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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.