Author Archives: Devon Brozek

Special Editions All Around: BMW celebrates 30 years of the GS with new models

Posted on by Devon Brozek

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All grown up, the R1200GS shows off its anniversary suite – Click above for high-res image gallery

What do you get for for someone who has it all? Dashing good looks, a successful career; someone who has traveled to the world’s most remote locations and gathered a dedicated fan base along the way, and all of this against the odds of critics who scoffed when they were just getting their feet off the ground. If that someone is a something and more specifically, a motorcycle, BMW has the answer. The company will be honoring three decades of the world’s best-selling line of motorcycles, the GS, with a limited run of 30th Anniversary Special Edition models.

Anniversary models will offer a distinct red saddle complete with a protruding GS insignia, clad with white bodywork as well as decals announcing “30 Years GS.” The senior GS (1200, including adventure model) will also include a tinted windscreen, handguards and black wheels. But fear not if the largest of the GS line is just too portly for your stable, as the special editions will be available in F800GS and F650GS varieties as well. No official word on pricing, but history reveals only moderate price premiums for anniversary models from the Bavarian brand. If you suddenly find yourself with an uncontrollable desire to have and to hold one of these limited models, don’t wait for congress to vote on it as a reliable source inside BMW tells us that each U.S. dealer is only guaranteed the chance to sell one of the limited models, which equates to roughly 150 of each size bike.

1980 was the year that marked the birth of the original R80 G/S, and so the marriage of adventure and motorcycle became official. It has been said that BMW essentially answered a question that had not been yet been asked. It has been a long journey for BMW and it’s GS lineup, one filled with rough patches and dirt sections, possibly even brief moments of regret. But really, that is is the type of journey that embodies the whole GS concept, right? Here’s to another 30 years, and what they may have in store for of one or our favorite choices when all that is known is the unknown.

Gallery: Anniversary BMW GS

[Source: BMW]

Special Editions All Around: BMW celebrates 30 years of the GS with new models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Introducing the Kestrel from Falcon Motorcycles [w/video]

Posted on by Devon Brozek

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Falcon Motorcycles Kestrel – Click above to watch the video after the break

Despite our best attempt to harbor a deep-seated loathing when it comes to the hoards of under-thought and over-raked custom motorcycles, and by default one-off bikes as a whole, rare occasions arise when we feel obligated to stop and take note of something beyond the wave of metallic peanut tanks. Such an occasion arose with the release of the Kestrel, a sophomore effort from the L.A.-based studio of Falcon Motorcycles.

Yeah, we know it’s a shop, not a studio where one builds motorcycles, right? In the case of Falcon, the line between motorcycle and art form seems to be blurred. Founders Ian Barry and Amaryllis Knight like to think of their creations as “art that can be pulled off the wall, and ridden into town.” After a childhood run-in with a pack of bikers mounted on British iron, Barry developed a preference for not only the style of the two wheelers, but also the historical importance of bikes built across the pond.

Now all grown up, Knight’s obsession has sent Falcon on a quest to reproduce 10 motorcycles, which despite being completely custom will share a a few commonalities: all British and all of particular historical significance – that is, in the Knight’s opinion. The Kestrel, which is based on a 1970 Triumph Bonneville, is the second in that line of creations. It will make it’s debut two years after Falcon’s firstborn Bullet, which was commissioned by actor Jason Lee.

Take two years and 2,000 man hours, a basket-case Bonnie, sprinkle in the right amount of panache and viola, the Kestrel is born. Check it at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering on it’s first journey from the nest. Hit the jump to see the complete video of the Kestrel at Falcon’s home base.

[Source: L.A. Times]

Continue reading Introducing the Kestrel from Falcon Motorcycles [w/video]

Introducing the Kestrel from Falcon Motorcycles [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 May 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Celebrating 60 years with the women of Vespa

Posted on by Devon Brozek

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“Hello, would you like cake with your Vespa?”- Click above to watch the video after the jump

When you hear the term biker babes, the images that fill your mind may include bleach blond hair and the scant use of finely crafted leather bikinis. So you probably haven’t stopped to consider the sexier side of the scooter industry, right? Don’t feel bad – we needed a little encouragement too.

Usually when talking Vespa, we may be covering a new model release, maybe explaining how practical the “wasps” could be for your urban commute or that Sunday trip to the beach. Who knew beyond their cool, iconic exterior that Vespa has had so many run-ins with the fairer sex over the years? When we stumbled across this video history of the women of Vespa, it seemed the right thing to do was pass it along. Sexy, cool classic – Vespa knows just how to get our attention. Click past the break to see for yourself.

[Source: SoloMotoTreinta via Twowheelsblog]

Continue reading Video: Celebrating 60 years with the women of Vespa

Video: Celebrating 60 years with the women of Vespa originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ultimate Reveal: Uncrating buried treasures, Honda NR 750 and RC30 [w/video]

Posted on by Devon Brozek

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Two-wheeled treasure chest – Click above to watch the video of the uncrating after the break

We’re sure you are familiar with the old expression that hindsight is 20/20. In most cases this adage holds true, particularly, when it comes to all of the beautiful cars and motorcycles we wish we would have kept over the years. It wasn’t exactly a case of hindsight, but rather well planned forethought that drove Bengt Gunnarson to hang on to two of Honda‘s most elusive models by tucking them away safely in his shop’s basement.

Gunnarson, who is the owner of Stockholm’s MC-Varuhus (Motorcycle Warehouse), does something most dealers are terrified of: he actually collects motorcycles in between selling them. In 1992, when the Warehouse received its shipment of not one, but two Honda NR models, Bengt quietly stashed one in the basement for a rainy day. Since then, we have yet to see many eight-valve V-four engines with oval pistons floating around. But this was not the first time that Gunnarson had seen the writing on the wall. Only three years earlier, in 1989, as Honda’s HRC division was producing a limited number of RC-30 models to meet World Superbike homologation rules, a parking place was also made for a boxed RC in the cellar.

Recently, the crew at MC-Varuhus opened the vault and uncrated these two beautiful bikes. The plan is to let them spend some time out in the open, albeit in display cases, where visitors to the dealership can get a first-hand view of both bikes. Click past the break to watch the unveiling video, as this may be as close as we get to coming to grips with two of Honda’s most unique motorcycles.

[Source: Hell For Leather]

Continue reading Ultimate Reveal: Uncrating buried treasures, Honda NR 750 and RC30 [w/video]

Ultimate Reveal: Uncrating buried treasures, Honda NR 750 and RC30 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Over the top on a Harley-Davidson XR750: Take two for Bubba Blackwell’s record-breaking leap

Posted on by Devon Brozek

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Do you remember the days when motorcycle jumps were measured by cars rather than feet? We know at least one man who is all too familiar with those times, and may even be haunted by them. His name is Bubba Blackwell. He is what we would call a traditional daredevil, consumed with setting records and garnering fame. It is not only Bubba’s Harley but also his Stars and Stripes one-piece suit that leaves no room for guesswork as to his respect and admiration for the late Evil Knievil.

In 1998, Mr Blackwell set a record of his own by clearing 20 cars aboard his Harley-Davidson XR750, logging the longest successful flight on that model. In 2001 gravity got the best of him, leading to the spectacular crash featured on the History Channel’s show Shockwave, which focuses on a 22-car attempt to leap over his own record. Here we go again. On June 12 Bubba will fire up his trusty HD and head to Laconia, New Hampshire, bent on making take two a success by clearing 22 Ford Focuses.

Amid a generation of modern daredevils like Robbie Maddison stretching the world distance records well over 300 feet, Bubba’s record may not appeal to everyone. But one thing is for sure – with a history like Blackwell and his XR750 have had, we can be assured that the sport of flying motorcycles will continue to entertain us and motivate the next generation to push the limits.

[Source: Ultimate Motorcycles | Image: awnisALAN - CC 2.0]

Over the top on a Harley-Davidson XR750: Take two for Bubba Blackwell’s record-breaking leap originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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