Everyone knows I'm into Subies, but I sure didn't see this one coming: A motorcycle powered by a Subaru engine!
It's 499cc single-cylinder with DOHC and producing 50 hp. The bike is called the HS500sa, and is made in China. Apparently this engine has been around, but used in Polaris snowmobiles.
So we have here a modern-day "thumper," much like the old BSA Gold Stars and Velocettes of years gone by...
I wonder how they're dealing with the vibration, as big-bore singles are known to shake the fillings out of your teeth.
...And speaking of old bikes: Saturday I had to get four new tires for the wife's Forester, and while I was waiting I ventured on up to an old Honda/Suzuki motorcycle dealer that I used frequent some 30+ years ago, as it was only a few blocks away. To my amazement they had two beautiful Royal Enfields (also thumpers, but in 350cc and 500cc) sitting on the showroom floor. These bikes looked like they were from the mid '50s.
Little did I know that these were actually brand new bikes, and that they are made in India! Both had spoke wheels, and one even had drum front brakes!
Finally, if you're into modern Vincents , check out their site, in which you can custom configure the bike you want. You start with the chassis, and you pick and choose everything you want on your bike. Pretty nifty.
...And speaking of old bikes: Saturday I had to get four new tires for the wife's Forester, and while I was waiting I ventured on up to an old Honda/Suzuki motorcycle dealer that I used frequent some 30+ years ago, as it was only a few blocks away. To my amazement they had two beautiful Royal Enfields (also thumpers, but in 350cc and 500cc) sitting on the showroom floor. These bikes looked like they were from the mid '50s.
Little did I know that these were actually brand new bikes, and that they are made in India! Both had spoke wheels, and one even had drum front brakes!
Finally, if you're into modern Vincents , check out their site, in which you can custom configure the bike you want. You start with the chassis, and you pick and choose everything you want on your bike. Pretty nifty.
estreka says:
01:15 PM, 11/19/07
I can't tell, is it a boxer engine?
firstwagon says:
01:32 PM, 11/19/07
A single cylinder boxer?
estreka says:
02:02 PM, 11/19/07
D'oh, of course not.
iskch says:
10:41 AM, 11/20/07
Could be a Robin-Subaru engine line.
ateixeira says:
01:47 PM, 11/20/07
The bike at the top looks good, too.
The Royals remind me of the very simplistic Honda CB250s still made in Brazil nowadays.
editor_karl says:
02:55 PM, 11/20/07
Remember, Polaris is the company behind the Victory twin motorcycles (a "Victory" dealership went in near my house a couple years ago -- cool bikes!). It seems like there's a new (often a "new-old") motorcycle manufacturer every day. The price of oil and gas, not to mention the growing traffic problems in big cities, will likely encourage this trend.
desmolicious says:
04:29 PM, 11/20/07
Those new "Vincents" are bogus. Only Vincent in name, slap that sticker on the gas tank and forget the fact that it's powered by a Honda motor. Vincents used to be THE performance bike. This is not even close.
Want a real performance V-twin? Go to Ducati and get a SportClassic for that vintage look (but with modern performance dynamics), or get a 1098R and go WSB hunting. 180 rear wheel ponies is gonna put down a whole world of hurt on the competition!