Now this is an interesting development, it seems that the Austrians are keeping their pace. Since their successful release of the KTM RC8 they announced the production of the KTM Venom which is more of street fighter then a super sport. The exact specs of the machine are unknown but they are speculating that it will have the same 1149cc engine of the RC8 but retuned for more mid-range and low-end power. I hope they make it like that but the headlight just isn’t to my liking, everything else is perfect.
Link: TopSpeed
At 190 Kgs and pumping out 190 bhp, this monster of a German machine is going to cause a ripple in the motorcycle market. The Germans are chomping the Japanese’s ass, I can’t wait to see how the production machine is going to look like. The plan is to have this machine on sale by the end of 2009, it will be scaring a few people. I do like the attitude the Germans have been taking a little risk with their designs and machines, and if the specs and video are anything to go by then this is going to be one hell of a machine.
Link: MCN
I was planning on riding Friday night, so I went downstairs to get on Pyro. Things looked good and the biked fired right up even after 1.5 months of remaining stationary. So I put it into gear and it jumped as if I wasn’t holding the clutch, it was strange. After a few tries and that didn’t work, so I parked Pyro and decided to go out on Robo.
Started that beast and all I got was a hiss, the battery was dead. What a start to riding, so I texted the Tristar Mechanic asking him if he could take a look at both bikes these week. Saturday morning at 8:15 am while I was asleep, I get a call from the Driver at Tristar saying he will be here in 15 minutes to pick up both bikes which surprised me. They took both bikes in the morning and I passed by their workshop. I was very surprised and very happy to see such a nice garage. I think my garage is pretty nice, but they have tiled floors, five areas to work on bikes, a nice waiting area, and all the machines organized. Its very nice seeing these beautiful machines treated like this. I went home around 12:30 pm and the bikes showed up around 2:45 pm which is fantastic. They replaced Robo’s battery and replaced a clutch piece, turns out the times I was cleaning the bike water was going into the housing because its open, I just have to make sure to cover it when I clean it up.
The R1 has had a few modifications done to it since I came to the states, a full Akrapovic exhaust system, power commander, 1 tooth lower from the front sprocket, and gaskets. I got on the bike as soon as San Jose Yamaha told it is ready to go.
I was so excited that I forgot to take any gear with me and they were going to close up in 30 minutes and there was no way I could make it home and back in time. So I went straight there and picked up the skull and bones Arai RX7 and a new pair of Alplinestar gloves. I loved the helmet and the gloves were a good fit. I was supposed to go home and my friend was following me in the truck, for about 30 seconds and then I took off like a demon. I forgot that I was in the states and that cops will chase motorcyclists down to fine them unlike to Kuwait. It was pure bliss riding such a powerful beast, and the exhaust tone was music to my ears, I wanted to continue riding but my Quiznos sandwich was getting cold so I headed home.
I ordered this helmet and today I saw a nice very large box. I knew what it was but the anticipation was also nice, this is one Arai’s new design and now I have two Haga helmets. The first one I got about three years ago now, and now this one, I’m a fan of Nitro Nori and so I get the helmets. It also helmets that the RX7 line of Arai is very highquality and a perfect fit for me. Now I just want the weather to cool down a bit before I use it, I don’t want to sweat in the helmet from the first time I use it.
After all these rumors Harley Davidson did it, they bought out MV Agusta for $110 Million and they got Cagiva with them as well. What I find out is that both companies are having financial issues so I wonder what they were thinking. If there is plan in mind I don’t clearly see it. It seem that MV Agusta will be getting an some new life into them but keeping the main people who make it what it is, I just hope they don’t lose that Italian touch.
Link: faster&faster
I am a huge fan of Noriaga Haga, he is one those riders that keeps it really interesting on the track. Very quiet when you see him, but very intense when he is riding a machine. One of the Arai helmets I have is a Haga edition, and now this one just came out for 2008. I didn’t see it before, and I called to check if they have it in stock and bought it right away, its never wrong to have too many helmets. Its called Haga “Fire & Ice”, it is selling for $700 which is 30% cheaper then buying it from Europe or the Middle East, so you can add some shipping to that, and its still cheaper. I can’t wait to try it on when I’m riding but this heat is just ridiculous.
When I first saw this machine I thought it was the new version of the Bat Mobile, but I was wrong. Its concept design by a company called Enzyme and made with a 1800cc Honda Engine. Its thought to be the futuristic design of motorcycles, and was designed in an air tunnel. I wonder how it rides and how it handles the weight, its really cool looking thats for sure.
Link: TopSpeed
A recalls are always an issue with any manufacturer, the problems are the ones that try to keep it on the down low. I found out about the recall just recently from the states, so I thought it would take a couple of weeks to trickle down to the MIddle East, but I was wrong. Within a few days I was contacted by the Tristar Garage, asking if they could take my bike for a recall procedure. Its about one major part which is the rear sprocket, and two other minor things. I am impressed they are taking care of it right away and honoring the recall. I have heard a recall on the Suzuki GSXR1000 but I know for a fact the Dealership in Kuwait did nothing about it, people just replaced the parts themselves.
Link: Visordown
I can’t help loving the artwork of these Italian machines, they just keep making more and more of these beautiful machines. MV Agusta now has the Brutale 989R which produces 142 bhp at 185 Kg dry weight, this machine can fly. Now MV Agusta is coming out with the 1078R, I don’t even know how this machine is supposed to be. The last version of this machine has had its fuel delivery smooth out so that it isn’t choppy as it was before. I always love the way those Italian twins deliver power.
Link: fasterandfaster
