Moto blog
Monster Energy Track Day of Legends with Schumacher, McGuinness, Espargaro and Flint – Video
Tue, 18 Dec 2012Last week, we wrote about retired Formula One racer Michael Schumacher taking part in a track day at France’s Paul Ricard circuit on a Ducati 1199 Panigale. The event’s sponsor, Monster Energy, has released a video offering a behind-the-scenes look at the event. The seven-time F1 champion was joined by TT racer John McGuinness, retired MotoGP racer Randy Momola, Moto2 racer Pol Espargaro and Keith Flint, a musician from the group Prodigy and a racer in the U.K.’s Hottrax Endurance Championship.
Michael Schumacher Riding the Ducati 1199 Panigale
Tue, 11 Dec 2012Formula One racing star Michael Schumacher is a noted motorcyclist, having competed in various motorcycle races after his initial retirement from car racing. Schumacher was no slouch either, and once received an open invitation to ride a Honda in the World Superbike Championship. Schumacher recently got a chance to ride motorcycles on a track, taking part in a track day at the Paul Ricard circuit in France organized by Monster Energy and Mercedes-Benz.
Bruce Willis Auctioning Motorcycles to Benefit Active and Retired Military
Thu, 06 Dec 2012Actor Bruce Willis is auctioning five motorcycles from his personal collection to benefit the Boot Campaign, a Texas-based non-profit organization supporting active and retired members of the U.S. military. The motorcycles will be auctioned off every two months, starting from December 2012 to August 2013, with each auction running for up to 30 days at CharityBuzz.com.
Former Ducati Owners Investindustrial and Mahindra Make Competing Bids for Aston Martin
Fri, 30 Nov 2012Ducati‘s former owner Investindustrial is ready for its next big acquisition, reportedly submitting a bid to acquire a stake in Aston Martin. Investindustrial is reportedly competing against Indian car and motorcycle maker Mahindra & Mahindra for the stake in the British car company probably best known for its association with the fictional spy James Bond. According to Bloomberg, Investindustrial has submitted an offer of nearly 250 million British pounds (US$400.7 million) for a 40% equity stake and 50% control of voting rights for Aston Martin.
The review you've all been waiting for
Fri, 23 Nov 2012Although UDReplicas Dark Knight motorcycle suit has been available for a while now, a recent 'on-bike' review was posted online for the first time last week. This capeless crusader thinks that Batman would ride a Ducati 749 Dark (I guess when the Bat Pod is being serviced). Just don't plan on breaking down, the utility belt doesn't have enough room for a mobile.
Bernhard Gobmeier Replaces Filippo Preziosi as Head of Ducati Corse
Tue, 20 Nov 2012Ducati has named Bernhard Gobmeier the new general manager of Ducati Corse, handing the former BMW Superbike racing director the reins to the company’s racing program. Gobmeier replaces Filippo Preziosi (pictured above) who will be reassigned to the post of director of research and development for Ducati, shifting his focus from racing to developing new products. The personnel change carries two storylines.
EICMA 2012: New Ducati Hyperstrada a Cross between Hypermotard and Multistrada
Mon, 12 Nov 2012Over the last several months, Ducati fans have been pouring over a number of spy photos and debating whether the new model pictured was a Hypermotard or a Multistrada. The answer, it turns out, is a bit of both, with Ducati revealing the new Hyperstrada at the 2012 EICMA Show alongside a new liquid-cooled Hypermotard. Like the new Hypermotard, the 2013 Ducati Hyperstrada is equipped with an 821cc version of the liquid-cooled Testastretta 11-degree engine.
EICMA 2012: 2013 Ducati Hypermotard Gets New 821cc Liquid-Cooled Engine
Mon, 12 Nov 2012Ducati is streamlining its Hypermotard lineup for 2013, replacing its air-cooled 796 and 1100 models with a new 821cc liquid-cooled Hypermotard. Announced at the 2012 EICMA Show in Milan, Italy, the line now includes the Hypermotard, the Hypermotard SP and the more touring-oriented Hyperstrada which you can read about in a separate post. Bowing to ever tightening environmentally-friendly restrictions, the new generation of Hypermotards come equipped with a new 821cc version of Ducati’s Testastretta V-Twin engine.
EICMA 2012: Ducati Unveils Track-Oriented 1199 Panigale R for WSBK Homologation
Mon, 12 Nov 2012Ducati has unveiled a new R version of its 1199 Panigale, providing an upgraded version of the sportbike for World Superbike homologation. Unveiled at the 2012 EICMA Show, the 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale R is based on the S model but with lighter components, ABS standard, a higher-revving engine, an adjustable swingarm pivot and full race kit. The Panigale R’s 1198cc engine receives new titanium con-rods Ducati claims shaves 1.38 pounds off the overall weight.
EICMA 2012: Ducati Diavel Strada Revealed
Mon, 12 Nov 2012Ducati is introducing a new touring-oriented version of its already genre-twisting Diavel sports cruiser. Unveiled at the 2012 EICMA Show in Milan, Italy, the new Ducati Diavel Strada joins the base Diavel, the Diavel Dark and the Diavel Carbon in Ducati‘s 2013 lineup. The Ducati Diavel Strada adds a larger seat, touring windscreen, heated grips, revised rear lighting assembly, higher-output generator and two auxiliary power outlets for additional accessories.