Motorcycle specifications get interesting when comparing the construction of the highest performing sport motorcycles. Subtle differences in rake, trail, and wheelbase combined with an array of race results, illustrate the holy grail of power and handling has yet to be found. Motorcyclist magazine recently ran two monthly issues back-to-back comparing 8 of the top liter bikes … [Read more...]
Ed Beckley’s Evil Twin 127 Inch V-Twin Powered Jump Bike by BTR Moto
Curt Winter of BTR Moto has created this custom jump bike for Big Ed Beckley of Checkered Flag Productions. Some of you may recall Big Ed's jumps decades ago. He has been busy promoting numerous types of events including Pulling, Arena Cross, and Monster Truck nationals. Ed is also back to jumping and he is going to jump this custom bike this Father’s Day, June 16th at the … [Read more...]
In-line Four Engine Development
Is the in-line four cylinder motor about to become the most developed engine for performance motorcycles? BMW's choice for this platform and Yamaha's development of their cross-plane crankshaft engine are two obvious points. What if either of those manufacturers combine their strategies with something similar to the Horex's staggered piston arrangement? The Horex 6 cylinder … [Read more...]
Harley-Davidson and the 25 – 40 Year Old Buyer
All motorcycle manufacturers must contend with changes in tastes & demographics (age, gender, location, etc.). For several years there has been a lot of talk about the increase in the average age of the Harley-Davidson buyer. The investment in the 2010 Street Glide Trike model seems to be in-line with that statistic, while another investment in the Nightster has been … [Read more...]
American Sportbike – The Eller Industries Story
Are you baffled by the lack of mass produced American-made sport motorcycles? (editor's note: other than Buell) Ironically, 10 years ago a failed business plan for a cruiser motorcycle and a questionable trademark decision played the lead roles in the continued absence of an American sportbike. This absence was not from a lack of demand for sportbikes in the United States. … [Read more...]
R1 with Girder Front Suspension – Update
The start of summer is around the bend which means for some builders another winter project is getting close to completion. Jason Rodman sent us an update on his very cool girder project. The impressive aluminum, arc’d design is carried out with excellent machining. During the intial mockup, RMD and Jason found proper trail numbers could not be achieved using the original … [Read more...]