|
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
Showing posts with label Ducati. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ducati. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Another Motard.Ducati
It's amazing the mental gymnastics that I play trying to convince myself that owning one of these would be a good idea... sigh...
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Reader Two-For-One And An Update On A Previously Posted Tracker.
Mike C Writes in with a nice Wanderlust Ducati and an unfortunate update on his wicked SR500 Tracker!
I had a look at some recent snaps thought you might like this for your ' Wanderlust ' bit.
It was taken a few weeks back by my buddy Rick H. outside of Rangely Lake NH.
The bike is my ' 98 748 with an 853 kit (among other mods) and 106,000km. on the clock.
The photo gives no warning of the hour and a half I would be sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, in the pouring rain, later that day.
Sadly my countershaft sprocket chewed the splines on the shaft, and broke the chain sending it through my engine cases just two weeks ago. I was thinking of opening the motor, just for fun, this winter anyway. Looks like I have some quality time in the garage over the next little while.
Oh, and more distressing news. My SR managed to ' shed ' its rear tail/subframe due to vibration...I am already McGyvering a tail from a Honda RS250 roadracer onto the mighty SR....Hey, I start shooting paint tomorrow !
Thanks for the site, I check in every day & always get a charge checking out the new postings.
Mike C.
Here's the link to his original post on the SR.
Great Stuff. Thanks Mike and sorry for the delay in getting it posted. I'm getting flooded lately. All good!
I had a look at some recent snaps thought you might like this for your ' Wanderlust ' bit.
It was taken a few weeks back by my buddy Rick H. outside of Rangely Lake NH.
The bike is my ' 98 748 with an 853 kit (among other mods) and 106,000km. on the clock.
The photo gives no warning of the hour and a half I would be sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, in the pouring rain, later that day.
Sadly my countershaft sprocket chewed the splines on the shaft, and broke the chain sending it through my engine cases just two weeks ago. I was thinking of opening the motor, just for fun, this winter anyway. Looks like I have some quality time in the garage over the next little while.
Oh, and more distressing news. My SR managed to ' shed ' its rear tail/subframe due to vibration...I am already McGyvering a tail from a Honda RS250 roadracer onto the mighty SR....Hey, I start shooting paint tomorrow !
Thanks for the site, I check in every day & always get a charge checking out the new postings.
Mike C.
Here's the link to his original post on the SR.
Great Stuff. Thanks Mike and sorry for the delay in getting it posted. I'm getting flooded lately. All good!
Friday, October 22, 2010
2011 Ducati Monster 796 First Ride
His insatiable thirst for life is only surpassed by his monthly fuel bill. Whether rocketing on land, flying through the air, or jumping the seas, our Associate Editor does it all and has the scars to prove it.Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati has released its first new model of the season: the 2011 Ducati Monster 796. This mid-range street bike fills the void between the entry-level personality of the Monster 696 and the advanced road performance of the Monster 1100. With a base price of $9995, the 796 is a sensible choice for motorcyclists looking for an amusing and easy-to-maneuver motorbike that’s ideal for jaunting in-or-around the city.
The beauty of the Monster line is that the basic architecture of the bikes, including the chassis, air/oil-cooled V-Twin engine configuration, and sleek minimalist body panels are shared between models. However a closer look reveals there are some key differences between this one and its siblings.
The primary difference that distinguishes the mid-level Monster is its use of a 4-valve, 803cc V-Twin, identical to the unit employed in the Hypermotard 796 street bike. Compared to the other Monsters this engine is in a higher state of tune, employing an 11.1:1 compression ratio (versus the Monster 696/1100’s 10.7:1 ratio) courtesy of pistons with a different crown shape. Fuel is received from a 3.8-gallon fuel tank through 45mm throttle bodies, each equipped with a single fuel-injector. Exhaust is piped through a 2-1-2 stainless-steel configuration that terminates with twin shorty-style under-tail mufflers. Each header pipe is fitted with an oxygen sensor which ensures optimum engine running conditions.
A six-speed transmission and a hydraulically-operated APTC clutch control the engine’s power through a chain drive. Furthermore the clutch is bathed within the engine’s oil supply enhancing reliability and reducing noise as compared to the racing-style ’dry’ clutches used on the 1198 Superbike. The clutch also incorporates a slipper/back torque limiting functionality which helps prevent the rear wheel instability during downshifts at high rpm.
The engine is cradled in a lipstick-red steel trellis frame. It attaches to a reworked subframe which is compatible with passenger grab handles that are available as a Ducati accessory ($129). The 796 also gets the same well-crafted single-sided aluminum swingarm as used on the more expensive 1100 model.
Suspension is comprised of a Showa inverted fork and an Sachs hydraulic shock that is mounted directly between the frame and swingarm without a linkage. Although the fork doesn’t offer any damping adjustment, the shock provides spring preload and rebound tuning abilities.
The 796 rolls on a pair of beautiful black 5-spoke cast-aluminum wheels featuring a small red pin stripe around the edge to draw attention to them when in motion. Attached to the front wheel is a pair of 320mm brake discs clamped by a radial-mount four-piston Brembo calipers. Rear brake consists of a solo 245mm disc pinched by a twin-piston caliper. Both brake systems are powered hydraulically through stainless-steel lines. Anti-lock brakes are also available as an option on the new machine however pricing is TBD. Lastly, the wheels are shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires in sizes 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear. Hop into the seat and the first thing you’ll notice is how similar it feels to the smaller 696 model. The bike feels short and skinny, which makes it easy to manhandle on the road. The seat height measures 31.5 in. above the ground which is 0.4 in. lower than the 1100, and 1.2 in. taller than the 696. Grabbing a hold of the aluminum handlebar isn’t as much of a stretch compared to other Monsters courtesy of the bar risers that elevate the bar position by nearly an inch.
Thumb the starter button and the new Ducati fires to life with deep, thumping exhaust note. Surprisingly, the 796 doesn’t get the same sleek slimline switch gear as used on some of the Italian manufacturer’s other new street bikes, including the Streetfighter. Instrumentation is comprised of a small, yet functional, white-backlit LCD display that is both easy to read and quickly operated via the switchgear on the left handlebar.Clutch lever pull is light and offers 4-way lever position adjustment to accommodate different sized hands. The clutch also delivers an ample level of feel for riders who might not have a lot of experience launching a motorcycle. The lower first gear ratio only adds to its user-friendly demeanor when pulling away from a stop. Switching between the remaining five gears was smooth and trouble-free, though we wish the gearbox felt tighter.
Twist the throttle and this Monster delivers a much more robust spread of power compared to the smaller 696. Sure, it won’t win any drag races against a modern liquid-cooled sportbike, yet it will still surprise you with just how much torque it cranks out at low-to-mid rpm. The engine has plenty of juice to loft the front wheel in first gear and is capable of bursts of speed whenever it’s revved out to redline. While the engine delivers a bit of vibration, it never becomes annoying, even at freeway speeds.
In terms of handling the 796 feels every bit as nimble as its smaller sibling. Direction changes can be accomplished with a light touch of the handlebar. The center of gravity also feels low which aids in steering and railing around corners. Though suspension spring rates are calibrated for lighter riders, when pushed this Monster still delivers enough grin-inducing performance for even an experienced, sport-oriented pilot. The bike we rode came equipped with the optional ABS system. By default the system is always on, but you can disable it easily by navigating through the menu system on the instrument display. Braking power and feel is adequate and we appreciated the added confidence provided by the ABS. But we were more impressed by the fact that you can quickly turn it off with a few clicks of a button if you‘re feeling mischievous. We also appreciated that the position of the brake lever could be moved based on rider preference.
If you’re a motorcyclist who covers a lot of ground in the city then the $9995 Monster 796 is a bike you need to consider. It’s an easy machine to ride, looks awesome, and is compact enough to slice through any urban gridlock. Its peppy air-cooled engine not only delivers punchy acceleration but a level of charisma that is sadly missing from many other street bikes in this same price point segment.
The beauty of the Monster line is that the basic architecture of the bikes, including the chassis, air/oil-cooled V-Twin engine configuration, and sleek minimalist body panels are shared between models. However a closer look reveals there are some key differences between this one and its siblings.The primary difference that distinguishes the mid-level Monster is its use of a 4-valve, 803cc V-Twin, identical to the unit employed in the Hypermotard 796 street bike. Compared to the other Monsters this engine is in a higher state of tune, employing an 11.1:1 compression ratio (versus the Monster 696/1100’s 10.7:1 ratio) courtesy of pistons with a different crown shape. Fuel is received from a 3.8-gallon fuel tank through 45mm throttle bodies, each equipped with a single fuel-injector. Exhaust is piped through a 2-1-2 stainless-steel configuration that terminates with twin shorty-style under-tail mufflers. Each header pipe is fitted with an oxygen sensor which ensures optimum engine running conditions.
A six-speed transmission and a hydraulically-operated APTC clutch control the engine’s power through a chain drive. Furthermore the clutch is bathed within the engine’s oil supply enhancing reliability and reducing noise as compared to the racing-style ’dry’ clutches used on the 1198 Superbike. The clutch also incorporates a slipper/back torque limiting functionality which helps prevent the rear wheel instability during downshifts at high rpm.The engine is cradled in a lipstick-red steel trellis frame. It attaches to a reworked subframe which is compatible with passenger grab handles that are available as a Ducati accessory ($129). The 796 also gets the same well-crafted single-sided aluminum swingarm as used on the more expensive 1100 model.
Suspension is comprised of a Showa inverted fork and an Sachs hydraulic shock that is mounted directly between the frame and swingarm without a linkage. Although the fork doesn’t offer any damping adjustment, the shock provides spring preload and rebound tuning abilities.
The 796 rolls on a pair of beautiful black 5-spoke cast-aluminum wheels featuring a small red pin stripe around the edge to draw attention to them when in motion. Attached to the front wheel is a pair of 320mm brake discs clamped by a radial-mount four-piston Brembo calipers. Rear brake consists of a solo 245mm disc pinched by a twin-piston caliper. Both brake systems are powered hydraulically through stainless-steel lines. Anti-lock brakes are also available as an option on the new machine however pricing is TBD. Lastly, the wheels are shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires in sizes 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear. Hop into the seat and the first thing you’ll notice is how similar it feels to the smaller 696 model. The bike feels short and skinny, which makes it easy to manhandle on the road. The seat height measures 31.5 in. above the ground which is 0.4 in. lower than the 1100, and 1.2 in. taller than the 696. Grabbing a hold of the aluminum handlebar isn’t as much of a stretch compared to other Monsters courtesy of the bar risers that elevate the bar position by nearly an inch.
Thumb the starter button and the new Ducati fires to life with deep, thumping exhaust note. Surprisingly, the 796 doesn’t get the same sleek slimline switch gear as used on some of the Italian manufacturer’s other new street bikes, including the Streetfighter. Instrumentation is comprised of a small, yet functional, white-backlit LCD display that is both easy to read and quickly operated via the switchgear on the left handlebar.Clutch lever pull is light and offers 4-way lever position adjustment to accommodate different sized hands. The clutch also delivers an ample level of feel for riders who might not have a lot of experience launching a motorcycle. The lower first gear ratio only adds to its user-friendly demeanor when pulling away from a stop. Switching between the remaining five gears was smooth and trouble-free, though we wish the gearbox felt tighter.
Twist the throttle and this Monster delivers a much more robust spread of power compared to the smaller 696. Sure, it won’t win any drag races against a modern liquid-cooled sportbike, yet it will still surprise you with just how much torque it cranks out at low-to-mid rpm. The engine has plenty of juice to loft the front wheel in first gear and is capable of bursts of speed whenever it’s revved out to redline. While the engine delivers a bit of vibration, it never becomes annoying, even at freeway speeds.
In terms of handling the 796 feels every bit as nimble as its smaller sibling. Direction changes can be accomplished with a light touch of the handlebar. The center of gravity also feels low which aids in steering and railing around corners. Though suspension spring rates are calibrated for lighter riders, when pushed this Monster still delivers enough grin-inducing performance for even an experienced, sport-oriented pilot. The bike we rode came equipped with the optional ABS system. By default the system is always on, but you can disable it easily by navigating through the menu system on the instrument display. Braking power and feel is adequate and we appreciated the added confidence provided by the ABS. But we were more impressed by the fact that you can quickly turn it off with a few clicks of a button if you‘re feeling mischievous. We also appreciated that the position of the brake lever could be moved based on rider preference.
If you’re a motorcyclist who covers a lot of ground in the city then the $9995 Monster 796 is a bike you need to consider. It’s an easy machine to ride, looks awesome, and is compact enough to slice through any urban gridlock. Its peppy air-cooled engine not only delivers punchy acceleration but a level of charisma that is sadly missing from many other street bikes in this same price point segment.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Radical Ducati Hypermotard Custom!
From the "bikes you don't see every day" department... For the full story on the bike (and the for sale ad) see ADV Rider HERE
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
1100 Ducati Monster vs Triumph Street Triple R
Motomodif: 1100Cm3 against 675 cm3, 2 against 3-cylinder, the most noble Italian motorcycle home against the most noble British; many components to track and a few compromises 1100 Ducati Monster vs Triumph Street Triple R. The naked segment has become one of the most crowded, every year new models are launched on the market, often anonymous, that motion as well as having an aspect winking not show then great technical features, and sometimes are works of high engineering and futuristic design, still other times, as in our case, we are witnessing a collision between two motorcycles who aspire to the title of queen of the naked bike and is not, perhaps, a case that a challenge on this ground are just the two bikes the longest segment The Ducati Monster and Triumph Street Triple.
In fact while the former is the founder and legitimate holder of the title, the second is not as "historical", is indeed the sister, the Speed Triple, but for our comparison, given the technical characteristics and composition, there is seemed that the clash best you could have with the R Street which, despite a lower displacement of the large Monster, do not panic at all, even accepting the challenge of its high budget and its technical data.
Both short and light, aggressive and dynamic lines certainly do not pass unnoticed: the Monster draws his historical frame, the Street with the equally typical double headlight, both are bare now so off of their technical characteristics: both offer calipers and radial braided pipes, both with a handlebar-section variable, both still have equipment from a science fiction film. The Street to try to distance the Monster in this race accessories, monoammortizzatore shows a gas-adjustable, while the Monster responds with a fork and a biggest brakes hypertrophic compared all'inglesina. Both under the saddle does not admit compromises: we should not bring anything back and the lock to open the seat is placed so scomodissimo on both competitors.
Comparison test
When is now the Monster to attack, to attract attention, with his low tones and his merry rattle, while the English, indeed archetypal, has some 'healthy understatment, ronfando almost silent. The dimensions of motion are almost identical, on paper the benefits are similar, then we leave for a beautiful ride to see if this supposed equality is real or not.
Both are filled with very low, so that tends to raise, but the Street seems to have a wriggle more. There we run into traffic and we see that the difference in handling time is also very similar: the reduced wheelbase and the wide range of steering can pose problems in the midst of the machines with the simplicity of a scooter, the Street, with a few millimeters less cheerful winds between machines, but the Monster is not as well.
When we go on we can see finally mixed the dough is made that these two bikes. The Monster snaps forward, build on its big push, but the Street is always there to heel, in detached, despite the best allocation of brakes dell'italiana not you see major flaws in stopping by the Street, as the stems have slightly smaller does not seem to take it at a disadvantage when we compare how to deal curves: both are planted, firm on their trajectories. The Monster seems to have the lead a little 'more charged and perhaps monoammortizzatore has some uncertainty in more than a gas of the Street, when you run into a small hill or on a piece of slightly uneven road. Speeds are almost identical, the wind, above the 170 km / h, on both inconveniences, which at the bottom, being naked, so much can not give, in terms of aerodynamics.
It is difficult to determine which is better, you look very, very defects were also similar: both have very little under-space (the Monster for nothing) and both have the opening of the seat positioned in the most inconvenient possible.
For this type of motion at the end seem to be equivalent, if not economically.
The Street Triple R, in fact, appears to offer at least one more thing as progress, the mono just gas, and costs about € 2000 less, not to mention that getting the same performance despite being a Monster 675cc, it means paying less stamp.
The question, ultimately, there seems to be more than a speech which is better, what is the best status symbol. The Street Triple R could also take to the track, but we do not believe that the Monster can not seem to us quite unlikely that those who buy one of these bikes will do to bring it to the track, rather it is likely that the design of the name el'appeal play a greater role in the choice.
In our view, therefore, in the end will be a few millimeters or less between any horse to make it prevail over the other one, but rather the look aggressive and indomitable dell'italiana ol'aplomb that hides the strength of its discrete English, it might be a question of cost and image to win the title of queen naked to one of two that still appear in a head to head, regurgitate personality off evil and not just the other rivals, almost all of Japanese origin.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Favorite Production Motorcycle Honorable Mention. Ducati 750 Super Sport.
If I didn't already have the 916 then I'd have this one. In fact I think I was a bit hasty with the 916. It was a spur of the moment comment about that bike that got this list started before I had given it much thought.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Update: Top Five alltime favorite production bikes week! One of Five: The Ducati 916. Timeless Classic
This would easily make my top 5 all time list. The other four might get interesting though. Hey I think I have my theme for the week! Top 5 all time production favorites. We'll call this first of the five. I'll just do them as a group without a particular ranking. My mood changes too much anyway.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Reaader Ride with "Bonus Triumph Pics.
Aaron sent me a nice silhouette shot of his stable the other day along with a link to his flickr stream. While perusing his photos I stumbled across this stunner of a custom Triumph Scrambler. WOW! Aaron I hope you don't mind (and if you do I'll pull them immediately) but I'm a huge Triumph fan and couldn't pass these up.
By the way your original submital is excellent and included below. I'd love to see more angles of the Duck and especially Beemer.
Thanks Very Much
Aarons original note:
Hey!
I got a bit inspired on Sunday and had some fun with my DSLR and Photoshop; I ended up with what I think is a very good photo of my two bikes ('75 BMW R75/6 and '06 Ducati Multistrada 1000s) that you and your readers might like. The original is attached, and other sizes are at my flicker acct (under a Creative Commons license, so feel free to use what you like), here:
Cheers!
---Aaron
Here's the shanghaied Triumph...
And the original submittable. Excellent Shot!
By the way your original submital is excellent and included below. I'd love to see more angles of the Duck and especially Beemer.
Thanks Very Much
Aarons original note:
Hey!
I got a bit inspired on Sunday and had some fun with my DSLR and Photoshop; I ended up with what I think is a very good photo of my two bikes ('75 BMW R75/6 and '06 Ducati Multistrada 1000s) that you and your readers might like. The original is attached, and other sizes are at my flicker acct (under a Creative Commons license, so feel free to use what you like), here:
Cheers!
---Aaron
Here's the shanghaied Triumph...
And the original submittable. Excellent Shot!
Friday, September 17, 2010
2011 Ducati 848 Evo First Look
2011 Ducati 848 Evo in Action
2011 Ducati 848 Evo Unveiled
2011 Ducati 848 Evo Dash
2011 Ducati 848 Evo Motorcycles
2011 Ducati 848 Evo Red Color
2011 Ducati 848 Evo Photos
2011 Ducati 848 Evo First Look
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Ducati Monster S2R 1000
Ducati Monster 1100-S 2009
Category: Motorcycles Wallpapers
Uploaded: 27 Apr 2010
File Size: 51K (480x360px)
Devices Supported: 89xx Curve, 96xx Tour, 97xx Bold
[ Download Wallpaper ]
Uploaded: 27 Apr 2010
File Size: 51K (480x360px)
Devices Supported: 89xx Curve, 96xx Tour, 97xx Bold
[ Download Wallpaper ]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
