Hasta La Ideas

An innovative addition to motorcycling’s sweet spot

Honda’s NC700X, the newest addition to the Japanese manufacturer’s line, is a crossover bike designed to give riders the best of both worlds. Highlighting efficiency while retaining sports performance, the motorcycle is equal parts commuter, street racer and weekend warrior. The bike is what you make of it—an open platform approach to transportation that is sensitive to rider demands. In a sign of its universality, the bike will be distributed globally—a rarity in the motorcycle world—with the idea that this model can handle remote country touring and European cities alike.

In the development of the new engine platform, Honda leveraged design elements from their Fit automobile’s 117-hp 1.5l, 16-valve SOHC i-VTEC engine. This mechanical cross-pollination significantly reduces development and production cost, which explains the motorcycle’s very accessible price point. Other innovations include an impressive built-in 21-liter compartment for helmet stowage where the gas tank is typically located—resulting from moving the 3.7 gallon fuel tank under the seat, and installing the engine with a slight tilt. The digital LCD instrument panel presents operating data in an easy-to-use format that sacrifices analog looks to communicate information faster than traditional dials. While the standard version sticks to manual shifting, The NC700X DCT ABS version features optional automatic dual-clutch transmission with two automatic modes, as well as a paddle shifting mode that makes for easy control of the bike, especially in high traffic driving.

The NC700X is styled like an adventure bike, but overall the model is suited to city dwellers. Loads of accessories make it easy to convert this narrow-body bike into a respectable touring bike, with extra-large wind screens and 29-liter saddlebags on offer. The chassis design keeps weight centered and low, allowing for spry handling through turns. While the small size and multi-functionality will appeal to newcomers, the 670 cc bike remains respectable. Focused on efficiency rather than power, Honda is able to boast 60+ mpg fuel economy in the new model.

The price point for the NC700X promises to mix up the middle market, starting at $6,999 ($8,999 for the automatic transmission and ABS package). This lowers the barrier of entry of a full-featured bike for first-time and commuter buyers, promising to open the market to a new group of riders. The NC700X will hit dealers summer 2012.

The throwback cafe racer turns heads and nails the curves along Mulholland

by
Matt Spangler

You know the feeling of finding the perfect suit? Any outfit that makes you more confident in everything you do—your steps a little crisper, your handshake a little firmer—is the kind of “feels good, looks good and you know it” experience I had riding the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer over the course of a late-September L.A. weekend.

The V7 Racer is a ode to the original red-frame V7 Sport Telaio Rosso, housing its legendary 90-degree V-twin engine inside the frame, a creation of famed engine designer Giulio Cesare Carcano. It harkens back to the days when racing wasn’t about fully-padded spacesuits and leaning so low your knees touch the ground. It’s a throwback, and design-minded riders are certainly going to love this bike. It’s flat-out beautiful.

Spoke wheels and subtle red metallics that criss-cross throughout the engine interior evoke vintage Grand Prix style and Steve McQueen cruising the streets of Monaco. The Italian V7 Racer has the same kind of wide appeal as the quintessentially-Italian film classic, “La Dolce Vita”—you’ll feel like Marcello Rubini on this thing. The Italian heritage is no accident. Moto Guzzi celebrates its 90th anniversary with the release of the limited-edition racer, which honors the timeless cool of the cafe racer style born from the 1960s European counterculture group, The Rockers, who would “record race” to reach 100 miles per hour before the song playing on the jukebox ended.

Myself, I had Los Angeles as my racetrack. After a morning ride across Hollywood, it was time see what was underneath the looks, and test it in the turns. I took it up to Mulholland Drive—one of my favorite rides for its 30 miles of uninterrupted turns, and a great place to try the speed, handling and brakes of any bike.

It certainly lived up to its racing bike legacy, shining on the curves. I’m over six feet and normally on a new bike, it takes me a few days to get really comfortable with leaning deep into the curve and letting the machine do the work for me as I gas through it. With the V7 racer, I never had that feeling. I was comfortable from the first time I leaned in, making for one of my best Mulholland rides ever. The V7 racer also felt good on a longer, 90-minute drive, carving quickly and easily down the coast from L.A. to Costa Mesa.

Packing just 744 CCs and 45-50 horsepower with a top speed listed at 120 miles per hour, the bike isn’t known for its power. It pops in lower gears but doesn’t have a lot of oomph in the high gears, and it just can’t compete with higher-performance engines. As the bike speeds into the triple digits, there tends to be some rattle in the foot pegs, but that’s just a guess—I would never actually go that fast.

That said, the relative lack of power didn’t interfere with my enjoyment. It’s a racer, meant to champion speed through efficiency and turns, not the long sprint. While some may question the absence of rattle and hum, I preferred the quieter aggressive purr.

This bike is a fantastic ride with good balance, size, power and suspension, as well as a classic cafe racer experience, thanks to the adjustable Bitubo shocks and the front Marzocchi fork. They have a give-and-take that seems to mesh with the road precisely when you need the support.

The handlebar position takes pressure off the wrists and keeps the rider naturally engaged, with the option of leaning forward or sitting more upright. Little flares on both sides of the gas canister fit comfortably against the knees, regardless of a rider’s height.

The number “7” markings on the bike are consistent across the line, a clear and immediate visual tie to the bike’s racing history, but likely one that will polarize riders when it comes to aesthetics. The cafe racer culture always leaned on customization, so I wouldn’t be surprised if people take to their garages to individualize their ride. It remains to be seen whether the company will allow for custom-ordered numbers down the road.

The bike marks somewhat of a renaissance for Moto Guzzi in the U.S. Starting at $9,790, the bike is a damn good buy—if you can get your hands on one. They’re only selling a few of these bad boys, so they’re bound to be a hot ticket. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll get yourself the admiration of passersby, and a solid ride that should meet your expectations.

A new documentary on the world’s first zero-emissions motorcycle grand prix

Following the bold dreams of a handful of racing teams through the trials and tribulations of first and second zero emissions grand prix motorcycle races held on the Isle of Man is Charge, a recently released documentary by Mark Neale. Adding to the tremendous weight of the historical first race is the fact that the Isle of Man TT also happens to be the toughest and most unforgiving race track in the world which has claimed the lives of over 200 racers.

While Charge was seemingly produced on a shoestring, it’s rich in content. The uniquely intriguing stories of the teams involved and contrasting design and development processes of both heavily budgeted student run and corporate backed teams offer an insightful look into the young and still developing world of electric motorcycle racing.

Central to electric motorcycle engineering—and film—is Cedric Lynch, who may just be the most eccentric personality in racing. After dropping out of school at age 12 this self-taught, barefoot, electrical pioneer went on to invent the Lynch motor. Now used in majority of the competitors’ bikes the renamed and updated Agni motor can propel a bike upwards of 130mph while running at 93% efficiency, as compared to an average 30% on standard petrol burning motorcycles.

Through the two races in 2009 and 2010 the viewer is taken through the design and production of some of the first and finest electric grand prix capable motorcycles in the world. And after a few unfortunate tragedies we witness the first time ever an American-built and ridden machine has won a professional TT, helping turn the previously apprehensive locals onto the quieter side of the daredevil sport. Charge grabs your attention and keeps it for its entire 90min run time.

To see the trailer and pick up a copy for yourself directly through Charge’s online store where it goes for $20, although unfortunately only available in the United States and Canada only for the moment.

Superslim body armor and mobile airbags from the leaders of state-of-the-art motorcycle gear

For over 40 years Alpinestars has been developing state of the art technology for motorcycling and motorsports safety. From the racetrack to the street to the sketchiest off-road terrain, Alpinestars leads the way when it comes to motorcycle apparel and protective technology.

The statement, “We believe the best design and research is achieved under extreme conditions,” comes as no surprise, considering Alpinestars products have been through the ringer at the world level, actively protecting top racers in everything from Moto GP to the World Rally Championships. But long before any of their products hit the road, they undergo a laundry list of development and testing.

With research and development facilities in Asolo, Italy and Los Angeles, Alpinestars’ in-house testing laboratories allow their designers and technicians to analyze material construction, strength and flexibility across a wide array of parameters. There’s even a prototype testing facility for measuring the durability of products under insane real-life conditions. Wondering whether your pants will fade? They’ve got a machine that can simulate an entire year of sun exposure in just 24 hours. How will those boots wear? The “walkometer” subjects footwear to hundreds of miles of actual steps in all sorts of varying body weight, stride patterns and surfaces. Couple all the scientific data with the experience of thousands of miles of road testing in the gnarliest of conditions, and Alpinestars can guarantee their products maintain the rigorously high standards the company has set for itself.

Continue reading here.

The focus on technology has led Alpinestars to solve some of motorcycling apparel’s biggest conundrums. One such advancement comes in the form of revolutionized jacket padding that cuts down on typical bulk and discomfort without leaving you unprotected. The solution comes in the form of a premium range of lightweight, slim and pliable protectors called Bio Armor.

Constructed using specially formulated closed-cell foam— engineered with perforations to allow for greater ventilation and weight reduction—Bio Armor protectors offer twice the impact protection with half the thickness. The resulting slimmer profile seamlessly integrates with their jackets in a way that’s much less noticeable than past designs for a better looking jacket with even better protection. All of Alpinestars new jackets for 2011 and going forward boast the latest Bio Armor technology.

Another clever innovation from Alpinestars is electronic, wireless, airbag technology. For over 10 years Alpinestars has been researching and developing the technology to create a state-of-the-art, fully functional airbag system that could ultimately be available to riders everywhere. The system, which provides active yet compact airbags inflate using a nitrogen based gas mix and is powered by a battery pack. Currently, the setup incorporates two bags covering the rider’s shoulders and collar bones, with inflation times of less than .05 seconds.

To accomplish this, Alpinestars created a modified version of their leather racing suit designed specifically to accomodate the necessary electronics, sensors, inflators, and airbags. The Tech Air Race Suit, as it’s called, has been tested and deployed on MotoGP riders and road riders to fine tune the activation parameters. Developments of this active system led Alpinestars to create a now patented dual charge system which offers the rider two airbag inflations without needing to reset or recharge the system. It’s kind of like an extra life, you can crash once and hop right back on your bike, knowing you’ve got the same level of protection if you go down a second time. After that second crash though, you might as well call it a day.

Can’t decide if this is cool or just ridiculous, but either way, the Night Shadow motorcycle inspired by Jaguar’s logo is definitely unique.

Via: LikeCool