Sunday, 30 September 2018

Custom Bikes Of The Week: 30 September, 2018

The best cafe racers, scramblers and bobbers of the week
A wild BMW R nineT from Onehandmade, the CROIG Instagrammers get their mitts on a Street Cup, and the Bultaco Pursang from Easy Riders goes up for auction.

Triumph Street Cup cafe racer by CROIG
Triumph Street Cup by Croig If you are one of the millions of two-wheeled enthusiasts addicted to the ’Gram, you’re probably following @caferacersofinstagram. Run by David Chang and Andy Blashko, the feed has been a hotbed for custom cafes since its inception. But the ‘Motosota’ duo don’t just create content for social media—they get their hands dirty building bikes, too.

The latest creation to roll out of their shop is a fully-faired take on the Triumph Street Cup. Working with Triumph’s American mothership, the duo was limited on time—but was given keys to the accessories castle. A wish list was quickly submitted.

Triumph Street Cup cafe racer by CROIG
New Fox shocks have been fitted, a Vance & Hines high-pipe exhaust was secured, and the tail has been tidied, too. But the prettiest bits here aren’t the factory bolt-ons.

Working with a replica fairing for a CB350, team Croig needed to shave bits here and there to have everything line up just right. (The work around the lower engine looks absolutely spot on.) The brackets holding that fabulous glass in place also had to be fabbed up, but the mounting was kept nice and tight. [More]

BMW R nineT cafe racer by Onehandmade
BMW R nineT by Onehandmade In the custom world, not even a masterpiece is safe from revision. Tastes and trends change, and sometimes a build just needs that extra ten percent to take it from great to godly.

Three years ago, Wes called Onehandmade’s Beemer ‘one of the sharpest we’ve seen.’ It recently got a redux and man, it may now be the best. Period.

The lucky client who bought this bike has an even luckier son, who’d expressed interest in riding the beast. (No kidding?) But that meant revisions, to make it a touch easier to get on with.

BMW R nineT cafe racer by Onehandmade
The clip-ons up front were swapped for a set of bars mounted to a newly bolted up triple clamp, to neutralize ergonomics, and the old twin-pod filters have been binned in favor of a custom made singular intake that doesn’t interfere with knees in the breeze. An all-new exhaust, made of titanium, has also been welded up for a more raucous bark. And the girder look was adopted up front via a set of aluminum fork covers.

Aside from the front end, the biggest (and best) change aesthetically is the move to the M Power paint scheme. I dug the previous raw look, but the new white, blue and red livery classes this thing up incredibly well. [Onehandmade Facebook]

1969 BSA Thunderbolt flat tracker by Zoe David
Zoe David’s BSA Thunderbolt We’re all familiar with the addictions of moto-life around here. For most of us, all it took was that first hit: maybe a blast through a farmer’s field or maybe, like Normandy’s Zoe David, breathing life back into a dead machine.

Since resuscitating a 1954 Peugeot 155, the Frenchwoman has gone on to cement her moto-junkie status with this 1969 BSA Thunderbolt. It now sees equal time running around city streets and getting sideways on the flat tracks of Europe.

1969 BSA Thunderbolt flat tracker by Zoe David
Part bitsa-restoration and part unencumbered beauty, Zoe built the BSA into the bike she wanted. Which is why it rides on matched 19-inch wheels for the dirt oval, but also has an impeccably lacquered Spitfire tank. Forme et fonction are of equal import. Following that same theme, the original subframe has been replaced by new one modeled on a Trackmaster design.

Zoe also opted to rebuild the Thunderbolt’s original forks, while shaving near three inches off their height. Braking is now handled by a 1967 Triumph drums, and the muffler was once clamped to a Norton P11. Those changes helped her qualify for her first race at Wheels and Waves and notch a win at Dirtquake in UK. [More]

Custom Indian Scout Sixty by Motoshed
Indian Scout Sixty by Motoshed Like us, you’re probably waiting for news of Indian’s productionized FTR 1200, due to be revealed tomorrow. Meanwhile, feast your eyes on this long ‘n’ low custom Scout Sixty from MotoShed of Swansea, Wales.

The concept for ‘Roadrunner’ came from the desire to see what an under-seat exhaust would look like on the Scout. And those two new seat-warmers were by far the most complex part of this project.

Custom Indian Scout Sixty by Motoshed
Most of the wiring spaghetti, plus the battery and ECU, typically reside where the new cannons sit. So everything had to be redone, and re-routed. Peek a few inches south of the new Rizoma foot controls and you’ll see where most of that stuff now hides, highlighted by the blue hue of a Dynojet Power Vision CX performance tuner and data monitor module.

Custom Indian Scout Sixty by Motoshed
For the Scout’s new (and handmade) bodywork, MotoShed tapped CW Engineering. The nacelle, front fender and rear hugger (acting as a heat shield for the pipes) were all rolled from new sheet metal.

Custom Indian Scout Sixty by Motoshed
Suspension has been upgraded and ground clearance has increased too. This gives Roadrunner a lean angle befitting its more aggressive vibe, while still appearing factory fresh. It’s a tasteful build on a capable bike. I only wonder what stops a rider first: blown eardrums or roasted rump? [More]

The Easy Rider 1968 Bultaco Pursang
The Easy Rider 1968 Bultaco Pursang When you think of Peter Fonda and Easy Rider, the bike that undoubtedly occupies your grey matter is Captain America, the iconic chopper crafted by Cliff ‘Soney’ Vaughs. But before Wyatt and Billy hopped on their hogs and headed east, they met at La Contenta Bar in Taos, New Mexico. And Wyatt was riding this 1968 Bultaco Pursang.

This is the very bike that was used during the shoot. When filming wrapped, it was hustled back to its owner, and it stayed there.

The Easy Rider 1968 Bultaco Pursang
Recently the bike was restored and is now offered in ‘film used condition,’ which is fancy speak for saying it’s been refreshed—but not too much. Now it’s headed to auction, along with some other rare celebrity bikes, at this year’s Barber Fest next week.

Expectations are that this 250 MKII will find a new home for around US$60,000 to US$70,000. That’s a hefty sum, for sure—but it pales in comparison to the seven figures that ol’ Cap’n would fetch. And this one won’t shudder at a corner, either. [More]

The Easy Rider 1968 Bultaco Pursang



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Saturday, 29 September 2018

2018 VW Passat Review: Fun, Fuel Efficient & Simple

When buyers are looking for a new sedan, they might think about the the top-selling Toyota Camry and popular Honda Accord. But the German-born Volkswagen Passat is usually forgotten about. It gets overlooked because it’s not flashy, but it is efficient, and does nearly everything well.

This week, we drove the top-trim 2018 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T SEL Premium.

What’s New For 2018

A 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI powerplant replaces the previous 1.8-liter engine. A new GT trim level debuts featuring the V6 engine, 19-inch wheels, and a sport-tuned suspension. Base models can now add optional driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking.

Features & Options

The 2018 VW Passat 2.0T SEL Premium ($31,650) comes standard with automatic headlights, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, Bluetooth connectivity, a five-inch touchscreen, one USB port, and an auxiliary audio jack.

The SEL Premium also comes with 18-inch wheels, power-folding mirrors, a power-adjustable passenger seat, driver-seat memory settings, leather upholstery, and automatic wipers. The SEL Premium also adds a Fender audio system, a separate ski pass-through for the 60/40-split rear seats, an automated parallel-parking feature, and a lane departure warning system.

Total MSRP including destination: $32,500.

For 2019, the Passat starts at $25,295 with a destination charge of $895. The SE R-Line, shown here, begins at $29,995.

Interior Highlights

The interior of the 2018 VW Passat is one of its strong points. Material quality is high, the fit and finish is top rate, and there’s extra legroom in back. The trunk’s capacity of nearly 16 cubic feet is at the top of the segment. We sank into the heated front seats and got comfortable quickly with the six-way power adjustments. The only complaint is the use of hard plastics in this upper trim.

The controls are easy to figure out and use. We didn’t need to spend 20 minutes messing with them. However, the touchscreen is on the small side, and we think it sits too low along with the climate controls. 

The SEL is more expensive but it does get standard automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a moonroof. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and the dual-zone automatic climate controls made our time in the Passat more comfortable. Visibility is excellent too. The park distance control and rearview camera kept us from hitting things this week. 

2018 VW Passat GT interior layout.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs

The Volkswagen Passat’s turbocharged 2.0-liter produces 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque. It’s coupled with a six-speed automatic that sends power to the front wheels. EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 25/36 city/highway and 29 combined.


We got close to 30 mpg for the week, and that was with driving at altitude, pressing hard on the pedal going up I-70. Every day.
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Driving Dynamics

Driving a sedan is not typically an enjoyable experience, but the 2018 VW Passat is higher on the fun-to-drive meter than most. The new turbo engine is impressively smooth with enough power for all situations. The other impressive part is the fuel mileage. We got close to 30 mpg for the week, and that was with driving at altitude, pressing hard on the pedal going up I-70. Every day.

The six-speed automatic matches the smoothness of the engine, and with the Tiptronic and Sport modes, it’s perfect for driving enthusiasts.

The ride is on the firm side, which is a good thing if you do any driving in the mountains or on tighter roads. The suspension isn’t dialed-in like that of a sports sedan, but it does give the driver confidence. The Passat’s ride and handling is composed enough overall, especially through the curves. 

We checked out the adaptive cruise control system and found it maintains a normal distance. It even brakes and accelerates in a sensible manner. The Lane Keep Assist was a little obtrusive at times, but did its job. The collision warnings are too touchy, especially when turning left onto streets with parked cars.


Driving a sedan is not typically an enjoyable experience, but the Passat is higher on the fun-to-drive meter than most.
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Conclusion

Overall, the 2018 VW Passat shines as an especially comfortable and quiet commuter. If you regularly take long road trips, it will get you there without too many stops for gas. It’s efficient but the SEL Premium trim can be pricey.

Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy

2018 VW Passat Official Site.

Photos: Volkswagen of America, Inc.



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2019 Genesis G70 Racks Up Features But Easy On Price

  • The 2019 Genesis G70 offers two engines and six different trim levels. 
  • A special manual transmission Sport package is available starting at $34,900. 
  • As Genesis begins making more headway in the luxury car market, how will they stand up? 

Genesis, the Hyundai sub-brand that is to the Korean automaker what Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti are to their Japanese parents, just announced pricing for its G70. The 2019 Genesis G70 is aimed squarely at competitors like the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Unlike those heavyweights, the G70 costs about as much as a minivan.

Look, I’m going to be right up front here: The Genesis G70 is a very good car, but no one is going to be pining for it like a long lost love 50 years from now. Competence only gets you so far. It gets you loyalty and devotion, but it rarely gets you love.

Then again, competence can earn you lots of sales.

Trim Levels & Engines

The 2019 Genesis G70, which has been on sale in its home market for a while, is now available in the United States. You get your choice of two engines. Either a 2.0T inline four-cylinder turbo, or a 3.3T V6 twin-turbo mill. If you go with the 2.0 four-banger, you get your choice of six liberally equipped trim levels, starting at $34,900.

Trim levels include Advanced, Elite, Prestige, Dynamic, Sport, and Sport M/T.

The 3.3T plant gets four trim levels, plus two limited-production Special Edition models, all starting at $43,750. These are tagged as Advanced, Elite, Prestige, and Sport. The limited-production 3.3T packages are called Dynamic Special Edition and Design Special Edition. Yes, that’s pretentious, but if you’re angling for the perspective Mercedes or BMW driver, a little pretention is probably called for.

For some reason, Genesis is limiting the production on these to only 400 units.

Well, at least “limited” is not just a sticker they slap on the bumper.

Exterior features include LED daytime running lights and heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals. Photo: Genesis Motor America, LLC.

Point Blank Performance

Power-wise, the engines are pretty impressive. The 2.0T four-cylinder turbo puts out 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. That’s a lot of muscle squeezed from a half gallon of displacement. The 3.3T is similarly impressive, with 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft. of torque on tap. Thank you Genesis.

Across all the trim levels, there’s a lot of overlap in terms of features. So let’s just look at either end of the G70 spectrum.

At the low end (and I’m using that term relatively here), the 2.0T Advanced RWD comes with Shift-by-Wire technology, held up by a MacPherson strut front and a multi-link rear suspension. The power-steering system is rack-mounted and motor-driven. Wheels are 18-inch alloys with Michelin all-season P225/45R18 tires. An eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters and rev match is available.

The brakes are ventilated, of course.


The 3.3T is impressive, with 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft. of torque on tap. Thank you Genesis.
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Interior Comforts & Tech Treatments

The interior features stainless steel front door sill plates, dual automatic climate controls, a 12-way power driver’s seat (including four-way lumbar), and an eight-way power passenger seat. Perforated leather wraps the tilting and telescoping steering wheel and shift knob. The front vanity mirrors are illuminated and have sliding sun visors.

There’s also a front map and pin light (not sure what that is). The rear seat is a 60/40 split-folding deal. Audio, cruise, and phone controls are located on the steering wheel.

There’s a rearview camera with parking guidelines and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink. Leatherette seating surfaces, rear folding armrest with cup holders, and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system are included. Multimedia? Tons: HD Radio, seven-inch color LCD multi-information screen, two front USB ports, and another one in the rear. There is even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Remember, this is lowest level of stuff (and there’s even more yet). You get all of this on a 2019 Genesis G70 starting right around $35,000! Well, tack on another $995 for destination, but still.

And There’s More . . .

The 3.3T models add stuff like a multi-plate type limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, dual exhaust, a sport-tuned suspension, alloy pedals, and full LED headlights. And the Genesis logo approach lights too (show offs!). Along with the navigation, there is something called the “front passenger seat walk-in device.” No, I don’t know either.

But there is also a high-zoot Lexicon 15-speaker audio system with Quantum Logic Surround and Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology.

Price Range

The aforementioned 2.0T Advanced RWD starts at $34,900 with the Dynamic AWD Launch Edition running $52,250 at the top of the mountain. In the middle of the range are the 3.3T Advanced RWD and AWD at $34,750 and $45,750 respectively.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

2019 Genesis G70 Gallery

Photos & Source: Genesis Motor America, LLC.



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