2014 BMW S1000R official

After the recent leaked images of the S1000R we can now have a proper look at the 160hp Street Fighter to come from BMW.

2014 Kawasaki Z1000

The Kawasaki Z1000 has made an appearance courtesy of Mr. Bike, who has not only revealed what the Z1000 looks like in close up pictures but has also made a video showing the dash and revealing the engine note.

The Z1000 comes with traction control, and riding mode settings as can be seen in the video. Power is expected to be between 136 or 140hp depending on which powerplant Kawasaki decided to utilize.

2014 BMW NineT revealed

BMW have unveiled their NineT. A few spy images of the bike appeared earlier this month, here are the pics with disguises removed.

The NineT may look old school however it incorporates up-to-date technology, what a bike.
It features a 1200 boxer configuration, specs coming soon.

Top Gear South Africa 2011: The Review

You may be aware that Top Gear is receiving a lot of criticism lately due to the show hosted at Kyalami grand prix circuit this past weekend. (17th to 20th March 2011).

It also just so happens that before making my way to the show on Friday the 18th of March 2011, I had written an exam on operational management. So, with the subject fresh in my mind, I came back from the show, not disappointed with the efforts of the Top Gear team but instead with the organizers; Brand Events and the logistics, or lack thereof.

During the run up to the show, I collected my media passes from the offices of Brand events. They looked at me in dismay as I strolled into their office and I was questioned numerous times about who I had spoken to, what was my name and what exactly I was doing there. After I explained that I had attended the previous 3 Top Gear shows as media and I was a member of the South African guild of motoring journalists and I had spoken to numerous people at brand events in the past about the show, I then was allowed to collect my tickets. I was also informed that I would have to utilize the park and ride facilities at Waterfall estate. (read on)

This was to enable all visitors to the top gear show to be bussed in and out of Kyalami grand prix circuit. Makes sense, as there would be a traffic nightmare if everyone and their Hilux double cab fought each other for the closest available parking spot at the circuit.

As this is a motor show you would assume that most who visited Kyalami, enjoyed their cars and as a result people would be arriving in supercars, sports cars, historic cars etc. However waterfall estate was not the best place for this as it resembled a 4×4 track more than anything. So after smashing in my sump numerous times and rearranging the dynamics of my exhaust on my car with average ground clearance, I eventually found a parking approximately 800 meters from the buses.

My girlfriend and I then proceeded to walk to the buses in the thick mud caused by the unfortunate heavy downpour during the day. By the time we reached the buses, the seats were soaking wet from the earlier crowds. The bus then filled up and we proceeded to be transported to Kyalami circuit, where to my amazement we were stuck in a traffic jam. I thought the whole point of the buses was to eliminate this, however there was too much emphasis placed on ‘VIP’ guests by the organizers and as a result, the bus had now come to a complete stop at the single gate of the circuit. Even though they were letting VIP guests drive into the circuit in their own cars, there has been much criticism over the treatment of VIP guests. I understand the tickets were hellishly expensive, but unfortunately you got ripped. Go buy some more commodities or build casinos or something.

Anyway I will not bore you with the details, but after a prolonged period of time, the bus dropped us off at the top of the circuit in another mud bath, we then proceeded to walk through the tunnel which created a bottleneck, then down past the Lumina drifting cars, and to the arena entrance where there was yet another bottleneck.

Problem analysis:

• Too many people
• One entrance and exit to the arena
• One entrance and exit to the circuit
• One entrance and exit to and from the buses.
• Numerous bottlenecks
• Disrupted flow of traffic
• Buses being kept stationary at the main entrance for too long
• Poor parking facilities
• Poor staff management
• Unclear staff roles

(There are more, this is just from my short experience on the day).

I might come across very negative and demeaning, however don’t get me wrong, the actual show on paper looked spectacular and I sure was impressed with the Top Gear team and their stunts. I was also impressed with the array of cars on display and the Red Bull F1. Unfortunately many people did not get to see the F1 due to the heavy rains experienced on the weekend. However I must point out that it rains almost without fail at this time every year, so surely that is something the organizers must take into consideration.

I understand the rainfall affected proceedings of the Top Gear show, however that aside, the actual organization of the show left a lot to be desired.

Alternative solutions:

• Host the event at a different location, the country has spent billions of infrastructure for the 2010 world cup, what’s wrong with say Soccer city?

• Create multiple entrances and exits to and from the circuit and arena as well as for the buses

• Place more emphasis on directing and guiding the masses comfortably and efficiently instead of making sure a handful of VIP’s are well catered for.

• Allow the public to park their motorbikes at the circuit (like when World superbikes visited kyalami in 2010). This would eliminate hundreds of cars coming close to the circuit

• Ensure better parking facilities at the park and ride

• Help ease traffic flow by allowing buses to drive without stopping for a delayed period to the drop off zone

• Have multiple collection points

• Have multiple drop off zones

• Allow pedestrians to walk from the main entrance

• Don’t have a VIP ticket (money making scam)  resulting in very irritated customers

Once again there are numerous other solutions that could have eased the traffic flow and congestion, these are just off the top of my head.

After watching the show, with the rain and lightening approaching in the distance, my girlfriend and I decided to make our way to the exit, where once again we were forced to wait in a queue with everyone else as the rain started to pour. Due to the ridiculously narrow exit path, my girlfriend was almost knocked off her feet by who could only have been Os Du Randt’s obese cousin.  Psychologists would say conditions were ripe for a huge brawl, but not one for waking up in the morning having had reconstructive facial surgery; I simply sighed, offered the man a Boerewors roll accompanied with an ice cold Castle lager and proceeded to play out my role as jimmy jammer; the sardine who didn’t get away.

By the time we had arrived home, I was exhausted, tired, hungry, thirsty, wet, irritated muddy and my car required Xzibit to come sort it out. In amongst the grade 10 leadership camp a small car show did break out, but sadly it was overshadowed by an overall draining experience.

Anyway, after many people spent a lot of money on their tickets and had there whole day disrupted by the weather and the changing organizational plans of Top Gear I’m sure I am not the only one who feels that something should be said and done.

I am the worlds biggest petrol head and I really love the fact that Top Gear comes to South Africa, I just wish the show was more Top Gear and less unorganized.

Disturbing viral video

The latest viral motorcycle video doing the rounds seems to be rather disturbing, what is more disturbing is the amount of conjecture and opinion being thrown around based on stereotypes and what can be seen by the video.

From the majority of the comments on the Web most people seem to be siding with the Range Rover driver, Alexien Lien, however motorcyclists usually don't go around stopping people on the highway for no reason. Remember motorcyclists are not animals, they are humans also, just because we have an exhaust pipe and wear a helmet doesn't mean we will jump out of your closet in the middle of the night and pretend to be the ghost from the conjuring. So before we jump to conclusions we should ask what really happened?

From what I have heard and seen is the opposite, apparently Alexien was driving extremely close to the motorcycles who had gathered for a rally. He bumped into one of them causing a crash but then instead of stopping and phoning an ambulance he drove off. Rumors suggest that the rider is now paralyzed from the waist down.

Now obviously the riders felt that they should do something so they tried to stop the Range Rover on numerous occasions, but on numerous occasions he rode over the motorcycles in his way and continued driving, risking further lives including his and that of his family.

He eventually was stopped, then was pulled from the car, beaten and cut.

Apparently he had his wife and daughter in the car also who witnessed this. Now if you have your wife and daughter in the car do you A. drive dangerously close to a large gathering of motorcyclists and bump one of them off and keep driving or B. turn off the road and find another safe route home?

The motorcyclists didn't just beat him up for fun, in my opinion he is lucky they didn't kill him for his behavior. At the same time the motorcyclists should be more considerate of the cars on the road and not try brake-check a large SUV. That is as equally silly.

However remember when you are on a motorcycle you are the one who is at greater risk, hence the reason why motorcyclists get worked up over bad driving, at the end of the day if a motorcyclist crashes, he or she risks death, whereas the risk is a lot lower in a car, and motorcyclists know this.

All round a very negative and disappointing turn of events that could of been prevented if there was a little more IQ present on the day.

Below is a picture of one of the bikers who was run over by Alexien Lien who is fighting for his life and currently in a coma.

2014 KTM Super Duke 1290 R first pics

The latest Super Duke is only scheduled for its official unveiling in approximately 4 days, however these images have emerged thanks to Moto-Station who have spotted the first 1290 Super Duke R before its much anticipated launch.

As is expected, the official bike doesn't resemble the prototype photos to every last detail, however the 1290 R certainly looks the piece thanks to that orange and white trellis frame. Also the 1290 decals on the underside of the tail make sure that everyone behind you knows exactly what KTM you have.

There isn't much need to speculate about official specification and equipment as the launch is only in four days, however expect to see ABS, traction control as well as a power output in excess of 160hp.

Motorcycle hoonigans unite. (And ask mom for some extra pocket money).