MOTORREADS: Monday 19 January 2009

[mika]

superbike.co.uk: 2009 BMW K1300S K1300R and K1300GT first test


Popular Mechanics makes its picks, how do they stack up against the Big Gigs?
popularmechanics.com: Top 10 Motorcycles ÔÇô NYC 2009 Cycle World International Motorcycle Show


H-D has taken it in the chops with sales and its sock but is pushing hard in other markets with their core H-D model and now with their new acquisition MV Agusta
monimoto.it: MV Agusta at the 15th Padova Bike Expo


Even with its efforts abroad some H-D are asking some dire questions about H-D.
cyrilhuzeblog: A bailout for Harley-Davidson?


Two different takes on VictoryÔÇÖs Core Concept cruiser. BMWÔÇÖs LoRider stirred a good amount of conversation around here. I wonder what this will do to the Victory community. These two bikes seem to be pointing toward a direction more manufacturers are heading. What is your take on this trend?

motorcyclenews.com: Radical Victory Concept bike unveiled

helforl.eathermagazine.com: Victory Core concept simplifies performance cruisers

thekneeslider.com: Victory Concept Motorcycle


Broadway promoters wondered how their new project played in Boston.
bikenewsonline.com: The Honda Fury ÔÇô Yet another VTX
Honda you may have a show that will close in Boston instead of a hit. Unlike the competition in the form of Victory that has another fan with its concept.
cyrilhuzeblog.com: Falling in love with the Victory Core Concept motorcycle.
Sorry Honda I have to agree with Mr. Huze, its all in the design.


The Victory Core seat rated comment in various blogs, look at the seat on this custom.
omnimot.it: Custombike-la-Fenice


OCC is soundly pan by the Norwegians over at mc24.no for their Stealth errrcustom.


gpone.com: Stoner beat Massa in the challenge on karts in Madonna di Campiglio


motorcyclismo.es: BMW G450X Jose Manuel Pllicer ÔÇô Africa Race


thevintagent.blogspot.com: 50 years of Bonnie


motorcycle.com: Book Review ÔÇô Caf?® Racer


visordown.com: 2009 Yamaha YZF ÔÇô R1


cycleworld.com: Long-term test update ÔÇô 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14


roadracingworl.com: TrackXperience changes ownership, releases 2009 track day schedule


motorcycles-usa.com: Red Bull AMA Rookies Challenge ÔÇô cancelled


eternalbiker.blogspot.com: Daytona WomenÔÇÖs Ride


motostation.com: Test ÔÇô Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob


wired.com: Plug-in that scooter for a zero emissions commute


oliepeil.nl: Gekkekoeienziekte is terug

2009 Aprilia, Buell and Triumph shoot out
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Motorcycle-USA ÔÇô Ducati 1098S Corse sportbike review
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No lack of competitors on this grid - Steve McQueen rides the 197 Elsinore Grand Prix
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gnccracing.com: Quick Fill#3 ÔÇô This week in GNCC Racing


superbikeplanet.com: DiSalvo, Cardenas ride M4 Suzukis in ÔÇÿ09


While MotoGP struggles with rules retaining manufacturers and riders to put on a grid WSBK has an embarrassment of riches in manufactures and riders.
sportmediaset.it: Superbike, 2009 record: 32 pilots great success and 7 manufacturers

worldsuperbikenews.co.uk: World Superbike News


MCN Video: Haslam confident in level of new Stiggy WSBK Honda team
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RUMOR
oliepeil.com: Suzuki is out of MotoGP???


gpone.com: The cuts of 2009: via the post race test, shorter sessions


motorcyclenews.com: MotoGP talent search hit by credit crunch

See Page 2

See Page 2:

hydrogencarsnow.com: Wind to hydrogen energy storage has advantages


mtodisiac.com: Beating the bogus ticket


thenewspaper.com: Minnesota: $2.6 Million in Red Light Camera Tickets Refunded
Refunds proceed for illegally issued red light camera tickets in Minneapolis, Minnesota.


TED | Paul Scher ÔÇô Gets serious on design (not solemn)
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webbikeworld.com: Firstgear Carbon heated gloves


motorcyclistonline.com: Motorcycle security systems ÔÇô Safeguard your pride and joy


motorcyclistonline.com: Fieldsheer Adventure Jacket and Mercury pants

I spent a good deal of this weekend with the Barrett Jackson collector car auction on the TV. I watched my misspent gear head youth go across the stage and draw thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars. I owned cars that were the same make model and engine as many of these shining beauties. They were not so shinny back then and definitely did not cost anything near what will be the tax bill on the auctioneer fee let alone the price paid in auction.

I watched realizing I grew up in a golden age for gear heads. I had the chance to own or work on every thing American from six cylinder engines to big block Corvettes, Spridgets to Jags and all sorts of Italian hardware; we messed around racing Datsun sedans and 240Zs. I have a ball working in the garage with my sons-law but the things we work on and what they have had exposure to; well they havenÔÇÖt a clue.

After a while you become numbed by the auction prices. I caught myself at one point and broke out laughing. The youngest pit crew member came into my office and asked what I was laughing about and did I want to play? How do you explain to a kindergartener that a really nice 66 Shelby Mustang in your favorite color just went across the and sold for six figures and that you just went through the mental exercise of asking yourself if you would rather have a new Ferrari or the Mustang? You donÔÇÖt explain, you go and play with him for a while.

My feeling that the prices cars were fetching was down from past years and was confirmed several times buy Speeds announcers. We seem to be in a major market correction. In the past I would watch auctions like this, go to motorcycle auctions and was often heard the voice of Alan Greenspan in the back of my head whispering irrational exuberance any time I considered bidding. The prices are not cheap now but they have dropped considerably even in the last year. I may have grown up in the golden era of the muscle car but this may be a golden time to buy a collector car. I donÔÇÖt hear Alan Greenspan anymore. I donÔÇÖt need to. I donÔÇÖt have the money.

I do not have the money to buy a car at a Barrett Jackson, but there are motorcycles out there I always wanted. Taking my time I could find something fun to work on again. We sold my daughters caf?® bike project. Not a one hundred point restoration but another caf?® bike on my own terms.

I enjoyed racing in any form my best memories of those old days are all of cold garage floors, banged up knuckles, the smell of oil and exhaust and the satisfaction of balancing a set of Amals on a Brit bike or timing a small block. These may not be the golden days I remember, but it looks like a careful shopper can find some fun new memory makers.

Some practical things:

I will be on the road for an extended time on business and fun. For the next few days I wonÔÇÖt have regular access to my computer or the internet. I will be back when I am settled in.

In case youÔÇÖre wondering, the Shelby Mustang GT hands down over a Ferrari.


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WOOT.com


Bike Candy


I was able to plow the driveway. My bags are packed and I am out of here to someplace warm. Motorreads will be back on line when I am settled in and thawed out.

Comments:

 

[mika]

Page 2

classicrallies.com: Maserati 250F is voted the greatest racing car ever.

EV or HV infrastructure to fuel the new two and four wheeled vehicles proposed is a major concern.
edmunds.com: Canada to get electric car charging network


How serious are things at Honda? In the past three years they focused on restructuring their production automotive and motorcycle production plants world wide. In many ways it seemed to make sense at the time allowing for modernization and greater flexibility and speed in product line change over for their plants. For all their planning that would seem to help in these uncertain times have they found themselves in a situation that has them upside down in capital expenses that leaves them in greater jeopardy than they are letting on?
leftlanenews.com: Honda announces further production, job cuts


Back to the fantasy world where cars are enticing
[url http://www.motorauthority.com/cobra-venom-v8-design-study.html]motorauthority.com[/url]: Cobra Venom V8 design study ÔÇô includes video


worldcarfas.com: Rumors ÔÇô Jaguar supercar on the way?

What a lovely odd car
Morgan Aero road test ÔÇô English sub-titles
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Top Gear hill climb challenge


Detroit Auto Show: GM Electric Car Press Release
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Fisker talks about the Karma
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BMW G 450 X and Jose Manuel Pellicer: the perfect team to win the Africa Rally Race
15.01.2009

Rotundo. That the term with which we can call the victory of Jose Manuel Pellicer with his BMW G450 X in Africa Rally Race.
Benicarl?? pilot, managed to cross the goal with his BMW in first place in ten of the twelve steps with which this test particularly hard, with 6,500 km journey began in France and ended in Senegal, passing by other countries as Morocco and Mauritania.
Pellicer has not only managed to dominate from start to finish but it was the fastest in many stages, surpassing even the best pilots in time of some cars.

The hardness which was to open in the lead track and navigate every day was offset by the professionalism of the pilot Jose Manuel Pellicer spotless and the operation of its BMW G 450 X, remember that this is the first time a 450 cc bike wins a raid in Africa, but also this excellent BMW did not need replacement or one-piece, all that was required motorcycle oil change and cleaning the filter.

Pellicer, "carried a spare engine change and thought the rest day, this is something that is usually done, but to see the good that had already assembled, we decided to continue with it."

For BMW, this victory is a victory in the raid after the expiration of the 2000 BMW Motorsport Dakar Richard Sainct first and second Oscar Gallardo. In 2001, BMW was also involved with the GS bicil?¡ndricas since then to Africa Race Pellicer, no other had won a BMW raid.

Pellicer: "I have many anecdotes African Race, specifically that you count the bike allowed me to go at a pace so high that one day I arrived at the end of the stage without even having the goal post. I timer from the helicopter and spent an hour in the desert alone, hoping to reach someone.

Benicarl?? pilot suffered a fall and was not very important to gain the victory in all but two stages. In the latest, next to Lac Rose, did not win because they stopped to assist a French pilot Olivier Le Cocq who had suffered a severe decline.

BMW Motorrad Spain made no mistake in his bet with Jose Manuel Pellicer, in fact, last year was Pilot Officer Equipment BMW. Fortunately, this cooperation was reinforced with success in 2008 with a sponsorship agreement and transfer of materiel for pilot raid BMW Motorrad Spain.

Since there was no time to prepare a bike to run the Dakar, but time trial was built with financial assistance and technical advice from BMW Motorrad Spain a motorcycle raids. Few changes: front and rear tanks, the spider for the navigation instruments and a rubber bushing in the rear wheel to prevent stiffness in the accelerations. That no more a catalyst and exhaust Ohlins suspension is all about the preparation of the BMW G 450 X is almost standard, has accompanied this victory to Jose Manuel Pellicer.

Pellicer: "The BMW G 450 X has surprised me, I am sure that this bike will leave footprint

This victory, near the podium Simo Kirssi in Finland and GP victory at the European Cross Country test the competitiveness of the new G 450 X, which this year will pilot the World Endurance 13 times world champion Juha Salminen and the world's bicampe??n David Knight.

BMW Engines earn two places on Ward's Annual 10 Best Engine list
01/16/2009

Diesel and Gasoline Engines Make BMW the Only Double Winner for 2009
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 15, 2009... BMW of North America yesterday accepted two 10 Best Engines awards from Ward's Automotive Group. As the only double winner this year, two BMW twin-turbo inline-6 engines -- one diesel and one gasoline -- were elected to the 10 Best Engines list for the 2009 model year by the Ward's panel of expert judges.

"These two awards are further testament that BMW's EfficientDynamics engineering strategy is delivering the performance and efficiency that drivers expect today." said Hans Hohenner, General Manager of Drivetrain Development for BMW Group. "Each of these very different engines brings to market new technologies that combine to create the highest-performing six-cylinder engines BMW has ever produced while delivering fuel efficiency that was previously unattainable."

BMW's gasoline 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged DOHC Inline-6 received a Ward's 10 Best Engines honor for the third time since its introduction in the summer of 2006. The acclaimed engine now powers 11 BMW models in the US - from the 135i to the X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupe. This 300-horsepower engine features twin low-mass turbochargers, High Precision Direct Injection and electrified accessory drives for an unbeatable blend of power, efficiency, and responsiveness. As an example, this engine propels the BMW 335i coupe from rest to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds (manual transmission) yet delivers an EPA-estimated highway mileage of 26 mpg.

The second Ward's 10 Best Engines honor for BMW was awarded to the new 50-state BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance technology. Featuring all-aluminum construction, this light-weight 3.0-liter Sequential Turbo DOHC Advanced Diesel inline-6 offers V-8 performance on four-cylinder consumption: 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque, with EPA efficiency figures of 23 (city) and 36 (highway) in the 2009 BMW 335d Sedan, which is capable of 0 - 60mph in just 6.0 seconds. In addition to the 335d model mentioned, this new engine will also be available in the X5 xDrive35d Sports Activity Vehicle, which is capable of 0 - 60mph in 6.9 seconds and 26mpg on the highway. Both Advanced Diesel models will be in BMW centers later this month.


NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES USE OF MINI E ELECTRIC CARS PROVIDED BY BMW GROUP TO CITY OF NEW YORK
01/16/2009

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Announces Use of MINI E Electric Cars provided by BMW Group to City of New York in State of the City Speech
The MINI E is a zero-emissions fully electric car

New York, NY - January 15, 2009... New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced in his State-of-the-City speech that BMW Group will loan a fleet of 10 MINI E electric zero-emissions cars to the City of New York. These vehicles will be used in its Street Condition Observation Unit, known as SCOUT, and will be among the 500 MINI Es the BMW Group is producing as part of a one-year pilot field study to determine the viability of electric vehicles in real life use. The MINI Es will be used by SCOUT inspectors who drive New York City's streets in search of street conditions, such as potholes and graffiti. The vehicles are scheduled to begin arriving in April.

The MINI E is the first product of BMW's Project i, a program designed to research and develop transportation strategies and new types of vehicles specifically to meet the needs of the world's growing mega-cities, of which New York is one.

"We are delighted to work with New York City in developing this new form of sustainable transportation," said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. "Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC initiative has demonstrated a keen understanding of the importance of sustainability and we fully share the same vision and enthusiasm for developing new ideas, technologies and forms of transportation to make it a reality. This MINI E zero-emission vehicle is only our company's first step."

The MINI E can travel more than 150 miles on a single charge and provides the agility and handling of a MINI Cooper. It is powered by a 150 kilowatt electric motor with the equivalent of 201 hp. The energy supply comes from a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The vehicle, which debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 95 mph. MINI will install a special wall box into each MINI E customer's garage that can fully recharge a completely drained battery in just two-and-a-half hours.

The 500 MINI Es will be deployed in New York and New Jersey and Los Angeles metropolitan areas with additional vehicles being tested in Berlin, Germany and London, England. Of the 500 U.S. vehicles, 450 will be leased to customers that applied online at MINIUSA.com to be part of the one-year field study. The others will be dedicated to full-time extensive and intense daily use in select fleets, such as the NYC SCOUT fleet. Those selected will be asked to provide ongoing real world use feedback to BMW on their experience with the zero-emission electric cars. More than twice the number of people applied as there are cars available in the U.S.

BMW has also arranged to provide MINI Es to the city of Los Angeles to test the MINI E in conditions different from those in New York City.

In New York City, the MINI Es will serve as SCOUT vehicles and be deployed across the five boroughs beginning this spring for one year. The vehicle operators help identify problems on New York City streets and ascertain whether complaints logged into the City's 311 phone system are being adequately addressed. SCOUT vehicles log nearly 100 miles per day.


BMW Group reports sales for the Mexico 2008
12.01.2009

BMW Group reports sales for the Mexico 2008
ÔÇó BMW remains the leading brand in the premium segment
ÔÇó posted record sales for BMW Motorrad
ÔÇó slowdown in the 4th quarter results in decreased volume for BMW and MINI brands

Mexico, D.F., January 8, 2009. Given the conditions of the automotive market and the restraint of consumers, BMW Group introduced the closure of Mexico annual sales totaling 10,145 units, of which 8915 are cars of the BMW and MINI brands, so como1, 230 motorcycles BMW Motorrad, which means a decrease of 8.7% group considering the challenging situation in the automotive industry in our country. (11.112 units last year).

With regard to the accumulated annual 2008 sales of BMW reported a decline of 11.9% with a total of 6,900 automobiles (previous year: 7832).

The MINI brand ended the year with 2,015 units (previous year: 2070), representing a marginal 2.6% lower against the same period last year.

For its part, BMW Motorrad achieved a positive result, putting 1230 units, which corresponds to a growth of 1.6% compared to 2007 (previous year: 1210).

BMW Group continues to be a company with solid foundations and operational strength despite the current financial situation. All its activities are focused in the future and has taken specific measures to advance the field of costs, turnover and production to generate profits in the short and long term, continuously improving the efficiency of the company.

All these measures are aimed at the main priority of the Bavarian brand: customer satisfaction, and to remain a sustainable and profitable company. "The BMW Group decisions are based on an extensive analysis and taking into account the future. The financial health of the company is automatically reflected in benefits to the customer, because we can continue to offer products that set the standard with high-tech, low fuel consumption, lower emissions and increasingly competitive pricing in this market segment " "said Gerd Dressler, CEO of BMW Group Mexico.

To close the 2008, BMW introduced the new 3 Series, which more than 30,000 units delivered in Mexico, has been the undisputed leader in the premium segment and now offers the iDrive system and navigation for our country.

In 2009, the Bavarian brand in Mexico is scheduled to introduce new models from Europe to strengthen the product portfolio. Among them is the flagship brand, BMW 7 Series, in its 5th generation perfectly combines driving pleasure and satisfaction of exclusivity, with a sharp design and high refining in engineering and equipment.

As a strong and innovative company that has set trends with an extremely attractive product portfolio, BMW Group is ready to cross the current situation and be in an excellent position for the future.

Summary of the BMW Group sales in Mexico during 2008.

December 2008 December 2007 Variance Total Sales 2008 Total Sales 2007 Difference
BMW Group Mexico 843 1374 -38.6% 10,145 11,112 -8.7%
BMW 591 1.025 -42.3% 6.900 7.832 -11.9%
MINI 134 227 -40.9% 2.015 2.070 -2.6%
BMW Motorrad 118 122 -3.3% 1.6% 1.230 1.210

 

[108625]

Mika, Have a nice trip and try to take in some fishing while you're there

 

[PAULBACH]

Two different takes on VictoryÔÇÖs Core Concept cruiser. BMWÔÇÖs LoRider stirred a good amount of conversation around here. I wonder what this will do to the Victory community. These two bikes seem to be pointing toward a direction more manufacturers are heading. What is your take on this trend?

The new Honda Fury has a bit of that look and even the HDs I saw at the show seem to be getting curvier.