For a change, here’s one Ducati that’s went on auction at the 2012 RM Auctions in Monaco with less than 20 years of existence.
The Ducati 996 Biposto was first developed in 1999 from the 916 model, which also spurned the 955, the bike that Carl Fogarty rode on his way to World Superbike dominance in the mid 90’s.
Unlike some of the other Ducati models that were up for auction, the 996 Biposto came with relatively modern technology, beginning with a 996 cc fuel-injected, water-cooled DOHC Desmo V-twin engine that develops a powerful 122 horsepower with a top speed of 161 mph. Power from the engine courses through a six-speed transmission.
In addition to its ridiculous engine capabilities, the 996 Biposto also had the distinctive under-seat exhaust that set off a trend and is now being copied by almost every other manufacturer. The forks are upside-down Showa while the suspension - both front and rear - are adjustable. Likewise, the bike also comes with Brembo disc brakes, a single-sided rear swing-arm, and Marchesini five-spoke wheels.
The model that was auctioned off was the base 996 Biposto with CN: ZDMH200AAXB005641. The bike was expected to carry a bid price of about €3,500 - €5,000, which is around $4,500 - $6,500 based on current exchange rates. Actual selling price was $5,152.
The Ducati 85 belonged to another range of entry-level OHV pushrod Ducatis that was not only the picture of lightness, but was also as economical a bike as anything in the market back in those days.
It featured an 85cc OHV single cylinder engine that was mated to a four-speed transmission. The engine may not mean a whole lot from the Ducati perspective these days, but in a time when power was a lot more subdued, the 85 Sport carried enough ponies to be a serious player.
In terms of design, the 85 Sport, or this model in particular, was finished in blue and silver, and is an original model that may be in need of some restoration work. As it is now, the 85 Sport might need some few tune-ups, but once finished it could make for a head-turning classic bike on the road.
The Ducati 85 Sport was expected to fetch around €2,000 - €3,000, which is around $2,500 - $3,800 based on current exchange rates, when it went up for auction in Monaco by RM Auctions. Actual selling price was $2,273.
New models are always subject to more scrutiny than their veteran counterparts, but that doesn’t mean that these models shouldn’t be ignored completely. On the contrary, a fresh new mode offers plenty of new experiences, and that’s what Moto Morini Company wants to build with their new addition to the family, the Moto Morini 1200 Sport.
Moto Morini presented this new model at the Motormotorcycle Expo in Verona, with a new graphic style and a black and orange design on its white frame. Attractive looks notwithstanding, the Moto Morini 1200 Sport is a bike that’s been built to impress, thanks in large part to the company’s powerful 1187cc v-twin engine that produces a tidy 117 horsepower.
Apart from the engine, the bike’s chassis is another point of pride for Moto Morini, with its front forks derived from the company’s Marzocchi line and rounded out with a set of 17" Excel wheels fitted with sport-touring rubber tires. In terms of looks, the Moto Morini 1200 Sport’s classic naked styling is a perfect match to its attractive look. Add that to a slew of top quality components from the likes of Verlicchi, Brembo, Marzocchi, Paioli, and Zard, and you have a newbie bike that was built to impress and destined to become a customer favorite from here on out.
Find out more about the Moto Morini 1200 Sport after the jump.
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After months of rumors and speculation, Audi has officially confirmed the acquisition of the Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. The acquisition was approved today in Hamburg and will be completed as quickly as possible once authorized by the competition authorities.
While it hasn’t been confirmed just yet, rumors say that Audi paid approximately €860 million, or $1.13 billion at the current rates, in order to buy Ducati. This is a fabulous deal considering Ducati sold around 42,000 motorcycles and generated revenue of some €480 million (about $631 million at the current rates), employing around 1,100 people.
Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, declared: "Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles. It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction, and is one of the world’s most profitable motorcycle manufacturers. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi."
Believe it or not, Ducati has launched a Diesel Monster 1100 EVO. Trust us though, it’s not what you think. When we say Diesel, we’re speaking of the Italian clothing brand that sponsors the Ducati Team in MotoGP and has also launched a Ducati apparel collection so that riders can look fashionable on their new bike.
The 2012 Ducati Monster 1100 Evo was launched alongside the apparel collection on March 15, 2012 at the Diesel store in Soho, New York City. Ducati calls the bike "urban military chic." The exclusive ’Diesel Brave Green matte’ paint on the tank and rear fairing delivers a rugged military vehicle feel, especially while set against the black that covers almost every other part. To pay homage to the bike’s racing heritage, the shock and the Brembo calipers are painted yellow. Expect this bike to set you back a cool $13,795.
Leave a comment below and let us know what you think of the 2012 Ducati Monster Diesel 1100 EVO.
Few may have heard of the Tarantulas, a motorcycle custom garage based in the Portland, Oregon that specializes in bike restorations and custom builds. But with their skill and talent in building some pretty slick machines, due props have to be given out.
One of their creations that sparked some interest is called the Natural, a restored and modified 1976 Honda CB750F SS that drives home the classic touches mixed in with modern modifications.
According to the Tarantulas, the bike took a couple of years to make and started off as an abandoned bike that was eventually turned into a classic piece of steel and muscle. To give the bike the look of a neo-retro cruiser, the Tarantulas decided to give it a brushed metal treatment complemented by leather-looking vinyl, gum rubber, and Tarozzi rear seats that will be stripped down and powder-coated.
Other design details about the Natural include custom clip-ons, a new rear cowel with an oil tank and battery box, new headlight ears, levers and hard lines, all of which were built by James Crowe and his boys over at Crowe Customs.
Suzuki’s GSX-R series hold a special place in the hearts of riders for being the kind of bike that offers sporty good looks with outstanding engine performance and crisp handling. It’s an ideal bike for any kind of activity, with a versatility that’s virtually unmatched in the industry.
The technical specs of the 2012 model remain largely the same, which can really be looked at in either a glass half-full or half-empty way depending on which side of the fence you’re on. While others might scoff at the relative lack of improvements from its predecessors, others continue to laud the GSX-R series for continuing its tradition as one of the best all-around bikes on the market.
For the latter, the GSX-R750’s 750cc, four-cylinder engine is the stuff where excitement is born. It comes with a race-proven oversquare bore/stroke ratio that provides exceptionally potent, high-revving performance while maximizing torque and improving throttle response, especially in the low-to-mid RPM range. The bike’s powetrain set-up also makes use of forged pistons, shot-peened conrods, a chrome-nitride-coated upper compression and oil control rings, and pentagonal ventilation holes for outstanding engine performance.
A far as handling is concerned, the Suzuki GSX-R750 was given a lightweight and compact twin-spar aluminum cradle frame that’s made out of five cast sections and features a cast swingarm. An electronically controlled steering damper provides lighter steering at lower speeds and more damping force at racetrack and highway speeds. On the flip side, handling also plays a huge part in ensuring that the GSX-R50 stays in the best possible shape, getting equipped with front brakes that feature fully floating 310mm discs and radial-mounted, four-piston Brembo monoblock calipers.
Find out more about the Suzuki GSX-R750 after the jump.
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When you’re in the market for a bike that comes with a world-class racing pedigree, you can’t do a whole lot better than the Suzuki GSX-R600. As a bike that has blazed its way to the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Championship and the overall AMA Pro SuperSport Championship, the GSX-R600 is truly in a class all its own.
Compact and powerful, the GSX-R600 is a clear demonstration of Suzuki’s highly-advanced and race-proven technology of the GSX-R line. The crown jewel of the bike is its 599cc, 4-cyclinder engine, that comes with a race-proven oversquare bore/stroke ratio engineered for an exceptional high-revving performance. It’s got shot-peened con rods, a chrome-nitride-coated upper compression and oil control rings, and pentagonal ventilation holes that ensure the bike has the kind of efficient performance befitting its name and stature in the industry. The GSX-R600 also has new camshaft profiles that feature an aggressive valve-lift curve and a 4-into-1 stainless-steel exhaust system with a titanium muffler, maximizing torque and improving throttle response, especially in the low-to-mid RPM range. The whole engine technology, particularly the Suzuki Dual Throtle Valve System, gives the rider free reign to enjoy the insanely powerful characteristics of the GSX-R600.
Handling is also a prime trait of the GSX-R600, thanks in large part to a race-developed, lightweight Showa Big Piston front-Fork that delivers superior feedback and consistent performance. Likewise, a single Showa rear shock features externally adjustable rebound and compression damping, along with adjustable ride height, making for a bike that truly has the whole package - and then some.
Find out more about the Suzuki GSX-R600 after the jump.
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For those that can’t handle the all-world capabilities of the Suzuki Hayabusa, you can always find solace in a bike like the Suzuki GSX-R1000. It’s not as powerful as the almighty Hayabusa, but it comes pretty darn close.
The 2012 GSX-R1000 was built with an eye towards designing a super bike that can make the competition wince. With the kind of history Suzuki has with these machines, it wasn’t all that surprising that they’ve built a bike its customers will be very proud of.
Not only does the GSX-R1000 come with a new style and bodywork, but the bike also gets the benefit of a new chassis and suspension set-up that can support bikers during their high-speed excursions out on the the track.
Among the aesthetic features that have been built into the GSX-R1000 include a new high-grip leather seat that features outstanding holding properties, providing the rider with a greater sense of stability when accelerating. New front and rear tires have also been fitted with improved tread patterns and the front tire is 200 grams lighter, contributing to lower unsprung weight and sharper handling.
At the heart of the GSX-R1000 is a 999cc four-cyclinder engine that has been modified to deliver the kind of scintillating acceleration that few other top-end performance bikes are capable of replicating. The engine works hand-in-hand with a back torque-limiting clutch that incorporates the Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) for light clutch pull and optimum clutch performance, resulting in smoother downshifting, and allows the rider to take full advantage of engine output during deceleration. The GSX-R1000 also has a new 4-2-1 exhaust system that’s significantly lighter than its predecessor, contributing to improved agility and handling of a bike whose power output is no laughing matter.
Find out more about the Suzuki GSX-R1000 after the jump.
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Ah yes, the Suzuki Hayabusa. Quite simply, this bike is definitely not for everyone. Considered the fastest and most powerful production sport bike on the market, the Hayabusa is reserved for only those that know what they’re doing riding on one. It’s superiority over everything else that makes it the pinnacle of all sports bikes, blending unparalleled performance with a stylish and sexy bodywork.
Few bikes can go stride for stride with the Hayabusa, especially when you consider that the bike is powered by a 1,340cc in-line 4-cylinder fuel injected, DOHC liquid-cooled engine with 16-valves and Twin Swirl Combustion Chambers (TSCC), providing staggering power and uncompromising anger over anything that dares to cross its path. The Hayabusa’s engine is fed through Suzuki’s own SDTV (Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve) fuel injection system with dual 12-hole, fine-spray injectors per cylinder and a ram air intake with large volume air box. Likewise, the engine is mated to a six-speed transmission that features oil spray to the 4th, 5th, and 6th gears, reducing wear and mechanical noise whenever you take it out for a spine-tingling spin.
As far as the bike’s handling is concerned, the Hayabusa was designed to be as tough as it is powerful. A lightweight and rigid twin-spar aluminum frame serves as the bike’s chassis, minimizing the overall weight while also maintaining high torsional strength. A fully adjustable inverted front fork features DLC (Diamond-Like Coating) coated inner tubes whereas the front suspension offers minimal friction resistance and provides outstanding suspension performance over a variety of riding conditions. There’s also a bridged aluminum alloy swing arm that features a cross-sectional shape for increased rigidity while also improving the rear tire grip and increased engine output.
Suffice to say, the Suzuki Hayabusa is the conversation-ender in the world of sports bikes. Owning one equates to "owning" everybody else.
Find out more about the Suzuki Hayabusa after the jump.
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