Cutaway Photos of the Ducati Superquadro Engine

I was flipping through some photos from the 2011 EICMA show, and found these shots of the Ducati 1199 Panigale’s Superquadro engine. Unfortunately at the show, Ducati had its 1199cc v-twin motor behind a Lexan case, which created a bit of a glare, reflections, and of course had smudges from the touchy-feely Italian crowd. But still, the photos give a good idea of what’s going on in Ducati’s most-advanced production engine to date, and are better than just looking at the CAD renders. If you look at the shots very closely, you can almost see where the 195hp and 98 lbs•ft of torque is lurking inside.

AGV, Please Make This Helmet!

In addition to testing the factory Ducati Desmosedici GP12 “Phoenix” this week at Sepang, Valentino Rossi is also trying out a new lid from AGV. Aside from the carbon fiber goodness, and of course the Rossi stickers (which add 5hp & $200), AGV’s prototype helmet sports a noticably pronounced rear spoiler. Tucked in behind the windscreen, it is obvious why the Italian helmet manufacturer designed such a large protrusion off the back of the prototype helmet, as it looks to be clearly helping the flow off the back of the helmet, across the rider’s hump, and down his backside.

2012 Honda RC213V Debuts in Malaysia

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).

No, This is the “90%” New Ducati Desmosedici GP12

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 Commences 2012 Model Line Production

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.

The Dainese D-Air Racing Airbag Suit Comes to America

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.

I Love the Nightlife. I’ve Come to Boogie.

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.

Confirmed: KTM 350 Duke in 2013 – Moto3 Inspired 350cc Sport Bike in 2014

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.

Why Today is the Most Important Day for Ducati…Ever

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.

Video: Community + Motorcycles = Motomethod

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.

Wayne Gardner Calls Stoner’s Absence “Suspicious”

Wed, October 14th, 2009 @ 9:22 am, by Jenny Gun5 COMMENTS
Home » Racing » Wayne Gardner Calls Stoner’s Absence “Suspicious”

After Casey Stoner chastised the press, and called out Kevin Schwantz for his opinion on Stoner’s illness, Wayne Gardner, the 1987 500GP Champion, has weighed in his thoughts on Stoner’s absence from MotoGP racing. Saying what everyone already felt, Gardner calls Stoner’s absence “very suspicious” but still considers the Australian rider the favorite at the Australian GP this weekend.

Speaking the Australian newspaper, The Age, Gardner said:

“It’s very suspicious. I wish there had have been some sort of answer to it, that he’d come out with some sort of answer, because there is certainly an air of mystery to it. I personally haven’t ever seen anyone just stop for a rest during the year in my time of grand prix racing. It’s certainly an unanswered question. I don’t think it puts a question mark on him as a competitor but it would just be nice to know what was the reasoning for it … I think he probably needs to come up with some answers.”

Stoner’s return to MotoGP was marked with a press conference where he chastised the press for the speculation surrounding his reprieve from GP racing. Stoner also lashed out at American Kevin Schwantz for his comments and point-of-view on Stoner’s illness and absence.

“You know something that really upset me a lot and I’ve lost a lot of respect for him is Kevin Schwantz. After what he said, I had a lot of respect for that guy, he’s been one of my favorite riders and probably one of the most exciting riders to watch throughout my career. When somebody like that says something like that, it shows you that experience counts for nothing, which is what I’ve been trying to tell people for a long time now. They’re always looking to the older riders to give their points of view, but unfortunately, their points of view are very hard and there’s no changing them.
I saw the Kevin Schwantz thing and things like that, and it really made me laugh. It pissed me off at the same time, because I had a lot of respect for those riders, Jeremy McWilliams as well, I mean, what the hell do they know? Really, what do they know? Everyone’s sitting their with an opinion when they know nothing, and they don’t know the situation.”

Gardner would seem to be another person on the sideline who is drawing their own conclusions from the circumstances, and for his part the former 500GP Champion seems to realize that fact. But like many others, there is something about Stoner’s situation that isn’t sitting right with Gardner.

“I don’t tell him how to ride his bike and that’s the way he does things. But it’s certainly very unusual and very unique that someone stops and has a rest for three or four races in the middle of the year and then comes back out and races and says, ‘I’m better now.’ It shows you what a talent he is and hopefully he can keep that up for the rest of the year.”

We may never know the whole story about Stoner’s absence and mystery illness, but it is refreshing at least to see the #21 Ducati back up at the front mixing it up with Rossi, Lorenzo, and Pedrosa. Look for more close racing from the Fantastic 4 this weekend at Phillip Island.

Source: Two Wheels Blog; Photo: Wikipedia

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Tagged under: absence, Casey Stoner, Ducati, illness, Kevin Schwantz, MotoGP, Stonergate, Wayne Gardner

Comment:

Jake says:
October 14, 2009 at 11:55 AM
This is nothing more then another no story that the press needs to sell copies or generate hits. The “issue” with Stoner was between him and his team. It’s apparent that Ducati didn’t have to much of a problem with Stoner because obviously he’s back on the bike and with the team. Just because Stoner hasn’t decided to provide exact details to the public about his illness doesn’t make it a mystery. He had health issues and did what he thought was best to get over them. End of story.
But people need something to talk about even if the facts don’t bare out the conversation. And that fact is that Stoner even when not completely fit is one of the best riders on the planet. But because many don’t like his personality because he doesn’t act like Rossi or Lorenzo too many are just looking for excuses to tear him down.
He wins races and a title and people constantly say it’s the bike or tires despite the fact that no one else on the same bike and tires are anywhere near him. He can’t do this or that, despite the fact that he is up front running with Rossi and Lorenzo.
Don Zielke says:
October 14, 2009 at 2:35 PM
I’m sick of the whole debate. He was obviously ill, at doctor’s request took time off (presumably for treatment & recovery), and now he’s back, end of story. Who cares what it was? Is it going to make a difference if we know or not?
This is starting to border on invasion of privacy, at least in my opinion. If Stoner had wanted to share more, he would have.
Asphalt_Rubber says:
October 14, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Wayne Gardner Calls Stoner's Absence "Suspicious" – http://bit.ly/xmZ0x #motorcycle
breza says:
October 16, 2009 at 4:36 AM
Stoner just can’t give the proper reason, and that sounds fishy to you and me, not mentioning Schwantz (which rode injured through the WHOLE career) and the typical Hard-knock Gardner. Remember the times when Doohan even couldn’t get on his NSR without help of his mechanics. If you got your head, legs and arms in place-you ride! Lorenzo had his share last year with some pretty rough injuries (broken heels amongst others…), but he didn’t took the vacation in Spain…Sorry Casey, but that’s just lame!
KS34ever!
Chris says:
October 16, 2009 at 4:56 PM
No one is questioning Stoner’s talent. There is just no way Doohan, Rainey,Gardner or Schwantz would miss three rounds because they were tired or fatigued. Does he have the talent of these guys maybe ,the HEART now thats questionable.