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The Newbie Car Spoilers and Modification Guide

A car is not merely a mode of commuting but it reflects your personality as well. So why not add some excellent accessories to give your auto a personalized appear. The accessories play an critical part in enhancing up an automobile and giving it a sensible look. Vehicles whether or not it is a luxurious car, SUVs, or trucks want extensive care, and consideration although installing accessories on the exterior and in interior of the auto.

With no these, your automobile could look incomplete and plain. A good quality auto accessory smartens up your car as properly as protects it from getting wear and tear. There are a lot of accessories which styles your automobile from interior and exterior as nicely. Interior accessories are primarily vehicle racing seats, racing seat covers, steering wheel covers, dash covers, window tint film, fuel consumption meter, floor mats such as diamond plate floor mats (each and every automobile is vulnerable to dust, mud or dirt from the bottom of your footwear, good quality mats are excellent to hold the floor dirt clean), stereo program such as DVD players or mobile video, shifter knobs and air fresheners that not only enhance the efficiency of the automobile but are essential keys to stylize your vehicle.



Exterior accessories contain stylizing physique kits, car spoilers, head and tail light covers, hid kits, vehicle hood shields, hood scoops, a sunroof, window graphics, window visors and wheel caps. Adding these accessories will http://www.wingswest.com/catalog/ draw interest website to the definitive distinction amongst a luxurious, fancy or a great looking vehicle and a boring or dull vehicle which hardly draws anybody’s interest. Automobile spoilers can be easily install and are fairly low-cost. Vehicle spoilers can boost the performance of your car, offers a special appearance and can also enhance the resale worth of the vehicle. A physique kits can be a bit pricey and challenging to install simply because it demands unique tool and comprehensive information prior to installing. But physique kit is a big necessity for your higher performing car. Most upgrade goods such as beneath physique neon kits can also be installed in the vehicles. Beneath body neon kits entirely accessorize the outer of the vehicle and give your automobile a distinctive look.

You can get automobile accessories like Auto spoilers, body kits, Beneath physique neon kits, hid kits, diamond plate floor mats, automobile racing seats and racing seat covers from the on the web stores as well. It makes sense to acquire automobile accessories on the internet that offers you enormous motives such as, it saves a lot of power and time spending unnecessarily in buying for automobile accessories. Online retailers supply you the wide range of car parts and accessories for selection, generally at less expensive price tag. In addition, it becomes less complicated for you to evaluate the rates of accessories. Side by side it guarantees you the refund policies of the goods in case you are not satisfied. You can also get considerably concept about auto accessories like Auto spoilers and body kits by locating the reviews of other buyers. Make positive that you do not purchase items such as under physique neon kits, hid kits, diamond plate floor mats and car racing seats from an unreliable business and do not appropriately fit to your automobile.

1 of the best web sites which actually understand your wants is ours where you can get huge range of car accessories to develop the overall performance and gaze of your auto. If you are nevertheless preparing to shop automobile accessories from a motor accessories’ retailer, believe before you do so because buying on the internet can save you from high expense of money and time and preserve you out of frustration at the time of shopping. Browse the internet site for making a great deal on vehicle accessories. On-line retailers have produced the process a lot less difficult of buying automobile accessories like Beneath body neon kits, hid kits, diamond plate floor mats and automobile racing seats by sitting at home and providing you the numerous alternatives to replace or buy them for your cars.

Trying To Buy A Car? Read More Here!

The thought of purchasing a new car can be exciting and stressful. Research will help you end up happy after your purchase. You should keep reading for some useful tips on car shopping.

Search the Internet for great deals. A simple Internet search can help you save a lot of money. When you find a vehicle that you like, visit a dealership that has it in stock or ask your own dealer to get it for you. If the vehicle isn't too far away, consider driving up to the dealership to save yourself some extra money.

Look into the total price, not a monthly charge. Dealers can make the monthly price just about anything, but it will just increase the total price you pay. Instead, get the best financing and overall price you can. Then you can determine what the monthly payment will be.

If you want to get a new car, contact your bank and ask about loans before you start shopping. This can provide you with important peace of mind. In some cases, your dealership will help you secure a low interest rate but it is good to know about the interest rates that would be available through your bank.

Never http://www.thechromepros.com/ show up at the dealership driving a luxury vehicle. The salesman may take one look at your fancy ride and refuse any low-ball offer you make. If you are looking to trade the vehicle in, this does not apply.

Get the price settled before looking into additional incentives or trade-ins. These different things should be deducted from the final price. You can get the best price this way.

Don't feel vorsteinerwheels locked into one dealer or dealership. You can often find something comparable from an independent seller or a mall, local dealer. Local classifieds and online for-sale listings are great resources for finding good deals on vehicles.

Car shop online. You will be able to locate nearly any car you want on the Internet. Prior to visiting a dealership, make sure you know as much as possible about the cars that interest you. You can find all kinds of stuff out about a vehicle if you just do a simple search on the Internet.



Look at your budget before you start shopping. You need to be certain of what is affordable for you. Determine the amount you are to spend every month on a car. Before looking at cars, you may want to shop around for a loan.

Although you may have a wish list of features, it is important to keep in mind that you might not find all of them in one car. The vehicles available in your price range might not have all the options you are looking for, or you might not be able to find what you are looking for. You don't really need heated seats.

Before purchasing a car from a dealership, ask if you can bring in a mechanic to look over things. The mechanic you use should be trustworthy. Don't use the mechanic that the dealer suggests. The mechanic will be there to tell you if the car can be on the road and if the price is right.

Don't divulge your trade-in car immediately. You want to offer your trade-in after you've already negotiated the price of your vehicle. The dealership might adjust the cost of the new car based on the fact that you have a car to trade in if they know about it beforehand.

Not all salespeople or dealerships are the same. The stereotypical overbearing salesman is no longer the standard. More and more dealerships are figuring out that gentle sales and happy customers mean repeat business. Remember it is within your power to walk away if a salesperson gets too pushy. Lots of friendly salespeople exist who would be thrilled to help you.

Avoid purchasing any used vehicle that is as-is. This is a decision that you will regret. At the very least a dealer should offer you a 30-90 day warranty when you purchase any car. If you encounter a technical issue as soon as you leave the dealership, you will have to pay for the repairs.

For lots of people, buying a car is exciting but also quite stressful. However, you can prepare by educating yourself on the process so that you know what you're doing. By heeding the advice you've just read, you can improve your chances of finding the best vehicle for the best price.

Your HVAC Should Be Working For You, Here's How

Most homeowners want their home to have a great HVAC system. HVAC systems keep your home feeling comfortable. This HVAC system has many delicate parts to it, and it is very important that professionals are hired to put it in as well as perform yearly maintenance. Keep reading for some useful HVAC tips.

Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This will let you know that you're able to give the contractor the information that can help them.

Tour your home before calling a contractor. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. That way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.

Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Before you clean the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.

Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.

Be sure to place your outdoor unit in a shady spot to maximize efficiency. When the air conditioner pulls in cooler air, it won't have to do much more to cool it and that will save you a lot of money on energy bills.

Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. Most homeowners choose to have their unit inspected during the spring and the fall months. This helps prepare for the coming weather changes of summer and winter. Even if you don't think anything's wrong, it's still worth an inspection.

When it gets cold outside, turn off the outdoor condensers. If the temperature drops to under 60 degrees, you risk damage to the unit if you leave it on. This will maximize the life of your unit.

It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. Having double pane windows allows your air conditioning unit to be run much less during the summer, because the cool air is kept inside the home. Conversely, they keep warm air in during the winter.



Air conditioners occasionally freeze up, literally. Sometimes the drain line will freeze, causing leaks. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should still call a professional to help regardless.

Ask your friends, relatives, and coworkers about their experiences with HVAC contractors in your area. People who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name air conditioning repair of their contractor. This will prevent you from getting scammed.

For greater efficiency, put a radiant barrier in your attic. This type of barrier will help to block heat, which in turn will help your system work less at cooling your home. You might even be able to start living in your attic.

Do you want to find a quality HVAC? There are some things to consider. Systems are given ratings by how effectively they can cool and heat an area. Getting a unit that's a little larger than you need will be better than getting one that's smaller.

Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. Call your utility company if they are leaking to see about getting a test. Having these repaired is worth the cost of testing if you had to hire a contractor to do the job.

The most important thing to do to your HVAC system each month is replace the air filter. It is an easy thing to do yourself in order to have your system running well. Also, this will not cost a lot of money.

There are many things to help when you want information on HVAC units. It is important that the installed unit runs correctly and is well maintained. Use the tips shared in this article and you will be sure to make the best choice for either installing or having work done on your HVAC unit.

Learning How To Be The Best Parent Possible.

Thoughtful parenting begins with the commitment to never stop learning new strategies to improve your parenting skills. What kind of parenting style you use is up to you, but every parenting style can be more effective with the addition of fresh ideas. Take a look at the practical advice below. Check out the list we’ve compiled for you below from Wallao.com.

You must avoid losing your authority no matter what. Once your children realize that there is really nothing backing up what you say it can be difficult to regain control. In addition to this, you shouldn't lose your cool in front your kids. If you feel it is unavoidable, send them to their room and calm yourself down however possible.

Raising teenagers can be a challenging task, but there are some approaches that may help. For example, instead of lecturing them you should try to discuss issues with them. Make the teenager feel free to speak, provide an open forum to exchange ideas. You will find this positive approach to parenting will work wonders with your teen.

Make sure your pre-schooler still gets a nap everyday. A child at that age still needs plenty of rest, in order to stay in a good mood. You might encounter resistance from him during nap time, but if your young child does not take his nap, he will be very cranky by dinner time.

When your child starts school it is important to make sure that they know what to expect. If at all possible you should take your child on a tour of their school before they attend. This will help them to feel prepared and may help relieve some of the anxiety they may be experiencing.

Something every parent should make sure to do is to listen to their children. It is simply not enough to be a physical presence for your child, you must also communicate with them, and that communication should go both ways. Take time out to listen to what your children have to say and talk to them, rather than at them.

Be consistent. Children function better when they know what is going to happen during the day, especially young children. A huge change in schedule or no schedule will give you very crabby children. They will feel like they are out of control, and they will show you that in their behavior.

Whether you are a set of parents living in the same home or separate homes, you are going to need to work together as a team when it comes to everything about your child. Learn to disagree in a civil manner, and find ways to resolve any differences quietly and in the best interest of your child.

In order for your teenagers to get along with you, trust is very important. If you try to accuse your teen of things that they may in fact be doing, it is only going to make your relationship worse. You must trust them; in turn they will respect and have such a great relationship with you that they wouldn't want to do anything to disappoint you.

As mentioned above, no matter what parenting style you choose, you can make it more effective when you seek out new ideas. The key to thoughtful parenting is to recognize that you can always use fresh ideas to make sure your parenting skills are right for you and your child.

The Benefits Of Japanese Car Auctions

American automobile makers supply higher incentives than Japanese car manufacturers. For example, Chevy offers incentives as huge as $5,000 on their Silverado trucks whereas Toyota never gives more than $1,500. Why is this? It is easy. More men and women choose to drive Japanese vehicles than American. Japanese automakers don’t have to entice consumers because consumers are willing to acquire their cars with out them.

The cause for this is that Japanese autos are a lot far more dependable than American cars. In most circumstances, people who own Japanese automobiles never have to worry about their vehicle breaking down or needing main repairs. Oftentimes, they only require to be concerned with placing gas in the car and having the click here oil changed frequently for the whole life of the car. You cannot get this sort of quality with American produced autos.

Because Japanese vehicles have a tendency to be pricey since of the lack of incentives they offer you, if you want a single, you can always purchase utilized, and if employed is nonetheless a tiny out of your price tag variety, then your ideal option is automobile auctions. Car auctions combine the legendary high quality of Japanese cars with incredibly affordable rates that will keep you bragging to your friends for weeks.

Japanese car auctions come about quite often. You just have to hold an eye out for them. If they don’t happen often in your city, then you may have to verify surrounding regions, but rest assured, you will locate one particular. It might call for a small added driving, but you will locate one.



There are distinct varieties of car auctions. If you prefer the comfort of your personal residence, then the Internet is an choice at your disposal. It could look complex, but purchasing at an online auction is really quite straightforward all you have to do is set up an account, and your off and shopping. Utilizing the World wide web gives you access to hundreds of vehicle auctions all over the world. You can get all the facts about a car, such as what alternatives they have and how considerably mileage, as effectively as make a bid.

As soon as you win the auction, you have the alternative of http://www.ehow.com/list_6366543_list-japanese-car-manufacturers.html possessing the auto shipped to wherever you select. By taking this route in acquiring a car you can save you as much as $three,000, a much much better deal than buying locally.

But if you’re the variety that prefers to do business with a person, rather than a pc, then you have other options apart from the World wide web accessible. These alternatives incorporate police auctions, IRS sales and private economic corporation auctions. In the case of police and IRS auctions these cars often have been seized from men and women who were convicted of a crime or owed back taxes. For private corporations, the automobiles after belonged to folks who fell behind on their payments and the cars had been repossessed.

Japanese vehicles are the best sort of investment you can make in a automobile. They last longer and generally depreciate slower than other vehicles. By shopping for them at vehicle auctions you can acquire them at a fraction of their actual value, an not possible deal to get on a vehicle lot.

History Of Legendary Car Brands

This week I was fortunate enough to go new car shopping. Driving on such burning seats is anything but comfortable. The increased purchasing power has contributed to a rise in the number of luxury cars being sold in different developing nations. Two of the most prominent players in the automobile market are the giants 'BMW' and 'Mercedes-Benz'. Financing and leasing options are also available.

You need to have a lot of money or you need to have a great credit facility to service hire purchase. . . . Once you are entirely http://www.youtube.com/user/bmw happy with your police repossessed cars for sale that you want to buy then you should go ahead with the purchase quickly.

At the present BMW has changed the diesel engine. The 9 litre 16 valve DOHCV petrol engine is willing and able to rev and is noted to have 103 Kw of power at 6000rpm, enough to propel this mighty compact to a top speed of 209 km/h. The 9 litre 16 valve DOHCV petrol engine is willing and able to rev and is noted to have 103 Kw of power at 6000rpm, enough to propel this mighty compact to a top speed of 209 km/h. When searching for police and government car auctions I would recommend that you don't hand over any money in advance. If done correctly you will boost your chances for victory and be well on your way to a 6 and seven figure income with ViSalus.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at: www. This should cut through the relatively soft adhesive. This policy allows you to get coverage for your car on the day that you buy it.

It is worth noting that many badges don't have any adhesive. When deciding where to take your vehicle, ask the following questions. When deciding where to take your vehicle, ask the following questions. Do you plan on staying at your current job or can you envision a situation in the next few years where you would be forced to leave? Could you or a partner fall pregnant over the next few years? These things should all factor into your decision so that you make an accurate decision about long term affordability on your leased car. For the latest news about exotic cars and automotive reviews, follow @cafecars on Twitter.

Discovering the kind of Motorcycle that's Correct for you personally

Purchasing a motorcycle usually entails a great deal of research before you determine around the one that is right for you personally. You will find so many makes and models to select from that it could also be confusing. You'll wish to believe about your motorcycle riding encounter whenever you are searching in the type of bike to buy. You will also wish to think about what you'll be performing together with your motorcycle.

There are many various types of motorcycle to consider according to your interests. Do you would like a motorcycle that's recognized for speed? In the event you will be taking long road trips in your motorcycle then you definitely want 1 built for travel and comfort. You may also want 1 that provides compartments to hold your necessities whilst you travel. Other motorcycles are designed for riding on dirt or for competitors. You will find also scooters which are enjoyable for in town.

If you are new to the feat of motorcycle riding, it is suggested that you begin having a moderately priced motorcycle or perhaps having a used one. This really is because a brand new web link can cost you $20,000. Do you want to risk scratching it up or getting pricey repairs from dropping the bike over? Trust me, in the event you are new to riding that's going to become a part from the encounter! You are able to usually purchase a newer motorcycle once you have become a seasoned rider.

Even when you've a specific style of motorcycle in thoughts, it has to fit the body perfectly. This may be disappointing at first, but bear in mind that when the bike doesn’t match you there is a danger of an accident. It's also very likely that you will not be comfortable whilst riding it, so what enjoyable will that be? Of course you are able to always possess a customized motorcycle produced later on from the style you would like that fits you perfectly.

The best way determine if a motorcycle is a great match for you personally is to sit on the bike with the kickstand on the ground. Can you touch the ground with both feet? If not, then you definitely need to look to get a motorcycle that isn’t as tall. In the event you can attain the ground with each feet, are you able to attain the deal with bars comfortably? How about the brakes and the turn signals?

Obviously a really important aspect you have to think about when looking for the proper motorcycle is the price. You'll need something that is going to match into your budget. Do you want to buy a used motorcycle for the quantity of cash you are able to afford? Are you willing to take out a loan to spend to get a greater priced motorcycle on month-to-month payments? You need to determine this prior to you even start searching at possible motorcycles.

A motorcycle can give you a fun mode of transportation for fun or for commuting. Motorcycles are very inexpensive to operate and permit you to appreciate the beauty from the outdoors. You will find your motorcycle to become more comfortable in the event you take your time and choose one based on how it feels with your physique shape than how the physique from the bike appears. Selecting a bike that doesn’t match nicely will leave you disappointed as well as raise the danger of accidents and injuries taking place.

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Honda to market electric motorcycle by 2010

 

December 19, 2008 Honda has been quick to signal some radical changes in direction to enable it to endure the tough times expected in 2009. Following news that it is cancelling all F1 racing involvement and development, and likewise with the successor to the NSX sports car, the company has announced it intends to pursue ever cleaner automotive technologies and the most exciting of its announcements is that it will have an electric motorcycle on the market before the end of 2010. Honda’s original core product was the motorcycle and history shows that motorcycle sales remain strong in difficult times – the Honda announcement of an electric motorcycle is likely to spur rivals Yamaha and Suzuki into action, with both having shown fantastic electric bikes already, and both afraid to give Honda a head start in what will surely be a massive market.

With more people likely to show interest in the motorcycle in a harsh economic climate, Honda plans for a game-changing electric motorcycle are the signal that the era of the electric motorcycle is about to begin – Honda’s brief statement pointed out that the characteristics of electric power can be better utilized in the area of motorcycles, which are often used for short distance travel.

Honda's toughness in negative business environments comes from its almost recession-proof motorcycle business. The motorcycle business has since given way to a global business foundation around three axes - motorcycles, automobiles and power products – but Honda knows it can rely on its original core product and the cost-efficiency of a plug-in electric bike could attract a huge new customer segment, particularly in the emerging emerging economic regions of Asia and South America. Motorcycles are replacing bicycles for everyday transportation in these markets, and long-term and steady market growth is expected for the motorcycle business despite the economic conditions.

Source: gizmag.com @By Mike Hanlon

Yamaha's Ben Spies stuns with pole position on World Superbike debut

 

February 28, 2009 The 2009 World Superbikes season is off to a cracking start, with an action-packed qualifying stage and Superpole now decided. Boasting a huge grid of superstar riders, some ominous new faces, a raft of new bikes and brand new teams from BMW and Aprilia, we've tipped WSBK 2009 as the one to watch over MotoGP in our detailed season preview a few weeks ago. And what a start! Texan Ben Spies has taken an astonishing Superpole victory on his international debut for Yamaha, ahead of veteran Max Biaggi on the brand new Aprilia RSV4 and newcomer Jonny Rea on his Hannspree Honda CBR1000RR. The new Superpole format has proven itself to be pure cut-throat desperation and a great spectacle - and the races tomorrow should be absolutely stunning. A crack team of Gizmag bike-heads reports from Australia's Phillip Island GP circuit.

Ben Spies, fresh from humbling the previously untouchable Mat Mladin by taking the last three AMA Superbike championships in America, has sent the World Superbike paddock a sharp warning by taking a stunning pole position this afternoon at Phillip Island in his international debut.
To put his achievement in perspective, Spies has never ridden at Australia's storied Phillip Island racetrack before; he's had precious few sessions on track to learn which way the track goes, master it and then post a staggering 1'31.069 lap time well under 2008 champion Troy Bayliss's previous lap record.
Perhaps even more amazing is 'Roman Emperor' Max Biaggi's second position on grid. Biaggi, multiple world 250cc GP champion and a famous rival to Valentino Rossi in MotoGP, has had only a handful of tests to develop his Aprilia RSV4, a brand new bike and engine that has been put together for the 2009 SBK series. For the Aprilia to qualify faster than any Ducati, Honda or Suzuki in its debut race meeting is astonishing.
The other new bike on the grid, the BMW S1000RR, didn't fare so well. 2005 WSBK champion Troy Corser made a critical tyre choice mistake in the new Superpole qualifying session and was relegated to 17th position after finishing with a top-5 time in early qualifying rounds.

The new Superpole format shines

The new Superpole format will be an event in itself for 2009 - the sudden-death knockout format sees the top 20 riders from qualifying go out for 12 minutes, after which the top 16 are let through for another 12 minutes, and then half are eliminated before the final eight fight for pole position and the front two rows of grid positions.
The nail-biting new format bit a couple of expected front-runners as Haga and Neukirchner bowed out in the second session - but Troy Corser's Team BMW must be kicking themselves for assuming that they'd make the final eight on race tyres, preserving his qualifiers for the final session. A flurry of surprising quick laps from riders like Leon Haslam, Regis Laconi, Jakub Smrz and Carlos Checa relegated Corser to a disastrous 17th on the grid.

Tomorrow's Races

Ben Spies' dominant performance in Superpole comes on the back of consistently fast times throughout the weekend - and he's got a proven ability to thrive in the most heated and desperate race conditions. We'd have to say he's looking like a strong chance to take at least one victory in tomorrow's races.
Other consistent front-runners have included Hannspree Honda's Jonny Rea, who looked almost certain to take Superpole until Spies and Biaggi pulled scorching laps out of the bag in the final session. This is Rea's first look at Phillip Island as well - the BSB-bred youngster is looking fast, confident and very dangerous this weekend.

Biaggi's Aprilia has had the odd reliability issue, and Nitro Nori Haga is starting from a difficult 13th place, which might take either or both of them out of contention for a win. Still, it's a fool who would bet against either of these fierce and experienced competitors. Ducati riders Jakub Smrz and Michel Fabrizio have been strong throughout - and Regis Laconi posted a jaw-dropping time in the second session of Superpole, but none have been hugely consistent yet and Smrz in particular hasn't shown himself to be a contender on race days in the past.

Shakey Byrne has struggled to come to grips with the Phillip Island circuit, rarely troubling the top 10 in qualifying times - but he's a phenomenal rider and is bound to feature through the series, whether or not he makes an impact tomorrow.

Weather conditions at Phillip Island are notoriously variable, so we won't know until the last minute what to expect tomorrow - but one thing's for sure, our eyes will be glued to the track for some excellent racing - if the Gizmag team manages to avoid severe overindulgence at any number of Superbike weekend parties tonight! Wish us luck... Incremental updates as they happen over at TheBikerGene.

Final grid positions:

• 1. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Italia YZF R1 1min 31.069s
• 2. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Racing RSV-4 1min 31.402s
• 3. Jonathan Rea GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 31.596s
• 4. Jakub Smrz CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1min 31.600s
• 5. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1098R 1min 31.837s
• 6. Leon Haslam GBR Stiggy Motorsport Honda CBR1000RR 1min 32.112s
• 7. Carlos Checa ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 32.537s
• 8. Regis Laconi FRA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1min 32.649s
• 9. Shinya Nakano JPN Aprilia Racing RSV-4 1min 31.843s
• 10. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 31.860s
• 11. Yukio Kagayama JPN Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000K9 1min 31.867s
• 12. Tom Sykes GBR Yamaha Italia YZF R1 1min 31.881s
• 13. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1098R 1min 31.907s
• 14. Max Neukirchner GER Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000K9 1min 31.916s
• 15. Shane Byrne GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R 1min 32.119s
• 16. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki SRT ZX-0R 1min 32.719s
• 17. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 32.873s
• 19. Roberto Rolfo ITA Stiggy Motorsport Honda CBR1000RR 1min 32.997s
• 19. Ruben Xaus ESP BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 33.152s
• 20. Tommy Hill GBR HANNspree Althea Honda CBR1000RR 1min 33.363s
Following grid positions decided by Qualifying 2

• 21. Brendan Roberts AUS Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1min 33.588s
• 22. Makoto Tamada JPN Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R 1min 33.709s
• 23. Ayrton Badovini ITA PSG-1 Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 34.174s
• 24. David Salom ESP Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 34.194s
• 25. Karl Muggeridge AUS Celani Suzuki GSX-R1000 1min 34.341s
• 26. Luca Scassa ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 34.390s
• 27. Vittorio Iannuzzo ITA SCI Honda CBR1000RR 1mins 35.767s
• 28. Matteo Baiocco ITA PSG-1 Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 36.363s

Source: gizmag.com @By Loz Blain

Suzuki joins big-bore enduro market with RMX450Z

                                

 

Suzuki is finally joining the serious off-road marketplace with an all-new fuel-injected RMX450Z enduro racer. The bike is based on Suzuki's RM-Z450 motocrosser, with a significantly-reworked version of the Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), 449cc, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. A longer inlet tract, less radical cam profiles, wider gear ratios plus an electric starter are the main changes to the high-spec off-road weapon, all wrapped in the motocrosser's frame, suspension and bodywork.

 

Delivering exceptional power and torque, the RMX450Z uses an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system to ensure smooth, crisp and strong power delivery, lower emissions and impressive fuel economy, which is just as well, because they've left the bike with the same tank as the motocross machine – a serious oversight that will mean a lot of aftermarket gas tanks get sold for the otherwise ideal off-road competition machine.

Suzuki pioneered fuel-injection for motocrossers, and the RMX450Z shares all key technologies with the RM-Z450 using the same Keihin throttle body with progressive linkage. Fuel-injection also enables the RMX450Z to be "green sticker" eligible in the state of California. This advanced fuel-injection system also eliminates the need for re-jetting at higher elevations.

A modified inlet tract and revised cam profiles enhance low and mid-range power, while the airbox features a hinged lid for quick air filter access, easier maintenance and better dust protection. To meet the demands of trail riding, the RMX450Z has an extra coolant reservoir tank and relocated filler cap, along with a bash plate. Wider primary and final drive ratios in the five-speed transmission help riders get the most from the engine.

Kick-starting a big single with a high seat can be a heartbreaking experience on the trail so we're pleased to see the RMX450Z features an electric starter, while the starter and lights' centrally-located batteries are charged by a larger magneto-generator.

Based on the RM-Z450 but optimized for off-road riding, an aluminum alloy frame utilizes cast and extruded sections in a slim, lightweight, rigid and tough package.

The RMX450Z features a Showa suspension package derived from the championship winning RM-Z450 - the 47mm inverted front forks are fully adjustable for rebound and compression settings, while the rear shock unit offers fully adjustable rebound, compression and pre-load settings.

Spring rates and suspension geometry on the Suzuki have been developed for off-road riding, combining with an 18 inch rear wheel to offer razor-sharp cornering and a smooth ride across rugged terrain.

Slim bodywork, a low-profile aluminum fuel tank and a motocross-developed seat gives RMX450Z pilots a functional riding position to focus on the terrain ahead to optimize line selection.

The RMX450Z's compact instrumentation offers riders the choice between two modes, a sports mode showing the basic information a rider needs in competition, such as a trip meter, timer and average speed, while a standard mode displays additional information including speed, time and information of two trip lengths.

Source: gizmag.com @By Gizmag Team
 

The GG Quadster - a four-wheeled, 167-horsepower quad bike for the road

Since the emergence of non-tilting 3-wheelers like the bizarre snowmobile-for-the-road Can-Am Spyder, and the abundance of attention they've received, this new class of novelty multi-wheelers seems to be gathering steam. The latest we've run across, thanks to a Gizmag reader suggestion, is the GG Quadster. This Swiss creation takes the 167-horsepower motor and electrics from a BMW K1200 sportsbike and puts it in a 4-wheeled chassis with sticky sports tyres and more machined billet aluminium than comes out of OCC in a whole week. At US$65,000, or around US$40k more than the Can-Am Spyder, you'll rarely see one on the road. But if you do, and there's a really tall black guy riding it, you might want to catch him for an autograph.

 

GG stands for Gruter und Gut, the fabrication shop that brought us the GG quad a few years back. That odd-looking contraption used the 100-horsepower BMW boxer twin motor and stuck it in a similar, F1-style race car chassis, and it proved popular enough for GG to move on and bring us the Quadster - a similar machine, but with a generous dollop of extra power thanks to its sportier inline 4 cylinder K1200 motor.

That motor uses its normal BMW gearbox, with similar gearing, but with the addition of a reverse gear, which can be engaged by flicking a safety switch and then pressing firmly on the rear brake pedal. A handy touch, since vehicles of this kind are almost as hard to push around as a small car.

Speaking of small cars, the Quadster's road footprint is actually slightly longer AND wider than that of a Smart car. But then, Smart cars aren't designed to pull over 1G of sideways acceleration in the corners, nor do they have to deal with a high-revving sportsbike engine. Well, most of the time, anyway.

Each of the Quadster's 4 wheels is shod with wide, sticky Dunlop Sportmaxx tyres, and suspended with a quality Wilbers shock, adjustable for preload and rebound. The brakes are reportedly absolutely massive, with the front lever operating a set of four-piston stoppers on the 270mm discs at the front, and the foot lever operating another two calipers at the front as well as a 30% load through two more calipers at the rear wheels. Stomp to stop, then.

The gearing is tall, as befits its 180mph donor sportsbike, but many testers have found it too tall for a heavier, street four wheeler like this one, which is only rated up to 130mph anyway. Once the clutch hooks up and the revs start building, though, hang on! The Quadster is said to be able to rocket to 60mph in 3.5 seconds.

And here we get to the handling. When Gizmag editor Noel McKeegan rode the Can-Am Spyder, he gave it a generally positive review. I'm not sure I'd be so generous. When you're presented with a machine that has a high-revving performance engine and eyeball-popping brakes, you expect it to be a demon in the corners too.

But I found that the Spyder was a real handful in the corners - and I'd go so far as to assume that the Quadster would have a very similar feel. Non-tilting multi-wheel motorcycles have the uncomfortable effect of wanting to throw the rider way out to the outside of the corner. In order to get them around corners at the sorts of speeds that you'd use on a sportsbike, you've got to lunge for the inside of the corner before you make your steering input, which is to pull the inside bar towards you - as opposed to the push you'd normally use to countersteer a bike.

So your outside arm, which has to operate the throttle, if it's a left-hander - can end up quite far away from you, and the inside wheel can start to lift off the ground. It's a very physical style of vehicle to ride, and the dynamics don't make it easy to relax and flow fast through a set of corners. It's a real core-muscle workout, throwing these things about - imagine trying to hook a regular quadbike into a bend at 70mph. Exhilarating, certainly, but a fair fitness challenge if you want to keep up with your buddy who's strapped into the sports seats of his Lotus Elise through the corners.

It would certainly be interesting to see how these machines perform on a racetrack - putting them up against cars and motorcycles to see how they go in terms of lap times, rider safety and fun factor.

Dubious cornering performance aside, the Quadster avoids one serious annoyance a petrolhead would find with the Spyder - it doesn't have a stability control system, so you're free to spin the rear wheels up and get sideways if you're feeling feisty and you're able to break the grip of those two massive rear hoops.

Because there's still so few of these types of vehicles on the road, they're still a guaranteed head-turner. The Quadster can be licensed in Germany as a 4-wheeled motorbike, and it seems registration is somehow possible in America, too.

At US$65,000, the GG Quadster is horrifically expensive if you compare it to a 3.5-second motorcycle, or exceptionally cheap if you compare it to a 3.5-second car. It's just about right if you compare it to high-end custom motorcycles and take in the sheer mass of billet you're getting for your dollar. The list of available options is very impressive for such an odd vehicle, with enormous panniers, alarms, heated grips, limited slip diffs, intercoms, navigation systems and the like all catered for. But you'll want deep pockets to pay for them.

One set of deep pockets that have already been plundered for a GG Quadster belong to the trousers of basketball god and general sports nut Michael Jordan, who already owns a pair of the older GG Quads and has stumped up for the big brother bike.

If Michael ever tires of the Quadster's 167 horses, it's comforting to know that there's a similar machine available that looks a lot nastier and packs about 3 times the power due to its supercharged BMW V12 - that would be French custom cycle shop Lazareth's US$284,000, 500hp Wazuma. Scary.

Source: gizmag.com @By Loz Blain

Zero Motorcycles to hit the road in 2010 TTXGP

The running of the first ever clean emissions Grand Prix at the Isle of Man in June made 2009 a landmark year in the history of two-wheeled motorsport. Next year is shaping up to be even bigger. A series of races will be run throughout 2010 beginning with TXGP North America Championship at Infineon in Sonoma, California in May. The latest competitor to throw its hat into the ring is US-based Zero Motorcycles, which will make its road racing debut on home turf with a bike that's expected to be based on the Zero S model.

"It is good news that a company of such standing as Zero is committing to TTXGP 2010, said Jeremy Burne, TTXGP North America Director. "This announcement follows on from last week when Italian manufacturer CRP Racing went public with the news that they will be building a bike, the eCRP1.0, for the TTXGP 2010 series. This kind of initiative on both sides of the Atlantic really positions TTXGP as a truly global player."

Zero tasted success on the dirt in Europe recently with the company's MX model winning the Electric Motorcycle Challenge organized by the French Federation of Motorcycles. Zero finished third overall in points for the series and along the way showed the potential of electric drivetrains by beating some 450cc gas-powered motorcycles. Zero also organized the first all-electric 24-hour endurance motocross race back in April - results of that race can be found here.

According to Zero Motorcycles CEO Gene Banman, the company has identified a series of strategic partners for its tilt at the TTXGP and will announce further details shortly. 


The 2010 TTXGP series will also include three events in the UK (Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire on 3-4 July, Snetterton, Norfolk on 17-18 July and Castle Combe, Wiltshire on 11 September), plus another Isle of Man event in June 2010. A grand final for leading teams will be held in November at an as yet unnamed venue.



Source: gizmag.com @By Noel McKeegan

Honda aerodynamic scooter conversion results in 214 mpg

 

Adding a self-built aerodynamic outer shell to a brand new Honda Innova 125i big-wheeled, step through scooter has resulted in its already pretty impressive fuel efficiency being improved considerably. Experienced Dutch cycle designer Allert Jacobs has spent the last couple of years designing, building and tweaking his machine before hitting the road recently for the all important road test.

After designing an aerodynamic, recumbent pedal-powered three-wheeler, Jacobs started to think about the possibility of moving onto bigger and more powerful vehicles. Considering the rules and regulations involved in building a roadworthy car to be too restrictive, he set his sights on a motorbike.

Streamlining performance motorcycles is by no means new. Sport machines began getting some pretty impressive results from enclosed fairings before the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme put the brakes on full enclosure fairings for sport motorcycles in the 1950s due to safety concerns.

Since then, work by (amongst others) Craig Vetter has shown that not only does streamlining provide gains in the speed department but also results in some impressive fuel savings. Vetter has, in fact, just recently managed to persuade the Fédération to lift its ban for electric motorbikes, opening the floodgates for electric fairing enhancements for future performance riders.

Aerodynamics is a real drag

Forward movement is of course met with resistance to that movement, from the air and from any surface an object happens to be in contact with. Most of the resistance encountered on a motorcycle however is aerodynamic. Any motorcyclist who has tucked down close to the bike will know that reducing drag results in a speed boost without the need for increased throttle. Jacobs calculated that at 55mph, a naked motorbike is likely to suffer 90% of its resistance due to aerodynamic drag.

 The ideal solution for a fuel efficient motorbike would be an electrically-powered one, but Jacobs considered limited range to be problematic so he opted for the small and light engined Honda Innova 125i, which was first made available to Europeans in 2006 and was intended to replace the popular Super Cub. The Innova is already highly regarded for efficiency, Honda UK claiming it gives: "a robust 46 miles of operation on a single liter of fuel (measured at an operating urban speed of 33mph)".

Filling its 3.7 liter fuel tank got Jacobs around 140 miles to the gallon (mpg) during the initial run in period required for a new vehicle. When he started to increase throttle activity somewhat, the scooter still offered between 107 and 122mpg. Inspired by the work of the likes of Vetter, Jacobs decided to aim for 235mpg fuel efficiency for his creation.

Trimming the fat

In the Winter of 2007 Jacobs started his project by stripping away the Innova's body work and seating. He then installed footrests above the front wheel to cater for a recumbent riding position, threw in some seating and attached a nosecone. An early evaluation showed that even these modest modifications had increased the bike's top speed and fuel efficiency but there was still much more to be done.

 

As a result of instability issues, he was forced enclose the front wheel within the streamlining casing instead of underneath the nosecone and modify the riding position so that his feet moved down to rest at each side of the wheel when in motion. The latter half of 2008 was spent taking the design suggestions offered by a 1:5 scale model and creating a full size template from PU foam.

2009 dawned and with it the creation of the mould for the final streamlined casing. Modifications were made to the steering and the exhaust was lowered so that it sat outside of the casing. Getting in and out of the casing was made possible by slicing it down the middle and attaching the front end to a rail which extended it forward by 18 inches. Rubber cones and trips ensured a snug fit when in cruising position and an open bottom design catered for stable ground footing when at rest. The lights were also wired up and tested.

Hit the road, Jack

With everything in place and working it was time for the all important road test. Jacobs climbed into the 319 pound vehicle (88 pounds heavier than the original scooter) and set off for a 160 mile stretch of open road. His creation managed to achieve an amazing 214mpg at around 55mph with good conditions and only a 25mph wind.

Jacobs suspects that some fine tuning will see his vehicle reach that target fuel efficiency of 235mpg but as of writing, the poor weather being what it is, he has been putting his time to good use by pimping his ride, adding reflective striping and other embellishments. As the weather improves, his work in progress may yet see his target achieved and perhaps even exceeded.

Source: gizmag.com @By Paul Ridden

Part dirt bike, part mountain bike, all Mountain Moto

For many people, dirt bikes look fun, but intimidating. They’re dangerously-fast, they’re loud, and should you wipe out on one, which is going to happen... well, that’s a lot of bike that could come crashing down on top of you. If you’re one of these people, you might be interested in the FX Mountain Moto. At 57 kg (125 lbs), it’s billed as the world’s lightest adult-sized dirt bike. It’s intended to bridge the gap between regular dirt bikes and mountain bicycles, combining the power of one with the agility of the other.

The FX has a 125cc 9-horsepower Honda-Jialing engine, available in auto or manual, that gets a reported 100mpg. While it’s mostly a motorcycle, it does have some mountain bike parts, including a Marzocchi Monster fork, a Mavic 26-inch front rim, and a Kenda MTB front tire. It’s similar in some ways to a trials bike, but is designed more for general-purpose, comfortable off-road riding.


One of the main ideas behind the Mountain Moto is that it will allow riders to explore new territory, as it can be lifted (more realistically, let’s say “heaved”) over obstacles like logs and fences, and won’t get bogged down where regular motorbikes would. It’s also aimed at new riders, who aren’t ready for a 200-plus-pound fire-breathing monster. A third market might include vacationers, wildlife officials, or other people who want something light and simple to carry on the back of their road vehicles.

What would be great is if the Mountain Moto were to replace larger bikes in some applications, resulting in less fuel use, less noise, and less wear on the trails. What wouldn't be so great is if it kept people from getting into mountain biking, or encouraged them to ride in places where they don’t belong - such as on mountain bike trails, or private property.

The Mountain Moto can currently only be ordered from the US and Canada, although a dealership network is reportedly being established. Once you can buy one, expect to part with about $US4995. If you’re interested in getting one at a discount, drop by the FX Bikes website and look into becoming a test rider.

Should you wish to go electric, and even lighter, you can also check out the soon-to-be-released Comoto.

Source: gizmag.com @By Ben Coxworth

Students compete to build racing motorcycles from scratch

The challenge: to design and build a high speed road-racing motorcycle from scratch, with an eye towards cost-effective production. Could you do it? The folks at Spain’s Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) think that a team of their engineering students can. The team is competing in the Moto Student competition, which pits university teams from around Europe and the rest of the world against each other to see who can design the best commercially-viable bike.

The contest is being presented by the Moto Engineering Foundation (MEF). They supplied each team with a 125cc 2-stroke engine, shocks, brakes, tires, wheels and muffler. The teams then designed a prototype around those components, with a hypothetical production run of 500 bikes in mind. One catch: the projected manufacturing cost of those hypothetical bikes cannot not exceed 4,500 Euros (US$5,654) per unit. Teams can swap in components other than those supplied, except for the engine. The bike must be finished within three semesters.

The UC3M team started last year by observing production racing motorcycles, to understand their form and function. That was followed by brainstorming sessions and some initial sketches. Next the students used MEF-supplied 3D design software to create the chassis and swingarm of their bike, assemble everything, and see how it all might work together. Now, they have a real-world physical prototype, which they look forward to testing on the track... presumably their test rider is going to be wearing a lot of protective gear.

 While taking part in the competition is a learning experience for the team, their fresh “outsider” approach could also lead to new insights into motorcycle design. "The main challenge has been to start from scratch, choosing an innovative design, without the constrictions of a traditional approach, with the goal of being able to unify the technical solutions which we think can offer us a competitive edge, and which on the other hand, allow us to learn the most possible," remarked Technical Director José G. Pérez Alonso.

The winner will be chosen at the Ciudad del Motor (Motor City) event in Aragón this October. Top prize is 6,000 Euros (US$7,537).

Source: gizmag.com @By Ben Coxworth

The Ostoure super-naked motorcycle design concept

The Ostoure super-naked motorcycle concept is Iranian designer Mohammad Reza Shojaie's take on the street muscle bike of the future. The concept draws inspiration from ancient Persian engravings, combining these with cutting-edge design elements and some high-tech trimmings such as two-wheel drive and an in-helmet heads-up display.

Ostoure means “legend” in Persian, and Shojaie says the bike’s design was inspired by the stone engravings of ancient Persepolis. Combining a muscular look with more delicate detailing, the Ostoure has an aggressive but refined appearance that would not be out of place on the boulevards of the near future.

The concept bike, which exists only as renderings at this point, features two-wheel drive with apparent shaft drive and dual differentials. Although it’s not clear from the renderings, Shojaie says steering is through the front wheel linkage, implying some type of hub steering. You steer the bike using the two handgrips located on either side of the fairing. The designer claims this nonstandard arrangement would be similar to piloting an aircraft.

 

The Ostoure has a single shock suspension on both the rear and front. Because of the front shock’s location, the bike uses a smaller front radiator, supported by smaller radiators located on each side.

Instrumentation is available both on board the bike, as well as through the helmet using a heads-up display (HUD). The Ostoure helmet is rather trick in itself. In addition to the HUD, the lid features a Bluetooth connection to the bike, built-in speakers, and even air-conditioning. The helmet’s controls are located on the bikes handgrip.

Although the Ostoure concept bike features some innovative tech, many of the concepts have been around motorcycles for years. Hub steering was used as far back as the 1920s, and has been seen more recently in Bimota, Tier Motorsports, and Vyrus. Helmet HUDs are currently available for motorcycles from OEMs and after-market providers. Shaft drive is not uncommon, and there are even a few two-wheel drive bikes from Yamaha, BMW, KTM and others.

With it’s eye-catching styling and just-over-the-horizon technology, the Ostoure concept has been generating a lot of buzz. In fact, Shojaie says his design earned him a scholarship to the Istituto Europeo di Design in Italy, so we can look forward to more great work from this promising designer.

Source: gizmag.com @By Alan Brandon

MV Agusta 675cc F3 oozes technology, style, class, power and heritage

The star of the 2010 EICMA motorcycle show held in Milan this week was undoubtedly the new MV Agusta F3. Though many of the specifics of the new three cylinder 675cc F3 have not been revealed, MV claims it has the smallest motor and the most horsepower (138 bhp) of any middleweight bar the Ducati 848 V-twin. The engine uses a counter-rotating crankshaft (claimed to partially balance the gyroscopic effects of the wheels to make a more nimble machine), and comes with ride-by-wire, traction control and multiple engine power maps – all firsts in the class.

Though the bike might be a bit short on detail, what is clear is that the MV Agusta name remains at the extreme end of capability and it's heart-warming to see it still at the forefront of motorcycle engineering.

MV Agusta was once the best known motorcycle brand in the world, and the pride of Italy. It was the motorcycle upon which Giacomo Agostini, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Phil Read et al won 17 world MotoGP (then 500cc) riders championships.

In the previous four-stroke era of motorcycle racing, MV Agusta was simply unbeatable - it won 17 consecutive MotoGP (500cc) titles before the two-stroke engine came along, rendering all four-stroke machinery uncompetitive. Its percentage of race starts versus race wins will never be surpassed. Ducati is often likened to being the Ferrari of motorcycles, but MV Agusta has a heritage far more akin to that of the Maranello brand.

In terms of the number of MotoGP riders titles, MV Agusta ceased competing at the end of 1976 yet still has more championship wins (18) than either Honda or Yamaha which have 14 titles apeice. Hence simply hearing the sound of

The frame is similar to its larger brethren in being a mixture of steel tubing lattice and aluminum side plates. It also has a single-sided swingarm with adjustable Sachs suspension unit, while the front forks are adjustable upside down Marzocchis. The brakes employ a Nissin master cylinder and Brembo radial calipers and discs.

That’s as much as we know about the specifications at this point, but you don’t need to be a Rhodes Scholar to recognize many of the visual elements of its larger stablemate and the evolution of one of the most beautiful and balanced motorcycles ever created. MV has without doubt met its obligations in maintaining the style, technology and tradition of the brand in the new F3.

MV is apparently shooting for a price in the vicinity of EUR11,500, though how that will translate into showroom prices in countries outside Europe is still to be determined.

Source: gizmag.com @By Mike Hanlon

The Lito Sora - the biggest, baddest electric motorcycle in Montreal

Montreal's Lito has thrown its hat into the ring with a new electric motorcycle that makes some pretty outrageous claims. A full 12 kilowatt-hours' worth of onboard lithium polymer batteries gives the Sora a massive 300 km range – that's 185 miles between charges. Or you can choose to wrap the throttle on and scream up to a top speed of 200 km/h (125 mph). With chopper/fighter bad boy looks and some interesting and innovative features like in-dash touch screen GPS and electronically adjustable ergonomics, the Sora looks like an absolute animal of a machine. You can't help but think that if it had an accessible pricetag, it would look very tempting to the average biker.

Zero Motorcycles has chosen light weight and low cost as its dual strategy to get the electric motorcycle market started in the US – we assume both those considerations have gone out the window at Lito.

ut then, dropping feather-light weight as a priority opens the door to some things that simply couldn't fit on the Zero S. The Sora uses regenerative braking, for example, which is inefficient on lightweight machines but a handy tool on heavier bikes like this 240 kg (530 lb) beast. It also packs a CV transmission, in a segment where most bikes avoid transmissions altogether – which keeps the engine output efficient at a broader range of speeds and enables the Sora's 125 mph top speed.

A higher weight ceiling also opens the door for more battery cells – in this case, nearly three times the power capacity of the Zero S at 12 kWh. That means there's more power to spend, whether you choose to spend it conservatively on longer range, or more gregariously on massive acceleration and high speeds.

The downsides to such a huge battery pack are equally compelling; the Sora takes a whopping 8 hours to charge from empty (although it does have the nifty feature of sending you an email when it's ready to go). Also, battery packs are still stupendously expensive. So 12 kilowatt hours' worth of lithium polymer will cost around as much as a new Japanese superbike, or maybe more.

 

One interesting innovation on the Sora is the way the tank-mounted GPS system is integrated with the battery management system. Punch in your destination, and the Sora will calculate how much power it needs to get you there – and it will adjust your available power along the journey to make sure you get there with charge to spare. It's a very smart feature designed to eliminate the range anxiety you tend to feel on an electric knowing that your battery is dwindling and it'll take anywhere up to several hours to get it charged back up.

Another new touch is the idea of on-the-go adjustable ergonomics – the Sora's stubby seat unit can move as much as 10 cm (4-inches) up and down to completely change the feel and handling of the bike. Drop it down for a relaxed, cruisy highway position, crank it up for extra agility and a more aggressive sporting stance. It'll be fascinating to see what sort of difference that system makes to the feel of the bike.

The Sora is more than just a concept – Lito has built at least one of these things, and in the flesh it looks, well, about 80% as tough as something Confederate might make. Which is TOUGH! The bizarre downward slope of the aluminum frame quickly becomes familiar to the eye, the front end is clean and muscular, and the bobbed back end looks absolutely superb. The flared battery cells are an acceptable substitute for a big lump of engine down below, the belt drive and swingarm look techno-amazing and the overall effect is one hell of a sexy bike.

There's no price listed for this beauty, but it's going to be expensive. The batteries alone will propel it pretty high up the list of motorcycle prices – and then there's the lightweight aircraft-grade chassis, the carbon fiber fairings, the CVT, the GPS, the proprietary software, the Elka suspension … we shudder to think what the final pricetag will be.

But by Odin we'd love to ride it.