Motoring stories of the week, in brief...
New Bimota hits the road
BIMOTA HAS released its new DB8 motorcycle, with an impressive 4v twin cylinder, liquid cooled 1198-engine with 12 kW of power and 131,4 Nm of torque. It is 8cm longer and 8kg heavier than the DB7. The front brake has double 320mm Brembo floating disc, four-pistons radial Brembo callipers and radial pumps and the rear brake has 220mm floating disc and a two-piston Brembo calliper. The DB8 also has a dual seat, and there is plenty of storage underneath. The DB8 costs around €23,000.
Hybrid turns on the power
LAWLESS INDUSTRIES, with US firm Orange County Choppers, has unveiled a powerful new 200bhp hybrid motorcycle. The machine can be powered by a regular internal combustion engine, an electric motor or both. It is operated by a drive system so the rider can choose between a mighty v-twin motor and a silent electric motor. The bike also features a touch screen computer control system, cameras front and back, and two electric motors, and the regular petrol v-twin. One electric motor produces 50bhp, enough for 60mph, while the two electric motors together deliver 100bhp.
Bikers dig deep for Haiti
MADDOCKS BMW Motorrad of Fassaroe, Bray, Co Wicklow hosted a curry evening for Haiti last week. Janet, Sheena, Paddy, Tom and Dermot expected 40 of their biker customers and friends to turn up - 85 came and €4,200 was raised.