Red Ducati 996 Motorcycles, page #50

Moto blog

Doug Polen Joins Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Former AMA and World Superbike Champion Doug Polen has been named to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame class of 2011. “Any fan of motorcycle roadracing will remember Doug’s amazing – and dominating – championship runs on the AMA and World Superbike stages,” says Don Rosene, a member of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation Board of Directors. “At a time when the series saw plenty of fast competitors, Doug was clearly the fastest.

Öhlins reveal new shock for the Diavel

Press release from Öhlins The exciting new Ducati Diavel has turned the world of motorcycling on its head, delivering the performance of a superbike with the attitude and street presence of a cruiser. Since its launch, the motorcycle press have heaped praise on this new concept from Ducati and now Öhlins has developed a replacement shock absorber that is certain to further enhance the Diavel’s already formidable reputation. This latest offering features external compression and rebound adjustors, plus a hose mounted hydraulic spring preload adjuster.

Leo Vince LV-ONE exhausts for Ducati Monster

Press release from MotoGB: For those Ducati Monster owners that only want to add pure Italian made products to their Ducati, then look no further.   Top Italian performance exhaust manufacturers, LeoVince, have just released some new slip-on exhausts, called the LV-ONE,  for the Monster.  After a years research into what customers want from an exhaust, namely high quality, better sound, better performance ...and all at a good price...LeoVince  came up with their LV-ONE design.  The casings special finish looks like titanium, the exhausts are all 'E' approved for road use, and finished off with their new techno-polymer tailcones.

Max points haul for Morris at Assen

Leon Morris (Buildbase/JHP Ducati) took both wins at Round Two of the Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge rounding out a very challenging weekend for all the rider and teams at Assen. The changeable weather conditions made for last-minute tyre decisions and tricky racing conditions as the rain came in heavy bursts throughout the weekend, leaving a number of riders out on track on the wrong tyres. Qualifying on Saturday was typical, as the weather rendered two of the three qualifying sessions damp, leaving only the early afternoon session in which all the riders posted a fast time.

848 Challenge heads to Holland

This weekend sees riders and teams heading across the North Sea to the famous Assen TT circuit for Round 2 of the Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge. After two stunning opening races at Brands Hatch BSB three weeks ago, the expectation is that the racing will be similarly closely fought and exciting at the historical home of bike racing. Leon Morris left Brands with a double win, continuing his strong form from last season and will no doubt be the man to beat in Assen, while Darren Fry, the current Champion, will hope for better luck this weekend after breaking his coccyx at Brands Hatch in a heavy crash. But the Buildbase/JHP Ducati team-mates will be wary of the challenge from Mike’Spike’ Edwards (MSKWorks.com), who will be riding his upgraded Ducati 848EVO for the first time this weekend, and Mark Cheetham (Shorrocks Motorcycles) and Kenny Gilbertson (Art of Racing/Boast Plumbing) who were the main challengers for podium finishes three weeks ago.

£4 part (almost) stops play

When I dropped off my trashed 848 to George White, along with a box of parts, I didn't realise how much work would be involved in preparing the bike for the 848 Challenge. If I did, I probably wouldn't have had the front to show up, point to a date on the calendar two weeks ahead, make everyone a cup of tea and then clear off. Truth be told, it's taken a huge effort to get the bike to a place where it's got everything it needs to go racing and I wouldn't be heading to Assen without the effort of Paul Sands (Sandzee) and Mike Collis at George White who worked all sorts of hours to get it sorted.

Pedrosa: most wins, least successful

Should Dani Pedrosa win at Le Mans this coming weekend he will become the most successful rider In the premier-class not to win the coveted title. After his triumph in Estoril the Repsol Honda rider currently finds himself on 13 wins and in joint first and a win, at a circuit that sees him rank as one of riders with the most victories in all classes, would make him a clear leader. Joining Pedrosa at the top of the ranking is Max Biaggi and Randy Mamola, two riders who became associated with the number two.

It started with a good clean...

"So when's your first race" says Paul Sands, George White main mechanic. "In 10 days' time" says I, wincing in anticipation of his response. To his credit, he didn't flinch.

Win a Ducati Diavel with Rizoma

Purveyors of motorcycle art Rizoma have put up the new Ducati Diavel as a prize in a unique art competition. 'Unlock Your Ideas' gives you a blank canvas to turn the range of Rizoma products into an inspired piece of artwork. Creativity is rewarded with the latest piece of Ducati art, the Diavel.

Nuggets from Estoril

 HRC Executive Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto and Ducati General Director Filippo Preziosi attracted some major media attention as they enjoyed a lengthy but very public chat in the Estoril paddock. Some speculated they were chewing the fat over Stoner’s brilliance now that even Rossi is struggling to get close to the podium on the D800cc Ducati. Others had no doubt it was the rule change for Moto GP machines moving to 1000cc in 2012 that was being debated.