Alongside the new GSX-R1000, Suzuki have launched an all-new, funky 650cc v-twin naked called the Gladius for 2009. The neat looks seem to forge an alliance between the 4-cylinder GSR and the MV Agusta Brutale, with the odd radiator shrouds of the Kawasaki ER-6N and the steel trellis frame of a 696 Monster.
Details are scant at this point, but engine performance is said to have been “enhanced” and the style is certainly fresher than the angular SV650 of recent years. It looks like a comfortable, friendly and fun nakedbike - and it asks the question: how does Suzuki plan to differentiate this bike from the perennially popular SV650 - or is the SV’s life cycle coming to a close?
In Paris, the veils have finally come off the 2009 Gixxer thou’ and specs are starting to come through for the Suzuki flagship superbike. The most significant changes for the 09 model appear to be a new, more compact, more powerful and more oversquare engine, a longer swingarm, slightly shorter wheelbase and the much-maligned double trashcan exhausts from 07/08 have been replaced by equally offensive titanium “Horns of Gondor.” (more …)
Kawasaki has launched its new supersport for 2009 with a look very similar to this year’s ZX-10R. The underseat exhaust has given way to a triangular side-mount muffler as seems to be the rage these days, the tail has taken on a distinctly GSX-R sort of look in its absence, and the tank has gained a huge indentation into which you can settle your helmet’s chinpiece as you assault the main straight on trackdays.
The engine has been revised for a little more peak horsepower (final details yet to be released) and a fatter midrange, with an emphasis on smooth throttle response mid-corner. The new double-bore intake funnels, situated at two different heights, presumably help to boost the low-end and midrange power. The chassis has been lightened, and mass has been purposefully moved around the frame to provide this year’s optimal centre of gravity for quick handling. (more …)
Kerry McLean’s Buick-powered V8 monowheel contraption is an engineering marvel, supporting its rider in the centre of its rotating wheel. Completely road-legal in the USA, McLean’s had it up to a clocked 53mph on the public road.
It’s not the sprightliest handling machine in the world - steering seems to be a hit and miss, feet-down proposition, and because the interior has to rotate freely as the wheel is driven, you can’t really use all the power that V8 engine has in store if you don’t want to flip over.
But it’s the brakes the brought McLean undone on a recent road test of the machine, when despite having both feet planted on the ground he was unable to pull the contraption up before it developed a nasty wobble, which intensified before the machine smashed down on the road, dragging its inventor with it. (more …)
Aprilia has released the first studio photos of its 2009 RSV4 road superbikes, as well as a carbon-laden track version. In typical Aprilia style, the bike is pure hotness, with the trademark triple headlight and a no-passengers-allowed single seat unit that screams MotoGP. The chunky exhaust interrupts the look somewhat but will likely never leave the showroom for most customers.
Specs are yet to be released but the lowest-spec version of the 1000cc V4 motor Aprilia tested for reliability was making more than 180hp, with higher-spec units running up to 220hp at the crank. 180hp will still make for a massively powerful roadbike, especially given the general ability of V4 engines to devlop big grunt through the lower revs.
The bike seems thoroughly race-focused - signalling Aprilia’s serious desire to make a splash in Superbike racing in 2009, perhaps to offset the fact that the firm’s successful 250GP 2-strokes will no longer be able to carry the flag in competition once the 250 2-stroke GP support class is axed in the next couple of years. The RSV4 will mount an immediate title assault in 2009 with GP God Max Biaggi on board. (more …)
Since we rode the fantastic Vectrix Electric Maxi-Scooter last year, we’ve been excited by the potential of electric bikes and what they have to offer, particularly around town. Beyond the zero-emissions environmental benefits, electrics are very cheap to run, maintenance free and their power and range are limited only by battery technology, which is improving exponentially now that gas prices worldwide are driving research into alternatives.
So it’s good to see a few front-runners hitting the market early - and this fully electric GPR-S from Electric Motorsport looks like a snappy little commuter. Rated at 19 Horsepower, the GPR-S’s electric motor will take the bike to a top speed of 60-70mph depending on gearing - so freeway speeds should be fine - and its 3.3kWh battery pack is good for 35 miles if you’re flogging it or 60 if you’re riding to conserve battery. (more …)
Yamaha’s not letting Honda get away with calling itself a technology leader for 2009 - the new ‘Blade might pack a fully electronic brake-by-wire combined ABS system, but the 2009 R1 boasts all the juicy technology from previous years - variable length air intakes, fly-by-wire YCCT electronically managed throttle inputs and the like - plus a completely redesigned engine, frame, chassis and bodywork.
The big news is that next year’s R1 will be the first of the big superbikes to experiment with an uneven firing order, which has been a big talking point in MotoGP since the first days of the 990cc engines. The R1’s unevenly spaced crank falls short of the famous “big bang” or “long bang” configurations, settling instead on a 270-180-90-180 firing order that leaves a traction-friendly gap between power pulses and leaves the rider, so Yamaha says, with the most direct and confident connection yet between the throttle and the rear wheel. (more …)
Honda today released official photos of the 2009 CBR1000RR Fireblade, now featuring the traditional Repsol paint job that doesn’t seem to be getting any less attractive despite lukewarm results from the Repsol Honda MotoGP team this year.
The bigger news of course is that the Combined ABS braking system is now an option, as it is on this year’s CBR600RR. The system is both anti-lock and anti-pitch, as the complex electronics within manage the proportion of braking force between the front and rear wheels to minimise weight-shift onto the front wheel and keep the rear on the ground as long as possible under hard braking. (more …)
Honda’s CBR600RR has received a reasonably solid minor update for 2009 after its last major facelift in 2007. The electronic “brake by wire” Combined ABS system has been added as an option (it will become standard on all 250cc+ Hondas in the next few years) and the engine has been revised with new pistons, cylinder heads and exhaust designs contributing to higher levels of midrange torque between 8000-12000rpm, which should be nice for roadriding.
Extra bodywork has been added to cover the exposed clutch and alternator casings on the previous model, which were apparently causing some slight aerodynamics issues in long, high speed racetrack sweepers. The added weight of the new bodywork is offset by weight savings in the engine and exhaust. (more …)
This weekend, Yamaha’s World Superbike team will take to the track at Donington equipped with some very tasty and high-tech new bouncy bits from Swedish suspension gurus Ohlins. After being satisfied with the results of early testing, the team asked Ohlins to supply them with a couple of sets of electronically controlled active suspension for the last few races of the 2008 season.
The forks and shock feature electronically controlled damping that is able to continually adjust itself throughout a race - and while further details are scant, it’s obvious where the potential lies. With traditional suspension setup being such an art of compromise, active damping control can allow the forks and shock to move more freely over bumpy surfaces, but stiffen up to control weight shift under hard acceleration or braking. (more …)
