Victory Shows Vision 800 Concept Bike

Victory unveiled their striking Vision 800 concept bike Friday at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, and we were surprised to see that it is a huge departure from the tradtional, cruiser-style bikes that are the company's mainstay.


The first thing that you'll notice is the styling - for good or bad, the Vision looks unlike any bike we have seen before. The organic-looking shapes seem to be something right out of a radical design school student's portfolio, and indeed they may be.




If the styling is surprising, the specifications are even more so, especially considering their departure from the Victory norm. The Vision is powered by an 800cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin, and power is transferred through a fully-automatic CVT (constantly variable transmission) - the bike is devoid of both foot controls and clutch, with brake levers on both handlebars.

We're not sure exactly what this bike means for Victory - it's such a huge jump outside the realm of their typical V-Twin powered cruisers. It's obvious that they are trying to emulate the major Japanese OEMs, who often unveil radical concept bikes featuring unusual new technology, and then incorporate these concepts piecemeal into their existing range. Is this Victory's attempt to gain respect as a "real" manufacturer, or will we actually see something similar to the Vision in production form? Only time will tell.



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Yamaha Virago Waterbike

Here is another one of those oddities that we sometimes show you here at AutoblogGreen. We often write about motorcycles here, so this one seems to fit... sort of. Anyway, what we have here is a mid-eighties Yamaha Virago, one of the first of the Japanese Harley-copies that hit the scene. These are the motorcycles that initiated the term "cruiser" as opposed to just Harley... but enough history.



The builder of this machine apparently couldn't decide between his two hobbies, so he combined them into one mode of transportation. I can't help but think that it is not an easy conversion between the two of them, though.

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The weirdest solar-powered motorbike

Is it a snail? Is it a two-wheeled version of the Sidney Opera house? Nope... It's a solar-powered motorbike designed by SunRed, a Spanish automotive development company, that got a prize for Best Innovative Technology during the Barcelona Int'l Auto Show.

The project, which will result in a life-size prototype in the near future, consisted in creating a model able to capture sunlight, store electrical power and power the motorbike in the most environmentally respectful way. Instead of deploying panels that might occupy too much space, SunRed decided to adopt a clamshell structure that would optimize the panels surface while not making the vehicle bulky. When the bike is stopped, the solar panels surface tops up to 3.1 m2 (25 sq. ft) and it can store energy for up to 20km (13 miles) at 50km/h (30 mph). The motor, as in most modern electric bikes, is brushless and it's placed right in the axle of the wheel, saving transmission components.

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Yamaha - 2007 Road Star

Key Features:

102-cubic-inch V-twin-powered beauty, in a long, low, hardtail-look frame, with plenty of customization potential built in.
Modern engineering and materials, including ceramic composite cylinder liners.
Air cooling, hydraulic valve lifters and belt final drive reduce maintenance requirements to a minimum.



Engine:

102-cubic-inch air-cooled, long-stroke OHV 48-degree pushrod V-twin pumps out huge amounts of torque barely off idle for brisk acceleration and fantastic overall cruising performance.
Hydraulic valve lifters driven by twin camshafts deliver exceptional performance and less maintenance. Ceramic composite cylinder bore plating ensures greater durability and optimal heat dissipation.
Single Mikuni 40mm CV carburetor with throttle position sensor features electronic fuel and accelerator pumps, carburetor heater and handy side-mounted air filter to ensure consistent fuel flow, great throttle response and optimum power throughout the rev range.
Smooth-shifting five-speed transmission delivers outstanding cruising performance with low RPM at highway speeds.
Dry sump lubrication system uses a handy spin-on filter and creates lower center of gravity by helping keep overall engine height to a minimum.
Electric starting system features solenoid-activated auto-decompressor for easy, dependable starting.
Two-into-two exhaust system features beefy, staggered shotgun dual pipes putting out a soulful V-twin exhaust tune.

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Honda - Interceptor ABS

In the '80s, nobody could catch the AMA championship-winning VFR750. Today's Interceptor/Interceptor ABS, like its predecessors, boasts the most advanced technologies of its time, like an aluminum chassis and a fuel-injected V4—the goods that earn it best sportbike honors year after year. For '07, we're offering a paint scheme that lets all its racing DNA speak out—loud and clear.




ENGINE


Engine Type 781cc liquid-cooled 90-degree V-4

Bore and Stroke 72mm x 48mm

Compression Ratio 11.6:1

Valve Train VTEC DOHC; four valves per cylinder

Carburetion Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with automatic enricher circuit

Ignition Computer-controlled digital with three-dimensional mapping and electronic advance


DRIVE TRAIN


Transmission Close-ratio six-speed

Final Drive #530 O-ring-sealed chain

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BMW - F 800 ST

The twisties are yours to devour anywhere in the country aboard the new 85 bhp F 800 ST, which is the touring version of the lithe new F 800. With a full fairing, high windshield and touring oriented ergonomics with raised handlebars, bombing down any road you choose is as comfortable as it is thrilling. Two 320 mm diameter front brake disk and Brembo four piston hydraulic calipers, and with optional ABS every ride stopping power is guaranteed. Add optional touring cases and heated grips and you've got a bike that is fast, flickable, and above extraordinarily capable. No matter where you want to ride, the sharp-handling F 800 ST gets you there, mile after mile.



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Asimma Concept Bike

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990 RC8 - Concept Bike

The RC8 Venom is a study based on the revolutionary concept of the RC8. She is definitely and clearly designed as a naked bike and thus a specific interpretation of the RC8 form language, whereas also technically widely based on the RC8.

For the RC8, we brought our riders to the design table as well as the best technicians and designers. Our aim: The ultimate weapon for am-bitious street-fighters. That means: A radical concentration of its mass around the compact 75° V2. Innovative details are everywhere: The seat is the tank, keeping fuel at the machine's centre of gravity. Dry sump lubrication allows the entire exhaust system to sit precisely where it has the least influence on dynamics. Directly under the engine. The fairing is designed to produce: The least possible crosswind drag. The result: No crosswind oscillation, spell-binding agility, and aggres-sive steering ability.

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The ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle) bike

The ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle) bike was designed to Intelligent Energy’s brief by a British team, led by multi-award-winning designers Seymourpowell (last year cited as Britain’s 6th most important cultural movers and shakers in a BBC poll).
ENV is lightweight, streamlined and aerodynamic. It boasts a performance that outreaches any existing electrical bike. In an urban or off-road environment, it can reach speeds of 50 mph.

It is also virtually silent (with noise equivalent to an everyday home computer) and its emissions are almost completely clean.

On a full tank, the ENV bike could be used continually for up to four hours without any need for re-fuelling. The bike can also be used by riders of any skill level with simple controls, via a throttle directly linked to the applied power. The bike has no gears and is strictly defined as a motorbike, although it feels to riders more like a very quick and responsive mountain bike. ‘ENV is light, fast and fun’, commented Seymourpowell director Nick Talbot. ‘It has good ground clearance, great off-road suspension travel and a very carefully considered power to weight ratio. I have ridden motorbikes for years’, he added, ‘ and, in the process of designing the bike, I have become a convert to fuel cell technology. The bike is usable, useful and great-looking. It was important on this project to demonstrate that new technologies don’t have to be wrapped up in a dull product – engaging public imagination and enthusiasm is key.’

www.envbike.com

HONDA - CB600F Hornet

The CBR600RR a mid-size super sport bike introduced in 2003 to much acclaim from the public for its high performance has a lighter engine and frame and updated styling for 2007. The popular CB600F Hornet sports bike, now equipped with the same lightweight engine as the new CBR600RR, is retuned for ease of use at low-to-medium engine speeds, and features updated styling accented by a new headlight design. A special model of the CBR1000RR is also available fitted in bold the Repsol Honda Team’s MotoGP factory machine livery.

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