Over the last 20 years Ducati sold more than 275,000 Monsters, and now the Italians introduce an all-new 1,200cc version, which will make it not only the most powerful but also the heaviest Monster of the past couple of decades. The 461 lbs (wet with a 90% tank of gas) beast will replace the aging Streetfighter 1098, and Ducati hopes it will sell a whole lot better. Mind you, there is currently a fierce competition in the Super-Naked segment so time will tell if they succeed. We rode the Monster 1200 S model on the press introduction in Tenerife, so it’s worth noting that this bike has $2,500 worth of upgrades over the base model, such as Öhlins suspension, Brembo monoblocs, and lighter aluminum alloy wheels.
Aprilia Racing is sporting some new paint on the bikes for Sylvain Guintoli and Marco Melandri. The Italian factory calls the metallic paint job “Silver Fireball” and while some may long for the classic red and black livery scheme, we have to say, we are smitten with the modern look. While the Aprilia RSV4 Factory SBK is getting a bit long in the tooth, the potent WSBK race bike is still a formidable weapon, especially in the hands of these two talented riders. 2014 is shaping up to be a good season in World Superbike, and we can expect to see Aprilia updating its road bike platform in the next year or two. Until then though, enjoy the high-resolution photos of the 2014 Aprilia RSV4 Factory WSBK race bike.
The 200-hp and 400-lb Lotus C-01 is proof that even motorcycle designers can have a sense of humor. Daniel Simon, the designer behind Tron: Legacy light-cycle, penned the C-01’s gorgeous form. The forward-bias and stretched wheelbase couple with the carbon-fiber tank cuts a futuristic profile that looks entirely uncomfortable, but totally worth the lower-back, groin. and neck pain. The 1,195cc v-twin engine is a modified version of a KTM 1190 RC8R engine. The “Lotus” name is also on license, as the British firm is not building the bike; German racing firm Kodewa and Holzer group will handle production. The frame is a combination of “Aero tech steel/Titanium/Carbon fibre” which sounds terribly complex and spendy.
Race Results from World Superbike Race 2 at Phillip Island, Australia
Race Results from World Superbike Race 1 at Phillip Island, Australia
The future of the IODA Racing project for 2014 is looking extremely uncertain. The Italian team, scheduled to race Aprilia…