2007 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 and 1100 S test coming...
Raptors & Rockets will ride the all-new Ducati Hypermotard 1100 and 1100 S very soon in Italy. Vittoriano Guareschi (pictured) recently tested the final prototype on the Mores Supermoto circuit in Sardinia. We will ride the 1100 S on the very same track and tell you all about it as it happens. Whilst waiting for us you can check out what Ducati MotoGP and test rider Vittoriano Guareschi had to say here.
BMW to compete with new high spec 450cc Enduro April 28th!
Raptors & Rockets said that BMW would launch a 450cc serious Enduro motorcycle more than one year ago. First we thought the new bike would feature a 450cc V-twin just like Aprilia RXV 4.5, but now it looks likely to be a more conventional one cylinder four-stroke. Our BMW factory source told us that BMW would not involve itself in MX just now, but in serious Enduro (competition) and possibly Supermoto. BMW have a long and successful past in Enduro and rally and it looks like BMW now wishes to revive this. It's all a part of the new and sporty BMW image. Read the full statement about the 450 here. TS
2007 Buell XB12X Ulysses & XB12STT Lightning Super TT tested!
Just before Easter we rode every new Buell motorcycle. There's even a small comparison between the new Super TT and Ulysses even though they are not aimed at the exact same buyer. We took the 2007 version of the Ulysses out on a small adventure in the Spanish countryside. At the same time we rode the Super TT back to back with every other new Buell. It was fun, just like Erik Buell intended it when he designed these rather special motorcycles. Use the links below to find out more about the Buell motorcycles that we have ridden. TS
This Easter will be spent on the Norwegian mountain slopes and gravelled roads on skis, offroad motorcycles, ATV's and snowmobiles! All action and I might update my blog from the Cafe' in Hemsedal. There's plenty of content on this site for you to enjoy in the meantime. Check out the video from the motorcycle stunt in Lillehammer Olympic bobsleigh track, from the Buell MY07 launch in Spain, Daytona Bike Week and much more by following the links below the video. Have a good one! Raptors & Rockets is never closed; it's always about motorcycles! Don't eat yellow snow! Tor
Poor old Bayerische Motoren Werk is right now in its biggest struggle both internally and externally. The Boxer engine is perhaps an even more characteristic trademark than Harley's V45. After a long and exclusive conversation with Markus Biebricher at the BMW-Motorrad factory we know that BMW have several options to replace the air-cooled Boxer engine. But inside the 100.000 motorcycles a year firm, the opinion is divided. To make the current 1200cc Boxer engine compliant with future emission and noise regulations it will have to be dropped from the line-up for a completely new design. If BMW are to continue with its traditional Boxer design there are several problems. The major problem is that a liquid cooled DOHC version of the Boxer engine would simply be too wide! You wouldn't be able to corner such a motorcycle without ploughing up the tarmac with the cylinder heads. 'It would be too wide and would not corner properly', Markus said. BMW also stated in our phone interview that without the Boxer engine BMW are afraid it will loose some of its uniqueness and be left with engines that are more similar to other manufacturers. Read more here. HP2 Enduro video
You can hitch a ride in a bob sled doing 120km/h and 5G's. Or you can ride a motorcycle doing 100km/h up and downhill. That's what Gjermund Frostad and I did anyway. We are pretty sure that we would beat even the Olympic champions uphill, but downhill we didn't stand a chance! We were surrounded by 2 metre tall walls of ice and a very narrow corridor of ice to ride through. Check out the picture gallery from this crazy event here. By: Tor Sagen Pix: D M Warmedal/DMW FotoCommentsMotorcycle v Car v Aeroplane!
Upd:25/03 09:50Madness on Motorcycles in Lillehammer on March 25th!
Sunday March 25th we ride one Yamaha XT 660 R and WR 450 F with ice-studs up the Olympic bob-sled track in Lillehammer Norway. Agent 007 was chased down a bob-track in Cortina in 1981 by assassins on motorcycles (Yamaha XT 500), this Sunday I chase one Dakar rally racer uphill on the steep ice bankings in Lillehammer. Follow the blog for the latest on this... Will any of us ever reach the top? Or will we slide down on our arses? Soon we will know.
2008 Yamaha Vmax confirmed for production and launch!
Yamaha have now confirmed that the Vmax will become reality shortly. The new Max will be a 2008 model and the launch will take place this Autumn. The Vmax will be offered to US and European riders first and the production will be split 50/50 from what we have been told. In the US the bike will be named Star Vmax and in Europe Yamaha Vmax. Apparently the final specs will not disappoint anyone... Read more and see more pictures of the Vmax here.
Suzuki GB have teamed up with the government on Isle of Man for some special Centenary edition GSX-R models. From the press release: "The GSX-R1000, 750 and 600 variations are offered in unique colour options and each bike will be individually numbered and certificated. The identifying number is located with the Isle of Man TT logo on the top yoke plate." See the 600 and 750 also photographed on Isle of Man here. TS
70 new bikebabes, Harley Touring Rod, BMW and CCM MX450's ++
Coming as well as big Triumph Rocket III feature, Buell XB12STT Super TT test, Benelli Amazonas test, Ducati 1098 test, Bimota Tesi 3D test, Harley-Davidson CVO Softail Springer test, more about Morini MM3, Willie G. Davidson interview, Daytona Bike week main street, bikebabes, people and more from the US, Moto Guzzi 940 Custom, KTM Venom 1150, KTM RC8 1150 update, Suzuki Bandit 1250 test, Suzuki K7 GSX-R1000 test, Ducati Desmosedici, Kawasaki GTR1400, Brembo and Marchesini factory visit, Bobsleigh/Motorcycle stunt with Yamaha, Aprilia SL750 Shiver test, Victory Vision Tour test. What else could you possibly want? Tell us!
If you really, really want the metal in your garage to top 300km/h guaranteed, MV Agusta is the only way to go on a standard production motorcycle with no modifications. Out of the crate the new F4 R312 will do, yes you guessed it, 312km/h. That is if you can call any MV Agusta standard production... Anyhow, the new Italian exotica features radial valves, max power is then a Euro 3'd 183hp @ 12.400rpm and 115Nm @ 10.000rpm, dry weight: 192kg, seat height: 810mm, 998cc in-line four with top of the range adjustable suspension and radial mono-blocks to stop the speed-monster. The R312 will also be available as a 1+1 version which in MV language means you can scare a pillion with you too! TS
Read about the all new XL1200N Nightster here. We rode the new motorcycle during the 2007 Daytona Beach Bike week and thoroughly enjoyed the latest Sporty!
More about our Triumph Rocket III Tribal longtermer coming... It's all action this time and motorcycle triple sounds to die for (check new video below shot when these new pictures was shot)! Then we head for the Daytona Bike Week to ride the Loop on Harley's and Buell's. It can't go wrong! Blog
Daytona Bike Week: Travertson V-Rex to be launched in Daytona!
When the man behind the worlds fastest helicopter, ehrm motorcycle I mean-the Y2K and a designer from Down under come together the V-Rex is the result. Powered by Harley-Davidson and a 120bhp version of the Revolution engine and not jet turbines this time. The result is nevertheless pretty spectacular! These pictures are fresh from Miami and you are getting an exclusive preview here! If we have time we will check it out with our own eyes at Daytona Beach during the Bike Week. Australian motorcycle designer Tim Cameron sketched the concept bike and handed a 3D rendering over to Christian Travert (the man behind the 200mph Y2K helicopter-jet driven motorcycle) in Florida, USA. Now Travert has built the V-Rex and it's a stunning piece of design and engineering. More details and Daytona Bike Week coverage here. TS
20th Century Fox released For your eyes only in 1981. One of the biggest stunts in that film was when James Bond was chased downhill in the 1956 Olympic bobsled track in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. 1981 was the year after the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake placid, USA and the stunts in the film reflected the enthusiasm all over the world for the games. Lillehammer in Norway was the scene for the 1994 Winter Olympics and this is where our stunt will take place. In 1981 the stunt was performed by Julienne and his crew on the then new Yamaha XT500. In 2007 we will perform the stunt in concept on Yamaha XT660, WR450 and YZF R1's fitted with ice studs (but no machine guns this time...)
Little did I know when I started this that we would pay tribute to one of the greatest stunt-coordinator and stunt men of all times. Some research has revealed that it was Frenchman Remy Julienne and his two sons Dominique and Michel that coordinated and performed the famous motorcycle chase scene from the 1981 Bond film For your eyes only. Another famous character in the motorcycle world from that film would be the now classic Yamaha XT500. Remy Julienne himself is in his late 70's today and is the man behind the spectacular Mini stunts in The Italian job (1969). With his two sons he has been responsible for the car and motorcycle stunts in six Bond films, all three Luc Besson Taxi films and more than 100 other films. Tor Sagen
More glory for Ducati 1098, voted best overall design by MDA
The members of the Motorcycle Design Association have gathered and voted for the best looking new motorcycles. The 1098 won the Supersports category where surprisingly Honda CBR600RR was runner-up. The Benelli 756 2ue (I wish Benelli could soon decide on a final name...) won the open class where Aprilia SL750 Shiver was runner up. The Derbi Senda Terra 125 (pictured right) won the junior class and TVS Isotope the concept bike class where Victory Vision Tour took the runner up place despite not being a concept bike.
MDA president Glynn Kerr comments:
"Ducati's 916 was a tough act to follow. The 999 bravely broke away from being just a facelift, although while a better bike in most respects, some of the earlier magic was perhaps missing. The 1098 promises to give Ducatisti the best of both worlds, by combining the practical improvements of the 999 with the looks and presence of the 916. The members of the MDA, made up of the majority of designers active in the motorcycle industry worldwide, clearly agree. They have voted the Ducati1098 not only the best in its class within the Supersport category, but also the overall best design of 2006, winning this year's Motorcycle Design Trophy."
We will soon pick up our long-term Ducati 1098 S directly from Bologna and ride it back to the UK. More on this trip later.
BMW says Diesel engines make no sense in Motorcycles
And thank God for that! We asked BMW about diesel engines and motorcycles:
TS: What about diesel engines and bio fuels for the future in motorcycles? Are you doing any serious research into this? I think you have the know how from the cars, so why not in a motorcycle? Read BMW's answer here.
Next: Ducati 1098 voted best design in 2006 by MDA, Daytona Bike Week and much more.
On Friday 23/02 Federico Minoli spoke again about the Hypermotard and Ducati released 8 new videos on YouTube where four designers presented the Hypermotard as they see it. The two Italian designers speak Italiano in their presentations, so have a look at what English speakers Dan van Epps and Pierre Terblanche had to say and their presentations below. If you want to see our yellow mini-Hypermotard click here. Raptors & Rockets will ride the new Hypermotard in May.
Scoop 24/02: First real Moto Guzzi Stelvio pictures!
Directly from the Moto Guzzi dealers convention in Berlin that happened on Friday February 23 we present the real Stelvio for the very first time! The new big double headlight and adjustable windscreen is all new. A brand new big capacity fuel tank is in place as well as a single sided swingarm/driveshaft and spoked wheels. Just like the BMW GS then, but Moto Guzzi have told us that the emphasis is on handling on road, but that the new Stelvio can tackle some offroad too. With the new wheels, frame, longer suspension action (triple clamped USD fork), engine protection up front and what looks to be adjustable seat height the new Stelvio looks to be aimed more at all terrain than the new Triumph Tiger 1050 and Ducati Multistrada 1100. Read more and see more exclusive pictures here! TS
What if Kawasaki built a ZX-8R, Yamaha M1 800R or YZF R8, Honda a RCV 800RR or Suzuki a GSV-800R or GSX-R800? That would be something and we'd get access to super in-line fours, V4's (Ducati Desmosedici RR is one that can be bought...) or perhaps even V5 engines and exotic suspension, brakes and electronics. These bikes would put everything else available today in the shadow, but would only be available to the financial elite. But perhaps it would be difficult to get the horsepower required when adding Euro 3 components to a 800. So maybe the old 990cc motors would suit such bikes better? All we know is that every single manufacturer has thought the thought. Apart from Ducati, who is willing to walk the walk? Our designer has certainly played with the thought. The Yamaha is our favourite, whilst the Honda would make more torque. Which is your favourite? TS/CG's by Robert O'Brien and Luc1
On Saturday February 24th you can see the new CR&S VUN at Flitwick motorcycles in Bedfordshire. Raptors & Rockets will be there and soon we'll ride one too. CR&S is a small design company based in Milan and we have seen their bikes each year at the EICMA show. CR&S use a Rotax 654cc single cylinder engine with 54hp @ 7.000rpm and 58.9Nm @ 5.000rpm in their own hand built chassis. It's fairly close to being a supermono, but without a full fairing it still goes next to the Aprilia Pegaso and Yamaha MT-03. Both the 12.5 litre fuel tank and the oil tank is hand made in light alloy. The seat height is 800mm (+-20mm) and the dry weight 135kg. Pictures shows the VUN in various types of finish from Standard to racing. Even Massimo Tamburini himself tried one in Milan. TS
We have soon spent two months on the Triumph Rocket III Tribal. Lately I have documented (pictures and video) how to remove the catalyst, upgrade the ECU and add performance pipes. I have spent one rear tyre, splashed a whole stretch of the M6 Toll road clean of snow and slush and built up enough material to do a big, big feature on the Rocket III including history, performance upgrades, tests (Rocket III standard, Rocket III Tribal with loud exhaust, Rocket III Classic with touring accessories and soon a standard Rocket III Classic.) and more at the end. More about the performance upgrades soon, but the result is a completely changed bike. To the better I would say, better more free acceleration, more top end, better fuel consumption (!) and a better general feel. And what a great noise from those new pipes! You can hear how it sounds like by checking out the video below. TS
2008 Moto Morini MM3, Fly-by-wire and traction control!
The small Italian manufacturer of big performance 1200cc twin-cylinder roadsters launched the MM3 concept in Milan in 2006. Since then Moto Morini have decided to make the concept into a full production model making the MM3 Morini's third new model since the rebirth in 2004 (MM3, get it?). The MM3 will feature the torque generating powerhouse in the 1187cc twin-cylinder Bialbero CorsaCorta engine. Moto Morini is aiming at 125bhp in the MM3 adventure multipurpose package. But even more interesting than that is the fact that Moto Morini will add both Fly-By-Wire throttle control, ABS and traction control! It's not only Moto Guzzi (see our Stelvio 1200 story below) that are after some BMW market shares in Italy anymore... Moto Morini will add a taller seat height on the MM3 than on the Corsaro and 9 1/2 models, more comfortable padding both for rider and pillion and a small aerodynamic fairing. Bring it on Italy! TS
Triumph 2008, Sxxxx Triple 675 and a peak into the future…
Triumph in the immediate future is all about fuel injected parallel twins, a new naked triple middleweight, Rocket III luxury tourer and big bore parallel twins. A bit further ahead than all that we might just see that elusive litre plus sportsbike after all…
Words: Tor Sagen/CG’s: Robert O’Brien
I will start with the facts that can be proven and that has been confirmed to us by Triumph or a Triumph insider:
Fact 1: Triumph will add fuel injection to its entire retro parallel twin-motor range. The new fuel injection has now become necessary to tackle Euro 3 (oh how I am starting to hate that word as not only are the manufacturers forced to comply, but I have to use it in every bloody news article that I write…). Last I spoke to Triumph about this there were plans to design a sort of “dummy” carburettor to keep the classic looks.
Fact 2: There is a new Daytona 675 based Speed Triple. It has been seen in finished shape at the Triumph factory by one of our sources. My source could exclusively reveal that the new 675... Read the rest and see more pictures here.
Time now to start thinking about giving both bike and kit a good clean before the Spring kicks in. If you are thinking about renewing some of your kit for the 2007 season here's some of what's on offer that we will use this year. We had a look at Alpinestars Spring collection a few weeks back and some of the highlights are a brand new leather/textile jacket where the leather part can be unzipped to leave a vest that can be used under another jacket or in racing leathers. The jacket is called the Falcon and features moulded shoulder protection and Alpinestars all new removable Bionic back protector. Another item that could be a good supplement to any bikers wardrobe is the S-MX 1 riding shoe. We've been using it for several rides now and they are supremely lightweight whilst still providing decent protection. We have spent one year inside the one piece racing leather MX-1 now and can't think of another suit we'd rather wear for supreme protection and fit. It is fully ventilated and perfect for hot summer days on a sportsbike. For more casual days we have just started wearing the all new stylish Barcelona leather jacket. It has got a removable thermal vest for cold mornings and CE approved elbow and shoulder protectors as well as a soft back protector. The Barcelona jacket is also available in textile. We are still waiting for the new Bionic SP protection vest. This allows for some really versatile usage as it will fit both under the water proof all weather jacket as well as in racing leathers. Benefits are proper chest protection as well as the new level 2 Bionic back protector. For hot summer days nothing beats a short summer glove. We have tried several, but the Octane series from Alpinestars are our favourites. They are available both in a MX lightweight version and SM full leather as pictured. Another new item in the racing collection are the GP Pro gloves. They now feature the PU Plastic cuff as previously only found on the GP Tech glove. Read more about our kit and technical details here.
Every year Daytona Beach in Florida hosts one of the biggest bike spectacles in the world (02-11 March)! In Florida you have an unique mixture of million dollar cruisers and dragsters. Everything from Harley based builds to Hayabusa drag bikes gone completely bonkers. I was told by a Kawasaki rep in California last year that you'll only see many of these bikes coming out of Florida. Only in Florida will you see 20 year olds buying ZX14's (ZZR1400) cash and then spend ten times that amount again customising the hell out of it. I didn't say this, but apparently there's a thriving speedboat traffic business carrying substances that are bad for you in Florida. Miami Vice stuff and too much cash in the wrong hands brings us some seriously bling bikes. We will photograph these bikes, speak to the people and look at the ladies (and photograph them too of course...). We will also test the new Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster and Buell SuperTT whilst in Florida. Then we'll sit down and speak to Willie G. See what he thinks of the Bike Week, see if he will tell us about new bikes, where Harley-Davidson sees itself going next etc. I will have my suitcase filled with content when returning and you'll see it first here. TS
After freezing half to death on UK roads after 16 hours of riding in the wet and on snow, all that cheered me up was the thought of hot senorita's and grippy roads in Portugal. Bloody UK weather followed us to Portugal and Faro on the Algarve coast for the 07 Honda CB600F Hornet launch. It wasn't all misery though as Honda have once again built a brilliant bike and got it right straight away. The 2007 Honda CB600F Hornet is not an evolution of the old Hornet or 599, it's a brand new bike from top to toe. Read the blog first and then the forthcoming test. Pics by: Double Red
Our KTM factory insider have confirmed that the Duke II replacement is due to be launched as a 2008 model. Development is ongoing and it is expected that the exhaust routing will be completely different to the 690 SM. This is a major point in how much power the 653.7cc engine can develop. It will be difficult, but we expect KTM to squeeze out another bhp or two for the new Duke III 690. As with previous Duke models the 2008 690 version will feature a small fly screen and lower seat height than the SM. Expected dry weight is 155kg and coupled with a very powerful single cylinder engine (in excess of 60bhp...) it should make for one of the most exciting single cylinder four stroke offerings on the market. Reportedly this bike can do more than 120mph which is very fast for a single cylinder motorcycle. The bike will be shown to the public at one of this autumns major motorcycle shows. By Tor Sagen/CG: Robert O'Brien
Next: 2007 Honda CB600F Hornet world launch, Ducati Hypermotard 1100 and 848 update. BMW 6 cylinder LT?, Aprilia Shiver, Moto Morini MM3, Benelli Due 756, Daytona Bike week, Buell SuperTT, Harley-Davidson Nightster, Triumph Rocket III Tribal with louder than hell pipes and much more...
I scratched my first set of knee-sliders properly on an R1, I did my first 100mph+ wheelie on an R1, I hit the gravel trap on a roadracing circuit for the first time on an R1, I low-sided first on an R1, I rode a tuned 1200cc R1 with 200bhp and an R1 was the first Yamaha I rode on British tarmac. Four model years R1's and almost 10 years later I am now testing the 2007 R1. It's black, it's got a huge ram-air assisted claimed 189bhp, six-pot radial brakes and more high tech gadgetry than James Bond. I have even planned to ride one up a bobsled track! Check out how we are doing with the new R1 in the blog and wait for the review here. Tor Sagen
The Stelvio or Adventure bike project is a 100% go Moto Guzzi exclusively confirmed to us. Moto Guzzi will not only launch one new Adventure bike, but two. One 850 with the 2 Valve engine from the Breva and one 1200 with the new 8 Valve V-twin engine. Main changes from any current Moto Guzzi motorcycle is the new handling characteristics required for an Adventure touring bike. This involves a brand new frame. My Moto Guzzi insider told me that the new "offroad" bikes will be very different from the BMW GS and Triumph Tiger 1050 (those two are already quite different...), but more Tiger than GS. That translates to a more road biased Adventure bike than the benchmark GS. Just like the ones that we have made. See the whole bike and the 850 here. By Tor Sagen/CG by: Robert O'Brien
