Hey, what’s going on guys? I know, it’s 2012 already, and we’re still playing catch up with bikes from last year. But anyways, the good folks over at Ace Motorsports were cool enough to lend us a 2011 Triumph Speed Triple for the day.
According to Paul, it’s the chassis improvements on the Speed Triple that are most noticeable. He felt that he was sitting much closer to the front of the bike than on the old bike, placing more weight over the front end. More front-end weight is added by the re-positioned engine and the battery being mounted behind the forks.
What I was trying to say in the video, was that the new bike may have the same old 1050cc engine, but more power (and importantly more torque) had been squeezed out of it thanks to the bigger crankcase vents, revised ECU settings, a much bigger airbox and a freer flowing exhaust system.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of our new Winter/ Spring 2012 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE. Don’t worry, shipping is free!
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Hey what’s going on everyone? I have a confession to make: when the Ducati Diavel first came out last year, I wasn’t impressed. When Paul booked a test ride, I just sneered and refused to ride it. Let’s just say, I just wasn’t accepting of the changes the company was making.
Fast forward to last weekend when Paul finally convinced me to swing a leg over Ducati’s newest super cruiser. Thanks to the good folks over at Ace Motorsports, there was a 2012 version waiting for us when we arrived. It is unchanged from the 2011 model.
I think Africa said it best when she sighed, “Daaaaaamn…” Turns out, the Diavel is all it’s cracked up to be. Up close and personal, the mean machine is captivating, muscular and innovative looking. On the road, it is deceptively agile and maneuverable.
And the roar of the 1198 engine? Mmm. We were all having too much fun with the irresistible 162hp adrenaline rush under our control with three different riding modes. I’m telling you, we stole every look of every passerby.
This thing is also packed with technology, from the ABS system to the keyless ignition. Yes, I said keyless ignition. The only time you really need the key is to put gas in the tank. What is this, a Mercedes? Well, that’s a different article altogether.
Another great thing about the Diavel is the riding position, which is upright and natural, with the footpegs directly under the seat and not stuck out forward. The seat height is low enough for Africa to almost accidentally pull a Superman.
So, yes the old fogies can afford the Diavel and its higher spec versions, but it impresses the hell out of us superbike aficionados. Imagine that, an Italian cruiser, no less.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of our new Winter/ Spring 2012 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE. Don’t worry, shipping is free!
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Hey guys, Graham here, and last week, we’re at Triumph’s demo day in lovely Concord, California to test ride the all-new for 2011 Triumph Tiger 800.
I was riding the extra tall XC version, which sits a few inches higher than the standard Tiger, but is mechanically identical. I can’t emphasize enough how thankful tall guys like me are that Triumph takes the time to make the taller model. Check it out.
The Tiger 800 is built around a fuel injected 799 cubic centimeter three cylinder engine, which Triumph says has been designed with a long stroke for improved low end torque to suit the demands of the 473 pound motorcycle both on and off the road.
The all-aluminum motor puts out 95 horsepower and 58 pound feet of torque.
But more important than the specs is how the engine feels on the road, and it’s simply suburb. Unlike torquey, single cylinder dual sport bikes that rocket out of the hole only to fall flat at higher RPMs, the Tiger pulls smoothly from a start and just keeps going, it all feels very progressive and predictable, which suits the sort of big mileage riding that the bike is designed for.
I do, however, have one gripe about the engine: It sounds like a vacuum cleaner, which was confirmed by the gentleman behind me after the ride.
Needless to say, the tall and upright bike was easy and comforting to ride through town traffic, but it got even better when we hit the twisties. While it’s tall stance means the Tiger will never corner as hard or change direction as fast as it’s sportier stablemates, but it will get down into a corner when you ask it to. But the Tiger really shines when the road conditions deteriorate. While the guys on the Speed Triples and Supersports had to straighten out and stand the bikes up going over the rough stuff, the firm but long-travel suspension of the Tiger soaks bumps and cracks up like they’re not even there.
Our test bike did without the optional anti lock brakes, but even with ABS, the Tiger sells for about 12,000 dollars, which undercuts it’s chief rival, the BMW F 800 GS by nearly 1000 dollars.
We haven’t had the chance to ride one of those yet, though, so far now, the Tiger 800 XC has set the bar pretty high.
Today’s post is brought to you by the folks over at Fox Servers. If you are looking for budget hosting, please check out their site.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.
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Hello everyone, here is a teaser video of our latest test ride of the BMW F800 GS courtesy of San Jose BMW.
We took this 85 HP dual sport motorcycle through the twisty south bay hills, mud, and dirt. Just listen to that engine roar.
Boasting 62 ft·lbs of torque, it had ample power to propel us up steep grades and over tricky obstacles.
The unique thing about this middleweight bimmer is that with the gas tank in the rear, under the seat, the engine can sit higher allowing for more ground clearance.
Equipped standard with Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires on 21 inch diameter front wheels, the transition from street to dirt is nearly seamless.
A comfortable stretch from the ground to the 34.6 inch seat height, the riding position allows an equally good view of the dusty terrain ahead or the miles of bumper to bumper cars.
With plenty of zip in the throttle, this motorcycle can stir up quite a dust cloud, or tear down the highway with ease.
Standard package priced at $12,900 with center stand and anti-theft alarm priced separately at $175 and $395. The 2011 BMW F800GS is available in Lava Orange Metallic with Black Satin, or Alpine White color schemes.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.
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Hey, what’s up guys? Today, we thought we would change it up a bit, and toss our track suits and knee sliders into self storage for a bit of riding on the open road. I personally dusted off my riding jeans, leather jacket, shades, and boots for a bit of relaxed riding. Paul? Well, wait and see.
I also wanted to take this time to pimp Space Maker, the leading way in domestic and business self storage solutions. They want you to know, their centers are more than somewhere to leave your possessions, they are a valuable extension of your home or office.
Anyways, a special thank you to the folks at Ace Motorsports in Concord for providing us with the Thruxton and Scrambler 900. The full article will be featured in our 2011 print issue which is just around the corner. In the meantime, here a sneak peek at what’s in store for you.
Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek. The full article will be published in our 2011 annual print issue. We are quite excited about it since it will be double the size of our 2010 issue, at 100 pages, in full color. Be sure to check our Facebook page often for more updates.
I guess it is time to go retrieve our gear from our storage center. It is really quite convenient and affordable nowadays to have extra room to store our stuff. The garage has been pretty cluttered lately. Another recently discovered benefit of separate storage, was during our garage flood. All of our stuff would have been water damaged and smelled had it been in the garage. So be sure to check out our sponsor, and put your unused goods into storage.
Be sure to log on to Triumph Boards for more triumph related information. Stay tuned.
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