Latest Posts:
Asphalt & Rubber
Author

Jensen Beeler

Browsing
Bikes

Check Out This Hyper Tasty Ducati Hypermotard 950 Concept

By No Comments

I am not quite sure what makes the following a “concept” in the eyes of the Italian manufacturer, as the Ducati Hypermotard 950 is already a production model (it’s quite good too, by the way), and the example we see here differs only in paint and parts.

But still, the attraction that the Centro Stile Ducati has poured into this Hypermotard 950 is lurid, for sure.

The judges at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este would seem to agree with us as well, as this Hyper won first place in the ”Concept Bikes: New Design and Prototypes by Manufacturers and Independents” category at the prestigious event.

Keep Reading
By
News

Motorcyclist Magazine Going Out of Print

By No Comments

It is the end of an era, as we get word from Dealer News that Motorcyclist Magazine will cease its print production after its July/August edition.

Going forward, the fabled print publication will shift to a purely digital medium, focusing on its website, social media channels, and video productions.

This move comes just two and a half years after Motorcyclist switched to a six-issue per year format, as the brand tried to re-gear itself as more of a lifestyle offering for two-wheeled enthusiasts.

Keep Reading
By
Rumors

Ducati Streetfighter V4 Spotted on the Track

By No Comments

We know that a Ducati Streetfighter V4 is coming as a 2020 model year machine. We have heard rumors of the Streetfighter V4 for quite some time now, and even Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has given a wink or two that we should expect the model soon.

Now today, we get our first glimpse of the bike at work, as some of the worst “spy photos” ever show the model making laps at an undisclosed race course.

Keep Reading
By
MotoGP

Dani Pedrosa, The Silent Samurai

By No Comments

Dani Pedrosa isn’t the most popular grand prix rider with American fans of the sport, but for those who have taken the time to interact with the three-time world champion likely found him to be likable, intelligent, and quietly competitive.

These attributes earned Pedrosa the nickname “The Silent Samurai” – a reference that was worn on the back his racing helmet. One of the original MotoGP aliens, Pedrosa could never be discounted on Sunday for the win.

He finished his career with 112 podiums in the MotoGP category alone, and had it not been for the plethora of injuries he sustained through that career, we wonder how many MotoGP titles he could have to his name. Three perhaps?

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

MV Agusta F3XX Track Bike Reporting for Duty with 160hp

By No Comments

What happens when your racing department decides to offer their own track bike on the market? If your racing department is MV Agusta Reparto Corse, then the result is what you see here, the MV Agusta F3XX.

An 800cc cousin to the machine that secured a podium finish in the most recent World Supersport round, the MV Agusta F3XX sees its Imola debut as good timing then.

Then when you consider the 160hp on tap, and 320 lbs sans fuel (343 lbs all fueled up), the spec sheet for the F3XX is certainly impressive.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

Yes! MV Agusta Superveloce 800 Going into Production

By No Comments

The message from MV Agsuta was short and sweet on social media, “We feed your desire. The MV Agusta Superveloce. Coming 2020.” Three terse sentences, and with that we have confirmation that the MV Agusta Superveloce 800 will be a 2020 model year bike for the Italian brand.

It makes sense, though, as the Superveloce got a huge response on its debut last year at EICMA – almost eclipsing the company’s new production model, the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro, which we have heard very little about since the Italian trade show, and still doesn’t show up on the brand’s website.

Back to the Superveloce 800 though, the machine is a neo-retro take on the MV Agusta F3 800 sport bike, which it shares a platform with. This makes the MV Agusta Superveloce 800 mostly a styling exercise…but it is quite the design, if we do say so.

Keep Reading
By
MotoGP

Paddock Pass Podcast #103 – French GP

By No Comments

Episode 103 of the Paddock Pass Podcast is out, and in it we see Neil Morrison and David Emmett on the microphones, as we discuss the happenings at the French GP at Le Mans.

As usual, the guys cover the on track action at the race, as well as the goings on behind the scenes in the paddock.

The main topic of the show is Marc Marquez, who rode a master class race in France, and showed a truly unstoppable form throughout the race weekend.

Keep Reading
By
Reviews

Gone Riding: Honda CB650R & CBR650R

By 1 Comment

Summer might be upon us, but the new bike launches are still in full swing. This time around, we have a two-fer, as Honda has invited us out to try its new CBR650R and CB650R street bikes.

Built around the same 650cc four-cylinder engine, the two models offer a fully faired and naked version of the same basic idea, but what is really important about the two machines is the last letter in their names.

That new “R” means that Honda has added some more pep to the lineup, with more power, more torque, more aggressive bodywork, more aggressive riding position, well…just about more of everything.

To test these changes, and to see if the unassuming sport bikes blow our hair back, we are riding out in the Palm Desert of California.

Unfortunately, yours truly had a previous engagement in Sweden (more on that soon) and couldn’t attend this launch, so we sent racer Shelina Moreda out to sunny SoCal to tell us all about the bikes, since she’s cut from that same “call it how you see it” cloth that we so greatly enjoy here as Asphalt & Rubber.

Keep Reading
By
Podcast

Paddock Pass Podcast #102 – WorldSBK at Imola

By No Comments

Episode 102 of the Paddock Pass Podcast is out, and this one is a WorldSBK show. As such, this means that we see Steve English joined by Gordon Ritchie on the mics, as they are now our WorldSBK reporting duo for the 2019 season.

Recording straight from Italy, the guys talk about the on-track action at Imola, where we saw a surprising turn of events.

First there is the race result from Saturday to discuss, and unbeknownst to the fellas, racing for Sunday would be canceled (we remind our listeners that our WorldSBK shows are recorded mid-race weekend).

Keep Reading
By
Podcast

You Can Now Listen to All Our Motorcycle Podcasts on Spotify

By No Comments

For a while now, we have been getting requests for our family of podcasts to be on Spotify, and today your requests have been answered.

That is right, you can now listen to the Brap Talk, Paddock Pass, and Motorcycles on the Record (MOTR) podcasts on Spotify (those links should open your player), and any smart speaker device that can use the audio service. Booyah!

If you do listen to these shows, and you have Spotify, be sure you click the “Follow” button on their profiles, so you get notified when a new show is uploaded.

Keep Reading
By