The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

KTM Builds a Car – The KTM X-Bow

By

KTM builds a car, the X-Bow. This comes after Bombardier builds the Can-Am Spyder, a road going 3 wheeler and Buell says they're going to race Rotax powered motocross bikes. You have to wonder what else is cooking in some of those back rooms. Since the beginning of the new century, KTM, as the world market leader in the offroad segment has successively expanded its range … [Read more...]

You Can Help Companies Build Better Motorcycles

By

My story about the Harley Davidson strike led to an interesting exchange about dealers getting a backlog of bikes in their inventory they did not want in the first place. It happens all the time and results when dealers must order a particular mix of motorcycles, across the company’s product line rather than just the specific models the dealer is sure to sell. This sounds … [Read more...]

The Kneeslider Sunday Updates

By

Interesting updates and additional information related to earlier stories: When writing about the Harley Davidson strike, I said the interruption of motorcycle shipments caused by the strike might be a convenient way of reducing the backlog of unsold inventory, something the union might not have considered. Although a comment took me to task for this idea, it seems at least … [Read more...]

Can Am Spyder Details

By

The Can-Am Spyder official website is live and it's very well done. Loads of information to answer most all of your questions which is a good thing since they are introducing a new type of vehicle. A few highlights: VSS - Vehicle Stabilization System, developed with Bosch which helps maintain vehicle control. Brakes are activated by the right foot pedal which … [Read more...]

Buell Planning Competition Dirt Bikes?

By

Browsing a couple of the Buell forums, I found several references to a Buell dealer meeting that just took place. In that meeting, the dealers were told that Buell was planning to introduce a complete line of competition dirt bikes within two years. Details were sketchy, what engine would be used was not disclosed, whether these would be derivatives of current bikes or totally … [Read more...]

Brand New J A Prestwich Engines and Parts

By

If you're familiar with a whole range of older motorcycles like the Brough Superior or vehicles like the old Morgan 3 wheelers, you're probably also familiar with the J.A. Prestwich engines that graced these old machines. They were gorgeous pushrod singles and V-twins built during the first half of the twentieth century and used for both road going and racing purposes. So … [Read more...]