We’ve recently been informed that you might be able to buy one of these incredible engines, right here in SA.

Some mad scientist/engineer, from the UK, we believe, has taken two Yamaha Fazer 1000 engines and produced this masterpiece.

Can you imagine how hard it would be to produce a V8 from two 1,000cc bike engines, and then make it work? Obviously some monster downdraft thingies have been installed to dump in tons of fuel and therefore make lots of horsepower.

The outcome is a claimed 380hp @ 14,000pm. Unfortunately it seems this motor ends up sitting inside a car’s frame rails. But can you imagine putting this lump into a motorbike, where it really belongs, and having the best sounding engine, ever?

If you want one for any reason try www.rocket88.co.za for more information. 

KTM SHOWS SCOOTER STUDY "E-SPEED" IN TOKYO!

With the FREERIDE E, KTM already has a off-road motorcycle that can be used freely in the outdoors and that has opened up a completely new outlook on motorcycle sports in open nature as it produces no exhaust emissions and is nearly silent. With the “E-SPEED”, the sports bike manufacturer now introduces a concept vehicle based on the same battery and powertrain concept to offer a comparable solution for urban areas.

Stefan Pierer (KTM CEO): “We at KTM are completely convinced of electric mobility as a perfect complement to conventional powertrains. In the long term, the electric drive will come out on top for short distances – particularly in areas which are highly sensitive from an environmental perspective, like open nature and densely populated metropolitan areas! Vehicles like the ‘E-SPEED’ and FREERIDE E can help powered two-wheelers win back more acceptance in society. Not just because of their environmental credits, but because they are easy to use, quick, and simply great fun.”

True to his motto that each and every component of a KTM must have both an aesthetic and a structural function, the chassis and bodywork of the “E-SPEED” have turned out uncluttered and iconic with a true premium look!

Technically the “E-SPEED” takes advantage of the extensive know-how gathered in the development department in Mattighofen. The prototype which is 11kW and 36Nm strong and reaches a speed up to 85km/h, among other things, trusts in a state of the art hybrid steel trellis light metal frame and WP suspension elements.

The “E-SPEED” is powered by a liquid-cooled, permanent-magnet synchronous motor with 36Nm of maximum torque and a permanent power of 11kW to drive the rear wheel via a belt drive. Electricity is stored in a package of cutting-edge lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 4.36kWh that is fully charged within two hours on a regular 220V socket.

The KTM “E-SPEED” does indeed have sporting ambitions, as witnessed by the concept’s chassis and styling – thanks to completely unique technical solutions and the inimitable lines drawn by KTM’s very own designer, Gerald Kiska.

Dan Tanenbaum is a 41-year-old gentleman who resides in Canada. He’s an extraordinary chap who spends hundreds of hours making these exquisite works of art.

Dan takes old vintage watch parts and turns them into these miniature motorcycles, which unfortunately aren’t ride able, unless you’re the size of a Lego dude.

But we’d all love to have one on our mantel piece, right? However we’ve no idea how much they’ll cost, very expensive we’d imagine.

Sometimes people have too much time on their hands, ha, ha…

The visiting team from Mick Grant a former champion and Isle of Man TT winner, had some notable riders to contest the three leg series held at the Aldo Scribante, Zwartkops and Kyalami tracks.

The Port Elizabeth 200 proved to be a runaway win by a clear 10 laps for Gary Johnson backed up by Parkins 1000cc BMW. Crowd attendance on the Saturday’s racing was fairly sparce but this didn’t stop the TT?legends parade or veteran racers from the Eastern province. Rodney Hiles coupled with Schroder from gaining a podium position on the day’s events.

By far the best attended race day was Zwartkops. The packed race schedule planned for the day took some inevitable delays as racing shunts played out to packed grandstands. A host of champions and former greats sampled a track that contained plenty of oil and rubber to cause the occasional missed heart beat for the veteran racers.

Sean Emmett, multiple UK?champion took home the top spot in the Day of Champions Race riding an ex-works 1984 Suzuki 500cc Grand Prix.

Notable riders like Scottish Champion Alan Dufus and Peter Labuschagne both on ultra-fast 1960 single cylinder bikes put up a good showing against the more powerful machines on race day to gain some silverware.

What was billed as another great day of champions at Kyalami became a major tragedy with the loss of two racers on the day in the brunch runner class where Warren Banfield and Marco Pugi both succumbed to their injuries. The start line mellé crash saw riders and bikes go in all directions as six racers crashed with the result that all ambulances were rapidly dispatched to local hospitals.

The passion for speed day suffered once again from various program delays. The Castrol Tourist Trophy was won by Allan Venter on a Yamaha 1100 ahead of series winner Les van Breda on a borrowed Honda 1100 while fast riding John Kosterman was third on a 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750cc. The small but loyal band of enthusiasts however got to watch the passing show in some glorious Highveld summer weather on the day.

1. For Paddy Driver and Jim Redman it all started in the mid 50’s going from track to track in Europe eeking out a living from GP?racing.

RE-VAMPED SA TT CLASSIC SERIES FEATURES DAY OF CHAMPIONS IN A NEW THREE LEG SERIES TO INCLUDE A SUPERBIKE RACE BETWEEN THE UK AND SOUTH AFRICA

Now in its seventh year of running, the annual vintage and classic bike-racing bonanza for South Africa promises to be better than ever for enthusiasts. Zwartkops owner Peter du Toit and the entrepreneurial spirit of the race series says that the original events for four wheelers organised by the legendary David Piper has moved on to cover a major motorcycle component in the classic racing pageant. The first event will be held at Aldo?Scribante in Port Elizabeth on January the 26^th. Historic racing will roll out two other must see events at the Zwartkops International race track on February 3rd followed by Kyalami on the 8th.

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