Tag: 125cc

Video: 125cc shifter karts lap Laguna Seca

Shifter Cart at Laguna Seca

Shifter karts at Laguna Seca – Click above to watch video after the jump

Few forms of motorsport offer up a more pure driving experience than going tire to tire in a shifter kart. Likewise, of the many storied and excellent tracks of the world, Laguna Seca holds a special place in the the hearts and minds of racers of all stripes. Combine the two for the first time and you’ve got a recipe for unbridled awesome. Laguna Seca had been off limits to 125cc shifters for some time due to pesky noise regulations, but with a new air box and a larger exhaust silencer, the pint-sized racers have only just managed to squeeze under the 92 dB rule.

To celebrate the occasion, one racer was kind enough to strap a camera to his machine before taking to the course. As a result, we can all tag along for the ride. If you’re short on time and just want to see the shifters dance down the infamous Corkscrew, jump ahead to about 1:30 in. Hit the jump to see the full flick for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Jason!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 125cc shifter karts lap Laguna Seca

Video: 125cc shifter karts lap Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KTM Duke 125cc not fit for U.S. consumption [w/video]

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Motorcycle

KTM Duke 125cc

KTM Duke 125 – Click above to enlarge

KTM has somewhat unequal helpings of good and bad news for riders salivating over the thought of the company’s new 125cc creation. The marketing gurus have finally settled on a name for the contraption, and despite some fears that the Austrian bike-maker would slather the out-played “Avatar” name all over the new commuter, “Duke” – which has been used a number of times already by the Austrian company – was chosen as a fitting moniker. We couldn’t be happier. Of course, that elation was short lived when we heard that the company has absolutely zero intention of selling the flingable little bike on our shores.

Heartbreak.

We understand the reasoning behind the move. It’s not like 125cc street bikes sell like hotcakes over here. With a dearth of dense city centers and miles upon miles of open highway between most domiciles and their respective work places, American buyers tend to clamor for a little more displacement. That’s fine, KTM. Build us a Duke 250cc and we’ll call all things square. In the meantime, our cousins across the pond can look forward to hooning the rubber off of the newest Austrian starting in March of 2011. Our envy knows no bounds. Hit the jump for yet another video of the bike’s development.

[Source: Asphalt & Rubber]

Continue reading KTM Duke 125cc not fit for U.S. consumption [w/video]

KTM Duke 125cc not fit for U.S. consumption [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: KTM teases new 125cc heathen

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Videos, Motorcycle

KTM 125cc teaser – Click above to watch video after the jump

The poor little 125cc bikes of the universe rarely get the love of their larger-displacement siblings. Typically banished to the rider education programs of the world, the one-and-a-quarters are quickly forgotten in favor of bikes with more serious muscle. But 125’s have their advantages. For one thing, they’re typically a fraction of the cost of larger bikes, and since that tiny engine weighs next to nothing, they’re also incredibly flingable contraptions. So when KTM showed off a pair of four-stroke 125cc concepts at last year’s EICMA show in Milan, our curiosity was sufficiently piqued.

Now KTM has dropped a teaser video showing development of the production model. The Austrian manufacturer hasn’t said word one about whether the bike will be available on American shores once it drops, though we’ve got our fingers crossed. The wrench-spinning montage of bike-building awesomeness after the jump has only made us nervously eye our checking account in anticipation. We could think of plenty worse ways to get to and from the office than a fuel-sipping moto with plenty of spunk to boot. Hit the jump to have a look for yourself.

[Source: Asphalt & Rubber]

Continue reading Video: KTM teases new 125cc heathen

Video: KTM teases new 125cc heathen originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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