2009 Ducati Monster 696 / 5800 Miles on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Ben Spies to Miss Jerez MotoGP Round

Pramac Racing announced Ben Spies will sit out the Jerez round of the 2013 MotoGP World Championship after suffering from chest pains at last weekend’s Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Spies cut short his 2012 season, missing the final two rounds to go under the knife last October to repair  ligaments in his right shoulder. During the off-season Spies signed with the Pramac Ducati satellite team and worked towards coming back for the 2013 season opener at Qatar.

Ducati Diavel gets more Öhlins treatment

Here's a look at some tasty black Öhlins forks for the Ducati Diavel. This is what Öhlins have to say about them: We've developed a set of performance forks for the awesome Ducati Diavel to give increased handling capabilities to this already unique ‘muscle bike’.The FGRT 301 ‘Road and Track’ forks have been especially designed with black outer tubes and gold fork sliders to retain the mean and moody look of this 160bhp monster machine, something that reflects the front suspension on the Ducati MotoGP machines.Featuring 48mm forks containing Öhlins NIX 30mm cartridge technology, the new forks offer improved road manners and high performance capabilities for when the pace increases. With adjustment of compression and rebound split between the two fork legs, the new forks offer unrivalled control and feel whatever the conditions.The forks follow the successful introduction of the Ohlins rear shock for the Diavel and it is expected many customers will combine the two suspension systems for the ultimate in comfort and handling for their machine.Öhlins has a fantastic relationship with Ducati with models such as the Multistrada 1200S and the eagerly awaited 1199S Panigale utilising electronically adjusting Öhlins suspension systems.The Öhlins FGRT 301 Road and Track forks are available now and are priced at £2597.90 + VAT.

Anti clockwise Knockhill and riding in the North East with GP winners.

I was both nervous and excited for my first ever reverse direction track day last week at Knockhill. From rushing downhill into the left hand off camber hairpin to sweeping up onto the start/finish, nothing bears any resemblance to riding round clockwise. I actually raced my 350LC in the opposite direction in 1982 but it still took a few laps to get my head round what essentially is a brand new track for Scotland.