Velocity Learn, March 19, 2023

Your weekly dose of moto-goodness kicks off with two bikes that put the “Velocity” in “Velocity Learn.” We begin with a supercharged classic Triumph drag bike, then observe it up with a peek on the new KTM Tremendous Duke RR. Bringing us dwelling are a cheeky Suzuki DR650 avenue tracker, and a uncommon Swiss-made, Ducati-powered scrambler.

Supercharged Triumph 750 drag bike by Weems Motor Co. What, actually, is a motorbike? In its purest type, we’d say it’s a body, two wheels and an engine. So the drag bike that Jared Weems of Weems Motor Co. has constructed right here is successfully the quintessential motorbike. What it lacks in bodywork, it makes up for in size… and energy.

That’s as a result of this unbelievable machine was constructed for one goal—to tear down a drag strip, quick AF. However what precisely is it?

Properly, it’s a supercharged 1956 Triumph 650 motor, bolted to a hand-built body that has been stretched 5 inches with a 2.5” drop on the neck. The spine of the body is the oil tank, whereas the 2 ‘tanks’ on both aspect home the gas. The bars are customized, as are the interior clutch and throttle techniques.

It runs on alcohol, which is cooler than common gasoline (each bodily and metaphorically). That implies that Jared may get away with shaving the cooling fins from the heads, thus saving treasured ounces of weight. With new aluminum cylinders (bumping the displacement as much as 750 cc), the engine seems completely distinctive.

There are many particulars to get pleasure from. Word the uncovered rocker arms and pushrods, and the clear window that exposes the cam gears and oil pump. It’s mechanical artwork at its finest.

As if that isn’t sufficient, Jared additionally bolted an AMR300 supercharger to it, operating a 1:1 ratio at 6 lbs of increase. It’s obtained a uncommon Wal Phillips mechanical gas injection system, too. Rounding out the spec are genuine Invader wheels, with an prolonged and widened swingarm.

Not surprisingly, Jared took out the highest spot for ‘Greatest Competitors Motorbike’ on the final Born Free present. There’s just one factor left to do now; truly run the bike down the drag strip to see what it may well actually do. [Via]

KTM 1290 Tremendous Duke RR Like an invading pressure of seafaring rapscallions, KTM agrees that the extra Rs, the higher. That is the 2023 Tremendous Duke RR, and its numbers are astounding. It’s a two-wheeled pirate ship that would go away even the Black Pearl useless within the ocean.

The Tremendous Duke RR’s 1,301 cc V-twin produces 140 Nm of torque and 180 hp, whereas your complete machine weighs 180 kilos [397 lbs]. Math was by no means my sturdy suite, however even I can acknowledge a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio after I see it. It definitely places the “Hyper” in Hyper Bare.

Placing all that energy all the way down to the street requires top-shelf suspension, which KTM had been blissful to produce. Up entrance is a set of WP APEX PRO 7548 shut cartridge forks, tailored for the RR. The again finish is held in verify by a WP APEX PRO 7746 shock absorber, and KTM additionally threw in a WP APEX PRO 7117 steering damper for good measure.

How did KTM shave 11 kg from the 1290 Tremendous Duke R Evo that preceded the RR? Intensive use of carbon fiber, for a begin. The subframe, single seat, and all of the physique panels are manufactured from carbon.

The wheels are ultralight solid items, and the usual battery has been changed with a light-weight lithium-ion battery. A full Akrapovič EVO line exhaust can also be obtainable for the bike as an non-obligatory additional.

Look, everyone knows that KTMs aren’t the prettiest of bikes—however we will’t deny their pursuit of type. The RR is angular, aggressive and, frankly, kinda scary-looking. However that’s the concept behind a Hyper Bare, proper?

You can also’t argue with how properly the intense orange body pops towards all that carbon. That, and the truth that it makes 180 horses. Numbers are restricted to simply 500 items—so for those who’ve at all times dreamed of changing into a pirate, now could be your time. [KTM]

Suzuki DR650 by 485 Designs I don’t know if it’s coincidence, web algorithms spying on me or each, however I’ve seen a variety of tasty Suzuki DR650s on the market currently. The dependable, go wherever, do something motorbike can also be a well-liked base for customized builds—from retro journey bikes to café racers, and all the pieces in between.

Nevertheless, above all they make for good avenue trackers and supermotos. Somebody who shares this sentiment is Nick Mercer of 485 Designs. He’s primarily based out of Colorado, and that is his excellently-proportioned customized DR650.

To be sincere, there isn’t a lot of the unique DR left—solely the primary body, engine and swingarm stay. The plastic bodywork is gone, changed by steel, steel and extra steel.

The entrance finish is from a Suzuki GSX-R, full with twin Tokico brakes; an enormous enchancment over the inventory DR650 single disc. The entrance finish has lowered the experience peak significantly, as has the brand new 17” entrance wheel. A brand new set of ProTaper Contour bars had been bolted on too, together with a full set {of electrical} upgrades.

The tank (painted black and gold to match the brand new entrance finish and wheels) is from a KZ-model Kawasaki. The engine seems principally inventory, which isn’t a foul factor because of the unbelievable quantity of weight it seems like Nick has shaved off the ol’ bush basher.

Nick did fabricate a brand new stainless-steel exhaust for the bike although, as a result of, properly, have a look at it. It’s excellent. The entire manufacturing unit again finish went within the bin, changed by a customized subframe which Nick has ingeniously cantilevered over the again tyre.

With an identical 17” rear tyre, shod in sticky trendy rubber, it has been reported that this factor completely rails by way of the canyons. It’s simple to see why. [Via]

On public sale: A uncommon Condor A350 We love a great classic Italian motorbike and this one is excessive up on the ‘fairly cool’ record. This can be a Condor A350—and for those who’ve by no means heard of them, that’s okay, neither had we till now. Fortunately, our buddy Ben Department over at Silodrome is a grasp of unearthing obscure bikes.

The Condor A350 was in-built Switzerland (of all locations) for the Swiss Military, with manufacturing beginning within the Nineteen Seventies. Who knew the Swiss had rather more at their disposal than only a cool multi-tool? That mentioned, that’s form of the entire goal of the Condor A350—robust, dependable and long-lasting, you can say that is the motorcycling cousin of the Victorinox Swiss Champ.

The whole lot was in-built Switzerland aside from the engine and suspension. For these gadgets, Switzerland appeared to Italy, with Ducati supplying a 350 cc engine and Marzocchi initially supplying the suspension (earlier than Condor switched to Koni).

The cooling fins on the 90-degree bevel-driven overhead cam engines are instantly recognizable as Ducatis. The Ducati 350 Scrambler engines had been all specced for Condor with a decrease 8.2:1 compression ratio for when the military needed to run decrease octane fuels. The mufflers had been designed to be as quiet and stealthy as potential; they had been even coated in a non-reflective aluminum-based white paint.

Condor made about 3,000 A350s and, amazingly, they had been being utilized by the Swiss Military up till the Nineties. After they had been retired they had been provided on the market to most people, making them very cool collector’s gadgets.

If you happen to’d wish to personal a bit of fascinating motorcycling historical past then you definitely’re in luck—this explicit instance is on the market by way of The Market by Bonhams proper now. We will’t assist however really feel that the worth information of $1,500 t0 $2,000 doesn’t fairly replicate how cool this bike actually is. So go forward, seize your self a cheap-ish future collectable. [Via]