At a first glance, this might look like a custom-made Scrambler with the Ducati name on it, but it is in fact a motorcycle that the Italian maker’s Borgo Panigale factory did delivered back in between the late 1960s and until the mid 1970s, when the US market was avid for this type of motorcycles and Ducati had the racing frame and lively engines of different capacity (250, 350 and 450ccs) to make it possible.
Although this particular one is slightly modified, we like it even more as, at least visually, it is brought up to date and can still ride the dust like in the good old days. If I’d be a Ducati head, I’d seriously think about reviving the Scrambler and have it compete with the Triumph Scrambler, which still goes strong today.
Ducati’s Borgo Panigale factory turns similar to a motorcycle saloon booth every time a new model joins the lineup and this time it was the turn of the Multistrada 1200 to be the soul of the party. The first bike, a white S model to be precise, rolled off the assembly line a couple of days ago and the event took place in the presence of Production Director Silvano Fini, Ducati Motor CEO Gabriele Del Torchio and Product Director Claudio Domenicali, not to mention the crowd of proud workers. We can only imagine how satisfying moments like these are for everybody involved.
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There’s nothing like relying on a motorcycle that offers a variety of riding possibilities and the Kawasaki KLR 650 sure fits that description as it is by now a consecrated performer on and off the road, managing to meet different riding demands as an every day bike as well as a weekend adventure one. So let’s see what the fuss behind this model is all about.
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The Honda NX 650 Dominator is a budget dual-sport motorcycle powered by a 644cc single-cylinder engine, produced by the Japanese manufacturer between 1988 and 2003.
Italy’s motorcycle design guru Oberdan Bezzi has come up with a rendering for a new Honda Dominator. Nowadays, such a bike would have to compete with models such as the Yamaha XT 660Z Tenere, BMW F 650 GS and Kawasaki KLX 650, but if the previous Dominator’s reliability and great mileage were also taken in consideration, we reckon the middleweight dual-sport segment will soon have a new leader. Still, that is only and only if Honda ever decides to revive the Dominator.
Looks like even a supermoto version isn’t to be neglected either.
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Ever since Yamaha unveiled the Super Ténéré concept wrapped in clothing at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the motorcycle press has began to speculate about the endless design possibilities and after these leaked shots, we can finally say that the bike contours itself as the most potent BMW GS rival so far.
Although this is not an official teaser, we must say the various design concepts look truly plausible, while the already confirmed features such as a 1200cc parallel-twin engine with side-mounted radiators and a 270-degree crank, as well as electronic throttle and traction control, shaft drive and ABS, confirm this as the best Japanese attempt to dethrone the Enduro King also know as the BMW R 1200 GS. Video is attached after the jump.
P.S. Please Yamaha make your move once and for all.
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During the planet’s toughest race you can expect virtually anything to happen, including risking falling with your bike into a tomb. This is almost what happened to Swedish Dakar competitor Annie See, who was trying to avoid dust and cut from right over to the left side of the track while traversing a track split. She suddenly found herself riding into a 16-foot deep vertical tomb, so she applied the “abandon ship” procedure and left the bike to rest in piece at the bottom of the tomb. But not for long as it was later recovered using a helicopter and the rider was able to continue the race. Watch the video after the jump.
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Famous in the dual-sport category thanks to its unbeatable combination of street and off-road excitement, the Suzuki DR650SE stands for both adventure and practicability and still ads a distinctive touch in 2010 thanks to the white color scheme. Also, with great price and fuel economy, you’re in for one great bang for the buck.
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The 2010 edition of the world’s toughest rally, Dakar, will see Team Giofil’s riders – Paolo Ceci, Gerard Farres, Francisco Lopez and Alex Zanotti – competing on the barely revealed Aprilia MXV 450 Africa.
This is the latest version of the bike that brought the team the last two consecutive Rally of the Pharoahs wins (in 2008 and 2009) and third place overall in 2009.
Although based on the standard MXV 4.5 model, the four competition bikes that Aprilia will supply Team Giofil with are all powered by a seriously modified engine and strengthened chassis, the bodywork and navigation equipment being actually the least stressful part when preparing any bike for 16 days of hell on earth.
Teams will be setting off on January 1 and surrender weapons on January 17, 2010.
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Ever since we’ve seen the Yamaha Super Ténéré concept wrapped up in clothing we kept wondering about how the future BMW R1200GS competitor will look like and a first response comes with these spy pictures right here. They were given to motorsite.gr by a Yamaha insider and then MCN took over. The pictures show a plastic scale model of the bike in pre-production form.
The Yamaha Super Ténéré is supposed to make its official debut in 2010 and this Japanese alternative to the consecrated European bike should tip the scale in its favor with a 1200cc engine, traction control and three-stage ABS. It will also feature a shaft drive, comfortable seat and everything you need to go around the world on it.
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As far as we’re aware, motorcyclists don’t waist their time fighting windmills, so these pictures are just part of a funny way to promote the Red Bull Don Quixote 2 enduro race for couples in Spain. The original idea is quite funny, especially because of the fact that the brave knights look so unenthusiastic about their 1hp. We have also attached the trailer after the jump.
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