Asphalt & Rubber

BMW S1000RR Stunting: Warning The Video You Are About to See Might Offend You

When BMW set out to make the S1000RR superbike, they put the Japanese 4 squarely in their sights. There can be little doubt that zie Germans succeed in making a bike that can compete with the liter bike incumbents. While we’re not sure if the S1000RR is completely up to the hype with its alleged 183hp dyno figures, one thing is for certain: The BMW S1000RR has plenty of power on tap. While we hear at A&R prefer to think of that power going towards canyon carving adventures or helping us become Sunday morning track day heroes, for some that power is better suited for lofting a front (or rear) wheel, and practicing cursive calligraphy on a tarmac surface.

Tamburini Corse T1 Rethinks the MV Agusta Brutale

Tamburini Corse has done their magic on the MV Agusta Brutale in what they call the Tamburini Corse T1, which sounds like something out of The Terminator, but looks more like pure carbon sex to us. Massimo Tamburini’s son Andrea has the reigns at Tamburini Corse, and he builds off his father’s designs, appealing to a new generation of MV riders with the Tamburini Corse T1. Photos and more after the jump.

Official Pictures of the Vyrus 987 C3 4V

Vyrus has finally gotten their 987 C3 4V off the beach, and into the studio for some standard mug shots. With proper lighting we can now see all the details lurking on the body of the Vyrus 987 C3 4V, and the bike looks stunning. Take a look after the jump for all the hub-center steering, 184hp, carbon goodness. Want to know how it all goes together, check this time-lapse build video out too.

2010 Yamaha FZ8 Officially Revealed

After photos of the new Yamaha FZ8 were leaked out on the internet, Yamaha seems to think it’s best to release an official picture of the entire FZ8 in it’s full colorful form. As seen from the earlier black and white photos, the Yamaha FZ8 is based heavily off of the FZ1, which may suggest where its performance features will lie when the final release to the public is made this spring.

Rumors has it that the FZ8 will feature the same stroke as the FZ1, which should provide for impressive torque figures, while power is expected to be closer to the FZ6. No word yet if the FZ8 is making it stateside.

Harley-Davidson Reports Devastating 89.7% Annual Income Loss for 2009 – Made $70 Million Last Year

For the Buell and MV loyal, Harley-Davidson’s latest earnings report should provide all the information as to why the Milwaukee manufacturer had to close and sell those brands respectively. Reporting a nearly 90% loss in annual income, Harley-Davidson earned only $70.6 million in 2009, compared to the $684.2 million Harley earned in 2008, which results in a staggering loss of income for the iconic motorcycle company.

Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact Tires: Now with Pi Sign

All new for 2010, the Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact tire is set to redefine the motorcycle industry with its proprietary Chicken Strip Assessment Technology. Do your buddies brag about how far over they can lean their bike? How they’re the next Golden God of Canyon Carving? With Metzler’s Chicken Strip Assessment Technology system, there’s little doubt about how much you’re compensating for something else; and now you can rate your manhood on a scale from 1 to 5. Now go chase that crazy elephant! Chase him!

2010 Yamaha FZ8 Caught Naked in Photos

In addition to getting leaked photos of what the 2010 Yamaha FZ8R or Fazzer 8 will look like, Motociclismo.it has also gotten shots of what they believe to be the FZ8 in its final form, i.e. in the nude. The fairing-less motorcycle will be built of the same chassis as the 2010 Yamaha FZ8R, but will sport a different headlight to accentuate the exposed frame and motor more adequately. Photos after the jump.

Yamaha FZ8R “Fazer” Revealed with Leaked Photos

Two months ago we revealed what the 2010 Yamaha FZ8 looked like from the headlight up. Yamaha is again teasing us with only a headshot, but this time it is the 2010 Yamaha FZ8R or “Fazer 8″ as Yamaha seems to want to call it, the fully-faired FZ8, that is getting unwrapped. While the photo above is an official photo from Yamaha, Motociclisimo.it has what they believe are leaked photos of both the naked an faired bikes in their final form. Check those photos after the jump.

Magpul Ronin: An Alternate Reality of Buell

With the Magpul Ronin, we’re not sure what gun/rifle magazine innovator Magpul is doing making a motorcycle, but we like the outcome of that awkward yet happy merger. Buell owners don’t have much to look forward to right now, but imagine a world where Buell Motorcycles was still in business, and the American sportbike industry is overrun by gun manufacturers making motorcycles. Now add in some wayward samurai warriors, and the end result could be what you see above.

It’s life Jim, but not as we know it…photos and more after the jum

Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight: The Gen-X Sportster

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight (or is it 48?), has made its way out of Milwaukee in time for the 2010 model year. Based on the Sportster 1200 platform, the Forty-Eight is the latest addition to Harley’s “custom” offering. It differs from its Nightser et al counterparts with a bobber meets cafe racer appeal, but keeps the ubiquitous orange and black color schemes.

Fatties on the front and rear rims, the black on polish Forty-Eight gets its motivation from the 1200cc Evolution v-twin motor that’s wedged into the Sportster chassis. The bike is certainly an attractive piece from Harley-Davidson, but also fails to really distinguish itself from the rest of the Harley line-up. Mirrors are underslung, the license plate is side mounted (we doubt the DOT saw that), and a 2.1 gallon fuel tank keeps things a strictly “around the town” sort of affair.

MotoGP: Fiat-Yamaha Qualify 1-2 at Laguna Seca Despite High-Sides from Lorenzo and Stoner

Posted Saturday, July 4th, 2009 @ 6:53 pm, by Jenny Gun

Home » News » MotoGP: Fiat-Yamaha Qualify 1-2 at Laguna Seca Despite High-Sides from Lorenzo and Stoner

MotoGP: Fiat Yamaha Qualify 1 2 at Laguna Seca Despite High Sides from Lorenzo and Stoner Gibernau Hayden cork screw Laguna Seca motogp 560x401

Working at the Yamaha North American office must have paid off for Fiat-Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, as they take the first two spots on the grid for tomorrow’s start of the US GP.

“George” will start from the pole position, at Seca while he looks to gain the 5 points that Rossi holds over him in the MotoGP Championship standings. With Rossi in the second spot on the grid, they will be joined by the lone Ducati of Casey Stoner.

The trio have been leading the week at Laguna Seca, and were the only riders to break into the 1′21″ marks during today’s qualifying session. Lorenzo and Stoner may have been treading too closely to the edge though, as both riders suffered high-sides while going through the Wayne Rainey corner. Both riders were taken off in stretchers from the track, but Stoner was seen walking to the medical unit. More on this as we get it.

With everyone trying to squeeze the most out of their race bikes this weekedn, the Repsol Honda team has seen some good results, as Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso take the 4th and 5th spots respectively. Pedrosa is still recovering from his off at Mugello, but seemed un-phased while on the bike today. Pedrosa is a remote, but possible contender for a podium finish tomorrow, if Repsol can find a way to get the Honda to match the times of Yamaha and Ducati.

However, it seems doubtful though that we’ll see an American on the podium this weekend. Colin Edwards qualified 7th on the grid, and Nicky Hayden will start right next to Edwards in the 8th spot. Both riders have had a hard time adjusting their bikes to the Californian track, but have still said they hope to perform well in front of the home crowd.

Qualifying Results from MotoGP at the US GP at Laguna Seca:

Pos No. Rider Bike Time Diff Diff. Prev.
1 99 Jorge LORENZO YAMAHA 1′21.678 - -
2 46 Valentino ROSSI YAMAHA 1′21.845 0.167 0.167
3 27 Casey STONER DUCATI 1′21.910 0.232 0.065
4 3 Dani PEDROSA HONDA 1′22.113 0.435 0.203
5 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO HONDA 1′22.135 0.457 0.022
6 24 Toni ELIAS HONDA 1′22.146 0.468 0.011
7 5 Colin EDWARDS YAMAHA 1′22.490 0.812 0.344
8 69 Nicky HAYDEN DUCATI 1′22.540 0.862 0.050
9 7 Chris VERMEULEN SUZUKI 1′22.633 0.955 0.093
10 65 Loris CAPIROSSI SUZUKI 1′22.662 0.984 0.029
11 33 Marco MELANDRI KAWASAKI 1′22.842 1.164 0.180
12 15 Alex DEANGELIS HONDA 1′23.004 1.326 0.162
13 59 Sete GIBERNAU DUCATI 1′23.106 1.428 0.102
14 14 Randy DEPUNIET HONDA 1′23.147 1.469 0.041
15 52 James TOSELAND YAMAHA 1′23.390 1.712 0.243
16 88 Niccolo CANEPA DUCATI 1′23.912 2.234 0.522
17 41 Gabor TALMACSI HONDA 1′24.528 2.850 0.616
Other related posts:

Leave a Reply

 
The Latest From A&R StreetLevel:
I lied. Last one: It’s a science
By: PopSciGuy @Tue, 30 Nov 1999 08:00:00