2009 BMW K1000R: is the K46 their new superbike

Here we have an illustration that has been commissioned by Motociclismo of what could be the 2009 BMW K1000R. This 1000cc superbike will have an inline-four engine, and the design is so compact that it can fit inside an R6 fairing and will have a 1:1 power to kg ratio.

At the moment the bike pictured above is codenamed K46, however it is believed that this could become the K1000R. It seems that with the design of this superbike, BMW are looking to take on the Japanese.

Source - motociclismo

Luber Custom Stilet trike: Mad Max post-apocalypse styling

When looking for a new motorcycle you want something that looks futuristic as well as cool and new looking. Imagine my shock when I first saw images of the Luber Custom Stilet trike. Just take a look at these images and you will see what I mean, the bike is like it has come straight out of a Mad Max movie.

I would say that the style of these trikes is post-apocalypse, so if you like the rusty metal look then you will love the Luber Custom Stilet trike. Don’t worry that your bike will fall apart once you have purchased it; the rust is just an airbrush finish.

The bike is to be powered by a 5.7 liter V8 and will produce 300 horsepower, looking at how light this vehicle is it will be very fast, maybe too fast.

Read more information at Lubar Customs via Engadget

Fuel Cell Motorcycles: Eco-Friendly, Rider Hostile?

While I love the concept of a hyper-efficient, totally green motorcycle, I have to admit that Intelligent Energy's ENV Bike does sketch me out. Why exactly? Well, since the power comes from a fuel cell, it's whisper quiet, which just seems dangerous on a bike. And seriously, most drivers have a hard enough time looking out for two-wheelers as it is, so riding a silent one seems like asking for trouble. If my paranoia hasn't rubbed off on you, head over to Wired and check out the gallery of eco-friendly bikes.

Rocketshields: the Solution for Cool-Looking Bikes

As if putting a roof on a scooter wasn't silly enough, Rocketshields now has a solution which makes even the sexist bikes look ridiculous. Sure, it might actually protect riders from some rain. But if the hoots of derision it generated from the bikers at CarDomain headquarters—who live in Seattle and have to ride in the wet all the time—are any indication, this product will go nowhere.

Aprilia RSV 1000 R

Click above for more high-res images of the Aprilia RSV 1000 R

When the sportbike discussion inevitably turns to outright performance, the Aprilia RSV 1000R is usually left out of the equation. It is true that the Italian bike is down on horsepower when compared with its racier relatives from Ducati and especially against the inline four machines from the Japanese manufacturers. While the Big Four from Japan continuously improve their unique (but very similar) breed of liter-class sportbikes with completely new designs every few years, Aprilia has sat back and made very small and incremental changes to its V-Twin contestant, and though its acceleration is surely a tick or two behind the leaders, it is important to consider the fact that everything is relative in the world of liter-bikes. Remember, barring something truly special, any liter-class sportbike from the last decade is sure to be the quickest vehicle on any given road. So, what does the Aprilia offer to make up for its apparent lack of horsepower? Read on.