Well, we can’t say that we’re surprised but it still hits right in the feels as Dorna Sports announced that three upcoming rounds of MotoGP have been officially cancelled for the 2020 championship season. These three rounds are Sachsenring (Germany), Assen (Netherlands), and KymiRing (Finland). (more…)
Honda has just filed the patents for a new 800cc parallel-Twin engine. While the patent documents show a naked bike like the previous Hornet 650, they may just be working on a much-awaited middleweight 800cc Honda Africa Twin.
Big Red has acknowledged that they lack a middleweight adventure. Indeed, the gap is too large between the CRF250L/CRF250 Rally and Africa Twin 1100. An 800cc adventurer fills this gap nicely.
But let’s get back to the patent.
The engine should also be the replacement for the current 745cc engine which has been in the market since 2014. It’s also the platform for an entire range of Honda bikes including the X-Adv crossover scooter, NC750D Integra scooter, NC750S naked bike and NC750X adventurer.
The patent also shows the engine equipped with Honda’s proprietary DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission), which is already on the X-Adv and CRF1100 Africa Twin.
More than that, the cam cover’s shape is clearly similar to that of the CRF450R, new Africa Twin and VFR1200F which means it will feature the Unicam set up. It’s not variable valve timing/lift, however.
Having an 800cc to 850cc displacement also makes sense since their European rivals namely BMW and Triumph are currently the ones to beat. We shall see what comes of this.
The fourth and hopefully final phase of MCO (Movement Control Order) is now allowing two family members to travel together (in or on the same vehicle) in order to shop for necessities, food items, as well as obtaining medical services at clinics, hospitals, and such. (more…)
There’s a new Japanese bobber in the market and it’s called the 2020 Yamaha Bolt. It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from this particular Yamaha Sport Heritage model (2015 was its Malaysian debut with the XV950R) but now, a new generation has been announced to make its debut for the US and Japanese market very soon. (more…)
No MotoGP races yet for 2020 but gossip has been flying around as usual and the latest talks about the return of the prodigal son of Yamaha, Jorge Lorenzo. After a bad season with Repsol Honda, the Spaniard decided to call it quits and retire completely from racing. It wasn’t too long after that when he was announced as the new test rider for Yamaha. (more…)
A small Italian town issued their own “Ducati” banknotes.
It is distributed to residents who are in need.
The notes enable the folks to shop in local businesses.
A small Italian town with only 550 residents called Castellino del Biferno minted their own “Ducati” banknotes during the current Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
Italy was the nation hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic after China, before surges in other countries. The government has since placed the entire nation under lockdown to stem the spread of the disease.
Obviously, the lockdown has also hit the town which is situated in southern Italy. The town’s mayor, Enrico Fratangelo explained the decision to save the local economy. There are only four businesses open now.
The central government had previously disbursed a € 5,500 grant to distribute food vouchers to the townsfolk. The town council added some of its savings and came up with the Ducati banknotes. The notes were then distributed to some 200 families with various needs.
The local residents can then spend the money at local businesses. Shops will send the notes to the local council every fortnight and be reimbursed. The mayor believes the notes will also impart a sense of belonging.
One “Ducati” is worth € 1, “Five Ducati” are equivalent to € 5, and so forth. The mayor says doing so avoids confusion especially among senior citizens.
Source: euronews
