Very cool. Check it out!
Moto Guzzi 500cc V8 Racer – Otto Cilindri: "- Original article from: TheKneeslider.com - The Kneeslider -
One of the fascinating, but lesser known, vintage motorcycle engines is the Moto Guzzi 500cc V8, built for racing from 1955 to 1957. It was a 90 degree DOHC with 8 individual Dell'Orto carburetors. In 1955, it produced 68 hp at 12,000 rpm and in [...]"
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Super-Realistic Predator Motorcycle Will Definitely Cause Some Accidents [Predator]
Your next bike?
Super-Realistic Predator Motorcycle Will Definitely Cause Some Accidents [Predator]:
Super-Realistic Predator Motorcycle Will Definitely Cause Some Accidents [Predator]:
How'd you like to see this coming up behind you in the rearview mirror? It's a motorcycle built by Pitstop Motors that's covered in skulls and topped with a horrifying Predator head. If only it could turn invisible!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
USA: Ducati Gift Site Ready For Christmas
In case you wanted to know what to give me for Christmas...
USA: Ducati Gift Site Ready For Christmas: "
Ducati have teamed up with one of their main dealers in the USA, Pro Italia, and created an on-line gift shop, ready for the Christmas season.
If you need anything for your motorcycle, or for you, or for someone else, this is a good place to buy stuff for Christmas.
..."
USA: Ducati Gift Site Ready For Christmas: "
 |
 |
If you need anything for your motorcycle, or for you, or for someone else, this is a good place to buy stuff for Christmas.
..."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
New Ducati Multistrada
Being a very (VERY) satisfied owner of the first generation Ducati Multistrada, I've kept an eye on its development over the years. The engine, originally the 1000-cc, dual spark plug, air/oil cooled, two valve desmo motor with dry clutch, grew to 1100-cc in what I call the 2nd generation model. A closed loop fuel injection system and wet clutch also distinguish the 1100 from the 1000. (I understand the drivers that motivate going to a wet clutch, not the least of which is longer clutch life, but desmo valves and "clackty-clack" is the heart and soul, respectively, of a Ducati.)
Next Monday, Nov 9th, the 1200-cc MTS debuts with some fan fair. Ducati has been teasing the world with a peek at the front of the MTS only--check out their ingenious web site for its unveiling: click me.
Here's what I know:
The lines of the bike (well, at least the lines of the front of the bike) lean towards the current stable of non-Terblanche designed Ducati sport bikes--not surprising and in the minds of some, a good thing. The 1200-cc engine is reportedly the liquid cooled, 4 valve motor which should make the new MTS a thrill to ride. But alas, not an engine that will be particularly easy to maintain--valve adjustments can be difficult for backyard mechanics for the 2-valve motor and hair-pulling for the 4-valve water cooled version. But this is unlikely to dissuade the die hard Ducatisti.
Most importantly, and what distinguishes the Multistrada line from other Ducatis, is its sit-upright riding position (relatively speaking--it's no cruiser). Admittedly, this is what caused me to cave in '04 and buy one. The new 1200 promises to continue this design feature.
Next Monday, Nov 9th, the 1200-cc MTS debuts with some fan fair. Ducati has been teasing the world with a peek at the front of the MTS only--check out their ingenious web site for its unveiling: click me.
Here's what I know:
The lines of the bike (well, at least the lines of the front of the bike) lean towards the current stable of non-Terblanche designed Ducati sport bikes--not surprising and in the minds of some, a good thing. The 1200-cc engine is reportedly the liquid cooled, 4 valve motor which should make the new MTS a thrill to ride. But alas, not an engine that will be particularly easy to maintain--valve adjustments can be difficult for backyard mechanics for the 2-valve motor and hair-pulling for the 4-valve water cooled version. But this is unlikely to dissuade the die hard Ducatisti.
Most importantly, and what distinguishes the Multistrada line from other Ducatis, is its sit-upright riding position (relatively speaking--it's no cruiser). Admittedly, this is what caused me to cave in '04 and buy one. The new 1200 promises to continue this design feature.
Ride often...
Thursday, October 15, 2009
General Motorcycle Knowledge Quiz #05
I took all 5.
Here's my scores:
Test 1: 70% not bad.
Test 2: 70% ditto.
Test 3: 90% genius!
Test 4: 60% uh oh.
Test 5: 60% had to turn in my motorcycle license!
General Motorcycle Knowledge Quiz #05: "
Quiz #05... test your general motorcycle knowledge.
That's 50 questions I've managed to get... not bad. If you've got one, send it to me, but please, also send the answer...
...
"
Here's my scores:
Test 1: 70% not bad.
Test 2: 70% ditto.
Test 3: 90% genius!
Test 4: 60% uh oh.
Test 5: 60% had to turn in my motorcycle license!
General Motorcycle Knowledge Quiz #05: "
 |
That's 50 questions I've managed to get... not bad. If you've got one, send it to me, but please, also send the answer...
...
"
Rumormill: Volkswagen interested in Ducati... still
What?
Is this good or bad?
Rumormill: Volkswagen interested in Ducati... still: "
Is this good or bad?
Rumormill: Volkswagen interested in Ducati... still: "
It's a well-known fact that Ferdinand Pich, Chairman of Volkswagen's Board, wishes that the German automaker had purchased Ducati back in 1985 when the Italian bike manufacturer was in dire financial shape.
"Friday, October 9, 2009
Never too early to start planning next year's rides - Towns with odd names
Expanding on a suggestion from my riding partner, I'm making plans for "themed rides" for summer 2010 to visit "odd named" towns. Recall in 2008 I canvassed VA for suspension bridges (check out the Archive for May 2008 and on thru the summer months) and had a blast finding and photographing them.
Looking for towns with odd names is a bit different:
First, there's the issue of what constitutes an odd name. For this exercise, an odd named town is a town with a name that I consider odd. (How else are we going to do it?) There's a web site that is collecting odd named towns but it's worldwide (check it out). It occurred to me I might be able to find the names of US Post Offices listed somewhere (I did here). I realize there are probably a host of places with odd names that don't have a Post Office, but I endeavor not to let this riding theme make my head hurt. So, I culled through Virginia's 700+ Post Offices and found 14 that fit my definition of odd named town.
So, be on the look out for future posts.
Looking for towns with odd names is a bit different:
First, there's the issue of what constitutes an odd name. For this exercise, an odd named town is a town with a name that I consider odd. (How else are we going to do it?) There's a web site that is collecting odd named towns but it's worldwide (check it out). It occurred to me I might be able to find the names of US Post Offices listed somewhere (I did here). I realize there are probably a host of places with odd names that don't have a Post Office, but I endeavor not to let this riding theme make my head hurt. So, I culled through Virginia's 700+ Post Offices and found 14 that fit my definition of odd named town.
So, be on the look out for future posts.
Keep riding, it's only October!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Dilemma haiku
The commute today.
Choose motorcycle or car?
Two wheels make it right.
-- Post From My iPod touch
Choose motorcycle or car?
Two wheels make it right.
-- Post From My iPod touch
Friday, October 2, 2009
Beginner bikes -- a good article
Motorcycle Cruiser magazine posted a good piece on cruisers that are sized and have a power delivery that make them good for new riders. Check it out: Click me.
-- Post From My iPod touch
-- Post From My iPod touch
Friday, September 25, 2009
Motorcycle Touring Guide
I'm soliciting comments about a web site I stumbled across: Motorcycle Touring Guide.
If you have experience with it, please share.
I plan to check it out over the next few weeks. I was frustrated this last summer not having a "theme" to focus our weekend rides (the previous summer I focused on suspension bridges in VA). Maybe this web site will be just the ticket for next summer?
If you have experience with it, please share.
I plan to check it out over the next few weeks. I was frustrated this last summer not having a "theme" to focus our weekend rides (the previous summer I focused on suspension bridges in VA). Maybe this web site will be just the ticket for next summer?
Keep riding...
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