From UD Replicas;

He was the first. Before the Avengers could become a team…he led the way. Forged in war, freedom’s greatest protector was Captain America…The First Avenger.

Now with this Officially Licensed Movie Replica, you too can own the ultimate tribute to the ultimate hero. Meticulously designed as a screen-accurate leather motorcycle suit, UD Replicas proves you don’t need super serum to look like a superhero.

One of the most unique leather uniforms created for the screen can now be yours. Every feature as seen on film in Captain America: The First Avenger has been replicated in form-molded leather from the classic color-scheme to the aluminum accent emblems on the back, arms and forever iconic silver star emblazoned on our hero’s chest. Perfectly crafted gloves, boots, functional belt and detailed rigging complete this iconic battle-uniform that captures the retro 1940s Captian America: The First Avenger design.

Be a part of the continuing legend with the UD Replicas Captain America: The First Avenger motorcycle suit.

Order now for delivery before The Avengers hits theatres next spring.

Captain America:The First Avenger Includes:

Two Tone Herringbone Pattern on White Leather Sleeves.

Two Tone Herringbone Pattern on all Blue Leather.

Aluminum Chest and Shoulder ‘Stars’, as well as both Back Harness Buckles and Belt Buckle.

Form Molded Leather shoulder details.

Strong edge seaming for all visible and hidden stitch work.

Self Weathering-Antique Dark Brown base leather for the Boots, Gloves and Utility Belt.

Removable CE Approved Body Armor in forearms, shoulder and back spine protector.

Highly detailed, removable lightweight interior lining.

Jacket and Pants zip together at the waist, essentially making this a one piece suit.

Made from Quality Tanned Cow Hides

Quality high-end accessories.

In a promotional give away HD are offering the winner a new Harley motorcycle of their choice, up to $20,000 in value, and they’ll be featured in a digital comic due out ahead of Marvel’s next superhero epic.  Bikers and comic fans enter here http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/avengers/Avengers.html

We already know the first Avenger Captain America prefers his ride to be a Harley.

Harley Davidson’s Avengers Mission

Ride into an Avengers mission. Harley-Davidson has joined forces with Marvel once again for another epic mission. And this time, these two legendary powers are looking to put you in the middle of the action. You could be drawn in to an upcoming Avengers digital comic and win a new custom H-D motorcycle.

About Marvel Studio’s The Avengers

Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”–the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012. In “Marvel’s The Avengers,” superheroes team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security.

Solidly built and lavished with rich paint and blinding chrome the 1400cc engine that drives the California is new for the range and will be possibly be the core of several new bikes.

It’s still air cooled, oh the nostalgia, but water cooled variants have been spied.  Moto Guzzi have always made attractive bikes, it’s an Italian thing, and the new California is another great looking machine for cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway.

http://www.horex.com/

Birthplace of the VR6 Roadster

Horex, Germany’s new motorcycle brand, is autonomous in terms of technology, design, marketing concept – and production. The VR6 Roadster will be manufactured to the highest quality standards at the new Horex factory in Augsburg.

Manufacturing is scheduled to start within the next few weeks. Following six months of in-depth planning and detailed preparations, the Horex factory in Augsburg is ramping up for series production of the new VR6 Roadster. Component parts for the new six-cylinder bike from Germany will be assembled at four sequential workstations. The frame and chassis are put together in the first step before the engine, electrical system, electronics and other parts are added. This assembly approach is based on the traditional ‘one man, one bike’ manufacturing principle. One mechanic builds a complete bike from start to finish: from the first frame bolt to final testing on the in-house roller dynamometer.

Looking beyond hands-on assembly, the entire Horex manufacturing concept focuses on highest quality. Production workers document each process step at the assembly stations on a PC. This key aspect of quality assurance provides the basis for certification according to ISO standards, which is currently underway at the Horex plant. “From the very beginning, our goal has been to ensure as much as possible that Horex manufacturing operations meet the high quality standards set by the German automotive industry,” explains Horex CEO Clemens Neese. “We consistently work to these standards and demand the same from our suppliers.” All outsourced components for the new Horex VR6 Roadster come from reputable suppliers based primarily in European countries. The heart of the new bike, the VR6 engine, is supplied by engine specialist Weber from Markdorf near Lake Constance.

The planning of unit production numbers is also based on the ‘quality over quantity’ paradigm. “In the beginning, we will produce only a few bikes a day,” says Neese. “Once we are certain that these motorcycles meet our high standards and all operations are running smoothly, we will gradually increase our production quota.” Horex remains true to its autonomous approach in this area as well. The factory only builds pre-ordered bikes. In other words, every bike built in Augsburg is custom-configured for its future owner. The focus is always on the manufactory concept.

HOREX_manufacturing_plant_ready_to_start

The new Caponord is based on the Dorsoduro 1200 and is rumoured to have the same, if tweaked slightly, 130bhp engine.  Aprilia are obviously jumping on the ‘Super Tourer’ bandwagon with the new bike set to compete with the likes of Kawasaki’s Versys 1000, and Ducati’s Multistrada.  Looking at the face of the bike there’s also a little RSV DNA mixed in there as well.

No specs as of yet but expect this to be another mile muncher that can let you tour at a sporty pace if required.

The new Capoard 1200;

For comparison here’s the last version of the Caponard;

..and the Dorsoduro 1200 which will power the heart of the new tourer.

CHANCE ENCOUNTER from Josh Manning on Vimeo.

Harley has had a rough ride in the last few years with falling sales leading to a painful restructuring of the business.  It seemed that the brand was treading water with innovators they had under their wing such as Erik Buell, being cast off.   However bucking the trend of most big companies they posted a $105 million profit for the final quarter of 2011, and sales jumping by 10.9% worldwide in comparison with the same period in 2009, finishing the year with sales up 5.9% over 2010.  Harley have put the good performance down to an increased demand for their higher spec and higher priced bikes and good overseas investments.  Good to see things looking up for any manufacturer but especially for such a legendary brand.

Harley aren’t sitting idle on the back of their good fortune either and are continuing their surge with two new bikes, the retro Softail Slim, and the Seventy Two.

The Seventy Two is a bit of updated 70′s cool featuring mini-ape hanger bars, white walled tires and laced wheels, optional big flake paint (which looks great!) peanut style tank, retro mirrored air cleaner cover, all driven by an fuel injected 1200cc evolution engine.

The Softail Slim is a bobber style muscle machine with a 1688cc twin cam 103 evolution engine, ‘Hollywood’ handlebars with a ‘cateye’ console, hidden rear shocks, and ABS, for a nice mix of classic style and up to date technology.

Price wise the Seventy Two is $10,499 and the Softail Slim $15,499.  For more details check out the HD web site http://www.harley-davidson.com

“American muscle never died, it just needed handlebars.” says Victory of their new bike the Judge, unveiled at the New York Motorcycle show 2012.

It’s a mean looking muscle bike with a 106ci Freedom V-Twin engine, 113 foot pounds of torque, 6 speed overdrive, drag bars, and mid mounted controls.  A decent price tag of $13,999 should see another success on Victory’s hands as the company goes from strength to strength.  Specs, pic, and video below.

There’s a wealth of information on-line about the acts and we’ll not duplicate it here.  We will however join others in support of those who are trying to stop these bills on ‘Blackout Wednesday’ and suggest that you read a superb article on Mashable which breaks down this complex and emotive subject.  Both SOPA and PIPA are wild infringements of people’s liberties and the freedom of expression on the web.  Oppose them in every way.

http://mashable.com/2012/01/17/sopa-dangerous-opinion/

The full text of SOPA can be found here - http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3261: