VOXAN Charade Racing

Top 2 photos courtesy Wikipedia. Rest photos from the beautiful website of FREDOC dedicated to VOXAN. Lots of more photos in the sub category of FREDOC's website can be found here and here.

The VOXAN Charade is based on the existing VOXAN Black Magic. Period. Why? Because all they share is the engine layout and certain components. Beyond that, while the Black Magic is pure style to go with the performance, for the Charade, performance comes first and of course if its France, can good looks stay behind? Launched in 2005 Paris Motor Show, it rides on the same 100 hp 996 cc V-twin engine of the Black Magic.

The honour of designing this beauty goes to Mr. Sacha Lakic. Charade is the name of a prestigious circiut in Puy-de-Dome and as such, the VOXAN Charade Racing has its strips over it.
Mr. Lakic has cleverly changed the bearing, framework and has given a shoe engine to go with the redone front and rear parts of the Black Magic to build a better equiped machine. Well, the Charade comes at a hefty price and that too if you can lay your hands on one. Only 40 such exotics were released in August 2006, they are heavily priced in excess of $20,000.

This is due to the high class components put on the machine. Some of these high class components of the Charade include the Paioli inverted fork which are adjustable, Beringer doing duties on the braking front, exhaust from Remus, Michelin Pilot Power tyres and Marchesini rims of 3.5 and 5.5 by 17 inches. The caliper and the brake lever are red in colour as all the super expensive French brand Beringer items are akways coated. The rear shock displays the world class BOS written over it and VOXAN has there by became the first motorcycle company to use these shocks. These shocks are hydrolic with a room of nitrogen inside which is completely removable and reconditionable. The styling has been subtle, probably so as to not draw all the attention towards the body as beneath the beautiful exterior, lies a very agile & performance oriented machine. Its like a Café Racer with a moto GP heart.

The Black Magic can be seen at many an angle, but there is a half front fairing unlike the naked Black Magic to give the bike an enhanced performance aided by the racing exhausts. The fit and finish of the bike are comparable to the best custom bikes anywhere in the world. I tried searching for the VOXAN official website and although even if it is there, I just couldn't get any info on the bike as the whole site is in French and no English version. Of course, there are plenty of photos on the website.

Specifications-
Engine - V-72 °, 4-stroke liquid-cooled, 4 valves per cylinder 996 cc,
Displacement (bore x stroke) - 98 x 66 mm
Max Power & Torque - 100 bhp@ 8000 rpm & 9.7 kgm @ 6500 rpm
Injection - Electronic
Clutch - Multidisc in oil bath
Gearbox & End Transmission - 6-speed & By Chain
Front & Rear Suspension - Inverted fork 43 mm (120 mm) &Monoamortisseur (120 mm)
Front & Rear Brake - 2 discs, 320 mm, 4-piston calipers & 1 disc, 245 mm, 2-piston
Front & Rear Wheel - 120/70 x 17 & 180/55 x 17
Wheelbase & Seat Height - 1475 mm & 810 mm
Dry Weight - 185 kg

New Age Retro - The VOXAN Cafe Racer

The 2004 Cafe Racer

Continuing on the Voxan post, the focus this time is on the VOXAN Cafe Racer.

Although looks wise, some might disagree that that a Cafe Racer needs to be minimalistic in the accessories while the VOXAN CR with the sculpted tank and fender and upswept seating doesn't really compliment a cafe racer, crossing your leg over the seat and getting into the low-handle bars will definitely reassure you that it is indeed a Cafe Racer. And when sports bike of the 70s have evolved into futuristic looking machines, then why not the cafe racer, after all its the spirit of the cafe and the spirit... is alive and kickin' in the VOXAN Cafe Racer.

The 2004 Cafe Racer & 1998 Cafe Racer

Voxan had introduced the model previously in 1998 and in 2004 has followed it up with the second version.

Between nostalgia and modernity, the Voxan 1000 Café Racer is an alternative to the Japanese and English bikes. The driving position is such that while it essentially meant for city racing, long tours will also be acceptable. In town, the Café-Racer will benefit from a narrow turning radius but the good positning offers a good long ride also. The 108 bhp @ 9000 rpm has enough grunt to pick up the horses from spot on with a torque figure of 10.3 kgm @ 6500 rpm.

The 2004 Cafe Racer & 1998 Cafe Racer

The twin has a very good powerband all through the rpm starting below 2,500 rpm, the sudden thrust is very sports bike like which is consistent through the entire rpm arc and also has the electronic injection Magneti Marelli. The architecture of 72 ° V makes it almost immune from vibration and with the aid of the liquid cooled engine, what you get is a modern machine.

The frame is completly hidden with the big round beams over the tank. The chassis structure is completed with it's reversed fork of Paioli stems (41 mm) and a shock absorber mounted under the engine. Both elements are fully adjustable.

The 1998 Cafe Racer

The characteristics of the bike is such that there is considerable weight on the wrists, although not unbearable, but the mat on the dome gives a quite comfortable seat.

Whether the Cafe Racer will find many favours is not debatable as it is made for a niche market, but the cost pegging at $ 16, 800 will surely make it a desirable. While many critics have mentioned the bike styling as outlandish, the same critics did also mention that individually the bike is stunning to look at. Taking a look at the net will give you a fair ammount of idea that it has already taken quite a few fans and these fans surely know what a modern Cafe Racer should be...

Photo Courtesy - FREDOC
Engine - 996 cc, Liquid cooled, four stoke, V-Twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Bore x Stroke - 98 x 66 mm
Compression Ratio - 10.8:1
Induction - Marelli electronic injection
Ignition / Starting - Elettronic / electric
Max Power & Torque - 108 hp @ 9000 rpm & 103 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Transmission / Drive - 6 Speed / chain
Frame - Double aluminium tube
Front Suspension - 41mm Paioli inverted forks, 120mm wheel travel.
Rear Suspension - WP monoshock, 120mm wheel travel.
Front & Rear Brakes - 2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers & Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front & Rear Tyres - 120/70-17 & 180/55-17
Dry Weight - 190 kg
Fuel Capacity - 17 Litres (Reserve - 4L)

If Looks Could Kill - The VOXAN Black Magic

You would have been dead by now.... I meant if looks could kill, then the VOXAN Black Magic would have had its own trail session court for the countless deaths it couldhave caused.

Voxan is French a.k.a Style with a capital S just like everything French is. It had its share of running into bankrupties and all, but Voxan is back and with the Black Magic surely is showing its rejuvenated passion for Cafe Racers, for which they were very renowned when they started the company in 1995. Its factory is in Issoire, France.

Started by Jacques Gardette with the aid of Alain Chevallier, who designed the chassis part and Sodemo, who designed the engine, the first prototype roled out in 1997. It was the Roadster, followed by the Café Racer models in 2000 and the Scrambler model in 2001. Now they have the Charade and and the Super Naked XV and lots of other exiting line up which I hope to cover in the following blogs.

Their bikes are of course not mass built, but targeted to the passionate audience as Voxan exemplifies their passion of motorcycling. Running into trouble with financial losses in later part of 2001, Didier Cazeaux and Société de Développement et de Participation bought Voxan in June 2002 to ensure that the passion doesn't die and in April 2003, the manufacturer started producing its motorcycles again. The Street Scrambler model was released in 2003, the Nouveau Scrambler and Black Magic models in 2004, the Charade in 2006 and are all set to launch the Super Naked XV in 2008. All Voxan motorcycles use the same engine, a V-Twin with a 72° angle and 996cc of displacement.
The Black Magic with its clear defining lines, a tight chassis charecterizes the sophistication a biker may desire in a sports motorcycle. Of course, the price tag of around $20,000 means it will always be exclusive.

The retro looking engine boasts of a 100 bhp V2 mean machine and is meant for business and not just looking good. Although weighing at 210 kilograms, the fully adjustable Paioli-Fahrwerk upside-down fork and horizontal shock absorber provides the rider always a safe feeling. helped with the beautifully crafted footrests which are also adjustable. Its torque figures of 102 Nm will ensure that your ride is smooth throughout with a smooth power development as well which can make it a good tourer bike although the positioning might be difficult for long tours. Even the mileage is very good returning a impressive figure of 16 kmpl. The rpm is limited at 8000 and with such a high torque, there is ample of powerband between 6500 to 8000 rpm.
In sporting terms, the solo-seat saddle at 810 mm, with the dome at the back and the exposed naked chain makes it a real stunner. The low handlebar also adds to negotiating the wind pressure and you will have all the whistles blowing at the top speed of 225 km/h. With a new performing inverted fork, it is docile yet accurate regardless of the type of curve you are racing in and the braking provided by Brembo makes sure you stop where you want to.

There seems to be a big advantage of being a small manufacturer, as one has a limited production unit and thereby failure is not a big financial loss, one can tend to be innovative, while at the same time surprise and even shock with their products. And now New-Age Retro being the 'Mantra' of present bikers, Voxan went ahead with cafe racers in typical 70s styling, with the handlebars bracelets a-la Norton style, a singular saddle with a typical Cafe Racer tank and a single round headlight with twin chromed pods. The wheelbase is slightly elongated than the previous Cafe Racer and Roadster models and also the angle a bit more open. This is a 60s bike with a new millenium technology. Its an invitation to the pleasure of riding of yesyteryears drapped in stainless steel and aluminum that is fun, easy, efficient, accurate and lively, the bike is a toy that will pilot with ease and enjoyment.. This is evidenced by the apparent welds on the tank or decks footrest cut in the estate by a goldsmith. Come to think about it, Voxan has given a sports bike which seems to be created by a sculpture.

The Black Magic, true to its name, really binds the classic with the modern mechanics. The long tank top, inspired from the likes of Norton Manx and the mechanical and ergonomics surely compliment yesteryear's cafe racers.
As for fascination, the Black Magic really has plenty to offer.

All Photo Courtesy - FREDOC
Specifications
Engine - 996 cc, Liquid cooled, four stoke, 72°V-Twin, 4 valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke - 98 x 66 mm
Compression Ratio -10.8:1
Induction / Ignition / Starting - Magneti Marelli electronic injection / Electronic / Electric
Max Power & Torque - 100 hp 72.9 kW @ 9000 rpm & 103 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Transmission / Drive - 6 Speed / chain
Frame - Double aluminium tube
Front Suspension - WP 40mm inverted forks adjustable for compression and rebound.
Rear Suspension - WP underslung extension shock, adjustable for compression, preload and rebound.
Front & Rear Brakes - 2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers & Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front & Rear Tyre - 120/70-17 & 180/55-17
Dry Weight - 192 kg