Top Speed Motorcycles

Alpinestars have today presented their Tech Air Race motorcycle suit, which was specifically designed and built to enhance the rider’s survival chances in case of a crash. In other words, the leather suit has airbags.

The safety gear manufacturer somehow managed to integrate the system into the Electronic Airbag Protection Suit and have it controlled through a high-tech electronic brain and we hear the process was a long and complicated one, but the breakthrough was worth the while.

The suit constantly monitors the rider’s movements and will only arm if the rider is moving and the engine is running. It offers five levels of programming and even works on electric bikes, so it seems Alpinestars thought at everything.

In the unhappy event of a crash, the safety system’s response is crucial, so the electronic brain determines the imminence of a crash in about 8 milliseconds, the airbags fully inflate in 50 milliseconds and they stay like that for 5 seconds before starting to deflate, process which takes 25 seconds.

Once used, the system can be rearmed in less than 60 seconds using two separate cylinders with a cold charge of nitrogen. The extra protection system will increase the price of the standard suit with about $2,500 when it is expected to hit production in June 2011. Also, the system will be adapted on all kinds of riding gear, from racing to off-road.

It all sounds good in theory, but nothing compares to actually seeing the airbag system being deployed on a rider, so hit the jump for a video showing just that.

Safety first: Alpinestars Tech Air Race motorcycle suit features airbags originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 30 April 2010 11:52 EST.

read more

Share on Facebook

Top Speed Motorcycles

What looks to be a slightly more complex approach towards the classic idea of a mountain bike actually ends up being claimed the “Ferrari of electric bikes”. Yes, this is the M55 Bike EVO-001, an electric bike that simply cannot pass unnoticed by those interested in this particular segment of electric vehicles.

Based in Hungary, M55 have developed the bike for the past three years and after five prototypes, they’re taking it to the production line. Built around a one-piece molded aluminium frame, the M55 Bike EVO-001 doesn’t seem to bring anything new on the market, but it is actually its integrated battery pack and a centrally mounted motor that make a difference.

M55 has put together two different versions for two different types of fun. The most powerful isn’t street legal, but an off-road sport version with a 1300 W (1.7 hp) motor, while its homologated sibling comes powered by a 250 W (0.33 hp) motor.

So, what is it that could turn this into a Flinstone vehicle because it certainly ain’t the motor. Well, the fact is that on both bikes the engine speed is controlled by the rider through the pedals. This means that both man and machine work together towards…Flinstones-style commuting? But let’s not be mean as this is an ingenious way to save up the A123 systems battery.

Furthermore, the five-speed engine is backed up by a Rohloff Speedhub with 14 gears, which is positioned in the rear wheel hub. All these combined turn the sport version of the M55 Bike EVO-001 into a 43 mph green machine, but definitely not into a Ferarri.

Other fancy, but not entirely necessary, bits are the Brembo disc brakes.

The Hungarian manufacturer only plans to produce 250 of these bikes, so don’t expect them to be cheap. Hit the jump for the official video.

"Ferrari of electric bikes" or a modern Flinstone vehicle? [w/video] originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 29 April 2010 12:10 EST.

read more

Share on Facebook

Top Speed Motorcycles

This Hildebrand & Wolfmüller is the world’s first-ever patented motorcycle and it recently sold at auction for $131,200. Made in Germany, the motorrad is powered by a 1488cc four-stroke twin engine developing an impressive for the time 2.5 hp at 240rpm. Weighing around 132 pounds and reaching a top speed of approximately 31 mph, this was the time’s only and best mechanical horse around. And it showed german ingenuity. For instance, the water needed for cooling the engine was held in the rear fender, while the transmission system is similar to that of a locomotive.

The vintage production motorcycle sit in an US barn for the past 70 years and after being auctioned off in England it now sees its way back to Germany for display. Hit the jump to see a restored 1896 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller buzz around.

1984 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller motorcycle auctioned for $131k originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:24 EST.

read more

Share on Facebook

"super bike" - Google News

Probe into Ravi Gaikwad role in motorcycle scam on fast track Indian Express Transport Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said the department is probing only Gaikwad's role in the “super-bike scam”, while his possible investment in …

Share on Facebook

Top Speed Motorcycles

With designers struggling to come up with eco-friendly and space sufficient concept bikes, especially for urban use, it seems that ingenuity is the way to follow. We just came across such a solution in the form of the Monobike, an electric concept motorbike that is even able to be parked vertically in order to save space in your garage and make it easier for you to find a place to park in the future’s even crowdier cities.

Designed by Ilia Vostrov, the Monobike’s main goal is maneuverability, which is offered by the two leaning front wheels and a much smaller rear one. This makes the bike safe enough to allow speeds of 110 mph and that’s where the rider can open a special ducting to accelerate and change air direction, lifting the rear wheel off the asphalt for a more aggressive riding experience.

Overall, this concept looks rather interesting, but details are scarce in what concerns the power of its electric engines and range, not to mention it looks rather dangerous.

Monobike urban concept is electric, easy to live with originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 26 April 2010 11:45 EST.

read more

Share on Facebook

"super bike" - Google News

Curbed (blog)

30 West 90th Street Curbed (blog) This is a boutique prewar 9 floor condo building on the prettiest tree-lined street, half a block from Central Park with a live-in super, bike room, …

Share on Facebook

Top Speed Motorcycles

Off-road riding/driving can give one quite a rush and the number of stunt man in this field grows bigger every year. Some may call them crazy, but a well organized and synchronized choreography leads to pure madness and a healthy adrenaline rush. See what happens when adrenaline junkies with dirt bikes, cars and monster trucks get together for some action.

Dirt bikes + cars + monster trucks = off-road madness originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 23 April 2010 11:51 EST.

read more

Share on Facebook

Top Speed Motorcycles

Oberdan Bezzi looks keen on the Bimota Moto Morini union that he started with the MMB1 sketch as we’re now looking at his second rendering in this concern. Called MMB2 FighterMotard, the bike seems to combine the streetfighter and hypermotard styles in a way that looks just right.

A simple look at the bike made up by the two Italian brands is enough to spot Granpasso influences, but the low and aggressive stance definitely makes it a streetfighter.

The bike should address to a much larger crowd than that of enduro riders as it would most likely do well in the city, good off the asphalt and excellent down the twisties.

Bimota Moto Morini MMB-2 FighterMotard by Oberdan Bezzi originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 22 April 2010 08:35 EST.

read more

Share on Facebook

Top Speed Motorcycles

Although the Yamaha XS650 is a decades-old bike, custom builders still spot potential in the middleweight parallel-twin, SOHC motor powering it and still going strong today. For instance, the guys from a small shop called An-Bu in Nagoya, Japan have managed to transform it into a stripped-back custom that would make even Brad Pitt proud when sitting behind its short bars.

The bike was stripped off its unnecessary parts and while the frame was modified for a lower and more aggressive stance, the original engine and wheels were kept. We like the new exhaust and entirely black painted wheels, but there’s actually much more to this custom. Take a look at the custom-made gas tank, seat and modified rear fender, but don’t go looking for a front fender because they’ve removed that entirely. Performance wheels do come in handy despite the fact that this looks like a very light bike and they don’t mention anything about engine performance being increased.

Looking at the Yamaha XS650 by An-Bu, it is easy to see what the Japanese idea for a custom is.

Yamaha XS650 by An-Bu originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 21 April 2010 11:51 EST.

read more

Share on Facebook

Top Speed Motorcycles

Not long ago, Aprilia decided to enlarge their success area from supermoto (SXV) and enduro (RXV) to motocross with the MXV 4.5 model. Don’t be fooled by the bike’s similar looks as Aprilia spent a lot of time modifying the platform in order to prove efficient for motocross riding. The frame and fuel tank suffered radical changes, while the engine has been worked on from airbox to exhaust.

Aprilia MXV 4.5 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 20 April 2010 07:32 EST.

read more

Share on Facebook