News has just broken that the 2009 KTM 1190cc RC8 will only be sold via KTM’s Priority Delivery Deposit Program, which ends on New Year’s Eve.
Editor’s note: F@#!!!
Which means you have less than 19 days (and counting) until it will be too late to get your hands on Austria’s first purpose-built sportbike. Nothing has been mentioned about the race-inspired RC8R, but we expect a similar arrangement. Oh, and did we mention production numbers will be limited.
has managed to get ahold of photos showing Aprilia’s weapon of choice for Hypermoto racing. The Dorsoduro RR race bike will be piloted by Alessandro Tognaccini in the 2009 Hypermoto Series. Weighing just over 300lbs and putting out over 100hp, the RR is a substantial improvement over the stock Dorsoduro. Add-on goodies include Shiver forks, Öhlins rear shock, STM slipper clutch, and a Silmotor exhaust. The wheels are Marchesinis with Galfer Tsunami pads and calipers. Watch out Ducati Hypermotard, we just found something to replace you with in our dreams.
Source: X Offroad
With the Senate squashing the Detroit bailout loan last night, tougher economic times are surely ahead for us, not only in the States, but also abroad. Last week Honda announced that it was pulling out of Formula1 racing because of the extraordinary costs and tight fiscal situations. Could the same happen in MotoGP? Find out after the jump.
J.D. Power and Associates has just released a report that details some of the major reasons why motorcycle buyers purchase one bike over another. After talking to over 3000 customers in September and October, the report outlines four major factors for purchasing desiions, namely: why a buyer bought from one brand rather than another. The short answer is: The Dealer, the long answer is after the jump.
If proposed legislation goes through, European motorcycles are about to double in price because of increased tariffs. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is already fighting the proposed tariff by writing to the Office of the U.S. trade Representative.
The proposed tariff would place a 100% duty on more than 100 European goods, including smaller capacity motorcycles with an engine size in the 51cc-250cc and 251cc-500cc range. This act comes in response to the European Union’s ban on American beef treated with growth hormones.
While this won’t affect larger displacement bikes like the Ducati Monster 1100, KTM RC8, or Aprilia RSV4, it will adversely affect almost all European dirt bikes and scooters. Like Vespas weren’t overpriced already.
FIM has announced that a four-stroke 600cc racing class will replace the mid-level 250cc GP class in 2011. Named Moto2, the series is slotted to be a prestigious, but still cost-effective way to do prototype racing. Read all the changes after the jump, including the Yankee-Swap provision.
Editor’s note: To dispel any confusion, the above photo is a photoshoped “Hyperstrada” designed to be the embodiment of Ducati’s new bike.
Rumors are about that Ducati is already showing to a select number of dealers, what can only be described as a BMW R1200GS killer. Based on their 1100cc air-cooled motor that powers the Monster, Multistrada, and Hypermotard, the new bike aims to be a more trail oriented dual-sport than the other road-tied bikes it shares its power plant with. The new bike is supposedly going to replace that Multistrada in Ducati’s positioning, with a greater focus on having off-road capability.
Source: MotoXMoto
With Max’s move to Aprilia for the 2009 World Superbike season, his official fan club has updated their logo to honor their Emperor.
The logo plays on a number of themes in Biaggi’s career. A Roman frieze that denotes Max’s ego lineage to Roman antiquity. The number 3, his racing number. The red, green, and white colors of the Italian flag. The dark base is supposed to represent the carbon used on Aprilia’s RSV4 race bike. And lastly, four stars that denote his four 250cc world titles.
Source: Official Max Biaggi Fan Club
Rossi pulled no punches this year at Mugello when he debuted his customary custom helmet design for the home venue race. Emblazoned with a picture of his own face, wide-eyed and mouth agape, the design was the talk of the paddock, and a sight to be seen as he put his head down around the chicanes and straight-aways.
Because of all the attention this helmet created, AGV is now offering a limited edition replica of Rossi’s likeness in their top-of-the-line GP-Tech series of motorcycle helmets. The helmet features all the usual GP-Tech bells and whistles, including a carbon-Kevlar shell construction.
Source: AGV
7,130 Ducati Superbikes are being recalled because of voltage regulators that could be damaged from the mighty v-twins radiant heat. Ducati 1098 and 848 owners will have to take their bike into the dealer to have the regulator replaced, a heat shield installed between the voltage regulator and the exhaust pipping, and have a new battery support installed.
This recall specifically affects:
2007-2008 Ducati 1098
2007-2008 Ducati 1098S
2007-2008 Ducati 1098 R
2007-2008 Ducati 1098 Tricolore
2008-2009 Ducati 848
Owners can contact Ducati North America at 1-800-231-6696, with recall reference number: RCL-08-005. As always, you can contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or visit safecar.gov.
This video really speaks for itself. The blooper reel starts around the 0:44 time mark. The big take-away here is if you’re running from the French Police, get onto a dirt road as soon as possible…baguettes optional.