The Disruptive: Bad Winners’ Yard Built Yamaha XSR700

Yamaha’s annual ‘Yard Built’ competition was one of the first and most highly publicized custom competitions, delivering a steady stream of killer bikes. This year, the event has been a little more muted due to COVID, but the quality of builds remains high.

We love this XSR700 from EXIF regulars Bad Winners, the Paris workshop that includes Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc amongst its clients. Builders Walid and Benoit worked off a 2D concept called The Disruptive, produced by the Photoshop design specialist Barbara Motorcycles.

The project had an unusual gestation: Walid was one of the judges for a Yamaha promotion called ‘Back to the Drawing Board,’ and Yamaha asked him to turn the 2D Barbara concept (above) into a 3D reality. Bad Winners have now gone one step further and made this custom available as a kit.

The striking design is inspired by the Yamahas that raced on American flat tracks in the 1970s, hence the gold and black colors. And the XSR700 is a terrific starting point: it’s light, reliable, huge fun to ride, and loved by owners and journos alike. If there’s a fly in the proverbial ointment, it’s the styling—and Bad Winners have fixed it.

The XSR700’s stock setup includes a fuel cell covered by plastic panels—but this has been ditched in favor of a one-piece carbon fiber fuel tank. The tail piece is finished off with a slim leather seat, and everything bolts to the Yamaha’s stock mounting points.

Like an increasing number of pro builders these days, the French workshop handles its own carbon fiber work. The new body parts were first modeled and printed out in 3D, and then turned into molds for the final shaping process. (Fiberglass is used for the commercial kit.)

The upper and lower triple trees are custom-made, and clamp onto MT-09/YZF-R1 forks. On the kit, the front wheel and brakes will be carried over from the MT-09 too, but this prototype uses Beringer brakes and an ultralight Dymag UP7X forged aluminum front wheel—as seen on many WSBK machines. The stock back wheel has a lightweight disc cover for added visual impact.

The rims are shod with Dunlop’s unusual new Mutant rubber. It uses compounds more commonly seen on ‘hypersport’ tires, and matches them to a tread pattern taking elements from racing wets and dirt track tires.

A Renthal Fatbar on Gilles Tooling flat track risers adds to the circuit vibe; it’s home to Renthal grips, Motone switchgear, Motogadget bar end indicators and a Magura radial master cylinder.

The increasingly popular Koso Thunderbolt LED headlight leads the way, attached via a custom bracket, and there’s an LED taillight molded into the rear frame loop.

There’s a new digital dash too, but it’s no off-the shelf unit. Bad Winners have an in-house electronics guru, and have developed their own plug-and-play dash, that’ll also be available for various other motorcycles in the near future.

The engine has been left alone, but since it’s one of the XSR700’s best points, that’s just fine. An Akrapovič titanium exhaust brings some extra noise to the party, unlocking a little extra power and dropping almost two kilos of weight over the stock item. At the intake end are free-flowing K&N filters.

Even though no cutting or welding was allowed on this build, it still feels like a full custom. We can’t quite pin down the style—Walid says he aims to ‘decompartmentalize’ the genres of motorcycling—but it looks like a million euros.

If you’re smitten too, Bad Winners can build you an XSR700 very similar to this, for €16,990 including the donor bike. And if you already have an XSR but want to amp up its style, drop them a line for pricing.

Bad Winners | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Pictures And Motion Studio

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/3kW4Mg6

Peace Scrambler: A Suzuki TU250 Grasstracker by Heiwa

We’re always curious to see what bikes the world’s top custom builders choose to ride themselves. Because more often than not, they’re very different from the machines that make headlines and win awards.

Kengo Kimura and his shop, Heiwa Motorcycle, need little introduction. Kimura-san’s builds regularly leave our jaws on the floor, and he has multiple awards from the famed Mooneyes custom show to his name. But his latest personal project is this decidedly unpretentious Suzuki scrambler.

It’s based on a 2004-model Suzuki TU250 Grasstracker Big Boy, which is close to the ST250 that Kengo used for his last scrambler build.

The ST and TU were sold in different guises for different markets over the years (the TU250 Grasstracker Big Boy was available in Japan), but the bones are the same. It’s effectively a cute and practical 250 cc single-cylinder UJM, offering mild performance in a lightweight package.

For Heiwa (which means ‘peace’ in Japanese), it’s the perfect platform for a style that Kengo’s really into right now: small scramblers that can run equally well in the city and the woods. He’s built a handful of these already, and says that there are more to come.

“I’ve been into motocross since I was a teenager, and love to ride,” he tells us. “The scramblers in the series I made this time are not based on MX bikes, but on commercial vehicles.”

“Normally I use thicker seats, number boards, and projectors to run off-road, but this scrambler is not just for off-road, but for a cool ride on the street. So it is also low, and has a chic color.”

The TU250 comes with a 19F/18R wheel combo, which is pretty much perfect for what Kengo had in mind. So he simply swapped the rubber for a pair of Dunlop D603s—dual-purpose tires with a slight off-road bias. The suspension and brakes were left mostly stock, save for a new pair of Kayaba rear shocks.

The motor wasn’t fettled with either, but Kengo did swap the air-box for a pod filter. And he fabricated a show stopping stainless steel exhaust system, replete with a pair of reverse cone mufflers and custom heat shields.

The bike was rewired, too, with everything packaged in a new box hidden under the seat.

Up top is a classic tuck-and-roll saddle, covered in a synthetic material (since it’s bound to get muddy). Kengo shortened and looped the subframe, but it’s a far more elegant affair than your garden-variety cut-‘n-shut. It’s finished off with a custom fender and a Heiwa MC taillight, with a high front fender to match.

The fuel tank’s an aluminum unit, adapted from a 1976 Suzuki RM125 motocrosser, with a new bung welded in for the fuel tap. Kengo called in the painter Ninben to finish it off in a simple raw and blue combo, with subtle Heiwa logos.

The cockpit features a set of Renthal motocross bars and grips, with a custom-made bar pad adorned with the Heiwa logo. The layout is minimal, with basic micro-switches, a single mirror and an off-the-shelf speedo, mounted to the side.

A classic 4.5” fog light, and aftermarket bullet turn signals, round out the lighting package.

This unassuming Suzuki scrambler also packs one really clever feature. See that ‘oil tank’ on the right side of the bike? It’s actually a 1.5-liter fuel cell, holding just enough gas to get you that last bit home.

Rather than plumb it into the main system, Kengo made it easy to remove, via just two bolts under the seat. So it effectively functions as a handy little jerry can.

Heiwa’s TU250 ramps up all the finest qualities of small bikes: it’s practical and approachable, and should be able to go just about anywhere.

Who else wants one?

Heiwa MC | Facebook | Instagram | Images by (and with thanks to) Kazuo Matsumoto

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/328gz3P

Goodyear Tires Review (2020)

Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below.

Goodyear Review

In Our Opinion:

Goodyear builds quality, made-to-last tires. As the official partner of NASCAR, the tire manufacturer not only produces high-performance racing tires, but it also makes all-season passenger tires for the day-to-day commuter. While Goodyear tires may have a higher price tag, they’re a smart choice for many drivers.

Industry Standing:

Tire Variety:

Affordability:

Customer Satisfaction:

Pros

Tires built to last

Large variety of tires

Rigorous testing standards

Cons

More expensive than other brands

4.5

Goodyear tires have a reputation for durability and performance in all weather and road conditions, making them a favorite among off-roaders, motorbike enthusiasts, and everyday commuters.

In this article, we’ll discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Goodyear tires in detail. Rather than rate a few Goodyear tire models, we’ll review the tire manufacturer comprehensively and discuss Goodyear’s industry ratings, highest-rated models, tire costs, and customer reviews.

After researching the tire industry, our review team compiled the best tires and brands currently available. To start comparing the best tires on the market from a variety of brands, including Goodyear, visit TireRack.com.

Goodyear Tires Overview

Established in 1898 in Akron, Ohio, Goodyear has become one of the industry’s premier tire brands. In 2019 alone, Goodyear sold over 155 million tires and accounted for 11 percent of the U.S. market share for passenger tires, according to Statista. Michelin, Bridgestone, and Firestone trailed behind in the single-digit percentages. 

Goodyear still operates out of Akron but has expanded its operations significantly in recent years. The company produces passenger tires, aviation tires, commercial truck tires, racing tires, and recreational vehicle tires. Goodyear also owns and operates several other tire brands, such as Dunlop and Fulda.

Goodyear tires are known for their durable designs and materials. The company stands behind its products with long-lasting tread life warranties as well. Some Goodyear tire models, like the Assurance TripleTred All-Season, are guaranteed to last for 80,000 miles.

Goodyear Industry Ratings

Like many passenger tire brands, Goodyear tires must adhere to an evaluation system created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This system is called Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG), and it grades tires – except specialized tires – based on their treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.

Here’s an explanation of the UTQG grading system:

Treadwear: This grade estimates the longevity of your tires. To calculate treadwear, tires are measured against a control tire given a rating of 100. If a tire has a 500 treadwear rating, that means it lasted five times longer than the control. Most passenger tires have between a 300 and 500 treadwear rating, according to data from SaferCar.gov. 

Traction: This grade measures how well your tires “grip” a wet road. Traction grades are given on a scale of AA, A, B, or C. Good day-to-day passenger tires typically receive an A rating. 

Temperature: This grade evaluates a tire’s heat resistance on a scale of A, B, or C. Tires need to withstand different temperatures based on their specialization. Performance tires, for example, usually move at much higher speeds than an all-season tire, and in turn, have higher temperature ratings.

It’s important to note that the NHTSA does not oversee UTQG tests. Manufacturers and independent companies hired by brands are responsible for tire testing and reporting.

We detailed a few highly rated Goodyear tire models and their treadwear, traction, and temperature scores using data from SaferCar.gov below.

Goodyear Tire Model	Tire Type	Treadwear Score	Traction Score	Temperature Resistance
Assurance ComforTred	Passenger All-season	700	A	B
Wrangler SR-A	Light truck/SUV Highway All-season	500	A	B
Fortera SL	Light truck/SUV All-season	540	A	B
Assurance MaxLife	Passenger Standard touring All-season	820	A	B

If you want to know more about a Goodyear tire you already own, you can check the tire’s sidewall for the UTQG grade.

Goodyear’s Most Popular Tire Models

Goodyear produces top-quality tires for both passenger and light truck/SUV models. However, some Goodyear tires are more popular than others for conditions like daily commuting or off-roading.

Gathering customer satisfaction data from Tire Rack, we outlined some of Goodyear’s most popular tire models below.

• Goodyear Assurance ComforTred: An all-season touring tire designed for a quiet, cushioned ride
• Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season: An ultra-high-performance tire with excellent handling ability that was designed with NASCAR racing in mind
• Goodyear Assurance MaxLife: A standard touring all-season tire with a particularly long-lasting tread life and high traction rating for navigating dry and wet surfaces
• Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar^®: An off-road tire made to withstand any road condition and formulated with Kevlar for military-grade durability

These Goodyear models received a 4.0 out of 5.0 rating or higher from customers on Tire Rack and are well-regarded by industry experts.

Goodyear makes both original equipment (OE) and replacement tires. OE tires are designed for a specific vehicle model and complement the car’s capabilities. Goodyear has produced OE tires for several luxury brands, including:

• Audi
• BMW
• Nissan
• Ferrari
• Maserati
• Mercedes
• Land Rover

Regarding its tire warranties, Goodyear offers tread life warranties up to 80,000 miles, depending on the model. The tire manufacturer also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for most models and a 2-year/24,000-mile auto service warranty. This coverage guarantees that if a repair is defective, it will be performed again at no charge.

Cost of Goodyear Tires

In general, Goodyear tires are more expensive than average – high-quality materials, specialized designs, and rigorous testing are all reflected in the price tag. However, some Goodyear models, like the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure, are an economical option for off-roading.

For a 2017 Toyota Camry, a popular passenger vehicle, the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife model would cost $136.99 per tire, totaling almost $550 for a full set. According to Consumer Reports, all-season tires typically cost anywhere from $80 to $120 each.

Goodyear Customer Reviews

A good indicator of a tire brand’s overall quality is its customer reviews. When it comes to Goodyear tires, customer satisfaction is relatively high, with many reviews mentioning strong treadwear performance.

Below, we’ve outlined a few customer reviews to give a better understanding of Goodyear tires’ strengths and weaknesses.

Positive Experiences with Goodyear Tires

“[Goodyear Assurance MaxLife tires] were on my Chrysler 200 Limited Platinum 4-cylinder when purchased new in 2017. Overall, they are a good tire. They are at 4/32 at 40,631, rotated regularly, which is the best mileage I’ve ever gotten out of a tire.” – via Tire Rack

“[I] drove on a 1,500-mile road trip loaded down through mountains, in heavy rain, on dry hot roads and highways, as well as long gravel roads and uneven pothole-filled grass fields. No sign of any uneven or excess wear [on the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar]. Good ride and little, if any, noise.” – via Tire Rack

Negative Experiences with Goodyear Tires

“When new, [the Goodyear Integrity tires] were passable, but without winter tires to change into, they are not fit for year-round service in a four-season climate. They are easily flummoxed by any slipperiness, be it slush, ice, or melted snow.” – via Tire Rack

“[Goodyear Wrangler HP All-Weather] tires came with [my vehicle] purchase. So far, I’m not happy to be shopping for new tires with such little wear. To date, I have experienced spinning from good rain downpours and wet roads.” – via Tire Rack

Our Final Thoughts on Goodyear Tires

In our 2020 tire industry review, we gave Goodyear tires a 4.5 out of 5.0-star rating and selected the manufacturer as our pick for the most durable tires. Goodyear offers a variety of tire options, especially for all-terrain vehicles and light trucks/SUVs. Its innovative technology, positive customer feedback, and renowned industry reputation make it a strong option for many drivers. We only wish Goodyear offered a few more cost-effective models.

To start shopping for Goodyear tires, visit TireRack.com.

Top Recommendations for Tires

Goodyear is a standout choice for many tire models, but it’s worth considering other tire manufacturers for additional and, in some cases, more affordable options. Other well-regarded brands that scored highly in our 2020 tire review include Michelin and Cooper.

Michelin: Best Tires Overall

Michelin is one of Goodyear’s top competitors, and for good reason. The tire manufacturer produces excellent tire options across all categories, including all-season tires, summer tires, and all-terrain tires. Michelin models, like Goodyear tires, may have a higher price tag, but their high-quality rubber and designs make them a worthwhile investment.

Learn more in our review of Michelin tires, or compare rates for Michelin tires right away at TireRack.com.

Cooper: Most Affordable

Drivers shopping for an affordable tire manufacturer that doesn’t compromise on quality should look to Cooper. A relatively new tire manufacturer, Cooper makes replacement models starting as low as $84 per tire. The tire manufacturer offers long-lasting treadwear warranties up to 80,000 miles, placing it in leagues with the industry’s more mature players, such as Goodyear.

Read more in our full review of Cooper tires, or start shopping for Cooper tires at TireRack.com.

Original article: Goodyear Tires Review (2020)

from Automoblog https://ift.tt/3jSvmWa

Speed Read, 1 November 2020

The moto scene is sizzling this week, with Triumph launching its new Trident middleweight, news of a major custom exhibition in San Francisco, and Revival Cycles releasing a very sharp custom Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. And Germany’s Hookie Co have just shown how to tweak the Bonneville T100 without breaking the bank.

The new Triumph Trident ‘660’ is obviously the numéro du jour. First we had the Aprilia RS660 parallel twin, and now we have the new Triumph Trident, a triple with virtually the same capacity motor.

Having said that, the Trident is aimed squarely at the Japanese 650s and the Yamaha MT-07, rather than Italian exotica. The styling is a mix of old and new, and the bike is designed to appeal to both experienced and new riders.

Triumph quotes 80 hp and 47 foot-pounds of torque, with 90 percent of that torque figure on tap ‘across most of the rev range.’ So we can expect a typically tractable Triumph engine that’s less peaky than the old 675 triple.

Buyers will get a six-speed ‘box, two riding modes, ABS and traction control, and a good-looking hybrid TFT screen. The USD forks are from Showa and Nissin supplies the brakes.

On paper it looks good, and American riders will be able to see if it lives up to its promise in January. Pricing is sharp too—at $7,995, it’s a little more than the MT-07 but well under the Honda CB650R. We reckon it’s going to be a winner.

Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen by Revival Cycles The smaller Svartpilen is a cracking good city bike, and great on the rural twisties too. (And I’m speaking from experience—after enjoying a 401 press bike for a few months, I bought a 701 with my own money.)

This striking custom comes from the Texas workshop Revival Cycles, and cleverly tweaks the look of the ‘Pilen without losing its essential character. “Our customer came to us for a mild custom beach hopper, but as is often the case, things quickly escalated,” says Revival’s Gareth Roberts.

“He asked us for ‘raw metal brutalism’ so we focused on improving only what we felt needed to be improved. We decided to focus on brushed aluminium body pieces to replace the plastics, creating a more futuristic style. These were built entirely in-house by our skilled fabrication team.”

Other mods include stainless steel luggage racks for the seat unit and the tank, and Revival also repositioned the gauges at an improved angle—which addresses the single main failing of all ‘Pilen models.

There’s a vintage-inspired headlight screen, brush-finished with a polished edging, and an aluminium skid plate. Powertrain work is restricted to a custom muffler with an oval outlet and bespoke heat shield. New bars, risers and turn signals complete the build.

We always thought the Kiska styling of the Husky street models would be hard to improve on, but the restraint and quality craftsmanship on show here has proven us wrong. [Revival Cycles]

MOTO MMXX Motorcycle Exhibition It might feel like the world is closing in right now, but if you’re within distance of San Francisco, there’s a fantastic new custom moto exhibition to visit. It’s at The Museum of Craft and Design, it’s curated by Hugo Eccles of Untitled Motorcycles, and it’s rammed to the rafters with brilliant customs.

Many of the bikes have been featured on EXIF, and you may recognize some of the names—which include DesmoBIBU, Jens vom Brauck of JvB-moto, Alex Earle, Suicide Machine Co., Cherry’s, Ronin, Shinya Kimura, Walt Siegl, Kurt Walter of Icon 1000, Jack Watkins, and Bill Webb of Huge Design. Admission is by ticket only and the doors are open Wednesdays to Sundays. [More]

Triumph Bonneville by Hookie Good builders can transform the vibe of a bike with relatively few mods, and that’s what Dresden-based Hookie Co. have done here.

‘Greyhound’ is based on a 2019 Bonneville T100 Black Edition, which means it gets the 900cc engine. Nico Mueller and his crew installed a stubby Zard exhaust system to reduce weight and add a little extra growl, and sharpened up the handling with a blacked-out set of YSS shocks.

The back end is tightened up visually too, with a tiny bolt-on rear loop and a shorter seat with a neat aluminum rack right behind it. The rear wheel goes up a size to 18 inches, to match the front, and Hookie have also tidied up the top triple tree.

The ignition lock, regulator/rectifier and speedo have all been relocated, the discreet blinkers are from Highsider, and the headlight has been upgraded to a powerful Koso Thunderbolt LED unit.

Finished off with a muted distressed grey finish, applied by the local legends at Chiko’s Pinstriping, this T100 is practical as well as stylish—and proves that Hookie can handle budget-conscious builds just as well as the big dollar stuff. [Hookie Co.]

S&S Cycle King of the Baggers Indian The most interesting motorcycle race of 2020 didn’t involve Marc Márquez, Toby Price or Michael Dunlop. It was the batshit crazy and weirdly compelling Drag Specialties ‘King of the Baggers’ event at Laguna Seca last weekend, and this is the Indian Challenger that won it.

Twelve enormous v-twins made it to the starting grid for the eight-lap race, all with professional prep and experienced riders on board. Ten were Harleys, two were Indians. The Indians finished first and third, with Tyler O’Hara taking the trophy on the S&S-prepped Challenger.

S&S gave the 108ci PowerPlus motor Stage 2 cams, ported heads, K&N air filters and a custom exhaust system which was also used by the third-placed Indian run by Roland Sands. New engine cases increased ground clearance, and a chain-drive conversion allowed the pit crew to easily change gear ratios.

To tame the handling, S&S installed re-valved FTR1200 forks with custom-machined triple clamps, and a custom tuned Fox shock—extended beyond stock to raise the bike up. Performance Machine billet wheels were hooked up to S&S-built hubs, and sized at 17″ to allow for the good rubber.

Other mods included carbon fiber bags, fenders and and new tank cover from Air Tech, to reduce weight, and a new seat from Saddleman—in a crazy shape to get O’Hara into a good riding position. Custom-made S&S rear sets and adjustable bars from Klockwerks also helped with the rider triangle, and a custom aluminum fuel cell boosted airflow to the engine and dropped weight even further. The final avoirdupois was 599 pounds, versus 806 stock.

S&S’ David Zemla reckons there were lots of reasons they won, “but chassis is definitely key. The Challenger is a really stiff chassis that uses the engine as a stressed member, making it far more conducive to road racing. We also spent an fair amount of time making sure we had significant lean angle.”

“Tyler ran in the XR series in the US years back, so we knew he could ride a v-twin style power delivery. He practiced at Laguna on a stock Challenger and passed guys!”

Congrats to S&S and Indian for the win—and to MotoAmerica for organizing the race. More of this, please!

[Images courtesy of S&S Cycle and Sean McDonald]

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/380P1B5