Category Archives: The Machine

GreenCarReports Names the 2011 Nissan Leaf Its ‘Best Green Car to Buy 2011

GreenCarReports, the Web’s fastest growing green car information site, named the 2011 Nissan Leaf its “Best Green Car to Buy 2011″ as part of its coverage of the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, which includes reporting, analysis, photography, as well as real-time Twitter coverage from the show floor.
GreenCarReports’ “Best Green Car to Buy Award” is chosen from a field of the most significant new vehicles with advanced fuel-saving technology, including stand-alone nameplates and single models alike.     Editors judge the award using the same system sister site TheCarConnection employs to rate mainstream passenger cars and trucks, with environmental impact being the deciding factor in favor of the winner.
The 2011 Nissan Leaf makes history as the first mass-market electric vehicle offered for sale in the U.S., according to John Voelcker, Editor of GreenCarReports.  The Leaf was chosen from among finalists such as the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011 Lexus CT 200h, and the 2011 Honda CR-Z.
“The 2011 Leaf is a huge step for green car shoppers as they try to kick the oil habit and move on the grid,” Voelcker says. “The Leaf simply acts like any conventional passenger vehicle, but one with a purpose—to turn on car shoppers to electric cars, for once and for all.”
GreenCarReports reports on what’s coming in the auto industry’s future, and explains how the green movement matters to car shoppers today.

TheCarConnection Names the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Its ‘Best Car to Buy 2011

The CarConnection, the easy-to-use car shopping site that reviews cars and the best of the Web, named the 2011 Hyundai Sonata its “Best Car to Buy 2011″ as part of its coverage of the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, which includes reporting, analysis, photography, as well as real-time Twitter coverage from the show floor.
TheCarConnection’s “Best Car to Buy Award” was chosen from a field of 40 nominees. The winner comes from reviews written by the site’s editors, who road-test nearly every new vehicle introduced each year. Editors rate each new vehicle for performance, styling, utility, features, safety, and assign a green score, then incorporate opinions from the around the Web in each review. The result is a unique, one-stop car rating and review that makes car shopping easier.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a stellar value in all its forms—standard, turbocharged 2.0T, and Hybrid, according to Marty Padgett, editorial director of High Gear Media, and was chosen over finalists such as the 2011 Kia Optima, the 2011 Buick Regal, and the 2011 Ford Explorer.
“The Sonata changes the mid-size sedan game,” Padgett says. “Exceptional safety, fuel economy and standard features make it a must-drive for any new-car shopper.”

This is My Scene

Oh this just about sums it up…..  was talking with an old riding buddy about this topic over Halloween, some of these guys try so hard to be “Different” but they are actually all just doing the same thing….  over and over and over and over again…….

MotorAuthority Names the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Its ‘Best Performance/Luxury Car to Buy 2011′

MotorAuthority, the Web’s luxury and performance leader, today named the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe/Wagon its “Best Performance/Luxury Car to Buy in 2011″ as part of its coverage of the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, which includes reporting, analysis, photography, as well as real-time Twitter coverage from the show floor.
MotorAuthority’s “Best Car to Buy Award” is chosen from the newest sports cars, sedans, and SUVs priced higher than $50,000. Editors narrow the field to a list of nominees based on full road-test reviews by editors, who drive and review nearly every new vehicle introduced each year. The winner is the vehicle that editors would put in their own garages, to drive on the perfect day, on the perfect road.
The 2011 CTS-V Coupe and Wagon’s 556 horsepower and striking styling put it at the top of the wish list for vehicles priced above $50,000, according to Nelson Ireson, Editor of MotorAuthority. The CTS-V was chosen from a list of finalists that included new 2011 models such as the Bentley Mulsanne, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, the Ford Shelby GT500, the Infiniti M56, and the Hyundai Equus.
“We’ve been rooting for more V-Series cars since we drove the CTS-V sedan,” says Ireson. “The stunning profile of the two-door CTS-V Coupe and the high-speed flexibility of the CTS-V Wagon add rubber-burning luster to a lineup filled with winning luxury vehicles.”
MotorAuthority caters to drivers who want a premium experience — from the vehicle they drive to the content they consume.

Throwout Bearing, Toss your old one!

As always Baker is thinking up ways to reinvent the wheel – and with your old trusty bike in mind! No one but the Drivetrain Authority can promise you this kind of reliability while backing it with the unbeatable promise of support with one all- inclusive, American-Made kit!
The BAKER Heavy Duty Throwout Bearing Kit replaces the failure-prone stock parts and eliminates throwout bearing associated headaches.  The larger thrust bearing features a 97% greater surface area and 77% greater static load capacity than that of the stock throwout bearing.  The brass spacer eliminates the possibility of bearing crush and disintegration.  It is the perfect compliment for those running heavy duty clutches in a high horsepower abusive environment.
If your wondering what a throwout bearing does, it’s part of your clutch release system that temporarily disengages the engine from the manual transmission while shifting. (meaning it shuts the power off to the rear wheel in between gears) It translates a linear thrust force from the clutch lever to the spinning clutch assembly.
Features
– Fits all 1987-2010 5 and 6-speed Big Twin models with left side drive and cable actuated clutch.
– Larger thrust bearing with 97% greater surface area than the stock throwout bearing.
– 77% greater static load capacity than the stock throwout bearing.
– Brass spacer eliminates the possibility of bearing crush and disintegration which can lead to costly transmission failures. Contact Baker for more info!

Journeys, Two-Up by Ray Uloth

Journeys, Two-Up: On the Road through Grief to Renewal, by Ray Uloth, offers
one man’s insight on his struggle to cope with the death of his wife,
Markie, from breast cancer.
In motorcycle slang, two-up means riding with a passenger. Aboard
Gladys, his motorcycle, Uloth treats the reader as his passenger on a
trek across the U.S. and a tour of the ancient Middle East. Journeys,
Two-Up is a road journal that tells a story of adventure and exploration
as a means of coming to terms with grief and loss.
Journeys, Two-Up is organized chronologically and told in the first
person present tense to truly give the reader the feeling of sharing the
ride. On his journey, Uloth draws metaphorical value from intriguing
fellow travelers, historical anecdotes, dangers encountered, natural
wonders and his own brush with death. Journeys, Two-Up tells of a
personal odyssey filled with humor as well as emotional and spiritual
insight. Uloth believes that while sorrow is a universal human condition,
each person experiences it differently. As Uloth puts it, when it came to
sorrow, he took a path less traveled and it made all the difference in
his chance to live and love again. “Journeys, Two-Up connects me with what I know in my heart to be true, what Markie would have hoped for me and a glimpse at the dawn of a brighter future,” writes Uloth. Journeys, Two-Up: On the Road through Grief to Renewal is available online at Amazon.com and other online channels.
About the Author
Ray Uloth had a varied professional career as reporter and columnist, high school English teacher, college dean, Outward Bound instructor, corporate trainer, executive, management consultant and executive coach. He now lives and writes on his ranch in Gold Hill.

Mustang Seats for the Honda VTX 1300

Mustang has introduced a full line of seats for the 2010-11 Honda VT1300 Interstate, Sabre and Stateline models.
Yes, now you VTX riders can enjoy Mustangs comfort!
The deeply pocketed driver seat on the one-piece Wide Vintage Touring style with Driver Backrest is a full 16” wide and sits you at the ideal cruising angle. The 10.5” wide passenger seat utilizes Mustang’s unique internal steel support wings.  The optional driver backrest provides superb back support for those longer rides and is fully adjustable and easily removable.  The Wide Vintage Touring seat with Driver Backrest sells for $669; Also available with chrome studs or concho’s.
Mustang’s Wide Touring styles without a built-in backrest are designed so that the driver’s back is well supported by the nose of the passenger seat that extends forward.  Choose from Mustang’s one-piece Wide Vintage Touring seat for $469 or the Wide Studded Touring style for $499.  For a totally different low, lean look, check out Mustang’s DayTripper™ seat for only $359.
To complete your bikes’ custom look, add a matching tank bib or sissy bar pad.
All Mustang seats for Metric Cruisers and H-D® models are proudly handcrafted in the USA.  For more info, visit MustangSeats.com or call 800-243-1392.