbon footprint by 92 percent. It lacks many of the characters that traditionally guide people away from a two-wheeled, mechanized ride. Almost silent, it has no exhaust and doesn’t get hot. Furthermore, it has no clutch or gearbox. It is light and slim, and practically maintenance-free. When I read it first I thought this is some geeky machine good enough to replace a bicycle, but then, the credentials made me tight lipped. The Enertia is a clean-sheet design with its central structure made of carbon fiber which serves as both the motorcycle’s chassis and its battery tray. Unlike typical bikes, the engine is an alternator sized electric motor mounted at the bottom of the chassis just ahead of the rear wheel. The motor is directly attached to the rear wheel through a chain and sprocket. For fuel storage, it consists of six 12 volt lithium-phosphate battery packs. These modules, which are about half the size of a traditional car battery, are accumulated inside the upper and lower channels of the H-shaped carbon fiber chassis; three on top, three below. In contrast to lithium-ion or lithium-cobalt batteries, the application of the lithium-phosphate cells is remarkably resistant to combustion, even if the batteries are impacted or punctured. It can be charged from any regular 110-volt electrical outlet and gets wholly recharged in just three hours which puts even the most hi-fi doodads to shame, for its fast mate! No, then its bike you prick! The power level of the Enertia is user selectable from 40 to 100 percent which decides how fast you draw current from the batteries. The Enertia’s power ratings (12-25 horsepower, 17-34 lb-ft of torque) make it analogous to a Kawasaki Ninja 250 in terms of horsepower, but the electric drivetrain provides double the amount of torque, in a package 30 pounds lighter. At the 100-percent power setting, Brammo claims a 0-30 mph time of 3.8 seconds but at a top speed of only 50 mph. Hmmm! think they should do something about that speed, but then I simultaneously feel, if a person looks for a high adrenalin driver, Enertia should be an alien name to him , atleast the one with an ‘E’, although the one with an ‘I’ is all that you need to define this call it whatever. Image : Ecobiker Check Video

Harley-Davidson XR 1200TM rolling off the floor in 2008

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Harley-Davidson has officially announced the company’s intention to begin production of the XR 1200TM motorcycle for the European market in the spring of 2008. The XR 1200 is a naked street, great handling high performance bike with styling cues inspired by the legendary Harley-Davidson XR 750 flat track racer. The XR 750 is a deliberately built race bike that has conquered more race wins than any other racing mobike in the history of motorcycle sport. The XR 1200 prototype was first unveiled to huge acclaim from customers and the media alike by Bill Davidson (great-grandson of one of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s founders) at the Intermot motorcycle show in October, 2006. The XR 1200 is the result of a close collaboration between the Motor Company’s Milwaukee-based product development team and Harley-Davidson’s European product planning team. The European team has played a significant role in defining the specifications and ergonomics of the XR 1200. The team has collectively worked with US Ride and Handling engineers on suspension, braking and handling development. According to John Lewis, Marketing Director for Harley-Davidson Europe, the XR1200 is the perfect way to round-off a superb 2008 product line-up. Harley-Davidson has acknowledged an overwhelming customer and media feedback since the XR 1200 prototype’s unveiling. The XR1200 will be equipped with a cooled motor to air from 1200cc, answering to the European detailed lists, and product in series, more powerful that never has been realized from Harley-Davidson. With a freedom for the lean angle; specially tuned Showa sports suspension, including 43mm inverted front forks; high performance Nissin brakes; and specially developed Dunlop Qualifier tyres, the XR 1200 is set to become the best handling Harley-Davidson regular production machine ever seen. The XR 1200 is a bike full of purpose and character united with great performance, handling and a unique feel. Above all else it will be a bike that will offer a hugely rewarding riding experience. The price of XR 1200 is still in phase of appraisal, but it presumes that the price, to clearly of the taxation, can be maintained to of under of the 10,000 Euro. Technical characteristics � Styling and livery inspired by XR 750 � Motor from 1200 cc, the elevated performances, painted to silver-plated powder � Feeding with vertical culverts and electronically arranges assets of aspiration of the controlled air � Tires Dunlop Qualifier (front 120/70ZR18; posterior 180/55ZR17) � Circles in alloy from the reduced weight, only in their kind, with design inspired to that one of the motion from dirt track � Sport Showa suspension to calibration, specifically developed for this model, with staple to steles turns upside down to you from 43 millimeter � Great dowries of agility and ease of handling, and generous lateral rake � Nissin brakes to high performances � Studied ergonomics according to the medium height of the European customers � Position of raised and sport guide, with wide handle-bar and leggermente rear footrests � New exclusive instrumentation for the model [Images: Harley Davidson]

Yamaha gives four wheels to its new motorcycle

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Yamaha’s new motorcycle, the Tesseract is very different from what you would expect a motorbike to be, simply because this one has four wheels. An additional pair of rims provide extra stability, but still the driver is able to lean the bike around bends and park it upright. The company says addition of more wheels has not increased the width of the new motorcycle, as compared to conventional motorcycles. Set to debut in Tokyo Motor Show this month, the Tesseract has a V-Twin petrol engine and a hybrid drivetrain. Apparently, even motorcycles have decided to go hybrid. [Via: Auto Express]

On the green way with budget-friendly Hydrocell bike

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If your bank account is restraining you to get a fuel cell-powered Honda FCX or Chevy Sequel car, you can still honor your eco-friendly values with the Hydrocell bike. Developed by a British company dubbed Valeswood Technology Development , this bike touts a metal hydride storage tank, which is integrated with an alkaline fuel cell stack. The bike has the storage capacity for 40 liters of hydrogen that drive the bike to about 60 miles. The price tag reads $1,400, which I don’t think is going to trouble you much considering your concern for the environment. Via: Autobloggreen

Panasonic’s Cycle Web Studio rolls out Electric Bike

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Panasonic’s Cycle Web Studio has launched an electric bike that features a nickel metal hydride battery that can take you 20 miles on a single charge. And for rest of the distance you can always rely on your leg muscles. The bike is available in orange or green but you need to hurry as only 200 of the bikes have been manufactured, in a partnership between Panasonic and Harajuku fashion brand Beams. Via: mobilemag

New Trendy helmets from Aita

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The Aita network of stores has added new helmets for autumn-winter 2007-2008 period. The new models look trendy and cool, and ofcourse, work well towards safety, the first priority for helmets. This new collection features 25 new designs for helmets, all upto the safety norms of the European Union. There is an ample range of colors and weaves, should you decide to personalize your helmet. Interiors of these helmets are made of fiber and are extractable for cleaning/dusting. Via: TopEstilo (Translated)

Top 10 revolutionary concept bikes

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The world is altering for the pits, but atleast the people from the biking world can swank of a contrary notion. The concepts, which have evolved over the past few years, are definitely heart warming and since we people have the tendency to forget, let us just rev up and see the stunning concepts that have made an impact and left a lasting impression. 10. The SAGA Designer: Paul Yang and Larry Nagel Status : Project Motorcycle Credibility: It was a first time project, which only took seven months for completion Dreamworks – Saga – video powered by Metacafe Paul Yang wasn’t a designer by profession and he merely fluked it to join hands with the famous Larry Nagel but the amateur status of Paul did not prove to be a hindrance by any means. Indeed, a first time project bike conventionally takes 18 to 24 months for completion and these two managed to produce a moving guzzler mere seven months which talks highly about the efficiency and dedication of this Duo . 9. Chrysler Tomahawk Designer: Daimler Chrysler Status: Production ready Engine: V 10 Credibility: A sculpture that can be ridden Chrysler Tomahawk for me is the ‘Big Daddy’ of all motorcycles. You ask me a reason and I have one many; for a V10 engine, which makes it capable of producing 500 horses powers it, is the foremost of them all. With a capacity of 8.3 liters and a ten-cylinder engine, it can literally fly at 400 mph. Hats off to Daimler Chrysler for making this bike reach the production floor ! 8. Peraves Monotracer Designer: Swiss Manufacturer Peraves Status : Being limitedly produced (100 units each year) Engine: BMW 1200 CC, 130 hp Credibility: Combines the aptitude of a car and a bike The Peraves Monotracer combines the features of a sports bike and a sports car and if any of you doubt it, just as a substantiation, it took Peraves some 90 prototypes and 12 million kilometers to be sure that they live up to the rumored repute . When the driver dives into a corner a retractable stabilizer wheel is positioned in less than a half a second, enabling the bike to lean up to 52 degrees more, than most sport bikes in their lifetime. 7. BMW IMME 1200 Designer : Nicolas Bubar and Yves Dufeutrelle from ISD Status: Prototype Engine : A 150 hp engine based on the BMW 1200 Boxer Credibility: A startling concept evolved by two rookie designers Nicolas Bubar (22) and Yves Dufeutrelle (24) are design students at the international school of design and they thought that a sports bike based on the BMW 1200 boxer would be good idea. Tell you what folks; it definitely was a good idea for the IMME 1200 would now be presented at the next Munich Motorcycle Show at BMW stands. 6. The Dacoit Designer: Nitin Khosa Status: Concept bike Credibility: Devil Personified Nitin Khosa designed this amazing concept to satiate a thirty plus individual who was looking to redeem his attitude and youth with a stunning, aggressive, and evil looking bike. Khosa answered his cause by creating the Dacoit (a class of robbers in India who act in gangs and are usually armed and dangerous). The face of the bike depicts an evil figure whose eyes/headlights are peeping from underneath the hood. 5. The Embrio Designer: Canadian multinational Bombardier Engine : Complex hydrogen fuel cell Status : Prototype Credibility: Single wheeled, emits only water vapor The Embrio from Bombraider is a prototype, which could become a virtual reality somewhere around 2025 for this technology is too ultramodern considering the present generation bikes. It sports a single wheel and is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which creates power by mixing hydrogen and oxygen, creating only water as a by-product. 4. The Renovatio Designer : Ed Jacobs Engine: 135 hp, V-twin engine, specially designed by Katech Status : Pre -Production Credibility: Easy to upgrade and reconfigure Confederate Motorcycles lead designer Ed Jacobs designed this drastic bike concept with large attachment points easily available on the engine ensuring improvements and assorted configurations at ease. Powered by a V-Twin engine, it produces 135 hp at 125ft/lbs of torque. Confederate is confident about this unique concept it has developed and it plans to produce it some time this year. 3. The V-Rex Designer : Tim Cameron Engine: Harley Davidson Revolution V-Twin engine Status : Being Mass-Produced Credibility : It took a leap from the computer screen to metal and rubber For Tim Cameron, the Australian designer of this bike, it was a mere ‘dream bike’ for he thought dreams were the only place where he would ride it, but as they say destiny drives us all, this bike had to become a reality. Tim Cameron’s dream were given realistic proportions by the 200mph ‘Y2K’ jet turbine-powered bike fame Christian Travert and now the experts dub it as the most startling motorcycle design ever seen . 2. The Hyanide Designer : Oliver Keller and Tillman Schlootz Engine: 60hp, 500cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder Status : One fifth of a scale model / currently not going into production Credibility : Potent for any terrain, courtesy of its flexible rubber treads Designed for last years Michelin Design Challenge, the Hyanide impressed on and all with its amazing ability to conquer any terrain. Its flexible rubber treads could pull the machine through, even if its slightest part is touching the ground. We have had no news of it since then but we are just hoping that the Germans decide to send it to the production floor. 1. Detonator V4 6.0 Designer : Daniel Simon Engine: 6 liter, 4 Cylinder Status: Concept/Sculpture Credibility: Bears no semblance to any existing concepts The, ‘too hot to handle’, Detonator V4 6.0, is a mere sculpture with no intention of being a functional bike. This machine looks like a crossover between a chopper and an automotive soldered android and hmmm! It reminds me of those big pizza cutters.

2008 Suzuki GSX 1300R Hayabusa

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The Suzuki GSX 1300R, also known as the Hayabusa, is a hypersport motorcycle introduced in 1999. The name Hayabusa is the Japanese term for the Peregrine Falcon, known for its speed, and perhaps a joke at the expense of the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird which was the fastest production motorcycle prior to the Hayabusa. The Peregrine Falcon is a predator of the common blackbird. Its extreme performance capability has also dubbed the bike as a “high abuser” of legal speed limits. Afterwards, certain bikes were out to dare the Hayabusa top speed for a production motorcycle, including the BMW K1200S, the Kawasaki ZX-12R and the new ZX-14. And now Suzuki has decided for the 2008 model that they’ll not only revamp the super-bike, but will boost the size of the engine from 1299cc to 1340cc. The compression power increases from 11.5:1 to 12.5:1. The 41cc increase in displacement stems from a 2mm increase in stroke giving each tube of the Inline-four a final spec of 81mm x 65mm (bore/stroke). Inside, there’s a new three-ring aluminum alloy forged slipper piston. The motor also gets a new set of titanium valves for intake and exhaust. The sizes haven’t changed, but the alternative metal has reduced the weight. A little technology pulled from the GSX-R line is the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) which provides three options of power delivery. A 4-2-1-2 exhaust which meets Euro 3 and Tier 2 emission regulations has been attached. Overall length has increased to 86.6 inches while the wheelbase is same. A 15mm higher windscreen and vertically stacked dual headlights are a part of the new look. The seat and rear sub-frame have been lowered by 17mm. A pair of 310 mm balanced front rotors (10 mm smaller) offer less unsprung weight and are pinched by new Tokico radial-mount calipers. The single-piston rear caliper grabs a larger 260mm rotor (+20mm). There’s a Diamond like Coating (DLC) on the lower section of the inverted fork for less stiction. The steering geometry is virtually indistinguishable at 24.2 degrees of rake and 98mm of trail, an increase of 1 mm. The revamped instrument cluster now features four analog meters for speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and water temperature with a new S-DMS mode indicator, gear position indicator and adjustable engine rpm indicator. Since its introduction, the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturer realized that the power and speed wars among flagship sports bike would not end and would eventually lead to increased government regulations, an unfavorable public image due to more fatal accidents and higher insurance premiums. The new Hayabusa will be available in Orange, Blue, and Black. Expect to see this ‘fiend’ sometime in October with a price tag of $11,999.

Bikers Adieu to the Goodwood Festival of Speed

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Following are the pictures of some of the bikes that showcased at the Goodwood festival of Speed 2007. From vintage to the latest ones it was a delight for every bike lovers’ eyes. It was a good blend of bikes and bikers abilities. Only thing I can tell is that it would have been a great pleasure to just be there and watch it happen all in all, in front of you. But no one can tell what it was and how enormous was the event without being there, you can only have a peek from the pigeons hole, by looking at some of the images below. We’ll surely miss this event, for it fulfilled our automotive appetite right till the gullet, which seldom happens! Image Credit : Autoblog

Motorcycle joins the taxi force in Los Angeles and NewYor

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Beating the traffic in Los Angeles and New York was a challenge that every business person faced everyday. To overcome this challenge, the Moto Limos Club has come up with the idea of having the Motorcycle Taxi service. Similar services are available in Europe but this kind of service is a newcomer in the US. The idea of being on a two-wheeler zig-zagging amidst traffic can be scary but the Moto Limos Club has stated that there was no need of fear as they would be hiring drivers who had an experience of 15 years and above. The club has thought of every little comfort that a passenger could need and they have promised to make the ride as comfortable as it could be. To help the passengers attend business calls on the go, helmets with Bluetooth connections are made available. To overcome the freezing cold during winters, they have committed to provide thick blankets for the passengers. And this is not all, if the weather turns bad, they have a weather gear for their passengers for protection. The Club is expected to open up next month and the membership is at a fee of $125 to $250 and a per-hour rental charge of $90. The fee though high, the service is expected to gain popularity among the businessmen as it saves them the time of waiting in traffic. This service is going to be an interesting one. Via: Autoblog