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.
A surprise addition to BMW Motorrad’s 2013 model line-up, zie Germans have announced a new middleweight adventure-tourer, the 2013 BMW F800GS Adventure. Like its larger predecessor, the BMW F800GS Adventure is a more travel-ready and off-road capable build of the recently updated BMW F800GS motorcycle. Featuring a larger windscreen, panniers, and a bigger fuel tank capacity (2.1 gallons larger, for a total of 6.3 gallons of fuel), the BMW F800GS Adventure keeps the same 85 hp, liquid-cooled, 798cc, parallel-twin engine found on the F800GS, as well as the same chassis configuration. Pricing in the US will be $13,550 for the base model BWM F800GS Adventure.
Something wrong with that design. the lumps will get in your way when tucking… i know it is just a rendering but i dont think it would work with that frame. rsv-4 with a tractor engine (moto guzzi) in it.
Looks like he has done what I have always wanted to do to a Guzzi..rotated the jugs 90 degrees and replaced with water cooled heads. Ideally they would be off a Ducati…
There’s a term used in (graphic) design, called “‘Frankensteining,” that’s often performed by clients when presented with “choice” of design. They usually combine the “best” elements of each design presented and then “smartly” combine them into another design idea/concept. What usually happens can be related to this and other examples of “concept” bikes that mishmash this engine with that hub with the tank from a previous year’s model: no fluidity of concept. The execution is well-done but the bike has no character at all, much like a lot of ubiquitous and forgettable graphic design. I personally like to call this “potpourri design,” mixing and matching lots of fragrant and exotic materials to create a noxious and unappealing mess. This is not a slur against Luca Bar because I have enjoyed some of their digital creations, but this isn’t one. Today, everybody is a graphic designer, illustrator, web designer, animator and filmmaker because of the ease of digital wanking but the art of design has temporarily lost its way and is stuck deep in a forest somewhere.
Meh. Looks like a CBR1000 with tumors on the side.
I like most Guzzi’s, but those cylinder lumps sticking out the side alway interfere with my knees. A non-starter in my books.
I think conceptually there might some interesting ideas here. One thing struck me with regard to the customary anti-Guzzi complaint of knees hitting cylinder heads; Seeing the heads turned sideways got me thinking that if this redering was to properly follow it’s own design ethos, then my feeling is that the cylinders would in reality be much shorter. If working from a clean slate, it would make sense to go with a highly under square engine, incorpoarting very compact valve gear and a more foreward placement of the lump – giving much needed weight over the front tire, and moving the rocker covers down and forward of the rider’s knobblies. It could work, and it would be nice to see it labelled “LeMans” for old times sake. Guzzi used to be respected for great handling and torquey engines, so I think a sport model in the line up makes sense.
I think this lacks the flowing grace and sex appeal of what I think was the most beautiful Guzzi ever produced, and one of my 3 favorite bikes of all time – the MGS-01.
Why Moto Guzzi never made the MGS-01 a regular (i.e. long term) production bike is beyond me. A limited production run only ensured that prices and availability would forever stay out of my reach.
@Shawn: The MSG-01 is pure sex on wheels, innit? Strikingly beautiful to this COG’s eyes.
Looks good in my book to bad Guzzi doesn’t have the balls to make one.
Girder front suspension from a Confederate B121 Wraith, RSV-R chassis, Ducati swing arm and wheels and a Guzzi engine.
I like the ‘idea’ of this concept however this bike would fight with itself on the track. Also the heat vent ducts on the fairings are too far forward to exchange any heat from the radiator. I mean look how fack the front wheel tucks into the cowlings.
Agree fully that MSG-01 is very sexy bike and watched it kick ducati and other well prepared BOTT bikes at Daytona a few years ago in the hands of Mr. Guereschi ….build the MSG-01 and they will sell all of them if priced at Ducati / Aprilia RSV 4 range. I’m not sure why Piaggio group feels that each brand much have one niche….doesnt make sense to me but then again I’m german not italian…:)
Luca Bar does do interesting design work but this is a poor mish-mash of cobbled together bits that do not result in a cohesive and well developed design; Mi sums it up perfectly. I would love to see Luca Bar do his own version of a Ipothesys!…. that would be something!
Knees hitting heads is a common misconception of many non Guzzi riders and if done properly (MGS-01) this is not an issue.
The Yamaha style frame spars are so “last century” … any new sporty Guzzi would be more advanced than this. There is enough structural integrity in the Guzzi engine design that a Panigale style “frame” would be simple to do… after all, the MGS-01 already had the swingarm hung off the rear of the engine so only a new monocoque front end would be required.
If Guzzi took a leaf out of Ducatis’ book and produced a true sports bike it would be monocoque both ends, Ohlins and Brembo front and rear, vacuum assisted cast cases for light weight, water cooled, 190 hp, etc etc.. all the performance of a Ducati with an engine with even MORE character. Those that bemoan the side to side rocking of a Guzzi when you blip the throttle are not those that take ultimate joy in the visceral connection between man and machine. You really know you are riding something when it speaks to you the way a Guzzi transverse twin does.
The comments about Piaggio not building the MGS-01 highlight how misdirected and disinterested Piaggio is, in one of motorcyclings’ greatest names. Guzzi could easily be the other Italian twin… Terblanche showed what could have been with his concept Guzzis a couple years ago. Instead Piaggio has dropped the ball. Such a shame because a truly modern high performance Guzzi would be such a wonderful and exciting riding experience it would sell like crazy, once perceptions changed. If they ever make a modern version of an MGS-01 I will sell a couple of my Ducatis to buy one!
"@Asphalt_Rubber: Moto Guzzi Sportbike Concept by Luca Bar Design – http://t.co/2JFHc1eT #motorcycle"
RSV-4/Confederate/Buell gang-bang love child!
Horrible. Definately designed by commitee
Luca Bar’s a day late and a dollar short to this one. As others have mentioned, there’s the MGS-01 Corsa, designed by Ghezzi Brian. But there’s also the Ipothesys, designed by Officine Rossopuro. Or you could just go with a V11 LeMans. All superior examples, and all in the flesh, not just some photoshop experiment.
For those who really want an MGS-01 Corsa, might want to look at Ghezzi Brian’s website, they offer full kits for about as close as you can get to one, among other things.
The MGS-01 is the one for me. It is the most natural progression of the line. I have a Mille GT and 95 Sport 1100 and one can see and feel the lineage. Back to the drawing board, boys.
& there you have it. . .
That’s awful, sorry. Taking a RSV-4 and putting a transverse V in it doesn’t make it a good design. What I’d like to see is Guzzi release the bikes that Terblanche designed a year or so ago. Much more in keeping with Guzzi’s history while moving forward and *not* being a me too bike. Some of the Luca Bar Design bikes are interesting but the last two (this and the 799) smacked of a lack of imagination.
I think Moto Guzzi has a good niche going. Nostalgic standards, with modern standards like the Griso and getting into a cruiser market with that Guzzi flare is pretty much a perfect product line up. Offering a touring bike as they do with the Guzzi twin offers a really great alternative to other manufacturers. I agree however that a pure sport bike makes little sense.
Well, as much as I want to love the V7 stuff, it just doesn’t do much for me. A road-going version of the MGS-01 would have me champing at the bit to part with my cash. It’s new school enough to be modern and old school enough to push all the right COG buttons. I think I lust after a road-going MGS-01 even more than a Panigale S Tricolore. That’s saying a lot.
liquid-cooled Guzzi racebike with heads turned 90 degrees so the header pokes out the side? check the video below and note the belt driven cams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOZm9Osiu0k
There are some great photos of this design around.
Nice to see so many people still want the MGS-01 built for the street. With the MGS-01 lighter weight (relative to Guzzis) and shorter wheelbase, you don’t need crazy hp that would be prohibitive for emissions with an air-cooled motor. C’mon Guzzi
here’s one with the bodywork on (along with a Beastie Boy intro yeah-haha!)
Heh, I like it and even as a rendered frankenbike looks good. Y’all just don’t like any fork that isn’t telescoping…inspite of telescoping forks inferiority.
Sorry, but that is awful. It looks like an Aprilia with the engine turned transverse instead of longitudinal. If that’s Guzzi’s future, then they have no future.
Not sure why everybody’s lamenting Guzzi’s lack of sportbikes, or even liking this frankenshop non-bike. Guzzi’s new V7s are way cooler than this stuff.
http://blog.motorcycle.com/2012/03/28/motorcycle-news/2012-moto-guzzi-v7-stone-v7-special-and-v7-racer/
I’d recommend a look at Terblanche’s Moto Guzzi V12 concepts from 2010. Gorgeous and built rather than rendered. I’m still holding my breath on MG actually introducing one or two of them.
http://bit.ly/H51csG
Richard
The V7 isn’t really much of a sports bike … I mean what is it.. 47 hp??. + so so brakes and mediocre suspension…. it is a great fun retro machine but still not a patch on the Ducati SportClassics.
I don’t have a problem with 47 HP as long as it’s on a nice, lightweight bike that handles well. For me the problem is that the V7 scratches an itch that I just don’t have.
Andrey, who said it was a sportbike? Guzzi doesn’t make sportbikes, or cruisers. They make motorcycles. As to the quality of the V7 line up, that’s more a wait and see at this point, since they’ve got that major overhaul of the line, not even calling them classics anymore. New engine, new wheels, lots of other new bits, with a curb weight under 400 lbs and around 50 hp, sounds like a fun bike.
And unless you’re doing track days, well, it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.
It looks great … as long as you don’t try to use it or are taller 5’4″.
You know what? I think it’s terrible. Clearly an RSV4 silhouette, with a Ducati swing arm. And a S1000RR catalytic converter and GP exhaust. And why the heck would you give a sportsbike Hossack suspension?
I don’t think I’ve liked even ONE of Luca Bar’s designs. I guess there’s a reasons he’s creating crappy photoshops for Asphalt & Rubber instead of designing our new bikes.
Luca, go get yourself an engineering diploma so you at least know what you’re talking about, then go back to design school and see if you can come up with an original design. Maybe someone will hire you then…
@Rob749
“And why the heck would you give a sportsbike Hossack suspension?”
John Britten’s design did great with a derivative of a Hossack suspension.
As far as your criticism…the parts used are obvious
The V7 looks the part but still has the old Heron Head Lario design. Not the best for making serious power. Rather like a side valve engine in that regard. But it looks like a race bike from the 60′s so I suppose that is what sells-image and not much substance. Don’t misunderstand, I really really like both of my Guzzis. I would have recent LeMans if money were available and perhaps a Griso. Those bikes have style character and performance.
@M.I. Yes, it’s just a little more than a copy & paste, but I declared it on my post please read below. I just wanted to push on the tech side, I really didn’t care of aesthetic, that’s why you read “PROTOTIPO” on the side.
@Rob749
As you maybe don’t know I do design motorcycles, I just don’t send confidential works to Asphalt & Rubber…
What you see on A&R and other websites are not part of my work but basic visualization of some concept that I publish to give you “passionate motorcyclists” the opportunity to say your opinion.
I’m sorry you can’t read Italian and you don’t visit my blog where I explain my “crappy” works, to make life simple for you I can give you a Google Translate of my original post…
“A Moto Guzzi Sport is expected to be quite a bit, so I thought I’d throw out some time to create a rendering. All from the engine part that sees the arrival of the cooling liquid and the rotation of the cylinders of 90 °, so as to have the injection into the cylinders and discharges to the outside of the bike. Doing so frees up space for rider’s legs. At front is a fork of the type Hossak can shorten the wheelbase of the bike, in the interest of maneuverability, the real sticking point Guzzi.
The frame comes from none other than her cousin Aprilia RSV, a twin-spar aluminum adapted to the architecture of the Guzzi engine. Fairing, tank and tail are transplanted verbatim from his cousin RSV4 so as not to waste time and develop the prototype.”
@Doug I knew that bike and it’s where the engine I drawed comes out, I just wouldn’t use any belt…come on we are in 2012!!
Anyhow, thank you all for comments and A&R for publishing.
I apologise to all for sounding like a mega-jerk internet warrior. I got up on the right side of the bed today :)
@Sid:
John Britten’s Design did well because of its engine and light weight. It needed to be “steered with the rear” through turns because the front end was terrible.
The problem with Hossack suspension is that it “separates the braking forces from suspension forces” at only one neutral position. Once ANY suspension force is applied outside that point, the breaking force no longer travels through that neutral position and the component of that force parallel to the steering angle is added to the suspension forces.
This means that throughout the suspension travel, the effect of breaking forces increase exponentially as the “angle of action” changes. Suspension setup is therefore much more difficult and with a much narrower range of effective operation. That’s why the S1000RR has traditional suspension.
It IS lighter however, and John Britten was obsessed with light weight (From memory – its been a while since I watched the documentary).
@Luca
I really do apologise for being an internet a$$ hat, but the design just struck me as different where it should be the same, and the same where it should be different. I realise its a concept sketch, and that Industrial Design is mostly just drawing stuff to see how it looks, but I do wonder what the inspiration for the particular design elements came from.
“At front is a fork of the type Hossak can shorten the wheelbase of the bike, in the interest of maneuverability, the real sticking point Guzzi.”
Can you explain how Hossack suspension shortens the wheelbase of the bike? Hossack’s own website makes no mention of this apparent advantage, instead championing its stiffness-for-weight ratio and “separation of breaking and suspension forces”.
By removing fork based suspension, you eliminate the classic Guzzi Cafe Racer style. Does Guzzi have a history with Hossack suspension? I thought it was more a BMW thing.
“Fairing, tank and tail are transplanted verbatim from his cousin RSV4 so as not to waste time and develop the prototype.”
Good theory, but you’ve made adjustments to the fairing (I’d assume for airflow around cylinder heads). No argument with the tank and subframe, but personally I don’t think Moto Guzzi would be very happy to have their name on a bike that is a blatant copy of an Aprilia, concept or no. Also, by reusing these elements, you’ve thrown away the one area where real design and artistic expression can be achieved.
To me it just seems like an amateurish assortment of random mechanical elements and the lazy design. The engineering required to make such a design feasible would be enormous and is not an obvious Return On Investment. In the time it takes to get it even concept parts designed you could have designed 10 rear subframes and fairings. The ONLY redeeming feature of this concept is its uniqueness, and by reusing existing parts you are showing that the whole idea is not worth your time and effort.
I can see you’re a professional (After all, you have a website :P), but I don’t think this is a professional effort.
I checked out your website, I really liked the Tuono,the Cagiva, The V7 and the Scrambler. I would much like to see your blog, could I get a link?