A&R Rubbies: The Best Custom Motorcycles of 2009

A&R Rubbies: The Best Custom Motorcycles of 2009 Radical Ducati RAD02 Imola 1 560x373

An whole part of motorcycling is the poverty for riders to change their motorcycle to impart their individual tastes. For some motorcyclists that effectuation bolting-on an exhuast system, and dispersal on some paint, but for others that effectuation a completely bespoken or one-off build. Celebrating that tradition, we bring you threesome unequalled motorcycles that stood-out from the arrange as we flipped finished our news of 2009.

Best Custom Motorcycle of 2009: NCR island Millona One Shot
A&R Rubbies: The Best Custom Motorcycles of 2009 NCR island Millona 1200 One Shot 560x373

If you communicate the question who makes the most gorgeous, unique, and maximal performing motorycles in the world, one study module consistently come-up: NCR. Taking helper Ducati motorcycles and motion them into entireness of art, which true to modify also perform on the racetrack, NCR island takes everything Ducati stands for, and takes it to the next-next level.

The NCR island Millona One Shot takes the Ducati two-valve air-cooled motor, and wraps a light-weight (8.5lbs) frame around it. In total, the Millona puts out 121 hp, with only 275lbs of bulk, and looks beatific doing it. The toll strength attain you gasp, but if you poverty to own an Italian sportbike that module attain modify Ducati owners look twice, then this is the cycle for you.

First Runner-up: SE Service Harrier
A&R Rubbies: The Best Custom Motorcycles of 2009 SE Service Harrier track 2

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: We don’t know what it is most BMW battler motors, but builders fuck making immoderate tariff featuring the unequalled motor. Stellan Egeland’s SE Harrier is no exception. The only abstract that’s “BMW” most this cycle is the motor, because edgy styling, and unequalled action characteristics attain this cycle rattling different from your accepted German sport-tourer. It’s not for everyone, but it’s the sort of abstract that makes us smile here at A&R.

Second Runner-up: Scorpion Performance Cagiva Mito
A&R Rubbies: The Best Custom Motorcycles of 2009 bounteous scorpionperformance03 560x372

What began life as an modest Cagiva Mito, with its 125cc 15hp motor, probably had no intent that one period it would embellish a nitrous breathed 90hp street menace. While completely over-the-top and unnecessary, the Scorpian Performance Cagiva Mito tickles us in the idea that it boasts a power-to-weight ratio that could rival a Ducati Desmosedici…for a cypher of the cost. With sinister looks and a bevy of aftermarket parts, this pint-sized sportbike module more than probable untune your exemplary ravine carver, and invoke heads at your topical cycle night.

A&R Rubbies: The Best Custom Motorcycles of 2009
Read more

A&R Rubbies: Least Reliable Motorcycles of 2009

A&R Rubbies: Least Reliable Motorcycles of 2009 ktm 690 duke wheelie gone criminal 528x560

One way of activity a motorcycle’s reliability is to wager how many recalls were prefabricated for the help in a presented year. Recalls are nearly invariably created when a break or design flaw poses potential alteration to a rider’s life, or impedes the base activeness of the motorcyce. This time assemblage saw 21 recalls from motorcycle manufacturers, with a few bikes and companies gracing our pages more than they’d care to admit. Check after the move to wager who these repeat offenders are.

Least Reliable Motorcycles of 2009: Harley-Davidson/Buell

A&R Rubbies: Least Reliable Motorcycles of 2009 2009 Buell Lightning XB12Ss Recall 560x373

Although the Harley-Davidson and Buell loyalists won’t same to hear it, dweller prefabricated motorcycles were the most recalled bikes in 2009. Not exclusive did both brands impact the largest compounded intensity of bikes recalled (HD: 110,000+, Buell: 3,400+), but they also built one of the bikes with the most individualist recalls (the Buell XB12 series had 3 recalls this year, and 4 recalls in the time 18 months). With these digit black-eyes on the dweller company, there is little astonishment ground Harley-Davidson stock has condemned a impact from the request announcements.

First Runner-up: Ducati & The Ducati Streetfighter

A&R Rubbies: Least Reliable Motorcycles of 2009 Ducati Streetfighter S request 560x419

Despite claims by Ducati that the consort has achieved quality on par with the Asian manufacturers, Ducati is responsible for the most coverall recalls of 2009, with sextet individualist recalls that included over 3,500 motorcycles in 2009.

Responsible for threesome of these recalls is the Ducati Streetfighter, which shares a request with the 1098R/1198S Superbikes. Also sight the NHTSA’s telecommunicate itemize were the Ducati Monster & Ducati Desmosedici. For the record, the Asian Four had a compounded request intensity of 439 motorcycles, which came from exclusive 2 qualified recalls (Kawasaki & Yamaha).

Second Runner-up: BMW & The K-Series

A&R Rubbies: Least Reliable Motorcycles of 2009 2009 BMW K1300Sc 560x414

BMW recalled over 2,000 K-Series motorcycles in 2009, along with an unknown sort of GS series motorcycles. Perhaps dynamical whatever appearance on the German manufacturer’s aura of reliability, the province sort was our third least sure manufacturer, and daylong with the another companies in this list, comprises a group that is noticeably apart from the rest of the business on the request count.

A&R Rubbies: Least Reliable Motorcycles of 2009
Read more

A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009

A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009 aggressor sepang slide1 560x350

Part of being a bike protagonist in the United States means waking up at odd hours to grownup live news of your selection racing series. Whether it be MotoGP, WSBK, or AMA, every racing Sunday is more aforementioned Easter Sunday as we hunt finished the channel listings hunting for our beloved climb on the television, sometimes uncovering the dissatisfaction that the news has been pushed farther backwards into the week as farther as Wednesday.

For the bike racing fanatics, this sort of Easter egg hunt is a ritual intrinsically tied to our fuck of two-wheeled racing. Thankfully, 2009 provided us whatever commendable racing treasures for every our efforts, and it is in this locate we celebrate those moments.

Best Race of 2009: Last Two Laps of MotoGP at Catalunya on Video
A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009 Fiat Yamaha Catalunya Rossi Lorenzo 560x401

As was common with the 2009 MotoGP season, the rivalry separate into digit groups, with the aforementioned customary suspects directive the calculate and breaking-away from the pack. Catalunya evidenced to be such a race, and low the land solarise fans were aerated to whatever of the finest terminal few laps in bike racing.

With Stoner descending back, leaving the Fiat-Yamahas to effort for the lead, fans watched as Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi traded corners, and vied for the lead. The termination would be a last-corner pass, and a three-way tie in the Championship standings. The vie also set the talk for the rest of the season, as Lorenzo ingrained himself as the Negro that could contend with The Doctor.

First Runner-up: WSBK Championship Goes Down to the Wire at Portimao
A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009 Ben Spies WBSK Champion 560x372

It’s hornlike to pick-out meet digit vie from the World Superbike program as standing discover from the rest. The whole WSBK flavour was filled with close racing, and poem battles, but Portimao stands discover simply because it’s where the program ended. The season-long effort between Spies and Haga had to modify at whatever point, and it ended at the terminal venue. Both riders were equally worthy of the Championship, and Portimao was their terminal effort to verify their crown.

In the impact of success the WSBK Championship, Spies also took the outright achievement for the most pole wins in a WSBK season. But coming in to Portimao, the American traveller was behindhand the gun, and would likely hit to win both races in visit to bonded the championship. With a break by Haga in Race 1, Spies meet needed a overmodest closing in Race 2 to bonded the Championship, and that’s just what happened. If you weren’t outcry at the television during these races, you weren’t paying attention.

Second Runner-up: Casey Stoner Returns to Phillip Island and MotoGP
A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009 MotoGP Casey Stoner Phillip Island limiting inhabitant GP 560x401

Casey Stoner’s epilepsy from MotoGP racing caused a storm of disceptation and fault in the MotoGP paddock during the 2009 season, but his convey to the racing program at Estoril didn’t compeletely quiet his critics. With the inhabitant coming backwards to Phillip Island and his bag turf, there were still a few doubters in the crowd, Wayne Gardner being digit of them.

With a second locate closing at Estoril, Stoner had something to establish at Phillip Island, and establish it he did. The inhabitant auto not only won the inhabitant GP, but he did it in style, sliding around the corners and swing on a exhibit for the fans. At the modify of the day, digit thing was certain: Casey was back, and he hadn’t uncomprehensible a step.

A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009
Read more

A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009

A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009 stoner sepang slide1 560x350

Part of being a bike enthusiast in the United States effectuation waking up at mismatched hours to grownup live coverage of your favorite racing series. Whether it be MotoGP, WSBK, or AMA, every racing Sun is more like Easter Sun as we catch finished the channel listings hunting for our loved climb on the television, sometimes finding the dissatisfaction that the coverage has been pushed farther backwards into the week as farther as Wednesday.

For the bike racing fanatics, this variety of Easter foodstuff catch is a ritual intrinsically equal to our love of two-wheeled racing. Thankfully, 2009 provided us whatever commendable racing treasures for every our efforts, and it is in this locate we celebrate those moments.

Best Race of 2009: Last Two Laps of MotoGP at Catalunya on Video
A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009 Fiat Yamaha Catalunya Rossi Lorenzo 560x401

As was ordinary with the 2009 MotoGP season, the rivalry split into digit groups, with the aforementioned customary suspects directive the charge and breaking-away from the pack. Catalunya evidenced to be much a race, and under the Spanish solarise fans were aerated to whatever of the finest terminal whatever laps in bike racing.

With Stoner dropping back, leaving the Fiat-Yamahas to effort for the lead, fans watched as Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi traded corners, and vied for the lead. The termination would be a last-corner pass, and a three-way bond in the Championship standings. The vie also ordered the tone for the rest of the season, as Lorenzo established himself as the Negro that could contend with The Doctor.

First Runner-up: WSBK Championship Goes Down to the Wire at Portimao
A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009 Ben Spies WBSK Champion 560x372

It’s hard to pick-out meet digit vie from the World Superbike program as stagnant discover from the rest. The entire WSBK flavour was filled with near racing, and epic battles, but Portimao stands discover only because it’s where the program ended. The season-long effort between Spies and Haga had to modify at whatever point, and it ended at the terminal venue. Both riders were equally deserving of the Championship, and Portimao was their terminal effort to claim their crown.

In the process of success the WSBK Championship, Spies also took the unqualified achievement for the most tangency wins in a WSBK season. But reaching in to Portimao, the American rider was behind the gun, and would likely have to get both races in visit to bonded the championship. With a crash by Haga in Race 1, Spies meet necessary a overmodest closing in Race 2 to bonded the Championship, and that’s exactly what happened. If you weren’t outcry at the television during these races, you weren’t paying attention.

Second Runner-up: Casey Stoner Returns to Phillip Island and MotoGP
A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009 MotoGP Casey Stoner Phillip Island qualifying inhabitant GP 560x401

Casey Stoner’s absence from MotoGP racing caused a storm of disceptation and fault in the MotoGP paddock during the 2009 season, but his return to the racing program at Estoril didn’t compeletely silence his critics. With the inhabitant reaching backwards to Phillip Island and his bag turf, there were still a whatever doubters in the crowd, Wayne Gardner being digit of them.

With a second locate closing at Estoril, Stoner had something to prove at Phillip Island, and prove it he did. The inhabitant racer not only won the inhabitant GP, but he did it in style, sliding around the corners and swing on a exhibit for the fans. At the modify of the day, digit thing was certain: Casey was back, and he hadn’t uncomprehensible a step.

A&R Rubbies: The Best Races of 2009
Read more

A Year in Review with the 2009 A&R Rubbies

A Year in Review with the 2009 A&R Rubbies trophy

2009 was Asphalt & Rubber’s first entire assemblage bringing you a daily-dose of bike news, racing, rumors, and more. As the assemblage winds down, we thought we would re-visit whatever of the crowning stories from the bike community this year. It’s the high’s and the low’s, it’s the best and the worst, it’s the 2009 A&R Rubbies, and they’ll be reaching at you everyday until 2010.

A Year in Review with the 2009 A&R Rubbies
Read more

Happy Holidays From Asphalt & Rubber

Happy Holidays From Asphalt & Rubber BMW S1000RR Merry Christmastime 560x371

This is our ordinal pass season here at Asphalt & Rubber, and while the programme module be slow today, we wanted to desire every our readers a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Wonderful Winter Solstice, and Kick-ass Kwanza. May your pass presents be flooded of metal wear systems, racing slicks, and firm kneesliders.

We’ve got something primary designed for the rest of the month, with flooded programme assist ramping backwards up after the New Year. See you in 2010!

Happy Holidays From Asphalt & Rubber
Read more

Vyrus Time-Lapse Build Video

Vyrus Time Lapse Build Video 2010 vyrus 987 c3 4v 8 560x373

Employing time-lapse photography, the folks at Vyrus exhibit how 750 parts become unitedly to attain digit ended bad-ass hub-center steered motorcycle in meet 3 minutes. Check-out the recording after the move to wager how it comes together, and analyse here to see more about the Vyrus 987 C3.

Source: MotoBlog via HFL

Vyrus Time Lapse Build Video
Read more

Vyrus Time-Lapse Build Video

Vyrus Time Lapse Build Video 2010 vyrus 987 c3 4v 8 560x373

Employing time-lapse photography, the folks at Vyrus show how 750 parts come unitedly to attain digit finished bad-ass hub-center steered motorcycle in just 3 minutes. Check-out the recording after the jump to wager how it comes together, and check here to learn more most the Vyrus 987 C3.

Source: MotoBlog via HFL

Vyrus Time Lapse Build Video
Read more

FZ8 Forensics Ponder What the FZ6 Killer Looks Like

FZ8 Forensics Ponder What the FZ6 Killer Looks Like FZ8 renders 560x191

After Yamaha released exclusive a restricted analyse of the FZ8, there has been much speculation most what the newborn fazzer will hit in store for would-be riders. As much in the time week, there hit been a couple attempts to read what the Yamaha FZ8 could look same by using the all-glorious tool that is Adobe Photoshop.

The prizewinning renders we’ve seen thusly farther come from Teutonic magzine Motorrad and the land folks at Moto Revue. While the land seem to verify the concept, and attain it a lowercase over the crowning with a purple frame, ease the Germans rest demurr with their black & white colouration scheme.

Both photochops verify the headlamp picture supplied by Yamaha, and attempt to interpret it onto the body of different motorcycles, impart you Dr. Frankenstein. Moto Revue seems to intend rousing from the FZ6, while Motorrad looks to the bigger FZ1 for inspiration.

There’s ease relatively lowercase aggregation most the FZ8, but as we intend fireman to 2010 and it’s same spring arrival, we expect to see more aggregation leaked out to the press. Stay tuned.

FZ8 Forensics Ponder What the FZ6 Killer Looks Like thumbs yamaha fz8 moto revue
FZ8 Forensics Ponder What the FZ6 Killer Looks Like thumbs yamaha fz8 motorrad
 

Source: Motorrad & Moto Revue


Read more