Watch a Ducati Superquadro assemble itself in 3D

195bhp. 1,199cc. 112mm pistons. 60.8mm stroke. Chain/gear driven cams. This is the engine that powers the Ducati 1199 Panigale, the most powerful production v-twin ever. :continue:

Wes Siler. January 4th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (18)

A new engine for little Moto Guzzis

Moto Guzzi is refreshing the V7 range with an all-new engine. Claiming a 10 percent improvement to the current 48.8bhp output as well as more torque, improved fuel economy and lower emissions, the engine is distinguished by it’s seriously attractive new valve covers, which eliminate the plug leads, leading to a cleaner look. Elsewhere, the engine remains true to Guzzi heritage, the crank is longitudinal and the cylinders poke out the sides, in 90° opposition to each other. Purists will be happy to see that cooling remains by air. :continue:

Wes Siler. November 4th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (27)

This is the sound of Superquadro

195bhp. Chain/gear driven cams. A wet clutch. Radically over-square dimensions. This is the Ducati Superquadro v-twin and this is what it sounds like. :continue:

Wes Siler. October 14th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (20)

Moto Guzzi plans V12

While visiting Mandello del Lario for Moto Guzzi’s 90th birthday celebration this weekend, a brand representative let slip news that a new model range is set for unveiling later this year. Combining Guzzi’s largest (current) engine and smallest frame, the V12 will adopt the looks of the V7 classics, but ditch the 48bhp, 744cc v-twin in favor of the new 1,151cc, eight-valve motor from the Griso. That could potentially more than double the V7’s power; the Griso makes 110bhp and 75lb/ft of torque. :continue:

Wes Siler. September 19th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (29)

Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200: Italian for hooligan

160mph indicated top speed. Leaned over power wheelies leaving almost every corner. A throttle response so addictive that you won’t be able to help yourself. It’s not a sportsbike, but it’s faster than a 600 everywhere except right at the apex. It also puts down 118hp to the rear wheel and has an incredibly smooth and flat torque curve. As a naked bike, the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 has one more impressive trick: get down in a racing tuck and you’ll find that the miniature fly-screen actually generates a secret bubble for you to hide behind.

Photos: Bucky Sacrilege :continue:

Sean Smith. August 11th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (60)

Indian’s New Chief: Interview with Polaris CEO Scott Wine

Poor old Indian. Just when it looked like the grandest nameplate in American motorcycling was about to make its troubled comeback stick, another speed bump. Stellican Ltd., the British-based investment house that purchased the Indian name at bankruptcy auction in 2004 and rolled out a much-improved Chief in ’08, was having trouble selling the stylish, skirt-fendered heavyweight cruisers. This despite Stellican principals Stephen Julius and Steve Hesse (a.k.a. collectively “The Two Steves”) plowing something like $30 million into product development, dealership redesigns and an extensive parts-and-accessories line. It seems a $32,000 motorcycle, no matter how improved, stood little chance, especially when released straight into the teeth of the worst economic storm since the Great Depression. The announcement came on April 19 that Stellican had offloaded the entire Indian operation to Polaris Industries, parent company of Victory Motorcycles, for an undisclosed sum. :continue:

David Edwards. May 7th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (63)

Retro: 1983 Honda XLV750R

We were reminded of the Honda XLV750R when we saw the red frame and forks of Cobra’s RS750 Scrambler concept last month and it’s been sitting on our to-do list ever since. Now, with the Dakar rally reminding everyone that standing up is the best way to cover distance, we figured the time was right to take a look at Honda’s first, odd foray into adventure touring. Despite conventional wisdom that states otherwise, the XLV’s engine actually has very little in common with the Honda Shadow’s and it never actually raced in the Dakar, but it was built to capitalize on the success of the smaller, single-cylinder bikes that did. :continue:

Wes Siler. January 4th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (7)

Ducati Diavel gets colored in

Snapped by MotoBlog.it, this picture is the first time we’ve seen the Ducati Diavel wearing color. Unlike most of the previous spy photos, the bike shown here also appears to be in final production trim. I’m in East Germany right now, where cruisers like this are considered the excessive indulgence of effete westerners, so I’d better stop writing about this bike before the Gestapo tracks me down. While I’m being tortured, hit our Ducati Diavel tag page to view all the previous spy photos and leaked details.

Wes Siler. October 6th, 2010 - Permalink - Comments (55)

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S: Details

It’s no secret we have mixed feelings about the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S. Sure, it’s got a face only a blind mother could love, but the funky chicken also has superbike power, electronically-adjustable suspension, and all-day comfort. Skeptical of all the praise being heaped on the bike as a honest-to-god, world-beating, do-it-all motorcycle capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound, we took it to Bear Mountain’s notoriously wretched mountain roads during the middle of a monsoon. :continue:

Grant Ray. October 1st, 2010 - Permalink - Comments (21)

2011 Aprilia Shiver 750: Initial Report

The 2011 Aprilia Shiver 750 is finally coming to the States. It’s seriously cheap for an exotic Italian, looks the business and promises boatloads of courteous, law-abiding V-twin fun. We took it to the heart of industrial Bushwick in Brooklyn and beat it up.

Click below for the feature.

Initial Report: 2011 Aprilia Shiver 750

Grant Ray. September 30th, 2010 - Permalink - Comments (27)

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