Dans 06 hayabusa limited. gone but not forgotten

Sickshooter gsxr 1000

Motorcycle manufacturers roll them out in a variety of fashions, from supermodels laying across the latest muscle machine to touring a limited number of next years models at rallies and biker events. But as excited riders can be to see next years models before they hit the showroom floors, this summer they have the chance to ride into the future of two-wheel possibilities as motorcycle are featured in two science fiction blockbusters hitting the big screen.

As if an answer to the classic Indian motorcycle featured in 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' and an exciting action sequence using a current Harley-Davidson model in the X-Men spin-off 'Wolverine', film makers are using everyone's favorite two-wheeled obsession to add depth to a storyline or character.

In the upcoming revision of the science fiction classic, the leading man is seen speeding across the desert in an early scene in 'Star Trek' being released nationwide on May 8th. On what appears to be a future version of a sportsbike, its certainly no V-Twin powering a scene reminiscent of Tom Cruise riding alongside a landing F-14 in Top Gun. With both characters using a motorcycle for the ride to their military destiny, painting an unconventional hero with a rebellious way of doing things.

Playing the most famous fictional captain in history actor Chris Pine had concerns about taking on the role of James T. Kirk, "As I kind of looked at it, I found that I was scared more by the prospect of bringing Kirk to life again, because he’d already been done, and done really well.”

Motorcycles seem to be regular prop for a certain cyborg series of movies, with Harley-Davidson's prominently appearing in past Terminator films. Since Arnold Schwarzenegger first wandered into a biker bar, the Terminator series of movies have cast the motorcycle alongside famous faces and always at the heart of the action. The latest edition of the science fiction blockbuster will continue that tradition with two-wheeled terminators, part-motorcycle, part-cyborg killing machines reportedly boasting machine guns and glowing red headlights as eyes.

Producers are changing lanes with the latest installment, 'Terminator Salvation', setting the movie in the future when Terminators are eliminating the human race. Warner Bros have said Terminator 4 will take place in post-apocalyptic 2018, where John Connor is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators.

But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.

Official renderings of the two-wheeled terminators, part-motorcycle, part-cyborg killing machines are also finding their way onto the internet offering customizations likely never seen on today's roads such as deadly machine guns, which appear to act as counterbalances in the brief appearance during the movie trailer.

An actor familiar with custom rides who stars as John Conner is Christian Bale, last appearing on the silver screen in the second Batman movie riding a motorcycle that could apparently give the Moto-Terminators a run for their money.

The movie will debut nationwide on May 22nd.

April 6th, 2009

The custom bike building show American Chopper with the Teutul family, the custom motorcycles and of course family dramas will return to the small screen this week on TLC.

Riding into its sixth season, TLC's popular series American Chopper returns on Thursday, April 9, at 9 PM (ET/PT) with all-new episodes with producers promising 'unmatched family drama that will change the dynamics of Orange County Choppers forever'.

A reality based series American Chopper follows Orange County Choppers (OCC), the world-famous custom motorcycle family business run by Paul Teutul Sr. and his fiery sons, Paul Teutul Jr. and Mikey creating unique, one of a kind bikes. Each episode of American Chopper captures the day-to-day drama inside one of the world's leading custom bike shops as the family battles impossible deadlines to build some of the most aggressive, creative custom choppers around. The new season documents the growing pains as OCC continues to expand in a challenging economy, as well as the evolving relationship between Paul Sr., his sons, the extended Teutul family and their OCC staff.

The heated arguments are set to take front stage in the upcoming season with mounting tension between Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. exploding in a confrontation that results in serious damage not only to the family shop, but to their personal relationship.

American Chopper gets off to a quick start with OCC taking on the challenge of a double build. Two bikes, one commissioned by the National Hockey League and the other by Northrop Grumman, maker of the B-2 bomber. Both bikes feature cutting-edge designs and intense fabrications. In the second episode, the guys go tie-dyed in twisted metal, taking on a '60s-themed project to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. And in the third episode, the OCC gang heads to Anchorage, Alaska, to build a motorcycle in honor of Alaska's 50 Years of Statehood Celebration.

April 6th, 2009

Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati is taking the performance found in its top of the line models and injecting it into a unique financing offer.

The special financing started on April 1st, but Ducati appears to be serious giving motorcycle enthusiasts the opportunity to park a performance bike in their garage.

After winning the World Superbike Championship aboard Ducati's 1098 R during its first year in production, Troy Bayliss climbed on an 1198 S in stock trim at the press launch in Portimao, Spain and bested the 2008 World Superstock racing lap record. What could be considered the most advanced piece of Superbike technology in the world is being offered with financing at rates as low as 3.99%* on the 1098 and 1198 and 4.99%* on the 1098 S and 1198 S.

The 1198 is a race bike, pure and simple. It is immediately recognizable for its purposeful, no-nonsense attitude. Performance is first and foremost in every detail. The trademark Ducati features like the high tail section and compact front end combine with twin under-seat silencers and single-sided swingarm to express the sheer engineering beauty of aerodynamics and agility. Add the 1198 Testastretta Evoluzione engine as the hearts of the machine and the result is all-out performance Ducati Superbikes that look fast even when parked.

The 1198 features fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks, with an additional special low friction titanium oxide treatment applied to the sliders.

Producing 170hp (125kW) and with a dry weight of just 169kg (372.6lb), the new 1198 S now incorporates more World Superbike technology than ever before by taking the 1198 motor and adding top-of-the-range suspension, lightweight chassis components and a true racing-style traction control system designed for road use.

The high performance, fully adjustable 43mm Öhlins forks, which sport low friction titanium nitride-treated fork sliders, respond effortlessly to every imperfection in the tarmac. Beyond their advanced engineering solutions, one of the most important characteristics of Öhlins forks is their ability to communicate the condition and quality of the tire-to-road contact patch, a feature that puts every rider in superior control. The suspension set-up at the rear is complemented with a fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock equipped with a ride enhancing top-out spring and mounted to a single-sided swingarm for outstanding drive and traction. The front-to-rear Öhlins package is completed with a control-enhancing adjustable steering damper.

The 'S' sets the standard for lightweight performance. On any sport or race bike, the most effective area to reduce weight is its 'unsprung weight'. These are components like tires, brakes and wheels. Lighter wheels have a lower 'moment of inertia' that is beneficial with every direction change and application of the brakes. The 1198 S addresses this important area by mounting new 7-spoke GP replica Marchesini forged and machined wheels. Both front and rear are super lightweight and their benefit is immediately apparent. The weight saving is further enhanced with the application of a carbon fibre front fender.

The 1198 S is supplied with the Ducati Data Analysis (DDA) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) systems as standard equipment. The DDA package enables the retrieval and analysis of data collected from track sessions or road trips. DTC monitors front and rear wheel speeds to detect rear wheel-spin under acceleration and electronically reduces engine power to restore traction.

The special financing includes new, previously untitled Superbike 1198/1198 S/1098/1098 S models and is available until June 30th with further details available at Ducati dealerships.