When it comes to proving a point on a motorcycle, there are two good ways to get it done. The first thing to do is keep your mouth shut and let your results speak for themselves. The second is to repeat the process as often as possible! If Ducati was out to prove the point that their all-new Multistrada was capable of taking on the biggest, baddest bikes on the planet, in one of the most respected and feared formats on or off the pavement, than we must say... mission accomplished.

Ducati's freshman effort racing the Multistrada 1200S at "The Peak" in the 1205-or as we like to call it, the Big Boy-class was a great success as not one, but two Multistradas took the high and low position on the podium, locking up fist and third. Of interest was winning pilot Greg Tracy's comments about his victorious factory Ducati: "This is my first year on a factory motorcycle and I'll tell you that bike was box-stock. It had some carbon, and few tweaks and that was it." From what we can see, other than a few bolt-on items, suspension tweaks and special paint, it appears that Mr Tracey is telling the truth.

Although all of this leaves us very impressed, wanting nothing more than to get our hands on a shiny new Muti and head for the nearest fourteener, it must be mentioned that the win comes in a class lacking some of the major competitors who traditionally show up to send a beast up the hill (including BMW). But hey, maybe Ducati will have so much confidence leaving Colorado they can challenge BMW to a head-to-head Mini versus Porsche type shootout? For now, we'll just say congratulations to Ducati, Greg Tracey and Alexander Smith for some fine work. Hit the break to read the full press release straight from the horse's mouth.

Gallery: 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200

[Source:Ducati]

Continue reading Pikes Peak 2010: Ducati takes top honors in the "big boy" class aboard stock Multistrada

Pikes Peak 2010: Ducati takes top honors in the "big boy" class aboard stock Multistrada originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Recently, we reported the scheduled release of an all-new motorcycle hailing from Germany, known to us only as Das Neue Motorrad, the news came with much anticipation, the excitement being twofold. First, the prospect of finally seeing a new motorcycle from the land of Bavaria, a place with such a rich two-wheeled history but very few modern offerings, and second the secrecy leading up to the release, coupled with the companies claims to offer "revolutionary designs" and an engine concept "currently seen nowhere in the industry" which peaked the interest of moto-junkies around the globe.

As the smoke has cleared and rumors ceased, lifting of the veil has exposed Horex as the new motorcycle brand from Germany. So just how do they define revolution? That would be with a supercharged 15-degree monoblock V6, of course. Horex is said to have patented the VR6 configuration for two-wheeled vehicles. The compact design allows for fitment of six rounds in a space traditionally fit with four. For additional 'whee-factor,' a radial supercharger feeds the 1200cc beast,producing a tractable delivery of the claimed output of 198hp and 110 lb-ft of torque, which is routed to the tarmac via belt drive.

The chassis and suspension wrapping that powerplant compete a package that not only looks legit, but should also live up to performance expectations. 50mm forks sort out the bumps and the attached dual-radial-mounted brakes should have no trouble halting the Horex from substantial velocities. From the looks of things, the frame and swing-arm components appear to exhibit top-notch fit and finish. The styling is definitely of a classic nature, minus the ram-air type intake ports on the front of the fuel tank.

The price of admission will be €20,000 ($24,600 USD), and that's only if you are in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, but at least it probably includes taxes. We'll have to wait and see what exchange rates are when the Horex finally makes it to the rest of Europe and the U.S.

The irony in all of this is that Horex is not new at all - it's a reincarnation of the classic brand founded in 1923 which produced motorcycles up until Daimler-Benz purchased the company and ceased bike production in 1960. So make that Germany's newest-old motorcycle company, for the record. Revolutionary?...well, probably not, we just can't wait to hear the exhaust note!

Gallery: 2011 Horex motorcycle

[Source: Horex]

2011 Horex defines revolution as a supercharged VR6 in a retro-standard package originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Emerging from behind a veil of secrecy, we were recently introduced to a new motorcycle manufacturer based out of the über cool home of Oktoberfest. With the promise of German engineering galore, this little-known company seems to have an heir of legitimacy behind them thus far. After all, it would seem that the country largely believed responsible for the "birth of the motorcycle" would have more than a single marquee brand in cycles, adding diversity to the current state of Roundel dominance in Bavaria.

Das Neue Motorrad - meaning "the new motorcycle" - is the only name identifying the company at this time, embodying a statement while providing a title in one swoop. The road leading to the bike's official worldwide release has been marked out by breadcrumbs in the form of small bits of information being released in five stages... until finally, on June 15, it will be unleashed on the masses. What little bit we do know is that the project has been years in the making, and was birthed from an unlikely collaboration between riding enthusiasts with a vision for greatness.

The most recent tidbit of news centers on the bike's proposed powerplant. Addressing the speculation of electric motivation, the company says its design is based on "a very efficient combustion platform," even indicating multiple cylinders but leaving the exact number as a mystery for now. Added to this was the promise, "Our engine concept is based on one currently found nowhere in the motorcycle world." We cannot help but be left with an almost giddy anticipation, coupled with the potential to be thoroughly disappointed if this claim is not substantiated. Stay tuned for updates as the countdown progresses and "the new motorcycle" comes to life.

Gallery: Das neue Motorrad

[Source: Das Neue Motorrad via news.motorbiker.org]

Secrets Revealed: Germany's Das Neue Motorrad set to release all new production motorcycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 May 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Anniversary BMW GS

Special Editions All Around: BMW celebrates 30 years of the GS with new models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: 2010 BMW R 1200 RT

Continue reading BMW updates 2010 R 1200 RT with DOHC engine, revised fairing and ESA II

BMW updates 2010 R 1200 RT with DOHC engine, revised fairing and ESA II originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading BMW motorcycle garage door opener is domestic bliss

BMW motorcycle garage door opener is domestic bliss originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: BMW Lo Rider Concept Renderings

BMW shows off a slew of custom Lo Rider renderings originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: BMW LO Rider concept

BMW introduces LO Rider motorcycle concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: 2009 BMW F 650 GS

Continue reading BMW F 650 GS gets reintroduction to the U.S.

BMW F 650 GS gets reintroduction to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's been long-rumored that BMW is considering a campaign in the Superbike racing world with a machine inspired by the bikes from Japan. In fact, test mules have been seen lapping racing circuits with Yamaha R6 bodywork, meaning that the chassis and engine are quite compact for this class. BMW has made liter-bikes before, but none have used the industry-standard chassis layout placing the four-cylinder engine transversely between the frame rails with chain-drive and upside-down forks. It will be interesting to see what engineering details BMW chooses to utilizes, because they never do anything exactly like everybody else. The bike should make 190 horsepower or more to do battle in Superbike racing if they want to be competitive. The above image was commissioned by Motociclismo and may be fairly accurate since we already know so much about what will be underneath the skin.

Like the Aprilia RSV-4, the BMW will give riders, racers and spectators a few interesting story-lines when World Superbike starts back up for the 2009 season.

[Source: Motociclismo via Hell for Leather Magazine]

BMW K1000R - coming to a dealership, and race track, near you? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

BMW has been known to come up with some interesting motorcycle designs, such as the Telelever, Duolever and Paralever suspension configurations. The above image, taken from a recent patent application, proves that the fertile engineering minds at BMW haven't stopped trying to improve the basic two-wheels-and-an-engine ethos of the motorcycle. Using a flexi-frame which pivots and hinges at most any conceivable location, the computer controlled chassis would be able to right itself even when the rider or outside influences would dictate a crash.

We don't have any real specifics to report on, but we'd imagine that some accelerometers and gyros must be in use here... or maybe a Wiimote or two?

Gallery: Uncrashable BMW Motorcycle

[Source: Motorcycle News]

An uncrashable motorcycle from BMW? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

click above image to view more pics of the BMW F800 GS

BMW has extended its GS range with the new F800 GS adventure-style bike... and it's about time! We've been hearing rumors about this particular machine since just after the original F 800 bikes were initially launched. Time will tell if this new smaller, gentler GS will be worth the wait, but initial impressions are favorable. Featuring an engine based on the parallel-twin from the F-Series is a good start, and the new trellis-style chassis, Marzocchi 45mm inverted fork with an attached 21-inch spoked rim keep the good news rolling.

If all of the above sounds good to you, we hope that propping yourself 34.6 inches above terra-firma doesn't give you vertigo, although you can get an inch lower with an optional seat. Regarding the questionable 'bird-that-just-got-knocked-in-the-head' look of that front end, well... that's BMW Motorrad for you. They've been giving their bikes that one-big, one-small eye quizzical face for a few years now and we're getting used to it. We could also get used to venturing off the beaten path whenever we feel like it, so we're genuinely pleased to see BMW offer this model for sale here in the States.

[Source: BMW]

Gallery: BMW F800 GS

Milan 2007: BMW finally unveils the F800 GS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I ran across this posting over at Motorcycle News and thought I would share my findings with the rest of the class. A man by the name of Oberdan Bezzi has his own blog where he sketches his two-wheeled fantasies and posts them for all to see. That takes some guts, unless, of course, you are extremely talented, which we think Oberdan qualifies as. As we are a site that obsessively covers the automotive industry first and foremost, we think you should take a look at his ideas on the types of bikes companies such as Audi, Mercedes Benz and Bugatti could produce. BMW already produces motorcycles, but he tackles the Bavarian automaker anyway. Now that you have started off with those, feel free to take a look at some of his other designs and notice how he integrates well known styling cues from major manufacturers into his designs. Very good work indeed!

[Source: Motosketches via Motorcycle News]

Motosketches' auto-inspired two-wheeled designs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2007 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.