Take a look at this exciting and insightful behind-the-scenes footage from the latest 007 adventure, Skyfall, exclusive to Honda as a partner of this 23rd James Bond film and in the celebratory 50th year of the film’s franchise.

The footage gives an exclusive snapshot of the film’s action vehicle and stunt crew’s preparations for Skyfall with the modified and ‘dressed’ Honda CRF250R motorcycles. The insider commentary about the thrilling opening chase sequence action from Gary Powell, chief stunt co-ordinator, reveals the secrets of some of the chase scene stunts that were filmed on the rooftops of Istanbul. The Turkish guise ‘Police’ and ‘Street Merchant’s’ bikes were created from the class-leading Honda CRF250R motorcycle, courtesy of Chris Corbould’s award-winning Special Effects team, and in this footage shows 007 (Daniel Craig) riding his motorbike though a Turkish street market as he pursues henchman, Patrice (Ola Rapace).

Source: YouTube

The Screaming Eagle is in a generous mood now days, which is quite evident with their increase in sales worldwide.

Well there is piece of good news as Harley USA are all set to manufacture and offer a state-of-the-art digital air pump for touring bikes. The new Digital Touring Suspension Air Pump (P/N 54000033) will be available at all Harley-Davidson franchise across USA.

This custom Harley air pump is an accurate and convenient piece of equipment used to check and alter pressure in the rear air shocks on all H-D Touring motorcycles. Being the only digital suspension air pump in the market, it has a bleed valve that allows precise adjustment of air pressure, along with a ‘no loss’ connector which maintains shock pressure when the fitting is removed.

The pump also features a pivoting pump handle, which provides improved grip while adding air to shocks. This compact pump fits in a travel bag and can also be used to measure tire air pressure. Display units can be changed between PSI and KPa. The LCD readout operates on a long-lasting, replaceable lithium coin-type battery. The pump is going to cost you about $69.95 (in the US) and we are fervently hoping that H-D India introduces this life-saving accessory in our country too. For more information, visit www.harley-davidson.com

Picture courtesy: Harley-Davidson USA

An extremely rare motorcycle from the 1920s that once lapped up the famed Brooklands race circuit was one of the top auctions at the Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale.

This one-of-a-kind master piece, which raced at more than 160kmph during its hey days in 1920, was sold of for a whooping £67,580 at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show.

One of only two of its kind known to survive, this 1929 Grindlay-Peerless-JAP 500cc Hundred Model won the prestigious ‘Brooklands Gold Star’ award in 1937 by the hands of prominent VMCC member, the late Edmond “Boy” Tubb, making this motorcycle even more desirable for the auctioneers.

Other notable sales at the event included a one-owner collection of almost 50 modern-day classics, fetching a whooping £215,000, and two Brough Superior SS-80 motorcycles, which also were auctioned off for a combined amount of £130,000. While the entire sale which was raised was at a staggering amount of more than £1.3m.

Honda is set to debut a number of 500cc machines at EICMA next month, two of which we have already glimpsed: the Honda CBR500 & Honda CB500R.

Joining the smaller sport bike and street-naked is is theHonda CB500X, a 500cc version of the Honda NC700X. Spotted all together at an Italian commercial shoot, all three models are said to share a 500cc parallel-twin motor that makes 45PS, as well as the same basic chassis. Fitted with ‘traditional’ telescopic forks, single brake discs up front, and all three models sharing a bevy of major parts, Honda should be able to be very aggressive with its pricing structure on the new 500cc model line.

Looking at the components as well, it is clear that Honda intends its new CBR500, CB500R, and CB500X motorcycles to be priced at the lower end of the pricing spectrum, making them attractive to newer and price-sensitive motorcyclists — especially our friends across the pond who are riding with an A2 license.

Source: Asphalt & Rubber

They might not have had much to showcase at the Intermot this year, but Italian marque MV Agusta have all the plans to make the coming year exciting for the enthusiasts as they showcased the 2013 lineup of their popular Brutale model recently- the Brutale 1090 (standard), 1090 R and 1090 RR.

Though all three share the same in-line four cylinder 1078-cc powerplant, it’s the engine configuration for different power and torque figures that make them distinct. Where the 1090 (standard) and 1090R offer 146 PS of peak power, the 1090 RR comes with 160 PS of peak power in hand. The bike has both water and oil cooling with separate radiators and uses a cassette-style removable six-speed constant mesh transmission and multi-plate clutch. The 1090 RR also comes with a slipper clutch. Also, all the 2013 models of the Brutale 1090 come with improved suspension, fully adjustable 50mm inverted front fork, double silencers, apart from some other cosmetic changes.

Another good news for MV Agusta fans is that the company is thinking on the lines of getting a cheaper and better looking Brutale 675 in 2013. The price tag of the new 2013 Brutale 675 is expected to be Rs 6.28 lakh for the standard variant and Rs 6.56 lakh for the EAS (Electronic Assist Shift), in the Italian market.

So here’s the thing, have you ever wondered why do cape crusaders and super heroes love to have a pair of slick wheels? Well apparently it’s for helping them save the world and flaunt their larger than life style.

Now many of you movie freaks might be aware of a certain movie by the name of Kick-Ass, which had insane butt-kicking by teenage superheroes. Now for their second coming in the movie Kick-Ass 2, movie character ‘Hit Girl’ a pint-sized assassin will ride a purple colour Ducati Panigale and fight crime.

This might come as a surprise for many that Hit Girl actress, 15-year old Chloe Moretz, can’t ride,let alone do all the stunts and so a stunt-woman has taken over the motorcycle riding duties for her. As in the graphic novel Hit Girl rode a motorcycle, but the comic book’s custom shopper has been replaced with a state-of-the-art Ducati in order to to widen the appeal of the movie. With this super heroine ready to battle the bad guys, we bet the ‘Deep Purple Ducati’ will smoke them out.

RoboCop fans will recall the lead character driving around in a Ford Taurus, which was nearly as significant to the story as RoboCop himself.

Fans of the movie will have to wait till 2014, as the movie’s release has been pushed back from the original release date of August 2013.

However, the 2014 remake will see him riding two wheels less! Yes – the vehicle of choice is now a sleek new futuristic motorcycle, with a black color scheme and elegant styling to match the lead character’s outfit. The bike features angular fairings and wheel covers for a sci-fi look. The ergonomics have also caught attention – there is a high seat, very low clip-on handlebars, and rear set foot pegs mounted far back on the swingarm, which makes for a virtually lying-down position when riding the bike. The special effects’ gear fitted to the bike makes it difficult to guess the identity of the donor bike. It has cues from Buell designs (possibly the 1125R), and the undoctored brake calipers remind one of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R (2008 or 2010).

KTM has always been associated with the color orange – which is a good thing as they look mighty appealing in orange – but it is always refreshing to see the Austrian manufacturer’s products in other colours too.

Recently, an all new white and black paint scheme for the KTM 200 was unveiled by Bajaj who are looking to spice up the Duke range. Since its introduction, the neon orange baby Duke has become an eye-candy for every youngster in India. With it’s aggressive looks and naked appeal there are very few who disagree with the fact that the Duke is one of the best looking Indian motorcycles ever.

Bajaj have also hiked the price of the Duke 200; prospective buyers would now have to shell out 1.43 L (OTR Pune) if they want to own an exciting, fun, utterly mad Duke 200. We at Bike India feel that with the festive season just around the corner, addition of two new paint schemes will certainly help Bajaj bolster their already impressive sales further.

 

Peugeot chose the Paris Motor Show to debut a stunning new concept bicycle – the all-carbonfiber Onyx, a prototype TT and triathlon machine.

The TT/tri Onyx is an eye-catching design, with its matte black and copper finish making for unconventional yet stunning looks. The stem sits flush with the top tube and neatly integrates with the elongated aero head tube. The front brake is concealed within the fork, as also seen on a Boardman AiR/TT machine. The fork exceeds the 3:1 aspect ratio limit of the UCI, but Peugeot does not plan to make a UCI-compliant version, choosing instead to focus on the global triathlon market. The bike also includes Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, Enve wheels and Rotor elliptical chainrings.

 

Peugeot designers placed strong emphasis on aerodynamics, with flattened handlebars for a reduced frontal area and wheels covered with fairings. The bike also has an electronic shifter, as exposed shift cables would have created excess drag. The Onyx could be sold through regular bike shops in spring 2014, when production versions are expected to be ready.

Stunting, for long the preserve of X-Games, talent shows, and circus acts, received the ultimate stamp of approval from one of the world’s biggest mainstream motorbike manufacturers, with the launch of the concept Yamaha Moto Cage-Six, the first bike designed purely for stunting.

Intermot, Cologne was witness to the launch of this nifty new bike from Yamaha, based on the XJ6. As expected, the Moto Cage-Six is very sleek and sporty, also incorporating design elements from the Tenere and Super Tenere. The gears and sprockets have been adjusted to give the bike sufficient bottom-end torque. What grab eyeballs are the stunting elements incorporated into the bike, which include front axle footrests, four crash pads, a reinforced rear swing arm, streamlined seating, and a rear wheel that carries a car tire, fitting this bike’s purpose to a T!

 

Stunters across the world have reacted with caution, with many feeling that a stunt bike is a very personal statement, and is constantly adjusted as per the rider’s style and new stunts. Yamaha has made it clear that the Moto Cage-Six is purely a design study concept; however, it is obvious to bike aficionados and design gurus that it holds immense appeal for newbie stunters, young enthusiasts, and aggressive riders, and could well serve as the starting point for a new streetfighter bike from Yamaha.