Motorcycle Blog: The Sidecar » On-Off Road

QLINK Responds to Motorcycle.coms XF200 Review

Joe Magro — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:24:09 +0000

QLINK have published a post on their blog to respond to the QLINK XF200 bike review that was published on motorcycle.com. After reading the review, QLINK felt there were some issues that were raised in the article that needed more explanation and clarity.

Hit the jump to read what they had to say.

2009 QLINK XF200 Review

Motorcycle.com just released the product review for 2009 QLINK XF200 Supermoto on its website. This product review was setup almost two months ago by motorcycle.com. After reading this review, we would like to respond to some points not revealed in this article.

First of all, we are so grateful that Mr. Brisette and his team made such insightful review on QLINK XF200. QLINK will continue to push XF200 to another higher level based on all comments from this review and readers’ feedback.

A lot of people are still confused about who is QLINK. QLINK actually is established in 1988 in Taipei, Taiwan, and now QLINK has become a multinational group having companies in USA, Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, Hungary, and China. Technically speaking, QLINK does not produce any vehicles. What QLINK does is to search the best products from different manufacturers to make up its product line. So far none of a single Chinese manufacturer can make all powersports products. Some are specialized in scooter, and some are focusing on off-road bikes. As a result, QLINK has made commitment to becoming a platform providing the best value products from different manufacturers. Yes, you may see same product that QLINK has and someone else has also, but QLINK is rearranging its product line to be all exclusive, such as Megelli series.

So, what is the relationship between QLINK and Jinan Qingqi? Just like what I have mentioned above, Jiana Qingqi is one of QLINK’s manufacturers in China and QLINK has exclusivity to sell XF200 and XP200in USA. QLINK was told by Qingqi that it has joint venture with Suzuli in China to produce engines for Suzuki. In fact, it’s very common for Chinese manufacturers to have some sort of cooperation with foreign companies in China. The major reasons for this kind of cooperation. One is that foreign companies can take advantage of lower labor cost in China for production. Second is that those foreign companies can sell technology to Chinese manufacturers and open Chinese market via those Chinese manufacturers they work with.

Last but not least, QLINK is trying to providethe best value products in the market. In this review, it mentioned about some parts are not highest quality compared with Japanese bikes. However, we need to know our strategy is not to cope with Japanese manufacturers but to fill in the gap that people want more affordable price but still acceptable quality and warranty. Most of QLINK products are at least 30% less than Japanese brands but double length of period for warranty. Moreover, all QLINK street bikes come with one year free roadside assistance. I have to say that it is your business if you decide to pay more, but it is QLINK’s business if you want to pay less!

Machineart slims and smooths the BMW R1200GS

Eric Schmidt — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:15:28 +0000

Machineart Industrial Design, Slims down and smooths out the most popular adventure touring bike on the market today, the BMW R1200 GS. The R1200GSM (M for Machineart) is designed to be a sleeker, sexier version of the stock GS. The GSM was built to promote the MachineartMoto brand of aftermarket parts for the current GS. Machnieart-moto products are sold through www.machineartmoto.com or dealers.

Machineart ID R1200 GSM and BMW R1200 GS

The GSM Design

Machineart’s design creates a new design language that is more beautiful, characterized by line and surface flow, while retaining the essential GS attributes of toughness, versatility, and customizability. The GSM concept achieves beauty and sophistication in a market segment where appearance has been secondary to functionality. The design looks ahead, reflects modern design principles and succeeds in its purpose to stimulate enthusiasts and promote the sale of MachineartMoto products.

Direct Digital Manufacturing

GSM body parts were modeled in Alias Studio Tools and SolidWorks 3D CAD software, and produced in ABS-M30 plastic directly from 3D CAD data using two Fortus 3D Production Systems (www.fortus.com) from Stratasys. Fortus systems use FDM, the leading technology in 3D printing and 3D production. Fortus systems eliminate the need to make tooling to mold plastic parts and allow easy revision and customization from one set of parts to the next.

Planning the new look

Carefully modelled parts in Alias Studio Tools and SolidWorks 3D CAD software

Smooth new plastic parts

First coat of radiant red paint

Find more information from the official site: http://www.machineartmoto.com/

Zero S Officially Announced

Joe Magro — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:54:21 +0000

With its lithium-ion power pack and handmade aircraft grade aluminum frame, it claims to be the fastest, lightest, cleanest and most fun electric motorcycle. You can read over all of the listed specs and features from their website, just too many to list here!

Check out the video of the Zero S on the track after the jump.

POW! 2008 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere Desktop Wallpaper

Eric Schmidt — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:14:18 +0000

It’s not often that Picture of the Week gets to be dirty. This week we are happy to highlight a Motorcycle.com review from earlier in the year. The 2008 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere was put through the paces by Tor Sagen. Of course, all the bumpy action across hard-pack soil of Morocco was caught for us by Dentsu Live. Read the review to find-out how it all went. Just looking at these images of a golden desert floor radiating heat warms my winter chilled bones! Be sure so grab a desktop wallpaper for yourself, after the jump.

Download your size:

How do I set this image as my desktop?

1024 x 768

1280 x 1024

1440 x 900

1680 x 1050

1920 x 1200

WindowsRight-click on the image-size you desire

A pull-down menu window will appear and select Set As Wallpaper

Your selected image should now appear as your desktop wallpaper.

Mac Users – SafariSelect the image-size you desire

Hold ‘control’ and click on the picture

Select, Use Image as Desktop Image

Mac Users – FireFox

Select the image-size you desire

Hold ‘control’ and click on the picture

Select, Set as Desktop Background

Pushing The Boundaries

Alfonse Palaima — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:16:49 +0000

Once again, legendary motorcycle-aerodynamics engineer Craig Vetter makes news with his latest one-off creation. Designed to cut through more than just the wind, his sawblade-packing-KLR prototype is more than the average “killer KLR.”

Redefining Aerodynamics

Forever with his head in the clouds, Craig had more earthly intentions with the creation of this energy absorbing fairing. Attempting to further the good luck streaks of both he and his Anchorage Alaska friend, he has designed a fairing that would slow down the initial impact of any frontal collision with any big animal that may confront the country dwelling motorcyclists. Slicing first, then asking questions.

Most unique in design, but perhaps a little heavy on the bike’s fuel economy. Reportedly, the handling isn’t adversely affected, just your social perception as “normal”. But I’m just guessing here, but no doubt Craig’s got one of those “Why Be Normal?” bumper stickers stuck upside-down somewhere.

Celebrities on Motorcycles

Eric Schmidt — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:54:20 +0000

Warren Buffett

Could Buy 3.5Million 2009 Yamaha V-Max Motorcycles. Better ramp up production!

Seen here, Billionaire financier Warren Buffett poses on a motorcycle during the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders meeting.

Chairman & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett is considered one of, if not, the richest man in the World with an estimated Net worth of $62 Billion.

source

Neil Peart

It could be said that Peart gets a real RUSH out of motorcycles,

seen here posing with a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure.

The famous musician authored Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road a documentary of his 55,000 Mile Trek across North America. Peart wrote the book as a chronicle of his geographic and emotional journey following a family tragedy. source

Russell Crowe

Australian actor and Hollywood Bad-ass Russell Crowe looks delighted to receive his new OCC custom chopper. Orange and Green paint scheme inspired by the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby team which Crowe also owns.

source