Motorcycles
-
I went along to the Motorcycle Live show at the NEC yesterday, and here are the bikes that I liked the best.
The Triumph Bobber was my favourite new model. No, I probably wouldn't get one, but I thought that it was a neat piece of design, which fits into the booming retro / custom scene. If you're thinking about a Harley Sportster, get one of these instead.
This is a lightly customised version, with clip-on handlebars and a nitrous system.
The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is the bike that makes @Giles think he should get his license. I really liked it, and it's a more convincing option than the Café Racer they just launched.
I think that the Ducati Superleggera 1299 has already sold out. It's a fantastic looking machine, and probably the king of the sports bikes until BMW release the upcoming HP4 Race.
The third Ducati I liked was the SuperSport. This is the white S model. However, I wished that they'd based it around the new Monster 1200 platform, as that would have given it things like cornering ABS and a quickshifter.
Yamaha released the MT-10 earlier this year, but have just announced an upgraded version, the SP. This adds bits off the R1 and R1M to replace the bargain basement components on the standard bike. In doing so, it gains electronic Ohlins suspension, and a full IMU.
If you want a bike capable of touring and scaring you silly on a track, this is probably it.
These are the new Norton V4 bikes. They're very expensive, and pretty much sold out. I'd probably go for a Superleggera instead.
Husqvarna is rebooting itself under KTM's ownership, and the first new model will be the Vitpilen 401. This is based on the KTM Duke 390. Apparently a bigger brother based on the Super Duke 1290 has been spotted…
The Aero Concept wasn't on display, but it looks absolutely gorgeous.
This is a Knox Micro-Lock back protector, which is so soft and pliable that it can be folded up. It also meets level 2 of the CE armour standard, so it's about as protective as you can get. I want this in my new set of leathers.
-
Triumph are pushing heavily into getting owners to customise their bikes, in much the same way that Harley have been for years. There were a lot of interesting machines on their stand, some of which you've probably seen before.
The Barbour x Triumph Thruxton was my favourite. OK, I'm biased being an owner of the standard bike, but it'd been subject to a few, simple modifications, and it was an effective facelift.
This Thruxton had gained a Daytona 675 fairing and a supercharger. It won the sprint competition at Glemseck 101.
This Bonneville featured on Bike EXIF the other day. It's worth reading the article, because they went into a lot of effort getting things like removing the dashboard right.
Triumph didn't just have customised versions of their retro range, there was also a Speed Triple on display.
The BMW R5 Hommage is more of a concept bike than custom. It uses a vintage 500 cc Boxer, with an added supercharger.
Yamaha have been supporting the custom bike scene in recent years with their Yard Built programme, which Iron Heart got involved with. I'm not sure if this military themed bike was a part of it.
-
This Sportster was on the Harley stand. I like how the headlight is mounted behind the screen.
Krazy Horse in Bury St Edmunds are worth a visit. This is one of the choppers they had on display.
They also import Zero into the UK.
Back Street Heroes is a magazine that caters to fans of heavily customised bikes. These three were on their stand, and I'm not sure if they would be particularly rideable.
There are a load more photos from the show on my Instagram feed.
-
yeah saw the photos on your feed. looks amazing. one of my favourites is the supersports
-
I saw a few likes from you @louisbosco, so I figured you'd already browsed the photos.
The Supersports is very pretty, but I'd go for an MT-10 SP if I was in the market for a new bike.
However, I do keep on hoping that Yamaha will build an XSR1000, and also offer a quarter fairing for it. The XSR900 Abarth is what I'm thinking of, and it looked great, apart from not having a proper set of clip-ons.
-
I'm not a motorcycle guy, but, damn, there are some fantastic looking bikes in there. I especially like that Triumph Bobber and the Zero.
-
I'm not a motorcycle guy, but, damn, there are some fantastic looking bikes in there. I especially like that Triumph Bobber and the Zero.
It's never too late to learn.
The Bobber I posted was a lightly customised one, here's the standard bike.
Triumph have got a bunch of accessories available.
Here's another Zero.
-
-
I also hear that the number of under 30's having joint problems and hip replacements is on the rise due to them "hitting the gym like a boss" whatever that means…
Once i'm healed i'll be "hitting the pool like a fish" then we'll see about these deadlifts @PattyCakez
-
Norton have added an option to their parts catalogue which should help with the typical unobservant or aggressive driver you encounter on a motorcycle.
Actually it's a bike that appeared in the background of a scene in Spectre. It was on display at the NEC motorcycle show at the weekend.
-
According to MCN, Triumph are going to launch another bike in the Bonneville range. This one is called the Speed Twin, and features Speed Triple style dual headlights, the Thruxton R engine and suspension, and the handlebars and frame from a Bonneville.
-
Norton have added an option to their parts catalogue which should help with the typical unobservant or aggressive driver you encounter on a motorcycle.
Actually it's a bike that appeared in the background of a scene in Spectre. It was on display at the NEC motorcycle show at the weekend. –--That would be great when you encounter deer as well. Worry about them more than anything.
-
not all heroes were capes, some put on helmets and a suit.
just received them today. made the rookie mistake of ordering the tinted pinlock lens instead of the tinted whole visor itself.. duh..
oh and huge thanks to @Graeme for the help and info!!
-
Is that visor clear?
-
it's a clear visor but i've got a tinted pinlock lens beneath it. took it for a ride today. just about right with reducing sun glare when sunny. and clear enough when it's not too bright.
-
It looks like it's at least a light smoke in the pic. Must just be the light.
Glad you're happy.
-
anyone here mounts cams onto their helmets or bikes? would love some thoughts on them. i've got my eyes on drift or contour cams
-
The first ride reviews of the Triumph Bobber have been posted at Cycle World and MCN. I'd also keep an eye on Bike EXIF, as I suspect that there'll be something there, focusing on the lifestyle aspects in a few days.
The Cycle World review is really positive. I like Sean MacDonald's pieces, and this one is worth a read.
The MCN article is more bare bones, it's a teaser for their print article, but it does give a lot of facts and figures, which I've reproduced below.
-
UK Price: £10,500
-
Engine: 1200cc 8v parallel-twin
-
Power 76 bhp
-
Torque: 78 ft lb
-
Dry Weight: 228 kg
-
Tank capacity: 9.1-litres
-
Frame: Tubular steel twin cradle
-
Seat Height: 690mm
-
Suspension KYB 41mm forks and single rear shock, non-adjustable
-
Front Brake: Single 310mm disc, Nissin twin-piston caliper
-
Colours: Satin Ironstone, red, green/silver, black
The price is about the same as the standard Thruxton (£10,700 in the UK), so you should be able to estimate what it'll cost in other markets from that.
The dry weight is slightly up on the Bonneville 1200 (224 kg), but it's got a smaller tank, so it'll work out similar when wet. Speaking of which, Triumph are claiming 69 mph (Imperial), giving 138 miles of range.
Apparently it goes well, and handles better than it should, but ground clearance is limited. But if that's an issue, then you'd probably buy a Thruxton R instead. However, MacDonald reckons the single front disc is lacking, and he'd upgrade that if he owned one.
Expect plenty of accessories. I've got my eye on the full LED headlight. It's got a 5.25" bowl, so would fit Airtech's Yamaha TZ7501 fairings. Might be an option for the Thruxton.
-
