Categories
Cruising Other Motorcycle Blogs

Indian Returns As Title Sponsor Of Wheels And Waves In 2019

Wheels And Waves

The popular European moto, surf, and skate festival kicks off this June

Indian Motorcycle returns to sponsor popular European motorcycle, surf, and skate festival.
Categories
2 stroke motorcycles BikeExif cafe racer Custom Motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs

Café Express: Freeride’s Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
If you’ve ridden a two-stroke, you’ll know how addictive the power rush (and sound) can be. So we have a soft spot for anything that smells pungent and goes braaap—especially if it’s got a bit of history and a side order of style.

Montesa bikes tick all the boxes: the Spanish manufacturer was hugely successful in motocross and road racing from the sixties to the mid-eighties. Its Cota 247 model was also popular with trials riders—but who’d have thought a trials bike would make a great little café racer?

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
Proof comes from the small village of Graulhet in southwest France, which is home to Pierre Dhers and his company Freeride Motos Racing.

Pierre specializes in the repair and maintenance of classic bikes, and prepping machines for vintage racing series. But he’s also very good at creating sharp-looking, quirky customs—like the Honda CX650 scrambler we featured a few months ago.

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
“Although this Montesa was a trials bike originally,” Pierre tells, “our client wanted it transformed into a sport model. He was inspired by racing history, when Montesas skimmed around the circuits of Spain and the world in the 70s.”


It’s one hell of a transformation. At just 192 pounds (87 kilos) dry, the original Cota 247 is a nimble handler so weight reduction was not a priority.

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
At the core of this build is the engine, a punchy little 247 cc number that puts out 20 frisky horses in stock form.

Pierre has given it a full reconditioning, with new bearings and seals, and even a new crankshaft. He’s also tweaked the stock exhaust system and intake, and fitted a big bore piston kit from Italkit.

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
The original Amal carb has been upgraded to a Mikuni VM26 with a free-flowing BMC filter, and there’s now a Powerdynamo electronic ignition to keep the timing nice and regular.

After many ours of fettling and polishing, the motor looks as good the day it left the Barcelona factory in 1972.

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
Right above is the fuel tank from a Malaguti Olympic, a 50cc moped from the 1970s. It’s an inspired choice: in this context, the chiseled lines look amazingly contemporary and completely change the vibe of the Cota.

Pierre has added a custom fiberglass rear cowl to match, plus discreet aluminum fenders. Midwest Aero Design shot the intense red paint, and a fresh coat of satin black epoxy helps the frame fade into the background.

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
Pierre has modified the frame to suit the new lines, and also given it a thorough overhaul. “I cleaned up the welds with new TIG welds—for strength, because the originals are poor quality.”

The new rear cowl is covered in a racy black suede that extends over the seat pan, applied by Kabuki 
Sellerie. We haven’t heard of that French shop before, but they obviously know what they’re doing.

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
Since this Cota tips the scales at less than 200 pounds, full Öhlins superbike suspension would be overkill.

So Pierre has overhauled and cut down the original Betor forks. Now fitted with shorter springs, they’re hooked up to 18-inch period-correct Akront wheels using a hub from a 1960s Montesa Impala street bike. There’s a matching Akront out back, cushioned by new YSS shocks.

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
Converting a trials bike to a café racer involves a multitude of smaller details too. Pierre has created dozens of small parts—including new mounts for the tank, seat and repositioned footpegs—and adapted Tarozzi aluminum linkages for the foot controls.


He’s built new clip-ons too, adapting them to the stock Cota 247 top yoke, and installed a Domino throttle and Amal brake and clutch levers.

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing
The little Montesa is now ready to hit the streets. And we don’t know whether to applaud the new owner for his unusual choice of steed, or feel slightly jealous.

This pocket-sized café racer is unlikely to break any lap records at Paul Ricard, but it’ll rule the roost at the traffic light Grand Prix. More of this braaaple sauce, please!

Freeride Motos Racing | Facebook | Instagram

Montesa Cota 247 cafe racer conversion by Freeride Motos Racing

Categories
790 Adventure 790 Adventure R Gear Reviews KTM Motorcycle News Other Motorcycle Blogs Web Bike World

KTM Announces 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R Pricing

Looking for an Expensive Adventure?

You get what you pay for. KTM recently announced pricing for its 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R. The bikes hit $12,499 for the 790 Adventure and $13,499 for the 790 Adventure R. That’s without a destination, dealer fees or any options. For a high-quality adventure bike, that’s a fair but kind of high price.

The KTM machines are going to be some of the best in the business, and asking $13k for one isn’t outrageous. However, as Rideapart points out, you can get a BMW F 750 GS or a Triumph Tiger 800 for less. Start looking over towards the Japanese brands and you’ll see even lower prices.

I can hear the KTM fanboys stammering and organizing their retort, but the fact of the matter is that KTM bikes are expensive. That doesn’t keep me from wanting to own one. Of course, the 790 shouldn’t really be compared to the BMW F 750 GS. Most will equate it With the F 850 GS and that bike is about the same as the KTM on price. Still, RideApart’s point stands. If you want an adventure bike of about the same displacement, there are cheaper options. 

You don’t buy a KTM because it’s cheap. You buy a KTM because its a seriously wonderful machine. You pay for the engineering, the quality, and the brand image. When you think about all that, the price tag seems very reasonable to me. It’s on par but slightly more than the key competitors.

2019 KTM 790 Adventure R.

However, with the 790 Adventure being a little more expensive than much of the competition with the same or similar displacement, I’d seriously consider looking around. I’m a bargain hunter when it comes to motorcycles, and would have trouble paying top-dollar for any bike.

With that said, I haven’t ridden the 790 Adventure. I haven’t even seen one in person, so I shouldn’t say it isn’t worth the price KTM put on it. Our very own, Jim Pruner, did a detailed preview of the bike, and it looks killer. A simple test ride would tell me—and anyone else who’s considering the bike—if it’s worth it.

The post KTM Announces 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R Pricing appeared first on Web Bike World.

Categories
Cruising Other Motorcycle Blogs

10 Bikes I’d Buy From Mecum’s 2019 Las Vegas Auction

Mecum’s Las Vegas Auction

These 10 wild machines would fill my dream garage if I won the lottery

Mecum’s annual motorcycle auction in Las Vegas runs the gamut of styles. Here are 10 bikes I’d buy from this year’s auction if money was no option.
Categories
Continental GT Gear Reviews Himalayan Motorcycle News Other Motorcycle Blogs Royal Enfield Web Bike World

Could Royal Enfield Build a 650 Version of the Himalayan?

Bigger Engine, More Adventure

The Royal Enfield Himalayan currently comes with a 411cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine. While that’s sufficient for many riders around the world, rumor is Royal Enfield is thinking of a 650 Himalayan. According to MoreBikes, a 650cc variant could be right around the corner. 

It makes sense, really. The one complaint I saw about the Himalayan from the seasoned adventure riders was that it could use a little more power. Royal Enfield already has a 650cc engine, too. The Continental GT 650 gets a twin-cylinder 650cc engine that I imagine would fit the Himalayan nicely.

2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan
Image from Royal Enfield

MoreBikes notes that Royal Enfield’s CEO, Siddhartha Lal, already expressed interest in building a higher displacement Himalayan back in 2017. The publication says the bike the CEO wanted to see become a reality at some point could come as soon as next year. However, it doesn’t say where those rumors stem from, so I’m a bit skeptical as to whether or not it’s true.

Still, I have no objection to the idea. Also, with Royal Enfield doing so well, and the Himalayan getting good reviews from journalists and customers all around the world, I see no reason why the company wouldn’t keep the good vibes going.

The 650cc twin from the Continental GT would be a meaningful boost in power. It has almost double the horsepower. That could go a long way towards making the Himalayan a more appealing bike for the folks who want to do long adventure tours but like the affordable price and approachability of the Himalayan. If I was Royal Enfield, I’d try to keep the 650 version as close to the current model as possible and just give it the bigger engine. 

The post Could Royal Enfield Build a 650 Version of the Himalayan? appeared first on Web Bike World.

Categories
Cake Cake Kalk electric motorcycles Gear Reviews Kalk& Motorcycle News Other Motorcycle Blogs Web Bike World

Cake’s New Kalk& Street Legal Bike Will Sell in U.S. and Europe

The Swedish Electric Invasion Begins

Get ready for a shocking new bike from Swedish company Cake. Okay, it’s not really all that shocking, but it is a fully electric motorcycle. Cake announced a street legal motorcycle that it will sell in Europe and the U.S. The bike is based on the Kalk OR, which is the company’s first bike. That motorcycle is a lightweight off-road bike, and now the street-legal version comes ready for pavement.

The new motorcycle gets lights (including tiny turn signals), license plate holder, and mirror mounts. As electrek points out those are important steps towards getting the bikes DOT and ECE certified for street use. The price and technical specifications for the Kalk& are still unknown. Cake said the bike would be available in March but didn’t list the other info.

What Do We Know?

With that said, the technical specs should be more or less the same to the off-road bike. That means it should have a battery that’s a 51.8V and 50 Ah Li-ion unit rated at 2.6 kWh. Powering the bike is a 15 kW motor. New Atlas and electrek both report new gearing for the street legal bike, meaning it can hit 100 km/h or 62 mph as its top speed. 

The range for the motorcycle is also unknown at this time. However, with the higher top speed, it’s unlikely that it will be super far. The faster you go, the more battery juice you use. The off-road bike can only travel up to 80 km per charge (just under 50 miles). That number simply isn’t enough for most people, though it could work for some urban commuters.

I actually like the look of the Kalk&. It reminds me of a wimpy version of the bike Tom Cruise rode in that weird sci-fi movie Oblivion. With that said, Cake has to up the range if it wants to sell these things. The low top speed of 60 mph isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but the likely 50 miles of range would be my reason for not buying one.

The low range is even more of an issue when you consider that the bike is bound to be expensive for what it is. The off-road version costs $13,000, and the street-legal version will probably be more. I’d rather wait for Lightning Motorcycle’s Strike. It’s supposed to do 150 miles per charge and cost the same.

Cake Kalk&
Images from Cake

Cake Kalk&

The post Cake’s New Kalk& Street Legal Bike Will Sell in U.S. and Europe appeared first on Web Bike World.

Categories
FIM Gear Reviews Motorcycle News Olympics Other Motorcycle Blogs Trial-E Web Bike World

FIM Working to Add Trial-E to Olympics

The First Motorsport in the Olympics?

Thanks to the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) the 2024 Summer Olympics might include Trial-E as a sport. The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris, France, and if successful, the FIM would have solidified the first motorsport officially recognized in the Olympics, according to Motorcycle.com.

The publication reported that Jacques Bolle, FIM vice president and French Motorcycling Federation president, Jean-Pierre Mougin, FIM honorary deputy president and V.P. of the French National Olympic Committee, and Thierry Michaud, a three-time Trial World Champion and director of the FIM Trial Commission are leading the charge. The men met with the folks in charge of the upcoming summer Olympics. They discussed adding the sport to the list of recognized games.

The Olympic Committee will determine if Trail-E qualifies under the newer rules put in place in 2016. Those rules have not impacted the competition yet. The new rules for the Olympic Games will impact the 2020 Winter Games held in Tokyo, Japan, for the first time.

How are the Chances?

The new rules state that the sport has to be universally accessible to both men and women, focused on youth athletes, sustainable, practiced on all continents that compete, not requiring some unique infrastructure, and truly spectacular from both a competitors perspective and the fan’s perspective.

Trial-E isn’t the only sport lobbying for a place in the Olympic games. That means the FIM members trying to get it included may find it difficult to do so. However, that doesn’t mean Trial-E won’t be in the Olympics. Jorge Viegas, FIM president, said that he believes the sport has a good chance. He also sounded optimistic for the future. “This great première will be the foundation for a strong relationship that will bring the FIM, the IOC and all the Olympic family closer together for many years to come,” he said.

The Olympic Committee will release the official list of sports after the Tokyo, Japan, Olympics. The FIM also wants to see Trial-E added to the World Games and European games. 

The post FIM Working to Add Trial-E to Olympics appeared first on Web Bike World.

Categories
Gear Reviews Leather Motorcycle Jacket Reviews Motorcycle Clothing Reviews Motorcycle Jacket Reviews Other Motorcycle Blogs review Textile Jacket Web Bike World

Ladies Motorcycle Jackets Worth Wearing

Due to the lack of motorcycle jackets made specifically for ladies, in the past, a selection was made mostly based on what came the closest to fitting properly.

But with the huge influx in ladies on bikes, manufacturers have spent millions of dollars designing and creating motorcycle jackets and full lines of apparel that are sized and cut to fit the variety of sizes and shapes that set the ladies apart from the men on bikes.

Now ladies are facing a few new questions, and I hope to provide some helpful information on the choices out there and a few of my favorite selections.

Protection With A Purpose

With all of the amazing choices out there, many ladies are almost overwhelmed when it comes time to select gear. Some of the first questions that need to be answered are what is the piece of gear going to be used for, and what type of protection is desired from the gear.

In this case, we are speaking only of motorcycle jackets, but the questions are the same for pants, suits, gloves, footwear and even gloves. Different materials each have their own benefits, and in some cases drawbacks depending on how they will be used.

The three main categories for motorcycle jacket material are leather, textile, and mesh. I want to take just a few moments to describe and explain how quality motorcycle jackets are purpose built and how to determine which material is going to be the best fit for your needs, riding style and the environment that you will be facing.

Leather

Leather is known for its durability and ability to stretch and mold to form fit. As you might have guessed, the thicker the better for protection, but that thickness can require a longer break-in period for the leather to become soft enough to contour to your body. The other benefit is that leather in a large single piece is very durable.

The thread is going to be the weakest material in a jacket and therefore the less thread the stronger the overall jacket will be. Using single large pieces of leather will create a jacket that is less likely to shred or tear in the event of extreme abrasion such as sliding on the asphalt. And not everyone knows that all leather is not created equal.

Cow leather is considered to be strong, but kangaroo leather is both lighter and stronger. Tests have found kangaroo to have ten times the tensile strength of cow leather. The downside of leather is that it does require some care to keep the leather soft which helps to avoid cracking. It can also be tough to keep leather as weather resistant as a textile jacket, so rain and snow are not optimal for any type of leather.

And finally, there is a definitely noticeable weight to leather which can become a nuisance in warmer climates. Some manufacturers are offering perforated leather which does provide some airflow, but it is still very warm in hotter and more humid climates.

Textile

Textile jackets are man-made materials which are, in this case, designed to be durable and versatile. The fibers can be created with a number of features in mind. Durability and strength are always critical. Kevlar is a common fiber that is blended with other fabrics to create a very strong jacket that provides superior abrasion protection.

Another benefit of textile fiber is that it can be treated to provide excellent protection from the elements. Rain and snow protection, as well as the ability to block out cold wind, provide a huge added value for riders in a four-season environment.

Textile jackets are also very easy to maintain and clean. They are less susceptible to damage from being worn in the rain or snow and can be easily hosed off or sprayed off when they get dirty or smelly. On the downside, unless the textile jacket that you are considering specifically states that the material includes Kevlar, then it won’t be as durable as leather.

Many of the less expensive textile jackets do not include Kevlar and should not be considered as safe as the more expensive options. You really do get what you pay for when shopping for textile jackets, so invest in the best level of protection that you can afford.

Mesh

Mesh jackets are an adaptation of textile jackets, but one that is purpose-built for a very hot environment. I am including these because living in Phoenix, these jackets are critical in the summer months. The jackets have large panels of mesh which provide awesome airflow, but they offer very little protection in the areas constructed of mesh.

What you really get from these jackets is a means of protecting your skin from the sun and a way to get some armor protection in the event of an accident. I see too many riders in Phoenix in the summertime with nothing but a t-shirt on their upper body.

This is not only going to lead to catastrophic abrasion injuries and burns, as the asphalt is about 150 degrees Fahrenheit or more, but also serious damage from any impact like broken bones and crushed extremities. But a quality mesh jacket will provide some very durable armor and textile panels with Kevlar to protect the back and shoulders in the event of a slide or impact.

Ladies VS Men’s

Understanding the design differences between men’s jackets and ladies jackets can be very helpful as you begin to shop for a jacket that really fits your body well. Obviously, there are many different sizes and body shapes out there, but in general, ladies jackets will differ from men’s in a few specific areas.

Men’s jackets are cut fairly straight but the ladies jackets offer a more defined hip, waist and bust area. This allows for more flexibility and comfort across the shoulders and across the bust when the jacket is fully zipped. The sleeves in a ladies jacket are cut shorter than men’s sleeves and are surprisingly bigger around. And the shoulders are more narrow and less square on the ladies jackets.

All of these features will provide a more comfortable fit for the ladies and will make long rides much more enjoyable, as there are not tight areas that reduce circulation or areas that pinch or bind when you move.

The Choices

Alpinestars Stella Jaws Leather Jacket

Alpinestars Stella Jaw Leather
Alpinestars Stella Jaw Leather back view

Shopping Now? We Recommend:

webBikeWorld has worked closely with RevZilla over the years to provide our testers with products to review. In addition to being a great site to shop from, they’re also a great partner.

RevZilla

Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing

Buy This Jacket on RevZilla – Price: $499.95

  • Sizes Available: 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50

The Alpinestars Stella Jaws is a leather jacket that will work equally well for a day at the track or just a day out enjoying a ride and looking sporty. This jacket is designed to be form-fitting, but the great part is that it has several adjustments so that ladies can really achieve a comfortable and safe fit.

As for the safety features, this jacket is cut from 1.2 to 1.4 mm cowhide leather and offers CE Bio Armor in the shoulders and elbows and includes pockets so that you can add Nucleon series CE Level 2 back and chest protectors. I have found it to be very common for even high-end jackets to require the added purchase of chest and back protection. This allows for more personal choices about safety level and comfort level and should not be seen as a drawback.

What is really great about this pretty much race ready jacket is the added features for rider comfort. The back of the jacket has been designed with poly fabric stretch panels near the shoulders to provide a full range of motion with no pinching or gouging into your arms or shoulders as you move. There are also accordion insets at the elbows for added comfort and flexibility.

A critical fit area for all ladies is at the hips. This jacket accounts for a variety of hip sizes with VELCRO brand D-ring waist closures to customize the fit.

The same great closures at the wrists allow for a custom fit regardless of the size and type of gloves that you may be wearing. In short, the Stella Jaws leather jacket offers ladies all of the same protection that is offered in the men’s jackets but with the shape and adjustment options that are critical to a safe and secure fit on a woman’s body.

At about $500, this jacket is in the higher price range, but for ladies who want to ride fast and look great while also being well protected, this is The Ladies Leather Jacket Worth Wearing.

Olympia Expedition 2 Textile Jacket

Olympia Expedition Textile front view
Olympia Expedition Textile Back View

Shopping Now? We Recommend:

webBikeWorld has worked closely with RevZilla over the years to provide our testers with products to review. In addition to being a great site to shop from, they’re also a great partner.

RevZilla

Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing

Buy This Jacket on RevZilla – Price: $449.99

  • Sizes Available: XS, SM, MD, LG, XL, 2LX, 3XL

The Olympia Expedition is a textile jacket that can accommodate all four seasons with the comfort and flexibility that ladies have never really had before. With the ability to wear one, two or three layers, this jacket can handle everything from warm summer days to fall and spring rain and even winter temperatures.

The outer shell is made of 500 and 1000D Cordura for great abrasion protection and also includes a Mega Vent Panel System to allow for more airflow when needed. Layer two provides the rain gear protection, and layer three offers thermal protection for even the coldest rides. But it is the protection from injuries that make the Expedition a real favorite among the ladies.

The CE level 2 elbow and shoulder armor are removable and can also be replaced or upgraded, as can the CE level 2 back protector. This gives riders a nice level of protection to start off with and at a reasonable cost. Then you can upgrade or make changes after you decide what will work best for you.

The comfort features in this jacket start with the tailored hourglass shape and design to meet the needs of almost any female rider. The ability to adjust the fit of the Expedition is thanks to the D-ring adjustments not only at the waist and cuffs but also at the elbows and collar. This lets you customize the fit regardless of the weather and clothing that you are wearing under the jacket.

One thing that could stand out about this jacket is that it does not offer the gussets or accordion panels that the leather and mesh jackets did. But this is due to the cut of the jacket. Being a four season jacket, it is cut a bit more generously and is not as form fitting.

For that reason, it really does not require the same insets for flexibility. This jacket will always have a slightly less snug fit and, it will very easily accommodate an assortment of shirts, sweaters or sweatshirts without becoming tight or binding.

At close to $500, this jacket is somewhat of an investment, but the cost really is not that unreasonable when you think of it as replacing two or even three other jackets to meet your needs year round.

This one and done feature, as well as the safety and comfort, make this one of The Ladies Textile Jacket Worth Wearing.

Joe Rocket Cleo Elite Mesh Jacket

Joe Rocket Cleo Mesh Front ViewJoe Rocket Cleo Mesh Back View

Shopping Now? We Recommend:

webBikeWorld has worked closely with RevZilla over the years to provide our testers with products to review. In addition to being a great site to shop from, they’re also a great partner.

RevZilla

Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing

Buy This Jacket on RevZilla – Price: $179.99 – $193.49

  • Sizes: Available in XS, SM, MD, LG, XL, 1 DIVA, 2 DIVA

The Joe Rocket Cleo Elite is a mesh jacket that is going to meet your needs for protection and airflow when you are riding in a hot climate.

This racing style jacket is small and lightweight for the hottest days of the year, but it can also be worn with the waterproof and windproof liner for less ideal weather. And you can add the insulated vest when the temperatures are starting to drop.

But what really makes this mesh jacket stand out are the safety features that are tucked in around all of these mesh panels. First, the Dynax reinforcements on the upper back, ribs, and forearms provide added abrasion protection in the event of an accident without eliminating the awesome airflow of the mesh panels.

The CE approved shoulder and elbow armor inserts are accessible from the outside of the jacket and can be removed or replaced as needed. And the back protector included with the jacket is dual density and can be removed or replaced to meet your personal desires for comfort and protection.

The comfort features on this jacket are equally as important as the safety in my mind because if a jacket is not comfortable, you are not going to wear it in the really hot weather of the summertime.

The Full Flex articulated back and hip expansion panels allow this jacket to snuggly fit the shape of your body without gouging or riding up when you lean forward. These panels also allow for full range of motion and the ability to change your riding position easily to avoid numbness or muscle stiffness on a long ride.

The jacket also has a full 8” connection zipper if you choose to pair the Cleo up with pants to provide even more protection in hot weather. And finally, it doesn’t add to the safety or the physical fit but the four color options make this a great fit for your personality. Riding in gear that fits great and makes you happy is the best way to stay focused and safe on your bike. All of these great features in one jacket make this one of The Ladies Mesh Jacket Worth Wearing.

The market for ladies riding apparel is finally changing to keep up with the increase in female bike owners and riders. With more options becoming available each day, and a little research and time, every lady who rides are certain to be able to find the perfect gear for both safety and comfort.

The only mistake that ladies can make now is not investing the time and money in great gear. To see what a difference quality gear can make, check out The Aftermath of Crashing with No Gear vs. All the Gear here at WebBikeWorld.

The post Ladies Motorcycle Jackets Worth Wearing appeared first on Web Bike World.

Categories
Gear Reviews Motorcycle News Nembo Nembo 32 Other Motorcycle Blogs Web Bike World

Is the World Ready for the Nembo 32 Motorcycle With an Upside Down Engine?

Flip It, But Why?

Most motorcycles try to get the weight low so it’s easy to manage, but the Italian motorcycle company Nembo says mass centralization is more important than getting that weight low. According to the company, by flipping the engine upside down, it can package most the weight closer together. This unique idea first appeared in 2013. Now the bike is ready for production, and Nembo needs some help.

The company doesn’t have money to produce its bike. To make this happen, it started a crowdfunding effort put together on Indiegogo. Unfortunately, the amount of money raised currently sits a big old goose egg. Yep, zero dollars. Call me crazy but this might have to do with the fact that the expected price is supposed to hover around $68,000. A bargain racer this is not.

The Nembo 32, as it’s called, features a 2.0-liter three-cylinder engine making 200 hp and 158lb-ft of torque flipped on end. The crankcase of the engine, due to its unique placement makes up a large part of the frame. This helps keep weight down. In its lightest form, the bike can weigh as little as 352 pounds, according to New Atlas. That means this bike is wicked fast.

I love that Nembo is thinking outside the box here. The bike is super cool, and as you can see from the video above, it sounds fantastic. Skip ahead in the video about a minute and you’ll see it roaring around a track. While I have no doubt that the bike would be fast, it’s a weird motorcycle, and one that not many people, or at least people with money to burn can get behind. That’s too bad. I like weird bikes and 200 hp would surely be one hell of a time.

 

The post Is the World Ready for the Nembo 32 Motorcycle With an Upside Down Engine? appeared first on Web Bike World.

Categories
BikeExif cafe racer CB750 cafe racer Custom Motorcycles Honda cafe racer Honda CB750 Honda motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs

This CB750 cafe racer roams the capital of Pakistan

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
There are around 2.5 million motorcycles on the road in Pakistan. Which sounds impressive until you learn that the population is over 210 million—and most of those bikes are tiny Chinese- and Japanese-made commuters.

The custom scene is virtually non-existent, because the import duty on motorcycles is a whopping 50%, and there are sales taxes on top. Which also explains why there are only about a dozen Honda CB750s in the whole country.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
This is one of those CB750s: a 1977 Super Sport owned by reader Haris Aziz of Islamabad. And it’s the first bike we’ve featured from the world’s sixth most populous country.

“I had no plans to make a cafe racer: I just loved the model as it is,” Haris tells us. “This Super Sport was a runner, but in poor condition. Most of the fittings were either broken or covered in surface rust.”

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
Haris rode the CB750 for a year and resisted the temptation to mess with it. “I absolutely adore the cafe racer look, but with imports banned, the remaining CB750s are the last of the breed.”

But when he couldn’t delay the repairs any longer, Haris found out that a stock restoration would cost too much—due to the poor rupee-dollar exchange rate. He decided to have it custom built.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
“I chose Zeeshan Motorsports in Karachi to do the job,” he says. “They have exquisite attention to detail and experience with big Japanese bikes.” Karachi, by the way, is a 20-hour, 900-mile drive from Haris’ home city.

Haris designed the bodywork (“using my horrible Photoshop skills”) and ZMS beat it out to the exact same proportions. Interestingly, the guys used the Golden Ratio to achieve the perfect balance of tank, seat and cowl.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
“A Bike EXIF how-to-article also inspired me: I made sure the angles were all perfect, such as the angle of the headers to the frame, the muffler to the seat, and so on.”

The subframe is actually unmodified, and retains the original seat hoop— although it’s been detabbed to give it that smooth and sleek look.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
While the new bodywork was being hammered out, ZMS also carried out a complete engine overhaul and fitted a Barnett racing clutch.

The ‘sidewinder’ exhaust was custom-made in Pakistan with a stainless steel muffler. “Tuning the carburetors was a challenge,” Haris reveals. “So we built a custom airbox, mounted a single pod filter, and switched to a Suzuki GS1000 CDI ignition to make starting and riding more reliable.”

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
There’s a new headlight—which at 4400 lumens is a huge improvement on the original—and an aftermarket taillight and blinker set.

There’s also new wiring throughout, and an interesting starting mechanism: an aircraft-style toggle for the kill switch, and a starter button right on top of the triple tree. (“It makes starting her a joy every time!”)

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
“The Honda was built on a budget, so unfortunately we couldn’t fit high-end gear such as the Motogadget m.unit,” says Haris. “But that doesn’t rule out future upgrades!”

There were no corners cut on the paint scheme, though. It accentuates the flat, free-flowing bodywork, with coach lines hand painted by an expert local craftsman. The frame and (original) wheels were painted black, and the deep blue tank and cowl make the raw metal of the engine pop.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
“We’re all extremely proud of the way she turned out,” says Haris. “Especially given the limited knowledge and budget we had.”

“The cafe racer culture is just starting here in Pakistan, but most bikes are single cylinders and no one is venturing into the complicated world of big four-cylinders.”

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
We reckon it’s an amazing result. And proof that sometimes, constraints can force you to be more creative.

Images by Saad Zia Photography.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer