Autoblog

Click above for more high-res images of the 2009 BMW F 650 GS

BMW Motorrad has had a 650cc off-road-ready adventure bike in its line since 2000, but the new one for model year '09 is vastly different than its predecessor. The bike is completely new and highlighted by a new parallel-twin engine that now displaces almost 800cc -- the same as the more powerful but more expensive F 800 GS. The two models differ in their specific engine tuning with the 650 producing 71-horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 55 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm and the F 800 GS offering up 85 bhp at 7,500 rpm and 62 lb-ft at 5,750 rpm. Unlike most BMW motorcycles that use a shaft drive, the F-Series GS uses a more rational chain for its off-road durability and interchangeability. A steel trellis frame mates with a double-sided swingarm to offer a stiff chassis and the fuel is mounted below the seat for a low center of gravity. Pricing begins at $8,255, though adding the Standard Package quickly raises the asking price to $9,760. You'll want that package as it includes heated hand grips, anti-lock brakes, an on-board computer, and (who cares?) white turn signals.


[Source: BMW]

We like Jaguar's classic leaper emblem, we really do. But we also realize that the iconic cat needs to pounce on the right target, which doesn't include the hood of the new XF. How about on a motorcycle? Or, more appropriately, how about an entire motorcycle? One enterprising Jaguar fan has fabricated a two-wheeler that the Indian British marque won't be making itself, though the result is pretty impressive if awfully impractical. The engine is either from a Sporty or an air-cooled Buell, though the wheels are definitely from Erik's parts bin. There's a custom frame underneath suspending the engine from its top and the rear motor mounts, but the real eye-catcher is the bodywork. We can't be sure what the leaper is made from but our guess would be composites as it doesn't appear pounded from metal. If anyone has any extra details about this bike, feel free to share in the comments. In any case, this is likely the most fuel efficient form of transport on which the leaper's ever appeared. Click the source link to view another angle of the bike. Thanks for the tip, Katherine!

[Source: T3]

Click above for high-res gallery of motorcycles cruising Woodward

Sure, the vast majority of vehicles cruising down Woodward Ave. this weekend are of the four-wheeled variety, but motorcycles were well represented as well. In between all the exotics, classics and modern muscle, we dodged (and occasionally stopped) traffic to grab a pretty good representation of what was out there, whether they be scooters, choppers or trikes... plus some things that defy classification altogether. Check out our complete gallery below.

Last month we brought you confirmation of Harley-Davidson's impending take-over of the MV Agusta Group in a deal valued at $109 million. The two parties have now signed the deal, leaving only regulatory approval to proceed with the acquisition.

Although MV Agusta built nearly 6,000 motorcycles in 2007, production has slipped dramatically this year as the company was over-run with debt. Part of Harley's take-over involves the payment of some $70 million in MV Agusta's outstanding debts. Harley-Davidson announced that Claudio Castiglioni, the current chairman of the group, which also includes Cagiva motorcycles, as well as chief designer Massimo Tamburini, will remain in their posts and the company will continue to operate out of its headquarters in Varese, Italy. However, Harley-Davidson intents to appoint a new management team for MV Agusta, including a new managing director. With such measures in place, we're sure that the partnership between Milwaukee and Varese can only lead to good things for both companies.

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Talon Performance is where "Innovation meets the street." That combination apparently yields results like the Talon Street Quad, a body-kitted 4-wheeler based on the Kawasaki KFX700. We think it looks like the innovation and the street got in a big argument, attacked a manatee with bats, and then threw paint on it. Then put it on wheels. Nice, rims, though...

Part quad, part Cars movie extra, part dada, the Talon Street Quad is supposedly street legal. We don't know where these streets are (in America), because quads have been shown the hand by all 50 states when it comes to road duty. Yet according to Talon, "you can even take it on your next road trip."

It'll also save you money at the pump, which is lately the god of all things. So if you want it, but you're not sure about that two-tone paint job, do not fear: you can get it in a single tone for "shear and simple beauty." Or you could just buy the Quadrazuma. And check out the gallery of pics below.


[Source: Jalopnik]

Click above for more images of Roger Goldammer's Goldmember

There seems to be a new trend in custom bike building, and it's one we're happy to see. The best designers are creating machines meant to be ridden and to perform better than anything else available, and this year's winner of the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building proves this. Roger Goldammer creates stunning designs, yet he doesn't let his creations sit in a corner collecting dust. Rather, his winning bike is a world record holder, averaging over 160 miles per hour last year at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

This year, official voting took place at the Sturgis Rally and was broken down into four separate categories. Goldammer won in the Freestyle class, the most prestigious award available, with his machine known as Goldmember. Equipped with a custom 960cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine using modified Harley-Davidson cases, a supercharger and nitrous in addition to its streamlined bodywork, Goldmember is simply amazing. You can see the rest of the winning machines here.


[Source: AMD World Championship]

Rumors from various European motorcycle mags indicate that BMW is considering getting back into the scooter game. The Bavarian company's last foray into scooterdom resulted in the C1. Being that this was BMW Motorrad, its scooter would need to be different from everyone else, and indeed it was. Featuring a full roof, roll bars and seat belts along with ABS brakes, BMW claimed that C1 riders were safe enough that they did not need to wear a helmet. Unfortunately, though, not everyone agreed and low sales numbers resulted in the innovative machine's cancellation in 2002. Now, BMW is said to be considering a three-wheeled machine, which could allay some of the safety fears which ultimately led to the demise of the C1.

Rotax is also rumored to be involved, offering an 80 degree, four-valve per cylinder, liquid-cooled, V-Twin engine in three different sizes and ranging from 33 to 75 horsepower. The machine is said to retain the C1's windshield and roof and add BMW's paralever rear suspension design. BMW: You've got our attention, now please don't disappoint.

[Source: Visor Down]

We're saddened to report the passing of 23 year-old motorcycle racer Craig Jones from Northwich, Cheshire. Jones was a seasoned rider, having been part of the World Superbike and Supersport scene for the past five years. His untimely death was the result of an accident during the FIM Supersport World Championship race at Brands Hatch which took place on Sunday, August 3. During the crash, Jones was unavoidably hit by the rider directly following him after high-siding his Team Parkalgar Honda CBR600. According to reports, Jones sustained serious head injuries in the crash, leading to his death on the morning of Monday August 4. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

[Source: World Superbike]

Click above for high-res gallery of the Tomahawk knock-off

Back before Chrysler was bought by Cerberus, you could always count on the automaker to roll out something truly special at the Detroit Auto Show. Whether by stampeding an entire herd of cattle through downtown Detroit or putting motorcycle bits all around the V10 engine of a Viper, Dodge has always found a way to capture people's attention. The Viper-inspired Tomahawk motorcycle was especially memorable. It seems that some are still miffed that Dodge never offered the fabled bike as a regular production machine, though a few were in fact created and sold as non-runners. Now a company (or companies, who knows?) in China has decided to offer a motorcycle based on the design of Dodge's original concept. We should stress that this is in no way a replica, as the original V10 engine has been replaced by a single cylinder 150cc engine and CVT transmission from a scooter. It's not street legal and also cannot be sold in California. As with all small-bore motorcycles and scooters coming from China with questionable origins, we really cannot recommend you purchase one for yourself with visions of riding it to work. If you just want to see it in your garage though, it'll surely work as a rolling sculpture quite nicely.


[Source: ATV Discounter via 2fiddy.com]

Click above for high-res image of the Harely-Davidson CVO models

There is no doubting that Harley-Davidson motorcycles have stood the test of time. Though sales of both mainstream and higher-end models from The Motor Company are down, Harley-Davidson has seen fit to continue its line of factory custom models. Custom Vehicle Operations offers complete models featuring Screaming Eagle parts.

HD has no problems selling its entire allotment of CVO SE bikes each year despite their high cost of entry, so we surmise that folks looking for full custom bikes complete with Harley-Davidson warranties must have fairly deep pockets. Surely then, these machines had better be quite different from their more standard countarparts. Let's take a closer look.


Photos copyright ©2008 Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs, Inc.