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From Mac's press release:

<Worcestershire>, <Great Britain>, <28/05/09 > -A collaboration between one of the UK’s leading motorcycle design studios, Xenophya Design and Ellis Pitt has led to the launch of a new British motorcycle company called ‘Mac Motorcycles’.

Ellis has collaborated with the team at Xenophya for the past 9 months to design a small range of lightweight, air-cooled singles using the 500cc Buell ‘Blast’ motor in a tubular backbone frame. Ellis explains “Between us we’d designed, modified, built and ridden all sorts of motorcycles over the last 30 years and thought it was time to produce a motorcycle that reflected our philosophy. Our influences have been diverse and we’ve made unusual connections between genres of motorcycles such as choppers, Italian singles from the 1950s, flat-trackers and competition specials. What underpins Mac Motorcycles’ philosophy though is the belief that the riding experience and the stories that go with motorcycle journeys seem to have been hijacked by technology and plastic.” There are 4 different models ; ‘Spud’, for dossing about on, ‘Ruby’, the motorcycle equivalent of ‘the girl-next-door’, ‘Peashooter’, for squirting to your favourite pub and gassing with your mates and the ‘Roarer’, a modern-day dinosaur-chaser! The company initially plans to produce a few hundred bikes in small batches increasing production as appropriate. During the last recession, Ellis, a product designer by background, grew his family’s business into a successful furniture manufacturing business before selling it in 1995. Since then he has combined work as a business adviser with design thinking, frequently developing successful products through a number of UK high street retailers.

Based in the small English town of Upton-Upon-Severn in Worcestershire, Mac Motorcycles plan to market this unique new range of motorcycles throughout the world. Bikes will be made in small batches for markets in the UK, North America and Japan, with customers in France and Australia in-mind too. Depending on your preferred specification and tuning options, you could expect to buy any one of these bikes for between £ 8k - £ 10k. 

2010 Triumph Thunderbird – Parallel Thunder 

The Thunderbird’s wings have shape shifted into a massive parallel twin motor. Triumph’s Thunderbird is Harley-Davidson’s worst nightmare come true. If there is such a thing as a slayer of giants or in this case a Harley killer, then the Thunderbird is the spearhead and the first that really could matter.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Jason Critchell

All the big four from Japan, Moto Guzzi and Victory have engaged The Motor Company in battle for the lucrative North American cruiser market. None are even remotely close to pushing the big American Screamin’ Eagle of the throne. The Japanese manufacturers will always suffer from not having the right heritage and Yamaha have even changed their name to Star in the US to sound less Japanese. That’s a pretty desperate measure if you ask me and show us just how powerful the US divisions for the Japanese motor manufacturers really are. Moto Guzzi is simply not big enough in the US and Victory is simply not growing fast enough and hasn’t launched a new product since the Vision. This leaves us with the ever expanding English motorcycle manufacturer from Hinckley. More here

I'm now in Barcelona riding the 2010 Triumph Thunderbird at the world launch. Check back for first impressions and some pretty cool videos we're making. We'll show you the standard 1600cc Thunderbird and the one with open pipes as well as a Thunderbird with a 1700cc big bore kit. Tor Sagen

Watch our latest Ultimate video in HD below. If you simply can't view HD content yet go to the YouTube link and choose normal quality. Enjoy!

In HD: Ascari Race Resort. Tor Sagen Interviews Klaas Zwart, the Ascari race resort and car company owner. A Dutch business man that's truly made his dreams come alive. Walk around at resort and factory + onboard lap on Ducati Streetfighter. Ascari was named after Italian Formula 1 driver Alberto Ascari. Valentino Rossi, Jamiroquai, Jeremy Clarkson are just some of the Car clubs exclusive members. Cars: Several Ferrari and other Formula 1 cars, Ascari FGT, Ascari A410, Ascari KZR-1, Ascari KZ1R GT3, Ascari A10++ Bikes: Loris Capirossi's 2005 Ducati Desmosedici 990 MotoGP racebike, Ben Bostrom Ducati 998 World Superbike++

Watch our beautiful footage from Almeria onboard the 2009 Kawasaki ZX-10R. In HD you can see some beautiful details both on the bike and around the technical circuit. The ZX-10R makes for fantastic onboard footage because of its unique cockpit layout. See how the big ten makes mincemeat of the KTM RC8R 1190 and Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. Enjoy. Tor

At Misano I've tested the 2009 Aprilia RSV4 Factory and here's a couple of points.

-100% race bike for the road, the faster I rode the more I enjoyed it

-Massive topend power and not for the faint hearted

-Incredibly stable front end, great on the brakes

-Evil wheelie machine, not easy... Much more later

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I'm now in Rimini spending some time with Bimota whilst waiting for my turn on the 180hp new Aprilia superbike. Watch this space! Tor

I think it's safe to say now that this is the only outlet producing launch films like this. 18 minutes of hardcore action featuring a duel between Ducati's MotoGP test rider Vito Guareschi and Tor. Guess who won... Onboard deluxe from Ascari. Tor/Photo: Milagro

Not long ago I rode the new 2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic in Rome. In this film you can see some of the action and a little tour around the famous Colosseum onboard the Griso 8V SE filming backwards where I'm following on the V7 Cafe Classic. Completely feelgood in Rome is the theme. Enjoy it! Tor/Photo: Milagro

The all new Ducati Streetfighter is also Ducati's latest weapon of mass destruction looking at the spec sheet. 155 horsepower in a superlight 167kg package (Streetfighter S that I have tested). I have tested it at Ascari. Much more video and words soon. 5 minutes, get your Fighters ready... Tor. Photography: Milagro

Ducati are launching the 2009 Streetfighter in Spain right now and I'm there to tell you about it. Watch Ducati's video below whilst waiting for mine. Official Streetfighter site.

2009 Kawasaki ZX-10R, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade ABS, KTM RC8R 1190, BMW HP2 Sport...

We rode the 2009 BMW K 1300 GT, Kawasaki ZZR1400 ABS, Honda CB1000R, Guzzi Sport 1200 and Aprilia Mana 850 on the new Angel ST tyres in the south of Italy. Coming...

Below you'll find the latest music video that I have directed and produced. And since I've done that there's also bikes in it. Let's see if you can spot the B-king in the different scenes! Here's a slight update of upcoming events. Pirelli Tyre launch and world speed record attempt at Nardo-Ring in Italy. Bridgestone tyre launch at Almeria in Spain. 2009 Ducati Streetfighter world launch at Ascari in Spain. 2009 Aprilia RSV4 world launch at Misano in Italy. 2009 Bimota Tesi 3D road test in Italy. And much more! Tor

The Ultimate Adventure: I rode from Cape Town to Victoria Falls on a BMW R 1200 GS with Motoaventures.com This is the film featuring 32 minutes of action and beautiful scenery from the mostly offroad Adventure. Say hi to Tor and his friends Lisa the Leopard, Morris the Cheetah and a lively bunch of people whilst racing along the Namibian super highway at high speed. TS

BMW has now announced that the production of the S 1000 RR roadbike has commenced in Berlin.

Some details:

999cc in-line four engine

Very compact on F1 level that allows for a very high rev ceiling

Dry Weight: 183 kilo

Newly developed Sport-ABS and DTC available

Colours:

Mineralsilver metallic, Acidgreen metallic, Thundergrey metallic, also in BMW Motorrad Motorsport paint, in Alpinweiß/Lupinblau/Magmarot.

The S1000 RR will be launched sometime before the summer of 2009 and orders are now being taken.

Price: 15,500 Euro in Germany

We did lots of filming in Australia at the international 2009 Yamaha XJ6 launch. Here's the result of our efforts on the XJ6. Onboard, walk around, wheelies at Sydney harbour, press conference and more in this 14 minute film. Enjoy. Next out is the Ultimate 2009 Yamaha R1 film and that will give you something to ponder about... TS

Here's the deal: Subscribe to our YouTube channel and answer a few simple questions to stand a chance to win one of four different prices. You can win either a quality Triumph leather wallet, an Xbox 360 MotoGP08 game, a Ducati 999F07 Troy Bayliss die cast superbike (1:12) signed by the man himself or a pair of Dainese Guanto Ducati Corse 09 racing gloves. All you have to do is to click in here and hit the subscribe button first. Then answer these simple questions below our film with info and images of the prices:

1.       Subscribe to the YouTube channel

2.      Provide your YouTube username for verification

3.       Which three years did Troy Bayliss win the WSBK championship and on which bikes?

4.       Name the designer that created the Ducati 999 and his nationality

5.       Where is James Toseland from? Specify place and country

6.       Which year did Triumph launch the Rocket III?

7.       Which year was Raptors & Rockets founded?

8.       What is good about the Raptors & Rockets motorcycle films?

9.       What would you like to see more of in 2009 and 2010?

E-mail your answers here and don't forget your address.

I'll announce the winners after a draw on April 2nd. Closes EO March.

Join our cool new Facebook group here

This film is the first Raptors & Rockets R1 vid from the world launch in Sydney, Australia. Full walk around and some onboard action that allows you to listen to the awesome new R1. This is something very special from Yamaha! Stay tuned for more updates! Tor

Greetings from Sydney, Australia where I'm right now. Done a little video log and have called it number 1 as I intend to do more of them as soon as I have more material. Soon you'll get my first comments on the bikes and the action too. Stay tuned! Tor Sagen

Simply the ultimate launch film showing the 2009 Triumph Daytona 675 on road and on Cartagena race circuit in Spain. The film is 30 minutes long with a bonus press conference at the end explaining the 2009 675 in great detail. On the right you can see a picture of the Daytona 675 with my innovative leg-cam in place! TS

Honda CBR600RR   Yamaha R6   Suzuki GSX-R750   Triumph Street Triple R

One of the biggest new 2009 events will be the launch of the all new big-bang Yamaha R1. Raptors & Rockets will be at the heart of events and report directly from the launch as soon as the embargo is lifted. In the meantime there's not much more than Yamaha's infomercial to satisfy us that can't wait to see and particularly hear and ride Yamaha's new M1 derived beast. Could we possibly give you any better new year gift? Happy New Year! Tor

2009 Ducati 1198 S   2009 MV Agusta F4 R312 1078R   2008 Ducati 1098R  2008 KTM RC8 1190   2008 Suzuki GSX-R750   2007 Yamaha R1   2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000

I wish you all a Merry Christmas! I have a busy weekend ahead of me now which is all about getting ready for Christmas as I leave for Norway on Monday to spend the holidays with my family and friends. I will bring my laptop though so there may be a couple more updates before the new year. When I get back from Norway in the new year I only have a few days home before I jet over to Sydney in Australia for the first and perhaps biggest world launch in 2009. We're talking about the big bang Yamaha R1 and the XJ6N/S. I have also been invited by Pirelli to their tyre launch at the high speed oval in Nardo at the heel of Italy. I can't wait to see which bikes Pirelli have booked for us on this launch which will be all about outright top speed! Stay tuned and you'll know what happens first! Below is a selection of the Xmas cards we have received so far! Tor

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MV Agusta has announced that Massimo Tamburini, Italy's modern day Michelangelo, will retire on the 31st of December 2008. Tamburini was a co founder of Bimota in 1973 (Ta in Bimota stands for Tamburini) before starting his now famous cooperation with Claudio Castiglioni in 1985. The results are many, but the most iconic bikes Tamburini designed was the Ducati 916-998 (which also resulted in the Cagiva Mito 125) and the MV Agusta Brutale and F4's. From MV's press release: VARESE, ITALY, Dec. 3, 2008 – MV Agusta today announced that Design Chief Massimo Tamburini will retire from the company, effective Dec. 31, 2008. Tamburini has been with Cagiva since early 1985 and has headed up MV Agusta’s engineering and design center, Centro Ricerche Cagiva, in San Marino for over 13 years, where he and the staff designed what are widely regarded as world-class, premium, high-performance sport motorcycles, including the legendary F4. “I have dedicated a significant part of my career in motorcycle design to Cagiva and MV Agusta and am immensely proud of the beautiful and thrilling motorcycles we have created,” said Tamburini. “While my decision to retire was extremely difficult to make, I am confident the highly-talented designers and engineers in San Marino will continue the tradition of excellence that is the hallmark of MV Agusta. I have been privileged to realize so many dreams during my years with Cagiva and MV Agusta and look forward to seeing more great things yet to come from the company,” Tamburini said. Tamburini plans to pursue design interests outside the motorcycle field and to spend more time on his other outside interests. “Massimo Tamburini is one of the legends of the motorcycle industry and leaves a great legacy at MV Agusta,” said Claudio Castiglioni, MV Agusta Chairman and Director of Motorcycle Research and Development. “The capabilities he built at MV Agusta’s design center are outstanding and his legacy and vision will now be carried forward by the team he assembled and mentored over many years. While we will miss his presence, we respect his decision to retire and wish him all the best for the future,” Castiglioni said. MV Agusta is a wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S.-based Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG). MV Agusta produces premium, high-performance sport motorcycles sold under the MV Agusta® brand and lightweight sport motorcycles sold under the Cagiva® brand. By Tor Sagen and MV Agusta/Photo by: Mv Agusta and Alberto Cervetti

We have now published the full tests of the 2008/09 F4 R312 1078 and Brutale 1078RR in honour of the man.

This is all action onboard the new D675 from Cartagena. It's top quality widescreen with great triple sound from the Arrow accessory muffler. Third gear powerwheelies down the straight and all the action you could wish for whilst waiting for Santa! Enjoy it. Tor

I have had two great days in the saddle of the 2009 Triumph Daytona. True, the first half of the first day rained away, but when we did get on the bikes it's so easy to go fast on the Daytona 675. It's still as narrow and nimble as it always was, but the 09 gets the first update since the 2006 launch. The front end has been redesigned slightly to match the designers original thoughts. The 09 thus gets an even sharper look than before. The suspension has also been reworked and Triumph claims this is one of the major updates along with a 3hp boost in top end that has also boosted the already class leading midrange. Out on the circuit that really can be felt and I continued my last sessions on Cartagena on a D675 with the Arrow muffler attached. When accelerating above 10.000 rpm there really is a much better kick than before. The Daytona 675 always was a very light supersport, the 2009 is even lighter and the scales stops at a claimed 162 kilos. Then I did a short road ride as well and I must say that along with the Honda CBR600RR the D675 is the best road alternative of the bunch in this class. All down to that fantastic midrange. More in the full article. Tor Sagen/Photography: Jason Critchell and Paul Barshon

2009 Triumph Daytona 675: updates at a glance. 3PS increase in power – from 125PS to 128PS. More torque – from 72 to 73Nm. Higher engine speed – from 13,500 to 13,900rpm in all gears. 3kg weight reduction, from 165kg to 162kg. New brakes – 15% more power, 5% more bite. New suspension – adjustable for high and low speed compression damping. Restyled cockpit, screen and headlights. Pirelli Diablo SuperCorsa SP tyres fitted as standard.

We are now at the Cartagena circuit in Southern Spain to ride and test the new 2009 Triumph Daytona 675. The weather is not brilliant at the moment so whilst we wait for the rain to stop, enjoy an action shot of Garry McCoy and our hotel Vlog from Spain. Tor

After having had all my sessions on the 2009 Ducati 1198 S first impressions are of a very impressive sportsbike. Ferocious power just catapults the 1198S forward, forward and forward. Despite Portimao being slightly slippery at places, the level of grip is very good considering the vast amount of horsepower and torque. Even with the DTC set to a low level 2 I had grip where I would have thought I’d have rear wheel spinning. After progressing downwards from a conservative standard level 4 I stepped down to three and then two on the last sessions. Then I rode a lap again on level 4 which was just boring as the traction control kicked in too early. Much more in the full article. I have also both ridden with and interviewed Troy Bayliss which is an absolute star. Much more pix and video coming.

I'm now in Portugal where I will test the Ducati 1198 on the brand new Portimao circuit where the last WSBK round was held. The 1198 promises to be a blast from the manufacturer that stole the show in Milan recently with its brutal Streetfighter 1098, 1198 and stunning 1098R Troy Bayliss replica. Laptop and camera's with me so expect some cool pix and videos very soon! Just a few days after I return form the 1198 launch I fly south again for the 2009 Triumph Daytona 675 world launch in Spain so watch this space! Also, check our new cool logo that we'll use on all the pix from now on below. Tor Sagen

More here

On Monday and Tuesday we'll be in Milan covering the EICMA international motorcycle show. There'll be exciting news from Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, KTM, Moto Guzzi and many more. We kick off with the Ducati press conference on the day before the show where we expect both the new 1198 and Streetfighter to be launched. BMW will show its street version of the S1000RR and KTM will show all 2009 news as they abandoned the Cologne show altogether. Whilst waiting for the coverage to start, enjoy our latest film of the 2009 Ducati Monster 1100.

The fact that motorbikes and rock n' roll is a fine marriage is something that we ourselves live up to as often as possible. It's the soundtrack that you'll get whether you like it or not here at Raptors & Rockets! Triumph have told us in their latest press release that they sort of endorses AC/DC's latest offering, Black Ice in return for brand association we assume. So do we as we love AC/DC and the new songs sounds exactly as they always did. Triumph have associated itself with people like Steve McQueen, Tom Cruise and Bob Dylan in the past. The firm also tried to get a deal with rockers from Black Rebel Motorcycle club a few years ago, but that never happened as the rockers didn't want to be associated. TS

Suzuki have allowed a US based design firm to make this Limited Edition version of the Burgman. We are not sure whether this was meant for the EICMA show in Milan or not, but here it is anyway. Look out for a flash paint job and GSX-R 600/750 muffler and wavy brake discs. Cool for a scooter we think!

Honda SH300  Yamaha Xmax 250

Watch the film below that includes multiple onboard camera angles and more from the 2009 Ducati Monster 1100 launch in France. 15 minutes of adrenaline on some gorgeous roads in the South of France. Enjoy! Watch in high quality (full screen) here. TS

Exclusive: The other Trike from Harley-Davidson - The 2-1

The 2-1 Trike, as H-D calls it, was a no show at the Intermot despite what my source told me first. Harley-Davidson was not the only manufacturer that changed its mind regarding the Intermot show. Also KTM decided to show all its 2009 models at the EICMA show rather than in Germany. Whether Harley-Davidson will show us its 3-wheeled secret or not in 2008 remain to see though. Full story here.

Honda, the most boring motorcycle manufacturer in the world, has managed to launch only old models with the addition of ABS for the 2009 season. And, in true Tokyo Motor Show comedy fashion, the big H has managed to show the world the most ridiculous concept model ever! If this animated comic book plastic concept is a hint of how far Honda are in developing a refreshing and cool V4/V5 powered super tourer then it's merely a laugh! Is the credit crunch really that bad over there in Samurai land that this V4 concept bike is all they can afford to show the world? Honda are not winning MotoGP races, Honda are not winning WSBK titles and no decent racer is willing to stay with them for too long. No doubt, Raptors & Rockets will probably join both Rossi and Hayden in not being allowed a Honda ride any longer. I personally dislike any large corporation that doesn't listen to nor care of its individuals. Then, when an individual, like Valentino Rossi steps up and becomes bigger than the machine he's riding then the ugly corporate head rears it's head and claims it will destroy that person. I guess when you sow that sort of seed into people's minds, there'll be repercussions. So many of you out there ride Honda's, and we are merely reflecting on the disappointment and yawning over new Honda model launches. At least in the past Honda were able to copy the successful Italians and make good race bikes. Here's what Honda need to do to get back: Make the V4 or even better the V5 VFR or another RC model. Then bring back the SP superbike. Then do as you always have, make cheap copy's of European motorcycles. It's as simple as that, but Honda's un-enthusiastic board of executives must have thought it could survive on cheap 125's in the far East only. We feel a bit sorry for the 2008 Intermot organisers in all of this. All the big four Japanese have shown all their stuff way in advance on time-wasting pre-event press conferences or by releasing all their news online. There's not much left for the investigative journalists out there apart from strategic leaks. Oh how boring it has become! Meanwhile, we are looking at the big EICMA show in Milan later this Autumn for some real news and excitement. Sayonara! TS

Just ahead of the Intermot public unveiling Aprilia has released the full technical specs of the anticipated new V4 superbike. As expected this is a very powerful machine and the most powerful production V4 if not THE most powerful V4 ever. It looks like the RSV4 will rival the Japanese litre bikes straight from the crate. The RSV4 Factory produces a claimed 180 horsepower @ 12.500rpm and 115Nm @ 10.000rpm. With a 179 kilo dry weight this promises to be a very exciting sports bike indeed. The wheelbase is at 1424mm. More when we get to ride the beast! TS See videos and more of the bike here.

We're back from the world launch of the 2009 Ducati Monster 1100 now. The bike is simply stunning to ride and it's got more of everything compared to the Monster 696. More suspension, more power, more tyre grip and more kudos! Whilst waiting for our films from the launch, which was guided by the same man that made the film below, watch Ducati's own official video that we published on YouTube before anyone else. You've probably seen it somewhere else already, but it came from this source first. TS

2009 Ducati Monster 1100 S   2008 Ducati Monster 696   Ducati Hypermotard   2008 MV Agusta Brutale 1078RR  2008 Benelli TNT 899 S   2008 Bimota DB6R Delirio   2009 Triumph Street Triple R   2008 Triumph Street Triple   2008 Triumph Speed Triple   BMW R1200R   2008 Aprilia SMV750 Dorsoduro   Aprilia Shiver   Buell Super TT

Watch life onboard the two Suzuki speed monsters in this video. Buckle up!

Also: 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa onboard on the Cat & Fiddle road  2008 Suzuki B-King on the Snake Pass road

We first heard of Norwegian Brudeli back in 2005 at the Eicma show in Milan where they launched the first prototype of the Leanster. Now in 2008 Brudeli are back with the production version Leanster 654L due to be launched at the Intermot show. The 2009 Brudeli Leanster 654L is something quite out of the ordinary and it can lean at 45 degrees which is 5 degrees more than Piaggio's MP3 scooter. The Brudeli Leanster is no scooter though as it's based on KTM's 690 Supermoto! This thing's been made to lean, wheelie and stoppie just like a motorcycle but with the addition of one more front wheel! Brudeli has pioneered this field as they launched the Leanster already in 2005. Then Piaggio came along with the MP3 and now both BMW and Harley-Davidson have their own three-wheelers on the way. The Leanster is powered by a 654cc single cylinder four stroke. It's from KTM and so are several parts on the Leanster 654L. The highest performing single ever produces 63 horsepower @ 7.000rpm and a massive 65Nm @ 6.550rpm. The chassis is a steel tubular frame. Take a look at those two front wheels that make this bike so special and take note of the massive 325mm brake discs with a inside out design and ISR callipers. The tyres are a double 120/70-17 at the front and a 160/60-17 at the back. The dry weight is a claimed 238 kilos and the top speed a claimed 170km/h (104mph)“To make 100 meter controlled powerslides at the local dirt track oval (speedway) is a quite unbeatable feeling. Especially when this is a street legal vehicle you actually came cruising with to the track.” says Geir Brudeli, the inventor of the Leanster and manager of Brudeli Tech. “Then just a few minutes later you could be at a go-kart track without any change at the setup, leaning 45 degrees in to corners with a control superior to a normal motorcycle. The Leanster suspension is 100% mechanical and leaves the rider in control. It is built with the goal to boost the motorcycle experience.” Our exclusive interview with inventor Geir Brudeli to follow. By Tor Sagen/Photo: Rune Baashus

Suzuki launched a selection of the 2009 models in Paris. The big one is the 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 and among other changes the engine is new again and more compact than ever. Larger titanium valves and a higher compression ratio should ensure it's up there in the neverending struggle for more horsepower. The chassis has been changed as well with a shorter frame and a longer arched swingarm. This has resulted in a 10mm shorter wheelbase for a nimble handling advantage over previous models. The big Gixxer also features new suspension front and back where the Big Piston Fork from Showa is the highlight. Some mean looking new monoblock front brakes are new as well. Then you have the new "Neanderthal" beating stick exhaust pipes. We haven't got the full tech-specs yet, but we expect from the current release that the 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 will be both more powerful and lighter than the current K7-K8 model. TS More here

Read more and see more pictures here!

Ducati is now ready to take the new Monster design first seen on the 696 to the next level. New from that concept is the addition of the powerful air-cooled 1100 from the Hypermotard. The 2-valve Desmo twin is a pure torque generating machine and max torque output is of 105Nm @ 6.000rpm. At 7.500rpm there's 85 horsepower to play with. Apart from the larger engine, the Monster 1100 also features a single-sided swingarm. the dry weight is a claimed 169 kilos whilst the 1100 S with Ohlins suspension weighs 168 kilos. Remembering the Ducati Monster 696 launches that we have attended earlier this year, we can't wait to sample the 1100 version which we will in Cannes. Look out for our first ride impressions and videos right here! More Monster 1100 pictures!

2009 Ducati Monster 1100 S   2008 Ducati Monster 696   Ducati Hypermotard   2008 MV Agusta Brutale 1078RR  2008 Benelli TNT 899 S   2008 Bimota DB6R Delirio   2009 Triumph Street Triple R   2008 Triumph Street Triple   2008 Triumph Speed Triple   BMW R1200R   2008 Aprilia SMV750 Dorsoduro   Aprilia Shiver   Buell Super TT

Yamaha have just released this infomercial on YouTube. The new XJ6 Diversion is set to cater for a growing budget market in Europe and something tells me that the old FZ6 Fazer might be less than budget soon. The engine is to regard as a new engine despite the fact that the main architecture comes from the FZ6. Torque is what the Yamaha engineers has been striving for, but the 78 horsepower max output still doesn't happen until a high 10.000rpm. The torque figure is a claimed 59.7Nm @ 8.500rpm. The frame is also what Yamaha calls a "newly" developed diamond shaped steel tubular type. The claimed Kerb weight is 216 kilos which isn't too bad with a steel frame. The fuel capacity is 17.3 litres and the rear tyre is a handy 160/60 ZR17. Available in blue, dark grey and red. TS  Subscribe to all our videos on YouTube 

From Italy we have these  pictures of the production ready version of the RSV4 and also of the race ready superbike. This is the highly anticipated V4 1000cc superbike set to replace the old RSV 1000 R. We have heard that the standard and Factory version features a 180 horsepower engine whilst the racebike more than 210hp. UPDATED 20+ detailed images: More big and beautiful pictures here! TS  Have you got news for us? E-mail Raptors & Rockets first

Some added value for you loyal readers of the Raptors & Rockets news page here. Kevin Carmichael performed exclusively for us and two other journos at the Grandstand in Douglas, Isle of Man on his Triumph stunt bikes and the 2009 Street Triple R. It's 20 minutes of hard boiled action and at the moment we are pretty much the only motorcycle publication to give you this sort of stuff completely free. This video contains everything you might wish for when it comes down to top level motorcycle stunt riding! Watch Kev and see how it's done! TS

Back from the Isle of Man launch of the 09 Street Triple R now and have done my first lap around the famous TT course. Before our ride we were treated to a guided tour with Richard "Milky" Quayle that's now an ex-TT racer after an horrendous accident that you can see in one of the YouTube players below. The new Street Triple R is simply a better version of a bike that was already very good. Better suspension and better brakes have resulted in better handling. Watch our first film from the event below that includes "Milky's" TT guide, onboard footage from the Mountain and a stunt teaser by Kevin Carmichael. Much more on its way. Tor

  2009 Street Triple R   2008 Street Triple   2008 Speed Triple 

Much more here!

Enjoy this video clip from Mugello, probably filmed by an Italian punter with quite some knowledge about how different engines sounds like... Or maybe just a cunning Aprilia pr stunt. Who knows, here's the vid anyway.

"This is a great bike, it's very like my M1 and it's exciting to see so many MotoGP qualities now appearing on a bike for the road. I think everyone who loves the R1 and Yamaha will be very excited about this new version, it's fantastic!" Valentino Rossi said. To be honest, we wouldn't have expected Rossi to say anything else about his employer Yamaha.

Over two weeks and more than 3.000 miles on tracks and offroad we rode from Cape Town to Victoria Falls on a BMW R 1200 GS. Out of 13 bikes we're not sure even one will get the full deposit back as quite a few hit the dirt during the journey. Watch some of the action from the onboard camera, roadside, listen to the people and watch the wildlife. You just can't beat Africa whether on or off a motorcycle. TS

Next: 2009 Triumph Street Triple R launch at The Isle of Man and 2009 Ducati ...

Over a week we've tested the fuel injected 2008 Triumph Thruxton 900. Check out this video that we made first...

Huge picture gallery here!

 
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Just before I head off to Varese to ride the new MV Agusta F4 R312 and Brutale 1078RR I had time to go on a cool ride on a legendary Suzuki. The K8 Suzuki GSX-R750 is as sharp as they come and the most interesting Japanese in-line four available today! Follow our coverage of the K8 Suzuki GSX-R750 right here at Raptors & Rockets. First the walk around video with a nice 2 minute onboard view at the end. It's muffled more than ever, but still sounds good! TS

Syndication is the magic word for any freelancer. Why work exclusively for one in one country when you can work for many? Raptors & Rockets is expanding and we need your help.

Photographers: If you are a freelance motorcycle photographer we can help with syndication. We have clients interested in photo shows from major events or particularly outstanding photography of special motorcycles. Even if you are not a professional we need your help. Have you been lucky and snapped a prototype motorcycle no one knows about at a remote location? Cash in and get your pictures syndicated all over the world with major motorcycle publication houses. If you have the material then I have the contacts to move your pictures into the spotlight for cash. In particular we are looking for Japanese, German, Italian, US, UK and Spanish spy-snappers.

Writers: If you are a freelance motorcycle writer and feel you are not syndicated enough then contact us. As long as it does not conflict with any of the launches that we attend we are willing to syndicate your material. In particular if your material has got news value and good picture material. English is always best, but on some occasions we will be able to syndicate in various languages. But I must also always get an English version. If you are not a professional writer we are still interested in all sorts of different information's about new bikes and developments in the industry. These pieces of information can also generate cash.

Designers: Hugo van Waaijen, Luc1, Astroman and many others has now been published all over the world as a result of working with Raptors & Rockets. It is your choice whether you want to design anonymously or with full name credit. There will always be a need for brilliant designers and you could be one of them. Show us your stuff and get syndicated! Note to all: send me low resolution stuff as examples of your work. I will ask for high resolution material when needed.

For more information contact Tor Sagen

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