UK Bike Forum / UK Bike Forum / New Models

Erm...mad!

endemoniada_88 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:54:28 GMT

We used to have an ongoing photo thread that occasionally touched on bikes, one of which was the Dodge Tomahawk - a Viper V10 concept bike:

I was reminded of it when a mate sent me this picture of the Millyard Viper-engined special:

...which looks like a bit of ludicrous thing, but is as nothing compared to Jagged Edge:

Made in England, this is your authentic twin-turbo (jerry-built from Peugeot diesels) Jaguar 5.3 V12 engined hard-tail chop. Scarily, the front end is a standard GPZ1100 item. Designed for drag-racing, but road-legal. Sir, you are either a true genius or an utter lunatic.

Anyway, as barking mad vehicles are something that I quite like - anyone else got any they'd like to add?

Concept Bikes

Matt-j-chapman — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:34:05 GMT

Hi the names matt,

I'm starting up a bike building business and I want to build
new and different bikes, im starting out with a sports cruiser
thing, thats the best way to discribe it. It has centre hub
steering, a gsx 1300 engine which is new, front and rear
swing arm and looks very different, think different as in
the dodge tomahawk but looks like an actual bike not a car.

What i am hoping to do is create more different bikes that
explore different chassis, engine layouts, suspension,
steering, fairings, everything and anything really.
Unfortunately im a builder not a concept designer.
Thats were any of you may fit in. If you have any ideas,
drawings, plans or just ideas, please get in touch either
through here or send them to Matt-j-chapman@hotmail.com,
please write your name and D.O.B on any drawings or ideas
and full credit and possibly cash (if the ideas mature into
the real thing) can be forwarded to you.

Cheers matt
Director Colton Ltd.

Brightona 2008 this Sunday!

tom@ukbike.com — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:28:50 GMT

This Sunday, the south coast will be swamped with bikes as the Brightona 2008 show comes to Madeira Drive, along Brighton seafront.

Last year's event was a great success - over £20,000 was raised for the Sussex Heart Charity, and the organisers are hoping to build on that figure with this years donation.

Brightona 2008 promises to be even bigger and better, with a full line-up of live music across two stages and at the nearby Concorde2, plenty of stalls and a bigger range of custom bikes on display.

All bikes, trikes and scooters are welcome. Entry is just £5 per bike including a pin and programme, free entry for the viewing public.

UKBike.com are proud to sponsor Brightona - we will be there on Sunday with our van next to Reader's Digest, come and say hello!

All the details can be found at www.brightona.net.

UKBike.com are looking for blog writers!

tom@ukbike.com — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:05:20 GMT

Hi everyone, I'm Tom from the UKBike.com team.

We are looking to launch our new blog soon, which will highlight the latest bike reviews, news and video items, information on UK bike events, and updates from UKBike.com.

Our blog is also a platform for quality writing. We're looking for bike riders who can regularly turn their stories, thoughts, bike reviews, and most of all their passion for motorbikes into words.

UKBike.com is the UK's leading motorbike reviews site - in August alone we had 90,000 individual visitors. Today there are 4,401 bike reviews in our archive, and we'd really like to bring the qualities of these reviews to our new blog.

If you're interested in writing for UKBike.com, then please drop me an e-mail at tom@ukbike.com or leave a private message through this site. Look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers

Tom @ UKBike.com

Moto Morini 1200 Corsaro

roadhoover — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:04:10 GMT

Errm, well if anybody interested just written a short (well for me anyway) a review of the Moto Morini 1200 Corsaro Veloce, what a luvverly piece of kit. http://www.ukbike.com/BrowseReview.aspx~name~Morini~makeid~237

anybody out there with one of the 3 half's, 9 halfs? hardly ever see them these days, would be good to have some thoughts on the new models from the old model owners standpoint.

Harley Riders

roadhoover — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:20:18 GMT

Blenk will probably be able to answer this one.

I am fortunate enough to have been lent a 2008 Harley-Davidson Fatboy. I've ridden it home this evening, (relatively gently I may add for those who know me and assume the worst etc).

The ground clearance is absolutely atrocious, anybody else suffer the same problem on this or a similar Harley? Is there a simple mod to raise them or jack the suspension up a little? I followed a bike cop home for about six miles so well within all the limits and conscious of the vigilance of the law man in front, it was quite embarrasing.

Come on Harley Riders let me know, share the lore!

Information needed

nunev — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:38:10 GMT

Hello,
I was brosing the web, when I saw the address www.imotorsportonline.com. I saw nice bikes there. I am not sure, if this company is legal? Can anyone tell me any information about it?
10x a lot

I'll show you mine, if you show me yours.

Blenk — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:07:18 GMT

No words, just photos

new bikes

roadhoover — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 14:19:23 GMT

Don't know about all you lot out there in cyberland, but I was a little disappointed at the recent NEC show. Where were Ducati, MV, Benelli,Aprillia Moto Morini etc etc, it seemed to me to be a bit bare of new models. For sure the big 4 and KTM, Harley had great stands, but for road exotica it was severely lacking, could only really slaver over the KTM super motards.

And is it just me or has the euro 3 emissions people contrived in their wisdom to force manufactureres to produce the most inelegant silencers on bikes yet seen. What's going on with the Gixer thou, god! it's now about ten foot wide with those monstrous things straddling each side. And that B-king, and the new Kawasaki's which I have to admit I'm rather partial to, weren't much better. I tought the '06 ZX-10 was a fat ****d machine, but compared to some of the other monsters its as svelte as they are likely to come, nice one Yamaha, they seem to have managed to design a modicum of aesthetics in their exhaust design. Race exhaust as soon as I buy a new bike methinks. Anybody agree?

Would you buy a Japanese Harley-Davidson?

roadhoover — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:04:15 GMT

Take over speculation afoot

All American icon Harley Davidson, symbol of freedom and attitude to millions of bikers across the globe, they who made headsarves popular for men and are rumoured to be the target of a take-over by the worlds largest motorcycle manufacturer and possible future potential Skynet Corporation (headed by the truly amazing 'Asimo' no relation to Isaac). Honda.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, which includes Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, are the only major US-based motorcycle manufacturer, producing heavyweight large capacity motorcycles and offers a huge catalogue of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. With reported sales of $5.8billion last year

In typical inscrutable style, Honda officials were tight lipped about the rumours, refusing to either deny or confirm them.

On the face of it, the move seems highly unlikely, but if the takeover was to happen, then Honda will account for approximately 60 per cent of the large capacity bike market in addition to the myriad of small capacity licensing deals it has across the orient and India

The rumours did nothing for Honda shares apparently and experts feel that the takeover (if it were to happen) would not be well received by the majority of the potential Harley buying audience.

Harley owners are fiercely loyal and would almost certainly balk at buying a Japanese Harley Davidson. It’s fair to say from most quarters that the brand does not sell on its technological achievements or indeed progress but more on its perceived lifestyle image and individuality which are deemed quintessentially American and are fiercely protected.

All the major manufacturers have a large capacity custom cruiser machine in their line up and it could be argued that in terms of performance and dare it be said style they are actually a better machine. Cruiser sales are actually rising slowly throughout Europe apparently, but true aficionados tend to plump for the ‘potato potato’ soundtrack and the black and orange shield every time

Good luck to the marketing personnel on that particular project no matter what huge budget was chucked at it.

Only recently H-D were reportedly in talks with another iconic brand, Ducati motorcycles; with a view to a strategic merger along with a desire to consolidate it’s brand and sales in the booming and increasingly affluent market that is China.

Harley Davidson is not alone under the spotlight of merger and takeover speculation. Second largest Indian motorcycle manufacturer Bajaj has apparently approached both Triumph and Ducati with a view to working together. This seems unlikely but Triumph in particular already has a manufacturing plant in Chonburi, Thailand which will shortly be producing a purported 25% of models and associated components by the end of this year. The sub continental and Asian manufacturing potential it would appear cannot be ignored.

If the rumour is true and it does come to pass, hang on to that all American HD you have now because used prices will almost certainly go stellar.

What do you think? Would the brand ownership influence your buying decisions or is this just a trait peculiar to H-D and its owners? Would you buy a Triumph that was no longer ‘made in England’ or a Ducati owned by an Indian conglomerate? Have your say .

MCN Motorcycle show

Mazz — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:16:39 GMT

Anyone heading up this weekend? It'll be a great time to buy any gear that you've been saving your pennies for.

Manufacturers confirmed:

BMW
KTM
DUCATI
HONDA
KAWASAKI
SUZUKI
YAMAHA
HARLEY DAVIDSON

Free Carole Nash Live Action Arena featuring UKFMX freestylers doing backflips 'with tricks', more crazy antics from Mokus and stunt guru AC Farias

MCNLive! Stage

See your favourite biking heroes live on stage or test your skills in our fantastic competitions plus it’s your chance to check out the stunning MCN babes. Click here to get the full timetable for the stage.

MCN Babes

The MCN London Motorcycle Show wouldn’t be the same without the gorgeous MCN babes.

Run the rule over the MCN babe hopefuls who will compete to be crowned 'Babe of the Show'.

It’s a rigorous selection process, with the final on Sunday, February 4, 2008. Who’s your favourite?

It's the perfect way to sit back and be entertained before getting back to the huge range of manufacturer displays, new motorcycles, and trade stands offering bargains.

And don't forget you can order tickets in advance to save some money and get a chance to win a brand new Ducati 848. Anyone pre-ordering tickets will be automatically entered into a prize draw for the stunning sportsbike.

Advance tickets cost: Adult - £14. Seniors - £10. Child (11-15) - £8. VIP Adult - £22. VIP Child - £12.

On the door: Adult: £18. Seniors - £10. Child (11-15) £8.

New UKbiker video supported road tests

roadhoover — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:11:55 GMT

Keep an eye out, won't be long.

.........''It wouldn’t look out of place in the scorching badlands heat of Mexico, land of Zapata moustaches, chewing tobacco, tequila and aged cactus, but it does I fear look out of place on a cold winters day in Sussex as it thuds through the early morning dreariness and cold. Speckled orange sodium spots lining the foothills of the Downs and commuter traffic hobbling the large lumpy motor’s big bore potential. Pale faced rider, clean shaven, skirting Eastbourne deeply imbedded in the burgeoning 21^st century fog and drizzle......''

NEC show

roadhoover — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:51:05 GMT

Took a trip to the NEC yesterday to check out all the precious metal. Based on my 10 hour journey there and back (which in terms of mileage should be half that) I wish I'd taken the bike.

Machines of note for me. The new Fireblade looks well trick, new was the CBR1000R (like the wheels)The R6 looks even tricker and the the new for '08 YZFR125 dependant on price will sell like hot cakes, it really makes the well selling CBR125 look positively rubbish. All you learner riders should keep an eye out for the new Megelli's also.

Kawasaki launch a 250 four stroke sports twin bang on 33BHP which should also sell bucket loads. Ktm showed off with their LC8 which was only aced in terms of exclusivity by the Desmoseidieci, I parked my **** on the Hypermotard and the KTM 950 supermotard and it's orange world for me.

Most bizarre bike I reckon was the Victory Vision. Not sure what it's supposed to be a vision of, but luxury tourers who want big cubes should check out the Triumph Rocket 111 tourer, for me more preferable than a Harley and more charachterful than a Wing. BMW had a number of new models, quirky but no doubt highly efficient and their 800GS will probably sell in bucketloads. Benelli showed off their range, still undecided on this lot, do they look good or not? Are they the same model with just modular amendments....Hmmmmm?

Anyway if you went, what took your eye? Pray tell.

Gonna try and post all this and more plus pix when I've got some time on Johnny blog soon, so check it out brothers and sisters. Talking of which it was gratifying to see loads of women at the show. I'm not talking about the totty but the girls and leahdies who were actual riders, bikers and buyers. Good on you gals!

ZZR1400

roadhoover — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:55:45 GMT

'' ....I would even go as far to say that the first ride of 100 miles left me disappointed. The traffic was too clogged for me to set controls for the heart of the sun and even if I had a clear launch pad and then flicked it into interstellar overdrive it just pulled seamlessly. As far as I could tell there was no vicious thrust in the back no lung bursting, retina smearing lunge into the space time continuum just a notion of entering the stratosphere and the sudden realization that the air was thin.....''

All the rest and some pix on the UKBiker blog http://ukbiker.blogspot.com

Harley Joke

Black Dog — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:13:49 GMT

Arthur Davidson (yes, him), died and went to heaven.

At the gates, St. Peter told Arthur, "Since you've been such a good man and your motorcycles have changed the world, your reward is, you can hang out with anyone you want in Heaven."

Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, "I want to hang out with God."

St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room and introduced him to God.
God recognized Arthur and commented, "Okay, so you were the one who invented the Harley Davidson motorcycle?"

Arthur said, "Yep, that's me."

God said, "Well, what's the big deal in inventing something that's pretty unstable, makes noise and pollution and can't run without a road?"

Arthur was apparently embarrassed, but finally he said, "Excuse me, but aren't You the inventor of woman?"

God said, "Yes."

"Well," said Arthur, "professional to professional, you have some major design flaws in your invention:

1. There's too much inconsistency in the front-end protrusions;
2. It chatters constantly at high speeds;
3. Most of the rear ends are too soft and wobble too much;
4. The intake is placed way too close to the exhaust;
5. And the maintenance costs are enormous!"

"Hmmm, you have some good points there," replied God, "hold on." God went to His Celestial super computer, typed in a few words and waited for the results. The computer printed out a slip of paper and God read it.

"Well, it may be true that my invention is flawed," God said to Arthur, "but according to these numbers, more men are riding my invention than yours."

Boom-tish.

Riding a new bike

roadhoover — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:53:23 GMT

I've been fortunate enough to have been given the keys to a brand new ZX6R '07 for a coupla days. I've bombed about on it with a huge grin on my face.

What a difference a new bike makes. I jumped back on the mighty 9 and discovered that it all felt loose, sloppy and not so mighty anymore, it felt like a comfortable armchair with the performance to match. Gonna write a review shortly.

Does anybody own an '07 CBR6/R6/Gixer 6 I'd be interested to find out your thoughts on the ZX6's rivals, for comparison.

I'm not if I can afford it yet, but I might look at buying a new bike next year and litre class bikes seem almost unneccesary in terms of performance delivered by a modern 600 these days. I've always been into Kawasaki's but do like the CBR6 which I think 'Bike' voted bike of 2007 and both the R6 and the Gixer get rave reviews. Help me out here folks, Just having a standard test ride doesn't reveal the real truth about actually owning a modern 600 guided missile.

Kawaski Ti-fighter - ridden

roadhoover — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:32:34 GMT

Zed 1000...............................

First impressions. Mean, menacing, aggressive, very angular, insect-like with it’s extremely well fitting modular sci-fi arrowhead panels, this design echoed throughout the bike from the fender stays, through the well fitting side panels and frame covers to footrest brackets, swing arm , chain adjustors and rear caliper bracket, all bear the mark of thought and theme, excellent function with singular design. Mr Tanaka (who was shipped in from Mazda) to spearhead the design of the next generation of bikes apparently picked a spot in front of the front wheel and drew an imaginary line at a 30 degree angle or thereabouts and based the lines of the bike on this imaginary line to give it the appearance of movement whilst stationary. He’s succeeded.

The sharp and rapacious front end with bulbous tail. Orca-like black and silver. There is no mistaking the designer’s intent. This is a street fighter, meat eating muscle bike and Ti-fighter in one well equipped and power packed package

Solus dealerships

roadhoover — Tue, 08 May 2007 10:11:05 GMT

Solus dealerships - the future. I'm not so sure.

Whilst I can understand the reasoning behind Honda's desire to appoint and retain only solus dealers throughout the country, it's similar to the Harley, BMW and increasingly Triumph model. And yes I hear the argument of specialist knowledge.

In my opinion however this is driving the soul and passion out of the whole Motorcycle buying/shopping experience.

I've felt a little alienated and uneasy every time I have visited one of these glittering emporiums with their half empty spaces, white light and tastefully displayed models. It felt very akin to a car showroom (where the sound of your footsteps click click on the expensive marble tiled floor, whilst showroom assistants and sales staff, parade around waiting for the right moment. For me not an enticing and enjoyable atmosphere.) An automotive art gallery where granted you buy a technically brilliant piece of engineering, a mechanical contrivance. But somehow not a motorcycle. Somehow not real world. How many people go to these types of venue just to hang out, chat with staff, discuss the racing, use the dealership as a venue to meet other bikers?

I realise the average age of most of us bikers is rising, as we get older and realise more of our disposable income. Apparently this type of emporium is what we desire according to the market analysts. Have they thought that perhaps the opposite is true. Sure there are the professionals who demand that type of service, but I would venture that they are in a minority. Most of us (old gits) either want to capture the spirit of our youth without being bothered by obseqious suits. Or try to belong to the 'brotherhood' of biking that they deem to be outside of at present, the yearning for something more thatn Radio 4 and a crippling commute during the week and the family runabout at weekends. Biking is an escape, an adrenalin rush, an enthusiasm and a passion. I would venture that these purple palaces are exactly what most of us don't want.

Where is the soul and passion to be found in these places? Why can I only smell Pledge? Why are the workshops quiet and the mechanics overall's clean?

Even the paperclips on the salesmens desks seem regimented. Where is choice? Where is banter. Genuine warmth, enthusiasm and friendliness? Replaced by strict professiionalism. The law according to the manufacturer a mantra with no margin for personality or personal opinion sometimes it seems.

It will be interesting to see if this is a model for success or whether it will eventually turn round and bite them in the ****.

Do the other big three have similar plans? I would say the future is bright for driven independant dealers. Who can stock what they wish and appeal to a broader two wheeled audience.

Any of you lot out there with an opinion on the state of the trade, any dealers need praising? What do you want in a 21st century motorcycle shop?

Tell what you don't see....

Mazz — Wed, 02 May 2007 12:05:17 GMT

Bike adverts in the media. And by that I mean TV and Radio and in newspapers. You get car ads all the time, all over the place but I'm yet to see even one advert for a motorcycle. Not even a motorcycle shop is on there! Sure you find loads in bike specific media (here, MCN, Bike trader etc) but not on the box. Is there a reason for it?

Kawasaki ER6-F

Mazz — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 10:01:17 GMT

I've been looking at a new bike for some time now (VFR looked promising) but now I've been swung in favour of a more up to date, 0% Finance ER6-F.

I was just wondering what everyones thoughts are on this particular bike. I looks sporty, but I think it classifies as a Sports/Tourer (please correct me if I'm wrong). Nice colours, nice price at £4500 for an '07 plate and I have to say... it looks fantastic! Could be a bit low on the seat height side of things but still... it looks sweet as! And with a 0% Finance deal thrown in I think it could be a real bargain. I always promised myself I'd never buy anything on Finance but I'm sorely tempted by this bike.

Please, your views people.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://w1.bikepics.com/pics/2005%255C09%255C08%255Cbikepics-425080-full.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/425080/&h=600&w=800&sz=49&hl=en&start=56&tbnid=oDXQ4HMn7rvuSM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3DER6F%26start%3D40%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

(sorry about the long URL!)

Gixer K7

roadhoover — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:07:54 GMT

Suzuki’s marketing men must have been creaming it Saturday morning. Not only had they arranged the official Gixer1000 launch that day but co-incidentally it was the opening round of the World Supers with the bearded weirdo (but only slightly faded) highly talented Max Biaggi slinging his leg over the new race specced K7. Alas I was still awash with red wine at the 8.00 in the morning or whenever the race was on, and I don’t have space telly either but once roused and the thudding had dissipated, three cups of coffee later, I decided to check my local dealer.

They only had one, all black and sitting next to the K6 for comparison I guess. These things are top of the tree no mercy full on super bikes with an emphasis on Super I feel. Even standing still it looked menacing. If it is possible to characterize bikes, it bristled with muscle. In comparison The Yamaha looks sleek and fast despite the extra lb’s this year, the Honda Blade is a thing of beauty but has been accused of being bland in appearance and to ride in some quarters and the Kawasaki is a bit of an odd ball, I think with the Ten it depends on what angle you view it from. (Free set of Akrapovic slip ons should help sell them though).

The Gixer definitely steals the show in the aggressive looks department and as a standard circa eight grand bike out of the crate, horsepower and performance greedheads should be satisfied for the return on their hard earned. It always amazes me whyy more sports car owners don’t have litre class bikes. If they are true petrol heads and speed freaks, what are they doing in 20 grand Mazda when for half the money they could have probably three times the performance and wouldn’t have to sit in traffic?

The K7 suffers from the latest crop of really crap looking pipes, twin spouters for this model because of emissions and pandering to the recent Green lobby thing, Yoshimura, Akrapovic et al must be well happy, they are probably the only things you would need to take straight off. The rest is already there. Posh brakes, black nitrided upside downers, slim and narrow seat (though reasonably high), adjustable rear sets as standard, and a tri map toggle switch for different mapping at the flick of your thumb.

Apparently the dealer sells more litre sports bikes than the 600’s, and it could be argued that the 600 is a better package other than the relative high cost of insurance. But for the money, the 1000’s have more swagger and smug potential.

Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube, That is why God made fast motorrcycles.

Anybody got one yet? I’m sure there will be some detracting R1 or Blade owners, but lets face it other than a pet allegiance and personal taste with aesthetics, there ain’t a great deal to choose between them is there?

Am attending Le-Mans 24 hour in April. This should be a proper shakedown for the new kid on the block. Read all about the Team Alf’s Endurance racing ZX10 ’07, Superproduction class green meanie. They’ve lined up Guy Martin and Chris Burns for this years attempt, with all the quick release goodies Alfred has planned should be a very promising result for the team. Any way I am rambling on, but the season has kicked off. Today I didn’t get wet riding to work, the South Downs looked fantastic, marred only by the string of metal and lights and only wore four jumpers as it is getting milder. The race season is go, Biaggi winning couldn’t have been a better start, Rossi post fastest time around Jerez ever last week and more and more do as you likers are out and about roaming. God what a bore winter is, roll on Spring