In The News - New Bikes from Enfield & Yamaha

REML (Royal Enfield Motorcycles Limited) has launched the Twin Spark Thunderbird (350cc) in the Indian market recently. The main feature actually is the integrated engine (unit construction) from the previous engine which had a seperate gear box. The main features are improved power at 20Bhp, improved torque at 28Nm and supposedly improved mileage. Performance figures will ofcourse improve. Cosmetic changes include a new seat beside the engine that is and the bar holding the rear mudguard is gone. Reports say the 'thump' is somewhat missing, but the good news is that there are no more leaks although false nuetrals still is an issue. Priced at app. Rs. 1,00,000/- (~$2500), REML is also planning to release the 500cc Fuel injected bike in India. For details, visit the REML Official Twinspark Thunderbird Website.

Yamaha Motorcycles India has launched the YZF-R15 motorcycle in India. Its a 150cc single cylinder engine carrying a lot of DNA from the YZF series and continues with the feature of 'R' series like the Delta frame, liquid cooled fuel injected engine and also looks very similar to the 'R' series. The engine has a power output of 17 bhp and 15 Nm of torque and the small engine has all the whistles of the big brothers like rear monoshock, disc brake at the rear, twin headlamps, etc. Priced close to Rs.1,00,000 (~$2500), it is expected to compete with the 200-225 cc bikes in terms of performance and handling.
For details visit the YZF-R15 official website. Also there is a special interactive website dedicated to the R15.

In International news, MZ, the only motorcycle company from Germany beside BMW is closing down by December 31st 2008. One of the oldest motorcycle manufacturers in the world, it is closing down because their Malaysian backers, Hong Leong has only produced financial losses since they have taken over in 1996.
Founded by Jørgen Skafte Rasmussen of Denmark in 1906, get a load of their history in Wiki. Its popular models include the Mastiff and the new 1000SF among others. Visit the official MZ website for pictures amnd more information of the brand.

Envy... Lust... Greed... WRAITH

Well... of course, its the Wraith! You have seen the videos, you have been visually gratified and you have met the sibling. Time now to get introduced to this $60,000 mammoth.
Well, it will be very very hard to argue that Confederate Motorcycles do things very differently. Having seen the Hellcat, you know its like no other bike. The Wraith, then takes a few steps forward from Hellcat has left. And why not? After all, the Confederate's motto is "The Art of Rebellion". Its more unconventional than the Hellcat and thats what draws you even more. At the time when I did a feature on the Hellcat, the Wraith didn't appeal me as much as the elder sibling. But slowly, you realize what a piece of art this is, and when you see it move on the streets growling, you just know.... that this alternative design is a thing of the future

The standout feature (at the first look) is a massive carbon-fiber girder fork. The history behind this is even more interesting. You all know about the Britten. Yes, the only one built by the late Kiwi visionary John Britten. The creator of Wraith, Mr. J.T. Nesbitt who is a fine-arts graduate and sculptor (and it shows!) had created the girder fork as a tribute to John because John made a similar design on his V1000 racebike in 1991. And what may be the benefit of such a fork? The forward place fork gives additional room to place the V-Twin as far forward as possible which increases frontal weight and that gives a better grip and handling. Also the front wheel is less stressed. The Wraith design is minimal, very bare minimal and thats what Nesbitt wanted the Wraith to be. But minimal in Nesbitt's meaning doesn't really have to gel with what the world thinks!

So how did it all start? Nesbitt knew Matt Chambers, the designer for the Hellcat. He approached him and told what he always wanted to do since childhood, build motorcycles, but in his own fashion. A hardcore Iron Horse magazine fanatic, he was awestruck by the Hellcat and that lead to dream and fantasize about his own creation for 10 years until it happened.

In Nesbitt's own words, "I've been building bikes since I was in art school... started building motorcycles as part of my sculpture class. I almost got kicked out of school when I failed some classes, though maybe assembling a motorcycle in the art faculty studio and riding it up and down the second floor of the building wasn't such a smart idea. But I've come to realize what I was yearning for was to study vehicle design, which they didn't have in the curriculum and I didn't know to ask. But I'm so fortunate I didn't find out it existed because if I'd run through the mill like everyone else I'd wind up doing stuff like everyone else's, too. My design approach is much more art-form-based, more inspirational... After I graduated I ended up waiting tables and tending bar to make a living, and working for Iron Horse magazine in my free time, which was a great incubator of ideas... In `96 or so I tested the first Confederate Hellcat for the magazine. And I was so overwhelmed by what the bike stood for, so intrigued and mystified by Matt Chambers' alternative vision for building motorcycles, that I couldn't let it go." And thats how it all started.
And what next Nesbitt mentions is probably what I have never been able to cohort in my thoughts, but probably always felt so!!! You see I have never done a feature on Sports bike, not that I dont like Sports bike, but somehow they visually dont appeal to me and now I know why!

Nesbitt says "In today's motorcycle...the engine and the chassis don't speak the same design language. A bike like R1 has great engineering, but in terms of visual design it's a collection of short stories, not one long novel..." When people ask me why dont I like the visuals of a CBR or Busa, I never had any answer because I never actually knew the 'why'. Now I know.
He continues "For many of them it's just a piece of Band-Aid to cover up that mismatch. And to move design forward, sometimes you have to break things down. That's why in designing the Wraith I wanted to throw away all the extra hardware motorcycles have gathered around them in the past 100 years and reduce it to its bare, minimalist structure."

He very simply puts it. "I just want people to look at the Wraith and see it as something standing on its own, which they can form an opinion about, not as a bike that must be judged in comparison to other motorcycles."
Nesbitt started work on the project in 2002 and the first prototype was ready by 2004, Another interesting note - The first bike after being tested in Bonneville Salt Flats was ridden only once - up and down the local interstate to make sure it shifted properly. The bike after the test in its unpainted raw version (picture below) was send off to Los Angeles to a passionate collector, who just wanted to look at it and not ride it! Talk about money! Anyway, it did very well in the Salts blasting its way to 131 mph, The 'second' prototype (also pictured here) is significantly different and improved from that first rough prototype. What you see is the version you will get if you happen to purchage one.

Of course the Wraith is not built for upright power. It has power and plenty of it, but the most focussed aspect was the beauty of a motorcycle. And it has very clearly mesmerized the world with its alternative look. If you look closely and minutely through your head, it has the elements which has fused the past, present and future in a unique way that you will agree to the fact, but dont know why? It will make you think about motorcycle designs in a different way, breaking away stereotypes and traditions. Its a fusion of art and science!

The motor used is Confederate’s liquid-cooled Foxtrot motor. It measures 107 x 92 mm for 1655 cc, with a 56 mm inlet valve and 41 mm exhaust, runs an 11:1 compression ratio with the forged pistons running in open deck Nikasil chrome-bore cylinders, and features a gear-driven primary and right-side belt final drive, via a multiplate oil-bath clutch and six-speed gearbox. get this! the V-Rod will be supercharged!

Sadly, Hurricane Katrina destroyed Confederate’s headquarters and it had to relocate from New Orleans to Birmingham, Alabama at the invitation of Mr. George Barber, who owns the Barber Museum, one of the world’s most prestigious motorcycle collection. Luckily the Wraith was being presented at a New York show that fateful night in 2005 and Matt and Nesbitt were in the Middle East for a future business proposal. But that just didn't dampen the Confederate guys. The beast was ready as per expected time. It is also called the B120. It produces around 125 horsepower, and a monsterous 131 foot-pounds of torque, enough to make it go fast as it weighs 410 pounds in a sporty 58.5 inches of wheelbase. Ride position is somewhat 'crouchy', but the bars are wide. The slim carbon fiber composite spine frame doubles as the oil tank. Nesbitt has left Confederate as he was not ready to move to the new location and Ed Jacobs, his conceptual design assistant, has taken over the reins of Confederate design and has certainly moved into the limelight with the next under project, the RENAVATIO.

Some tidbits - The lisy of owners include Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Nicolage Cage. The bike during the final days of production was used for filming the Jet Li starrer 'Rogue'. Also Tom Cruise used it for the opening scene of 'MI III'
Production goals include 150 bikes for the 2007 model yearbe able to grow at least 900 motorcycles a year soon The company's current backorder includes over a dozen Hellcats and almost 50 Wraiths.

Specifications

Power - Torque ≥ 130 ft. lbs. Horsepower ≥ 125

Dimensions - Weight - 390lbs.; Wheelbase - 62"; Length - 82"; Seat Height - 30.5 "; Trail - 4"; Rake - 27 degrees

Engine - Jims/Confederate B120 counter balanced twin cam 45 degreeradial twin; 4.125" bore X 4.5" stroke.

Chassis - Confederate design triple load path carbon fiber monocoque, aircraft grade CNC billet bulkhead, fuselage; oil in frame.

Swingarm - Single sided aircraft grade aluminum.
Front End - Confederate proprietary design; double wishbone, machined from aircraft grade billet aluminum linked to aerodynamically designed carbon fiber wing blades.

Primary - Confederate proprietary design; machined from aircraft grade aluminum; belt drive
Transmission - Confederate proprietary design; five speed, close ratio..
Suspension - Front and rear: Penske coil over shock; multi adjustable; titanium spring

Brakes - FD dual mechanical CNC billet high output 4piston front; 320 mm rotors; Brembo2-piston caliper rear; 220 mm rotor.

Wheels - Forged magnesium Marchesini; Front: 3.5" X 17"; Rear: 5.75 x 17

Lighting - Integral LED headlamp, tail lamp, brake, running lights, blinker system

Fuel Cell - Confederate proprietary design; aircraft grade aluminum; 3.5 gallons

Gauges - Precision integrated analogue meter; warning, speed, RPM Identification, Very limited edition; each example is one of 250; fuselage, Bulkhead, engine VIN

Source of above specification information, for images/ official webpage, visit B120 WRAITH

Visual Gratification - The WRAITH

You have heard about CONFEDERATE, read about it in this blog about the Hellcat and also have seen the videos. Now meet Hellcat's younger brother, the WRAITH. But before we go through the details, let me introduce the monster to your visual stimuli. The write up would be coming on the next post.

{P.S: Be warned -The first 2 pics are huge 2560 x 1920. They have been actually reduced from its original size of width 4550. The original pics come courtesy of Boston Herald. If you want the original sizes, please click below the photos. I would suggest that for once, look at the original size to really really appreciate the attention to detail. Happy Downloading ;) }

Click here for original size Click here for original size

The next 7 photos are from SLICK's album which comes courtesy of Street Fire. Images are normal in size.

If you really can't wait to get introduced to the beast, maybe you can visit it's official website. And for some more wallpapers too.

Of KAWABUSAs & SUZAKIs

That's a ZRX 1200R, right? But then, there seems to be some empty space behind the cylinder block, umm... ok, maybe something is missing, no, wait, how come the ZRX has a monoshock? And by the way, these are inverted forks, but I KNOW a ZRX doesn't have them. Wait a minute, whats that wriiten on the tank... KAWABUSA! Okay, so thats a Busa engine in the green K. So it's a hybrid bike. Maybe people do it somewhere in this world, but by and large hybrid bikes like yesteryears Triton or Norvin has faded out. Well, not completely. I made a recent post on such bikes, but those are one-off bikes. What you see here is a bike which can be yours! That is Norm Wilding is planning to make a series of similar bikes which will be for sale. Norm Wilding of England owns and operates Mid MO MC (Mid Missouri Motorcycle custom). His fascination for 'Hot Rods' led him to test his wrenching skills in his earlier days on Triumph, Norton, BSA, Matchless, AJS etc. He is one of Europe's best custom builder and has been featured in many custom magazines, more so in Europe. Working for over 35 years now, most of his present custom bikes involves ferrociously fast Jap machines and HD Trikes. In 1979 Norm built a Harley Davidson 45 trike that took Best Engineering, Best Trike, and Best of Show at "The Kent Bike Show". In his 35 years of being "in the business", Norm has built many "show quality".

Anyway, Norm always felt that the awesome power of the Busa is somewhat let down by the riding position. Not that there is any fault in the Busa, but its a sports bike, so obvious you have to scoop and bend and Norm was not willing to do that at 54. He felt that the ZRX had a very comfortable position, after all its a road bike. So what you now have is a bloody maniac road bike! With the very improved handling of the Busa thanks to the forks and the monoshock, swingarm, wheels, brakes and of course the motor, the KAWABUSA is actually more a Busa with a road riding position. Or in the other way, the ZRX has now got a fuel-injected 6 speed transmission! The frame was modified to accomodate the Busa engine. Visit this link here to see and know the Kawabusa that Norm built.

For the next model in the same vein, Norm made this even stunning Kawabusa II. Norm seems to have gained considerable experience in his first Kawabusa, because as good as the initial project was, the second seems even more refined and delicious. The stunning round headlamp, the twin pods, the colour scheme, the raised pillion seat, all gives it a more 'today' look then the 80s green meanie. This was his "Special". Learn more about this stunning beauty here in the official website.

In Norm's own words, "For this 'special' I started with a super clean 2003 ZRX1200R with only 4,300 miles on it, and fitted the complete engine, wheels, brakes, inverted forks, mono shock and swingarm, wiring harness, and ECU off a 2005 Hayabusa GSX1300R with only 2,500 miles. On the original Kawabusa, the injectors came very close to the underside of the tank, so I had to cut a section out for an airbox, which lost tank volume. So on this one I built a set of intake manifolds, and turned the injectors down into a more conventional carb position, which also enabled the fitting of a set of bell mouths ( velocity stacks ). Carbon front fender is Coerse ( only available in Japan ), and rear carbon hugger is from Pyramid ( England ) . The gauges/instruments were from an 02 European GSX1400 ( similar to Bandit, but with the addition of a fuel injection light ), and the headlight unit is from an 04 Suzuki Bandit. Handlebars are Renthal "low bars", and all brake lines are BF Goodrich braided stainless. Oil cooler is from an 05 GSXR1000, as is the complete tail section ( removed from a brand new bike to replace with a racing unit ). Tires are Dunlop Qualifiers ( 200 on the rear ). The header is hand fabricated polished stainless, and the cans are Yoshimura carbon, originally designed for a ZX14 ( ZZR1400 ). Bike is fitted with a Power Commander USB. I built this bike because I love the power of the Hayabusa, and the upright riding position of the ZRX, and it sure is a blast to ride !!!!!!!"

It is a combination of more than 2 bikes, alright, but the soul is the same. It's a KAWABUSA!

And if you thought, Norm only has passion for ZRX and Busas, then think again. As I mentioned he makes a lot of trikes. And that's not all, you can get your customized paint done in his job. Click on the link here to see a range of brilliantly done Trikes. Featured here are only 2 of his products, a Honda VTX and a Triumph Bonne. But it's just not just that he specializes in Kawabusa hybrids, he works on a lot of other stuff. He has a Z-Rex (a stunning ZRX) , a ZX-6R, a lowered and modified Busa among others up his sleeve. You can see some of his products here.

Also here is my mouth watering addiction. A Triumph, customized. Bee-u-tee-ful! And then the awesome paint job. I mean, just look at it! Anyone, who is not even a biker, would love to kill to posess this stunningly done Triumph Hot Rod, wont you? I will... Visit the link here to see Norm's awesome paint jobs done on a lot of customers personal bikes. Of couse, visit the website to see lots and lots of pictures of brilliantly beautiful and stunning motorcycles and trikes.

2009 V Max Launched

Yes, The 2009 V Max was finally launched as per schedule on 4th June.
So, what's new? Power is up, but not to what was projected as 210 bhp, but still a very impressive 197 bhp. The 16 valve DOHC engine is a V4 1679 cc with a very likeable 11.3:1 compression ratio which will blow away a lot of liter sports bike and even the B King and to say that the V Max is actually a Cruiser! Of course it is or why else would Yamaha have the bike in the Star Motorcycles section? Or at least thats what Yamaha wants us to believe. It has been equipped with Yamaha's YCC-T chip-controlled throttle to go along with a YCC-I chip-controlled intake for increased acceleration and the response is said to be instantaneous.

Featuring a five-speed transmission, it has a hydraulically-activated ramp-style slipper clutch and the shaft driven powertrain has a 4 x 2 x 4 exhaust system with titanium muffler canisters. The system is also equipped with a 3-way catalytic converter with an oxygen sensor. The chassis has been updated with a redesigned cast aluminum main frame. For the Cruiser feel, it sports a round dial speedo, tach and indicator lights mounted on the handlebars. Also mounted on the tank is a virtual onboard computer with an odometer, clock, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, gear position indicator, coolant temp, mpg, intake air temp, throttle valve opening angle, stopwatch and a countdown indicator. (Phew!)

One bad thing though! The bike is a limited edition at only 2500 of the 2009 version and its not cheap at $18,000. So you better rush to the nearest bank and the dealer if you have been waiting. The order period is June 4 through October 31.
Source - For information, Wallpapers, gallery, Features and Booking, visit the YAMAHA V MAX Official Website or the Star Motorcycles website
Covered in all major e-mags. Source - The Knee Slider, Motorcycle USA, Motorcycle News.

Related posts - New 2009 V Max with 'X'tra Power, 2009 V Max In the News

Crossover Customizing

You cant have a more naked bike, can you? This Speed Triple is build by Angel Lussiana. The bike retains the original chassis and suspension, but the exhaust system is all new. And what about the radiator? Cant figure it! Why, it has been taken from the Ducati 916. The bodyworks and front fender have been restyled which is evident. What I am not able to decide is whether the swingarm has been lengthened. Although its not mentioned, it looks streched out, but then probably the bodyworks just might give that impression. The reservoir also acts as a framework. The bike is entirely hand crafted.

Another creation of Angel Lussiana is this concept roadster based on the Ducati 900 SS. The framework of origin has been restyled and the bike has got Kayaba forks accompanied by GBC adjustable shock at the rear. The frame is unit formed aluminum that is lightened the weight of the bike.

He says "I wanted to create a motorcycle that was new in the truest sense of the word: nimble and fun, but not for this Spartan, in fact, I wanted to give a touch of elegance to make an object not only pleasant to the eyes of expert but even more trendy...". If you notice the curves, the bike looks slimmer thanthe 900 SS. The swingarm has been strengthed working on the truss reinforcement, with the two main beams with a layer of sheet metal in Peraluman by 2.5 mm.

This was featured some time ago on ebay. If you are confused that what is actually the base version, then you are not the only one. A part of the framework is from the Vmax (I am sure you figured that out), the monoshock and the rear wheel comes from Triumph Speed Triple while the tank and the seat are sourced from a Ducati Monster! And thats not all, the front wheel comes from a Yamaha R1. Thats 4 bikes already. The exhaust of 4 to 1 is made in house. The engine is retained from the V Max doing 150 bhp.