Photo: Courtesy of Bridgestone Corporation © 2010 All Rights Reserved
Noticeably absent from the silly season slogging has been the factory Suzuki MotoGP team. Although we know that Suzuki intends to stay in MotoGP for at least one more season, despite a continued tradition of mediocrity, very little other information has come forward. Perhaps at the top of the rumor heap is the speculation that Rizla Suzuki will potentially field only one bike in the 2011 MotoGP season, electing not to replace Loris Capirossi who has been linked to the Pramac Ducati team.
The guys at the , the 2011 Aprilia RSV4 will see the introduction of Aprilia’s traction control system (ATC). The 2011 Aprilia RSV4 will make its extra horsepower by raising the cylinder compression ratio via high compression pistons, and using a different timing chains. Other changes include a different exhaust can (smaller), and gearing changes (taller: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, shorter: 4th, 5th, 6th, with a larger 42 tooth rear sprocket).
Reports are coming back from the Aragon GP that the entire paddock has honored Shoya Tomizawa by putting the fallen Japanese rider’s number and likeness on the front fenders of their bikes. Some riders have also done their own personal memorial, for example Valentino Rossi has a cartoon of Tomizawa on his helmet, while fellow Japanese rider and friend Yuki Takahashi has been spotted wearing a black armband.
Brammo has just uploaded this video to its YouTube channel, showing the Brammo Empulse 8.0 ,with Brian Wismann on-board, passing by the camera on some undisclosed road. Electric fans, squeal with delight as you get your TIE Fighter sound effect for the day.
UPDATE: Get your first glimpse of the MV Agusta F3 here.
In what can only be described as a terse press release, MV Agusta has released two teaser photos of its upcoming MV Agusta F3, the three-cylinder supersport bike that Claudio Castiglioni hopes will save his company. Known to be using a three-cylinder motor, it has been previously reported that the MV Agusta F3 would be a 675cc machine, just like the Triumph Daytona 675. However the Italian brand has confirmed that it will be using a 600cc displacement for its street machine, while giving us a glimpse of the bike without its F4 camouflage.
Some fellas down under have been hard at work, building what they hope is the ultimate track car. Named the Spartan V (yes, they’re only making 300 of them), the project centers around the 1198cc Ducati Superbike motor, and uses carbon fiber over a tubular space-frame chassis to reach a 661 lbs weight figure.
Powered by a 170 hp Ducati 1198S Superbike motor, boys from Oz claim that Spartan V will hit 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds, with a top speed of 173 mph. Rounding out the package is a six-speed sequential gearbox, and an optional FIA approved roll bar that replaces the street bars for racing duty. Photos and more details after the jump.
From Nicky Hayden’s twitter feed while at the Aragon GP, “The boys getting the weapons ready to battle.” Thanks for the tip Vikki!
Harley-Davidson has just announced that it will be giving out a 10¢/share dividend for the third quarter of 2010. Being paid on October 15th to anyone who owns Harley-Davidson stock (NYSE: HOG) on October 1st, 2010, holders of HOG common stock will get a chance to be rewarded for investing in the Milwaukee brand. It’s not clear at this time if Harley-Davidson intends to keep the cash dividend for future quarters, or if this is one-quarter only event.
With HOG currently trading at $28.43/share, this announcement means essentially an automatic 1.2% investment gain for stock owners, however contact your financial advisor before placing any orders…you shouldn’t take stock advice from a motorcycle blog.
From the Aragon GP today comes news that Dani Pedrosa has signed a two-year contract renewal with Honda, which will see the Spaniard on a factory-backed bike for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The news has been expected for some time, so it’s hardly surprising to see HRC tap Pedrosa for another stint of racing, and Spanish sponsor Repsol is expected to be along for the ride with another one-year extension added to their sponsorship.
After releasing the at the grand opening of the Piaggio Group’s new Milan HQ, the Italian company has followed up now with a video of their 1200cc street tard to appease our motorcycling senses. Movie critics will cringe at the sound track and cheesy graphics, but v-twin lovers will enjoy some nice canyon carving moments on what Aprilia hopes will be “a fun bike.” We’ve never met a v-twin we didn’t like (that statement might not be true), and the Dorsoduro 1200 look like a good time. It’s just a shame Aprilia won’t be bringing it to the US…yet.
Source: Solo Moto Trienta