Motorcycle Smack

Ducati Desmosedici RR To Be Raffled Off

Tim — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:28:27 +0000

LOS FELIZ CHARTER SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS RAFFLES A DUCATI DESMOSEDICI RR

Los Angeles, Calif. (June 22, 2010) – The Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts in Los Angeles announces today a “Dream Ducati” raffle for a Ducati Desmosedici Desmosedici RR.

The Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts; a parent-initiated, non-profit, public elementary school, is excited to launch their auction for the most exotic road going motorcycle ever produced. The auction is the result of collaboration with Pro Italia Motorcycles in Glendale, California.

Bill Nation of Pro Italia – who donated the motorcycle-, noted that “At $40 a ticket, this is somebody’s chance to own the world’s only street-legal Grand Prix Motorcycle. This raffle is a chance for Pro Italia to help a local, pioneering elementary school.”

The Demosedici RR is the first-ever road-going motorcycle to offer such a stunning wealth of performance and technology. Derived from the Grand Prix racing Desmosedici GP6, the same bike which competed in the MotoGP World Championship, the Desmosedici RR is the ultimate expression of the most extreme Moto GP racing machine today.

Beginning today, the public can visit http://losfelizarts.org/support-lfcsa/ducati-desmosedici or call (818) 249-5707 (extension 4) to purchase individual tickets at $40 each;. Only 2500 tickets will be issued and the money raised will prove invaluable to the ongoing growth of the Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts.

The winning ticket will be announced at Ducati Island on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the United States Grand Prix, held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The winner need not be present to win.

Additional information about the raffle can be found on the LFCSA (http://losfelizarts.org) and Pro Italia web sites. (www.proitalia.com)

For more information visit www.ducatiusa.com or contact:

John Paolo Canton

Public Relations Manager

Ducati North America

Ph. 001.408.343.4414

jcanton@ducatiusa.com

New Ducati Multistrada is Almost Here!

Tim — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:31:09 +0000

DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200 ARRIVES AT DEALERSHIPS NATIONWIDE

2010’s Hottest Motorcycle Arrives Just In Time for Riding Season

Cupertino, Calif. (May 6, 2010) – Ducati North America is excited to announce that dealerships across the country will take delivery of the highly-anticipated Multistrada 1200 S this May 14-15.

Just in time for the prime riding season, the Multistrada 1200 S will make its debut in a showroom premiere at participating dealerships across the U.S. The Multistrada 1200 S combines innovative design and advanced technology allowing the rider to experience a new dimension of motorcycling. The Multistrada 1200 can be ridden in Urban, Sport, Touring and Enduro modes while balancing impressive levels of performance, comfort, and enjoyment for both the rider and passenger.

Amongst the Multistrada 1200 S’ technological advancements are the New Ducati-Ohlins electronic suspension, traction control, ABS and ride-by-wire-throttle control. All of this allows for a truly customizable riding experience.

Pricing starts at $14,995, an aggressive figure for a handmade bike that boasts 150hp and 87.5lb/ft of torque. There will be three option packages available to suit the rider’s taste – Multistrada 1200 including the Bosch-Brembo ABS system ($16,495); Multistrada 1200 “S Sport” package ($19,995); and the Multistrada 1200 “S Touring” model ($19,995.)

Over the weekend, select dealerships will also host special events to introduce the new Multistrada to enthusiasts and the local community, including demo rides for those who are eager to experience Ducati’s latest masterpiece first hand.

For more information about the Multistrada 1200 S and participating dealers, please visit www.ducatiusa.com.

For more information visit www.ducatiusa.com or contact:

John Paolo Canton

Public Relations Manager

Ducati North America

Ph. 001.408.343.4414

jcanton@ducatiusa.com

Ducati Expands the Monster Family With the New 796 and the Monster Art Body Kits. Ducati’s newest Monster arrives with ten additional color selections

Tim — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:52:05 +0000

Cupertino, Calif. (April 19th, 2010) – Ducati North America is excited to announce the newest member of its internationally acclaimed Monster range- the Monster 796. The 2011 Monster 796 combines the top level components and style of the Monster 1100 with the user friendliness of the Monster 696. Priced at $9,995; it will be invading streets nationwide this June in white, black and Ducati red. All three colors share the lightweight Ducati trellis frame in red, along with red wheel striping. The Monster 796’s air-cooled engine produces a potent 87hp and 56lb/ft of torque, which is enough to propel the svelte 367lb bike to any destination in a rapid fashion. In the interest of rider comfort; the Monster 796 has adapted a comfortable new seat, higher handlebars and optional passenger grab handles to enable an optimum riding experience. Borrowing from its 1100cc sibling, the Monster 796 features a single sided swingarm and four piston Brembo brakes. These features combine with an APTC slipper clutch, blackened foot rests, and new five spoke wheels to make the ultimate middleweight Monster. Arriving alongside the latest Monster are the new ‘Monster Art’ body kits for all three members of the Monster family; giving riders the chance to accessorize and customize the look of their bikes with ten all-new color choices. The new Monster Art body kits allow Monster 696, 796, 1100 and 1100S owners to extend their personal style by changing up panels to suit any mood or event. Monster lovers can ‘dress’ their bikes in as little as ten minutes, giving a new look to their two-wheeled beauty each day. The Monster Art kit includes tank covers, a mudguard, a micro-bikini fairing and seat cover- everything needed to change the color of a Monster in rapid fashion. The ten new color options include three vibrant solid colors, and seven historical Ducati liveries as follows: * “Giallo Ducati” Ducati Yellow * “Lilla Glamour” Lilac * “Arancione Scrambler” Ducati Scrambler Orange * “Ducati Corse” Inspired by the new Ducati Corse logo * “Imola 72” In honor of the Imola 200 winning 750SS * “Darmah” Modeled after the legendary black and gold striping of the late seventies. * “Isle of Mann 79” A tribute to Ducati’s 1978 Senior TT Win * “Pantah” Ducati’s iconic logo from the eighties * “Mach 1” A vibrant red in the spirit of the 1960’s * “Sport 100” A historic blue from Ducati’s of the past The Monster Art panel accessories can be purchased at local Ducati dealerships from $599.99. For details on the Monster 796, and the Monster Art kits, please visit www.ducatiusa.com. For more information visit www.ducatiusa.com or contact: John Paolo Canton Ducati North America Ph. 001.408.343.4414 jcanton@ducatiusa.com

Eslick Jumps Start to Daytona 200 with No Penalty

Tim — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:41:11 +0000

There’s an interesting opinion article on Superbike Planet, check this out:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Mar/100306c.htm

On the restart of the Daytona 200, Danny Eslick very clearly jumped the start. I’m guessing that anyone who knows anything about motorcycle road racing figured Eslick would be looking at a stop-and-go penalty. But it never happened. Because Eslick immediately stopped (with his front wheel several inches in front of the mandatory box) the DMG decided “no harm, no foul”, and let Eslick continue without penalty.

After 2009’s numerous DMG debacles, this was quite a change of attitude. It seems that, maybe, the DMG has actually been listening to the chorus of complaints from long-time roadracing fans and participants.

Roger Edmonson is gone. The controversial Buells are out of the picture. DMG officials asked participants for their suggestions. My oh my, it looks like there may be hope for the AMA Superbike series after all.

Danny Eslick ended up fourth in the race. Without the help of duct tape.

The Cycle Guys Go Green! FastPack For Electric Motorcycles

Tim — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:19:54 +0000

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about electric motorcycles. The inaugural TTXGP was held at the Isle of Man in 2009, featuring electric road racing motorcycles. Electric motorcycles are quickly becoming more mainstream, with ever-lower prices and ever-increasing range.

The Cycle Guys (www.TheCycleGuys.com) worked with Hollywood Electrics (www.HollywoodElectrics.com) to fit the FastPack Universal to Electric Motorsports GPR-S and the Zero S electric motorcycles.

FastPack from The Cycle Guys is a retractable tail bag that attaches to your motorcycle’s passenger seat. When you don’t need it, zip it down and it functions and looks like a padded seat cover with a carbon-fiber look. When you need to carry stuff, just unzip the perimeter zipper and FastPack expands up to provide useful cargo capacity, similar to a small tank bag. With FastPack you can carry lunch, gym clothes, shoes, a six-pack, whatever! FastPack is available in 7 sizes to fit a variety of modern motorcycles, including the electric motorcycle noted here. For information contact The Cycle Guys at www.TheCycleGuys.com or 714-357-1102.

Zero S Electric Motorcycle with FastPack expanded.

Electric Motorsports GPR-S with FastPack in down position

Electric Motorsports GPR-S with FastPack expanded

The Cycle Guys Sidemount Luggage System – The Future of Sportbike Luggage

Tim — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:43:26 +0000

HE CYCLE GUYS’ SIDEMOUNT LUGGAGE: THE FUTURE OF SPORTBIKE SADDLEBAGS

Saddlebags and sportbikes have never really worked well together.

Affordable, yet low-tech, most saddlebags require mounting straps to be draped over passenger seats, rubbing on a bike’s bodywork, ruining paint and then—adding insult to injury—need to be tied down so they don’t fall off or flap in the breeze.

Until now, the solution to this problem was an exorbitantly priced set of hard saddlebags with expensive, bike-specific mounting brackets–if the company even made an application for your motorcycle.

Today, the revolutionary Sidemount Luggage System (SLS) from The Cycle Guys changes the saddlebag-mounting game.

Utilizing stock passenger footpeg brackets as mounting points, the SLS magically mounts in minutes without touching bodywork or seats. No brackets are bolted to subframes. No drilling or other modifications are necessary.

Making all of this possible is the Sidemount Luggage System’s unique Locking Rotational 360 Degree mounting system. Each bag’s angle is fully adjustable to clear turn signals and exhaust pipes, allowing them to sit properly and securely lock in place on every bike.

SLS bags are rated at 10 pounds each, with enough space to carry the necessities of a well equipped adventure. Once their expansion flaps are unzipped, they’ll easily shelter full-face helmets. To keep smaller items organized inside, each bag features an elastic cargo net pouch.

The Cycle Guys Sidemount Luggage System comes complete with two SLS bags and a simple mounting system for most sport and standard motorcycles. They have a suggested retail price of $299.00 and will be available in May.

Contact The Cycle Guys directly at TheCycleGuys.com or 714-357-1102.
-end-
Contact: Tim Monroe

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Ducati Multristrada 1200 New Engine Technology

Tim — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:23:09 +0000

DUCATI’S NEW 11° ENGINE’S TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCES GROUND-BREAKING SERVICE COST REDUCTIONS

Cupertino, Calif. (5 February 2010) – Ducati North America is excited to announce a significant milestone in the company’s engineering history: 15,000 mile major service intervals on the 2010 Multistrada 1200.

The Multistrada 1200 is the product of Ducati’s most intensive development program ever. Entering the arena of adventure touring motorcycles, Ducati set its sights on the class benchmarks. With the goal setting a new class standard, Ducati developed revolutionary new features such as the Multistrada’s “4 bikes in 1” adjustability.

The Multistrada 1200’s aggressive development process also encompassed build quality and servicing. Ducati is now excited to announce the fruits of its labor: a 15,000 mile period between major services.

Doubling the mileage between valve clearance inspections has been made possible due to the introduction of a new valve seat material. This material enables the new “Testastretta 11°” powerplant to go the distance- both literally and figuratively. Incorporating improved combustion efficiency and a new temperature management system, the Testastretta 11° engine ushers in a new era of service and reliability. The engine lowers the cost of maintenance, improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions- all while retaining exhilarating performance capabilities.

The game-changing Multistrada 1200 will arrive in North American showrooms this coming April. For more information about this revolutionary new Ducati, please visit www.ducatiusa.com.

For more information visit www.ducatiusa.com or contact:

John Paolo Canton

Public Relations Manager

Ducati North America

Ph. 001.408.343.4414

jcanton@ducatiusa.com

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. The company produces motorcycles in six market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Streetfighter, Monster, Multistrada, SportClassic and Hypermotard. The company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European, North American and Japan markets. Ducati competes in the World Superbike and MotoGP World Championships. In World Superbike, Ducati won both the 2008 Manufacturers’ title, bringing the total to 16 of the last 19 Manufacturers’ titles and 13 Riders’ titles. Competing in MotoGP since 2003, Ducati won both the Constructors’ and Riders’ world titles in 2007. For more information, please visit our web site at www.ducati.com

Indy Powersports Trade Show 2010 Report

Tim — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:48:42 +0000

My very small company, The Cycle Guys Inc, recently attended the Dealernews Powersports Expo in Indianapolis. This is the largest motorcycle industry trade show in the United States. This is where many manufacturers and distributors of aftermarket motorcycle parts show their goods to motorcycle dealers from across the country.

As you might expect, the number of exhibitors was down this year. In years past, exhibitors filled up not only the Indianapolis Convention Center, but also the adjacent sports stadium. This year the Lucas Oil Stadium was dark and silent, with vendors only filling up the convention center.

There are lots of really cool moto-parts to touch and ogle at this trade show. Lots of good ideas. And a fair amount of bad ideas.

High up on my list of Indy weirdness was this Chinese copy of a Can-Am Spyder. From across the room it looked pretty good. But, to borrow a phrase from my single guy friends, it looked “good from far, but far from good”.

: Chinese copy of Can-Am Spyder; Upon closer inspection, this little jewel was a bit smaller than the real Can-Am Spyder. I’d estimate it to be about 7/8 scale. It’s powered by a 250cc, single cylinder 4 stroke motor. I’d guess something like 25 to 30 horsepower pushing the beast. Owners of Porsche 911’s, McLaren Mercedes’, and Hyosung GT650’s would have little to worry about in a drag race.; Sadly I’ll probably never get to ride one of these Can-Am clones. At the show I was informed they are not legal in California, where I live. I’m guessing I’m not missing much.

A Life of Motorcycling

Quintin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:42:21 +0000

A Life of Motorcycling …. by Tim Monroe

I’m no kid. I’m 49 years old. Yes that’s right, 49. No matter how much I deny it, I’m old. So why do I feel like a kid every time I swing a leg over a motorcycle?

Ever since my brother and I bought our first motorcycle at age 17, there have been scores of people in my life that have questioned why, exactly, do I ride motorcycles? The easy answer is “because it’s fun”. But after 32 years of riding, I’ve given this some thought and have come to the conclusion that there are many reasons why “its fun”. And its not just fun, it’s also good for me.

I’ll never forget that Mom cried for nearly 3 days after the purchase of our shiny used Honda SL125. She was sure her sons would be dead within a few days. Our more understanding father convinced her that we were good, responsible kids and that we would be fine. I think both our parents thought it was just a passing fad and that we’d forget all about motorcycles by the following summer.

Thirty two years, dozens of track days, thousands of weekend rides, and several cross-country trips later, its safe to say motorcycling will always be a part of our lives. But what is it about riding that is so intoxicating, so enjoyable, and so much of a rush?

I’m not an early riser most days. I abhor hearing the alarm go off at 6:30 A.M. five mornings a week. But I have no trouble getting out of bed that early, or earlier, when it’s a day to ride. In fact, I have trouble sleeping the night before, worried that I’ll sleep in too late and miss the prime riding time. It’s like I’m eight years old and its Christmas Eve. Living in Southern California, I’m fortunate enough to experience Christmas morning almost every week of the year.

One undeniable factor is adrenalin. T-shirts are full of slogans like “everyone dies, not everyone truly lives” and “life begins at 150 mph”. A percentage of humans gets a rush from high doses of adrenalin, probably harkening back to our caveman days. Back then we got a rush from chasing and killing our dinner. Today a few of us need illicit speed to get the same feeling. Of course, one could argue that this is a fairly common human phenomena. There’s always a line for Space Mountain, you know.

Another factor is what I’ll call the Zen factor. Robert Pirsig’s book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a huge seller, and for good reason. Though the book had little to do with actual motorcycle maintenance, its easy to draw a connection between motorcycles and a Zen-like feeling that many riders describe.

If I haven’t ridden for more than a week, and I’m aimlessly bouncing around the house, my wife will tell me “why don’t you go for a ride?”. She’s a good wife, and knows what I need. In the rest of my life I’m always busy with seemingly hundreds of different details every day. My mind needs frequent vacations from everyday life. Riding provides that little mental vacation.

Riding a motorcycle, especially riding fast on a twisty road, will cause your mind to focus like no other activity I’ve experienced. Fatal consequences can quickly occur if you lose your focus. Rewards are just around the next perfectly executed turn, and when you get a bunch of them right its magic. If you get one horribly wrong you might have an unscheduled trip in an ambulance…or worse. Fortunately if you’re an experienced rider you probably get most of them right, and the few imperfect turns you make are still good enough to keep you on your side of the road.

NOT our idea of the proper use of a motorcycle

This intense focus, for me, temporarily forces every other thought out of my mind. The longer I do it, the more “pure” my thinking becomes. And the more relaxed I feel. Like any other strenuous activity, too much can lead to fatigue and poor performance. But with a few breaks to swap stories with your buddies, you can make get in more than enough hours of “meditation” to keep your mind healthy until the next ride.

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I also like the look of being a motorcycle rider. Some people (quite a few, actually) display their motorcycle hobby in the form of a black leather vest, chaps, and a not-quite-DOT-legal beanie helmet. If that works for you, more power to you. Others show their dedication to riding with Aerostich suits and flip-up helmets. My personal motorcycling statement a full face helmet, a one piece, rather colorful leather suit, and roadrace style boots and gloves. This outfit gives me a bit of protection, probably enough to save my skin in a low speed getoff if it doesn’t involve a car or a guard rail. But it also makes me feel like a bit of a “badass”.

I’m a slightly overweight, old white guy, with a hairline noticeably higher than it was a few years ago. But when I don my bright leathers, helmet, boots and gloves, and hop on my shiny fast repli-racer sportbike, I’m a different person. I’m a daredevil, a fearless lawbreaker that’s not afraid to get in your face, and I don’t care what you think about me. Well, that’s the image I hope to project, anyway. A badass, in other words.

I know I’m not much different than all those accountants and dentists who stop shaving on Friday and slip into bad-boy chopper guy mode on Saturday. I’m OK with that. I’m happy in the knowledge that I actually know how to ride a bike, and that for me the ride is the destination. No parking-lot jewelry for this boy.

There’s an undeniable social aspect of motorcycling. The male bonding ritual is a big part of riding, and for many folks is the main reason for owning a motorcycle. I enjoy chatting with my riding buddies, but only to a degree. After a while I get the itch to bond with my mechanical buddy instead.

With apologies to Queen, here’s my version of “I’m In Love With My Bike”.

“The machine of a dream, such a clean machine.
With the pistons a pumpin’, and the brake rotors gleam.
When I’m holding your bars,
Keep away from them cars,
When my hands on a grease gun,
Oh it’s like a disease son,
I’m in love with my bike, gotta feel for my ride on two wheels,
Get a grip on my boy racer helmet,
Such a thrill when the footpegs scrape.

Told my girl I just had to forget her,
Rather buy me a new carburetor,
So she made tracks sayin’ this is the end now,
Bikes don’t talk back they’re just two wheeled friends now”

Everything about motorcycle riding turns me on. Walk out to the garage and just look at the damn thing, fer chrissakes! It’s a sexy beast parked there. My pulse quickens at the sight of my little 675cc jewel. Chain oiled? Tire pressure checked? Engine oil and brake fluid level checked? Yes, yes and yes.

Fire up the bike and listen to the exhaust. Blip the throttle just to hear the quickly rising and falling notes. Clutch in, left toe pushes down, she clicks into gear. Execute a smooth takeoff, then try for as many seamless upshifts and downshifts as you can for the rest of the day. Throw in lots of smooth braking and turns. Make it look effortless to observers in cars. I know they’re all the rage, but who really needs a slipper clutch? Not me. My slipper clutch is my left hand, with smooth, rev-matching downshifts carefully practiced thousands of times. Maybe millions. Repeat often.

Riding is the reward, the rest of the stuff is just icing on the cake.

Riders and Pilots – Bikes and Planes – what’s the deal?

Quintin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:40:15 +0000

A recent article by Fred Rau in Friction Zone magazine explores the correlation between riding motorcycles and flying aircraft. Fred says a pilot is 12 times more likely to be a motorcycle rider than an average person, and that a U.S. Marine pilot’s number one cause of injuries was due to motorcycle accidents.

In the back of my mind I’ve always suspected that many pilots were also riders.

Heck, just check out Tom Cruise riding a Kawasaki ZX-10 in Top Gun for proof. No helmet, of course, just cool Ray-Bans and lots of wind in the hair. Or how about Richard Gere’s Navy-pilot-in-training character, riding a vintage Triumph around when not making time with Debra Winger. Clearly there’s something to this.

Everybody knows Peter Egan, right? Yup, Pete’s a pilot.

Back in my college days, learning to pilot planes and work on them too, there were lots of bikes parked at the airport. Well, at least during the six months of the year when the central Illinois weather cooperated. Half of the mechanics and flight instructors rode bikes, and of course I did too. I caught lots of grief from the older, Gold-Winger mechanics when I showed up on my Kawi 350 triple- sans baffles of course. Hey, I was 19, what can I say?

There are lots of similarities between riding bikes and flying planes. Focus. Preparation. Learning curve. Three-dimensional sensations. Speed! Exhilaration! Turning and burning! Banking and cranking!
OK, I digress.

Look through your turn. Lean into it. Tilting the horizon. Pilots and riders all experience these. Being closer to the ground, the sensation of speed is obviously greater on your Yamaha R1 or Ducati Monster, but it can easily be compared to the experience of performing aerobatics in a Pitts Special or Citabria.

Focus is equally important for both machines if you want to get home alive. Pilots and riders both report a “zen-like” experience of intense focus while flying along, on the ground or in the air. Both mode of transport are relatively dangerous, compared to more mundane and popular forms of travel such as cars and airlines. If it wasn’t a challenge, it wouldn’t be quite so rewarding.

I haven’t taken the left seat of an aircraft in several years, but the sensations of piloting a plane never leave. The feeling of greasing one onto the runway is just as rewarding as nailing that apex with my knee strafing the asphalt.

How many of you reading this are pilots? Ever think about getting your private pilot license? If you are an experienced motorcycle pilot, you owe it to yourself to at least take an introductory flight at your local small airport. Cessna and other aircraft makers offer low-cost flights for people just like you. Warning- you could become addicted.