All Entries Tagged With: "cool bikes"
BMW M Bike: M Stands For…Manual Pedaling?
When luxury automobile manufacturers get into making mechanical rides, it’s hard not to take notice. That’s why the BMW M Bike, a limited-edition pedal-pusher from the German automaker, is getting plenty of attention.
It’s hard to gauge just how well this bike will ride, given that our experience of the company have been mostly relegated to cars and motorcycles. While I doubt this can stand up to your top-of-the-line road bikes, BMW should make up for it with its bevy of shiny parts – highest-quality leather for the seat with a striking red inlay, eye-popping rims and a generally elegant styling.
The 2.9kg BMW M Bike features a BMW-designed all-aluminum frame with a matte anthracite finish, a Manitou Match suspension fork with an 80mm deflection, Shimano SLX gear system boasting a high gear ratio transmission, a fi’zi:k leather saddle and disc brakes. There doesn’t appear to be any direct [...]
FX Mountain Moto Combines Power Of Dirt Racers With Agility Of Mountain Bikes
Bored with your extreme sports lifestyle? Try something new with the FX Mountain Moto, a hybrid dirt bike/mountain bike that professes a whole, new riding experience.
First unveiled to the world back in 2006, the crossover motorcycle creates an entirely new category of two-wheeled vehicles: the mountain motorcycle. Plagued by production delays and an economic recession, the novel ride appears ready for its first trial production run this year, duly tweaked to deliver even better performance.
At its current configuration, the New Zealand-designed FX Mountain Moto weighs a light 125lbs, qualifying it as “the world’s lightest adult-sized dirt bike.” It comes with a 125cc Honda-Jialing engine putting out 9 horses. Available in both auto and manual configurations, it reportedly achieves a gas mileage of 100mpg.
Being a hybrid of two popular categories of two-wheelers, it combines both motorcycle (Fox Racing Shox, Motocross brake set and Excel 19-inch rear rim) and mountain bike (Marzocchi [...]
T-Rex-14RR-Is-Part-Motorcycle, Part-Formula Racer And Completely Awesome
Bringing an unusual combo of frightening speed, future-worthy looks and three wheels, the 2010 Campagna T-Rex 14RR deserves to be on every thrillseeker’s wish list. We’re not exactly sure what it is – Campagna calls it a “pavement predator” while the Department of Transportation calls it a motorcycle. Official names don’t matter, though – you can tell it’s one blisteringly decadent ride.
Clad in a reverse trike-style frame, the T-Rex looks like the unholy union of a supercar and a sportsbike. And that’s exactly what it is. Production actually begins with a stock Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 that’s torn apart and used in various places throughout the Formula-inspired vehicle. The seating position, sport steering and pedal assembly, however, should make you feel like you’re driving an extremely low-profile sportscar.
The 2010 Campagna T-Rex 14RR comes with a 197hp Kawasaki 1400cc engine, mated to a six-speed sequential transmission. It weighs a light 1,040 lbs [...]
Honey, I Stretched The Vespa: The Stretch Scooter
Stretch automobiles usually point towards luxury as a primary benefit. Not this Vespa Stretch Scooter though, which looks to be more trouble than anything else. Think you can wade through traffic with that? Good luck.
Created by Vespa South Africa, the extra-long “family” version of the iconic vehicle looks like two scooters welded together, with the rear of one and the front of the other chopped off before being paired. The company says it can take up to four people. From the looks of it, the seating appears adequate, even comfortable. Heck, it looks twice as fun as a regular scooter. Driving it, however, could be another matter entirely.
Those sharp corner turns you so easily manage on your two-wheeled Italian scooter? Forget about it. Squeezing in between three cars? Oops…the rear passenger’s leg just hit that Dodge Ram’s bumper. Way cool.
Built as a one-off special for the company’s marketing campaigns (yep, [...]
Uno Goes From Unicycle To Bike As Soon As You Hit High Speeds
The Uno, a parallel-wheeled, self-balancing unicycle, was one of the hottest inventions of last year. It’s so good, in fact, that its inventor – MIT sophomore Ben Gulak – already managed to round up $1 million in investments.
Now continuing development under the banner of the newly-founded BPG Motors, the Uno is undergoing a major change. Apart from working as a two-wheeled unicycle, it can now automatically reorient itself as a bike with both front and rear wheels.
Why the sudden change? According to Gulak, the original design called for the rider to accelerate by leaning forward. While no untoward incidents were caused by this method, the potential for falling over (especially on busy, uneven roads) increased as the vehicle ran beyond 12mph. Since the unicycle was designed to go up to 40mph, they needed to find a way to make it safer.
Thus, the bold decision to completely overhaul the chassis. While [...]
Vintage BMW Bikes From Willy Neutkens’ Collection
Last weekend saw the world’s largest private BMW motorcycle collection go to bidding. Auction firm Bonhams presided over the sale which took Willy Neutkens’ ensemble of 94 of the most important BMW bikes in history to the arms of their new proud owners. Fittingly, the bikes took floor space at the BMW Museum in Munich.
Considered a legendary figure among BMW collectors, the recently-deceased Neutkens (1925 – 2008) is in the Guinness Book of Records for owning the most vehicles of a single make, having amassed an unprecedented roster in his name. After his death, the remaining Nutkens family decided to find new homes for the beloved rides.
Boasting a varied assembly of bikes made between the 20s and the 90s (beginning with the first BMW R32 from 1923 to a R1000R from 1996), it’s a downright impressive list that should leave vintage motoring fans drooling at the lot. According to Bonhams, [...]
CoBi-7 Conference Bike Lets You Hit The Road While Socializing
Apparently available since the mid-nineties, the Conference Bike (officially called the CoBi-7) is easily one of the oddest pedal-pushing contraptions I’ve seen. If you thought having two people share the load on a Tandem Bike was rad, then you’ll realize how crappy that is when this “group” bike rolls in front of you with over half a dozen bodies propelling it.
Fitted with seven seats and seven sets of pedals arranged in a circle, each person’s pedalling contributes to the bike’s overall push. Do note that only one of the seven (the guy in the furthermost seat) can drive and trigger the brakes, since letting everyone steer the thing is only likely to end in disaster.
Originally designed in the mid-nineties by American artist and inventor Eric Staller, the Conference Bike is actually a tricycle that runs on four wheels (I know, you’re confused too). It’s a trike that’s called a “bike” [...]
Zeth Stretched Cruiser Now Up For Sale To One Lucky Long-Limbed Cyclist
Long-limbed cyclists, rejoice! The Zeth Stretched Cruiser’s lanky, overstretched frame might just be what you need to comfortably pedal for once in your life. At least, that’s what I’m guessing.
Creator Vanguard Designs doesn’t exactly market it for the excessively-limbed, but it’s always what I imagined Yao Ming would hit Beijing’s streets with before he was killing it with eight figure paydays from the NBA. For the regularly-sized folks, however, I wouldn’t wish its ergonomics on my own worst enemy.
The Zeth Stretched Cruiser’s unusual, sweeping looks and matte black scheme make it hard for me to peel my eyes off. Staring at it reminds me of the first time I saw an ultra-long lorry in the middle of nowhere – I kept thinking, “There’s no way I can drive that thing, but I really want to.”
Hand-crafted by Vanguard’s team in San Diego, the pedal-pushing cruiser roamed Italian streets last year for [...]
Electric Tandem Bike Powered By Pedal-Pushing Robot
Want to ride a tandem bicycle but can’t find a partner? That wasn’t exactly the motivation behind Joules, but the pedal-pushing, tandem-biking robot should easily make the grade.
According to the creator, who goes by the totally non-anonymous name of Chris, the robotic cyclist was conceived after a challenge was issued by his son, a former bike pro. The idea was to build an electric tandem that is powered by actually pumping the pedals, pushing the ride both around city streets and up inclines all by itself. Of course, since it’s a tandem, you can add your own pedaling efforts, but why bother?
Joules, who sits on the stoker seat and is decked like a humanoid rider, is literally the electric bike’s drive system, working its human-proportional legs to get those wheels a-turnin’. The rear-riding robot was built using 0.25-inch thick 6061 aluminum for majority of its body parts, most of which [...]
Honda Toughens Up Its Cruiser Line With The 2010 Shadow Phantom
It’s official. Honda is looking to give its cruiser bikes a tougher image. No proof is better-suited to reinforce that than the new 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom.
Looking like direct competition to Harley-Davidson’s similarly blacked-out Sportster, the Shadow Phantom offers an entirely new look for Honda’s motorcycle line. With a shorter front fender, beefed up fork and thicker front tires, it’s a burly bike with a very manly, retro feel.
Sporting a low-slung saddle (about 25.7-inches in height), all-black finish with silver accents and an overall custom aesthetic, the Phantom takes the long-running Shadow line into the next level. It’s the first motorcycle in the range with a fuel-injected 745cc V-Twin engine, all blacked-out to blend in with the bike’s overall theme, mated to a five-speed transmission that sends power to the rear via shaft drive. Other bike details include a 64.5-inch wheelbase, forward-mounted foot controls, improved suspension (41mm fork front, five-position [...]
Giant Bowery FMX: Fixed Gear Bike + BMX
Want a bike you can race down the velodrome one moment and pop tricks with the next? Giant’s new Bowery FMX should spin your schizophrenic gears, marrying the track sensibilities of fixed gear bikes with the street stylings of a BMX.
Why outfit a track bike with BMX parts? If you’re not familiar with the burgeoning scene, a growing mass of thrill riders have been making a habit of taking out track bikes in the city, using it to perform freestyle tricks and exhibitions. There are numerous grassroots-level group rides, events and competitions now dedicated to it. So why not get in on the all the fun?
The name probably clued you in already on the bike’s hybrid nature. Designed for responsive urban riding, the FMX sports a light butted aluminum frame, a chromoly fork, three-piece chromoly cranks and a BMX-style saddle seat. The fixed gear mechanism runs off on fast-rolling 700c [...]
Confederate P120 Combat Edition Fighter Ready To Set World Speed Record
A Harley too conventional for you? Wrap your thighs around luxury motorcycle maker Confederate Motor’s latest beast, the P120 Combat Edition Fighter, a futuristic-looking machine that’s gearing up to set the world speed record later this month.
Like the rest of the specialty company’s line of exclusive two-wheelers, the P120 features a cutting-edge design that looks straight out of a science fiction movie (like a sexier version of the motorcycle Terminators, actually). Only one prototype exists today, a model they nicknamed “Arabic 01,” with a limited run of 24 more scheduled within the next two years (only two P120s will be hand-built each month).
The 460-lb bike will run off a 1,966cc 120ci motor, which produces 145 ft/lbs of torque and 160 rear wheel horsepower. Body is built with aircraft-grade aluminum and sports a monocoque backbone, with the fuel tank integrated within the frame. Other details include a 5-speed gear setup, Brembo [...]
The Contortionist: Folding Bikes Reinvented
Folding bikes are all the rage now. It’s not surprising, given the rise of both alternative modes of transport and small city dwellings. While I’ve largely conceded that the Paratrooper Tactical Folding Bike is the sickest one you can get today, the Contortionist just might make me change my mind.
Created by designer Dominic Hargreaves, the new bike separates itself from the pack in more ways than one. While it’s a full-sized bicycle (with large 26-inch wheels), the folded form is considerably smaller than other bikes we’ve seen. Not to mention, it moves from one configuration to another like a breeze and can be pulled when folded (instead of carried, like most similar bikes in the market). In fact, Hargreaves has said that he feels like he reinvented the folding bike – and I have to agree.
The Contortionist sports an unusual-looking aluminum frame, with an even more uncommon design. The front [...]
Sachs MadAss 125: Like A Scooter On Steroids
While not quite a motorcycle, the Sachs MadAss 125 is best represented as a scooter on steroids. Coupling hard-edged motorcycle aesthetics with the lightweight fuel-efficiency of their less-powerful counterparts, it hits the balance between power and practicality right between the eyes.
Despite posting outstanding fuel economy (one review had it at 2.76 liters per 100 kms), fuel savings is hardly even the MadAss’ biggest selling point. Fitted with a unique Sachs frame design, it puts excellent handling and an extremely comfortable riding position (that surprises almost everyone who takes to the bike) as its foremost qualities (apart from the immediately-noticeable aggressive looks, of course).
The bike powers up via a 125cc air-cooled four-valve engine (11bhp), rocks a manual transmission and weighs an extremely light 220lbs. Fuel tank is integrated right on the hollowed-out frame (1.35 gallons), allowing it an even more “naked” styling that really grabs people’s [...]
Chopper Shocker: The Lowrider Bicycle
When the world’s gas supply finally runs out, this is what greasy bikers will be rocking down the road.
The Chopper Shocker borrows its aesthetics from lowrider motorcycles, complete with wide-profile handlebars and low-mounted seat. Its operation, however, is entirely pedal-powered, making it easily the coolest-looking bicycle I’ve ever seen.
Its creators don’t give out much details about the ride, choosing instead to regale us with photos of the unique two-wheeler. That’s no problem, either, given how cool the damn thing looks. Where was this thing when I was 13 and riding bikes all day?
I harbor nothing but doubt, though, about how comfortable it is to ride, but the dude on the picture sure looks like he’s enjoying it. I have a feeling this is a bit difficult to pedal and will probably need to be handled differently, as well. While that posture looks more akin for [...]
Paratrooper Tactical Folding Mountain Bike Makes Pushing Pedals Look Bad-Ass
Planning to drop off a plane into the middle of the jungle and bike your way out for your next vacation adventure? Probably not, but just in case you do, you should look into hauling Montague’s Paratrooper Tactical Folding Mountain Bike.
Used by military personnel for real-world operations, it was originally designed as a ground mobility vehicle for airborne units. Creating little to no thermal and acoustic signatures, it allows ground troops to be able to travel virtually undetected.
For easy carriage, the bike can fold into 36 x 28 x 12 inch dimensions, allowing it to either be dropped on a static line or attached via camo wrap to personnel parachuting off an aircraft. It goes from a full bicycle to its compact form in just 30 seconds by turning a lever on the frame. It comes with a 3 x 3 foot carrying bag to allow [...]
