Classic Superbikes - The Kawasaki GPz1100

After dominating the 900cc market in the 70s with their Z1 and Z900, by the 1980s Kawasaki had lost some ground to their competitors. It was time for something radical, something to inspire the bike buying public and put Kawasaki back on the map.

Enter the GPz1100. The interesting thing about the GPz is that it was still a traditional looking motorcycle in terms of styling, but with a small but significant difference. No baubles. All the bits of chrome and shiny parts had been replaced with black metal. It was not the biggest engine out there at the time, at 1089cc the air cooled engine was smaller than the Yamaha XS1100, but the power produced, 108bhp, made it the world's most powerful inline four of 1981.

Unlike the "king" whose crown the GPz was about to steal, the Suzuki GSX1100E, the Kawasaki was very traditional in many ways, having only two valves per cylinder and air cooling. The GPz1100 borrowed heavily from the Z1000, with the 1000cc engine bored out to 1100cc. It had an oil cooler and bigger valves, and the tubular frame, which was similar but bigger than that used on the Z1000.

The suspension was very advanced for a superbike, with the rear shock absorbers being multi adjustable and the front forks air assisted. Instrumentation included a fuel gauge and voltmeter, as well as the usual speedometer and rev counter. The bikes acceleration was such that it displaced the Suzuki GSX1100E as the straight line king, but the overall handling was good too as long as the rear adjustable suspension was set up correctly.

The GPz was the top of the range model in a line up that also included the GPz550 and GPz750. The GPz1100 went through many developments during the 1980s and GPz900R of 1984 changed things again. The GPz1100 was the bike that restored Kawasaki's reputation for superb high performance superbikes, and one that it has maintained through to the present day.

What's The Best Superbike

When it comes to Super bikes, every biker will have their own opinion. There are millions of bikers out there and the super bike fraternity is just as diverse.
As any other area of biking. I'm sure I will get a number of readers who profoundly disagree with me so it is just my opinion but for me a superbike should not only offer the rider fantastic power and speed coupled with a real bike raw. It should Also look fantastic and have a great racing heritage. For me the bike that hits all the right buttons is the Ducati and inparticular the Ducati 1098 which I think is probablyThe most beautiful bike currently in production. The are many contenders including the Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 or Kawazaki ZX-14 or you may consider a Yamaha R1 all great bikes and great to look at but the Ducati is a work of art and also comes with the added bonus of being Italian and benefiting from typical Italian style. I know it wont be to all super bikers taste some purists will have their own strong convictions on the Best super bike.
Ducati have been making great bikes in the racing arena since the 1960's so they also have a great heritage. Call me superficial but I also love the colour schemes simple and classy. Another matter entirely having purchased a super bike is insuring it, not generally a very inexpensive experience. However if you think of the sheer power and performance a super bike offers and then compare it to its four wheel equivalents such as super cars Ferrari, Mclaren or a Lambo, you find you are getting a much better deal on a bike. As with anything Super bikes are a matter of opinion Its just I happen to think I am right about the Ducati 1098.

Can a Turbo Be Installed to a Superbike?

Around half of the world's entire population, including both males and females and even the ones in between, are already hooked up on bikes, and mind you, these bikes are not the ones most people used to know way back in kindergarten or grade school.
What they dig are superbikes - bikes that are real flashy monsters when it comes to hitting the racetracks. And for anyone who loves to race and is dying for the rush racing gives, superbikes, with their powerful engines capable of speed that can raise hell, are no doubt a dream to have under one's roof.
There is just one problem, however. Superbike enthusiasts just cannot get enough, and are constantly in need of more speed; and as of late, the most tempting solution to this is the turbo. Installing turbochargers seems to be a promising way of enabling superbikes to achieve speeds that do not only raise hell, but also do blow it away. Or is it really?
It will be good to remember first what superbikes basically are. Superbikes were developed as an improvement of super sport bikes. Both are especially engineered for race track performance, the only difference is that superbikes are equipped with larger engines with sizes that vary from 800 cc to 1,200 cc. A usual superbike can bear a maximum of 480 lb, and can produce around 180 bhp. Superbikes are perhaps well-known because of the Superbike Racing, a category under motorcycle racing joined by modified production motorcycles. One thing should be remembered: superbikes belong to the racetracks. This explains why there is always a need for more speed.
Now, the crucial question: Can superbikes be fitted with a turbo? The answer is yes. Turbochargers do increase the performance of a motorbike's engine, resulting in around 40 percent more horsepower, minus the much additional weight. The turbo produces more power by escalating the density of air that passes trough the engine. Another interesting is that turbo systems can either be carbureted or fuel-injected, so anyone really has a choice.
In fact, motorbike turbocharger is making remarkable developments in the motor industry. The new Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R released this year boasts of digital fuel injection that works with its 1, 340 cc DOHC engine, and with a technology such as this, no wonder the new darling is getting praises here and there. Larry James, of James Racing, even said that turbo systems work well with that model.
No matter how reliable turbo systems are, there are still some things about turbochargers that anyone must be wary of. There is such a thing called turbo lag, a delay between the twisting the throttle and the turbo finally kicking in that can easily be noticed by most riders. This happens because the exhaust system takes time to drive the turbine to high pressure and for the rotor to beat its rotational inertia and attain the speed required for supplying the boost pressure. The lag can be reduced anyway, so there really is no reason to not go for turbochargers. To do so, all that should be done is to use lighter parts that will make the spin-up happen sooner. Another option is to change the turbine's aspect ratio which will decrease the diameter and increase the width.
As long as the right steps are followed, turbochargers can really help conquer that extra mile and grant anyone an incomparable racing experience

Superbike School: 8 Riding Tips For Winter!

Time for an ice-cold slap in the face! Here are a few chilling safety reminders for the winter months ahead. Not everybody has the luxury of heated grips, a nice snug faring or rider training, so keep these 8 points in mind for your extended motorcycling pleasure!
Slippery Roads
The first rains of winter fall on roads that have been coated with oil during the summer months. Wet roads offer less grip than dry roads and places you previously rode could have a sheen of oil now compromising the grip of your tyres. Look out for the rainbow like streaks along the shiny surfaces of the road.
Water Filled Pot Holes
There is an illusion created by potholes. Appearing like puddles, they conceal their depth...that is until you ride over them. Never assume a puddle is just a puddle!
White Lines
The painted surface of white lines gets extremely slippery in the rain. Avoid riding to close to the centre of the road during rain, as these markings collect a lot of fuel and dirt deposits. Add directional arrows and manhole covers to this list of snags!
Pedestrians
Be aware that pedestrians in wet weather are always not very aware, especially when running across the road to avoid getting wet! They usually keep their heads down to avoid the rain, so keep yours up to avoid them.
Speed and Corners
Just like they teach at superbike school, make sure the centrifugal forces on the bike are minimised heading into bends. Just ride a little slower, keeping those forces under control. Never sharply brake or accelerate to quickly either!
Additionally, gearing down to rapidly could cause a lockup of the back tyre where it normally wouldn't on a dry road.
Tree Gum
Trees overhanging the road get a little over sapped during summer. In the winter rains the mixture of water and tree sap can form a slippery film, the perfect trap for the unwary motorcyclist!
Corrosion and Your Motorcycle
Corrosion during winter can be avoided by washing of the salt and road dirt causing oxidisation. Wax your alloy rims with a nice hard wax to prevent the outboard motor effect. Try putting a little grease or vaseline in areas you think should stay dry.
Remember, bike covers will actually get a little moisture underneath them, so keep your bike covered in more ways than one.
Warm Yourself
Bear in mind that cold hands and feet don't react well. Treat yourself to a warmer kit to beat the freeze this winter.
Enjoy your Superbike!!!

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Harley-Davidson gambles on younger bikers and wins

This Reuter's article reports that Harley-Davidson's recent attempts to lure younger riders to their brand with stripped down bobbers at lower price points, a marketing plan which was scoffed at by some H-D traditionalists, is working:

For the past decade, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Harley-Davidson Inc had largely been stymied in its attempt to reach a younger audience.

As it poured resources into entirely new lines of bikes, often designed to lure the 20 and 30-something crowd, or used advocates like a Victoria Secret supermodel to encourage younger buyers to feel it's cool to own a bike - Harley's core customer base of well-heeled baby boomers only got older.

But the effort is finally gaining traction under Chief Executive Keith Wandell, who took Harley's helm in 2009. He immediately began modernizing the company, from the assembly line to the dealership floor, even if it meant offending loyalists.

The effort to get younger has consumed millions of dollars worth of investment in design changes, aggressive marketing of lower-priced bikes, and a massive effort to teach thousands of aspiring bikers to operate a motorcycle.

As expensive as new sportbikes have become in recent years (for example, a 2012 ZX-6R is almost $10,500), H-Ds in general seem more affordable comparatively. Plus, given the difference in insurance premiums between a Sportster 48 and a CBR600, the new bobber-style Harleys are appealing in more ways than one to young riders.

And predictably, some in the old guard of H-D loyalists don't like the change they see going on around them:

Some of the old timers already are pushing back on the company when they see new bare-bones retro bikes that make up the hot selling Dark Custom lineup and are aimed largely at youth, said Joe Fredo, sales manager of Harley-Davidson of New York City.

"They're like, ugh, that's not a real Harley," he said.

I've seen this elitism for myself at various moto-gatherings in my own neck of the woods, especially regarding attitudes toward the newer Sportster-based models. The boomer on the 30,000-dollar custom HD bagger doesn't like the idea of some young dude buying a used, stripped down Harley for 6,500 bucks and so easily getting to be "in the club", so to speak.

The funny thing is, the Sportster line are some of the most appealing motorcycles Harley's ever built. I'd much prefer one over any of the ginormous geezer bikes in the lineup.

Every time I hear one of the older Harley guys ragging on a 48 or Nightster or XR1200, I wanna wanna walk up and say, "What's the matter, man? Are you pissed off because that bike is cooler than yours?"

But I don't, because I'm a lover, not a fighter.

I'll openly admit that I really do like bikes such as the XR1200, Sportster 48, and Nightster. They have plenty of zip and look great. And for some inexplicable reason, I'm glad to see HD gaining ground again. In our current government-decimated economy, it's sort of nice to see.

On the other hand, a new Triumph Bonneville is $3,000 cheaper than the Sportster 48 and goes just as fast with better handling. It's also equally as beautiful. That's something those interested in traditional styles of motorcycle design should keep in mind. Harley could do more to bring down the price of their motorcycles, but maybe not without getting out from under the thumb of their unions and other internal dynamics.

At any rate, kudos to Harley-Davidson. Here's wishing them many more years of success and prosperity in the good old USA.

You know what? Screw this weather!

The picture at right is the street I live on in arid Midland, Texas. At least it's supposed to be arid. For the past few weeks it has been sleeting and snowing intermittently, with obviously lower than average temperatures. And today, Christmas Day 2011, is a white Christmas.

For most, that's something to look forward to, or so I've read and heard in song. The problem for me is that I'm never dreaming of a white Christmas, but rather a warm, sunny Christmas season when some of my time off can be spent having fun on two wheels. One of the advantages of living in the desert southwest, after all, is that we don't mothball our bikes for four months out of the year. We ride all the time, and the holiday season is usually no exception. Well, except this year.

But that said, after a year of the worst drought conditions on record in Texas (along with massive fires that destroyed millions of acres), I'm trying not to complain too much about the sogginess and cold we've been experiencing as of late. We need precipitation, and I'm glad it has returned. It just sucks to get all mentally prepared for the magic of winter riding in West Texas, and have your schedule reduced considerably.

All that whiney bitching aside, I will say that there've been a few bright spots this winter. We've managed a few really good day rides in very cool conditions where the use of full winter gear made for enjoyable journeys around West Texas. The picture below, from November, is a good example. It's me (pictured right) and one of my best friends, drummer Britt Parker from Dingo Sanctuary, standing on some railroad tracks between Crane, Texas and Rankin, Texas. It was a good riding day, that one, and I'll be staring at the pic fondly until another day comes when we can make it happen again. Stay warm everybody.