Motocylopedia: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Factory Supermoto's Part 3: Unlimited

Finally we have the big boys. This particular breed of Supermoto is based on street models. KTM started it off with the 990 Supermoto. Ducati followed with a modified Multistrada called the Hypermoto. Finally BMW jumped in with their special HP2 line and the Megamoto. All of these bikes are generally too big and heave to really be considered for the class, but they are relatively light and flickable for 1000cc+ bikes. And no, I'm not considering the Buell XB12STT a supermoto.

KTM 990 Supermoto

Ducati Hypermoto 1100S

BMW HP2 Megamoto

Factory Supermoto's Part 2: 450's

In the US the 450 class is usually dominated by modified CRF's and YZF's. In Europe manufacturers thrive on these moto machines. Most come in more than one size, for example Husqvarna has a the SM 450/510/610, Aprilia the SXV 4.5/5.5, and KTM has the 450/525 SMR. In addition to these dirt-based bikes there's a new wave of street based supermoto's. KTM's LC4 based Supermoto and BMW brand new G650 has a supermoto version the Xmoto.

KTM 450 SMR

Aprilia SXV 4.5

Husqvarna SM 450

Husaberg FS 450

BMW G 650 Xmoto

KTM 690 Supermoto

Factory Super Moto's Part1: 250's

Supermoto's are beginning to catch on here in the states, especially with today's gas prices. So here's a look at factory supermotos. I know most racing supermotos are based on more competitive platforms. So I've organized a list of all the factory models that I know of. To start us off is the lightweight 250 group. All the bikes are Japanese. Honda offered a motard version of their XR250 in Japan long before the others caught on. Now Suzuki, and recently Yamaha and Kawasaki have jumped in too. Yes the Suzuki is a 400cc, but I included it here because all the other bikes are European.

2005 Honda XR250 Motard

2008 Yamaha WR250X

2009 Kawasaki KLX250SF

2005 Suzuki DR-Z400SM

Monday, September 29, 2008

Motorsport of the Month: Hill Climbs

Hill climbs are another one of those sports that date back to the dark ages of motorcyling. The sport is alive and well, if not mainstream. The premis is simple enough; find a steep rutted hill, and see who can get up it the fastest. In the past racers used big inch Harleys, Indians, or Excesiors with little more than tire chains. In the 60's and 70's riders used scambler bikes and early moto-cross bikes. Today there are three classes: 450cc and under, 450-700cc, and 701+ (the unlimited class). The 450cc class in mostly moto-cross bikes with extended swingarms and paddle tires. The unlimited class is open to pretty wild machines. It is popular to put sportbike engines (ex. CBR1000RR, Hayabusa, etc) in to moto-cross frames. Hill climbing offers some of the most exciting racing around its a wonder the sport is not more popular.

Then

Now

Here's some videos of hill climbers in action

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7818375133160709492&hl=en

Early Enclosed Motorcycles

Many people may think fully enclosed motorcycles such as modern sports bike are a recent development. Covering motorcycles existed long before the creation of today's crotch rockets. Here are some early examples that must have been ahead of their own time.

The Moto Guzzi V8 racer was probably the coolest example of the "dustbin" gran prix bikes of the mid 50's. These bikes were banned in 1957 because of safety hazards.

The 1954 Vincent Black Knight was one of the earliest examples of a touring bike. It was one of Vincent's D series models which feature a shell that enclosed the bike. Most buyers of the bike removed the shells to expose the beautiful Vincent V twin.

Triumph experimented with shroud in the mid 60's. These models were known as "bathtub" models. They were critizide for resembling large scooters.

Gran Prix bikes of the 60's and 70's began to form what we think of as modern sports fairings.

Finally one fully faired motorcycle that never took off was the Honda Pacific Coast (PC). Like the Vincent and Triumph the public veiwed the machine as an oversized scooter. Dispite being a fine motorcycle the PC eventually faded away.