Ducati Glasgow, a Ducati dealer from the United Kingdom has come up with a tricked out 848 model that shows the unbelievably exotic lines characterizing the 2009 model year. We’re not talking about a limited edition series, but about a one-of-a-kind motorcycle ordered by a very demanding customer that was willing to pay the £28,000 ($45,631) price.
The list of goodies includes Ohlins forks from a 1098R, complete with a 25mm TTX fork kit and an Ohlins TTX rear shock, also from a 1098R, but what definitely sets this bike apart from the standard £10,616 ($17,300) Ducati 848 is the Ducati Glasgow paintjob. Is this one sweet ride or what?
Having recently renewed his contract with Fiat Yamaha Team, rider Jorge Lorenzo celebrated by making his way on the highest position of the podium at Indianapolis. Alex de Angelis was the second to pass the finish line and Nicky Hayden seemed very happy with third place.
Lorenzo’s teammate, Valentino Rossi, isn’t that satisfied of his performance at the 2009 US MotoGP as he crashed and couldn’t continue the race. Still, the Italian rider is overall 25 points ahead of Jorge Lorenzo.
During these last few weeks, MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo has been oscillating between Fiat Yamaha (his current team) and Ducati Marlboro for the 2010 season. While Ducati’s multi-million dollar offer did sound tempting, Lorenzo has decided to renew his contract with Yamaha and will continue being Valentino Rossis’s skilled teammate. It seems that riding the best bike for the job is more important for a racing rider than any financial offer.
‘Today is a good day because I have decided to remain with the Yamaha factory team in 2010. It was a very important decision and that’s why I have had to take the last few weeks to make it, but I think that this is the best decision for me in this moment,’ said Lorenzo.
‘We have no doubt that he has the ability and drive to become MotoGP world champion and we are proud that he has decided to remain with Yamaha, despite having received some very serious approaches from some of our competitors. This timely decision now allows us to focus on the present championship and to make definitive plans for our 2010 MotoGP program,’ said Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing.
MotoGP rules are changing and starting to affect the post-race show. Because that often included burnouts and that is in contradiction with the new long-life engine rule, we’re disappointed to announce that smoky celebrations will probably no longer be seen. Valentino Rossi is already conforming.
Also, there will be no ride back together to the pits for crashed motorcycle and rider because dirt can be drawn into the engine and that sure doesn’t lengthen its life. In fact, Nicky Hayden says that “You’ll see people getting a scooter ride back rather than bringing the bike home,”
We know that wheelies aren’t that engine-friendly either and can’t even imagine where the new ruling will bring the MotoGP show.
MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi came in first this weekend in the Czech Republic and so managed to stand 50 points apart in the overall provisory top. Teammate Jorge Lorenzo wasn’t that lucky as he crashed out during his attempt to take the lead.
Dani Pedrosa was the second rider to pass the finish line and Toni Elias occupied the third position of the podium.
During the British Supersport race at Brands Hatch on Sunday, Chris Martin’s Kawasaki motorcycle broke down, locking the rear wheel. The rider was thrown from the seat and sent bouncing way over the barrier during what has to be one of the most dangerous crashes of this racing season. In fact, this ended the season for Chris Martin, but he is expected back on two wheels next year.
Team Gearlink Kawasaki has issued a report regarding the crash:
Chris has suspected 3 broken vertebrae, will not know for sure until neck/back specialist has seen him. He has broken his ankle and will now be out of action for the rest of the season.....:-((
This Ducati 1198S got in the hands of the guys at Red Fenix, who have made it worth 100,000 euros (US$144,000). It is now called the Ducati 1198RF and comes with a host of upgrades and modifications that only the most ostentatious or incredibly skilled of you out there could possibly demand for: 17-inch magnesium alloy wheels from Marvic, which are wrapped up in a pair of Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires, 47mm K-Service fork, slightly reduced wheelbase, repositioned Brembo front brake disc (for better cooling) and an engine retuned by the Milan-based Desmolupo.
In the end, you get pretty much a race bike that has an additional 10-11 horsepower, goes faster around bends and only requires one finger on the lever to stop from racing speeds. Is that worth the extra $122,205, given the fact that a factory-equipped 2009 Ducati 1198S starts at $21,795?
Shaggy and Gary "Nesta" Pine have come up with quite an attractive video for their “Fly High” song. Both the video and the song are all about vacation and relaxation, but not that much about safety, given the fact that no rider or gorgeous passenger actually wears a helmet.
Aprilia has announced the launch of the RS125, RS50 and SR50 special edition Max Biaggi replicas. The two entry-level bikes and the small displacement scooter get the same paint schemes as on the Max Biaggi racing motorcycle, while remaining mechanically the same.
The Italian manufacturer does mention that the bikes will hit dealerships later this year, but doesn’t announce the prices.
A French fan of Suzuki has imagined the Japanese manufacturer’s 2010 model range and put his Photoshop skills to work in a quite successful (in our opinion) attempt of showing how the B-King, GSX-R series, GSX650F, SV650, SV1000 and DR-Z400SM might end up looking in the year to come.
While the visual changes imagined for each motorcycle aren’t dramatic, this might very well reflect reality for models which won’t be significantly upgraded.
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