The Ducati 900 S2 was built on the joint platform of the 900 Darmah SS and the 600SL Pantah, with the latter supplying the body work of the bike.
The reason for doing so centered on Ducati’s decision to rationalize its production lines at that time. To their credit, though, they still managed to make a bike that not only looked good, but performed up to the standards of its predecessors.
The Ducati 900 S2 is powered by an 864 cc SOHC Desmo V-twin engine that’s mated to a five-speed transmission. It was also offered with either electric or kick-start options, as well as being fitted with 40-mm Dell’Orto carburetors.
Aesthetically speaking, the 900 S2 was also the picture of attraction - the bike was given a bevy of color options, including bronze with yellow, orange and red stripes, or red and black.
The Ducati 900 S2 that was present at the 2012 RM Auctions is an original model, one that was once displayed in a museum. Expected bidding price for the bikes go for around €5,000 - €7,000, which is about $6,400 - $9,000 based on current exchange rates. Actual selling price was $5,303.
The Ducati 450 Mark 3 was born when the wide-case engine was first introduced in 1968. Not only did this new technology pave the way for bikes like the Scramblers and the Mark 3 Sports to become legendary bikes, but it also gave Ducati plenty of options on where to use this new engine.
In the case of the 450 Mark 3, its arrival in the market in 1969 provided customers an opportunity to enjoy the wide-case engine, not just with the 450 cc, but in either 250 or 350 cc displacements altogether.
But this is all about the 450 Mark 3, which not only came with the aforementioned engine, but also carried an extra gusset along the top tube like Spaggiari’s racer, which featured a wider chain and sprocket and slightly longer Marzocchi forks. On top of that, the bike also featured a new type of Dell’Orto square-slide VHB 29 carburetor while the bullet silencer was replaced by the cut-off Silentium type. In the end, the Ducati 450 Mark 3 became a bike that not only looked the part of a true hardcore cafe bike, but also performed like one too.
The model that was offered at the 2012 RM Auctions in Monaco is an original - CN: DM450M3/700368 - with a Rosso Rubino paint and some splashes of patina, which shows its age. The expected bid price was around €3,000 - €4,000, which is around $3,900 - $5,200 based on current exchange rates. Actual selling price was $6,818.
TVS has a certain panache for building some very interesting bikes and it’s no more evident than their new Jive sports bike.
The styling of Jive is pretty impressive and it certainly belongs to the current generation bikes out on the market. The sleek, aerodynamic look adds some attitude to its profile while the added graphics, the dual stitch cover, and the black alloy wheels all make for a saucy road runner.
More than just its looks, the TVS Jive is also the embodiment of a people-friendly bike. Its simple controls allow even novice riders to enjoy it. The Jive is also powered by an impressive 110cc engine that comes with an innovative T-Matic technology and an automatic clutch that allows for easy drivability.
The most distinguishable feature of the Jive is the absence of the clutch lever, which gives a hands free gear shift experience. This motorbike can be ridden by almost all people who have a sense of balance since there is no need for manual clutch-gear coordination while they are shifting.
All told, the TVS Jive’s combination of looks, reasonable power, and drivability makes for a perfect recipe to satisfy its owners.
Go back to the 60’s in Italy and ask what kind of motorcycle was in vogue back then. Chances are, a majority of the people you ask will say "Scramblers."
As one of the most popular wide-case single bikes at the time, the Ducati 450 Scrambler was, for all intents and purposes, a true road warrior on two wheels. It wasn’t intended to be used for off-road competition and in addition to the 450 version, it also came in 250 cc and 350 cc trims. The only reason why the 450 Scrambler didn’t carry a 500 cc engine was because the crank throw wouldn’t clear the gearbox.
Nevertheless, the 450 Scrambler still packed plenty of punch to go along with an impressive frame that included an extra gusset along the top tube like Bruno Spaggiari’s racer, a wider chain and sprocket, slightly longer Marzocchi forks, and a silencer that was changed in 1969 to the cut-off Silentium type.
The Ducati 450 Scrambler - CN: DM450S/467407 - that was auctioned off at the 2012 MTM auctions in Monaco remained in unrestored condition, complete with its original yellow painted body and alloy wheel rims. Expected bidding price for the bike ranged from €3,000-€4,000, which is around $3,900 - $5,200 based on current exchange rates. Actual selling price was $7,955. Well done!
When the controversy between Bajaj and TVS came to an end with the new judgment and the agreement from the Madras high court for allowing the re-launch of the TVS Flame DS 125, it marked the first step in bringing the bike out on the Indian roads.
The TVS Flame DS 125 comes with a similar design and look of its predecessor with some modifications in the form of a new elegant black theme. But with its own styling cue, the TVS Flame DS 125 still carries a few features similar to its elder brother, the Apachi, including the design of the headlamp, fender, rear view mirrors, body colored shock absorber springs, and the special engine cowl.
Despite all that, the TVS Flame DS 125 is still as unique a bike as you can get on the Indian market, particularly because it’s the first motorbike in India that comes powered with a 3 valve CC VTi (controlled combustion variable timing intelligent) engine.
Other features of the TVS Flame DS 125 include a 240mm front disc brake, which is complemented with a unique triangular delta edge exhaust that delivers the smoothest sounds, lowest emissions, and also the most excellent performance. The TVS Flame DS 125 also supported by neatly – lockable storage, a water-bottled-sized storage in front of the tank, which will be useful for a rider’s everyday use.
Find out more about the TVS Flame DS 125 after the jump.
Hero Honda Motors Ltd comes up with some pretty amusing names for their new line of scooters. None more so than the Hero Honda Pleasure.
We’re not quite sure what the name implies, but we’re not about to argue with these guys. According to Honda, the Hero Pleasure is a bike that has been especially designed for young ladies, with the design of the bike reinforcing that idea.
For instance, the Pleasure has been adorned with exciting body graphics, as well as body colored rear view mirrors, a rear grip, a stunning tail-light and a multi-reflector headlight, and a stylish meter console. What’s more, the scooter also has a large under-seat box, a wider seat, an inner rack, a luggage hook, and extra leg room that will ensure the rider never runs out of space.
On top of its stylistic appeal, the Hero Honda Pleasure also boasts of a 100 cc air-cooled, 4-stroke single cylinder OHC engine that produces around 6 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 7.85 Nm of peak torque at 5,000 RPM and mated to a gearless transmission.
The Hero Honda Pleasure is loaded with a host of attractive features. It’s not claiming to be a powerful scooter, but where it lacks in ponies, it certainly makes up for in style, something a lot of young ladies won’t have any problems compensating for.
Find out more about the Hero Honda Pleasure after the jump.
Some people prefer bikes that are just oozing horsepower. Others prefer a bike that looks like a stunner without carrying all that output. The TVS Apache RTR F1 160 is part of the latter.
And that’s a good thing.
The Apache RTR FI 160 is clearly a head turner that comes with magnificent features and a fuel injection technology that gives the bike better fuel efficiency. In terms of design, the bike offers plenty of new features, including bull-horn grab rails, sporty rear set foot pegs, petal disc brakes, and a digital speedometer that allows the rider to experience a truly exceptional ride.
To attract even more attention, the Apache RTR FI 160 has an absolutely perfect seating position and well positioned rear sets. The Apache RTR FI 160 also offers two seating positions for both roads and tracks.
Inside the heart of the Apache RTR F1 160 is a 159.7-cc fuel injected engine that produces a maximum power of 15.7 horsepower @ 8,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 13.1 Nm at 6,000 rpm.
All told, the Apache RTR F1 160 is a bike that may not carry all the performance credentials, but it does look spicy, which is half the battle.
Find out more about the TVS Apache RTR F1 160 after the jump.
Alongside the 500, 600, and 650 Pantahs in the early 1980s was a range of 350s specifically produced for the Italian market to accommodate a tax break for motorcycles below 350 cc. The 350 XL was one of Ducati’s parts-bin specialties and essentially a 500 SL with a 600 TL handlebar fairing and higher handlebars. More was sourced from the SL Pantah than the TL, including instruments, instrument panel, and rear-set foot-pegs.
The 350 engine was a downsized 500 SL, with smaller valves (33.5 mm inlet and 30.5 mm exhaust). The Dell’Orto carburetors were smaller (30 mm), and there were new camshafts. The lower end, including the five-speed gearbox and wet cable-operated clutch, was identical to the later 500 SL, and the exhaust system was Silentium. The power was still a healthy 40 horsepower at 9,600 rpm. The 350 XL chassis was also very similar to the 500 SL, with gold FPS wheels, Paioli suspension, and small 05-series Brembo front brake calipers. Attractively styled in red and black, the 350 XL was capable of around 170 km/h. The 350 XL offered here is in excellent original condition, with nice paint and chrome.
The Ducati XL350 Pantah was estimated to bring in between €3,000-€5,000, but it actually brought in €585, which is about $745 at the current rates.
One of the biggest winners at the 2012 RM Auctions in Monaco was the Ducati 750GT.
First introduced to the market in 1971, the 750GT was the personification of a flash-bang Ducati. It was flashy, to say the least. The first examples of the 750GT came with silver painted frames with the tank and side covers finished in a colorful blend of metallic colors that included gold, lime green, bright blue, or red.
Colors notwithstanding, the true highlight of the 750GT was its 748 cc SOHC V-twin engine that was capable of hitting top speeds in excess of 120 mph. The surest sign that Ducati went and invested a whole lot in the 750GT was because of the laborious and painstaking detail they took just to build one.
The construction of the engine was so precise that it took up to eight hours to assemble one unit, making sure that all the bevel-drive gears and bearings were correctly set up. If it was a racing engine, Ducati would take two days to build one. Initially, the bike’s sales lagged until Paul Smart won at Imola in 1972 with the 750GT, beating some of the best manufacturers this side of the galaxy. As a result, the 750GT became a legend of sorts, with Taglioni even saying that its engine was the best he ever designed.
As for the Ducati 750GT that was offered at the RM Auctions, that one came in excellent overall condition with superior paint, chrome details, and even the early Amal carburetors. The 750GT sold for a staggering €38,025 ($48,800), a price that’s miles north of what the estimated €12,000 - €15,000 ($15,400 - $19,000).
Big things are in store for the Indian motorcycle market, thanks to Indian bike maker TVS. That’s because the company is launching its new product, the TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS.
TVS claims that the Apache RTR 180 ABS is the first bike in the Indian market to come equipped with Anti-Lock Braking System, a technology that will now allow its customers to take advantage of the new technology.
But more than just being ABS-ready, the Apache RTR 180 was designed to be a looker, and for all intents and purposes, it is one. For starters, racing GT graphics adorn the bike, providing a look that exudes racing sophistication. The luminous rims and the race crouch mirrors are also part of the bike’s set-up, highlighting the bike’s RTR racing pedigree. Bull horn grab rails have been ergonomically designed to aid the pillion rider in holding on tight while a superbike-style rear fender comes with a replaceable and functional mud flap and a dual texture seat to provide a comfortable seating arrangement.
Powering the Apache RTR 180 is a 177.4 cc 4-stroke engine that produces 17 horsepower @ 8,500 rpm and 15.5 Nm @ 6,500 rpm.
Find out more about the TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS after the jump.
