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It took a few sessions to reach it, but the last dozen laps of this test ride felt like a tipping point. A moment in superbike evolution.

The bike, of course, was this, the 2023 S 1000 RR featuring more advanced electronics as well as the steering geometry, adjustable swingarm pivot, and ride height adjustment of the M-Sport, plus a handful of more top-end horsepower from the ShiftCam engine along with a pair of distinctive aero wings. The racetrack was Almeria in southern Spain, a circuit I know well but had never lapped quite like this.

Editor’s note: We reviewed previous S 1000 RRs during the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR First Ride Review, 2020 BMW S 1000 RR MC Commute Review, 2021 BMW S 1000 RR MC Commute Review and 2022 BMW S 1000 RR Review at Double R Fest articles and videos.

And that moment? Ah yes, well after an intense day of building confidence and speed on our slick-shod RR, of braking harder and later, of turning quicker, leaning further, and getting back on the gas a nanosecond sooner, I truly understood the capabilities of S 1000 RR and its incredible armory of electronic rider aids. The new S 1000 RR is now so easy to ride at pace that once you trust in the tech and commit to it, the world is a different place. It feels uncrashable (it isn’t) and as much like a video game as a white-knuckling 205 hp superbike. It is digitized brilliance that allows the throttle and brakes to be applied almost like switches, fully on or fully off, with seeming impunity. Even when the tire grip starts to fall away, the Beemer will do the thinking and worrying. You, the rider, just keep the thing nailed.

Admittedly there were those pre-warmed Bridgestone slicks and a pair of optional M-Sport carbon rims that added even more zip and ping to the RR’s handling, but the possibilities for even the standard S 1000 RR now appear limitless as it pulls its rider into areas only pro racers once knew. The frayed senses, the mental and physical exhaustion of digging out more lap time, of riding on your limit, almost evaporate on this motorcycle.

We’ve been headed this way for a while; ever since electronic rider aids began to appear on production bikes in the early 21st century in fact. Today, a Ducati Panigale V4 or Honda Fireblade—any of the current crop of track-focused superbikes—can elevate their riders to a level and lap time barely imaginable a few years ago, but the RR is another small step.

There is no silver bullet as to why. The engine is only tweaked for 2023. The 999cc ShiftCam inline-four, with variable valve timing and lift thanks to BMW’s unique setup that slides the camshaft back and forth to engage different lobes depending on the revs, has revised intake ports for 2023, while the airbox is new with shorter, variable height intake funnels. There are a couple more horsepower up top and BMW has added an extra tooth to the rear sprocket, taking it to 46 teeth and lowering the final drive ratio.

Some might be disappointed that it remains down on peak output compared to the Panigale and Aprilia RSV4 but the S 1000 RR didn’t need any more horses. It’s powerful enough, thank you. Its strength is its astounding versatility.

The ShiftCam is able to pull from 30 mph in sixth gear to an indicated 280 kph/174 mph without once feeling like it’s struggling. On the Almeria circuit’s long back straightaway it was still pulling hard as the speedo nudged toward 285 kph/177 mph and I felt it wise to go for the awesome brakes.

Ridiculous speed comes so easily because, with ShiftCam, you don’t need to be inhabiting the last 20 percent of the rev range to make things happen. Instead, it drives urgently and cleanly through its midrange—jumping off turns without feeling frantic—and you can even afford to short-shift to give the electronic rider aids an easier time. Above 9,000 rpm the camshafts engage with higher lift and longer duration lobes and it revs, seemingly friction-free, to its 14,500 rpm redline. And it loves doing that too!

The fueling is among the best I’ve ever experienced on a 1,000cc sportbike. Smooth and glitch-free, it allows you to be ultraprecise with the throttle, getting on the power sooner and sooner. There’s no snatchiness or sharp edges, which gives the rear tire an easier life and allows you to accelerate progressively, feeling the grip in the rear slick build exponentially. It’s brutally quick but somehow doesn’t feel it. Instead, it seems to flow around the track like mercury.

Chassis-wise the RR’s alloy Flex Frame chassis is made from four die-cast aluminum elements and utilizes the engine and gearbox as a structural member, and now has optimized flexibility and revised, more relaxed geometry. The steering head angle is 0.5 degree shallower at 23.6 degrees (instead of 23.1 degrees), while the steering offset is reduced by 3mm via new triple clamps. Trail increases from 3.7 inches to 3.9 inches and the wheelbase is 0.6 inch longer than before

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By: Adam Child
Title: 2023 BMW S 1000 RR First Ride Review
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/bmw-s-1000-rr-first-ride-2023/
Published Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2022 11:00:04 +0000

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

Written by Barbara Toombs

Fremont Street in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.

Millions of visitors are understandably attracted to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas’ renowned Strip each year, where world-class resorts, casinos, shows and incredible dining options are the name of the game.

What many don’t realize is that there’s another fascinating side to the Entertainment Capital of the World, headlined by two cultural districts known simply as Downtown and Chinatown.

Downtown Las Vegas (also known as DTLV) is really where this unique desert city got its start. In 1931, construction began on what is now known as the Hoover Dam, attracting thousands of workers to a site just east of the city. To capitalize on this growing workforce, savvy businessmen began building casinos and showgirl venues along Las Vegas’ only paved road at the time: Fremont Street.

Today, DTLV is comprised of three distinct districts. Many visitors to the city are already familiar with one of them: the Fremont Street Casino District, which contains museums, restaurants and bars, as well as the original Las Vegas casinos, including El Cortez, Golden Nugget and Golden Gate. Here you’ll also find the renowned Fremont Street Experience, which debuted in 1995. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is covered by a canopy of more than two million LED lights and a state-of-the-art sound system that comes to life every night for a spectacular sound and light show called “Viva Vision.”

The Arts District

A popular attraction in this district is The Mob Museum (the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement), which showcases intriguing tales and the age-old dichotomy of good guys versus bad guys. Explore at your own pace, go on a guided tour or uncover museum surprises as part of a group scavenger hunt. Want a literal “taste” of old-school Las Vegas? Plan to dine at Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, perched on the 24th floor of Binion’s Gambling Hall. The restaurant dates back to 1965 when it was known as Top of the Mint, the signature dining spot at The Mint hotel tower. The interior design (and menu – think steak, prime rib, lobster and even Baked Alaska) is a throwback to an earlier era when the mob ran much of Las Vegas, but the real draw is the spectacular view through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Built in 2002, the Fremont East Entertainment District (FEED) is a six-block area that stretches from Las Vegas Boulevard East to 8th Street and from Ogden Street South to Carson. FEED is pedestrian-friendly, offering diverse street life and many eateries, cafes, bars and lounges, as well as ample shopping opportunities and lively entertainment. A must-see attraction in this district is the Downtown Container Park – a dining, shopping and live music venue made of 45 colorful repurposed shipping containers, all fronted by a two-story, fire-breathing praying mantis who made its original debut at Burning Man. Nearby is the popular Bin 702 – one of many great dining choices in the area – featuring a great selection of beer and wine, as well as a tantalizing choice of charcuterie and cheese, sandwiches and small plates for sharing.

18b sign in The Arts District.

In recent years, The Arts District – or the 18b as it’s also known (a reference to it occupying 18 blocks of Downtown Las Vegas, loosely outlined by Commerce Street, Colorado Ave, Fourth Street and Hoover Avenue) – has been growing in popularity. Its monthly “First Friday” block party and art walk features food trucks and live music, serving as a backdrop for artists showing their works off at a variety of open-air and indoor galleries. These include The Arts Factory, home to over 30 artists and art galleries, and ArtSquare, a hip establishment that houses design stores, designer’s studios, wellness spots, and food and drink outlets. Behind The Arts Factory sits one of many great dining choices in The Arts District: Taverna Costera, serving up delicious Coastal Mediterranean fusion that draws inspiration from coastal Spanish, French, Italian and Greek cuisines and beyond.

Just a couple of miles east of the Strip, along Spring Mountain Road (roughly between Rainbow Boulevard and Interstate 15), lies the city’s amazing Chinatown, which has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades. Here you’ll find the largest collection of Asian businesses in Southern Nevada, including a multitude of authentic Asian restaurants, gift shops, a hair stylist, a reflexologist, home decor, an Asian supermarket and the only Chinese bookstore in Nevada.

At Chinatown’s heart is the enormous and ornate Chinatown Plaza, featuring a colorful, dragon-adorned, Tang Dynasty-inspired gate and gleaming

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/beyond-the-strip-discover-the-cultural-gems-of-las-vegas-2023/
Published Date: Fri, 19 May 2023 18:07:14 +0000

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

This red 1967 Corvette custom coupe received a complete custom restoration at Springfield Motorsports in Peachland BC, Canada. The build consists of a completely new jig-mounted tube chassis with C4 corvette front upper and lower control arms riding on coilover shocks and power rack & pinion steering. The rear differential is a custom narrowed 9-inch Ford with aluminum Dale Gerry center section with Wilwood disc brakes on all 4 corners. Filling out the wheel wells are custom offset Fikse wheels.

K&S machine in Kelowna, British Columbia took the 454ci engine and machined it to 496ci it is equipped with Comp Thumper camshaft and 800cfm carburetor and it creates a true hot rod sound through the ceramic-coated exhaust. Lee Baxter upholstery created the one-off hand-stitched red leather interior with a rear storage area. It features Vintage Air, Digital gauges, power windows and a leather-wrapped vintage-style steering wheel.

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: 2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/2024-scottsdale-auction-1967-chevrolet-corvette-custom-coupe-no-reserve/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:52:01 +0000

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From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

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Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
The Honda CBX 1000 was only in production for four years, but that was enough time for it to leave a lasting impression on the motorcycle industry. First released it in 1978 as a screaming six-cylinder naked superbike, it later faced stiff competition from its stablemate—the equally iconic CB900F. So the Japanese marque redesigned it as a sport tourer, halfway through its tenure.

The updated ‘CBX-B’ had a touring fairing, optional panniers, and Honda’s new-at-the-time Pro-Link mono-shock setup. It was a hair less powerful than before, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a legend in its own right. If you park a CBX and CBX-B next to each other, you could argue that the latter has more presence.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

It’s that mystique that prompted the owner of this 1982 Honda CBX 1000 Pro-Link to buy it. Enamored with the fusion of modern technology and ancient traditions found in Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, he was on the hunt for a classic motorcycle that embodied that philosophy. When he found the CBX, the sheer brutalism of its six-cylinder engine was impossible to ignore.

“In the eyes of this enthusiast, the engine wasn’t just a mechanical marvel; it was the soul of the motorcycle, much like the heart in a human body,” says Tiago Gonçalves, founder of the Portuguese custom shop, Unik Edition. “This revelation laid the foundation for a transformative project, one that would honor the motorcycle’s origins while infusing it with a new identity.”

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik EditionRead More

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By: Wesley Reyneke
Title: From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/honda-cbx-1000-restomod
Published Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 16:34:54 +0000

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