Product Lifecycle Management Agility Founded on Innovation

Agile Software and its partners have made it perfectly clear that innovation is the primary theme driving product lifecycle management (PLM). The Agility 2006 Conference audience, drawn from the automotive, electronics and high tech, industrial products, life sciences, and semiconductor industries, got their fill of conceptual and visionary thoughts on innovation, with such keynote speakers as TCG Advisors' Geoffrey Moore, author of Crossing the Chasm; and IDEO's Tom Kelley, author of The Art of Innovation and The Ten Faces of Innovation.

For today's progressive enterprises, who are doing business in a highly competitive environment, innovation is a priority all on its own, and the sheer pace of innovation is as important as the art of innovation. Enterprises need to examine opportunities surrounding product innovation, as well as business process or business model innovation. Agile Software's tag line, "how products happen," is exemplified by the current product development forces of innovation, globalization, and compliance. These forces are coupled with outsourcing and collaboration imperatives that necessitate a high reliance on supply chain flexibility and agility. Enterprise attempts at simultaneous global product launches, aimed at improving time to market, have shown the need for a mastery of the supply chain for successful new product development and introduction (NPDI) execution. How well Agile Software provides tools and processes to meet the challenges of the PLM market and the expanding audience of companies looking for PLM solutions, is largely based on its ability to find synergy between its technology solutions and the market forces.

Opportune Timing

With Dassault Systmes' announcement of its acquisition of , Agile Software now has the advantage of being able to emphasize its unique position as the sole "pure play" PLM vendor. Enterprises are now realizing that the velocity and direction of product innovation require a PLM structure. Agile Software has honed its message to a sole focus on PLM, with a commitment to customer's PLM requirements being the primary motivation behind Agile's own PLM innovation. A recent Gartner survey said that global spending on PLM applications rose 13.8 percent (product data management [PDM] and PLM only) from 2001 to 2005. The maturity of innovation models such as product innovation, process innovation, marketing innovation, and integration innovation, will drive more enterprises towards a structured PLM approach.

A Compelling Set of Client Case Studies

For the Agility 2006 Conference, Agile Software successfully recruited the assistance of its installed base to provide compelling examples of PLM in action. A partial list of the number and quality of user clients willing to speak to the positive impact of Agile PLM is impressive:

• Harris Corporation, a provider of assured communications solutions, spoke of the difficult transition from product development silos to the implementation of PLM as a corporate practice and discipline within its supply chain operations system (SCOS) architecture hub. Agile PLM is one of the solution spokes, along with Ariba (for procurement), Avnet (for distribution), DHL (for transportation), and Plexus (for contract manufacturing).
  
  
• From the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector, Bayer HealthCare and Bell Sports both spoke of the challenges of getting product to market, the need for shorter product lifecycles, and their visions for implementing Agile PLM within their respective organizations.
  
  
• From the automotive sector, Intier Automotive Seating spoke of its transformation from a company with several diverse purchasing and engineering systems, to a company with a common integrated PLM solution for unifying functional business areas and global sharing of business information. ThyssenKrupp Presta, a global manufacturer of steering assemblies and assembled camshafts, articulated the improvement to its change management workflow processes under Agile PLM.
  
  
• Siemens AG outlined its motivations and approach for defining the PLM architecture of its various global business divisions. The definition of this architecture is based on a common business process framework. Each business unit has its own business drivers, and differs in its PLM architecture requirements. By systematically defining a reference PLM process and the corresponding reference IT architecture, followed by the definition of a general PLM architecture target, Siemens can better harmonize its PLM applications landscape. Seimens' automation division will number nearly 10,000 Agile PLM users in 25 sites by the end of 2007.
  
  
• Conexant presented its view of product profitability challenges in the semiconductor industry, as well as its perspective on how PLM business processes provide improved quality, expedite time to market, increase product throughput, and manage collaborative user processes. Conexant is also one of four early adopters of the Agile Scenario Analytics Platform, which has star schema data marts for use in Agile Product Performance Analytics. The intent is to connect PLM strategy to the company's general performance.

The companies mentioned above learned an important lesson: enterprises need to instill a PLM culture in their organizations. Solutions such as Agile PLM provide a structure for enabling the introduction of more products, with a faster pace to market. These companies also delineated the major challenges facing enterprises beginning a PLM initiative:

• Consolidating and rationalizing existing product data
• Moving away from inherent (legacy) product development processes
• Managing security as it relates to global product development and the innovation process
• Executing PLM as a predefined component of the corporate culture
• Deploying cohesive, scalable, and flexible PLM tools and solutions

Last Mile of Profitability

Agile Software's traditional PLM dimensions include customer needs management, engineering collaboration, product collaboration, enterprise product record data management, product quality and cost management, product governance and compliance, activity-based workflow, configuration management, and product portfolio management. The launch of Agile PLM 9.2, the most current release to date, includes new features for compliance, global product collaboration, engineering change management, and country localization. Agile Labs has recognized that current market drivers, which emphasize product velocity and innovation (which in turn require PLM applications and infrastructure), have brought to light the heightened need for product performance analytics. Agile Software is bringing new functionality to the market, including visibility dashboards which highlight what is happening with product introductions; root cause analyses that help explain the reasons why products might under-perform; and trade-off analyses that allow for what-if scenarios. Coupled with PLM data marts, this new functionality is the genesis of the Agile Scenario Analytics Platform, and is the backbone of product performance analytics. Obtaining maximum value from PLM means balancing operational and strategic PLM initiatives, and linking initiatives to shareholder value. Deloitte Consulting, one of Agile's major implementation consulting partners, has assisted Agile in understanding the core concepts of this linkage, through Deloitte's product innovation and lifecycle management (PILM) transformation roadmap. This roadmap addresses challenges in each phase of the innovation lifecycle, from invention to end of product life. Product performance analytics are necessary tools for better understanding a product's ultimate time to market, and time to value.

Summary

Global competition is clearly elevating both the nature and the pace of innovation as a corporate priority. Companies need to consider both product and business process innovation, as methods to differentiate themselves and to grow profitably. Dell has led the way with business process innovation, while several companies, such as IBM and Samsung, have been able to establish and maintain a rapid pace for product design innovation. Agile Software recognizes PLM as an emerging business imperative. It has a unique opportunity to leverage its position as the sole remaining PLM vendor of significance to have a pure PLM pedigree. This differentiation can be attractive to prospects looking for a PLM solution set that is not biased by enterprise resource planning (ERP) or computer-aided design (CAD) legacies. While the PLM vendor landscape has several strong and viable vendor alternatives, prospects with diverse vendor software portfolios should view Agile Software with anticipation.

Financial Fusion ~ E-Finance Wireless Leader?

WESTPORT, Conn., /PRNewswire/ -- Confirming its commitment to lead the e-finance marketplace into the rapidly emerging wireless marketplace, Financial Fusion, Inc. announced the formation of its new Web and Wireless Division along with the launch of its patent-pending Total Wireless product family - available for immediate implementation.

Financial Fusion's focus on wireless technology will allow financial institutions to provide consumers and small businesses with seamless access to important financial information. Consumers can conduct time-sensitive financial transactions such as funds transfer, bill payment, and stock trading on a wide range of popular wireless devices including Palm Pilots and other web-enabled PDAs, cell phones, and pagers. In addition, Total Wireless delivers personalized stock portfolios, one-to-one messages, news, weather, and e-commerce features. (Source: Financial Fusion)

Market Impact

Financial Fusion has formed a wireless branch of their operation to provide financial organizations, such as Old Kent, with full wireless connectivity for their clients. While Old Kent and Financial Fusion are not the first to offer wireless e-finance, the venture represents yet another step forward to the wireless age.

Financial Fusion offers a pre-packaged wireless solution aimed directly at e-finance. The package will allow a financial institution's clients access to day to day banking transactions, as well as to stock trading, quotes, sports, news and weather. The advent of wireless in the e-finance arena gives the client control. From this point forward a client can bank anytime, anywhere, without limitation. (Of course your cell phone will not suddenly start spurting out cash.)

The wireless offering will utilize existing physical wireless technology from Palm Pilot (Palm VII PDA), Nokia, Motorola, Qualcomm, and Ericsonn Wireless Access Phones (WAP). Financial organizations such as Fidelity Investments have also offered wireless access via a two-way Research In Motion Pager and the Palm VII PDA, so what makes Financial Fusion's offering unique? Simply because Financial Fusion's Stage III Architecture is based on java objects, eliminating the need to re-code HTML pages for wireless devices.

In addition, Financial Fusion's product is entirely removed from the user interface, regardless of whether the user has a PDA or a WAP, code can be written once and used across all devices without modification. Due to Financial Fusion's Java technology, the Stage III Architecture auto-detects the type of wireless device a client is using and serves multiple wireless interfaces concurrently. Wireless Interfaces include the Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), Palm Query Applications (PQA), Short Messaging Standard (SMS) and Dynamic Hyper Text Markup Language (DHTML) with Wireless Markup Language (WML) emerging presently.

User Recommendations

Financial Fusion offers complete wireless functionality with rapid deployment due to the ubiquity of the Stage III Architecture. Of course, with any wireless venture, speed of implementation is important, but stability during rollout is even more so. The worst thing any company could do is to rush blindly into a wireless venture, simply because users are clamoring for it. Our advice is to take your time in selection, talk to AT&T and IBM Global Services in addition to Financial Fusion, not only to gauge pricing, but also to gauge functionality, speed, and security. Financial organizations should be concerned with not only the product offerings from emerging wireless vendors, but also the corporate strategy and financial viability of these companies.

Pocket Bikes That Your Teenager Can Ride Too

Pocket Bikes that your teenager can ride too

You have wanted a bike for some time now, but are worried that your teenage son will hit the road on it. Well, are thinking why you should still buy them? The answer is simple. There are safer alternatives available, and of course you would get great looks, fast on the roads and easy on the pocket bikes too! And of course these machines are fast, some of the high-end ones go up to a speed of 60mph. You are definitely going to need a helmet for that kind of a speed, especially when your son would be sneaking out to ride the bike too.

When you buy your Pocket Bike make sure that you decide on what type to buy, manual or automatic. Manual bikes will give you a real motorcycle feel with a hand clutch. The X-15 110cc super pocket bike; along with ergonomic looks has a handle clutch just like a real bike.

Electric Pocket Bikes

Electric Pocket Bikes certainly have some clear advantages. There is no vibration while riding. There is a lot less pollution and it is quiet and cheap. These types of bikes are a lot safer especially with children riding them, as they are a lot less fast. So, you feel a lot less stressed when you see children zooming off.

Razor and Crotch Bikes

The Razor Pocket Rocket is recommended for a 13 + year old. With a battery charge time of up to 12 hours it has a high torque and a hand operated rear brake. It has large 10'' pneumatic tyres for a safe and smooth ride and can carry weight up to 170lbs. These bikes have featured in The Time and Sports Illustrated for kids. Your kids will simply love this bike. And the best part is that of its super quiet operation, it just doesn't make much of a noise.

Crotch bikes are true to their name essentially used as sports bike. Due to the fact that the engine is completely hidden by the body of the bike, it gives a visual feel that the rider is actually riding a rocket! Some of the common bikes in this category are ninja/CBR/GSXr/YZFr series. Apart from this Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and the Italian company Ducati also manufactures these kinds of bikes. The sheer design of these bikes gives riders a lot of control and allows them to remain stable when taking corners at higher speed levels.

Mini Bikes- Enjoy Sleeker And Smaller Technology

As the name suggests a Mini Bike is a miniature version of a motorbike. While some of these models use a two stroke engine, some versions use a four stroke engine. The two-stroker has a power stroke, and a subsequent exhaust pulse for each rotation of the crankshaft that creates a louder noise. Also, the two-stroker can produce more pollution in the air.

The cheapest Mini Bike is probably worth around 150 USD, and speeds up to 25mph.Though many bikers ignore wearing safety gear while riding this kind of a bike, one must understand that is not a toy, and should always wear a helmet while riding. Also check with your local government authority to understand the laws concerning your bike. In Canada's Ontario province, the U.K., Australia and the Netherlands, it is not legal to ride this kind of a bike on public roads.

Mini Pocket Rocket

Mini Pocket Rocket is just the miniature version of the already miniature pocket rocket. It gives a more compact look and feel. The sitting position of the driver just makes you feel that he is riding a rocket.

Cheap Mini Pocket bikes

The Cheap Mini Pocket Bikes come easy on the pocket, and do a decent job. They are used for various purposes. They can be purchased second hand. But beware. They may look small but pack a powerful punch, so much so that they aren't even considered safe to be driven on roads in several cities in the US. These bikes, also referred to as mini motor bikes, share a history with go-karting. The small size and fast speed of these mini pocket bikes made them a popular hit with racers who could drive them even through narrow dirt tracks. The trend caught on and the mini motor bikes soon became a hit with children and teenagers.

Crotch Bikes

Crotch Rocket bikes, though every adrenalin junkie's dream machine, is a slang term for the mini-sized super fast machines that make the rider hunch up and vroom off. Leaning forward on the seat with their feet towards the back of this category of the sports bike, helps streamline the biker's position with the machine while driving at high speeds. Although the machines are lighter for easy handling and increased speed, they are often difficult to manoeuvre in winters with ice and slush on roads. With the engine completely covered by the body of the bike, these machines, unlike the cruiser bikes are made with one objective in mind: speed. While cruiser bikes allow for comfortable rides, there is more serious fallout of the crotch rocket bikes' insistence on speed: accidents

How to Choose a Tire for Your Mountain Bike

One of the most important components on your mountain bike is your tires. They grip the ground and provide the traction you need on different surfaces. Most mountain bike riders look for light weight, strength and traction in a tire and many advanced riders even have multiple sets of tires for different riding conditions.


So what tire is right for your mountain bike and riding style? With so many different manufactures and models to choose from which one is right for you? These are not easy questions to answer so hopefully we can provide some insight to get you moving in the right direction. Mountain bike parts are not cheap and you want to make the right decision.


Tire Construction:


Consider a Kevlar bead or folding tire - A Kevlar tire weighs an estimated 60-80 grams less then a conventional none folding tire. It does not sound like much of a weight savings but multiple that number by two and then consider the rotating weight. For an extra couple of dollar, in my opinion, it is worth spending the extra money.


Terrain and Tread patterns:


Determine where you are going to ride and how you are going to use the bike. As an example will you be riding on the local trails that are hard packed dirt or on slick rock?



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For hard packed terrain consider a narrower and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is 1.8 to 2.0 wide.


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For hard packed terrain with a good mix of rocks you might want to consider a wider and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is wider then 2.0.


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For loosely packed terrain consider a knobby tire. Choose a tire with a really aggressive pattern as this will help you gain maximum traction in the dirt. You might also want to consider tires that are designed for the front and rear of the bike.


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For muddy terrain consider a narrow tire. Narrow tires will reach the bottom of the mud and create less resistance when turning making it easier for you to move forward.


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For all terrain tires there are so many choices to consider. Many of the major tire manufacturers make very good tires that are great for all conditions.




Riders Body Size:


Consider your body size. If you are heavier you might want to consider a wider tire.


Where to buy:


You can buy your tires at a bike store, order them from an online website or from an individual sell tires posted on a mountain bike classifieds website.


The information above is a rough guide on what to consider when buying new mountain bike tires. Many bikes stores that have bikes for sale and bike parts can also give you their opinion. Talk to your friends and read online forums to see what other riders like and don’t like. The more information you have the better.

Mountain Bike Product Safety

A few months ago one of my friends called to tell me he was going to be late to the trail because he had a part on his bike that was being recalled. He wanted to stop at the bike shop and have his part replaced before our regularly scheduled ride. I too thought it was a good idea to get the part replaced before our ride so I told him that I will see him when he is finished at the store.

When I met up with my friend later in the day I asked him how he found out about his recalled part. He told me that his wife signed up for email alerts on product recalls. She subscribes to these email notification to be aware of toy issue for their children and it just so happened that a mountain bike part
was on the email.

Just like other consumer products, mountain bike products occasionally get recalled for various reasons. I do not want to speculate so I am not going to give examples. It is important to be aware and not to ignore these recalls because your safety could be in jeopardy.

So in an effort to keep riders aware of product recalls the links below will direct you to the Consumer Affairs and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission websites. These sites will allow you to search their database for product recalls that might pertain to your bike, gear or both.

The two sites listed below are not meant to be the all encompassing sources of information. It is to help you get started in you product recall search. If you come across more sites with mountain bike recall information let us know and we will add it to the list.

Check out the websites below.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

- http://www.cpsc.gov/

Consumer Affairs

- http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls/recalls.htm

You can find new or near new parts on Bike Servant is a mountain bike classifieds website which lists mountain bikes for sale, bike parts and race events

Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Mountain Bike Mechanically Sound

Taking care of your full suspension or hardtail mountain bike can be very simple and it will also help increase its mechanical life. Below is a maintenance guide that should be considered after every ride in order to help you keep your mountain bike mechanically sound. Once you perform this maintenance plan and become familiar with the process it should take you no more then 20 minutes to complete. Let’s get started:


Steps:


1.



Remove all of the accessories (lights, bells, etc) on the top of the handlebars.


2.



Turn the bike upside down so you can remove the wheels and inspect the drive train.


3.



Carefully remove the front and rear wheels to give you more room to work on the bike.


4.



Clean the drive train (derailleurs, chain, and crank) with a brush and soapy water. Also use a wet soapy rag on the chain and rear derailleur. Try to do your best to clean all moving parts.


5.



After you clean your bike parts make sure you dry them thoroughly with a towel so they do not rust.


6.



Wash the underside, frame and front fork, of the bike and make sure all moving parts are free of debris.


7.



Wash your front and rear wheels by cleaning the rim, spokes and cassette. Then put the wheels back on the bike.


8.



After you put each wheel back on the bike spin them to make sure the wheels are true and also that they do not rub on the brake components. If the wheels are not true and or rubbing on the brake components make the necessary adjustments.


9.



After your chain is back in place turn the pedals to check the drive train. Make sure the bike pedals smooth. If you hear any strange noises coming from your wheel bearings investigate further.


10.



Turn your bike over so it is right side up and wash the top. Do not forget to dry the bike thoroughly.


11.



Test your front and rear brakes and make any necessary adjustments.


12.



If applicable inspect your front and rear shocks. Make sure they are in good working order.


13.



Thoroughly lubricate you drive train (chain, cassettes, crank and derailleur) with the recommended oil. Apply oil while moving the pedals in both directions to make sure the components are appropriately lubed.


14.



Finally reattach any of the accessories that you removed in step one.




The steps listed above will help you keep your bike in good working order and also help you prepare for your next ride. If any mechanical malfunction is noticed during the process make sure it is addressed. Your local bike shop, which sells mountain bikes for sale and bike parts, will be able to help replace a component if additional help is needed.

How to Buy a New Suspension Fork for a Hardtail Mountain Bike

About a year ago I purchased an entry level hardtail mountain bike
. At the time I did not want to spend a lot of money and I did not want poor quality. So I purchase a bike that had a good frame and basic components.



After riding for a year I have decided that I want to improve the comfort and control of my bike on the trail. Therefore I made the decision to upgrade my front suspension fork on my hardtail mountain bike.



My initial research concluded that there are a lot of different brands, types and sizes forks on the market so I conceded knew I needed help. After all, suspension forks are expensive and I didn't want to waste my money.



After talking to different rides, employees at a few bike shops, reading article and posting questions online I put together a couple of bullet points to consider when buying a front suspension fork.




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Determine if your bike has the geometry to support a suspension fork. If it does have the correct geometry try to determine the maximum height fork it can accommodate. I almost bought a fork with 160mm of travel but the seller convinced me not to buy it because he believed my bike did not have the correct geometry. After checking with the factory I determined that he was correct.


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Consider your riding style. Are you a cross country, down hill or a dirt jump rider. Make sure you buy a fork that suites your style of ride. This will help prevent you from buying more fork then you need.


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Determine your budget and stick to it. Suspension forks can vary in price and can be very expensive. However if you ride often spending a little more on a fork might be warranted.


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Determine the size of the bikes head tube. The size of the tube could limit your selections. Is your head tube 1 inch or 1 1/8 inches, etc?


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Consider buying a suspension fork that is adjustable. Some forks are adjustable at the head and some have a pop lock adjuster that mounts on the handlebars. The adjustable function will accommodate different riding terrains.


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Determine if you need to buy new parts to install your new fork. Do you need a new headset, stem or brakes?


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Consider the installation charges of a new fork. If you plan on installing the fork yourself you will need to press on a bearing and potentially cut the fork tub. This could result in additional tools and time so you want to weigh your options.


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Find out what your friends are riding and ask them their opinion on brand and options. Ask them if you can ride their bike to test out their fork.


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Do you want to buy new or used? Some riders buy great bikes, immediately upgrade them and never use the original parts. You can find new or near new parts on Bike Servant which lists mountain bike classifieds containing bikes for sale, bike parts and race events.



Keep in mind list above will help you get started in your decision making process and there are more items to consider as you explore your options.



The tips listed above will hopefully help you narrow down your choices before you purchase a new fork. Good luck and see you on the trail.

Finding Mountain Bike Trails

So you purchased a mountain bike and you have been riding for awhile. You are getting faster and more courageous on your mountain bike but you are getting bored riding on the same trails. You and your friends have realized that you need new trail excitement in your life.



So you have talked to your friends and people at the local bike shop for more information about trails in the area. Most of them pointed you back to the trails that you are familiar with but some have introduced you to a new trail or two.



To add to you trail information many of us in the mountain bike community suggest you try a very handy directory. This is a Google directory that lists sites which contain trail information. Once you browse the directory you will be surprised at all of the trails that riders have documented. I have found that no one site has all of the trail information so you have to browse through the directory.



The web address below will help you find the local mountain bike trails
in your region. The link is a Google directory of mountain bike websites that list trail information. Most of the trails listed contain directions to the trail head so you know where you are going. So check it out it is pretty helpful.

Tips on Buying a Full Suspension Mountain Bike

Every year bicycle manufacturers make better, lighter and cheaper mountain bikes which make them more attractive to consumers. Do you want to buy a full suspension mountain bike? If you do below is a list of items that you might want to considered before buying a new mountain bike.



One of the most important questions to ask yourself is what type of terrain will you be riding on? If you are going to be riding cross country
maybe a full suspension mountain bike is not warranted and a hardtail will better suit your needs. However if you are going to be riding downhill or on rough terrain a full suspension bike might be right up your alley.



Determine your budget and stick to it. Consider buying the best bike you can afford within your budget. Many riders suggest that if you have less then $700 to spend on a bike you might want to consider a hardtail because full suspension bikes are more costly. However you could consider buying a used full suspension bike at a good price on a mountain bike classifieds site.



If you determine that a full suspension mountain bike is what you need and want then consider the different frame designs. Single-pivot, sweet-spot and horst-link are a few popular designs and each has their advantages and disadvantages. The best way to truly understand the difference is to go to a few bike stores and test ride the different designs. The bike store guy will be more then happy to explain and point out the pros and cons of each design.



Remember that full suspension bikes are heavier then hardtail bikes. Full suspension frames are a little heavier and they carry more parts then hardtails so be prepared to pedal around a little more weight on the trail.



Read some of the online forums to determine what other riders like and don’t like about their bikes. You can learn a lot from other rider’s opinions.



Do not forget to factor in your maintenance costs into the equation. Full suspension bikes require a little more maintenance and for the do it yourself type you will need a few extra tools.



Finally, test ride as many bikes as you can before buying. Also do not forget to test ride a full suspension mountain bike with the front and or rear shock locked out.

Choosing a Shimano Mountain Bike Component

Mountain bike components are designed to withstand more abuse and extreme riding conditions. These components are heavier, sometime larger and more durable then road bike components. Sometime you are riding on dirt, rock, or in water, etc and the components need to be durable enough so they can withstand abusive treatment.


It just so happened that my rear derailleur broke on my full suspension mountain bike. I was riding a down hill trail and lost control of my bike. The rear of the bike ended up hitting the face of a rock and I was left with a mangled rear derailleur. So I looked at the positive side of the accident and said to myself now is the time to upgrade.


I could find new or near new parts on Bike Servant which is a mountain bike classifieds website and lists mountain bikes for sale, bike parts and race events but I was in the car with my bike so I decided to go to the store.


On the way home from the trail I stopped at my local bike store to buy a new derailleur so I can resume riding as quickly as possible. I told the bike shop guy my situation and she asked me which aftermarket Shimano derailleur I wanted to buy. Not knowing anything about the different categories in the Shimano product line I asked for help and this is what she relayed to me.


Shimano Deore is their entry level category. These products are inexpensive and meant for the occasional or enthusiast rider. These components are stocked on entry level mountain bikes.


Shimano Deore LX is their next level in higher quality. This category level consists of a more durable product. The main difference that I noticed is that Deore LX is lighter then Deore. My derailleur was a Deore LX and it has shown me proven quality and reliability for many years.


Shimano Deore XT was referred to as their heavy duty category. This product category is not considered race quality performance but they are light weight and more durable then the LX category. The price difference between the LX category and the XT category was noticeable.


Shimano XTR is considered their high performance category. Again these parts are lighter then the XT category. As a consumer I took notice to the price increase from XT to XTR. It appeared to me that this category appeals to the racers that demand light weight and high performance.


Keep in mind that this is not a complete list of Shimano's product line. It is the list that my bike store carried.

So in my quest to buy a new derailleur I decided to purchase the Shimano Deore XT because of its light weight, durability and price. I had the bike shop install it for me and I was back on the trail in no time

What Makes a Woman's Specific Road Bike Different?

When it comes to buying a road bike, it is important to make sure that you are buying your own bike instead of having someone else pick it out for you. This is especially true for women, as what may work wonderful for someone of the male gender may not work as well for you. In fact, most of the bikes you see on the showroom floor are designed for the proportions of the average male. Since women are built much differently it is beneficial to make sure that there are bikes for the women gender.

In most cases, women have shorter torsos and arms and longer legs then a male that is of the same height. The feet and hands of a woman are generally on the smaller side and the shoulders of a female are narrower. Along with narrower shoulders, women also have wider hips. These are the reasons many women find that they cannot ride comfortable on a bike that is made to fit a man.

But by making sure that the woman's bike has shorter stems, shorter cranks, smaller handlebars, and a wider saddle. There are even women's road bikes out there that have a set tube angle that is steeper and a taller head tube, which makes riding a lot easier. These adjustments, while they may seem silly and unnecessary to some people, have a lot of reasoning behind them.

The wider saddle for the woman's road bike will ensure that there is no tissue damage by not having a sit that fully accommodates the sit bones of a woman. The brakes and shifters are adjusted to fit smaller hands so that it is easier for the woman to control the bike. And the shorter bars that are easier to reach help to make sure that there is not too much strain placed on the arms and back of the woman in the attempt to ride the road bike.

Maybe though, you still do not feel as though these generic women's bikes are going to work for you. If you have a little bit of money and time to spend then you can always ordered a custom made women's designed road bike. The bike will be designed to fit around you, your particular riding style, and your personal tastes. This means that you will really be able to become one with the bike and you will be able to ride for much longer periods of time without becoming strained.

So now that you are aware of the differences between a woman's specific road bike and a regular designed bike that was made with the male gender in mind, why would you go with anything else? You have not only your posture to consider but also your muscles as well. Make sure that you are protecting your body and making sure that you will be able to enjoy all of your bike rides from now on. Either pick up a regular women's designed road bike or design your own and begin to truly enjoy riding.

Ducati 1098s 169 mph (271 km/h)

The Ducati 1098 is a 1099 cc L-twin sport bike manufactured by Ducati. It was announced on November 8, 2006 for the 2007 model year and replaces the 999. The 1098 makes a manufacturer claimed 160 horsepower, 90.4 ft-lb torque, and weighs 173kg. These figures gives the 1098 the highest torque-to-weight ratio of any production sport bike ever made.

Aprilia RSV 1000R Mille 175mph (281 km/h)

The RSV Mille and limited-edition RSV Mille Factory are high performance V-twin powered motorcycles made by Aprilia with a 143 HP 998 cc engine built by the Austrian company Rotax. For 2006. the RSV Mille Factory won the Maxisport category for Masterbike 2006 and overall Masterbike of the year.

Yamaha YZF R1 176mph (283 km/h)

The Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle, introduced in 1998, was the first significant motorcycle in the true litre class (1,000 cc) "handling arms race" between the Japanese Big Fourmotorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha). When introduced, it took the class closer to a true racing motorcycle, and increased the handling capabilities.

Honda To Launch Premium Sports Bikes In India

Following the footsteps of Yamaha and Suzuki, Honda India (HMSI) is planning to launch two premium sports bikes in India soon.

2008 has been great for the Indian sports bike lovers with Yamaha launching its YZF-R1, MT01 and Ducati making its bikes available in India. Recently Suzuki aslo released its legendary Hayabusa and Intruder M1800 in India .Honda’s bikes will be out before April 2009.One of the two premium sports bikes to be launched is the CBR1000RR.

Honda CBR1000RR

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2007 Bimota DB6 Delirio

2007 Bimota DB6 Delirio

Bimota




Bimota Motorcycle
Bimota DB6

2009 Aprilia RSV4 Factory

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honda-cbr600f4i

Honda CBR600F4i SpecificationsManufacturer: Honda MSR: $8199 Model ID: CBR600F4i Model Year: 2003 Type: Honda Sport Bike Emissions: California version meets CARB 2004 emissions standards. Available Colors: Metallic Silver/Black, Metallic Silver/Red Honda CBR600F4i Engine:Engine Type: 599cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder Bore and Stroke: 67.0mm x 42.5mm Compression Ratio: 12.0:1 Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder Carburetion: Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with automatic choke Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with three-dimensional mapping Honda CBR600F4i Drive Train:Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed Final Drive: #525 O-ring-sealed chain Honda CBR600F4i Suspension:Front Suspension: 43mm HMAS cartridge fork with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 4.7-inch travel Rear Suspension: Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 4.7-inch travel Honda CBR600F4i Brakes:Front Brakes: Dual 296mm discs with four-piston calipers Rear Brake: Single 220mm disc Front Tire: 120/70ZR-17 radial Rear Tire: 180/55ZR-17 radial Honda CBR600F4i Dimensions:Rake: 24 degreesTrail: 96.0mm (3.8 inches) Wheelbase: 54.5 inchesSeat Height: 31.7 inchesDry Weight: 370 poundsFuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons

stripped sportsbikes as the new café racers

Yesterday’s Ducati Monstersedici RR us thinking. While we liked the idea of a naked bike powered by a 200bhp MotoGP-inspired v4, the highly advanced engine didn’t look at home in the Monster’s svelte lines. In fact, contemporary roadsters like the Monster, Honda 919, Triumph Street Triple and Yamaha FZ6 all look a little over-styled and limp wristed next to the sportsbikes that donated their engines. What’s missing is a strong technical element to the look, something that isn’t provided by the sharply creased plastic and weird exhaust cans of bikes like the Kawasaki Z1000 and look is RR Suzuki B-King. surprisingly easy to achieve. Strip the fairing from most current sportsbikes and what you’re left with is a perfectly functional motorcycle, just one whose style is provided by its mechanical components, not plastics. Motorcycle design’s mantra has always been form follows function, it should be: function is form. Click through to see the three bikes we think are best suited to this treatment

Ducati Desmosedici RR

Strip the carbon fiber fairing off Ducati’s MotoGP replica and you’re left with a bike that exudes mechanical aggression, not race pedigree. Ride this to a bar and no one’s going to mistake you for a balding stockbroker living out a mid-life crisis. It’s easy too; the fairing will bolt right off; all the necessary lights and oily bits stay attached. We’d add some crash damage and worn out slicks to complete the look.

Think the is 2009 Yamaha VMAX an over styled, overweight let down? Here’s the performance cruiser for you. A small single seat unit might be a worthwhile addition, as would some Confederate Hellcat headlights

Kawasaki Concours 14

Already our favorite liter bike of 2008, the CBR1000RR looks even better minus its handsome fairing. All we’d add would be a sheet metal undertray for the seat unit, some foam to sit on and some so-small-you-can’t-see-them LED lights. Bonus points for leaving the stock exhaust on; quiet is the new loud.
I'm trying to figure out a good way to style my Daytona 600 into a modern day cafe-fighter. SO far I've moved the indicators to the frame where a fairing mount point was and removed all but the top fairing. This took some re-wiring. My first thought was to get speed four lights and intake in the hopes that everything would bolt right on(the two bikes share the same frame and engine). But now that I've realized that triumph overprices it's parts horrendously (108 bucks for one light!!!)I think it would be better if I just get a nice big seven inch single headlight, mounting brackets for the light and instruments, bar-end mirror and no air intake. I hope the lake of plumbing doesn't mess up my engine's performance. I saw another dude with a Naked Daytona 600 with no intake other than the frame holes...so I guess it works out.

Racing Dirt Bikes

Who can blame you; dirt bike racing is an increasingly popular choice for many thrill seekers. It’s true that in the wrong hands racing dirt bikes can be incredibly dangerous but with a little care and attention and some experience there is no reason why you can’t have the adrenalin fuelled excitement while considerably minimising the risks many people associate with the sport.

Racing dirt bikes is a popular pastime with people of all age, many grandfathers and grandchildren take part in regular races and the younger you start the better you will be. Many professional bike racers started with dirt bike racing and they usually started at the age of 4 or 5. While you may consider this to be far too young, there is no reason you can’t get your children into practise when they hit their teenage years and are a good age to be trying out a mini dirt bike.

Things to consider if you want to try racing dirt bikes.

The first thing you need to consider is your safety. When buying your bike and equipment make sure that you make safety of the most paramount importance. If you don’t ride safe you won’t ride long. Even second hand bikes can be purchased in a ready to ride condition and you should make sure that all parts are in very good working order before you start racing. If you have no or little knowledge of racing dirt bikes then you should get a professional to look at your bike for you and make the necessary repairs or replacements.

Now, watch others when they are racing dirt bikes so you get a feel for how it’s done. If you’ve never ridden before this will give you a very good idea of whether you really want to give it a go and whether it is something you think you will be good at.

Will I be getting big air when I start racing dirt bikes.

When you start racing dirt bikes it is highly unlikely you will get more than a foot or two off the ground when you hit a jump, and this is a good thing. Experience is crucial before you even consider escalating 10 feet into the air. If you don’t know what you are doing and you don’t have the experience of this then you will probably land it badly and get yourself hurt. Start small and build big.

Tips for Bike Maintenance

It's important to use the right clothing for the type of riding you will be doing. Long distance riding will require comfort whilst straddling the bike for a long period of time. Whereas during racing; more padding and protection may be favoured over comfort to ensure safety. Choosing the right clothing will provide you with adequate comfort and protection.

In this article we'll look at what types of motorcycle clothing are available and which is best suited for your needs. Before purchasing any clothes make sure you research both the make and also the business that's selling it. Be aware of fake imitations of real brands, by making sure the company you're buying from has a good reputation and customer feedback.

If you're looking for comfort in all weathers, consider a nylon shell fabric material for your jacket. Most motorcycle jackets will offer waterproof material as well as waterproof closures to prevent water seeping inside the clothes. If you're likely to wear the jacket in cold conditions; some jackets will come with a removable thermal liner. This makes the jacket useable in both hot and cold weather.

If warmth is a key factor to your riding clothes you might want to consider microfleece base layers. Worn under your motorcycle clothing, these layers will provide warmth and comfort in cold temperatures. Most base layers are made of wicking material which will keep moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry without cooling.

Balaclavas are also extremely useful in cold temperatures. Worn underneath the motorcycle helmet balaclavas keep the heat of your head in. Some contain wicking material to keep your head dry and sweat free, ideal for use in any season.

A popular choice for racers and off road riders is protective body armour. Most motorcycle body armour is built to protect the main areas prone to damage such as the back, chest and spine.

2007 Kawasaki Versys, worlds first pictures!

Kawasaki has had a dual sport on offer for many years. KLR 600, KLR 650, KLE 500, KLV 650 and so on. Versys is more of a "Multistrada" than offroad and the new model is looking to cater for a new group of riders that wants something that looks and rides a little bit like a supermoto for the fun part and comfortable as a sports tourer for the commuting.

Versys features the 650cc parallel twin from last years ER6 models, but with a few chassis changes. More here. Next: 2007 Triumph Bonneville bikes and first Triumph 07 test, 865cc engines painted in black, 2007 Z750 is scheduled to be unveiled in November. We anticipate USD fork, wavy discs and Euro 3 engine/exhaust. There are also rumours saying that Kawasaki will let the new ZX-6R loose this week too! Victory 2007 models

DUCATI 1198 S – HEAVY WEIGHT SUPER SPORTS BIKE

The Ducati 1198 S falls under the heavy weight segment of Super Sports Bikes Category. The S model of its comes with high power and overwhelming torque, the 1198cc Testastreeta Evoluzion engine produces a very powerful 170bhp of torque @ class-beating 8,000rpm. The crankcase is build up by the vacuum die-cast tech due to which the engine is almost 3kg lighter and contributes to a dry weight of an amazing 169 kg. The 0-60 mph is less than 2.5 sec and the top speed is estimated at 186 mph (299km/h). An addition to the 1198 S, Ducat’s production house has integrated a true competition-level Traction Control System (DTC). The Ducati Traction Control System can be adjusted by the Rider from the left hand switchgear, the ultra hi-speed software of the system offers a choice of 8 settings developed by Ducati’s Riders and Racer’s. To be in full control and easy hi-speed menuvering a 7-spoke GP Marchesini forged and machined wheels are matched with fully adjustable hi-perfoThe Ducati 1198 S falls under the heavy weight segment of Super Sports Bikes Category. The S model of its comes with high power and overwhelming torque, the 1198cc Testastreeta Evoluzion engine produces a very powerful 170bhp of torque @ class-beating 8,000rpm. The crankcase is build up by the vacuum die-cast tech due to which the engine is almost 3kg lighter and contributes to a dry weight of an amazing 169 kg. The 0-60 mph is less than 2.5 sec and the top speed is estimated at 186 mph (299km/h). An addition to the 1198 S, Ducat’s production house has integrated a true competition-level Traction Control System (DTC). The Ducati Traction Control System can be adjusted by the Rider from the left hand switchgear, the ultra hi-speed software of the system offers a choice of 8 settings developed by Ducati’s Riders and Racer’s. To be in full control and easy hi-speed menuvering a 7-spoke GP Marchesini forged and machined wheels are matched with fully adjustable hi-performance Ohlins forks, shock and steering damper. All these features gives the Ducati 1198 S the highest torque-to-weight ratio of any high performance super sports bike ever in autooutlet world.

Big Toe

Most of you know about Big Foot, a huge 4WD Monster Truck that crushes cars. Now we have Big Toe, the largest motorcycle in the world. It is 2.3 meters high or 7.5 feet.

Big Toe is eight times the size of a full sized sport bike and four times the size of a Honda Gold Wing. It weighs in at a hefty 1645kg. 2.3 meters in height and 5 meters long. A custom hydraulic suspension was necessary and tiny little support ( training ) wheels to keep it upright.

The bike has a top speed of 100 km/h or about 62mph. Big Toe is not really designed for cruising at high speeds and is better suited for 50km/h short runs due to it's massive size. It's more of a show bike than a street bike.

KTM 690 SM will be the most powerful single ever!

The new LC4 690 will be both KTMs and the worlds most powerful production single ever. Even though the new 690 SM is called 690 it only sports a 654cc engine. It is due to the name really as KTM has used all the other model names in the past. The engine is high performance and the first all new single since the LC4 was first launched in 1987. A KTM spokesperson reported that the test riders have achieved top speeds of around 200km/h during testing of the new 690 SM. The engine is reported to produce in excess of 60bhp currently. The 690 SM is the only new bike featuring the new single KTM is developing at the moment, but as soon as all noise emission issues etc are sorted it will be a natural progression to use the same engine in a new Duke III and Adventure model. 690 SM will be launched for the first time at the INTERMOT in Germany 10th October. This year KTM will spread the news over the two big International motorcycle shows in Germany and Italy (EICMA). The RC8 will not be shown until next year for a 2008 release. Polaris and KTM: After the decision not to sell further shares in KTM to the Polaris group it is believed by some in Mattighofen that the relationship is benefiting Polaris more than KTM. So as the situation stands today the Polaris takeover would have to be a hostile one. By Tor Sagen