Video: Ducati MotoGP Desmo GP12 Unveiled

Hope the bikes run as good as they look.  But it will be strange to watch the Italian Ducati racing with an aluminum frame:

Pure-Triumph Facebook Bike of the Month: No Minor Detail

The impressionist art period is characterized by paintings that appear to be exquisitely detailed from afar, yet the closer you get to the work, the more abstract, and yes, messier, it appears.

Four-inches from a Monet painting...

A more reasonable distance from the same Monet painting.

Or think of it this way:

You've spotted a chick across the room with a body like a Victoria's Secret model, or, if you're me, a guy built like David Beckham.  You decide to introduce yourself and make your way over.  Yet, when you're mere feet away, wrinkles, caked on make-up, and bad hair are suddenly up-close and impossible to miss.  Your girl, or Beckham look-a-like, is actually a Mick Jagger double.

Male or female; equally cringe-worthy.

There may be a reason for the expression: the devil's in the details.

Eek.

Anyway...  the same Monet phenomenon holds true for motorcycles.  A bike that looks great from down the street, can morph into a barely passable heap of bolts as it rolls toward you.

Maybe uneven and faded paint job, rusted bits of iron, or pock-marked forks and bars have detracted from the bike's appearance.

Cheap, after-market faring and windscreens can destroy clean lines.  Poorly-fitted pipes can also wreck a bike's power and sound.

Even high quality, expensive OEM and aftermarket accessories, if simply thrown on, without thought to how the whole package would come together, can ruin a motorized Monet.

Simply put, it takes great care and attention to detail to create a beautiful bike 

All parts and accessories must be carefully considered.  Time must be taken to ensure smooth and even paint work.  Each part must be properly fitted.  And its very important not to ignore a healthy exhaust note.

To no surprise then, while there are many good looking bikes, the beautiful motos are few and far between.  Which is why, a certain Triumph Street Triple caught my eye.

With its flawless, custom white paint, myriad and perfectly matched accessories - the  a proper exhaust note, and Union Jack hugger, it just had to be:

Pure-Triumph's Facebook February Bike of the Month!!!

 Congratulations, Alonso!  A remarkable motorcycle:

Alonso's Street Triple has just about everything a motorcycle could ever want.  But this doesn't mean it looks like a mash-up of parts and bits.

Each part and accessory compliments the others, creating a seamless, uninterrupted appearance.  That is, when you are lucky enough to catch up to the bike or see it at a stand-still.

Little details have been addressed with a Triumph Black Anodized Rear Brake Reservoir, Triumph Black Anodized Front Brake Reservoir,  Rizoma Lux 22mm Handlebar Grips, and Rizoma 23.5mm Handlebar Caps. The bars are topped off with Rizoma mirrors.   Turn signals have been replaced with Rizoma Zero 11 LEDs.

Protection for a bike doesn't have to be unsightly.  This Street Triple sports Rizoma Engine Guards, LSL Front Axle Crash Pad, and an LSL Rear Axle Crash Pad.

One mustn't neglect the big parts either.  The Triumph Bellypan, Coloured Radiator Cowls and  Seat Cowl kits give the bike a more finished, stylish look.  

A little carbon fiber can go a long way: Triumph Carbon Fiber Tank Pad.  Looks good and ensures your zipper, button, or belt won't take a bite out of the tank's finish.

Performance is beauty.  And this Street Triple isn't lacking here either.

The Triumph Street Triple Arrow Slip-on Exhaust System takes off weight and does justice to the fierce triple feel and power that is the heart and soul of the Triumph.  Alonso also added a K&N High Flow Air Filter and NGK Iridium Motorcycle Spark Plugs.  

As for me?  I have to admit, that Union Jack Triumph Rear Hugger is what did it for me.  And who could possibly resist the red anodized caps for the oil and the clutch, accented just so, playing off the red in the rear hugger?  

That is attention to detail:

For the advice, pieces and parts to make your own beloved Street or Speed Triple, or any favorite Triumph moto, exactly and uniquely your own, its all available and waiting just for you and your bike at Pure-Triumph.com.

If you can't find what you want, give David  or Adrienne a shout.  They'll get you and your motorcycle hooked up:  David@pure-triumph.com; Adrienne@pure-triumph.com; 954-788-9550.

For a chance to have your Triumph featured as the Pure-Triumph Bike of the Month and win a $100 Pure-Triumph gift certificate, check out Pure-Triumph Facebook, post a photo on the Wall, and tell us why your Triumph moto deserves to be the next Bike of the Month.

Again, congratulations, Alonso!  Happy riding this 2012!

Video: Motorcycles on Ice

Motorcycles on Ice.

They might be dancing.  But I'm not talking Disney Ice-capades.

And those spike-studded tires look like no set of figure skates that I've ever seen.




Apparently the staff at French motorcycle rag, Moto Journal, have too much time, or have access to rather strong and likely illegal hallucinogens, because they woke up one day and thought to themselves:

Let's race a Yamaha R1 and a Porsche 911.  On Ice.

Because, you know, isn't that what you think about over coffee in the wee hours of the morning? 

Their, um, creativity, is our entertainment.  The resulting video - a teaser for the upcoming magazine edition - is killer.  And yet no one gets killed, maimed or otherwise injured.  Even at 160mph.  On ice.

Ooo la la!
 
For the original MCN article, click:  HERE

Triumph Daytona 675 vs. MV Augusta F3 - Video

Battle royale on the twisties of northern Italy.

Two 675s.  One Italian.  One British.

The short-stroke MV Augusta 675.  Light.  Italian sexy.

The most electronically advanced supersport available. Not to mention the traction control, electronic engine braking and a slipper clutch.

And I did mention Italian sexy. Right?

And then there's Triumph's Daytona 675R.

 R is for Racing.  R is for Rocket.  R  is for Revolutions.

And for the Riding Purist (and I'll admit, I am one), the Brits have eschewed the electronic high-gadget wizardry and instead stocked their supersport with Ohlins suspension, Brembo monoblocs, Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa SPs and a bit of carbon fiber.

Who wins?  Who cares?  Power and Art in Motion.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Enjoy!

For the original article:  Click HERE

No Compromising on Adventure

No one bike does everything well. But some do a better job at everything than others.

High performance sportbikes are probably the lousiest at everything but for that one, all important (if you're a sportbike rider) thing: go fast; lean hard.

The priority, of course.

Except sometimes you want to ride somewhere that may not only not require going fast or leaning hard.  Mostly because it would be seriously detrimental to your goal of completing the ride.  Ideally, tire-side down and in one piece.

But, if you're a sportbike rider, you're taking your "go fast; lean hard" moto down that path anyway.

Its true.

And I should know.  I am one of those sportbike riders; I've have a drawer of bike pieces to prove it.

I've traveled cross-country on a Ducati 848Evo, rode dirt on a Gixxer600, and my idea of a touring bike is my 1995 CBR900RR.  Because it takes bags.  Unlike the Duc.

Adventure is not usually the word I've used when trying this...

I've also had to turn back when muddy trails became too steep and creeks too deep; contrary to what my beleaguered parents may believe, even I am not wholly crazy.  But I can still recall each road not taken, trail missed, and adventure to which I was forced to turn my back.

What is a sportbike girl to do?

I've entertained buying the new Triumph Tiger 675.  Its fun to ride, with lots of pull and good top end power. The Ducati Monster is my favorite not-a-sportbike and not half bad in the snow.  But neither bike elicits quite the same visceral joy as "go fast; lean hard" performance sportbikes.

Sportbike riders everywhere seemed destined to ride extra miles in search of a way across that muddy creek...

Until German custom bike builder shop, Wunderlich, and German tire manufacturer, Continental, discovered knobbies can be made to fit on superbikes.  Specifically the BMW S1000RR.

Pull some faring.  Paint it black.  Toss on the knobbies.  Add a "Du bist so gut wie tot" sticker **.

Congratulations, Dr Frankenstein, its an... Adventure Sportbike!

Or Motorcycle for the Apocalypse?

I can't decide if I'm in love or horrified.  Either way, I think I need one.

Cheers!

** Translation:  You are as good as dead.

For the original HFL article: click HERE.

Video: Paul Smart and Ducati at the 200 Miglia Imola

Forty years ago, Paul Smart and his Ducati won at the 200 Miglia di Imola. Race tracks worldwide have been a Ducati Universe ever since.

Viva Ducati! Viva Paul Smart!

Cheers!

To view on YouTube:  Click Here

A Panigale like no other: Ducati's 1199RS

Standing trackside, if you blink, you will miss it.

If you're on the track, pushing your ride to the edge, and blink, you'll still miss it.  Your bike might as well be parked and sitting securely in a wheel chock.

The Ducati 1199RS:  Now to be found, unleashed on hapless racers and tracks in the UK.

Its not your everyday Panigale.

And that's a steep bar to clear.  The 1199 Panigale is not your everyday motorcycle.

Its a Revelation.  A Revolution.  And its all Ducati.

So without further delay - and just when you thought the Panigale couldn't get any better - the 1199RS:

Not bad at all.

The RS model is exclusive for race teams.  Behind the bike in the first photos above is Tim Maccabee, Ducati's UK Managing Director and John Hackett, legendary Ducati tuner and owner of Ducati Coventry and JHP Racing.

JHP will be preparing two 1199RS models for Jentin Doodson Motorsport, which will be competing in British Superbikes. John Hackett will be preparing the engines, which, accord to Ducati, in standard trim put out 195bhp.

For Ducati 1199 performance parts, accessories, help and advice on how to make your SuperBike as powerful as you know it can be, visit Pure-Ducati and partner, Ducati Forza Racing, or call George at 954-788-9550.  (That's his Ducati 848 race bike, so he knows what he's doing.)

Cheers!

For the original article from VisorDown: Click Here

Ducati 1199 Panigale : The Verdict

The guys at Ducati News Today have made all our lives simpler.

They've read just about every review and first-ride report of the Ducati 1199 Panigale available and have broken down comments by catagory, compiled the best ones, and provided the rest of us with a cheat sheet.

Here's the break down.  If you want to read the full article, click: HERE

Engine Performance

“Wind on the power at the apex and the drive out onto the next straight has you laughing maniacally, you can’t believe how much thrust combines with how much lean before the traction control even bothers to get out of bed.”

“Pulling the throttle hard at 5500 rpm is a little disappointing compared to the 1198’s lump, as the most oversquare bore/stroke ratio of any production motorcycle would lead one to think. But the mild disenchantment is entirely forgotten once past 7500 rpm when the Superquadro engine piles on revs with ferocity previously unknown from any V-Twin.”

“The powerband is more conventional in application, similar to that of an Inline Four. Low end thrust has been reduced but the engine spools up explosively fast for a Twin. Mid-range power is strong but still not quite as stout as before. Keep feeding RPM and you’ll be greeted with a rich, far reaching top-end power surge that feels more Inline than Twin.”

“The show really gets going after 7500, with drive near the 11,500-rpm limit fierce and accompanied by a bass-weighted-yet-strangely-high-pitched wail unlike any other Twin I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear. This is a really fast super bike.”

“Thumb the starter for more new sensations. The thunderous Superquadro is instantly identifiable as a desmo twin, but it sounds deeper at idle and nastier when revved. And with a bore/stroke ratio of 1.84:1—more aggressive than any other production bike, by far—the Superquadro loves to be revved out.”

Handling

“The Panigale’s agility will take your breath away, it makes other superbikes feel like lumbering beasts. Think supersport 600 and you’ll be about right, except for what happens when you turn the twistgrip of course.”

“Regardless of the barely altered geometry, the Panigale responds with eagerness the 1198 could only dream of. It’s less unwavering than the freight-train-like 1198 but not unstable. Its enthusiasm to tip into corners is due in large part to its higher and 1.26-inch wider handlebars that deliver more leverage, but credit also its lighter weight (415 lbs with its larger fuel tank full) and mass-centralization efforts that lower the inertia moment around its roll axis.”

“The S model we rode was fitted with electronically adjustable Ohlins suspension front and rear. With a push of a button the rider can adjust preload, compression and rebound settings without having to get off the bike. Calibration of the suspension proved to be good and the chassis resisted the urge to pitch fore or aft under heavy application of throttle or brakes.”

“As my pace rose at a slightly faster rate than my knowledge of the track, perhaps the most impressive thing was how easy it was to correct my lines midcorner, even while aggressively trail-braking, with no protest from the bike. All that work to centralize mass paid off in a big way.”

“Lighter makes everything righter, and deleting 22 lbs. improves everything from acceleration to braking to handling and stability. You’d never describe previous Ducatis as neutral or forgiving, but the Panigale is both. It feels almost twitchy at first. High, wide bars give lots of steering leverage, while a low center of gravity and even lower inertial moment make it dart into corners, especially at a slower pace. The chassis can be easy to upset when you move around, so you quickly learn to hang off less and use the ample available lean angle to turn, just like a MotoGP bike.”

The Downsides

“It even has a fault, a blemish to complete its beauty: the sidestand is quite hard to kick down. The perfect flaw.”
“Its windscreen provides only modest protection, and its clutch pack sticks out far enough to interfere with a rider’s right calf when at a stop. Heat from the engine might be excessive when ridden at low speeds, though likely no worse than the 1198 and probably better.”

“The 1199’s traction control system continues to use independent wheel speed sensors to determine when the rear tire is spinning. The updated version of the system employs eight levels of intervention based on information developed by the Ducati Corse racing arm. While we applaud Ducati at making the feature standard we continue to experience inconsistent results with it. With Level 3 selected it intervenes aggressively at times under requested throttle application, and at other times it doesn’t activate when the rider feels the back tire spinning excessively.”

“..although I could definitely use more fairing!”

“The Superquadro doesn’t have the same steam-catapult thrust at lower revs as its predecessor, but more manageable midrange makes it much easier to ride fast.”

Conclusions

“If I’m wrong and it turns out not quite to be a match for the BMW on a track… I’d want an 1199 Panigale just the same. As a motorcycle to live with, for the sheer pleasure of doing no more than owning it, then for the utterly involving riding experience it gives, and finally for the wild thrill of its performance, the Panigale is unsurpassed.”

“Simply put, Ducati’s Panigale astounded me with its sheer performance and its high level of refinement, plus it is mouth-wateringly stunning. The 1199 is a superb machine that had several jaded motojournalists considering buying one for themselves. It might even be the best sportbike ever made.”

“Ducati has neutralized some of the historically quirky traits without compromising the feel or fundamental character that is at the heart of the Italian brand.”

“Bottom line? If they aren’t already having emergency meetings in Germany and Japan about this new Italian superbike, they’d better get some on the schedule.”

“The Panigale is a brilliant update of the classic Ducati superbike, smoothing away all the hard edges and adding even more speed and soul.”

Steve McQueen: King of Cool; Triumph Rider

Racing motorcycles long before he rose to fame as one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Steve McQueen is synonymous with cool.  And Triumph Motorcycles.

McQueen's first off-road motorcycle was a Triumph, which quickly become his moto of choice.  In the 1963 film, Great Escape, McQueen insisted on riding a Triumph TR6.  He raced in top off-road West Coast contests such as the Baja 1000, the Mint 400 and the Elsinore Grand Prix, and represented the United States in the International Six Days Trial on a Triumph TR6 Trophy.

In 1963, Life Magazine sent photographer, John Dominis, to California to photograph the actor.  Three weeks, 40 rolls of film, and one 500-mile, two-day dirt bike race across the Mojave Desert later, Dominis had a trove of candid photographs of McQueen in his own element.

Few of these photos were ever published.  However, Time recently released a number of them online.  To catch a glimpse of the King of Cool:  Steve McQueen: Unpublished Photos

Cheers!

Video: Triumph Speed Triple Conquers Pikes Peak

Dirt tracker extraordinaire, Joe Kopp, and his specially modified Triumph Speed Triple set a new record on Pikes Peak last June.  Video by Rick Graves.




Triumph does Mountains.

To watch on YouTube, click: HERE 

Ducati Panigale 1199 Parts now In Stock!

Pure Ducati - the leading online supplier of Ducati apparel and accessories, has taken delivery of one of the first consignments of accessories for this acclaimed new bike.



So folks with a Panigale on order can line-up the personalisation of their bike before it even arrives.

The following parts are now available and ready to order online from Pure-Ducati.com.

Ducati Panigale 1199 Carbon Rear Fender

Ducati Panigale 1199 Carbon Heel Guards

Ducati Panigale 1199 Carbon Tank Protector

Ducati Panigale 1199 Clear Tank Protector

Steve McQueen & Triumph Motorcycles

The famous American movie-star Steve McQueen became an icon to many at the height of his fame in the 1960s and 70s, and even today his memory continues to live on.  In 2007, “The King of Cool” entered the list of the top 10 highest earning dead celebrities – a feat which has been achieved through music, adverts and memorabilia such as the McQueen Triumph shirt.

Having starred in a number of high profile films including The Magnificent Seven and The Thomas Crown Affair, in 1974 McQueen became the highest paid movie star in the world. His popularity meant that he was always in high demand and his passion for racing motorcycles and cars attracted the interest of millions of fans, film directors and companies offering sponsorship deals.

McQueen’s interest in racing began in the 1950s when he was competing in weekend motorcycle races in order to support himself while he was studying acting. With an obvious natural talent, he soon became an excellent rider and even went on to design and patent a bucket seat and transbrake for race cars.

Keen to incorporate his passion with his career, the avid motorcycle and racecar enthusiast normally insisted on performing his own movie stunts whenever he had the opportunity. He is well remembered for his chases in Bullitt and The Great Escape and even debated becoming a professional race car driver at one point.

By the time of his death in 1980, McQueen had collected over 100 classic motorcycles and several exotic sports cars which were said to be worth millions of dollars.

In order to celebrate what would have been the star’s 78th birthday back in 2008, Triumph Motorcycles released a special McQueen Triumph shirt so fans could commemorate his memory.  The shirt is a re-creation of the one that McQueen used to wear whilst racing his beloved Triumph motorcycle during a cross country race in the Mojave Desert in 1963.




Complete with the Triumph logo on the front, “Steve McQueen Special Edition” printed on the back and his signature on the sleeve, the garment was produced for the millions of fans all over the world who have always wanted to be like the star. Despite being launched nearly four years ago, the McQueen Triumph shirt still continues to be an extremely popular item with fans from all over the world and can be purchased from Pure Triumph in a range of different sizes.




Pure-Triumph is the largest online distributor of Triumph clothing, accessories and apparel including Triumph motorcycle shirts, helmets, jeans, safety wear and women’s clothing.