Latest Posts:
Asphalt & Rubber
Tag

EICMA

Browsing
Bikes

Aprilia Mana X

By 3 Comments

Aprilia’s Mana X was released to the public during the EICMA bike show in Milan a little over a month ago. Since then, Aprilia has finally seen it fit to get the street-meets-flat-tracking motorcycle into a studio for a proper photo shoot.

The Mana X concept is based off of Aprilia’s Mana 850, and shares the basic parts like the motor, and trellis frame. However, the resemblance ends there with a new two lens projector headlight setup, a full MX seat, low slung muffles, and a swingarm with exposed bracing taking the bike into a completely new direction of styling.

From the looks of the photo’s it looks like Aprilia has done away with the foot shifter in lieu of a hands-only choice of automatic shifting, or sequential touch shifting (via finger controls). This has allowed Aprilia to move the rear-brake lever t to the handlebar where a traditional clutch lever would be, leaving the dirt bike inspired foot pegs to dangle all by themselves.

While the bike is still a concept, it would only take a few minor changes and a little raiding of the common parts bin to make this dream become a reality.

Aprilia-Mana-X-1.jpg
Aprilia-Mana-X-2.jpg
Aprilia-Mana-X-3.jpg
Aprilia-Mana-X-4.jpg
Aprilia-Mana-X-5.jpg
Aprilia-Mana-X-6.jpg
Aprilia-Mana-X-7.jpg
Aprilia-Mana-X-8.jpg
Aprilia-Mana-X-9.jpg

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

EICMA: 2009 KTM 990 Adventure R

By 3 Comments

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.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

EICMA: 2009 KTM 1190 RC8 R

By 1 Comment

We knew it was coming, an “R” version of the RC8. Picture yourself as an Austrian motorcycle company. You’re sitting at a strandbar in Vienna, falling in love with a blonde girl named Theresea, and it hits you! No, its not love. At least not the love between a man and a woman. No, this is the love of a man and a motorcycle dream. The need to take the throbbing v-twin heart the resides in only a few select riders, and inject it with even that much more lust of an already wicked set of sex on wheels.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

Ducati 1198 and 1198S Superbikes Released

By No Comments

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.

 

Keep Reading
By
News

UPDATE: Ducati 1098 Streetfighter at EICMA

By No Comments

Ducati will be presenting its new streetfighter the at EICMA show in Milan this coming Monday. Rumors surround the bike, but many expect it have a depowered (neutered) 1098 motor, with a smaller intake and airbox. We would also expect to see the common parts bin raided for major structural entities, and the bike’s market position to be similar to, and replace, the Monster S4R. This would mean the streetfighter 1098 would become Ducati’s premium level naked bike, once again placing the Monster brand in a more affordable pricing structure. 

Placing the bike in this position would seem to single that Ducati is looking to compete more directly with the likes of the Benelli TnT, MV Agusta Brutale (and ), and possibly strike a defensive position against what will likely be a Tuono V4 later in 2009.

Source: twowheelsblog

This author’s propensity to purchase a Monster 1100 just went up that much further.

Keep Reading
By