Fresh from the Ducati 1199 Panigale international press launch at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, our friends from OmniMoto.it have been kind enough to share their experience on Ducati’s newest flagship model, since Asphalt & Rubber wasn’t one of the American publications invited to test Borgo Panigale’s latest creation. Our Italian brother in arms, OmniMoto‘s Lorenzo Gargiulo shares his initiation to the 1199, while riding around one the world’s most expensive race circuits…the lucky bastard. With much thanks to him, enjoy Lorenzo’s review and continue to countdown the months until A&R will get its own chance to flog the Ducati 1199 Panigale in a similar manner.
The International press launch of the Ducati 1199 Panigale is underway in Abu Dhabi this week, with initial reports on Ducati’s flagship superbike being very positive. A track usually reserved for cars, not bikes, the Yas Marina Circuit is really something to behold. Situated on a man-made island off the Abu Dhabi coast, the Middle-Eastern track cost a cool $1.32 billion to construct back in 2009, and holds the distinction for being one of Formula One’s night races. While we wait for the Panigale to come across the Atlantic Ocean, Ducati has put together this video of Troy Bayliss taking a lap around the 21 turns of the Yas Marina Circuit. It’s an oddly edited video, but should bring grins to the Ducatisti in your life.
With nothing coming to fruition on the Mercedes deal, Ducati again made waves in August when it was reported that the company was interested in making a private stock offering in 2012. Today’s news of course is the logical extension of that announcement, as it is both 2012 and Investindustrial is rumored to be in talks with several possible private buyers for Ducati. While none of this news should surprise anyone, what is of note is the price tag being attached to Ducati is €1 billion.
It seems a bit silly to be talking about the 2014 model year when we are only into our second month of 2012. However, such is the case today because a certain Max Biaggi let it slip during the Aprilia Racing Team’s World Superbike presentation that 2012 would be the penultimate season for the Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC. Adding that Aprilia would not be developing its race bike for the 2013 season, the signs would seemingly indicate that a new liter bike model from the Italian manufacturer is on the horizon for 2014.
The Bottpower BOTT XR-1: A racier and more custom version of the Harley-Davidson XR1200X (The BOTT XR-1 is actually based off a Buell motor), Bottpower has done such a good job making the Buell look Alana Blanchard hot that the Voltron generation will forget all about the reasons their didn’t like the Bar & Shield brand in the first place, and instantly liquidate their pre-IPO Facebook stock in order to make room for Bottpower’s work in their marina-view apartments. Needless to say, I like what’s going on here.
Aprilia was in Milan today, unveiling its 2012 World Superbike team with Max Biaggi and Eugene Laverty. For this season, Aprilia Racing is outfitting its RSV4 race bikes with the company’s classic black & red livery, a break from the white Alitalia paint scheme from last year. Unable to defend his #1 plate, the 40-year-old Max Biaggi will return to racing with his “3″ on the front of his RSV4. Eager to regain World Superbike’s top position, Biaggi’s toughest competition could come from his own teammate. His second season in World Superbike, Laverty has shown a great deal of promise already on the Aprilia. Keep your eye on the Irishman for some podiums in 2012.
The oldest racing organization in the country dedicated soley to motorcycle road racing, the AFM is a Northern Californian non-profit racing organization that has helped hone the skills of riders like Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts, and Steve Rapp — not mention a weekend warrior or two. Each year the racing league comes together for a banquet, and lately the tradition has been to include a highlight film of the year’s racing. I’m not sure what films in the past have been like, but if the latest AFM banquet video doesn’t give you goosebumps, you might want to check your pulse. Bonus points for the including the Versus “Second Place” monologue — it’s very apropos.
Grab some popcorn, because this video from Ducati North America is over 14 minutes long. Telling the story of Ducati at the 2011 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), DNA has put together a great video that really captures how special the racing is at Pikes Peak, and how gorgeous the scenery is of the Colorado Mountains. With Santa Barbara Ducati’s Carlin Dunne winning the overall motorcycle category on his dealership’s Multistrada 1200 demo model, Alexander Smith from the Spider Grips Ducati Team made it a double podium for Ducati in the 1205cc class. If you’re new to racing at Pikes Peak, or wanted a quick re-cap of last year’s race, Ducati’s video pretty accurately sums up racing on the mountain and the anxiety around last year’s race.
Ducati has announced its factory team for the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), and the Italian company has secured the services of last-year’s winner and Rookie of the Year Carlin Dunne as well as six-time PPIHC winner Greg Tracy. Ducati has also partnered with the Spider Grips team, who will help prepare the teams Ducati Multistrada 1200 for the “Race to the Clouds” on July 8th. For 2012, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be fully-paved to the top of the mountain, which will surely see the speeds of competitors increase, and lap times drop on the 12.42 mile long course that ends at 14,110 feet.
I was flipping through some photos from the 2011 EICMA show, and found these shots of the Ducati 1199 Panigale’s Superquadro engine. Unfortunately at the show, Ducati had its 1199cc v-twin motor behind a Lexan case, which created a bit of a glare, reflections, and of course had smudges from the touchy-feely Italian crowd. But still, the photos give a good idea of what’s going on in Ducati’s most-advanced production engine to date, and are better than just looking at the CAD renders. If you look at the shots very closely, you can almost see where the 195hp and 98 lbs•ft of torque is lurking inside.
More Please ! Cool method…i wish them full success on their enterprise.
Every town should have a community garage. An absolute dream business.
Thanks for this post. Very cool, indeed!!!
Way cool.
Ha, this place is mere blocks from mine.
I’ve been meaning to check it out in person for awhile.
I’ve got some gummed up VTR carbs that need dealin’ with, looks like I found my place!
Thanks for posting
Cool!.
I’d love to visit this place and hang out. Good on you boys.
Cool vid,
Similar thing has taken off here in OZ; “The Men’s Shed”, brothers get together of all ages to do carpentry for community and voluntary based projects.
Would we have half the dramas in the world with juvenile crime, drug rehab, depression etc. if we had more community “Shops”. Government sponsored be good too.
Bike and Car Chop Shops, Hobby Farms and stuff for women that I can’t think of (cause i got nuts).
I enjoyed talking wth customers when I worked in a motorcycle shop but its dodgy talking and working at the same time.Mistakes can be made that way.Best to talk before starting work then do the job and talk about it later.Customers in bikeshops are usually great people and I,ve always had a lot of interest in what they are up to but it does slow down the work a bit and can be a source of distraction but also the owner usually knows a lot more about thier particular bikes funny little ways and can be helpful with making the job easier.Hope it goes well for these guys.they are true enthusiasts.
Wish they’d have some thing like this where I live i could so use a place to go work on my bike just hang out have a pizza and a beer…
Thanks for posting this video; it gives me a little faith in humanity. Very, very cool.
I own Self Service Cycle in Modesto Ca. TWO THUMBS UP Terry Lemmons
I’ve been going to Motomethod since this past summer and it’s great!!
Simon and Paul are great guys too and they know what they’re doing. My bike and I are happy!
Cool! I’d love to set up something like this where I live. Hmmmm…..There’s an “abandoned” garage in the center of town too…..
ran something like this for about 7 years back in the 90s. its all well/good/cool until your equipment gets ruined, tools go missing, and somebody has an accident and sues the shit out of you -despite signing a waiver.
it sucks, but this is reality folks. life is not a hipster feel good miny movie.
I am a happy repeat Motomethod customer. The guys are great and the shop is wonderful.
adam s – Yeah, amazing how people with sue even after signing a waiver. I think it’s a great idea, but like you said, unfortunately there will be people who take advantage of the system – breaking things and not repairing them and stealing stuff.
This shop is in Canada. A culture that is not as litigious as the US.
Good luck to all the shops doing this work wherever they may call home. Invaluable.
I like the idea and I’ve never found a shop like this. I have to agree with Grant Madden and his reply. I honestly don’t trust anyone with my vehicles anymore and it sucks because I want to learn.
Good Points Adam S. Hopefully that doesn’t happen on Canada as often as here on the USA.
That was a great video. Thank you very much for posting that. I’ve thought about something like this for a long while but was always scared away from the idea purely for the fact that Adam S. mentioned.
Ah well, the world is far from perfect, but thank goodness cynicism hasn’t beat these two down like it has others.
There will always be a million reasons not to do something.
But with a little willful ignorance of potential pitfalls, and a heavy dose of optimism and faith in oneself and their fellows, great things can and do happen.
Just like in “hipster feel good movies”! :)
We’re a brand spankin new DIY motorcycle shop in the SF Bay Area…. http://www.bayareamotoshop.com
Check it out!