2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler Announced for the U.S.

Benelli Motorcycles USA has announced that the “Little Lion” is coming to U.S. soil. The 2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler is powered by a 500cc DOHC parallel-twin engine, featuring a claimed 48 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. It also boasts a non-adjustable 45mm USD fork and a single rear shock unit, equipped with spring-preload and rebound damping adjustment. MSRP is set at $6,199.

2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler

From Press Release:

For more than a century, the Benelli brand has brought innovation to the motorcycle world, playing a key role in the evolution of the modern motorcycle. This 100 year heritage of Italian design culminates with Benelli’s revered Leoncino legacy, and Benelli Motorcycles USA is proud to welcome the legend back to America with the 2021 Benelli Leoncino.

2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler

Inspired by the classic café racers of Benelli’s golden years, the 2021 Leoncino (a charming Italian term for “little lion”) lives up to its namesake, exuding the proud sporting heritage of Benelli with nimble cornering ability and responsive handling. Traditional shapes and modern curves flow together in the new red bodywork, crowned by the Lion of Pesaro perched on the front fender.

2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler

Powered by a 500cc parallel-twin engine with dual overhead cams and fuel injection, the Leoncino pours on a smooth flow of power. A generous midrange and six speed transmission make excellent use of its 48 horsepower (at 8500), offering an incredibly fun and easy to ride motorcycle. Quiet and powerful 2 into 1 exhaust add to the traditional lines of the Leoncino, while also providing a pleasing sound.

The lightweight steel lattice frame provides a stable platform for the chassis, with a center of gravity and a low seat height to match. An inverted fork with 45mm tubes in the front, and an adjustable laterally mounted single shock in the rear provide an incredibly smooth ride. Cast alloy 17-inch wheels are fitted with premium Pirelli Angel ST radial tires. Ultra strong brakes feature four piston calipers and dual 320mm discs on the front, and 260mm single disc brakes in the rear.

2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler

Minimalist bodywork represents an authentic and pure design concept, one that recalls the style and accessibility of the original machine of the 19501950’s: Engine, frame, wheels and a handlebar. Contemporary technology including digital instrumentation and LED headlight and modern performance round out this playful and superbly functional package that could only come from Benelli.

2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler

List price for the 2021 Benelli Leoncino, currently available at Benelli Motorcycle dealers, is $6,199. Find more information, including specifications, at http://benelli.ssrmotorsports.com/bikes/leoncino.php

2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler

2021 Benelli Leoncino Photo Gallery:

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Victoria plans ‘dangerous’ bicycle passing rule

Victoria plans ‘dangerous’ bicycle passing rule
Victoria will join other states next year with a rule requiring motorists to give cyclists room when passing, potentially putting the lives of motorcyclists in jeopardy.
The bicycle overtaking/passing law had been proposed for Victoria before, but was rejected.
This is despite the fact that driving a car too close to a cyclist is already covered by dangerous driving laws which are enforceable.
The laws have been opposed in the past by a variety of motorcycle rider groups.
Motorcycle Riders Association of Australia spokesman Damien Codognotto says the proposed law may not be enforceable.
“Measuring the distance between a moving car and a bicycle is near impossible,” he says.
“Police would need a clear line of site to both the car and the bicycle and present measuring evidence reliable enough to be accepted by a court.
“This happens when a city-centric law makers make statewide decisions. “
He has called for statistics on car/bicycle crashes in states with the laws and the number fines issued.
“On roads with speeds over 60km/h the bicycle passing law generates deadly situations,” Damien says.
“To avoid fines, drivers swing wide crossing to the wrong side of the road. On the Great Ocean Road, and others like it, this law will contribute to the road toll not reduce it.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MX pros form Australian Motocross Group

Four of Australia’s most highly credentialed motocross industry professionals are joining forces to revitalise the Australian Motocross Championship.
MX legend Craig Dack from the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team, Gavin Eales from Serco Motorsport and Yarrive Konsky from Penrite Honda Racing have partnered with longtime Honda team owner and former Motorcycling Australia Motocross Commission chairman, Mark Luksich, to form Australian Motocross Group (AMG).
They have more than 100 years of combined experience in racing, athlete management, marketing, sponsorship activation, event promotion and sport administration.
The group hopes to develop a stronger and closer connection with Motorcycling Australia, over changes and innovations to improve motocross and supercross in Australia.
AMG’s first goal is a rebirth of the Australian Motocross Championship.
The group welcome input from pro and privateer riders, race teams, manufacturers, promoting clubs and the motorcycle industry, giving all parties a channel of communication direct to the sport’s national controlling body.
Craig says the Australian Motocross Championship will break new ground with the inclusion of a representative group formally recognised by Motorcycling Australia.
“We want the sport to realise its full potential,” he says.
“We all have a vested interest in the sport’s future and I believe AMG has a significant place in the sport, as riders, racers and teams all need a voice.”
Longtime race team owner and state and national event promoter, Yarrive says the formation of the AMG is “the single most important development in our sport”
“AMG has come together with the right mindset, as racing rivalries have been put aside in order to improve the sport’s reach and increase participation,” he says.
“Everyone in AMG has raced as privateers and all of us have developed business interests in the sport, so it’s in our best interest to see the sport become even more accessible for privateers to participate in, with safety, fun and cost as key points.”
Gavin says the sport sport “needs unification to give it greater credibility within the industry, along with local, state and national governments and the wider mainstream community”.
“The four of us coming together to form AMG shows our commitment for a unified front,” he says.
“Commercially, the off-road motorcycle industry is doing well at the moment despite the challenges of COVID-19, and we need to leverage the current success we are experiencing and get more people competing in motocross.”
Meanwhile, Mark has returned to the MA Motocross Commission and will be the main point of contact for AMG.
“Having previously chaired MA’s Motocross Commission I can see the importance of having a group like AMG involved at the highest levels of the sport,” he says.
“AMG is dedicated to racing, riders and the teams, and by working closely with MA, we plan to bring our experience and passion to assist in making the sport a stronger platform for all involved.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Desmo Highlight in Shannons Bike Auction

A limited-edition 2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR Eight is a highlight of eight Ducatis spanning 37 years in the Shannons Spring Timed Online Auction from 11-18 November 2020.
They are part of a collection of 37 classic and collectible motorcycles and scooters in the Australian auction which has a total of 176 lots on offer.
The 200hp RR is a road-going replica of the MotoGP machine ridden to victory by Australia’s Casey Stoner in 2007.
It is powered by a liquid-cooled, D16 989cc V-four engine, with a 13,800rpm redline and 300km/h plus top speed and six-speed gearbox.
It is number 606 of the limited edition of 1500 units built worldwide, with the first reportedly going to Hollywood actor and motorcycle fan Tom Cruise.
Only 120 were allocated to Australian customers at more than $100,000 each.
Yet Shannons expects it will fetch a “bargain” price of $65,000-$75,000.
Another highlight of the eight Ducatis on offer is a 1997 Ducati 916 Senna II which has just 11km on the odometer and is number 92 of 300 built.
The model was released to commemorate Formula 1 World Champion, Ayrton Senna, an avid Ducati enthusiast and owner who endorsed its release shortly before his death in May 1994.
Ducati released three Senna editions in 1995, 1998 and 2001. Net proceeds of their sale were donated to the Instituto Ayrton Senna charity.
It is expected to sell in the $45,000-$55,000 range.
Another collectible Ducati in the online auction is a 1986 Ducati Mike Hailwood 1000cc replica ‘Mille’, from the final year of production, regarded as one of the most collectible of these limited-edition bikes.
Introduced to celebrate the accomplishments of legendary motorcycle and F1 car race ace Mike Hailwood, the V-Twin 973cc MHR (Mike Hailwood Replica) arrived in 1984 as a replacement for the already potent 900 MHR.
The bike being auctioned is in original condition except for factory-optioned Conti mufflers.
Only 1100 Mille models were made in 1986, the final year of production. Shannons expects it to sell for $30,000-$38,000.
A Classic ‘Round Case’ 1974 Ducati 750 Sport Classic is expected to fetch a similar price.
Finished in the marque’s iconic yellow, the Ducati features Dellorto PHF32A carburettors, a steel fuel tank, Conti pipes, Borrani wheels and Brembo front brakes.
Last registered many years ago and stored for some time, the bike starts and runs well, but requires minor recommissioning.
There is also a 1973 classic bevel-drive Ducati 750 GT in original condition that comes to auction from a private collection.
About 823 were sold in Australia.
The 750 GT is expected to fetch $25,000-$30,000.
A potentially-cheaper alternative from the same era finished in period ‘orange’ is a 1978 Ducati 860 GT ‘Café Racer’ being offered with no reserve. It is expected to bring $15,000 – $18,000.
A late production 1988 750 F1 with updated spec is expected to sell for $20,000-$25,000.
Only 1801 of these bikes were produced from 1985-1986, plus 700 of the limited-edition versions.
The final bike in the Ducati lot is an original 1971 Ducati 450 Scrambler that inspired the modern range of Scramblers.
It comes in “excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition” and is expected to sell with no reserve in the $12,000 – $15,000 range.
The Sydney Auction showroom has re-opened under reduced hours of 10am-4pm, Monday – Friday; the Melbourne Auction showroom is closed due to Stage 4 restrictions.
For more details of all Shannons Spring Timed Online Auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Indonesia dominates! AKI2X wins out in second WINDTRE Rising

A new initiative for 2020, the WINDTRE Rising Stars Series is a new talent-spotting programme which required young hopefuls from around the world to tackle four Online Challenges in which Gamers are divided into three categories, depending on their location. These three are the Americas (North and South), Europe and Africa, and finally Asia and Oceania.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

BMW WorldSBK Team 3D Prints Parts Trackside Instantly

Race Teams Get the Coolest Stuff

The BMW WorldSBK Team is obviously on the cutting edge of motorcycle racing technology, but did you know the team also is on the cutting edge in terms of motorsports manufacturing? 

The team is actually using 3D printing right at the trackside. According to a recent press release from BMW, the team has a 3D printer right at the racetrack. This enables fast and efficient production of new prototype components right at the circuit.

This opens up all sorts of possibilities. Obviously, more important parts that are high stress would need to be tested before use, but some smaller, less stressed parts and components don’t have to be tested before they can be put into use.

bmw 3d printing

“This technology allows us to make improvements to the RR quickly and efficiently. The development of a WorldSBK bike is an ongoing process and it is often the minor details that make a motorbike better,” said BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers.

The 3D printers at the track do have limited capabilities. This means that for major adjustments, BMW will take what was created or learned at the track and then use them in its Additive Manufacturing Facility.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Tom Cruise Spotted on a Different BMW GS While Filming

Yet Another GS

A while back we reported on the Tom Cruise stunt that he did while filming the latest installment of the Mission Impossible movies. This new sighting of Tom Cruise on the set of Mission Impossible 7 has him riding a BMW GS motorcycle while looking rather dapper.

RideApart shared an Instagram post from olga_avventura who was spending time in Rome and just happened to see Tom Cruise outside a window of the apartment filming scenes for the new movie.

In the video (included below) you can see Cruise walk over to a GS and get on the bike. In the video, you can see that he looks up at the Instagrammer and says hello and tells her to have a nice day.

The motorcycle he’s riding looks like it’s outfitted with police gear and paint job. You don’t see Cruise ride the bike, it’s more like he’s just positioning the motorcycle for the shot. There’s a film crew behind him up the narrow street.

With all of the motorcycles in the movie, I’ll have to be sure and watch it. This one is far less exciting than the massive jump he recently did, but it’s a good indicator that there will be.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Bradl to continue in the Repsol Honda seat in Aragon GP

To date, Márquez is one of just two riders who have finished all the races, along with Taka Nakagami (LCR Honda Indemitsu), and confirmed his progress and adaptation to both MotoGP and the RC213V. On this track, the Cervera rider has been on the podium twice in the last four seasons (third in 2019 and second in 2016, in Moto2), and will be hoping for further success this weekend.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

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