More Big Scooter Madness

Last time I posted I said that I wasnt sure if I thought these were cool or not. Since then I’ve been starting to dig them. Still very odd, but maybe that's why I like them. It takes equal parts balls and stupidity to actually show up somewhere riding one of these things. More pics after the jump (and you can’t tell me the exhaust in the second to last pic isn't badass).

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.

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and Sportback Ralliart

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil the Lancer Sportback and lancer Sportback Ralliart at the upcoming 2008 Paris Motor Show from October 2 through October 19 2008.

The sporty Lancer Sportback is a 5-door sport hatchback, a body type that is very popular in Europe.The model is available in versions powered by :

• 1.5-liter (109PS)
• 1.8-liter (143PS) gasoline engines
• 2.0-liter (140PS) turbo diesel engine.

The Lancer Sportback offers an “auto-folding function” which enhances luggage compartment convenience through adjustable rear floor height and rear seatbacks that can be tipped forward via a lever located in the luggage compartment. The series is due to be joined by a model powered by Mitsubishi Motors’ new diesel engine in spring of 2009.

In Paris Autoshow, MMC will also displays the Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Sportback Ralliart. (Ralliart is a in-house tuning department). These 2 models are powed by a new turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC MIVEC engine [maximum output 177 kW (240PS), maximum torque 343 Nm (35 kgm)].

This is mated to Mitsubishi’s high-efficiency Twin Clutch SST transmission with an Active Center Differential, for extremely responsive steering and traction through tailoring the amount of torque fed to each wheel to optimally suit driving conditions.

Sweet Electric Motorcycle

Scheduled to ship later this summer, the Electric Motorsport GPR-S will cost about eight grand, recharge in 90 minutes, and have a range of about 60 miles, which seems like plenty for an urban commuter. The picture below shows it sans faring, but there are plenty of good shots of it fully clothed over on the Electric Motorsport site, and I liked the looks of the Super Motard too. The idea of an electric motorcycle is pretty cool, and since EVs don't have emissions, and bikes don't have any safety requirements, it makes sense that companies could make just one model for anywhere in the world, so hopefully, we'll start seeing lots of them on the roads.

Ducati 1098 vs. Aprilia RSV R

Rob is still out of town, and he left Showroom Showdown in my hands. After racking my brain trying to think of some cars to compare, I thought it might be fun to make this week's showdown about motorcycles. After all, this is the perfect time of year to get on a bike! Both contestants are dead-sexy Italian V-twins with razor-sharp handling, and both will accelerate like cruise missiles. The Ducati comes with 15 more horses—160 compared to the Aprilia's 145— but it costs $2000 more—$16 grand compared to $14—and Aprilia is marque that's definitely seen less in the wild. So if you had to pony up some of your hard-earned cash, which would you choose?

Showroom Showdown: Ducati Bests Aprilia

Well, I'm happy that I didn't have to declare this week's Showroom Showdown an "epic fail," as a few initial comments suggested some of our readers are downright hostile to the idea of bikes. Given the amount of mail CarDomain gets asking to add motorcycle makes and models to our vehicle database, I have to say that caught me a little off guard. But most of you were good sports. Of the Italian Stallions, the Ducati 1098 was the clear victor, beating the Aprilia by a two-to-one margin. For all the haters, don't worry. Rob will make sure next week's match up features cars. Stay tuned...

VIDEO: Sometimes it's best to quit while you're ahead

Professionals earn pockets full of cheese usually because they do whatever it is they do better, faster, stronger than anyone else. Sometimes, though, they get the big bucks because they'll do something again after having nearly killed themselves the first time. That is: they'll get right back on the horse when a lot of non-professionals would instead grab a gin and tonic and watch reruns of I Love Lucy.

Jorge Lorenzo earned his money and a stay in hospital over the weekend during practice for the MotoGP China Grand Prix. On one run the bike bucked under him coming out of a turn, sending the 21-year-old rider up out of his seat like he was riding a bronco, but he managed to keep the bike upright and moving. On a following run he wasn't so fortunate, highsiding, somersaulting, and suffering a fractured left ankle, a painful right ankle, a cut heel, a knee abrasion, and forearm compression.

But here's where Lorenzo really impresses: he still got on the bike to qualify on Saturday, and came in fourth in Sunday's race. Follow the jump to check out the videos of the bucking incident and the highside. And from now on, the word you're looking for to describe Jorge Lorenzo: pro.