Motorsport of the Month: Bol d'Or

It's awefully hard to write about motorcycles in the winter months. Especially living on a mountain where I can snowboard for free. But I just can't let my site down, so here's a breif (and late) Motorsport of the Month for January.

The Bol d'Or is a very old and famous motorcycle endurance race held in France. The event first started in 1922, and the race has taken place in various places in France. Since 2000 Magny Cours has been home to the Bol d'Or. The race lasts 24 hours and teams consist of three riders whom switch off. SBK (Super Bike) bikes are the premier class that races.

Honda offers a Bol d'Or version of their CB1300.

The stars of BSA: A10

Golden Flash 1950-61

In 1950 BSA introduced the Golden Flash. The Golden Flash was an evolution of BSA's first parellel twin the A7 (500cc's). The a 650cc parallel twin would go on to define British motorcycles for the 1950's and 60's. Golden Flashes came from the factory with a distinctive gold paint job. 35hp 100mph

Road Rocket 1954-58

The Golden flash gave birth the the Super Flash and Road Rocket. The Road Rocket continued the evolution of the BSA twin. The 650 twins were targeted to US customers for their need of power and speed. 40hp 109mph

Super Rocket 1957-63

The Super Rocket was the next step after the Road Rocket.

Rocket Gold Star 1962-63

A Super Rocket engine in a Gold Star (single) frame.

The A10 was replaced by the unit constructed twins of the 1960's. The A65 star twin replaced was the next evolutionary step.

Kawasaki Concours

The Kawasaki Concours, or GTZ in Europe (ZG1000 and 1400).

In 1986 Kawasaki built a sport touring bike around the then-new Ninja 1000. The big liquid cooled dohc inline four made for a heavy sports bike, but was a perfect fit for a sport touring rig such as the Concour. The bike was so good that it went virtually unchagned for over two decades. Concours competed closesly with Honda's ST1100, which also went on to live an unnaturally long life.

After over 20 years of production, the first generation Concours was replaced by the second generation in 2007. The new Concours 14 uses the fresh 1400cc inline four from the ZX-14 hyperbike.

Tesi evolution

Here's a quick look at the evolution of Bimota's wild Tesi series. The Tesi was the first "production" bike to offer the revolutionary hub stering set-up, and one of the few sport bikes that do not employ tubular forks. Ducati V twins were used to power Bimota's Tesis.

1D 851

1D 9061D 906 SR
1D 906 ES
1D EF
2D
3D

Pictures from Motorcycle Specs

Honda RC51

Few motorcycles have this many names. The Honda RC51, VTR1000 SP1, or RVT1000R just don't call it slow. Th RC51 was a unique departure for Honda, and it has become somewhat of a one hit wonder.

Back in the 1990's Honda's V4 RC30 and RC45 battled in the Superbike World Championship against Ducati's, Yamahas, Suzukis, and Kawasaki's. Honda, apparently, had enough of campaigning their 750cc V4s against Ducati's 1000cc V twins, and decided, "if you can't beat em' join em'." Honda indroduced the RC51 in 2000. The beast sported a 1000cc 90 degree V twin (just like Ducati). On it's first year out the RC51 won the Superbike World Championship with Collin Edwards. The bike would remain competative until 2003, when the rules changed to allow 1000cc four cylinders, and Honda dropped the factory support. The Honda CBR1000RR would go on to fill the spot of RC51.

Motorsport of the month: Dakar Rally

Since 1979 racers have put themselves and their machines to the test in the most inhospitable environment in the world, and they called it the Dakar Rally. Over the past 30 years the race has has started and ended at various points but the race is typically run from Paris France to Dakar in Senegal Africa. The race covers a wide variety of terrain, but it's the Sahara Desert that truely defines this race. Heavilly modified motorcycles race along with buggies and commercial trucks across sand and rocks for days on end.




The race was created by Thierry Sabine, a motorcycle racer, who got lost in the desert. While in the desert Sabine thought it would be a good place to hold a race. The race usually runs from Paris to Dakar, however there have been many different routes, including one from Paris to Cape Town in South Africa, and one from Paris to Dakar and back again. Because of terrorist threats there was no 2008 race, however, the rally will be held in South America for 2009.





One of the most interesting things about the Dakar Rally is types of vehicles that race. There are motorcycles, which are split into two groups; Group 1 Marathon bikes, and Group 2 Super-Production bikes. Marathon bike are 450cc's or less, and are close to production models, Group 2 bikes are more modified and have two classes for below and above 450cc's. There is also a Group 3 for quads.

In addition to motorcycles there is a class for "cars". These usually include specially built rally SUV's like Mitsubishi's Pajero. And there the truck class, for large (over 7,700lbs) commercial trucks. These are really a sight to see.

Bikes that have competed in the Dakar Rally include:
KTM 690 Rally
KTM LC4 660R
KTM LC8 950R
BMW R650RR
Yamaha YZE850T
Cagiva Elephant 900
Honda NXR800V
Honda NXR750V
BMW GS980R
Honda XR550
Yamaha XT500

Ugliest motorcycles

Ok, it's very subjective. But here's Motocyclopedia's list of ugliest motorcycles. This list is primarily for factory bikes (not concepts or small time manufacturers (because A LOT of those are uh... polarizing). Now most of these motorcycles may or may not be good in their own right. I'm not putting any body down, keep in mind I ride an awfully ugly bike, the KLR.

Early Japanese cruisers - The Suzuki Madura (below) is probably the worst though. Stepped seats, tiny gas tanks, square headlights, and mini ape hangers were in style; and all of them UGLY. Suzuki Madura, Honda Magna

Late model BMW's - Ever since motorcycles have been styled, BMW's styling has always been, well, different. BMW R1200CL, R1200ST, and K1200R


Honda CX - The CX isn't a pretty bike, but the turbo is downright ugly. Honda CX turbo

Factory customs - The cruiser boom brought several attempts at creating something "custom" from the manufacturers. Some factory customs work, say a Harley Fatboy, other don't quite work. Personally I kinda like the Rocket, and don't mind the Vision, but many feel these are ugly. Honda Rune, Triumph Rocket, Victory Vision


Motorcycles with car engines - Car engines are generally too big for motorcycles. If you mix the two the outcome is usually pretty awkward. Munch, Amazonas, Boss Hoss