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.
In addition to testing the factory Ducati Desmosedici GP12 “Phoenix” this week at Sepang, Valentino Rossi is also trying out a new lid from AGV. Aside from the carbon fiber goodness, and of course the Rossi stickers (which add 5hp & $200), AGV’s prototype helmet sports a noticably pronounced rear spoiler. Tucked in behind the windscreen, it is obvious why the Italian helmet manufacturer designed such a large protrusion off the back of the prototype helmet, as it looks to be clearly helping the flow off the back of the helmet, across the rider’s hump, and down his backside.
While Ducati Corse is busy playing hide-the-Desmosedici at Sepang, HRC is all business in Malaysia this week, and has debuted its 2012 Honda RC213V MotoGP-contender. Honda isn’t saying too much about the RC213V, simply stating that the race bike is all new, but is also a continuation of the company’s design with the 800cc Honda RC212V. Testing the Honda RC213V over the course of last season, reigning-World Champion Casey rode the new 1,000cc machine three times in 2011, while teammate Dani Pedrosa swung a leg over the RC213V twice (missing one test because of injury).
You may have been misled by some eager journalists today and yesterday, if you saw a Ducati Corse livery-clad Ducati Desmosedici GP12 that some sites were passing off as the first shots of the “90% new” GP12. With the alleged new GP12 looking surprisingly similar to the aluminum-framed “GP0″ that was tested at Valencia, Valentino Rossi’s mechanic has now Alex Briggs confirmed that the photos taken were not of the all new “GP12 Phoenix” that the factory team will race this season. While the Ducati lords can taketh away, they can also giveth, and Valentino Rossi himself has posted the first photo of the factory Desmosedici GP12, and the bike is clearly different.
Zero Motorcycles has announced the full-commencement of production for its 2012 model line, which is expected to hit dealers in February & March of this year. First off the line was the 2012 Zero DS back in December, though the electric motorcycle company has recently started building the Zero S, Zero XU, Zero X, and Zero MX at its Scotts Valley facility as well. A story we broke back in November, Zero Motorcycles debuted its important 2012 electric motorcycle line up at the 2011 EICMA show in Milan, with the 2012 range being a substantial improvement upon the company’s previous offerings.
Getting a look at Dainese & AGV’s 2012 collection, Asphalt & Rubber was down in Orange County earlier this week to see the highly anticipated Dainese D-Air Racing leather suit, which has a four liter airbag system that helps reduce the risk of injury during a motorcycle crash. Dainese has been working on the D-Air Racing system for 10 years now, and after soft-launching the airbag suit in Europe, the Italian company is ready to bring the game-changing technology to American soil.
Us Danes, we’re a strange breed. From the culture that taught you how to rape and pillage, Scandinavia is making yet another contribution to the motorcycling world with this latest video. Featuring Danish Supermoto Champion Andreas Mikkelsen, we get a RoToR camera-esque perspective (this rig is actually home made) on the Dane’s practice session at the Als Supermotard Club in Denmark. It’s videos like this that are slowly eroding my will-power to resist getting into supermotard riding. Also, I don’t know who was in charge of the music selection on this thing, but my hat is off to him/her. I love the nightlife. I’ve come to boogie.
Our friends over at IndianCarsBikes.in were in attendance at the KTM 200 Duke launch in India this week, as the Austrian brand launched its somewhat bigger-displacement version of the popular KTM Duke 125. During the press event, KTM talked about the future of the mini-Duke line and its product roadmap for the emerging country, as well as abroad. With the Austrian brand confirming/clarifying that KTM would release a KTM 350 Duke for India in 2013, zie Austrians also confirmed that the KTM 350 Duke would be built locally in India by Bajaj, but would be exported worldwide — allaying fears that the KTM 350 Duke would be an India-only model.
Now that the first Ducati 1199 Panigale has rolled out of the door in Bologna, the die is cast, the chips are in play, and our course is set to see if Ducati has created a “massive breach of brand trust and honesty.” The realization of course should be that Ducati’s brand was never in danger with bikes like the Hypermotard, Multistrada 1200, or Diavel. Instead, the danger of serious brand dilution has always rested on how Ducati handled its Superbike line. A failure to produce a two-wheeled machine that is both as striking visually as it is kinetically, could permanently alienate a loyal fan base that has endured a great deal in the past half-decade.
There is a lot that can be said about why dealerships fail or succeed (we’ve already seen an interesting insight on the subject of shops being open on Sundays), and one aspect on how to be a successful dealership that will surely rise to the top is one of community. Here, Vancouver-based Motomethod is all about the community, as the do-it-yourself community garden style repair shop has become a place for British Columbian riders not to work on their motorcycles, but also to congregate together with a shared love of riding on two wheels. Not exactly a new concept business-wise, but still a fresh perspective in an otherwise unwilling to change industry. More on this thought process to be published in the coming weeks. Enjoy.
![2010 Ducati 848 Dark $12,995 MSRP [UPDATED] 2010 Ducati 848 Dark Superbike 560x358](http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/2010-Ducati-848-Dark-Superbike.jpg "2010-Ducati-848-Dark-Superbike")
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I hate the “dark” concept, it cheapens the line.
I prefer the look of shiny paint, but the idea of a less-expensive model makes sense to me. Especially in this economic climate.
2010 Ducati 848 Dark – $12,995 MSRP – http://bit.ly/2jQomL #motorcycle
When the Monster Dark was released, we recieved dealer information stating that the rationale behind the Dark was that so many people were heavily modifying the bike that a cheaper base model was being released as a platform to encourage this.
The 600 Dark was a huge seller, serving as an introduction to Ducati for many riders.
As to how many went on to be modified, I couldn’t say. But the number of people who want a nice bike without all the bells and whistles is legion. A lot of riders want to get on and ride their bikes; they don’t want to think about the compression damping on their forks or are not interested in paying for a carbon fibre mudguard that will reduce the unsprung weight.
From Ducati’s point of view, cheaper models that allow them to compete with the big four on price can only be a good thing.
With respect to Sean Mitchells opinion, styling the line up to look like their top of the line sports model has been a Ducati marketing technique dating back 50 years to the 85 Sport being styled like the 98 or 125 Sport.
I don’t begrudge anyone buying a dark for financial reasons or because of a realistic assessment of their needs, personally I’d retain my illusions about my needs and spend the extra dollars for the S spec model.
i have to say, i love the darks!
-peter
I read on another site that the dark will not have downgraded specs. Not sure how ducati was able to lower the price if this is truly the case.
This bike has definitely piqued my interest. I’ve been shopping around for a new bike and have been very disappointed in what the big four have to offer in 2010. My choices will now be the 848 dark or the bmw s1000rr, maybe even the rsv4r…
Ducatis are supposed to be red :(
uh…a CF mudguard will not reduce unsprung weight.
Dear Idiot,
Let’s assume a carbon fibre mudguard weighs less than a standard mudguard, how can it not reduce the unsprung weight?
Don’t forget that the unsprung weight comprises the wheel, tyre, axle, brake disc(s), brake caliper(s), fork lowers (or swingarm) and mudguard.
Unless you are assuming the mudguard is mounted to the lower triple clamp as on a trailbike or you are talking about a rear frame mounted mudguard.
I probably should have been more specific, but I was thinking about the carbon front guard fitted on the higher spec Ducati models.
Hopefully I’ve made my point clearer to you. That said, if you still think I’m talking crap, please enlighten me.
Bjorn.
Lay your finger over the mudguard and it looks so much better!
I always wanted an 848. Think it is the purest of the Ducati superbike range. A true successor to the Ducati 748. Shame its not available in yellow.
Found out through the Desmo Club, that you can rent a Ducati 848 in the South of France from a company called Columbus ( http://www.columbus-international.com ) in Cannes. Took their 848 out for a weekend and had the time of my life. The bike has razor-sharp handling and is pure joy on the twisties of the Provence hills. The engine is awesome with decent punch throughout the rev range. Not to mention the amazing looks! Only thing I didn’t like was the amount of heat this bike produces in stop and go traffic. It gets really hot for the rider. But I could live with that.
Hope Ducati brings out a lightweight 848R. Would do this model justice instead of chasing after bigger and more powerful engines the whole time.
Can’t the bike be bought and then painted red?
You can get it in red – but not at the “dark” price. I assume that the dark version is simply a marketing ploy. If you want custom paint, buy Sharkskinz bodywork and save your factory plastic for later.
I have a white 848, with a couple of mods (the full track kit and a Ohlins steering damper) and think I have found the perfect bike for Northern California’s twisties – and this summer the occasional track day.
love the matte black. and this time it’s not lesser-spec’d!
What i really long for though, is the Streetfighter with an 848 engine.