Ducatisti: do you want the good news or the bad news first? The bad news is that the market for motorcycles 500cc and up is down 17% worldwide for the first quarter of this year, which means the “good” news is that Ducati is only down 5% for Q1 2013. Not exactly the start out of the gate that Audi was hoping for its newly acquired two-wheeled brand, but what are you going to do? Western Europe is a mess, with Spain and Italy continuing to go down like a…well, you know. While we don’t enjoy the misery of motorcycle brands, the fact that Ducati Motor Holding is now under the Audi AG umbrella means that we get far more detailed quarterly and yearly reports from the two-wheeled marque, and we’ve got the digits after the jump.
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.
Well its more practical and probably faster (in terms of cruise speed at least) than the RS50. I don’t know how well the RS50 sold, but on the used market they are still fairly expensive, suggesting that there’s some demand.
Why not a 400 cc bike?
Whether it will sell in the US or not! You have to commend Aprilia for not fitting their 250 and 125cc bikes with cheap downgraded parts, unlike the other metric sports bikes! the person buying the 125 still gets USD forks and other premium components, which doesnt make the buyer feel like he is being robbed!
Because it would be intelligent and there are laws against that.
Even 250cc is just too small. I’ve owned a Ninja 500 and DRZ400SM. I think JJ is right – a 400cc twin would be nice and give about 40hp.
I think it will outsell the lackluster CBR250 (which shouldn’t be under the CBR badge) and the Ninja 250.
I’m a 205# guy and I will probably buy one and enjoy the hell out of it. Sure, I have other, larger 4 strokes and a RS250, but this thing will be a hoot and the cool factor is light years ahead of the Asian brands. :thumbsup: to Aprilia. I dig it!
I’d be curious to see what it sounds like…
I have a lot of bikes, including an R1 that puts out about 205bhp. The point is I’d still have this bike. it’s not always about power. Any everyday rider can ride a 1,000cc bike because it gives you the power to make up for poor riding skills. Take this to a track day and it will show you exactly what you’re made of. A poor rider will be getting blasted by bigger bikes. An accomplished rider will be dancing through the traffic in the corners.
New superbikes are a lot of fun. I’ve ridden the RS4 a few times and on my very best day, I’m using 60% of what that bike can offer. On this – I’m max biagi. You can only learn to truly ride a fast bike after you’ve mastered a slower one. This is the bike that will improve your skills more than you know.
@Doug Is the VTR 250 sold in USA? It’s not faired, but it’s better than that Moto3 new CBR250
I think 16HP can be dangerous on the streets when you need to get out of trouble fast. I think 250cc is the magic number for this kind of bike.
250cc thumpers found in street legal bikes have typically been <20hp. I wouldn't be too focused on cc, rather hp/weight will matter more when it comes to getting out of the way. It'll certainly move along better than most scooters and there's a ton of them scurrying about.
I couldn’t justify it if i can’t use it on the H-way sometimes (here the H-way flows at 70-80mph and then u need more steam in reserve to be able to pass and fend off distracted drivers) I can’t see a 125 doing so decently any time soon unless it weights 100lbs .
A shame really, all the good stuff is already there, from that stout looking spar frame to the big front brake to the USD Forks to the RSV4 Styling…u mention it.
Let’s see how it does and hope Aprilia get’s the Hint and don’t drop this model before it’s time and installs a 250cc or bigger engine on it.
Im in love with it but i can’t justify the $$$ Aprilia thinks is worth and get pass the fact that is “only” 125cc.
Maybe i would pick a used one.
this bike is made for rich men who doesnt know what to do with their money…
16HP, my riding lawn mower has more power than that… what the hell are these ppl thinking any way??
this bike actually Derbi GPR…different only at the coverset which look like his brother RSV4…..so nothing special about this bike..better get new one Cagiva SPS525…ore valuable for ur money
Fantastic, it was about time …… the the writer, pls stop doing disservice to the people who are interested in such a bike and were actually waiting for a long time.
It’s hilarious to read how some people think that ” a bike with 16HP can be unsafe be in a traffic ….” LOL hilarious. I guess it’s truly hard to not fall into the “the bigger the better”, right?
Good on you Aprilia.
ps: To the editor, don’t bother looking in Europe, pls have a look much closer to the north of the border to see how “badly” CBR125 did, which US so wisely passed on as well …. Your article would be one of the reasons why perhaps we don’t get some of the smaller cc cool bikes Europe and rest of the world gets. I’d have to credit you though for the fact that we have 15 different +600cc bikes and probably another 20 plus +1000cc bikes ….. yeah thanks a lot for understanding our needs. I will let you know how my KTM125 Duke does ….
MXS: If it works for u….THAT’S GREAT! U must live in the middle of nowhere with little to no traffic.
All i have to say is, come down to Miami, FL and put your Money where ur Mouth is trying to overtake someone during rush hour on the Palmetto….with your “16HP more than enough” motorcycle…and don’t forget…SouthFlorida have the best drivers in the US or at least on the TOP 5. The best as in trying to kill and run u off the road.
U and your lawn mower powered bike will look PRETTY as the HOOD/BUMPER ORNAMENT of a Silverado, F150, U mention it…….LMAO.
I think this is a great bike and will be a welcome addition to the current small-bike lineup out here in Canada. Unlike the US, we’ve had the 13HP Honda CBR125R since 2007 and I’d say it has sold quite well with Honda’s new rider package.
I had my reservations on riding such a small bike but because I’m not interested in being a keyboard cowboy, I went out and bought one on the used market for $1600 CAD and rode it around BC for about 3 weeks, covering about 2500km of highways in Northern BC one emergency rescue of some stranded friends in Seattle (via the I5) & one trackday. The fact is, one needs to understand the limitations of having 13hp and although I managed to maintain 60mph on the I5 80% of the time, a superslab highway is no place for a 125cc 4-stroke unless you have no other choice.
My CBR125R was a FANTASTIC bike, a blast to ride and a great tool for teaching proper riding technique and how to manage yourself safely in traffic to avoid becoming a ‘HOOD/BUMPER ORNAMENT’. Frankly, that kind of attitude really highlights the kind of unskilled riders there are out there and the funniest part is that they’re the ones who always play themselves as the victim on the roadways
I ended up selling the bike after a month because I was leaving the workforce and going back to school and didn’t need to have two bikes insured at the same time; but have been considering picking up another 125 just for fun–they are a blast. This Aprilia looks fantastic and all the extra tech. they’ve crammed into it would make it a lot of fun.
Why on earth would Aprilia even bother with a 125cc if it is going to be 4 stroke… :S I just don’t get it… If it were 2 stroke – different story… 4 stroke – forget it, although it does look better than the Honda CBR125R
JD ;)
Dustin:… I don’t ride a lawn mower(no NASA calculations to overtake or pass), i just pick an exit line and give it gas, I don’t even down shift…not thanks to 125cc but 996cc…if anything i’ll become a TAILGATE/TRUNK BLUE/BLACK ORNAMENT. Natural Selection will take care if anything. Be THE BETTER RIDER…who gives a ^&*% about anyone’s skills? Not me. That’s who.
AS I SAID, W/e works for the people…it can’t be wrong(for them anyways) IF 125cc tickles ur pickle is all good. (^_^ ) Be again a lawn-mower Cow-Boy.
Hope it’ll sell good on Canada and u AND many others get it.
The U.S.A ? I’ll have my pop corn , paper and pencil ready to take notes and see the outcome. Maybe Aprilia will come to it senses soon enough and make a 250 version for the U.S Market, maybe they’ll drop it from it U.S. model lineup faster than steaming Horse Poop. Let’s wait and see.
Canada and the U.S are just too different markets. Live with it…I DO.
Nice video. Great music by Skunk Anansie. I’d buy a 16hp 125 if the price was right. The 250 class would be better admittedly, but I think I’d have some pretty good fun zipping in and out of traffic here in southern California. I’m guessing we got some pretty good traffic down here too, Miami aint nothing special. I grew up on 12hp 125s in London and I got plenty of grins. Sometimes the 160hp on my TL1000 is just more than I need. Freeways are for wankers anyway, the real fun is on the streets. If I could get one of these used for about $2000 I’d be up for it. But yeah, the Ninja 250 still owns the sweet spot for fun cheap small light economical toy bikes.
Regarding the 400cc comments….it makes me mad we dont see more of these. This is the perfect toy bike I think. Small like a 250 but with 50 horse, that would be tight.
And MikeD you talk alot of sh*t man. Look out for those F150s bro. Karma has a funny way of taking care of bizness
Adam: 160HP on a TL ? And then u fell off your bed or the crack buzz went away ?
U SURE do talk a LOT MORE shiznit than i do, Wanker BRO. Go ride a lawn-mower, please. Ur soiling that TL, Ur rear ain’t fit for it but 2wheeled lawn-mowers. Aprilia needs your $$$.
P.S: Karma was a chic…and i %^* with her a long time ago. Sock it to me.
well, i own an RSV4 and would welcome a smaller displacement bike to ride off-track (anyone that owns or has ridden as RSV4 will understand this) i was very excited to hear about the new CBR250 coming to the states and even more excited when i heard Aprilia would be releasing a small displacement bike as well. however, i do feel that a 250 would be the smallest you would really want to deal with on SoCal streets. i’ve been to Thailand where a 250 is a monster-sized bike and the 125 is great there but i’d have to say “no go” for the US. i would love to get one as a companion to my RSV4 but will probably hold out to see if they dump a 250 in it on the next run. the lack of power could also be addressed with gearing too. i’ll definately see about a test ride before i drop on the CBR250.
I think this is an awesome bike but i think bringing the 125cc learner legal version here is a mistake. As MANY people have said, this bike would be MUCH better with a 250cc engine. It would weigh A LOT less than the ninja 250 or cbr250, handle better and look better. I think with a 250, aprilia could really steal a lot of business from kawasaki and honda, even with a higher price tag. It would easily be the best 250 available.
Contrary to popular belief, a lot of people would buy a lightweight, sporty, small displacement bike. This bike has all these things and looks great too, but this type of bike needs to be a 250.
APRILIA, BRING THIS BIKE TO NORTH AMERICA AS A 250!!! And you will have a winner!
i love how the first picture is the new rs50 2 stroke minarelli engined bike not the 125