Archive for March 2011
Research the 2011 Yamaha V Star 1300 Cruiser with the information in our new motorcycle Buyer’s Guide. Our buyer’s guide provides new motorcycle pricing information, photos and colors, specification data and more.
Performance
Horsepower (bhp): N/A bhp
Torque (Ft Lbs): N/A lbs
Redline RPM: N/A RPM
Exterior
Body Material: N/A
Frame: Steel
Hand Grip Material: Rubber
Transmission
Number Of Speeds: 5
Transmission Brands: N/A
Transmission Types: Manual
Instrumentation
Speedometer: Standard
Tachometer: Not Available
Fuel Level Warning: Standard
Wheels
Rear Wheel Diameter: 16
Front Wheel Width (in): N/A
Rear Wheel Width (in): N/A
Bags & Storage
Tank Bag: Not Available
Saddle Bag(s): N/A
Lockable Storage: Standard
Tires
Front Tire Speed Rating: 67H
Rear Tire Speed Rating: 75H
Tire Brand: N/A
Fuel Economy
US MPG (City): N/A
US MPG (Combined): 42
US MPG (Hwy): N/A
Brakes
Front Caliper Pistons: N/A
Rear Caliper Pistons: N/A
Rear Brake Rotor Width (mm): N/A
Suspension & Steering
Front Suspension Brand: N/A
Front Suspension Type: Telescopic Fork
Rear Suspension Type: Twin Sided Swing Arm
Seats
Seat Height (mm): 713.7
Seat Material: Vinyl
Seat Type: Two-Piece
Other Specs
Fuel Capacity (gal): 4.9
Number Of Speakers: N/A
Adjustable Handlebars: Not Available
Those with a passion for riding know that our bikes have always been designed specifically to fuel that passion. In 2011, we’ve taken the pavement- pounding power of the 106-cubic-inch Freedom® V-Twin engine and put it into every one of our bikes. With standard features like 4-valve overhead cams and 6-speed overdrive, there’s no other engine more committed to fueling your desire for performance with every ride.
NEW VICTORY TRANSMISSION
All-new Helical-cut gears reduce gear whine in fourth and sixth gears • All-new Neutral Selection Assist helps you never miss neutral again • New mainshaft design reduces driveline lash by 66% • Self-adjusting cam tensioners for more reliable performance • Extended oil-service interval for all models at 5,000 miles
TORQUE & HORSEPOWER
With up to 97 horsepower and 113 foot-pounds of torque, you won’t ride any new Victory motorcycle without feeling our proven throttle response, acceleration and passing power.
Those three names flashed across my brainpan these last few weeks, which might seem curious – I mean, none of the aforementioned gentlemen are still riding on this mortal coil.
The synchronicity’s there though, if you look hard enough. See, I attended a Bonhams & Butterfields auction in Los Angeles at the Petersen Museum, held in conjunction with California Bike Week. The event was every bit as interesting as the two-wheel action taking place on the track that weekend - the Butterfield’s guys consistently showcase topshelf vintage metal.
Among the acres of priceless hardware displayed was one of Steve McQueen’s tricked out desert racers, a 1970 Kawasaki G31 hand painted by Von Dutch (a.ka. Kenny Howard), in true, bold, Kustom Kulture livery.
Seeing any piece of original Von Dutch art (not the hyper-branded t-shirt crap) is worth the price of admission, but gazing at that McQueen Kawasaki served to remind me of another bike he’d been associated with, and a close relative of a model I’ve been road testing for the next issue – a Triumph Scrambler. The Scrambler is loosely based on the old TR6 - the bike, you might recall, McQueen (as Colonel Hilts) sailed
over a barbed wire fence in the classic war epic, The Great Escape.
I saw that movie at least a dozen times growing up, and it had a great deal to do with my future fascination and adulation of two wheelers.
‘Course, I came to find out that the man who flew through the air aboard a motorcycle was Bud Ekins, not Steve McQueen. Ekins, a stuntman extraordinaire, avid racer and AMA Hall of Famer, shuffled off this mortal coil just this last October.
Almost as a final underscore to all these connections, the new Matt Stone book, McQueen's Machines: The Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon (www.motorbooks.com), magically appeared on my desk last week. If you haven’t seen it yet, I urge you to pick it up – it’s a fascinating read about a star who was a true motorcycle rider. Just like the other two guys….
Just rode the new Storm 400 miles from Phoenix, AZ to L.A., and man are my shoulders killing me. (Bah Boom.) Don't get me wrong, the bike is an all-around well-engineered package in any kind of riding situation: super-smooth fueling, eager throttle, power whenever you need it (just ask) and well-matched gearing. The thing kicks ass. But it's a bear if you're trolling the superslab, mostly because it sets you out like a sail in the wind. A couple of hours at 75mph+, and well...you'll be digging for the ibuprofen. Which stands to reason - I mean, it's not designed to be a touring rig.
I'd assume existing Thunderbird accessories could be easily fitted to this model though, in which case i'd go for the midsize screen - something that won't muck up the low, clean lines of this bad boy.
- New, fully integrated navigation system with brighter color screen.
- Next-generation receiver gives quicker satellite connection.
- 3-D terrain view, lane assist with junction view and more.
- Complete United States and Canada mapping with points of interest installed.
- Points-of-interest information includes Honda dealers, fuel stations, restaurants, lodging, attractions, transportation, government and emergency information and saved rider’s input with home function.
- Voice prompting through headsets or speakers.
- On-screen text guidance and pop-up menus.
- Easy-to-use handlebar and fairing-mounted controls.
- Navigation available on select Gold Wing models.
- New enhanced system offers direct MP3/i-Pod connectivity plus full device control through handlebar controls.
- SRS CS Auto™ technology surround-sound system brings the latest in sound system technology to the Gold Wing.
- 80-watt-per-channel power amplifier provides clear sound at all highway speeds.
- Six-element speaker system includes two rear speakers, a pair of front speakers and two tweeters for a rich, full surround sound quality.
- Tuner features auto bass control combined with auto volume control.
- Standard on all Gold Wing models.
- XM Radio offers 170 channels from coast to coast, including commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio, comedy and entertainment programming.
- XM NavTraffic is the nation’s leading real-time traffic information service, combining up-to-the-minute information on accidents with the ability to re-route riders around trouble spots as displayed on the navigation system screen.
- The XM NavWeather service uses sophisticated Threat Matrix™ technology to track nationwide weather information for more than 20 different weather conditions, then scales and customizes this detail to the rider’s specific location and route. XM NavWeather can alert riders to severe conditions before they ride into them. The service works with the Navigation System to display information via color weather icons or warning signals on the navigation screen, and can give the rider the option to easily re-route around a storm’s path. The service also provides multi-day forecasts based on weather monitoring stations across the United States.
- XM available on Navi package model only.
- Five-position heated grips for cold-weather riding.
- Five-position heated seat/backrest combination with individual rider and passenger controls for optimum comfort.
- Foot-warming system channels engine-heated air over the rider’s feet and is controlled by a fairing-mounted lever.
- Standard on all Gold Wing models.
- Industry-first fully integrated rider airbag on a motorcycle.
- The airbag module contains airbag and inflator positioned in front of the rider.
- The ECU positioned to the right of the module detects changes in acceleration based on information it receives from the two crash sensors (one positioned on each fork leg), to determine whether or not to inflate the airbag in certain frontal impacts.
- Airbag available only on full-featured version.
- Audio Accessories: 40-Channel CB Radio Kit, CB Antenna Kit, Deluxe Headsets (for open-face and full-face helmets), Push-to-Talk Switch, Replacement Headset Coil Cord, Replacement Headset Hardware Kit, Replacement Boom Mike Windsock
Front: 45mm cartridge fork w/ anti-dive system; 4.8 in. travel
Rear: Single-sided swingarm w/ Pro-Link single shock; spring preload adjustment; 4.1 inches travel
Front: Dual floating 296mm discs w/three-piston calipers; optional ABS
Rear: 316mm disc w/three-piston caliper; optional ABS
Front: 130/70R-18
Rear: 180/60R-16
2011 Moto Guzzi V7
A TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND.
In 1967, the motorcycle market reeled in shock at the appearance of the first Italian maxi motorcycle: Created by the legendary Giulio Cesare Carcano, the Moto Guzzi V7 marked the debut of the transverse V90 twin-cylinder 703 cc engine that set a record at that time. The V7 was enthusiastically acclaimed by the press and public. This success helped the worldwide promotion of Moto Guzzi's image as manufacturers of an exclusive, elegant, comfortable and above all, highly reliable motorcycle.
For many people, owning a V7 was one of the most important things in their lives. It left them with unforgettable memories that reminded them of their younger days, of friends and of journeys made together and made that time perhaps one of the highest points in Moto Guzzi's history. After a further forty years of success and as part of Moto Guzzi's worldwide relaunch project, the flame of creativity shines brightly once more in the new V7 Classic. The V7 has character to spare and is a superb interpretation of the fundamental beauty of the original V7 but this time incorporating all the latest technology that was unavailable to its predecessor.
The new machine is fully up-to-date with its equipment levels, frame engineering and 750cc Euro 3 engine. The V7 Classic brings earlier days to mind with the line of the tank that nestles comfortably on the tubular frame and runs back to meet the saddle. This in turn is perfectly flat and blends in gracefully with the rear mudguard. The side panels house the same stowage compartments that so stylishly set off the side view of the original machine.
Performance
Horsepower (bhp): 47.6 bhp
Torque (Ft Lbs): 40.3 lbs
Redline RPM: N/A RPM
Exterior
Body Material: Plastic
Frame: Steel
Hand Grip Material: Rubber
Transmission
Number Of Speeds: 5
Transmission Brands: N/A
Transmission Types: Manual
Instrumentation
Speedometer: Standard
Tachometer: Standard
Fuel Level Warning: Standard
Wheels
Rear Wheel Diameter: 17
Front Wheel Width (in): 2.5
Rear Wheel Width (in): 3.5
Bags & Storage
Tank Bag: N/A
Saddle Bag(s): N/A
Lockable Storage: N/A
Tires
Front Tire Speed Rating: H
Rear Tire Speed Rating: H
Tire Brand: Metzeler
Fuel Economy
US MPG (City): N/A
US MPG (Combined): N/A
US MPG (Hwy): N/A
Brakes
Front Caliper Pistons: 4
Rear Caliper Pistons: 2
Rear Brake Rotor Width (mm): N/A
Suspension & Steering
Front Suspension Brand: Marzocchi
Front Suspension Type: Telescopic Fork
Rear Suspension Type: Twin Sided Swing Arm
Seats
Seat Height (mm): 805
Seat Material: Vinyl
Seat Type: One-Piece
Other Specs
Fuel Capacity (gal): 4.5
Number Of Speakers: N/A
Adjustable Handlebars: Not Available
A bit late to the new-release party but still wanting to partake was Triumph, who recently introduced a new version of the Thunderbird cruiser.
The 2011 Triumph Thunderbird Storm rolls on the same chassis and sources its powerplant from the base Thunderbird, but the 1699cc liquid-cooled Parallel Twin engine (with 270 degree firing interval), is a bored-out version of the standard 1597cc unit. Triumph claims 98hp at 5200rpm for the Thunderbird Storm, with torque rated at 115 ft-lb. at 2950rpm.
The Storm takes it a bit further than just the engine upgrade, with wholesale styling changes that include black engine cases, a straighter drag bar style and twin bug-eye headlights (as opposed to the regular T-Bird's solo light). It also gets twin 310mm floating discs up front with four pistons for superior stopping power, and ABS is optional.
Triumph also announced major changes to the long-running America and Speedmaster for 2011, which include lower seat heights and improved ergonomics 'to make them more accessible to more riders', say the Brits.
The America refreshes its classic theme for 2011, with the 16-inch front and 15-inch rear cast wheels now sporting full-height tires to complement a deeper front fender, and handlebars and controls pulled back to focus the traditional cruiser look.
The Speedmaster, meanwhile, goes in the other direction, with the addition of a 19-inch cast aluminum front wheel and 'skinny' tire for a more chopped, look. Ergos also get tweaked for the 2011 model year, with a low 27 inch seat height married to new, wider handlebars that bring a new riding position. All three units will be available in the USA and Canadian markets by the end of January; check our website for the prices.
2011 Triumph Thunderbird Storm - USA Specifications
American MSRP: $TBA USD
Engine
Type
Liquid-cooled, DOHC, Parallel-twin, 270 degree firing interval
Capacity
1699cc
Bore/Stroke
103.8 x 94.3mm
Compression Ratio
9.7:1
Fuel System
Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection, progressive linkage on throttle
Transmission
Final Drive
Toothed belt
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox
6-speed constant mesh, helical type 2nd - 6th
Cycle Parts
Frame
Tubular steel, twin spine
Swingarm
Twin-sided, steel
Front Wheel
Cast aluminum alloy 5-spoke 19 x 3.5 in
Rear Wheel
Cast aluminum alloy 5-spoke 17 x 6 in
Front Tyre
120 / 70 R19
Rear Tyre
200 / 50 R17
Front Suspension
Showa 47mm forks. 120mm travel
Rear Suspension
Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload. 95mm rear wheel travel
Front Brakes
Twin 310mm floating discs. Nissin 4-piston fixed calipers
Rear Brakes
Single 310mm fixed disc. Brembo 2-piston floating caliper
Dimensions
Length
92.1 in
Width (Handlebars)
34.6 in
Height
44.1 in
Seat Height
27.5 in
Wheelbase
63.5 in
Rake/Trail
32 degree / 151mm
Wet weight
746 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity
5.8 US gals
Performance (measured at crankshaft to 95/1/EC)
Maximun Power EC
97bhp @ 5200rpm
Maximum Torque EC
115ft.lbs @ 2,950rpm
Colours
Jet Black