performance

Electric dream: Horwin CR6 reviewed

by Fraser Addecott from https://www.mirror.co.uk Sales of electric two-wheelers are booming and with manufacturers producing bikes like this one, it’s easy to see why. It seems difficult to keep up with the number of new electric two-wheelers coming on to the market these days. The trend was already under way and has only been accelerated by the pandemic, with commuters and others looking for alternatives to public transport. Figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association show sales of electrics for June up 155% compared to the same month last year. Sales for the year up until last month are also up 210% compared to the same period in 2020. That is impressive growth, with the majority of bikes sold falling in the 50cc and 125cc equivalent categories. Artisan Electric is a British company established in 2016 with a “mission to change the face of electric motorcycles and scooters with industry-leading innovation and product quality”. The company offers a range of seven electric bikes and scooters – and the one I am testing here is the CR6. This is a 125cc-equivalent machine, with a pretty cool retro-meets-futuristic look. The air-cooled electric motor is powered by a 3.96kWh Panasonic lithium-ion battery. Careful riding will produce a range of around 60 miles. Haring around flat out – top speed is about 55mph – will cut your range to around 30 miles. That may not sound much, but the CR6 is aimed at commuters and for jaunts into town, so it’s perfectly adequate. A full charge from zero takes around four hours, but bear in mind you’ll hardly ever be charging from completely flat, so shorter times are more realistic. Charging is via a standard three-pin socket and a socket in the side of the bike. The battery comes with a reassuring three-year warranty. On […]

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Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Races its Superbike Counterpart

by Sebastian Toma from https://www.autoevolution.com Honda has pitted the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP against its racing version on a track to prove how fast it can be in the right hands. With slick tires, the sport bike is as close to a street-legal MotoGP racer as possible. The resemblance between the two is normal, as British Superbike rules mandate that the race bike must be developed from the homologated production motorcycle. Therefore, the chassis and the engine are identical, but the race bike has a few tweaks within regulations to allow it to be even faster. According to the rulebook, the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP’s racing version must have a spec ECU, which allows it to rev even higher than its street-legal brother. The gearing can also be changed according to various necessities, depending on the track and rider preference, along with a minimum weight of 168 kg (370.37 lbs.). To prove just how fast the street-legal version of this bike can be, Honda Racing UK British Super Bike racer Glen Irwin took both bikes on the same day at Oulton Park International Circuit. We are talking about a 2.69-mile (4.33 km) track in the UK and identical riding conditions. Honda even fitted both bikes with the Pirelli Diablo Racing slicks (SC0 compound) to allow a direct comparison between the two bikes. The street bike was still fitted with the stock mirrors, standard toolkit, and everything else one gets when buying a new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. The slick tires were the only change from the stock condition, and the team did not alter any settings on the bike. Glenn Irwin rode each bike for six laps, and he managed to set a time of 1’39.054 on the production CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, which is just 2.872 seconds more than what

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Zero FXE launched: Review and Details

by Andrew Cherney from https://www.cycleworld.com The brand’s sleekest and most fun ebike yet. The lightweight, agile FXE is a new addition to Zero’s 2022 lineup. In a segment full of either high-priced, tech-heavy options or cheap flimsy junk, the FXE is a step in the right direction, especially for commuters not too concerned with range. It’s also a ton of fun. The design adds a minimal, supermoto style onto the existing FX platform for a more modern, updated feel. Steel frame holds the tried-and-true ZF 75-5 air-cooled motor in the FXE, rated at 46 hp. The 7.2kWh battery is not removable. Certain design elements like the front headlight design (an LED) and “beak” got carried over directly from the Huge Design concept bike. The bike’s light weight and short wheelbase make it easy to work turns, with good lean angle and sticky Pirelli tires aiding in your attack. You can drag the kickstand if you’re super aggressive though. The relaxed, commuter-friendly riding position is even more upright than the SR/F’s but it makes for a comfy perch (except at higher speeds). You’ll find the Cypher II operating system on the FXE displayed on a new 5-inch TFT screen, giving various ride modes and bike data. Pair your phone with the app to tailor them and get more detailed info. Stylish cast wheels hold grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires, which upped our confidence in deeper high-speed turns. The rear Showa monoshock delivers nearly 8 inches of travel for an impressively stable ride. Inverted Showa fork is adjustable. J.Juan brakes offer excellent feel and good stopping power, and ABS can be turned off. 2022 Zero FXE Specifications MSRP: $11,795 Motor: ZF 75-5 air-cooled IPM motor Battery: 7.2kWh (max capacity) lithium-ion integrated battery Charger type: 650W integrated Charge time: 9.7 hours to

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Dream E-Type: Early days of the Honda 4-Stroke

from https://www.thesundaily.my Mr Honda’s disdain for two-stroke engines fuelled the relentless pursuit of perfection for his little four-strokers. It was March 1951 when Soichiro Honda summoned engineer Kiyoshi Kawashima from Hamamatsu. “‘Kawashima, would you mind coming over for a moment?’ It was the beginning of a two-month stint in the capital as I worked on the design of the E-Type 4-stroke engine in a corner of the Tokyo Plant,” recalls Kawashima. “When the plans were at last ready the Old Man dashed in to see it, bringing Fujisawa, with him.” (Takeo Fujisawa was Honda Motor Co Ltd’s co-founder.) Kawashima can remember clearly that day in May 1951. “As he showed the plans to Fujisawa, Mr. Honda gave us an enthusiastic commentary: ‘Ah, I see. You have this kind of valve and the cam goes like that. This is what I call an engine, it isn’t just a two-stroke machine that looks as though it’s been cut from a bamboo tube with holes drilled. This will sell. Honda will do well with this!’ Mr. Fujisawa didn’t have any understanding of the plans, he didn’t know anything about mechanical things at all, so he just said things like ‘Hm, yes, that’s great,’” said Kawashima, laughing. The now-legendary test crossing of the Hakone Pass took place on July 15. In those days the Hakone Pass was considered the ultimate test for a motor vehicle. Even lorries could only get over it if they stopped for a rest every now and then. So it was certainly a challenge for a small 150cc motorcycle. Kawashima acted as both the engine designer and on that occasion, as test rider. “Actually we’d been using the Hakone Pass as a test track for quite some time by then. I was sure we could climb it, but I was

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New Harley-Davidson® Sportster® S Model Delivers Unrelenting Performance

Next Generation Sportster Motorcycle Combines Unbridled Power with Contemporary Technology. Uses H-D’s awesome 121 hp Revolution Max engine seen in Pan America model. MILWAUKEE — The Harley-Davidson® (NYSE:HOG) Sportster® S model is an all-new sport custom motorcycle designed to deliver a thrilling riding experience and ushers in a new era of Sportster performance. A 121-horsepower Revolution® Max 1250T V-Twin engine puts the Sportster S rider in command of unrelenting, on-demand torque. A taut, lightweight chassis and premium suspension deliver responsive, intuitive handling. From stop light to stop light, and corner to corner, the Sportster® S model offers riders extraordinary power and performance and creates a new standard for the most enduring Harley-Davidson model. An addition to the 2021 Harley-Davidson motorcycle line, the Sportster S will reach Harley-Davidson dealers this fall with a base MSRP of $14,999. “The Sportster S is the next all-new motorcycle built on the Revolution Max platform and sets a new performance standard for the Sportster line,” said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “This is a next generation Sportster defined by power, performance, technology and style. And it’s part of our commitment to introduce motorcycles that align with our strategy to increase desirability and to drive the legacy of Harley-Davidson.” Styling Communicates Power In profile, the Sportster S model appears crouched and powerful. The fuel tank and tail section frame the engine as the predominate centerpiece of the motorcycle. The massive front tire recalls the fenderless front end of a classic bobber, while the tail section, high-mount exhaust and slim solo seat draw inspiration from the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat tracker. The thick inverted forks and wide-profile tires suggest high-performance sport bike. “Every visual design element of the Sportster S model is an expression of the motorcycle’s raw power,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson vice president of

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Tucker Powersports Launches New Product Collection

Tucker Powersports Launches New Product Collection for Snowmobile Owners and Winter Sports Fans New Collection Includes Broad Range of Products to Support Snowmobile and UTV Owners Through Local Dealers https://www.tucker.com/ Fort Worth TX – July 12, 2021 – Tucker Powersports today announced the launch of the Tucker Snow product line, which offers apparel, accessories, vehicle parts, tools and snow sports equipment to Tucker dealers. This product collection marks Tucker’s return to the distribution of winter sports products and the parts and accessories needed to repair and maintain snowmobiles. Over 1200 of Tucker’s current dealer customers sell snowmobiles, UTV’s and other winter powersports products. The new program from Tucker help dealers expand their offerings to include winter apparel, snow helmets, replacement parts, lubricants, trailering needs and thousands of suspension, engine and drivetrain components for both competition and casual winter sports. In addition, the product line includes snowshoes, toboggans, sleds and other items for non-powered winter fun. A significant portion of the Tucker Snow catalog is dedicated to a large selection of parts and service items for hundreds of models of snowmobiles from Artic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha. The offering includes both OEM replacement parts and performance upgrades. Notable brands that are included in the catalog and are new to Tucker are Motorfist, Woody’s, CA Pro Skis, Zox Snow Helmets, Sportstuff and Yukon Charlie’s. The other brands in the Tucker Snow collection are familiar to Tucker dealers, including 100%, Quantum, Motion Pro, NGK, Cruz Tools and Yuasa Battery. The 2021 Tucker Snow catalog was shared digitally with Tucker dealers today. About Tucker Powersports: https://www.tucker.com/ Featuring the most powerful portfolio of parts, accessories and apparel brands in the powersports industry, Tucker distributes top brands and offers its own brands, including Answer, Biker’s Choice, BikeMaster, Bully Locks, CoverMax, DragonFire Racing, FirstGear, ProTaper/ProTaper Sport,

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Honda CB200 Modified Into An Electric Motorcycle

by Arun Prakash from https://www.rushlane.com The electric powertrain of the modified Honda CB200 has fitted onto a stylish aluminum enclosure Manufacturing EVs from scratch is an uphill task in itself but it is a whole new level of challenge when one has to convert a vehicle already fitted with an IC engine. We have earlier witnessed such projects being undertaken in four-wheelers such as Land Rovers and VW Beetles but this time an electric powertrain has been fitted into a motorcycle. An aftermarket workshop named Omega Motors, based out of San Francisco in USA, has converted a 1975 Honda CB200 into an electric motorcycle. The donor model back in 1970s and 80s was a hot-selling retro-style motorcycle with a cafe racer design. The makers of this modified prototype haven’t tried to alter the design of the motorcycle in any way. Updated Styling Rechristened as Omega EV200, it still retains a part-scrambler and part-cafe racer design with round headlamps, single-piece ripped seat and wire-spoke wheels lending it a retro appeal. The electric CB200 gets refurbished front forks, wheels and brakes while retaining the cable-actuated front brake and rear drum brake. Subtle modifications have been made to the chassis in order to incorporate a battery and electric motor setup. The frame has been shortened and the welded-in rear fender has been chopped off. The pillion footpegs have also been removed while a small part of its spine has also been cut in order to weld a mounting plate for the controller. Interestingly, the motor mounts from the original bike have been left intact while the new battery pack and electric motor are attached via a set of custom mounting plates. Specs & Features Speaking of specifications, the motorcycle has been fitted with an electric motor sourced from Golden Motor and raed to

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Best motorcycle cleaner for 2021: Top 10 products

by Kyle Hyatt from https://www.cnet.com Cleaning your motorcycle can be a pain, but this stuff makes it a lot easier. Motorcycle cleaner notes The visual benefits of keeping a clean bike are pretty obvious, I mean, more shiny is more better, right? But there are some performance and safety benefits, too. For example, if your bike is filthy, it can be hard to see if you’ve suddenly sprung a leak of some vital fluid (usually oil). Some road crud can be corrosive over time to the exposed steel and aluminum parts of your motorcycle, not to mention the fasteners that hold things onto your bike. You thought changing out that clutch was going to be easy, didn’t you? It would have been if you hadn’t left a bunch of road salt all over the bike for months. Now it’s broken-bolt city, population: you. The performance benefits are more subtle but no less real. This is especially true when it comes to chain maintenance. Just think, if your motorcycle has to fight the friction of a dry, dirty or corroded chain, then that’s power lost. If you’re on a 200-horsepower sport bike, that’s not a big deal, but if you’re on a 20-horsepower motorcycle like the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 I recently reviewed, you might just notice. Keep your bike clean with a well-stocked motorcycle care kit, and make your life easy. Best general motorcycle cleaner overall S100 Total Cycle Cleaner $15 Best general motorcycle cleaner overall runner-up Muc-Off Nanotechnology Motorcycle Cleaner $16 Best motorcycle quick detailer S100 Detail & Wax spray $15 Best waterless motorcycle wash Muc-Off High-Performance No Rinse Bike Cleaning Spray $18 Best motorcycle chain cleaner and lube Maxima Clean Up and Chain Wax $28 Best motorcycle chain cleaning brush Simple Solutions The Grunge Brush $14 Best motorcycle

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FuelingParts.com Ready for Bagger Racing League race at Utah

THIS WEEKEND! JUNE 25-27 DRAG SPECIALTIES BATTLE OF THE BAGGERS UTAH MOTORSPORTS CAMPUS – SALT LAKE CITY Click Here to WATCH LIVE ON FITE TV! FEULING DOCUMENTARY TRAILER “ROAD TO THE CORKSCREW” WATCH BELOW! Sneak peek at our documentary covering Team Feuling and our bagger racing experience with Ben Bostrom and our Harley Davidson RoadGlide🔥 We are stoked for the upcoming Drag Specialties/Bagger Racing League race at Utah motorsports campus. The entire Feuling team has been crushing the game and we are looking to put our 130”, 630Lb #theflyingpig2.0 up front🐽 A 2019 Harley Davidson Roadglide built entirely in house by the second to none Feuling Crew. The power plant is 130 cubic inch V-Twin engine, heavily modified 4-valve cylinder heads and intake manifold by Feuling. 13.5:1 compression, 4 1/2 inch stroke crankshaft, Feuling’s Race Series 592 Camchest Kit with high volume oiling system, Feuling High Load Beehive Valvesprings, billet Vented Dipstick and our new rockershafts, which have double the strength of the factory and our competitors shafts. To finalize the build, we have our new BA High Flow Air Cleaner. The legendary Ben Bostrom (Professional Dad) will be piloting the flying pig again this year. Feuling plans to be on the podium at the Drag Specialties, Battle of the Baggers. June 24-27 at the Utah Motorsports Campus, and again in July at the famous Weathertech Raceway @ Laguna Seca to rip through the corkscrew. Check out the Performance Parts at https://www.feulingparts.com/ BUILD LIST  Feuling Parts – 592 Race Series Camchest Kit (Part #7264, Drag #0925-1268) Highload Beehive Valvespring Kit (Part #1207, Drag #0926-3138) 6.1 g/s Fuel Injectors (Part #9935, Drag #1022-0230) O2 Sensors (Part #9906, Drag #1861-1106) Vented Dipstick (Part #3088, Drag #0710-0260) ‘BA’ Air Cleaner (coming soon) Anti-Reversion Exhaust System: Custom FEULING Anti-Reversion Thrashin Supply – Risers (Drag

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Harley-Davidson’s new stand-alone electric motorcycle – LiveWire One

by Rich Kirchen from https://www.bizjournals.com With Harley-Davidson Inc. chairman, president and CEO Jochen Zeitz repeating that the company’s electric LiveWire is “an extraordinary product,” details are emerging on a new model that will be called the LiveWire One. Motorcycle.com reported the name of the first LiveWire-branded electric motorcycle since Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson announced establishing LiveWire as a stand-alone entity. The website said it deciphered the information from a Harley-Davidson filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The new LiveWire One will be revealed in July and will be considered a 2021 model, motorcycle.com said. The Harley-Davidson filing shows the LiveWire One will claim a peak output of 101 brake horsepower (bhp), which is more than the 70 bhp existing LiveWire model, motorcycle.com said. A Harley-Davidson spokesman did not immediately respond Thursday to a Milwaukee Business Journal request for comment. Harley-Davidson delivered the original LiveWire to dealers in fall 2019. The company announced in May that LiveWire will get an official launch in July as a brand in its own right with its own laboratory and showrooms. Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) initially planned to debut the new LiveWire at the International Motorcycle Show in Irvine, California. However, motorcycle.com reported that the show won’t be held there and Harley is looking to arrange an alternate date and site. Zeitz, appearing on CNBC Wednesday, discussed the LiveWire strategy but not the specifics of the next phase. He said electrified motorcycles are the future for the industry. “It might take longer in certain segments such as the traditional Harley-Davidson segment, simply because the technology is not there in terms of range and longevity of a ride that our touring customer wants,” Zeitz said. The LiveWire product that Harley-Davidson launched in 2019 under the Harley-Davidson brand “was really a product that was more focused and geared

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