What makes a Speed Triple special? Well, unlike virtually every other naked performance bike, it was conceived from the ground up to be what it is here. No detuning, no decontenting. That may not sound like such a big deal, but the result is a cohesive package in which every component has been conceived from the beginning to emphasize accessible performance over race track success. A motorcycle free to be the ultimate riding machine for the road rather than one being pressed into service away from its natural race track home. But, this new Triumph Speed Triple R adds some very superbike-like components with its top-drawer Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes and lightweight wheels. Does a road bike really need race-spec components? Maybe somewhat counter intuitively, we went to Jerez this week to find out. :continue:
Dainese D-Air: the safety race is on
Both Dainese and arch-rival Alpinestars have spent the past decade developing real-life, airbag-equipped superhero suits and now they’re ready for public consumption (even though no dates have been given on purchase availability). Alpinestars spilled the beans on TechAir back in August and, this week, Dainese did the same with this new D-Air suit, finally ready for public consumption. The safety arms race is on. :continue:
Ride like a hero at AltRider’s “Taste of Dakar”
Ever watched in awe as the Dakar rally riders hustle big, heavy machines at high-speed off-road? Jimmy Lewis is one of only two Americans to finish on the podium at Dakar and he’s teamed up with AltRider to host Taste of Dakar in Death Valley. Costing only $225, the clinic is the cheapest excuse we’ve ever seen to spend a weekend camping in the desert, getting drunk by the campfire and learning how to ride like a Dakar racer. Whether you’re a noob or expert in the dirt doesn’t matter. If you’ve got $225, a dualsport with passable tires and the time to make the trek to Death Valley, CA, for the event on February 24-26, you’re crazy not to go. Oh, and the beer’s on AltRider.
Gear: Whenitpours.com waterproof sleeves
Have you ever had “waterproof” gear soak all the way through? Or drenched everything in a surprisingly deep water crossing? Or had your top case leak and hold a half gallon of standing water? WhenItPours.com waterproof sleeves will save your phone (and other electronics) from certain death in situations like these.
Jamie Robinson’s European Vacation – Part 2
Week one had been riding south from London to La Bañeza in northern Spain for the MXGP, week two was then a ride East and across to a small town called Eisenerz in the center of Austria for the Erzberg Rodeo. To get to Austria I chose to go back the way I came and ride the magnificent Picos de Europa National Park as it had been such an incredible ride, then chose loads of squiggly countryside roads through the South of France before calling in to see my old GP 250cc buddy Max Biaggi in Monaco. :continue:
Jumper: Matt Wadsworth
Like the avatar on his custom helmet, Englishman Matt Wadsworth is blind as a bat. From what I understood overhearing him describe the sensation, the accomplished lutenist sees only vague impressions of light when looking at the sun. Regardless, he is determined to set a 100-foot world record for distance jumping on his Honda CRF450R. Together with his trainer, two-time AMA Motocross Champion Micky Dymond, the two have developed a simple system of communication that already has Matt reaching just over 60 feet. There are no training wheels, no fancy balancing devices, no computer-assisted guidance system for the bike, just Matt and Micky talking over a two-way radio. Watching a few feet from the massive earth mound as they practiced, I felt like I was a kid in the ’60s witnessing some strange guy named Evel do the impossible for the first time. Click below for the feature.
Live from NY, it’s the world’s coldest motorcycle show
One Friday morning every January, a bunch of people in New Jersey wake up early, get in their cars and drive to Manhattan’s extreme western perimeter where they ditch the puffer coats for leather jackets or club vests and enter a poorly-made glass building where WiFi costs $30 a day. Inside, they listen to a bunch of frozen mid-level managers from Orange County (not the one in NY) explain to the other assembled Orangites how excited they are to be in New York City, presenting new products to mainstream media. At least that’s what they think they’re saying through the deafening noise of stand assembly and forklift beeping. After the cue cards go away, attendees wander the basement, catching a glimpse of bikes that were unveiled at other shows in other countries months previously. If they hurry, they can beat traffic back to the Lincoln Tunnel. This year, our friend Matt ventured into the boat show’s basement and returned with these pictures.
Photos: Matt Stutzman
Husqvarna Baja concept, fuck yeah
Husqvarna continues to bring classic styling themes bang up to date with this new Baja concept, presented this morning at the New York Motorcycle Show. Like the tracker-style Husqvarna Moab concept before it, the Baja is equipped with parent company BMW’s 650cc single-cylinder and the same steel-tube perimeter frame. Also like the Moab, the name of the Baja’s game is accessible performance. For a dual-sport, it has a relatively low seat height and friendly looks. :continue:
Ducati Desmosedici GP12: 250bhp, 224mph, aluminum frame
Czech racer Karel Abraham has leaked technical specs of the new, 999cc Ducati Desmosedici GP12. Power climbs to a staggering 250bhp, bringing the top speed up to 224mph, thanks to the new, larger V4. But, the biggest change is going to be the swap from a carbon monocoque to a conventional aluminum beam frame.
You can see that frame, for the first time, in these photos. :continue:
Honda NC700X comes stateside
Starting at just $6,999 and available with an optional Dual-Clutch transmission and ABS, the 2012 Honda NC700X is going to be an extremely practical entry-level all-rounder. That’s $1,300 cheaper than its nearest competitor, the 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 and $900 cheaper than the Kawasaki Versys. Over the Suzuki, the Honda brings that optional transmission, as well as way-more-practical 17-inch wheels. This is a lot of bike for very little money, even if does make less power than either rival.
Update: The DCT and ABS package brings the price up to $8,999. :continue:
The One Motorcycle Show returns to Portland
Gonna be in Portland February 10 and 11? We will be, for See See Motorcycles’ 3rd annual The One Motorcycle Show. The idea is that a bunch of talented local types like Thor Drake and Drake McElroy (we confuse them too) build their ideal motorcycle. The one bike that they could ride for the rest of their lives. Then there’s like music and beer and mayhem and stuff.
There’s actually two nights of activities, with an encore presentation of 21 Helmets on Saturday night. Thrown by some kick ass dudes, you’d be stupid to miss either.
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