Autoblog

Ducati is about to release a new naked performance bike, but it's not a Monster. The Italian motorcycle manufacturer has decided that all Monsters should be air-cooled, and so its liquid-cooled naked bikes will carry a new name. The 1099cc V-Twin engine comes from the firm's superbike range and pumps out 155 horsepower and 87.5 lb-ft of torque. That's plenty of arm-stretching power for a naked bike, and we're sure the Streetfighter will be quite the hooligan machine. This new platform has much more angular and menacing looks than its little Monster brother and carries the stacked exhaust cans from high-spec versions of the previous-gen Monster.

The S model gets the expected Öhlins suspension upgrades along with Marchesini forged aluminum wheels; bronze-painted frame, wheels and swingarm; carbon fiber bits plus electronic goodies like standard traction control and data acquisition. Ducati's got a short teaser on its home page and reveals that all the goods will be available shortly. Expect the price to fall in the mid-teens and the waiting list to start at your local Ducati dealership.


[Source: Hell For Leather, Motorcycle News]

Whenever an icon like the original Ducati Monster is restyled, the results are sure to be controversial. That was the case last year when the Italian bike-maker launched the Monster 696, the only naked sportbike from Ducati using the new design for the model year. As expected, 2009 brings an 1100cc addition to the new Monster range powered by the same air-cooled Desmo engine from the Multistrada and Hypermotard, though possibly updated with new cases for this application. Power output stands at 95-horsepower at 7500rpm and 79.5 lb-ft of torque at 6000rpm. It's that torque figure that will be most appreciated over that of the 696, which still remains available for '09.

A single-sided swingarm makes the new 1100 stand apart from its smaller sibling, as do the slightly more massive dual exhausts. Both a standard Monster 1100 and a S-model will be available, the latter of which will include a fully adjustable 43mm titanium nitride coated forks and a new progressive rear shock from Ohlins. A few extra carbon fiber bits help drop 2.2-pounds from the 1100's 371-pound dry weight and gold wheels give it some instant visual pizazz. All the details are available in the press release after the break. *Updated with larger gallery.

Gallery: Ducati Monster 1100 and 1100 S

Gallery: Ducati Monster 1100

[Source: Ducati]

Click above for more spy shots of the Ducati Monster 1100

You knew that Ducati wouldn't go too long without upgrading its modern-classic Monster line. Last year, the only option available for fans of the original naked bike was the entry-level 696 engine. While that machine, with its throaty V-Twin and brand new chassis, was definitely a good bike, those looking for a bit more power either had to move on up the Italian manufacturers line or look elsewhere. As expected, Ducati will rectify that problem this year by dropping its excellent Dual Spark 1100cc air-cooled engine inside the Monster's shapely new trellis frame. Along with the engine upgrade, a single-sided swingarm spices things up at the rear and much improved Brembo radial mount brakes should equal huge and controllable stopping power. We're certain that the new Monster will make its formal debut at one of the upcoming motorcycle shows in Europe. Until then, enjoy these grainy spy shots.


[Source: Ducati Monster Club via Motorcycle News]

Any casual Autoblog reader will know about our love for automotive-inspired watches, like the ones that made our Top 10 list back in December '06. But while our coverage of motorcycles remains occasional, when it comes to timepieces, what works for four wheels works just as well on two. Take the latest Ducati watch collection from Breil, for example. It incorporates the same sort of octane-infused design as the automotive-inspired models from other companies.

Above on the left is an enticing example from the Ducati One Collection, encasing an ETA 2824 automatic movement in 42mm of black titanium with a face displaying the movement like the brake disc on a Ducati bike. A motorcycle-style tread pattern features prominently on the rubber strap, and the watch will run you $1,175. On the right is its compatriot from the Desmo collection, with a Ronda 5030 quartz chronograph movement in a stainless-steel 44mm case held down by screws and a adjusted via an anodized red crown. That one's $1,095. While the watches themselves won't have us popping wheelies and dragging our knees through sweeping bends just yet, they certainly capture the notion beautifully.

[Source: Luxist]

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]

click on the above image to view a high-res gallery of the VW GX3

Ferdinand Peich, the Chairman of Volkswagen, wishes that the German automaker had purchased Ducati all the way back in 1985 when the iconic Italian motorcycle marque was experiencing financial troubles and was for sale. "I would still like a small, valuable motorcycle manufacturer," says the 71-year-old Peich, who rides a Ducati himself. Considering the close ties that Volkswagen has with Porsche, which helped create Harley-Davidson's sportiest models, we could imagine some amazing two-wheeled creations rolling out of Wolfsburg. In fact, there's a certain three-wheeler called the GX3 that we'd love to see back in the product pipeline ASAP.


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Over the weekend, Dylan Weiss from Cry Havoc Productions, Inc. let us know that his latest motorcycle-specific documentary went live at Discovery's Turbo online site. We've spent some time watching the footage, and we think it's awesome. Focusing in on Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW, Ducati, MV Agusta and Bimota, the crew took plenty of footage home with them and managed to ride some of the greatest modern sportbikes ever created along the way. Best of all, over four hours of video is available online for free at their mini-site, broken down into 50 segments.

The whole shebang was shot in High Definition, so we have some serious hopes that it will air on The Discovery Channel, be offered on DVD or both. It's extremely entertaining and we definitely recommend checking it out. Thanks for the tip, Dylan!

[Source: Cry Havoc Productions, Discovery Turbo]

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]

click above for a full gallery of Ducati 1098 R images

This is truly the best Ducati bike that you are likely to get your hands on, considering that the Desmosedici RR MotoGP replica is probably out of reach and certainly sold out. Don't feel bad, though, 'cause the 1098 R is a most excellent consolation prize. We never did hate on the 999 like many Ducati loyalists seemed to, but we still recognize the 1098 R as a vast improvement. The details read as you might expect, such as the bigger bore, bigger stroke, bigger valves, and bigger throttle bodies housed inside the sand-cast engine cases that ought to adequately hurtle the Öhlins TTXR single rear shock and fully adjustable 43 mm Öhlins fork with low friction Titanium Nitride towards the next apex. Keeping up appearances is the carbon fiber bodywork, tri-colored color scheme (plus natural carbon fiber finish) and gold Marchesini Y-shaped forged wheels. Bello indeed.

Leading the list of electronic goodies is the traction control system, which is enabled with the included track-only ECU tuning. We imagine, however, that many riders will run the upgraded programming on the street regardless. Can't blame 'em if they do, and they'll be rewarded with a boost from 180 horsepower to 186. Every little bit counts, right?

[Source: Ducati]

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]