Motorcycles

If there’s one niche of the motorcycling world that has really exploded over the last decade, it’s that of the custom chopper. Whether or not you’re a fan of reality shows like American Chopper or celebs like Brad Pitt, the fact of the matter is that they and their ilk have exponentially grown mainstream awareness and appreciation of thumping, two-wheeled sculputre. So why haven’t the OEMs been as quick to embrace the chopper’s popularity?

Granted, Harley-Davidson and the Japanese offer “custom” versions of their cruisers which feature such touches as fancier exhaust systems, reshaped fenders, gas tanks and lights, and maybe even an extra degree or two of rake on the fork. Cool looking? Certainly. Choppers? Hardly. Rather than asking why no manufacturer has offered something more radical, Honda decided to do something about it. That something is the Fury.

Even if the sum of your automotive knowledge barely extends beyond “right pedal go, left pedal stop,” you probably know that the Italians have a well-deserved reputation for building some of the fastest and most beautiful sportscars, grand tourers and exotics in the known universe. But while plenty of non-car geeks have heard of Ferrari and Lamborghini, not everyone is familiar with names of Italian superbike makers. And that’s just wrong, dang it.

Thus, as a public service of sorts, we’ve decided to acquaint you with ten of the most magnificent motorcycles ever to emerge from the Land Shaped Like a Boot. Some were built by companies with which some of you may be familiar; others are sure to make all but the most hardcore two-wheeler afficianados say, “Who?” Anyway, without further ado or any particular order, are 10 very bella bikes.

Middleweight superbikes are highly underrated. They are to motorcycles what that 3rd string QB with a 100-yard arm is to football; all the skills without the heavy ego. Everyone knows 600s are where you start, and the "liter bikes" (motorcycles with 1000cc motors and almost 200hp) are the big leagues. But if you climb off your 600 and want to upgrade, don't think of the 750 class as a stepping stone, but rather a heavenly compromise. It's a partnership of more power with little weight gain, and when you want to go fast that's the perfect match.

Nowhere is this idea better executed than with the new 2011 Ducati 848 EVO. It's V-twin engine has picked up 6hp from the last model, for a total of 140hp. I know 6hp doesn't sound like a lot, but when that power is only pushing 369lb (40lbs less than a Honda 600RR), 6hp is like adding 40 to your car. This makes the Ducati the most powerful motorcycle in its class. 

When most people think of the word ‘confederate’, many things percolate, including the Civil War. But for motorcycle enthusiasts, Confederate Motorcycles should be top of mind. This company has been building, literally, weapons grade motorcycles for almost 20 years. Originally based in Louisiana, the company was forced to take refuge in Alabama when they barely survived Hurricane Katrina. Confederate's latest offering, the P120 Black Flag, is a solid effort to say the least.

The P120 Black Flag is a sinister take on the company's P120 Fighter. They both share the same monocoque frame, side plates, and fuel tank made from 6061 aluminum. In plain English, it means that the entire motorcycle is made from aircraft-grade materials. Unfortunately, this bike won’t be armed with machine guns and guided missiles. But, at least, it is armed with the 120-cubic-inch V-twin engine used on the P120 Fighter which produces an earth trembling 160hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. Needless to say, this motorcycle will move you in every way possible.

There is a plethora of motorcycle manufacturers to choose from when you've decided to buy a superbike. If your heart desires the Asian persuasion, you can choose between the Yamaha YZF-R1, the Kawasaki ZX-10R, the Honda CBR-1000RR, and also the Suzuki GSX-R 1000. These are all machines that started life as divine Moto GP bikes and were then watered down slightly to sell to us mortals—I mean consumers. Each update for Moto GP typically results in an update to the consumer variant.

The latest offering in the 1000cc class is from Kawasaki and its flagship Ninja ZX-10R superbike. Kawasaki has unveiled a teaser of what the 2011 Ninja ZX-10R will offer. Details have not been released to us but here is what can be expected from Team Green: a new engine, a new frame, a new suspension package, and perhaps some updated electronics. Additionally, Kawasaki provided a design sketch of the 2011 bike and a teaser video as well!

Last time we saw Marisa Miller, she was featured in Harley's 2009 calendar showcasing the V-Rod. Apparently, the 'sexiest woman on the planet' had a big impact for the brand, because the California bombshell is back for the company's Summer 2010 advertising campaign. We don't know if Marisa is attracting more women or men to drop their hard-earned cash on new cruisers but we applaud the marketing strategy nevertheless. 

Whether doing burn-outs in a skin-tight leather getup or rockin' a washed out denim jumper, Marisa is smokin'. Harley-Davidson ad tag - What's Hotter Than This Burnout Is Who Did It - is spot on... It doesn't exactly slide off the tongue or read very well, but who cares. Check out more photos of Marisa Miller after the jump, including a behind-the-scenes video of the shoot. 

Even the most dyed-in-the-wool motorcycle enthusiasts may not know the name Vyrus, a small manufacturer based in Rimini, Italy, who has quietly been putting out some of the most refined, visually stunning and best performing bikes in the world. This shop is headed by the likes of Ascanio Rodorigo, a long-time collaborator with Massimo Tamburini of Bimota fame. Vyrus currently has four models in its lineup, any one of which would make a fine addition to our running wish list.

What makes bikes from Vyrus so unique is that they showcase all of their technological advancements right there on the exterior in plain sight, and the result is marvelous. Their bikes have another signature look which is the lack of a front folk. This unit is replaced by a swing arm mounted directly to the frame. Their hand-crafted wonders are meticulously executed and feature highly technical components that they machine and mill in- house.

Tamburini Corse is best known for restyling namesakes from Ducati, MV Augusta, Aprilia and Yamaha. The handiwork we've seen so far - their vision of the Ducati 1198 superbike, Ducati Monster, MV Augusta F4 and MV Augusta Brutale - has all been exceptional. Massimo Tamburini, the former big cheese over at Centro Ricerche Cagiva (CRC), a division of MV Augusta, retired in 2008 but his son Andrea is keeping the family name going strong. He is the driving force behind the Tamburini Corse T1, a naked MV Augusta Brutale with lots of carbon fiber and aluminum components.

"I hope all bike lovers will have the chance to try the new products. These will further improve the quality standard already reached by MV Agusta Corse, thanks to their exclusiveness, innovation and design," says Andrea. We don't have many details or any price information on the Tamburini Corse T1 yet but will provide an update when more is known. For now, just ogle at the high-res gallery.