Most Wanted Bikes: August 2011

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Harley davidson bikes

I like my scooters to be… well… scooterly. From a distance the Majesty looks massive, heavy and unwieldy. It’s only a smidgen smaller than the Suzuki Burgman 400. Sure, the Majesty may not be as big as a HD Nightster, which is 110 lbs heaver, but the Yamaha Majesty is still 110 lbs heavier than a smaller scooter like the Vespa GTV 250. So, what was I to do? Well it’s my job, so with a sigh I took her by the handlebars and went off to see what she was all about.

I just ignored my preconceptions. I thought to myself, “I’m just going to ride”, and I did. I rode for about an hour. Across backroads and highways, in and out of garages and parking lots, around u-turns and roundabouts and suddenly it hit me. HEY! Wait a sec! This is supposed to the “big, clumsy Majesty.” I had forgotten to remind myself of all my preconceptions. As it turns out the Majesty is a blast to ride! She was actually quite quick and nimble. Her turning radius was much tighter than I had expected and I was really pleased with how well the Japanese had thought out her ergonomics. Hold up… let me stop gushing for a second and get back to the Majesty’s statistics.

The build quality on the Yamaha Majesty is just what you’d
When youre riding though youll want to scoot back where you can enjoy that nice built-in backrest.
Talk about the most bang for the buck, some Majesty owners have logged 30,000 miles with very little maintenance.
expect from a top-tier, Japanese manufacturer; flawless. The fairings are made of tight-fitting, high-grade plastics. The windscreen is made to resist birefringence, the rainbow color effect sometimes seen through polarized glasses. I’ve talked with a couple of owners who have had their Majesty for three years now and have put more than 30,000 miles on each of them without a single breakdown and without having to change out brake pads, rotors, or clutches. How’s that for quality? Check the fluids, change the oil and the tires and you’re good!

An experienced rider will say “ride like you are invisible”; one benefit of the Majesty’s large size is greater road presence. Top that off with the Majesty’s pair of mighty, bright, halogen headlights and you’re really hard to miss on the road… but still, ride like you’re invisible.

There is really no situation the Majesty cannot handle. Flat roads or up curvy hillsides, single passenger or two up, tight city streets or open highways; the Majesty effectively handled them all thanks to her 395cc, fuel-injected, 4-valve, double overhead cam, single-cylinder engine.

The Majesty’s engine is capable of producing 33.5 hp and reaching a top speed of 106 mph. I personally decided to stop at 95 mph, since I couldn’t think of a situation where I would need to go any faster. She’s also pretty quick with a 0-60 mph time of 11 seconds. Not sportbike quick, but quicker than your average automobile. Also, unlike your average automobile, the Majesty gets an estimated 51 mpg. That’s a range of about 183 miles per fill up, depending on how you ride.

One more benefit to having a 440-lb scooter is stability. Ride California’s windy highways on a 250cc Aprilia SportCity and then on this baby and you can really feel the difference. I just tucked my helmet behind the shield and she plowed through the wind like a juggernaut. If you are planning to put some real cross-country miles on the Majesty, you might want to invest in a touring windshield. You lose a bit from an efficiency standpoint, but you also spare yourself some of the wind and noise fatigue. Go for the ear plugs for added comfort.

The Majesty is so well thought out. The first time you have to engage the handlebar-mounted parking brake to adjust your helmet while on a hill, you’ll start to realize it. How about that storage space? Under the seat alone you’ve got 16 gallons! That number may not help you, but put it like this… the underseat storage alone swallowed up a helmet, a laptop, a video camera, a still camera, some accessories and a notebook with a little room to spare! There’s also a light to help you see everything in the cavernous storage area under the passenger’s seat. If that’s not enough there’s more lockable storage space behind the leg shield.

Yamaha Majesty 2009

Overall length x width x height: 2,065mm x 740mm x 1,240mm Seat height: 710mm Wheelbase: 1,500mm Minimum ground clearance: 110mm Dry weight: 136.5kg Fuel consumption (paved flat road): 39.0km/liter (Taiwan CNS mode) Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve Cylinder arrangement: Single cylinder Displacement: 124cc Bore x Stroke: 53.7mm x 54.8mm Compression ratio: 11.0 : 1 Maximum power: 8.1kW / 8,500rpm Maximum torque: 10.1N-m / 6,5 00rpm Starting system: Electric/kick duo Lubrication: Pressurized wet sump Engine oil capacity: 1.2 liter Fuel tank capacity: 8 liter Carburetion: Electronic control fuel injection Ignition system: T.C.I. Battery capacity / Type: 12V, 6Ah (10H) / YTX7A-BS Clutch type: Dry, centrifugal Transmission type: Stepless, V-belt Gear ratios: 2.541~0.792 Frame type: Backbone (pipe) Caster / Trail: 27°/ 33mm Tire size (Front / Rear): 120/70-12 51J / 130/70-12 59J Brake type (Front / Rear): Hydraulic, single disc / Drum Suspension type(Front / Rear): Telescopic / Unit swing Headlight: Halogen bulb 12V, 65W/55W Product Features Advantages of the New Fuel Injection Engine A new fuel injection system has been designed specifically for this model and to accommodate it the designs of the manifold and fly wheel magnate have been optimized. In combination with Yamaha¡¯s Air Induction System and the catalyzer, this new system provides numerous advantages.

Yamaha Majesty 125

Yamaha Majesty 1251) Environment-friendly performance at half the levels of Taiwan¡¯s Phase 4 emissions standards The MAJESTY 125FI achieves emission levels for CO, HC and NOx that are half or less than those specified in Taiwan¡¯s Phase 4 emissions standards set to go into effect in June of 2004. (The Phase 4 emissions standards are based on cold-start mode that is said to be difficult to deal with simply by exhaust treatment measures.) 2) 39 km/liter fuel economy (CNS mode) The adoption of fuel injection makes it possible to optimize injection pressure, volume and timing in accordance with engine rpm and running conditions and thus achieve 39 km/liter fuel economy (on CNS mode). (The existing model gets 36 km/liter.) 3) Excellent starting performance This model achieves outstanding starting performance at high elevations, at high and low temperatures and after the machine has been left unused for long periods. 4) High level of drivability (machine running performance) The optimal control of the air-fuel ratio made possible by the fuel injection system ensures excellent drivability, good acceleration, excellent performance stability at high elevations and steady idling performance.

Yamaha Majesty 125

Yamaha Majesty 125This means steady cruising performances at higher elevations that can reach 2,000 meters in Taiwan. Main Features from the Existing Model 1) Highly reliable liquid-cooled OHC single-cylinder engine and V-belt automatic transmission A liquid-cooled OHC, 124cc single-cylinder engine characterized by torque-y performance and quiet running is adopted. In combination with the V-belt automatic transmission it provides spirited running performance and good acceleration. 2) Generous-dimension chassis design for enjoyable cruising The body that give this model its excellent handling stability and riding comfort is built around a specially design frame that draws on technologies used in the 250cc Majesty model that is so popular in Japan and Europe. The combination of an optimum frame rigidity balance, the long wheelbase and wheels mounting12-inch tires front and rear give this model a truly stayble ride with very neutral handling. The aerodynamically designed cowling also adds to the riding comfort.

Yamaha Majesty 125

Yamaha Majesty 125

Yamaha Majesty 125Overall length x width x height: 2,065mm x 740mm x 1,240mm Seat height: 710mm Wheelbase: 1,500mm Minimum ground clearance: 110mm Dry weight: 136.5kg Fuel consumption (paved flat road): 39.0km/liter (Taiwan CNS mode) Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve Cylinder arrangement: Single cylinder Displacement: 124cc Bore x Stroke: 53.7mm x 54.8mm Compression ratio: 11.0 : 1 Maximum power: 8.1kW / 8,500rpm Maximum torque: 10.1N-m / 6,5 00rpm Starting system: Electric/kick duo Lubrication: Pressurized wet sump Engine oil capacity: 1.2 liter Fuel tank capacity: 8 liter Carburetion: Electronic control fuel injection Ignition system: T.C.I. Battery capacity / Type: 12V, 6Ah (10H) / YTX7A-BS Clutch type: Dry, centrifugal Transmission type: Stepless, V-belt Gear ratios: 2.541~0.792 Frame type: Backbone (pipe) Caster / Trail: 27°/ 33mm Tire size (Front / Rear): 120/70-12 51J / 130/70-12 59J Brake type (Front / Rear): Hydraulic, single disc / Drum Suspension type(Front / Rear): Telescopic / Unit swing Headlight: Halogen bulb 12V, 65W/55W Product Features Advantages of the New Fuel Injection Engine A new fuel injection system has been designed specifically for this model and to accommodate it the designs of the manifold and fly wheel magnate have been optimized. In combination with Yamaha¡¯s Air Induction System and the catalyzer, this new system provides numerous advantages. 1) Environment-friendly performance at half the levels of Taiwan¡¯s Phase 4 emissions standards The MAJESTY 125FI achieves emission levels for CO, HC and NOx that are half or less than those specified in Taiwan¡¯s Phase 4 emissions standards set to go into effect in June of 2004. (The Phase 4 emissions standards are based on cold-start mode that is said to be difficult to deal with simply by exhaust treatment measures.) 2) 39 km/liter fuel economy (CNS mode) The adoption of fuel injection makes it possible to optimize injection pressure, volume and timing in accordance with engine rpm and running conditions and thus achieve 39 km/liter fuel economy (on CNS mode). (The existing model gets 36 km/liter.) 3) Excellent starting performance This model achieves outstanding starting performance at high elevations, at high and low temperatures and after the machine has been left unused for long periods. 4) High level of drivability (machine running performance)

Yamaha Majesty 250

Yamaha Majesty 250

Hand/Foot Controls: The Yamaha 950 has a wide handlebar with beautifully crafted risers. The bar is solid with little to no vibes felt through the grips and gives me great leverage while cornering. The levers and switches are well placed for my medium size hands. The oval shaped mirrors are clear and provide amble rear view. The speedo is tank mounted so it’s a bit low to view with my flip-up helmet but the gauge is large with big numbers. It also provides all of the standard warning lights including low fuel, an electronic clock and odometer with 3 trip meters (2 distance meters and 1 fuel meter).

Driver floorboards come standard on the V-Star which I prefer and are forward mounted. The boards allow me to change foot positions for a more comfortable ride. The rubber covers are springy so the boards soak up the vibes well. I do feel some vibes at highway speeds but it’s in no way intrusive. An adjustable heel-toe shifter is also standard. It took some getting used to but now that I’ve ridin’ the bike for almost 900 miles, I couldn’t see riding without it. The brake pedal is large, automotive style which is another plus and the boards are large enough where the controls don’t get in the way.

Seat: The seat has a low profile, hugging the frame. It’s wide enough for us full figured gals and narrow enough where I can almost flat-foot it. It provides decent support overall however I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s an all day tripper.
Long Rides: The longest I’ve ridin’ the 950 is a 30 mile jaunt on mainly back roads through several scenic towns. The V-Star is smooth and responsive with a nice low rumble from the 2-in-1 exhaust. I’d recommend changing the seat and adding pullback risers. My bum started to feel numb by the time I reached home. The handlebar is at the perfect height for me but I’d prefer it closer. As it is, I’m leaning slightly forward to reach the hand controls with my arms nearly straight.

Highway Power/Zip: The 942cc air cooled engine is sweet. The surge of power I get with the twist of the throttle is addictive. It has plenty of power to spare while cruising at 70 mph when you have to pass. And the growl from the exhaust is music to my ears. As I said, I do feel some vibes the higher the speeds get but it’s not intrusive.
Tight Turns: Tight turns with short arms and a wide handlebar is challenging for me but manageable. With practice, I’ll soon master it.
Twisty Roads: The V-Star sweep into corners smoothly and readily. It is one of the lowest bikes around so taking the twisties can be fun or unnerving depending on your riding style. The boards scrape easily if you ride too aggressively but they do tilt up and have replaceable feelers so no expensive parts get damaged. I don’t ride aggressively in turns (straights are another matter ;) but I have scraped the boards a few times.

The sound they make isn’t pleasant but it’s a good reminder to slow down. The suspension is very good and soaks up the bumps quite well.
Wind/Rain/Heat: I have yet to ride in the rain. On windy days, the bike feels solid at 600+ pounds wet. Although it is air cooled, the heat felt from the engine is nominal with some occasional hot spots right at the back of my thighs. Thankfully, I can shift my feet on the spacious boards to alleviate that. The exhaust has well placed heat shields as well for summer stop and go traffic.
Braking Power: The stopping power of the 950 is fantastic. The brake lever does require a firm squeeze though as I use two fingers. The foot brake can lock up as I’ve done it once before in an emergency but it didn’t upset the bike at all and stayed straight.
What I Changed: I’ve had the bike lowered an inch which allows me to comfortably flat foot it. I bought 4” pullback risers but I need longer cables for them to work. Unfortunately, the aftermarket hasn’t caught up yet as longer cables is not readily available for the 950 but it’s not a deal breaker. I’m very happy with the bike.

Yamaha Tmax

TMAX 500 is Yamaha's innovative thinking at its very best, the first super scooter to combine the comfort and convenience of a scooter with the high performance and sharp handling of a sports bike. TMAX 500 is the best of both worlds, ideal for commuting with its in-town manoeuvrability, easy riding nature and fully automatic transmission, yet perfect for long distance inter-city travel or summer touring to distant destinations. Whatever it's doing, TMAX's sporting nature adds fun, challenge and excitement. With new ABS-equipped TMAX 500A, there are higher than ever levels of safety too.

TMAX is fully equipped for its multiple roles, starting with its dual front disc brakes which offer both the power and control needed for true sports riding, and on TMAX 500ABS these have the additional back-up of Yamaha's advanced ABS anti-lock braking system, ensuring maximum safety in all conditions. The effortlessly powerful twin-cylinder, 499cc engine provides enough performance for all types of road, from steep mountain climbs to high speed motorways. The balance shaft gives it a smooth, sophisticated feel, while the rear suspension has a motorcycle-style independent swingarm for the highest ride quality and maximum cornering control.

TMAX's twin headlight design not only gives it its characterful, purposeful look, it also provides high visibility for seeing and being seen, night or day. Despite its sporting credentials, TMAX offers a big underseat storage capacity as well as luggage space in the front bodywork section. Its convenience even extends to a parking brake.

TMAX's twin headlight design not only gives it its characterful, purposeful look, it also provides high visibility for seeing and being seen, night or day. Despite its sporting credentials, TMAX offers a big underseat storage capacity as well as luggage space in the front bodywork section. Its convenience even extends to a parking brake.

he effortlessly powerful twin-cylinder, 499cc engine provides enough performance for all types of road, from steep mountain climbs to high speed motorways. The balance shaft gives it a smooth, sophisticated feel, while the rear suspension has a motorcycle-style independent swingarm for the highest ride quality and maximum cornering control.

TMAX's twin headlight design not only gives it its characterful, purposeful look, it also provides high visibility for seeing and being seen, night or day. Despite its sporting credentials, TMAX offers a big underseat storage capacity as well as luggage space in the front bodywork section. Its convenience even extends to a parking brake.

Bimota

DB7 superbike show nothing else, not to be confused with another mark. When the team colors of red, white and black carbon fiber used in body composed of a pen and hands on designer Henry Borghese, the DNA of the family Bimota is clearly visible. This is true Superbike dare approach the motorcyclists and enjoy its details. The beauty and drama of the DB7 is matched only by the details. Each assembly, sealing, and part of the frame is a retro flair and prepared with care, using advanced materials. Processed by the full-frames, platforms and structural levers of the tail section of carbon fiber and titanium silencer, not a compromise has never seen done. The details are simply amazing.

Whether used for road or track, a lightweight sport bike is a great advantage and lead DB7. The rear of the bike is made of carbon fiber structure, eliminating the need for a subframe. The weight gain advantage of the carbon fiber is also an opportunity for all sections of the fairing, fenders, chain guards and tool support. Additional savings come from titanium silencer, new wheels Bimota more lightweight machined aluminum frame plates, control and chain tensioners. The DB7 handling is inspiring and safely through the selection of the best materials, suspension, brakes, chassis, wheels and controls. Use the best components from development partners such as Brembo, Marzocchi and the tip, combined with his own ultralight Bimota wheels and frame, exciting performance and proven track is assured.

Bimota

Bimota

Bimota

Bimota

Bimota

Bimota

Bimota

Bimota db7

Expected to be released somewhere next year, the Bimota DB7 Oronero will be the first production bike in the world with a carbon fiber frame and swingarm. Taking the biking revolution to the next level by building the subframes for both the DB7 and the Tesi 3D from space age material, the limited edition Oronero will surely stand out from the crowd. Apart from the reinvented bodywork, the bike also sports some GET digital instruments and a GPS system that tracks its movement on the racing turf. By dropping 6 Kg from the traditional DB7′s weight, the Oronero stands at a sizzling 164 Kg, all muscle! [via HellForLeather]