Well, I've been looking around at a lot of bike websites lately, and I feel compelled to show off some of the cool new motorcycles that are coming out for the 2006 model year. So, without further adieu, here we go:
First off, the all-new Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic:
It gets its styling cues from the 2000cc Vulcan, but at 1/2 the price (and half the motor, obviously). The engine has less bore and more stroke than the 800 it replaces, which translates to more torque down low, without losing too much on the top-end (thanks to fuel-injection instead of the old 800's carbs). I like how it's liquid-cooled, but the radiator is hidden between the downtubes, and I love that it has a belt drive instead of a dirty chain or ugly-looking shaft. The softail style is my favorite on a cruiser, and the motor looks very similar to a Victory's. I think this is
the best-looking middleweight cruiser out there right now - not the HD Sportster, not the Yamaha V-Stars, not the Triumph Bonneville, not the Suzuki "S" models - this bike right here. That being said, I'm not big on spoke wheels, but that is a fairly simple fix (I do like the big 130 and 180 tires, though). I can't comment on how they ride and perform, but since it's similar to the Vulcan 800's that it's replacing, I can imagine it's a damn nice ride (floorboards are the sh
ite).
Next up is the Kawasaki Vulcan Mean Streak:
It seems that this bike is a carry-over from 2005, aside from the paint - which, by the way, is the main reason I'm posting this bike. The new color scheme is ridiculous, I love it. This bike on one of my favorites, and now I love it that much more. The colors take it one step further out of the cruiser category and one step further into the sportbike realm. These are a very comfortable power cruiser (and I'm not a big fan of forward controls) and their sound is incredible - especially with a set of Vance and Hines pipes. The only reason I wouldn't own one personally is because of the shaft drive - i just hate how it looks and how the bike bows up in the center when you crank open the throttle. If they threw a belt drive on this bike, I'd be on it like a cheap suit.
Another Kawasaki, the new Ninja 650:
This thing is sick. I'm willing to bet that this becomes the new entry-level Ninja (ousting the 500). It's a 649cc fuel-injected parallel-twin housed in a radical new design. Check out the Buell-like styling cues - low-slung exhaust, the very visible rear shock - along with the ZX-styled flower petal brake rotors, 6-spoke wheels, clutch and flywheel dimpled engine cases, and upper fairing design (complete with euro-spec flush-mount front signals). If I knew that this bike was coming out, I would've definitely waited a year to buy one (and while I was waiting, saved up $1300 to cover the 650's premium over the Ninja 500). While I don't think Team Green will discontinue the 500 (because it's cheap to buy and even cheaper for them to produce), I think that a lot of riders looking at 500's will go with the 650 instead, because it seems like a good entry-level bike you could hang on to for a few years before getting tired of it (unlike my 500, which I've become tired of after having for only 4 months). I'm definitely going to go check these out when they become available.
And my final Kawasaki, the new ZX-14:
Well, what is there to say, really? It'll be the next Hayabusa - only faster.
Now, on to the Yamahas, starting with the newly-redesigned FZ1:
Yamaha's website won't have more info on the '06 sportbikes until September 28th, so I can't comment too much on the technical aspects of them. What I can say is that the FZ1 is a badass-looking bike. The biggest visual change is the stylish aluminum frame, instead of the funky old steel tube design. This makes the bike look 100 times better, along with the inverted front forks, bigger brakes, stubby exhaust canister, and 5-spoke "R" wheels. The motor is now the fuel-injected unit from the 04-up R1, albeit a little less high-strung (I wouldn't expect it to be weak, though
).
The Yamaha R1 Limited Edition:
This is
the R1 to own - complete with back torque-limiting slipper clutch (read: shift without the clutch), Marchesini wheels, adjustable rear suspension link and Öhlins suspension developed specifically for the R1. It's a wild-looking bike, and I can only imagine cranking it open to the 14,000-rpm redline. That being said, I could never own one because A) I would wrap it around a tree going very fast, and B) if I didn't kill myself on it, I'd develop the dreaded "carpal tunnel and smashed scrotum" syndrome.
Now on to the "Star" side of Yamaha - The new Roadliner:
These are wild-looking. When I see them, I picture a 1940's Rolls Royce or Jaguar XK. They are truly a rolling sculpture, with the swept-back fenders, chrome "grille" on the tank and steering head, and teardrop signal lights. The frame is aluminum (like the Warrior's), and not steel (like the Road Star), which shows that this bike was designed to do more than look pretty. Plus, they have the biggest motor of all the Stars - 113 CID (1854cc), so they definitely have the scoot. They are truly amazing, even moreso in person.
Ok, moving to the Harleys, we have the Dyna Street Bob:
What a cool bike. Check out the mini ape hangers, flat black (demin, as HD calls it) paint, and slammed rear end. It also features stadard-mount controls (and not the stretched-out forward controls), which I like a lot. This bike is truly the modern-day recreation of a bobber. Plus, it features a 6-speed tranny and standard fuel injection (as does the rest of the Dyna line).
Next, the new HD VRSCR Street Rod:
Yes, I know - everybody hates the V-Rod. The "Harley guys" hate it because of the Porsche-designed motor, liquid cooling, and futuristicly-styled frame and bodywork. They especially dislike the Street Rod model because it has a sportbike-like seating position, with midset pegs and the drag-style handlebar. They say it's not a "real" Harley. And the "import guys" hate it simply because it is a Harley. It's a no-win situation. But, maybe that's why I love it so much. It's different, and I like things that are different. I especially like the Street Rod, because its seating position is damn-near identical to my bike - it just molds to me perfectly. Plus, it has the larger 5-gallon gas tank (up from 3.6 on the other VRSC's) and inverted front forks - along with new-for-06 Brembo brakes. And the sound... there's only one way to describe it - it sounds nothing like any other Harley out there, but as soon as you hear one, it can't be mistaken for anything but a Harley. This is probably going to be the next bike I get (either this or a Buell XB12Ss, which is farther down this list).
And the final Harley I'm posting, the Street Glide:
This is what happens whenever you take a Electra Glide and clean it up a little. The passing lamps are gone, the windshield is chopped, the suspension is lowered, and the bags are free of any excess chrome BS. I like it alot (although I'd rather have a Road King Custom in yellow), but I'm still not real fond of having a radio on a motorcycle. It's just not right.
Now, my final bike for this post, the Buell Lightning XB12Ss:
I love these bikes for the same reason I love the VRSC's - they're different. They're built like a sportbike but have a Harley Sportster engine, the gas tank is in the frame, the oil tank is in the swingarm, and the brake runs along the outside of the wheel, just for starters. The exhaust also hangs underneath the engine to give the bike a rediculous lean angle of 48 degrees. There is just no other bike to even compare to a Buell XB. And for '06, there is a new model - the XB12Ss - that is redesigned to be bigger. The gas tank steps from 3.7 gallons to 4.4, the wheelbase grows 2 inches (to 54 inches), and the passenger seat also gets bigger. But, amazingly, the bike is still about 3 inches shorter than my 500. What's even more amazing is that I do not feel cramped at all when I sit on one - this bike is ultra-comfortable. And because of its short wheelbase and flat torque curve from 1500-6600rpm (peaking at 75 pounds and never dropping below 50), it'll wheelie for no good reason... Exactly the bike I'm looking for
I'll post some more up later, but I've been doing this on-and-off for about 3 hours now, so I'm gonna quit and let you enjoy...
