Category: Motorcycles

1. Escape the day-to-day on one of six new models for 2014

   Posted on 7:48am Wednesday 20th Nov 2013

   Six new Triumphs have been unveiled in Milan at the EICMA International bike show, below is a taste of what you could be riding next.

   Tiger 800XC SE
   Our stunning new addition to the rugged Tiger 800 family will not only perform off the beaten track but it's distinctive special edition paint scheme will also get you noticed on the commute.

   Thunderbird Commander
   New muscle for your New Year's resolution? The wide wheeled Commander carries our 1700cc parallel twin powerplant and features two gorgeous paint options.

   Thunderbird LT
   Deep mudguards, wire-spoke rims and white wall tyres make the Thunderbird LT the ultimate cruiser-tourer. An all new seat configuration and hand painted pin stripe detail add to the luxury.

   America
   The most accessible entry into our cruiser range. Rider footboards, low seat height (690mm) and heel/toe shift make the America perfect for classic laid back cruising.

   America LT
   For those keen on long distance touring the America LT has, as standard, a touring screen, pillion sissy bar and panniers to add mile munching practicality to your journey.

   Speedmaster Our stripped back and blacked out cruiser. Wide handlebars, a skinny front tyre and blacked out engine cases gives the Speedmaster a moodier, hot-rod look for 2014.

2. EICMA 2013 visitors award brand new Ducati Monster 1200

   Posted on 9:27am Monday 11th Nov 2013

   Most Beautiful Bike of Show...

   Over 10,000 voters awarded the Ducati Monster 1200 “Most Beautiful Bike of Show” •Perfect debut for the third generation of an iconic Ducati model, which has sold over 275,000 •Massive public attendance closes EICMA 2013 on a positive note for Ducati and the market

   Rho (Milan, Italy) 10 November 2013 – Ducati’s brand new Monster 1200 has been voted “Most Beautiful Bike of Show” on the closing day of the EICMA 2013 International Motorcycle Show in Milan. The survey, organised by the Italian publication, Motociclismo, attracted over 10,000 participants and has become an annual tradition at the highly important show and a valuable and prestigious award.

   The Ducati Monster 1200 was the clear winner of the award followed by the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800. The result rewards Ducati for its continuous development of new models with latest technologies, an initiative that has helped the company (a member of the Audi Group) to repeat the positive sales trend enjoyed in recent years, with 2013 on course to maintain the Italian manufacturer’s record sales set in 2012.

   The prestigious award was announced at the end of the show, when Corrado Capelli (President of ANCMA) Piero Bacchetti (President of Edisport Editoriale) and Massimo Bacchetti (Editor of Edisport Editoriale) presented the award to Ducati Motor Holding’s Director of Marketing, Diego Sgorbati.

   The “Most Beautiful Bike of Show” award closed an incredibly busy event which saw over 500,000 vistors view the many halls of exhibitors at Fiera di Milano-Rho, a positive signal to the industry and to a motorcycling market particularly affected by the global economic crisis. The public’s appreciation of Ducati’s latest offering closed an equally busy week for Ducati, which started in style on Monday with the unveiling of the Monster 1200 at the spectacular “Leonardo da Vinci” Science and Technology Museum in the centre of Milan.

   More than two decades and 275,000 sales after the Monster’s very first unveiling in Cologne, Ducati has introduced the iconic model’s third generation with the 2014 Monster 1200 and 1200 S. Powered by the formidable, Superbike-derived 1198 Testastretta 11° DS engine with an enhanced set-up for mid-range power delivery and rideability, the brand new flagship of the family presents an entirely new chassis and muscular design fully integrated with Ducati’s latest technologies.

   High-spec brakes, suspension, single-sided swingarm and lightweight wheels combine with Ducati’s best-yet ergonomics to offer the Italian manufacturer’s most attractive Monster ever. Super comfortable and introducing an innovative adjustable seat height, the model also combines 8-level traction control, 3-level ABS and 3-level Ride-by-Wire into Ducati’s user-friendly, press-button Riding Modes.

   Evoking the exciting memories of past models such as the powerhouse S4R and S4RS, the 2014 Monster 1200 also boasts an exclusive S model with 145hp and a ride-enhancing 92ft-lb of high-accelerating torque, wrapped beautifully in a spec-impressive chassis that tips the scales at 182kg (401lb) dry weight.

   While the Monster 1200 is presented in Ducati red with red frame and black wheels, the Monster 1200 S offers Ducati red with red frame and glossy black wheels in addition to the striking scheme of white with bronze-coloured frame and glossy black wheels. The Monster 1200 and 1200 S will become available in Ducati Dealerships from early 2014.

3. John McGuinness helps to launch Honda's 2014 models‏

   Posted on 10:16am Thursday 7th Nov 2013

   Honda TT Legends rider John McGuinness has appeared with some of Honda's biggest racing stars in a presentation to launch the company's new model line-up for 2014.

   The 20-time Isle of Man TT winner joined Pata Honda World Superbike star Leon Haslam, 14-time World Trials Champion Toni Bou and 2013 FIM World Rally Champion Paulo Gonçalves in Milan in Italy on Monday night to ride the new models on to the stage in front of the world's motorcycle media.

   They were joined by three of Honda's racing stars of the future, European Junior Cup winner Jake Lewis, Honda 150 European champion Filippo Grigoletto and European Junior Cup rider Sabrina Paiuta.

   Honda's 2014 line-up includes six new models, with two 650cc machines featuring a new inline four-cyclinder engine, the new CTX1300 cruiser and the next evolution of the NC series.

   The range also features new directions for Honda's VFR800F and the CBR1000RR Fireblade which spearheads Honda's racing activities in World Superbike, the Isle of Man TT and World Endurance, including the famous Suzuka 8-Hour race in Japan.

   McGuinness rode an updated CBR1000RR Fireblade on to the Milan stage, while Haslam, who won this year's Suzuka 8-Hour race, brought on the new CBR1000RR Fireblade SP featuring Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes.

4. The new Ducati UK 899 Panigale arrives in UK dealerships

   Posted on 9:02am Wednesday 30th Oct 2013

   New 899 Panigale arrives in UK dealerships •Demonstrators available at all Ducati dealers throughout the UK.

   After recently making a spectacular UK debut at Brands Hatch, the 899 Panigale can now be seen for the first time at dealerships throughout the UK. Dealers will each take delivery of a demonstrator and the first customer bikes will arrive soon after.

   Ducati is passionately committed to further development of the Panigale concept both on the track and on the street and the 899 represents a “Supermid” version intended to be a method of entry into the world of premium performance.  With carefully designed rider-friendly features,  like  increased  seat  cushioning  and shorter final drive gearing for enhanced mid-range rideability, the new model achieves a successful mix of authentic Italian performance with everyday usability thereby offering the very best of both worlds in absolute style.

   The  innovative  “monocoque”  frame  solution  and  the  new  899  “Superquadro”  L-twin  engine  uses  race-derived  electronics  to  continue  the  “bred  for  the  track  and  trained  for  the  road”  mentality.  With  the  click  of  a  button,  Ducati’s  Riding  Mode  concept  delivers  performance  with  enhanced  rider confidence by combining a number of class-leading technologies. The latest-generation sports ABS system, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick-Shift (DQS), Ducati’s race-derived Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Ride-by-Wire (RbW) are now all programmed into seamless, electronic rider assistance. 

   Its brand new Superquadro engine features a revised bore and stroke for a broad power delivery, producing 148hp (109kW) with a torque of 73lb-ft (10.1kgm). The super-smooth power unit continues to be a fully stressed member of the innovative Panigale monocoque construction, achieving both an outstanding power-to-weight ratio and ride-enhancing agility with a dry weight of 169kg (372.5lb).

   The 899 Panigale will be priced at £12,495 and available in traditional Ducati red with black wheels or a stunning arctic white with red wheels. A TriOptions package is currently available at £139 per month with a deposit of 25% over a term of 37 months and an APR of 5.7%

   For further details on the new 899 Panigale and to locate your nearest dealer for a test ride visit www.ducatiuk.com

   The bike will make its UK show debut at Motorcycle live from the 23 November to the 1 December. For details and ticket information visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

5. KTM unveils the 1290 Super Duke R

   Posted on 12:30pm Tuesday 22nd Oct 2013

   The recently presented all-new 1290 SUPER DUKE R is not only the most potent two-cylinder naked bike ever, it represents everything KTM stands for in riding enjoyment at the highest level.

   After the successful launch of the 1190 ADVENTURE and 1190 ADVENTURE R and the presentation of the 390 DUKE during the course of the year, KTM has continued the street season with innovation number three and what is probably the highlight of the year. The production version of the 1290 SUPER DUKE R, which will be commercially available in December 2013, has been developed from the ground up and concludes the incredible KTM asphalt model range of sports inspired naked bikes. 

   With its 180hp performance and 144Nm of torque, the typical weight-saving KTM construction of the 1290 SUPER DUKE R has more power than ever before, although the breathtaking data that is associated with KTM’s latest naked machine is not to be feared. With the best chassis components available (WP Suspension, Brembo Monobloc), accompanied with state-of-the-art electronic assistance systems (Bosch ABS, MTC, Keihin Ride-by-Wire), the use of KTM’s superb power has never been as usable as on the new 1290 SUPER DUKE R.

   The impressive range of the unmistakably KISKA-designed naked bikes almost demand to be ridden on every imaginable asphalt option. KTM’s naked range is suitable for enjoyable riding in the city, on sweeping country roads, the Alpine pass, motorway riding, long distance, as well as on the racetrack. With its powerful engine, balanced chassis and easygoing ergonomics, the radical  ‘Beast’ is an exciting , durable bike that’s always ready for action.

   With a range of specially developed PowerParts, the 1290 SUPER DUKE R can be easily adapted to suit individual requirements. The quality ‘Racing’, ‘Style’ and ‘Touring’ kits available make the chase on the racetrack, can refine the SUPER DUKE’s look for a racier appearance at the bike club or add comfort for the weekend tour.

   After three years of intense development in Mattighofen, including thousands and thousands of test kilometers, many of them with ex-MotoGP racer and test icon Jeremy McWilliams, the time has come, the 1290 SUPER DUKE R had arrived.

   Further information can be found on the microsite: www.1290superduker.com