The might just be Doc Brown’s post-apocalyptic vehicle of choice. Done up by concept artist BradBuilds, the DeLorean from Back to the Future gets a makeover that lifts the ride height, adds long-travel suspension, big…
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MV Augusta’s former director of race development, Arturo Magni, was a moto racing icon who left MV to start his own motorcycle company. He took existing models and made them even better than they already…
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We covered the Owl a couple of years back, but it’s no longer a dream. Japan’s Aspark is building its EV supercar (all 50 of them), and you can order yours now if you want…
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Every cyclist that is serious about the sport has just one thing they would love to get when it comes to their bike. Complete control. Just about every cyclist out there has this dream wish list in mind of what they would want their ideal bike to look like.
No matter how expensive and high tech it is, there is always something that is missing. Something you would like to have or at least be made better. All of this makes a great case for making your own bike.
There is fitting out a bike with aftermarket bits to suit your needs, and quite another to build it from the frame out to get it exactly the way that you want.
In this article, I will go over the basics of what it means to build your own bike and whether you think it’s worth it or not.
There are two ways of going about the frame when it comes to building your own bike. Your choices are to either buy just the basic frame already built and then add on everything else. Or to literally weld the frame from scratch based on your own design.
The first one is easily the most economic and less likely to fail. You could put a lot of work into the build-out of the frame only to find that the welds are not good or the design isn’t going to work. The problem with buying it already made is that you don’t get exactly what you want. You may find after riding it that there are things that you don’t like about it. Also, if you are doing the build for experience then you aren’t learning as much as when you do it yourself.
The second option is the most satisfying but also the more intense of the two options. You’ll need to learn the basics of welding and practice a lot before you put the frame together. The best 110v MIG welder will get the job done and is not too difficult to learn as long as you are somebody that is handy.
You may end up with several prototypes of the frame before you actually build a suitable one. This will give you plenty of practice and experience so you understand exactly what you need to accomplish the frame.
The fork is going to be more difficult to weld and build yourself. You are probably better off buying the type that you like for the type of riding you plan to do. Many forks are made tapered which would be very difficult for you to do yourself without extremely specialized tools.
So, this is the time that you need to go with a factory-made one. Of course, you can still find one that suits your needs exactly so it doesn’t lead to an inferior set of forks. In fact, you’re more likely to get what you need by buying them already fabricated.
Now, you’ll need to go buy the individual parts. This will be at least as time-consuming as manufacturing the frame from scratch! Each part is going to be scrutinized to make sure that it is going to play well with other components. And it is also the opportunity to address the issues one often finds on a bike already made for you.
Go with the best in terms of quality and the best in terms of how you want it to work within the rest of the bike. Brakes for instance are going to be important for obvious reasons. You can choose from a disk or rim and hydraulic or mechanical.
Everything else is going to come down to preference and you’ll know what you’re looking for.
You’re going to spend far more money building your own bike than buying one on your budget. The individual parts are going to cost more. And if you are welding the frame yourself, there might be a lot of wasted material. Yet, it is still worth it to build your own.
Once you have this skill, you could even make a business out of it and build bespoke bikes for others as this is a rare talent that only comes from experience. You’ll at least be getting exactly the bike that you want even if you have no intention of building a business. There are not many people who end up regretting that they built their own bike, after all.
Getting into a crash with a car is a daily concern for many bikers and their families. Even if you are a cautious rider and do everything correctly, you may still be hit by a careless driver.
According to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration statistics, 82,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2018.
With many people staying home through much of 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic, it is likely that cyclists have taken the opportunity to enjoy riding with fewer vehicles on the roads. Sadly, fewer vehicles have not resulted in fewer motorcycle accidents.
If you experience no physical injury and little to no property damage, you may not need a motorcycle accident attorney. But if you have been injured even slightly, it is important to seek medical attention to assess the damage caused by the accident. Moderate or severe injuries could require extensive and expensive medical care.
There is no need to hire the first attorney you find online or see on a billboard. It is more important to find an experienced motorcycle injury attorney who is qualified to get you compensation and help with your injuries to get your life back on track.
A motorcycle accident attorney will be able to strengthen your claim for damages by gathering evidence of the incident and your injuries. They can negotiate with insurance companies who are quick to offer you a low settlement. After negotiations, an experienced attorney will know if the settlement offer is fair or if it is worth going to trial. The right legal help can navigate the court system on your behalf and help you seek the compensation you need.
Most states have a statute of limitations for motor vehicle accidents that extends for two to four years after the date of the accident. Make sure you are certain about the statute of limitations in your particular state to ensure you file your claim on time. It is important to note that some injuries related to motorcycle accidents may not present themselves immediately. That being said, the sooner you seek compensation for damages, the stronger your case will be.
Though there is only so much you can do to avoid a careless driver, it is important to protect yourself.
You can never be too careful when riding a motorcycle. Wearing reflective clothing is not required but is a good idea, especially when riding at night. Always make sure any passenger riding with you is comfortable on a motorcycle, and make sure your motorcycle insurance is current.
If you are one of the thousands of people who have already experienced property damage or injury from a motorcycle accident, know that you do have legal options for relief. Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney not only provides better odds of compensation for your injuries, but it also provides peace of mind.
There’s no denying that owning a luxury car is one of the pinnacle hallmarks of financial success. Luxury cars come fully stocked with futuristic aesthetics, fancy features, and high-performance engines. As such, luxurious cars carry a higher financial value compared to other car brands.
Buyers are usually willing to pay high prices for a car because of the detail in the car as well as its high-value perception in the market. Some, however, will choose to own a luxury car as a status symbol. It’s somewhat true that the car you drive says a good amount about the person you are.
If you’ve been eyeing a few high-end Mercedes and Land Rovers in your company parking lot, you may be wondering whether you could fit a luxury car within your budget.
It’s no secret that luxury cars will set you back tens of thousands. However, as you plan your budget, you need not only consider the purchase price of the car but also the costs that come with owning a luxury car.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the total costs of owning a car so you can get a clearer picture of how much you are going to spend according to your budget.
The costs of paying for maintenance and repair for your car is perhaps the most impactful expenses post-purchase. It goes without saying that the parts of a luxury car are expensive. What’s worse is the common misconception that luxury cars break down less because of the high-quality engineering that goes behind the manufacturing process of those cars.
The mechanic you hire needs to be highly trained in working with the somewhat complex machine that is your car. This means that their labor costs will also be high.
Remember, cheap is expensive. Opting for a cheap technician might result in you paying even more than you should have because the technician might either choose to fleece you while doing a shoddy job that you might have to get redone after.
The truth is luxury cars are costly merely because they provide better performance, comfort, and driving experience that you would otherwise not find with a regular car. As such, luxury cars need to be serviced just like any regular car if not with higher precision because of their luxurious nature.
For instance, the cost of an oil change for a new Honda should not go beyond $100. With a high-end Mercedes, you should expect to pay double that figure or even more.
There’s also the fact that OEM Mercedes spare parts will also cost you a good amount of money. To save money, however, you can always look up buying auto parts online so you can make comparisons as per product variety and prices.
If you fall under this category, here’s why you should buy OEM parts for your Mercedes.
Due to the consistent nature of fueling a car, you need to work out how much you are going to pay at the gas pump. The thing with luxury cars is they come with massive high-speed engines that are designed more for high performance and less for fuel economy. To keep the engine running, you might have to pay premium prices for high octane fuel.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the difference between fuel costs per gallon for a regular sedan and a high-performance vehicle should be between 30 to 40 cents.
Not much, right? Wrong! An additional couple of dollars to fill your tank might seem a bit trivial. However, paying the extra money over a certain amount of time can make a big difference. You might find that you’ve paid up to a $1,000 in added fuel costs.
Ask any insurance agent and they’ll tell you how much first-time luxury car buyers are often surprised by the cost of insuring their car. Unfortunately, insurance as unappealing it may sound, is a must-have that every car owner, luxurious or not, simply has to pay for.
As expected, the parts for your brand new luxury car will cost your insurance company good money to repair. There’s also the fact that they have to use a high-end mechanic to handle your car. For this cost, the insurance company will overturn the expenses in the form of higher insurance premiums for your car.
For instance, a brand new Toyota Camry valued at around $30,000 should set you back about $1,500 in insurance payments every year. However, a new Mercedes Benz C300 valued at $40,000 more should cost you well over $2,500 in annual insurance premiums. That’s a difference of over $10,000 and $1,500 each year.
As a countermeasure, you can save some money by comparing car insurance quotes from different providers.
Perhaps the most significant upside to buying original equipment manufactured parts, or OEM, is the spare parts are made specifically by the car manufacturing brand. This means that these parts match exactly the stock parts that you bought your Mercedes with when it came through the assembly line.
OEM Mercedes Spare parts at any dealership should be the same type thus you won’t have to stress about buying from different brands as well as the differences in costs and quality.
There’s also the fact that Mercedes sell OEM parts with a warranty that is usually easy to claim.
It’s common knowledge that luxury cars are really expensive. Keep in mind that the longer you own the car, the more it depreciates in value. What’s more, they cost an arm and a leg to maintain and pay for insurance, considering the ever-rising price of gas.
The best way of keeping your automotive budget in check is to calculate the overall cost of buying and maintaining a luxury car. A good rule of thumb is to spend less than 20% of your net income on vehicle costs.
By keeping a close eye on your expenses, you can keep more money in your pocket and still drive a luxurious car while at it.
The up-and-coming European bike shop Kaffeemaschine founded by Axel Budde has impressed us every since we laid eyes on their 1984 Le Mans Mark III KM23 Motorcycle. One of their many follow-ups to that incredibly impressive…
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When you already have that gargantuan superyacht of your dreams docked at the marina. Most people would think that would be enough, yet others choose to not limit their goals. Most owners choose to purchase tender, which is actually quite helpful when there’s not enough room to moor closer to your destination. Usually, these vessels are designed to serve a single purpose – ferrying folks anywhere. However, there are those such as the Heritage 9.9, which offers so much more.
One normally expects a certain level of luxury aboard most huge leisure watercraft. Therefore, many would prefer that the smaller accompanying transport would at least match it by some level. Meanwhile, some folks find that bigger ones will require a sizeable crew to keep everything operational. Equinoxe Yachts International introduces the Heritage 9.9 as more of an in-between.
This day cruiser does not compromise performance and comfort. Credit goes to Nauta Design in collaboration with Francesco Rogantin’s Names naval architecture studio for its blueprint. Equally notable are the workers from Castagnola Yacht who are building the Heritage 9.9 from wood and carbon fiber.
The ship measures 10.91 meters in overall length, 3.54 meters for the beam, and a draft of 0.54 meters. Its twin 320-horsepower Yanmar engines allow it to reach speeds of up to 39 knots as well as a range of 160 nautical miles. Just sit back and relax as you lounge around the spacious deck of the Heritage 9.9. Fancy a swim? The swimming platform is just within reach. When it’s time to retire, head down to find a single cabin, bathroom, and a galley kitchen.
Images courtesy of Castagnola Yacht
After some recent releases, it appears Ducati’s 2020 run is not yet over. Consumers who are still shopping around for something exclusive might be in luck. The company presents the XDiavel Black Star which is on its way to the United States and Canada next year. Aside from its exclusive colorway, all 50 units will feature a number plate so you can tell its from a special series. So, what makes this model so special.
According to Ducati, the XDiavel Black Star takes everything that makes the sports bike platform great and tweaks it to add more comfort. Thus, we have a striking dynamic profile that promises performance and power with more relaxing ergonomics. Some of you who normally go for cruisers will enjoy the overall feel of the machine.
Its most notable enhancement is the riding position which comes from the placement of the footpegs and the seat. However, owners can always make adjustments with the help of Ducati’s collection of first-party accessories. It flaunts a gloss black frame and wheels with XDiavel Black Star graphics. Overall, there is a stealthy vibe from the dominant black/grey tones with minimal hints of red and silver for contrast.
The XDiavel Black Star ships with a Testastretta DVT 1262 twin-cylinder engine. This grants the bike a maximum output of 152 horsepower at 9,500 rpm with a maximum torque rating of 92.9 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm. To keep you safe, the bike relies on a combination of its Ducati Traction Control system with ABS Cornering, Bosch (IMU) electronics, Ducati Power Launch, and more. We can’t wait to see what they come up with next moving forward.
Images courtesy of Ducati
For the overlanding enthusiast who also loves what he great outdoors has to offer, these two are a perfect match. Nothing is more awesome than taking on what nature puts in your way and enjoying the starlit sky at the end of the day. As such, there is a whole range of gear and upgrades available that enhance the experience. Now, current and future Toyota Tacoma owners could soon choose to upgrade their rides with the TRD-Sport Trailer.
“Overlanding has been picking up steam for quite some time, but 2020 just put it over the top,” stated Toyota Division Marketing group vice president Ed Laukes regarding the TRD-Sport Trailer “Given Toyota’s solid off-road credentials and reputation, we thought it would be really cool to create the ultimate overlanding companion to our pickup and SUV lineup.”
According to sources, the inspiration for the TRD-Sport Trailer came from third-party trailers based on the Toyota Tacoma. After a talk with MotorSports Tech Center Director of Operations Marty Schwerter, they came up with an exciting concept. It appears the bed of the Tacoma pickup has enough space for a collection of add-ons.
The most notable is a four-person Yakima tent complete with an awning. It sits on a scissor lift for on-demand motorized elevation. There’s also a 16-gallon freshwater tank, a hot water heater, a slide-out sink with stove. For even more convenience, you have a toilet, shower, and refrigerator. Auxiliary power comes from a generator and Optima Yellow Top battery combo for exceptional reliability. Finally, the TRD-Sport Trailer is riding on a pair of TRD Pro wheels with General Grabber X3 285/70/17 tires.
Image courtesy of Toyota
Want to stay in and experience the great outdoors without having to fully commit to the van life? Pair any competent car or truck with this incredibly capable Crawler Offroad Camper Trailer. In this particular…
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While there are plenty of reasons we love Back to the Future, the DeLorean easily beats out the hoverboard and self-lacing sneakers for the coolest piece of kit from the films. We were promised that…
The post 2021 DeLorean Concept first appeared on Cool Material.
There are more than a few prototype cars we always wished would be constructed, but for one reason or another, would never see the light of day. Nissan Design America was so enthralled with the…
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The 911 GT3 Cup is Porsche’s latest race car based on the 992. The significance of its wide turbo-spec body cannot be overstated, and the power is also significant, to the tune of 510 from…
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Of all things to inspire the design of a riding lawn mower, we did not predict one spirited by the most popular Air Jordan sneaker of all time, the Jordan XI. The German luxury car…
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The 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT from Ford once again show us that electrification is certainly underway. For a long time, the automotive industry always associated the Mustang label with the iconic pony cars. However, the Blue Oval hopes to shake up its lineup with the introduction of a bold new approach. Instead of your typical muscle car, what we have here is a crossover SUV that redefines consumer’s expectations.
We know some people would cringe at the thought of Ford breaking tradition. However, if a prestigious Italian marque was able to pull it off, so should the American carmaker, right? Of course, for those who might be wondering, we’re referring to the Lamborghini Urus by the way. If you look at the Mustang Mach-E GT directly from the front, it does embody the familiar powerful stance of its namesake.
However, when you make your way around it, that’s when the changes become apparent. It might seem jarring at first, but after a while, you’ll find that it grows on you. Of course, as with any all-electric platform, the familiar growl of the petrol engine will be noticeably absent. Instead, what you will hear is an artificially produced sound which is there for a reason.
This complies with the regulations imposed on emission-free automobiles for pedestrian safety. Meanwhile, the 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT promises a range of 250 miles on a single charge. Its all-electric powertrain produces 480 horsepower with 600 lb-ft of torque. If that’s not enough you can go for the Performance Edition which pushes that up to 634 lb-ft of torque at the expense of a range of 235 miles.
Images courtesy of Ford
Just when we thought LEGO is done with 2020, another makes it debut this month. So far, we have been enjoying an awesome variety of sets from the Danish toymaker. In fact, it was recently grabbing headlines after releasing the Colosseum under the Creator lineup. At more than 9,000 pieces, it’s the most bricks in a box from the company yet. Now, its Technic catalog is flexing another automotive artistry in form of the Jeep Wrangler.
A while back LEGO proved that I can do more than just supercars when it gave us the Land Rover Defender. The Technic Jeep Wrangler is its second SUV entry and just goes to show that there might be more in the future. At only $49.99 it is one of their more affordable yet highly detailed offerings for folks to enjoy.
Moreover, for some of us who crave a challenge, this 665-piece model is sure to keep you busy for hours on end. While building the Technic Jeep Wrangler is already fun, playing with the completed off-roader should be even better. When it comes to small nuances that emulate the real thing, LEGO knows how to deliver.
You can open/close the hood and doors, steer, fold down the rear seats, and so much more. This could be a great way to introduce others to the joys of off-roading. You can work the winch and experience the impressive articulation of its suspension system just like the real thing. The marque’s Rubicon branding and the overall aesthetic are on point. LEGO says the Technic Jeep Wrangler will ship on January 1, 2021. Now’s that’s a great way to start the new year.
Images courtesy of LEGO
Car racing is probably one of the most dangerous sports in the world. What makes this sport so dangerous is the speed of the cars. On the track, cars traveling well over 110 mph are bound to crash with the other drivers. This happens mostly because of the driver losing control of the car.
To avoid such accidents, the drivers are put through proper driving lessons and training. A racecar driver must be well trained and experienced before they can race on a track. One other factor that is given priority is choosing the right racing car. This article aims at this particular topic and will serve as a guide in choosing the right racing car for your next racing event.
Budgeting is an important factor in choosing the right racing car. If you wish to own a good and powerful machine, you better start saving. Budgeting is an important and basic skill that we all should learn. It helps in making the right choice — be it a car or anything else you wish to buy.
Most people make the mistake of investing in a car without giving time for research and end up paying more money. There is nothing wrong with spending a large amount on a race car, but the investment must be worth it.
Educating yourself about racing and race cars will help you determine your capabilities and limitations. This knowledge will help you to buy a car that suits you best. Before buying a model, study every aspect of the car and then make a decision.
There are racing cars that are specifically designed for professionals. You may be tempted to buy these cars but don’t make this mistake, first learn your basics before you make the jump to expert level options.
Everyone has a type of car they prefer, your primary decision must be the type of race car you want to purchase. There are typically three types of racing cars:
After you’re done with choosing the type of car you want to purchase, do some research on its aerodynamic performance. Most race car models offer different aerodynamic features. Decide by comparing these features with the competitive car’s features and go with the one that suits your interests.
If you ever want to service your car, you may encounter difficulty in finding certain parts. For instance, circle track parts can be hard to come by, so it is better to shop them online. Thus, before buying your car, make sure you know the right places to find your potential car’s spare parts. This way, you can directly approach the seller rather than having to spend hours finding a supplier.
Now, when it comes to making a huge investment, you can never be too careful. Consider all factors before making a big decision. After all, you are the one who is going to benefit from it.
