The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Piaggio MP3 500

By

Piaggio will be introducing both the MP3 400 and MP3 500 in the U.S. for 2008. Piaggio dealers just met in Scottsdale, Arizona and they were told both scooters are on the way. According to the ScooterScoop, the MP3 500 will be a rebadged Gilera Fuoco 500. Although many current owners of the Piaggio MP3 report perfectly acceptable power with the 250, some have been waiting … [Read more...]

Hayabusa V8 Powered Ariel Atom by Dennis Palatov

By

Dennis Palatov really likes the Hayabusa V8, of course, it's hard not to. Dennis, though, has the experience of building the DP1, a carbon fiber bodied track day car with a Hartley Enterprises Hayabusa V8 for power. Being the kind of guy he is, one is never enough so the next thing you know, Dennis takes delivery of an Ariel Atom, the minimal, tube framed open wheel roadster … [Read more...]

Bugatti T72 Supercharged Bicycle Engine

By

Many early motorcycles were really motorized bicycles, a normal bicycle with some small engine either adapted or specifically designed to attach to the bike for power. This particular bit of engineering is the Bugatti T72, a 12.66cc single cylinder, twin cam supercharged engine. Think about that. The bicycle the engine is attached to in the above photo is a 1937 Peugeot. The … [Read more...]

2008 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

By

Yamaha is introducing the XT660Z Tenere in Europe, an all purpose commuter, touring, adventure bike and it has a lot of potential. Will Yamaha bring the bike to the U.S.? There's no indication so far and I have to wonder if the U.S. market would support it. Judging from the comments on our post on the Kawasaki Versys, though, I'd say they should seriously consider it. Bikes … [Read more...]

Motorcycle X Prize Ideas

By

Is there enough room for advancement in the motorcycle industry that an X Prize like competition would make sense? Envision the ultimate motorcycle, what would it be? Almost anything you can think of is a continuation of something already being done and progress would only be a matter of degree, higher speed, better mileage, lower cost, greater range, but nothing radically … [Read more...]