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As sure as MV Agusta is back in the Castiglione hands, the specials start arriving again. And what a beaut the Frecce Tricolori is celebrating the Italian Aerobatic teams 50th anniversary. The bike is a limited edition of 11 bikes that presumably are destined for the 11 pilots of the team.

For details about the 50th Frecce Tricolori Anniversary in Rivolto - Udine (Italy), on the

11th and 12th of September 2010, visit: www.aeronautica.difesa.it/PAN50

As I'm about to edit part 7 of our series analysing things such as why motorbikes are red, why bigger is better, why motorbikes are sexy I thought it'd be a good time to post the five first episodes. Tor

Episode 1   Episode 2   Episode 3   Episode 4   Episode 5

We want bikers to look cool. Here's how.

Tor Sagen hooked up with Dr. David A Holmes to analyse Monsters. Watch as Dr. David Holmes, Senior Psychologist at the Manchester Metropolitan University, explains us about Monsters and the sexuality of a wheelie. This is part 1 of a series, part 2 involves Dr. Holmes explaining why the colour red is irresistible. Also see 2010 Ducati monster 796 test and part 2 of our series.

Check out the first real high rez images of the fantabulous 200hp NCR Millona M16 launched at Misano during WDW 2010 here

2010 NCR Millona 16/M16 - 200hp@13.800rpm and 145kg dry weight

May 31st. Raptorsandrockets.com News 2010 NCR Millona 16/M16. Take one Ducati Desmosedici 200+hp engine and put it into a super lightweight NCR chassis and you'll quite possibly have the world's fastest and most powerful motorcycle. At 145kg dry weight it's lighter (even) than a MotoGP bike... The 989cc V4 produces a staggering 200hp @13.800rpm and 116Nm @10.500rpm. We're going to have a chat with Michele Poggipolini of NCR about this bike, but we strongly suspect it's a one off special. By Tor Sagen

Here's what NCR say themselves coupled with images of the Ducati Desmosedici RR

2010 Dunlop SportMax GP211 Racer and SportSmart tyre launch – Silverstone

Dunlop invited a handful of journos to test its SportMax supersport tyre range at the new Silverstone circuit. The new Silverstone national circuit is very fast with plenty of hard braking and tough long hard accelerating corner exits. The new circuit layout proved a fine proving ground for Dunlop’s latest tyre technologies.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Impact Images More here including onboard vids from the new Silverstone circuit on Kawasaki ZX-6R and Suzuki GSX-R1000

Coming: 2010 Aprilia Dorsoduro Factory/Shiver world launch in France and Dunlop tyre test at the new Silverstone GP circuit

Ducati has merged the concepts of sport touring with adventure touring and the Multistrada 1200 is the metamorphosis promising even more. Whilst the original Multistrada was more of a jumping on the bandwagon concept, the 2010 Multistrada 1200 is truly Ducatis own take on something extremely difficult. The Multistrada 1200 is four bikes in one and excels in three areas whilst showing promise in the fourth. The three first being sport touring, adventure touring and urban commuter. The fourth thing the Multistrada may well be able to do well are light offroad riding. At the Lanzarote launch we were not able to really test the bike offroad so I can't say much about it. What I can say is that the bike feels a whole lot lighter than the BMW GS nemesis and both traction control and ABS can be turned off. The three engine mappings and the electronically adjustable suspension on the 1200 S are key to the Multistradas inevitable future success. The MTS 1200 is brimming with hot new technology that you can actually use every day. I shall elaborate further in the full article but my first impression are of a unequalled and perhaps unbeatable package from Ducati. Well done. Words: Tor Sagen/Photography/Milagro

As the first celebratory act of our 5th anniversary we have made a song called Wheel Erect. The Raptorsandrockets are our very own house band and here's the video filled with wheelies. NEXT: 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 world launch

Check out our collection of Ducati Hypermotard reviews by following the link below. Full review added of the original 2008 Hypermotard 1100 and 1100 S, 2010 Hypermotard 796 and 2010 Hypermotard 1100 EVO and EVO SP. It's all about action and fun!

Everything Ducati Hypermotard

Honda CBF600N v Kawasaki ER6n v Yamaha XJ6 N in Rome

I'm just back from Portugal after testing the new 2010 Aprilia RSV4 R at the fantastic, but frustrating Estoril circuit. Here's some first impressions:

The RSV4 R still handles better than most motorcycles despite being stripped of a few goodies that the Factory version sports. Estoril proved treacherous this morning as the circuit was littered with wet patches in areas such as most of the tightest corners. I had to wait for my second session to really go for it as the sun had dried out most areas by then. Flicking the RSV4 R from side to side really can be compared to doing the same on a 600 supersport. Even on a full throttle it’s a lot easier to change direction on the RSV4 R than any other litre superbike. Down the mega long Estoril main straight the 180hp V4 provides immense acceleration, but this is where the RSV4 R will face its toughest challenge from the likes of the R1, ZX-10R, S1000RR etc. The drive out of the corners is fantastic though and it can be compared to the 1198S in this area but with easier and less tiring overall handling capabilities. Major points for me are the ergonomics and handling in addition to the drive out of the corners. More in the full review

On November 26th Raptors & Rockets will cover the 2009 NEC bike show in Birmingham. There'll be plenty of news, lots of pictures of bikes and babes, video, interviews and a lot more so stay tuned. Tor

All coverage will be posted here

2010 BMW S 1000 RR launch – Violently fast but no beast FULL TEST

Finally it’s here BMW’s first ever superbike for the road. In my book it was always on the cards that BMW would do a very decent job on the first try. That it would in fact be this good I couldn’t have predicted.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Arnold Debus & Daniel Kraus

I decided to let loose the full power of BMW’s new superb sports package from the word go. Hence I turned off both race ABS and the DTC traction control and chose the “slick” option with the mode button. Sure enough the S 1000 RR felt very powerful and agile through the first corners but it wasn’t until I accelerated down the Portimao straight for the first time that I really understood that there might just be a true 193 horsepower available underneath me. The raw acceleration through second gear, third, fourth and fifth just blew me away. Through third and fourth helped by the little hill taken in fourth it was difficult to keep the front wheel down on my first couple of laps. Troy Corser told me later that when they race here its full throttle but also full application of the rear brake to keep the front down, it’s a Portimao trait. Full test here

I'm currently stuck in an airport hotel room in Munich after leaving the BMW S 1000 RR launch yesterday. My flight schedule included leaving Faro via Lisbon and from Lisbon to Munich when it all went wrong. A 30 minute delay was enough for me to miss my flight to Sardinia and it nearly upset all my Ducati launch plans. However new flights has been booked but I'll be one day after schedule and may have to share bikes with other journos unless somebody else inherits my bad luck tomorrow. Regardless there will be coverage of the two new Hypermotard bad boys. Ducati in 2010 will obviously revolve a lot around the new Multistrada 1200. The test of that bike is something you can look forward to at some time next Spring. In the meantime it's all about the Hypermotards which I don't mind at all. Tor Sagen

After a day riding the new BMW S 1000 RR at Portimao it's safe to say that the 193 hp superbike for the road places itself at the top of the pecking order. BMW's lightweight and very powerful S 1000 RR has it all and more. From 7.000rpm and past 12.000rpm the build up of power is massive and very addictive. I'm impressed with both the race ABS and the traction control, but the S 1000 RR behaved surprisingly well also in "Slick" mode without any rider aid. More in the full review. Tor Sagen

Ducati Press release: Before the unveiling of the 2010 line-up, the new Ducati Corse logo was presented to the international press, an evolution of the historic brand in the form of a new graphic, following on from the launch of the new Ducati logo at last year’s EICMA show.

Multistrada 1200 technical highlight: The four-bikes-in-one concept uses three technologies which interact to instantly change the chassis set-up and character of the Multistrada 1200. Fitted as standard equipment on all versions, the electronic ride-by-wire system administers three different engine mappings to change the character of the engine, while Ducati Traction Control (DTC) uses eight levels of system interaction to enhance control. For the ‘S’ version, Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) instantly configures the suspension set-up to suit ‘rider only’, ‘rider with luggage’, ‘rider and passenger’ or ‘rider and passenger with luggage’. 150hp @ 9.250rpm, 118,7Nm @ 7.500rpm, 189kg dry weight. S version 192kg (DES) dry weight

All 2010 Ducati news further down on the page.

“In 2009 Ducati has faced a year of important challenges but also one of important opportunities,” stated Gabriele Del Torchio, President of Ducati, during the conference. “The challenges arrive from a market that has entered a significant worldwide slump and where the segment in which we operate could have dropped by 35% by the end of this year. In this scenario Ducati knew how best to react, so much so that our shares have continuously grown and in 2009 we will register a record share of 7.2% on a worldwide level. This result was achieved by sticking strictly to the objectives we had set ourselves, in relation to the company’s three fundamental pillars. Firstly, product, with the 2010 innovations the clearest demonstration of how we have followed an intelligent plan for continuous renewal. Then the distribution network, constantly renewed and reinforced to improve and expand the service. Thanks also to the recent opening of stores in Shanghai, Mexico City and in Vietnam, Ducati today distributes in 80 countries of the world. Last but not least, the brand. We continue to work on the recognition of our brand name, and above all, on the role that Ducati has as an ambassador of Italian style across the world, a factor that is of fundamental value to us.”

Claudio Domenicali, General Director of Ducati Motor Holding, then presented the many new bikes lining-up in Ducati’s 2010 Model Year.

“We are present at EICMA with a series of important innovations, in accordance with our strategic industrial plan,” declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati’s General Director, while presenting the 2010 Model Year. “The new Multistrada 1200 provides Ducati with an important opportunity to penetrate what is, for us, a completely new market segment, with a totally innovative concept, in terms of performance, usability and technological content. Four bikes in one, with four different riding modes, traction control and electronic suspension but, most importantly, a true Ducati, in its style, design and advanced technology, derived directly from Ducati’s racing experience on tracks across the world. The Hypermotard 796 e 1100 evo, the new “Corse” liveries for the 1198 S and 1198 R, as well as countless technical and style updates, complete the 2010 line-up of which we are so proud.”

 

2010 Special Editions celebrate the historic Ducati Corse logo change and two world titles in Superbike and Superstock. The 1198 S Corse Special Edition and 1198 R Corse Special Edition, both equipped with factory team-style aluminium fuel tanks, Ducati Traction Control and a special celebratory Ducati Corse livery, now complement the 848 now in Dark colour scheme (see pictures below Multistrada 1200), the powerful 1198, and the high-spec 1198 S to complete the 2010 Superbike model line-up.

Lighter and more powerful are the clues. We test the bike in Sardinia very soon. Ducati said: Hot on the heels of its early model year 2010 launch in October, the lightweight 796 is now joined by an evolution of the 1100 model that rolls out at a full 7kg (15.5lb) lighter and 5hp more powerful than the original. And if further weight reduction and more punch wasn't already enough on a bike that was built to thrill, the Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP pushes the limits even further with a model intended to perform on the track as well as the street.

Ducati launched its more athletic Testastretta 11 powered Multistrada to replace Tierblanche's old love it or hate it original Multistrada at the EICMA show. Ducati follows with sure footsteps with yet another design to follow the 1198 superbike racer and the Streetfighter. The new 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 looks a hell of a lot more sporty and athletic than the GS, Tiger, 990 Adventure and other current manufacturers in this segment. There's no doubt that Ducati is aiming the new Multistrada at those that want to pass Alpine passes as fast as possible with as much fun as possible. According to earlier reports it'll probably handle some gravel too. Best new feature seems to be the riding mode that can change both engine, suspension and safety elements whilst riding.

Both the 2010 Ducati Monster 696 and 1100 will now be available with ABS. The 848 gets a "Dark" special paint and will be slightly cheaper than the normal 848.

In not many days we take seat on the brand new BMW superbike for the road S 1000 RR at the Portimao circuit in Portugal. Watch this space for first ride reports, blog, videos and more.

Those unfortunate gents at the Aprilia factory have re-scheduled the launch of the RSV4 R to December where we will get to test it at Estoril. In December it's too cold at Mugello and you could even get snow so Estoril in Portugal is a safer bet. Check out the videolog for details of what happened at Mugello.

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 launch – Hyperactive inner city killer

Only two years has passed since Ducati launched the original production Hypermotard. I tested the Hyper 1100 with Ruben Xaus sliding past me with thumbs up and knee down at the Mores circuit in Sardinia and loved it. Now just two years later ahead of the 2010 season Ducati is ready with the first addition to the Hypermotard family. Hypermotard is one of the most satisfying motorcycles in the world to ride really hard and the new 803cc version is no different.

By: Tor Sagen/Photo: Milagro

NEXT: 2010 Aprilia RSV4 R world launch at Estoril, EICMA, 2010 BMW S 1000 RR world launch at Portimao and 2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 in Sardinia

Tor Sagen has tested the 2010 Moto Morini Granpasso 1200 as the first journalist in the world. Some pictures and the informative video first. The 2010 Moto Morini Corsaro Veloce 1200 was also tested.

During the next month we're covering the world launches of the all new Ducati Hypermotard 796 in Bologna, the updated Moto Morini Granpasso 1200 also in Bologna and the highly anticipated 2010 BMW S 1000 RR which we will ride at Portimao very soon. Keep tuned and subscribe to the YouTube videos as that's where you'll be able to see and hear these bikes first. Ciao from Bologna. Tor

Misano: 

Road:

If you think that it's been a little bit quiet on the motorbike front lately you'd be right to say so. But here it ends as the 2010 launch season kicks off next week from the 26th of September when Tor Sagen will be in the US and at the Buds Creek motocross track to test the all new 2010 Yamaha YZ450F. Yes it's a motocross bike and yes it's a vicious rear-slanting cylinder 450cc one. Watch Yamahas video of it below. Then after one day at home again it's straight onto a flight to Italy where we'll test the all new 2010 MV Agusta Brutale which will be the first new MV model after H-D bought the company. It's still a Tamburini design, but we believe there's something exciting on the engine front... Insiders told us that it's bad, but in a good way... Then in early October we'll board yet another flight to take us to the Ducati factory and another world launch of Ducatis first 2010 model. All this should keep you entertained for a while and as usual you can expect some great video from the events too. See you later. Tor Sagen

Syndication is the magic word for any freelancer. Why work exclusively for one in one country when you can work for many? Raptors & Rockets is expanding and we need your help.

Photographers: If you are a freelance motorcycle photographer we can help with syndication. We have clients interested in photo shows from major events or particularly outstanding photography of special motorcycles. Even if you are not a professional we need your help. Have you been lucky and snapped a prototype motorcycle no one knows about at a remote location? Cash in and get your pictures syndicated all over the world with major motorcycle publication houses. If you have the material then I have the contacts to move your pictures into the spotlight for cash. In particular we are looking for Japanese, German, Italian, US, UK and Spanish spy-snappers.

Writers: If you are a freelance motorcycle writer and feel you are not syndicated enough then contact us. As long as it does not conflict with any of the launches that we attend we are willing to syndicate your material. In particular if your material has got news value and good picture material. English is always best, but on some occasions we will be able to syndicate in various languages. But I must also always get an English version. If you are not a professional writer we are still interested in all sorts of different information's about new bikes and developments in the industry. These pieces of information can also generate cash.

Designers: Hugo van Waaijen, Luc1, Astroman and many others has now been published all over the world as a result of working with Raptors & Rockets. It is your choice whether you want to design anonymously or with full name credit. There will always be a need for brilliant designers and you could be one of them. Show us your stuff and get syndicated! Note to all: send me low resolution stuff as examples of your work. I will ask for high resolution material when needed.

For more information contact Tor Sagen

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