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The idea was for XCOR Aerospace - a private company developing a reusable launch vehicle for low-earth orbit research and just about anything else someone would want to do in space - to test a piston pump which they plan to use in their Lynx spacecraft. Considering the cost of doing such tests in the far upper atmosphere, they searched for another test bed. It turns out that the Triumph Street Triple has the same cylinder arrangement as their engine's liquid fuel pumps, so they took a far less expensive route - and it worked brilliantly!
Showing posts with label Triumph. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Triumph. Show all posts
Rocket Science Meets Triumph Street Triple
A Triumph Concept That Should Inspire the Marque's Future
Triumph is at the top of the industry again, leading its own niche with some incredibly competent motorcycles which impress even motojournalists who ride hundreds of bikes every year. Many of them own at least one example from the Birtish manufacturer. What I am hoping, though, is that they are willing to take yet another risk - another chance at making a motorcycle which will transcend its category and, perhaps, become an instant classic, provided it is given adequate power and suspension. Both of those Triumph knows and has done many times before...
Take a look at the Triumph Speed Twin Concept, a bike designed by two recent design school graduates with an amazing amount of help from Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. That does mean that this concept has been bred in the same R&D lab that the Speed Triple, Daytona 675 and Rocket III Roadster, so this machine can be built by them...if only the will. The frame, the modern girder forks, and those lovely spoked wheels matched to that stripped down bodywork, it all speaks to the eye and seems like it cannot stand still - it looks like it is always in motion. Please read up on this one; follow the link below.
Thursday Afternoon Moto News - R&G Racing and BMW & Triumph 20th Anniversary
Crash protection specialists R&G Racing will be providing the crash protection for Keith Code's California Superbike School's BMW S1000RR machines. Each of the bikes will be outfitted with just about every piece of protection you can get from R&G for the S1000RR. It's a press release, so feel free to take the link and have a read.
http://tinyurl.com/yahzje4
Well, it's the 20th anniversary of the re-born Triumph on 18 September 2010 and it will be celebrated in proper style at Mallory Park. The call it Triumph Live and tickets are already on sale. They will also open the doors of the Triumph factory, which is only eight miles (~13 Km) away from the circuit. Also, bring some money as they will have a huge 'megastore' of Triumph gear and accessories at discount prices. Take the link to learn more.
http://tinyurl.com/yaxvpfy
More Morning Moto News - Rossi and Simoncelli & 2010 Triumph Thunderbird
Valentino Rossi has said that Marco Simoncelli needs to take some time to figure out why the rookie is having a tough time getting used to his new MotoGP role. Given the young Italian's crashing ways during the winter testing, Rossi thinks that Simoncelli should analyze his issues and find a way to get past them. After all, Simoncelli does have some serious potential. I hope he listens; I want to see him fighting for podium slots!
http://tinyurl.com/yfn2k33
The 2010 Triumph Thunderbird is a huge motorcycle, and it has the power to match its looks. But, how did it come about? Where does this new machine come from? For a great tale of how the new T-Bird came to be, you should take the link and read about the process at Triumph which brought this great motorcycle to the streets.
http://tinyurl.com/ya3xvjt
MORE Afternoon Moto News - Speed Dating & Dunlop Supports CSC
Road Racer X's Speed Dating column comes to us again...and I missed it earlier this week. Well, along with myself, Joe Petrali, Randy Krummenacher, Nicky Wimbauer, Takuma Aoki, Joey Dunlop, Toriano Wilson, Alex de Angelis, Joan Lascorz Moreno, Colin Edwards, Jorg Teuchert and Terry Rymer are all celebrating birthdays from this past week. Funny, Edwards and I share the same birthday and we were both born in Texas - but I am no MotoGP racer yet, why? Also, Triumph returned to racing during this week in 2003 in the British Supersport Championship.
http://tinyurl.com/ylq7h8t
The California State Championships (CSC) will now be supported by the Dunlop Motorcycle Tire company. It's a good thing for the three round series in this still bad economy...and they are quite pleased with how it has worked out so far. For more detail, please take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yz3g5t5
Wednesday Evening Moto News - Scott Guthrie & Triumph's New Models
Another write-up from Rocky Robinson and his 'Salt Addiction' column. In this piece, Scott Guthrie is covered. a true renaissance man who also loves to capture land speed records. He has personally broken over 240 of them, and his team has broken over 380! You really need to read this one...
http://tinyurl.com/yhtgktt
Well, I will not be laying them all out here for you - there are too many details and too many great photos after the link below. But, I will say that Triumph will soon sell its 100,000 motorcycle since returning to North America some 15 years ago. Their market share is growing in the US and there is good reason for that - they make great motorcycles. Hop on over and see what they have waiting for you...
http://tinyurl.com/yfzw452
Monday Afternoon Moto News - Jason DiSalvo, Industry Gossip & TTXGP
This past weekend, Jason DiSalvo decided to go outside and get some training done. Where it gets interesting is when you consider that he lives in New York state - and they have snow on the ground! He went out with his playbike (a dirt machine) and threw some snow around in process of getting himself in race shape for the Triumph team with which he will contend the 2010 World Supersport Championship season.
http://tinyurl.com/yh7jrek
In industry gossip ,we get word that KTM is going to produce their 125cc concept machines which were present at the Milan EICMA Show just last year. They will be built in India and will be sold globally. There are plenty of other rumors - some we have already heard and some which are new. There is a great part on the future of a four-wheeled leaning motorcycle (ala Yamaha Tesseract)So, please do not forget to take the link and have a good read!
http://tinyurl.com/yd39w78
And, finally, there is news that Road America, of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, will be hosting the final event of the TTXGP’s eGrandPrix North American Championship. It is certainly nice to see another round added to this series as the Isle of Man TT organizers shuttered that round recently. If only it will help gain some notoriety for the organizers and participants alike.
http://tinyurl.com/yzqz6aq
More Morning Moto News - Lloyd Brothers, Kawasaki ZX-10R & Z1000 Vs. Triumph Videos
A short press release from Lloyd Brothers Motorsports has informed us that they will retain the sponsorship of American Agip as their title sponsor for the 2010 AMA Grand National Dirt Track series. This is excellent new for the team who was hoping greatly for this continued support. For a short bit of detail, take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/y9z53hs
The Kawasaki ZX-10R video has the guys at MCN (UK) out testing the 2010 model against the 2009 version in their usual speed tests. It's a riot and looks like they had way too much fun! Go and enjoy...
http://tinyurl.com/ycrdanr
In our next video feature from MCN (UK), they take the all new 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 up against the Triumph Speed Triple. For the first time, according to the piece, Kawasaki has provided them with something to really challenge the Hinckley triple in a hard-charging competition. Have a look for yourself...
http://tinyurl.com/yedakqt
More Afternoon Moto News - Custom Triumph Scrambler, BMW R1200R Charity Auction & Flat Track TV
Italian designer Pietro Figini of TPR Italian Factory has taken his eyes and hands to the modern Triumph Scrambler. He has taken it and turned it into a retro-looking machine worthy of a museum display, but it is simply a modern take on the classic look - it will still be under warranty and will perform like a modern motorcycle. Take the link and have a look for yourself.
http://tinyurl.com/ygmluda
BMW has created a special edition of its R1200R for the 40th anniversary of their Berlin plant and auctioned it late last year. It is a Roadster with special parts and pieces from the BMW accessory catalog - and there are plenty of them. The proceeds from the sale went to Save the Children Deutschland. They managed to raise €14,951 for the great cause.
http://tinyurl.com/ycmbs43
AMA Pro Racing and MavTV have signed on to actually air the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on TV. You may or may not have the station, so you need to check with your satellite or cable TV provider. But, if you do have it, you will get to see 5 of the 21 rounds this year - and, the agreement will be in effect for three years.
http://tinyurl.com/yeykdt3
More Morning Moto News - Triumph USA, Speed Dating & Rizla Suzuki
Triumph North America has a CEO who started on the Triumph production line at the age of 15 and worked his way to the top - and, he seems to be a good leader as well. Mark Kennedy has led the North American division through these hard economic times and actually managed to grab some market share during the downturn. Kennedy has learned quite a bit about the company coming from the bottom up, and he is putting it to use in keeping Triumph in the black.
http://tinyurl.com/ykyo8wr
The weekly 'Speed Dating' column from Road Racer X is now available. This week we see the birthdays of Fabrizio Pirovano, Gaston Rahier, Jonathan (Johnny) Rea, Jose Luis Cardoso, Brendan Roberts, Juan Bautista Borja, Piergiorgio Bontempi, Jimmy Moore. It is also the 46th anniversary of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the US - 1964 was the first year that the World Championship came to the shores of the US. Check it out...
http://tinyurl.com/yku2vvu
Suzuki's MotoGP team has signed another two year deal with Imperial Tobacco Limited (ITL) which will allow the team to run the Rizla livery until the end of 2011. Given the dearth of sponsorships these days, this is again more good news for motorcycle racing!
http://tinyurl.com/yblvdu6
More Morning Moto News - BMW @ MCN Show & Mark Gardiner
BMW is quite pleased to be announcing that they will have their concept and new motorcycle models at the MCN London Motorcycle Show, which is coming up 4 - 7 February 2010. They have put out a press release with a list of bikes they will bring, and what else they will have going on at the show. If you are attending, you will want to read this link...
http://tinyurl.com/ycdumc7
Mark Gardiner has given us yet another inside look at racing. In the RoadRacer X column, 'AGV Backmarker', he covers the strange goings-on with the Triumph World Supersport teams. He delves into the situation with Jason DiSalvo and Gary McCoy. It was an interesting soap opera which left McCoy without a seat, and DiSalvo taking his place - both were completely ignorant of the machinations going on at the time. It is well worth a read - especially if you are interested in the politics of motorcycle road racing.
http://tinyurl.com/yhka7hp
More Saturday Moto News - Jason DiSalvo, Ryan Capes & SpongeBob
Jason DiSalvo has no problem with Gary McCoy, even after taking his slot on the ParkinGO BE1 Triumph World Supersport team. McCoy and the BE1 team had some problems and their negotiations broke down, so they simply went to find a replacement. They picked up DiSalvo from the US AMA Pro Racing series. I get the impression that DiSalvo is glad to be back in a real racing series.
http://tinyurl.com/yjqe4ak
Ryan Capes has broken the dirt-to-dirt long distance motorcycle jump record - and he did it with very little fanfare. It is an official Guinness World Record and he set it on a Pro Circuit-tuned Monster Energy Kawasaki/Service Honda KX500 at Jeremy McGrath's ranch in California. There is even a video of it after the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yc6t5ub
And, I had to post this one. Are there any fans of SpongeBob SquarePants? If so, you can now get a motorcycle helmet to show your support of the character. Ateliers Ruby has released the 10th anniversary tribute and will only make 200 of the - only to be sold in the US and Europe - and they cost - wait for it - US$1200!
http://tinyurl.com/ydwk86e
More Afternoon Moto News - Triumph Colors, Dallas Chopper Show and the Oak Tree Tavern at VIR
Triumph is introducing some new paint schemes on their 2010 models. The newest color is the very cool Scorched Yellow, which will be available on the Street Triple. It's not the biggest news, but it is nice to know.
http://tinyurl.com/y8w3swm
Viper Motorcycles is now a major sponsor for the Rick Fairless Strokers Dallas Bike Show and Parts Expo in Texas and running in April of this year (no dates provided in the press release). It will be another repli-chopper type show with miles of chrome and very stretched out forms and bars, but you may find it interesting if yo are, in fact, into those sorts of motorcycles. Check out the release after the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yhsx9jk
The Oak Tree Tavern, at Virginia's Virginia International Raceway, will be holding its re-Grand Opening on 29 January 2010. The restaurant and bar has new management and a completely new menu. It will be open as a regular establishment and is family-friendly. If you get near VIR, you now have a historic place to eat your meals and drink your pleasure.
http://tinyurl.com/yhsqgmg
Myrtle Beach City Council Learns a Lesson and a Classic Triumph TR5
The city of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, cancelled the 2009 Myrtle Beach Bike Week for what they said were excessive, noise, traffic congestion and other related issues. Well, they found out that the event brings in huge sums of money for many businesses located in the city. The Myrtle Beach City Council and its mayor John Rhodes have now figured out how important this event is to the city and its citizens. Yes, the members of the Council and that idiot mayor Rhodes are ignorant and very unqualified for their jobs, and they will likely be re-elected even though (American voters are not all that bright). So, the 2010 Myrtle Beach Bike Week is back on and it runs from either 7 or 11 - 16 May 2010. So, check the link and learn more.
http://tinyurl.com/ybj4etg
And, now a blast from the past in the form of a 1956 Triumph TR5. This machine was built at a time when the English factory was making some of the best motorcycle in the world. If you get a chance to take one out for a ride, you will know why. No, it is not as powerful or athletic as a modern motorcycle, but it certainly has it own charms...and I would be a very proud owner if I had one - so you you!
http://tinyurl.com/ya8rksw
Even More Monday Afternoon Moto News - Buell Auction and Husky
The Buell factory in Easy Troy, Wisconsin, will be auctioning off equipment from the factory and some motorcycles used for design duties - though none of them are Buells. The motorcycles are a 1999 BMW R1100RT, a 1998 KTM Dakar, a 2007 Triumph Speed Triple and a 2008 KTM SuperDuke. Also available will be trucks, tools, lifts trailers and much, much more. It all starts on 28 January 2010 and will lats about a month, or until most everything sells. Get there or lose out on some great deals.
http://tinyurl.com/yb6wun7
Husqvarna is looking for more dealers in the United States. Now that they are part of BMW, the company is in great financial shape and is producing some of the most interesting, good looking and useful motorcycles in the world. I would become a dealer, but they would probably not have me. So, if you are lucky enough to be attending the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, 13 - 15 February 2010, stop by their booth and you may find yourself selling Husky bikes.
http://tinyurl.com/yc9g59q
Even More Monday Afternoon Moto News! - Triumph Custom and Indian 741
This is a stunning Triumph custom. The bike started life as a 2002 Triumph Speed Triple, but it is now something just plain gorgeous! Just look at the stunning paint, the very cool gauge cluster, and the ultimately cool brake light treatment. Even the sub-frame was hand-built and the headlight was sourced from a tractor! You just have to take a look at the other photos after the link.
Now, let's go back in time to the 1935 to 1945 era of motorcycle manufacture and look at the legendary Indian Model 741. The 741 was deigned by the Indian Motocycle Company (yes, there is no r in their name) for military duty during World War II. The very sad part is that Indian did not last much longer after the war was done. The linked article is very detailed and explains how the 741 was made from the company's Model 640. Really, take the link and read...
Monday Morning Moto News - Simoncelli and DiSalvo
Marco Simoncelli has ridden both the Aprilia RSV-4 - in World Superbike trim - and the Honda RC212V MotoGP machine. As we have heard many times before, the MotoGP machine is much harder to tame than a WSBK-spec machine. Simoncelli has ridden both rather close together in time, so he knows a thing or two about the differing behavior.
http://tinyurl.com/yepsao8
Well, even after reading the post on the Triumph racing efforts in 2010, we did not see this news. Jason DiSalvo, who lost his ride in DMG/AMA Pro Racing with M4 Suzuki, will be riding with Gary McCoy and Chaz Davies for the ParkinGO Triumph team in World Supersport. As even more riders defect from the US series, it seems that us Americans will have to get our racing fix in world class racing for 2010.
http://tinyurl.com/y9s894j
Monday Morning Moto News - Triumph and Althea Ducati
Triumph has announced their European competition plans. They will contest the World Supersport Championship with Gary McCoy and Chaz Davies. The other main announcement was the Triumph ParkinGO European Series, which is an all-European race series which does have full World Championship status. The release is a bit confusing, but I am sure you can figure it out. Though, it is not 'world' in the truest sense of the word.
http://tinyurl.com/ybof6ba
Over the weekend, the Althea Ducati team was officially introduced to the world's press. They will contest the World Superbike Championship in 2010 with riders Carlos Checa and Shane Byrne. They will be off to practice at Portimao in a few days and look to be situated for success. Take a look...
http://tinyurl.com/ydaqkrd
Let's Talk Moto Financial News - Several Stories Here
There are several stories on the financial health of the motorcycle industry, but I have yet to post many of them as they are usually quite dry and I am not sure anyone wants to read them. However, it is a good idea to keep track of the way the motorcycle industry is going - or has been in the recent past.
Here is a story about Triumph's recent sales in the United Kingdom. Despite the economy being in terrible shape, Triumph had a banner year in 2009. They broke their own record for sales in their home nation!
http://tinyurl.com/yblhmge
Next, a US custom builder is eyeing some growth in 2010. Viper Motorcycles has confirmed their goals for this year to their shareholders and you can read it too.
http://tinyurl.com/y9ejxsv
And, some more reports from Triumph, BMW and Ducati in the US. It seems that Triumph did well in the States as well, but BMW and Ducati also have weathered the recession much better than expected.
http://tinyurl.com/y9qcf43
Even more on BMW: http://tinyurl.com/yzhya43
From Honda in Australia - Still number one in sales even with the recession...
http://tinyurl.com/yfkza6x
Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - Bill Werner and a Comparo
Legendary flat track tuner Bill Werner has turned his talents on a Kawasaki Ninja 650 and turned it into a competitive in the AMA Grand National Twins class. And, to add to it all, Werner managed to hire former Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew member Bryan Smith to tackle this challenge. The idea is to make it affordable again to race in the series. As it is, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, who dominate the series, are incredibly expensive to run for a full season and many amateurs simply cannot afford to keep up the maintenance on the race machine.
http://tinyurl.com/ycjm2dy
Now I will direct your attention to a shootout between sub-US$8K cruisers. They put the H-D 883 Iron, Moto Guzzi V7 Classic, Yamaha / Star V-Star 950, and the Triumph Bonneville through the paces to see which one of them is the best at what they do and the best value. See which one wins...I'll give you a hint, it's not the American one.
http://tinyurl.com/yb9ypbc
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