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2009

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Marchesini has released spec on its 2009 product catalog. Already known for having some of the most stiff and rigid rims in the industry, and for developing wheels made from molten magnesium and carbon fiber, Marchesini raises the bar now with their offering of forged magnesium wheels.

Their new production process uses Finite Element Method (FEM), which is a multidirectional way of forging magnesium, developed in the aeronautical industry. 

Refined by use in MotoGP, Marchesini is offering two lines for 2009: 

Komp:
A forged aluminum wheels designed for road use and available in various colors.

Komp R:
A dedicated to racing wheel that offers a weight saving of 25% – 35%. The Komp R wheel sell in both the standard 17″ wheel size, as well as that slightly more race friendly 16.5″ variety.

Espada:
A forged aluminum wheel that is built specifically for 125cc bikes.

Komp Motard:
Also a forged aluminum, this one as you probably guessed already, is designed to replace the standard spoked motard wheel. The goal of this wheel was to reduce the moment of intertia, and so far has had excellent results in the AMA Supermoto Championship.

Source: Motoblog.it

Racing pink is still not a color option.

The 2009 Super Duke R is unchanged from the 2008 model, but you wouldn’t know it the way we’ve been talking about it on A&R. What can we say? We’re smitten.

KTM isn’t making it easy when they keep releasing shots of the bike in new colors. Today’s color is white, as in white hot. 130 ponies. 75 foot pounds of torque. The 999cc Super Duke has the spotlight, at least until the Ducati Streetfighter shows up.

You’ll run out of color eventually KTM. Until then, you have our attention.

Like the title says, BMW has released a teaser video showcasing the S1000RR race and street bikes. The video is reminescent of the old BMW Films that were commissioned to highlight the four-wheeled Bavarian variety. No Hollywood stars here, but similar production quality. The video is being released on BMW’s new web-tv site. A&R looks forward to future versions…hopefully staring Clive Owen…and Madonna…maybe not in the order.

Source: BMW

Achtung!

Wanted: Tall, Leggy, Blonde who is capable of holding an umbrella….and looking really good while she does it. Bonus if you’re French.

The MotoGP Tech 3 Yamaha Team is looking for Umbrella Girls. An ideal candidate will be available all the Sunday races of the MotoGP Championship Calendar, in the country of your choice. If you are tall and slim and enjoy the smell of race fuel, please inquire within (with Tech3, not A&R. Our standards are much lower…no umbrella holding experience necessary).

Source: Tech3

Excusez-moi mademoiselle, ça vous arrive d’embrasser des inconnus ? Non ? Eh bien laissez-moi me présenter?

Investment banks and America as a whole aren’t the only places feeling the economic crunch. MotoGP teams have budgets too. And in order to cut costs, about $100,000 per test day, teams will be reducing their non-European test sessions. Accordingly, the The 2008/2009 testing schedule will be the following:

November 26 -27 Jerez Spain
February 5-7 Sepang Malyasia
March 5-7 Losail Qatar Night test
March 28-29 Jerez Spain Official IRTA test

December 1st to January 20th will be a winter test ban where no teams are allowed to do any testing. Phillip Island has been taken off the testing calendar, and Malaysia will only host one test instead of the two that were originally scheduled. Testing days after GP races will also be sized down, and no testing will occur the Monday after Sunday racing at Jerez, Barcellona, Mugello, Brno, and either Hungary or Estoril.

Source: GPone

Congress is of course considering an Economic bailout for all the teams, only time will tell if it goes through, or if it just becomes a stimulus package.

Ducati’s 2009 prices are out. So, umm…here they are:

Ducati Monster 696: $8,995
Ducati Monster 1100: $11,995
Ducati Monster 1100 S: $13,995
Ducati Streetfighter: $14,995
Ducati Streetfighter S: $18,995
Ducati Hypermotard 1100: $11,995
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 S: $14,495
Ducati Multistrada 1100 S: $14,495
Ducati 848: $13,995
Ducati 1198: $16,495
Ducati 1198 S: $21,795
Ducati SportClassic GT 1000 Touring: $11,995
Ducati SportClassic Sport 1000: $11,995
Ducati SportClassic Sport 1000 S: $12,995

Source: Hell for Leather Magazine

Nuff said.

KTM has latched onto the idea that if you make a bike, a great way to make the same bike…but more money on it, is to make an R version with some extra trick parts. It’s called market segmentation, and this author likes it. Likes it a lot. That being said, here is the 2009 KTM 990 Adventure R. It has more power, less weight, and is focused on being the bike for off-road adventure. More on those changes after the jump.

On January 13th, 2009, the Dakar Rally will for the first time, not involve trekking to Africa. Instead the venue will be held in Argentina and Chile. The change comes after the rally was cancelled last year for the first time since its inception in 1979 due to concerns over security. This coming rally will cover 5600 miles of varying terrain, just like the original rally. 530 teams will take off from Buenos Aires to start their six-day journey, of which there will be 230 motorcycless, 30 quads, 188 cars, and 82 trucks, from 49 nations.

UPDATE: Info on the Troy Bayliss Limited Edition

But wait! There’s more! There’s a reason that the Streetfighter will get the Superbike’s 1098 mills…it is because the Superbike line no longer needs them! Ducati will be bumping the rest of the Superbike line (the 1098R has already made the engine displacement jump) to the newly decided upon 1198cc displacement for the World Superbike regulations. More after the jump.