Iceman II: Hardcore chopper for F1 ace Kimi Raïkkönen
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The Iceman II is suitably understated and menacing. Should be perfect for an F1 champ!

Pics: Moto Revue

It seems all the F1 guys are riding bikes these days. First it was Michael Schumacher who recently got to ride Stoner’s Ducati and amazed everyone with his speed. Now it’s current F1 world champ, Kimi Räikkönen, who’s gotten a chance to ride. No, not a MotoGP machine, but a one-off chopper – the Iceman II – made for him by Marcus Walz, of Hardcore Cycles.

The Iceman II’s Harley engine has been tuned to produce 120bhp, and the carbonfibre bodywork is painted in Ferrari-red. More details on the Hardcore Cycles website here.

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Tecno Bike’s custom V-Rod
maazjee


A bit lurid, but if that's you want, this V-Rod should do...

Based in Belgium, Tecno Bike specialize in doing streetfighter customs. A bit… er, lurid, their bikes probably are not for everybody. But if you can handle the attention, then why not.

The Harley V-Rod-based creation you see here is, in Tecno Bike tradition, properly over the top – witness the 330-section rear and 200-section front Avon tyres (stock Kawasaki ZZR1400s wear 190-section rubber on the rear wheel…), six-piston disc brakes at the front, and outlandish paint and graphics.


For more pics and details, visit the Tecno Bike website here

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2008 Aprilia SMV750 Dorsoduro: Video, pics and details
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The 2008 Aprilia SMV750 Dorsoduro

First shown at the EICMA in Milan during November last year, the Aprilia SMV750 Dorsoduro is a high-tech supermoto-style machine that’s fitted with Aprilia’s 750cc, liquid-cooled v-twin. The Dorsoduro uses a high-tech ride-by-wire throttle control system, the chassis is a cast aluminium / tubular steel hybrid and the front brakes have radial-mount calipers.

Specially tuned for the SMV750, the 750cc Aprilia v-twin makes 92 horsepower at 8,750rpm and 82Nm of torque at 4500rpm, which seems just about adequate for a bike that weighs 186 kilos dry. The fuel-injection maps are available – sport, touring and rain – and throttle response has been tweaked specifically for each setting. In fact, with new electronics and other tweaks, the Aprilia v-twin is said to be better behaved than ever.

The SMV750 is fitted with a 43mm USD fork at front, and an adjustable monoshock at the rear, with 160mm of suspension travel at both ends. The suspension has been set up for sporty riding on the street, which means it’s probably at least reasonably firm, and won’t pitch or dive too much under hard braking and acceleration.

Weight distribution is 50:50 front and rear, which can only help things on the handling front. Plus, the long-ish saddle lets the rider move around a bit and get really comfortable on the bike on longer trips. Overall, the SMV750 Dorsoduro looks just about all right, but we don’t know if the Aprilia will be able to take on the competition – the KTM 990 Supermoto and the Ducati Hypermotard to name just two.

For pricing and other details, visit the Aprilia Dorsoduro website here.


And here's the official Aprilia SMV750 Dorsoduro promo video. Very cool...

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