Discovery Channel has rated the Harley Knucklehead as the sexiest bike ever. It is also their #10 greatest bike of all time.I ran across this list on their website’s Motorcycle Guide (see my earlier post).
I have not had time to run through their entire top 10 yet but I have made it from 10 to 7 and cannot disagree with much at all regarding their selections. But let’s see what they have in the 6-1 positions.
We have all seen texting while driving whether or not we are in our cars or on our motorcycles. A friend sent me this info-graphic on the fines, or lack thereof, by state. It is interesting to see the WIDE differences between the states and WOW…. Alaska fines you $10,000!
My most close call with a distracted driver occurred a few years ago when a lady talking on her phone began to drift into my lane. I had nowhere to go move to and after hitting the horn and rev’ing the engine (loud pipes) I only got her attention when I kicked a large dent into her car door.
I think that this person would have driven in another car, truck or building.
A video showing off the SilverBullet. Built by Gasser Customs this bike is a great example of what can be done with older bikes. The video is well shot and a nice 5 minute view.
Anyone have a reason the link is displaying not the video? BTW I am using the native iPad app.
Suzuki is conducting a safety recall of 210,228 GSX motorcycles. The recall is due to faulty master cylinders which are causing “decreased stopping performance”.
The bikes affected by the recall are:
GSX-R600. Years 2004-2013
GSX-R750. Years 2004-2013
GSX-R1000. Years 2005-2013
Suzuki Motors of America states it will notify owners of the problem beginning “next month”. If I owned one of these I think I would call the dealer before my stopping performance is decreased to much. 😉
165 Pound Motocross Bike
How about this for a “THE FUTURE IS NOW” motorcycle… A carbon fiber frame (which is also the tank), carbon fiber swing arm (which is also part of the exhaust), carbon fiber rims and carbon fiber body work. As if that was not enough there is this; titanium expansion chamber, titanium axel and nut, and the shock springs are titanium as well.
The bike uses a KTM engine and weighs only 165 pounds (75 Kilos). The bike is a freestyle motocross bike collaboration between Unit (an action sports innovator) and Triple Eight Race Engineering. The goal was, of course, to reduce weight but also to develop an experimental bike for the freestyle MX world so don’t look for it on the dealer floors, yet.
You can read a much more detailed report on the bike at the TransWorld Motocross website.
It’s all fun and games until the elk gets an attitude!
Kinda like the eailer post where a wolf chased a motorcycle!
This week on Top Gear the boys go to Sturgis. History Channel describes this episode as:
“The Top Gear hosts embark on a two-wheel road trip through South Dakota to the world’s largest automotive event, the annual Sturgis Bike Week. Starting out on scooters and needing to pass challenges to progress to the bigger bikes they’ll need to ride to fit in at the rally, the hosts go through hell as they close in on Sturgis. The winner will race a super-charged Ariel Atom against a 200 mph sports bike, while the loser will have to take part in a stunt, courtesy of HISTORY channel’s newest series, American Daredevils.”
While a lot of folks do not care for this version of the famous BBC show, I enjoy it. The biggest issue I have with the show is that Tanner (the professional racer) always wins the contest to drive the hot cars. Come on, I want to see one of the other guys wreck a $200,000 car!
Not sure what is going on with the Fox News website but this is the second motorcycle related posting in the last few weeks. Whatever is going on… Keep it up. Any time we get positive motorcycle news on major sites is a good day!
This article is a safe riding reminder from a Connecticut State Police
Motorcycle Patrol Officer, and can be viewed here
I have always had a desire for a Café Racer. As a kid I want to get a Honda CB350 and convert it to a Café bike. Never happened, but it has always been in the back of my head. I have been tempted to convert the wife’s Harley Sportster into a Café Bike but she is not very keen on the idea. But if she upgrades ………
Royal Enfield Continental GT
A friend of mine sent me a link to the new Royal Enfield Continental GT. This is a good looking modern Café bike. According to the literature, its 535cc engine produces 30 horsepower, not sure if that will get you to “A Ton” (100MPH) but it would be fun to find out.
Looking about the internet for pricing, I think the bike may be a bit pricey. I get the impression that it will be around $7000 dollars, about the cost of a Harley Davidson Sportster. But, you would not have to convert the GT as you would the Harley. But, I doubt the resell value is anywhere near comparable between the Royal Enfield and the Harley Davidson. But, which would be cooler to tool about on? Both work for me.
Alas, I cannot justify another bike in the garage nor can I afford one (I do not start to work until Monday). Turns out that there is a Royal Enfield Dealer near my home, Winchester MotoSports I might just ride over and check out what they have. The Continental is not scheduled for release until late November but they may have other bikes in stock.
“Harley, we have a problem”, to paraphrase a classic NASA moment. While this recall is not as bad as being stranded in orbit, it is pretty bad.
Even though the NHTSA has been closed Harley has taken the initiative to issue a “DO NOT RIDE, DO NOT DELIVER” notice to owners and dealers on the following 2014 bikes built between May 3, and Oct. 14:
25,185 Touring motorcycles,
FLHTCU,
FLHTK,
FLHTP,
FLHX,
FLHXS,
FLHTKSE
FLHRSE,
and 3,861 Softail CVOs and Trikes, models
FLHTCUTG,
FXSBSE,
FLSTNSE
The problem is with the new hydraulic clutch system. The hydraulic clutch may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch. If the clutch does not disengage as intended, the rider may have difficulty slowing or stopping the motorcycle, which could result in an accident.
If you own one of these machines contact an authorized Harley dealer immediately to arrange for an inspection. The press release states that “The dealer will pick up, inspect and make the necessary repairs at no cost to the owner.” (bold underline is mine)
You can read more from Harley press release here.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 