With 193 crankshaft horsepower and a claimed dry weight of 404 pounds, BMW says the S1000RR has the best power-to-weight ratio of any production bike. And, by the way the S1000 lofts its front wheel onto Portimao’s front straight at 150 mph, we’re becoming believers!

But BMW’s RR isn’t just a monster motor. Turn-in response is brisk, its brakes are ferociously powerful yet provide excellent feedback, and the entire package is remarkably easy to handle for a hyperbike with such elevated capabilities.

BMW has never been afraid of incorporating the latest technologies, and the S1000s we rode were equipped with high-tech features such as traction control, race-level antilock brakes, multi-mode engine tuning selections and BMW’s Gearshift Assistant that allows full-throttle upshifts without backing off the throttle or using the clutch.

What is especially amazing is how BMW has instantly become competitive with Japanese literbikes that have been developed over a decade or more. While we’re not yet prepared to to say the S1000RR can beat the best from Japan and Italy without riding them back to back, we can say with confidence BMW’s RR will give any of its established rivals a run for the money.

BMW has fired a potent salvo into the literbike market, and it will surely shake up the pecking order of its competitors. Check back with Motorcycle.com on Monday for our full report.

If videos have been removed, here are the links:

http://bit.ly/2F1KsZ

http://bit.ly/2S24Wa

http://bit.ly/GFb2X

Here is some more video coverage on Brammo’s Enertia:

Source

I love this place, and I don’t ride a motorcycle. I just come here for espresso (illy’s) which is the best in the area. The staff is incredible, some of the nicest people you will meet, they have reliable wifi, and the decor is perfect, they have had some sweet bikes there, right now there is a prop bike from what looks like a post apocalyptic biker film. This place is just way too cool for it to never be busy in there and I hope it sticks around.

Motorcycle Federation from Marcus K Jones on Vimeo.

It must be a cool place, even Ewan McGregor shops there!

The flat black sets the tone on this aggressively styled chopper with a hardcore edge that is keeping with tradition by including the same top quality components you have come to expect from Big Bear Choppers. The S&S 100 inch motor is here, as well as Baker 6 speed overdrive raw transmission with polished covers making sure the gas from the14 gauge steel 3.5 gallon custom designed fuel tank makes it to all the right places. Progressive softail suspension helps support the steel 12 gauge fender that covers the 18×250 rear tire. The 1 inch rear axle along with the chain drive and heavy duty clutch complete this strong drive train for the guy who wants to lay rubber.

BBC premium machined raw billet triple trees and BBC billet lower legs along with Performance Machine brakes and calipers are all standard on this Bear.

“This is a serious rider’s ride” commented Kevin Alsop CEO and President of Big Bear Choppers “This Bike is built around the drop seat configuration for a low center of gravity adding stability at high speeds. This bike is comfortable, reliable and built for the customer who doesn’t want to worry about chrome or paint, Its Hard core it’s the real deal, just maintain and ride!”

“This new bike represents what our focus is for the 2010 lineup, top quality, low price” commented Mona Alsop Vice President of BBC, “People are ready to start having fun again, this Bear Bones bike will help them do just that”. The goal of BBC is to drive this market forward and deliver a product line to their dealers that is not only sellable in the market of today, but will be in high demand by the new demographic of consumer for the future. Just wait and see what’s next from Big Bear Choppers.

Complete specifications are available at www.bigbearchoppers.com or at any authorized Big Bear Choppers dealer.

About Big Bear Choppers: Big Bear Choppers is located in Big Bear Lake California.

Harley-Davidson announced yesterday that the final bike built by Buell, a Lightning XB12Scg, rolled off the production line on October 30. This marked the 136,923th motorcycle built by Buell in its 26 years of operation.

On October 15 Buell’s parent company, Harley-Davidson, announced that the Buell line-up would be discontinued effective December 18, 2009. The move, along with ditching its investment in MV Agusta, was seen as necessary by Harley.

This desperate act was done solely to keep Harley’s “84.1 percent decline in net income and an 84.5 percent decline in diluted earnings per share from the year-ago [3rd] quarter” from plummeting even further.

Buells will be for sale at dealers until stock is depleted. Current Buell owners can rest peacefully knowing that Buell, or rather Harley, will continue to supply Buell parts for another seven years as mandated by federal law.

Regardless of your opinion of Buell motorcycles, you can’t deny this is a dark day for all of motorcycling, and not just Harley-Davidson.

Erik Buell had an undeniable passion for his products as viable and competitive (even superior if you ask him!) alternatives to other brands in the sportbike segment. If you’ve ever met Erik or heard him speak, you’ll understand.

Don’t know ‘bout you, but this photo gets me all choked up, as if I, too, have suffered a personal loss. In fact, I think all of us in the U.S. motorcycling community have suffered an immense loss.

Buell Motorcycles Shut Down [video]

“While this pricing breakthrough is innovative in transportation, it is in line with consumer electronics, where engineering and production advances get passed on to customers as quickly as possible to stimulate adoption of the technology,” stated Craig Bramscher, founder and CEO of Brammo. “The Enertia is consumer electronics that you can ride and Brammo’s engineers are able to deliver a better value proposition to customers sooner than a traditional transportation company.”

Today, qualified customers can walk into select Best Buy stores and with a $2,000 down payment, ride out on an Enertia for $249 a month with 24-month no interest with payments financing offered through Best Buy. The Enertia can also be purchased direct from Brammo in select states where the product is not yet available at a Best Buy.

The Brammo Enertia powercycle is the ideal commuter vehicle as it blends an exhilarating ride experience with environmental consciousness and low operating costs. The Enertia has a top speed of over 60 mph, has a range of 42 miles and charges in about four hours by plugging into a standard wall outlet—all while using less than a dollar in electricity per 100 miles ridden.

“With this price reduction Brammo has positioned electric vehicles for the mass market and consumers can now be part of a solution to the transportation crises that America is facing,” said Bramscher. “The wait is over, consumers can now buy an EV that is price competitive with a gas burning alternative and enjoy reduced maintenance and substantially lower ownership costs.”

Fans and media can follow Brammo on Twitter @BrammoSays and on its Facebook fan page, Brammo Powercycles.

Related Reading:

Brammo’s Enertia Electric Bike Off to Washington D.C.

Details and a promotional video after the jump.

Its as easy as 1, 2, 3.  The first step is pick a postcard on the Harley site, make your statement of thanks and submit for all to see.  There are also some cool retro calendars available featuring Marisa Miller but will only be available to active military and veterans starting November 11th, there are posters and postcards available for everyone starting November 1st.

More detail available on Motorcycle.com, the contest runs through December 13th, click here to get started!

The TAG Heuer Bonneville features a unique blue and orange paint scheme that was inspired by the Porsche sports car driven by Steve McQueen’s character in the movie Le Mans (1971). McQueen wore TAG Heuer’s Monaco watch in the movie, and today TAG Heuer is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the watch.

McQueen rode Triumph motorcycles personally and in movies such as The Great Escape (1963). Triumph Motorcycles continues that relationship with McQueen’s estate to create vintage styled McQueen apparel. For 2010, the Triumph clothing range includes a jacket and t-shirt reminiscent of when McQueen raced a Triumph in the International Six Days Trials in Germany.

“We are delighted to play our part in this exciting project. The Triumph Bonneville and TAG Heuer Monaco are both timeless masterpieces, celebrating their respective 50th and 40th anniversaries this year,” said Neil Morley, Triumph’s Head of Brand Communications. “We also both have a natural connection with Steve McQueen, who famously wore a Monaco watch in the film Le Mans and was renowned for his love of our bikes, making this a very natural collaboration.”

The special Triumph Bonneville was unveiled in Paris by Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 Formula One world champion and TAG Heuer brand ambassador, and can be seen at various watch shows and TAG Heuer retailers throughout Europe.

The Triumph Bonneville was born in 1959 to recognize Johnny Allen’s land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Triumph Bonneville was an instant hit in America and the UK, and 50 years later continues to be one of Triumph’s most iconic motorcycles. Despite its classic appearance, the new Triumph Bonneville motorcycles feature state-of-the-art design and performance.

The full range of Triumph motorcycles are available at authorized Triumph dealers throughout North America. To find your local Triumph dealer, please visit www.TriumphMotorcycles.com.

According to Infineon Raceway’s site, the TTXGP U.S. Championships will be held May 14-16, 2010, as part of the raceway’s AMA Motorcycle Sonoma Showdown weekend.

The first-ever electric race bike grand prix was held in conjunction with this year’s Isle of Man TT, and organized by TTXGP. The event was hailed a success, and TTXGP founder and producer of the Mavizen, Azhar Hussain, continues to ride the electric wave of support gained in the TT.

With the success of the TTXGP on the Isle of Man, we have shown that zero carbon technology is ready to deliver the thrills and passion for both spectators and riders,  said Hussain.

Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway, echoed Hussain’s electric fervor:

When it comes to development of zero carbon motorcycles, Northern California is the center of the industry, so it makes perfect sense that Infineon Raceway should host the first event in this historic new series.