Hill climb races are extreme events that require extreme machinery - check out this video of the famous Billings event if you need any confirmation on exactly how crazy these guys are. And while BMW is hardly known for its extreme bikes, they’ve put together a ripper of a factory bike for this year’s international events.
The bike is powered by the engine from an F800, in a custom frame with an extended swingarm, dirtbike ergonomics, and a paddle-style rear tyre. The front wheel is driven from the countershaft sprocket, and it’s unclear exactly how this is managed. (more…)
Just a quick update on the enduro-modified CBR900 we mentioned a few days ago… Turns out that for the high speeds and deep sands of the first part of the race, this is a great configuration. Screaming along at up to 230kmh, the bike blitzed the rest of the field to win the 7.5km holeshot at the Le Touquet Enduro beach race on the weekend. Nice one lads!
And he means that literally. The Italian born 24-year-old photographer, writer and professional traveler made this statement recently as he visited Honda Australia for some basic maintenance on his well-worn ‘87 Transalp XL600V that has already taken him through 23 countries and roughly 65,000 kms.
“In my country, most people don’t travel very much,” he said in excellent English picked up during his travels.
“Our culture is very provincial, but I am showing that to do this you don’t need to be rich and you don’t need a brand new pro-motorcycle.”
“Also you don’t need to be a professional mechanic. I know only basic maintenance but I have always found people to help me with the bike, regardless of the country I am in.”
In the true spirit of adventure, this has led him into some very remote, inhospitable areas where he has had to call on his survival skills.
“One of my most challenging times was when I got stuck in the Russian desert for two days.”
“I was in the middle of nowhere with no water, food or money. Different people would drive by and give me supplies to keep me going, and eventually I got a lift with a truck into the nearest town.”
Overall Gion is intending to cover 150,000 kms and 80 countries. In addition to maintaining a website with a travel blog, photographs and advice for other young people wanting to conquer adventure travel, he also contributes regularly to media outlets around the world, and performs charity work wherever he can.
Gion - who hails from Florence - is not using a GPS or other high technology navigational equipment to find his way. We think he could benefit from a chat with Gizmag.
For a full run down of Gionata’s adventures, please visit www.partireper.it
A couple of Industrial Design students from Colorado have come up with this little beastie, which combines the feisty Kwaka KX85 engine with the geometry, suspension and light weight of a mountainbike. And when I say light weight, I’m talking in the region of 125lbs, or just under 57 kilos.
Inspired by the fxbikes 50cc downhill MTB, these guys were left a little flat by the slow and heavy XR50 motor the company decided to go with, and thought the livelier KX engine would be a good fit for purpose.
“Project M85,” as the prototype is known, is not a trials bike, it’s not really a trail bike and it’s not a downhill mountainbike - what it is, however, is something in between, and it looks like a blast to ride. Check out the entire design process and videos of this fun little machine over at the Aprilia Forums.
Every year, riders come from all over the USA to test themselves against a near-vertical slab of rock outside Billings, Montana. It’s known as the “Bentonite Nightmare” - or simply, “the wall.” The Billings Hillclimb is the largest and richest event of its kind in America. The whole surrounding 900 acres of land is owned by the Billings Motorcycle Club, so there’s no issues with environmentalists over the great chunks of rock the specially-tyred hillclimb bikes tear out of the face as they ascend it.
The above video is one of the few out there that actually capture exactly how steep we’re talking about; by the top of the cliff you’re near as damn to vertical. I don’t know who’s braver, the madmen that blast their bikes up the wall, or the club member volunteers who hang around on safety ropes to lunge out and catch competitors and motorcycles that don’t make it, before they tumble down to the bottom of the hill.
See this article at dirtrider.com to check out some of the outrageous machinery you’ll find at an event like this - typically, they’rehugely powerful roadbike engines (often running nitrous), packed into a dirtbike chassis, using long-travel suspension and extended swingarms. They also run large, thick rear tyres with chunky scoop-like tread to give the bikes the push they need to get over the final vertical ridge. Crazy stuff.
South Korean manufacturer Hyosung has launched new models for 2008 that continue with it’s proven formula of combining great value with new technology and raffish good looks. These include a new 650cc fuel injected v-twin sports model, a svelte 450cc single motard and a very grown-up 125cc scooter. New GT650X
It looks like a purpose built street machine and it walks the talk. It boasts electronic fuel injection, power output is now 82bhp with improved fuel efficiency, more low speed torque (67Nm at 7,250rpm) and stronger performance. Vibration is minimised by counterbalancing and a new oil cooler aids performance and durability. The exhaust system is kept low and central for mass centralization.
The new frame is very rigid for improved handling and low vibration, using tubular chromium molybdenum (CrMo) steel and aluminium. The swing arm is rigid, but low weight aluminium and unsprung weight is reduced with lightweight 5-spoke wheels. Tyres are 120/70-17 ZR and 180/60-17 ZR. Front brake discs are 300mm with radial mounted 4-piston callipers.
Combined analogue and digital instruments, carefully located electrical components and an LED tail lamp all help to reduce weight and improve durability. Special attention has been paid to ease of riding and comfort. New RX450SM
The supermotard style has captured the hearts and minds of commuters and motorcycle couriers alike due to it’s unsurpassed agility in the confines of the urban jungle. Hyosung have seen the writing on the wall and are bringing their own single cylinder, 450cc supermotard style bike to the range.
The RX450SM’s engine is a liquid-cooled DOHC four valve single cylinder, with an aluminium silicon (Si) sleeve for more power and durability. The aluminium alloy comprises over 30 per cent Si and is the only alloy of its type currently in production. A PF die-cast piston is more durable and exhibits less thermal expansion than normal cast and applied steel (FE) pistons. Vibration is reduced by counter-balancing. Power output is 50bhp at 8,500rpm.
The frame uses CrMo steel for lightness with rigidity. The down tube of the main frame acts as the oil reservoir and the aluminium sub-frame is a separate section for easier maintenance. The aluminium swing arm is light, but rigid enough for the most demanding conditions. The wheelbase is 1,486mm with a ground clearance of 278mm.
The 45mm upside down front fork is fully adjustable and has 250mm of wheel travel. The rear suspension features a 50mm fully adjustable damper and has 280mm of travel. Brakes are by Brembo with the wavy front disc 260mm diameter, and the rear 250mm.
The digital speedometer includes a stopwatch function. The dry weight of the Hyosung RX450SM is 120kg. New SX125 scooter
Looking more like a fully grown-up motorcycle with its 16 inch wheels and a quality finish, the SX125 scooter is still light, nimble and easy to ride. It’s designed for short trips in the city but with the added ability to handle conditions that would unsettle a traditional scooter.
It is powered by the same 125cc engine found in the Hyosung MS3 introduced earlier this year. The single cylinder 124cc engine uses double overhead camshafts and four valves with water cooling. An electric starter and automatic CVT transmission make for easy riding, and the SX125 has been designed for comfort with little or no fatigue.
The high-tensile steel frame is strong and rigid, providing stability and low vibration. There are disc brakes front and rear, with twin coil spring and damper units at the back. There’s also ample storage space. More goodies for 2008 from Hyosung
All Hyosung 650 V-twin engines gain electronic fuel injection for more power and torque.
The very popular GV650 cruiser gets nearly 15 percent more power and now gives a class-leading 80bhp with 67Nm of torque at 7,250rpm.
The GT650R and GT650 now have 82bhp (an almost four per cent increase) and torque of 67Nm.
At the same time, fuel injection dispenses with the choke of earlier models to give easier and smoother starting and warm-up. These new fuel injected Hyosungs are already in dealerships. The GT650X, RX450SM and SX125 will arrive in 2008 with prices yet to be set.
There are currently 16 models in the fast-growing Hyosung range from 125cc to 650cc, including cruisers, sports and commuter bikes, supermotard and off-road, scooters and a road-legal quad. These are all very attractive bikes, and that doesn’t exclude their prices! Check out your local dealer and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Now here’s some sideways action I’d love to get into! The Brudeli 625L is a three-wheel carver in the style of Piaggio’s MP3, but based on the KTM 625 SMC Supermotard and kitted out for high-speed sideways dirt shenanigans.
