Asphalt & Rubber

Hands on with the MotoCzysz Battery Packs

By now you’ve surely read about MotoCzysz’s new eDD and it’s “suitcase” chassis design. Recently Asphalt & Rubber got a chance to take a peak into the Portland, Oregon based company’s service bay and take a closer look at the 2009 E1pc D1g1tal Superbike, with a specific interest in its quick-release swappable batteries and unique chassis design. We’ll be covering these innovations in a two-part series, starting today with a never before seen look at the MotoCzysz battery packs. More and photos from Peter Lombardi Kustom Photography after the jump.

Video: When Multistradas Meet Piano Bars

Ever wonder what great action footage of the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 would be like if you set it to the music commonly found in a piano bar? Well never fear, Ducati has the answer for you. Watch the Multistrada 1200 take on four different riding situations without missing a beat. Beat! Get it! Uggh…we don’t get paid enough for this. Video after the jump.

MotoCzysz Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve: More Than Just a Glimpse into the 2010 E1pc Superbike

Today MotoCzysz is announcing its Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve (eDD), better known to us as “the suitcase”, which is essentially the housing for the E1pc’s proprietary controller, motor, and batteries. MotoCzysz will be using the eDD on their 2010 E1pc D1g1tal Superbike, and intends on letting other teams use the suitcase as well, helping fill the grid at electric motorcycle races.

This announcement is important on a variety of levels, and most electric motorcycling enthusiasts will be interested to get their first glimpse at technology beind Michael Czysz’s 2010 E1pc D1g1tal Superbike, which will for sure be at the TT Zero race at the Isle of Man this year. The suitcase contains MotoCzysz proprietary battery, motor, and controller designs, which are setting the bar higher in electric motorcycle racing.

Erik Buell Racing 1190RR: 185hp AMA/WSBK Spec’d

Erik Buell Racing has just updated its website, and releasd the first real clear shot of what the EBR 1190RR will look like it in its racing form. With 185hp being made at the rear-wheel (according to the optimistic DynoJet dynamometer), the EBR 1190RR sits at the top of the Buell totem poll.

Based off the 1125R chassis, the 1190RR is virtually anorexic, dropping 30lbs off the AMA Daytona Superbike racing machine, while still bumping up displacement by 65cc’s. With 93lb•ft of torque on hand at 9,500 RPM, the EBR 1190RR is sure to sling your eye balls into the back of your head…if you can find a racing series to race it in.

MotoCzysz C1 Makes More Than A Cameo in “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”

“Greed, for lack of a better word…is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms: greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge, has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save motorcycling, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA.”

Nelis 1000R: A Re-imagining of the TL1000R

The Suzuki TL1000R is a special bike. It garnered little love from the media during its release; but despite being discontinued seven years ago, the TLR continues to foster a cult following, especially in Europe. So it doesn’t surprise us a great deal that when 25 year old fabrication apprentice, Mathijn Nelis, set out to create is first custom work under the careful gaze of master builder Nico Bakker, that the young Dutchman chose to work with the stout TL v-twin powerplant that dwarfed its Italain competitors during its initial release.

2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré [Updated]

With its latest bike the Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré, Yamaha is stepping up its game and getting serious about the adventure-tourer motorcycling segment. The Dakar inspired Super Ténéré is a ground-up production for Yamaha, making it the first Japanese manufacturer to get serious about this emerging (and very profitable) market segment.

With 1,199cc under the hoood, the XT1200Z Super Ténéré is aiming its sights on the class-leading BMW R1200GS and new-comer Ducati Multistrada 1200. The powerplant features a parallel twin motor with four valves per cylinder, and makes 108hp @ 7,250 RPM and 84lbs•ft @ 6,000 RPM.

Moment of Zen: Up Close with the Moto2 Race Bikes

Moto2 testing was underway in Catalunya this week, but rain sidelined a substantial portion of that testing event. For the Moto2 teams, this meant a rare opporunity to get familiar with thier machinery was lost, but for the roving eye of Italian site GPone.com, it was an opportunity to take a gander at some very beautiful race motorcycles.

Despite all the teams having the same Honda-sourced, 600cc, four-cylinder, four-stroke motor, there is a large variety in body styling and chassis approach. Check the RSV, Moriwaki, BQR, Kalex, Tech3 Mistal, and Suter MMX bikes out after the jump.

MotoCzysz Confirmed with TT Zero – Will Return to the Isle of Man with 90% New Bike

MotoCzysz has confirmed today that they will be racing at the Isle of Man’s TT Zero event. The Portland based team has been hard at work on a new bike design that they feel not only has a chance of breaking the 100mph barrier, but possibly winning the event as well. MotoCzysz was a favorite in last year’s event, but failed to finish after suffering a failure to its Agni electric motor drive system. Learning from that hard taught lesson, Czysz & Co. are expected to return to the Isle of Man with their new 2010 E1pc, and tackle the Mountain Course once again.

BMW S1000RR Titanium Valves at 14,200 RPM

BMW Motorrad USA has posted a video to YouTube that shows an engine cutaway view of the 2010 BMW S1000RR’s cylinder head. Looking into the chamber one can see the titanium valves work their magic as the bike is rev’d all the way to its redline of 14,200 RPM. Spinning valve springs, squirting oil, titillating sounds…they’re all there. Check it out after the jump.

Oberdan Bezzi Inks Benelli Due Flat-Tracker

Mon 03/08/2010 @ 10:56 am, by Jenny GunADD COMMENTS

Oberdan Bezzi Inks Benelli Due Flat Tracker Oberdan Bezzi Benelli 2 concept TechnoTracker 560x378

Italian designer Oberdan Bezzi is at it again with hit imagination and design tools in hand. Taking the iconic Italian brand of Benelli, Bezzi has put together an imagined flat-track ready version of the fabled Benelli 2ue (Due?) motorcycle that he calls the Benelli 2 TechnoTracker.

Vyrus Street and Superbike by Oberdan Bezzi

Mon 02/22/2010 @ 3:09 pm, by Jenny Gun3 COMMENTS

Vyrus Street and Superbike by Oberdan Bezzi Oberdan Bezzi Vyrus Superbike race motorcyclejpg 560x388

For some, the aggressive lines of the Vyrus 987 C3 4V are bit too avant-garde for their delicate tastes, despite the bike’s impressive power package found nestled in its hub-center steering chassis design. Helping water down the Vyrus’ potent palette, Italian designer Oberdan Bezzi has put pen to paper to dream up a Vyrus Superbike, and what he calls the “Yellow Fever” street variant. We’re not too sure about the nomenclature, but the bikes look good. Check them both out after the jump.

BMW S1000RS: Oberdan Bezzi Continues Evolving the S1000RR in Naked Form Oberdan Bezzi BMW S1000RS Clubracer 560x388

Oberdan Bezzi continues today with his sketches of the S1000RR in naked form. This time the Italian designer takes a half-fairing approach to the German Superbike, and has also picked up on the chatter about the BMW naming conventions. Dubbed the S1000RS, the latest sketch from Obiboi is a blend from his naked version and the full-faired production bike from BMW. The headlights appear to be symettrical, which should please many riders who are still on the fence with the S1000RR.

Oberdan Bezzi Ponders the BMW R1000RS   A S1000RR Based Streetfighter Oberdan Bezzi BMW R1000RS Supernaked 560x388

Famed motorcycle designer and two-wheeled sketch artist Oberdan Bezzi has put his pen to paper again, and this time he has dreamt up a streetfighter edition of the S1000RR. Dubbed the R1000RS, the 1000cc superbike motor gets to breath a little bit more without the controversial asymmetrical BMW fairings in place. Also gone is the winking headlight system, replaced with something that smells a bit more Italian. The effect is quite stunning, Bavaria are you taking note?

Bimota DB8 – 1098 Naked Bike Coming Friday

Wed 01/13/2010 @ 8:54 am, by Jenny Gun11 COMMENTS

Bimota DB8   1098 Naked Bike Coming Friday Bimota DB7 naked Oberdan Bezzi 560x388

UPDATE: Click here for the release of the 2010 Bimota DB8.

Italian manufacturer Bimota believes they have the perfect bike to take on the Ducati Streetfighter, and it’s called the DB8. Scheduled to be unveiled at the Verona Motor Bike Expo this coming Friday, the DB8 (artist’s sketch above) is reported to be the sister bike of the Bimota DB7. While both bikes will use the Ducati 1098 Evoluzione motor, the DB8 will do it sans clothing, and with at least 155hp on board.

Shop ToBeFast.com

Ducati 989R Desmofighter

Wed 05/27/2009 @ 1:54 am, by Jenny GunADD COMMENTS

Ducati 989R Desmofighter ducati 989 r desmofighter 1 560x385

Last week, we leaked the fact that the Ducati Streetfigther has begun to arrive at US dealers, who are obliged to keep the bike under wraps until its official unveiling. The Streetfighter might be the most anticipated bike this summer, with the Bologna factory finally bringing a naked version of its 1098 Superbike. 

Oberdan Bezzi, taking the next logical step in Ducati’s progression, has put pen to paper on what a Desmosedici based streetfighter might look like. The result is menacing, but we’ll wait for the carbon frame version.

Yamaha Building A Moto2 Contender?

Tue 02/24/2009 @ 11:38 am, by Jenny GunADD COMMENTS

Yamaha Building A Moto2 Contender? yamaha m2 oberdan bezzi moto2 560x382

While we have lamented about how Oberdan Bezzi is a motorcycle artist and not a motorcycle journalist, despite the fact he is often cited as if he were one, the Italian artist has posted information on his blog (alongside a render of course) that Yamaha is rumored to be building a Moto2 bike which will be ready to compete when the series replaces the 250 class, either in 2010 or 201.

 

Gilera 600cc Supersport 2009 Fact or Fiction?

Thu 11/20/2008 @ 11:06 pm, by Jenny Gun2 COMMENTS

Gilera 600cc Supersport 2009 Fact or Fiction? gilera 600 4 supersport rr 560x376

I’ve sat on this story for a few days now, trying to figure out what exactly is going on? Is Aprilia once again digging up the Gilera brand as a sportbike entry? Is this wishful thinking by an Italian designer known for “concept” sketches? Is this poor reporting by the motorcycle blogsphere? Or all of the above?

Let me start from the beginning, and in the end I’ll let you decide.

 
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