Ducati Monster Motorcycles in Syracuse, page #30

Moto blog

Man stuff: Ducati Zippo

I don't smoke, so my excuses for buying this are very limited - but that doesn't stop me wanting it. It's a Ducati Zippo from 1982, not that Zippo technology has changed much in the last two decades but the price of this one has. If it was a tenth of its £170 asking price, I might have bought it.

Little Girl

I remember seeing Spiritualized play a gig in Brighton about ten years ago. As soon as the band came on stage, a massive smoke cloud rose from the audience that could have rivaled anything from a Cheech & Chong film. In fact, there was so much herbal jazz being smoked around me that I needed a little lie down halfway through their epic track Cop Shoot Cop.Back to the current day and Spiritualized have just released their latest single 'little girl'.

Report: Ducati Technology in Future Audi Two-Wheeler

Audi‘s acquisition of Ducati is still yet to be finalized but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from discussing a possible product of their union. Speaking at the opening of the new Audi City digital showroom in London, Audi sales and marketing Chief Peter Schwarzenbauer hinted a two-wheeled Audi is on its way, with Ducati playing a vital role in “future mobility solutions” for urban travelers. Schwarzenbauer tells British car site Autocar the new motorcycle or scooter will not simply be a “Ducati wearing an Audi badge.” The phrases “future mobility solution” and “urban” are usually used together when discussing scooters, so an Audi scooter may be more likely than a motorcycle.

Robbie Brown gets World Superstock wildcard

Ducati Manchester's Robbie Brown is about to take on the biggest challenge of the year as he enters World Superstock 1000 as a wildcard at two rounds. The 848 Challenge series leader is standing in for Alexey Ivanov and will ride the Ducati Panigale at Brno, Czech Republic on 22/07/2012 and Silverstone, UK 05/08/2012. Robbie has taken 6 wins in the series so far and worked up a commanding 62.5 point advantage in the series to his nearest rival in 2nd position.

Rossi's Mugello helmet: Let's Stick Together

When I think of Mugello, I think of that huge start/finish straight, that Nakano crash and of course, Rossi's Mugello-only helmets. This year, the theme is 'let's stick together'. Just before Free Practice 3, Valentino Rossi unveiled his Mugello helmet, his message is: "Let's stick together" or "Restiamo uniti" in the style of the Italian entertainer Gianni Morandi.

“Ducati Remains Ducati” Says Audi CEO

Audi AG Chief Executive Officer Rupert Stadler addressed Ducati‘s workforce in Bologna, Italy, for the first time to address his company’s impending acquisition of the motorcycle maker. Joined by members of Ducati‘s management including President and CEO Gabriele Del Torchio, as well as Thomas Sigi, Audi’s head of human resources, Stadler met with Ducati’s entire workforce of nearly 1000 people to discuss the future of the company. The address comes after the European Union granted its blessing to the acquisition.

New Spy Photo of Near-Complete 2013 Ducati Multistrada/Hyperstrada 848

The latest spy photo of Ducati‘s upcoming 848-engined model continues to muddle the debate as to whether the new motorcycle is a Hypermotard or a Multistrada. The new model appears to blend elements of the two existing bikes with the liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° engine and an all-new frame. What will likely emerge is a new model with a couple of variations, a sport version and a touring version, This latest picture (the one shown below the jump has been tweaked for better contrast and a bit of sharpening) reveals the new side-mounted exhaust design and Ohlins suspension.

848 Challenge Oulton Park official race report

An emphatic and confident double win for James Folkard (Minards Pavlou Solicitors/Win43.com) this weekend cemented his position as one of the front-runners in the Ducati 848 Challenge. After some strong results at Snetterton and Misano, a first win for the man from Liverpool seemed inevitable, and this weekend at the Ducati Manchester sponsored Oulton Park round he walked away with a maximum points haul. Robbie Brown (Ducati Manchester) could only manage a third and a second despite feeling good about his chances for a victory, but he won’t be getting too worried yet as he extended his lead over closest rival Darren Fry (Hirebase Ducati Coventry) to 62.5 points.

European Union Approves Audi Acquisition of Ducati

The European Union has granted approval of Audi‘s acquisition of Ducati, removing any legal barriers to the sale. The approval was expected, but an official decision was nevertheless required before the transaction could proceed. The acquisition was announced in April but the deal was still subject to examination by anti-trust authorities.

848 Challenge Misano official race report

From Ducati: Robbie Brown tightened his grip on the Ducati 848 Challenge championship with a maximum points haul from both races at Misano World Circuit, Italy. A win in Race 1 and second behind non-points scoring rider Chris Northover, was enough to open up a 53-point lead at the top of the table. With the round taking place during the famous World Ducati Week, which this year attracted a record crowd of 65,000, and in baking-hot 40 degree temperatures, the weekend was a proper test for the riders and teams.