Macro photography for a noob

[j0rdanisme]

Hey guys,
So I suppose what I am trying to shoot would be considered macro photography. Simply put I want incredibly high detailed photos of bikes. Meaning welds, seams, cracks, bearings, dirt, anything and everything i want to be able to break it down into delicious looking photos, HOWEVER, this is my problem.

Shooting with our new 7D, and kit lens.

I cant seem to pull nearly enough detail. I look at this image and the detail level is incredible, even on the Jpeg from Facebook!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shedfir...7623316633297/
Shot by: Nigel at Chain Reaction Cycle

then I look at this image, the one I shot, and the detail level is no where even close.


ISO 100, f/18, 0.8 sec

I understand that shooting a black bike on a white blackdrop is a little silly, however, that still shouldn't effect the overall detail should it?

Could it be the kit lens were using? I am stumped as to how I can get immense amounts of detail like those shots! Any help is great.
Cheers!