Being a motorcycle accessories specialist, it is only natural to find innovative ways to showcase your products to the public. The goal is not only to sell, but also to create a memorable experience that people will talk about. That’s exactly what the folks at SW-Motech France had in mind when they built a custom bike following the rules of the King of the Baggers Championship.
Baggers aren’t as popular in Europe as they are in the US, so SW-Motech France saw this as an opportunity to challenge themselves. They started with a 2022 Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST and collaborated with partners from various areas of the motorcycle performance parts industry in Europe. Vincent Arnoult of Parts Europe and Drag Specialties provided guidance on the engine build and parts recommendations. Christophe Roussilhes of suspension specialist PFP Öhlins, Etienne Bocard of brake specialist Beringer, and Antoine Arcaro of tire specialist Metzeler also contributed to the development of the project.
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The build highlights include several engine modifications such as an S&S 131 cylinder and piston kit, a new camshaft, valves, reinforced springs, roller rocker arms, injectors, and an S&S oil pump. Overall, the team estimates that the bike now produces 46% more power than the stock unit, with over 140 horsepower at the rear wheel (up from the claimed 97 horsepower) and an increase in torque from 160 newton-meters to 216 newton-meters.
The transmission received upgrades as well, including a Barnett Scorpion reinforced clutch kit and a 7-gear Baker gearbox. Other performance enhancements consist of an Öhlins FGR 250 superbike fork, Öhlins HD 044 rear shocks, Slyfox machined aluminum 17-inch wheels with Metzeler Racetec RR slicks, an Alloy Art machined swingarm, a Beringer brake and clutch system, and a BS lithium battery. The team also removed the ABS from the bike as part of the build.
The project was unveiled at the High Side Ride Festival in France in May 2023 with the help of French WSBK racer Lucas Mahias. The bike was kept a secret until the unveiling, adding an element of surprise for Mahias. He took the bike for hot laps, wheelies, and entertained the crowd with his skills. SW-Motech France plans to showcase the completed King of the Baggers project bike at other shows throughout the season in Europe.
In the late 80s to mid-90s, the Yamaha TZR125 was an interesting bike with its two-stroke power and unique exhaust note. Despite its quirks, it was a beloved bike that no one would want to abandon.
However, someone did abandon it, and it was discovered by Restoration of Everything on YouTube. So what did this serial restorationist do when he got his hands on the old bike? Well, he didn’t ride it right away, although the beginning of the video shows that his efforts were successful.
When the bike was first found, it was in a neglected state, sitting outside without even a barn for shelter. It was missing parts, covered in rust, and simply abandoned and unloved. Fortunately, a capable individual came along to give this bike a second chance.
The bike was cleaned up, with the frame and damaged fairings refreshed, and missing pieces replaced. The engine also required restoration work, which was shown in a separate video.
Once the restoration was complete, you would never guess that this bike was once on the verge of being scrapped. It now sports the classic Yamaha racing red and white livery, as seen in the beginning of the video, and rides smoothly with its two-stroke engine.
In a recent video by Cars and Cameras, they showcased what two hundred dollars can get you. They managed to get their hands on a 1974 Honda CL125 that had not been ridden or registered since 1982. Despite sitting for decades and accumulating rust and dust, the bike is surprisingly in good condition. The engine, however, is stuck and needs some attention.
While the bike doesn’t require a full restoration, certain parts like the engine and drivetrain need some love. The oil has become a gunky mess after years of sitting, and the chain and sprockets are rusted and won’t last much longer. Fortunately, the engine still has some compression and managed to expel a significant amount of gunk from the spark plug hole.
The gas tank is another issue as it’s rusted through and needs a thorough cleaning. Overall, the bike requires various tasks such as opening up the engine, changing the spark plug, de-rusting the fuel tank, cleaning and refurbishing the carburetor, replacing the chain and sprockets, changing the oil, and addressing other small jobs. The suspension and brakes also need attention.
The video runs for more than 30 minutes, but if you’re curious to know if the bike starts, skip ahead to the nine-minute mark. The rest of the video focuses on making the bike rideable. To find out if it ultimately rides, check out the full video!
In the May 1974 issue of Dirt Bike, an interesting motorcycle was featured – the prototype Aquavarna amphibious dirt bike. Although no other references to this bike have been found, here is the story of the 1974 Aquavarna 450 as written by staffer George Wegner.
The Aquavarna was featured in the May 1974 issue of Dirt Bike. No other references have been found.
Someone in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has developed a groundbreaking waterproofing technique. This dedicated individual, Peter “Gills” Dill, has combined his love for dirt biking and scuba diving to create an innovative amphibious motorcycle. His invention, the Aquavarna 450, caught the attention of Dirt Bike magazine, and they decided to put it to the test as the “MASTER TESTERS”.
The inventor with his Aquavarna amphibian.
The test session took place at Lake Michigan, where the Aquavarna amazed the testers. Equipped with a scuba regulator connected to the rider and a modified Husky air box, the bike could be ridden completely submerged. The waterproofing technique used by Dill remains a secret, but it is suspected to involve Elmer’s Glue, malted milk balls, and WD-40.
During the test, the bike achieved a top speed of 14 knots underwater, offering a unique and exhilarating riding experience. The traction was impressive, allowing the rider to maneuver through underwater obstacles effortlessly. Even crashes were enjoyable, as the rider would simply settle to the bottom.
After the successful test, the Dirt Bike team discussed potential improvements for the Aquavarna, including adding fins or rudders for better cornering stability. Gills, the inventor, was invited to join the team as a “Special Underwater Consultant and Test Editor”. The article concludes with a mention of a future cycle park opening off the coast of Delaware, where enthusiasts can explore underwater biking.
Doug DeMuro is an interesting presenter in the automotive YouTube scene. His unique format and style of reviewing cars have made him the go-to guy for complete information on quirks and features available in any vehicle. But beyond this, Doug has a unique taste in cars especially ones of the obscure and ugly variety. The more quirky the car is the more Doug wants to review and most likely wants to own it.
He made headlines recently with the investment in his online auction website Cars and Bids with a $37 million investment. Soon after, he bought his all-time dream car which is a Porsche Carrera GT. Even before the investment Doug was making enough and could buy this car but just couldn’t justify pulling the trigger until now. Six months after owning the Carrera GT he has just bought another car, you would think with all this money he would get a cool car. Well, he did, but it is a car that would only appeal to the quirky side of Doug DeMuro.
When you hear that Doug bought an old Mercedes-Benz, you would think he’d buy a significant vehicle similar to the Carrera GT. A Mercedes McLaren SLR perhaps or one of the black series models but no. Instead, he bought a European-spec first-gen 1997 Mercedes-Benz A140 that almost nobody in America knows about or cares about. It was sold mainly in Europe and was seen as a departure from what Mercedes was known for. It was a cheap alternative to other expensive and luxurious Mercedes models and people bought them and used them as cheap cars.
But Doug has always liked quirky, obscure, and ugly cars like the Nissan S cargo, Renault Avantime, Isuzu Vehicross, and many more. So the A-class is a cheap, quirky, and unloved vehicle that was never sold in the US and ticks all the right boxes for Doug DeMuro. So in his quest to find a car that satisfies his quirky desires, he found this one and instantly pulled the trigger.
The Mercedes A-Class Was Not Doug DeMuro’s First Choice
Audi
Front three quarter profile of the Audi A2
As stupid as this car may seem to most people today, this was not Doug’s first choice. There were two other cars he wanted more than this car which makes the A140 seem like a sensible choice. The first choice was the Audi A2 which was Audi’s version of a small city hatchback similar to the Mercedes A-class. But while the Mercedes A-class sold well, the Audi A2 didn’t do so well. It was only on sale for 5 years from 2000-2005 meanwhile, the A-class is still in production today.
Doug’s second choice was an even worse and uglier car, it was the Fiat Multipla. It is the ugliest car among Doug’s choices but was more desirable than the A-class. The reason these cars weren’t picked was because they were not legal to import just yet. The A-class was the only one that just became legal for importation and made sense for Doug at the moment. I believe as soon as the others become legal to import, Doug will go hunting for them once more.
What Is Special About The Original Mercedes A-Class?
Doug Demuro
Selfie shot of Doug Demuro and his 1997 Mercedes A140
Simply put, there was nothing special about the Mercedes A-Class. It was a small, cheap, and slow city car with no special features. It was treated just like any other normal vehicle with no significance or importance to the automotive industry. Unlike JDM cars which are desirable and will soon be legal for importation, the A-class was never desirable. Mercedes has even announced that the current A-class which was available since 2019 will be leaving the U.S. market after 2022 but will be available in other markets.
But the special thing about Doug’s car is that it is probably the nicest example of an A-class which is a hard thing to find since no one cared for these cars. Also, these cars were not sold here and this might be the only one in the United States. The main novelty of owning this car for Doug is that it is so rare in the U.S. that you may never see another one. For context, you have better chances of seeing a Bugatti before you spot another one of these.
Doug’s Mercedes A140 Specifications
Vehicle
Mercedes A140
Engine
Inline-four
Displacement
1.4 liter
Power
80 horsepower
Torque
96 pound-feet
Transmission
Five-speed manual
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Current Price
$2,200
It is a one-owner car with 60,000 miles, being the A140, Doug’s car is the base model, there is an A160, A190, and later A210 and AMG models. But finding the base car in nice condition was hard enough and higher trims may be impossible. This car was very nice and checked all the boxes for Doug Demuro. It even has air conditioning which is almost impossible to find in these cars since most owners did not tick that option.
A Financial Loss For Doug Demuro And Mercedes-Benz
Despite being a sales success Mercedes reportedly lost $1,500 on each A-class sold.
When this car went on sale in 1997, it received a lot of criticism for being ugly and having the wrong proportions. But despite people’s complaints, it sold very well with this first gen A-class selling over a million units in its seven-year production run. For most automakers, this would mean a sales success which it was, but it was also a revenue loss for the company. Mercedes lost money selling the A-Class, this was due to the controversy surrounding its safety.
A German automotive journalist Robert Collin performed the Elk/moose test to determine the probability of a rollover.The A-class failed the test and Mercedes originally brushed it off, but news spread quickly. Mercedes had to recall all 2600 units which had been sold and suspended sales for three months. The recalled, and subsequent cars were fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and revised suspension.
Doug DeMuro
Side profile of Doug Demuro’s 1997 Mercedes A140
As for Doug DeMuro, this car was a financial loss for him as well. Most of his older cars like the Audi RS2, Mercedes G500 cabriolet, and Ford GT are enthusiast cars that have appreciated over the years. They were emotional purchases, but there was a reason behind spending huge amounts of money on these cars. He knew he wouldn’t lose money owning and driving them and so far it has worked in his favor.
While his A140 is an equally emotional purchase, but it has none of the enthusiast excitement or value proposition. Doug bought this car which was a nice example for $2,200 and said it cost more to prepare, import and register the vehicle. This is money spent that will not be recovered anytime soon unless they suddenly become collectibles.
In a rather interesting video, Thornton Hundred Motorcycles showcases a touring setup on one of its bikes, a Triumph Bonneville Bobber, as it embarks on a 3,000-mile road trip. This is a departure from their usual projects, as they are known for creating the fastest Triumph Bonneville Bobber last year, using it for drag racing, and even taking it on a hill climb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. After selling it for a hefty sum of about $50,000 USD, they have now focused on building a touring version of the Bobber.
The build includes various upgrades such as luggage, a rack, a tank upgrade, and an exhaust system that may seem unconventional for touring. The bike undergoes a complete teardown and clean install of wheels, straps, fork boots, and protection parts. Thornton Hundred opts for Kriega dry packs for their luggage needs, specifically the US-5, US-20, and US-40 models. Additionally, lights are added to enhance visibility during the road trip.
The standout feature of this build is the Rotobox carbon fiber wheels, a mod carried over from previous Thornton Hundred projects. After a long building session, the final result is visually impressive and functional, offering ample storage space, upgraded lighting, and a unique style. The lighter wheels also contribute to improved performance.
Thornton Hundred Motorcycles has yet to provide further updates on this build, but a more detailed review is expected in the future. Overall, this touring setup demonstrates the brand’s ability to create something distinctive and functional, suitable for everyday use.
GPX, a motorcycle manufacturer based in Thailand, offers an interesting range of motorcycles. Their models are predominantly small-displacement commuter bikes masquerading as sporty or retro motorcycles. For instance, the GPX Legend 250 takes design cues from classic roadsters, while the Demon is a compact superbike.
The brand’s popularity is growing due to its ability to combine the reliability of a commuter bike with the style of a sporty or retro machine. Recognizing this, GPX has released a limited edition of the Demon GR200R sportbike in the Malaysian market. This little sportbike aims to compete with the Yamaha YZF-R15, Honda CBR150R, and even the KTM RC 200. Let’s examine it closely.
The sportbike clearly draws inspiration from the styling of liter-class superbikes from well-known manufacturers. The front end resembles the Yamaha YZF-R1, while the fairings bear similarities to the BMW S 1000 RR. Additionally, the bike’s proportions are designed for shorter riders, with a low seat height and short wheelbase. This makes it accessible to a wider range of riders and easier to navigate through congested city streets. In Asian cities, motorcyclists spend a significant amount of time maneuvering between cars in heavy traffic, making the Demon GR200R Da Corsa 2 a practical choice.
In Malaysia, the limited edition GPX Demon GR200R Da Corsa 2 is priced at RM 12,588 (approximately $2,691 USD), undercutting its mainstream competitors. The KTM RC 200 is priced at RM 15,888 ($3,397 USD), and the Yamaha YZF-R15M at RM 14,998 ($3,206 USD). Despite its lower price, the Demon GR200R offers similar performance thanks to its 198cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine. Equipped with a new four-valve cylinder head, this limited edition sports bike produces 19.1 horsepower and 12 pound-feet of torque.
The GR200R features standard components such as a chain-driven six-speed manual transmission, inverted front fork, YSS rear monoshock, and front and rear disc brakes. Riders can stay informed with the full color TFT instrument cluster, while the road ahead is illuminated by full-LED lights.
The limited edition model sets itself apart with a map of the Mugello Circuit on the tank and a choice of three sporty colors: Daytona Black, Da Corsa Blue, and Racing Grey. These colors give the sportbike a supersport-inspired aesthetic.
Every week, Motor1.com shares various Ford Mustang-related content. However, this week there haven’t been any major Mustang news. So, we’ll start by featuring a modified sixth-generation Mustang. In the attached video, you can see this Mustang GT S550 with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 unleashing its full potential on the Autobahn and achieving an impressive top speed.
What we have here is a Mustang GT S550 with an enhanced performance package from Roush. The stock version of this Mustang comes with a 5.0-liter V8 engine, but some people still find it underpowered. Roush offers a solution in the form of a supercharger kit, which includes several hardware and software modifications to boost the engine’s output.
Roush’s Stage 3 supercharger package takes the V8 engine’s horsepower from the factory 421 to an impressive 750 hp, and torque from 400 lb-ft to 664 lb-ft. This package is available for both manual and automatic transmission configurations of the Mustang GT. The car featured in the video has a six-speed manual gearbox and had the opportunity to reach high speeds on a section of the Autobahn with no speed restrictions.
In the eight-minute video, the yellow Mustang can be seen performing various sprints and runs on the German highway. With very light traffic, the car easily exceeds speeds of 124 mph and reaches a maximum velocity of around 170 mph.
Roush’s tuning package for the Mustang S550 also includes a full body kit, modified suspension, upgraded cooling system, 20-inch wheels, a quad exhaust pipe setup, and interior touches.
In a unique approach to selling pre-owned motorcycles, BMW Motorrad Italy has gone beyond the conventional methods by transforming old bikes and scooters into a genuine product line, regardless of their age and date of first registration.
Alessandro Salimbeni, General Manager of BMW Motorrad Italy, stated, “A BMW motorcycle that has already traveled a long way is a motorcycle that has already experienced adventures and has a story to tell. Each BMW Timeless vehicle has explored different landscapes, overcome challenges, and is ready to embark on new journeys with its new owner. If a motorcycle’s value lies in its history, BMW Motorrad’s responsibility is to nurture and preserve that value over time. With BMW Timeless, our brand becomes even more inclusive and accessible. We now consider pre-owned BMWs to be on par with our new products, offering not only exclusive services like BMSI maintenance packages and tailored financial solutions but also an entire brand campaign. In the current market scenario, I firmly believe that used BMWs present an intriguing alternative to new products, even from other brands.”
Original Quote:
(“Una moto BMW che ha già fatto un po’ di strada è una moto che ha già vissuto delle avventure, con una storia da raccontare. Ogni BMW Timeless ha viaggiato, visto paesaggi e superato sfide ed è pronta a farlo ancora insieme al suo nuovo proprietario. E se il valore di una moto è proprio la sua storia, noi di BMW Motorrad abbiamo il compito di supportarlo nel tempo. Con BMW Timeless il marchio BMW Motorrad diventa ancora più inclusivo, rendendosi di fatto ancor più accessibile. Oggi consideriamo l’usato BMW con lo stesso pregio del nostro prodotto nuovo, dedicandogli oltre a servizi esclusivi, come i pacchetti di manutenzione BMSI o specifiche soluzioni finanziarie d’acquisto, anche una vera e propria campagna di brand. Credo fermamente che nell’attuale scenario di mercato l’usato BMW rappresenti un’interessante alternativa a prodotti nuovi, anche di altre marche, soprattutto per quei motociclisti più esigenti che sognano di guidare una moto dai grandi contenuti tecnologici e capace di regalare un impareggiabile piacere di guida, senza tralasciare il non trascurabile dato del prezzo d’acquisto.”)
Instead of simply selling pre-owned motorcycles as they are or slightly refurbished for riding, BMW Motorrad Italy has introduced a more significant pre-owned program called BMW Timeless. With this program, BMW Motorrad preserves its legacy by offering a new product line featuring the brand’s classic models. BMW Timeless brings a fresh perspective to the table, celebrating the love for vintage motorcycles. This program could potentially be expanded to other countries, catering to customers who have a desire for well-maintained vintage motorcycles that were originally sold by the manufacturers themselves.
Toyota has been very active lately, revealing a number of interesting concept cars previewing future models and technologies (see the related links below). That activeness comes to its culmination with the GR H2 Racing Concept unveiled today at the Circuit de la Sarthe in western France ahead of this weekend’s 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. The hydrogen-powered endurance race car concept was revealed by Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s chairman.
The automaker doesn’t release technical specifications for the hydrogen engine prototype, only saying it is 5,100 mm long and 2,050 mm wide. This makes it slightly longer and wider than Toyota’s LMP1-H Le Mans Prototype, which is 4,650 mm long and 1,900 mm wide. The Japanese firm also confirms powering the race car concept is a mix between a hydrogen engine and a hybrid system, but this is literally everything we know about what’s happening under the skin.
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