Italian high performance motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has chosen Altair Engineering, Inc to provide optimization and verification tools of the body parts for the series production models of the Hypermotard 1100 and Hypermotard 1100 S bike models.

Ducati will utilize the Altair HyperWorks, an engineering tool that offers the best solutions in manufacturing processes. Altair HyperWorks uses virtual simulations of development, assembly, and manufacturing operations.

Simone Di Piazza, head of the calculation department at Ducati commeted:
"When we presented the Hypermotard as a concept bike at the EICMA, it was enthusiastically received. International experts and attendees praised both Hypermotard’s outstanding technology and Pierre Terblanche’s excellent design. Everybody at Ducati was extremely pleased that the prototype was awarded ‘Best of Show’ at the Motorcycle Design Association ‘Designers Night.’ Reassured by this successful presentation, we knew it was time to go into series production with the bike, and started the development for series production in March 2006."

He added:
"As soon as we knew we would go into series production with the bike, we started to look for a state-of-the-art simulation tool to deal with the challenges we would have to face. We then learned that HyperWork’s integrated framework fit our needs in the area of structural optimization perfectly. We are confident that HyperWorks is the best choice for us to receive accurate results and to realize this project within the expected time frame."

Meanwhile, Cosimo Panetta, country manager of Altair Engineering in Italy also commented:
"The new Ducati machine is a bike built to turn bikers’ dreams into reality. It is a radical bike that takes power, versatility and performance to a new level, but is also built to be driven every day of the year. I am very proud that HyperWorks was used to put this 95hp - 90CV (66kw) at 7750rpm, 175 kg dry-weight bike from concept into series production. HyperWorks and the Hypermotard not only share a part of their names - they are also both state- of-the-art products. With two wheels, but only one purpose - to thrill, the Hypermotard is a symbol for innovative driving. Similarly, HyperWorks is a suite of products put together to serve one purpose. That is, to accelerate product development - standing for driving innovation at its best."

Well, I think I have to save money and get the Ducati Hypermotard instead of upgrading my Audi S4 parts.

Klaus Beutler, owner of Beutler Design has created his very own futuristic bike model based from the BMW R 1100 GS. This unique bike retains the powerful BMW boxer engine and other parts like BMW air flow meter, combined with other upgraded tech feats from Beutler Design.

Klaus Beutler explained:
"You quickly learn to estimate the virtues of a GS on the narrow and curvy roads in our region.  You will even rarely find a rider of a modern superbike who can leave you behind with this 170 hp rocket. The 1,085 cc two-cylinder boxer remained basically unchanged, but for a better sound I have adapted the open air filters and got the standard exhaust system made shorter."

Check out below for the detailed specs of Klaus Beutler customized BMW R 1100 GS.

Engine     
Air/oil cooled two-cylinder four-valve BMW boxer engine

Displacement     
1085 cc

Bore/Stroke     
99 x 70.5 mm

Compression     
10.3:1

Power     
80 hp at 6,800 rpm.  Max. torque 97 Nm at 5,300 rpm

Exhaust     
Modified Beutler Design 2-in-1 exhaust system, open sport air filters

Transmission     
Five-speed manual gearbox, universal-shaft drive

Chassis     
Telelever front wheel suspension with Beutler Design plastic cover, single-arm swing arm rear with single suspension strut

Wheels     
BMW K 1200 S light alloy cast wheels with Beutler Design Carbon look paint.  Dimensions 3.5Jx17 front with 120/70 ZR 17 Michelin tire; 6Jx17 rear with 180/55 ZR 17 Michelin tire

Front Brake     
Two-rotor disc brake front with four-pot calipers and floating 305 mm brake discs

Rear Brake     
One-rotor disc brake rear with two-pot calliper and 276 mm brake disc

Design     
Beutler Design FUTURE BMW body styling kit with front mask including handlebar cover with integrated direction indicators and instruments.  Monocoque with fuel reservoir cover and single-seater saddle, two ellipsoid headlights for passing light and high beam, two mini direction indicators rear and two rear lights for driving and brake light.  Bow spoiler.

Paint     
Beutler Design special paint, Combination Carbon-Look and brushed aluminum finish

Performance     
0 - 100 km/h approx. 4.0 seconds

Max. speed approx. 200 km/h

Price     
Approx. 12,000 Euros for the bodywork and owner’s BMW R 1200 GS.  New complete motorcycle, based on new BMW R 1200 GS, approx. 29,000 Euros.

Manufacturer     
Beutler Design, Hauptstr. 34, D-79733 Görwihl, Germany, Tel: +49 / (0) 77 54 / 75 11, 70

American Honda Motor Company has recently announced the details, specs, and the pricing for the newest motorcycle model in the company’s lineup. The 2008 Honda CBR1000RR is scheduled to roll out in dealers starting in March next year equipped with a host of new features for 2008.

According to Honda Motorcycle Division Press Manager Jon Row:
"The CBR1000RR represents the ultimate in Honda’s sportbike technology, with innovations that will establish new performance standards in all aspects of the open class."

Well, brace yourselves and check out below for the main highlights and technical specs of the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR!

Main/New Features

* All-new 999cc inline four-cylinder engine.
* Lightweight titanium intake valves.
* New thinner high-strength pistons featuring molybdenum coating.
* New removable cylinder block with Nikasil-coated cylinders.
* Idle-air control valve (IACV) and Ignition Interrupt Control for idle stability and smoother on/off throttle response.
* Unique slipper clutch features cam mechanism to reduce clutch lever pull.
* New mid-muffler exhaust system design incorporates exhaust valve and catalyst.
* New-generation Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) (see Technology Section).
* New lighter-weight front brake hoses with lighter front brake rotors.
* New monoblock front brake calipers with chromium-plated aluminum pistons.
* Lightweight aluminum sidestand.
* New four-piece Hollow Fine Die-Cast Frame (see Technology Section).
* New aluminum swingarm design.
* New twin-tunnel ram-air induction.
* New line-beam headlights.
* Front turn signals integrated into mirrors.
* New compact instrumentation.
* New lighter-weight wheels.
* New lightweight compact battery.
* New improved ergonomics.
* Iconic new Honda Wing tank badge.
* Exciting new colors include Red/Black, Black/Metallic Silver, Pearl Yellow/Black, Candy Dark Red/Metallic Silver.
* Black/Metallic Grey (2008 special color†).
* Exclusive, MotoGP-derived Unit Pro-Link® Rear Suspension (see Technology Section).
* Mid-muffler exhaust system design.
* Specially designed slipper clutch.
* Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI) system features two injectors per cylinder (see Technology Section).
* Centrally located fuel tank increases mass centralization and allows more compact frame design.
* Line-beam headlights feature two-piece reflector design.
* New ergonomic triangle lets rider sit 10mm farther forward and 10mm lower than previous-generation CBR1000RR. Handlebars are 6.5mm higher and 2mm forward.
* High-capacity 400-watt AC generator.
* High-tech instrument display features tachometer, plus LCD readouts for speedometer, coolant temperature, odometer, two tripmeters and a clock, mpg and average fuel consumption. A low-fuel LED light and shift-indicator light are located above the LCD.
* Line-beam headlight features two-piece reflector design utilizing two H7 bulbs for optimum light distribution and unique compact design.
* LED taillights for lighter weight and improved appearance.
* Plastic tank shell cover protects tank and airbox.
* Convenient ignition switch/fork lock for added security.
* Folding aerodynamic mirrors.
* Convenient push-to-cancel turn-signal switch.
* New maintenance-free battery is 2.2 pounds lighter.

2008 Honda CBR1000RR Specs

The 2008 Honda CBR1000RR will go son sale next year carrying a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $11,599. This costs 10 times more than upgrading your Porsche 924 parts! LOL!

An eBay.com user from the United Kingdom is auctioning a customized bike model called the “Jagged Edge.” According to the seller, this motorcycle is equipped with a monstrous 5.3-liter V12 Twin Turbo engine under the fuel tank. Holy S^%#!  This engine is about five times more powerful than Casey Stoner’s Ducati Desmodedici GP7! Anyway, the seller also said that the Jagged Edge features Peugeot diesel engines pumping out more than 300 horsepower and about 400 ft lb amount of torque.

Anyway, I found this Q&A thingy at the seller’s website (and eBay). Check it out.

Q. Start at the beginning - what made you want to create this beast?
A. Drugs, alcohol and loud music. VERY loud music.
“I had a spare Jaguar V12 lying around, after I’d broken up an XJS for a trike project, and I’d always intended to do a V8 - but with so many already being done, I figured I’d go one better.
I haven’t spent any money on it - virtually everything that I needed, I was able to source from my workshop, or out of my scrap bin. The only parts I’ve had to buy in especially are spark plugs, a flywheel (2.9, six-cylinder), exhaust gaskets, and one of the turbos (which was fucked - thanks MAS).”

Q. So… a V12 engine in a motorbike - how did you manage to get it all together?
A. “Basically I made it all up as I went along. I used an XS1100 middle gearbox, with a Land Rover first motion shaft, clutch and cover. The release bearing was originally a Discovery bearing and arm, but during a visit to my friend’s garage I found in his bin a TD4 Freelander hydraulic release bearing, which is fantastic for the job. After dicking about for three days with the Discovery release mechanism, I found the one out of the Freelander did the job with only fifteen minute’s work!”
Q. What’s it like to ride?
A. “Pretty terrifying, at first. It only has one gear and a clutch, but that’s all it really needs with 300+ horsepower and 400 ft/lbs of torque. I’ve got the hang of it now, though, and it’s actually surprisingly stable - like a huge Goldwing. I think it must be something to do with the huge rotating masses acting as a gyroscope, as you can turn it on full lock, barely moving, and not even have to put your feet down.”

Check out below for the brief “specs” of the Jagged Edge V12 Twin Turbo

Manufacturer:  Custom Mettle   
Model:  Jagged Edge   Type:  Super Sport
Condition:  Used  
Mileage:  500   
Engine Size:  5,350 cc  
Power:  400 Bhp  
Power:  400 Bhp  
Model Year:  2007   
Gears:  Automatic   
Drive Type:  Chain   
Start Type:  Electric start   
Independent Vehicle Inspection:  –  
Customised Features:  Bodywork/Fairing, Handlebars/Clip Ons, Headlights, Mirrors, Paint Job, Rear lights/Indicators, Windshield, Just about everything   
Performance Upgrades:  Special Exhaust/Slip on, Tuned Engine, Twin Turbo 

Starting bid for the Jagged Edge V12 Twin Turbo is at 3,000 British Pounds or about $6,088 USD. Wanna place your bid? Go to this page.

While the American rock band Aerosmith is on hiatus, the band’s lead singer Steven Tyler will make himself busy by designing new motorcycle models.

Right. The rock musician, along with Mark Dirico and AC Custom Motorcycles has recently launched the Red Wing Motorcycle Company. According to a recent press release, bike models from Red Wing Motorcycle combine the "rock and roll artistry and superior engineering." In addition, all bike models are handcrafted and sprinkled with Steven Tyler’s creativity.

According to Tyler: "You get on one of these bikes and you can ride for days. These bikes are sick, rugged, and just damn cool. And they’re amazing to look at.”

The bikes are based on Harley Davidson models, enhanced by Tyler in terms of aesthetic designs, and famous bike engineer Mark Dirico did the technical touches. In addition, Red Wing Motorcycle models pumps out a 35% increase in horsepower to the rear wheel. Red Wing Motorcycle Company has two models on their showroom so far: the ProStreet and Retro models.

Red Wing Motorcycle Company will announce the availability and the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of its models soon. What a great start for Tyler’s new career. Cool!

Anyway, I got to go now and find some Lexus brake dust shields on the web. By the way, watch out for the upcoming season finale races of MotoGP. Ciao!

I cannot remember exactly when I started to become fascinated with motorbikes. All I know is, when I first had a motorbike, a hand-me-down 1996 Honda Rebel 250 from my dad, biking has become my life. I’ve gone to places with my rebel, and I love the feel of being like one everytime I drive it to the suburbs, to dirt roads, to the freeway.. wherever.

I know that thousands die because of motorcycle accidents each year. But trust me when I say that it’s true what Hunter Thompson once said.. a time will just come when the thrill of speed will overcome the fear of death. Any true-blue motorcyclist can attest to that.

Welcome to my blog!