Saturday 29 November 2014

Friday bike

Some more exotica that you're unlikely to ever see, and certainly not afford!
Midual Type 1

1036cc canted, boxer twin putting out a fairly lowly 107 bhp should give a nice broad spread of power. Fairly sensible riding position and high spec suspension and brakes should make it fun to ride. Not sure about the styling though! The instruments set into the top of the leather (?) covered tank look good, if a bit impractical, and the line of the exhausts is just 'wrong'.






TECH SPEC
Price: €140,000 starting price (around £112,000) (US$174,000)
Engine: Water-cooled, eight-valve, 180° flat-twin four-stroke 1036cc
Power: 107bhp (79.8kW) @ 7800rpm
Torque: 72.3lb-ft (98Nm) @ 6000rpm
Wet Weight: 239kg
Seat height: 810mm
Tank size: 14 litres

Review


More details on the Website.


Saturday 22 November 2014

Friday bike

Now for something completely different.........
The Krugger NURBS


BMW K1600 engined bike by Belgian builder Krugger.

Article.Website.

Sunday 16 November 2014

Friday bikes

Two this week, but variants on the one design.
Husqvarna 401 'Vitpilen'

Husqvarna 401 'Swartpilen'


Couple of prototypes shown recently by Husqvarna. The Vitpilen (White Arrow) and Swartpilen (Black Arrow) are road and trail versions of the same bike, not much in the way of detail other than they've got a 401cc engine. Whether or not you'll ever be able to buy them, or even something similar, we'll have to wait and see. Husqvarna have produced a promo video that's so pretentious that I assume it's a parody. Judge for yourselves!

You can see more of the Vitpilen here.


Friday 7 November 2014

Friday bike

2015 BMW S 1000 XR

BMW's sort of touring/roadster/'adventure sport' (or so they claim!) version of the S 1000 R.

Highlights of the new BMW S 1000 XR:
  • Straight-four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 999 cc. Output 118 kW (160 hp) at 11,000 rpm, maximum torque of 112 Nm (83 lb-ft) at 9,250 rpm.
  • Dynamic, innovative design with sculptural surface styling.
  • BMW Motorrad ABS as standard (semi-integral, disengageable).
  • ABS Pro for even greater safety when braking in a banked position (as part of the Pro riding modes optional extra).
  • Automatic Stability Control (ASC) as standard for accelerating safely even in low-grip conditions.
  • Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with banking sensor for supreme performance and active riding safety when accelerating (as part of the Pro riding modes optional extra).
  • Two riding modes that can be selected by the rider at the push of a button as standard (“Rain” and “Road”).
  • Two additional riding modes available, “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro” (as part of the Pro riding modes optional extra).
  • Spring elements with long spring travel for excellent agility and high damping reserves.
  • Electronically controlled suspension system, Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) for optimum adaptation to the prevailing conditions as an optional extra.
  • Light-footed handling and raised seating position.
  • Multifunctional instrument cluster with a wealth of features.
  • Extensive equipment and bespoke range of accessories made to BMW Motorrad’s customary high standards.
More.

Sunday 2 November 2014

Rare bike

Saw an example of a very rare bike on Ebay:
1974 Maico MD250


I have never seen one of these and the only mention I'd ever heard of it was in an American magazine back in the 70s.
Maico were a German company that mostly made off road bikes, but also made a few road bikes as well. You can see the off road influence on the engine, which was a 250cc two stroke single with rotary valve induction.
Ebay listing end this coming Saturday (8th Novenber), so bid early if you're interested!

Some technical details here.