xx Ducati & Piaggio Merger Rumored from Italy | 11 Mar 10
12:20:47 by Rincewind | Views: 147 | Comments: 5

General News
Italian wire service MF suggests that the McKinsey study is at the preliminary stages, but will be examining the possibility of integrating Ducati and Piaggio. The thinking appears to be that major investment could be drummed up for a Ducati/Piaggio super company since such a merger would create a major competitor for the big four Japanese motorcycle makers. Not only would such a company have a a wide range of products -- running the gamut from scooters to SBK competitors and everything in between -- but it'd also have the volume and the manufacturing capacity to tackle emerging markets in Southeast Asia.



http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/03/could-ducati-and-piaggio-merge.html




xx Ducati MTS1200S Review [ashonbikes.com] | 10 Mar 10
21:25:24 by UFO | Views: 264 | Comments: 7

Ducati


My test bike was in Sport mode when I swung a leg across it and settled down into the GS-alike riding position, comfortably in the bike rather than perched atop it. The screen though is much closer than the GS’s, almost disconcertingly so when you’re moving around the seat to set yourself up for corners. Ignition is keyless, all you do is slide the kill switch down and the dash activates in a high tech flurry of lights and colours.  Flick the switch up to reveal the starter button, press that and the 1198cc motor churns into life, clacking and thumping as it should. There’s no Ducati clutch rattle as the MTS 1200 has a more durable wet clutch,...


xx New (aircooled) Honda CB1100 goes on sale in Japan. Video & pics | 10 Mar 10
04:05:40 by SpitfireTriple | Views: 1048 | Comments: 62

Honda
First, here's a pic that has been around a while


a newer pic - note the changes for production

Exhaust pipe is longer and less 400-4ish.  I daresay it won't be long before an aftermarket supplier sorts that out.  The engine looks bigger than the 2007 concept, it lacks the piggy-back alternator of the concept, and its engine fins are less pretty .  In fact, to my jaundiced eye, it almost looks like a finned version of the CB1300 engine.  That might explain the weight.  Maybe it's not even air-cooled.  It would seem Honda has let its accountant head rule...


xx 100bhp limit and mandatory ABS proposed for EU | 06 Mar 10
07:40:42 by Rincewind | Views: 1540 | Comments: 70

General News
Motorcycles could be subjected to 100bhp power limits under proposals to be set out by the European Commission this summer.    

The Commission is expected to propose European-wide consistency on the issue, raising the prospect that countries will have to change in line with France, where a 100bhp limit is already in place.


http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2010/March/mar0510-100bhp-limit-looms-again/


xx Multistrada 1200 Introduces New Ducati Maintenance Program | 05 Feb 10
11:30:25 by UFO | Views: 2627 | Comments: 66

Ducati
Press release...



Quote
With the arrival of the new Multistrada 1200, Ducati will reach a significant milestone in the company's engineering history by extending the periods between major services on the new model to an owner-friendly 15,000 miles.

Doubling the mileage between valve clearance inspection has been made possible with the introduction of a new valve seat material combined with improved combustion efficiency and temperature management designed into the Multistrada's new Testastretta 11° engine.

So called because of its minimised 11° of 'valve overlap' - the interval of crankshaft rotation during which both the intake and e
...


xx VFR1200F Dyno Numbers [motorcyclistonline.com] | 05 Feb 10
11:25:28 by UFO | Views: 1939 | Comments: 48

Honda
Motorcyclist has posted up some of the first official dyno numbers of the new VFR1200F that I've seen.  The numbers are solid, but far from impressive for a modern 1200cc.  Honda has touted the "seamless power delivery" of this bike.  We'll have to wait for more official reviews to determine if they've delivered.



Quote
Word to the wise future VFR1200 owner: make sure the technician preparing to service your pride/joy has peeled one before signing turning him loose on anything more than an oil change. After innumerable phone calls, all seven of the words you can't say on television and one instructional web video, we've peeled away just  enough plastic to lift the f
...


xx 2010 Kawasaki Versys Review [ashonbikes.com] | 02 Feb 10
15:20:18 by UFO | Views: 1494 | Comments: 16

Kawasaki
The 2010 model receives some design changes to give the looks a facelife and address some vibration niggles.



Quote
Well if a superbike rider really thought a 650 twin with long travel suspension was going to give him the same thrill as a ZX-10R, he’s taken a few too many knocks to the head. As for me, I loved it and rated it as one of the best bikes of 2006. If it hasn’t been on enough riders’ radars at purchase time since then, maybe Kawasaki’s marketing departments should shoulder some of the blame because more effort promoting it surely would have resulted in more, and deserved, sales.

Kawasaki certainly listened to Versys owners, who lik
...


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