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.
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.
New Ducati Indiana. LAME!
The above Ducati has similar styling cues to the Vun Duu, which is apparently popular in Europe.
“diluting the brand” or whatever some Ducati fans are worried about? I don’t think so if they sell a bunch that helps them develop their core product even better.
An example of diluting a brand would be the Shelby Ford Explorer. (which did not get far, fortunately).
From a company that’s had to compete with the deep pockets of Yamaha and Honda, and as a true Ducatisti, I see nothin’ wrong with branching out from they’re norm. Just as long as they remember why they [Ducati] are here… To race.
I’m all for branching out from the norm, but I’d rather see a street legal supermono. These are just my opinions. The overpriced cruiser market seems to be well covered already, and the Indiana was lame.
@ MonsterAti, Ducati is here to sell bikes and make money for their investors.
Racing has sometimes helped them do that.
You’re deluded if you think otherwise.
Ducati Mega-Monster Spy Shots – http://aspha.lt/14p #motorcycle
RT @Asphalt_Rubber: Ducati Mega-Monster Spy Shots – http://aspha.lt/14p #motorcycle
Hey I don’t know if you guys saw it but the under tail has two grooves down the middle. It makes me think that the side exhaust is a disguise and the production bike will really wear an undertail exhaust system.
I sure am glad SOME manufacturers are ‘stretching the envelope’ (ie. Ducati, BMW, even Triumph) rather than hiding out during tough times (can you say ‘Suzuki’ anyone?!!) Just goes to show the Europeans have a grip on reality! The reality being, of course, that the market wansts (and needs) new, exciting, and fresh ideas to keep it humming along!
uhh, yeah. welcome to 200x (whenever the 1098 came out)
DEAR FIM: ducati wishes to race motorcycles that blah blah blah our production bikes. as we are discontinuing our 999cc bike, please let us race our new engine… or maybe one a hundred cc bigger.
flash forvard to tomorrow… ducati launch the new 1300cc plus vyper at the same time the 1200cc bike is considered uncompetitive against the fours. wonder just how hard it will be to fit into a superbike frame? wonder how long it takes management to decide that 2 similar motors is just too expensive when they could easily survive with only half the tooling and inventory? I wonder how many douche-catista’s could live with themselves knowing they only had 1198cc?
jeez… oh well, nobody ever thought less of porsche for the truck and family sedan, right?
…right?
I’m drooling already…
RT @Asphalt_Rubber: Ducati Mega-Monster Spy Shots – http://aspha.lt/14p #motorcycle
RT @Asphalt_Rubber: Ducati Mega-Monster Spy Shots – http://aspha.lt/14p #motorcycle
I think it is a great idea, this cruiser. I am sure that a lot of the Beemer purists thought that creating a bike like the S1000rr, something that wasn’t ugly, quirky or goofy and that people would actually buy, was a huge mistake for following the Japanese and “getting away from their roots”. Of course, the bike is amazing and is taking the market, and racetrack, by storm.
Even the Multistrada was a deviation from the typical Ducati, back in the day.
This is good, to create something outside the box. The strength of a company is not in their ability to stay focused on the past or status quo, it is in their ability to retain their core, while pushing the envelope and reinventing themselves and still being successful.
This is the equivalent of Ferrari building some pathetic retro styled muscle car to go up against the new Mustangs and Camaros. The redneck hillbillies who are interested in power cruisers didn’t even buy enough of the new VMAX’s to make them a hit, so why are they going to buy a more expensive Italian version?
Sigh…don’t know whether to keep my 848 as a relic of the company before they absolutely lost their minds, or sell it in protest.
Sean -
Yeah, but the V-max SUCKS!! Who in their right mind will spend 20k on a Jap bike (of any kind!)? Having said that, it appears my sentiment is the same as everyone elses – shown by lack of V-max sales. Will I spend 20k on something Italian – you bet, as soon as MY economy improves!!
Haven’t any of you “racing” guys ever wanted the best of both worlds. A cruiser and a crotch rocket. Sure, you can go buy one of each, but this market is just starting to be tapped.
Unfortunately, poor marketing and bad design choices are not helping it.
After 100 years, Harley finally did something right with the VROD, and now that they have introduced the Night Rod Special and Muscle, sales have increased. “Traditional” guys are slooooooowly getting with the program with new and improved technology.
And the VMAX does suck. It’s ugly and overpriced.
The M109, too big and bulky.
The Honda Warrior, a joke.
This Vyper/Mega Monster, I think it looks great.
And for the racing fanatics, are we forgetting about drag racing?
It’s an untapped market for Ducati and you “Traditional” guys need to embrace change and technology to help Ducati grow and stay competitive.
It may not be the fastest ducati and appeal to all ducati supporters, but this bike is a winner in my book.
Does this really surprise anyone? I mean, Ducati is second only to Harley in selling image/”lifestyle” first and bikes second. They are (by a million miles) the second best “brand” in motorcycling. It was only a matter of time before they put two and two together: the biggest group of riding posers (cruiser riders) and the biggest force in sportbike poser marketing (Ducati).
You want proof? Look up a couple post to the person saying they wouldn’t be caught dead spending 20K on a Japanese bike, but would happily do so for a Ducati because it’s Italian. So, what, because a Japanese company wouldn’t be stupid enough to build a bike with a rear brake reservoir 2mm from a hot exhaust pipe (749S), or build a bike that leaks oil past the cam seals (MTS1100), or be about five years late to the party with an automatic fast idle circuit (same 749S), it must build a valuable bike?
The two Ducatis I’ve owned (still own one), if I’m honest, have been more trouble than they’re worth. Both overheat a lot more than zero (my record with Japanese bikes), both stall for no reason a LOT more than zero (ditto), and even when I rode my friend’s brand new 1198 a couple of weekends ago I noticed that Ducati STILL isn’t making a bike that’s fueled worth a damn under 5000rpm and doesn’t radiate center of the sun levels of heat. He bought the bike without even test-riding the Japanese (or German or Austrian) competition. He bought it because he HAD to have a Ducati. Because it’s Italian. And, I mean, he already had the matching shirt, right?
Yup, Ducati’s only mistake here that I see is that they waited so long to take this super logical step into cruiserdom.
I think, Yamaha V Max is better!!
With a tire that wide, who needs a kickstand?
@ aaron If you had any idea of what you were talking about, maybe you wouldn’t come off as the shallow, pathetic, asswipe you seem to be. The Japanese are the ones who cried to the FIM get the rules to favor the boring, dime-a-dozen, in line fours. The twins must run a restrictor plate which effectively chokes the engine. If the restrictor plate rule was gone you would be singing a different tune,
@ GeddyT Obviously, you’re a just a dumbass, Another of the simple minded idiots who buy rcer replica bikes to ride around downtown at 30 mph in bumper to bumper traffic and then whine because it overheats. Go buy a GSXR1000, all the other queers are.