Subject: Each With The Click of a Button
Author: misshuana
Posted on: 10/05/2016 09:02:33 AM
Astros Looking For Catching Help - RealGM Wiretap
The Houston Astros are looking for a catcher outside the organization in the wake of an injury to reserve Max Stassi.
Stassi will be sidelined for six weeks after hamate bone surgery.
Evan Gattis may have been an option behind the plate Franco Harris Steelers Jersey , but his hernia surgery, which could keep him out of all exhibition action, will prevent that.
The Astros have scouted Bryan Holaday of the Detroit Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays' A.J. Jimenez.
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BMWs on a bit of a roll at the moment. The German bike firm is expanding its range of road bikes, and many of them are selling well. Its also just launched its four cylinder superbike which has formed the basis of a 2009 WSB campaign. The blue and white roundel is rolling well and in the right direction.
But BMW hasnt forgotten the purists. And though its now using singles, twins and fours to power its bikes, the venerable flat twin-cylinder powerplant will probably remain in place for some time yet. The versatile trademark Boxer motor has been used in sportsbikes Terry Bradshaw Steelers Jersey , sports tourers, tourers and adventure sportsbikes. Now the most powerful version of all has been fitted to the most exclusive BMW to date, the HP-2 Sport. Essentially a road-going replica of its endurance racer, the 130bhp limited-edition model was first seen at the Paris show late last year. And by the time it reached the dealers, the vast majority had been sold. Its still possible to buy an HP-2 Sport, but youll need to get a bit of a hurry on if you fancy one.
Spending a few hours with the BMW recently showed me why its in such demand. Though I would add straightaway that the more time you spend with the bike the more youll appreciate it for what it is. One of the first things to realise is that the 1200 is not a direct competitor to Japanese 1000cc sportsbikes though it is a great alternative. It simply doesnt have the power and speed to rival bikes like the Fireblade or GSX-R1000. However Joe Greene Steelers Jersey , dont get the impression that the Bee-Em is slow because its far from it.
Central to the bikes performance is its classic 1200cc Boxer twin motor. Based on the one fitted to the R1200R sportsbike, it features many revisions including twin cams, radial valves, increased compression and a close-ratio gearbox. Elsewhere, carbon bodywork (including a self-supporting seat unit), digital MotoGP style dash Troy Polamalu Steelers Jersey , Ohlins suspension and a quickshifter, all help to increase the status and quality of the bike.
You wouldnt exactly call its style cutting edge, but theres no doubt the HP-2 does have a classy visual appeal. It looks good from a distance, and once you get closer for a more detailed peek, its obvious this is a well-crafted machine featuring excellent engineering. If you want to stand out, then the HP-2 can help. The show is matched by some decent levels of go too.
Its an easy bike to get on with thanks to a relaxed and roomy riding position making it both comfortable and manageable something helped further by the adjustable bars and footrests. Part of that manageability is down to the lightweight of a claimed 178kilos dry and how well thats distributed. Round town at lower speeds James Harrison Steelers Jersey , the bike feels well balanced and tighter moves between traffic dont present any real problems. But its out and away from the busy streets where the big twin shows its best qualities. Well suited to a speedy run down a twisting backroad, the HP-2 steers lightly and accurately. And the pace and fluidity with which it can be put on its side and then brought back to the vertical is very impressive. It makes the bike feel really agile and gives you the impression that its even lighter than it actually is. It might not be the smallest of sportsbikes but its certainly one of the most flickable.
Joining forces with the just right nature of the bike are the two fully adjustable Ohlins shocks and Brembo brakes. Both manufacturers products work extremely well, though in the case of the suspension there is some slightly unconventional behaviour to get used to. The Telelever front end gives a supple yet supportive ride and allows the Michelin front tyre to stay mated well to the road even when it becomes less than billiard-table smooth. Under braking though, the usual dive associated with the conventional telescopic forks is not in evidence. Theres a slight amount to begin with but then, even when youre using the Brembos hard, the BMW stays pretty much level. The initial strangeness of the feeling that the brakes might not be working as well as expected is soon overcome though as the monobloc radial calipers offer massive stopping power. And they do so with plenty of feel and progression. ABS is an option on this bike Jerome Bettis Steelers Jersey , but the set-up is so friendly Im not sure that it should be a priority order.
The brakes are possibly the best feature of the bike, and are up there with the very best fitted to any production bike. They really help to make the job of going fast on the HP-2 all the more safe and secure. So too does the engine. It has bags of torque and flexibility, not to mention lots of deceptive speed further down the rev range, and runs quite sweetly and smoothly thanks to very good fuelling and little vibration. But though the well-mannered nature of the delivery continues at higher engine speeds, a sense of much greater urgency begins when the digital tacho gets to 6000rpm. At that point theres a significant hike .
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