Motorcycle Sales Soar in the UK: 22% Increase in July

Fuelled by rising gas prices, sales of motorcycles in the U.K. soared by 22% in July according to figures released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI). Motorcycle registrations in July were 14,306, an increase of 2,578 over the same month last year, while total registrations for the first seven months of the year are up 1% at 87,551. In contrast, the car market in the UK fell almost 13% in July and is nearly 3% down from the beginning of the year. -Continued

In July, registrations of bikes of up to 50cc increased by more than 35% and engines from 51cc to 125cc increased by almost 31%. Bikes with engines from 651cc to 1,000cc increased by 40%. Scooter and moped (up to 50cc) sales increased by almost 27% and 34.5% respectively while naked motorcycles performed strongly with a 46.5% increase. The only category to show a decline in the month was trail / enduro bikes with -7.9%.

The biggest-selling make in the UK in July was Honda with 2,011 registrations followed by Yamaha (1,860) and Suzuki (1,486) while the best-selling bikes were two Yamaha 125cc models, the YZF R125 with 338 units and the YBR 125 with 277 units.

Chinese Replicate Dodge Tomahawk Motorcycle

At the 2003 Detroit Motor Show Dodge unveiled a monstrous creation called the Tomahawk; a unique motorcycle with two front wheels and two rear wheels powered by a 500HP 8.3L V10 engine from the Viper. Although the Tomahawk was never intended to for production, Chrysler actually built 10 running (but not road-legal) examples that were sold for $550,000 a piece through Neiman Marcus.

Now, a Chinese maker decided it was time that someone re-introduced the Tomahawk into the market as a cheap knock-off called the KMD K-007 Tron Bike MC-06. How cheap? Well, $1,398 will buy you a poorly executed Tomahawk replica. For that kind of money don’t expect any mechanical wonders as the original concept’s 500 HP V10 engine has been replaced by a… 150cc single cylinder engine that pumps out a staggering 10 HP. However, just like the original Tomahawk, the KMD is not street legal… -More pics after the jump

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: ATV

Hello Kitty Motorcycle Leather Suit

Under normal circumstances, motorcycle leather suits are worn to protect the rider, however, if someone went out wearing a Hello Kitty suit like the one pictured above, we wouldn’t be so sure that he’d return home in one piece… Fortunately, as you can see in the picture after the jump, the Hello Kitty suit seems to be the work of a talented photoshop artist. -Continued

Via: Kittyhell , Suit: Spartan Leathers

Honda Releases Civic Type S Fireblade Replica

Honda has introduced a limited edition version of the 3door Civic Type S in Italy inspired from the company’s CBR1000RR Fireblade motorcycle. The Civic Type S Fireblade Replica is equipped with Honda’s 2.2-liter i-CTDi turbo diesel engine that delivers 140 Hp at 4,000 rpm and 340 Nm (250.7 lb-ft) of torque at 2,000 rpm. Matted to 6-speed manual gearbox, the Type S can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 8.6 sec and on to a top speed of 205 km/h (127mph). According to Honda, the Type S achieves an avg fuel consumption of 5.2lt /100km or 45.2mpg U.S.

Available in three exterior colors - Black, Red and Silver, the Civic Type S Fireblade Replica is distinguished on the outside by the newly designed front and rear bumper air vents, both of which are finished in graphite color. Furthermore, the mirror caps, the door handles and the fuel cap are finished in graphite which is also the color of choice for the new 18-inch alloy wheel that look absolutely stunning. -Continued

The special edition Civic Type S also receives a set of “Fireblade” badges (in and out) along with new floor mats in –what else- graphite color. Prices in Italy for the Civic Type S Fireblade start at €25,190 ($39,900 with the current exchange rates).

DIY: Paper Cut Yamaha YZF-R1 Replica

Apart from creating real-life superbikes like the awesome 2007 YZF-R1, Yamaha has also created a series of realistic paper cut models for the less (money-wise) fortunate people like ourselves. All you need to is to check out the detailed instructions and download the pictures after the jump to your pc and print them on strong, thick paper. That and plenty of free time in your hands as the 2007 YZF-R1 paper cut consists of 312 parts in all. -Continued

Paper Cuts (Scroll Down For Instructions)

Assembly Instructions

Source: Yamaha