honda bikes

Twist the Throttle Travels the World of Motorcycles so You Don't Have to

Dylan Weiss of Twisting Asphalt and Speed on Two Wheels fame is serious about motorcycles, and he traveled over 36,000 miles and visited 4 countries with his father Milt in order to shoot footage for his latest project, Twist the Throttle. The series of short clips is broken down by manufacturer, and features BMWs in the Bavarian Alps, Hondas at Motegi, and Ducatis in Northern Italy among others... not a bad array of locations or dream machines.
"The gist was not to do a magazine style comparo between the different brands," explains Dylan, "but rather take the viewer inside the various companies and give them a taste for the experience of riding the bikes on the native roads or tracks..." For a total of over four hours of sportbike intensive footage, go to Discovery Channel's Twist the Throttle microsite.Photo © Cry Havoc Productions, Inc.Click to enlarge
Friday March 14, 2008 permalink comments (2)
Glass is Half-Full for Harley Buyers

Harley may be having a tough go since the economy has-- to put it politely-- slowed down, but their business is growing overseas and they deserve consolation in knowing that many of their competitors are also suffering. Temporary factory shut-downs aside, this is a brand iconic enough to encompass auxiliary revenue streams and branding opportunities that range from events and apparel to co-branded trucks. Though there will always be a contingency that wishes ill upon them, Harley certainly isn't going away any time soon, and they continue to expand their product lineup with bikes like the Softail Cross Bones.
So it's a mixed bag for Harley buyers when BloggingStocks.com offers up some harsh opinions about the Milwaukee-based company; on the one hand, they suggest the short-term outlook is bleak and that an increasing number of Harleys are entering the secondary phase of their life cycles. But on the other, they also observe that second-hand Harley inventory is rising, and that there's a "very slight decline in asking prices." Author Gary E. Sattler says that, "This does spell good news if you're in the market for one, and if that's the case, I envy you." I can't say I disagree.Photo © Tim Boyle/Staff - Getty Images NewsClick to enlarge
Thursday March 13, 2008 permalink comments (5)
Could Human Looking Motorcycles Prevent Accidents?

I recently left a restaurant with some friends when one of them noticed my borrowed ride, a 2008 Ducati 848. "Look," she cooed, pointing to the bike, "it's got a face!" To be honest, I didn't think much about the comment-- after all, it wasn't the first time human features have been associated with a vehicle.
It turns out, however, that Honda engineers have been thinking about the human face. A lot. "The human brain," their 2005 study explains, "exhibits a strong response to facial patterns, especially to the eyes and mouth." The observation led to the extrapolation that human-looking bikes are more quickly recognized by motorists, making them more easily avoided. Honda's ASV-3 concept explored that idea, and according to Money.CNN.com the new DN-01 deliberately incorporates a human look into its front view.
While cutesy human-like expressions have long been incorporated into automotive design (think Bugeye Sprite, Miata, and even Herbie, for starters), an article in Canada.com suggests that the two-wheeled approach is a bit meaner. "The sportbike community really wants an aggressive, hard-edged design," Ducati's John Paolo Canton is quoted as saying. "Nobody wants to buy a 300-km/h motorcycle that looks cute."
Does the human meets machine aspect weird you out, or is the extra measure of safety a fair trade?Photo © Basem Wasef
Wednesday March 12, 2008 permalink comments (7)
Baker Goes Cog Crazy, Builds 7-Speed Transmission

Remember when motorcycles had more gears than cars? Those days ended when automobiles seemed to sprout gears overnight-- the numbers grew to five, six, seven, and eventually even eight (thanks for that glorious touch of excess, Lexus.)
If you're not familiar with Baker, they're purveyors of fine gearboxes tailor made for Harley-Davidsons-- click the "Metric" link on their website, and you'll get a message that reads, "Metric Cruisers? Sorry...BAKER Drivetrain is not har(d)ley compatible." These guys are serious about Harleys, and they're serious about innovation, too; in what could be a potentially endless game of transmission catch up, they've built a prototype seven-speed 'box which custom bike guru Cyril Huze learned about at Daytona Bike Week. The Baker DD7, according to Mr. Huze, is being developed as a replacement for Harley's factory Cruise Drive 6-speed unit. Before you go pooh-poohing their progress, consider their argument, which includes the following points:
Harley's tall 1st gear prevents quick launches, the DD7's shorter gear enables quicker off-the-line acceleration
Harley's 1-piece forged mainshaft handles gears 1-4, and its heft produces clunk; the DD7's mainshaft reduces clunk by incorporating only 1st gear
The 7-speed's new linear roller ball detent improves shift smoothness
The factory unit's straight-cut 1st and 5th gears produce noise, while all of the DD7's gears are helical, allowing them to operate more quietly
It's hard to judge a product-- especially such a newfangled one-- without sampling it, so I'm reserving judgment until I get to shift a DD7 with my own Harley-branded boots... but in the meantime, have you been craving that extra gear (or two, or three)?Photo of DD6 transmission © Baker