• Ducati presents new product lines of technical base layer garments designed in collaboration with Aquafil, a leading company in the sector
• The garments are made with Dryarn®, an innovative microfibre that guarantees optimal breathability and keeps the body always dry and at the correct temperature in both the hottest and the most rigid climates
• The Ducati Apparel collection is available at dealerships in the Ducati network and on the Shop.Ducati.com website

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 23 June 2022 - Ducati presents the new Cool Down 2 and Warm Up 2 technical base layer product lines. Created in collaboration with Aquafil, a global leader in the production of synthetic fibres, the lines consist of products designed to be worn under jackets, trousers or helmets to increase the rider's thermal comfort. The garments of the Ducati technical base layer collection are made of lightweight fabric and created without seams in order to eliminate irritation and discomfort from rubbing.

The products of the Cool Down 2 and Warm Up 2 lines are made with Dryarn®, an innovative microfibre born from the tradition and experience of Aquafil. In addition to being the lightest fibre existing in nature, Dryarn® is water repellent, breathable, bacteriostatic and dermatologically tested. Thanks to its low specific weight, this microfibre makes it possible to produce extremely light garments, while maintaining the thermal insulation capacity. The same product made of Dryarn® can weigh -32% compared to the wool equivalent and -34% compared to the equivalent polyester garment.

As the latest generation Activewear garments, the new Ducati collection stands out for its breathability and thermoregulation. Excellent breathability is guaranteed by the differentiated fabric structure, which absorbs excess moisture, prevents sweat from flowing and causes it to evaporate, eliminating it completely, to always leave the skin dry. Thermoregulation is ensured by the Dryarn® microfibre structure, which creates a breathable barrier while maintaining the correct microclimate of the body.

The Cool Down 2 line, designed for sporty use on the track or on the road, includes items which have cooling, anti-sweat and anti-odour properties. The Cool Down 2 line is made up of garments designed specifically for motorcycle use, ideal for enjoying every curve even on the hottest days. Among the items in the line are technical t-shirts (long, short or sleeveless), balaclavas and technical socks.

The technical t-shirts, designed by Drudi Performance, combine an attractive design with excellent performance in terms of lightness, elasticity and breathability. They are equipped with areas with a new large-mesh construction to optimize body transpiration and eliminate excess heat in the areas of greatest perspiration.

The new Cool Down 2 balaclava by Drudi Performance is ideal for hot climates and summer seasons. It is equipped with highly breathable micro-mesh zones that regulate the temperature and allow you to stay dry while guaranteeing excellent technical comfort and high breathability.

The tech socks make breathability and freshness their strong points. The selected materials, in addition to ensuring good thermal comfort and perfect expulsion of sweat even on the hottest days, ensure comfort and feeling while riding, thanks to the reinforced areas with a specific design for motorcycle use.

The Warm Up 2 line, designed for sport-touring and road use, includes items that are the ideal allies for enjoying every ride to the fullest and not giving up on fun and riding pleasure even when the temperatures get colder. The collection includes long-sleeve thermal t-shirt and pants, balaclava and thermal socks.

The long-sleeve technical t-shirt and thermal pants, by Drudi Performance, represent an ideal combination of comfort, elasticity and breathability. They are equipped with areas with a new large-mesh construction, which optimize body transpiration and eliminate excess heat in the areas of greatest perspiration. The high-quality fibres of these garments guarantee thermal insulation towards the outside, absorbing moisture and sweat before they touch the skin.

The modern and functional Warm Up 2 balaclava is a perfect travel companion on the coldest days. The optimized design protects the neck, temples and chin from the wind and, combined with the performance of the Dryarn® fibre, hinders the dispersion of heat and insulates from the outside.

The tech socks are designed to guarantee the best thermal comfort even at the coldest temperatures. The composition of the foot in merino wool guarantees warmth and breathability. The optimized design features strengthened zones, with a specific design for motorcycle use.

The Ducati Apparel collection is available at the dealership network of the Borgo Panigale company and on the Shop.Ducati.com website.

#DucatiApparel #Ducati2022

SR75 World Team Suzuki has pulled the covers off a special V-Strom 650XT project, a build that sees the multiple Arenacross title-winning outfit inject a supercross twist into the middleweight adventure machine.

Unveiled today at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival, the team has taken the standard V-Strom and stripped it back to its component parts, before modifying and replacing a number of elements to boost its off-road capabilities and performance.

The standard 19” and 17” wheels have been replaced with 21” and 18” rims with bespoke Envy hubs, shod with Pirelli tyres. The whole chassis has been raised with in-house suspension mods and upgraded springs.

Ergonomics are changed with handlebar risers housing RM-Z450 Renthal ‘bars, protected by genuine Suzuki hand guards. Modified-to-fit RM-Z450 footpegs give an assured, planted feel off-road. California-based Motoseat took the standard V-Strom seat base and provided custom seat foam and ribbed cover to create the perfect shape and riding position in more challenging conditions.

Mated to SR75 modified headers, a custom FMF titanium pipe sits higher than the original and gives a racier exhaust note. There’s also a heavy duty sump guard and a lighter battery, while the aesthetic is completed with restyled bodywork to slim down the rear end and create a lighter, stripped-back aesthetic. A bespoke GP Grafix kit completes the unique look and mimics the team’s RM-Z race bikes.

SR75 team owner, Geoff Walker, “Getting to grips with the V-Strom was really exciting and it made an interesting project. Away from the race bikes we’ve turned our hands to a few projects in the past, but normally they’re older RM and RM-Z models, so this was something a bit different. The standard bike is obviously a very good, very capable mile-munching middleweight adventure bike, but we’ve just improved it in certain areas and given it a more off-road focus through our expertise. The Envy wheel set is a work of art, truly, and are absolutely bespoke to this build, and the whole look is only completed through the fine work of the crew at GP Grafix who have done an amazing job. It’s been a real team effort by our team and all of our technical partners.

“With the taller, tougher stance, the modifications to the seat, pegs, and ‘bars and heavy duty crash protection, it’s going to be a proper thing off-road, and we’ve got some big plans to do some cool things with it this summer. And for any V-Strom owners looking to recreate or take inspiration, we’d be happy to help with parts and share our knowhow.”

SR75 World Team Suzuki competes across the globe, attending events – and achieving success – in the US and Europe, and can lay claim to five Arenacross rider titles in the UK, plus multiple team championships and titles in Denmark and France.

The V-Strom 650XT is currently available with 2.9% APR over a three-year Hire Purchase or PCP agreement, with no deposit required.

ALEIX SECOND AND MAVERICK SEVENTH TO TAKE THEIR RS-GP MACHINES INTO THE PROVISIONAL TOP 10, SAVADORI CONTINUES DEVELOPMENT

Following the most predictable script, the first day of practice in Assen alternated almost perfectly between a wet and dry track. The FP1 sessions were held in full wet conditions, whereas the situation improved gradually in the afternoon all the way down to a finale with good times on basically dry asphalt.

In all the conditions, both with the rain in the morning and on the dry track in the latter part of the FP2 session, Aleix and Maverick confirmed their outstanding form, taking their Aprilia RS-GP machines into the provisional top 10. Espargaró’s second place time and Maverick’s seventh represent an excellent starting point to build a solid weekend.

In Assen, Aprilia Racing will also have the Test Team on the grid with Lorenzo Savadori in the saddle as he continues developing upgrades even in view of 2023 on an RS-GP with quite a few parts under development. Despite the huge job of trials and tests to be accomplished, the Italian rider still managed to shine, doing interesting times in the various stages of the sessions and finishing the day with the twenty-first time.

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
"It’s always important to start off strong, so I am satisfied with these first two sessions. Especially in the wet this morning I was fast and I had a good feeling even in conditions which are certainly not my favourite. On the dry track in the afternoon, I was only able to do a few laps at the end of the session, but I still managed to find the rhythm, which actually surprised me a bit. So, we are ready to tackle any situation, although we’re always hoping for the dry, a condition in which you can really have fun here in Assen."

MAVERICK VIÑALES
"We started from the base we had in Sachsenring and we were solid here too, in the top 10 both in the dry and in the wet. I felt really good in FP2 when the track was dry. We obviously still need to improve, but the Aprilia has some important strong points. Even in the best session, we weren’t able to push to the limit because the track wasn’t perfectly dry. It would be nice to be able to do that tomorrow."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"Not too bad. We’re continuing our work, especially in deciding on new solutions. We put the slicks on very early, using a general setting that was still intended for a damp track, so when the asphalt condition improved gradually, we were unable to push to the limit. In any case, we are following our programme and we’ll keep moving in this direction tomorrow."

If you’re travelling by road, then you’re at a small risk of suffering an accident. This risk varies depending on where you’re travelling, and by what vehicle. Statistically speaking, motorcyclists are in the greatest danger. When you’re on two wheels, you’re not only more likely to be involved in a collision – you’re also more likely to suffer injury and death. While you can claim compensation after suffering a serious brain injury, you can’t easily reverse the damage.  

For motorcyclists, therefore, taking the time to identify the biggest dangers is more than worthwhile. Let’s take a look at a few of the most notorious.

Biggest Danagers to Motorcyclists on the Road

Oncoming traffic is undoubtedly the biggest danager that motorcyclists face. If you’re involved in a head-on collision, then you’ll have be exposed to twice the force as if you’d hit the same object at double the speed (assuming that you’re travelling at the same speed as the other vehicle). While passengers and drivers in cars have a lot of protective structures around them, motorcyclists aren’t so fortunate. Even a minor impact can knock you off the bike.

Junctions are another source of danger. Drivers might not have noticed you – they have multiple demands on their attention when they’re waiting to turn. That’s assuming they haven’t taken the opportunity to take out their phones.

Overbraking is something that’s likely to throw you over the handlebars. While it might be nececssary to avoid a collission, sudden stopping is something that can pose a danger in itself.

Car doors are another thing that can take you out when they’re opened unexpecetedly. This is something that’s particularly troubling in cities.

Finally, we should worry about the condition of the road surface. Grit, gravel and rainwater can all reduce your traction. Gravel in particular can cause the bike to highside – which is a sudden and often deadly rotation of the bike.

How to Avoid an Accident

The easiest way to avoid an accident on your bike is to reduce your speed. The slower you’re going, the more easily you’ll be able to react to some of the threats we’ve mentioned.

You should also be sure that you’re wearing the appopriate safety gear. This includes a helmet, as well as boots, gloves, leathers and body armor.

You should also be sure that your bike is in good condition. This means regularly assessing your tyre pressures, changing the oils, and testing the brakes. If you’re practiced doing emergency stops. It’ll be less likely that you get thrown off. We should also mention that, in a disproportionate number of motorcycle casualties, drink-driving has been a factor. If you know you’re going to be getting in the saddle, then you should limit your alcohol consumption to zero. Don’t take any chances!

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