The Auto World: 2012

Saturday, March 24, 2012

10 Fastest Motorbikes of the World

From 1999 to 2000, with one speed demon after another hitting the streets, motorbike manufacturers began to realize that the inter-manufacturer speed war had begun to get out of hand. In 2001, European and Japanese manufacturers agreed upon electronically limiting the top-speed of their motorbikes to 186 mph. Although there are manufacturers that aren’t bound by said agreement, most production motorbikes nowadays have top-speeds equal to or under mentioned limit.

Following is a list of the ten fastest motorbikes of the world in no particular order. Bikes with only the most consistent reported top speeds have been included.

Dodge Tomahawk

Sporting a 10-cylinder Viper engine (V10 engine) that packs 500 horsepower, this four-wheel concept bike can allegedly hit speeds of over 300 mph.

MTT Streefighter

Marine Turbine Technologies’ Streetfighter jet-bike is powered by a 420 horsepower gas-turbine engine and according to bikez.com, the speed demon has a top speed of 250 mph. MTT’s jet-bikes do not have their top speeds electronically limited to 186 mph.

MTT Turbine Superbike (Y2K Superbike)

MTT’s Y2k Turbine Superbike was introduced in 2000 as the second turbine-powered street-legal motorbike. The jet-bike has a Rolls-Royce 250-C20 turboshaft gas-turbine engine of 320 horsepower and a top speed of 230 mph.

Suzuki Hayabusa

When introduced in 1999, the Suzuki Hayabusa was the world’s fastest production motorbike with a top speed of 188 mph . The current model of the sport bike has a 1349 cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder DOHC engine that can deliver 197 horsepower. Certain stats indicate that with a hack that fools the currently installed 186 mph speed limiting governor, the bike can hit speeds in excess of 200 mph!

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14

Kawasaki’s 2006 successor of the popular Ninja ZX series comes equipped with a 1352 cc, 4-stroke, 4 -cylinder DOHC engine packing 190 horsepower and has an electronically-limited top speed of 186 mph but with the limiter out of the way, speeds in excess of 190 mph have been recorded.

BMW S1000RR

BMW Motorrad’s S1000RR was first seen at the 2009 Superbike World Championship after which it went into production with a 999 cc, 4-stroke, inline-four DOHC engine that, as claimed by the manufacturer, produces more than 190 horsepower. The bike has an electronically-limited top-speed of 186 mph.

MV Agusta F4 CC

The 2010 installment of the MV Agusta F4 series has a 1078 cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and an estimated top-speed of over 190 mph.

Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird

In production from 1996-2007, the Super Blackbird came equipped with a 1137 cc, 4-stroke, inline four DOHC engine with 150 horsepower. Before 2001’s self-imposed top speed limit of 186 mph, the Blackbird models recorded top speeds of 172-180 mph.

Yamaha YZF R1

The Yamaha YZF R1 models have recorded top-speeds of around 170 mph. The current model sports a 998 cc, 4-cylinder DOHC engine with a new “crossplane” style crankshaft and 179.6 horsepower.

Aprilia RSV 1000 R

Aspirilia’s super-bike can hit speeds of up to 168 mph courtesy of a 998 cc, 4-stroke V-2 engine with 141.13 horsepower.

10 Most Amazing Concept Bicycles

Invented in the 19th century, the bicycle hasn’t changed much since then, and it’s sorely in need of a 21st century makeover. Luckily, there are plenty of designers eager to jump in and do just that, with amazing concepts that fold into compact portable packages, harness solar energy, store kinetic pedal power and even allow amphibious travel.

Some are ready for the assembly line while others will never be more than an idea, but all 10 of these designs are quite a departure from the ordinary. So here are some of the most amazing Concept or futuristic bicycles.

Minimalist Theft-Proof Computer-Aided Bicycle

With spokeless wheels designed to eliminate wind drag, tires that can’t be punctured, no visible chain and a minimalist frame, this bicycle is a definite departure from old school designs.. This is definitely a bike of the future.

Laptop-Charging Bike Concept

It’s probably the boxiest and least aerodynamic bicycle concept, but the most interesting part of this strange design has nothing to do with looks. This electric bicycle has a docking station for your laptop, charged by the bike’s battery as you ride.

Nulla: Ultramodern Spokeless Bike

Nulla means “nothing” in Italian, and though this bicycle is closer to “nothing” than most, it’s still a whole lot of something. Like the minimalist theft-proof bicycle by Chris Boardman, the Nulla has no hubs or chain drive for perhaps the sleekest, most futuristic look yet.

Incredible Folding Backback Bicycle

The Bergmonch folding backpack bicycle eliminates the problem of terrain that has to be negotiated on foot, not only is it small and lightweight, it folds perfectly onto itself in less than two minutes in a convenient configuration.

Collapsible Bike Concept

Portability is key when it comes to the bikes of the future, and concept designers are finding incredibly creative ways to make bikes light and collapsible. This design not only breaks down into a small package, but also provides storage space in the form of a bag positioned between the wheels.

Solar Powered Electric Bike

Cycle Sol owners can glide up effortlessly using solar power instead of muscle power. This electric bicycle has a roof that both protects the rider from the sun and rain and collects solar energy.

Bizarre Di-Cycle

Designed to carry the rider over both land and water, this strange bicycle concept was designed especially for the city of Helmond in the Netherlands, which has as many canals as it does roads.

All-Weather Bicycle Design

All-weather bicycle concepts aren’t entirely new, but they’ve always been rather clunky and unrealistic until now. This bicycle concept features a transparent roof that can protect against precipitation.

Locust Flexible Folding Bicycle

With its large circular frame, the Locust folds in a way that most other portable, collapsible bikes don’t. It is designed by Josef Cardek.

Grasshopper: Folding Electric Bike

Naturally, some intrepid designers have taken folding bicycles to the next level by making them electric. Grasshopper design not only gets you to and fro, but can also become a stationary exercise bike and even generates and stores the energy you produce when pedaling.

10 Most Amazing Concept Bikes

Everyone loves riding bikes and so do we. As technology evolves, we shall be seeing new concept bikes with some unique design anatomy. Though fascinating, these concept bikes share a common aptitude of never making into the real world.

Compiled below is a list of the most amazing concept bikes you will ever see. Some of them may even hit the roads of reality in coming future but most of them are just idealized for the imaginary world.

1. Honda V4

The Honda V4 concept which was revealed at the 2008 Intermot bike show in Germany is a stylish and futuristic sportbike which proposes a new design direction for the brand.

2. Suzuki G-Strider

The Suzuki G-Strider was first seen during the 2003 Tokyo Motorshow. This concept motorbike is best described as half scooter half cruiser motorcycle as it shares atributes with both.

3. I.Care

This concept bike, known as the I.Care, is the best example of modern-day technology mixed with design and speed. It is designed and visualized by a France-based company, Enzyme Design. The I.Care motorcycle is meant to be the Aston Martin of the two-wheeled world with a six-cyclinder 1.8 Honda engine

4. Victory Vision 800

The Victory Vision 800 is a true concept bike, designed to show just how radical Victory can think. Victory, a division of Polaris ATV’s has no intention of producing the Vision 800, but the design is important nonetheless.

5. Yamaha Tesseract

The Yamaha Tesseract Concept Bike was unveiled at the Yamaha 2008 Tokyo Auto Show. Yamaha has made this concept a hybrid, boasting both a V-Twin engine of undisclosed size along with an electric motor.

6. Peraves Monotracer

The Peraves Monotracer is a fully enclosed motorbike featuring a sporty, aerodynamic appearance and low fuel consumption. The Peraves Monotracer is a new, updated and more attractive version of the Swiss-made Ecomobile.

7. Bombadier Embrio

The Embrio is a robotic unicycle announced by Bombardier in 2003, it is currently only a conceptual design. If produced, it would not be available until 2025. It is designed to be a hydrogen fuel cell-powered motorized unicycle capable of reaching highway speeds.

8. Batpod

Seen this in the Dark Knight, Have we? The Batpod was designed for the movie by Nathan Crowley and is powered by a high-performance, water-cooled, single-cylinder engine – geared toward the lower end for faster acceleration and with no exhaust pipes.

9. Dodge Tomahawk

The Dodge Tomahawk is a concept vehicle which was produced by Dodge. The insane potential widowmaker Dodge conceived and subsequently named the Tomahawk was first seen in 2003 at the Detroit Auto Show.

10. Confederate Renovatio

The Renovatio concept motorbike from Confederate Motorcycles based in America is a radical concept bike designed by Confederate’s lead designer Ed Jacobs. It is extremely minimalistic with all the mechanical elements of the bike on show.

10 Most Amazing Concept Green Rides

Quite obviously quietness and “green” are two objectives that seem to be driving the auto scene at the moment. We often see electric vehicles and concepts powered by renewable energy being displayed at various auto shows. Moreover the rise in the cost of fuel has made auto makers think about possibilities that are fuel efficient as well. When reducing fuel or energy consumption is the need, the best possible solution is to let go one wheel and make the vehicle run on three wheels. This approach better mileage and doesn’t make the user sacrifice with performance and safety.

So here I have compiled some of the most amazing concept vehicles that run on three-wheels for better streets of tomorrow.

Peugeot +

Peugeot+ is supposed to be a fusion of a scooter and car. Designed to run on a smaller electric motor, it aims to leave lesser or rather no carbon prints behind. It has two front wheels for extra stability.

VentureOne

Designed by Los Angeles-based automobile company Venture Vehicles, this vroom-ing Y shaped 3-wheeler will come in two versions, which will have a wide range of accessories. With a fuel economy of 100 mpg and a top speed of over 100 mph, this vehicle is unquestionably groundbreaking.

The Moby

The Moby by WooJin Chung is one such strike that can take you to the future on zero-emission electric engines. The concept vehicle can displace its rear and alter it in different fashion to suit the traffic.

TransforMiss

The TransforMiss concept is inspired by “a woman” who according to the designer is never the same. The car seats two passengers and can be driven from either seat by simply changing the position of the steering wheel and can be driven with two, three or four wheels, depending on the street traffic and user preference.

Bio Top

The Bio Top is a futuristic electric car featuring three wheels, one of which generates electricity as well. The Bio Top car utilizes wireless electricity technology to transfer electricity, which is generated by the car’s rear spherical wheel, to recharge the vehicle’s on-board battery as it moves.

Brontes

The Brontes aims to curb pollution with an electric drive. The concept vehicle can seat two individuals and runs on a lithium-ion battery pack. The car’s expected top speed and range is set to show some decent figures, as the car runs on three wheels.

Peugeot RD

Designed for a future metropolis, the Peugeot RD Concept, will have a single seat and will run on three wheels. This concept car combines the sensations of a 3-wheeled scooter with the driving pleasure of a saloon car.

GM Car Hero

Designed by General Motors, the Car Hero Concept aims to features easy controls. All the rider need to do is entering the destination into the navigation app on his/her Smartphone and let the vehicle do the rest. The Rider can unlock controls so he/she could take the charge of the autonomous system.

Peugeot Q

The Peugeot Q is a three-wheeled vehicle providing space for 2 passengers. With a free spherical rear wheel, the car can literally spin 360 degrees, which ease parking and driving in congested city lanes. The two wheels on the front are incorporated with lithium-ion engine, which gives the car the ability to change direction based on the transmitted velocity.

SV1

The SV1 actually looks like something out of the comic books. It has a shiny body and three wheels. The vehicle is meant to seat two and is driven by rear wheels, while steering is delegated to the two front wheels.