New & Noteworthy

August 6, 2008 Prepare For Thunder Throughout its modern history, Triumph has been known for marching to a different drummer. Its triple-cylinder masterpieces are legendary, on both the cruiser side (the Rocket III) and the performance segment (Daytona 675 and Speed Triple). For 2010, Triumph will be offering the largest-displacement parallel twin cruiser in history—the 1600cc Thunderbird. The fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, double overhead cam powerplant will undoubtedly have a performance edge. The Thunderbird’s mid-mount pegs and pullback bars promise sporting ergonomics to go with plenty of chrome and stylish tank-mounted displays. For those who cannot wait, Triumph will be offering the 865cc America and Speedmaster sport cruisers in 2009.(www.triumph.co.uk/usa) —Don Williams
May 6, 2008 Suzuki’s Balance of Power Arguably the most rideable superbike, the GSX-R750 from Suzuki sometimes gets forgotten as riders move up from their 600cc sport bikes to the ultimate performers: the liter-bike class. But it would be a mistake to underestimate the 750, which falls perfectly between the less powerful 600 and the insanely powerful 1000. Suzuki has persevered with this particular model—even though there’s no longer a suitable displacement racing class—simply because the motorcycle is such a complete machine. It has a lot of power, but not too much. It feels compact, and yet it is somehow comfortable too. The reach to the handlebars is relatively short, and all controls fall easily to hand or foot. But it’s the lithe, precise handling and smooth, seamless motor that really make this motorcycle such a pleasure to ride. The 2008 model has been tweaked for greater mid-range torque—and it’s a noticeable improvement over the 2007 model—and the styling has been updated too. With subtle references that hearken back to its 1980s roots, and yet with the lean, purposeful stance we’ve come to expect from a modern superbike, the GSX-R750 is that perfect balance of power and handling that allows a rider to challenge himself without intimidation. (http://www.suzukicycles.com) ―Arthur Coldwells
March 4, 2008 Legendary Bikes Hit the Auction Block Renowned auction house Bonhams & Butterfields will host an auction of rare and historic motorcycles at the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours d’Elegance on May 3 at Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, which is south of San Francisco. Among the legendary bikes on the block is the famous 1903 Rex Single once owned by Harold Williamson, which won the historic 875-mile Land’s End to John o’Groats Run in Great Britain more than 100 years ago. Last year’s inaugural Bonhams’ auction garnered nearly $1 million in sales―a remarkable sum for a first-time motorcycle sale. “Last year’s results confirmed the obvious, that is there’s a strong demand for an auction of important collector motorcycles and memorabilia at the world’s foremost motorcycle event,” says Mark Osborne, head of Bonhams & Butterfields’ Motoring department. “It also demonstrates the continuing interest and upswing in the market for historic bikes.” (www.LegendoftheMotorcycle.com) ―Arthur Coldwells
February 19, 2008 Arlen Ness Headlines at Motorcycle Event Industry icon Arlen Ness, a master bike builder and pioneer of the custom- motorcycle industry, will share stories from his celebrated career on March 7 at the 20th Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum fund-raising event, to be held during Daytona Bike Week. Proceeds from the event, which is open to the public for $49 a ticket, will support the preservation and education initiatives of the nonprofit Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The museum includes award-winning exhibits and the country’s sole hall of fame honoring America’s motorcycling legends. A 1992 inductee into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, Ness launched his career in the late 1960s with the customization of a 1947 Harley Knucklehead. He entered the bike in a local motorcycle show and won, drawing the attention of the press―and future customers. Ness’ unique vision resulted in some of the most influential custom bikes of the past decades. His designs have been studied―and copied―by everyone from other bike builders to factory engineers. Two of his most memorable creations, built in the 1990s, are the 1957 Chevy bike, formally known as the “Ness-talgia,” which perfectly recalls the classic car, and the “Smooth-Ness,” a flowing design inspired by a bronze of a Bugatti automobile. (www.motorcyclemuseum.org) ―Arthur Coldwells
February 5, 2008 2008 Bimota DB6R Unveiled Bimota’s newly released DB6R is being hailed as the “more aggressive version of the successful naked Delirio” by the Italian motorcycle company. The DB6R is likely to be even more agile as it’s considerably lighter than its sibling and is propelled by the powerful new 1100 Ducati engine that now features a ‘slipper’ dry clutch. The chassis boasts a plethora of exotic components with an Extreme Tech steering damper to help reduce any front-end nervousness, and liberal use of durable yet lightweight carbon fiber including radiator air scoops, fairing sides, belt-covers, clutch cover, front mudguard, and side covers. The forged alloy wheels also play their part by reducing unsprung weight by an incredible 12 pounds. The full Brembo braking system is composed of two radial calipers up front and a new radial pump at the handlebar. The rear brake now features a floating disk, and these features will combine to give the bike a powerful race-performance braking system. With its claimed dry weight of only 374.8 pounds, the ultralight DB6R weighs 15.5 pounds less than its Delirio sibling, presumably turning this already great performing exotic into a spectacular one. (www.bimotausa.com) ―Arthur Coldwells

August 6, 2008

Prepare For Thunder

Throughout its modern history, Triumph has been known for marching to a different drummer. Its triple-cylinder masterpieces are legendary, on both the cruiser side (the Rocket III) and the performance segment (Daytona 675 and Speed Triple). For 2010, Triumph will be offering the largest-displacement parallel twin cruiser in history—the 1600cc Thunderbird.

The fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, double overhead cam powerplant will undoubtedly have a performance edge. The Thunderbird’s mid-mount pegs and pullback bars promise sporting ergonomics to go with plenty of chrome and stylish tank-mounted displays. For those who cannot wait, Triumph will be offering the 865cc America and Speedmaster sport cruisers in 2009.(www.triumph.co.uk/usa)

—Don Williams

May 6, 2008

Suzuki’s Balance of Power

Arguably the most rideable superbike, the GSX-R750 from Suzuki sometimes gets forgotten as riders move up from their 600cc sport bikes to the ultimate performers: the liter-bike class. But it would be a mistake to underestimate the 750, which falls perfectly between the less powerful 600 and the insanely powerful 1000. Suzuki has persevered with this particular model—even though there’s no longer a suitable displacement racing class—simply because the motorcycle is such a complete machine. It has a lot of power, but not too much. It feels compact, and yet it is somehow comfortable too. The reach to the handlebars is relatively short, and all controls fall easily to hand or foot. But it’s the lithe, precise handling and smooth, seamless motor that really make this motorcycle such a pleasure to ride. The 2008 model has been tweaked for greater mid-range torque—and it’s a noticeable improvement over the 2007 model—and the styling has been updated too. With subtle references that hearken back to its 1980s roots, and yet with the lean, purposeful stance we’ve come to expect from a modern superbike, the GSX-R750 is that perfect balance of power and handling that allows a rider to challenge himself without intimidation. (http://www.suzukicycles.com)

―Arthur Coldwells

March 4, 2008

Legendary Bikes Hit the Auction Block

Renowned auction house Bonhams & Butterfields will host an auction of rare and historic motorcycles at the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours d’Elegance on May 3 at Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, which is south of San Francisco. Among the legendary bikes on the block is the famous 1903 Rex Single once owned by Harold Williamson, which won the historic 875-mile Land’s End to John o’Groats Run in Great Britain more than 100 years ago.

Last year’s inaugural Bonhams’ auction garnered nearly $1 million in sales―a remarkable sum for a first-time motorcycle sale. “Last year’s results confirmed the obvious, that is there’s a strong demand for an auction of important collector motorcycles and memorabilia at the world’s foremost motorcycle event,” says Mark Osborne, head of Bonhams & Butterfields’ Motoring department. “It also demonstrates the continuing interest and upswing in the market for historic bikes.” (www.LegendoftheMotorcycle.com)

―Arthur Coldwells

February 19, 2008

Arlen Ness Headlines at Motorcycle Event

Industry icon Arlen Ness, a master bike builder and pioneer of the custom- motorcycle industry, will share stories from his celebrated career on March 7 at the 20th Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum fund-raising event, to be held during Daytona Bike Week. Proceeds from the event, which is open to the public for $49 a ticket, will support the preservation and education initiatives of the nonprofit Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The museum includes award-winning exhibits and the country’s sole hall of fame honoring America’s motorcycling legends.

A 1992 inductee into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, Ness launched his career in the late 1960s with the customization of a 1947 Harley Knucklehead. He entered the bike in a local motorcycle show and won, drawing the attention of the press―and future customers. Ness’ unique vision resulted in some of the most influential custom bikes of the past decades. His designs have been studied―and copied―by everyone from other bike builders to factory engineers. Two of his most memorable creations, built in the 1990s, are the 1957 Chevy bike, formally known as the “Ness-talgia,” which perfectly recalls the classic car, and the “Smooth-Ness,” a flowing design inspired by a bronze of a Bugatti automobile. (www.motorcyclemuseum.org)

―Arthur Coldwells

February 5, 2008

2008 Bimota DB6R Unveiled

Bimota’s newly released DB6R is being hailed as the “more aggressive version of the successful naked Delirio” by the Italian motorcycle company. The DB6R is likely to be even more agile as it’s considerably lighter than its sibling and is propelled by the powerful new 1100 Ducati engine that now features a ‘slipper’ dry clutch. The chassis boasts a plethora of exotic components with an Extreme Tech steering damper to help reduce any front-end nervousness, and liberal use of durable yet lightweight carbon fiber including radiator air scoops, fairing sides, belt-covers, clutch cover, front mudguard, and side covers. The forged alloy wheels also play their part by reducing unsprung weight by an incredible 12 pounds. The full Brembo braking system is composed of two radial calipers up front and a new radial pump at the handlebar. The rear brake now features a floating disk, and these features will combine to give the bike a powerful race-performance braking system. With its claimed dry weight of only 374.8 pounds, the ultralight DB6R weighs 15.5 pounds less than its Delirio sibling, presumably turning this already great performing exotic into a spectacular one. (www.bimotausa.com)

―Arthur Coldwells