2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Ride & Motocorse Monster 1100 Titanium!

Here we ave another impression on the new Ducati Multistrada 1200. The odd aura around this machine seems to be holding back the big mag reviews. Must be waiting to sell some serious ads; that makes sense. This is a first impression of the Multistrada S model - the one I want - and it is a bit short. However, it is a nice rational look at this beast. Take the link and read it for yourself. (You already know that the author will drool over this of all bikes.)

http://tinyurl.com/yebczap

This comes right out of Japan and Italy; the new machine of the moment from the brilliant folks at Motocorse have produced a rather severely beautiful and light Ducati Monster 1100. It is tricked out with all of their best kit and is loaded with titanium (obviously) and carbon fibre - saving nearly 29 lb. of weight. Put these Japanese artists to work with the Italian artists and the work of Motocorse is what you get - abject beauty. Take the link and learn the rest of the specs. No price has yet been announced, but if you have to ask...

http://tinyurl.com/y8z7vyp

Just Lovely! Ducati Teams with Edelweiss - Ducati Travel Experience World

The Ducati Travel Experience World (DTEW) is premiering at just the right time. The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 is debuting to the world all over and Ducati decided to hook up with Edelweiss Bike Travel to create a special tour series using that lovely machine (I hate to admit it, but I desire one myself...). There are four tours which cover parts of Africa, Australia, Europe and the Western USA. Just take the link as you do owe it to yourself to see how the other half lives...it would be sweet if I could sell my kidneys!

http://tinyurl.com/yjgzbtd

More Ducati Multistrada Madness & Lawson and Spies on Video

The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is quite possibly the first ever near-perfect motorcycle. They say it is a four in one, and after reading so much about it I no longer doubt them. However, I do want to ride the thing myself to determine if it does live up to the hype - I am always skeptical with Ducati. The linked videos, though, will show you the high-tech side of the machine; the ability to set custom settings maps, personalized just for you, just blows away any competition presently...have a look...

http://tinyurl.com/y8s58gh

Ben Spies and Eddie Lawson sat down and talked about the differences between the racing technology today and what it was like when Lawson was taking wins. They also did some on track riding and demonstrated some rather incredible control. I guess we should expect no less from these guys...Yamaha set this up and produced the vids. It is much more than just marketing, though, so go and have a look.

http://tinyurl.com/y9xlndg

MORE Afternoon Moto News - AMA Supercross Results & Ducati Multistrada 1200

The AMA Supercross Championship held a round in Atlanta this past weekend, but I have yet to post any results from the event. So, now I am addressing that oversight and have placed a link to the results below. Suzuki's Ryan Dungey is again in the points lead for the title. He won the race, and his closest competition in the points, Ryan Villopoto crashed hard while trying to catch him. Dungey is in first overall with Josh Hill and Villopoto in second and third.

http://tinyurl.com/yjjnznm

Well, we will have to buy the weekly in order to get our hands on the full test, but we do have a nice preview available on the MCN (UK) website on the new 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200. They seem to believe that this bike will change its category and motorcycling in general forever. I am not so sure about that, but it may certainly challenge the big players in the adventure motorcycle class - KTM and BMW. At least you can take a look at the preview video and an another article or two on the new machine.

http://tinyurl.com/ye8kx3f

Another riding impression: http://tinyurl.com/ya6s9u9

Another video: http://tinyurl.com/y8z4to9

MORE Afternoon Moto News - First Multistrada & Fast by Ferracci Teams W/ Doug Polen

The very first 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 has come off the production line - about time! The first model was an Ohlins-equipped S model, which should reach dealerships by April (though, not sure if that means Europe, USA or everywhere). The base model will be available shortly after that in May.

http://tinyurl.com/yjoqong

The first 20 people to purchase a Ducati superbike from Fast by Ferracci will not only get a special track day event at New Jersey Motorsports Park (16 August 2010), but they will also get help from VIP, and former FbF racer, Doug Polen. Polen will work with each of the 20 lucky fans to setup their bike for the track - he will be their personal technician. For all the details, see the press release.

http://tinyurl.com/yz2tvtn

More Afternoon Moto News - Alfabeast & Multistrada 1200

This machine is a real work of art from Englishman Chris Barber of (his own shop) Crossbreed Cycles. He has taken an Alpha Romeo 156-horsepower 2.5 liter V6 and plopped into a Harley-Davidson hardtail frame and a H-D four-speed gearbox (would have put a better tranny on it myself) - and he calls it the Alphabeast. Take the link and you will see why. Finally, an auto engine from Italy stuffed into a custom! Who else is tired of 350 V-8 engines being stuffed into a bike frame?

http://tinyurl.com/yj2co3c

The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 was the product of some of the most intensive engine development that Ducati has ever done (I wonder if that means fewer warranty claims on this model?). It is said that the new Multistrada will go for 15,000 miles between services; if true, it will be a phenomenal leap for the Italian marque. Maybe owning a Ducati - leaving out the initial purchase price - will start to cost more in line with the Japanese manufacturers...we can hope!

http://tinyurl.com/ylzhtul

More Afternoon Moto News - Ducati Multistrada UK, Motorcycle Cannonball & AMA Motocross

This is a bit old news, but it is worth mentioning again. The Ducati Multistrada 1200 will be making the rounds of U.K. Ducati dealers this month until March. They have also announced that they will also bring along a Multistrada 1200S Touring model to show. That's great news if you are thinking seriously of the up-rated model.

http://tinyurl.com/ylfknsl

Out of Hot Springs, Arkansas, a press release lets us know that the race will be stopping there for two nights and one day during the cross-country trip on pre-1916 model motorcycles. This is the first of its kind in in US in modern times, so it will be very interesting to follow the progress - who makes it and who breaks down, as well as how well it all works out for everyone. The event will be in Hot Springs during 16 - 18 September 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yebko6l

AMA Motocross is scheduled to have a meeting in San Francisco this coming weekend. Representatives from everyone involved in the sport should be there to work out what the 2010 series will look like. It is being held in conjunction with the AMA Supercross event on 30 January 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yewf8yq