Latest Posts:
Asphalt & Rubber
Tag

photos

Browsing
Bikes

Oh My, The “Miracle Mike” Is One Tasty Indian Scout Build

By No Comments

That’s it. Hell must be freezing over, as I just had to mop up the floor after looking at photos of a cruiser. What you see here is called the “Miracle Mike” and it is the creation of the minds at Young Guns Speed Shop.

The bike is built off the Indian Scout, an affordable entry-level cruiser that boasts pretty good performance for its $10,000 price tag, but is generally a pass for anyone that likes leaning more than 31°.

Here at Asphalt & Rubber, we’ve had a bit of time on both the Scout and its sibling, the Victory Octane, and found the models to be potent, but in need of a better gearbox and front brakes…and a serious diet wouldn’t hurt too.

Bargain basement suspension also holds back the Scout and Octane, and generally the built quality and switchgear is what you would expect from price-point machines. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, they’re perfectly fine machines.

The Swiss minds at Young Guns seemed to think the same, making smart improvements to the Indian Scout for their creation. And heck, a little nitrous “go juice” never hurts, right?

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

2018 Yamaha YZ450F Debuts with Tuner App

By No Comments

Not one to let the other brands have all the fun, Yamaha has debuted its all new 450cc class motocross bike, the 2018 Yamaha YZ450F, which features the first engine tuning app available for a production MX bike.

The new Yamaha YZ450F is truly an all-new machine, with a new engine, frame, and bodywork. For bonus points too, the new YZ450F comes with an electric starter, which means MX riders can now skip leg day at the gym, and still get their bikes running on race day.

Available in July, in either “Team Yamaha Blue” or “White” color schemes, the 2018 Yamaha YZ450F will cost $9,199 MSRP. This price includes the onboard communication control unit (CCU), which allows the rider to connect to the bike via smartphone.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

The Updated 2018 Husqvarna FS 450 Supermoto Debuts

By No Comments

Husqvarna continues to be the only motorcycle manufacturer with a race-ready supermoto, straight from the factory, and what a machine it is, the Husqvarna FS 450. For the 2018 model year, the Swedish brand has added more updates for the Husqvarna FS 450, keeping it at the pointy end of technology.

The big changes come in the form of a new slipper clutch from Suter, and brand that any MotoGP team should be familiar with, along with a new map switch control on the handlebar, which continues to toggle on and off the bike’s traction control, dual engine maps, and launch control features.

The last change of note for the 2018 model year that Husqvarna wants us to share is that fact that there is a new graphics package…this year, the seat is blue.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

Yamaha Just Put the Honda Gold Wing on Notice

By No Comments

Attention Honda…Yamaha is coming for you. The 2018 Yamaha Star Venture just debuted, and it is looking to take piece of the touring pie from the likes of Harley-Davidson and the Honda Gold Wing. And if looks are any indication, then this couch on wheels looks the business…and feature-packed.

At the core of the new Yamaha Star Venture is an air-cooled, 1,854cc, eight-valve, v-twin engine, which puts out a stout 126 lbs•ft of torque through a six-speed gearbox.

The Yamaha Star Venture tips the scales at 957 lbs (base model), which is close to the weight of a small car – so Yamaha has included the “Sure Park” system – a small electric motor that powers forward and reverse drive for tight maneuvers in the parking lot.

Other clever systems include dual-audio zones, ride-by-wire driving modes, surface-to-air missile launcher, traction control, cruise control, an adjustable backrest, heated grips, seats, and backrests, and an 7″ LCD infotainment system.

Keep Reading
By
MotoGP

Valentino Rossi’s Special Mugello Helmet Explained

By No Comments

You may have noticed during the Italian GP at Mugello, that Valentino Rossi was once again wearing a special AGV Pista GP R helmet for the event. Created by designer Aldo Drudi, this year’s Mugello’s helmet pays homage to Nicky Hayden and Francesco Totti.

To remember the American motorcycle racer, Rossi’s #46 morphs into the shape and colors of Hayden’s #69, complete with the star that precedes Hayden’s number.

The top of Rossi’s helmet also portrays a soccer pitch, where the nine-time world champion is wearing the blue jersey of the Italian national team, and saying “Mo’ je faccio er cucchiaio” which translates (with a Roman accent) to “I made it spoon” – the spoon referring to a type of penalty kick that sees the ball arching into the goal.

This scene too pays tribute to another athlete – Francesco Totti, who played his last match with the A.S. Roma team last week. On the back of the helmet are “Un capitano…C’è solo un capitano!”, which translates to: “One captain… There’s only one captain!” 

This is another nod to Totti, as the chant is something his fans would yell to him while he was playing.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

CCM Spitfire Scrambler Looks Just as Tasty

By No Comments

British marque CCM Motorcycles is getting some much-deserved press for its new 600cc “Spitfire” street bikes, which use a single-cylinder thumper from SYM.

The company’s roadster model has already caused quite a stir, and now CCM is showing off its scrambler variant, which features of course knobby dual-sport tires.

The bulk of the platform remains the same of course, as such the CCM Spitfire Scrambler uses the same tubular chassis as the roadster, which is made of T45 carbon steel, though there are noticeable off-road touches that set the scrambler apart from its roadster counterpart.

Still, the Spitfire Scrambler is simple in its bespoke design, offering a back-to-basics approach for riders who want a fun street bike, without all the bells and whistles that come on today’s modern machinery.

Only a limited number will be produced, with pricing said to be around the $10,000 range.

Keep Reading
By