Automotive Adventures

Nissan Leaf Sales Numbers

2012-01-27T13:43:00.001-08:00

What's up with the sales, orders and reservations of the Nissan Leaf? Nissan loudly trumpeted the 20,000 reservations it originally collected back in September, 2010 and Nissan's Mark Perry recently told AutoblogGreen that, since then, that number has climbed to around 26,000. Where do things stand today? That's not exactly simple to figure out. Here's what we know:

Number of accepted Leaf reservations: 26,000

- Number of Leaf models sold: 10,000

- Number sold in January: 800 (estimate)

- Number sold in February: 800 (estimate. Perry recently said these two months were sold out or nearly sold out)

- Number of people who haven't had a chance to order because they live in a state where the Leaf is not yet for sale: 2,000 (according, again, to Perry)

- Number of people who cancelled (unknown)

= 12,400 people or so

Nissan's Katherine Zachary tells Autoblog that the company doesn't share cancellation data, so it's not possible for outsiders to know exactly how many of the 12,400 have raised and then lowered their hands. Zachary added, "We have new people coming into the process every day, so it's really a moving target." Still, somewhere out there, there could be 12,000 people who are patiently waiting to snatch up Nissan's 2012 Leaf production. Even if 50 percent of them cancelled, that still leaves many months of strong sales coming for Nissan in the U.S. this coming year, even as production ramps up.

Original Page: http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/a-word-on-nissan-leaf-sales-orders-reservation-numbers/

Barrichello next F1 driver to follow Lotus to Indy?

2012-01-27T08:31:00.001-08:00

There once was a time when Indy was considered not just a stepping stone to F1, but a viable alternative. Those were the days when proven grand prix drivers looking for a new challenge - drivers like like Nigel Mansell, Emerson Fittipaldi, Graham Hill and Mario Andretti - could take to America's fastest ovals and obtain glory on par with Europe's finest circuits. Those days may seem long behind us, but they could be coming back around.

The road to Indy's revival as a premier racing series is being paved with a number of developments. The reunion of the IRL and ChampCar series was one major stepping stone. The arrival of multiple engine suppliers this year is another. But what Indy really needs is big name talents instead of losing its stars to NASCAR. And it just might be getting what it needs, thanks in no small part to Lotus.

After bringing former F1 driver Takuma Sato to Indy, Lotus announced it had signed notable former grand prix pilots Jean Alesi and Sebastien Bourdais to IndyCar contracts as well. So who's next? Rubens Barrichello.

The elder statesman of the F1 grid, Barrichello was left without a ride when Williams showed him the door in favor of fellow Brazilian Bruno Senna. Now reports indicate that he is gearing up for a test drive with KV Racing, the team with which Lotus returned to American open-wheels a couple of years ago.

While Rubens has no oval-track experience and reportedly promised his wife he wouldn't try it, the 2012 schedule - having come a long way from the oval-dominated days of yore - includes only four speedways (those at Indianapolis, Texas, Iowa and Fontana, California), leaving Rubens with a real opportunity to contest the remaining dozen road courses and street circuits on the calendar.

Original Page: http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/_udp464cMOE/

Camel crossings and old Russian cars in Kazakhstan

2012-01-26T07:24:00.001-08:00

The ambulance above may not be as old as we think. UAZ introduced the 450 series forward-control vans (nicknamed the Loaf) and pickups (nicknamed the Tadpole) in 1958 and restyled them in 1966, but they've remained largely unchanged since then and remain in production today. Originally designated 452, the four-wheel-drive ambulance versions like this were redesignated 3962 in the mid-1980s.

In the capital city of Astana, he stumbled upon a museum dedicated to the Soviet era that had these two cars parked outside. On the left, we see a GAZ M21 Volga Series 3, while the copper colored car appears to be a ZAZ 965.

He noted plenty of the motorcycle-based delivery vehicles in the rural villages. "If you look at the handlebars on the trike, you'll notice the hand warmers," Mike wrote. After that, we see a IZH 2715 van, introduced in 1972 and produced all the way through 2001. On the far right, we see another UAZ, this one a hardtopped 469, which has an official designation of 3151. Like the 452/3962 above, UAZ is still producing the 469/3151 today, though under the name Hunter. The eagle-eyed among you may note the similarity between the 469/3151 and the Beijing Jeep (BJ212) – indeed, the latter is a direct copy of the UAZ.

And finally, one of the more unusual sights from his trip, a camel crossing sign. Which brings up the question: How do the camels know to cross there?
[...]

Original Page: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/01/26/camel-crossings-and-old-russian-cars-in-kazakhstan/

Spotted: Nicely Modded Mitsubishi Montero

2012-01-26T07:02:00.000-08:00

Back when I owned a DSM, I considered an older Montero as an adventure vehicle. At the top of my list has always been a 60-series Land Cruiser, but the Mitsubishi still has a look and reputation years later that I just can't ignore.

via West County Explorers Club: This first generation Montero, a 1990 LS model, has been transformed from stock into a fantastic looking overlander with very well-thought-out features that I haven't seen on other trucks. To say I "spotted" it though is to give myself too much credit. Greg showed it to me when Natalie and I met with him in San Francisco to discuss our then upcoming Overlanding in the Land of Twain trip. I was immediately impressed. Here's what Greg has done.

Original Page: http://www.expeditionportal.com/vehicules/58-other/736-spotted-nicely-modded-mitsubishi-montero.html

MG's new BTCC entry

2012-01-26T05:08:00.001-08:00

The field of cars entered in the British Touring Car Championship has grown incredibly in the last year or two. But as quintessentially British as the series is, few of those automakers represented on the grid are actually, you know... British. But that's all about to change with the latest entry from MG.

Now you might look at MG's current line-up of ho-hum Chinese econo-boxes and lament at how far the brand has fallen since its heyday of building quirky yet iconic roadsters, but MG is pulling all the stops with its touring car effort. The cars - based on the MG6 GT five-door - are being prepared by Triple 8 Race Engineering, the outfit responsible for turning Vauxhall into a powerhouse that dominated the BTCC for years.

If that's not enough to get the job done, the Sino-English automaker has also retained one of the very best drivers in the series. You may know the name and face of Jason Plato from Fifth Gear, the British motoring show he co-presents. But he's also a two-time BTCC champion, winner of 68 races and holds the records for the most fastest laps, pole positions and podiums in the history of the series. Poached from Chevrolet, Plato will be driving alongside up-and-coming talent Andy Neate.

All in all, MG KX Momentum Racing is shaping up as a force to be reckoned with, so the other 22 drivers on the grid had better take notice as the series gears up for its 55th running. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading MG goes big with new BTCC entry

How Not To Pull Your Truck Out of the Ice

2012-01-26T05:01:00.000-08:00

Never Thought This would have happened, but then again I have no idea why they were pulling it out like this??

Baptising the Adventure Rider

2012-01-25T18:59:00.001-08:00

I yearn for the day I have the time to get out away from civilization, even if only on the piste. A friend of mine has this bike and has put it through its paces. I'll stick with my street-biased V-Strom for now...

So, I've always wanted a BMW F650 GS Dakar because they always seemed nice and the perfect size for someone just starting out.. also, never really thought i'd find one in my price range. A week or two before Chistmas that all changed, and fast it did. Shoot, i don't even have my street license yet! (no extra time!)

I stumbled upon a freshly listed 2002 with 17,000 miles on it on CL one morning that had been posted late the night before. Fresh tires, Remus exhaust, soft panniers, trunk box and a Wolfman tank bag. Well treated and garage heated. Came with tubes, heated grip parts, some misc stuff/old exhaust and all the paperwork/books.

After all was said and done the bike ended up coming home.

The prepping, baselining and studying for my permit began. The modifications, farkles and rear tire purchasing ensued. I also took the Remus exhaust off and opted for the stock original exhaust. The bike was ready to hit the dirt and so was i.

Taking my time and riding my own pace, i made it to the end of the canyon. Under that helmet housed a huge grin. I was having a blast.

After this point we headed down a section of trail that was harder than i anticipated. It was muddy, rocky, slippery and rutted. I kept telling myself it was just like riding a mtn bike. I had a few close calls, but made it through unscathed. Here's a video clip of the ride from the GoPro.

[...]

Original Page: http://www.adventureduo.com/2012/01/baptising-adventure-rider.html

Hand Laying Carbon Fiber Cloth in a Kayak

2012-01-25T15:58:00.001-08:00

Laying carbon fiber is not that different from fiberglass accept that it is black, and stays black. Where fiberglass starts white and becomes transparent when saturated with epoxy, carbon fiber stays opaque, so it can be tricky to tell if it is fully saturated. Where bubbles under glass are clearly ...
By: Guillemot

Continue Reading »

Sometimes my transportation attention gets distracted by things which have no wheels. I've been a avid canoer in the past, then picked up a nice sit-on kayak a couple of years ago. Applying carbon fiber to a kayak peaks the gearhead in me.

Shoichiro Irimajiri: “There was something exhilarating about the six-cylinder CBX…”

2012-01-25T15:41:00.000-08:00

Shoichiro Irimajiri (above), a brilliant engineer who worked on Honda's GP racing bikes of the 1960s, was also the man responsible for the mighty CBX1000

The Honda CBX1000, with its six-cylinder engine, remains one of our most favourite motorcycles from the 1970s/80s. The Honda CBX was in production from 1978 to 1982 and a total of only 40,000 units were ever produced.

[...]

Original Page: http://www.fasterandfaster.net/2012/01/shoichiro-irimajiri-there-was-something.html

I think the Horex VR6 is a natural evolution of the inline design in a more compact package. I have no yearn for a bike with more cylinders than necessary, but love seeing the CBX in its shiny glory every time the topic comes up.

Coffee Hauler: 1974 Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG 406 For Sale

2012-01-23T20:37:00.000-08:00

This 1974 Mercedes Benz UNIMOG 406 has been given an impressive restoration by the current seller. He used it as a promotional vehicle for his Coffee Company, and amazingly claims to have driven it from British Columbia to Southern California at one point. We like his auction description, realizing that he likely has far more into this truck than he will ever recover, so he is offering it at no reserve. Find it here on eBay in Quesnel, BC, Canada.
The video above comes from the seller. Skip to 2:40 for action footage and the Nathan Locomotive air horn at full volume. How can you not smile?
These early UNIMOGs have nicely rounded hoods and grille styling as compared to the later models which are produced to this day. This massive Warn winch works well, as does the silver paint and black accessories. The extra clearance provided by the portal (edit) axles is nicely visible below.
The truck was given paint inside and out, something we don’t see on the quicker UNIMOG clean-ups. It is powered by a 6-cylinder Diesel, but little info is given about the powerplant or drivetrain.
[...]

More: Coffee Hauler: 1974 Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG 406 For Sale

Racing Dreams documentary premiering on PBS in February

2012-01-23T09:51:00.001-08:00

Racing Dreams is an award-winning documentary that follows the racing exploits of three go-kart racing youths chasing an entry into the world of NASCAR. As we reported before, when Racing Dreams took the podium at the Tribeca Film Festival, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson got behind this project as executive producer, and now this documentary is making its broadcast premiere on Thursday, February 23 at 9 PM on Public Television. The PBS documentary series POV (Point Of View) will also stream the movie on its website for a month following the debut.

The idea of a karting documentary may not sound immediately captivating to anyone but the most hardcore of racing fans, but the story of Annabeth Barnes, Josh Hobson and Brandon Warren (11, 12, and 13 years old, respectively), has a track record of surprising viewers. It's more than just the story of how entry into professional auto racing of any sort increasingly starts even before adolescence, it talks about how the experience of fierce on-track competition colors the already-bewildering arrival of adolescence. Indeed, racing isn't the kind of subject matter you'd expect to find on PBS, but director and producer Marshall Curry has woven a story that's been rewarded with honors at many film festivals around the United States. Racing Dreams is a story about life that happens to have racing figure into the plot. Check your local listings to catch the documentary on your PBS station, and after checking out our gallery, you can watch the trailer and read the official press release, both posted after the jump.

Continue reading Racing Dreams documentary premiering on PBS in February [w/video]

WRC Monte-Carlo Day Four Highlights: Loeb Poised to Win

2012-01-21T13:23:00.001-08:00

With just one short stage remaining on Sunday, Citroën's Sébastien Loeb looks set to claim his sixth victory in Rallye Monte-Carlo, the opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

The Frenchman has a commanding two minute 41.6 second lead, with Dani Sordo and Petter Solberg in second and third respectively.

Today's two loops of two stages were classics of the event, including the run over the legendary Col de Turini, with the second loop run this evening in darkness.

Toyota begins testing new hybrid LMP1

2012-01-19T11:14:00.001-08:00

The sudden departure of Peugeot from the Le Mans racing scene came as quite a shock, we know. But don't count the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship - or the famed 24-hour race at its center - out for the count before it's even started, because another powerhouse is already gearing up to take Peugeot's place. And that powerhouse is Toyota.

The Japanese auto giant announced its plans to build and campaign a new LMP1 racer at Le Mans and the WEC back in October. Toyota Motorsport GmbH (which ran the company's F1 team until its withdrawal in 2009) then set about designing the car, partnering with Team Oreca to help with the logistics of entering the pinnacle of endurance racing, and hired three top pilots to, you know, actually drive the thing.

With all those pieces in place, the Toyota team began testing their new prototype racer last week at the Paul Ricard test track in France. Toyota itself didn't release much in the way of details, but Alex Wurz was said to have led the shake-down, with his team-mates Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima on hand to share in the driving duties as well.

And while no "official" photos were "officially" released, Toyota PR rep Scott Brownlee tweeted a couple of snapshots to whet our appetites. The result looks, predictably enough, much like the latest LMP1 racers fielded by Audi and the departed Peugeot, but as with most things, it's what's underneath the surface that will count the most. In Toyota's sake, that would be a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain of some sort, but we'll have to wait a little while longer - as the next round of testing and the car's anticipated debut at Spa come May approach - to find out more.

Original Page: http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/toyota-begins-testing-new-hybrid-lmp1/

Take a Look at Some of Japan's Weirdest Looking Tuned Cars

2012-01-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

So you think your local car club has some bizarre creations, do you? Wait until you take a gander at the parade of modded cars in two videos that follow after the break.

If the findings of our basic research on the subject are right (if not, leave a comment and we'll make a correction), these strangely modified vehicles filmed on the occasion of last weekend's 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon are named "bōsōzoku style" and belong to a Japanese subculture with roots to motorcycle clubs and gangs.

2012 Lexus GS250: cheaper E-Class fighter confirmed

2012-01-16T08:21:00.001-08:00

Lexus Australia will introduce the entry-level Lexus GS250 to the local line-up, joining the GS350 and GS450h when it is launched in Australia during the second quarter of this year.

The new variant will allow Lexus Australia to offer more direct competition to its key German rivals, such as the BMW 520i and Mercedes-Benz E250 CGI.

The Lexus GS250 comes with a 2.5-litre V6 engine producing 154kW of power and is backed up by a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and throttle-blipping technology on downshifts. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 8.4 seconds.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/155344/2012-lexus-gs250-confirmed-for-australia-in-q2/

Kenny from the Block and his Tracked STI Soob

2012-01-13T12:53:00.000-08:00

KEN BLOCK'S TRAX STI CAR - YouTube:

On the heels of Ken Blocks insane Gymkhana videos and the groundbreaking snowboarding/rally part to close out DCs MTN.LAB 1.5 video, the DC Co-Founder and Rally Team Driver has joined with Subaru to make the worlds fastest cat track operation automobile for backcountry access for snowboarding. Dubbed the TRAX STI, this is a new teaser video from the test session for the highly-modified, snow-ready (to say the least) car. Full specs and the full story at dcshoes.com/auto.

BMW Is Once Again ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’

2012-01-12T11:09:00.001-08:00

For reasons that still remain unclear, BMW chose to drop its hugely successful 'The Ultimate Driving Machine' tagline and replace it with the 'JOY' campaign when it launched the Z4 roadster back in 2008. In fairness, BMW never formally stated that it was completely abandoning the tagline, which can be found in BMW ads...

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotorAuthority2/~3/oH9f0WsDbLA/1071633_bmw-is-once-again-the-ultimate-driving-machine

60-Series

2012-01-10T08:31:00.000-08:00

JK Habitat Deployment

2012-01-09T20:08:00.000-08:00

Finally available in the LWB model JK, this overlander Jeep looks just about right. It's almost enough to make me want to buy an American-made vehicle again, almost...

JK Habitat Deployment - YouTube:

Amazingly quick set up from rolling into your campsite to full set up.

Loud pipes save lives - is that true?

2012-01-08T13:35:00.001-08:00

The answer is a firm NO. In some instances a car driver may indeed notice you, such as when you're riding next to a car which has the driver's side window down. Situations like this one are extremely rare. Most dangers to motorcyclists come from the front, where your loud exhaust can't be heard; the sound waves from the exhaust pipe(s) propagate backward. The driver of that car about to make a left turn in front of you (by far the largest cause of motorcycling deaths) simply will not hear you. Think about it: picture yourself in a car, with the windows up, the A/C (or heat) on, and the radio at a comfortable level. Just how much outside noise do you think YOU hear? Especially the noise traveling away from you, where only the few sound waves that bounce back are even capable of being heard in the first place...

How loud exhaust can actually be dangerous to you

Noise fatigue and hearing damage.

Research has shown that the biggest cause of fatigue on long rides is noise. Noise from your own bike will tire you out faster, dulling your senses and thus increasing the risk of an accident - precisely the thing that you were trying to avoid in the first place.

Also think about your hearing. It doesn't become better as you age, and you will be the closest person to those drag pipes...

Irritated cagers

Have you ever thought about how annoying the loud pipes are to the car drivers around you? Especially to the ones who have to follow you for miles in dense traffic? While it has never been proven, it is possible that noise from your motorcycle makes car drivers irritated, angry, more aggressive, and thus more dangerous to you.

Loud pipes lose rights

Noise coming from customized exhausts is one of the major public relations issues for motorcyclists. You have to remember that your average legislators and voters do not ride. These people already have a bias against motorcycling, and antagonizing them even further is a bad idea. Organizers of various motorcycling events can already feel the animosity by being turned away from parks and other preferable locations. Right now we, the motorcycle riders, enjoy numerous benefits, such as lower tolls, preferred parking, or the right to use carpool lanes. If we behave irresponsibly we may well lose those benefits. This doesn't even include targeted enforcement: just think how bad it would be if cops started pulling over everyone on two wheels.

To summarize it all, loud pipes are a bad idea. They do nothing for your safety, and annoy the people around you, negatively affecting the public perception of motorcyclists. If you're concerned about safety, take a rider training course, get a louder horn and a set of bright, reflective protective gear, and don't propagate the "loud pipes save lives" myth.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Loud_pipes_save_lives_-_is_that_true?

Even 250 riders get it, so why doesn't the cruiser set? Are they just d-bags, or are they really that oblivious to the obvious situation and perception of others? I know I get the attention of cagers just fine with a 139db airhorn and stock pipes. I only make noise when it's appropriate, and I think that non-riders appreciate that much more, making my position better for the two-wheeled segment than the cruiser guys.

NoiseOFF - The Coalition Against Noise Pollution - Foreward

2012-01-08T13:29:00.001-08:00

"Loud pipes save lives". The statement would seem to be axiomatic based on the sheer volume of its repetition. On the surface it seems obvious that the noise emitted by loud motorcycle exhaust systems would aid in conspicuity and cause more watchful driving by other motorists. Yet not a single thoughtful study has been done that supports the theory. To the contrary, the two types of bikes that most often use loud pipes (cruisers and sport bikes) are significantly over represented in crash data (accidents per type vehicle mile).

And what about hotrods? Surely their hulking size and eye-catching flame paint jobs don't need help from loud exhaust systems to be noticed. Do drivers of cars with booming sound systems have safety in mind? Aside from showy cosmetics and oppressive noise emissions, one thing that the owners of these vehicles have in common is an aggressive, even anti-social presence on public road ways; most notably a constant revving of the engine, particularly under heavy throttle load.

The mechanism that binds the various people and their behaviors is a physiological condition known as acute stress response or "fight or flight" response. Most often induced by loud noise, flight or fight is an involuntary reaction that cannot be controlled by conscious thought. When triggered, release of the stress hormone cortisol causes an array of metabolic changes including an instantaneous increase in cardio- respiratory rates and muscle tension. The state of arousal is perpetuated by a release of dopamine, endorphines, norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline). Most importantly chemical releases (catecholamines) suppress activity in the area of the brain concerned with short term memory, concentration, inhibition and rational thought; 'flight or fight" reactions require spontaneity and aggression. Is this really the optimum state of mind to be in while perched atop a machine that can abruptly reach triple digit speeds with the jerk of a wrist?

The high motorcyclists get from stress response may be the perfect elixir to get them in the mood for a Sunday afternoon romp around town. Unfortunately, though, the metabolic spikes are most unwelcome to anyone trying to relax or sleep or even engage in the ordinary activities around the home. Left in the wake of a typical loud pipe ride are hundreds or even thousands of citizens who are literally made ill by the toxic effects of stress response.

One of the more intriguing aspects of flight or fight is the compulsion to goad others by abrupt stimulation. Any martial arts combatant knows that a loud, piercing scream can thrust his opponent into a physiologically induced state whereby the opponents' actions may be manipulated and/or impulsive. This, even though the opponent is trained to expect the ploy. Is it wise to create a stressful driving environment when surrounded by vehicles many times your size and mass?

http://www.noiseoff.org/pipes/foreword.php

Loud Pipes Save Lives or The Madness Behind the Myth

2012-01-08T13:28:00.001-08:00

Supporters of the idea seemed to consist for the most part of folks that either sold (loud) aftermarket pipes, or folks who road bikes with loud(er) aftermarket pipes. Yet these same folks could not provide any hard facts to back up their claim, the best they could come up with were rather vague statements about how if they make lots of noise "(car drivers) are sure as heck gonna hear me!" or claims that loud pipes give the other motorists ample warning of the approaching biker as they cruise up from behind. These statements seem to presuppose several assumptions that; 1) the other driver is not only going to hear the biker, but take the time to identify their actual location, 2) drivers in general rely on sound as much as vision to locate and avoid obstacles (in this case the motorcyclist), 3) the other driver gives enough of a damn about motorcyclists in the first place to do (1) and (2) above, and 4) that sounds emanating from a motorcycle's exhaust travel equally in all directions from the source. These seem, to me, to be a rather risky set of suppositions with little, if any, basis in fact. It is well documented that vision plays a much bigger role in operator safety than sound. Think about the last time you heard a siren, were you able to identify the location of the approaching vehicle by the sound alone or did you not in fact have to wait to make visual contact with it before you could precisely identify its location relative to you? Do proponents of loud pipes really believe that other motorists are going to concentrate on locating the approaching motorcycle and keep it in view till it is well past them and out of harms way? Where is the evidence to support such a claim?

An article in the Concord Monitor (Sunday, October, 2002, by Sarah M. Earle) quotes one mechanic at a local Concord bike shop as stating that the other driver cut off 80% of his customers who had been involved in an accident. Sounds reasonable and that is indeed what the Hurt report found in it's study. Unfortunately he then goes on to state that this justifies his customers modifying their exhaust (to something louder) to ensure that they will be noticed in the future. He further states that changing out the exhaust is done purely for safety reasons. I'm sorry, but I just don't believe that, nor do I really believe he does either. That sounds too much like an attempt to justify something that's done for entirely different reasons, i.e. they just like the louder sound.

On the other hand The American Motorcyclist Association, The Hurt Report, and many riders and bikers themselves seemed to be of the opposite opinion. The AMA has gone so far as to make a policy statement on the issue which reads " The [AMA] believes that few other factors contribute more to misunderstanding and prejudice against the motorcycling community than excessively noisy motorcycles". They then go on to say, "Shifting blame and failing to adopt responsible policies on a voluntary basis can only result in greater prejudice and discrimination against motorcycling. The consequences of continuing to ignore this issue will likely result in excessively rigorous state and federal standards, ……[and] abusive enforcement of current laws and other solutions undesirable to riders and the motorcycle industry"

[...]

http://www.virginiawind.com/byways/loud_pipes_save_lives.asp

Loud Pipes Save Lives Myth, STFU

2012-01-08T13:26:00.001-08:00

In motorcycling, the topic "loud pipes save lives" never seems to die. Chances are you've seen the biker stickers and patches with this phrase. But is it myth or truth? The phrase is related to two extremes of an argument. Some argue that loud motorcycle pipes prevent accidents and so save lives; others argue that the loud noise is merely a nuisance.

Many cities and communities in the United States have banned motorcycles because of residents complaining about the noise from motorcycles. And before I became immersed in motorcycle culture, I would have probably supported a city ordinance banning motorcycles if the noise bothered me.

But on todays' crowded highways, at a time when more and more things are competing for your attention as a driver, it's easier to notice a loud motorcycle. It's even almost impossible to miss a very loud one, whether its in your blind spot, in front or behind you. I can't think of another method that increases visibility of motorcyclists, without them being visible per se.

So, loud pipes make motorcyclists more visible to others on the road, and this increases safety. Now how much this contributes to saving lives is difficult to measure, but you might say that increased safety reduces the chances of serious accidents. There's your answer: "loud pipes save lives" is truth.

A question then comes to mind:

Does this mean that the rest of humanity has to cope with the noise?

http://blog.leatherup.com/2010/03/20/loud-pipes-save-lives-myth-or-truth/#.TwoHmR15nfo

Hey! Harley guy. It's me. Your neighbor. The one with the bike that rides every day. The bike you don't hear when I leave for work in the morning because I have quiet, stock exhaust. I am trying to put my baby down for a nap this afternoon, again. You work nights, so I respect you and keep it down when I know you sleep. Please think of someone else for a change and return the courtesy.

I'm a motorcyclist. I ride every day. Every. Single. Day. I love it, but I don't find it fun or necessary to disrupt the lives of an entire neighborhood every time I go riding. I give others the respect that you give to no one.

I hope someday the weekend warriors with the shiny bikes will get it, but given that you already ride without a helmet, I rather doubt it. Loud pipes don't save lives, they just piss off your neighbors. Really. STFU.

Bentley Continental GT Coupe Falls Prey to Spray-paint Vandal

2012-01-08T12:28:00.001-08:00

Who knows what kind of animosity the owner of this Continental GT Coupe in Russia had with the vandal who decided to seek some sort of revenge by decorating the Bentley with a bottle of spray-paint, but one thing's for sure: he or she ain't going to be happy upon viewing the British luxury model's new painjob…

The folks over at CarLifeblog tell us that the vandal wrote the words "New Happiness" on the windshield and the hood and "Scumbag" at the rear window of the Bentley. You can find a couple more photos after the break.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Carscoop/~3/shf2B4_n-DE/bentley-continental-gt-coupe-falls-prey.html

New Suzuki V-Strom accessory packs

2012-01-08T11:37:00.001-08:00

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS tourer motorcycle launched earlier this year can now be had with three new accessory packs catering to needs of the owners of the V-Strom ranging from daily commute, weekend getaways or continental tours.

Owners looking for enhanced practicality can now choose from the new 'Tourer Pack' which includes a knuckle guard set, a 14 litre magnetic Tank bag, Tank protector, styled Under Cowling, Accessory Bar and a branded chain guard.

For owners looking to cover larger distances on their Suzuki V-Strom 650 there is the new 'Adventure Pack' includes all the features of the Tourer Pack minus the Tank Bag but includes a Vario Touring Screen which allows the rider to set the level of the weather protection suit and a 42 litre Top Case.

The there is the 'GT Pack' which gets everything from the above mentioned packs along with an additional luggage space of 70 litres in the form of side cases.

These new optional packs are available at all Suzuki dealers who sell the V-Strom motorcycle. All the three optional packs come with a two year unlimited warranty

http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/new-suzuki-vstrom-accessory-packs/10927/1

I already have a K5 DL1k, mostly set up for ADV abuse. The new 650 would make a nice urban commuter to compliment my existing Suzi.

2013 Dodge Dart: This Is It

2012-01-07T12:34:00.001-08:00

This is it — the 2013 Dodge Dart, the new Alfa Romeo-based compact car that'll say arrivederci to the Caliber when it's fully unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in just two days. But we knew all that. What we didn't know is what it'd look like. Until now. More »

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/4_JEFS4ZoeI/2013-dodge-dart-this-is-it

It doesn't really look like a modern Dart should, but it's nice to see the classic moniker revived. I wonder if it will come with optional front bench seats, or maybe a smallblock V8? It's probably front-drive, so it may not be worth much attention either way...

MAN UNICAT 6X6

2012-01-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

UNICAT® - INDIVIDUAL: [EX70-HDQ / MAN TGA 6x6]

I could live in something like this without question.

The Fiat 500 Makes Favorite Five of 2011

2012-01-06T07:41:00.001-08:00

The Fiat 500 made the Fox Car Report's Favorite Five of 2011. The criteria was memorability and winners were picked from cars reviewed over the past year that delivered more than expected.

Fox says:

Fiat's return to the United States is not a chick car, it's a "chic" car. It's also the only Italian car you can buy here for less than $126,500, and costs just $16,000. You got a problem with that?

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Fiat500USA/~3/foTB1Oea-PY/fiat-500-makes-favorite-five-of-2011.html

Trans-Am cars sought for Concours d’Elegance of America

2012-01-06T06:19:00.001-08:00

Photo by Mike Bumbeck

Bolstered by factory participation, world-class drivers, and a wide variety of cars in two distinct classes, the SCCA Trans-Am series quickly rose to the forefront of American motorsport in the late 1960s and early 1970s and led to some of the hairiest pony cars to come out of Detroit. To celebrate that golden era of sports car racing, the organizers of the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's have started a search for vintage Trans-Am racers to feature at their 2012 event.

"Last year, we featured Indy cars and had 33 cars on the field," said Brian Joseph, car selection committee chairman for the concours. "It was just fantastic, so we thought we'd turn our focus to Trans-Am this year."

While most people will quickly recall the Mustangs, Camaros, Javelins, and Challengers piloted by the likes of Mark Donohue, Parnelli Jones, and Dan Gurney in the larger of the two Trans-Am classes, limited to 5.0 liters of engine displacement, Joseph said that concours organizers are looking for all cars that competed in Trans-Am in that period, including the Alfas, Porsches, Datsuns, and BMWs limited to 2.0 liters of engine displacement (bumped to 2.5 liters in 1971).

The Trans-Am cars will join another class of competition cars – drag racing's slingshot rails – as well as 19th-century automobiles, jet-age station wagons, microcars, and three-wheeled motorcycles as this year's featured classes at the concours. The concours will also include featured classes focusing on the Corvette-Jaguar rivalry and on a yet-to-be-named automotive designer.

The 2012 Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's will take place July 29 in Plymouth, Michigan. For more information, visit ConcoursUSA.org.

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/01/06/trans-am-cars-sought-for-concours-delegance-of-america

Video: Jay Leno's Garage welcomes the Hennessey Venom GT

2012-01-05T16:45:00.001-08:00

John Hennessey has stopped by Jay Leno's Garage for a second time to show off the 2012 Hennessey Venom GT. Last time the tuner-turned-supercar-maker visited the comedian's garage, Leno didn't get a shot behind the wheel of the Venom GT because the vehicle had yet to be legalized in the States. That was then. Now, the 1,200 horspeower beast has all of its paperwork in order, and Hennessey has been kind enough to hand over the keys to one very yellow Venom GT. Leno proceeds to take the machine out into the wild for a brief frolic through public streets.

What does he think? Surprisingly enough, Leno compares the vehicle to his Ariel Atom, albeit with considerably more power. That's high praise considering how lithe and well-balanced the Atom is. Leno also spends plenty of time pontificating on just how much cabin room the Venom GT offers, even for a six-foot tall comedian like himself. Hit the jump to check out the video.

Continue reading Jay Leno's Garage welcomes the Hennessey Venom GT

http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/2DErzKd2vzQ

2011 Trans-Africa trips by Toyota and LR

2012-01-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

2011 was an interesting year for Trans-Africa trips... it was the first year that Toyota outnumbered Land Rover's as the vehicle choice for Trans-Africa adventures...

I have been keeping track of vehicle based Africa Overland travels via The Africa Overland Network since the website started in 2000. There were only 42 Toyota's and Land Rover's used for full Trans-Africa trips in 2011 of which 60% opted for Toyota.

See the blog post Africa Overland Vehicle Choice for the full statistics and my thoughts on why 2011 changed overland history.

Thoughts and comments welcome...

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/71870-2011-Trans-Africa-trips-by-Toyota-and-LR

I love our Land Rover, but would still live to have a 60- or 80-series Land Cruiser. I've loved the FJ62 since I was a kid.

The Ghost Rider, Sweden’s Serial Speed Limit Violator, Giving Away Hayabusa

2012-01-05T13:01:00.001-08:00

To some he's a renegade who operates outside of the law. To others, he's a hazard that will end up killing himself or an innocent bystander. To all, he's the Ghost Rider. The world's most famous serial speed limit violator is giving away his 500 HP Turbo Charged Hyabusa. The turbo charged Hyabusa has been [...]

http://blog.compacc.com/2012/01/the-ghost-rider-swedens-serial-speed-limit-violator-giving-away-hayabusa/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-ghost-rider-swedens-serial-speed-limit-violator-giving-away-hayabusa

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650

2012-01-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

Ken Glassman Reviews the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650.

Back in December of 2006, Kawasaki introduced a new motorcycle to the press, up in the mountains east of San Diego, the Ninja 650R. The new Ninja was designed to address a market that had been ignored for many years. The purpose of the bike was to appeal to those who wanted a fun, stylish, easy to ride motorcycle that would be entertaining for both new and experienced riders, male or female. It could carve up a challenging twisting road, or serve as an ideal commuter. And it would get good gas mileage and go easy on the checkbook. It would be what two decades earlier might have been affectionately or admiringly referred to as a UJM – a Universal Japanese Motorcycle. A single motorcycle that could do everything well, and appeal to a wide audience. The Ninja 650R was an immediate hit with the buying public, surprising even the folks at Kawasaki, and the bike sold out its production run that year even before the start of summer. They could have sold thousands more.

http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/bikes-2012-kawasaki-ninja-650

A Year's Worth of Nissan GT-Rs at the Nürburgring

2011-12-30T20:37:00.001-08:00

If you live within the European Union or at least in a neighboring country like Russia or Turkey, and you happen to own a Nissan GT-R (or any sports car, for that matte), the best place to thrash your car is without doubt the world famous Nürburgring race track in Germany.

And given the price of the GT-R, it shouldn't surprise anyone that many owners were indeed able to afford the trip and live the magic of the Nordschleife.

For the rest of us, we'll have to do with a four-minute long video prepared by a YouTube user, which includes many of the Nissan GT-Rs that were spotted on the 'Ring throughout the year. Enjoy the video right after the break.

Read more »

2012 Dakar Rally Starts on Sunday

2011-12-30T13:33:00.001-08:00

The 34th edition of the Dakar Rally, which is regarded as the toughest auto racing event in the world, starts in Mar Del Plata, Argentina on Sunday, January 1, 2012. This year the event covers 5,000 miles through Argentina, Chile and Peru. It will finish in Lima on January 15, instead of returning to Argentina as it has the past three years.

As we reported a few weeks ago last year's winner, Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar, has teamed up with Robby Gordon to drive a second Hummer in 2012. In many ways this gives Gordon a greater chance than ever to capture the victory he has long relished.

While Americans and Middle Easterners will be cheering on the Hummer duo, Europeans will undoubtedly be rooting for the Monster Energy Rally-X team of five Mini All4 Racings and three BMW X3CCs. Two of the Minis are being driven by Nina Roma, a former motorcycle winner, and Stéphane Peterhansel, who has won nine times.

Since Volkswagen is not competing after winning for three years in a row, the only sure outcome of this year's event is that we will see something other than a Volkswagen Touareg or Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero on the podium for the first time since 2000.

Other American competitors to follow include Mark McMillin/Gary Arnold in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Darren Skilton/Skyler Gambrell in a Baja Automotive Revolution 6 and Robb Rill/Benjamin Slocum in a Desert Warrior. It's also worth keeping an eye on the Mexican team of Joaquin De Uriarte/Ivan Klein who are driving the Ford Raptor that Sue Mead/Darren Skilton drove in 2011 to a class win. Famous Baja motorcycle racer Johnny Campbell is co-driving for Robby Gordon, while Gordon's former co-driver Andy Grider is co-driving for Argentinean Orlando Terranova in a Toyota.

A daily summary of the Dakar Rally will be shown at the ungodly hour of 1.30 am EST (or 10.30 pm PST) each night on NBC Sports, which is the new name for the Versus Channel, from January 2. However, if you would like to keep track in real time check out the Dakar Rally website, the blog on Robby Gordon's Speed Energy website, or that of Toyo Tires, his tire sponsor.

http://blog.roadandtrack.com/2012-dakar-rally-starts-on-sunday

Give Me a Break GM

2011-12-30T13:09:00.001-08:00

If you purchased a 2012 Chevy Sonic you might want to check and see if the car's brake pads are all there as GM now admits they may have shipped as many as 4,296 of them without them. Also, they're not notifying anyone until mid-January. Happy New Year! More »

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/vo9M-QQr3Ts/gm-admits-it-maybe-forgot-to-put-brake-pads-on-your-chevy-sonic

Cost-saving measures are getting out of hand! And this on top of taxpayer bailouts of a failing auto industry...

The original General Lee is for sale [Video]

2011-12-29T04:55:00.000-08:00

The Dukes of Hazzard's first General Lee is going up for auction next month at the Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson. This is the 1969 Dodge Charger that started it all and it's expected to change hands for something north of $450,000. More »

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/J7x-ibo16X8/the-very-first-general-lee-is-for-sale

The show probably destroyed enough to increase costs due to the rarity of surviving Chargers...

Official: Lotus Exige R-GT rally car gets first shakedown test

2011-12-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

Lotus has been busily preparing its new Exige R-GT rally car, and the automaker just put the racer through its first shakedown tests in Turin, Italy. So far, the Lotus team is happy with the vehicle's progress, but testing will continue in 2012 as the company prepares to take on the 2012 FIA World Championship. Don't expect the Exige R-GT to take on too many gravel stages, however. Lotus says the rally car will lock horns with competitors in the FIA GT Class on the asphalt events in Monte Carlo, Tour de Corse and San Remo.

Lotus began working on its rally fighter in July, 2011, which is a pretty quick turn around for the vehicle's first shakedown run.

But the Exige R-GT Rally Car isn't the only tasty piece of news from the company. Lotus also fired up the company's IndyCar engine for the first time as well. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Lotus Exige R-GT rally car gets first shakedown test

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/27/lotus-exige-r-gt-rally-car-gets-first-shakedown-test

If Mad Max had a rally car

2011-12-27T13:10:00.001-08:00

Much as we respect today's crop of four-wheel-drive, turbocharged, high-tech rally cars, there's something that's missing. That something is a massive V8 in a full-caged muscle car charging sideways through a forest. More »

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/kS1rjMvarXQ/if-mad-max-had-a-rally-car

At Least Neither is Beige

2011-12-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

Why the new Mustang is limited to 112MPH

2011-12-20T08:03:00.001-08:00

I was impressed with the new 2011 V6 Mustangs. They could hang with tactical car up to 110mph, unless they had to turn. Well, some one took the limiter off their new Mustang and, at 135MPH, the drive shaft fell out.

http://www.saysuncle.com/2011/12/20/why-the-new-mustang-is-limited-to-112mph

Land Rover LR3 Brakes

2011-12-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

It's a disc brake! No, wait, it's a drum? What? It's both?

A Curious V-Strom

2011-12-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

A curious V-strom, completely converted to ride from Paris to Dakar, which it obviously did. Different suspension, different brakes, wheels, tires, rear frame, saddle... well everything except main frame engine and front cowling I guess...

Objects at Rest...

2011-12-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

The big black Vee, silently sleeping.

2012 Smart For-Us Concept

2011-12-08T11:28:00.000-08:00

smart is turning the automotive world upside down once again and challenging ideas about what an urban pickup should look like. In a tongue-in-cheek manner the for-us signals that this is the right car for the young and young-at-heart with active lives who attach importance to low emissions and taking up minimum road space. The smart for-us translates the practical loading concept of a pickup to the reality of 21st century urban traffic for the first time.

With its exterior dimensions (length/width/height: 3547/1506/1701mm) it could almost go unnoticed on the loading area of a typical pickup, and it also anything but ordinary under the body. Thanks to the state-of-the-art electric drive with a55 kW magneto-electric motor the zero-emission smart for-us is agile and lively to drive. It will celebrate its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (14 - 22 January 2012).

2012 Smart For-Us Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

This little smart runabout reminds me of Suzuki's X-90, but with a small utility bed.

How to Lube Your Motorcycle Chain

2011-12-06T12:47:00.000-08:00

It's a query almost as old as the Bard himself: When it comes to lubricating your chain, what is the right stuff?

Well, is the chain an O-ring type? (For practical purposes, we will use "O-ring chains" to refer to all the various cross-sections of such seals.) Or is it just a simple roller chain, with no rubber rings of any kind? Some manufacturers recommend using a lube specifically formulated for O-ring chains; others say these lubes can still harm the O-rings and that you should use 90-weight gear oil. Some OEMs and chain manufacturers insist you clean the chain first with kerosene, gasoline or a high-flash-point solvent (one that won't easily ignite).

To try and clarify the issue, we spoke with P.J. Harvey, president, chairman, CEO and founder of PJ1 Products. He's been in the business for almost four decades, and although he did not actually invent chain lube, he has certainly influenced its formulation for both plain roller and O-ring chains.

I personally prefer to use Bel-Ray's Blue Tac Chain Lube to reduce oxidation and maintain the chain life. In a pinch, I have used chain and bar oil for chainsaws or even 80W90 gear oil.

How to Lube Your Motorcycle Chain

Parisodigy - Smack My Bike Up

2011-12-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

I'm not a fan of irresponsible riding on public roads. That being said, this is a great video.

Parisodigy-SmackMyBikeUp - YouTube

Dakar 2012 Rally

2011-12-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

It's coming. The 2012 Dakar Rally. I'm getting excited already.

Spy Shots: Jaguar XF "Sportbrake" wagon caught in the wild

2011-11-26T16:06:00.001-08:00

It was confirmed over the summer that Jaguar was working on an XF wagon, and now the spy photogs at KGP have caught it testing. We've been told it's called the XF Sportbrake, and it's hard to pin down the exact lines in back with those bulging light units, but it should make itself right at home in the handsome XF line.

This car will begin the expansion of Jaguar's lower-end offerings as it tries to win over the buyers that have been lining up for Audi and Mercedes wagons. The last time Jaguar had an entry level load-lugger, the unlamented X-Type Estate. The XF Sportbrake, even with the swirlies and disguised taillights, already looks promising, and we know from experience that the 2012 XF sedan is a terrific driver.

Don't get too excited about it, though, because it's not heading Stateside. Jaguar's U.S. VP of communications released this statement:

Today in the news from the UK, Jaguar Cars confirmed the ongoing development and testing of a new Jaguar XF derivative, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake (a sport wagon). No vehicle information is being released at this time. Please be aware, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake is not scheduled to come to North America due to significant design changes that would be required to meet U.S. federal regulations.

So there. You can admire it from afar in the attached photo gallery, at least.

http://www.carsbase.com/photo/Jaguar-X_Type_Estate_mp25_pic_48397.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/26/jaguar-xf-sportbrake-wagon-caught-in-the-wild/

The world’s cheapest car gets a revamp

2011-11-26T16:00:00.001-08:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15815850

The world's cheapest motor car, India's Tata Nano, has been given a makeover, after disappointing sales since it was launched in 2009.

The 2012 Nano will be available in more colours and have more luxurious interiors, as part of an effort to rejuvenate its appeal.

The manufacturers also say the car will be more fuel-efficient.

Tata motors, which makes the Nano, also manufactures British luxury cars Jaguar and Land Rover.

The modifications were made after feedback from Nano owners, Tata Motors' India operations director, PM Talang, is quoted by AFP news agency as saying.

The engine will be increased by three horsepower to 38 and the company says the inside of the car will be quieter.

The car's makers say they hope the new model will help to increase sales. The price of the car will remain the same.

Last December it was reported that sales of the Nano had plunged by 85% compared with a year earlier.

Analysts pointed out that a series of fires in the Nano may have contributed. Tata offered free safety upgrades for the model.

It was launched in 2009, amid great fanfare as a car costing just 100,000 rupees ($1,979; £1,366). Tata owner Ratan Tata described it as a "milestone" at the time.

————

3 horsepower up to 38 ..3?

cheap ass crap that will break down within 2 years..but you can get cool colours..

401

http://seeker401.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/the-worlds-cheapest-car-gets-a-revamp/

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Arizona to Guatemala: Driving a Defender 110 OUT of the U.S., part 2

2011-11-23T12:45:00.001-08:00

Phase 2: Southeastern Mexico

Not long after driving through the southern foothills of Pico de Orizaba, we dropped down to the expansive sea-level marshlands in the state of Tabasco. The majority of the autopista through these parts was a raised roadbed. We were now hoping to slow down our pace in order to visit some Mayan sites. But before that, we made a quick stop off at Parque Museo La Venta in the town of Villahermosa, Tabasco. This is one of the premier collections of Olmec artifacts, in a lakeside-jungle setting in the heart of the urban city center. From what I learned the Olmecs pre-dated the Mayans, did not construct many large temples/pyramids, but did carve huge stone statues (notably, giant heads).

A modern statue in a fountain at Parque Museo La Venta.

Many of these statues were moved to this museum from surrounding areas, and displayed outdoors along paths through a dense jungle crawling with coati. When deep back on these paths, one would think they were in a remote jungle – were it not for the occasional honking of horns & engine noises coming from the cars on the crowded city streets a few hundred meters away.

Several examples of the huge Olmec stone statues.

I was in some of these places about 20 years ago, so it's neat to see how things change over time.

More: http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/featured-adventures/551-arizona-to-guatemala-driving-a-defender-110-out-of-the-us-part-2.html

Report: Marchionne says Jeep Wrangler will only be built in Ohio

2011-11-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Jeep, Off-Road

The Jeep Wrangler is as much American icon as the Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Corvette, and Toledo, Ohio is rightly proud of its off-roader. If it's up to Sergio Marchionne (and it is), Wrangler production won't happen anywhere outside the northern Ohio town.

Allpar reports that at the event announcing the $1.7 billion investment to develop the next-gen Jeep Liberty, the Chrysler CEO also confirmed that the Wrangler will always be built in Toledo, adding that it's "unthinkable to assemble a Wrangler somewhere else."

While Wrangler production won't leave Toledo, production there remains limited to around 160,000 vehicles annually. The Wrangler's assembly plant was never designed for expansion, so increasing capacity would be an expensive proposition.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/19/marchionne-says-jeep-wrangler-can-only-be-built-in-ohio/

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Land Rover

2011-11-16T13:38:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aODSv98aAZw&sns=em

The B-Specs Keep Coming! Mini Joins the Fray with Turn-Key Cooper Hardtop Race Car

2011-11-16T12:09:00.001-08:00

Mini has announced that it, too, will get in on the new B-Spec racing action with a race-prepped Mini Cooper Hardtop. Mini USA has partnered with Mini of Charleston, South Carolina, to offer B-Spec–compliant turn-key Cooper race cars. Like most of the other participating automakers, Mini will also sell Spec-ready conversion kits for those who already own a 2007-2012 Mini Cooper and have the racing itch.

Who knew small, cheap race cars with their own competitive racing class would catch on? The 2012 SCCA, Grand Am, NASA, and World Challenge seasons haven't begun yet and already the B-Spec field is crowded. The Mini B-Spec racer, per B-Spec regulations, is mostly stock—its engine produces the same 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque as a normal Cooper. It gets required safety equipment like a roll cage, racing seat and harness, and a window net. The Mini rides on KW V1 coil-overs and the brakes get heavier-duty pads and braided lines. Finally, the Cooper rolls on a set of itty-bitty 15-inch alloy wheels and Hoosier racing slicks. Like Mazda, Mini backs amateur race drivers with its Motorsport Awards Program, which awards cash prizes for racing successes.

Mini USA will announce pricing for both the racing kits and the fully prepped, turn-key Coopers closer to the start of the 2012 racing season. In the meantime, the company will show off a B-Spec prototype at this week's L.A. auto show. We don't know about you, but the Car and Driver office is geeking out over a racing series for inexpensive, buzzy little hatchbacks.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/RPRaZK3ivhg/

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Watch the US Fiat 500 Abarth Unveiling

2011-11-16T11:44:00.000-08:00

Watch the US 500 Abarth launch today at 1:35 p.m. PST/4:35 p.m. EST. Make sure you bookmark this site and tune in a little early to get a good seat!

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Fiat500USA/~3/j52Cy4rogc4/watch-us-fiat-500-abarth-unveiling.html

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“I’m a driver. I’m a winner. Things are gonna change, I can...

2011-11-16T11:16:00.001-08:00

"I'm a driver. I'm a winner. Things are gonna change, I can feel it.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thisisnthappiness/~3/QyO9SfmaPTE/12888071713

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Gory German work safety video is ironically NSFW [Video]

2011-11-15T14:34:00.001-08:00

Before they start making you drive a forklift at your factory job, watch this video. Otherwise you might not know how you're about to brutally murder all of your coworkers. As usual, it's the hard-nosed Germans to the rescue in this ironically NSFW video. More »

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/KuS63qIqYqc/gory-german-work-safety-video-is-ironically-nsfw

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BRD Taking Pre-Orders for the RedShift

2011-11-11T16:27:00.001-08:00

BRD Motorcycles has announced it is accepting pre-orders for the RedShift, an electric design that engineers claim will challenge top-end 250cc motocross bikes.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1/11534/Motorcycle-Article/BRD-Taking-Pre-Orders-for-the-RedShift.aspx

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F1: Hamilton Leads Wild P2 At Abu Dhabi

2011-11-11T07:19:00.001-08:00

Lewis Hamilton was the fastest man in Friday's second practice at Yas Marina Circuit while two of his top rivals found trouble...

I'm having a hard time staying interested in F1 anymore...

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-lewis-hamilton-leads-wild-p2-at-abu-dhabi/

Three Days In With The V8 Vantage

2011-11-09T12:11:00.000-08:00

Driving the Vantage for the better part of the work week, I’ve found that my lists of “likes” and “dislikes” is far different that it would have been after just one day. Like any new car experience, some of the things that strike you as strange when you first climb behind the wheel start to fade after a bit, and new loves/peeves crop up to fill your consciousness. Most of these, good and bad, are little things that are hard to notice until you’ve been in a car for a few days; I’ll deal with the big picture stuff in more detail later.

Still one of my favorite cars...

Winding Road | Blog: Three Days In With The V8 Vantage

Kwikasfaki GSX-R400 Kawasaki H2 750 Custom

2011-11-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

Kwikasfaki GSX-R400 Kawasaki H2 750 custom

A couple of comments on the Kawazuki post pointed out another Suzuki frame with a 2 stroke transplant, and after a quick look at the photos, this one, "Kwikasfaki," is simply a lesson in how to do it right. The entire build is documented in a very long (60 page) thread on the Custom Fighters forum with lots of in progress pictures.

Kwikasfaki GSX-R400 Kawasaki H2 750 custom

The major pieces are a GSX-R400 gk76a frame, GSX-R upside down forks, an R6 swing arm and a Kawasaki ex-drag bike H2 750 triple engine. The wheels are brand new Dymags that he found on eBay with the tires. Very nice.

Kwikasfaki GSX-R400 Kawasaki H2 750 custom

If you want all of the details I suggest you start going through the build thread, but the bottom line is this is a really superb project. Excellent work!

Thanks to Justin and Talon for the pointer to this bike.

Link: Custom Fighters Kwikasfaki build thread

http://www.topix.net/motorcycles/2011/11/kwikasfaki-gsx-r400-kawasaki-h2-750-custom?fromrss=1

Odometer Poker

2011-10-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

Mama Mia! Novitec Supercharges Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

2011-10-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

Beautiful. But not the right color...

German tuning company Novitec has slapped a snarling supercharger onto the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale. The result is a 646-bhp take on the Italian grand touring car, which, in standard MC Stradale format, is already a rapid performance machine. Someone at Novitec didn't agree. The 0-60 mph time drops from approximately 4.5 for the stock Stradale – which isn't sold in the U.S. – to 3.9 seconds in the supercharged Novitec variant.

In our road test of the 2012 GranTurismo MC, the top performance model sold stateside, we said the car had "the feel of a machine perfect for the gentleman racer, with the emphasis on gentleman." The 444-bhp 4.7-liter V-8 engine, 6-speed Autoshift transmission, and more aggressive exterior made the car worth its $143,850 asking price. The Novitec equipment, which includes sport exhaust, lowered suspension, and staggered alloy wheels (21 inches front, 22 inches rear) sets you back an additional $31,900.

That pits the car against heady competition, such as the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Porsche 911 Turbo S, and Audi R8 5.2-liter FSI Quattro.

http://blog.roadandtrack.com/mama-mia-novitec-supercharges-maserati-granturismo-mc-stradale/

Roland Sands Designs Triumph Scrambler For Charity Auction

2011-09-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

I like some of Sands' bikes, but this one doesn't even compare to Hammarhead's Jack Pine.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2011/06/22/the-way-of-the-desert-sled/

Roland Sands Designs is customizing a Triumph Scrambler and a Triumph Thruxton to raise money for the Tony Hawk Foundation.

The custom Triumph Scrambler, pictured in the rendering above, and the Thruxton will be sold at the Tony Hawk Foundation's "Stand Up for Skateparks" gala auction Oct. 2 in Beverly Hills, Calif. Funds raised will help build public skateparks in low-income communities.

Other items available for auction include skateboards autographed by Tony Hawk and other professional boarders and guitars autographed by musical acts such as Pearl Jam, Green Day and Taylor Swift.

For more information about "Stand Up for Skateparks", visit http://standupforskateparks.org/.

[Source: Roland Sand Designs, Tony Hawk Foundation]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motorcycle/the-sidecar/~3/GyXb1h7UQBU/

2014 Toyota Supra: We wish this was it [Toyota Supra]

2011-09-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

The will they/won't they drama surrounding Toyota and the building of a successor to the venerable Supra's getting old, but if fresh rumors prove true this might get shifted from a Ross-and-Rachel situation to a full-on Moonlighting. If so, the car will need a fresh new look. Here's one such speculatively-rendered design. More »

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/zFJ4qZN7rSI/2014-toyota-supra-we-wish-this-was-it

Hemmings Find of the Day – 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2

2011-09-27T06:04:00.000-07:00

Admittedly, we've run quite a few Studebakers and, in particular, Avantis as Hemmings Finds of the Day. It's hard not to when we see cars like this 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2 – reportedly the first Avanti sold to the public – come through the system. Even if it didn't have such provenance, it's still one heck of a finely restored supercharged and fiberglass-bodied independent. From the seller's description:

This Avanti R2 coupe is # R1004, an interesting collector car. It is one that has been reported as the first Avanti Sold to the public. This R2 equipped with the Studebaker 289 cid Paxton supercharged V-8 with Carter AFB carburetor, high-lift cam, dual point distributor, clutched cooling fan, high compression heads and dual exhausts… This Avanti has automatic transmission with 455 rear end gearing which performed amazingly. During body-off restoration, it was determined the car was originally produced with the 455 rear end. There are other unique features on this Special Avanti; the taillights are early production prototypes. Avanti has been a good deal in the collector-car hobby for decades. Avanti has head-turning styling and was loaded with some very notable advancement in body construction, brake technology front disc brakes, safety features built in roll bar, and more.

See more Studebakers for sale on Hemmings.com.

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/09/27/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1963-studebaker-avanti-r2/

New-to-me V-Strom

2011-09-04T10:35:00.000-07:00

V-Strom Cases

2011-09-04T10:34:00.001-07:00

Truth in Advertising

2011-09-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

Nir-van-a

2011-09-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

What could be more awesome than a Synchro Westy?

Official: Aston Martin shows off new Vantage GT3 racer

2011-08-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Aston Martin improve on the already gorgeous Vantage. I always preferred it to the modern DB-series anyway, so I can't wait to see it in proper Gulf livery in 2012.

Recent endurance races have seen Aston Martin fielding cars at every level of competition, and the British sportscar manufacturer isn't about to give up its strategy of proliferation.

The proof? A few months back, we brought you word that Aston was planning on replacing its DBRS9 with a new Vantage-based racer for the GT3 category to slot in between the GT2 and GT4-spec Vantages. And here it is.

Based on the V12 Vantage road car, the Vantage GT3 packs a dry-sump 6.0-liter V12 with 600 horsepower mated via carbon-fiber propshaft to an Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission, equipped with competition-spec ABS and traction control for those wet laps around the Nordschleife.

Of course, the VLN Nürburgring series isn't the only championship for which the new Vantage GT3 is eligible, designed as it has been from the outset to race in the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Blancpain Endurance Series and others.

Deliveries are scheduled to commence early next year with a price tag of £298,000 - $489,000 USD by today's rates. Even if you haven't got that kind of cash on hand, you can check out Aston's latest in the press release after the jump and the high-res image gallery.

Continue reading Aston Martin shows off new Vantage GT3 racer

Motorbike Demotivational Posters

2011-07-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

Test

2011-06-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Vintage Honda Prices

2011-06-22T16:19:00.000-07:00

I remember when these bikes had asking prices that were reasonably close to their values. They are neither rare nor unique, but are loads of fun. I wish I would have kept the few I have owned over the years. On the other hand, they are significantly more reliable and have longer lives than the generic plastic fantastic bikes from Asia these days.

This Honda only has 590 miles on it. It's all original. Has new tires, battery, carb kit, tune up kit ect. Everything works. This bike was adult owned and not torn up like many of these old Honda's were!! Starts right up and runs like a new one.

Location: AUSTIN
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/2456183436.html

New custom aluminum cases by ep!c

2011-01-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

I had a pair of custom panniers and racks built for my DL1000 V-Strom, waiting for them to arrive now. The builder is a one-man operation, so it took a little longer than I had hoped. The cases and racks look good, and they're about half the cost of anything else on the market.

I'm excited to get them mounted on the Vee and start abusing them soon! More to come...

New to me V-Strom

2010-08-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

I recently picked up a used 2005 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom. It needed a little attention, but is in pretty good shape already. I can't wait to get it out on the road. My old Ninja 250 feels like a bicycle or moped now...

Hitchhiker...

2010-08-27T13:20:00.000-07:00

Look what followed me home today...

Stampede Trail Alaska via ATV and thinking of McCandless

2010-07-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to go riding near Healy, AK on the Stampede Trail by ATV this fall. I spent a few hours on a 350cc Grizzly, going about as far down the trail as I'd like to given my preparation and experience level, though I'd love to go again and do more exploring.

The trail is infamous for being the route that Christopher McCandless took on his final adventure. I believe that he had high hopes and dreams, but was not prepared for the Alaskan wilderness. It's a sad reminder to always enjoy adventures within your abilities, let someone know where you're going and have safety on your mind.

The terrain is so beautiful and rugged. I'm looking forward to the next trip to Alaska.

GM plant closures

2009-06-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick little map outlining GM plant closures, in an attempt to keep some portion of the company viable for the future. The map locations also note planned closure dates. Thanks Jalopnik!

View Larger Map

Triumph Scrambler

2009-02-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

The Triumph Scrambler, new for 2006, is a tough standard at home either on dirt and gravel or in the city. Sporting an optional number plate indicating a tie to Steve McQueen's racing career.

Coming in around $8,500 new, the air-cooled, carb'd (now FI), 59hp/51ft.lb 865cc parallel twin sits at about 450lbs. It has a 5-speed gearbox, chain-drive and a 32" seat. A single seat with rear rack is optional, perfect for a big ADV-style aluminum box. A 17" rear and a 19" front wheel give confidence on and off road. A 4.2 gallon tank should give decent time between stops.

City cars, three-wheelers, leaners and future concepts

2009-01-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

There are quite a few unique lightweight vehicles on the horizon. Many of these vehicles have motorbike-derived engines for higher efficiency. Some are more practical, some well-suited for commuting duties, any of which would be welcome in my garage.

BMW's Clever (Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transportation), a tandem two-seat leaning three-wheeler. The concept is shooting for a cost around $10-13k. Just about right to offset the Chevrolet Suburban.

Here without the skin, you can see the design a bit closer.

The NARO project, from the UK. It's a bit like a pair of motorbikes connected as a tarmac-bound catamaran, tandem seating as well.

The Fiaro Carver is another tandem, leaning three-wheeler. Looks to be very similar to the Clever.

As far as smaller city cars and three-wheelers, I still prefer to have two up front and one at the rear.

Liberty Motors in Seattle, WA has created a classic Morgan-inspired three-wheeler. It runs a modern Harley-Davidson engine for reliability and style, as well as ease of maintenance. They call is the ACE; the American Cycle-car Endeavor. Cycle-cars have been around since the internal combustion engine, though more popular in Europe than the States.

Side-by-side seating for two in an open-air roadster.

Simple engineering, classic styling, hopefully this one makes production.

The high-tech Loremo concept, a beautiful two-seat commuter. It's twin-cylinder diesel engine returns 120mpg with style, capable of 100mph.

Long Way Round rides (the short version) - 071508

2008-11-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

Occasionally, I like to reproduce my own Long Way Round (Austin) adventure. Knowing that I will probably never ride around the world, or maybe not even my own country, I give my home state roads the attention that I can.

I work on the west side of Austin, TX and live north of it all. I like to ride the twistiest roads I can find counter-clockwise until I reach home. I take the boring commute of 20 miles and stretch it to around 60, depending on the route.

I have started to track some of my better rides on Motowhere. This is my latest.
http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/...stin-rideabout

I begin near I-35 and Parmer. No fun pics here, just work and traffic. I go Parmer to MoPac to 360, more traffic, but looking better the closer I get to the Colorado. Before the Colorado, I take Old Spicewood Springs road to the right. Very curvy and shady, nice in Texas summers.

I pulled down off Old Spicewood Springs road to the Adirondack Trail where it crosses the Bull Creek. I've seen it over the road and impassible so many times in the past...

A Ninja hiding in the brush.

A bit dry lately.

One of a few neat little pools.

The Ninja 'off-road'

Across the Colorado and off on Bee Caves (2244). 71 to 620 gets a bit urban, but still nice vistas. Roll over Mansfield Dam and slow down to take in the view, though it is easy to get excited on a sporty bike.

Left on Comanche trail ends the speed runs. I rode all the way to the end this time, visiting Wentz and McGregor (Hippie Hollow) parks.

A big drop-off.

One of many mini-mansions built into the hill sides.

THIS is what's for sale?!?

I was amazed to find that the bluff was for sale.

McGregor has an exit that you can roll around on a bike when they are closed.

Back up the road to Oasis Bluff and left on Bullick Hollow road. Down to Cypress Creek park, this sign used to be at the water's edge...

Nice shady rest.

Left on Anderson Mill (2769) and down to Volente, then on to everyone's favorite, Lime Creek Road! I stopped off at Sandy Creek Park for a drink and some shade.

The KLR rider was nowhere to be seen...

After the rest, Lime Creek road beckoned, hence the end of the photos. I hit Anderson Mill Road again, then 1431 (Whitestone) and Vista Rock to Crystal Falls, which finally is open all the way through!

Hit Google Maps or Motowhere and find the roads that near you that make you feel like a part time adventurer, even if you can't afford a support crew or photographer!

Ninja 250 Lime Creek Road run - 2007?

2008-11-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics from a previous Ninja 250 ride on Lime Creek road. One guy went straight when he was in a corner and hit the only rock in the ditch. I think he hit a tar snake. I re-aligned his forks on the spot and strapped his fairings to my luggage rack for the ride back. Lime Creek has a collection of bits and pieces of bikes and cars that run too hard.

Gathering around the Rock.

Ninja versus Rock. Rock win. He actually held on and did not drop the bike!

The usual suspects lined up at the Volente Beach water park. Can you believe that we are Harley-tolerant?

All the flavors of the rainbow.