While Ducati Corse is busy playing hide-the-Desmosedici at Sepang, HRC is all business in Malaysia this week, and has debuted its 2012 Honda RC213V MotoGP-contender. Honda isn’t saying too much about the RC213V, simply stating that the race bike is all new, but is also a continuation of the company’s design with the 800cc Honda RC212V. Testing the Honda RC213V over the course of last season, reigning-World Champion Casey rode the new 1,000cc machine three times in 2011, while teammate Dani Pedrosa swung a leg over the RC213V twice (missing one test because of injury).
You may have been misled by some eager journalists today and yesterday, if you saw a Ducati Corse livery-clad Ducati Desmosedici GP12 that some sites were passing off as the first shots of the “90% new” GP12. With the alleged new GP12 looking surprisingly similar to the aluminum-framed “GP0″ that was tested at Valencia, Valentino Rossi’s mechanic has now Alex Briggs confirmed that the photos taken were not of the all new “GP12 Phoenix” that the factory team will race this season. While the Ducati lords can taketh away, they can also giveth, and Valentino Rossi himself has posted the first photo of the factory Desmosedici GP12, and the bike is clearly different.
Zero Motorcycles has announced the full-commencement of production for its 2012 model line, which is expected to hit dealers in February & March of this year. First off the line was the 2012 Zero DS back in December, though the electric motorcycle company has recently started building the Zero S, Zero XU, Zero X, and Zero MX at its Scotts Valley facility as well. A story we broke back in November, Zero Motorcycles debuted its important 2012 electric motorcycle line up at the 2011 EICMA show in Milan, with the 2012 range being a substantial improvement upon the company’s previous offerings.
Getting a look at Dainese & AGV’s 2012 collection, Asphalt & Rubber was down in Orange County earlier this week to see the highly anticipated Dainese D-Air Racing leather suit, which has a four liter airbag system that helps reduce the risk of injury during a motorcycle crash. Dainese has been working on the D-Air Racing system for 10 years now, and after soft-launching the airbag suit in Europe, the Italian company is ready to bring the game-changing technology to American soil.
Us Danes, we’re a strange breed. From the culture that taught you how to rape and pillage, Scandinavia is making yet another contribution to the motorcycling world with this latest video. Featuring Danish Supermoto Champion Andreas Mikkelsen, we get a RoToR camera-esque perspective (this rig is actually home made) on the Dane’s practice session at the Als Supermotard Club in Denmark. It’s videos like this that are slowly eroding my will-power to resist getting into supermotard riding. Also, I don’t know who was in charge of the music selection on this thing, but my hat is off to him/her. I love the nightlife. I’ve come to boogie.
Our friends over at IndianCarsBikes.in were in attendance at the KTM 200 Duke launch in India this week, as the Austrian brand launched its somewhat bigger-displacement version of the popular KTM Duke 125. During the press event, KTM talked about the future of the mini-Duke line and its product roadmap for the emerging country, as well as abroad. With the Austrian brand confirming/clarifying that KTM would release a KTM 350 Duke for India in 2013, zie Austrians also confirmed that the KTM 350 Duke would be built locally in India by Bajaj, but would be exported worldwide — allaying fears that the KTM 350 Duke would be an India-only model.
Now that the first Ducati 1199 Panigale has rolled out of the door in Bologna, the die is cast, the chips are in play, and our course is set to see if Ducati has created a “massive breach of brand trust and honesty.” The realization of course should be that Ducati’s brand was never in danger with bikes like the Hypermotard, Multistrada 1200, or Diavel. Instead, the danger of serious brand dilution has always rested on how Ducati handled its Superbike line. A failure to produce a two-wheeled machine that is both as striking visually as it is kinetically, could permanently alienate a loyal fan base that has endured a great deal in the past half-decade.
There is a lot that can be said about why dealerships fail or succeed (we’ve already seen an interesting insight on the subject of shops being open on Sundays), and one aspect on how to be a successful dealership that will surely rise to the top is one of community. Here, Vancouver-based Motomethod is all about the community, as the do-it-yourself community garden style repair shop has become a place for British Columbian riders not to work on their motorcycles, but also to congregate together with a shared love of riding on two wheels. Not exactly a new concept business-wise, but still a fresh perspective in an otherwise unwilling to change industry. More on this thought process to be published in the coming weeks. Enjoy.
After testing for three days at Jerez with Carlos Checa and Franco Battaini, Ducati Corse may not be saying much about the new Ducati Desmosedici GP12, but that hasn’t stop Karel Abraham from releasing some details about the new Italian steed today. The “official” technical specifications of MotoGP race bikes are always a bit vague, and Ducati Corse has unsurprisingly stuck to that trend with the GP12. Stating horsepower in the 250hp range, 15hp more than what was quoted for the GP11, Ducati also lists a top speed of over 360 km/h, up from the GP11′s 340+ km/h quoted figure.
Husqvarna continues its push into the on-road market, and has debuted another concept while at the New York IMS show today. Already showing us the Husqvarna Moab Concept in Milan, the folks at Husky have continued the thought process with the Moab, and built a more off-road capable dual-sport, which they are calling the Husqvarna Baja Concept. Another modern-take on retro design, the Baja concept carries over with it many of the Moab’s bigger design features, while sporting a 19″ knobby front tire for better off-road use. Husqvarna simply states that the concept uses a four-stroke liquid-cooled 650cc single-cylinder motor (same as the Moab), which surely will be sourced from BMW’s G650GS.
Erik Buell Racing 1190RR Race Bike Announced – Future World …: First up is the news that EBR will offer three.. http://bit.ly/6e66jq
Erik Buell Racing 1190RR Race Bike Announced – Future World … http://bit.ly/8PczVt
THIS IS COMICAL!!!!! Sure he can go World Superbike Racing with the machine, all he needs to do is sell 2000 street legal and certified units to be eligible. You will find THAT at notgoingtohappen.com
+1
Erik Buell Racing 1190RR Race Bike Announced – Future World … http://bit.ly/8xiZBN
Eric, he doesn’t have to SELL 2000 units, he only has to make them available to the public. If he can somehow convince the powers that be that the 1190 is a kit for the already made 1125R, he’s in. Stranger things have happened–remember the Petronas?
The rules that were put in place for 2009 and going forward prohibit just such the thing as the Petronas.
2.9.2 MINIMUM PRODUCTION QUANTITIES AND MARKET AVAILABILITY
The minimum required production quantities consist of units with identical equipment intended for sale to customers. Evidence of production quantities must be certified by the manufacturer’s auditing firm and/or any other institution which may provide reliable documentation. This certificate must be written in English or French and the model/type must be specified.
Market Availability and sale to the public may be demonstrated by waybills, bills of lading and/or any other import, export or customs documents duly certified by the relevant authority.
2.9.2.1 FIRST TIME APPLICATION FOR HOMOLOGATION
A manufacturer requesting a homologation for the very first time in its existence must follow the procedure below.
• The manufacturer must have produced at least a quantity of 125 motorcycles prior to the homologation inspection. The motorcycle must be on sale to the public at that time.
• The minimum quantity of 500 units must be reached by the end of September of the current year.
• The minimum quantity of 1000 units must be reached by the end of December of the current year.
• From 2010 onwards the minimum quantity will be 3000 units. • All motorcycles must be identical to the model to be homologated with the
same specifications. • Proof of production quantities must be provided by certified documentation
as stated in Article 2.9.2. • The FIM will withdraw the homologation if these rules are not respected.
2.9.2.2 SUBSEQUENT HOMOLOGATIONS
A manufacturer who has previously homologated a motorcycle and is requesting a homologation must follow the procedure below:
• The manufacturer must have produced at least a quantity of 250 motorcycles prior to the homologation inspection. The motorcycle must be on sale to the public at that time.
• The minimum quantity of 1000 units must be reached by the end of June of the current year.
• From 2010 onwards the minimum quantity will be 3000 units. • All motorcycles must be identical to the model to be homologated with the
same specifications.
168
• Proof of production quantities must be provided by certified documentation as stated in Article 2.9.2.
• The FIM will withdraw the homologation if these rules are not respected.
Quit wining. Why are you so set against EBR entering? The man has prived he can squezze power from a grape. Just look at how much he got out of a pathetic outdated sporster engine. HD screwed up by the numbers closing down the Beul line and he is going to prove it to them.
John you are EPIC!!! Next you will tell me that Erik heals lepers and cured cancer.
Wait…he doesn’t cure lepers and cure cancer??!
HA!!!!!!!!! Perfect Jenny, PERFECT!!!!
Eric, why is it so hard to believe that an American company can succeed? Have you any idea about Buell motorcycles? If Erik Buell can compete then by all means I am here to support him. Harley Davidson dropped the ball on an EPIC venture. Just my two cents.
I have no problem with an American company trying to succeed in WSBK, it’s just that Erik Buell is not the man to do it. Every step of the way he ALWAYS has an excuse of why he has not been as successful as he promised. He has a track record going well back in to the 80′s and the result is always the same.
The are his true believers that will disagree and you will not be able to get them to put down the mixture of his Kool-Aide and Snake Oil, and for them there is nothing I can do. A 25+ year track record can not be ignored. The only thing more ridiculous than Erik producing a bike that would be competitive in WSBK is Michael Czsyz going into production with ANYTHING after bilking investors out of over $50 million.
Buellの水冷レーサー1190RR、後輪出力で185HP出てるのか。クランクだとどんぐらいでてんだろ。 http://bit.ly/6MpH9v
I’m sure they’ll do great if they get to race WSS against stock 600 cc production bikes;-) Maybe Edmonson can get the FIM to fudge the rule book.
Wait…he won’t be racing in WSS?
if give me an oppourninty,i skip all of u.
Just tell me it’s not going to be interesting…
If you’re so sure EBR will get it’s collective ass handed to them in WSB, what’s the harm in letting it happen? I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?
Oh, yeah. He might win…
R
Holy CRAP CarbonBigFoot, that’s FUNNY!! The Chicago Cubs will win the World Series, The Detroit Lions will win the Super Bowl and China will win the World Cup of Soccer before Erik wins a race in WSBK.
So…. what’s the harm?
R
In letting EBR try, that is…
R
I assume the interested parties will figure this all out. Either the governing bodies will let Buells race, or they won’t. I would like to see it. However, I am prejudiced, since I own several air-cooled Buells. Whether ripping through the mountains, or doing track days, I have a blast. I’d hate to see the brand disappear.
I want to see EBR meet the WSBK homologation requirements just like all the other manufacturers – produce 1000 bikes for sale before the end of 2010 and another 1000 in 2011. What’s the harm in all manufacturers playing by the same rules? Then I want to see his bike compete in WSBK to see what he’s got.
I find it Ironic that the people have drank their kool-aide and said America can never succeed. Let’s talk Chevy. Let’s talk Cadillac. Both Marks made their re awakened racing challenge debuts in the overseas markets. They have to some degree learned how to dominiate their classes in Grand-Am Rolex and Lemans series racing.
What makes this endeavor any difference other than the economy right now. Is it because you are afraid that an American company that has parts engineered all over the world may just bust some chops and prove that we Americans have the engineering where with all, and the gumption to not back down from a fight for success? Or, did you buy a bike because of brand naming and recognition in the World Championships. I suspect that may be the case. But, I could very well be wrong.
However, Be nay sayers, or Yeay sayers, He is proceding on in difficult times. Can anyone here say they ever endeavored to own and operate a business or start a business from scratch? I have, just recently started and purchased my own franchise and it is not easy starting from nothing. But, he has endeavored to overcome this. So, I say proceed on EBR. The masses may not know any better but to duck and hide. Stick your head up and breathe. Go win…..
BuellってSBKに出るつもりなんだ http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/erik-buell-racing-1190rr-race-bike/
Well one thing they have for them is that they handle better than the japanese Superbikes and make In the 1190 trim almst as much power . With a good rider they should be in the running at least but cant se them as title contenders yet .
Long Live the BUELL!!!
I am looking forward to any and all classes that Erik Buell can get himself into. With a season of data logging in the AMA last year, they surely have lots of great information to study and use as input to further refine their racing machines.
The obvious source of the negative reaction to Erik Buell Racing’s conquest is, most definitely, FEAR.
If you do not know the real facts of Erik Buell’s last 25 years, please educate yourself. The history of the man and his company are well documented.
Eric, your posts come across as terrified, and considering all the inaccuracies, almost panicked.
—-”SIR” FREAKING CHADLEY
Nobody else will say ,so I will, Eric you sir are a narrow minded DOUCHE BAG! Good day to sir ………..I said good day!
Listen to this guy named ERIC did some black 1125r vtwin woop ur ass on the track or something?
Is This That The 1190rr?
Apple, no…That pic is a 1125RR that ran in a couple AMA Superbike races last season. The 1190RR has not yet had full photos published, as far as I know.
I know the PegasusRaceTeam that bought two 1190RR bikes from Erik Buell Racing has some close-up shots on their website. Those are all I personally have seen…Here’s a link:
http://www.pegasusraceteam.com/html/buell_1190_rr.html
You can find the official shots of the EBR 1190RR here: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/erik-buell-racing-1190rr-185hp-amawsbk-specd/
You can find pictures of the new Erik Buell Racing 1190RR on the new Erik Buell Racing website at:
http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1190RR/
Enjoy.
It’s an amazing motorcycle.
It’s ERIK not eriC, and you are the douche bag blazin shot. From everyone in East Troy WI a BIG FU…Good day Sir
The 1190 is based on the 1125R which sold more then 2000 bikes.
if WSK does not allow it its prefectly understandable. The europeans are protecting their sport. Buell already spanked the Jappy bikes last year in the AMA. they don’t wan’t an American doing a peral harbour on them either.
botton line is we went to the moon while the europeans and japps were making toaster ovens.
the last thing they want is American competition.
BuellBoy, you have to produce 2000 units of the bike you intend to race, not some derivative of that bike. The rest of your comments are xenophobic, ignorant horsecrap
Me, I’d like to see them race too.
I’m also biased as my Buell is the best handling bike I’ve ever owned and with minor tweaks is fast enough for me. I also appreciate the engineering that’s gone into the Buells.
I’d just like to see something other than the established manafacturers on the track.
Let’s face it the rule makers have fudged for the likes of Ducati in the past so why the hell not?
I really just want to see more bikes racing and to have something American made in the mix is good isn’t it? I’m a Brit by the way so I’m not being nationalistic.