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Learn how to ride a motorcycle on water

Zach Bowman — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Motorcycle

Yes, you read that title correctly. Ivan Cervantes knows a thing or two about pushing the envelope on an enduro bike. The guy has claimed the world Enduro championship title a total of five times, but decided to take on something a little more unorthodox during a recent practice session. Cervantes came upon a small pond five feet deep and 141 feet across and decided he was going to attempt to ride his bike across the surface of the water. Needless to say, there was a pretty steep learning curve attached to the feat.

His first three attempts ended with the bike on the bottom and a face full of water, even while hitting the surface at around 56 miles per hour. As it turns out, speed wasn't so much the issue as the water surface itself. Cervantes waited for the waves to settle and hit the throttle one last time. The bike powered across the entire surface of the pond and touched ground safely on the other side. Check it out below.

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Learn how to ride a motorcycle on water originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye 2012 is a basket of insanity

Zach Bowman — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Videos, Motorcycle

If you've never heard of he Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye, crack open your ears for a spell. The race is a grueling four-day event that slithers through the Carpathian mountains of Romania.

We aren't talking about battling some logging road, either. The competitors who tackle Romaniacs bolt up ridge sides, climb waterfalls and tear across open terrain in an attempt to set the best recorded time. A single stage can put the riders through 30,000 feet of climbing over incredibly varied terrain. This is a competition where no single skill set will nab you the title. Rather, riders need to be well-rounded to take all 400 miles head on.

This year, Red Bull worked up a Signature Series on the event, following competitors through all four stages and documenting the carnage in beautiful HD. The 45-minute-long video is entirely TV quality, and while it requires a serious time commitment, it's also completely worth a slice of your day. You can check it out for yourself below - just don't blame us if you find yourself wanting an enduro machine of your own once you finish.

Continue reading Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye 2012 is a basket of insanity

Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye 2012 is a basket of insanity originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ducati Multistrada 1200 makes TV debut

Devon Brozek — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:20:00 EST

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

The Ducati Multistrada 1200 isn't afraid to leave the tarmac - Click above to watch the video after the jump

If you're a MotoGP fan and hail from the home-country of Multistradas, you got to see the official "Strada" commercial aired during the breaks of the first rounds of Grand Prix action last weekend. Ducati kicked off its television advertising campaign by showing off its hawk-billed adventure tourer tackling everything from urban assault missions to gravel paths and everything in between.

Although we have been studying our Italian language tapes thoroughly, the only thing we are qualified to tell you about the spot is that it highlights the versatility of the dirty Duc's four programmable riding modes, which include urban, enduro, sport and touring settings.

If you have ever wondered what lengths a manufacture will go to for that perfect backdrop, we have confirmed from a reliable source that the perfect Multisrada playground was provided, in this case, courtesy of the Canary Islands. Although we expect to see the commercial in our native tongue of English soon enough in the U.S., feel free to click past the break to get the first view. After all, everything sounds more beautiful when it's in Italian!

[Source: Two Wheels Blog]

Continue reading Video: Ducati Multistrada 1200 makes TV debut

Video: Ducati Multistrada 1200 makes TV debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McRae Enduro set for 2008 debut, road-going version to follow in '09

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SUV

We've seen our fair share of shooting-break concepts that have been jacked up a few inches to "redefine the sport utility segment." Most are pie-in-the-sky turntable models that are the brainchild of a forward-thinking designer, but the McRae team is finally bringing the concept to production.

The McRae Enduro was created by Jimmy and Alister McRae and is currently undergoing testing by the former, a five-time British Rally Champ. Powered by the same 240 hp, 2.7-liter diesel V6 found in a handful of Land Rovers, Jags and Peugeots, the caged monster will likely find a home in the garages of wealthy Middle Easterns and private teams that will be running the one-make Pirelli McRae Enduro Trofeo.

The "S-SUV" is currently being produced in race guise and more refined, road-ready versions are likely to go on sale later in 2009 at a cost of around £100,000.

[Source: EVO]

McRae Enduro set for 2008 debut, road-going version to follow in '09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McRae Enduro: Dakar doesn't stand a chance

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

It's obvious that the fast-paced risks Colin McRae endured during his time behind the wheel have set the tone of his retirement. The term "retirement" is a total misnomer however, as McRae has kept himself busy consulting, marketing and developing his own line of rally machines. The R4 is so close to completion that McRae has taken on another project dubbed the Enduro.

Much like the R4, its purpose is to offer privateers an entry-level means of competing in cross-country rallies, approved by the FIA's T1 regulations that cover everything from Dakar to other Baja-style campaigns.

The machine was developed in conjunction with MDV Specialist Engineering and is made up of a space-frame chassis in which a Land Rover-sourced, turbocharged diesel 2.7-liter V6, tuned by Roush, produces 240 HP and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is sent to the all four wheels via a six-speed ZF transmission equipped with a non-variable LSD in both the rear and center.

As with the R4, McRae envisions the Enduro competing in a one-make series, named the Pirelli McRae Enduro Trofeo, which will include three FIA World Cup events and three Baja series campaigns. Pricing is expected to be around 150,000 euros when it's finally offered up next year.

[Source: EVO]

McRae Enduro: Dakar doesn't stand a chance originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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