underground car a hardline: December 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Kawasaki’s 2010 Motorcyles

Big Green has released the details of the 2010 model line today, and some of the changes are pretty nice. Some of them are simply…meh.

2010 ZX10R

First up is the 2010 ZX-10R Ninja. This is one of the “Meh” entries in the lineup. Not much new to talk about here. They’ve modified the bodywork a little bit. They’ve changed the steering damper to a new–and presumably better–one. And they’ve painted the muffler black. Other than that, next year’s ZX-10R is pretty much status quo ante.

My best advice is to wait for a year if you want a big Ninja. Supposedly, Kawasaki is gonna put the bike through a complete redesign for the 2011 model year. Until then, the new Ninja is pretty much what the old Ninja was.

2010 Versys

Another “meh” is the 2010 Versys. It has new headlights, that kind of have a BMW R1200R kind of feel. But it’s is, again, pretty much the same bike as this year’s.

I think we’re done with the “Meh” bikes in the line-up, though.

2010 Concours14

There are some nice changes to Kawasaki’s premier sports tourer. Not, unfortunately, some of the changes rumored earlier this year, like the night vision and HUD I wrote about a while ago. Instead, the Connie gets something called KTRC, Kawasaki’s first-ever traction control system. Also new is the the K-ACT II anti-lock braking system to control those panic stops, a larger windscreen to solve the complaints about the effectiveness of wind management, bodywork redesigned for better heat management, heated grips, upgraded suspension, and new Bridgestone tires.

Oh, and it’s blue. Blue is nice.

2010 Z1000

The Z1000 is the bike where major changes have occurred. The current incarnation of the Z1000 is OK…but just OK. Nice, but the power is kind of soft and squishy. The new Z1000 looks like a big step forward. It’s pretty much a completely new motorcycle, in fact.

First, the engine is completely new. It’s a 1043cc I-4 power plant adapted from the ZX10R, and it provides 136HP and 91lb-ft of torque. That’s a serious improvement over the current incarnation’s 953cc mill from the ZX-9. That means noticeably better acceleration, and improved top-end speed.

Next, the steel backbone frame is gone, replaced by an all-aluminum frame with a monocoque main spar. Fuel storage is now beneath the seat, so the narrower frame and changed fuel tank offers a narrower profile for better knee gripping. That’s helped by the narrow bottom and flared top of the…uh, whatever the thing on top now is, instead of a fuel tank.

There are lots of suspension changes, too, with the rear suspension being an all-new “horizontal” design, and more aggressive front-end geometry.

The styling has been updated, too, giving it a noticeable B-King vibe, but whether that’s a good thing or not is in the eye of the beholder.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Action

2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Wallpaper

2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Green

2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Black Series

2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Picture

2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Test Road

2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X

2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X Action

2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X Picture

2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X Sport Touring

2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X Test Ride

Balance

An outrageous shot of Peter Collins grappling with a tear off, while completely locked-up, at full speed. Respect.
Peter Collins

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Ward Hawthorne 1938

Sepeda Cruiser 26" ini di Produksi pada Tahun 1938 oleh Cleveland Welding Company, di Ohio Amerika Serikat. Yang mana perusahaan ini juga sebagai Produsen sepeda Roadmaster yang sangat terkenal.
Brand sepeda Hawthorne ini diperjualbelikan melalui toko-toko Montgomery Ward. Sebagian besar sepeda yang ditawarkan oleh Montgomery Ward cukup generik, namun ada beberapa pengecualian, seperti Hawthorne Zep tahun 1939 adalah Desain yang Eksklusif, dan begitu pula 1940-1941 Hawthorne All-American, yang dirancang oleh Desainer Industri terkenal Walter Dorwin Teague. Kebanyakan sepeda Hawthorne diproduksi oleh Cleveland Welding Company, yang mana juga salah satu pemilik Brand Roadmaster, atau HP Snyder, pembuat Rollfast.

New Vintage Red Ballon Tyre Set 26 x 2.125

NOS Vintage Torrington Red Prewar Pedals Bicycle

NOS Vintage Chainguard Clamps

NOS Vintage Hunt Wilde Red Prewar Grips

New Vintage Cruiser Sadle
NOS Vintage Rear Rack 26" Prewar / Postwar Era

Hawthorne Bicycle Advertising 1937 - 1938

Monark Rocket 1951-1957

Manufactured by Monark-Silver King Bicycle Company, Chicago.

A classic bicycle built in Chicago in 1950-51 - its a single speed Monark Rocket cruiser. The frame has been completely Repainted and Rechromed - cleaned and polished - All bearing components including the New Departure coaster brake have been taken apart, cleaned and regreased - Oct 2009. Custom enameled/pinstriped rims and hand made spokes have been repaint . Wide Bars (26 1/2"), Coke Bottle FlexGrips, Brand New Ballon Tires/Tubes (26 x 2.125), Original Teardrop Crank, NOS Red Wald Pedals with Diamond Reflectors. Customed Seat. Customed Rear Rack Handmade Reproduction. Customed Tank Handmade Reproduction. Customed Monark Rocket Decals.

Environment charter a key component for Suzuki product development

Recognizing the changing social circumstances surrounding its global operations, Suzuki Motor Corporation has issued a global environmental charter that clearly outlines its corporate policy to pass on to the next generation a clean environment and bountiful society. Aside from observing environmental laws, Suzuki has also taken the initiative of reducing the pressure placed on the environment by developing eco-friendly vehicles for the global market.

In all its product development efforts, Suzuki engineers are mandated to focus on: (1) improving fuel efficiency; (2) reducing exhaust emissions; (3) promoting the 3Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle; (4) managing and reducing materials with environmental impact; and (5) noise reduction.

Suzuki automobiles have earned a well-deserved reputation for fuel-efficient performance. These have been achieved through engine design, use of continuously variable transmission (CVT), reduced vehicle weight, and better aerodynamics. A new mini-vehicle launched abroad, the Suzuki Cervo SR was introduced with a direct injection intercooler turbo engine and a 7-speed CVT. This achieved emissions 75% lower than 2005 emission standards, the only mini turbo vehicle compatible with the green taxation plan. For its motorcycle models, Suzuki is starting to switch to electronically controlled fuel injection systems to optimize fuel management and reduce emissions for some models launched abroad.

To reduce vehicle weight, Suzuki R&D engineers have improved manufacturing methods to strengthen and reinforce body parts while controlling weight. High-tensile steel is used extensively in all Suzuki vehicles for lighter vehicles with better collision energy absorption. Alternator loads have been reduced to minimize electric power consumption for lamps and other electric components. Suzuki vehicles are also starting to incorporate fuel consumption indicators in their instrument panels to encourage drivers to implement fuel-efficient driving.

For its recycling efforts, Suzuki has succeeded in recycling used glass from end-of-life vehicles, considered a difficult challenge for many automotive manufacturers. This is in addition to extensive application of recyclable resin parts. Suzuki designers are also working to reduce or eliminate environmental impact materials such as lead, mercury, hexavelent chromium, and cadmium in Suzuki vehicles.

Another area that Suzuki is working on is in reducing traffic noise produced by vehicles, particularly those produced by the engine, transmission, intake and exhaust systems, etc. Suzuki vehicles are designed with sound insulation covers to prevent noise leakage.

At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki Motor Corporation exhibited several concept vehicles employing alternative energy sources, including the Burgman fuel-cell scooter, the SX4-FCV, the Swift Hybrid, and a fuel-cell personal mobility vehicle.

Global warming countermeasures, measures for reducing environmental impact substances and measures for recycling are some of the environmental issues that the Suzuki Group has dealt with over the past years. Establishing compatibility between environmental measures and future corporate growth is major managerial challenge for Suzuki. So that the costs of environmental measures are not passed on to consumers, Suzuki has vigorously conducted R&D as well as capital investments in order to provide products of even higher added value.

The Suzuki Group is composed of 177 companies, including sales-related subsidiaries, manufacturing-related subsidiaries, and non-manufacturing related subsidiaries. All Group companies are mandated to implement the Suzuki Global Environment Charter.