Motorcycle Apex

Triumph officially announced the much anticipated parallel twin-cylinder cruiser, to be called the Thunderbird, at the Global Dealer Conference in Birmingham, England.

The Thunderbird 2010 will feature a 1594 cc liquid cooled parallel engine which will be the largest parallel-Twin the company has yet built. It will come with a 6-speed transmission with belt drive. It will comprise of a tubular frame and dual front disc brakes. Power is expected to be more than 100 BHP.

It is set to go on sale in 2010 and has been designed to compete with the best in the cruiser class.

The bike is set to be equipped with a large number of accessories which will allow the rider to customize it according to individual taste. An ABS option will also be available.

Pricing is expected to be in the range of $12,000 – $14,000 range.

Honda spread its wings with the launch of their new 2008 CBR Fire Blade.

The first Fire Blade, 900RR, had rolled out in the year 1992 with more power, less weight & much better handling being its sole purpose. And recently Honda struck back with the launch of their new, straight out of the hell, 2008 Fire Blade CBR 1000RR model. This new machine has raised the bar in both performance and handling and also lives on in the true tradition.

Check out this video where it takes you for a virtual ride on the new 2008 Honda CBR1000. Watch it from a rider’s perspective and observe how he maneuvers along the track changing gears accordingly. This is no PlayStation guys but a real track video made at Losail, Qatar!

See more motorcycle videos.

The Cagiva Raptor 125 was introduced by the Italian Motorcycle company Cagiva in 2005. It is the smallest bike in the Raptor segment. As regards to styling, the Raptor 125 bears resemblance to its two big brothers, the Raptor 650 and the Raptor 1000.

Weighing 125 kg, the Raptor possesses a 125 cc single cylinder liquid cooled two stroke engine mounted on an aluminum frame. The engine delivers an output of 30 BHP @ 10000 rpm. Transmission is through a 6-speed gearbox and the maximum speed achieved is 90 mph.

The design concepts of the headlamp, the redesigned passenger seat and the handle bar are also derived from the bigger Raptors.

The Raptor 125 is equipped with a new exhaust system that has an extractable silencer. A new linkage for the rear suspension makes the weight distribution more concentrated on the front end. The fuel capacity of the tank is 14 liters.

At the EICMA motorcycle show in 2005, Cagiva launched a modified version of the Cagiva Mito called the Cagiva SP 525. It was launched as a homage to the Cagiva 500 (C 594) racing bike. The modifications encompass the engine and other areas.

Still possessing the 125 cc liquid cooled two-stroke single cylinder engine as the Cagiva Mito, the SP525 now churns out power in excess of 37 BHP.

The 2008 SP 525 has a 28 mm Dell’Orto VHST Carburettor. The front and rear fairings have been modified to resemble the Cagiva 500. The SP 525 comes with the new 8-spoke forged aluminum wheels. The overall weight too has been reduced.

Cagiva has developed another version of the SP 525, the SP525 Road Bike. It is to be noted that the SP 525 is not road-legal. The exterior looks of the SP525 Road Bike are quite similar to the SP 525. The engine however has undergone some modifications. It is fitted with a new Electronic Carburetion System which governs the fuel-air, oil-mix and ignition, enabling it to pass through tougher Euro 3 emission regulations.

Japan unveiled a new electric motorbike, EV-X7, which is said to be prototype that carries hybrid magnetic motor in it. The magnetic motor is built into its rear wheel, which is a hybrid between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet. The company claims that the bike can run almost noiselessly up to 180kms or 112miles on one charge. Tested top speed is somewhere around 150kmph or 93mph.

It was designed by the Axle Group in Japan. And it is believed that EV-X7 takes a little over 6hrs to fully charge the battery. Tokyo based Axle Corp says that the battery of the next generation electric vehicle motorbike can be charged at home just like your cellular phone! The company plans to start selling a mini-scooter version of the magnetic-powered bike next year, which will be priced at about $2100.

Watch more hybrid motorcycle videos.

Should I say one more crazy video or something else? I donno! But here comes one more burnout video, but this time around it’s a chopper burnout video. Not some, any other, cheap motorcycle burnout video!

Check out as our Macho man tries to impress his buddies and of course some chicks present around at the ‘The Smokey Mountain Smoke Out # 7’ in Salisbury, N.C.

Check out more motorcycle burnout crazy videos.

Cagiva was established in 1978, in the city of Varese in northen Italy. The name is an acronym for Castiglione Giovanni and Varese. They went into motorcycle production after they bought a factory from AMF- Harley Davidson in Schiranna. The company touched an annual production of 40,000 bikes by 1979.

Cagiva bought Ducati in 1985 and the Ducati name was retained as it was well known outside Italy. Subsequently, the ‘Alazzurra’ and the ‘Elefant’ were introduced, both possessing Ducati powerplants. Cagiva later went on to buy Moto Morini (1985) and the Husqvarna in 1987. In 1996, Ducati and the Moto Morini name were sold to the Texas Pacific Group.

The trademarks of the MV Augusta group was bought by Cagiva in 1991. The first new MV Augusta was introduced in 1997. The new bikes were 4-cylinder 750 cc sports machines. 1999 saw the Cagiva group being restructured and MV Agusta become the main brand comprising Cagiva and Husqvarna. 2004 saw the introduction of a 1000cc bike.

In 2005, MV Agusta introduced the Tamburini 1000, named after its creator Massimo Tamburini, who previously worked for Moto Guzzi, and most recently Ducati. Cycle World and Australian Motorcycle News magazine rated it the ‘best sports bike in the world’.

The MV Agusta F4 refined the innovative design of the world renowned Ducati 916. The MV Agusta has been highly acclaimed as one of the best handling motorcycles ever produced.

The evolution of CAGIVA logo:

1978 - In the spring of 1978 the Elephant, lucky symbol Giovanni Castiglioni chose for CAGIVA shortly after the Second World War, enters the motorbike world superimposed on the N.1 with the Italian colours inherited from the Aermacchi-HD.

1985 - The Elephant takes all the attention in the new logo removing the Italian colours.

1987-1994 - A new version is introduced highlighting the racing activities by putting a chequered flag on the Elephant’s back to differentiate the Racing Division from the normal production.

2000 - The Crimson centre designs a new logo based on the Elephant to better match the new models like Raptor, V-Raptor and Navigator.

Check out this new monster, 2008 RIDGEBACK, picked directly from the stable of Big Dog Motorcycles. Isn’t he handsome? With its great looks and amazing riding comfort, they say this motorcycle is also predictable.

Ridgeback also comes with a massive 330mm rear tire which looks menacing and ready to crush anything that comes under it. Priced around $28,400, the Ridgeback is 9 feet long and has a 4 inch backbone stretch and 8 inch down tube stretch.

Here are a few 2008 Ridgeback technical specifications,

Factory Warranty…………………………………………………2 Years

Dry Weight - Front…………………………………………………259 lbs

Dry Weight - Rear…………………………………………………421 lbs

Dry Weight - Total…………………………………………………680 lbs

GVWR…………………………………………………1085 lbs

GAWR - Front…………………………………………………390 lbs

GAWR - Rear…………………………………………………695 lbs

Fuel - Total…………………………………………………4.4 Gal

Fuel - Main…………………………………………………4.0 Gal

Fuel - Reserve…………………………………………………0.4 Gal

Oil Capacity…………………………………………………2.875 - 3Qts

Frame Specs…………………………………………………4″ OS BB, 8″ OS DT

Frame Rake…………………………………………………39 Degrees

Tree Rake…………………………………………………3 Degrees

Trail…………………………………………………4.35″

Front Suspension…………………………………………………41mm Telescopic

Seat Height…………………………………………………24.25″

Ground Clearance…………………………………………………4.5″

Wheel Base…………………………………………………82.5″

Total Length…………………………………………………107″

Front Brake…………………………………………………PM 4-Piston Diff Bore

Rear Brake…………………………………………………PM 4-Piston

Front Tire…………………………………………………MH90-21 56H

Rear Tire…………………………………………………330/30-R17 87V

Tire Pressure…………………………………………………F-40 psi/R-42 psi

Front Wheel…………………………………………………Billet 21 x 2.15

Rear Wheel…………………………………………………Billet 17 x 12.00

Engine…………………………………………………OHV 45 degree V-Twin

Displacement…………………………………………………117c.i. (1916cc)

Bore x Stroke…………………………………………………4 1/8″ x 4 3/8″

Compression Ratio…………………………………………………9.6:1

Fuel System…………………………………………………Carbureted

Transmission…………………………………………………6-Speed

Primary Drive…………………………………………………Chain/Balance Drive

Final Drive…………………………………………………1-1/8″ Belt

Ignition…………………………………………………Electronic Single Fire

Charging Output…………………………………………………40 Amp

Battery Type…………………………………………………Sealed AGM

Battery…………………………………………………270 CCA

Check out this another member from the Big Dog Motorcycles family called, 2008 K-9. Call it C-a-n-i-n-e! This has got sharp looks like a canine and these motorcycles are capable of taking cruising to the next level. It would be every cruiser’s dream to own this K-9!

Available carbureted or with electronic fuel injection, K-9 comes with 12 inch OS forks and 4 inch backbone stretch at 39 degree frame rake and 9 feet long. With base price around $29,900, it also comes with massive 300mm rear tire and hidden shock suspension.

Here are a few 2008 K-9 technical specifications for you,

Factory Warranty…………………………………………………2 Years

Dry Weight - Front…………………………………………………271 lbs

Dry Weight - Rear…………………………………………………430 lbs

Dry Weight - Total…………………………………………………701 lbs

GVWR…………………………………………………1130 lbs

GAWR - Front…………………………………………………390 lbs

GAWR - Rear…………………………………………………740 lbs

Fuel - Total…………………………………………………4.4 Gal

Fuel - Main…………………………………………………4.0 Gal

Fuel - Reserve…………………………………………………0.4 Gal

Oil Capacity…………………………………………………2.875 - 3 Qts

Frame Specs…………………………………………………4″ OS BB, 8″ OS DT

Frame Rake…………………………………………………39 Degrees

Tree Rake…………………………………………………3 Degrees

Trail…………………………………………………4.35″

Front Suspension…………………………………………………41mm Telescopic

Seat Height…………………………………………………24.25″

Ground Clearance…………………………………………………4.0″

Wheel Base…………………………………………………82″

Total Length…………………………………………………108″

Front Brake…………………………………………………PM 4-Piston Diff Bore

Rear Brake…………………………………………………PM 4-Piston

Front Tire…………………………………………………MH90-21 56H

Rear Tire…………………………………………………300/35-R18 87V

Tire Pressure…………………………………………………F-40 psi/R-42 psi

Front Wheel…………………………………………………Billet 21 x 2.15

Rear Wheel…………………………………………………Billet 18 x 10.50

Engine…………………………………………………OHV 45 degree V-Twin

Displacement…………………………………………………117 c.i. (1916cc)

Bore x Stroke…………………………………………………4 1/8″ x 4 3/8″

Compression Ratio…………………………………………………9.6:1

Fuel System…………………………………………………Carbureted or EFI

Transmission…………………………………………………6-Speed

Primary Drive…………………………………………………Chain/Balance Drive

Final Drive…………………………………………………1-1/8″ Belt

Ignition…………………………………………………Electronic Single Fire

Charging Output…………………………………………………40 Amp

Battery Type…………………………………………………Sealed AGM

Battery…………………………………………………270 CCA

Here is some good news for all Yamaha fans in India. Yamaha recently announced the formal launch of its motorcycle YZF-R15 targeting mainly the youth in India. The all India launch of Yamaha YZF-R15 bike was held on June 12 in Chennai. Priced at an affordable rate like Rs 97,425 ex showroom, the bike incorporates features that have been introduced for the first time in India. Some of these features are liquid cooled engine, 4 valve fuel injected engine, 6 speed gear box, delta-box chassis, link type mononoss suspension, forged piston and dysil cylinder.

DancewithShawdows site reports that, “The YZF-R15 motorcycle, looks-wise, takes after the Yamaha R1 superbike. The motorcycle is available in two colors, racing blue and black. This is also India’s first motorcycle with a full-fairing in front – considering looks, we can safely call it the best in the market.”