John P. Gets a Mercedes AMG CLK55 Convertible… and Loves It!

Mercedes AMG CLK55 ConvertibleMy long time readers are already aware that I have a veritable stable of vehicles, including my NSX and my Q45. In fact, right now in my driveway there are 1,780 horsepower worth of vehicles just sitting there begging me to take them out and blister some pavement. So last week when I drove up to work at Layered Tech in my new AMG Mercedes it wasn’t really a surprise to my co-workers. But what was a surprise was the fact that I said I made a deal to sell my NSX and my Q45 when I bought it!

I know, it sounds strange that I would actually agree to give up two of my babies for a single new one! On one hand, I have my two-seater, mid-engine, hand-made, exotic-car NSX – the pride of Japan and the only supercar worthy of direct comparison to a Ferrari or Lamborghini to come out of the orient. And on the other hand, I have my top of the line, big-daddy Infinity Q45 with it’s reclining rear seats, laser guided cruise control, and 360 horsepower all-aluminum V8. But you see, the new AMG takes some of the best characteristics from both of these vehicles and combines them into one single car that I think I can live with every day. And that’s a hard thing to find.
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UPS vs. FedEx – Funny Pic

I know that UPS and FedEx are rivals, but this is getting ridiculous!

Female Motocross Passengers Squeal With Fear

Ok. I know it’s wrong. And you can all slap my hand later. But good lord! I was watching these videos of women who, for some unknown reason, decided to take a ride in the passenger seat while professional drivers took hot laps around race tracks.

Listen up folks! If you aren’t the type of person to actually get in a car and drive it around a race track, don’t even bother to get in the car with those of us who would! I can guarantee that you are NOT going to enjoy yourself!
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If James Bond Can Drive the Aston Martin DBS, So Could I!

Aston Martin DBSIf you’ve managed to see the recent James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, you got to watch Bond absolutely destroy an Aston Martin DBS. Yeah, that is what that awesome looking car at the beginning of the movie was!

Well, the DBS is really just a souped up DB9, which happens to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
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How to Wheelie on a Motorcycle – From SuperBike Magazine!

How to WheelieDid you ever seen those maniacs who ride wheelies down the road in traffic despite the fact that they are placing themselves and everyone else around them at risk? Whenever I see them I:

  1. Can’t take my eyes off them; wonder if they are going to crash the whole time I’m ignoring the road and staring at them; want to punch them in the face for being such idiots.
  2. Wish I could do that.

So, if you’ve decided to be a complete bonehead and are going to learn how to wheelie your ride, at least watch this video produced by SuperBike Magazine.
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The Ridley Automatic Motorcycle (with a CVT)

Ridley ChopperI think most of you know that I’m a huge motorcycle fan by now. And there may be a few folks out there who would really like to ride a motorcycle, but who are afraid of the learning curve. Well, the Ridley would be a great option because it’s got a completely automatic transmission that using one of those CVTs that I wrote about a little while back.

Basically, riding a Ridley would be like riding a super-sized scooter since all you have to do is twist the throttle to go, and squeeze the brakes to stop. There is no need to worry about clutching with one hand, braking with the other, while twisting one throttle and shifting with the other foot. Leaves a lot more time to pay attention to balance and just enjoying the ride.
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Top Gear Drives the 640 HP Lamborghini Murcielago

Lamborghini MurcielagoOk. The most awesome thing about this video is half way into it when they have a drag race between the Murcielago and a VW Golf GT. Now, the VW is quite quick. I’d say that it’s faster than the vast majority of cars on the road. But the Lambo absolutely and unequivocally destroys it.

Now, I’ll grant that the Murcielago is faster and more expensive than the Lamboghini Gallardo. But if you watch the other video and this one back to back you can see why I’d take the Gallardo every day!
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10 of the Coolest Machines You Could Ever Hope to Ride

The Riot WheelI was entertaining myself for hours this evening while perusing all of the crazy ways man has invented to move himself from point A to point B. After we mastered the most efficient methodology, apparently we turned our attention and energy towards also creating the most inefficient methods possible.

Why would we do this? Well, beyond the very basic primal need for horsepower… I’m guessing there was either a bet or a dare behind most of these creations. Either that, or they built em to attract the chicks!
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How a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Works

Continuously Variable TransmissionI have explained what a CVT or continuously variable transmission is to at least a half a dozen people. So, usually when that happens I take the time to write up a tutorial and share it with you guys.

Now, the CVT discussion came up as a result of a broader car discussion in which I was explaining that a Nissan Murano SUV has a CVT transmission – which I really like. But it’s not the only one. There are quite a few vehicles with a CVT such as:

  • Mitsubishi Lancer
  • Honda Civic Hybrid
  • Nissan Altima
  • Audi A4
  • Dodge Caliber

In addition to automobiles, CVTs can be found in scooters, and even some new bicycles. In fact, the CVT began as a small vehicle transmission and later had to be beefed up substantially to handle large vehicles like the Nissan Murano.

The following is a video of the Variator in a Yamaha T-Max scooter with the case removed. Notice how as the engine revvs up, the centrifugal force changes the ratio of the gearing by simply using the belt.
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