Euro Notes
It's hard to beg for more pasta when you've already got a full plate, but that's what Ducati seems to be doing in asking the FIM and World Superbike promoters FGSport to raise the twin-cylinder displacement limit to 1200cc while fours stay at 1000cc. This lends truth to the persistent, if until now unconfirmed, rumors that the Italian manufacturer is set to launch an enlarged version of its trademark desmo V-twin Testastretta motor in an all-new streetbike that would replace its controversially styled 999 superbike.
The fact that Ducati is openly pressing for a 2008 introduction of the 1200cc rule seems to indicate the debut of the rumored 1188 won't come before the Milan Show in November of next year. But as Claudio Domenicali confirms, Ducati is set to march up the capacity scale with its V-twin products regardless of the FIM's decision.
"We decided a while ago that the best commercial platform for us to use in planning the company's future is to keep developing the V-twin desmo engine," says the Ducati Corse race boss, who since January of last year is also in charge of product development for the company's street range. "So let's make this clear: There will not be a volume-production four-cylinder Ducati engine in the future. It is true that we're developing the Desmosedici RR road model based on our existing V-four MotoGP bike, but this will be a very exclusive, limited-edition, high-end product with a sand-cast engine, selling for an extremely high price when it becomes available in 2007."
This is an important bit of news, because if Ducati was developing a lower-spec, volume-production version of the Desmosedici RR, it would obviate the need for the Italian firm to continue racing a V-twin in the Superbike class, hence no need to petition the FIM to raise the limit.
"We [still] think that the V-twin is the best platform to support a volume-production range of motorcycles-including sportbikes-that follow our established traditions as a manufacturer, have a unique identity and are enjoyable to ride with a distinctive character," Domenicali continues. "We want to remain true to Ducati's history, and keep selling the bikes customers around the world have come to expect from us. So we decided that, in the long term, Ducati must have in its range a larger-capacity twin-cylinder sports model than the existing 999. Whatever happens with our application for a bigger twin-cylinder capacity limit for racing, we will-we must-make a bigger-engined streetbike. We strongly believe that, in street terms, the larger capacity V-twin will offer a competitive platform against four-cylinder bikes of equivalent performance in terms of top speed and horsepower, while keeping the advantage of being rideable and torquey."
So, expect a 2008-model-year arrival for the Ducati 1188, which it's conjectured will be styled to resemble the current Desmosedici racer, whose bodywork penned by British aerodynamicist Alan Jenkins has played a key part in making the V-four MotoGP racing's speed king. But with the 990cc Desmosedici about to be rendered obsolete by new MotoGP rules for the 2007 season, don't count out whatever bodywork Jenkins chooses to cloak Ducati's new 800cc contender in.
As for the Desmosedici RR, the expected June 1 unveiling of the final pre-production street-legal version at this year's Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, just 37 miles from the Bologna company's factory gate, won't bring forward the construction of customer versions, which have been deferred to 2007. The planned delivery of the keys to the first such road bike to its lucky owner was originally envisaged for the biennial World Ducati Week 2006 at Misano, but was canceled in advance of the recent takeover of the company by Investindustrial.
Alps Challenge?
Last Chance!
Time is running out for those of you considering traveling to the Alps with us this fall to sample what is arguably the very best motorcycling in existence. The Motorcyclist Alps Challenge Tour, our fourth with the Edelweiss folks, happens September 8-17 and covers a near-perfect slice of the Alpine-riding adventure. We'll start in Munich, Germany, head south into the heart of Austrian ski country, continue south into Italy's mountainous Dolomite region, then ride east for a short visit to Slovenia. Then it's back through Austria and the famous Grossglockner Pass. Count on seven days of spectacular riding, all of which we'll feature in a magazine story down the road. Prices range from $3290 to $4640 depending on your choice of bike. There's nothing in this world quite like riding the Alps in the fall, so give Tri Community Travel a call at (800) 507-4459 for more information, or click on www.edelweissbike.com. Only 10 spots remained at press time, so act quickly. Hope to see you there!
More Can't-Miss Events
Just before we went to press we confirmed two more can't-miss events we're involved with for 2006: The 2006 Monterey Classic Bike Auction (www.montereyclassicbikeauction.com) on July 20-22 and the Motorcyclist/Sportbike Track Time/Mid-Ohio Fantasy Camp (www.sportbiketracktime.com) on October 1-2. The MCBA, which happens during MotoGP weekend at Laguna Seca, is the coolest, highest-end classic bike auction known to man. Handfuls of classic street-, race- and dirtbikes will be on the block, and rumor has it some actual factory machinery will be up for grabs. (Boehm says he might even auction off his TZ750 there.) Folks signing up for the STT/Mid-Ohio Fantasy Camp not only get an exclusive, all-access pass for the final AMA Superbike weekend of the season, they also get to ride, hang out and break bread with one of the factory Superbike race teams. Whoa! Check the STT Web site for more details.Don't miss 'em!
Tear-Offs
Stop The Presses
Norton Gone AgainThe quixotic efforts of Kenny Dreer's Norton Motorcycles ground to a halt on March 31 when the Gladstone, Oregon-based manufacturer shut its doors for what's likely the last time. The man who fought for and won the manufacturing rights to the revered British marque managed to build 50 of his $20,000 retro VR 880 models, but ultimately failed in his bid to put the modernized, 80-horsepower 961 Commando into production.
A Business Week online report speculated the project has cost approximately $8.5 million to date, with a further $10 million needed to begin large-scale production. A company designer was quoted as saying, "That's the trouble with a startup. You run full-speed toward a chasm, trusting the bridge will be there when you arrive. It's a shame Kenny never had the money. He had the dream."
Turning The (Red) Tide
Just when it seems everything American is being Made in China-Levi's for instance-Harley-Davidson has announced it will begin selling genuine Made-in-the-U.S.A. motorcycles there. Beijing Feng Huo Lun has been appointed as the first authorized Harley dealer in China. Located in northeast Beijing, the dealership has been importing foreign-made heavyweight motorcycles for 10 years.
The Motor Company expects entry into China to be a gradual process. The market there for premium heavyweight motorcycles is just beginning to emerge, limited by ownership and riding restrictions in most large cities and on highways, as well as by limited but growing disposable income. Harley-Davidson's long-term strategy seeks to address the riding restrictions and to help lead the development of a leisure-oriented heavyweight motorcycle market as consumer buying power grows.
Meet Virginia
Every state needs one of these: "Motorcycle Virginia!" is a program aimed at promoting motorcycle safety, tourism and business development, directed by government officials working hand-in-hand with motorcycle enthusiasts.
"Virginia has worked to expand its tourism markets in so many areas-and motorcycle tourism is a great opportunity for us," said Governor Mark R. Warner. "Additionally, as the commonwealth grapples with the transportation challenges of the next decade, motorcyclists need to have a voice in that debate."
Since its launch in 2004, the program has produced more than 50,000 "Watch for Motorcycles" bumper stickers and created a Web site (www.motorcycleva.com) featuring the state's best motorcycle routes, plus safety guidelines and motor-cycle resource links.