C5 & "competition"

[Chasfield]

Another piece of two wheeled eye distraction.

http://www.ccmmotorcyclesuk.com/cr-40/index.php

I think the CCM guys really get it, regarding what a bike should be like and they make very good use of the Suzuki 400 single motor.

As you can see, this bike makes the UCE Bullet seem very reasonably priced but I reckon it would be a laugh a minute to ride.

[r80rt]

Man that would be a blast in the twisty's

[LJRead]

Any thoughts on air vs. liquid cooled engines?

[Cabo Cruz]

Brs. Will and Ace, I thank for the wedding anniversary congratulations and the "WOWZAAs"!

Br. Larry, firstly, I congratulate you and Malia on your upcoming 28th wedding anniversary! Secondly, "... the Bible has a suggestion to keep our eyes front and center to avoid trouble - good advice, no?", you are correct.  But... 

[bob bezin]

Very nice, but i have a bullet. 

[Land Surveyor]

Regarding air vs. liquid cooling, I have noticed that a number of manufacturers have produced modern, short-stroke, liquid cooled singles that turn some amazing rpms and seem to practically duplicate or surpass the performance of the similar displacement twins of yesteryear.  Not necessarily fact, just my observation.  BMW and Aprilia have a 650 single, for example.  And I notice that most of these modern, CVT scooters, at least those with 200cc+ displacement, are mostlly liquid cooled and have amazing performance, especially when one considers their considerable weight.

I think liquid cooling is becoming more commonplace because they have leaned out engines so much in an effort to reduce pollution that they run hotter than before.

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

Here's a writeup on the Ural Solo. if they get the price down, and offer it in olive drab, it would be competition for the RE Military. Sound like it's great on the trails too.

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/positions/initialreport/uralST-lyt.html

[Cabo Cruz]

Br. Blue, it sounds as though the Ural Solo is going places...

[Land Surveyor]

Blue Ridge Wheeltor: Thanks for that link. Very interesting.

Well, it brings up questions.  Much more expensive than the RE, acceptable mileage and range. I kinda wish it had the sprung seats.  Reminds me of an old Zundapp with off-road tires I once saw.  Although I know this bike was originally designed back in the day when all roads were rough, can it really be as off-road capable as a thumper?  It's about 50 pounds heavier than the RE.  The only area where it seems to exceed the RE's reach would seem to be at high speeds on pavement.  Wonder if the exhausts could be flipped up like the old Douglas trials bikes?  I'm not downing it.  I want it to be a sucess.  Glad to have more variety in this hopefully sucessful retro market.

[r80rt]

When the Ural solo was first intoduced to the U.S. in the early 90's it didn't sell well, probaly because no one knew what it was. I think it will do better this time, the Ural Red star has a following in Europe.   http://www.uralmotorbikes.info/ural_solo.htm
http://www.cossackmotorcycles.com/ural650.html

[Chasfield]

Dragging the thread back to the svelte CCM CR40 for a moment

The dry weight for that machine is 120kg, or 265 pounds 

That is something to meditate upon.

[Cabo Cruz]

"Dragging the thread back to the svelte CCM CR40 for a moment

The dry weight for that machine is 120kg, or 265 pounds 

That is something to meditate upon."  Chasfield

Righto, old chap!!! 

[Chasfield]

I wonder what you could get a Bullet down to if you threw away all non-essentials and went the light alloy route for everything else.

I bet sub 300 pounds would be easy,