More Morning Moto News - 2010 Aprilia Mana 850 GT & KTM IDM Contingent

The 2010 Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS will be available very soon. It is seemingly the spawn of a Dorsoduro and a SportCity scooter - with its aggressive looks and scooter-like transmission giving it an odd spot on the motorcycle continuum. However, it still rides rather well and has some decent performance stats. Though it will never take out a liter-bike, it will certainly be a civil and long-serving companion which can take you just about anywhere...plus, ABS is now standard on the GT model in the US.

http://tinyurl.com/yf4g2mt

KTM has a very young line-up for the 2010 running of the German IDM 125c.c. class. Their ages are 13, 15, 16 and 17, yet they are among the best in their age groups. Each of the riders will receive support from the KTM factory, but they are essentially privateers. For all of the details of who and which team, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yl6smhq

Welcome to Wednesday! More Rally Dakar News for All of Us

It is a rather news-filled morning, so not all of it will make it into the first post - there will be more news in the next one or two.

Starting out, of course, you will probably want to get updated on the Rally Dakar. They have entered Chile now. First of all, let's look at the raw results:

http://tinyurl.com/yfq2cke

Next, on the same site, we have a story about the Aprilia contingent, Team Aprilia Giofil. Apparently, they are starting to get some good results - at least with Francisco Contardo Lopez, who sits in seventh overall. But, they keep running out of fuel - not good in the Dakar.

http://tinyurl.com/yb7f5ro

And, of course, KTM's Marc Coma has finally won his first stage of the event by beating out Sherco's David Casteu.

http://tinyurl.com/y853nzw

That's about it for the Dakar information for today. If there are more stories which come in during the day, I will add them here.

First Ride: 2010 KTM RC8R Superbike

This is, in fact, the high-spec model of the KTM RC8 - different from the Aprilia RSV4R, which is actually the low-spec model of the RSV4. And, KTM has really improved the RC8 from one end to the other; better transmission, better frame, better engine, better brakes and more stability. The author disliked the standard RC8, so it does mean something when he says he thinks this is the bike you should buy over the lower model. Have a read and see what you think...

http://tinyurl.com/yzrt8pw

First Ride: 2010 KTM 690 Duke R

The updated model from Austrian manufacturer KTM was supposed to be debuted at the EICMA show this month in Milan, but MCN (UK) managed to get their hands on one for a test. This new version has increased horsepower and better mid-range power as well. This is, of course, the 'R' model of the standard Duke and it received serious suspension revision and neat, new graphics. Have a read and see if this middle-weight razor-sharp bike is in your future...

http://tinyurl.com/yf58sp2

Austrian Auction to Sell 50 Historic Motorcycles in Salzburg

On 17 October 2009, in Salzburg, Austria, auction house Dorotheum will be auctioning off several important automobiles and some 50 vintage motorcycles. The motorcycles to be auctioned include a vintage NSU Konsul II, The M.G.F. Triumph Fiddaman, and a 1907 Presto which was only found last year in Belgium. It is a bit far from me, but I would go if I could...there are bound to be some very good deals on some very rare motorcycles.

http://tinyurl.com/yl9g3o6

KTM Wll Pull Out of 125c.c. Grand Prix World Championships

KTM has decided to focus on their youth programs instead of racing full tilt at an international title. They will continue the Red Bull Rookies Cup and will support certain racing teams in Austria and Germany who ride their 125c.c. machines. It seems that they will be working for youth withe their smaller bikes while they put more work into the large-displacement road racing.

http://tinyurl.com/yj35qag