not-at-all-blue monday

It has come to my attention via an email from Paul at The Kneeslider (always available from the sidebar at right) that we have reason to celebrate. Something new and strange and wonderful has been growing in secret in Alabama for a year and its name is Motus.

Brian Case, Kneeslider contributing writer and the designer responsible for the carbon backbone, aluminum frame and absolutely sweet carbon girder front end of the Wraith model while he was at Confederate Motorcycles (below right, click to embiggen), has partnered with medical equipment mogul Lee Conn to bring us an American made V4. No, it's not gonna be a ten foot long chrome trailer queen or a peaky, high-strung $40K track bike. It's to be a purpose built, from-scratch Sport Tourer, light, agile, comfortable and with plenty of range. And aimed squarely at the FJR1300/R1200R/ST1300 market. "Case said no United States motorcycle company produces the niche market bike where base models sell in the $15,000-$20,000 range" (from the Birmingham Business Journal article linked below).

I will wait, as I must, but not happily and not without butterflies (mmm...butter) for pictures and testing and information as it appears, but I've read Brian's articles and comments for a few years and he seems a sharp fella and if he says he's gonna make “a next-generation American V4 face-melter” that's got all-day (or even most-of-the-day) comfort and appreciable distance between fill-ups I believe him. I'm pretty sure he's making exactly what I want.

Motus Article on The Kneeslider

"Recession is prime time for Motus, a local R&D company" -Birmingham Business Journal, 27 Feb. 2009

wednesday

Track 800 Update

It has come to my attention via teh moto-intertubes that the production version of the 2010 Track 800CDI (on which you may now put a deposit) will not be equipped with the 2wd system. For that we will have to wait a little longer.

It still has 74lb/ft and 112mpg, though. Want.

tuesday

Oh, baby.

photo: jarno schurgeis (via Track website)

The Good: The Mercedes engineered engine (it's a variant of the Smart ForTwo diesel engine) runs on any kind of diesel (petro/bio/veg oil), has a CVT (to keep mpg up and emissions down), makes 74ft/lbs of torque, has ALL WHEEL DRIVE*, you can use PayPal to buy one, it's four kilos lighter than a BMW GS...oh, and did I mention the ALL WHEEL DRIVE*?

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The Bad: It's €17,500 (before taxes & fees) and you have to go pick it up at the factory (in Holland) "sometime in late 2010."

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Track Dieselpowered website (in Dutch)

English version via BabelFish

*the front wheel is driven hydraulically and the rear is shaft-driven

tuesday

R.I.P. U-Honda

1959-2009

It's very like a death in the family.

Last week as I was e-shopping for a second bike (I'm thinkin' TW200, but that's not what this post is about) I stopped at the website for University Honda/Yamaha/MuZ to check the PreOwned Inventory and was greeted by big red letters on their homepage informing me that the oldest Honda dealer in the US (opened in 1959 with 2 Cub 50s as inventory) has closed forever.

"We regretfully announce that after 50 years of business, University Honda/Yamaha has closed its doors. I want to thank everyone for their support over the years, and wish everyone well in the future."

click photos to embiggen

On the eve of the 50th Anniversary of HondaUSA, too. Very sad.

I bought my first streetbike there (an '83 CB550SC). And my second (an '81 GL1100i), both at the Ravenna location (B&W picture). And gallons & gallons of 20w/50 for my BMWs. And so much gear I can't begin to list it all.

They were (are) people who knew their business and cared about the bikes and the customers who bought them. They will be sorely missed.

University Honda

Seattle PI

very blue monday

R.I.P. Hub

Freddie Hubbard (1938-2008)

3 tracks; total time 12:42

Frederick Dewayne Hubbard has left the building. Hub died today at Sherman Oaks Hospital in California of complications from a heart attack in late November.

Freddie was always my favorite. Even more than Dizzy. He had a sonic grace that shone through whether the track was pushing the ragged edge of post-bop or a smooth and seamless ballad. I miss him already.

Here are some links.

Biographies:

JazzTrumpetSolos.com

The Hard Bop Homepage

Wikipedia

Videos & Music:

Freddie Hubbard Channel on last.fm