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.
I’m not really disappointed that they aren’t updating the aesthetic. Granted, they probably would have done something awesome, but the “old” Streetfighter isn’t exactly ugly to begin with. In fact, I happen to think it’s a work of art.
In any case, sign me up for a 2012 Streetfighter 848! I’ve been waiting for that one. Thank you Ducati.
Agreed Ken C. Updating looks as often as the Japanese has never been part of the Ducati ethic, so I don’t see why anyone would be surprised/dissapointed.
I do love the longer service intervals promised by the 11 degree engine. But I’m glad my “only an 848″ (read non EVO) engine isn’t the lump that’s powering 3 or more “different” models.
If they can bring the 848 streetfighter in for less than $12K, I may have to bite the bullet.
Good point, the price will be interesting. Can’t imagine it costing less than $11,995.00.
Pricing is going to be tricky:
Monster 1100 Evo – $11,995
Street Fighter – $14,995
848 Evo – $12,995
I’m guessing $12,995/13,495 for the SF 848
Any idea about electronics / sliper clutch?
Awesome!
i’m not sure that the 848 will be suitable as “another model that could be an entry point into the brand for new riders” is 120+ horsepower enough for a novice?
sure it is, just in the same way that the street triple is for triumph
all garbage bikes who cares
If they update the valve train of the 848 motor to extend valve adjust intervals I’d be interested, otherwise I simply am not…
Pricing on all models could go up… word has it that [despite Ducati's best efforts] the next sbk will be more expensive.
Keep in mind that the US dollar is in the toilet (especially lately because the Gov’t cannot get its act together on the debt crisis) and thus prices will be under a lot of upward pressure across the board.
(Of course American made products are also cheaper overseas now but nothing is made here any more!)
Interesting…given the lack of sales success with the Streetfighter, I’m surprised that they’re expanding the line. My expectation was that they would eliminate it.
I thought the 848 engine in a Monster frame, a la the S4Rs, was a good idea. Another Streetfigher though? Meh.
A valve job involves removing the head and resurfacing seats and valves. Adjusting clearances is a tune up type of deal. This has been true of any engine with valves for a long time.
Let me know when they ditch the STINKING BELTS for GEARS on the WHOLE lineup and each and everyone goes 16k miles before needing a valve clearances “adjustment”.
@Kevin: Yeah, i thought it was a gonner too…i have never seen one on the flesh (not even by mistake,lol).
By what i’ve seen on videos and pics, the thing is just too “racy” and not street enough(ergos and what not). JMHO. And that shotgun exhaust is just AWEFULL…(-_- )
It makes my 2K3 SV1000N look like a GoldWing.
@Mike D
Obviously, you have not ridden one, othervise you would never compare it to SV…And the beauty is in the eve of beholder – I think it is the best looking bike out there.
@DareN: Get real…the thing is a 1098 with a dirt bike handle bar MINUS plastics…of course that “torture rack” would never compare to my comfy SV.
It sure outhandles, outpowers, out-w/e my current ride…but is not a better STREET bike. Put down the “RED” Kool-Aid…and check your feelings at the door.
Looks, u said it. Is w/e gets your rocks off…(^_^ )
a 1198 s for my12 is nonsense! the sf will stay with 1098.
@MikeD – As I stated before, you obviously have not ridden one and you definately should!
I do not understand what is wrong with liking the way your bike looks…and sv1000, with all the respect to its looks , is no competition to any Ducati,leave alone SF.
Have to agree, the SV1000 is ugly.
@DareN & Mike: Opinions, Opinions…
Mike ! You are Ugly! (I need a hug, someone ?…anyone ?) LMAO.
john, I want to hear from you in two months. Put a reminder in your phone if you would. :)
As for the SV vs SF argument: two completely different bikes when you look at who is/was buying them. The SV is a great bullet-proof bike, but it’s about 35hp down on the SF (which conversely is about $6000 more than the SV), and I don’t recall it winning any awards for styling. Neither bike flew out of dealers’ showrooms, but I’d say they have been enjoyed by the people who bought them.
MikeD, come here buddy. I’ve got a hug for you.
jensen, i will do and come back to you, mate :-)
How about this:
Streetfighter S – gone.
New SF 1198 w/slipper clutch/TC/ABS – 15,999
New SF 848 – 12,999
It will make sense to me…
@DareN
streetfighter s will stay for my 12 with 1098. the basic model will be gone next year.
@jensen
what about further details from your ‘several highly credible sources’? what about speed shifter, abs, riding modes?
i am very intrested to see where this is going as i do like the current streetfighter range (just not happy to hear the standard is being dropped for next year) .
I would love to know if ducati are planning a 1198 SF for next year if not the year after ,and the thought of a 848 SF is just amazing and i cant wait to see it in the flesh .
Please someone get some hard evidence about either bike as its killing me as i want one
guys
I ride a 1098 street fighter & must tell you – forget disappointing sales figures blah blah
- it is one amazing motorcycle / every time its out in the pack – it draws heads big time !!
& come to performance – it shines
so – for a smaller rider – the 848 is going to be all the motorcycle ever needed / especially as its not designed as a pillion podium at all – its a one up / one man’s moto ..
I may down grade to the wet clutch 848 with traction control and slipper clutch – or just go balls to the wall – 1198 ..
either way – what I have is sublime – and – what I could have – merely a wet clutch dream away …
ride safe..
got today a dealer info of the 2012 1098 s streetfighter with revised ergonomics, new longer single sided swingarm and the color option red and new racing titanium both with red frame. engine still 1098 !
jensen, now it’s your turn. maybe your sources would like to think about there engine statement… :-)