Autoblog

Ducati debuts three new bikes at EICMA 2012

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, Motorcycle

The minds at Ducati have been busy lately. The Italian manufacturer pulled back the curtains on three new machines at the 2012 EICMA International Motorcycle Show, including the water-cooled 2013 Hypermotard. Using and 821cc variant of the company's Testastretta 11-degree DS V-twin, the Hypermotard dishes out 110 horsepower and 65.8 pound-feet of torque thanks in part to a smaller bore and longer stroke than the standard 848cc engine. The revised Hypermotard tips the scales at 436.5 lbs fully fueled and boasts Kayaba front forks with 6.7-inches of travel. Out back, a Sachs rear shock serves up 5.9-inches of flex, though the Hypermotard SP delivers more inches in both categories.

By most accounts, the Ducati Diavel is as wicked a cruiser as you're likely to find, but that didn't stop engineers from pouring a few tricks from the Ducati Performance line onto the bike. The result is the 2013 Diavel Strada. Designed to serve up easy miles, the new bike offers up a larger windscreen, slightly higher handlebars with heated grips and a gel seat. There's also a higher capacity generator on board to help power additional electronics via two 12-volt ports.

Then there's 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale R. A subtly tweaked version of last year's bike, the 2013 model now features a 500 rpm rev boost thanks in part to light-weight titanium connecting rods and a lightened flywheel. There's also a four-point adjustable swing arm for the first time, and a full race exhaust and ECU helps the bike spit out 201 horsepower on the top end. More importantly, Ducati says the Panigale R now generates 15 percent more mid range power. Want one? Better pull a stinking $29,995 from your wallet.

Ducati debuts three new bikes at EICMA 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Ducati name nearly as recognizable as Apple

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Motorcycle

2011 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

In a study conducted by Brandchannel, a company that tracks product placement in movies, Ducati tied for second with Audi behind Apple as the most-recognized brand. The recognition isn't surprising, given Ducati's supporting roles in Tron Legacy, Knight and Day, Takers and The Expendables, among other recent films.

Ducati says that the response it received for a Hypermotard's role in Knight and Day has been phenomenal. (Nevermind that some of the more dangerous stunts were performed on an Aprilia SXV 550 because the Hypermotard was deemed too heavy.)

Ducati being Ducati, officials swear they don't pay for any of the product placement they enjoy in Hollywood. Producers choose their bikes for movies because the brand is so well recognized and prestigious. Hmmm...

Gallery: Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Special Edition

[Source: VisorDown]

Report: Ducati name nearly as recognizable as Apple originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz introduce the "Faux-cati" in Knight and Day *Update

Devon Brozek — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle, Celebrities, Specialty

Let's just say even we don't know how to get our hands on one of these. Click above for high-res image gallery

When we first caught sight of Roy Miller on his shiny new Ducati, sporting that great hair, some solid leather heals and a denim shirt rolled up just enough to let the world now that he means business, we're not going to lie, a little bit of jealously came out of nowhere and smacked us in the face. Hey, he even has June Havens clinging tight for safety... its enough to make any man rush out and buy a new Hypermotard, right? Ducati certainly hopes so!

Much more than a brief glance at this Hyper will reveal that, unless your name is Tom Cruise, the chances of getting your hands on one like the bike from the movie may be only slightly better than Stanley McCrystal's hopes to spend fourth of July with the Obamas. What we have here folks is a genuine Faux-cati.

So just what the heck is this creation, and more importantly, why? A close look at the two-sided swing-arm, the single front brake rotor and silver forks would immediately tip us off to the bikes real identity... its an Aprilia SXV. Well fine, it was all of that stuff, and the fact that it says Aprilia on the side of the motor. Certainly, a heck of a lot of time and effort went into making this Aprilia look like a Ducati. Why though would such an elaborate transformation take place?

We can only assume that girth was the number one factor. The extra hundred-plus pounds of the real Ducati must have been too much - even for a super cool action star with great hair - to pull off. No doubt the longer travel suspension of the Aprilia made theatrical stunts much easier to perform as well. Who knows, maybe Tom just couldn't choose which one he liked more so he said "give me both." Whatever the reason, keep your eyes peeled during the movie, see if you can spot the elusive Faux-cati for yourself. Now where can we get some of those great boots?

*UPDATE: Apparently, this bike was created for an ESPN promotion of some sort. Ducati reports that all the bikes used in the actual movie were in fact full-fledged Hypermotards. Of course, that doesn't change that the bike pictured above indeed an Aprilia wearing Ducati bodywork.

Gallery: Faux-cati

[Source: Hell for Leather]

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz introduce the "Faux-cati" in Knight and Day *Update originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Flat-out shocker! Ducati takes win in flat track season opener

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 08 May 2010 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle, Racing

You wouldn't know it from the average chromed-out Road King that rides by you on your way to your favorite off-highway destination, but Harley-Davidson actually has an extremely impressive racing heritage. That's especially true when talk turns to flat track racing, where the Bar-and-Shield brand's XR750 has taken top honors for nearly two decades straight.

In other words, last Saturday's Grand National Flat Track victory at Arizona's Yavapai Downs Mile by Joe Kopp aboard a custom-framed, air-cooled Ducati flat track racer is nothing if not historic. The feat is even more impressive considering that Ducati's flat track effort only began last year and this was the Italian marque's third race in competition. The powerplant used in the Ducati racer was borrowed from the company's Hypermotard 1100 EVO.

The racing was close throughout, with Kopp drafting past Sammy Halbert's Harley-Davidson XR750 on the race's final lap. The margin of victory was just .024 of one second. Nicely done! Check out the official press release from Ducati after the break.

[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading Flat-out shocker! Ducati takes win in flat track season opener

Flat-out shocker! Ducati takes win in flat track season opener originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 May 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: Ducati/Piaggio merger in the works?

Devon Brozek — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Motorcycle, Rumormill

Could it be true? The rumormill is running overtime with reports of a potential merger between a pair of our favorite two-wheeled giants: Ducati and Piaggio.

Piaggio has no comment on the matter, refusing to either confirm or deny the supposed Ducati deal. Still, we can't help but run through the what-ifs, assuming there's a shred of truth to this. Perhaps we'll finally see some stability in the U.S. surrounding the many great brands under Piaggio's roof.

Could Piaggio's broad scope of product (currently offered throughout the Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia lines), coupled with the stable dealer network Ducati has built, be the recipe for a successful challenge to rivals from Japan and beyond? Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

[Source: Motoblog.it via Two Wheels Blog]

Rumormill: Ducati/Piaggio merger in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP induces grins, wheelspin and wheelies

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle, New Car Reviews

Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're going to get ahead of ourselves a little bit with our review of the new Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP. We spend lots of time riding various two- and four-wheeled vehicles, and very few - indeed, possibly none at all - garner the same kind of ear-to-ear grins as Ducati's oversized supermoto. It's totally ridiculous and absolutely wonderful.

Sure, it's fast. Yes, it's beautiful. But what is this bike's mission in life? Is it meant solely as a hooligan machine with either the front or rear wheel aloft at any given moment? Is the temptation to leave black stripes and huge plumes of white smoke in your wake from every single stop too much to overcome? We spent 10 days using the latest edition of Bologna's finest all-road rocket for everything from runs to the grocery store to riding two-up for a leisurely Sunday morning ride to an out-and-out battle with the local twisty roads strewn about with pebbles and potholes. Read on to find out what we found.

Gallery: Review: Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP

Continue reading Review: Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP induces grins, wheelspin and wheelies

Review: Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP induces grins, wheelspin and wheelies originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ducati updates Hypermotard 1100, adds new EVO and SP models

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO - Click above for high-res image gallery

Following the release of the $9,995 Hypermotard 796, it was pretty obvious that Ducati would have some updating to do on its bigger 1100cc brother. After all, with a power-to-weight ratio within spitting distance, it seemed tough to justify the price increase for the bigger model. Not surprisingly, then, Ducati has just released all the details on the 2010 Hypermotard 1100, and it's got all the right boxes checked: 15 pounds lighter, five more horsepower and an $11,995 starting price.

The new base 1100 is now called the EVO, and it weighs 379 pounds dry and puts out 95 horsepower and 76 lb-ft of torque. New vacuum-cast engine cases join a magnesium alternator cover, a superbike-spec flywheel from the 848 and rare-earth magnets in the generator assembly help the latest Desmodue engine drop 11.5 pounds. Like the smaller 796, the new EVO eschews the previously-forged chassis bits for lighter pieces without sacrificing performance.

Also new for 2010 is an uprated 1100 EVO SP model for $14,995 that has higher ground clearance, upgraded suspension bits, Brembo Monobloc brake calipers, Marchesini wheels and a few external carbon fiber components. Want to know more? All the sordid details can be found in the press release after the break and we've added a high-res image gallery for your viewing pleasure below.

Gallery: 2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO and SP

[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading Ducati updates Hypermotard 1100, adds new EVO and SP models

Ducati updates Hypermotard 1100, adds new EVO and SP models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ducati launches 2010 Hypermotard 796, prices it below $10K

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

Ducati Hypermotard 796 - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no doubt that the Ducati Hypermotard is one of the most talked about new motorcycles in recent memory, but at $14,995, it is priced out of many buyer's budgets. If you're slightly shy of coin, we have some good news to share: Ducati has just officially announced the Hypermotard 796, and it carries a more reasonable $9,995 asking price.

At this point, Ducati isn't saying much about the new engine that powers the Hypermotard 796, except that it's air-cooled, sports two valves per cylinder and puts out 81 horsepower and 56 lb-ft of torque. We've heard, though, that the new mill will displace around 800cc and is a development of the mill used in the Monster 696. Those power figures coupled with the new bike's low 368-pound (unverified at this point, naturally) package provide an attractive power-to-weight ratio.

Other features will include an APTC clutch and a single-sided swingarm along with redesigned top and bottom fork clamps and a revised steel trellis frame. Color options will include Ducati red and matte black in addition to the cool matte white scheme seen in our photo gallery below. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: Ducati Hypermotard 796

[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading Ducati launches 2010 Hypermotard 796, prices it below $10K

Ducati launches 2010 Hypermotard 796, prices it below $10K originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Ducati Hypermotard featured in Terminator Salvation

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Motorcycle, Celebrities

Click above to watch the video

Imagine for a moment that you are an artificially intelligent computer system with plans to kill off all humanity in a post apocalyptic future. Got it? If you were to pattern your two-wheeled robotic progeny after an individual motorcycle design, what would you choose? The answer, at least according to Terminator Salvation director McG (yes, that's really the name he goes by), is the Ducati Hypermotard.

We can't really fault the choice of the hooligan Hypermotard as the bike to shoot pre-processed scenes of motorcycling mayhem, as the naked bike is more than capable of supporting the kind of stunt riding necessary to shoot the film.

Here's something we could do without, however: In one of the corniest lines we've heard in a good long time, McG seems to channel his inner Schwarzenegger, saying, "The bikes came through like champions... and terminated the competition!" Seriously, was that really necessary? See the footage after the break.

[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ducati Hypermotard featured in Terminator Salvation

VIDEO: Ducati Hypermotard featured in Terminator Salvation originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Autocar pits the Caterham R500 against a Ducati

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Motorcycle

There's no arguing that the Caterham R500 is an amazing piece of four-wheeled machinery. In fact, it may just be the quickest way around a race track short of a Formula 1 car. We're equally as certain that the Ducati Hypermotard is an awesome motorcycle, so putting both of these performers on the same track and letting them have at it is certain to entertain. Autocar must have thought so, too, and udging by the video posted after the break, the event didn't let anybody down. As is usually the case when a bike is put up against a car, the race was close. In the longer straight sections of the track, the Duck's power-to-weight ratio allows it to pull away from the Caterham. The Caterham, with twice the number of contact patches, easily out-brakes the Ducati rider and can carry more speed throughout the turn. So, is the race that will finally put an end to the age-old question about which is faster around a given course? Probably not, but it sure is fun to watch. Want to know who won? Hit the jump, and be sure to pay attention as the Caterham goes airborne.

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading VIDEO: Autocar pits the Caterham R500 against a Ducati

VIDEO: Autocar pits the Caterham R500 against a Ducati originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 May 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Your daily dose of Ducati news, featuring the Desmosedici RR

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Motorcycle

We've received official word from Ducati that it's extending the planned production run of Desmosedici RR bikes from 1,250 to 1,500 in an effort to meet demand. If you've already got an order in, you are all set, and Ducati promises that all of the 1,500 bikes will be delivered to owners by the end of 2008. So, if you don't have your order in... call now! The first 500 or so bikes will be delivered to owners of the 999R who have also placed orders for the new Desmosedici RR.

For those of you who aren't aware of the Desmosedici RR, tune into SPEED TV the next time Moto GP racing is on and keep an eye out for the bike in the lead. That will probably be the racing version of this bike ridden by Casey Stoner. The new RR is the first road-going version of a Moto GP bike that you can actually buy and register at your local DMV. Unlike most Ducati streetbikes, the RR features a V4 engine, although the angle is still set at the same 90-degrees of Ducati's traditional V-Twins. While the race bikes were forced to go down to 800cc's for competition this year, the street version still has the full liter that was originally intended for the bike. Peaking at around 200 horsepower or so with a weight of under 400 pounds, none of the 1,500 lucky owners are likely to be let down by Ducati's latest product of moto-lust.

While the Desmosedici RR leads Ducati's line of bikes this year, let's face the facts here: you and I will probably never ride one. So after the jump you'll find some news about Ducati bikes you can actually afford.

[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading Your daily dose of Ducati news, featuring the Desmosedici RR

Your daily dose of Ducati news, featuring the Desmosedici RR originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments