The move was officially announced recently and sees the Australian reconnecting with the team that granted him his first MotoGP world champion’s title back in 2007.
Stoner’s move away from HRC test-riding duties was long rumoured in the past few months, but both the Australian and HRC opted to officially announce his departure sometime just last week. In the process, the folks at HRC also stated their thanks and gratitude towards Stoner and his contributions over the last few years as a HRC test-rider.
After retiring from MotoGP in 2012, Stoner continued as a test-rider for HRC, but only rode sporadically since then, spending no more than a couple of days annually astride a Honda GP bike. Sources report that the move was made for two reasons, the first of which being the fact that the Australian kept good ties with the Italian team even after leaving it for HRC and secondly was the timely arrival of Gigi Dall’Igna as the head of Ducati Corse that made a return to Ducati even more attractive.
Presently, Ducati confirmed that Stoner will mainly focus on private tests and not riding in any of the official 2016 pre-season test sessions in Sepang, Phillip Island or Qatar. Whilst the prospect of Stoner returning on-track astride a Ducati GP bike for a wildcard outing appears to be slim, Ducati fans can instead rejoice at the fact he will be reappearing at next year’s World Ducati Week 2016 festivities in Bologna, Italy.
Sources: Asphaltandrubber and Visordown
The fact that the German company returned to the EICMA after years of absence can be seen as a clear signal for the implementation of the company’s growth strategy. (more…)
Though it was revealed fully in a ‘teaser’ video not too long ago, MV did not release much facts and details surrounding its refreshed naked bike until its official presentation in the show.
Firstly, the newly updated and Euro4-compliant engine now churns out 116hp at 11,500rpm whilst peak torque has risen by 25% as well to 82.6Nm at 7,600rpm. Besides that, the Brutale 800’s slipper clutch has been updated with a new hydraulically-operated unit whilst gearshifts are now handled by MV’s electronic quick-shifter that works in both up- and down-shifts.
The bike still uses MV’s MVICS electronics package that includes a ride-by-wire throttle and eight setting traction control system.
Calling the new Brutale 800 ‘the most beautiful Brutale ever’, MV says it is ‘more muscular and streamlined’ when explaining the naked bike’s lightly refreshed styling. Highlights here include the sculpted tank and seat unit, as well as the restyled plastic panels at the side of the radiator.
Check our more photos of the refreshed MV Agusta Brutale 800 in the gallery we’ve prepared below.
Sources: Asphaltandrubber / Visordown
Previewed as the Yamaha MT-09 Faster Wasp concept just weeks earlier, the new XSR900 not only sees Yamaha expanding the MT-09 naked’s range, it also now joins in the ranks of Yamaha’s “Sport Heritage” line as well.
Sitting above the MT-07-based XSR700 model, the Yamaha XSR900 revealed at EICMA 2015 features the brand’s iconic yellow-black speedblock paint scheme, with much of the Roland Sands Design (RSD) concept’s lines being retained as well.
Underneath, all remains business as usual as it retains the MT-09 base bike’s chassis architecture and 847cc triple-cylinder powertrain. However, like the updated 2016 Yamaha MT-09, it gains with a newly added traction control feature and offers three selectable riding modes as well.
There’s also an assist and slipper clutch feature as well lifted from the updated 2016 MT-09. Other notable features include a pair of 41mm inverted front forks, an adjustable shock, as well as radially mounted brake calipers with ABS.
Yamaha also stated that a wide array of accessories will be made available for customers when the bike’s sales commence in March next year.
Check out more photos of the new Yamaha XSR900 in the extensive gallery we’ve prepared below.
Sources: Asphaltandrubber / MCN / Visordown
Previewed just weeks ago in prototype form, the new 2016 KTM 690 Duke boasts several enhanced new features and hardware starting with its powertrain. The heavily revised 690cc LC4 single-cylinder now thumps out a higher output of 73hp and 73.8Nm whilst gaining a powerband that is 1,000 rpm wider than before too.
Part of the major changes made in the engine included the revised intake camshaft that now doubles up as an additional balancer shaft, resulting in lower vibrations. KTM states that both the intake and exhaust systems have been also been optimised for Euro4 emissions compliance too, making it KTM’s first engine to comply with Euro4 as well.
Apart from that comes the addition of new a cornering ABS suite, making the 2016 KTM 690 Duke the first bike in class to feature it. The naked also underpins a newly redesigned chassis frame with increased handling stability, followed by the adoption of new and re-profiled seats, LED rear lighting, as well as a nifty new TFT instrument display.
Sitting at the top of the range is the racier 2016 KTM 690 Duke R variant. Besides the offer of a bigger 75hp punch, it is set apart from the standard 690 Duke thanks to its orange-painted frame and wheels, not forgetting the signature Akrapovič exhausts system added into the package as well.
As it is, this is one nutty middleweight that we know many around the world will be anxiously waiting for.
Sources: Asphaltandrubber / MCN / Visordown
