Racing is in this man's blood. Seven-time world champion and Formula 1 legend, Michael Schumacher, may have quelled MotoGP rumors but is preparing to ride the Super Duke in the KTM Trophy race series.
It is that funny time of year when not a lot appears to be happening, although the reality is very different. The planned leaks are just coming out as the manufacturers look towards attracting interest for their launches at the big European show in September and October. Expect things to take on a faster pace in the coming months, but for the time being here is the latest from Europe and elsewhere.
Austria
KTM has been regulars in this column as of late because of the vast number of innovative bikes (and car) that they have been launching or developing. This time though they're featured because of a rider, none other than former Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.
It seems that the German ace is not content to sit at home and count his millions; instead he has turned his attention to two wheels. Whilst he has always shown a keen interest in motorcycle racing, having been seen at many a MotoGP race, now he is on the grid having entered the KTM Trophy race series on a 990cc Super Duke.
Despite claiming he is only racing for a hobby, he finished second in an Italian round against some stiff opposition and finished with the second-fastest lap. Brit John Surtees though is still the only man to gain a world championship on both two and four wheels to date!
Germany
BMW's 450 Enduro has been mentioned repeatedly here and it now seems that it could form the basis for a full road-legal Supermoto. Apparently the factory has been impressed with the longevity of the motor in terms of servicing and will now use it, along with the frame, to form the basis of yet another sporty model for road riders. The bike will have 17-inch spoked wheels to allow the use of sticky road rubber and bigger brakes to cope with the increased grip. Styling is expected to remain similar to the off-road model.
This month has seen the long-awaited BMW 1000cc Superbike appearing in public for the first time. Designed to enter the World Superbike Championship in 2009, the S1000RR will have its race debut in the domestic German Superbike series.
German tuning house AC Schnitzer has taken a BMW F800GS (pictured) and put its supermoto spin on it by swapping out its factory suspension, putting on an in-house silencer and 17-inch wheels.
While BMW themselves may be thinking about a new Supermoto for its official line-up, German tuning house AC Schnitzer has beaten them to it with their version of an F800GS. The company enjoys semi-official status with the factory and is well known among BMW fans who want to upgrade their machines with quality approved parts.
The AC Schnitzer machine has WP suspension, an in-house silencer and 17-inch wheels, as you might expect, which drops the seat height. More items are expected to follow to increase the performance as well as the handling, which the company says has been transformed by the mods they have already introduced. More information is available at
www.ac-schnitzer.de
Another well known German tuning/customizing house,
Wunderlich, has just created a BMW X-Moto in the Gulf paint scheme so beloved of the Ford GT 40's in the sixties. However, the point is not to offer resprays, but just to highlight their new tuning modifications that increase power, a new high-level exhaust and adjustable levers to name just a few of their new options.
Meanwhile, back at BMW, the first BMW HP2 Sport model is experiencing delays due to lack of carbon fiber for its panels. Apparently the firm uses only one supplier and the F1 car team has priority!
UK-based websites for the BMW GS have posted items about an apparent buckle/distortion in the rear wheel. BMW has assured owners that this is due to the manufacturing process that creates a small flat spot, but there is absolutely no problem or safety worry. BMW dealers have however replaced the wheels on six bikes as a goodwill gesture.
The Malaguti MR250 debuted at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show and has a two-stroke engine taken from Italian company TM's moto-cross range.
Historic Italian motorcycle manufacturer
Malaguti is now perhaps best known for its scooter range. However, at the recent Tokyo Motorcycle Show, they debuted a 250cc motorcycle prototype called the MR250.
What is of real interest is that the motor, which comes from fellow Italian company TM, is a two-stroke taken from their moto-cross range. In a world where most manufacturers are abandoning 'smoker' because of the ever-stringent emission tests, it seems to be a brave move.
This unit, complete with a very large exhaust, is fitted into a tubular steel frame with an inverted Paioli fork at the front. The rest of the bike also appears to come from Italian accessory suppliers, meaning that if it were to pass the required tests, it would not take too long to put into production.
We mentioned the
MV 'Bestiale' right after the Paris Show last September. Just to recap, French designer Yacouba Galle designed his own body kit for the production machine and the factory liked it so much they approved it as an official conversion.
Here is a picture of Yacouba's version of the 2007 MV Agusta Bestiale. No wonder the Italian marque gave his rendition the thumbs up.
Now just six months on, Yacouba is offering the limited production kits in pearl white with just a single seat for around $9,000 for European riders. The kit is purely a styling exercise and does not improve or alter the bikes performance or handling. See
www.yacouba.com for more details.
Moto Morini will introduce two new models this spring, with another two due to follow later in the year, expanding the range of machines available to seven.
First to arrive is the Avio, a version of the Corsaro designed specially for those riding a potent V-twin for the first time. Its Corsacorta Bialbero 1187cc twin-cylinder engine has been optimized to deliver 120 hp to the shaft, compared to 140 hp on the standard model. This is mounted in a Verlicchi steel trellis frame, and features Brembo 320mm double disc bakes with 4-piston calipers. The Corsaro Avio will sell for around $15,500.
The other new bike is the 1200 Sport, based upon the 9 1/2 and designed by Marabese to create the classic style of 1970s mechanics with advanced technological solutions, top-flight components and an engine delivering exceptional performance. The 1200 Sport comes with the Franco Lambertini-designed Bialbero CorsaCorta 1187cc twin cylinder engine, tuned to develop 117 hp at 8500 rpm with a high torque figure. Extra features include a headlight fairing, single seat unit, hydroformed swingarm, 50mm Marzocchi forks, Paioli rear shock, double tapered exhaust pipe and twin 320mm Brembos.
MV Agusta has opened a direct telephone line to the factory for customers use. Call 0039 0332 254712 if you need help!
United Kingdom
Will spectators no longer be able to watch riders coming over the Ballaugh Bridge up-close-and-personal? Because of last year's TT crash that killed two spectators and the rider, restrictions on where you can watch the Isle of Man are already in motion.
Recently published spy shots in the British press show what appears to be the finished version of the
Triumph twin cylinder bike we have been mentioning here for the past year or so. While the bike is similar to what has been seen before in that it is a long, low cruiser-styled machine with a twin-shock rear, the actual engine capacity now seems to be in question.
Originally sources were saying that it would effectively be 1500, in that it was two-thirds of the 2.3 liter Rocket III, but now it seems that it could have grown in size as the Japanese opposition has upped their offerings in the same market sector. Suggestions so far are 1820cc and 1920cc, but as the predicted official release date is expected to be in the next couple of months, it is not too long to see what the true capacity is!
Expect to see a new Street Triple with an R suffix in the near future that is a combination of the naked 675 fitted with the more upmarket parts from the Daytona 675.
But, getting back to rumors, expect the Rocket III to get larger and for a shaft-drive tourer to appear aimed at the Kawasaki GTR1400, a smaller version of the Tiger, probably called the Tiger Cub after the original 200cc lightweight. There will of course be facelifts and minor changes to all the range and we will keep you posted as and when any news breaks.
In the Isle of Man, the coroner has heavily criticized the organizers of the TT races when reviewing the tragic incident in the last race in 2007 when two spectators and a rider died. Nobody was spared in his comments, including branches of the government (independent of the UK). Changes have already been implemented for this year's race, which will include more restricted areas for spectators who have traditionally sat within inches of the racing in the past.
Rest of the World
Japan
The Suzuki Crosscage is said to be closer to making the transition from prototype to production.
It would seem that the
Suzuki Crosscage hydrogen fuel cell bike is getting closer to production, with tests appearing in Japan. The bike is the result of collaboration between the bike manufacturer and British firm Intelligent Energy. The latter are world leaders in fuel cell technology and they have helped Suzuki move forward at quite a pace. The current machine being shown (and tested) has performance similar to a 125, although it is only a matter of time before this could improve.
We mentioned the Dainese airbag suit that is set to be launched next year, but they have been beaten to the flag by RS Taichi, who has just launched a production version of their suit onto the home Japanese market right now. However, the Taichi Racing Airbag Protection System or T-RAPS, is not as sophisticated as the Italian version in that it relies on a cord attached to the bike to trigger inflation.
You may remember that the Dainese suit uses sophisticated sensors in the suit and the bike to ensure that it does not inflate unintentionally, or if the rider forgets to disconnect when getting off the bike. The Japanese system is similar in that most of the protection is arranged around the head and shoulders and quickly detaches to allow a racer to remount and continue if they wish.
Taiwan
Kymco was established way back in 1963 and has since contributed to the growth of two-wheeled products from the country. However, they may have a history, but their products are bang up to date with three new models joining its line-up.
With gas prices headed toward $4-gallon, it won't be long before we're all riding scooters like Kymco's Agility.
The new Yager GT125 has Italian style, performance, and value. For the money, it is sure to impress even the most image-conscious commuter. Billed by the company as the ultimate commuter scooter, it has a modern four-stroke liquid cooled engine that easily complies with the latest Euro 3 emission regulations. The company claims it is very 'green', being fuel efficient to the point that it is capable of achieving in excess of 100 mpg, as well as producing very low carbon emissions.
The Yager comes with a halogen headlight, LED indicators and a high-tech digital dashboard. Other features include an underseat storage box, auto choke, electric & kick-start, rear carrier, pillion backrest and high-strength steering lock.
Apart from this, there are also two other models aimed at the more budget-conscious rider who still wants the style and sophistication of the above, but at a more affordable price.
The new Agility City 50cc and 125cc Scooters have been designed for travelling to work, college or just popping to the shops. Both boast 16-inch alloy wheels and a long wheelbase, to enhance stability, comfort and safety. Like the Yager, both machines are powered by the latest generation of four-stroke air-cooled engines. Both the 50 and 125 are capable of achieving in excess of 100 mpg and the Agility City 125cc has a claimed top speed in excess of 60 mph as well as a lot of the Yager's other features.
And finally!
What do you intend to do for your 100th birthday? Well, in Cornwall, England, a 100-year-old woman who used to ride a motorcycle in her youth recently took a pillion ride around her home town to celebrate her centennial. The bike? A Harley-Davidson, who of course is celebrating 105 years themselves, which could make the combined age something of a record!
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