Kim Kardashian is filing for divorce form husband Kris Humphries

Kim Kardashian is filing for divorce form husband Kris Humphries after just 72 days of marriage.The 31-year-old reality star is seeking the divorce from NBA star Kris, 26, on the grounds of 'irreconcilable differences', court documents show.



Ryan Seacrest, the producer of her E! reality show, has just tweeted: 'Yes @KimKardashian is filing for divorce this morning. I touched base with her, getting a statement in just a few mins.'



Kim ensured they both signed a prenuptial agreement before they got hitched at a lavish ceremony on August 20 in Montecito, California. It netted the couple a reported $18m from magazine deals, TV coverage and endorsements - that's $250,000 every day.





News of their divorce will no doubt add fuel to the fire that the wedding was merely a cynical manoeuvre to cash in at a time when Kim's star power was at it's highest.

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2008 V-REX Travertson Review

If Angelina Jolie walked down Main Street naked, perhaps with her hair on fire, it could be closer to the amount of attention Travertson the V-REX does.

Such is life for the future of this art-science fictionish, a celebrity who is constantly bombarded with questions when the bike stops. And yet, many do not expect to be parked, as several times cell phone cameras were hung the car windows open and eyes wide open, smiling spectators shouting above the wind "Hey, what the hell is this thing? "

Yes, the V-Rex is as subtle as a hammer ballpen the front. And we imagine it as the small market, but probably prefers off.

This cartoon on wheels was brought to life in an intelligent people who created the Y2K jet turbine bike made famous by the inimitable Jay Leno, a certified bike nut likes to tell the story out the front bumper of a merger of the Camry from the intense heat of the gas turbine exhaust after shooting near a red light.

V-REX first existed only in a 3D rendering created by the famous mechanical futurist Tim Cameron, then called dream bike. Cameron ultra adventurous design caught the eye of Christian Traverten, one of the crew at MTT which built the Jet Copter-Y2K sailed above. Traverten was immediately occupied by Cameron design so much that he decided to make the concept a reality.

This proved easier said than done. Cameron, who work in the digital domain, was not limited by pesky details like actual engineering principles. While Travert consider a three-dimensional structure that has remained faithful to the artistic project of Cameron does not collapse all the stress of the wheelbase of 79.2 inches long. Consider the Star Raider, one of the more bikes MO has ever tested, whose wheelbase is nearly 9 inches shorter.

Travertine, French moved to Florida, came up with a unique aluminum frame that doubles as a fuel tank. A structure of steel tubes to create a sustainable control of the engine, the head section and use the V-Rod Revolution engine as a stressed member. According to the company 670-pound dry weight.

The front is perhaps the feature of the bike. No typical telescopic fork here. The only way to double wishbone swingarm design concept was the inspiration for an elegant piece of engineering. The swingarm super big wheel keeps on one end and the pins of a bellows vertical component, damped by a fully adjustable shock in collaboration with EMC.

"The front suspension is similar to a modern bicycle emergency street tilting device / buffer in the front of the bike and an axis of rotation of the neck," said Travert Motorcycle.com. "This design eliminates flex all conventional front fork length and is what gives unmatched stability, easier for the V-Rex in low and high speed, and also removed a dive under braking."

 

 

And what powers such a futuristic device? Hydrogen? Dilithium crystals? Nope, just a good old Porsche Design, as an engine of Harley-Davidson Revolution. The liquid-cooled, DOHC V-Rod engine is used as a structural element and Traverten wisely chosen to keep the entire Harley powertrain intact, including the injection system and electronics. A belt drive runs a 280/35-18 Metzeler meat ME880 rear tire mounted on an aluminum single-sided.

Approaching V-Rex for the first time is like looking Batmobile - it looks more like a Hollywood accessory than a functional motorcycle. This impression does not end once on board, like a giant V-shaped aluminum handlebar back on the fuel tank built into the chassis rail aluminum main. A recessed fuel cap that pivots in its housing to allow an action twist-off is smart enough to be patented. One of our favorite songs on the indicators of the motorcycle turn signals intelligent ends tour - great!

People love the short, which kicks are only 26 inches from the sidewalk as he was sitting on the seat, it feels like the ex-director Sean Alexander cupping your ass MO (do not ask me how you know). At the same time, maneuver, indicators and controls are familiar to anyone once the site of late-model Harley. Leafing through the start button to turn on HD 1250cc V-Twin, and the skin is oversized chrome exhaust system is much more than blattier receive Hog inventory.

Two aspects are immediately apparent: first, that front end is waaaaay up there somewhere near this ZIP code, and secondly, funky front of the V-Rex offers a surprisingly light feel at low speeds or no.

Once launched, the V-Rex in the behavior of the straight line is what you expect from a 9-foot-long cruise, tired of fat: comfortable and resistant to bending. The front Metzeler 140/70-18 is as fat as the rear tire of a 1990 FZR600, but steering response is not the worst I've tried some helicopters. Meanwhile, powertrain and transmission of the revolution work as they do in a V-Rod, but slightly soft throttle response.

Suspension of the compliance of single swing arm at the front is tempered by a single adjustable shock, everything is rounded feels even more direct than the minimum stroke provided by the two shocks mounted horizontally under the engine. Traverten stressed that shocks also fit Harley Softail, the series and is the only adjustable shock absorbers for this application.

V-Rex offers another strange sensation that is felt during braking when the front increases as the binder used aggressively (as opposed to diving) due to the geometry of the swing arm. Incidentally, the rotor assembly of RIM and the front brake calipers with six pistons borrowed a Buell motorcycle.

I had to laugh when I read the impression that the Robb Report Motorcycling V-REX: "At the rate that slides into the corners, the soil absorbs unfriendly turned ys no worries' stops abruptly."

While we are surprised that such a conception of the early V-REX actually goes, turns and stops like a motorcycle, we are a bit more demanding with our assessment. Most of the "drift in the turns" is performed by the footpegs or exhaust pipe, which slammed and lengthy scooter has a lack of ground clearance, scraping hard parts, even at modest speeds the curves. And if your teeth are U-shaped black, you better on a multi-lane road with lots of extra space. V-REX is awkward during these maneuvers with a front end drive and turning limited.

But really, nobody should be surprised or shocked by the lack of agility, because it is a characteristic of most high-end radical customs. This type of bicycle that works best when the profiles of up and down Main Street.

Except for the V-Rex is different from any typical helicopter - is a framework and a way unlike any other on the road, and magic rotates the neck at a higher rate than any other bike we have tested. And an observer, does not have to be an expert to appreciate and motorcycle to move around the V-Rex design single large and attractive smiles, as evidenced by flow-cameras and cell phone full of teeth that inspires.

The V-REX also appeals to those who understand the cost of creating a sculpture on wheels. One of the places used for images of Ford's Premier Automotive Group was facilitated in Irvine, California, where he again met with another group. Even the car guys knew they were seeing something special, and looked at all angles while pointing and smiling. After admiring for a while, a man asked a question.

"How much?"

"40 Grand and change," I replied

"Is that all?" He said, incredulous.

Yes, $ 43 990 sounds like a lot of coins to me. On the other hand, there is a shortage of $ 40 000 helicopters out there, besides painting, like other helicopters of $ 40,000. Speaking of paint, V-REX can be ordered in one of 11 different colors.

The V-REX proudly and slight to challenge the status quo, and in doing so, challenges the creation of two wheels off the beaten track and explore what is possible. And for those who want something sportier, you have to wait for the VR-2, the production model following Travertson.

If you want the instant celebrity status of the V-REX brings, surf over WeRentMotorcycles.com and is the V-REX we tested available for U.S. $ 300 per day. Jack Reynolds, the owner of this new company based in Newport Beach, California, has several other care receivers in its stable, as the Can-Am Spyder, a Boss Hoss 502 and later this year, a Ducati Desmosedici RR. If you are a little too wild for you, Reynolds also turns like a typical Harley Road King, a 14 Kawi contest and some BMW.

2011 Honda Sabre Review

After filtration in front of traffic to stop and wait until the light turns green. I pull the lever in neutral and the rest with patience my hands in my lap. Meanwhile, a lady across the street. His age was difficult to decipher, but easily could have been old enough to be my mother. Maybe even my grandmother. Across the bright blue figure with my Honda Sabre threatening caught his attention. She stopped when she came, I looked down and said "nice bike." I nodded and moved on. "You really do meet the nicest people on a Honda" I thought.

Why do I bring this up? For if the intention of the Sabre Honda Pro-street-style was intimidating, so it seems that if the label is missing. But there is no doubt that the Sabre - now with a color-matched frame for 2011 - is hard not to look. With all the blue, the presence of chromium hits your eye like a punch one-two. The key is, of course, be the 1312cc, 52-degree, liquid-cooled V-Twin in the heart of it all. Honda fans may be familiar with this engine because it is the same unit that drives the fury of a more aggressive style.

Family Ties

Sabre is part of a trio of Honda customs which also includes the state line and Interstate, which are all the same engine. Although Lake Tahoe is a muscle-cruiser, and a bunch of Interstate Tourer, Sabre, the strong man thinks Boulevard. Its minimalist design, 33 degree rake, long wheelbase, 21-inch front wheel and around a small, all add a little 'personality, in our tests, has attracted attention wherever we went. While the other testers, that attention is not always flattering. The plastic fenders, body panels and chrome engine covers various plastic T-Rod said: "look plastic" feel like a "toy industry bought 99-cent store."

Plastic aside, we all agree that the Sabre power lines are attractive. Another thing we noticed was the lack of motion of the brand. Nowhere is (well-formed), the fuel tank you do not see any indication of what kind of leadership that is. Bonuses are only a small Honda logos, body panels just below the seat, and rear Fender label carefully positioned on top of the painting in a transparent way for those who prefer something invisible can easily remove.

Other stylistic elements we liked the integration of the design tree swing. If you do not know better, we would be looking around trying to understand how the power was turned on. The placement of the speedometer at the top of the tank of the engine room Chrome to produce a clear and elegant the interior.

On the lookout

Sealant on Sabre, a number of things stand out: unless you are unusually short, you will have no problem reaching the ground. With a low seat 26.9 inches of soil, plant both feet firmly on land not to be a problem for most runners. The other thing is how we found far from the front wheel sensor from the viewpoint of the driver. In fact, 70.0-inch wheelbase and 33 degrees of slope surely inspire other hand rides for the rapid and during the first familiarize themselves with Sabre, the adjustment to the direction slow and took a long wheelbase some getting used to.

What has not taken some getting used to is the beautiful sound, 1312cc, 52 degree V-Twin. In standby mode it rumbles with a clear mind that feels just right when you ride a cruiser. "The Sabre is the appropriate exhaust system sounds boastful, emits a barking baritone that could mislead many into thinking it's a Harley," says Kevin. The best part is that although it looks very good point of view of the driver, it is not too offensive to the innocent bystander. What is offensive is the air box cover, which moves a little bit past our taste. All our drivers' test hit our knees against her during our time with the bike.

Otherwise, before you feel strong enough impulse to double - to 71.2 lbs-ft at 3200 rpm. However, rowing through the five-speed is needed to keep the sword at their best, such as horses, 53.9 above, only peaks at 4200 rpm, before flattening before its 5100 low -rpm rev limit. Fortunately, the transmission shifts with typical Honda refinement.

As part of the pro-street look that is Sabre commands far forward of the axis of the bike, put the jumper in the "folded" position typical of many cruisers. But most of our employees have no problem with the scope before the bars and pegs. He felt a little too tight for my taste, but if not unbearable.

Although a bicycle is more apt than little by little - you know, to attract attention - the Sabre Cruises is pretty good at highway speeds. Without any protection against the wind, sitting can create a candle outside the party, but this effect is minimal, while traveling 80 miles per hour in the Sabre. The birthplaces of the driver's seat to keep the wind of them scampering back, while the lighthouse and the fuel tank relatively high arc do a decent job of deflecting the wind.

Sabre is a slowdown in large disk coupled with a 336mm dual-piston caliper. It's a challenge waiting for a single drive to stop a motorcycle 659 pounds, but the system here does a respectable job of it. Kevin felt as if they were getting a little harder, but again: "You do not buy a bike like this for the front brakes unbelievable," he said. Ask 296mm rear disc and single piston caliper using Sabre and stopped quickly.

Surprisingly, we found the levers of Sabre for being too thin. Although otherwise considered normal in any other category of motorcycle "Motorcycle Cruiser does not feel good without the handle robust" T-Rod walked in his notes.

Braces consist of a range of traditional 41 mm in front and a shock cleverly hidden in the back. And even if a sufficient enough for the duty to regular cruise, was the modest increase in the back (3.9 inches) is not enough to absorb the bumps hard. With thin, 90-series front tire, you might think, Sabre follows each groove on the road. Fortunately, this is not the case, but sometimes more front wheel wheel track would attract attention. A simple tug on the bars to put it back on track.

Just for fun, we decided to ride the Sabre completely out of his element and headed to the triangles. With the permission of lowland, the hard parts scraping the ground a moderate inclination angle, if not worse, than the typical cruise. A turn-on is quite slow, as we alluded to the long wheelbase, but once you are stable enough leaned to one side. It is, of course, to satisfy any kind of imperfection in the road. The front fork shock absorber rod is "simplistic and sometimes hard knocks," says Kevin, brand new, short-travel rear suspension quick stop. But really, if you want to Sabre with sporting aspirations in mind, then maybe re-evaluate.

American-style ... Japan

Besides the lack of walking, we have only a few minor gripes. First, as useful as the mirrors are Sabre, they look dated and clash with the overall flow of the bike. Surely Honda could design mirrors more aggressive and appropriate to complete the rest of this machine style. Similarly, flashing glasses also appear as if they were drawn from a bucket of lenses purchased during the Reagan administration. The Customizer can find many Sabre is plastic and the seal of the fuel tank is postponed, but the bank of Honda that the majority of buyers looking at Sabre does not care. In addition, the plastic meets the price of $ 11,899.

"With regard to forms, Sabre is absolutely beautiful," Duke comments. "But his wings plastic and Plasti-polished chrome reduce its appeal to hardcore rockers."

Despite the abundance of plastics, our contact at Honda tells us that sales of the Sabre (and by extension, the Fury) are "strong", which is more than can be said about the sales figures of sports past.

We believe that the style used, Sabre, hits all the right buttons, leading Chuck to note that "it seems much more expensive than it is," and that non-fans might think that it came directly from the motorcycle-building reality.

Available in Ultra Blue Metallic, Sabre is a great choice of craving someone for a custom look without the custom price.

Monday Morning Meditation #100: The Value of Vegetables

Oh, my goodness! As I typed in the title for this post, I realized that it is #100, exactly. It seems pretty amazing that 100 weeks have passed since I have begun writing this column. It is especially amazing because I still have only scratched the surface of all the wonderful information, stories, advice, guidance, direction, etc., that one finds in the Bible. I do apologize for the late posting of this MMM. It is no longer morning. Doah stayed overnight last night, and his hyperactivity kept my attention riveted to matters that do not require quiet concentration.

Now, back to this week's reading. Having completed Ezekiel, last week, I moved on to Daniel. Not that I worked very far through that book...I stopped on the very first chapter on the story of Daniel and his friends choosing to be fed vegetables and water over the royal food and wine offered to them and ended up healthier than their peers at the royal table.

Reading: Daniel 1

Meditation: One could read this story from a literal point of view or from a metaphorical point of view. I read it from both.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Likely in the days of Daniel, medicine was not advanced enoughttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifh to know the value of fruits and vegetables over red meat and more popular foods. So, it is interesting to read that somehow Daniel trusted to plain food associated with a simple life. Today we would not be surprised to find that as a result Daniel and his companions were healthier than those who opted for the foods that were high in fat and cholesterol.

Similarly, one might look at a "simple" life versus a "royal" life. While riches (like royal food) might be "tasty" (attractive), they are not spiritually healthy for us -- as we are frequently told throughout the Bible, especially by Jesus in the gospels; simplicity and poverty (like vegetables), as those who have followed in the path of St. Francis and others like him have learned, are healthier.

So, I guess the take-away is what our mothers have always told us. We need to eat our vegetables!

Contemplation: That is far as I can go with you this Monday morning. I now retire to private prayer to praise God for demonstrating to us and telling us in so many ways throughout history that we should concentrate on eating our vegetables and not on the fancier fare of life. I will thank God for giving us vegetables, and I will ask forgiveness for those times that I have bypassed the vegetables and reached for the cordon bleu. I will also ask God to continue to guide me in the decisions I have to make on a daily basis on how simple or complex I make my life. Then I will move on to contemplation, my favorite part of the day, letting God take over the direction in which my relationship with Him moves.

I will leave you now to your prayer and contemplation. First, though, I would like to bring to your attention a Monday morning prayer post that you might enjoy:

Fr. Austin Fleming, priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and pastor in Concord, Massachusetts, posts a prayer each Monday morning that he calls "Monday Morning Offering." I enjoy his prayers very much. I think you also will find them inspirational. He has graciously given me permission to include a link to his blog on my Monday Morning Meditation posts. (During the week, he also posts great homilies and other thoughtful discussions. I enjoy reading those, too, as do readers of this blog who have taken the stroll over to his blog.)

For additional inspiration throughout the week, I would point out two sets of blogs: (1) the list of devotional blogs on my sidebar and (2) my blogroll, where I am following a number of inspirational priests and writers about spiritual matters. I learn so very much from all these people. I highly recommend them to you.

2012 Ducati 848 Streetfighter Review

With the global launch of the 1199 superbike EICMA Panigale in Milan for a month, Ducati filled the middle with an international press presentation of the 2012 Streetfighter 848. The combined street and track in and around Modena, Italy, exposed the naked artist Twists trackday last Sunday morning and duties.

Almost identical in appearance to the great Streetfighter 1098, the new 848 is designed to give pilots a more affordable and less extreme for modeling the S superbike engine, which is the only other Streetfighter Streetfighter available for the 2012 standard is interrupted.

The most obvious difference between the 2012 Streetfighter displacement engine models. So Ducati Streetfighter S 1099cc L-Twin cylinder uses a product called 155 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque at 9500 rpm, the new fighter powered by a 848cc twin-generation 132-hp and a claimed 69 lb-ft of torque 10 000 rpm and 9500, respectively. Produces its maximum power 500 rpm higher in the rev range and with a compression ratio of 13.2:1 for, compared to S '12 .5:1, the new SF is a bit more strongly excited than the model more large displacement.

The figures derived Ducati crankshaft power decreases when running on a test the rear wheels. Factory Superbike 848 valued at 140 hp, eight of the new Streetfighter as a result of valve lift and a little less time and produces 119 horsepower on the dynamometer Mickey Cohen Motorsports SuperFlow our sport shooting the medium. Therefore, we expect the SF 848 for generating a little over 110 horsepower to the rear wheel.

This amount of energy is a lot of fun and exciting on a bike weighs about 410 pounds full of fluids. In the street there is enough punch to any situation, if wheelieing or passes while on the trail of the hunt 848 makes it easier for better bikes with smaller riders.

Set retail $ 13,000, the streetfighter 848 is significantly cheaper than the $ 19,000 S streetfighter, but only $ 2,000 less than the soon to be non-existent $ 15,000 streetfighter standard (Hurry and get yours now considering Standard 2011 1098 streetfighter better value). The 848 does not take the Ducati Traction Control, which is a welcome technology to be included in such a low MSRP.

The biggest Streetfighter S model, besides the rise of larger engine, has a fork Ohlins, while the front legs 848 are of the variety Marzocchi. The two components of the suspension are fully adjustable 43 mm and measure the diameter. The front is 848, however, is stronger than the S, with 24.5 degrees inclination 25.6 degrees compared to the model S. The 848 also has less resistance than S, 103mm vs 114mm, respectively, but the wheelbase of both bikes is identical to that of 58.1 inches.

Whether on the road or track Streetfighter takes a little time to bike at home and / or known. The front end of the 848-1099cc version and the original may feel a little nervous, especially when leaned over in a corner, and a braking track does not come naturally when you are driving on Street Fighter. With the 848, which spans the same distance between the points of contact patches as S but with a rake and less steep trails Ducati suggests that perhaps the search for a better configuration of light - which, if would reach a long way in making the bike more attractive - but neither the extent not lend themselves to confidence has improved.

Normally less rake and more tracks would help calm a nervous front end, so unconventional approach Ducati rake over and use less drag is quiet interesting. Without a street fighter to go up to 1098 for comparison at the event, it is unclear whether the change in measurement from the front is better or worse, the issue still exists, although it is certainly not resolved.

It was not until the second session on the track I was comfortably faster, pushing the Streetfighter is on the verge of its performance envelope. The nervousness in front and high handlebars give a light touch - the ham and greed leads to a question from the front wheel.

Other significant differences in the SF 848 include a wet and dry clutch and new wheels 10 instead of the five branches on the handlebars S. aluminum cone on the 848 is higher than the 20mm model S. The seat height S high, 33 inches, carries more than 848 new to the, making footrest gently.

Most of these changes include making the new 848 the best companion for the Streetfighter a runner who is more concerned about the competence of the Streetfighter streetbike as useful and less in the improving performance of the model S.

Higher than the handlebars, for example, to relieve some pressure on the wrists of the pilot allow more time in the saddle. Since Ducati did not go so far as to change the seating position, myself, this additional leverage is often used to keep a safe distance from the fuel tank and the horse. The combination of very narrow tank / seat junction and the seat can be tilted down a rough road driving testicle, painful experience.

Flat, closed, of course, race course, as the brand new Autodromo di Modena (848 Street Fighter press intro of the song was the first official act), a narrow seat / tank allows for a rapid phase, semi-to-side switching.

Complaints have been the origin of Street Fighter right ankle a cyclist was forced uncomfortable away from the bike due to an edge of exhaust heat. Ducati addressed this on 2012 848 SF by adding a 10mm spacer on the right footrest. Yes, the ankle does not feel in a strange angle, but the change has won a degree of angle on a bike that hit the runners toe sliders for asphalt, along with placing a knee on the ground.

Faced with two beds, radially mounted Brembo brakes and 320 mm provide good stopping power, and will not fade during our two-track sessions, but you feel adjustable lever is a bit 'vague.

In the back of the bike to a fully adjustable Sachs shock attaches to a cast aluminum single-sided. 5.5 inches of the rim has a new 180/60 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Corsa tires. The new tire size allows a larger contact area on the radio, and Pirelli said to improve the buffering capacity to deliver improved ride comfort. With a compound of the Superbike World on the right and left, pulling the tires never been in question.

 

848 Fighter Street Fighter is available in yellow, red Ducati and Dark Stealth, but every color wheel remains stunner. Aggressive sex appeal of this bike is undeniable, and if you can manage some quirks, 848 Street Fighter should provide a wonderful companion.

Except for an unfortunate tank / seat time, seat position offers plenty of legroom and a respectable distance from the seat footrests. Handlebar top will help keep the weight off the rider on his back and stood up passengers at a distance running boards to ease the discomfort in the right foot of the pilot.
 

Self does not want to spend most of the afternoon, Street Fighter, but the rider looking for weekend Carver competent and randomly monitor the daily tool of Street Fighter is all that attractive unit.

2012 BMW K1600GT Review

One of the most exciting bikes this year is the BMW K1600 platform offers the first motorcycle engine six cylinder in-line since 1980. The ultra-light plant, the sport itself is highly publicized, but is only part of a bicycle to ride incredibly well designed.

K16 is available in two similar but different. Excessive GTL competes with Honda Gold Wing Luxury-Touring category, but its high level of sports performance and available (Bluetooth, the electrically adjustable windshield, traction control, and more) makes the horrible (but the 100-pound heavy- ) Wing looks a bit 'out of fashion, although the 2012 updates are controlled here.

Regular readers will remember our glowing review of GTL, where we wrote: "The venerable Gold Wing still has a clear superiority in the accommodation of passengers and a small advantage in the treatment of ultra-low speed, but K1600 GTL progress significant contrast in super-Touring category in every other way possible. "

However, GTL is not the only taste of the sexy and technophile K1600 available. Sports riders will be more interested in the GT version, which is basically the same machine, but with a more aggressive ergonomics and without large GTL top box on the back. According to the K1600s BMW Motorrad CEO Hendrik von Kuenheim, "The fundamentals of our market offensive."

Although GTL will be a greater stowage capacity and lower the seat, and more, the GT is a great sport-touring category. Its riding position is sportier than the GTL still very nice

Footpegs are placed 50mm (about 2 cm) diagonally, backwards and upwards, but the handles are 50mm further away from the rider.

 

Two inches here and there does not seem like much, but the GT sports ergos are much better than driving, the driver a greater sense of connection to the front Duolever, and to provide better ground clearance when leaned. Rates of suspension damping are slightly more strict control solid when ridden briskly.

The GT has the same rake trail and wheelbase as the GTL, but few other differences are apparent. A fuel tank 6.3 liter will not take you as far as 7, GTL 0 gallons, and the lack of LGT trunk and is mounted above the rear gives the GT a paper speed more alive when pitched at the corners.

Another difference is small, but beneficial to an exhaust system a bit noisier than a BMW engineer says that pushes the limit sound restrictions. He used a German word to describe it, Kernig, which means strong, or "a little more." Its resonance is a bit heavier, but moving to a better rider access to the melodious notes escape from all motorcycledom. For an earful delicious, see 55 seconds of our review of the video where a GT GTL 1649cc six cries all the way to its 8400-rpm rev limiter.

 

We recently had a GTL in a test to give us an idea of ​​said crankshaft K1600 160 horsepower is lost through its six-speed transmission and shaft drive, and we were a little disappointed with the 121, 6800 put rpm 6, were recorded. It is a power loss of 24%, significantly higher than the loss of 15-20% typical motorcycle engine shaft. The HP World 132.7 recorded in the bank cycle above 1000 rpm is closer than expected. We recorded a maximum torque of 105.1 lb-ft at 4900 rpm, well below the CW bicycle.

According to the GT appears to be big and tall store, but some integrated adaptation is available in terms of seat height. The standard seat 31.9 inches, but can be adjusted up to 32.7 inches for the legs better. Short-distance runners can opt for the low seat option, so that its height of 30.7 inches or 31.5. GTL seat can be mounted on the GT, if more than comfort.

The standard seat in its lowest position glad my hip, despite our evidence in the press presentation lasted no more than an hour to an hour.

When the pilot can lose voluptuous engine, the GT is surprisingly competent chassis, which deserves the attention of the driver. The turning point in the work is much lighter than expected, corresponding to very quickly even if the GT fully fueled (but without the side bags) 703 pounds of weight.

Some credit must go to the new Z8 Metzeler 190/55-17 rear tire donut instead of the typical squatters and 190/50, which makes the steering heavier. Z8s, review here, also proved to be fairly close to the sport-touring tires, the angles thinner than expected to ship this size. Post-ride reading Platforms showed about half of the wheel was still pressing the start to get scratched wedge.

The GT is priced at $ 20 900 substantial departure, but even the base model is nicely equipped. Heated grips are always welcome, is the seat of BUN-warming, while cruise control alleviates boredom while crossing Nebraska on the way to the Rocky Mountains. A 5.7-inch multifunctional TFT (Thin Film Transistor) color screen contains an onboard computer operated by a slick and convenient Multi-controller, a wheel that rotates around the left handlebar and can be turned in any direction to select different parameters.

Windscreen adjustable power, narrower and shorter than that of GTL, offers a range that is suitable for a wide range of riders. It was noisy in the lowest position, my 5-foot-8 body, but it was much quieter. Senior pilots, as the 6-foot-4 Roland Brown said that he can not be completely settled with the closure shield to its highest position. When the screen in the upper ranges, the air flow has been pretty quiet for 100 mph do not need earplugs.

The base GT is also equipped with BMW Integral ABS, which is built around a triple-thick disk installation of 320 mm and dual 4-piston calipers in the front. This package has no problem with fast to slow K16 performing smoothly, even under pressure with a firm feel of the lever. More niceties include standard BMW E-Gas throttle with three power modes, a xenon headlights with dynamic leveling, and turnsignals have to use an effective means of self-cancellation of the program.

An update package is optional, misleadingly called standard Stickering a suggested retail price of $ 23 045. Add the highly desirable ESA II Electronic Suspension Adjustment allows instant adaptability to better fit certain positions and roads. Also included in the package of $ 2145 is traction control, an innovative adaptive xenon headlights that can look around corners, a monitor tire pressure and pre-wiring for BMW Navigator IV built Garmin, available only separate the dealer for about $ 850.

ESA is an ingenious feature that provides on-the-fly adjustments that can transform the GT from a couch for a sporting touch of a button. Set to Sport mode, while railing of a two-lane highway with speeds sometimes up to 100 km / h, the suspension control copy provided for such a big girl. And adaptive headlights that use mirrors to direct its beam in the corners, is a boon for night riding.

If your budget allows, and you need the notes when you throw, the K1600 GT is spec'd with the premium package that lists $ 24,540. It adds a good audio system with satellite tuner and iPod / USB integration, which can be transferred wirelessly via Bluetooth, speakers, and a helmet. High-end package also includes a central locking and alarm system.

The verdict

BMW K1600 platform is simply outstanding. GTL rivals the venerable Gold Wing in luxury while offering greater athletic ability and many additional features. Looking for a duo compare this next week.

The GT, on the other hand, is imbued with sufficient capacity to compete with sports athletes and hikers low cylinder Kawasaki Concours Yamaha FJR1300 14. In fact, we will be riding the Kawi and the K1600GT USGP at Laguna Seca this week so that we know how they compare. The party won K1300GT honors in the 2009 Sport-Touring Shootout, so it will be interesting to see how the new GT is the C-14.

Having a single platform that can compete with both a Gold Wing and a Concours 14 is a stunning success. The K1600 series is nothing less than astounding, offering a full range of features, updated electronics and an enviable six-cylinder mill that will go down in history as one of the largest motorcycle engines.

Budget-minded drivers flout the GT $ 20K plus the suggested retail price. But for those who can afford the entry fee, the BMW is great, and similarly the Sport Tourer will be so kind and excitement.

2012 Honda CBR1000RR Preview

Honda CBR1000RR has been a favorite in the offices of MO, especially since the 2008 version tested here. Almost as light as a 600, but with a mid-range power-liter-class-leader, the big-R double dome on the top of its class.

Now, four years later, the CBR1000RR is several revisions, but stops on a complete overhaul. Improve the new body style, but it's the suspension that they have received the majority of R & D work.

The rear suspension is still the Pro-Link architecture units, but the shock of the new body promises great improvements in responsiveness. The shock of the old pipe, can be expressed in favor of what Honda calls Free Report, which contains a twin-tube design. Instead, the piston-valve with a fixed damping oil damping components are forced to separate. Balance the shock without using only a single channel, rather than a range of pages, like most of the shock valves. Honda says that this gives you more control by increasing the oil, resulting in easier and better damping action, especially in transitional package a rebound. Attenuation controls are easily accessible at the top of the body of a shock.

The front suspension also receives an upgrade, now uses a Showa inverted fork with 43mm piston technology Big Fork seen on some Kawasaki Ninjas and Suzuki GSX-R. His greatest amount of damping reduces the hydraulic pressure, resulting in a more accurate and less running original pitch when braking.

New body is the most obvious change for the CBR. It applies the concept of layers of fascia to improve aerodynamic flow, helping to create a large pocket of still air around the driver as you draw more air through the cooling system. Also new is an integrated spoiler on the front wheel is claimed to reduce aerodynamic lift at high speeds.

Another new instrumentation. The digital LCD meter package now includes a shift indicator on five levels, clock and gear indicator-position. The online digital bar-type tachometer features four selectable modes of play style.

The upper-middle CBR engine is basically the same, but received the new EFI settings give the answer that is more linear and smoother response to throttle opening smaller.

Also new is the CBR 12 cast aluminum wheels replace the previous three-spoke hoops. These wheels are thin rays said to offer greater rigidity, which we assume also makes them easier.

CBR Combined ABS system receives a minor revision for the year 2012. This sports-oriented features ABS 'effect front brake change better suited for riding sports. "Honda says it reduces the front-brake when the rear brake is activated, followed by more progressive front braking increases brake pedal pressure.

The new CBR1000RR is scheduled to hit dealers in December, starting at $ 13,800 for the base model. 

 

C-ABS version costs an additional $ 1000 are available in a new red color choice to join the existing black, plus a sweet combo Pearl White / Blue / Red HRC-inspired looks. C-ABS model is only available in red. Also offers a kit HRC power-up, but it is only for track use.

Although the changes to the new CBR is not quite the earth trembles, Honda promises its new suspension is very revealing and very sensitive. The 20-th anniversary of the beginning of the iconic CBR900RR, the new 1000RR certainly new competition for the title of class hegemony.

Said Honda. "Diffuse Finally, the CBR1000RR a sinister connection between the rider and bike, with its exceptional balance, all-round performance and feel remarkably integrated For 2012, Honda's engineers perfected and honed these properties, which gives pilots the opportunity to step up and open the next chapter of the motorcycle has become a living legend among sport bikes. "