ki kolomba: marzo 2011

miércoles, 30 de marzo de 2011

Honda CBR Bikes

Honda CBR

Honda CBR Leyla

2009 ducati streetfighter

2009 ducati streetfighter

With apologies to one of the greatest bands ever, this time around in Andalucía it was an Italian bombshell that was stealing hearts. Ducati’s new Superbike-based Streetfighter truly is the bomb.

Unlike nearly every naked bike we can think of, Ducati has created a stripped-down, super-sporting roadster without excuses – no tuning for torque, and no dumbed-down suspension.

The Streetfighter’s engine is ripped nearly unchanged from the 1098 sportbike, differing only in shorter intake tracts that knock off a scant 5 hp. The result is a claimed 155 hp at 9500 rpm, aided by a midrange-inducing exhaust valve. The use of the 1198’s Vacural cast-aluminum crankcase shaves nearly 7 pounds from the engine.

“It’s like 100 liters of adrenaline,” Giulio Malagoli, the Streetfighter’s project leader, told Motorcycle.com about his latest creation. Malagoli is also the inspired mind behind the recently launched Monster 696 and 1100 air-cooled models. The new Streetfighter is now the most radical of Ducati’s naked bikes, replacing the discontinued Monster S4RS that measures up 25 hp short of the SF’s 1099cc Testastretta Evoluzione powerplant.

The standard Streetfighter retails for $14,995, and it boast a fully adjustable Showa suspension and lightweight magnesium for the headlight bracket and clutch and cylinder-head covers - magnesium is about 30% costlier than aluminum but is about 20% lighter, says Malagoli. The higher-end S version’s V-Twin powerplant is in an identical state of tune, but it includes top-shelf Ohlins suspension, lighter forged-aluminum Marchesini wheels and tasty carbon fiber for the front fender and cam-belt covers.

This is quality stuff, but it’s not enough to justify the $4,000 price increase of the S model. Helping it earn its lofty $18,995 MSRP are the most sophisticated electronics offered on any sportbike. DDA is the Ducati Data Analyzer, which records various channels such as lap times, throttle and gear positions, and the speeds of the engine and bike – it’s an extra-cost option on the standard Streetfighter.

But the S’s piece de resistance is Ducati’s traction control as used on the recent 1198 superbike. It first softly retards ignition timing, but if slippage is still detected by the wheel-speed sensors, the fuel injection will cut out to varying degrees to inhibit wheelspin. There are eight settings on the DTC, ranging from “It’s either raining or you shouldn’t be on a bike like this” to “Let’s spin up the rear tire on our way to victory circle.”

The Test
The rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plain, but we found out the wind can howl like a banshee in the Spanish hills. We were greeted at the fabulous Ascari Race Resort near Ronda, Spain, by 50-mph gusts that shook our confidence but didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for this most potent of naked bikes.

The Streetfighter’s riding position is decidedly sporty yet fairly accommodating.

The Streetfighter’s riding position is decidedly sporty yet fairly accommodating.
Big-time V-Twin torque is available at the flick of a wrist.

Big-time V-Twin torque is available at the flick of a wrist.

The Streetfighter’s riding position lives up to its name, with a tapered-aluminum handlebar placed sportily forward yet several inches higher than the 1098/1198 model. There’s more distance between the seat and its footpegs than the old Monster S4RS, but that’s mostly because the seat is way up at 33.1 inches. This is surprisingly tall for a bike without undertail exhaust pipes, but the Streetfighter’s lean and unfaired design forced the tailsection to contain the electronics, battery and exhaust valve servo. The SF’s fuel tank is an inch shorter than the 1198, allowing a rider to get closer to the front wheel, and its extra height isn’t a problem with the taller bars.

The handlebar is graced with new, compact switchgear. Flicking down the kill switch covers the starter button which is meant to emulate the “trigger catch” of a fighter plane. The instruments are contained in a tidy gauge pack that includes a wealth of information, including a lap timer and a low-fuel tripmeter for the 4.4-gallon tank. Its mirrors are fairly useable, even if they aren’t very pretty.

Pulling out of the pits at Ascari reminded me that the ’Fighter uses a dry clutch system, as it proved to be a bit grabby when taking off from a stop. Toggling through the transmission requires considerable effort in relation to a Japanese literbike, but gearshifts are nonetheless positive. Dialing on the throttle reveals the massive torque (a claimed 87.5 ft-lbs at the crankshaft) offered by the booming V-Twin that easily lofts the front wheel in the first two gears.

We knew, even before riding the Streetfighter, that its engine was going to impress – we fell in love with it when we first tested the 1098. And the note from the stacked twin mufflers is satisfyingly deep and soulful. The major unknown element prior to our ride was its handling qualities.

The SF uses a frame very similar to the 1098/1198 series, but it differs substantially in the steering head area. While the 1198’s fork is set at a moderately sporty 24.5-degree rake, the Streetfighter’s is kicked out at a slower-steering 25.6 degrees. The amount of trail correspondingly is lengthened from the 1098’s 94mm to 114mm. Additionally, a 35mm longer single-sided swingarm extends the wheelbase from 56.3 inches to 58.1 inches.

With these specs rolling around in our heads, we were worried this relaxed chassis geometry might result in a piggish-steering motorcycle. Not to worry.

2010 Ducati Streetfighter Nice Review

The Ducati Streetfighter S is a sexy, expensive machine. It’s like Tyler Durden in Fight Club: not a real bare-knuckles pugilist, but a good-looking imposter. The streetfighter that sits in my garage is a 2001 Suzuki SV650 that some dude crashed and resurrected as a snarling, punk-rock beast. The knackered front end was upgraded to GSX-R750 spec, an ear-splitting Yoshimura pipe and metal handguards were bolted on, the tail section was kicked up and the bodywork was sprayed rattle-can black. It was my $2,500, high-octane dose of post-Katrina, post-divorce therapy. Perfect for the road-warrior streets of Los Angeles, but frowned upon by the much less preoccupied police here in sleepy little Ventura.

Of course, we wouldn’t expect Ducati to resell wadded superbikes stripped of plastic and tarted up with motocross handlebars and agro-looking headlights. But in this distressed economy, such a business model might work. Rather, Ducati applied essential streetfighter elements to its 1198 superbike.

2010 Ducati Streetfighter

Ducati Streetfighter Bike

ducati streetfighter

For good or bad, first assumptions are an integral part of decisions. It’s why you first choose to date that girl you met at the bar and the reason why you lust after that low slung coupe resting inside the showroom. The motorcycle world is no different, thus I had already made up my mind on the all-new 2010 Ducati Streetfighter.

Based on available info, like many I presumed that the Streetfighter was nothing more than a stripped down and restyled version of the Ducati 1098 Superbike. But after a day spent flogging (and crashing) it at what’s become my No. 1 favorite racetrack of all-time, the Ascari Race Resort in southern Spain, boy was I wrong…

martes, 29 de marzo de 2011

"Happy Birthday to you.."

Its my sister, Savanah's birthday today.

And I am so excited. I love birthdays. They give us a chance to really celebrate the people we love. 14 years ago at 7:34am, I didn't even know Savanah. I was easter egg hunting (it was Easter Sunday). We then went for lunch and my grandparents and then we went home. A little bit later, my mom called me - Savanah was on her way. We went to my uncles that evening and then at around 11:45pm, I got a phone call. It was my dad to tell me that my sister had be born. He said she was so beautiful and had lots of black hair that stuck out like she was "Tommy Lee- the rocker". He also said she was wide awake and just staring at everything (I can tell you, after that she didn't really open her eyes again for days).

When I saw her through the glass window the next day, all I could think of was Snow White: "Skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood and hair as black as ebony". She was so beautiful.

That much has never changed. She was my little doll. I was allowed to bath her and dress her up in the most adorable little outfits. When she learnt to walk she tottered around the place and very quickly learnt to climb onto the coffee table to dance to the Spice Girls. Her hair grew longer and instead of spikey hair, she had ringlets. Ringlets! A the rosiest cheeks. She also had an attitude to go with it. I've watched family videos, where she is playing in the mud as Tsitsikamma and Rus, my brother, wants a hug. She is completely not interested and told him to "go way". A little while later, she was trying to get into the tent and she asked Rus for help. He told her (just to bug her) that seeing that she didn't love him and give him hugs, he wouldn't help her. She sat there for about 10 seconds. Then turned to him with the most beautiful look on her face and said "Russel, I love you...come give me a hug". The girl has ATTITUDE! :)

The cheekiness didn't end there. She has the nickname "poison" - She even keeps the Alice Cooper song on her phone. But she is not unfair and she is never cruel. She just stands up for herself. And that is something I am very proud of. I have had this unique opportunity to be a mother-sister and watch her grow and mature. And at every age, she is just more wonderful. She now laughs at my taste in music and we discuss favourite shows. I am proud to say that when she has a problem, she phones me.

I am proud of the relationship we have. The gossip sessions about her friends and opinions. And although I wish her the best in the world and all the happiness to go with it, I also know that she has the character and strength to deal with the not so nice stuff (girl power!).

Although, its Savanah's birthday, I feel like I should be celebrating and dancing around. Because of the gift I received 14 years ago. The gift of an baby, a doll, a princess, a rockstar, a little lady, a cheeky teenager and most of all, a sister. Years ago, like most toddlers, Savanah loved (and I mean LOVED) Barney the dinosaur. I'd often sing "I love you..." while she fell asleep. Her favourite, though, was the "Sisters song". Of course, she couldn't say 'sister'- she said 'stister' instead (as a tradition, we still have 'stisters day').

Happy Birthday, my sister. I love you! I promise. I will always be there.

"The Sisters Song"

Sometimes we are real close friends
we stay up late and talk at night
othertimes we dont get along
there are even times we fight
But I know shes always there
and I know she will always care
She's my sister
I love my sister

I've given her a great big hug
when she was feeling bad
then again I have said some things
that have really made her mad
But I know shes always there
and I know she will always care
She's my sister
I love my sister

But I know shes always there
and I know she will always care
She's my sister
I love my sister
She's my sister
I love my sister

Wiz Khalifa Rolling Papers

I am keeping one I really want to recommend on the last night for you. Here is the first version, key third studio album "Rolling papers" from Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa. Compared with the regular version 14 - the path, and the issuance of iTunes by the United States and one of the most rewarding and a handbook for the digital spectrum. This album is really good. You do not want to miss it.

Gluten Free Diet

Have you noticed an abundance of gluten-free foods available in grocery stores or on menus these days? Perhaps the proliferation of gluten-free products, as well as marketing them, lead you to believe that they are a new medicine to better health or weight loss.
So, what is the real story? Will go on a diet free of gluten improve your health or help you lose weight? The answer is that it depends. Reduce the intake of gluten means you agree to dispense with a lot of starches and refined carbohydrates, and this in itself can help in your weight and health. Eating gluten-free, however, is a must for those with celiac disease, who face a real risk of eating gluten.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye products. Containing gluten, most types of grain and bread. Examples of grain-free gluten include wild or brown rice and quinoa, millet, buckwheat and amaranth.
What is not known widely on the gluten-free products is that they still contain the same number of carbohydrates that contain gluten counterparts. In this regard, and there is no health benefit for the selection of gluten-free versions.
For example, a typical slice of bread free of gluten contains 15 grams of total carbohydrates - the same amount of ordinary slice of bread. A snack of biscuits free from gluten containing 30 grams of carbohydrates per meal, the same as the regular crackers.

lunes, 28 de marzo de 2011

I have this line stuck in my head

"This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?"

Florence and the Machine

sábado, 26 de marzo de 2011

Aprilia bikes Images

Aprilia bikes

We are a family run business and pride ourselves in being able to offer you a fully comprehensive service from bike and scooter sales through to our specialist factory trained technical team. Our technical knowledge is second to none, our team has over 40 years worth of experience between them.

We stock an extensive range of accessories and spare parts available to purchase over the counter and mail order, along with a range of road and off-road clothing and crash helmets.

Harley davidson bikes Cute Images

Harley davidson bikes

Sport Bike Review

Sport Bike

BMW HP2 Sport Bike is the sportiest, most powerful and lightest Boxer ever manufactured by BMW. HP2 Sport is the same high performance sport bike that Richard Cooper and Brian Parriott rode to fifth and sixth place finishes in the April's Daytona 200. The HP2 (High Performance 2 Cylinder Boxer) Sport Bike is available in limited supplies and has the MSRP tag of $25,375 plus taxes, license, options and handling charge. More details and pics after the jump.

dirt bikes nice view

dirt bikes

honda bobber

2010 Yamaha R1 Wallpaper