It’s the decrease, wider, meaner, sleeker twin of the three Series, and one which polarises opinion like a lot of BMW’s designs as of late.
Like the three Series, the 4 Series provides a alternative of mild-hybrid engines, together with a 2.0-litre petrol (codename B48) within the 420i and 430i, and a 3.0-litre straight six within the M440i, which is sweet for 369bhp and 0-62mph in 4.1sec. You may also step as much as the M4, which is as poised and directionally eager as you may think about. No diesels can be found: they have been dropped from the working in March 2023.
The electrical i4, in the meantime, is available in three flavours: eDrive35 (285 miles of vary), eDrive40 (365 miles), and M50 (318 miles). The latter produces 542bhp and a 0-62mph time to rival most M automobiles. Even the cooking model, the 35, does the dash in a Volkswagen Golf GTI-rivalling 6.6sec.
These powertrains complement a automobile with stiffened, higher dealing with poise than even the three Series, which is the best-handling govt automobile in its class. The automobile rises to the B-road problem with all of the composure however maybe barely much less rearward playfulness than you would possibly anticipate.
The cabin exudes a premium atmosphere, with simply sufficient trinketry and knurling to distinguish it from the three Series. It’s additionally very snug over lengthy distances, aided by a driving place that’s barely decrease than that of the three Series and an consideration to ergonomics that makes it one of many best possible interiors in its class.
It’s a little bit of a disgrace that it lacks the visible grace of its predecessors. But whereas the entrance grille (now a sufferer of countless clichés associated to Bugs Bunny) and squashed headlamps are a bit of tougher to abdomen, there’s no query that this automobile is as dynamically compelling as you’ll need. And then some.
Zagato has a beautiful new automobile known as the AGTZ Twin Tail. It pays homage to the Alpine A220 that raced at Le Mans, and it is based mostly on the mid-engined Alpine A110 sports activities automobile. But that is extra than simply one other beautiful wanting, ultra-expensive car.
Like the Alfa Romeo TZ1, the Iso Rivolta GTZ, and different Zagato builds earlier than it, the AGTZ has a shapely rear finish design. But right here the again finish is definitely detachable; The Twin Tail provides you the choice of a protracted tail search for higher aerodynamics or a stocky brief tail design for every day cruising. Both iterations of the Alpine-based sports activities automobile look beautiful.
Zagato doesn’t say what powers the Twin Tail, however it possible retains the manufacturing facility A110’s turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 249 horsepower from the manufacturing facility. In the A110 the engine is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized and rear-wheel drive, which helps it to 62 miles per hour in about 4.5 seconds. Zagato doesn’t say how a lot weight it added with the additional bodywork, both, however the base A110 weighs a scant 2,429 kilos—so it shouldn’t be rather more than that.
If you’re one of many 19 fortunate patrons of this stunning bespoke Alpine, you’ll be capable to choose any livery or inside shade mixture you want. Zagato showcases the primary two vehicles in blue and white, in addition to a 3rd automobile with a good-looking blue, white, and purple ‘tricolore’ Hommage livery as a nod to the French flag.
Prices begin at €650,000, and practically half of them have already been spoken for. The Zagato AGTZ Twin Tail makes its in-person world debut on the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May.
Honda Africa Twin followers, when you’ve been ready anxiously for the 2024 lineup to come back to America, now you can formally breathe a sigh of reduction. We’re completely satisfied to announce that your wait is now over.
Does American Honda need you to be its valentine? We cannot say for certain. What we can let you know is that February 13, 2024 is the date that Team Red selected to formally announce the up to date 2024 Africa Twin lineup for the American market.
Coincidence? Roses are crimson, Honda Africa Twins are (regularly) crimson and blue. Can they go on an journey with you?
2024 Honda Africa Twin DCT
2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT
The 2024 Africa Twin updates were announced in October 2023 in Europe. Happily, the American bikes get the identical substantive updates as their European counterparts. You’ll discover a barely torquier, up to date model of the 1,084cc parallel twin that many riders have already come to know and love.
Both the 2024 Africa Twin and the 2024 Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES come together with your alternative of a regular six-speed guide gearbox or Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission. The customary Africa Twin will get a regular Showa suspension with 8 inches of entrance wheel journey and eight.7 inches of rear wheel journey. Meanwhile, the AT Adventure Sports ES will get the Showa suspension with EERA, no matter whether or not you select the usual or DCT choices.
Switchable ABS, a pair of four-piston calipers with 310mm entrance brake discs and a single one-piston rear caliper with a 256mm brake disc are customary on all 2024 Africa Twin variants. The 2024 AT will get a 21-inch entrance and an 18-inch rear wheel, whereas the extra road-biased AT Adventure Sports ES will get a 19-inch entrance and an 18-inch rear wheel. As we famous firstly, this will likely all sound fairly acquainted when you stored up with the 2024 European market launch.
Colors, Pricing, and Availability
14Photos
Where the American launch of the 2024 Africa Twin lineup differs barely is in colours, pricing, and availability.
In the US, the 2024 Africa Twin is available in Grand Prix Red. Choose the 2024 Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES as a substitute, and your shade alternative is Pearl White. The European-market bikes additionally get a further Matt Ballistic Black Metallic colorway that’s not listed as a US-market shade.
As for pricing, the 2024 Honda Africa Twin’s base MSRP begins at $14,799, which is simply $300 greater than the 2022 Africa Twin (which is the newest American mannequin 12 months previous to the 2024 launch). The DCT model begins at $15,599, the Adventure Sports ES model begins at $17,599, and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT begins at $18,399.
All 2024 Honda Africa Twin bikes for the US market shall be accessible in Honda dealerships from May 2024.
Parallel twin engines are gaining popularity on account of their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility in varied bike frames.
The two foremost configurations of parallel twin engines are 180° and 270°, referring to the crankshaft angle and firing order.
A 270° parallel twin provides a extra direct throttle response, smoother vibrations, and a throatier exhaust word in comparison with a 180° parallel twin.
The days of inline-four screamers are coming to an finish, because of emission norms. Four-pot screamers produce glorious energy and a easy driving expertise however are costly to supply and never one of the best for the surroundings. On the opposite hand, V-twins are enjoyable however troublesome to bundle in a brief wheelbase chassis. And boxer twins are area of interest and thumpers — nobody likes thumpers, besides the KLR 650.
This leaves manufacturers with parallel twin engines. These engines are easier in design, cheaper to design and manufacture, and produce tractable energy that can be utilized in the true world, not solely on the monitor. Plus, these engines are compact and will be fitted in a wide range of frames with out a lot trouble. But these parallel twins are available in two in style flavors: 180° and 270°. What do these numbers imply, and why must you care about them? Here’s all the pieces it is advisable to find out about totally different parallel-twin configurations.
In order to provide the newest and correct data potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from the producers and different authoritative sources, together with Car Throttle.
When it involves parallel twin engines, a number of variations exist, however immediately, the one two that the majority bikers must know are 180° and 270° parallel twins. So what do these levels point out? They consult with the crankshaft angle inside the engine; merely, it’s how the pistons hearth in comparison with each other. Let’s get into them.
180 Degree Crankshaft Explained
Just a few years in the past, the most typical sort of parallel twin engine was the one with a 180° crankshaft. Here, the crank pins are positioned on the reverse ends of one another, i.e., at 180° from one another. So, when one piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC), the opposite piston will probably be at Bottom Dead Center (BDC), and when one rises, the opposite falls.
This comes right down to the firing order of the engine. In a 180° parallel twin, the primary cylinder fires, the crankshaft rotates 180°, after which the second cylinder fires. When the primary cylinder completes the ability stroke and enters the exhaust stroke, and that’s when the second cylinder fires. Then, the primary cylinder enters the consumption and compression strokes earlier than firing once more.
Since we’re talking about four-stroke motorcycles here, there’s a huge firing hole within the engine, giving the engine an uneven firing order. The second cylinder enters the ability cylinder 180° after the primary cylinder, and the crankshaft must rotate 540° earlier than firing once more. As a consequence, the firing order of a 180° parallel-twin engine is 180°-540°-180°.
270 Degree Crankshaft Explained
On the opposite hand, you’ve gotten the burbly 270° parallel twin, which has lately turn into the most popular type of parallel twin engine on the market. This configuration can be known as a crossplane crankshaft engine; yep, the Yamaha one. Like the 180° parallel twin, the cylinders are located side-by-side, however the firing order is totally totally different.
In a 270° parallel twin engine, the primary cylinder fires, the crankshaft rotates 270°, after which the second cylinder fires. So, when the second cylinder fires, the primary cylinder has solely accomplished half of its exhaust stroke. For the following combustion inside the engine, the primary cylinder must cowl the second half of its exhaust stroke (90°), adopted by consumption and compression strokes.
As you possibly can see, when one piston drops, the second piston follows it three-quarters of a rotation behind. This provides the engine an uneven firing order of 270°-450°-270°. However, the interval at which each cylinders hearth is smoother, leading to a significantly better and extra direct throttle response. Plus, the firing order is much less uneven than a 180° parallel twin.
If you thought the above part acquired a bit technical, you’re not alone. Mathematics isn’t our strongest go well with, both. So, let’s check out what these two configurations of parallel twin engines deliver to the desk on the highway — what these variations imply while you trip your bike.
Power Delivery
One of a very powerful facets of a motorbike is energy supply; lazy energy supply is boring and frantic is fun — assume a Honda Gold Wing vs a KTM 890 Duke! In most instances, a 180° parallel-twin provides a extra linear energy supply, and on this configuration, peak energy and torque are delivered excessive up into the rev vary. These bikes are extra high-revving however could really feel a bit uninteresting within the mid-range.
On the opposite, a 270° parallel-twin provides energy supply that’s just like a V-twin engine — each have basically the identical firing order. So, peak energy and torque are delivered within the mid to excessive vary, after which they taper off into the redline. As a consequence, these engines don’t rev as excessive however supply a extra keen and energetic energy supply, which is arguably extra enjoyable on the streets.
Power supply and throttle response are carefully associated to one another, however don’t confuse the 2. The latter refers back to the method the engine reacts to your throttle enter. Here, 270° parallel twins are the higher alternative. This is as a result of this configuration basically eliminates inertial torque. What’s that, you ask?
In a 180° parallel twin engine, the crank pins are positioned on the alternative ends of one another, so the crankshaft slows down when each the cylinders hit TDC and BDC after every stroke. This phenomenon ends in the engine feeling “heavier” or providing a barely uninteresting throttle response. 180° parallel twins are also prone to rev-hang sometimes. On the opposite, 270° parallel twins remove this because the cylinders don’t attain the TDC and BDC on the identical time, leading to a extra direct throttle response.
Vibrations
Let’s get one factor straight: parallel twin engines are vibey and might by no means be as easy as an inline 4. With that out of the best way, a 180° parallel twin is often the extra vibey one of many two configurations. This sort of parallel twin produces a rocking couple, which will be eradicated with a stability shaft, however you’ll nonetheless really feel it, particularly if the engine is a pressured member of the body. There’s additionally a whole lot of nitty-gritty about major and secondary vibrations, however let’s depart that for physics lectures.
No shock right here, however 270° parallel twin wins right here. The forces from the 2 pistons cancel one another out partially, so the vibrations aren’t as unhealthy because the 180° crankshaft. The engine nonetheless vibrates, however producers use a balancer shaft to remove them. And in contrast to the 180° parallel twin, this engine doesn’t have an unbalanced rocking couple. The result’s a pleasing buzz throughout the rev vary that you’ll really feel however received’t be bothered by.
The parallel-twin CP2 engine has made its method into a number of fashions in Yamaha’s lineup for all the best causes
Exhaust Note
The three variations talked about above are technical, imperceptible to novice riders, and never deal breakers. However, the soundtrack is what affects people’s buying decision with regards to selecting between a 180° parallel-twin bike, just like the Kawasaki Ninja 650, or a 270° parallel-twin bike, just like the Yamaha YZF-R7.
Thanks to the uneven firing order of the 270° parallel twin, which has similarities to that of a 90° V-twin, the exhaust word is throaty and pulsing. This is why some parallel-twin engines sound like V-twins. On the opposite hand, 180° parallel-twin engines actually sound like lawnmowers or high-revving thumpers. The former is the clear winner right here, little question about it.
There’s extra range than you would possibly notice with regards to the bike powerhouses
Popular 270° Parallel Twin Motorcycles
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650, and Super Meteor 650
Yamaha YZF-R7, MT-07, and Tenere 700
Aprilia RS 660 and Tuono 660
Honda Africa Twin
KTM 890 Duke and 890 Adventure R
Norton Commando 961
Modern Triumph Bonneville Range
Don’t Forget The 360° Parallel Twin
Kawasaki
Before 180° parallel twins have been all the trend, 360° twins ruled the automotive market across the world. In this engine, the pistons transfer up and down on the identical time with a good firing order. The first cylinder fires, the engine rotates 360°, then the second cylinder is fired; the firing interval is 360°-360°-360°. This ends in a easy engine, however the soundtrack, throttle response, and traction aren’t one of the best.
Wait, how is traction affected by the firing order? Thank you for asking. An uneven firing order provides what is called a restoration hole in traction because the energy supply is pulsing. On the opposite hand, if the firing order is even, the ability is delivered continually with none pulsing, so the wheels don’t have time to get well from any traction loss. This is why V4 engines with their uneven firing order blast out of corners significantly better than inline-fours, except for the Yamaha R1, which uses a cross-plane engine.
Let’s handle the ant within the room; if you happen to love the Kawasaki W800 or basic British twins, you in all probability don’t care a lot about throttle response, energy supply, and vibrations. In that case, a 360° crankshaft shouldn’t be a difficulty. But if you happen to like trendy bikes which are satisfying to trip and sound nice, it is advisable to take note of the kind of engine your subsequent bike has.
As it stands, motorcycles are moving into parallel twins, and selecting the mistaken one will solely make you hate these stunning engines much more. So, if you happen to favor a tractable but high-revving and sporty parallel-twin bike, choose a 180° parallel twin bike. But if you happen to favor extra mid-range grunt, higher cornering, and a burly exhaust word, don’t choose something apart from a 270° parallel twin bike.
Parallel Twin Sports Bike Performance Comparison: Kawasaki Ninja 400 vs Aprilia RS 457
Specs
Kawasaki Ninja 400
Aprilia RS 457
Engine Type
180° parallel-twin
270° CP2 parallel-twin
Displacement
399cc
457cc
Compression Ratio
11.5:1
TBA
Max Power
44.3 HP @ 10,000 RPM
47.6 HP @ 9,400 RPM
Max Torque
27.2 LB-FT @ 8,000 RPM
32 LB-FT @ 6,700 RPM
(Specs sourced from Kawasaki and Aprilia)
In the top, at all times trip the bike you wish to purchase. Theory could say 100 issues, good and unhealthy, a couple of explicit engine, but when it tugs at your coronary heart, down the drain goes physics. Pick a motorbike that you just take pleasure in driving, even when it’s acquired a 360° parallel twin, a lazy boxer twin, or a thumper.
If you were wondering when Kawasaki’s recently introduced 451cc parallel twin engine would find its way into the Ninja and Z lineups, your questions have just been answered at EICMA 2023. Both the 2024 Ninja 500 and Z 500 have officially broken cover, here to bring a new engine to the middleweight sport and naked lineups.
While Kawasaki’s Eliminator cruiser name has been going strong, it was only earlier in 2023 that Team Green first debuted the slightly larger-displacement version of the bike. In the US, it’s simply called Eliminator because we didn’t get the 400cc version sold elsewhere. However, in markets that did, it’s differentiated as the Eliminator 500 to tell potential riders that indeed, it’s not the 400.
This is the same engine that now powers the new Ninja 500 and Z 500, so let’s dive into these two new bikes.
Engine
The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 and Z 500 are both powered by Team Green’s liquid-cooled, dual overhead cam, eight valve, 451cc parallel twin. The engine has a bore and stroke of 70mm by 58.6mm, and a compression ratio of 11.3 to one. It makes a claimed 33.4 kilowatts (just under 45 horsepower) at 9,000 rpm, and 42.6 newton-meters (about 31.4 pound-feet) of torque at an undisclosed RPM. Both bikes get a six-speed gearbox.
Chassis
Both the 2024 Ninja 500 and Z 500 use a steel trellis frame design. Suspension consists of a 41mm nonadjustable telescopic front fork and a rear shock setup with preload adjustability. Brakes are a two-piston caliper and single semi-floating disc up front and a two-piston caliper and single disc setup in the rear. Both bikes roll on 17-inch alloy wheels.
Dimensions
While the Ninja 500 and Z 500 have some similarities, the dimensions between the two differ slightly.
2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500
2024 Kawasaki Z500
Wheelbase
1,375mm (54.13 inches)
1,375mm (54.13 inches)
Length
1,995mm (78.5 inches)
1,995mm (78.5 inches)
Width
730mm (28.7 inches)
800mm (31.5 inches)
Height
1,120mm (44 inches)
1,055mm (41.5 inches)
Seat height
785mm (30.9 inches)
785mm (30.9 inches)
Curb weight
171kg (377 pounds)
172kg (379 pounds)
Colors, Pricing and Availability
73Photos
The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 will be available in a Metallic Spark Black and Metallic Flat Raw Graystone colorway. Meanwhile, the 2024 Kawasaki Z500 will be available in a Metallic Spark Black and Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray colorway.
Pricing has not yet been announced for the 2024 Ninja 500 and Z 500 but will likely be coming soon. Pricing will vary by geographic region.
Both the 2024 Ninja 500 and Z 500 have been announced as upcoming models that will be sold in Europe. Kawasaki has not announced these bikes for any other regions yet, but they will likely roll out in other regions in the coming months.
The Nissan 300ZX twin turbo was an integral factor in the rise of the known and loved Z car. Two generations, the Z31 and Z32 were featured after the popular 240Z and 280ZX but stepped it up quite a bit in terms of performance and handling. Whether you prefer the looks of the older 240Z and 280ZX or the more modern design featured on the 300ZX, it is hard to deny its incredible performance that truly set it apart back in the ’90s.
Back when this car was being sold (1990-1996 in the US), it was known as one of the most advanced cars on the market at the time. There were many factors that allowed the 300ZX twin turbo to make a name for itself among other competitors such as the MK3 Toyota Supra, the Mitsubishi 3000GT, or the Ford Mustang. To this day, the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo is still a worthy sports car with the potential to become an absolute monster with the proper upgrades.
Pricing was taken from Kelley Blue Book, while information was referenced from sites like MotorTrend and Car & Driver.
10Adjustable Suspension And Four Way Steering Named “Super HICAS”
Nissan
The suspension was very modern for its time, with a two-mode adjustable suspension using unequal-length control arms for the front and a multi-link setup for the rear. It works by stiffening the adjustable dampers under heavy acceleration to help reduce squatting. This setup was similar to another popular sports car of the time, the Nissan 240SX.
The Nissan 300ZX twin turbo also featured the Super HICAS system or the Super High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering system. This system, also seen on the R31 Skyline, worked by sensing the driver’s steering wheel inputs and calculating the proper amount of steering angle to provide to the rear wheels in a tight corner.
9MotorTrend’s 1990 Import Car Of The Year
Wikimedia Commons
In the tuner era of the Z32 Nissan 300ZX twin-turbo, there were many import cars being sold on the US market that offered extremely good performance. 1990 saw the Z32 version of the 300ZX come to the market, with a new design as well as a new powertrain.
Its first year ended up being such a good car that MotorTrend gave it the “Import Car of the Year” award. This didn’t come easy either – with opponents like the Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra, Mitsubishi 3000GT, and more all looking to get their hands on the title. On top of this award, it also made Car & Driver’s “10Best” list for seven consecutive years, up until 1996 when Nissan chose to stop importing the car to America.
8Twin-Turbocharged V-6 has impressive performance but is packed tightly
Mecum Auctions
Unlike the Z31’s V-6 engine, the Z32 featured a dual overhead cam setup instead of the previous single overhead cam. Both the Z31 and Z32 had a 3.0-liter engine, however, two turbochargers were added to further increase the performance of the Z32. This car ended up making 300 horsepower and 283 pound-feet of torque, over 70 horsepower more than the Z31 300ZX Turbo.
A downside to the updated V-6 with turbos strapped to each side, is the fact that the engine is stuffed in the engine bay without very much room to spare. If you’re a person who prefers to fix or upgrade a vehicle on your own, this makes things a bit more challenging. However, if you love Nissan enough to own one of its 30-year-old sports cars, this probably won’t matter.
7The Look Was Ahead Of Its Time – Diablo Headlights
Nissan
The Z32 featured aggressive styling and a new design that wouldn’t have been possible without the help of a designer named Toshio Yamashita. He started working with Nissan in 1968, but his true time to shine didn’t come until 1984 when Nissan requested designs for the up-and-coming Z32 300ZX and Silvia/240SX be submitted.
Yamashita only ended up submitting a design for the 300ZX, but it did such a great job of embodying the previous Z cars while looking modern, that Nissan chose him to be the lead designer for the new Z32. One of his most advanced features added to the 300ZX was the headlights – they featured large clear covers to pay respect to the original 240Z and sat at a 60-degree angle to maintain the aerodynamic shape of the car. This design worked out so well, that Lamborghini actually ended up using the same headlights on its Diablo supercar.
6Well-Designed Cockpit With Easy To Reach Controls
Mecum Auctions
What’s a good sports car without an equally viable cockpit? In the past, sports cars like the Dodge Viper have had incredible potential to be all-around great cars, just to be held back by a poorly designed or low-quality interior. The Nissan 300ZX twin turbo certainly doesn’t fall into this category with an exceptional-looking interior for its time and practicality that still works to this day.
To make things easier on you during a cruise, ancillary controls are placed on easily accessible pods that surround the steering wheel and gauge cluster. The 300ZX twin turbo was only offered in America with T-tops, said to be one of the best ones tested by Car & Driver, noting that it is “tight, leak-free, and easy to remove”.
5Twin-Turbo Version Only Offered Front Seats
Nissan
The Z32 300ZX featured a 2+2 trim on the non-turbo version, however, the twin-turbo trim was not available with rear seats. This lightened up the weight a bit and allowed the Nissan 300ZX twin turbo to fully embrace its true goal – which was to provide a breathtaking driving experience, and that is exactly what it does. This car is obviously not your ordinary 300ZX, and probably has much more than the rear seats removed, but still shows how much of an impact weight can have on the acceleration and top speed of a vehicle.
When the second generation, or Z32 300ZX was released, to the surprise of many it ended up a great success. By cleaning up some of the rough edges that were consistent with the Z31 generation and adding modern tech, Nissan and its lead designer Toshio Yamashita were able to turn the 300ZX into a very successful machine.
In 1990, the first year of the Z32 generation, it reached over one million sales in the United States, making it the best-selling sports car at the time. Its success continued until 1996 when it was no longer brought to America due to the rising Yen to Dollar ratio and the increasing demand for SUVs in the market.
3Was Quite Expensive When It Was Being Sold New
Nissan
The Z32 300ZX could be had from the low $30,000s to the mid $40,000s back when it was still being produced, which translates to about $60,000-$80,000 in today’s money. This means you were definitely paying for every bit of performance, especially if we compare it to a sports car like the current Nissan twin-turbo, the 2023 Z, which starts at $40,990.
And while the Z32’s price tag certainly wasn’t a bargain, it was actually comparable to its competitors at the time like the 1992 Toyota Supra Turbo Liftback which went for $38,462, or the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Coupe which went for $34,288, just to name a few. Nowadays, a used Z32 Nissan 300ZX twin-turbo in good condition can run anywhere from $20,000 up to $40,000.
The original Nissan Z was the Fairlady Z, also known as the 240Z in the United States. Its creation began in 1969 for the 1970 models, and its headlights were one of the features that the Z32 drew its inspiration from. It was manufactured for 9 years, before being replaced with the second generation of the Z, the 280ZX.
After the 300ZX, came the third generation, the Z31 300ZX. This car provided a huge bump in performance and aesthetics over the 280ZX and was brought to American markets in 1983. This generation lasted up until 1989 when the Z32 came to fruition and took the market by storm. The Z32 continued to be known as one of the best sports cars up until the United States was unfortunate enough to stop seeing them imported, in 1996.
1Plenty Of Upgradability
Youtube/BeDistinct
One of the factors shared by many of the older Nissan cars is the sheer amount of upgrades that can be done to the car. Whether it is bigger turbos, upgraded camshafts, exhaust, intake, or basically anything else, the Nissan 300ZX twin turbo has an incredible amount of potential when it comes to modifications.
Just to give you an idea of what this car is capable of – let’s use the “Devil Z” as an example. It is the fastest stock chassis 300ZX around, able to achieve sub-nine-second times on a quarter-mile drag strip. It’s able to produce 785 horsepower at 36 pounds of boost, all while utilizing the stock valvetrain and internals. It went up against some formidable opponents on the strip – a nine-second C6 Corvette and a high eight-second Chevy Nova and surprisingly came out on top in every single race.
The iconic DeLorean time machine from the Back to the Future movie continues to captivate audiences. Now, YouTuber jeremyspoint has brought this timeless vehicle to life with a 1/8 scale remote-controlled (RC) version created from an Eaglemoss model kit.
This Eaglemoss die-cast metal kit meticulously replicates the interior and exterior details of the time machine. From the nuclear reactor to the cables, time circuits, and even the flux capacitor, every element is faithfully reproduced. What’s more, all the lights, including those on the time travel equipment, illuminate. The front wheels are functional, and the gullwing doors and frunk (front trunk) can be opened. With a length of 21 inches, this scale model is truly impressive and closely resembles the original DeLorean time machine.
Awesome photo of Pierre Karsmakers riding a twin stinger Che Zed at the Citadel in Namur, Belgium. Pierre, born in Waalre, Holland in 1946, started his racing career at 18. He achieved great success racing motocross in his home country, winning national titles in Holland in 1967, 1969, and 1971. Karsmakers rode for CZ until he switched to Husqvarna and moved to the U.S. in 1972. He also introduced new concepts of training and nutrition for riders and proper bike setup. In 1973, Yamaha signed him and he won the 500cc motocross National Championship series. He continued to dominate the races and made significant contributions to the growth of motocross worldwide.
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L.A. Coliseum back in the day
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There’s some great footage from the FIM Trials event, the good and the ugly
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Check out Kyle Redmond showcasing his skills on a Dirt Bike test YZ250. This photo was taken in his backyard where he dropped eight feet from the dam to a rocky stream. This impressed Kurt Caselli, who was present during the shoot, as Kyle did maneuvers on the bike that were unexpected.
FTA is a new moto apparel brand by FXR that aims to inspire and connect with riders who want to stand out. Their products are made using high-quality materials and trusted platforms. FTA represents the culture of living on the edge and pushing limits. They offer a variety of products, including stylish jerseys and pants designed for high performance and comfort. Learn more about FTA at https://fxrracing.com/pages/fta.
FTA STYLZ JERSEY:
Made with high-performance fabric for breathability
Moisture-wicking properties to keep riders cool
Athletic fit
FTA STYLZ PANT:
Constructed with high-performance Omni-Stretch™ fabric for mobility
Reinforced rear seat for durability
Metal ratchet waist closure for a secure fit
Slim knee design for less restriction
FTA STYLZ FLO JERSEY:
Made with ultra-light Hi-Flow vented fabric
Slim fit design for better mobility
Bonded sleeve cuffs for reduced friction
FTA STYLZ FLO PANT:
Constructed with Hi-Flow vented Omni-Stretch™ fabric for maximum airflow
T.M. DesignworksBrake Tip for KTM/Husqvarna/GASGAS
T.M. Designworks has released a new brake tip for KTM, Husqvarna, and GASGAS dirt bikes. The brake tip is made from 7075 alloy for superior strength and comes in black, red, and orange colors. It is designed with a beveled edge to reduce impacts and slide over obstacles. The brake tip also features replaceable stainless steel pins for excellent brake pedal feedback. It comes with installation hardware and is priced at $39.95. Learn more at tmdesignworks.com.
HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES AND PUMA NITRO 2 RUNNING SHOES
Husqvarna Motorcycles has collaborated with PUMA to create branded Nitro 2 all-distance running shoes. These shoes are part of Husqvarna’s Team Wear collection and feature high quality and stylish design inspired by Swedish fashion. The shoes will be available at authorized Husqvarna dealers.
In 1990, during the ISDE event in Sweden, I was riding my DR350 that we had modified with parts from other bikes. It endured a lot of mud and rough trails throughout the six-day ordeal. In this photo, I had to clean the rear rotor with contact cleaner as it had accumulated debris. Unfortunately, a hidden rock damaged the rear sprocket and chain during the final special test on the fifth day, ending my race just before the finish line.
Ducati continues its lineup of stylish motorcycles with the introduction of the 2024 Multistrada V2 S in a new livery called “Thrilling Black and Street Grey.” This follows the debut of the black-on-black livery on the 2024 Panigale V2 earlier in June 2023. The Multistrada V2 S is also available in Ducati Red with plain black wheels.
The new livery of the 2024 Multistrada V2 S features a mix of glossy black color and matte accents on its bodywork. The dominant colors are black and grey, with pops of Ducati red and silver to add visual interest. The design aims to convey a sense of motion even when the bike is at rest.
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To further enhance the black aesthetics, the 2024 Multistrada V2 S with Thrilling Black and Grey livery comes with 17-inch alloy wheels in Ducati Red. When combined with the black Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires, the bike looks visually balanced when viewed from the side.
Under the hood, the 2024 Multistrada V2 S is equipped with a 937cc Testastretta 11-degree V-twin engine, capable of producing 113 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 71 pound-feet of torque at 7,750 rpm. The stock seat height is 830mm (32.7 inches), but Ducati offers low and high seat accessories that can adjust the height to 810mm (31.9 inches) and 850mm (33.5 inches) respectively.
Pricing and availability of the 2024 Multistrada V2 S will vary by region. In the UK, the Thrilling Black and Grey Livery version is priced at £15,795, which is approximately $20,143 as of June 20, 2023.
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