Watch the film below that includes multiple onboard camera angles and more from the 2009 Ducati Monster 1100 launch in France. 15 minutes of adrenaline on some gorgeous roads in the South of France. Enjoy! Watch in high quality (full screen) here. TS
Exclusive: The other Trike from Harley-Davidson - The 2-1
The 2-1 Trike, as H-D calls it, was a no show at the Intermot despite what my source told me first. Harley-Davidson was not the only manufacturer that changed its mind regarding the Intermot show. Also KTM decided to show all its 2009 models at the EICMA show rather than in Germany. Whether Harley-Davidson will show us its 3-wheeled secret or not in 2008 remain to see though. Full story here.
Related to this story: The Brudeli 654L Leanster was unveiled to the public at the Intermot. Brudeli made a film to show on their monitors during the show. It’s pretty much unedited material, but here’s the YouTube version. We will be the first in the world to test this machine and after watching this film I really think I have something very unusual to look forward to.... TS
Honda, the most boring motorcycle manufacturer in the world, has managed to launch only old models with the addition of ABS for the 2009 season. And, in true Tokyo Motor Show comedy fashion, the big H has managed to show the world the most ridiculous concept model ever! If this animated comic book plastic concept is a hint of how far Honda are in developing a refreshing and cool V4/V5 powered super tourer then it's merely a laugh! Is the credit crunch really that bad over there in Samurai land that this V4 concept bike is all they can afford to show the world? Honda are not winning MotoGP races, Honda are not winning WSBK titles and no decent racer is willing to stay with them for too long. No doubt, Raptors & Rockets will probably join both Rossi and Hayden in not being allowed a Honda ride any longer. I personally dislike any large corporation that doesn't listen to nor care of its individuals. Then, when an individual, like Valentino Rossi steps up and becomes bigger than the machine he's riding then the ugly corporate head rears it's head and claims it will destroy that person. I guess when you sow that sort of seed into people's minds, there'll be repercussions. So many of you out there ride Honda's, and we are merely reflecting on the disappointment and yawning over new Honda model launches. At least in the past Honda were able to copy the successful Italians and make good race bikes. Here's what Honda need to do to get back: Make the V4 or even better the V5 VFR or another RC model. Then bring back the SP superbike. Then do as you always have, make cheap copy's of European motorcycles. It's as simple as that, but Honda's un-enthusiastic board of executives must have thought it could survive on cheap 125's in the far East only. We feel a bit sorry for the 2008 Intermot organisers in all of this. All the big four Japanese have shown all their stuff way in advance on time-wasting pre-event press conferences or by releasing all their news online. There's not much left for the investigative journalists out there apart from strategic leaks. Oh how boring it has become! Meanwhile, we are looking at the big EICMA show in Milan later this Autumn for some real news and excitement. Sayonara! TS
Just ahead of the Intermot public unveiling Aprilia has released the full technical specs of the anticipated new V4 superbike. As expected this is a very powerful machine and the most powerful production V4 if not THE most powerful V4 ever. It looks like the RSV4 will rival the Japanese litre bikes straight from the crate. The RSV4 Factory produces a claimed 180 horsepower @ 12.500rpm and 115Nm @ 10.000rpm. With a 179 kilo dry weight this promises to be a very exciting sports bike indeed. The wheelbase is at 1424mm. More when we get to ride the beast! TS See videos and more of the bike here.
We're back from the world launch of the 2009 Ducati Monster 1100 now. The bike is simply stunning to ride and it's got more of everything compared to the Monster 696. More suspension, more power, more tyre grip and more kudos! Whilst waiting for our films from the launch, which was guided by the same man that made the film below, watch Ducati's own official video that we published on YouTube before anyone else. You've probably seen it somewhere else already, but it came from this source first. TS
We first heard of Norwegian Brudeli back in 2005 at the Eicma show in Milan where they launched the first prototype of the Leanster. Now in 2008 Brudeli are back with the production version Leanster 654L due to be launched at the Intermot show. The 2009 Brudeli Leanster 654L is something quite out of the ordinary and it can lean at 45 degrees which is 5 degrees more than Piaggio's MP3 scooter. The Brudeli Leanster is no scooter though as it's based on KTM's 690 Supermoto! This thing's been made to lean, wheelie and stoppie just like a motorcycle but with the addition of one more front wheel! Brudeli has pioneered this field as they launched the Leanster already in 2005. Then Piaggio came along with the MP3 and now both BMW and Harley-Davidson have their own three-wheelers on the way. The Leanster is powered by a 654cc single cylinder four stroke. It's from KTM and so are several parts on the Leanster 654L. The highest performing single ever produces 63 horsepower @ 7.000rpm and a massive 65Nm @ 6.550rpm. The chassis is a steel tubular frame. Take a look at those two front wheels that make this bike so special and take note of the massive 325mm brake discs with a inside out design and ISR callipers. The tyres are a double 120/70-17 at the front and a 160/60-17 at the back. The dry weight is a claimed 238 kilos and the top speed a claimed 170km/h (104mph)“To make 100 meter controlled powerslides at the local dirt track oval (speedway) is a quite unbeatable feeling. Especially when this is a street legal vehicle you actually came cruising with to the track.” says Geir Brudeli, the inventor of the Leanster and manager of Brudeli Tech. “Then just a few minutes later you could be at a go-kart track without any change at the setup, leaning 45 degrees in to corners with a control superior to a normal motorcycle. The Leanster suspension is 100% mechanical and leaves the rider in control. It is built with the goal to boost the motorcycle experience.” Our exclusive interview with inventor Geir Brudeli to follow. By Tor Sagen/Photo: Rune Baashus
K9 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 revealed
Suzuki launched a selection of the 2009 models in Paris. The big one is the 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 and among other changes the engine is new again and more compact than ever. Larger titanium valves and a higher compression ratio should ensure it's up there in the neverending struggle for more horsepower. The chassis has been changed as well with a shorter frame and a longer arched swingarm. This has resulted in a 10mm shorter wheelbase for a nimble handling advantage over previous models. The big Gixxer also features new suspension front and back where the Big Piston Fork from Showa is the highlight. Some mean looking new monoblock front brakes are new as well. Then you have the new "Neanderthal" beating stick exhaust pipes. We haven't got the full tech-specs yet, but we expect from the current release that the 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 will be both more powerful and lighter than the current K7-K8 model. TS More here
Ducati is now ready to take the new Monster design first seen on the 696 to the next level. New from that concept is the addition of the powerful air-cooled 1100 from the Hypermotard. The 2-valve Desmo twin is a pure torque generating machine and max torque output is of 105Nm @ 6.000rpm. At 7.500rpm there's 85 horsepower to play with. Apart from the larger engine, the Monster 1100 also features a single-sided swingarm. the dry weight is a claimed 169 kilos whilst the 1100 S with Ohlins suspension weighs 168 kilos. Remembering the Ducati Monster 696 launches that we have attended earlier this year, we can't wait to sample the 1100 version which we will in Cannes. Look out for our first ride impressions and videos right here! More Monster 1100 pictures!
Yamaha have just released this infomercial on YouTube. The new XJ6 Diversion is set to cater for a growing budget market in Europe and something tells me that the old FZ6 Fazer might be less than budget soon. The engine is to regard as a new engine despite the fact that the main architecture comes from the FZ6. Torque is what the Yamaha engineers has been striving for, but the 78 horsepower max output still doesn't happen until a high 10.000rpm. The torque figure is a claimed 59.7Nm @ 8.500rpm. The frame is also what Yamaha calls a "newly" developed diamond shaped steel tubular type. The claimed Kerb weight is 216 kilos which isn't too bad with a steel frame. The fuel capacity is 17.3 litres and the rear tyre is a handy 160/60 ZR17. Available in blue, dark grey and red. TS Subscribe to all our videos on YouTube
UPDATED: 2009 Aprilia RSV4 Factory and racebike, first pictures!
From Italy we have these pictures of the production ready version of the RSV4 and also of the race ready superbike. This is the highly anticipated V4 1000cc superbike set to replace the old RSV 1000 R. We have heard that the standard and Factory version features a 180 horsepower engine whilst the racebike more than 210hp. UPDATED 20+ detailed images: More big and beautiful pictures here! TS Have you got news for us? E-mail Raptors & Rockets first
Kevin Carmichael exclusive 20 minute stunt show on 09 Triumph's!
Some added value for you loyal readers of the Raptors & Rockets news page here. Kevin Carmichael performed exclusively for us and two other journos at the Grandstand in Douglas, Isle of Man on his Triumph stunt bikes and the 2009 Street Triple R. It's 20 minutes of hard boiled action and at the moment we are pretty much the only motorcycle publication to give you this sort of stuff completely free. This video contains everything you might wish for when it comes down to top level motorcycle stunt riding! Watch Kev and see how it's done! TS
2009 Triumph Street Triple R, first ride on the IoM!
Back from the Isle of Man launch of the 09 Street Triple R now and have done my first lap around the famous TT course. Before our ride we were treated to a guided tour with Richard "Milky" Quayle that's now an ex-TT racer after an horrendous accident that you can see in one of the YouTube players below. The new Street Triple R is simply a better version of a bike that was already very good. Better suspension and better brakes have resulted in better handling. Watch our first film from the event below that includes "Milky's" TT guide, onboard footage from the Mountain and a stunt teaser by Kevin Carmichael. Much more on its way. Tor
Enjoy this video clip from Mugello, probably filmed by an Italian punter with quite some knowledge about how different engines sounds like... Or maybe just a cunning Aprilia pr stunt. Who knows, here's the vid anyway.
"This is a great bike, it's very like my M1 and it's exciting to see so many MotoGP qualities now appearing on a bike for the road. I think everyone who loves the R1 and Yamaha will be very excited about this new version, it's fantastic!" Valentino Rossi said. To be honest, we wouldn't have expected Rossi to say anything else about his employer Yamaha.
First video from our small Africa Adventure...
Over two weeks and more than 3.000 miles on tracks and offroad we rode from Cape Town to Victoria Falls on a BMW R 1200 GS. Out of 13 bikes we're not sure even one will get the full deposit back as quite a few hit the dirt during the journey. Watch some of the action from the onboard camera, roadside, listen to the people and watch the wildlife. You just can't beat Africa whether on or off a motorcycle. TS
Next: 2009 Triumph Street Triple R launch at The Isle of Man and 2009 Ducati ...
MV Agusta and Harley-Davidson announced today that H-D have struck a deal to buy 100% of the MV Agusta Group shares. Claudio Castiglioni owns 95% at present and will act as the chairman and in an R&D role after the acquisition. The purchase is worth 70 million Euro that will cover the 45 Million Euro debt. As you can see from our choice of pictures to illustrate this, the optimism in both companies are now at a very high level! With this deal struck, expect MV Agusta to spearhead some spectacular racing activities in the future too. At the end some thoughts: What happens to Buell now? Hopefully Harley-Davidson will do a better job with MV than TPG did with Ducati... More on this later including a exclusive interview with Claudio Castiglioni. Tor Sagen
Sources close to the Ducati factory have told me that not too long ago they contemplated a naked version of the Desmosedici RR roadbike. Hence I instructed one of our in-house Italian designers to create such a bike, to illustrate the story. We have called it the Monstersedici. In the world of B-Kings, Vmax and Brutale's such a concept wouldn't be too way off and that's why Ducati actually did a small study of such a concept. The result of the study was off course that Ducati would not go ahead and produce such a motorcycle. Due to the super expensive V4 hand built engine it wouldn't make a big price difference to remove the fairing. Ducati have also believe it or not underpriced the Desmosedici RR heavily compared to the cost of building one and the price people actually are willing to pay for such machinery. It's all a big PR stunt to look at it with a cynical point of view. It has worked out brilliantly for Ducati and chance had it that a young Aussie named Casey Stoner won the MotoGP championship that year too. So even though we have made this concept ourselves and not Ducati, it is a fact according to my source that the naked Desmosedici RR was discussed. What you can expect from the Italian factory however, is a naked 1098 Monster S4R style and I believe it's one of the big Ducati news due this autumn in Milan. Ducati would not give us any official comment on this story, but off the record one of my sources stated that he wouldn't buy such a bike because it would have too much power. Any Suzuki B-King owners or potential Yamaha Vmax II buyers that begs to differ? By Tor Sagen/CG: Luc1
I can feel my integrity crumble into pieces as I see the 08 MV F4 1078 RR 312 polished to perfection in front of me. In pearl white and black this is almost a moment that equals seeing your sexy new girlfriend naked for the first time. People that I don't know and never talked to have told me that a supermodel in bed might not be all ace. Trying to ride her slowly past the village church is pure torture. Go fast like a rabbit on steroids and she loves you and you love her. Worst part here is that I'm holding back. More in the full test of this 190 horsepower beauty when I get over the fact that I was dumped over Brad Pitt. Tor Sagen
Mama Mia! MV Agusta and Moto Guzzi 08's in two days!
Videos, words and much more coming from my recent visit to Varese and Mandello Del Lario at the MV Agusta and Moto Guzzi factories. A hint of what's to come in the piccies below and a video of the awesome MV Agusta Brutale 1078RR... Tor
2008 Suzuki GSX-R750 walk around and onboard from the Cat & Fiddle road!
Just before I head off to Varese to ride the new MV Agusta F4 R312 and Brutale 1078RR I had time to go on a cool ride on a legendary Suzuki. The K8 Suzuki GSX-R750 is as sharp as they come and the most interesting Japanese in-line four available today! Follow our coverage of the K8 Suzuki GSX-R750 right here at Raptors & Rockets. First the walk around video with a nice 2 minute onboard view at the end. It's muffled more than ever, but still sounds good! TS
Raptors & Rockets and Tor Sagen had the privilege of riding one of only 6 Bimota DB7 1098 available at the Misano GP circuit. It's fast, it looks good, it's Italian and hand-made! You can't get more exclusive than this. The DB7 features the Ducati 1098 engine of 160 horsepower. However, Bimota have altered the exhaust and ECU to boost the midrange between 4-7.000 rpm. Yes, you got it, more torque from an engine that already produces massive torque! With carbon fibre fairing, machine billet aluminium parts everywhere and a super cool and steady chassis this is something special. Watch the vid below! Tor Sagen
We have just returned from Paris where we have tested the 2008 Ducati Monster 696+ again. This time in the busy streets of Paris, first dry and then wet. More on the bike later, in the meantime please enjoy the footage we shot at the Monster fashion show. Some cool moves in there... TS
In 2008 the R1 turns 10 years! In 1998 the 150 horsepower R1 was nothing less than revolution. Whilst being more vicious than the rest, it left the 143 horsepower 1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R for dead. Honda and Suzuki were nowhere near and got caught with their pants down. It took 3 full years for the others to catch up and only Suzuki managed to keep up with the all new GSX-R1000 in 2001. Without the R1 we wouldn't have had the big Gixxer so soon. So Yamaha upped the ante and the others followed as the Japanese always do. Therefore, we believe that Yamaha will... More here
Various Buell sources have confirmed off the record that the next natural step for the firm is an RR version of the 1125R. Buell have only just started its racing activities in the US though, so our guess is that a fully faired 1125 is still some way away. Two main changes can be anticipated and that's a higher quality suspension package and more horsepower from the already powerful 1125cc liquid-cooled V-twin. The exhaust is always a major feature on any Buell. There's innovations and despite the fact that Rotax produces the power train, Buell makes the exhaust for that engine. The Rotax engineers told me at the 1125R launch that Buell had a more efficient exhaust system than what they could make. It's evident just looking at the compact under engine exhaust that this bike was made from the beginning also with a full fairing in mind. Our Italian designer was given the task of adding a few changes... More here
2008 Yamaha R6 first roadtest vid, Yamaha celebrates R-series in 2008
This year it's 10 years since Yamaha launched the 98 R1. The first light supersport with 150 horsepower. To help Yamaha a little with the celebrations, we are currently road testing the 2008 R6. The video below shows a detailed walk around and a short onboard teaser. Enjoy! TS
Recently I spoke with Aprilia about the new 1200cc V-twin that is the next big news from Noale along with the V4 race bike. I got both a 1200cc Shiver and Dorsoduro confirmed by a reliable factory source. It'll be the same motorcycles with the same frames (as this has been developed also with the 1200 in mind from the start) but with the new 1200 V-twin. I am not sure whether Aprilia will launch both models at the same time or just one at a time, but certainly one of them will be a 2009 model. We then had these mock-ups made to illustrate. See all the pix here. Tor Sagen/CG: Luc1
2008 Aprilia SMV750 Dorsoduro, first launch report & video!
I am now back from the outskirts of Rome at the Aprilia Dorsoduro launch. The new Aprilia street supermoto is aimed at the true hooligans amongst us and there's no soft approaches to the concept. For that you've got the Shiver. The white version we first saw at the Milan show is destined to become the Factory version. Now Aprilia offers the Dorsoduro in Black, Silver and red first. There'll be an update number 2 soon... Tor Sagen
2008 Harley-Davidson XR1200, first R&R film from the launch in Valencia!
The long-awaited XR1200 is finally here! We have ridden it in Valencia with pretty much everyone that can walk and talk in the European motorcycle press. We are willing to bet however on the fact that no one have got as cool films as we do including onboard riding, wheelies and burnout (oh so forbidden and frowned upon by our friends at H-D) The Harley-Davidson XR1200 is without doubt the most fun H-D I have ever ridden. That's because it has got XR750 genes and help in the development from people like US legend Scott Parker. H-D emphasises that the XR1200 is a light bike, but the truth is that the XR is a heavy beast compared to its European counterparts from Ducati, BMW, Aprilia and Triumph. That fact however didn't stop the fun one bit. The XR is miles better than the firms own V-rod on European roads and the 1200cc air-cooled V-twin is a beauty. The only thing stopping the XR from delivering Buell horsepower is the fact that the XR air box is about half the size and the exhaust volume less too. But the 90 horsepower that is available in the chassis Harley have built is just suitable. More soon on this landmark Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Tor Sagen
2008 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere, worlds first test from Morocco!
April 8th, Tiznit - Morocco. Yamaha unleashes its comeback into the premium adventure segment with a brand new XT660Z Tenere. I was one of the very first journalists in the world to ride the new XT660Z Tenere in the Southern Atlas mountains. The new Tenere have a lot going for it and it's not just a touring prepared offroad bike. The 2008 Tenere is a true adventure motorcycle and feels just as much at home in the dunes of North Africa as on roads in the Alps. Before I reveal it all in the full test I can certify first hand that the new Tenere is fantastic offroad. Watch our first film from the world launch below. It's a walk around, but we have got plenty of onboard too both off and on road. Tor Sagen
We have so much more coming from the Barcelona launch of the 2008 Ducati Monster 696. We are starting the coverage with films from the presentation, press conference and the behind the scenes hotel blog. Walk around and some cool onboard action from Barcelona coming next! See them all here. TS
Last week we tested the 2008 Bimota DB6R Delirio as one of the first in the world. Here's the first video from the event showing the Delirio R version in all its glory! TS
See our first video from the Benelli TNT 899 and 899 S launch below. It sounds good, runs well and looks every bit as exotic as the original TNT 1130. It's Italian and we give you a taste of the roads that we rode between Pesaro and Urbania. On the way back we even passed the house Valentino Rossi grew up in outside of Urbino. More soon. TS
We are now testing the 2008 Triumph Speed Triple on UK's best roads. Check the blog and watch these two first videos from the test whilst waiting for the full test. This week we also ride another big triple, the Benelli TNT 899. TS
Call to arms, freelance snappers, writers and designers
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.
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