Category: Motorcycles

1. KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R

   Posted on 7:35am Thursday 27th Jun 2013

   THE BEAST UNLEASHED AT GOODWOOD!

   Ear-splitting prototype’s first ever public ridden appearance comes at the UK’s Festival of Speed. On the handle bar of the ultra strong naked bike: Jeremy McWilliams.  

   KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R prototype will be in action for the first time in public at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, from 12th - 14th July. In November 2012 at the Milan motorcycle show (EICMA), KTM’s technicians and designers demonstrated their ability and ideas through two open megaphones to present the prototype of the 1290 Super Duke R. Its appearance needs no explanation. Unfiltered, the 1290 Super Duke R shouts the essence of KTM´s philosophy into the world: Ready to Race!

   In the promotional video shot to accompany its unveiling at EICMA, the machine dubbed ‘The Beast’ escaped from a secure facility in a cloud of powerslides and effortless wheelies. Soon after, the KTM YouTube channel received more than 700.000 views of this video.

   Like any good concept machine, the creators were not about complying with regulations. This was about showing what happens when the best technicians, designers and riders are unleashed at the KTM Factory in Mattighofen. The developers started with another hefty rebore of the RC8 R engine in order to give it maximum punch. Around this two-cylinder elemental force, they fitted a tight suit tailored from light steel pipes, completing the frame with a single-sided swing arm and top level prototype development suspension components from WP Suspension. The chassis is completed with lightweight wheels, racing brakes and racing tyres. With the test rider in the video is still in his recovery period, having had to recalibrate his brain to riding levels never previously thought possible, former MotoGP rider Jeremy McWilliams will attempt to steer this powerful machine around the nine turns that make up the 1.16 mile Hillclimb course. Nirvana for petrolheads, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the largest motoring garden party in the world – a unique summer weekend that brings together an impossibly heady mix of cars, motorbikes, stars and motor sport ‘royalty’ to create the largest motor culture event in the world. Held in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House, this annual Hillclimb event is a true celebration of motor sport and all things automotive. The 2013 Festival of Speed will focus on highlights from the Festival’s glittering 20-year history, featuring the biggest, best, fastest, loudest and most outrageous vehicles of all time. KTM won’t be out of place.

   KTM will also be in attendance on four wheels with another UK first, as the recently unveiled X-Bow GT will be trying to beat the official Hill Climb car record of 41.6s.

   Jeremy McWilliams said: “It’s always an honour to ride at Goodwood, but to be honest this will be the most insane bike I’ve ever ridden and yes - more than a certain MotoGP bike. Hopefully I can keep ‘The Beast’ on a leash and put on a good show for the fans at Goodwood. It is going to be memorable!”

    SPECIFICATIONS: KTM 1290 Super Duke R Prototype

   • Engine: liquid cooled V-twin, based on RC8 R Superbike with Ride-by-Wire
   • Displacement: more than ever
   • Power and torque: very, very much
   • Electronic assistants: ABS and traction control – stoppie and wheelie protection disengageable (of course)
   • Top speed: depends on the rider’s courage and figure
   • Frame: Trellis frame made of chrome molybdenum steel
   • Swing arm: single sided aluminium swing arm
   • Suspension components: WP prototypes – upside-down forks with gas pressure reservoir, directly linked rear shock
   • Wheels and tyres: aluminium wheels with slicks
   • Brakes: front and rear Brembo racing calipers
   • Weight: incredibly low

2. The Swift Chrono brand

   Posted on 8:53am Friday 26th Apr 2013

   ...faster and more furious - New from Digital Speedos

   Swift Chrono brand grew from a desire to fuse up-to-the-minute electronics with great UK style and design. The results are two stunning new products: the Chronometric Style speedometer and the smooth-revving RPM Gauge, with even more plans in the pipeline.

   The Chronometric Style speedometer With a max speed of 150 mph, the Chronometric Style speedometer is a perfect fit for the classic café racer. Its tramline dial, easy to read white pointer, black metal case and chrome V bezel look great, while the unit slots neatly onto the standard mounts of 60s and 70s British bikes. A wide range of pick ups and speed senders are also available, including cable drive adapters, and both magnetic and non magnetic hall effect senders.

   Swift Chrono RPM Gauge The new RPM Gauge revs smoothly up to 10.000 RPM. It’s designed to work on multiple cylinders, connecting via the coil or ECU. And, just like the Chronometric Style speedometer, the Swift Chrono RPM Gauge benefits from a classic tramline dial, easy to read white pointer, black metal case and chrome V bezel,  fits the classic and café racer style bikes of the 60s and 70s.

   Not content to rest on our laurels, however, our plans for the future include a classic battery operated race gauge, and multifunction gauges. Find out more about Swift Chrono at www.swiftchrono.co.uk

   www.digital-speedos.co.uk

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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."