The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

KTM Builds a Car – The KTM X-Bow

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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...]

Shelby Motorcycle Built by Rucker Performance

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Carroll Shelby, the man who stuffed a big American V8 into the AC sports car and created the sensational AC Cobra, has teamed with Rucker Performance to create the Shelby Motorcycle. The motorcycle will be powered by the recently introduced American made S&S X-Wedge V-Twin engine. The 128 cubic inch X-Wedge produces 150 horsepower and in this application will have a power to … [Read more...]