Autoblog

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]

Ducati and its awe-inspiring 1098 has delivered a knockout blow to its competitors with the 2008 International Bike of the Year trophy, winning the coveted award with 22 total votes, 13 higher than the next closest motorcycle, the Triumph Street Triple. This award goes to the best motorcycle of the year and is voted on by 15 independent motorcycle publications. Not only did Ducati take the top spot overall, it dominated the charts by also snagging ties for third place with the 1098S, sixth place with the Desmosedici and seventh with the Hypermotard. That's an impressive feat by any measure, but perhaps even better news for the iconic Italian company is that consumers seem to overwhelmingly agree with the choice. For the first time ever, the IBOTY held an online poll to accompany its official vote and the 1098 took first place there too with 996 votes. Second place went to the Desmosedici, third went to the 1098S and eighth was taken by the Hypermotard.

Ducati has been on a role lately, also scoring the "Best Bike of the Year" award from the Supertest World Association. These awards are going to very deserving bikes, which are also translating directly to Ducati's best sales numbers ever. We look forward to seeing the coming response to Ducati's winning streak from the drawing boards of the competition. It's truly a good time to be a sportbike enthusiast.

Related:

• Ducati 1098 R: 180 horsepower, 364 pounds, traction control... il più bello

[Source: Cycle World]

Love the idea of an Italian twin but worried you'll see yourself coming and going a little too often? Consider the Bimota DB7, which uses Ducati's 1098 Testastretta Evoluzione engine. The price (if you need to ask...) will likely keep this one from getting into the hands of your riding buddies, so you'll be sure to have the only one at your local hangout; and you'll be the envy of everyone else in attendance.

The chassis is a mix of tubes and machined plates, as is the swingarm. Both are beautiful to behold, as is the bodywork - made up of structural carbon fiber, eliminating the need for separate subframes front and rear. The end result is an extremely lightweight bike at just 375 pounds. Rounding out the package are fully adjustable Marzocchi Corse forks, an advanced Extreme Tech rear shock, forged alloy wheels and radially mounted Brembo brakes. This truly is a beautiful bike, and the price will surely reflect the design and engineering that went into its development. Unfortunately... we're not worthy!

[Source: Bimota]