Random International News thread

[M.vinay]

World's First Replacement Electronic Suspension Package Comes from Ohlins.

World's First Replacement Electronic Suspension Package Comes from Ohlins.


Ohlins BMW R1200GS ESA launched stated Ola Lennstrom, Marketing Communications Manager at Ohlins Racing.

[M.vinay]

Classics lost at sea

Classics lost at sea.Diving the SS Thistlegorm | SS Thistlegorm

[Samarth 619]

Man swaps meteorite for a Harley


A MAN who found a meteorite in his back garden has swapped it for a Harley-Davidson. Jim Griffey, 63 from Cabot, Arkansas, was using a hole-boring tool in preparation to plant trees in his back garden when he hit a rock. He dug the rock out and tossed it aside.

Later on he went back to inspect the rock: "I've got a few interesting rocks in my shed. One has some fossils in it another is some fool's gold," said Griffey.

After looking at the strange rock, he grabbed a magnet to see if was metal: "The dang magnet shot right to it. I'm pretty sure it charged the magnet," Griffey said. Because of his love of motorcycles, Griffey called his local Harley-Davidson dealer, Landers Harley Davidson, to see if they would trade the rock for a motorcycle.

Griffey said: "You know I don't mind taking an old Harley that will smoke cause I'm 63 and I smoke a little bit too." Quite bizarrely, the local dealer said yes and Griffey will pick up his new motorcycle in exchange for the meteorite. Not bad for a morning's work.


Read more: Man swaps meteorite for a Harley - Motorcycle news: Bizarre - Visordown

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Lol, what a strange world. So, who's digging their backyard in hope of finding something?

[j4zb4]

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Lol, what a strange world. So, who's digging their backyard in hope of finding something?

In Bombay we don't have backyards... Stupid metro city...

[M.vinay]

Rioters attack scooter rider


Rioters have been caught on film dragging a rider off his scooter and stealing it.

The learner rider is seen being chased and grabbed around the neck as he tries to negotiate his way through rioting in Croydon, South London.

One thug then drags him away while another picks up the scooter and rides off. Seconds later the thief falls off and the owner runs towards him, only to be kicked in the back before he can reclaim his vehicle.

[Samarth 619]

Claudio Castiglioni dies at 64: loss of the father of 916, Monster, MV F4.

The president of MV Agusta Claudio Castiglioni died in Varese this morning at the age of 64. The motorcycling magnate and sire of iconic Italian bikes including the Ducati 916 and Monster, MV Agusta F4 and imminent F3, whose taste shaped the desires of millions of motorcyclists passed away in a clinic in Varese early this morning.

British designer Adrian Morton, who worked closely with Castiglioni on the new F3 told MCN: "There are so many bikes that wouldn't exist if it weren't for Claudio. His passion for making beautiful bikes is what shaped everything we did, and his presence is always felt here. It's shocking to think we won't see him any more. He was heavily involved in all future product development right to the end in his characteristic 'insistent' manner. His passion for the bikes kept him going. It was a nightmare trying to keep him happy with the F3, but that's what made it the bike it is. In an era when most people who run businesses wouldn't care if it was motorcycles or washing machines their factories turned out, Claudio was the last of a breed. Hopefully the bikes we do in future reflect his insistence on special machines."

Source: Claudio Castiglioni dies at 64: loss of father of 916, Monster, MV F4 "Shocking" says F3 designer - | Motorcycle News | Bike News | Motorbike Videos | MCN

MV Agusta's Emotional Statement And Funeral Details: Claudio Castiglioni's death - MV Press release

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RIP Claudio, I can't believe he's no more...

[M.vinay]

Bikers torch Porsche 928 in Icon’s latest video


Icon Motorsports’ latest video has arrived. The video starts with commentary stating “All around the world, motorcycles and cars share the same roads. This video demonstrates some of the situations motorcyclists face every day.” It also involves V-Twin stunt riders Chris Rayburn and Rob Carpenter and a Porsche 928. Icon wanted to remind riders and drivers that they all share the same roads, but the way they did that, is pretty interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T_-cxt6ETc&feature=player_embedded

[princesirohi]

the image pic or video is not visible

[M.vinay]

the image pic or video is not visible

Here's the link: Risky Business - YouTube

[M.vinay]

Batpod in action

Batpod in action

Or is it Catpod in the new movie?




Video link: Catwoman Close-Up!! (The Dark Knight Rises) - YouTube


SPIED in action complete with Anne Hathaway lookalike stunt double on board, here's the new Batpod (or maybe it's the Catpod, now it's got Catwoman riding rather than Batman).

Presumably corners are something that superheroes just avoid. If you need evidence why real bikes aren't built to look like the Batpod, just check out the video.

The bike from the last Batman movie was powered by a 250cc single. This one looks similar but sounds like it might have something a bit spicier inside (you can hear it start and rev from the 2.40 mark).


Source: Batpod in action - Motorcycle news: Videos - Visordown

[Samarth 619]

USA's first slick tyres' set, by Dunlop.

USA's first club racing tyre by Dunlop.Dunlop Racing for the most current information about Dunlop racing tires.


Source: Dunlop Releases New Racing Slicks - Motorcycle USA
Dunlop Racing Dunlop Announces Release of USA-Made Racing Slicks

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It's a surprise that it took so long for America to get proper racing slick tyres of its own, despite many bikers and enthusiasts over the country importing the same from UK. With more and more people getting access to racetracks and Sportsbikes, it is a good move, although its difficult to say how right this was commercially.

However, users should be aware that such tyres have their limitations in the real world/ road environment, where ordinary grooved tyres might prove much better. If the customer knows what he's purchasing, its ok. Otherwise, the company should make full attempts to raise awareness about this.

[Noor]

Thread approved and merged

[Ghost11]

Batpod or catpod looks and sounds wicked!!I want one.

[Ghost11]

Kenny Roberts R1 Auction Nets $87,000 for Charity


Kenny Roberts R1 Auction Nets $87,000 for CharityKenny Roberts R1 Auction Nets $87,000 for Charity | Motorcycle Blog: The Sidecar

[Samarth 619]

1989 Suzuki GSX-R1100 wins World Wheelie Championship!

A 22-year-old Suzuki GSX-R1100 with a homemade turbo defeated dozens of modern GSX-R1000s, turbo Hayabusas and a BMW S1000RR in last weekend’s world wheelie championships at Elvington, Yorkshire.



Egbert Van Popta, a German now living in Holland, took regular competitors by surprise by approaching the start of the flying kilometer in fifth gear on the elderly GSX-R – bored out to 1127cc –before using the bike’s immense torque to lift the front wheel and just accelerating on one wheel for a kilometer. His average speed was 169.4mph – extraordinary considering the blustery conditions.

Competitors riding newer, less torquey machines were forced to approach the line in third gear, then change up twice as they accelerated through the kilometer.

Event organiser and former wheelie champion Dave ‘Dodge’ Rogers said: "He rolls up to the start line in top gear at around 4-5,000rpm then just uses the torque to cover the km on the back wheel!! This means he doesn’t have to change gear on the back wheel, making it much safer."

Another shock was Holeshot Racing's 231bhp, turbo-charged R6, which saw track action for the first time. The bike was competing in the top-speed run section of the event, and hit 180mph despite a pronounced misfire. A stock R6 will hit an indicated 165mph.

Team owner Jack Frost told MCN: "I wanted to turbo charge the R6 because nobody else has. I want to beat some of the bigger bikes here today, because for not a lot of money – five grand on top of the price of the bike - you've got a better power-to-weight ratio than a MotoGP bike. It's more powerful than a full-on superbike. It's a great little toy. Some people start putting long bodywork and other alterations to get the most speed out of a machine, but this looks just like the standard bike. That's the appeal.



"It's the same size turbo as we'd put on a 1000cc machine, because that bike revs up to 16,000rpm. It's the equivalent to a 300bhp turbo on a car.

"After so many years on turbo-charged big bikes, getting on a stock R6 just feels... gutless. It's like riding a 250, you've got to rev it hard to get the best out of it. They've no torque at all. That's what made it a challenge, they're a hard and compact bike to work on too. If we could make it fit in that small frame, we felt that we could make it fit on anything. It's definitely helped us with our ongoing S1000RR project.

"A bike engine is a short-stroke, big-piston, quick-revving engine. Particularly something like an R6. You size a turbo to suit the bike. There's no lag. No lag at all. You've got a lot of compression, so it's a little bit slower to pick up than standard, but that's not lag from the turbo. There hasn't been lag on a turbo for 25 years - with modern electronics and fuelling management the problem is completely resolved. Even on carburettored bikes it's hardly noticeable."

One of the favourites to break records aboard his Busa, Swede Patrik Furstenhoff – star of the infamous Ghostrider videos – had a nightmare event. His year 2000 turbo-charged Hayabusa broke down on his first run and he told MCN: "It's the first time it has broken down in 11 years!" The bike's problems were later traced to a bent valve which put an end to his activities all weekend.


Source: 1989 Suzuki GSX-R1100 wins World Wheelie Championship!

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Guys, finally torque wins over outright power, as the GSXR1100 defeats newer machines! That's why I say tuning can't replace displacement. Tune a big, get more powerful bike and you lose torque (most of the times, although exceptions are there).

I didn't understand how did he say his R6 has better power to weight ratio than a MotoGP bike. A MotoGP bike has around:
220-230 bhp/153 kgs

And his R6 has:
231 bhp/189 kgs

But nevertheless, 288 kilometres per hour is a great achievement from a 600cc machine, although I feel he can achieve more by re-gearing his R6. 231 bhp is enough for more top end than just 288 kmph.