2017 Homolgation Kawasaki ZX10RR - Let the winter time come

Kawasaki has released at EICMA its 2017 box of surprises, the mythic ZX10 is now with a double R and it has some really good reasons for it.

After Yamaha released the new R1M full of gizmos and really nice technologies, let's say that Kawasaki wouldn't want to stay behind, so on that year they felt the pressure, as they had no time to develop a ZX10rr to directly compete with the New YZF-R1M.

Now its time for revenge, and boy oh boy !! 

She is only available in this Winter Edition dress of a black paintjob, the new RR is a true homologation, and she is limited to a production of 500 units, ready to hit the track !

Rims: lightweight 7-spoke Marchesini rims, - The lighter rims – which can also be fitted to the standard ZX-10R – reduce gyroscopic effect and the moment of inertia, resulting in faster acceleration, braking, and direction changes.

Tires: 120/70 R17 and 190/55 R17 tyres as the stock R, but supplied as standard with Pirelli’s superb Supercorsa SP rubber.

Engine: The RR gets a modified cylinder head that’s ready to accept high-lift cams, not fitted as standard (they can be ordered as part of the Race Kit). The tappets get DLC coating for reduced friction, and the crankcases are reinforced to deal with the rigors of a race-tune.

Technologies:  a new bidirectional KQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter) that allows seamless shifting up and down the gearbox. This links in with the six-axis IMU that ties traction control, electronic engine brake control, launch control, intelligent anti-lock brakes and KCMF cornering management system together and much more.

It comes as a single-seat option only, saving around a kilo of mass, The RR symbol is engraved into the engine covers, and you get a special RR emblazoned key, too.

The T7

The T7, remember when you were watching the Dakar for the last time and you thought, it would be amazing to own a motorcycle that mimics those amazing custom built machines that are able to eat the desert for breakfast... 

Well look no further becasue apparently Yamaha has a wire tap in our dreams.. admit it, it looks like a dakar model from the Future, I have to say Yamaha's desgns have been the top notch through out the years in every single segment they put their finger on. I mean I don't even get how well their marketing department is working, it really looks like they are listening to what people have to say, either from motorcycle club meetings, MX racers, wannabe Motogp guys and galls, World tourers or even city drivers.

Let's go back to the T7, Imagine you are bored of this Trump thing and all this civilized world bullshit and you just wanna grap those handlebars and twist the throttel and go as far away as possible, well the T7 serves exactly that purpose, and more.. look at these awesome pictures:

This is a mid size Dakar style Rally machine, it will rival bikes like Kawasaky Versys X, Ducati Scrambler Desert, Honda CRF250L Rally etc.. The T7 certainly walks on the footsteps of the old Tenere machines, but this one has KYB forqs, 4 LED headlights behind a transparent screen, an aluminum tank, carbon fairing and bash plate and its big enough for a tour, but also small enough for some hardcore off road stuff.

People have been buying 1200gs's for a long long time, but the Tenere is slowly gaining terrain, and the T7  is based on the MT07 engine the CP2 700 cc engine from Yamaha, which ultimately makes it as nimble as a feather to move around, specially if you get stuck in some mud, I mean with a 1200 gs you just face plant directly, with this , I guess you would be wheeling out of the mud hole. (continue reading and you have the Yamaha presentation movie on the bottom)

Yamaha mentioned this would be the base for a new model in 2018, meanwhile I will continue to Rev my heart ;)

2017 - KTM 790 " the scalpel" concept release @ EICMA

Also known as "the scalpel", the name says it all. precision and power throughout!! I can't wait to put my hands on one. look at all the details and beautiful design of every single piece on this motorcycle!

The objective with this model is that this will be the fastest 800cc motorcylce on the market, it is a gap filler between the existing Duke models and a war declaration to the other brands ;).

Some released info by MCN
2017 KTM 790 Duke Prototype

This is the first official hint – beyond multiple spy shots and KTM boss Stefan Pierer confirming the 800’s existence to MCN during the summer – of the style and intent of KTM’s new family of middleweights.

Powered by an all-new parallel-twin engine of around 800cc, which the firm have dubbed the LC8c (with the ‘c’ apparently denoting ‘compact’), this Duke version looks likely to be the first arrival of what is certain to be a family of bikes from KTM and sister company, Husqvarna. Interestingly, the rumour mill suggests that Husky will debut an adventure styled 800 model during the Milan show.

Highlights

All-new 800cc parallel-twin
First of a new family of 800s
Custom rider modes & TC

KTM say the new 790 Duke will bring “unparalleled poise, telepathic levels of feedback and lightness that’s off the scale” to the mid-market – which all sounds good. With feet back on terra firme, the more likely certainties are that it’ll have a ride-by-wire throttle, multiple rider modes, multi-level traction control and integrated ‘MY RIDE’ connectivity. We wouldn’t be surprised to find a quickshifter, too.

This is all a little way off though, so don’t expect to be wandering into your local dealer with your bank details any time soon. We’d expect to see a production version of the 790 Duke unveiled this time next year, with the bike arriving in dealers in 2018. And it might not be alone if Husky are working on the adventure model, too.

In the video below you can find the reveal of the scalpel by KTM boss Stefan Pierer with help of Brad Miller firing it up.. and it sounds like porn drunk on gasoline :)

Ariel and the Ace R

Everytime I read something about Ariel, I always get fascinated about how this company approaches design and comes up with amazing pieces of engineering. These pieces are obviously functional and beautiful at the same time they can be used for extreme fun or simply for you to stop have a look and admire that machine for hours. Ariel is one of those companies that releases something in really low numbers, so if you are lucky enough to get one (whatever it is: an Atom, Nomad or an Ace) please I urge you to show it around ;). Now for some Ariel facts that come directly from their website:



Innovation. Passion. Daring. Since their first motorcycle in 1901 Ariel have been synonymous with breaking the rules. Minerva, Square 4, Red Hunter, Arrow; all revolutionary in their way. Unconventional and brilliant. And now, over a century later, the Ariel Ace. Following that Ariel tradition but looking firmly at today and into the future. Retro isn't a word in the Ariel dictionary. And Ariel understand the passion, your passion, for motorcycles. Why? Because they're motorcyclists too. Through and through. They ride, they compete, they love and they cherish. So they understand that a motorcycle is more than transport, more than speed and handling. It's an emotion. Inside you. And if you're not a motorcyclist you won't get it. But if you are, you'll understand the Ace.



At the heart of each Ace – that aluminium perimeter frame. Recognisably Ariel, remarkably ingenious. Milled from solid billet; 70 hours of machining time; welded by hand; hard anodised; to form a piece of engineering that is a structural masterpiece but also a work of art. The beauty in a piece of machining, the thought, the care and the precision that has gone into every single compnent. And again, because you love motorcycles, you'll understand.



Ariel power? 

Honda, of course. Used to extremes in the Ariel Atom and now the Nomad. Proven on two wheels millions of times, from commuting to racing, from touring to your favourite stretch of road. Dependable, reliable, exact power. V4, 1237cc, 173bhp. Enough to propel you to 165mph if you're in the mood or cruise along if you're in another. The Ace is designed to fit you and what you want to do; not the other way round. ABS, switchable traction control and shaft drive as standard. Dual Clutch Transmission as option. Choose the manual gearbox and shift yourself or choose the DCT and press a button, or just put it on Auto and let it do it for you. Honda engineering, Ariel tuning, quality second to none. Plus an exhaust note that will make you grin every time you start the bike

The Specs from an Ariel Ace:

ENGINE
76 degree 1237cc Unicam Honda V4
Bore 81mm x 60mm. Throttle by wire

POWER
173 BHP @ 10,000 rpm
Torque 131Nm @ 8750 rpm

GEARBOX
6 speed manual sequential. Switchable traction control

FUEL
12 litres

EXHAUST
Stainless steel exhaust

CHASSIS
Anodised machined and welded aluminium frame

SUSPENSION
Front Showa 43mm adjustable cartridge type telescopic forks
Rear Pro link single sided swing arm. Showa adjustable damper.

BRAKING
Front Twin 320mm floating discs with 6 piston radial calipers
Rear Single 276mm floating disc with 2 piston sliding caliper
Electronic ABS front and rear

WHEELS
Front 17x3.5. Rear 17x6.

TYRES
Front 120/70ZR17. Rear 190/50ZR17

INSTRUMENTS
Digital LCD display with gear indicator, datalogging capability

LIGHTING
LED headlamp, LED brake/stop lamp, LED indicators

BODYWORK
Composite

DIMENSIONS
Seat height 745mm
Wheelbase 1541mm

PERFORMANCE
0 -60 mph 3.1 seconds (0-100kph)
Top speed 165mph (265kph)


Now For the newly released news:


British brand Ariel has announced a sportier version of its Ace motorbike, calling it the Ariel Ace R. Based on a tuned 1,237cc Unicam Honda V4 engine, Ariel says the Ace R will offer a "substantial increase in power over the standard Ace".

Just 10 bikes will be made and more details will be available when the bike makes its public debut at the Motorcycle Live 2016 show from November 19-27. The limited edition bikes are expected to have unique colour scheme and specification.

"We'll release the full specification at the show but I can say that the R has a lot of carbon, a lot of machined aluminium and a lot of power," said Tom Siebert, head of the Ariel Ace Team.

I can't wait to see one on the road, I mean its limited to 10 bikes, its like a gem if you see one riding! :)