CAFÉ RACER 76: Motorcycles

samedi 14 décembre 2013

2014 KTM USA Team Shooting!!

The KTM Team photoshoots are always a highlight each year as it is the first chance to see the guys with their new bikes (and the first time I get to see our new GFX on them!) as well as their new gear for the upcoming race season.

It’s interesting to see some of the guys running the Airshock, I heard a lot of good things about it from Stefan Everts when he was here so look forward to seeing how it is in competition now that they have worked out some of the earlier issues.

No photos of Dean Ferris yet unfortunately due to some riding gear contract complications, but lots of Ryan Dungey, Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin!

All photos by Simon Cudby.

lundi 9 décembre 2013

Elements of Enduro Behind The Scenes – Sibiu, Romania

from Throttle Entertainment: “As the 2013 season comes to end, we take a look back at the making of an epic free ride piece we shot in Romania earlier this year. It took a dedicated crew of passionate filmmakers to brave the wet and muddy conditions in the Carpathian Mountains to shoot this exclusive Web Clip for Red Bull. Featuring Chris Birch, Lars Enoeckl and Paul Bolton.”

jeudi 28 février 2013

Darizt Design

Indonesia is not the first place I would go searching for custom motorcycle’s next important builder. But after seeing the variety of motorcycles coming out of Darizt Design’s shop, I think there’s going to be a few of us trying to figure out exact freight charges from Java, Indonesia. Agus Sudariswanto on the story behind his four-year old motorcycle business, and what he calls his “primitive” process.

“I learned how to weld, how to use bench lathe, and refine my metal shaping techniques…five months later the 1st attempt was finished…and that is how I got into it.”
– agus sudariswanto

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and Darizt Design?
My name is Agus Sudariswanto, live and grew up in the city of Jogjakarta in Java island Indonesia. I’ve loved motorcycles since I was a kid, and drawing is passion for me, as a kid from a poor family whenever I want something and can’t afford it, I draw it and always imagining how can I made it myself.

Back in my high school days in the late 80′s my parent bought me a Honda C70 that became my first bike…lowered the bike and painted it…which was a trend in those days.

Then I started to make custom bike from scaled model kit because I can’t afford the real bike. I graduated from university majoring in art…half hoped that my job would be as an art teacher but that never happened. All of my previous jobs involved drawing, from book illustrator, painter, model maker, airbrush artist to interior designer.

Darizt Design was an interior design contractor initially, a division from a bigger company, managed together with my friends. The name Darizt Design also came from my friend. I worked as a designer and production supervisor. In my spare time, I spent it drawing…more custom bikes and working on my own bike, because the company had the tools and labour. Financial problems forced this division to shut down. Being jobless for several months, eventually my old friend came and convinced me to build one for him. I said yes and started from scratch…I learned how to weld, how to use bench lathe, and refine my metal shaping techniques…five months later the 1st attempt was finished…and that is how I got into it.

I’ll go out on a sturdy limb…with the range of bikes he’s got under his belt, Agus Sudariswanto is a budding rockstar custom bike builder. And to think, as of this date, not one of his motorcyles has been sold outside of Indonesia.”
– crash

You mention on your site that your bike building is “primitive.” How so?
When I first started until now, I used tools and methods that are familiar for me. Even though it’s time consuming I enjoyed the process. I don’t have a frame jig yet to set up a frame, and have to measure it with threads. I’ve even used a living tree as a tube bender…but sadly I had to cut down the tree to make space for the garage

Do you give your motorcycles names? I see that they’re just called “Attempts” at the moment.
No actually, it’s up to the customer. Attempts for me reflected that there’s no absolute perfection…that I have to explore more, to learn more, to ask less and give more.

Detail on your motorcycles that you spend the most time refining?
Nothing particular…depends on the design, it could be the frame or another detail.

What’s the motorcycle culture like in Java?
Like all developing countries in Southeast Asia, motorcycles hold so much aspect in life, social and economy.
It’s everywhere and almost every family has one. We are more like a user nation rather than inventor. Bikes in the general market are less than 250 cc, anything bigger the tax will be skyrocket.

Have you sold any of your motorcycles outside of Java?
Outside Java yeah, but not outside Indonesia yet…I hope so…

Regarding your engines, what engine do you use and who manufactures it?
My previous bike use Kawasaki KZ200 and Honda GL200 or CB/GL 100 as the base, and yes I have a dream that I could design my own engine, the exterior at least to use as the base.

What’s next for you and Darizt Design?
I don’t have a certain planning for the future..just let it flow and enjoy.

+ Source: Darizt Design

via megadeluxe

mardi 1 janvier 2013

The ABCs of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

FROM

There are many, many reasons we attend AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The bikes, the swap meet, the racing and the overall atmosphere created by motorcycle enthusiasts is an experience we don’t wanna miss. We were fortunate to have worked with the good folks at the American Motorcyclist Association to help convey the vibe of VMD (see the video at the end of the post). After going through our pics, here’s an alphabetical and photographic rundown of why we love attending this event.