Category: Motorcycles

1. Engineer Filippo Preziosi resigns from Ducati Motor Holding

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 1st Mar 2013

   For reasons of poor health, Filippo Preziosi has taken the decision to resign his position.

   The company thanks him for 19 years of outstanding professional service. The now vacant position of Ducati Motor Holding Director of R&D to be announced

   Borgo Panigale, (Bologna, Italy) 28 February 2013 - Engineer, Filippo Preziosi, has communicated his intention to resign from his position at Ducati Motor Holding.

   Declaring reasons of poor health related to his particular physical condition, Preziosi’s resignation was accepted by Ducati, saddened and disappointed to lose such an accomplished and strategic member of staff. The company respectfully acknowledges the 45-year old Italian’s decision and thanks him for his significant contribution during his 19 years with Ducati, 12 of which were within Ducati Corse.

   Previously occupying the role of General Manager of Ducati Corse, Preziosi, was appointed Director of Research and Development of Ducati Motor Holding at the end of 2012 and was to start his new role after a period of rest. An announcement of the successor to this strategic role, now left vacant by the resignation, will be communicated in due course.

2. KTM PowerWear Street clothing range unveiled

   Posted on 12:01am Saturday 2nd Feb 2013

   The 2013 Street riding range of KTM PowerWear is now available through UK dealers.

   Consisting of 39 items, the official Street riding collection from the Austrian brand covers everything from head-to-toe (and even underneath) for sports, track, supermoto, urban, commuter, adventure and travel riders.

   Along with something to suit all riding disciplines and climates, garments in the collection that aren’t made by KTM have been exclusively transformed ‘Ready to Race’ by leading brands, including Arai and Alpinestars - such as the KTM RX-7 GP helmet (£686.81) and S-MX 5 Boot (£164.17).

   With a choice of nine jackets, seven trousers, three leather suits, four helmets, six gloves and four boots, new editions to the Street range include the Urban (£246.68), Pegscratch Evo (£246.68) and Vented (£164.17) jackets. These are available with separate matching trousers or can be zipped to existing ‘riding pants’. The jackets offer huge amounts of functionality and come supplied with CE approved armour.

   The 2013 PowerWear catalogue is available from KTM dealers or can be downloaded here. Along with the functional riding equipment, there’s a huge array of casual clothing for men, women and children, as well as a vast assortment of accessories for the true KTM fan.

3. Yamaha Classic Racing Team to make competitive racing debut at 2013 Classic TT Races

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 15th Nov 2012

   Former works Yamaha mechanic Ferry Brouwer has confirmed his support for the inaugural Classic TT Races due to be held in August 2013 by entering his world renowned Yamaha Classic Racing Team.

   The YCRT will contest the 250cc, Formula 1 and Formula 2 Classic classes. Classic racing veteran, Manxman Allan Brew will lead the team, contesting the 250cc and the Formula 2 Classic TT Races. Allan, one of the most respected riders on the Classic racing scene in the UK and Ireland, has already stood on the podium at the Manx Grand Prix, taking third place in the 2008 Senior Classic MGP Race.

   Three modern day TT competitors join Allan in the YCRT line up, all contesting the new Formula 1 Classic TT Race. Steve Mercer, winner of the 2009 TT Newcomers award, will ride a YEC spec 750cc OW01 machine, whilst fastest ever American to lap the TT Course, Mark Miller, will ride a replica of fellow Californian Eddie Lawson’s 1986 Daytona 200 winning 0U45 works machine. Former British 125cc Champion and up and coming TT star Daniel Cooper completes the line up and will delight fans when he rides the superb 0W45 (TZ500) Yamaha two stroke machine.

   The Yamaha Classic Racing Team is a permanent fixture on the international classic motorcycle scene, regularly taking part in prestigious parade events with Dutchman Brouwer’s unique collection of exotic Yamaha machinery. Regular riders on the YCRT bikes include World Champions such as Phil Read, Giacomo Agostini, Steve Baker, Dieter Braun, Kel Carruthers, and Carlos Lavado as well as GP racers Svend Andersson and Jos Schurgers. However the inaugural Classic TT in 2013 will be the team's first competitive racing outing.

   As well as their racing efforts, the YCRT also plan on running a full line up of parade machines and riders at the Classic TT, details of which will be announced at the upcoming Motorcycle Live event at the Birmingham NEC.

   Speaking about his teams racing debut, YCRT owner Ferry Brouwer said:

   “It has been my dream for many years to see my bikes being raced and there is nowhere other than the Classic TT Races and the TT Mountain Course that I would do this. We believe the plans that are being developed for this event will capture the hearts and minds of classic racing fans all around the world, and become the world’s biggest event for classic racing motorcycles. We are therefore proud to be part of these exciting plans and can’t wait to get to the Island next August.”

   “I am delighted with the line up of riders we have been able to secure and I am sure Allan, Steve, Mark and Dan will do an excellent job in representing our team in our competitive racing debut. 8 times World Champion Phil Read will be joining us as an advisor to the team and I am sure his unrivalled experience will be invaluable to all of our riders.”

   Trevor Hussey, Head of Motorsport, Isle of Man Government, commented:

   "It is a real coup for the Classic TT races to have the commitment from this world renown team. Their participation gives the event real credibility in its first year and promises to be a great experience for classic racing fans."

4. KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals MX Experience comes to Motorcycle Live

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 26th Oct 2012

   Kids will love the latest addition to the line-up of live features at Motorcycle Live 2012 – the KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals Motocross Experience, which gives children aged five to 12 years old the chance to get dirty and try out off-road riding.      

   Using the latest 50cc KTM machines, youngsters can take their first steps in to the world of dirt riding in a fully supervised and safe, indoor environment with expert tuition. It’s a concept that’s a proven winner at every round of the Red Bull Pro Nationals and the team – led by experienced racer and qualified trainer Paul Cowshall – will be in action throughout Motorcycle Live.

   These visitors checked out the kids’ off-road experience at the 2011 show:      
   “It was brilliant! It was the first time I had a go riding a motorbike off-road and it was actually really easy with the teachers to help. I had a great time.” – Charlie Clements, 9, Leighton Buzzard      
   “We’ve got to get the kids hooked at an early age and this is one of the best ways to do it.” – Chris Toole, 41, Stockport       ~
   “Always worth a stop to have a look at the next generation... possible stars of the future!” – Katharine Conroy, 46, Ashford      
   “Great for the kids. Catch them early in a safe environment.” – Steve Badder, 41, Bicester      
   “My son loved it.” – Tania Hammill, 29, Leeds      
   “We can take someone who is effectively a non-rider and with careful encouragement and a little bit of know-how get them up and running. You can see the moment the penny drops and their confidence and co-ordination kicks in.” – Paul Cowshall, KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals MX Experience instructor      

   Tuition is free with qualified MCF accredited Motocross Instructors and all safety kit is provided for the 20-minute sessions.      

   The KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals Motocross Experience is just one of the exciting live features at this year’s show. The all-inclusive Motorcycle Live ticket gives access to five exhibition halls crammed with all the latest bikes, clothing and accessories and six FREE opportunities to ride a bike**, plus non-stop entertainment from some of the biggest names in biking on the Blackhorse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone. Also featuring the BSH/Streetfighters Custom Xtreme Zone, the Yamaha Escape Zone, the Classic Zone in association with Coventry Transport Museum and FREE entry into the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena**.      

   www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

   **All activities are subject to availability

5. KTM 1190 ADVENTURE

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 24th Oct 2012

   Prices confirmed on new KTM 1190 Adventures and Motorcycle Live the first opportunity to see them in the UK

   After being officially unveiled to the world at the start of October, KTM UK can now confirm the new KTM 1190 Adventure and Adventure R will cost £12,595 and £13,195 respectively.

   The bikes will be shown in the UK for the first time at Motorcycle Live (NEC, Birmingham), November 24 to December 2, and will be available in dealers from March 2013.

   The two eagerly anticipated machines are completely new and represent the most technologically advanced KTM street bikes to date.

   Developed from its all-conquering 950 Rally Dakar racer, KTM entered the Adventure market in 2003 with its first twin-cylinder motorcycle, the 950 Adventure. This market segment has boomed since that time and KTM have sold over 50,000 of its Adventure models.

   The 1190 Adventure is above all focused on tarmac; the use of wide 19in front and 17in rear tyres meets the demands of riders looking for a machine capable of mastering big distances while delivering big smiles. This is helped with multiple adjustments for rider position, unmatched power and weight figures in its class and the use of high specification equipment and technology.

   The 1195cc V-twin features a multi-level combined Bosch ABS system and newly developed motorcycle traction control (MTC) as standard. In addition an optional factory-fit electronics package provides multi-programmable electronic WP suspension (EDS) and a tyre pressure measurement system (TPMS).

   With 17 world titles in 2012 and 219 overall, no other manufacturer can boast such off-road success as KTM. The Adventure R continues the Austrian brand’s ability to offer a big Adventure bike with true off-road capability. With its 21in and 18in wheels and longer travel suspension it is perfect for riders who don’t like to take the beaten path.

   On top of these developments, both models feature increased tank capacity by 3.5 litres to 23 litres and extended service intervals to 15,000km (9,320 miles).

   With a huge range of bolt-on offerings, from luggage to Akrapovic exhausts, an online PowerParts calculator at www.ktm.com allows riders to ‘build’ an Adventure to their desired specification by choosing either individual parts, or pre-defined ‘Kits’ which typically save around 8% compared to purchasing the components separately.

   Find out more about the new KTM Adventure models at Motorcycle Live (stand 3G20) or at www.ktm.com