Ducati Hypermotard Motorcycles in Minneapolis, page #52

Moto blog

Get your suspension set up, do it now!

Things are coming along nicely in the Speed Triple camp. I’ve finally removed my gaffa tapped heated jacket controls from the tank, and fitted a pair of Bridgestones sticky but durable BT-16’s. Last week a huge box full of R&G crash protection stuff arrived so that will be fitted at the weekend for peace of mind, just as well really because the Triumph now feels like a finely tuned scratcher thanks to a recent new discovery.

Ducati 848 EVO Appears in Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Commercial [Video]

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Mercedes-Benz’s high-performance tuning subsidiary AMG has released the first of likely many commercials featuring its partnership with Ducati. AMG and Ducati announced their partnership in November, which includes sponsorship of the Ducati MotoGP as well as various marketing and cross-promotional opportunities.

Behind the scenes in Qatar

Just because you have the name Jorge Lorenzo on your screen and you've won a world championship doesn't mean you'll get an easy time at scrutineering. In Qatar the technical inspection staff made the factory Yamaha mechanics remove bodywork and unbolt some electrical components in order to get a better look at the guts of the 2011 M1. Everything was in order of course but what a great opportunity for the scrutineers to exercise their power and have a poke around the most high tech Yamaha on the planet.

Ducati MotoGP: Smoke and mirrors

There's often more lurking within a seemingly innocuous press release than first meets the eye. The latest communication from Ducati's MotoGP spin doctor would, at first, lend you to believe that the team are buoyed with steely optimism and are hopeful that their hard work ethic and diligence will get them to the top of the time sheets in two shakes of a 10 mil' Facom T-bar. The results from their pre-season testing sessions have so far been pretty glum with both Nicky Hayden and their golden boy Valentino Rossi trailing the rest of the pack by a couple of seconds.

Old boys up front and where are the new 600 Gixers?

As I’ve been gagging for the new race season to kick off so it was almost a pleasure getting up at stupid 0 clock to watch the World Superbike Championship  opener at Phillip Island last weekend. I have to say Messrs Burnicle and Whitham were on form although I was disappointed there were none of the usual verbal attacks on each other that always add to the entertainment.    I’m sure they will put things right soon but the world superbike regulars must have been disheartened that Moto GP veterans nailed five of the six available rostrum slots.

Ducati 749R Turbo. 214bhp.

I know that the 749 and the 999 split opinion when they were launched. And even today, they don't possess the obviously stunning silhouette of the 848 and 1098 but I'm pretty sure they'll become curious classics in the future. However, this 749 is different and I think it's stunning because, well, it's not the same old 749R with a few carbon bits added.

A new kind of ridiculous: 42X Ducati Edition

I've just been sent this press release about a new Cigarette Racing (that's the boat co.) Ducati Edition boat. It's nice looking, for sure, but do you really need Ducati logos splashed everywhere when you've forked out on a boat that's probably not going to give you much change from £1m. No doubt, Rossi'll be seen on one this year, with Uccio manning the stereo...

2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon World Launch First Impressions

Despite the Diavel Carbon weighing in at 207 kg (456 pounds) dry and featuring bulkier dimensions than any other Ducati it still handles very well. This is down to true Ducati know-how where the 162hp 1200cc L-twin and trellis frame are based on the 1198 superbike developments. The engine is in fact the same Testastretta II found on the Multistrada but with a massive exhaust system that boost power over the Strada by 12 horsepower.

Ducati vs. Honda vs. Suzuki: MotoGP porn

For all you lovers of perfectly welded titanium, amazingly machined aluminium and lovingly crafted fasteners; this blog's for you. These pics were shot at the Sepang MotoGP tests where the bikes were presumably being warmed up, ready for action. Take a look at that Suzuki, it's a work of art.

Ducati Diavel Carbon, with a cherry on top

Here at the launch of the Ducati Diavel, there's a Diavel Carbon on display with a few extra Ducati goodies, including the 20mm lower 'Touring' seat. It's trick.. The only thing I'm not so sure about are the wheels, which are black and metal cut finish, as standard on both bikes.