First Word
Love Or Hate
There are a handful of new bikes dropping for 2008, and you'd better believe that some strong opinions are taking shape. To be honest, sportbike designers seem to have fallen asleep over the last several years. Granted, Triumph's 675 and Yamaha's R6 are two of the sickest looking stock bikes in the last decade, but the rest seem a bit lost. The CBR and GSX-R families are practically identical, and even late-model R1s have gotten a bit boring.
But in the last month we've seen some new rides that've opened our eyes. The 2008 CBR1000RR has a completely new look, as does the ZX-10R and the GSX-R600. I think they're going to ultimately get "love it or hate it" reactions, but at least they're getting some sort of response instead of just being noticed.
Speaking of new bikes, did you see there's a new 'Busa on the block? Of course you did, and we ran it through the paces recently. What initially seemed like minor updates turned out to be something quite different indeed, and despite not being the sexiest ride out, Suzuki's brought some serious heat with this monster. We also managed to scoop up some early shots of the 2008 'Busa after a wheel job and some chrome--and it looks serious.
It's not just bling that makes a super streetbike you know, and it's proven with the heavily modded performance rides that we've featured this month. Don't get fooled by a subtle paint job though. Look a little deeper and these bikes will come alive with trick suspension and chassis upgrades and serious engine work.
World's First Custom 2008 'Busa
Triple Plate Customs Hooks Up The Hayabusa
Myspace.com might be best known for destroying relationships and being a haven for pedophiles, but we've used it to scope some of the sickest rides in the country. We came across a brand-new 2008 Hayabusa from Delaware's Triple Plate Customs, and though still in its early build stages it shows potential.
The 330 rear wheel comes courtesy RC Components, and the slick swingarm is the work of PPM Customs. Triple Plate got the bike styled up and ready to ride in less than 24 hours--giving the shop bragging rights to building the first custom '08 'Busa on the planet. Keep on the lookout because it'll be featured here when it's fully completed.
New Metal
2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R
If ever a bike needed a styling update it was Kawasaki's ZX-10R, and the big K went flat out over the top with its new look. Its last makeover in 2006 gave it one of the worst rear ends on record, but the new model appears to be edgier and more focused. Though the exhaust is pretty horrible it can easily be remedied with an aftermarket pipe, of course, and the wild looking upper fairing almost looks alive.
We haven't heard it officially called "traction control" yet, but it seems to be what Kawi has created with an ignition-management system that monitors both throttle and gear position as well as rate of rpm change, then retards ignition timing when wheelspin is detected. It sounds sort of cool, but we can't really comment on it just yet--it might royally suck.
We should score a first ride on it soon, and when we do you'll get the nitty gritty. In the meantime check out www.kawasaki.com for more images