Superbike

Honda E and Fireblade take centre stage at prestigious Red Dot Design Museum

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from https://timesofmalta.com Honda’s next-generation electric car, the Honda e, and CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP superbike have been inducted into the historic Red Dot Design Museum, one of the world’s most significant exhibitions of contemporary design. The Honda e also takes centre stage in the special “Milestones in Contemporary Design” exhibition, as one of the 76 best products of 2020 and a current marker in international product design. Honda’s highly acclaimed Honda e compact electric vehicle was recently awarded the ‘Red Dot: Best of the Best 2020’ award for ground-breaking product design. This is the highest honour in the internationally renowned Red Dot Award: Product Design and is reserved for the best products in each category. The Honda e also received the Red Dot 2020 accolade in the meta-category ‘Smart Products’, whilst the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP was awarded a Red Dot for outstanding design in the motorcycle category.# Both vehicles are an essential part of the 2020/21 special exhibition in the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Museum, Essen, Germany. Peter Zec, CEO and founder of the Red Dot Design Award said: “The Honda e is not just a car – it is much more. The Honda e was awarded the Red Dot: Best of the Best because the jury was amazed by the car at first sight. There was no doubt it was worthy of the award from the beginning. Honda is facing the challenges [of urban mobility] through fantastic research and development work to find the right solution for the future. I think the Honda e stands for a kind of paradigm shift: we are not just talking about e-mobility, we are talking about new solutions in the digital world and Honda e fits perfectly into this scenery. It connects your home with mobility, it is a real smart product and […]

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Kawasaki Z900 review: You don’t have to get your kit off and start a fight to like it

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by Geoff Hill from https://www.mirror.co.uk It may be an evolution rather than a revolution, but the latest version of this popular naked streetfighter looks good and is tons of fun, with a great engine and a very attractive price tag Question: A naked streetfighter is a) A football fan after the bars shut in a nudist colony. b) Someone who thinks that naked streets should be brightened up with those nice hanging baskets full of petunias. c) The small green thing on which I’m hurtling around a corner with a smile on my face. The answer, of course, is c – in other words, a sports bike which has been stripped bare of any fairings, folderols and fripperies to look more lean, mean and aggressive. Or in this case, the latest incarnation of the Z900, a very nice 32,000 of which Kawasaki has sold since introducing it in 2017 as an evolution of previous 750 and 800cc versions. To be honest, it didn’t really need to update this one apart from the pressure of Euro 5 emissions demands from Brussels, but the Kawasaki boffins thought they may as well take the opportunity to tweak a few other things while they had their sleeves rolled up. They started with the aesthetics, reshaping the nose, side panels and fuel tank for a more aggressive look, and sticking in LED headlights while they were at it. Thankfully, they didn’t muck about with the seating position, which, while slightly compact for anyone of 6ft 7in like me, is perfect for smaller folk, canting you forward slightly to leave your hands resting lightly on the wide bars and needing only the hint of a nudge to leave you carving into bends like a cornering craftsman or woman on their way to a BBQ for a

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The Ducati 999 Isn’t Pretty, But You May Get This Superbike On the Cheap

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by Mircea Panait from https://www.autoevolution.com With 17 manufacturer titles since the Superbike World Championship rolled out in 1988, Ducati is the undisputed leader of the two-wheeled series. Kawasaki, Honda, and Aprilia trail behind the Italian manufacturer with 5, 4, and 4 titles, respectively. The 999 is one of those championship-winning superbikes, taking the overall victory in 2003 with Neil Hodgson, 2004 with James Toseland, and 2006 with Tryo Bayliss. Produced from 2003 to 2006 and succeeded by the 1098, the Triple Nine relies on a Testastretta Desmodromic V-twin engine displacing 1.0 liter. Often criticized over its looks, the Nine-Nine-Niner is widely regarded as one of the best-handling motorcycles of its era by enthusiasts and pro alike. The 998-cc version in the gallery cranks out close to 140 horsepower and 80 pound-feet (109 Nm), adequate figures for a dry weight of 186 kilograms (410 pounds). Chassis number ZDM1UB5V75B012140 retailed at $17,995 before options when it was new, but this fellow here is offered at no reserve with six days left for bidding on Bring a Trailer. The highest bid at the present moment is $2,105, which is peanuts for a 700-mile (1,127 kilometers) survivor in such great shape. In preparation for the sale, the vendor has replaced the battery, oil, oil filter, as well as the brake fluid. Acquired from the original owner in early 2020, the Italian superbike is wearing Ducati Red paintwork and a Termignoni exhaust. Offered in New York with a clean title, the motorcycle retains the original carbon-fiber heat shield under the rear seat, rear plate bracket, and rear footpegs. 17-inch alloys are wrapped in Michelin rubber boots, and braking power comes courtesy of 320-mm and 245-mm discs with four- and two-piston calipers, respectively. Once described as “the best V-twin on the planet,” the road-going version of

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BMW S1000RR review: The latest version of the super superbike is, well, quite superb

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by Fraser Addecott from https://www.mirror.co.uk Fraser puts the German firm’s hugely popular thousand to the test – just before the lockdown kicked in – and finds he runs out of superbike superlatives As someone who grew up riding Japanese sportsbikes, I still find it a little surprising that the definitive model for the past few years has not derived from the Land of the Rising Sun. No, it’s German manufacturer BMW Motorrad which has, arguably, dominated the supersports market – in the form of its S1000RR. The bike was first introduced in 2009, when just 1,000 were produced in order to meet homologation requirements for the firm’s new World Superbike Championship machine. Since then, it has racked up successes in that series, the Superstock 100 competition and the Macau Grand Prix – not to mention multiple Isle of Man TT wins. The S1000RR was given updates in 2012 and again in 2015. This latest version I am testing here came out last year and represents a major overhaul. Claudio De Martino, BMW’s vehicle technology team leader, told Mirror Motorcycling: “Our brief was to take the predecessor model – which has been a dominating force in all disciplines for 10 years – and significantly improve on its performance. “This we translated into straightforward targets – one second faster on the track, more than 10kg lighter and easier to control. “These targets were taken as the basis for every decision.” Claudio and has team were true to their brief – the new engine produces a whopping 207bhp, an increase of 8bhp on its predecessor and the bike has dropped from 208kg to 197kg. It is also more controllable with an enhanced ride due to a redesigned main frame, even better suspension and improved technology, such as traction and wheelie control. The red

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Ducati sells over 53,000 bikes in 2019

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by Express Drives Desk from https://www.financialexpress.com Panigale, Multistrada biggest contributors to growth The Panigale and the Multistrada are said to have played an instrumental role in helping Ducati sell more than 53,000 motorcycles worldwide in 2019. Ducati Motor Holding has announced that in 2019, the brand sold 53,186 motorcycles. Recoding a margin growth of 0.3% when assessing against 53,004 units sold in 2018. For the fifth consecutive year, Ducati has sold more than 50,000 units within a calendar year. Globally, the 500cc above segment for motorcycles has seen a growth of 1.4%. However, while sales volume saw marginal growth, Ducati’s revenue saw further positive growth. The company’s turnover at the end of 2019 stood at €716 million (~Rs 57.7 billion) with an operating profit of € 52 million which is higher than € 49 million it secured in 2018. Ducati says that it recorded a turnover per bike figure which with about € 13,500 / motorcycle shows the highest value in the history of the company. The Italian superbike manufacturer claims that the Panigale superbike and the Multistrada adventure tourer motorcycles were instrumental in helping Ducati achieve these numbers. The Panigale has been the best selling super sports bike in the world for the second consecutive year and currently holds a massive market share of 25%. The Multistrada 950S and the 1260 Enduro being added to the range, the ADV family saw its best sales performance till date since it was first introduced back in 2003. Currently, there are 1,655 employees that work directly under Ducati Motor Holding. The Italian superbike maker has its presence in over 90 countries one of which is in India. Ducati India sells multiple variations of the Panigale, Supersports, Multistrada, Monster, Diavel, Scrambler and the Hypermotard motorcycles.

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TT Isle of Man 2 Video Game

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TT Isle of Man – Ride on the Edge 2, is about to launch in 10 days on March 19 and we are offering free copies of the game if you are interested in checking it out and sharing your impressions of the game with your audience. The most authentic Superbike simulation video game recreating the thrills and speed of the cult Isle of Man race. Check out the gameplay trailer below for more information. Don’t hesitate to reply with your preffered platform (PC, Xbox 1, PS4) if you would like to get your hands on TT – Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 2. In advance, thank you for your time and consideration.  

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Damon’s Electric Motorcycle Will Have 200-Mile Range, 200mph Speed, Safety Suite

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by Bill Roberson from https://www.forbes.com 2019 was a big year for the nascent electric motorcycle niche, and it looks like 2020 is going to start with another shock to the system with Vancouver B.C.-based Damon Motorcycles announcing some eye-opening performance numbers and cutting-edge safety tech for their upcoming machine, called the Hypersport. A prototype Hypersport and specifications were revealed Tuesday morning at the 2020 CES electronics expo in Las Vegas. Damon claims the Hypersport will be be capable of some fairly hyper numbers, including 200 horsepower, a 200 mile-an-hour top speed, and 200 miles of highway range, as well as 300 miles of range in urban riding. Additionally, the Hypersport will be bristling with technology heretofore unseen on most any motorcycle, including on-the-fly adjustable ergonomics and a car-like rider safety system. Damon had previously sent out emails ahead of the CES reveal teasing the fact that “200” was their “magic number,” so while it might have been easy to deduce those figures, they still stand out against the specs of competing bikes, which often struggle to achieve half of those performance figures. A run of 25 premium high-spec bikes with a price of $40,000 will be the focus of an initial Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, while a more mass-market Hypersport will come in at $24,995. The crowdfunding campaign will complement additional financial backing from Round 13 Capital, Techstars, Fontinalis, Extreme Venture Partners and Pallasite Ventures. Ahead of CES, Damon CEO Jay Jiraud told Forbes.com the Hypersport will feature their exclusive on-the-fly adjustable ergonomics package, called Shift, and an extensive rider awareness/safety system they call CoPilot. The Shift ergo system will be able to change things like seat height, handlebar height and footpeg location, changing the riding position from a tucked-in sport posture to a more standard-style sit-up arrangement for more comfortable

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Could Kawasaki Be Planning A GPz900R Comeback?

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by Justin Hughes from https://www.rideapart.com It’s wild speculation time. Retro bikes are all the rage these days. As a GenXer whose first several bikes were UJMs from the early 1980s, I appreciate it. I am the market these bikes are trying to tap into. While the Suzuki Katana is one of the first to apply the retro formula to a true sportbike, I suspect that there may be another one potentially on the horizon: a remade Kawasaki GPz900R. The original GPz900R became famous in the original Top Gun as Tom Cruise raced an F-14 Tomcat down the runway. The trailer for Top Gun: Maverick shows him riding the same bike (albeit without a helmet, which is not only a bad idea but something the Navy would never allow him to do in the real world). We also know that he’ll be riding an H2R in the movie, so clearly Maverick isn’t against upgrading his ride while staying loyal to the Kawasaki brand. Kawasaki has also found success with the Z900RS retro naked bike. It has classic 1980s styling, yet packs all the performance and safety features you want in a modern motorcycle. I absolutely loved the Z900RS I rode last summer at a demo day. So did Kate, who would opt for the Z900RS Cafe. The standard Z900 is also a great bike, but the retro version is what speaks to me. With Suzuki throwing down the gauntlet with the Katana, there may be room out there for a competing retro sportbike. The Katana has a larger 999 cc engine, and Kawasaki would have to choose between competing against it with a Ninja 1000-based literbike or remaining true to the original GPz900R’s displacement. Either choice could be a winning proposition, particularly with Top Gun: Maverick providing a perfect opportunity to

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BMW’s new S 1000 XR all-season bike unveiled

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by Denis Droppa from https://www.businesslive.co.za/ Improved agility, tech and midrange torque for BMW’s powerful adventure sport motorcycle. With a superbike engine mounted in an adventure bike frame, the BMW S 1000 XR was an unusual concoction when it was first launched in 2015. This powerful bike was never intended as a hardcore offroad machine, but had the raised ground clearance and suspension travel to be capable of mild dirt riding, meaning the journey needn’t end when tar gives way to gravel. Its upright seating position was also suited to long-distance riding comfort. This adventure sport bike has gone on to become a popular model for the German brand, and the second-generation version has been unveiled as a lighter and more agile bike with an improved suite of safety- and convenience-enhancing electronics. Making its world debut at the recent EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy, the new S 1000 XR has shed 10kg and features a newly developed engine and suspension. The suspension has been slimmed down, the frame and swing arm are now 1.8kg lighter, and the new double-sided swing arm reduces unsprung masses — all contributing to improved agility. The updated engine is 5kg lighter and is based on the mighty four-cylinder 1,000cc unit used in BMW’s S 1000 RR superbike. While the 123kW and 113Nm outputs are unchanged, it has increased midrange power for enhanced rideability while fourth, fifth and sixth gears now have longer ratios to reduce noise and fuel consumption. In addition to a smoother slipper clutch, the new S 1000 XR also features a new electronically controlled engine drag torque control (MSR) which prevents the rear wheel from slipping as a result of abrupt throttling or downshifting. The new S 1000 XR has four standard Ride Modes — “Rain”, “Road”, “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro”. In

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Suzuki Katana is the stuff that teenage biker dreams were made of

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by Dries van der Walt from https://www.wheels24.co.za/ Let’s take a step back in time to 1981 when Suzuki caused a sensation with the most outrageous bike the world had seen up to then: the revolutionary GSX1100S Katana. When the Katana was launched, it changed street motorcycle trends in one fell stroke. In fact, the Katana’s influence is still evident in motorcycle designs 38 years down the line. Tickling the fancy Design by German design legend Hans Muth (who turned the ungainly-looking BMW ‘/5’ series bikes into classic beauties), the Katana was the stuff that my teenage dreams were made of, and when the new iteration came around I wasn’t going to allow the opportunity to test its modern iteration, so I added my name to a lengthy waiting list for the opportunity to review one. The new Katana, launched earlier this year but classified as a 2020 model, was also penned by an independent designer, Rodolfo Frascoli, who was also responsible for Triumph’s Speed Triple and Tiger 1050. Frascoli’s 2017 design concept tickled Suzuki’s fancy, and they greenlighted the GSX-S1000-based concept for production with very little revision to the underlying platform. Hitting the sweet spot Design-wise the new Katana is a worthy successor to the original. The lines that were so radically different in 1981 have aged well, and several younger onlookers who had never seen the original remarked positively on the bike’s looks. One unintended compliment that summarised how well the bike has captured its predecessor’s appearance came from a young hipster, who said: “I love it, except for the headlamp – it looks so… eighties!”Like the GSX-S1000, the Katana is a practical everyday sportbike. The seating position hits the sweet spot between sporty and neutral so that you only need to lower your upper body to transition from

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