Ducati looks like it is planning a GP-inspired Hypermotard 950 and a naked “streetfighter” version of its V4 Panigale.
A Hypermotard 950, customised by the company’s styling shop, Centro Stile Ducati, has won first place in the Concept Bikes: New Design and Prototypes by Manufacturers and Independents category at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este held at Cernobbio on Lake Como, Italy, at the weekend.
The concept features a compact full LED projector plus styling and technology inspired by the MotoGP bike.
The Hypermotard was introduced in 2005 and has been through many iterations.
Now it could have a GP-inspired version.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t have those ridiculous partially red tyres and rims!
Naked V4
There has been talk for some time of a naked version of its V4 Panigale for some time.
Now, Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine has released spy photos of a naked V4 being track tested.
Image: Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine
The blurry images show it has the V4 headlight, but only a lower fairing and bellypan like an Aprilia Tuono.
As a street fighter it gets MX-style bars rather than clip-ons.
Since the famous Pikes Peak Hillclimb in Colorado does not allow bikes with clip-ons, this could just be a prototype to run in the event which Ducati has won on several occasions.
The hillclimb is on June 24, so the track testing seems relevant.
But surely Ducati wouldn’t go to so much effort just for one race. We think a production version will not be far away.
Image: Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine
However, don’t expect the 1103cc engine to have the same 213 horsepower (158kW) as the V4.
No doubt they will tune it down for a street fighter version, probably just a little more than the Tuono’s 173hp (129kW).
For avid outdoor explorers, off-road bikes are a serious consideration or temptation. If you have never purchased an off-road bike, you may have a lot of questions as which bike is best for your adventurous lifestyle. Today we’ll highlight five of the top off-road bike models of 2019.
Honda CRF450L
The Honda CRF450L is a street legal dirtbike that has the best features that Honda has to offer, packed in a lightweight and easy to manoeuvre package. A true trail-to-trail bike, it features a powerful 449cc Unicam engine, twin-spar aluminum CRF chassis, six-speed transmission, and premium suspension.
This bike has an electric start and an all led-light package. It features a lithium-ion battery that is lighter than conventional batteries so you won’t have to worry about it weighing the bike down. The Honda CRF450L also has a number of features to make riding the bike a comfortable experience. These include a gear-driven counterbalancer that reduces vibrations and drives the water pump and a side stand that is now located higher on the bike than previous models. Additionally, the bike is equipped with a fuel mileage meter that shows current fuel mileage, your average fuel mileage, and how much gas you have used.
Kawasaki KLX450R
The Kawasaki KLX450R is another street legal dirtbike that is packed with cool features that newbies or experienced riders can appreciate. Some of these features include a high-performance 4-stroke engine that will provide you with all the power you need for your outdoor adventures. The bike features electric start and digital instrumentation which allows the rider to easily see what is happening in real time.
This bike also has smooth suspension so that you can stay as comfortable as possible whilst tackling the bumpiest of terrain. It is also equipped with powerful brakes that enhance the reliability this bike offers in challenging terrain. Lastly, this bike features a wide ratio 5-speed transition that was selected specifically for off-road riding. The design of the gear sets and center cases are compact which allows the bike’s frame to be narrower around the area where the riders’ ankles would rest.
Suzuki DR650S
The Suzuki DR650S is a motorcycle that can excel on the street or dirt paths. This bike definitely has the appearance of a typical motorcycle instead of a traditional racing dirt bike. It features a reliable, 644cc, oil-cooled, four-stroke, single engine carried in strong steel, and semi-double-cradle frame.
A cool feature of this bike is that the seat height can be reduced so a variety of riders can comfortably take it out for a spin. It features an electric start for a fast and easy way to get your trip started. This bike is also built for passengers. It features a long comfortable seat along with aluminium foot pegs and grab handles, all of which make riding it more comfortable to ride with a passenger.
Yamaha WR450F
The Yamaha WR450F is known for its potent fuel-injected engine and class-leading suspension. The potent fuel-injected engine includes a host of features that work together to give riders usable thrust and extended high rpm power. Yamaha utilizes KYB® spring-type forks of the WR450F to provide the bike which gives the rider easy tuneability in a wide range of conditions. Some new upgrades to the Yamaha WR450F from the previous model include a fuel level warning indicator and an aluminum folding kickstand that is mounted higher than before to allow for more ground clearance. Additionally, the Yamaha WR450F has now embedded Yamaha graphics so you won’t have to worry about them peeling or getting damaged.
KTM 500 EXC-F
The KTM 500 EXC-F is a bike designed for competition. All of its features are packed in a small package which means improved control for the rider even on the roughest terrain. This bike features a six-speed transmission. When you combine an engine that has the best of power and torque and cooling features, this bike is a notch above the rest. The bike is equipped with durable wheels that can hold up to any terrain that you feel the need to explore. The brakes on the bike are designed to hold up to quick decisions to stop or reduce your speed. The gas tank is designed to hold 2.5 gallons of gas at a time. Thanks to the see-through plastic tank, you’ll always be able to see how much time you have before your next fill up. KTM paid special attention to the details on this bike. Even the handlebars were specifically designed to give the rider customisable control. Another custom element to this bike is that you can pick decals to fit your unique style!
Overall, these are our five picks for the best off-road bikes on the market in 2019. They stand out from the rest due to their premium builds, flexibility and comfort. Whether you are looking for an off-road bike that has the appearance of a traditional dirt bike or a premium motorcycle, there is a bike on this list for you.
British car company Jaguar appears to be returning to its motorcycle roots with patents for an electric motorcycle, a hi-tech motorcycle jacket and head-up display helmet linked to the company.
However, the patent filings for some of the innovations have now been filed and assigned to Indian-owned Jaguar Land Rover which is a subsidiary of Tata Motors.
JLR’s InMotion Ventures is also a leading investor in Arc Vehicles which was founded by Mark Truman who used to run JLR Special Operations and its Whitespace skunkworks, where Arc was developed.
Does all this mean Jaguar may be making a return to motorcycles?
After all, the company started as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922 making motorcycle sidecars. Many other car companies, such as BMW, also started making motorcycles.
Arc Vector
Or does it simply mean the intellectual property in the patents will be assigned to future Jaguars and Land Rovers?
If the latter is the case, you may ask what use drivers would have for the motorcycle jacket that sends haptic alerts to riders if a collision is imminent.
However, that technology could be used to send haptic alerts to drivers through the seat or steering wheel.
As for the head-up display helmet technology, that could be used on the car windscreens.
Now BMW Motorrad has revealed its Concept R18 cruiser at the 90th the Concorso d’Eleganza show at Lake Como in Italy.
Surely this confirms that BMW will return to the cruiser market it abandoned 15 years ago.
BMW built the R 1200 C cruiser from 1997 to 2004. It was a flop, but in recent years has become a collector and customiser favourite.
BMW R 1200 C
Concept R18 cruiser was built for BMW Motorrad by Unique Custom Cycles of Sweden, so it’s not the final version that BMW is expected to release.
This is a simplistic model with minimalist design.
No doubt the Germans will give it some Bavarian hi-tech and quirky design as they did with the R nineT after Roland Sands designed the Concept 90.
RSD Concept Ninety
BMW R nineT
The R18 cruiser will be powered by the biggest boxer engine they have produced, believed to be 1798.4cc in an over-square configuration (107 x 100mm) which means the pistons are wider than they are long.
Otherwise, the heads would hang out so far you couldn’t lane filter!
It also means it should rev better than other big-bore cruisers.
Interestingly, it is not liquid cooled, but is likely to be twin spark to meet Euro 5 emissions standards coming in 2020.
Don’t be fooled by the Solex carburettors. They may just be dummies like when Triumph’s Bonnevilles went EFI.
As for the rest of the Concept R18 and a likely BMW production model, we should regard these words from BMW:
The BMW Motorrad Concept R18 is immediately recognizable as a genuine BMW: boxer engine, cradle frame, exposed universal shaft, and drop-shaped fuel tank with its black paintwork and hand-applied contrast lines interpret typical design icons of BMW Motorrad classics, while displaying confidence along with modern-style linearity.
Will BMW build it?
The market is ageing and mature riders love their cruisers.
Yet BMW has been reaching out to younger riders over the past 15 years with its adventure models, S 1000 derivatives and trendy R nineT.
But why should they not pay in a sector that continues to attract riders?
Over the years I have asked BMW executives whether they would return to the cruiser market and they have never said they wouldn’t.
India looks set to move most of its motorcycle and scooter production and sales to electric with government incentives over the next six to eight years.
The proposal was chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has been re-elected with more than 63% of the vote.
Election promises
Similarly, the recent Australian election campaign heard that the Coalition believes electric vehicles will make up 25-50% of new passenger vehicles by 2030, while Labor wanted a target of 50% and the Greens called for 100%.
Those targets are largely out of our hands as we no longer have a car industry.
Australian vehicle imports will be determined by foreign manufacturers who will probably reach those targets anyway. For example, Sweden will not be making any internal combustion vehicles by 2030.
But the electrification of India’s vehicle manufacturing industry is a far more significant move for the world.
India is one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing 4.6 millions cars last year.
It is also the biggest motorcycle and scooter market in the world with more than 21m sales a year.
Over the past two years sales of electric scooters in India more than doubled from 54,800 to 126,000, but it’s still only a small fraction of total sales.
Indian motorcycle companies Hero Electric, Ather Energy, Emflux, Twenty Two Motors and Okinawa produce electric scooters and motorcycles.
Emflux ONE electric motorcycle
Electric incentives
Prime Minister Modi had previously said all new cars and utility vehicles manufactured in the country would be electric by 2030, but he backed down after an industry backlash.
However, with his resounding victory at the polls he is expected to wind up his electric plan, particularly for powered two- and three-wheelers.
His draft plan recommends $1.4 billion in incentives for the manufacture and sale of electric motorbikes and scooters while penalising petrol-powered bikes.
LiveWire
It will be interesting to see if Harley-Davidson, who make their Street models in India, will also receive government incentives to produce and/or sell their upcoming LiveWire in India.
MV Agusta has announced on Instagram that it will produce the Superveloce 800 unveiled in concept form (above) last year at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.
The solo-seat Superveloce is not a new platform, but based on the F3.
It is likely to be a limited-edition run as most of their “new” models have been over the past few years.
Mv Agusta released this Instagram teaser photo of the Superveloce.
We are not sure how much of the concept will make it through to the production bike, but the concept is stunning.
It features a striking mix of carbonfibre fairing and yellow plexiglass windscreen and LED headlights.
From the teaser photo it appears they will stick with that gorgeous rear end which has to be the nicest in the motorcycling world.
Nice ass!
Up front we don’t expect the trendy yellow headlight will make it through the stringent Australian Design Rules.
The concept model’s fuel tank cap has a classic leather strap to secure the tank to the frame at the front and back. It would be nice if that design touch was retained.
Superveloce power
The F3’s 799cc engine has been remapped for more peak power. The F3 engine makes 110kW of power and 88Nm of torque. There is no word on what the production Superveloce will achieve.
MV Agusta has styled the asymmetric mufflers – two on the right and one on the left – to reflect their racing history.
Riding position and ergos are similar to the F3 800, including 805mm seat height, handlebars and adjustable footpegs.
Superveloce 800 also comes with a new TFT dashboard with dedicated graphics and new features. We expect it will include a host of electronic rider aids.
Harley-Davidson plans to produce a sub-500cc motorcycle for the Asian market in collaboration with a local manufacturer within the next year.
It wouldn’t be the smallest motorcycle they’ve ever made. That would be the 1970s 90cc monkey bike pictured above.
The sub-500cc bike plan is included in the company’s ‘More Roads’ initiative, a strategic long-term plan, says Harley head honcho Matt Levatich.
“More Roads progress in Q1 included steps towards a partnership for a premium small displacement offering in Asia, to expand our reach in that region,” he says.
“We are just over a year away from launching our first model that will help provide access to millions of customers in emerging markets in the region.”
Sub-500cc collaboration
The small-capacity bike will be built in collaboration with a “local” motorcycle manufacturer.
It seems strange that Harley would need a local partner as they already make the Street family of 500cc and 750cc motorcycles in India as well as Kansas.
The Indian-made Street models are sold in markets outside of Asia, including Australia and New Zealand.
However, there is no talk yet of the new sub-500cc bike being available in other markets.
Harley-Davidson Australia spokesman Keith Waddell says the company has confirmed to them that “motorcycles for Australia will not be assembled in Thailand”.
More Roads strategy
Small electric Harley
Pan America 1250
LiveWire
Streetfighter
Matt pointed out that their More Roads strategy was part of their business plan to deal with the “very real pressures we’re facing across the global motorcycle industry, including the impact of the ongoing trade wars”.
“Today we participate in segments that represent approximately 40% of the global 601+cc volume,” Matt says.
“When we deliver our new mid-weight motorcycles under More Roads, we will compete in segments representing nearly 90% of that global volume. Add to that, the opportunities we have in global lower displacement and electric segments.”
Last July, Harley announced a number of new models over the next couple of years.
Indian motorcycle is marking the 100th anniversary of the Scout model with a NOS custom drag bike with a dustbin fairing that looks like an old jet fighter plane.
The Appaloosa, named after America’s fast horse breed, is based on the popular FTR 1200.
It will compete in the quirky Sultans of Sprint series throughout Europe this northern summer.
The jet fighter-esque custom was piloted at the first event in Monza last weekend by Randy Mamola who came second in four 500cc GP championships in the 1980s.
Randy and the NOS Appaloosa
It will also be raced in June and August events and be displayed at various shows such as France’s Wheels and Waves festival in June.
NOS horsepower
Appaloossa is based on the new FTR 1200, but with a nitrous oxide system for drag racing boost to 130 horsepower, up from the FTR’s 100hp.
It was built by Brice Hennebert of Workhorse Speedshop in Belgium who cut and narrowed the tank to 2.5-litre capacity for sprint races.
Brice and the Appaloosa
They also had to swap the belt drive for a chain to handle the extra power and extend the rear swingarm to keep it on the ground.
Appaloosaalso features Öhlins STX 36 piggyback rear shock absorbers, Retro 43 front forks and steering damper.
Bringing the NOS-powered drag racer to a stop are Beringer 4D brakes.
FTR 1200
FTR 1200 base and S model
No, we don’t expect this will be the basis for a future FTR1200 variant, but we do expect more models in this popular family.
Meanwhile, the FTR 1200 is about to arrive in Australian showrooms in a basic model in black for $20,995 ride away and the FTR 1200 S in red and grey or titanium and black for $22,995.
It will also be available in a Race-Replica paint scheme with red frame matching the FTR750 race bike starting at $24,995 ride away in Australia. It comes standard with an Akrapovic exhaust.
The Ducati Desert Sled is the first of the modern scramblers that is actually a capable all-roader.
Many riders criticise the current trend to retro scramblers as not being true to the traditions of a scrambler that is light, low and off-road capable.
When Ducati introduce the Scramblers in 2015 they became an instant hit and are now the top-selling family in the Ducati fleet.
There are now seven in the range, but there have been 13 different incarnations already.
Last year they added the Desert Sled, which is cheekily named after Steve McQueen’s Triumph desert racer. Incidentally the original desert Sled sold at a Bonham’s auction in Las Vegas in January 2016 for $US103,500.
McQueen’s Desert Sled
The Ducati Desert Sled is a little cheaper at $16,990 for the black or $17,290 for this white model (plus on-road costs).
It comes with longer-travel suspension, a skinny 19-inch font wheel with knobby tyres, non-slip footpads with removable rubber inserts, motocross-style handlebars and a high front guard which make it more off-road capable.
Road test
All Ducati Desert Sled images by Mark Taylor of Clayfield Studio
When Brisbane Motorcyclesboss James Mutton offered us a ride on a Desert Sled we were keen to take him up on the offer and see if the bike silences the critics.
After less than one year on the showroom floor, the Desert Sled cashes in on a host of important 2019 updates to the Scrambler fleet including cornering ABS, a fuel gauge, a new LED headlight and self-cancelling LED indicators.
The Desert Sled also gets some cosmetic updates such as a red frame, new seat with colour-coordinated stitching and spoked wheels with black rims.
But most importantly it now features an Off Road Riding Mode that allows the rider to switch off the ABS, plus adjustable Kayaba suspension and engine skid pan.
Like the rest of the Scramblers, it’s light and low, but the taller suspension does make the 170kg Scrambler a little higher in the saddle at 860mm.
That’s 70mm taller than the others, but it is such a narrow seat that most people will still be able to get their feet down on the ground. You can also buy an 840mm low seats option.
And the seat and tank are so slim it is a joy to ride standing up when you’re racing through the bush. Just as well as the hard seat is not very comfortable for long highway stints.
Fresh rubber and engine
Our test bike was brand new with only a handful of kilometres on the clock and the knobby Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRtyres not even broken in yet.
The 803cc L-twin from the Monster 796 and 797 is a sweet engine that pulls well from the midrange and buzzes with excitement when you give it some revs.
It produces a healthy 56kW (75hp) of power at 8250rpm and 68Nm of torque at 5750rpm.
We didn’t throttle it during its running-in stage, but it doesn’t really need to be fed redline revs to get plenty of lively response, anyway.
The gearbox still felt a bit stiff and neutral was hard to find and there was the occasional false neutral.
It’s geared a little tall for single-trail off-loading, but it’s fine for most traffic and highway applications.
Despite fresh rubber, the tyres provided plenty of confidence on the tar.
I was able to get some good lean angles straight away with no flop feeling in the cornering despite the 19-inch high-profile front tyre.
Grip was also good and the bike steers precisely, although the front end does get a bit flighty over corrugations and it tracks a little in longitudinal road cracks.
Like most Ducatis with standard suspension it is over-sprung and under-damped, but a heavier rider than my 75kg might find the ride better.
Rough stuff
Once you hit the rough stuff, the stiffer springs make more sense and it rides out the bumps well.
The off-road setting lets you turn off the cornering ABS, but I found the ABS actually works really well on a loose-gravel road, so I left it on.
Switching it off is a bit of a chore and you have to be stopped to do it.
When you switch off the engine and switch back on again, it defaults to ABS on.
The wide 170mm rear tyre is one of the only drawbacks for dirt roads. It has resasonable go and stop grip, but it makes the bike very taily in corners.
The fuel gauge is a welcome addition to the single digital instrument pod, but it’s a messy and difficult to read display.
Also, the low fuel light comes on as soon as the gauge drops under half way. That’s annoying as you probably have more than 100km of range left in the 13.5-litre tank.
I also found the mirrors too high and wide and line up with the mirrors on SUVs andantes when lane filtering.
They also have a strange shape with a cutout that diminishes the rear view just where you need it.
Conclusion
The Desert Sled definitely silences the critics of modern scramblers.
It’s quite capable in the bush and feels light and low enough for even notices to manhandle down a gnarly track.
We suspect a Desert Sled version of the Scrambler 1100 may also be waiting in the wings to take on the very capable off-roading Triumph Scrambler 1200.
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled
Engine
803cc, V-twin, 4-stroke, air-cooled
Prices
$16,990 (Black), $17,290 (White) plus on-road costs
Suspension
Front: Kayaba 46mm fully-adjustable upside down front forks
Rear: Side-mounted rear shock adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping
Power
56kW @ 8250rpm
Brakes
Front: Single 330mm disc, Brembo four-piston caliper
The agreement was signed a couple of weeks ago, but it us still unclear where the scooters will be sold.
Apparently the scooters will be used as pit vehicles by the Ducati MotoGP team, but whether they will be available or sale anywhere outside of South East Asia remains a mystery.
We tried to contact Vmoto for comment and received this email reply from Super SOCO importer Urban Moto Imports:
We are still working through the processes and complexities that have arisen, and a press release is expected to be circulated in the coming days, which will explain what will happen in the future regarding these scooters.
Vmoto originally said the Ducati/Vmoto scooter would be marketed as a “high-end luxury product at a premium price” and sold globally over the next two years through the “existing worldwide distribution network”.
Meanwhile, Ducati Australia says they will not be sold here.
They emphasise that the scooters are not a Ducati product, but “an electric scooter that wears Ducati’s colours, no more than that under a licensing agreement”.
However, the deal does show that Ducati is not shrinking away from the coming electric two-wheel revolution.
In 2015, there was the e-Scrambler painted in Scrambler Urban Enduro colours. It was made under licence to Ducati by Italwin, an Italian company specialising in pedal-assisted electric bicycles.
In 2017, Ducati Western Europe managing director Edouard Lotthe said they were looking at both scooters and electrics, while VW Group Chairman Matthias Mueller said Ducati would have an electric motorcycle by 2020.
Ducati e-Scrambler
Ducati Zero electric concept
In the same year the Ducati Zero futuristic design concept was produced by the Milano Scuola Politecnica di Design (Design Polytechnic School).
In 2018, Ducati unveiled its first electric mountain bike, the MIG-RR.
Ducati MIG-RR electric mountain bike
And this year Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali admitted he rides a Hypermotard converted to electric power with a Zero FX powertrain and said the company is about to join the electric bike race.
“The future is electric, we’re not far from starting series production,” he said.
So there could be more electrics from Ducati soon, rather than just a licensing agreement for luxury scooters.
