Video: Josh Brookes Shows Us the Fastest Line over “The Mountain” at Cadwell Park

The Mountain at Cadwell Park, as it is known, is like the British version of the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca: another one of those special points on a race track, that would not exist on the computer-generated courses we see today. Famous for lofting bikes into the air, The Mountain makes for spectacular photographs, and should be on every rider’s track day bucket list. Finding the fastest racing line over The Mountain can be difficult though, as riders have to contend with keeping the front of their motorcycles down, but such is not the case for HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes…

Lost Knee Puck Hinders Hayden at Indy

Track conditions were the talk of the paddock this weekend at the Indianapolis GP, as riders battled the changing tarmac surfaces, and undulating bumps of the Indy infield. Perhaps most vocal of his displeasure with the course was Ducati rider Casey Stoner, who called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway not a world class track, and specifically complained about plastic drains that would catch riders as the ventured in towards the edge of the track (Rossi also complained of these drains). Teammate Nicky Hayden was less critical before Sunday’s race though, saying that Stoner’s comments could be applied to many of the courses on the MotoGP calendar. However after losing a knee puck to one of the drainage grates that Stoner criticized earlier, Hayden may be re-thinking his tune.

Rossi Waiting to Hear if Burgess Will Retire

Talking after the Indianapolis GP, Valentino Rossi explained that he is waiting to hear from Jeremy Burgess as to whether the Australian Crew Chief will retire next season. Assured of the fact that Burgess would not stay behind at Yamaha, and would not work with another rider, Rossi stated the buzz around whether Burgess would move with the Italian to Ducati, hinges as to when Burgess plans on retiring from motorcycle racing.

Nicky Hayden Renews Contract with Ducati

Under the lights of the Indy Mile, where motorcycle racing began for the Kentucky-born MotoGP racer, Nicky Hayden has signed a two-year contract with Ducati Corse for the 2011 & 2012 seasons. Not the biggest surprise in the paddock, Hayden’s contract renewal has never really been questioned this season as the American started the season off with series of strong finishes and continues to be a strong brand ambassador for Ducati in the United States. Hayden will be joined the next two years by former teammate Valentino Rossi, the pair rode for Repsol Honda in 2003, with Hayden finishing the season 5th in his rookie GP season.

World Superbike Responds to Ducati Exodus

Infront Motor Sports, rights holder to the World Superbike Championship series, has responded to the news that Ducati Corse will be leaving the series in 2011. Responding with an official press release, IMS’s message essentially boils down to poking holes in Ducati’s statement about technical regulations. Stating that the 2009 season was dominated by the Ducati 1198 Superbike, sans one Ben Spies, the Italian firm has clearly been able to be competitive with the current formula. IMS goes on to basically say that WSBK is about more than one manufacturer, and can’t cater to Ducati’s whims even if they do have a lengthy history together.

Ben Spies to Factory Yamaha Team

As expected, Ben Spies and Yamaha have announced that the current World Superbike Champion and MotoGP rookie will move up to the factory Yamaha team (noticeably not called Fiat-Yamaha in the press release) for the 2011 season. Spies’ move to the factory squad has lovingly been referred to as the “second worst-kept secret in MotoGP,” right after Rossi’s departure from the Fiat-Yamaha team to Ducati Corse.

Colin Edwards – “I’m going fishing. Screw this sh*t.”

No one makes the MotoGP media center come alive with emotion more so than Colin Edwards. A veteran of the sport, and born with no filter between his brain and mouth, the Texan Tornado captured the spotlight during the pre-race press conference at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. A stark contrast to the polished veneers of other riders, Edwards isn’t afraid to tell things the way he sees it, even if it involves some colorful language. To get an idea of what we mean, check out a portion of the press conference transcript after the jump.

Ducati Trademarks “Diavel” Name in the UK

Ducati has recieved a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office for the Bolognese word for devil, or “Diavel”, which according to MCN is to be the name of the company’s new performance cruiser (shown here in a render done by Bar-Design exclusively for Asphalt & Rubber). Interestingly enough, Ducati has not trademarked the Diavel name with the United States Patent & Trademarks Office (USPTO). However with the British government, Ducati has reserved the Diavel mark for virtually every use possible, including lifestyle items like shirts, perfume, watches, and our personal favorite: skin cleansing lotions and creams.

Casey Stoner Ducati 1198S Phillip Island Replica

Missing three races because of a mystery illness, Casey Stoner put any critics he had from his sudden departure in 2009 to bed with his masterful race at Phillip Island. Racing in front of his home crowd, Stoner slid around the Australian course to a decisive victory, in what we called one of the top races of 2009. Making the moment even more special for Australian fans, and Ducatisti alike, was the special race livery that Stoner ran for his home race. Hoping to commemorate that race and Stoner’s contributions to the Marlboro Ducati team (Stoner is leaving Ducati for HRC next year), a French Ducati dealership in Moulins-lès-Metz has decided to sell a limited number of Casey Stoner Ducati 1198S Phillip Island replicas.

Norton Returning to MotoGP Racing

German magazine Speedweek is reporting that Norton will be back in GP racing for the 2012 season with a two-man team. Speedweek’s highly respected Austrian journalist Gunther Wiesinger has received word that Norton has requested two spots on the 2012 MotoGP grid, and has signed a request to join the series when it returns to the 1000cc format. It’s unclear at this time if Norton will be entering as a claiming rule team (CRT), or be listed as a factory prototype, which could have a dramatic affect on the team’s success in the series.

2010 MV Agusta F4 Breaks Cover at EICMA

Mon 11/09/2009 @ 6:14 pm, by Jenny Gun

Home » Bikes » 2010 MV Agusta F4 Breaks Cover at EICMA

The 2010 MV Agusta F4 has been hyped extensively by MV, but after seeing the Brutale release, we were skeptical about what the new F4 would bring. Expectedly, the 2010 MV Agusta F4 is based of Massimo Tamburini’s iconic design, and is updated to fit more with modern tastes. But MV has also changed the bike underneath the hood. More on that, photos, and technical specifications after the jump.

With a 998cc motor, the new F4 makes 3hp more than the comparably displaced 2009 MV Agusta R 312. The 2010 F4 also weights less, dropping 22lbs for a dry weight of 424lbs.

Like the Brutale, a new engine, chassis, and swingarm have been designed for the 2010 model. These changes make the 2010 MV Agusta F4 4cm narrower, while making the chassis more rigid.

Riders should find the new chassis more comfortable, and will be able to make use of the F4’s new 8-way adjustable traction control unit and twin-map ECU. Helping get the power to the ground is bike’s

Other changes include:

Power supply with TSS variable length intake system
TC MK II traction control system, adjustable on 8 levels
Two injectors per cylinder
New electronic injection system with 49-mm throttle bodies
New Magneti Marelli 7 SM ECU
New 4-1 exhaust system with valve

2010 MV AGUSTA F4 1000 R Technical Specs:

ENGINE

Type Four cylinder, 4 stroke, 16 valve
Timing system “D.O.H.C”, radial valve
Total displacement 998 cm3 (60.9 cu. in.)
Compression ratio 13.1:1
Starting Electric
Bore x stroke 76 mm x 55 mm (3.0 in. x 2.2 in.)
Max. horse power – r.p.m. (at the crankshaft) Full power version: 137 kW (186 HP) at 12900 – Lim. 13500 r.p.m. / Restricted power version: 73 kW (100 HP) at 9200 – Lim. 10800 r.p.m.
Max. torque – r.p.m. Full power version: 114 Nm (11.4 kgm) at 9500 r.p.m. / Restricted power version: 90 Nm (9.0 kgm) at 5500 r.p.m.
Cooling system Cooling with separated liquid and oil radiators
Engine management system Magneti Marelli IAW 7BM ignition – injection integrated system with Mikuni throttle body; induction discharge electronic ignition;
Sequential timed “Multipoint” electronic injection ; Variable height intake ducts with Torque Shift System (TSS)
Clutch Wet, multi – disc
Gear Box Cassette gearbox; six speed, constant mesh
Primary drive 50/79
Gear ratio
First gear: Speed* 13/38 128,2 km/h (79.6 mph) a t 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Second gear: Speed* 16/34 176,4 km/h (109.5 mph) a t 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Third gear: Speed* 18/32 210,8 km/h (130.9 mph) at 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Fourth gear: Speed* 20/30 249,8 km/h (155.1 mph) at 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Fifth gear: Speed* 22/29 284,3 km/h (176.5 mph) a t 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Sixth gear: Speed* 19/23 305,0 km/h (189.4 mph) at 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Final velocity ratio 15×41

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Voltage 12 V
Alternator 350 W at 5000 r. p . m .
Battery 12 V – 8,6 Ah
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Wheelbase 1430 mm (56.27 in.)
Overall lenght 2100 mm (82.63 in.)
Overall width 750 mm (29.51 in.)
Saddle height 860 mm (33.84 in.)
Min. ground clearance 115 mm (4.52 in.)
Trail 100,4 mm (3.93 in.)
Dry weight 192 Kg (423 lbs.)
Fuel tank capacity 17 l (4.49 U.S. gal.)

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed* Full power version: 305,0 km/h (189.4 mph) / Restricted power version: 249,0 km/h (154.6 mph)

FRAME
Type CrMo Steel tubular trellis (TIG welded)
Rear swing arm pivot plates: material Aluminium alloy

FRONT SUSPENSION
Type “UPSIDE – DOWN” telescopic hydraulic fork with rebound-compression damping and spring preload external and separate adjustment
Rod dia. 50 mm (1.97 in.)
Travel on leg axis 120 mm (4.72 in.)

REAR SUSPENSION
Type Progressive, single shock absorber with rebound and compression (High speed / Low speed) damping and spring preload adjustment
Single sided swing arm: material Aluminium alloy
Wheel travel 120 mm (4.72 in.)

BRAKE
Front brake Double floating disc with Ø 320 mm (Ø 12.6 in.) diameter, with steel braking band and aluminium flange
Front brake caliper Radial-type, single-piece with 4 pistons – Ø 34 mm (Ø 1.34 in.)
Rear brake Single steel disc with Ø 210 mm (Ø 8.27 in.) diameter
Rear brake caliper With 4 pistons – Ø 25,4 mm (Ø 1.00 in.)
RIM
Front: Material / size Aluminium alloy 3,50 ” x 17 ”
Rear: Material / size Aluminium alloy 6,00 ” x 17 ”
TYRES
Front 120/70 – ZR 17 M/C (58 W)
Rear 190/55 – ZR 17 M/C (75 W)
FAIRING
Material Thermoplastic

* = Top speed attained on closed course. Rev. 1 – 27/10/09
MV Agusta is committed to the constant improvement of our products. Therefore the information and technical characteristics of the vehicles are subject to change without notice.

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Tagged under: 2010, 2010 MV Agusta F4, EICMA, F4, Massimo Tamburini, MV Agusta, MV Agusta F4

Comment:

Billy B says:

11/09/2009 at 7:12 PM

in terms of mechanics, suppose it sounds good….but a big backwards step with the design. Luck that, now i don’t have to feel so bad i can’t afford it…
snacktastic says:

11/10/2009 at 3:10 AM

I don’t think they took a step in any direction at all, it looks the same as the old bike.
Jake says:

11/10/2009 at 8:12 AM

I’m not really crazy about the changes to front and the square pipe, but I like the rest of the updates and love the return to the 5 star wheel design. Most importantly as I’ve said before they’ve at least tried to do something about the weight. Secondly all those cutouts should help the bike run cooler because they’ve always run hot. Glad they finally got off the more CCs is better thing and went back to 998cc and just looked to make a better over all motor, but have to wait to see the verdict on the fueling.

If there is a single seater model and the ability to completely turn off or disable the traction control I’d really consider going back to the MV camp instead of getting a 1198
Patron says:

11/10/2009 at 9:24 AM

Pretty bike. Not sure why some bikes even bother having a pillion seat. Chances are if you have the cash for an F4, you could have another bike for two up. A revised tail section would be nice but still a nice bike. Looks best in graphite w the red trellis frame.
draysse says:

11/11/2009 at 12:39 AM

Massimo Tamburini has been the north star of motorcycle design for decades, his designs from the iconic Ducati 916 to the original F4 have pointed the way forward for all of motorcycle design. The new F4 is nice but that’s it, nothing new or innovative to talk about. I can only hope & dream that Massimo brings his immense talents to bare on something new, because frankly everyone in the industry is regurgitating design cues he pioneered years ago. I had high hopes for his new ideas with Harley money behind them, guess I’ll have to continue waiting…..
max says:

04/12/2010 at 12:02 PM

Still looks just as pretty as before. And as before the matt black variant will be the most desirable!

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