The latest from Aprilia UK;

In today’s high tech, multi-functional world, comes the Aprilia NA 850 Mana, featuring state-of-the-art technology at only £6,369 on the road. And for that you get multiple choice ride control - including a high tech sequential manual gear change or fully automatic mode.

Yes, for £6,369 Aprilia offers you the best of both worlds. The Mana has the gearbox of the future and an engine with a primary drive system, based on an electronically controlled, sequential transmission that offers the rider a choice of control modes. The rider decides whether to change gear, using the conventional foot lever or a switch on the handlebars, to move smoothly between the seven pre-selected gear ratios. Or, opt for the fully automatic mode (Autodrive) and the CVT transmission keeps the engine running at maximum torque speed for optimum pick-up and acceleration.

The Sportgear Autodrive transmission offers a choice of three mappings:

Touring - for minimum fuel consumption and maximum usability.

Sport - for top performance with powerful and smooth acceleration.

Rain - for reduced torque on wet or slippery roads.

There is even a semi-autodrive mode which allows the rider only to change down independently, particularly useful for overtaking at maximum torque revs or for boosting engine braking when riding downhill.

Not sure? Well, you can switch from Autodrive to sequential mode and back at any time, irrespective of riding conditions. How about that to add to the thrill of riding, with lightning fast gear changes!

The 90 degree V-twin engine is the perfect match for this type of transmission, being chosen for torque and power delivery. The engine delivers 76 bhp and well in excess of 7kgm of torque.

The first batch of Aprilia 850 Mana bikes are due into showrooms any day now, so for details of your nearest official Aprilia dealer go to www.aprilia.com/uk or telephone 01293 823891 for further information. The characteristics that make the 850 Mana unique are: 90° V-Twin engine with four valves per cylinder, Euro 3 homologated Sportgear transmission with electronically controlled sequential gearshift offering two shift modes - seven speed manual or Autodrive with three mappings: Touring; Sport and Rain Electronic fuel injection with single throttle body Steel trellis frame with single piece aluminium swingarm 43 mm upside down forks equipped with radial caliper race developed brakes The Aprilia 850 Mana, with its exclusive and unmistakable Italian design and state-of-the-art motorcycle technology is unique among motorcycles. On the road price includes 24 months warranty and 12 months European roadside assistance.

This article was taken from: News File

The International Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2007 opened last Thursday at the Birmingham NEC with one of the most spectacular line-ups of dazzling new motorcycles ever seen at the UK’s premier two-wheeled show. Some of the biggest names in motorcycling gathered to mark the start of the ten-day biking extravaganza, which runs until 2nd December. Highlights of the day included the appearance of Britain’s World Superbike Champion James Toseland, British Superbike legend Chris Walker, and world-famous biking adventurer Charley Boorman, not to mention UK bike premieres from BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha. The biggest names have been queuing up this year to reveal their brand new bikes for the first time in the UK at this year’s Show, including the much anticipated return of Italian giants Ducati, the first ever show appearance by Benelli, as well as a stunning line-up of gleaming bikes from Harley-Davidson, Buell, Triumph, CCM, Hyosung, Victory and Vectrix.

KTM got the opening day under way with the world launch of its stunning new 990 Supermoto - the first time the manufacturer had held a world premiere in the UK. KTM Managing Director Shaun Sisterson commented, The NEC is the perfect place to launch this new model. It’s a phenomenally exciting time for the brand which is evolving its off-road traditions whilst being careful not to forget its heritage.

Unveiling Kawasaki’s latest flagship bike - the Ninja ZX-10R - for the first time in the UK was MotoGP star Anthony West and British Motocross Champion Billy MacKenzie. Kawasaki’s massive VN2000 custom cruiser also made its UK debut along with a selection of MotoGP, World Superbike and World Motocross bikes. Meanwhile on the Suzuki stand Steve Callaghan, General Manager of Suzuki UK, and Nick Palmer, Sales and Marketing Director, introduced the exciting, brand new GSXR600, GSXR750, and GSX1300R Hayabusa. The gathered crowds were also in for a further treat with the introduction of the Rizla Suzuki British Superbike team’s new rider line up of Atsushi Watanabe and Tom Sykes.

Head of Design at BMW Mottorrad, David Robb, was joined on the BMW stand by BBC MotoGP commentator Steve Parrish, NEC Bike Show ambassador Charley Boorman, and BMW’s new factory Endurance rider Richard Cooper, to present its stunning new range of bikes. Making their UK debuts at the NEC were the F800 GS, F650 GS, the updated R1200 GS, and the all-new G450 X Sports Enduro. Yamaha’s groundbreaking new YZF-R125 and XT660Z were given their UK premieres as Jack Burnicle and World Superbike rider Troy Corser presented the new models with Geoff Selvidge - Divisional Manager of Motorcycle Sales and Marketing at Yamaha UK.

A host of biking stars made the trip to the Honda stand towards the end of the day to present its 2008 range to the UK market including the hugely anticipated CBR 1000RR Fireblade, the XL650V Transalp and the CBF600. Steve Martindale, General Manager of Honda Motorcycles, was joined by Isle of Man TT riders John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson, British Superbike Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari, Leon Haslam, Johnny Rea, and Cal Crutchlow.

This article was taken from: londonbikers.com

Japan’s Yamaha Motor Co. will introduce two high-end bikes, the YZF-R1 and MT01, which will each sell for Rs10 lakh or more, in the first week of December in a bid to rev up its brand and boost sales in the world’s second largest two-wheeler market.

The products will cost as much as top-end sedans such as Skoda Ambiente and Honda Civic. Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd will import these models as fully built units from the parent’s Japanese factory and is aiming to sell less than 100 units a year, said a company official who did not wish to be identified ahead of a formal announcement next month.

Yamaha will introduce its products initially in the larger cities such as Delhi and Mumbai and also unveil a new brand strategy to boost sales even as it readies a line-up of products to cater to the mass market.

The company said it was looking at a slow launch of the bigger bikes as it needs to shore up its service network to meet the demands of these bigger bikes. The company is also investing in building required infrastructure at dealerships, but it wasn’t willing to disclose how much.

Yamaha, which is struggling to turn around its India operations, has said it needs to reclaim its image as a sporty, zippy bike maker in the market. In India, it lost that image as it failed to pump in new models in the marketplace, and rivals such as Hero Honda Motors Ltd, the market leader, and Bajaj Auto Ltd stepped up product offerings.

The YZF-R1, a sports style model powered by a 1,000cc engine (the same capacity as engines powering cars such as the Zen Estilo and WagonR), will be priced at more than Rs10 lakh, the official said. The cruiser style model MT01, which will be powered by a 1.6-litre engine—same capacity as ones that power mid-sized sedans such as the Suzuki SX4—will cost slighty higher. Earlier this year, the government allowed the import of motorcycles with engine capacities over 800cc if they clear Bharat Stage-III emission norms as part of a trade deal with the US, paving the way for the entry of Harley Davidson Inc. Since then, Harley has shelved its plans citing high import duties.

But others such as Honda and Suzuki Motor Co. have said they plan to sell their premium bikes in the country. Imports of fully built passenger vehicles attract an effective duty of 103% thus doubling the cost of owning a unit in India.

In the eight months to November, Yamaha’s sales in India fell 54% to 67,569 units in a weak two-wheeler market. India’s six-and-a-half-million-a-year motorcycle market is dominated by fuel-efficient motorcycles with an engine capacity of 100cc; these are the nation’s main mode of transport and eight out of every 10 motorcycles sold in the country are commuter bikes.

Eicher Motor Ltd’s Royal Enfield division, which makes the Bullet, is the only maker of motorcycles with engine capacities of 350cc and 500cc. Its six models are priced at more than Rs70,000 and the company sells around 32,000 motorcycles every year.

This article was taken from: livemint.com

Suzuki have played around with the GSX1300R Hayabusa’s styling without losing the original’s looks and character, as a result the new Suzuki Hayabusa looks really sleek. Engine capacity had increased and so has power and torque. Handling hasn’t been significantly improved, more a gentle step forward however the brakes are a miles better, and about time.

Engine: The Suzuki Hayabusa has possibly the post powerful production engine on the market, alongside the Kawasaki ZZ-R1400, Suzuki are quoting 194.bhp and 115ftlb of torque for the Hayabusa. The motorcycle isn’t restricted in the lower gears its full power all the way to the 186mph speed limiter.

Ride and Handling: Not much has changed on the new Suzuki Hayabusa: same wheelbase, rake and trail. However the shock and front forks have been upgraded and the swing arm strengthened. Thankfully the Hayabusa’s brakes are now radial and do an excellent of stopping the big girl, without any fade even on the track. As you expect from the Suzuki Hayabusa you can’t fling it around but if you ride smoothly it’s very rewarding and with a few tweaks makes a decent track motorcycle.

Equipment: Fully adjustable suspension front and rear comes as standard on the new Hayabusa and like every new big Suzuki motorcycle there’s a three-way power switch limiting power. It’s not just a gimmick you really notice the difference between the power modes, making the Hayabusa less of an animal than before.

Quality and Reliability: Cosmetically the Suzuki Hayabusa has been tweaked, especially the back end, and there’s a noticeable difference in the quality of finish. I like the new look, the quality of finish is top shelf, paint is deep, much improved over the original Hayabusa. Being a Hayabusa reliability is unquestionable.

This article was taken from : Motorcycle News

Sporting improved throttle response, healthier low end torque and smoother transition into an even more formidable top-end rush; the updated Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 sportbike exemplifies the ultimate performance commitment that’s made Kawasaki a horsepower legend for the past 35 years.

In the process of refining the ZX-14’s powerplant to comply with tightened noise and emissions regulations, Kawasaki engineers were able to refine the big Ninja’s throttle response and boost the low-end torque produced by its 1,352cc four-cylinder, DOHC engine.

Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? Remarkably, the 2008 Ninja ZX-14 not only features improved low to mid range torque, it actually produces more peak horsepower than last year’s model.

The improvements made to both ends of the ZX-14’s performance envelope are consolidated into a wide and smooth powerband that raises Kawasaki’s legendary horsepower standards to an entirely new level of performance and refinement. So that’s reduced emissions, better low- to mid-range throttle response, more torque and more peak horsepower than ever before!

Kawasaki designers recognize the fact that in addition to superb performance, riders also want their Ninja’s to turn heads with good looks- even when parked at the local bike night. To that end; the 2008 Ninja ZX-14 is offered in three distinct paint schemes. The stunning Metallic Midnight Sapphire Blue and refined Atomic Silver standard colors compliment the ZX-14s smooth aerodynamics and flowing design, while the Special Edition Metallic Flat Spark Black with Metallic Persimmon Red design is a fitting testament to the ZX-14’s reputation as the “baddest” bike on the block.

This article was taken from: motorcycleusa.com

It is not really a brand new technology but the All Wheel Drive system in motorcycles never fails to evoke interest. Yamaha had launched two wheeled drive motorcycles a few years back and it enjoyed huge success in the form of a Paris Dakar victory. It was a 450cc bike and the power on the front wheel proved decisive when the riders had to tackle sand dunes and mud. It was a hydraulically driven front wheel and the power never exceeded 15 per cent of the engine’s total power.

Now, a Philadelphia based company Christini, has started marketing a two wheel drivetrain for motorcycles. The drivetrain supplies power from the engine to the front wheel of motorcycles. A second chain turns the front wheel so that riders can get through sand, snow, mud or uneven terrain more easily. The system, which was invented by Steve Christini, can be retrofitted on many off-road motorcycles and the company is looking forward to make the technology available to street bikes also. And it will sure make the ride much safer. All wheel drive holds many advantages like better control, stability, handling and cornering.

The biggest advantage for the rider is that he can avoid the front wheel from washing out from under him. As and when the washing out situation occurs, the power on the front wheel pulls it out.

The concept of all wheel drive sounds rather simple but that is hardly the case. Many large manufacturers have tried out different combinations for powering the front wheel of a motorcycle but never met with much success and so the all wheel drive system never proved commercially viable. The difficulty was in how to deliver power to the front wheel without disrupting steering and handling.

A chain fitted on one side of the hub pulls the front wheel, and hence the rider, in one direction. The hydraulic system works as proved by Yamaha but it consumes lots of power.

The Christini system has been inspired by the drivetrain of a helicopter and it has been adapted to the fork of a motorcycle. In a helicopter, the engine turns a gear. Instead of turning a chain (and a wheel) directly, that gear is attached to two other gears, which turn separate chains that then power the two rotors.

In Christini’s drivetrains, a chain runs between the main cog and gear inside the head tube. The head tube then transfers power to two separate drivetrains on the left and right of the fork. Like on a helicopter, the drivetrains spin in opposite directions, but both work to turn the wheel forward.

In ordinary motorcycles, steering is accomplished by a central bar inside the head tube. The steerer effectively connects the fork to the handlebars. Since the gears are in the head tube in the Christini system, the steerer is attached to the forks.

The system does not mean permanent two wheel drive. The drivetrain starts functioning when the front wheel and the back wheel are spinning at different speeds. When that occurs, the system begins to power the front wheel and then shuts off again after the wheel rpms equalise.

This article was taken from : indiatimes.com

The Aprilia FV2 concept bike debuts the firm’s new 1200cc V-twin engine, a DOHC design based on the 750c motor from the Shiver.

The V-twin is mounted in a fully carbon-fibre chassis, which is both the main structure of the bike and, thanks to its hollow design, doubles as the airbox for the engine.

Overall, the firm claims the prototype weighs under 160kg.

The parallelogram front suspension again uses carbon-fibre for its main parts to save weight.

The engine uses an electronic fly-by-wire throttle system, while other electronic systems include traction control, ABS brakes and an electronic suspension management system - something Aprilia has yet to reveal details about.

This article was taken from: Motorcycle News