F1 News - F1 gossip: Raikkonen, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Red Bull, Gasly, Vettel, Bottas, Toro Rosso
https://ift.tt/2NVEslH Monday, 30 JulyA double podium for Ferrari "doesn't feel like a happy" result for the team, said Kimi Raikkonen, 38, after the Hungarian Grand Prix. (planetf1.com) Toro Rosso driver Pierre Gasly, 22, said he was "shocked" to clinch sixth place in Hungary. (f1.co.uk) Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel says he doesn't "blame" Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas for hitting him in Hungary because his rival had "no grip" as they both tried to finish second. (planetf1.com) Max Verstappen lost his cool with Red Bull mechanics after another engine failure forced him out of the race. (dailymail.co.uk) #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 July 30, 2018 at 01:48AM
F1 News - Hamilton to 'turn up heat' after summer break
https://ift.tt/2vjtPS2 Lewis Hamilton plans to "turn up the heat" in the second half of the season after establishing a 24-point lead over Sebastian Vettel in the title race. The Mercedes driver claimed his second victory in a week in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix and now has nearly a clear win's advantage over his Ferrari rival. He said: "The second half of the season is always intense but it is usually when it gets a bit better on our side. "So we will go away and prepare and make sure we come back stronger." F1 takes a four-week break before an intense period of nine races in three months, starting in Belgium on 24-26 August, brings the season to a conclusion. Hamilton's victory in Hungary came against the run of play, as Ferrari had the faster car, but a superb pole in wet conditions gave him a chance that he and Mercedes grasped with both hands. It was his fifth win of the year, compared to Vettel's four, but he warned that the German's Ferrari team had taken a decisive step forward in performance in the last couple of races and now clearly had the fastest car. He said the first 12 races of the season had been "epic". "It's been trying - physically, mentally and emotionally demanding - but a period I am really proud of and look where we are standing," he added. "We have won five races, we are ahead of the Ferraris which eight-nine races in really turned up the heat, and to come away with two wins [in a row] is a great show of strength in depth. "We need to apply more pressure in the second half. This is where we need to turn up the heat." But he dismissed any thoughts that he was already closing in on his fifth world title. "Absolutely not," he said. "It is far too early. You have seen the ups and downs we have had. [We've] been ahead, then behind, then ahead. I don't believe there is ever a moment you have got your hands on the trophy." Vettel said he was confident Ferrari would be able to mount a serious challenge to Mercedes in the remaining races, but made an oblique reference to the damage he caused by crashing out of the lead in Germany a week ago. "We know if it is like this consistency is the key, scoring points," Vettel said. "I did not do myself a favour last week but it is part of racing, so stuff happens." He said Ferrari had lost out in 2017 not because of their widely publicised technical failures but because their car had not kept up with Mercedes on development "Last year, we lost the championship because our car was not quick enough to be a match in the final part of the season, despite what happened with the DNFs. "I think this year showed so far our car is more efficient and stronger and still has a lot of potential to unleash. "So I am quite confident with what is sitting in the pipeline we can improve and it should be an exciting second half of the year." #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 July 29, 2018 at 12:18PM
Motorcycle News - Church of MO: First Impression: Ducati ST2
https://ift.tt/2AhnDja Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece. In those ancient days of MO, before the turn of the century, we were too damn busy to chisel down more than a few notes on our stone tablets at the launch of Ducati’s first modern sport-touring motorcycle. That, or hackers, who could be from anywhere, have made off with the servers that contained the rest of the story and the photos. There is this: First Impression: Ducati ST2Besides the strong V-twin powerplant, ergonomics are another strong point for the ST2
By Tom Fortune Mar. 16, 1998
Ducati’s long-awaited entry into one of the fastest-growing segments in motorcycling was finally introduced to the U.S. market this month with the formal unveiling of their 1998 ST2 sport-tourer in Santa Barbara, California. Ducati’s ST2 is intended to take the best of the Italian firm’s traditional high-performance heritage, along with their distinctive styling elements, and turn them into an ultimate, yet comfortable sport-touring machine. Housing one of Ducati’s latest 90-degree desmo V-twins, the ST2 comes equipped with the usual assortment of touring creature comforts: Raised handlebars, softer springing and damping rates, and a larger, better padded dual saddle.
The ST2’s chassis is one of Ducati’s familiar tubular trestle frames that is similar to the 916’s in torsional rigidity and lightness. Anchored to the steering head is a pair of 43mm Showa inverted forks that feature full adjustability, while the rear is held up by a single shock borrowed from the 916 and reworked for the ST2’s status as a two-up touring machine. Front brakes feature twin 320mm floating Brembo discs and four-piston calipers, offering excellent feel and power. At the rear you’ll find a single 245mm disc with a twin-piston caliper that we found gives poor feedback. The ST2 wears Metzeler’s latest MEZ4 sport radials in 120/70 ZR17 front and 170/60 ZR17 sizes. Nestled in that steel spider web frame is Ducati’s newest version of its 90-degree, liquid-cooled V-twin engine, enlarged to 944cc for duty in the ST2. SOHC, 2-valve desmo heads, similar to the set-up found on Ducati’s early Paso models, are employed on the ST2 mill. Combined with 10.2:1 compression and Marelli electronic fuel injection, Ducati claims an output of 83 hp at 8500 rpm. Besides the strong V-twin powerplant, ergonomics are another strong point for the ST2. Its slightly forward seating position, lower footpeg placement and taller handlebars seem to strike a nice balance between full-on sport riding and touring comfort. The dual saddle is quite large, and we found it provided enough room for two-up travel. The lockable hard bags appeared to offer enough luggage space for a weekend trip for two, but we could not fit a full-face helmet in either bag, as Ducati claims you can. The color-matched bags are attached with a system similar to BMW’s touring luggage, and can be removed from the bike with ease. Ducati incorporated a trick design feature with the bags that allows you to raise the exhaust cans for more ground clearance when the bags are removed. Nice touch. Ducati said the ST2 should be priced around $12,000 and be available in the U.S. by October 1st (except in California, where expected availability won’t be till December).
Hard luggage attachment system. Note exhaust relocation bracket
Our brief ride aboard the ST2 around Santa Barbara’s tight, twisty city streets revealed a quick steering bike that could be flicked over with ease, despite the added weight of its touring gear. Of course there was that unmistakable feel and torque of a Duc desmo V-twin, with an extremely comfortable two-up riding position that should lend itself well to sport touring. We didn’t have an opportunity to exploit the larger engine’s power, but we plan on nabbing an ST2 test bike soon to put through its paces and face it off against a couple other twin-cylindered sport-tourers. Stay tuned.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Ducati Model: ST2 Price: $12,000 Engine: Liquid-cooled, SOHC, 2-valve, 90-degree V-Twin Bore x Stroke: 94mm x 68mm Displacement: 944cc Carburetion: Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection Transmission: 6-speed Wheelbase: 56.3 in. Seat height: 32.8 in. Fuel capacity: 6.0 gallons (including 1.0 gallon reserve) Claimed dry weight: 466 lbs.
The post Church of MO: First Impression: Ducati ST2 appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy July 29, 2018 at 11:28AM
F1 News - Hungarian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton wins in Hungary to extend title lead
https://ift.tt/2v1fl9M Lewis Hamilton won a tense strategic battle at the Hungarian Grand Prix to head into Formula 1's summer break with a 24-point championship lead. Ferrari appeared to blow their best chance to challenge the Mercedes driver, delaying a pit stop for Sebastian Vettel long enough to lose their advantage over Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas and emerge behind the Finn. It was a critical error that could have cost Vettel second place - but Vettel fought back and passed Bottas with five laps to go. Bottas misjudged an attempt to defend from Vettel who passed on the outside on the run to Turn Two. Trying to maintain the place from too far back, Bottas locked a wheel, slid onto the kerb, hit Vettel and damaged the Mercedes' front wing. Vettel emerged unscathed and Bottas carried on, only to have another contact with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo when the Australian tried to pass around the outside at Turn One and Bottas locked up and slid into him. Despite the late drama, the big picture is that Ferrari have now lost two races in a row that they might have won in different circumstances. Hamilton's advantage with nine races to go is almost a clear victory and puts him in a strong position for when the season re-starts in Belgium at the end of August. More to follow. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 July 29, 2018 at 10:00AM
F1 News - Hungarian GP: All you need to know - Hamilton's masterclass & the Force India ripple effect
https://ift.tt/2OlnyxE The rain came to rescue for Lewis Hamilton, just as it had in Germany a week ago. In the dry, Hamilton's title rival Sebastian Vettel looked a certain bet for pole in a Ferrari that was perfectly poised and balanced, while Hamilton's Mercedes was skittish and nervous, so much so that both he and team-mate Valtteri Bottas spun in final practice. But a wet track levelled the playing field and Hamilton, as he so often does, excelled. His pole lap was 0.26secs quicker than Bottas, and 0.812secs fast than Vettel, who starts fourth, having qualified just 0.024secs slower than team-mate Kimi Raikkonen. "The rain was a blessing," Hamilton said. "I had no idea I would be shooting for the front row and pole. I couldn't be happier. It is quite a shock, really. I was not expecting to be here." It sets up an enticing race. If it is dry, as expected, the two slower front-running cars are starting in front of the two faster ones, and Vettel really needs to make the most of a circuit that should have been a slam-dunk win to cut Hamilton's championship lead. Right now, that stands at 17 points, but if Hamilton wins on Sunday, it will go out to nearly a clear win. There are still nine races to go after Hungary, and some will definitely favour Ferrari, but that sort of margin is a significant psychological hurdle even if it is not a huge mathematical one. Both Hamilton and Bottas indicated they expect to fight something of a rear-guard battle in the race. In their favour is that overtaking is harder at Hungary than perhaps anywhere other than Monaco. "It will mean it is quite a close race," Hamilton said. "It is going to be close. It is going to be hard to keep the tyre temperatures under control. I cannot tell you what is going to happen; we just have to get our heads down and try to pull away." Bottas added that simulation runs in Friday practice suggested Mercedes were slower than both Ferrari and Red Bull on race pace. "From our numbers, we were the third-quickest team on the long runs," Bottas said, "so I think we really need to get everything perfect from the race start. "It's going to be really hot, a really long race, so… yeah, overtaking is difficult but there's many opportunities for the cars behind to get us if they have more speed. So we really need to be on it." Where did Ferrari's pace go?Vettel looked imperious throughout practice and had been very confident of pole had it remained dry and hot. "In the dry, we were pretty much in control. But the race is long, so we see what we can do," he said. "We are starting fourth so we focus on winning from fourth." For the most part the qualifying hour was anything but dry, and Ferrari's pace bled away. Vettel topped the first and second segments, but the first ended on a drying track, and in the second Ferrari pulled a strategic masterstroke - or got lucky, depending on your point of view - by sending Vettel out on intermediates straight away. Everyone else went out on slicks only to find a soaking track in the final sector, and need to pit immediately. That meant Vettel got the best of the conditions, and he topped the session by two seconds from Renault's Carlos Sainz, who was highly impressive throughout and ended up fifth on the grid. In the top-10 shootout, though, the conditions were bad enough for full-wet tyres and Hamilton and Bottas were in control. On the face of it, this does not make sense. The Ferrari's pace on this track comes from it having greater downforce in a high-downforce configuration - which is why it was quicker than the Mercedes in Monaco, and is expected to be again in Singapore in September. More downforce should also help in the wet, and yet suddenly the Ferraris were slower. Why would that be, this writer asked Vettel afterwards? "It is not always that straightforward," he said. "I see where you are coming from. Obviously we did not have much running in the wet so far this year and the little bit we have, we have some work still to do. "It wasn't awful. It is not a disaster to start third and fourth, but we certainly want to be ahead. In the dry, it could have been a different outcome, but it wasn't dry. And we need to make sure also in the wet we are there." A pause. "Sorry, I can't really answer." Because you don't know? "Well, I think I know, but…" Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff believes the answer is a mundane one - tyre temperature in wet conditions. Mercedes had their tyres just-so, and it seems Ferrari may not have done. That certainly applied to Red Bull, whose driver Max Verstappen, normally outstanding in the wet, had tyre temperatures far lower than optimum and ended up down in seventh. Of course, Hamilton's peerless wet-weather skills cannot be underestimated. And Bottas was pretty good, too. Force India problems could shake-up F1This weekend has been dominated by the future of Force India, who were put into administration on Friday night following legal action from their driver Sergio Perez. The Mexican told BBC Sport he took the decision to protect the future of the team, having been asked to do so by his bosses. He did not specify who, but it was almost certainly deputy team principal Bob Fernley and chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer. Putting the team into administration, Perez said, fended off a winding-up order from another creditor. All parties involved sound confident that the move will help secure the future of a team that has been suffering in recent times because of the legal and financial difficulties of co-owner Vijay Mallya. He is fighting extradition to India on fraud charges, which he denies, and this has impacted the finances of the team. There are said to be at least three potential buyers - two US consortiums and one from a Russian businessman - and the team's situation raises the potential of all sorts of changes up and down the field. For a start, the drivers are now potentially free to move. Esteban Ocon is already on the way to Renault for 2019 - a move that is all but sorted but has not yet been officially confirmed. But Force India's situation means it will either have new owners before long, or collapse, which means Ocon could potentially move to Renault this year. This would mirror what happened last year, when the French car company was in negotiations with Red Bull and McLaren over the engine swaps between Honda and Renault, and Sainz ended up moving from Toro Rosso to Renault for the last few races of the season. Sainz is in intense talks with McLaren for a drive next year. He would either partner his friend Fernando Alonso, who has yet to make a decision on his future, or replace him if the two-time champion decided to switch to Indycars. With Force India as it is, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Ocon could move into Sainz's Renault in the second half of this year, and Sainz move to McLaren to replace Stoffel Vandoorne. The Belgian, who has been struggling to match Alonso this year, would then be a free agent, and he might be attractive to Toro Rosso, who have been looking to replace Brendon Hartley for some time, and had a bid for McLaren's reserve driver Lando Norris rejected back in June. This could dovetail with the dispute between McLaren and Toro Rosso over the future of James Key. As BBC Sport reported on Thursday, Key has resigned from his position as technical director of Toro Rosso and signed to do the same role at McLaren. But he has a contract with Toro Rosso that the team describe as "long-term" - believed to be until 2020 - and when he can join McLaren will be the subject of negotiations. So far Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko is playing hardball and doing his negotiations in public, saying he will hold Key to his contract. He even told BBC Sport on Saturday that Key had not resigned, which sources say is not an accurate representation of events. In any case, employment law dictates that Red Bull cannot prevent Key from moving to McLaren for longer than 12 months, and McLaren clearly want him before that. Perhaps a deal involving Vandoorne and/or Norris could smooth the way for that to happen earlier. Meanwhile, Lawrence Stroll, the father of Williams driver Lance, is said to be keen to move his son to Force India, and has been seen having talks with Szafnauer. Again, that was for 2019, but perhaps it, too, could happen earlier, with Mercedes junior George Russell, who is impressing in Formula Two, moving to Williams to replace him. It's early days in all this, and it might in the end take until next year for all this to happen. Or it might be sooner. Certainly, following the developments at Force India, it could be. The summer break, with nearly four weeks between Hungary and the next race in Belgium, promises to be very busy for some of F1's most influential figures. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 July 28, 2018 at 01:12PM
F1 News - Team asked me to start administration proceedings - Perez
https://ift.tt/2mLYdQW Force India driver Sergio Perez says he started administration proceedings against the team to fend off a winding-up petition from another creditor. The Mexican told BBC Sport: "The team asked me to do it. Otherwise, it would have been very bad." Force India were put in administration by the High Court on Friday evening and are the subject of interest from several potential buyers. Perez said he wanted to help protect the future of the team. More to follow. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 July 28, 2018 at 12:00PM
Motorcycle News - The Dainese Archivio Exhibit is Now Permanently Open in Italy
https://ift.tt/2OpLEar The Dainese Archivio is a permanent exhibit in Vicenza, Italy, displaying all the company’s progress and evolution in design, style, and safety over the years. If you happen to find yourself over in Italy, file this one under “places to visit.” Dainese:
The Dainese Archivio Exhibit is Now Permanently Open in Italy appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy July 27, 2018 at 08:04PM
Motorcycle News - BMW S1000RR Sets New 242mph Peak Speed Record as Worlds Fastest BMW
https://ift.tt/2vdLsCD That’s pretty dang fast. The full story is below. Do we have any readers in the 200 mph club? Begin Release: Uyuni, Bolivia July 18, 2018 -- TOP 1 Oil and Hunter Sills Racing add another world record on their BMW S1000 RR at the Cook Top of the World Shootout and set a new peak speed of 242mph / 389kph for the World’s Fastest BMW Motorcycle. Hunter Sills Racing (HSR) bests its own prior record, setting a new FIM world record of 229.266 mph (pending FIM ratification) in the 1000cc naturally aspirated 4-cylinder partially streamlined class. Rider Erin Sills added eight miles per hour to her late husband Andy Sills’ prior record of 221 mph set on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2013. HSR rider Trev Richter also successfully earned his 200mph race license aboard the S1000 RR. The team overcame multiple challenges along the way. Shipping containers carrying critical equipment from the U.S. to Uyuni, Bolivia were significantly delayed, causing the race event to be truncated from the original six days to only two and a half. The first day of testing for HSR was promising, only to be followed by a major electronic failure impacting the nitrous system and a blown motor on day two of the event. In freezing cold temperatures and harsh winds, motor builder Shane Kinderis of Alpine Performance Centre and race mechanic Curtice Thom of the HSR crew swapped the blown motor for a spare, and the team was up-and-running the morning of the final day. Sills qualified on her first pass of the day, setting a new high for top speed aboard the World’s Fastest BMW Motorcycle of 242mph (up from Andy’s prior 236mph), but electrical issues caused her back-up attempt to fail to secure the record. Finally, in the last hour of the meet she was able to qualify at 229mph and back it up again at 229mph, setting a new World Record for the team. This is the 37th World or National record set by the HSR crew who’ve been landspeed racing since 2005. The team will next race the Bonneville Salt Flats this Fall with the generous support of race sponsors: TOP 1 Oil, Sena Communications, San Diego BMW Motorcycles, Sprint Filters, Ohlins USA, Remus Exhaust, Helite Airbags, AirTech Streamlining, Moto-Skiveez, Moto Chic, Pit-Bull Motorcycle Stands, Racer Gloves USA, Worldwide Bearings and Wunderlich.
Erin Sills and team continue Hunter Sills Racing, and their tradition of excellence in honor of Erin’s late husband and racing partner, Andy Sills. Having raced since 2005, the team has earned over 37 world and national records for top speed, and are members of the SCTA Bonneville 200mph Club, the SCTA El Mirage 200mph Club, the BUB 201mph Club, and the Mojave Mile 200mph Club. Follow Hunter Sills Racing online at www.huntersillsracing.com or on facebook.com/huntersillsracing About San Diego BMW Motorcycles San Diego BMW Motorcycles is San Diego’s premier motorcycle dealer and one of the largest volume BMW dealerships in the U.S. — enthusiasts serving enthusiasts in the sport of motorcycle racing. For more information, go to: www.sdbmwmc.com, San Diego BMW Motorcycles on Facebook, or call (858) 560-2453. About Alpine Performance Centre Alpine Performance Centre, based in rural Victoria Australia are one of the country’s leading performance motorcycle and car builders. Led by Shane Kinderis, APC are specialists in electronic systems, software and performance engine building. They are highly regarded as Australia’s experts in BMW S1000rr development and tuning, having built and raced S1000rr’s since 2010. Photo Credit: MKinderis Photography BMW S1000RR Sets New 242mph Peak Speed Record as World’s Fastest BMW appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy July 27, 2018 at 07:32PM
Motorcycle News - Aprilia Adds More Dates to its Aprilia Racers Days On Track Demo Program
https://ift.tt/2K2hpD6 Here’s a few more chances to go out and demo some brand new Aprilias on real race track. Aprilia Racers Days fill up and these new August dates are coming up quick! Aprilia: APRILIA USA ADDS “APRILIA RACERS DAYS” IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KEIGWINS TRACK DEMO PROGRAM THAT HAD CUSTOMERS RACING TO EXPERIENCE THE ITALIAN MARQUE’S ICONIC V4 PLATFORM, NOW ADDS THREE MORE RIDING DAYS PIRELLI CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE ON TRACK DEMO PROGRAM WITH THEIR LATEST DIABLO ROSSO CORSA II MULTI-COMPOUND PERFORMANCE TIRE NEW YORK, NY – 27 July 2018 – Aprilia USA has expanded the track day demo tour of Aprilia Racers Days, in a partnership with Keigwins @ The Track. The on-track demo experience that provides enthusiasts the opportunity to ride the latest offerings from Aprilia, in the environment where the models were first conceptualized. Taking place in August, the three added dates in Northern California, will give attendees the ability to test the class-leading machines in a private setting with no stop signs, traffic signals, or automobiles to obstruct the sensation.
EVENT DETAILS: Thunderhill Raceway with Keigwin’s Saturday, August 4, 2018 5250 California 162, Willows, CA 95988
Thunderhill Raceway with Keigwin’s Sunday, August 5, 2018 5250 California 162, Willows, CA 95988
Sonoma Raceway with Keigwin’s Friday, August 31, 2018 29355 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, CA 95476
*Events will be operated by premiere track day organization Keigwins, with test ride opportunities offered on a first come, first served basis after pre-qualification by Aprilia staff. For More Information: http://www.aprilia.com/us_EN/news/2018/Aprilia-Racers-Days-Track-Experience-Program-New-Dates/ ABOUT KEIGWINS Keigwins@theTrack has been running motorcycle racetrack events since 1998 and has hosted hundreds of track days and schools for tens of thousands of riders and racers. The company was originally started by Lance and Linda Keigwin, of Los Altos Hills, California. In 2015, the company was purchased by Szymon Dziadzia and is now run by Szymon and long-time K@TT instructor Jesse Carter (VP, Operations) and his wife Leah Carter (CFO and Events Coordinator). K@TT puts on a wide variety of highly praised schools and track days. Events are run at popular California racetracks (Laguna Seca, Sonoma — nee Sears Point, Thunderhill, and Buttonwillow). Keigwin’s schools are focused on a specific rider level: novices only, intermediates only and those needing AFM-certification to race with the American Federation of Motorcycles. (K@TT is approved to conduct these New Racer Schools and issue AFM certification.) ABOUT PIRELLI Founded in 1872, Pirelli is among the largest global tire makers, and focuses its business on the high end, premium product segment where it is a world leader. Present in over 160 countries, Pirelli has 22 manufacturing sites and employs approximately 38,000 people around the world. Successfully competing in motorsports since 1907, Pirelli is currently the exclusive supplier of the Formula 1 championship, the Superbike world championship, and many other championships around the world. Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) services NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) member countries through its Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) facility and research and development center at its Rome, Georgia headquarters, its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Silao, Mexico and its New York City, Montreal and Mexico City sales and marketing offices. The company manufactures, distributes and markets original equipment and replacement tires for export and domestic car/motorcycle applications (US, CA, MX) and Agro/Heavy Truck platforms (MX) Using its 15 years as the Official Tire Supplier to the FIM Superbike World Championship, Pirelli has developed the DIABLO ROSSO CORSA II, an innovative new tire derived from racing, designed for use on the road and track. DIABLO ROSSO CORSA II is the first-ever Pirelli motorcycle tire that uses two compounds applied in three zones on the front tire and three compounds applied at five zones on the rear, creating an aggressive combination. Innovative profiles, a new structure and a new tread design allow every rider to follow their leanings. For more about the complete line of Pirelli motorcycle tires, please visit www.pirelli.com. Find out about other Aprilia events and current model offerings and special promotions at: Aprilia USA, and Aprilia Americas Facebook pages Aprilia Adds More Dates to its “Aprilia Racers Days” On Track Demo Program appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy July 27, 2018 at 07:00PM
Motorcycle News - 2019 Ducati Diavel Spy Photos
https://ift.tt/2Olf1ea From these photos that were slipped under the MO office door, Ducati appears to be bringing the 2019 Diavel more in line with the XDiavel. It’s been some time since the standard Diavel received any attention from Ducati, so the timing of the 2019 revamp makes sense. Looking at these photos, it appears the new Diavel will inherit the XDiavel’s engine, complete with variable valve timing. From there, the exhaust, frame, headlight, rear shock, and possibly the subframe are inherited, too. The overall look and feel of the Diavel is as bold and obvious as ever, but we can see subtle design changes in the form of revised air scoops. Also, the fuel tank shape appears to be slightly smaller, though it could be the angle of the photos and Ducati’s camouflaging fooling the eyes. Other carryover items from the Diavel include the wheels, chain drive, and footpeg positions. As has become commonplace with Ducatis, the standard model will get, presumably, a Marzocchi fork, while S models – a first for Diavels without the X prefix – get the good stuff from Öhlins. So what’s new? Despite the largely similar silhouette between new and old Diavels, we can clearly see a new swingarm for the 2019 model, necessitating the new shock mount. The trellis frame appears to now be shared with the xDiavel. A new radiator makes an appearance, too. The one-piece, two-level seat also looks revised, likely to accommodate the slightly different riding position. Lastly, S models appear to receive M50 calipers from Brembo. Changing the engine to match the XDiavel’s mill is a no brainer. The move will bump the displacement from 1198cc to 1262cc. Additionally, the engine will benefit from the broad range of power production delivered by the XDiavel’s Desmodromic Valve Timing (DVT). That combination was good enough to crank out 142.6 hp and 83.9 lb-ft of torque on the MO dyno when we rode it last October. What was most notable about the power delivery, though, was the impressively flat torque curve and the responsiveness it achieved in the bottom end. One thing that the Diavel didn’t receive in the switch to the Testastretta DVT 1262cc engine was a belt final drive. The photos clearly show a chain transferring the engine’s output to the rear wheel. Streamlining the Diavel and xDiavel lines makes sense from a business perspective. Despite the similar names, each uses key parts such as the trellis frame that aren’t shared with any other models. Being able to use the same parts with multiple models has become a key trend in the motorcycle industry, helping reduce production costs. Expect to see the updated 2019 Ducati Diavel to debut at one of the fall’s big motorcycle shows. Judging from past history, it’ll likely be introduced at EICMA like the original Diavel and XDiavel in November rather than the Intermot show in October. We’ll have more information right here on Motorcycle.com as it becomes available. The post 2019 Ducati Diavel Spy Photos appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy July 27, 2018 at 06:45PM |
Categories
All
Archives
November 2020
|
7/30/2018
0 Comments