Mike Haliwood is a pretty important figure in Ducati’s history as its name is strongly related to the Italian manufacturer.
When Mike Hailwood returned from New Zealand to ride the privateer Sports Motorcycles 900 SS in the Isle of Man TT F1 race in 1978, some say it was Ducati’s greatest victory ever. At 38, Hailwood had not raced at the Isle of Man for 11 years, but he beat Phil Read’s lap record by nine mph on his way to victory.
Ducati offered him a factory bike the next year, but it was unequal to the task: Hailwood finished 5th and did not ride it anywhere else. However the TT legend was alive and well, and Ducati marketed a Mike Hailwood Replica in 1979 in red, white and green. The MHR had Darmah Nippon Denso instruments and switch gear, Conti exhausts, Brembo brakes front and rear and 40-mm carburettors. The first MHRs had kick starts and one-piece fairings, and Motor Cycle Weekly tested one at 129 mph.
Full story
Kawasaki is one of the oldest Japanese motorcycle manufacturers and most of the company’s models were received with great interest by the riders. And there is no wonder why as they had a bullet proof built quality and offered top notch performances as well.
From the original Z-1 to the ZZR1200, Kawasaki’s do-it-all motorcycles combined the power, handling, comfort and aesthetic appeal that repeatedly dominated their categories. The same facts are also true for the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS, which is one of the best models in its segment.
The 2012 version delivers a dominating mix of power, handling, looks, technology and rideability. The bike is powered by a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four, 1,043cc engine which is paired with a six speed gearbox.
For those who want a faultless stopping power, Kawasaki also offers an ABS version of the Ninja 1000 for 2012.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 1000.
Full story
The 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ABS was built using the latest technologies developed by the Japanese manufacturer and is ready to hit both the race tracks and city streets.
The motorcycle is powered by a compact, narrow and lightweight engine which comes with large intakes valves, chromoly camshafts and strong connecting rods. Moreover, the Intake and exhaust valves are titanium to reduce reciprocating weight and stress at high rpm. The engine has a displacement of 998 cc and is paired with a six speed transmission.
Needless to say that the ride is kept in check by a set of sporty suspensions. The Shock and linkage are positioned above the swingarm, a layout that offers excellent road-holding, smooth suspension action, and stability and feedback when cornering.
The Ninja ZX-10R is equipped with Kawasaki’s Intelligent anti-lock Braking (KIBS), which is combined with front dual semi-floating 310mm petal discs with dual four-piston radial-mount calipers and a rear single 220mm petal disc paired with an aluminum single-piston caliper.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ABS.
Full story
Aprilia launched the 2012 Tuono V4 R APRC, a bike that’s able to deal effortless with the demands of the most hardcore enthusiasts.
The motorcycle features a dynamic body that cuts through the air with ease and is powered by Aprilia’s longitudinal 65° V-4 cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooled engine with double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder. The modern engine rewards you with a maximum output of 167.3 CV (123 kW) at 11.500 rpm and 111.5 Nm of torque at 9.500 rpm.
The engine is mounted on a strong yet light aluminum frame. The company says that the Tuono’s frame “ exploits the strength and flexibility of cast and pressed elements in a structure that sets new benchmarks in terms of balance and dynamic efficiency.” Shortly, that is translated into maximum torsional stiffness and flexional stiffness.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4 R APRC.
Full story
The Cagiva Mito SP525 has a lot to love. For the starters it features a pretty sporty design language which inspires dynamism and confidence. The trim aerodynamics design was developed to get maximum penetration with the rider on the saddle and even the rear view mirrors were carefully designed to maximize the bike’s aerodynamics.
The ride is kept in check by a front 40 mm inverted fork which is combined with a rear Sachs shock absorber with adjustable pre-load.
The motorcycle is propelled by a 124.60 cc, single cylinder, two stroke engine which delivers a peak power of 12.07 HP (8.8 kW) at 9000 RPM and 11.00 Nm (1.1 kgf-m or 8.1 ft.lbs) of torque at 7500 RPM. The speed is kept under control by the Brembo Serie Oro braking system which consists of a 2-piston caliper that works on a 320mm front disc and a 230mm rear disc with tangential slots.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2013 Cagiva Mito SP525.
Full story
The Aprilia RSV4 makes no compromise when it comes to agility. The motorcycle was designed to reward you with first class performance on the track but also on the road. It comes with a sporty style, modern technologies and a strong engine.
Talking about the engine, the RSV4 Factory APRC SE is equipped with a 65° V-4 unit which is combined Ride By Wire and multimap engine management. You also get adjustable traction control which is capable of self-adjusting to suit different types of tyres, wheelie control, launch control and quick shift.
The motorcycle is equipped with multi-adjustable suspensions, which consist of a front Öhlins Racing upside-down fork and a Öhlins Racing rear shock absorber developed from experience learned directly on the track. The rear shock features a piggy back nitrogen canister and adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping and length, allowing the height of the rear end of the bike to be altered to modify the set-up to suit different riding styles and tracks.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE.
Full story
There is no other bike like a Ninja. This model has become an icon of sportiness and adrenaline from the instant it was launched for the first time on the market.
When it arrived on the big-bore sportbike stage in 2006, the big Ninja blew everyone’s minds with its power, sport-tourer comfort, agile handling and aerodynamic full-coverage bodywork. Since then, the motorcycle received a lot of upgrades and the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R raised the bar even higher.
The R-designated 2012 Ninja ZX-14R is stronger, better looking and smoother than ever, thanks to the numerous upgrades received from Kawasaki’s technicians.
Big power delivered smoothly has always been a big Ninja hallmark, so the changes for 2012 begin in the new ZX-14R’s engine bay. First off, there’s more displacement via a 4mm stroke increase; to 65mm (up from 61mm), with displacement now registering 1441cc (up from 1352cc). Combustion chamber shapes are newly optimized for 2012, and they’re surface-milled now, not cast. Moreover, intake ports are reshaped and polished for maximum flow while working in concert with longer and more durable intake valves.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R.
Full story
Searching for a versatile, yet sporty motorcycle which is able to cope great with race tracks, city streets and highway? Then you should take a closer look at the Ducati Diavel Carbon.
“The challenge of building a muscular silhouette over a pure-bred competition motor had to be met with determination and a delicate touch, and the result is a frontal area that looks like a power athlete on the starting blocks,” explains the team at Ducati Design responsible for the project. “With the front wheel kept close to the Diavel’s body and using the short tail of a sport bike, we were able to blend this muscular design with a chassis that matched.”
Apart from its attractive design the 2012 Ducati Diavel Carbon is equipped with a strong 1198.4cc heart. The engine is mated on a six speed transmission and puts out 162hp (119kW) @ 9500rpm and 94lb-ft (127.5Nm) @ 8000rpm.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2102 Ducati Diavel Carbon.
Full story
The Aprilia RSV4 is now offered with the innovative APRC system. Apart from the APRC, the 2012 model has also received a raft of significant updates made to the engine.
The Aprilia RSV4 is powered by a sporty, narrow 65° V four-cylinder engine which is compact, liquid cooled and features double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder. The electronic management system is another example of the 65° V4 engine’s technological supremacy, while the full Ride-by-Wire technology eliminates any direct connection between the throttle grip and the throttle valves. The engine is mated on a smooth shifting six speed gearbox which is combined with a state of the art wet clutch.
The stopping power is assured by front dual 320-mm floating stainless steel discs with lightweight stainless steel rotors and aluminum flange with 6 pins and rear 220-mm discs grabbed by Brembo calipers.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Aprilia RSV4 R APRC.
Full story
The 2012 version of the Aprilia RS 125 is powered by a single cylinder, two stroke, Rotax-Aprilia engine. Needless to say that the engine is fitted with all the modern technologies expected from a top manufacturer and is reliable to the core.
Among the technical features offered by the 124,8 cc unit, you’ll find a crankcase reed valve intake, liquid cooling, an anti-vibration balancer shaft and an automatic mixing system. The unit is also fitted with a catalytic converter and precision carburation which helps it meet the Euro 3 emission regulations.
The Aprilia’s RS 125 frame is made from cast aluminum alloy with cross ribbing reinforcement. Aprilia developed the RS 125’s frame using its experience in the GP 125 racing so you can expect to first class build quality. Despite its extremely light weight, this advanced structure achieves amazing tensional rigidity.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Aprilia RS 125.
Full story
