RideLust

I usually like to harbor a healthy disdain for marketing subterfuge, and it began about ten years ago with a particularly compelling commercial for the Chevrolet Tahoe. The 30-second spot featured a poem by Patrick O’Leary entitled “Nobody Knows It But Me” read by the bass-voiced James Gardner, and so convincing was the delivery it was almost possible to overlook the Tahoe scaling the mountain in the foreground. Unfortunately, it later came to light that the poem had been written specifically for the commercial, thereby killing any perceived artistic patronage assigned to Chevy. From that point forward, I vowed to never again allow myself to be ensnared by a crafty advertising campaign and, Volvo ads notwithstanding, I’d been pretty successful. Then, a few weeks ago, I was assaulted with “The Fastest Indian,” a 1-minute commercial for the Bajaj Pulsar 220 cc set to, bar none, the catchiest song since “Eye of the Tiger.”

Hit the jump to view “The Fastest Indian” Read More…

An obscure French motorcycle company named Boxer Design has this handy little model called the Boxer SSR. You may have noticed that there are two bikes in the picture above. That’s because–they are actually the same bike! (Collective gasp!) Thanks to a clever modular design technique, motorcyclists who were once confounded by having to choose between a super sexy full-fairing sportbike and a leaner, meaner naked urbanite have a viable solution in the Boxer SSR. A simple (but possibly complicated) parts-swap will have you ready to surprise all your buddies at an actual parts-swap meet.

Released in 2005, the Boxer is powered by a 997cc V-Twin mill found in previous Boxer models, and makes use of quality components typical of low production models, like Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and Marchesini wheels. No word yet on pricing for the SSR, nor how many bikes have actually been produced.

For more pictures, check the gallery after the jump.

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Yes, it seems that bikers aren’t the only ones with mid life crisis. The thing is, though, is that a Corvette comes with a nice cozy seat to rest your potbelly and arthritic back, whereas a sport bike is all scrunched up and bent over. Not good for long distance touring. Unless you’re stubborn and rather inventive, in which case, you get what you see above–a Ninja outfitted for leisure and relaxation.

More commentary following the jump.

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Castrol has a special little helper to assist the performance tests of their oils in motorcycles. “Flossie,” a lovely–if headless–robo biker chick, allows testers to analyze engine performance over extremely long periods of time while riding on an extremely loud dynometer without incurring any worker’s comp. lawsuits or calls from the Geneva convention.

That’s because “Flossie” is the perfect woman: able to perform under adverse conditions without complaint. Her A.I. drive also allows her to learn the subtle nuance of clutch take-up and throttle control, meaning she can learn to ride any motorcycle or scooter. She’s also consistent, allowing her to duplicate precise inputs and enabling Castrol to repeat performance runs without variation.

To see a video of “Flossie” in action, follow the jump. Read More…

Francois Knorreck has got to be the most hospitable biker in history. How else would you explain the accommodations of his bad ass sidecar, the Snaefell? Custom fabricated over the last 10 years and with over $20,000 of his own money, the Snaefell was pieced together from various cars and attached to a 1000cc Laverda motorcycle. Both occupants will find a fully functioning dashboard with stereo, air conditioning and a handcrafted interior. What, no Blu-ray player? I’m waiting for next year’s model. More pics ahead.
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Someday, we’ll all look back on this decade and think of it as the real “Golden Age” of motorcycles. The Big Four Japanese makers have set a furious pace of competition–effectively obsoleting models more than two years old–and made the annual Supersport and Literbike comparo shootouts something of a Superbowl/UFC competition every spring. But progress comes at the cost of more weight, more complexity, and more technological interference. For those who like insane performance, that’s a good thing. For those who like riding, well, it’s not.

“What underpins Mac Motorcycles’ philosophy is the belief that the riding experience and the stories that go with motorcycle journeys seem to have been hijacked by technology and plastic,” says Ellis Pitt, the creator of the upstart British Company responsible for the minimalist designs you see above and after the jump in the gallery, designs which get you back to “what it’s all about.”

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TTXGP, or Time Trials Xtreme Grand Prix, is a 37.75 mile motorcycle race of international competitors set to kick off on June 12th, 2009, on closed public roads on the Isle of Mann, and it’s this type of race that is starting to push the envelope on new, clean, powerful vehicular technology.

Although all of the motorcycles entered in the TTXGP look like normal motorcycles, none of them have an internal combustion engine, exhaust, or fuel tank, and the overall CO2 usage (to charge the batteries) is about 50 percent less than a gas or diesel powered bike.

Let’s look at just a few of the motorcycles that are entered in the TTXGP:

1) Mission One (US)

The Mission One zero-emissions motorcycle is a wicked looking bike out of the United States that can apparently hit 150mph and go for 150 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery configuration.

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While C’était un Rendez-Vous may be my favorite 8 minute French film, David Cronenberg’s The Italian Machine is my favorite 30 minute Canadian film. The center of the film’s attention: a 1976 Ducati 900 Desmo Super Sport.

The plot basics: Some Canadian bike enthusiasts find out that a bizarre local art collector has bought a Ducati 900 Super Sport with the intention of keeping it for display only, in his living room. Obviously, this upsets the enthusiasts, one of them almost to the point of frenzy. So they come up with a scheme to liberate the 900SS from it’s freak warden.

It’s short, awkward in some spots, and a little bit absurd as it shows motorcycle enthusiasts as some sort of hardcore cult, but it’s still a great flick if you’re into bikes. And here it is in it’s entirety:
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For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a big fan of not dying in violent accidents. So I’m very keen on any kind of new techno-gadgetry that can keep my soft organic bits intact in the unfortunate event of a high speed impact. Things like air-bag jackets, and high end helmets are very useful for my particular fetish of avoiding horrible and painful death.

But there’s high end, and there’s “high end”, right? The Lazer SuperSkin helmet supposedly takes the protection to another level. I’m already sold by the fact that they spelled Lazer with a Z instead of with the traditional S. It shows they defy convention. Also, the video has a British doctor and slow motion test films. Check it:
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Ducati Monster by Peg Pérego

Effective February 10, 2009, any and all children’s motorcycles and ATVs are now illegal in the land of the free and the home of the frightened. Thanks to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, off-road motorcycles and ATVs intended for anyone 12 years old and under are now illegal, because their batteries contain lead and apparently, children love to eat motorcycle batteries.

This law shuts the door on a multi-million dollar industry that was one of the few actually thriving in this recessionary environment. The law says not even used bikes can be sold… or given away to anyone 12 or under. This means a 20% drop in the already troubled motor vehicle industry and it’s related parts sales businesses. Ironically, the under 12 market was the only part of that business actually doing well.
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