Ducati & Yamaha’s Gentlemen’s Agreement: Rossi to Test GP10 at Valencia – Announcement Delayed

Still waiting for an announcement from Ducati that they’ve signed Valentino Rossi? So are we, and as we know now the delay of the worst kept secret in MotoGP is due to a gentleman’s agreement between Ducati & Yamaha. In exchange for delaying the announcement until after the American round at Laguna Seca (now slated for the Monday after racing at Brno), Yamaha is allowing Rossi to test the Ducati Desmosedici GP10 when MotoGP stops at Valencia at the end of the 2010 season.

New Ducati Model to be Unveiled at Laguna Seca

UPDATE: Ducati will be unveiling to the public its 2011 Ducati 848 Superbike EVO, which will have a $1,000 cheaper “Dark” variant as well.

Get ready Ducatisti, a new Ducati model is coming in two weeks. To be launched at Laguna Seca’s Ducati Island during the GP weekend, Ducati is tight lipped as to what the new model could be. In our invitation to the event, we are told only that the unveiling will be “hosted by four very excited guests to whom this new model means quite a lot.” The unveiling will be at 1pm on Saturday, and we’ll be there with our cameras.

Brammo Empulse – This Changes Everything

We’ve been expecting an electric sportbike from Brammo for over a month now, getting our first clues from our Bothan spies last week that the bike’s launch was imminent. Now we can officially say that the Brammo Empulse is the latest creation from the Ashland, Portland based Brammo, Inc. Continuing Brammo’s electric motorcycle offering, the Brammo Empulse represents the first production sportbike to be available by consumers. The Empulse comes in three flavors (Brammo Empulse 6.0, Empulse 8.0, & Empulse 10.0) with differing amounts of on-board power each variant.

WSBK: Ducati Gets Another Weight Reduction

From the official results of World Superbike’s stop at Brno, the FIM has once again determined that twin-cylinder motorcycles, i.e. Ducatis, will get another minimum weight reduction. Averaging more than a five point deficit over the last three WSBK events (Miller Motorsports Park, Misano, and Brno), WSBK rules require that twins be given another 3kg weight reduction, as the rules have been deemed to “favor” the 1000cc 4-cylinder motorcycles too heavily.

Rumor: Shake-Up at Ducati North America

UPDATE: John Paolo Canton, Ducati PR Manager, has responded in the comments that Lock was last spotted slaving away in his office, and it’s business as usual in Ducati North America.

With all the commotion going on today, our last piece of breaking news is the developing shake-up that’s going on at Ducati North America. Presumably involving the departure of Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock, we’ve been told changes at Ducati N.A. are occurring at the highest levels. All day we’ve been unable to reach anyone at Ducati’s Cupertino office, so we cannot confirm the report at this time…hey guys, pick up your phones!

Valentino Rossi Signs Two-Year Contract with Ducati

Let’s avoid the the “scoops”, “exclusives”, and “OMG’s”, and just say that Asphalt & Rubber has received word from a trusted source that Valentino Rossi has signed a two-year agreement with Ducati, that’s set to be announced on Monday…and boom goes the dynamite (sorry, we couldn’t resist). The Rossi/Ducati fantasy has been put forth for years, with the fervor on the subject reaching its pinnacle this season, as Ducati reportedly wafted a €15 million salary (almost double Yamaha’s offer) in front of the nine-time World Champion.

BREAKING: Stoner Confirmed to Repsol Honda – Three Man Team with Pedrosa & Dovizioso

It didn’t take long for the other shoe to drop, and now it is official that Casey Stoner will race with HRC in 2011, after it was announced moments ago that the Australian would be leaving the Ducati MotoGP team. Perhaps the most unexpected development in this announcement is HRC’s intentions of keeping both Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso for the 2011 season. The likely result of this will be a two-man Repsol Honda team, and a second single-bike team, which is likely to be sponsored by Red Bull.

2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R Testing with Photos & Video

There’s a lot of pressure on Kawasaki for 2011. Team Green has exited MotoGP, and is completely un-competitive with its ZX-10R in World Superbike and World Superstock 1000. Looking to rectify the situation, Kawasaki has gone back to the drawing board with it’s liter bike offering, and have been testing the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R at Suzuka for the last two days this week. With test riders Hidemichi Takahashi & Akira Yanagawa on-board, we get our first glimpse at the rumored 190hp/190kg Superbike taking laps. Video confirms that a normal firing order is inside the four-cylinder motor (sorry, no cross-plane here), but traction control is rumored to come as a standard option.

Video: The Motus KMV4 GDI Engine

Motorcycle upstart Motus Motorcycles continues to press forward with its MST-01 sport-tourer, and has released a video that talks more about the development of their 1645cc gasoline direct-injection V4 motor: the KVM4. Balking at the advice of others not to build their own powerplant, Motus has teamed up with Katech to design an in-house motor for the Motus MST-01.

Video: Crocs vs. Asphalt

There’s so many things going on in this video, we’re not certain where to begin. Filmed on Mulholland Highway by the same fine folks who brought us video footage of the guy who crashed in front of a CHP officer, this new saga takes a different approach to riders exceeding their limits on city streets. Take an unsuspecting white Honda Elite scooter, a pair of Crocs shoes, and some invisible knee pucks, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a bizarre Sunday morning lowside that could have been much, much, much worse. While we’ll give bonus points for good dirt-tracking technique, be sure to check the slow-mo footage for the exact moment the rider’s shoes depart humanity, and dive over the cliff.

2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré [Updated]

Wed 02/24/2010 @ 11:40 am, by Jenny Gun

Home » Bikes » 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré [Updated]

UPDATE: Pricing abroad for the 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré looks to be £13,500 & €15,000, with some variation because of individual country tariffs.

With its latest bike the Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré, Yamaha is stepping up its game and getting serious about the adventure-tourer motorcycling segment. The Dakar inspired Super Ténéré is a ground-up production for Yamaha, making it the first Japanese manufacturer to get serious about this emerging (and very profitable) market segment.

With 1,199cc under the hoood, the XT1200Z Super Ténéré is aiming its sights on the class-leading BMW R1200GS and new-comer Ducati Multistrada 1200. The powerplant features a parallel twin motor with four valves per cylinder, and makes 108hp @ 7,250 RPM and 84lbs•ft @ 6,000 RPM. Read more about the Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré after the jump.

For a wiz-bang factor, the Super Ténéré features a bevy of techno-goodies like ride-by-wire throttle control, three-mode linked & ABS brakes, dual-riding modes (street and touring), and Yamaha’s traction control system (YCC-T). Ensuring that the fun doesn’t stop is the bike’s 6.07 gallon gas tank, which should make all the die-hard adventure/touring folks very happy. However, the bike’s 575lb wet weight is likely to turn a few upside down frowns the wrong way around.

As was done on the YZF-R1, Yamaha seems to be taking the lessons learned on the MotoGP race track, and is applying their cross-plane crankshaft design (if you can call it that on a two cylinder motor) to the Super Ténéré. The 270° crank allows the Super Ténéré to deliver its power pulses in a manner that allows for better traction between the tire and road, which has a huge benefit in off-road situations.

No price has been announced yet, but expect it to undercut the KTM, BMW, and Ducati’s of the world…and for real bad news, the Super Ténéré has not been confirmed for the US market.

Technical Specifications of the 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré:

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, inline 2-cylinder, 4-valve, fuel injected, twin spark engine
Displacement: 1199cc
Bore x stroke: 98 x 79.5 mm
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Firing intervals: 270- and 450-degree points
Max. Power: 80.9kW (110PS) @7,250rpm
Max. Torque: 114.1 Nm (11.6kgf･m) @6,000 rpm
Lubrication system: Dry sump
Fuel supply system: Fuel Injection
Clutch type: Wet, multiple-disc diaphragm spring
Ignition system: Twin spark
Starter system: Electric
Transmission system: Constant mesh, 6-speed
Final transmission: Shaft
Throttle system: Yamaha Chip-Controlled Throttle (YCC-T)
Yamaha D-MODE: 2 modes, Sport (S) and Touring (T)
Traction control: 3 modes, TCS1, TCS2 and OFF
Exhaust System: 2-into-1

CHASSIS
Frame: Steel tube backbone
Front suspension: Upside-down telescopic fork, 43 mm inner tube, adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping
Front wheel travel: 190 mm
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable preload and rebound damping
Rear wheel travel: 190 mm
Front brake: Hydraulic Twin 310 mm wave discs, ABS/Unified Brake System
Rear brake: Hydraulic Single 282 mm wave disc
Front tyre: 110/80/19
Rear tyre: 150/70/17

DIMENSIONS
Overall length: 2,250 mm
Overall width: 980 mm
Overall height: 1,410 mm
Seat height: Adjustable 845-870 mm
Wheelbase: 1,540 mm
Min. ground clearance: 205 mm
Wet weight: 261 kg (includes full oil and fuel tank):
Fuel capacity: 23 litres
Oil capacity: 4.2 litres

Top 5 Related Posts:

Tagged under: 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré, 2011 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré, Adventure, adventure bike, adventure-tourer, Super Ténéré, XT1200Z, XT1200Z Super Ténéré, Yamaha, Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

Comment:

akatsuki says:

02/24/2010 at 12:01 PM

Sounds good, but the styling should have gotten a bit more attention from Yamaha. The Multistrada is almost gorgeous (minus the beak). Better looking than the R1200GS anyway. And that weight? Ouch.
Peter says:

02/24/2010 at 12:03 PM

“With 1,999cc under the hoood”
That’s one big engine..
;-)
Dave says:

02/24/2010 at 12:03 PM

1,999cc? Sounds 700cc too high. Still rather have a regular tenere. Those at least seemed more capable for the weight…
Jenny Gun says:

02/24/2010 at 12:06 PM

My bad, I got distracted by the 575lb weight quote, and goofed on the displacement. It’s 1,199cc’s.
Peter Lombardi says:

02/24/2010 at 12:17 PM

i personally like the styling, it’s rugged and that looks like something i would ride through anything and not give a damn haha.

agreed on the Multistrada, yeah, minus the inescapable beak, is sexy, but i’d feel horrible if i ever got a ding, dent, or scratch. with this Yamaha, i feel as it would give it just that much more appeal.

the weight does scare the crap out of me though.
-peter
VisionPhotos says:

02/24/2010 at 12:19 PM

I was perfectly happy with my FZ1 until I saw the Yamaha XT1200Z http://bit.ly/bXPw6I #motorcycle (via @Asphalt_Rubber )
Eric says:

02/24/2010 at 1:07 PM

I don’t know about this thing, it looks like a pig. The KTM990 Adventure has all the power you need for a huge adventure tourer, but it “only” weighs 430lbs or so. 575lbs is absolutely absurd. Why won’t they just sell the Tenere 660 in the USA? I see KLR’s all over the place, is there some reason why they think the 660 won’t sell over here?
Ted Dorsey says:

02/24/2010 at 5:12 PM

RT @Asphalt_Rubber: 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré http://bit.ly/bXPw6I
Ferd says:

02/24/2010 at 5:26 PM

The weight seems high at 575lbs but I think Yamaha should import the Tenere 660 to the USA. I think BMW has the 1200cc class wrapped up with the R1200GS and GSA. The BMW will be a tough bike to take on as it is established and has a very loyal following. The BMW’s have tons of aftermarket company’s making add-ons for the GS line-up. Still I guess I really don’t have to worry because the USA will not get these anyway. If Yamaha would import the 660 I would buy one tomorrow.
Lucas Co. Choppers says:

02/24/2010 at 8:51 PM

RT @Asphalt_Rubber: 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré http://bit.ly/bXPw6I
timmy-bear says:

02/25/2010 at 12:51 AM

Yamaha better damn well bring this thing to the US. I used to be a big Honda fan, but I really thing Yamaha is where it’s at (they got Rossi didn’t they?). The new Tenere is a direct competitor to the Multistrada 1200, and the BMW GS. So long as Yamaha keeps the pricing down, this thing will sell like hotcakes. Otherwise, it’ss suffer the same fate as the TDM 850 of ‘92-’93
Hayabrusa says:

02/25/2010 at 9:00 AM

I agree with timmy-bear, but alas, I fear the US will get the shaft again – I find it interesting (and frustrating) that some ya-hoo in a foreign country ‘decides’ that a bike won’t be good for the US market! Gee, I wouldn’t bother trying it, on the off-chance it could be a huge success! D’oh!! Anyway, the bike is cool, and I bet you won’t notice the weight once you’re underway, unless you do a lot of slow-speed off-roading.
Hayabrusa says:

02/25/2010 at 9:03 AM

. . . which you really shouldn’t be doing with those tires anyway! Nice ‘fake’ off-road picture, Yamaha!
tc says:

02/25/2010 at 12:52 PM

Wow, Heavier than my 02 Bandit 1200 by over 50lbs, radiator to get damaged if dropped, Higher compression motor but similar power curves. Guess I don’t get it???
My husky 610 covers the dirt riding that the Bandit can’t complete.
pwr says:

02/25/2010 at 3:11 PM

I like adventure touring bikes for sport touring, but I hate chains. There aren’t any shaft-drive adventure tourers besides the Stelvio and the R1200GS, and who’s going to take a Guzzi into the boonies? This is bound to be a good bit cheaper, if it ever gets here. I’ll watch with interest.
Serge says:

02/25/2010 at 4:05 PM

C’mon YAMAHA!! please bring that bike in North America PLEASE Listen….We want one here in Canada…We need one to explore James Bay, Labrador, Abitibi….We are going to kick the ass of the GS this the SuperTénéré!!!! PLEASE YAMAHA….Listen
Mondo Endo says:

02/26/2010 at 9:37 AM

You would think that because of how well the BMW GS series sell they would at least give us a shot at it. Look at the chance that BMW took with the new 1000rr going against the status quo in the super sport market and from all Ive read its a great bike and doing well sales wise. I would love to have the new 1200, I cant count how many times Ive gone on a( lets see where this road leads me ride) only to have to turn around because of a dirt road or trail. I dont want a full on dual sport I want a street bike with off road as an option. Ive ridden a 990 KTM adventure and wasnt impressed on the street, Im sure its way better off road than the Yam or BMW but since I spend more time on road thats more important to me. I guess I could always convert my Bandit 1250 into a adv tourer, hell it weighs about the same. Where can I get high pipes for it? lol
Suzzy Lyric says:

04/08/2010 at 3:04 PM

I dont really read blogs or even comment on blogs but I did find your pretty intresting toread through, Do you mind if I ask what skin you are using for this blog, Im guessing its a wordpress website?

The Latest From A&R StreetLevel:

RT : media pass: every race fans dream come true! Special thanks to for…
By: skadamo @Tue, 30 Nov 1999 07:00:00