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Oct 20

Every Angle of the New BMW R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental in Huge Gallery

By General Posts

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

BMW Shows Every Angle of the New R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental in Huge Gallery

Enough time has passed since BMW pulled the wraps off the new members of the R 18 family, the B and Transcontinental, so the enthusiasm about them might have gone down a bit. In an attempt to remind people these new two-wheelers are ready to hit the roads, the Bavarians threw online yet another huge gallery showing the motorized beasts.

You can enjoy most of them on BMW Website, and you can top them off with the already large set of pictures BMW released when the bikes were unveiled. Before you get into that though, a quick reminder about what these ones are all about.

The R18 came into existence more than a year ago, as BMW’s return to the cruiser segment. Being such an important model, it was gifted with the most “powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine ever used in motorcycle series production.” Called Big Boxer, it is a piece of 1,802cc in displacement and rated at 91 hp at 4,750 rpm, and a maximum of 158 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm.

Before the two new models were introduced, the family comprised the standard cruiser and the Classic. And now there are four.

The B, which is supposed to stand for bagger, comes with a low windshield, slimmer seat, and a large fairing. The Transcontinental on the other hand is fitted with a larger windshield, additional headlights, and a top case at the rear.

Both hold in their frames the same engine we mentioned earlier, not modified in any way, and are gifted with a larger fuel tank, 10.5-inch TFT screen, and even an area with inductive charging for smartphones. Three riding modes, Rain, Roll, and Rock, are on deck to help riders better navigate their way, and each bike is fitted with automatic stability control and drag torque control.

On the U.S. market, the cheapest R 18 is the standard one, which sells for $15,995. The most expensive is the Transcontinental, priced at $24,995, while the B sits somewhere in between, at $21,945.

Oct 17

Launch of Honda CB750 & Dick Mann at AMA Daytona 200-Mile Race

By General Posts

by Todd Halterman from https://www.autoevolution.com

On Twitter by Honda Powersports: Monday’s passing of Dick “Bugsy” Mann, American Honda sends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans. Mann’s 1970 Daytona 200 win aboard the CR750 (the racing version of the CB750 four-cylinder) was momentous in Honda’s history Thank you, Dick, and godspeed.

The Honda CB750 Changed the Way Motorcycles Were Made, Raced and Sold

Though now highly prized for their potential as re-imagined cafe racer machines, the venerable Honda CB750 was – back in its infancy – the bike that changed the game.

So how did it happen that the Japanese took over the worldwide motorcycle manufacturing industry? To a large extent, it came down to the creation of a single model.

With five consecutive championship titles under their belts, Honda decided to withdraw from the World GP circuit in 1967 with a plan to develop high-performance consumer motorcycles at the forefront of their vision.

While Honda exported more than half of their output back in the mid-’60s, they didn’t make a large-displacement sport bike model which would appeal to the hardcore rider in the U.S.

And it’s not like the honchos at Honda failed to notice that glaring deficiency. Sales of Honda motorcycles in America were flagging in 1966, and the company knew a brand-new worldview was in order. While the company had created the Dream CB450 in 1965, they were still being outgunned by big bikes from other makers. The CB450 sold well, but for the vast majority of American riders, it just didn’t have the requisite zing and bottom-end torque they craved.

What really drove Yoshiro Harada, the head of Honda product development at the time, was hearing the news that Britain’s Triumph was deep in the development process of a high-performance, 3-cylinder 750 cc engine. With the ante thus upped, Honda laid out plans to compete by creating their own 750 cc engine, which would lay down 67 horsepower to overtake the juice you could get from the 66-horsepower Harley-Davidson’s 1300 and the proposed Triumph Triple.

Though Honda was already the industry’s leading maker of motorcycles (due in no small part to the success of the most popular motorcycle in history, the Super Cub), the introduction of the CB750 sought to become the world’s top manufacturer of quality motorcycles as well. They were up against some formidable competition as comparable models from Triumph, BMW, and Harley were already on the road.

So what were the targets? Honda wanted to make a long-range, high-speed touring machine, so they turned to science for answers in the form of a newly-minted paradigm dubbed “ergonomics.”

Those targets included: Stability at highway cruising speeds, a reliable and cooled braking system that would handle frequent rapid decelerations from high speed, minimal vibration, and noise to fight rider fatigue on long hauls with a rider position which complimented the smoother power plant, lights and instruments which were large, gauges which were easy to read, easy maintenance and servicing for all the various modules of the bike and the use of top-quality materials and production techniques.

Perhaps the most significant innovation for Honda’s showpiece bike? The adoption of disc brakes. While that design decision proved costly and time-consuming, it was also a stroke of brilliance and one which made the CB750 a favorite of the serious riding set.

Released to the U.S. public in January 1969, the announcement of the new bike’s retail price, $1,495, was met with stunned silence at a dealer meeting in Nevada. The other shoe had officially dropped. Large-displacement bikes were selling at that time for between $2,800 and $4,000, and the 2,000 dealers on hand for the announcement exploded into applause when they recovered their wits.

And they had good cause for their optimism. The CB750 immediately commanded a premium sales price in dealer showrooms of between $1,800 and $2,000 to get one out the door.

Featuring an integrated crankshaft and metal bearing to replace the split-type, press-fit crankshaft with a needle bearing used in previous Honda motors, the CB750 was a great leap forward in design as well as price.

As great as this new machine was, the company initially had a serious problem. They could only manage to make something like five bikes a day, and that was clearly not enough to meet the demand for what had become a major hit with the market. Production was pushed to 25 units per day and then to 100 units, but that still left an enormous pile of backorders building up under and an entirely expected sales landslide.

It became clear that the production of the original sand-molded crankcases would never meet the rate requirements of mass production, so the factory switched over to producing crankcases of a metal, die-cast construction. The bikes were such a hit with the riding public that the production of engines and chassis was moved to a Suzuki factory in mid-1971. The “sandcast” CB750 models are now fetching enormous prices from collectors of up to ten and fifteen times higher than their new-off-the-line premium price back in the day.

But what really made the bikes a smash hit with the public?

Performance. Pure and dependable performance.

The factory racing team at Honda R&D took the new machines to compete at a 10-Hour Endurance Race in August 1969 to coincide with the commercial launch of the big bike, and Honda dominated, notching one-two finishes with the teams of Morio Sumiya and Tetsuya Hishiki taking first place and Yoichi Oguma and Minoru Sato pulling in a close second.

The deal was done when rider Dick Mann blew away the field on his CR750 during the AMA Daytona 200-Mile Race run during March 1970. The field was now wide open for large-displacement Japanese bikes, and in 1972, Kawasaki launched the 900cc ZI to compete on the big-bike stage…and the rest is, as they say, history.

Oct 17

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro & Urban Motard Launched

By General Posts

by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro And Urban Motard Make Their Debut

A Scrambler for every style.

No one loves an anniversary more than motorcycle OEMs. Take Ducati, for example. You and I might just think of the year we’re living in as 2021, but to our friends in Bologna, it’s also an important anniversary. Back in 1971, Ducati first launched an air-cooled twin-cylinder machine out into the world, laying the foundation of the Scrambler legend.

To celebrate this important 50th anniversary occasion, Ducati also drew upon a few other historic design touchstones to bring us the new Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro. It’s resurrected its iconic Giugiaro-penned Ducati logo, which is used extensively in this design. If that’s not enough retro-modern glory for you, perhaps that historic Giallo Ocra color scheme will do the trick.

To be honest, it’s a combination of styling elements that almost makes you slap your head and go “why didn’t they do this sooner?” Then again, if you’re Ducati, why wouldn’t you wait for a suitable anniversary to launch such a perfectly executed retro style bomb out into the world?

That’s not all that’s new in the Land of Joy, though. At the complete opposite end of the stylistic spectrum, Ducati also announced its new Urban Motard Scrambler 800 variant in mid-October, 2021. Where the Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro is all about the heritage, the Urban Motard is all about living in the moment. Its new livery combines Star White Silk with Ducati GP ‘19 Red and black graphics on the tank, inspired by graffiti.

It’s also equipped with a flat seat, low handlebars, side number plates that give it a sort of industrial look, a bright red high mudguard up front, and 17-inch spoked wheels wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires.

Both of Ducati’s new Scrambler entries offer new looks, but no real changes in the engine bay on either. Additionally, A2 license holders can get either of the two newest members of the Scrambler family in 35kW versions. Here in the U.S., the Urban Motard starts at $11,695 and the Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro starts at $13,995.

2022 Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro Is a Trip Down Nostalgia Lane

Ducati is adding another model to the Scrambler 1100 family for 2022. It’s been five decades since the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine was introduced on a Ducati. For the occasion, the Italian bike maker has decided to pay homage to the heritage of this legendary engine by introducing a special model: the 1100 Tribute Pro.

by Florina Spînu from https://www.autoevolution.com

The new Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro was designed for lovers of modern-classic bikes and for fans of motorcycle history. The model celebrates the history of the Borgo Panigale company through its distinctive Giallo Ocra livery, a color that was used on the twin-cylinder 450 Desmo Mono and 750 Sport of 1972.

This ocher paint, along with the Ducati logo of the time and the spoked wheels (now painted black), will make any classic bike enthusiast take a trip down nostalgia lane. The circular rear-view mirrors, which were very fashionable in the sweet-old ‘70s, are another noticeable stylistic detail of the new 1100 Tribute Pro. And we cannot miss the brown seat with a dedicated cover that contrasts nicely with the Giallo Ocra livery.

Tech-wise, the bike shares its heart with the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Pro. The machine is powered by a 1,079cc L-Twin engine with desmodromic distribution that delivers 86 hp at 7,500 rpm and a 88 Nm (65 lb-ft) peak torque at 4,750 rpm.

The engine comes standard with three riding modes. Depending on the option selected, the rider will receive more or less power, as well as different levels of mid-corner acceleration performance.

Other features include cornering traction control and ABS. Another detail that stands out is the front headlight with an LED light guide, which ensures that the bike is always visible and recognizable in all weather conditions.

The new Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro will be available at Ducati dealerships in November 2021, with a starting price of $13,995. For A2 license holders, the bike maker is also offering a 35-kW version of the model.

Oct 15

Limited Edition from Indian Motorcycle & Jack Daniel’s

By General Posts

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE, JACK DANIEL’S® & KLOCK WERKS® KUSTOM CYCLES CELEBRATE AMERICAN CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH LIMITED-EDITION MOTORCYCLE

Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse Pays Homage to Tennessee Rye Whiskey with Premium Amenities, State-of-the-Art Technology & Custom Rye Metallic Paint with Gold and Green Accents

Minneapolis, MN – October 14, 2021 – Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, and Jack Daniel’s®, America’s first registered distillery, along with Klock Werks® Kustom Cycles have partnered to celebrate American craftsmanship with the introduction of the Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse. Marking the sixth year of the bold partnership and limited-edition series, the 2022 Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse draws inspiration from Jack Daniel’s® renowned Tennessee Rye whiskey – each product embodying the same spirit of innovation to break the mold and exemplify world-class craftsmanship.

With only 107 available globally, the Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse

makes a bold, one-of-a-kind statement. Its custom Rye Metallic paint with gold and green accents nod to the high-touch crafting process of Jack Daniel’s® Tennessee Rye whiskey, while the bike’s premium amenities and state-of-the-art technology deliver unmatched comfort and performance.

“We’re proud to continue this unique partnership with Jack Daniel’s® and Klock Werks® – two respected brands with whom we share the age-old American ethos of uncompromising quality and craftsmanship,” said Aaron Jax, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle. “The Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse takes our award-winning bagger to an even higher level, representing the highest levels of premium technology and craftsmanship – just as Jack Daniel’s® has done with its Tennessee Rye whiskey.”

With custom-inspired style and technology at the forefront, key features for the 2022 Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse include the following:

Bold, Exclusive Design

The attention to detail and spirit of innovation that has made Jack Daniel’s® Tennessee Rye whiskey a bold, unique success has been imparted throughout the design of the limited-edition motorcycle. Along with its custom paint, the motorcycle features a numbered Jack Daniel’s® Montana Silversmiths® badge, custom engraved rider and passenger floorboards, and a genuine leather, Jack Daniel’s® custom-stitched seat.

Premium Amenities & Technology

Premium features aboard the Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse, include a Pathfinder Adaptive LED Headlight and Pathfinder S LED Driving Lights, electronically adjustable rear suspension preload, Powerband Audio, a stylish flared windscreen, low-rise handlebar, and more.

Pathfinder Adaptive LED Headlight and Pathfinder S LED Driving Lights

The adaptive headlight from Indian Motorcycle senses the bike’s lean angle and activates individual LED projector beams to provide unprecedented visibility. With 15 individual LED lenses that adjust in real-time to bike lean angle, patent pending technology, and the industry’s first adaptive high-beam feature, the Pathfinder Adaptive LED Headlight delivers unparalleled illumination of the road ahead – whether upright and traveling in a straight line or leaned over to carve a turn.

Fox® Electronically Adjustable Rear Suspension Preload

The Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse has Fox® electronically adjustable rear suspension preload which allows riders to adjust their rear suspension preload from the convenience of their infotainment system. To do this, riders will select if there’s a passenger and simply enter the approximate weight of what is being carried on the motorcycle. The electronically adjustable rear suspension preload handles the rest and sets the preload for optimal riding and handling.

Powerband Audio

Loud and clear. The Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse features the premier Indian Motorcycle sound system, Powerband Audio. With upgraded fairing speakers and added saddlebag speakers, Powerband Audio is up to 50% louder than stock audio.

Ride Command

Riders will also receive the luxuries of the Indian Motorcycle industry-leading seven-inch display powered by Ride Command with Apple CarPlay®, which delivers an easier, more customized level of control for music, navigation preferences, and mobile device information. In addition, Ride Command provides riders with traffic and weather overlays, key vehicle information, and extensive customization capabilities.

PowerPlus Liquid-Cooled V-Twin

Featuring the liquid- cooled, 108 cubic-inch PowerPlus engine, the Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse delivers a class-leading 122 horsepower and 128 ft-lbs. of torque.

Riders looking to add custom style and improve sound can add a PowerPlus Stage 1 Air Intake with the Indian Motorcycle Stage 1 Oval Slip-On Muffler Kit. To unleash 10% more horsepower and 3% more torque, riders can upgrade to the Indian Motorcycle PowerPlus Stage 2 Performance Cams.

“Just as the Indian Challenger breaks the mold for American baggers, so does our Tennessee Rye for American whiskey with its unique distilling process and bold finish,” said Greg Luehrs, sponsorships and partnerships director for Jack Daniel’s®. “This year’s bike perfectly embodies what our rye is all about – innovation and a relentless, uncompromising drive to craft American products of the highest quality.”

Each Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse will come with a custom, co-branded bike mat with the corresponding motorcycle number (#001-#107).

Starting at $36,999, the Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Challenger Dark Horse is exclusively available through Indian Motorcycle dealerships.

The order window will open on October 21, 2021, at 12:00pm EST and close once all bikes are sold. Each Indian Motorcycle dealer will have a chance to place orders during the window and will then contact the lucky buyers when the order has been confirmed. To ensure the rider is in contention for a purchase, each customer needs to fill out the form on IndianMotorcycle.com and contact their Indian Motorcycle dealership. Each bike will be built as a model year 2022 with delivery starting October 2021.

For more information on Indian Motorcycle, or to find a dealer, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook®, YouTube® & Instagram®.

Oct 07

Damon Motors New Production Plant for World’s Smartest Electric Motorcycle

By General Posts

by Otilia Drăgan from https://www.autoevolution.com

World’s Smartest Electric Motorcycle to Be Produced at Brand-New Plant in Vancouver

Whether two-wheeled or four-wheeled, electric vehicles are taking over the roads by storm, offering not just a clean energy alternative, but also advanced connectivity and the latest tech. One of them is Hypersport, Damon Motorcycles’ flagship model, set to enter production at the company’s new plant.

The concern for a green, sustainable future extended beyond the vehicles themselves, to the manufacturing process. Several carmakers have already opened or planning to open sustainable production plants, and Damon is doing the same in the motorcycle sector. The Canadian company recently unveiled its latest facility, located in Surrey, British Columbia.

Developed together with Bosa Properties, the new production plant is a state-of-the-art, 110,000 square foot (10,219 square meters) facility that will not only become “ground zero” for the Damon electric motorcycles, but will also premiere a cleaner, advanced manufacturing process.

This new milestone adds to the brand’s success, after recently having surpassed $40 million in orders for the award-winning Hypersport, presented as “the world’s smartest, safest, fully electric motorcycle”. This innovative motorcycle is based on the brand’s proprietary electric powertrain, Hyperdrive, which is the first monocoque-constructed, fully electric, multi-variant powertrain on the market.

With an aerodynamic design and having passed through extensive wind tunnel testing, Hyperdrive claims to deliver better speed, range, and acceleration than any previous powertrain. The battery was designed for top performance, but also to be as light as possible. Hyperdrive is integrated as a structural component of the motorcycle itself, and the battery enclosure acts as the bike’s load-bearing frame.

The high-tech motorcycle also boasts an award-winning 360-degree Advanced Warning System that uses integrated windscreen LEDs, a long-range radar, plus front and rear cameras, to warn the rider of potential danger. Shift is another innovative feature that allows the rider to switch between commuter and sport positions while in motion, with the simple touch of a button.

The Hypersport line includes four models, with pricing ranging from $16,995 to $39,995.

PRESS RELEASE:

Damon Motors today announced it will build a cleantech manufacturing and R&D plant in Surrey B.C. The state-of-the-art, 110,000 square foot facility, being developed in partnership with Bosa Properties, will serve as ground zero for production of Damon’s flagship HyperSport, the world’s smartest, safest, fully electric motorcycle. Details will be revealed at a special kickoff ceremony on October 5, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at the Surrey City Hall Atrium. Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum and Bruce Ralston, British Columbia Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, will be among the dignitaries in attendance.

“As Damon accelerates a clean energy future with our electric vehicles, we’re also introducing a cleaner, industry-leading manufacturing process,” said Jay Giraud, co-founder and CEO, Damon Motors. “We’re excited to produce our highly anticipated HyperSport motorcycles here in Surrey, British Columbia and look forward to this world-class facility delivering the safest and cleanest premium, high-technology motorcycles on the market.”

“We, at Bosa Family Companies, are proud to partner with such an exciting, new company to bring this site to life and drive new green jobs in our region,” added John Martin, Vice President at Bosa Commercial. “This local start-up success story is a source of great pride for British Columbians, and we’re pleased to be part of the strategy to keep Damon Motors thriving here at home.”

The new Damon manufacturing plant is expected to stimulate Surrey’s local economy with several hundred jobs. Projections suggest that by 2025, the plant will create more than 300 high-tech manufacturing jobs and more than 500 high-tech office jobs.

“British Columbia is quickly becoming an EV hotspot and the arrival of the Damon Motors manufacturing facility puts Surrey right in the middle of it,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. We’re honored Damon has selected Surrey for its production headquarters and are proud to welcome this dynamic and innovative young company to our city.”

“B.C. is home to many innovative clean-tech companies that are helping us grow as a leader in the electric vehicle sector,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “We’re proud to support Damon Motors who will help us meet our Clean BC goals and create new good-paying jobs in the province. The strength of the innovative approach Damon Motors exhibits will propel the company toward being a global leader.”

Damon’s manufacturing plant announcement comes as the company has surpassed $40M in orders for the award-winning HyperSport. The electric superbike offers unparalleled safety, comfort, and performance with groundbreaking technology and zero tailpipe emissions. It features the CoPilot™ advanced warning system, Shift™, which transforms the riding position between sport and commuter modes while in motion, and HyperDrive™, the world’s first monocoque constructed, 100 percent electric, multi-variant powertrain platform.

Vancouver startup Damon Motors to build electric motorcycles in Surrey
Vancouver EV maker Damon Motors will occupy a 110,000 square foot facility being built by Bosa Properties
by David Carrigg from https://vancouversun.com

Vancouver electric safety system and motorcycle maker Damon Motors will move in to a new manufacturing facility in Surrey in 2022.

The company, founded in 2017 by Jay Giraud and Dom Kwong, started by developing safety systems for motorcycles that use sensors and cameras to identify risk in blind spots and for frontal collision.

Over the next two years an electric motorcycle was developed with a powertrain comprising frame, battery pack and electric motor (incorporating the safety technology). This was called the HyperSport.

The company announced in March this year it had received $30 million in startup funding and had orders for $20 million worth of motorcycles, which sell for between $20,000 and $45,000. Recently, the company announced it had $40 million worth of orders and that it was sold out for 2022.

HyperSport motorcycles are currently being built in a Vancouver facility on Powell Street, but as of October 2022 will be made in a 110,000 square-foot facility near the Pattullo Bridge and Scott Road SkyTrain station being developed by Bosa Properties. Bosa will lease the space to Damon Motors.

In a prepared statement, Giraud said the City of Surrey had helped expedite the process.

“Surrey has welcomed us with open arms and we look forward to continue to innovate and further solidify both Damon and Surrey as clean-tech leaders in the electric vehicle industry and beyond,” he said.

“As Damon accelerates a clean energy future with our electric vehicles, we’re also introducing a cleaner, industry-leading manufacturing process. We’re excited to produce our highly anticipated HyperSport motorcycles here in Surrey, British Columbia and look forward to this world-class facility delivering the safest and cleanest premium, high-technology motorcycles on the market.”

By 2025, the facility is expected to employ 800 people.

On Tuesday, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Bruce Ralston said the government had given $400,000 in innovation funding to the company to use developing the powertrain system — and this would create 11 jobs.

Oct 01

Behind the Scenes with Triumph Motorcycles in latest James Bond Adventure

By General Posts

by Todd Halterman from https://www.autoevolution.com

As the only motorcycle partner in the latest Bond film, No Time to Die, Triumph got their Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200 motorcycles featured in key stunt scenes of the motion picture. Now you can take a closer look at the bikes and how those epic stunts were filmed in this exclusive behind-the-scenes video from Triumph.

While the novelty of the Bond films may be wearing off slightly, they always manage to come up with something fresh and over the top. This time around Triumph Motorcycles took on some amazing terrain and situations while stunt riders pushed their Triumph Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200 to their absolute.

Over the years a wide range of Triumph motorcycles has been used by the Bond stunt teams to perform all sorts of daring and outrageous moves. This time around, the British bike maker – long a player in the iconic movie franchise – supplied Tiger 900s and Scrambler 1200s.

Triumph recently announced that the launch of the Tiger 900 Bond Edition, would be limited to just 250 units and go on sale at an undisclosed date. These models feature Matt Sapphire Black paint, special Bond graphics and feature a billet machined handlebar clamp to display a unique limited edition number.

All five 900 models shared core changes for 2020 including those to the engine, chassis, suspension, brakes, and electronics. The DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder, Euro 5-spec in-line triple, has been bored out and features a new “T-plane” triple crankshaft – a first in engine design – and a new firing order that bestows the triple with V-twin-like character down low while maintaining top-end power.

The Tiger 1200 Scrambler features the 1,215cc Tiger triple engine which represents the most powerful shaft-driven engine in its class. This time-tested powerplant cranks out 139hp (103.652kw) at 9,350 rpm. Triumph made it happen with a smaller flywheel, a lighter crankshaft, and a magnesium cam cover.

You can see the stunt teams put both bikes through their paces during the filming of No Time to Die in the video below.

Sep 24

New Triumph Tiger 900 Limited Edition Celebrating James Bond

By General Posts

Triumph Tiger 900 Bond Edition

by Shakti Nath Jha from https://www.financialexpress.com

New Triumph Tiger 900 Bond Edition Revealed; Limited to just 250 units globally
Triumph Motorcycles has revealed the ultra-exclusive Bond Edition of the Triumph Tiger 900. Only 250 units of the new Tiger 900 Bond Edition will be available worldwide.

Triumph Motorcycles has officially revealed the new ultra-exclusive Bond Edition of the Triumph Tiger 900. The company has introduced the Tiger 900 Bond Edition to celebrate the iconic British partnership between James Bond and Triumph. The new Triumph Tiger 900 Bond Edition is inspired by the incredible Tiger 900 Rally Pro, which features in amazing stunt sequences in the upcoming 25th ‘007’ James Bond movie, ‘No Time To Die’.

This new limited edition motorcycle from Triumph is based on the top-spec Rally Pro variant of the Tiger 900. Triumph Motorcycles has revealed that only 250 units of the new Tiger 900 Bond Edition will be available globally. Each of these limited edition motorcycles will be individually numbered on the handlebar clamp with a signed certificate of authenticity. The Tiger 900 Bond edition will be finished in a unique Matt Sapphire Black paint scheme and it will feature exclusive ‘007’ graphics with blacked-out inserts to make this good-looking ADV even more appealing.

The new Triumph Tiger 900 Bond Edition gets exclusive features such as the ‘007’ TFT start-up screen animation, heated rider and pillion seat along with Bond Edition branding on the saddle, a set of high-specification Michelin Anakee wild off-road tyres for advanced off-road capabilities, etc. The new Tiger 900 Bond Edition is the second limited-edition motorcycle from Triumph to be built in collaboration with the Bond franchise.

Last year, this British two-wheeler manufacturer launched the Bond Edition of the Scrambler 1200. However, in terms of mechanicals, the Tiger 900 Bond Edition remains the same as the Tiger 900 Rally Pro.

The new Triumph Tiger 900 Bond Edition is powered by a BS6-compliant 888cc, liquid-cooled, inline 3-cylinder engine. This motor churns out 95 PS of maximum power at 8750 RPM and 87 Nm of peak torque at 7250 RPM. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and it gets six different riding modes. They are – Rain, Road, Sport, Off-Road, Rider-configurable, and Off-Road Pro. As already mentioned before, only 250 units of the Tiger 900 Bond Edition will be available globally.

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 on the set of No Time To Die

Triumph unveils new limited-edition Tiger based on bike that stars in new James Bond film No Time to Die

Two Triumph models star in the latest Bond blockbuster

by Enda Mullen from https://www.coventrytelegraph.net

Triumph Motorcycles has followed in the footsteps of Coventry car maker Jaguar Land Rover by playing a starring role in the latest James Bond film No Time To Die

The Hinckley-based motorcycle maker is an official partner in the James Bond film franchise for the first time, with two models used in stunts in the 25th Bond Blockbuster.

Not only that but the company has created a new limited-edition model inspired by one of the models used in the film.

The Tiger 900 Bond Edition takes direct influence from the Tiger 900 used in a series of action sequences in the new 007 movie.

Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200 motorcycles feature in stunt scenes in the film, following a partnership between Triumph Motorcycles and EON Productions announced in December 2019.

No Time To Die was filmed in 2019 in several locations including Jamaica, Norway, Italy and the UK, and Triumph is the only motorcycle partner in the movie.

It joins other 007 vehicle partners including Jaguar Land Rover.

The James Bond stunt team required high performance bikes for some key action sequences.

Lee Morrison with a Triumph Scrambler 1200 on the set of No Time To Die

For months, the Triumph design workshop team collaborated behind closed doors with the stunt team to configure several feature motorcycles for the movie, including special preparations of Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200 models to handle the extreme and dynamic action sequences – and the film’s stunt riders – demanded.

Lee Morrison, No Time To Die stunt coordinator, said: “First and foremost, as a stunt coordinator I have to be sure that we can achieve the action on that motorcycle.

“Is it agile and powerful enough for the stunt riders to achieve what I want them to? And also, crucially, does it fit the story of the film in a way that’s credible onscreen.”

He added: ““We loved the look of the Scrambler 1200, and we already knew we would use those in No Time To Die, but then Triumph offered us several prototypes of a bike that hadn’t yet been launched at that time, and that was the Tiger 900.

“The whole stunt team realised very quickly that these were amazing bikes.

“We spent a long time on the Tiger and it is so balanced. You can just have great fun with it.

“The Tiger 900 is the most confidence-inspiring bike, it allows you to really push the ride as far as you want, you can take as many liberties as you want; stand up sideways drifting in third gear, slow wheelie it, slide it Supermoto-style. I honestly think it’s one of the best bikes I’ve ever ridden, it’s fantastic.”

Lee is also a big fan of the Scrambler 1200?

“Ah it’s just so much fun, isn’t it,” he said.

“Get on it, and it’s an absolute blast straight off. I’d switch everything off (Off-Road Pro mode) and ride that thing like it was a motocross bike, couldn’t stop grinning.

“For the film we rode the Scrambler 1200 absolutely flat out, I mean as aggressive as you can ride a motorcycle, lighting it up off-road on tough terrain in Scotland, drifting it through really slippery streets in Matera (Italy), hitting steps flat out in third gear, quick direction changes, jumps, everything you could imagine, and that bike performed brilliantly.”

Lee also highlighted one particular stunt scene in which the Tiger 900 performed as the ‘most challenging’ in the new film.

He said: “We were riding them at high speeds and bouncing off the sides of cars during the Norway chase scene.

“It was amazing being able to ride behind and direct my lead stunt rider, constantly telling him to get in there, I want you alongside Bond, hitting the side of his door, cutting behind. There was a point where we jumped the Tiger over a car and under a helicopter.

“To have the confidence in a motorcycle to do all those things, on the move, while directing through an earpiece shows you how good that bike is.”

Limited to just 250 examples – with each individually numbered and accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity – the Tiger 900 Bond Edition receives a matt black paint scheme and 007 graphics, as well as a billet-machined handlebar clamp.

A blacked-out styling package brings a black finish to the frame, headlight finishers, side panels and sump guard – among other components – giving the bike an understated look.

Each bike gets a unique 007-theme start-up animation on the screen, while the heated rider and pillion seat receive special Bond Edition branding. Prices for the Tiger 900 Bond Edition start from £16,500.

Triumph also created a limited-edition Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition model but it has already sold out.

Sep 18

Spec Showdown: Harley-Davidson Sportster S Vs. Indian Scout

By General Posts

by Dustin Wheelen from https://www.rideapart.com

An American middleweight melee.

For decades, the Harley-Davidson Sportster dominated the American middleweight V-twin class, mostly by dint of being the only American middleweight V-twin. Without a top contender to challenge its reign, the Motor Company only issued modest upgrades since 1986. However, that all changed when the Indian Scout burst onto the scene in 2015.

Heavily based on the Victory Octane, the revived Scout paired Indian’s rich heritage with thoroughly modern equipment. The liquid-cooled, DOHC, 1,133cc V-twin was the antithesis of Harley’s ancient air-cooled Evo engine. Compared to the Sportster’s signature teardrop tank and engine cooling fins, the Scout’s low-slung stance and neo-bobber aesthetic presented a viable alternative to Harley’s aging platform.

Facing a formidable foe and new emissions regulations, the Bar and Shield telegraphed its counterpunch when it revealed the Custom 1250 in July, 2018. Nearly three years later, that haymaker finally landed when Harley officially announced the 2021 Sportster S.

Complete with a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 1,252cc V-twin, the new Sportster’s spec sheet now stands toe-to-toe with the Scout. Of course, we won’t know who wins the battle in the showroom until the Sportster S arrives at dealerships. For now, however, the tale of the tape tells a fascinating story.

Overview
2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S – Vs – 2021 Indian Scout

Middleweight Might
Featuring Harley’s shiny new Revolution Max 1250T, the 2021 Sportster now produces 121 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque. While the Scout previously set performance benchmarks for the category with 100 horsepower and 72 lb-ft of torque, Indian’s entry cruiser now looks outgunned. Of course, the Revolution Max V-twin touts a larger displacement, which helps the Sportster S steal that performance feather from Indian’s cap.

On top of that power deficit, the Scout lugs around 59 extra pounds, weighing in at 561 pounds compared to the Sportster’s 502-pound wet weight. Straightline acceleration and top speed define a motorcycle not, but agility goes to the Hog as well. With a 59.8-inch wheelbase, fully adjustable USD fork, and a linkage-equipped monoshock, the Sportster S outmaneuvers the Scout’s 62-inch wheelbase, conventional front end, and dual rear shocks.

Indian does outfit the Scout with a 16-inch wheelset shod in sticky Pirelli Night Dragon rubber while Harley opts for a 16-inch rear and 17-inch front. We could surmise that the smaller wheelset gives the Scout a handling edge if it weren’t for the Sportster’s specially-developed Dunlop GT503 tires. Thanks to an aggressive profile and sticky compound, the Dunlops compensate for the Sportster’s larger front wheel, helping to deliver a 34-degree lean angle compared to the Scout’s 29 degrees.

Novice-Friendly
Though Indian no longer holds the performance edge, the Scout still has a fighting chance. At 29.6 inches, the 2021 Sportster’s perch is a full four inches about the Scout’s 25.6-inch seat height. Most riders won’t have an issue with the Sporty’s seat height, which sags to 28.9-inches in the saddle, but even less will have problems with Indian’s low-slung seat. Of course, novice and inseam-challenged riders benefit most from a low seat height and the Scout is good option for that reason.

Conversely, Indian only offers optional ABS on the Scout while the Harley flaunts rider aids like traction control, cornering ABS, ride modes, and engine braking settings. On top of the full electronics suite, the Motor Company’s new round, four-inch TFT display also outshines the Scout’s analog speedometer and digital tachometer combo. Of course, you could reason the Scout’s spartan accommodations help beginners learn the ropes with a less cumbersome system, but it’s usually better to have rider aids and not need them as opposed to the other way around.

If we’re going to make any case for beginner-appropriate features, however, it should start with the brakes, and the Sportster delivers yet again. Championing a full Brembo braking system with a radially mounted four-piston front caliper, floating single-pot rear binder, and master cylinder, the Sportster S stops surprisingly well. On the other hand, the Scout’s single two-piston caliper up front and single-piston clamper in the rear don’t deliver as much stopping power as its counterpart.

The Final Decision:
Though the 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S walks away with nearly every round in its pocket, we still have to consider one very important detail: price. At $14,999, the souped-up Sporty is $3,000 over the Scout’s MSRP. Coupled with a 121-horsepower V-twin, Harley’s asking price could easily put the Sportster S out of most beginner’s grasp. When price is taken into account, the two cruisers stack up much more evenly, and may even cater to different customers/budgets.

With that said, we can’t wait to see how the Sportster and Scout duke it out in the future. Will Indian fight back with an even punchier V-twin? Will Harley offer a cheaper Sportster option without diluting too much performance? The middleweight cruiser class is a much more competitive environment these days, and we can’t wait to see Sportster and Scout continue to battle it out in the future.