BMW Inline Six Motorcycle Concept

The EICMA Milan Bike Show debuts a number of motorcycle models, most often from the European marques. Most of the time the bikes have been spied and rumored well before the official debut, but BMW pulled off a surprise with its Concept 6 – a six-cylinder design which the Bavarian firm hints may soon power a touring motorcycle.
The Straight Six powering the Concept, says BMW, “follows the well-known Straight Four in the K1300 model series.” Not all the details are in but it’s identified as a 1.6 liter displacement via a “slightly oversquare bore:stroke ratio with relatively long stroke and very small gaps between cylinders.” Like the K-Series, the Concept 6’s cylinders are tilted forward by 55 degrees.

No hard peak horsepower or torque numbers are cited. BMW does promise, however, that 96 lb-ft of torque are available as low as 2000 rpm. And the Six revs up “almost to 9000 rpm.” Stressing its torque performance, the Concept 6 does not feature a tach at all, instead offering a digital readout of available torque production on the LED display.

The Inline Six engine centers the design of the Concept 6, surrounded by a “light-alloy bridge frame” that looks to be of the twin-spar aluminium variety.  BMW’s Duolever and Paralever suspension units are present and it is highlighted by their trademark shaft-drive, beefy six-piston front calipers and 17-inch stylish hoops shod with Pirelli's latest Diablo Supercorsa sticky rubber. The Six theme carries over to the exhaust, which features a six-chamber system, three outlets on each side.
As for its future? BMW says this in its PR announcement: “The new BMW straight-six will further expand the K-Series in the foreseeable future. The first model to be introduced will be an innovative and luxurious BMW touring machine. Reflecting the tradition of the BMW K-Series, this will of course be a genuine top-of-the-line product.” 

source by motorcycle-usa

Paul Yaffe-Built 2006 Yellow Road Glide

Paul Yaffe-Built 2006 Yellow Road Glide
Alan Powell pushes for perfection. He is a gentleman of distinct means and style, not appearing to settle for anything less than precisely what he wants. He is a self-made entrepreneur, a former Army Ranger, music, entertainment and sports marketing man and corporate branding mogul. In his spare time, when he’s not buying and selling companies, he likes to ride big, heavy, crazy cool customs.

“It’s just who I am,” said Powell, whose own identity is unmistakable. The 42-year-old Chairman and CEO of AP & Associates, a strategic planning and multi-cultural marketing company, looks like he should be a starting defensive end in the NFL. He went to school for sports administration but somehow took a detour that led to whiz kid stardom and an unexpected career. 

Powell is not an easy man to say no to. So when Powell wanted a groundbreaking, street-ripping bagger with all the trimmings imaginable—and some unimaginable—for a sophisticated super-tourer, he challenged the king of the Bagger Nation, master-builder Paul Yaffe, to make one.

“I had a vision to do something different,” said Powell, “just like most things I’ve done in my life, so designing a unique motorcycle came naturally. I laid out what I wanted Yaffe to do, and carefully considered his input. I’d say it was a team effort.

“I chose Yaffe because I like his work and respect his reputation, and like me, he is a trendsetter and innovator, so I figured he would get it, and he did. I can’t say enough about his craftsmanship and attention to detail. I’m very happy with Zonker.” “Screamin’ Yellow Zonker” is the 2006 Road Glide’s full given name.

The bike is a multimedia machine, an eye-popping expression of style and custom-fit function. It features a monstrous 600-watt stereo system with a sound so sharp and powerful it could blow out the windows of passing cars, which might inspire the proper

motorcycle reverence and keep any living thing within a 100-yard parameter from getting disrespectful. Powell happily demonstrated the system’s awesomeness, cranking up a CD, pounding out sound waves that could bend the fabric of time and space. I liked it, even if my ears and eyeballs were bleeding. “Is that all you got?” I screamed at Powell, whose resume must also include lip reader. “No, I have more, check this out…”

A DVD screen raised silently out of the dash, already playing an action movie. I was waiting for the standard issue James Bond rocket launcher to slide out of a hidden panel in the gas tank. “Nah, we thought about it, but that would probably be illegal,” I could imagine Powell saying. “Well, maybe not in Arizona.” I checked the tank. 

I suppose an LED TV and dance club quality stereo is not surprising for a guy who earned his chops in the entertainment industry, developing the likes of Korn and Limp Bizkit. Powell was a precocious biker, carving up Kentucky back-roads with a Hayabusa at the age of 14. Is that legal anywhere?

He moved on to spreading mischief on a Kawasaki KZ1000, then into the Harley realm. Powell also owns a strikingly similar Street Glide, which seemed a little redundant. “Yeah, man, the Street Glide. It’s cool, I like to have a spare for my buddies,” he laughed, which set me to thinking what good buds we could make.

Powell doesn’t sit still for long. His phone is continually ringing with calls from China, Thailand, and across the country. He is engaging and conversational, not what you’d expect from a CEO on a mission, carrying on international business while chatting with a reporter and talking bikes. Mostly, Powell likes to relax by riding his bike to motorcycle events, whether it’s the local bike night or Sturgis.

He won’t relax for long. Powell continues to enlist C-Suite executives as ideas and opportunities surface. At press time, he was set to launch his next venture, BrandBreakers.com, which will focus on taking local individual and corporate brands global. Want to be famous? He later plans to own a motorcycle dealership.

Stay tuned, and crank it up.
Name of bike: Screamin’ Yellow Zonker
Owner: Alan Powell
Year/Make: 2006
Fabrication: Bagger Nation
Assembly: Paul Yaffe Crew
Build time: Three months
Engine: Twin Cam
Carb: EFI
Pipes: Bagger Nation/SuperTrapp
Air Cleaner: DM
Transmission: H-D
Primary: H-D
Clutch: H-D
Frame: H-D
Rake: + 14 degrees
Stretch: 1”
Forks: HD/Bagger Nation
Fork length (+ or -): stock
Triple Trees: Bagger Nation 7-degrees
Additional rake in trees: 7-degrees
Rear Suspension: H-D
Rear Shocks: H-D
Front wheel: Bagger Nation DeVille 23”
Rear wheel: Bagger Nation DeVille 18”
Front Tire (size and make): Avon 23”
Rear Tire (size and make): Avon 160 x 18
Front Brake: H-D
Rear Brake: H-D
Fuel Tank: Bagger Nation
Oil Tank: H-D
Fenders: Bagger Nation
Handlebars: Monkey Bars (Bagger Nation)
Risers: H-D
Hand Controls: H-D
Grips: Performance Machine
Foot Controls: Bagger Nation
Pegs: Covington
Headlight: H-D
Taillight: Custom LED’s
Painter: Hector Martinez
Color: Yellow
Graphics: Striping
Powdercoating: Desert Powder
Polishing: Concours
Molding: Gary Crisp
Electrical: Lee Woffenden
Seat: Guy Thieman 

2011 Triumph Sprint GT 1050 First Look

So you’re not willing to give up the sportbike handling, but you’ve got places to go and people to see – and they’re a long way away. That’s where Sport Touring bikes come into play, but according to Triumph Motorcycles, for some customers the ST market is a tad short on the “touring” component.
For 2011, Triumph is introducing an updated version of the Sprint ST with greater comfort and storage amenities – the Sprint GT 1050 (Grand Tourer). The British manufacturer calls it “a composed machine with precise and intuitive handling to keep up with sports bikes on demanding roads, but equally delivering the comfort required for a long two-up ride cross-country.”
Powered by an updated 1050cc Triple, the GT promises a spirited ride with a claimed 130 horsepower (five more than the 2010 ST) and wonderful exhaust note. What make it a better touring bike are the new 31-liter hard saddlebags, ABS brakes and claimed 200-mile range.

“The motorcycle market continues to become more refined, which calls for manufacturers to evolve our product lines to provide what customers are demanding,” said Jim Callahan, Triumph’s North American Marketing Manager. “The Sprint GT blends all of the great performance and style of the Sprint ST with some additional comfort and storage space that sport touring riders are looking for.”
An exhaust muffler exits under the right saddlebag where the swingarm would be if it weren't single-sided, rather than underseat. The fairing is redesigned for better performance while incorporating the familiar but updated three-light illumination setup. Reflector headlights replace the ST’s projector-style units. A three-dial computer display transmits data through an analog

speedo and tach with adigital unit to monitor fuel consumption, trip time, average speed, clock and range-to-empty. The dual 320mm floating front brake discs are lighter and pinched by Nissin four-piston calipers. The 255mm rear disc is also lighter for ’11, and ABS is now standard.
A 43mm Showa fork is carried over from the ST, but with updated internals. Out back is a completely new shock which uses a hand-twist, remote preload adjustment. Overall length increases 5.4 inches, width by 0.4 inches and seat height jumps 0.4 inches. Wheelbase stretches 3.2 inches to 60.5. Steering geometry is changed as well with 23.5 degrees of rake and 84mm of trail versus 24 degrees and 90mm on the ST. The claimed wet weight climbs to 590 pounds.
Watch for the new GT model in dealers this fall as an early release 2011 machine with a base price of $13,199. Available colors are Pacific Blue and Aluminum Silver, and riders can purchase accessories like heated grips, taller windscreen, gel seat, magnetic tank bags that provide an additional 30 liters of storage capacity and a large top box which features a 12-volt accessory outlet.
Be sure to check out this 2011 Sprint GT 1050 video which shows the bike, and its male/female riders, stripped down to their skivvies.

Engine: Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, Triple
Displacement: 1050cc
Bore/Stroke: 79 x 71.4mm
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Fuel System: Multipoint sequential EFI with SAI
Final Drive: X-ring chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox: 6-speed
Frame: Aluminum beam perimeter
Swingarm: Single-sided, aluminum
Front Wheel: Cast aluminum 5 -spoke, 17 x 3.5 in
Rear Wheel: Cast aluminum 5 - spoke, 17 x 5.5 in
Front Wheel: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear Tire: 180/55 ZR 17
Front Suspension: Showa 43mm cartridge forks with dual rate springs and adjustable preload, 5 in travel
Rear Suspension: Showa monoshock with adjustable preload and rebound damping, 6 in travel Front Brakes: Twin 320mm floating discs, Nissin 4-piston calipers, ABS standard
Rear Brakes: Single 255mm disc, Nissin 2-piston sliding caliper, ABS standard
L x W x H: 88.6 x 29.9 x 47.6 in
Seat Height: 32.1 in
Wheelbase: 60.5 in
Rake/Trail: 23.5 degree / 84 mm
Wet Weight: 590 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 US gals
Colors: Pacific Blue, Aluminum Silver
MSRP: $13,199
source by motorcycle/usa

What can a VIDEO be about that includes a BMW S 1000 RR and the tablecloth myth?

What can a VIDEO be about that includes a BMW S 1000 RR and the tablecloth myth?
You guys just have to see the video. It’s the least wasted 1 min of anyone’s life. Not being a great fan of Mythbusters or the like, I don’t know if they ever tried to bust the old pull-the-tablecloth trick, or if they did or did not bust out the myth. Back in the day when medieval princes where bored as hell and they came up with this stunt, I’m not sure they had 193 horsepower in a single machine. Unless maybe, earlier in history though, good old Hercules had too much mead or something…

Back to the subject. A long elegant table full of high-class dishes and all sorts of tabelware, flowers along of course, a white stylish down-to-the floor long cloth. Add in a BMW S 1000 RR, the 193 horsepower that hits 60 mph / 100 kmh in under 3 seconds – and of course the human factor – a pro driver with a quick set of wrists and lots of anger in his eyes, be they under the casket.

What happens? See for yourself in the clip. BMW takes you out! By the way, you can own such a beauty and bring the house down at parties trying the trick for yourself (well, or just drive down those streets like a normal sports biker, it’s up to you…) for around $ 13-14k.
source by mibz

Harley-Davidson and Marisa Miller, what mix could be sexier? 

Marisa Miller may be known as the sexiest women on the planet for her work in Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret catalogs, and in light of her latest ad campaign with the Bar and Shield Company, we’re not here to debate that.Harley Davidson… well no need for me to go into all that you all know to well about Harleys.

So what’s the connection between the two? It seems Harley Davidson got a


new model for advertising their bikes, the idea of a biker and the motivation to start riding one. You guessed right, it’s no one else than Marisa Miller! The executives over in Milwaukee outdone themselves with the whole “Start Something!” campaign, clip foremost, but the interactive site with Marisa guiding you step-by-step is not to be sneezed upon either. Imagine her all dressed in leather, blonde hair flowing, telling you how to get started, how to speed it up, even how to get the license and.. hit the road! Words are futile…
Harley-Davidson will even be giving away a few bikes for amateurs looking to become bad-ass bikers, so hurry to visit! (As if seeing Marisa Miller riding a bike wasn’t enough…).

Curious whether Marisa really is a biker herself, and wether this is the first time she’s wearing a costume and owning (or is it vice-versa?) that Harley? The behind-the-scenes clip below might answer your questions. Or just make you really frisky, so if you’re watching this at work at least invite the boss too. That way he surely won’t mind.
source by mibz