Mission Motors tweeted out something interesting just a moment ago, a link to a new website for Mission Motorcycles. Teasing there a photo of the Mission R, it would seem that the electric superbike that does competitive AMA Supersport lap times at Laguna Seca, is finally set to come to production. It seems we won’t know everything about the new Mission Motorcycles project until June 3rd, though we can speculate pretty accurately on what the A&R Bothan spy network has been telling us. Expect to see the Mission R electric superbike in street legal trim, honed even further than when we rode the machine back in August last year.
Stefan Pierer’s acquisition of Husqvarna continues to baffle me. You will note I say Pierer, and not KTM, bought Husqvarna, since the Austrian CEO used Pierer Industrie AG in the transaction as a means to help side-step European antitrust issues. After all, we can’t have Europe’s largest dirt bike manufacturer, nay largest total motorcycle manufacturer, gobbling up even more brands in the two-wheeled world. But, I digress. Developing three road bikes (Husqvarna Nuda 900, Husqvarna Strada 650, & Husqvarna Terra 650), with three more concepts waiting in the wings (Husqvarna Moab, Husqvarna Baja, & Husqvarna E-G0), it is with even more confusion that we learn that Pierer & Co. intend to kill the Husqvarna Nuda project and its other street siblings.
In case you missed the story last week, Kevin Schwantz is preparing to race in this year’s Suzuka 8-Hour endurance race. For the race, Schwantz will be riding on a team formed by Yukio Kagayama, who in addition to having raced in the MotoGP, World Superbike, and British Superbike Championships, is also a previous Suzuka 8-Hour winner with the Suzuki Endurance Race Team (also joining the three-rider team Noriyuki “Nitro” Haga). Releasing a Q&A about his team’s Suzuka 8-Hour entry, Kagayama-san walks us through how the team came together, what equipment the riders will use, and his outlook on the team’s competitiveness.
A single-cylinder hooligan-maker, the KTM 690 Duke is 330 lbs (curbside without fuel) and 67hp of two-wheeled fun, and we hope that the Austrians bring the KTM 690 Duke R our way as well. While we are on the topic of things missing from KTM’s American line-up, a decent supersport is painfully obvious, yet we can’t see the folks at KTM following the paths of other brands. That’s where our friend Luca Bar comes to mind with his latest concept: the KTM RC4. Using the KTM 690 Duke platform and its LC4 engine, Bar has designed a super-single full-fairing sport bike that takes the Austrian company’s “Ready to Race” DNA and applies it to an idea that is not all that disimilar to the Ducati Supermono.
When I sat down with Claudio Domenicali at the Ducati 1199 Panigale R launch, the now-CEO of Ducati Motor Holding was still just the General Manager of the Italian motorcycle company. Four weeks after our interview though, Gabriele del Torchio would leave Ducati for Alitalia; and Domenicali, a 21-year veteran of both the racing and production departments of Ducati, would take his place at the top of Italy’s most prestigious motorcycle brand. After reading our interview from Austin, Texas after the jump, I think you will agree too.
That Yamaha is working on a seamless gearbox is no secret, with Yamaha’s test riders currently racking up the kilometers around tracks in Japan. Recently, however, Spanish magazine SoloMoto published an article suggesting that Yamaha has already been using its new seamless gearbox since the beginning of the season. My own enquiries to check whether Yamaha was using a seamless gearbox or not always received the same answer: no, Yamaha is not using the seamless gearbox. To test this denial, I went out to the side of the track on Friday morning at Jerez to record the bikes as they went by.
After a very public father/son break-up between Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr., a steroid-ring scandal involving Paul Sr., and finally a bankruptcy proceeding, it appears that Orange County Choppers is the impossible to kill multi-headed hydra of doom that we all knew it was, as the custom chopper shop is once again headed to the small screen and recruiting some talent, on and off the show. Looking for “someone who will work alongside Paul Senior, running the shop and helping build some of the best custom motorcycles in the world,” OCC says it will be back on television with a new show later this month. Please for the love of god, will someone give this man the attention he craves so dearly??! Or, just shoot us in the face.
We love us some concept bikes here at Asphalt & Rubber, and we have featured more than a few pieces of stunning design and imagination on our pages. Though, we can’t remember the last time one of these works of art were brought to us by a legitimate racing team, but that is what we have here with the Team Alstare Superbike Concept. A nod to the former Suzuki team’s return to the World Superbike Championship as the Ducati factory squad with Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini, Alstare has enlisted the help of designer Serge Rusak of Rusak Kreaktive Designworks to ink the shape of its futuristic Superbike concept, while Tryptik Studios handled the 3D modeling prowess.
If you didn’t watch Thursday’s pre-event press conference for MotoGP at Jerez, it is worth a viewing right to the end (assuming you have a MotoGP.com account). Building off the news about the NBA’s Jason Collins coming out as gay in a self-written feature in Sport Illustrated, my good colleague David Emmett had the courage to inquire about the culture and acceptance of the MotoGP paddock for homosexual riders. For the sake of accuracy, after the jump is a full transcript of David’s question, as put to riders Cal Crutchlow, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso, Stefan Bradl, and Scott Redding, as well as those riders’ responses to David’s inquiry.
News that Suzuki plans on returning to the MotoGP Championship in 2014 should be old information for dedicated Asphalt & Rubber readers, and the Japanese company’s inline-four race bike was already spotted doing test laps last year by the eager eyes at Cycle World. Well the American print-mag has another set of eyebrow-raising high-quality photos of the 2014 Suzuki GSV-R to mull over from the Motegi race track, along with some technical insights provided by the venerable Kevin Cameron.
How do they fit so much ugly into one bike? That takes talent.
reminds me of a creature from borderlands two. Needs black exhaust headers and maybe slightly less ‘pumped’ front legs, but I think there is some interesting design going on there. Love the tank / tail combo.
Ugly as sin. I grew out of wanting to be Judge Dredd one summer circa 1977. And Buell? I know you Americans will love your ancient tractor engines until the end of time but…..no.
This should have never seen the light of day. or even the dark of a twisted mind.
I think it ROCKS. I love the minimalist design. Now if I only had $38k lying around.
I like it. But I can think of a lot of ways to spend 38k.
Fugly looks heavy…..
Did I maetion FUGLY!
Dear lord,
I want this motorbike so bad, purely as a collectors item!
I can actually afford one they may receive a check from me this week if ‘the boss” (wife) approves. I don’t see an issue since I was going to plop down almost that much for a CVO Road Glide Custom with add on’s.
Oh, I see what you did there…
@ZootCadillac That engine is made by Rotax, in AUSTRIA. Pretty damn fancy tractor I’d say…
Wayne, I wish this site allowed a thumbs up option, because your comment most deserves it.
@Jake F. :
+1K.
@Coreyvwc:
Yes, all hail migthy ROTAX !
I believe Rotax makes Aprilia’s engines too =o)
Design school dropout? The samurai it’s named after would commit seppuku again
The pics don’t really do the bike justice, they look much cooler in person. Just sayin’…
@Wayne, +1
I love Buells but… EEK! I see and can appreciate the design/styling approach to the symmetry of angles buuuuut, just not doing it for me. I like the forks, perhaps they could be thinned a bit to be made less visually heavy as ‘jakes’ noted. Appears to be a front fork shock – That should be made more visible. @RGR, I would HOPE it looks much cooler in person because it would be an even GREATER disappointment if it didn’t.
This bike is ruined by the wonky fork / radiator design. Remove that front end and you have one of the best looking street fighter designs ever. That transition from frame to faux tank to seat is perfect.. Pizza slize gap exposing the shock is perfect. Exhaust is slim but industrial while maintaining a hot rod look. Its like the super hot girl you see from behind but when she turns you cringe at the sight of her face.. This bike needs a nose job.
Best looking Buell is with out a doubt the pegasus typhon -> http://images.gizmag.com/hero/buell-1190-streetfighter-typhoon-16.jpg
* would like to see the magpul tail on the pegasus.
All this hate is making me want one even more.
How does that front suspension work (better or worse) compared to the common inverted fork? I agree about the tractor engine. As I tell Harley owners, they’re at an advantage in case they break down; they can get replacement parts at the tractor dealer (I live in farm country). My Aprilia V4 is definitely not made by Rotax btw.
@ZootCadillac
Can you calm down the anti American hatred long enough to actually get a fact straight? The 1125 used in this bike is assembled by BRP-Rotax in Austria. You know, the same guys that made the engine for the Aprilia RSV 1000?
@ Emilio
Nobody said the RSV4 has a Rotax engine. they said Aprilia in general, since Aprilia used Rotax engines in the RSV, Tuono (the old one), the Aprilia RS125, and the Aprilia Loenardo and Scarabeo scooters. It’s just not a tractor engine in this bike, no matter how you let your bias try to cloud the issue. I would think a person who would purchase an RSV would know some things about Aprilia.
If it weren’t for that hideous front end, the bike wouldn’t look too bad. Team of designers??? From where, third grade? Buncha yuppy wannabe trendy posers, go back to Walmart.
The original concept looked much better. Should have kept the LED lights and the twin mufflers as opposed to the single unit on there now. Titanium headers with natural blueing would be sexier as well. Offer it as a kit, but $38K as a single unit to start? No thanks, not even for half that!
@coreyvwc My mistake. I make many. I obviously didn’t read it in the copy and certainly had no wish to do any research on the bike. Could not afford one anyway after just buying an RC45*. Just read ‘Buell Chassis’ and mad an assumption. My bad.
@Faust I have no “Anti-American hatred” and even if that were the case I’d be foolish to attempt to display it here. I’d not last long. I do have a bit of an anti Harley thing but that’s a completely different story. That does not equate to any form of nationalism or xenophobia though. I’m not a fan of Yamaha either.
Fact remains that to my eyes and therefore in my opinion, that this is an ugly bike. I dislike the lines, I dislike the shapes. One of the reason’s I dislike the KTM superbike effort is because it looks as though it was drawn with only a straight-rule. Their dirt and adventure bikes count as some of the best in the world however. It’s just opinion.
*And FYI I think the RC45 is a pig ugly bike. Worst rear of that decade. But if you collect and the price is right ( in this economy it is ) then it’s not a bike you say no to, just for the history.
OHHHH ! I Know u just didn’t call the Origami 1190R UGLY ! Did u ? ! How DARE YOU when u flaunt being the owner of a couple of 999….this guy got some nerve !
Just kicking u on the ribs…lol. (o_~)
I too happen to like those “ugly” 999, specially dressed in FILA replica.
Thanks MikeD :)
Here’s a treat ( or not ) for you No’s 158 and 187 of 200 ever made :)
http://twitpic.com/bjm5mw
http://twitpic.com/budvb5
http://twitpic.com/bcad1n
http://twitpic.com/b7mm7r
http://twitpic.com/b5q3a6
sorry ;)
but in my defence I also have these
http://twitpic.com/b5kn78
http://twitpic.com/b5q3lq
http://twitpic.com/bvsdqs
I’m not totally drinking the Ducati kool aid ( but there is an 1199R on order )
Mods, I’ve had a post in moderation since yesterday, likely because it contains a number of links to pictures. Please consider allowing this post. i think that your readers, especially MikeD above, might enjoy the pictures.
I normally don’t like this kind of bike, but it is interesting. Does anyone know what the bike is in the background in the last photo?
I think it would look awesome if it wasnt from the frame, swingarm and front forks. Oh wait, thats half the bike…
That thing’s nearly as expensive as an NCR M4, and nowhere near as cool. You can pay that kind of money to a decent custom builder, and get something way way way better. Or, and I know this is a shocking concept, do it yourself. There’s nothing on this bike that’s all that technical, that Magpul is responsible for. About the only thing that doesn’t look like shit is the exhaust.
@Zoot:
You Sr., i want to make very clear i envy you from the bottomless bottom of my guts, let that be known. LOL.
I don’t want the Desmo, u keep that……..im happy with only the FILA Rep. That thing looks STUNNING.
That R7 didn’t hurt either.
Remember the Ronin was a concept motorcycle developed as a design experiment for I.D. guys in an unrelated industry (firearms). If it looked and functioned like every other bike out there then we would have considered the concept a failure.
As it was the Ronin caused enough purists heartburn as well as having enough people here fighting over the single prototype on the weekends that we decided to build the limited number announced.
In the end the production bike is a direct representation of the original concept bike with the rough edges knocked off. It sounds awesome too. The exhaust is built by us but internally it is based upon a Ducati 999r exhaust.
The Ronin is still is one of our favorite bikes to ride for fun.
Updates and more pictures on our facebook page…
http://www.facebook.com/RoninMotorworks
@MikeD
Thanks fella ;) Don’t be too envious, they are just bikes. In this economy buying homologation specials from people who need the cash is a better return than leaving my cash in the bank :)
There are actually 2 999R Fila reps there. if you notice one has the stock clutch cover and the other has a John Hackett Performance competition slipper clutch fitted. They still have a face only a mother could love but boy, what a ride. Quite possibly the best bike I’ve ever ridden. And yes, the R7 ain’t too shabby. You won’t see many of those on this side of the pond ;) Nori has promised to sign it when I can get them together.
@Rich Fitz.
I’ve probably done you a disservice.I’ve definitely been a little rude. I wish you well with your projects and fully understand that concepts have to break the mould. I was saying to Jensen last night that it probably rides like a dream but that I still can’t get over the looks. Call me old fashioned. Call me a purist. Call me whatever you like, I probably deserve it ;) but I have to be honest, it’s not the sort of bike I could consider adding to the stable. Don’t stop pushing the envelope because of people like me.
Cool bike. I’m a fan of modern girder suspension but I think they blew it on one design point
That could have made this bike less of merely a show piece .
The decision to incorporate the radiator into the girder has 2 performance drawbacks :
1). Increased unsprung weight
2). Increased steering inertia
Both are not an improvement on the old Buel.
Their posts claim about the same steered inertia with or without the built-in radiator
But I can’t see it .
Had they not done this, they could have exploited more fully the inherent benefits
Of the girder’s superior compliance adding to it equal or reduced suspension weight.
My 2 cents.
Joe
I LOVE it…and so wish I could buy the very first one released! My daughter’s name is Aprilia (named for a very badass and sexy bike, obviously). My son’s name is Ronin (originally for it’s Japanese significance); I am so f***ing excited that a bike now shares the name as well!!! Especially since its engine is made by the same company as the Aprilias (a very freaky coincidence since MY Ronin and Aprilia are made up of the same DNA).