It is hard to believe that someone can take the Ducati Desmosedici RR and make it better, but it happened. This is the NCR Milona 16, a lightened, upgraded and implicit faster Ducati Desmosedici RR. We wouldn’t have believed it if the thing wouldn’t have recently been unveiled at the World Ducati Week at Misano.
The Italian tuning specialist has fitted the 200bhp MotoGP replica with a multitude of carbon fiber main parts such as the all-new frame and swingarm, rims, fuel tank, half-fairing, rear subframe, tail unit and front mudguard. All these, together with the titanium and aircraft-grade aluminum, reduce the bike’s dry weight to 319lbs (an impressive 71lbs less than what Ducati achieved).
Using performance Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes, NCR’s M16 turns into a much sweeter ride. Although it doesn’t go significantly over 200bhp, which is the standard bike’s horsepower figure, the retuned engine is aimed at delivering a whole different rush across the powerband.
Claimed to be ‘world’s most exclusive motorcycle’, the NCR M16 will be built to order only and we don’t dare to think about the six-figure price.
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For 2011, Yamaha has come up with a significantly improved workhorse in the form of the Grizzly 450 (which gets Electric Power Steering) and an all-new entry-level quad, the Raptor 125 (which is the ideal way to have fun in the dirt). The two machines complete the Japanese manufacturer’s four-wheel lineup, so click past the break to find out more about them in the official press release.
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A simple look at this street tracker is enough for one to think this is a rather expensive project bike and, considering the work and dedication that went into it, there’s nothing wrong with thinking that. But the truth is that Ken Fontenot and the crew at
Cycle Sports in Houston, Texas started from a 1975 XS650 rolling chassis that was rusting outside their shop for the past decade and a half. They’ve restored it and used other parts from around the shop to turn it into a fully-functional motorcycle worthy of the checker flag. In the end, the project took six months and under $1800 worth of parts to complete, so it is a winner from the start. Just click past the break for the official description.
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Having “smelled” the recent frenzy generated by the launch of the all-new Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré and Ducati Multistrada 1200, which come as direct competitors for the BMW R1200GS, Oberdan Bezzi decided to bring a fourth player to the game in the form of the Honda Africa Twin 1200. He so revives the Japanese enduro legend that was only produced with a middleweight engine (750cc) through the 1990s and up until 2003.
In order to make it on today’s much more competitive market, the new bike would have to develop around 140hp and rely on an extremely versatile chassis, just to start with. Comfort, good looks and many touring accessories should tip the scale in favor of Honda if they ever decide to revive the Africa Twin in the upgraded form demanded by today’s enduro standards. We believe Obiboi’s sketch marks the spot.
Dani Pedrosa rode his Honda towards the win of Italy’s MotoGP Grand Prix yesterday in Mugello during the forth stage of the 2010 Championship. The Spaniard was followed by Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo (the man on top for the moment) and teammate Andrea Dovizioso. Valentino Rossi crashed quite hard during the qualifying rounds on Sunday, so he had to satisfy with the moral support shown by fans during the race as he was recuperating in hospital in Florence after his right tibia operation. Please read the race results after the jump.
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Many will agree with us on the fact that Triumph’s Street Triple is suitable for all kinds of riding activities, but we’re surprised to see it can look good as a flat-tracker as well. The Triumph Street Triple Tracker was built by German dealer Motorcorner and the bike they started from was actually an R version.
As hard as it may be to believe, changes were minimal. The engine is unchanged (but does get an aftermarket exhaust for a racy sound) and so is the chassis apart from the 17” spoked wheels.
Who would have thought that a white/gold paintjob and a pair of aluminum rims would transform Triumph’s middleweight roadster into a veritable flat-track racer? This project follows Motorcorner’s 2009 Bonneville-based street tracker. Hope this turns into a tradition.
A café racer fan found this 1977 Honda CB750 on eBay and made it his for a couple hundred bucks. The bike was sitting in a barn for a couple of years, but it was fully functional and could be ridden for the next few months before the café racer transformation began.
First thing first, clubman bars and a tri-bar headlight were added so that the bike would lose its factory look. Also, the seat was reformed and reupholstered so that it would add a sporty look and yet offer plenty of comfort. After getting its carbs synchronized, exhaust pipes trimmed and brakes overhauled, the old CB was already transforming into a much sweater ride.
But this Honda’s Norton-like toutch was to be given during the second stage of the customization process by a new tank paintjob. In the end, this looks like a sweet and comfy café racer with plenty of years left to spend on the road. Hear it after the jump.
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As hard as it may be to believe for those not directly involved, scooter riders love their small and buzzing machines, so because it “wouldn’t be the same without it,” designer Marc Graells Ballve has created the armadillo-inspired armor for scooters.
Called ‘Protect 486′ the system is easy to attach to the scooter’s bodywork and then be wrapped on top of it, protecting the thing from sun, rain and even thieves. Yes, it even has an alarm that goes off if anyone tries to go past the attractive looking orange protective shell.
There’s nothing wrong with the idea of protecting your ride and this actually looks like a practical concept despite the fact that it makes any two-wheeler look like the half of a pimp’s Cadillac.
The Z2/750RS was one of Kawasaki’s highly appreciated inline-four nakeds and made the subject of many customization projects over the years and, as we have recently come to find, it can still work its magic. Modified by the Kouga branch of the Sanctuary workshop, this precise exemplar apparently retains most of its original features, but it is brought up to date especially in what the chassis is concerned.
Now built around a powdercoated and reinforced frame and featuring Yamaha XJR1200 suspension as well as Brembo brakes, the upgraded Kawi Z2 should handle much better and come to a hault almost instantaneously. Also, thanks to the Yoshimura-tuned Mikuni TMR-MJN38 carburetion and Nitro Racing exhaust with titanium silencers, the blueprinted and balanced engine that originally developed 69bhp at 9000rpm now responds better to acceleration and sounds racy.
Overall, this is a clean looking bike which, despite having a few good years on its back, only needed a quick upgrade in order to keep up with its modern siblings from most points of view. That’s why we love Japanese bikes so much.
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For the NaSty concept, GPDesign has taken Suzuki’s entry-level naked bike, the Gladius, and made their best in turning it into a supermoto version. Focusing on technology and innovation to enhance the design and emphasize safety, the NaSty concept also has the purpose of keeping riders interested in the bike as it is claimed to be very versatile.
Among its most important features we find the 2.75-inch taller seat. The sporty looking unit is actually made of alcantara leather and it is water resistant, so quality was definitely taken into consideration. Also, they’ve added supermoto handlebars with handguards and everything. These lasts together with the tall front fender and front plastic body parts do make the Gladius in its NaSty form even easier to love.
At the back, an aftermarket exhaust and a new plate holder do the trick. What’s best about this concept is that it features fluorescent paint on the rims, tank and handguards, which makes the thing more visible at night and implicit much safer to ride. Good idea!
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