Tag Archives: painstakingly

News

CCM’s Commissioned Program Offers Custom Builds Straight From The Factory

Many custom bike owners enjoy the process of building their dream machine and carefully selecting each part. However, some people prefer to have a custom bike right out of the factory. Many manufacturers offer this option, especially with the popularity of neo-retro bikes. CCM, a British motorcycle manufacturer known for its compact, stylish, and retro-inspired motorcycles, takes this concept to the next level with its Commissioned program.

CCM is known for its small production runs and premium price tags, with the Spitfire being central to the brand’s model lineup. The Commissioned program enhances the Spitfire’s customizability, allowing for a wide range of personalization. The only fixed components are the bike’s frame and 600cc single-cylinder engine.

Customers can configure the Spitfire in various ways, including dirt trackers, bobbers, retro-inspired motards, and rally-inspired machines. Additionally, they can choose from a selection of wheel and tire combinations, subframes, and body panels for a unique aesthetic.

While CCM’s motorcycles are already expensive, using the Commissioned program will add at least $10,000 to the base price of $15,500. This raises the question of whether the in-house customization is worth the premium price tag or if it’s better to commission a custom build from a third-party builder.

If you’re interested in the Commissioned program or want to explore the available configurations, you can visit CCM’s official website. Additionally, you can fill out a form on the Commissioned program’s landing page to get in touch with the company to start creating your dream custom bike.

News

Watch An Impressive Mad Max MFP Kwaka Z1000 Replica Perform a Smoky Burnout

When attending car shows, it’s not uncommon to come across DeLoreans that have been meticulously transformed into faithful replicas of the iconic time machine from Back to the Future. And who can blame the DeLorean owners? Finding joy in recreating beloved vehicles is a lot of fun, especially for DIY enthusiasts who enjoy building and taking things apart.

Occasionally, you might stumble upon a Mad Max replica, although not as frequently as the DeLorean time machines. Personally, I’ve only seen Pursuit Special MFP Interceptors in person. Unfortunately, I’ve never had the opportunity to see a faithful replica of Goose’s MFP Kwaka KZ1000—that’s where YouTube comes in.

At the 2023 Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in the West Midlands, UK, a lifelong Mad Max fan named Phil Cotton unveiled his dream build. In the beginning of the video, he briefly shares the story of how he always wanted to build this bike, but only got around to it as a pensioner because he finally had the time.

He doesn’t delve into the details of how he built the replica, but he mentions that he made every effort to make it as close as possible to what was seen in the movie. While I’m not an expert on Mad Max, it looks and sounds pretty impressive to me. The only difficulty he encountered during the recreation was finding appropriate rearsets—he acknowledges that they might not be exactly like what was shown, but he is still satisfied with the end result.

Overall, he estimates that the bike, gear, and necessary vehicle registration to bring his dream to life cost around £13,000, which is approximately $15,801 when converted in October 2023, if you’re curious.

As mentioned earlier, this video not only allows us to see the bike, but also hear its powerful engine during a thrilling burnout. For the full experience, it’s recommended to wear headphones to truly appreciate the Z1000 engine sound. However, be mindful of the volume during the burnout if you choose to watch this way.

Motorsport

2024 Skoda Kodiaq Debuts With More Space And Plug-In Hybrid Power

The long-awaited 2024 Skoda Kodiaq has finally arrived, following an extensive teaser campaign. As a more spacious alternative to the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, this midsize SUV features an evolutionary exterior design and an updated interior that prioritizes screens while retaining traditional controls. The second generation of the Kodiaq also introduces a much-needed plug-in hybrid powertrain, along with other updates.

Starting with its exterior, the 2024 Skoda Kodiaq has been lengthened by 2.4 inches (61 millimeters), resulting in an overall length of 187.3 inches (4758 mm). The wheelbase remains unchanged at 116.9 inches (2971 mm). Interestingly, the width of the vehicle has actually decreased by 0.7 inches (18 mm) to 73.3 inches (1864 mm), while the height has also been reduced by 0.6 inches (17 mm) compared to the previous model, now measuring 65.3 inches (1659 mm).


Motorsport

2024 Skoda Kodiaq Rendering Takes After Teasers, SUV Debuts October 4

The second-generation Skoda Kodiaq will be unveiled on October 4, following a prolonged teaser campaign. In the meantime, an unofficial rendering has been created based on the sketches released by Skoda, offering a realistic preview of what the mid-size SUV will look like.

The 2024 Kodiaq will retain the familiar design elements of its predecessor, including double lights, squared-off wheel arches, and the traditional front grille. Skoda has chosen to take an evolutionary approach in terms of design and has not taken any major risks.



 2024 Skoda Kodiaq final rendering

The new Kodiaq will feature second-generation matrix LED adaptive headlights, a rear light bar, and a dark chrome finish for the D-pillars. Skoda has also updated the font used for the brand’s name on the center of the tailgate. However, it has decided not to revert back to the previous logo depicting a winged arrow. Wheel sizes will range from 17 inches for the base model to 20 inches for the higher-end trims.

While the exterior design remains largely unchanged, the interior of the 2024 Kodiaq will undergo a revolution. It will feature an all-new dashboard with a massive 13-inch touchscreen and three 1.25-inch displays mounted within a rotary knob on the center console. These smaller screens will provide additional functionality and reduce clutter. The driver will also benefit from a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

In terms of space, Skoda has increased the dimensions of the Kodiaq. The SUV is now 61 mm (2.4 in) longer, offering greater cargo capacity for both the five- and seven-seat versions. Additionally, the roofline has been adjusted to provide more headroom for passengers in the rear seats, making the second-generation Kodiaq exceptionally spacious.

The 2024 Kodiaq will be one of the last VW Group vehicles to be offered with combustion engines. It will be available with a range of engine options, including a 1.5 TSI that will power a plug-in hybrid version. All variants of the SUV will be equipped with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, and some will have all-wheel drive.