Original Source: EICMA 2010: BMW Concept C Scooter from BikeAdvice.in

Recent years have seen radical changes in the world of individual mobility, specifically in the conurbations, and the number of registrations has rocketed for virtually all individual transport concepts. However, the space available to traffic has not grown to the same extent, so individual mobility must come to terms with the new circumstances.

Against this background, BMW Motorrad will be expanding its present motorcycle adventure world to include the big scooter. This new product segment will first give rise to two innovative premium scooters with internal combustion engines.

The differing characteristics of this concept will appeal to a broad target group. In addition, some thought is being given to a future alternative drive with electric motor.

BMW Motorrad will be combining in these scooters the outstanding handling of the motorcycle with the particular agility and conceptual comfort of the scooter for the maximum experience of dynamic riding– a big scooter made by BMW Motorrad. There are plans to manufacture these future production vehicles at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin.

BMW Motorrad is continuing its strategy of strong and sustainable growth and so will be intensifying its traditional work in the enduro, touring, and sport touring fields. Following its successful entry to the super sport segment, BMW Motorrad will now be expanding its range yet again to include a highly promising business line.

This path leads straight to the big scooter segment. These high displacement vehicles with dynamic handling characteristics have gained considerable popularity all over the world. Moreover, they present an interesting alternative to returnees who up to now were undecided about motorcycles after long periods of abstinence.

BMW Concept C: New dimension in the field of big scooters.

New ideas and concepts on the subject of two-wheeled mobility are a decades old tradition at BMW Motorrad. Countless times, concept studies and drafts have been presented that reflect the power of innovation and future orientation of BMW Motorrad.

With its Concept C study, BMW Motorrad is yet again embarking on a new path and demonstrating a fascinating mobility option for the future. Here, C stands for “commuter”. Particularly in view of the traffic development in urban areas, it presents the prospect of an innovative, sporty big scooter for the future premium segment.

As usual at BMW Motorrad, there is more to this study than just an attempt to present a big scooter for the highest demands. Rather, the designers and engineers of BMW Motorrad focused above all on the emotive component in addition to the technical function and quality– and the thrill from the very first moment on.

BMW Concept C: Emotion, dynamic handling, and function in the design.

When unveiling its Concept C at EICMA in Milan, BMW Motorrad will be directing the maximum possible emotion to its interpretation of this subject, which will bear witness to the primary claims of maximum, all round functionality.

Concept C as a vision of the big scooter is immediately recognizable as a member of thy lines and colour scheme, Concept C has ventured on a new, much more sporty and dynamic path. The body lines sweeping up to the vehicle’s rear underscores this big scooter’s active riding character. The high rear section emphasizes the lightness and agility of Concept C’s powerful two-cylinder engine. Sportiness and dynamism are also underscored by the close cut, speeder-style windscreen.

The functional side of this scooter is expressed in stylish design elements, such as the aluminum look of the bash plates with the air intake adopted from the BMW GS.

The black chromium of the suspension and frame parts form a thrilling, dynamic relationship with the aluminum chromium, silver, and blue paintwork of the body parts. In addition, the black satin sections present a high-contrast emphasis on the vehicle’s central area. This highly technical and high-quality elegance is borne further by finely worked details, such as the fuel tank cover reminiscent of aircraft and the short, sporty muffler. The visionary facet of Concept C is presented by the tires with flanks and treads of blue.

BMW Concept C: Pioneering technology that fuels enthusiasm.

Concept C presents unusual and innovative solutions that offer a wide prospect of what in future can become reality in this segment.

For instance, Concept C features a highly complex mono lever mechanism with hollowed-out shaft connected to a suspension strut visible from the outside. In this study, front-wheel control takes the form of an upside down fork.

The stable twin disc brake at the front features two radial brake calipers that also underscore the dynamic sportiness of Concept C. In addition, the single disc brake at the rear and the BMW Motorrad ABS provide the maximum possible safety during braking manoeuvres.

The dynamic and equally comfortable driving force behind Concept C is provided by a new, two-cylinder inline engine in conjunction with CVT (continuously variable transmission). Engine power, torque, and therefore performance will be moving towards the top of the segment.

Light is cast on a more distant point in the future by the LED headlamp integrated into the face paneling. This future vision is also continued by the deliberate absence of conventional rear view mirrors, which will be replaced in Concept C with two video cameras in the rear. These record the area behind the vehicle and transfer the images to two LCD monitors in the cockpit within view of the rider. The road speed, engine speed, and other data appear on a third LCD display integrated at the centre of the cockpit.

BMW Concept C: Perfected rider equipment and stowage space concept.

Concept C also testifies to thoughts and ideas extending beyond the actual vehicle. In line with the BMW Motorrad philosophy, a big scooter realised in the Concept C style will also come with a range of adequate rider equipment. In the best BMW Motorrad tradition, the development of a big scooter will also include a suitable stowage space concept.

- Mahavir Kothari

Original Source: EICMA 2010: Honda New Mid Concept from BikeAdvice.in

The New Mid Concept has been revealed at Honda Press Conference at EICMA 2010, the International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan, Italy. Honda New Mid Concept reinvents the way we look at two wheeled travel. This concept combines innovative thinking and new technology to create a multi discipline machine.

Taking the spirit of a sports motorcycle and the comfort of a scooter into a totally new format, the New Mid Concept will offer the energetic riding sensation of a motorcycle but with the ease and convenience of a scooter.

This sector shattering combination of features creates a bike that is both visually dynamic and enjoyable to ride.

The latest engine technology has been coupled with the advanced Dual Clutch Transmission technology up to now exclusively offered on the VFR1200F. Now Honda has committed to offer this technology to more of our customers, as it challenges decades of motorcycling convention and gives riders a unique sensation of seamless gear shifts. Dual Clutch Transmission will give the rider the option of experiencing a pure riding experience, indulging in the thrill of the winding roads, or riding with ease when weaving through city traffic. In addition to giving a dynamic riding experience, this new transmission can also deliver fuel efficiency better than a conventional manual gearbox.

The foot-forward position will provide comfort for the rider and offer additional protection from weather. The newly designed 17 inch wheels with PRO-LINK rear suspension add to the motorcycle look and enhance high speed stability and maneuverability with the optimum size radial tyres giving a sporty ride. The front fairing air vents coupled with the larger wheels will deliver greater stability when riding at higher speeds.

The New Mid Concept from Honda – challenging the way we travel.

- Mahavir Kothari

Original Source: EICMA 2010: Honda V4 Crosstourer Concept from BikeAdvice.in

Honda has revealed the V4 Crosstourer Concept, the world’s first V4 Adventure Tourer motorcycle at EICMA 2010, an International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan, Italy. Sharing the phenomenal V4 engine and the revolutionary Dual Clutch Transmission with the VFR1200F, the V4 Crosstourer Concept will deliver all the fun and excitement of a road sports bike; but with the comfortable upright riding position and maneuverability of an adventure machine.

The VFR1200F was the first model to utilize the new iconic V4 engine that signified the beginning of the new era in Honda’s engine line-up. The V4 Crosstourer Concept will utilise the same engine as the Road Sport category VFR to bring the benefits of this world-beating engine to a new type of customer.

This will be the first time an Adventure Tourer bike has been fitted with a compact and powerful four cylinder V-engine unit.

The riding experience will be further enhanced with the V4 Crosstourer Concept being developed with the revolutionary Dual Clutch Transmission that gives seamless gear changes for a sport riding feel. The new bike is the second Honda to be fitted with this innovative transmission system after the VFR1200F and it is the first time this award-winning technology has been seen in this category.

Honda has always strived to bring innovative designs and innovative technology to our motorcycle customers. As a company famed for challenging conventional motorcycle thinking, Honda is committed to producing bikes which fulfil the needs and desires of our customers.

Together with 800cc Crossrunner also revealed at EICMA, the V4 Crosstourer concept expands Honda’s state-of-the-art V4 model line-up.

- Mahavir Kothari

Original Source: World’s Most Monstrous Bikes (Part 2) from BikeAdvice.in

We have seen the bigger bikes in the previous part but you cannot take them to the street and they are not street legal bike. These bikes are built mere for record purpose or for specific desire. So our question remains which is street legal ridden motorcycle. The answer is GUNBUS 410.

The bike is not just concept bike but actually manufactured and marketed by German company Leonhardt Manufacturing.  The bike passed all the strict German testing procedures and is street legal and stands tall as the world’s largest ridden motorcycle. GUNBUS 410 is most perfect combination of tremendous performance potential and well balanced design

The bike has length of 11.3 feet and saddle (seat) height of 31.5 inches so that you can easily ride it. The bike got three 310mm disc brake with two in front and 1 in rear.

The front tire is 11 inch wide and 38 inch tall and the rear tire is 15 inch wide and 42 inch tall. The tires are originally sourced from Boeing 746 jetliner and then custom made by a company called Rigdon. It weighs massive 650 KG.

The most specific part of this bike is its engine. Though the bike weighs 650 Kg it is able to produce 6 times greater torque than the Harley twin cylinder engine. The maximum torque of 710NM picks @1900 rpm. By this measure you can estimate the power generation capacity of this monster bike. If you want to on this bike you have to spent 1,90,000 Euros (Rs.12 lacs approximately).

The GUNBUS 410 holds the record of world’s largest street legal ridden motorcycle but not for world’s longest motorcycle. For this the award goes to Olive Rogov of Russia. Oleg Rogov who lived in Taver city, a small town near Moscow city was a big biker fan since his childhood. One day he suddenly got an idea to build the longest bike in the world and finally after two years in December 2005 he came with world’s largest motorcycle.

His motorcycle is 31 feet 4 inches (9 meter 57 cm) long.  The motorcycle is recognized as world’s longest motorcycle by Guiness Book of Records.

There are total 16 people can sit on this motorcycle which created doubt among the public that was it possible to ride this motorcycle by 16 people. But 16 heavy bikers rode this motorcycle and cleared all doubts.

Source

Original Source: 2011 Honda VFR 800 Adventure Tourer Sketch Two from BikeAdvice.in

Honda is definitely rushing to become the world leader in biking technology. Recently, Honda revealed second design sketch of all new Honda VFR Adventure Tourer. Few Days back Honda unveiled the first look of the bike and now the second teaser in the form of a designer sketch looks refreshing.

The first sketch was unveiled few days ago and now the second look features a close draw of the headlight. Through the image one can know what exactly the bikes front headlight looks like.   Honda plans to unveil VFR 800X Adventure tourer along with seven other models at the Milan Bike Expo in couple of weeks from now.

The second unveiled image of the bike looks great. According to the image, the bike has a good designer headlight that will ensure stability and enhance aerodynamics. On examining the image closely that reveals sharp edges on the headlight one can ensure the aero dynamics applied.  As far as the image goes, VFR has got good innovative floating instrument cluster that will be within biker’s reach to ensure safe riding.  Honda has made VFR 800X Adventure Tourer keeping in mind both the aspects of adventure biking (enhanced performance) and comfortable riding.  Speaking of the teaser image, one can only wait to see more of the bike at coming Milan bike expo. Honda VFR 800X Adventure Tourer will be sporting efficient features like V4 engine configuration, liquid cooled engine, subtle use of designer looks, aero dynamics , 800cc power plant and many more. Honda has released two teaser images as of now and there is still way to go for Honda.

Original Source: Yamaha Tesseract Concept – Bike on Four Wheels from BikeAdvice.in

Yamaha has developed it’s new motorcycle which cannot be classified as a bike because all bikes have two wheels. Yamaha’s Tesseract turns just like a motorcycle on four wheels. It has dual side suspension which allows the bike to lean to the either sides when you turn.

In a regular two wheeler that we use, it can be risky when you apply your brakes on a rainy weather or on slippery surfaces and has a greater chance of slipping if you are at low speeds. The four wheeled Tesseract makes the riding more stable and enchanced while you can still enjoy the outdoor pleasure of riding a typical motorcycle.

The bike is powered by a V-Twin two cylinder hybrid powered gasoline plus electric engine. The upsides of owning such a bike is that it has more safety and stability and you do not need to put the side stand while parking! If this motorcycle comes out for commercial production, we can do wheelies and stoppies with more confidence!

Original Source: Clean Green Motorcycle from Suzuki from BikeAdvice.in

Imagine a world where there are no petrol bunks and no pollution. With more and more car companies introducing hybrid cars in the market, bike manufacturers are also planning to bring out hybrid motorcycles. The Suzuki Crosscage is one such attempt by Suzuki.

The Crosscage is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell battery designed by a British company named Intelligent Energy. The concept behind the power generation is quite simple. We all know that water is made of two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen. The hydrogen which is the cylinder (the fuel source) combines with the oxygen in the atmosphere which gives rise to water vapour which is the only exhaust.

When water is formed by this process, it produces energy which is converted in to electrical energy which in turn is stored a lithium-ion battery (the same kind of battery that we use in our mobile phones). The battery powers the motor which makes the bike move.

This technology makes the bike very light and friendly to the environment. On a single tank of hydrogen, the bike can travel up to 200kms with a power equivalent to that of a 125cc motorcycle. Suzuki is just testing how the market responds to hybrid bikes. There is no plans for mass production yet for the next few years.

Original Source: Suzuki Biplane Concept Bike from BikeAdvice.in

Suzuki revealed its concept bike Biplane in the Tokyo motor show a few weeks back. The name derives its inspiration from the early days of plane aviation. Suzuki says that the bike is designed in such a way that it gives the riders a feel of flying while staying on ground with two wheels.

The engine is a V4 engine with the exhaust on the rear side below the seat which mimics the design of an air plane. The bike stops with the help of rim mounted disk brakes on the front and the rear wheels. You may be wondering where the instrument panels are. They are just over the surface of the tank. This is just a concept bike and there are no plans for commercialization as of yet.