The Ducati Desert X concept was shown at the Ducati World Premiere.
It will the most off-road capable bike for the manufacturer.
The prototype will be unveiled at EICMA 2019.
Also launched during the Ducati World Premiere was the Ducati Desert X adventure bike concept.
While every manufacturer harps on their building adventure bikes as the successor to their Paris-Dakar race bikes, Ducati hasn’t done so until now. And the Italian manufacturer knows that they are missing a pedigree adventure/dual-sport bike in their lineup. Yes, there’s the Multistrada Enduro but its meant for light trails and rough roads. For those kind of riding, they know they need a bike specifically designed for that task.
Cagiva had a history in the Paris-Dakar Rally when they owned the Ducati brand. The bike was called the Cagiva Elefant 750 and 900. The Elefant 750 won the 1990 edition while the Elefant 900 won the 1994 race, both times with Edi Orioli on board, beating out BMW, Honda and Yamaha.
The Desert X was inspired by the 900cc variant, though. It was powered by the air-cooled, two-valve-per-cylinder, 904cc, Ducati V-Twin which was also the engine for the 900SS.
The Desert X concept was designed by Ducati’s own Jeremy Faraud. The concept is based on the Scrambler 1100 albeit with much more suspension travel, besides the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels. The engine will use the 1079cc, 2-valve, air-cooled V-Twin from the Scrambler 1100 which produces 86 bhp and 88 Nm of torque.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali mentioned that while they showed off the sketches only during the event, they already have a prototype. And this prototype will be unveiled at EICMA 2019!
The SHARK Race-R Pro GP helmet is designed for ultimate protection.
It is also FIM certified for competition use.
The same technology for MotoGP is available for consumers.
We published the story of the SHARK Race-R Pro GP helmet saving Miguel Oliveira’s life in a horrific 300 km/h crash yesterday. We thought we ought to share a little bit more about something that’s proven to save bikers’ lives. Here are the 10 points on why it’s the ultimate head protection.
The helmet has passed the stringent FIM certification, hence allowed in all FIM sanctioned racing events including — but not limited to — WorldSBK, Endurance World Championship, Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP. The FIM standard was introduced earlier this year to streamline helmet testing, although virtually all helmets allowed on the international stage conform to the UN ECE 22.05 standard.
The positive side to the FIM certification is that consumers will also benefit from the same technologies used in professional racing.
The helmet is listed in the FIM helmet homologation list as of 25th January 2019, and obtained theFIM FRHPhe-01 2018 certification.
2. Same as race helmet
The SHARK Race-R Pro consumer helmet has the same construction as the race helmet, except for custom fitting for individual riders. This means a MotoGP rider could buy the helmet at a shop and wear it in racing. Again, this is a clear benefit for us mortals.
3. COVA construction
The helmet used SHARK’s proprietary COVA (carbon on-view and aramid) construction. The advantages are lightweight, while being resistant to compression and abrasion, besides being effective at shock absorption and preventing delamination.
4. Multi-density EPS liner
Using a multi-density EPS (expanded polystyrene) liner means optimum protection at different impact zones. For example, the forehead area usually hits the hardest so a denser EPS is used.
5. Dual-density EPU chin guard
The chin guard is also protection, but by using dual-density EPU (expanded polyurethane). Polyurethane is a rubber-like material and is specifically designed to reduce shock reverberating around the chin area.
6. Air pollution filter
The chin guard not only has a dual-density EPU liner, but the vent also has a variable airflow air pollution filter. The filter is removable if the rider want all the airflow on a hot day.
7. High-strength visor
The visor is all important in ensuring the safety of the rider’s eyes. The helmet’s visor is not only of high strength but also features Class 1 optical rating, although it has variable thickness between 4.2 mm to 2.8 mm. The optical rating means that vision is not distorted. Additionally, it is rated to prevent scratches and fogging. The visor is attached to the helmet via a secure but quick disassembly mechanism, just like those in MotoGP.
8. Ergonomic visor grip
The visor lock mechanism is placed in an ergonomic position for easy reach and operation. It also locks the visor securely.
9. Aerodynamic spoiler
The rear spoiler provides supreme stability even at speeds above 340 km/h, as we regularly see in MotoGP. By stability it means the helmet doesn’t shake or move around at high speeds. It did look funky at first but it’s already grown on us.
A direct result of good aerodynamics is a quiet helmet.
10. Quick Spoiler Safety System
However, the spoiler is designed to detach quickly in the event of a crash. This is to avoid introducing secondary shocks to the rider’s head.
The GO RACE WITH ENEOS tour is building up excitement for the 2019 Malaysian MotoGP.
ENEOS is Japan’s number one engine oil company.
They handed over prizes to winners of Leg One over the weekend.
Japan’s number one engine oil company ENEOS is building up excitement towards the fast approaching 2019 Malaysian MotoGP, through their campaign called GO RACE WITH ENEOS.
Local distributor MAYSHOWA is currently conducting a tour, consisting of 2 roving teams. Leg One of the tour targets 12 stops at Klang Valley motorcycle workshops in 6 days, between 14th to 16th October and 21st to 23rd October. Leg Two will see the teams complete the 44 scheduled stops by mid-November 2019.
The tour found that Malaysian bikers are familiar with the brand. Out of 330 surveyed, 282 said that they knew the brand and its ties with MotoGP. 110 of those survey participants have used ENEOS engine oil. The campaign also yielded 140 participants in the lucky draw. They stood to win grandstand tickets at the Malaysian MotoGP and smartphones worth over RM 6,000.
Representatives from ENEOS and MAYSHOWA handed over the tickets and smartphones for Leg One winners at Ah Hong Trading workshop, Jalan Sentul over the weekend.
The company offers a wide range of engine oils for different applications. Their flagship product is the 4T SL/MA2 10W-50 Fully-Synthetic. As for synthetic blend (semi-synthetic), there are the 4T SL/MA 10W-40 and 4T SL/MA 20W-50. The latter product is for scooters. There are also mineral oils.
They are currently associated with the Monster Energy Yamaha factory racing team with Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinalez as riders.
Miguel Oliveira survived a horrific 300 km/h crash at Phillip Island.
A high gust of wind pushed him off the track.
One of the things that saved him was his Shark Race-R Pro GP helmet.
Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing rider Miguel Oliveira survived horror 300 km/h crash, thanks to his Shark Race-R Pro GP helmet.
The riders make it look easy on television, but they have to actually battle blustery winds up to approximately 30 km/h at the Phillip Island circuit. In fact, speeds as high as 63 km/h have been recorded.
Additionally, MotoGP bikes would hit more than 330 km/h at the end of the Gardner start/finish straight.
It was because of these conditions that Oliveira was pushed off the track by a strong crosswind at Turn One and onto the grass during the final FP4 practice at 300 km/h. He was then thrown onto the ground, smacking his head multiple times while tumbled on and on in the gravel pit.
You can watch the video below (Video credit Fox Sports and nine.com.au):
The horrific accident not only caused the remainder of the session to be cancelled, but also prompted the riders to vote for the qualifying sessions to be moved to Sunday morning.
Thankfully, Oliveira survived the fall. He was however deemed unfit for the race due to bruised hands and lacerations all over his body, complicating the task of squeezing into his race suit. He did not suffer a concussion, thankfully.
Photo credit GPOne.com
Credit has to go his Shark Race-R Pro GP helmet. The FIM had pushed for a new set of testing regulations earlier this year and the helmet has since been certified. Do note that the certification seeks to bring the lifesaving technologies of race helmets to consumers.
Check out how the helmet looks after the crash. The shell and face shield looked totally bashed up but neither were compromised. It was a real testament to the high standards of set by Shark Helmets.
The 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) is coming soon.
Fans can have a great experience from the Shell Hillstand.
There will also be meet and greet sessions with Ducati Corse riders.
The 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) is happening from 1st to 3rd November and fans can have the best experience from the exclusive Shell Hillstand.
Fans at the Shell Hillstand can see the dramas unfold through Turns 13 and 14 at the Sepang International Circuit. They will also have a clear view of the circuit, besides watching the “live” action on two giant LED screens.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there as the stand is nearby activities and experiential pit stops such as the Ducati bike showcase and apparel touch points, Shell Advance Ride Thru service, and Shell V-Power vouchers. There are also food and beverage vendors such as Costa Coffee, Tealive and Shell’s own deli2go.
Shell are also introducing the Sunset at Hillstand on 1st November. Fans will be able to meet MotoGP riders here.
An event with the petroleum giant’s technical partner, Ducati Corse will “takeover” the Shell station at Lebuhraya KLIA Extension on 31st October. The event will see a Ducati store front and a petrol pump island to showcase the MotoGP.
A meet and greet with Ducati factory riders Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci will also be held at the same location from 11.30am to 12.30pm. There will be an autograph session and a chance for fans to take photos with the riders.
The 1990s say clearer distinction between types of motorcycles.
However, the decade was the golden age of sportbikes.
Almost all manufacturers vied for the World Superbike title.
As 90s dawn, excess during the 1980s started to give way to multiculturalism.
Factors such as the fall of world communism and the beginning of the World Wide Web brought the world closer, despite the 90s being sometimes called the deadliest decade since World War 2.
But the fall of communism opened new markets and saw capitalism expanding faster than before. Companies strived to conquer emerging markets, seeing them pushing innovation to even greater heights. It was also during this decade that the European Union (EU) was created to open up trade and share defence capabilities.
Similarly, motorcycles in the 1990s started to be segmented along clearer lines. However, no one can deny that it was the golden era for sportbikes as WSBK (before the series was sold to Dorna and became WorldSBK) started gaining more popularity than the World Grand Prix Series.
So, here we go: The Motorcycles that Defined the 1990s
Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy (1990)
Fat Boy used in Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Let’s start with the Harley that became a cultural phenomenon.
The Motor Company had been bought back by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals from AMF in 1981. By 1984, they had created a new engine called the 1340cc Evolution (better known as Evo) and the first Softail framed bike, the FSXT Softail.
But Harley needed something to drop a bomb and create and explosion, so to speak.
After a couple of years of riding around on prototypes, they revealed the FLSTF Fat Boy in 1990.
It was quite a revolution at the time: trimmed back but with large and imposing styling, including those “disc” wheels. Some thought the name was a combination of the Fat Man and Little Boy atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Likewise, they likened the grey paint scheme and disc wheels to the B-29 Stratofortress bomber that carried those bombs. This was later dismissed as an urban legend.
But sales truly exploded after the bike was used in the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Suzuki DR650 (1990)
This is the 1991 DR650
The DR650 shows how a simple, reliable machine can last for ages. Using an air-cooled, carburetted single-cylinder engine, it was a dual-purpose bike that truly went anywhere. It was so simple that one could strip it down in the bush (just ask our friend Rob). That’s why it’s so popular that it was once the best-selling bike in Canada. In fact, Suzuki is selling it next year. With a new paintjob.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 / ZZ-R1100 (1990)
1990 ZZR1100 (ZX-11)
Kawasaki wanted to put the fastest production bike title out of reach hence they introduced the Ninja ZX-11.
The 1052cc, DOHC, 16-valve, inline-Four put out 145 bhp and 106.8 Nm of torque, and featured ram air induction the first time on any production bike. Those figures took the bike to 283 km/h. Not only that, it blasted through the quarter mile in 10.43 seconds at 211.45 km/h.
The ZX-11 would hold on to the record for another six years.
Britten V1000 (1991)
We don’t want to include race bikes here but the Britten V1000 was a work of genius that can’t be ignored, nor should ever be forgotten.
John Britten was enamoured with the lack of parts for his Ducati in New Zealand and that it didn’t handle well, causing him to crash at a race.
So he and his friends decided to built their own bikes, in the den of his home’s backyard! Heck, he even heat cured engine parts in his wife’s pottery kiln. They laid their own carbon fibre parts.
The result was the V1000 superbike racer. It boasted everything modern race bikes have and more. It used carbon fibre almost everywhere; the radiator was located under the seat; doublewishbone front suspension (carbon fibre, of course); frameless design and data logging for the first time; titanium valves; titanium conrods; among others.
The engine produced 166 bhp, while the bike weighed only 138 kg, giving it a top speed of 303 km/h.
It went on to win the Battle of the Twins and other races.
Unfortunately, John passed away from cancer not long after, leaving his dream with the V1000. Only 10 (plus one prototype) were ever built.
Ducati 888 (1991)
While the Ducati 851 won the manufacturer’s first WSBK title, the 888 sounded the alarm bells in the Japanese factories.
Truth is, the 888 wasn’t innovative as liquid-cooling, four-valve heads and electronic fuel injection made their appearance in the 851. The 888 was the 851 with enlarged capacity and revised suspension.
The engine Desmoquattro V-Twin made only 94 bhp and 80.5 Nm compared to the Japanese bikes that made over 100 bhp at the point. However, Ducati claimed the race bike made 134 bhp and weighed on 142 kg, dry.
But that was enough to win Ducati and Doug Polen the 1991 and 1992 WSBK titles.
Aprilia RS 125R Extrema (1992)
This well-known bike came out this year alright and gave the Cagiva Mito a run for its money. But the truly popular model with the bulbous bodywork came out later in 1996. The two-stroke single produced 34 bhp and 24 Nm of torque, and could hit around 180 km/h. Traffic light GP was the best during the era.
BMW R1100RS (1992)
This BMW Motorrad sport-tourer was the first to use the new air-cooled Boxer with oil-cooled heads, hence popularly known as the “Oilhead.” It superseded the air-cooled “Airhead” engines that were in use since the R32 in 1932.
The Oilhead became the Boxer for the manufacturer for many years to come and was enlarged to 1200cc, before being superseded by the “Wasserhead” in 2013. But the 1200cc Oilhead is still used in the R nine T.
The R1100RS also used the engine as a stressed member, a design that’s adopted until today. It was also the first BMW motorcycle which uses the Telelever front suspension set up.
It proved immensely popular and there are still many running today.
Honda CBR900R / CBR900RR Fireblade (1992)
We thought we’d leave the best of 1992 (and of future generations to the last).
While sportbikes gained more power and technology since Suzuki’s GSX-R750 in 1985, they also gained more and more weight and heft. But the CBR900RR proved once again that light is right.
Interestingly, the project had started out as the CBR750RR to compete in the 750cc sportbike class. But project leader Tadao Baba protested that if Honda made a bike that was powerful, light and easy to ride, people will buy, 750cc be damned.
So Honda enlarged the inline-Four engine to 893ccto find the balance between the 750’s agility and 1000’s power. But the engine was still shoehorned into the original 750cc-sized frame. Tadao’s team then pared away all superfluous parts and weight in a typical Japanese OCD fashion.
What they ended up with was truly groundbreaking — the bike weighed only 185 kg dry, 205 kg wet. That’s just 2 kg more than the Honda CBR600F2. The next lightest over-750cc bike was the Yamaha FZR1000 which was 34 kg heavier!
It was also agile as Honda used a 16-inch front wheel.
Suffice to say, the CBR900RR wiped the showroom floors with the other sportbikes, until the Yamaha YZF-R1 came out in 1998.
Triumph Tiger 900 (1993)
Let’s start the year with this one, which was the grandaddy of the current Tiger Sport 1050.
Fans called this bike the “Steamer” and it was made during the time when the Paris-Dakar Rally was at its zenith — the hunting grounds of the Honda Africa Twin, Yamaha Super Tenéré, BMW G/S and Cagiva Elefant.
The 885cc, DOHC, 12-valve, inline-Triple made 85 bhp and 82 Nm. That doesn’t sound a lot, correct, but the Steamer was the fastest adventure bike of the time, hitting 210 km/h when its competitors struggled to reach 180 km/h.
It may look big and unwieldily, but in truth it weight only 209 kg and was nimble — a trait of all Triumphs.
The engine went on to 955cc, powering the er… Tiger 955i and finally the Tiger Sport 1050. By then it had become more road-oriented, as Triumph decided that the new Tiger 800 would be the true dual-sport model. The Tiger 800 had a different developmental path, as a result.
Yamaha YZF750 (1993)
1993 Yamaha YZF750 SP
The YZF750 was one of the best 750cc sportbikes ever made but largely underrated as it was sandwiched among the Ducati 888, Kawasaki ZX-7R, and later the Honda CBR900RR Fireblade and Ducati 916.
But it was the sweetest handling sportbike when it was introduced and served until 1998. In fact, there were owners who shoehorned the YZF1000 engine into the YZF750’s chassis!
Yamaha also built the SP version for WSBK homologation. (It didn’t get the OW02 designation, though.)
Ducati Monster (1993)
The Ducati Monster went on to popularise the naked sportbike category, but it was meant to be a parts bin special at the time of its inception. The manufacturer had wanted to create a bike that cheaper to produce and sell, compared to the expensive 888 sportbike.
But it turned out to be a special alright, as discovered by Ducati’s test riders. Despite looking something like a cruiser, it had the propensity to lean way over and pull wheelies out of corners. Consequently, they dubbed it “Il Monstro” (“Monster” in Italian) and the name stuck.
The Monster would be the bike that saved Cagiva (owners of Ducati at the time) from bankruptcy, and see many revisions and iterations until today.
BMW R1100GS (1993)
The BMW R1100GS was released a year after the R1100RS received the Oilhead Boxer. It was also the model to break away from the R80G/S and R100GS’s styling mould, and lead the way to how the future GS models would look like.
Other features included Bosch Motronic fuel injection, Telelever front suspension, Paralever rear suspension which incorporated the driveshaft and ABS as an option.
BMW F650 (1993)
The F650 was also revolutionary in BMW Motorrad’s history as the first single-cylinder bike since the 1960 R27. It also has the distinction of being the first chain-driven BMW.
An interesting fact was the F650 was co-designed with Aprilia, who produced the Pegaso 650. Now you know why both bikes looked similar! The 654cc engines for both the BMW and Aprilia were made Rotax. Now you know why they sounded alike!
The single-cylinder F650 would be produced all the way to 2000, in different variants. It was superseded by the F650GS in 2000; then the parallel-Twin 798cc F650GS in 2008; before being reverted to single-cylinder and called the F650GS in 2009 (G650GS for the US market).
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R (1994)
Okay, let’s start 1994 with the Ninja ZX-9R because it was the year when a certain bike revolutionised the sportbike segment until today.
Kawasaki was actually blindsided by the Honda CBR900RR. The former and all Japanese manufacturers had stuck to the 750cc for agility and racing, and the 1000cc open-class for power.
So, they had to respond against their long-time nemesis with this bike.
But rather than going the Honda way of building a light bike, they decided to bring the bike closer to the big bore end. It resulted in a bigger bike which weighed 215 kg dry – a whole 30 kg more. Granted, it had 125 bhp which was 10 higher than the CBR900RR but it couldn’t challenged the class leader directly.
As such, Kawasaki called the Ninja ZX-9R an alternative to the CBR.
Honda RVF750 RC45 (1994)
Honda was contesting the WSBK title with the VFR750R RC30 but it was starting to show its age and beaten by Ducati, Kawasaki and Yamaha. Honda was the company who took losing like a katana to the belly.
In fact, their mantra is “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” and it’s founder Soichiro Honda who said, “Racing improves the breed” despite “The Power of Dreams” tagline.
The RVF750 was redesigned from the VFR750 RC30, using the RVF endurance racer’s technology. It’s made for one sole purpose: To win the WSBK title again.
As such, it was a race bike from ground up and hand-built by HRC (Honda Racing Corporation). Only 200 were made.
But it struggled in WSBK, especially against the next bike on this list. On the other hand, the RC45 was dominant at the Isle of Man TT with Joey Dunlop and Jim Moodie; AMA Superbike and Daytona 200 with Miguel Duhammel and Ben Bostrom; FIM World Endurance from 1988 to 1998 (shared with the RC30); and the Macau Grand Prix with Michael Rutter.
It made nearly 200 bhp in its final racing form, more powerful than Honda’s own all-conquering NSR500 two-stroke GP bike.
Triumph Speed Triple (1994)
If the Ducati Monster popularised naked sportbikes (although they claimed it began the street fighter revolution), it was the Triumph Street Triple showed the way for factory streetfighters.
Two versions were offered, initially, the 900 and 750. The former used the 855cc, inline-Triple engine shared with the Trident, Daytona and and Thunderbird. It produced 98 bhp and 79.8 Nm of torque.
That was good to provide the rider with an enthralling ride. Wheelies, stoppies and burnouts were included in the package.
The Speed Triple was continuously updated and has reached the 1050cc beast now, along with the superb Street Triple 765 (whose engine is the base for Moto2 engines). There may be a more powerful one soon.
KTM Duke 620 (1994)
The Duke 620 is an important bike in history because it was the Austrian manufacturer’s first venture into road bikes.
The 609cc, SOHC, 4-valve, single-cylinder engine produced a healthy 55 bhp and 60 Nm, which goaded riders into riding on the borderline of irresponsibility and insanity. Although the factory marketed it as a naked bike, it was the smaller streetfighterto the Triumph Speed Triple.
Ducati 916 (1994)
Sorry to keep you waiting. Here it is, the bike that turned sportbike design and engineering upside down. Designed by the late Massimo Tamburini, it would become the most beautiful bike of all time. Its looks were backed up by performance which completely dominated the WSBK field.
The engine evolved from the 888’s and hit 114 bhp with 91 Nm of torque.
It wasn’t about grunt which made the 916 such a dominating bike. Instead it was the overall package which was shrink wrapped into the size of a 250.
The single-sided swingarm was made for quicker wheel changes. The underseat exhausts gave the bike a clean, lean and purposeful look. The thin midsection let riders clamp the tank easier and gave the feeling of sitting in the bike as one, rather being perched precariously on it.
It was from advent of the 916 that sportbikes look the way they do now. It was also the bike that truly made “Ducati” a household name. That was why Ducati commemorated the 25th anniversary of 916 recently with the Panigale V4 S 916 25th Anniversario edition.
One journalist put it best, “1994 was the year the Ducati 916 came out. No one remember what else did.”
End of Part 1
Let’s take a break here. Just like the 80s, the 90s gave birth to bikes whose legacy continues until today. There are still five years to go until the end of the decade. We’ll continue with what else came along.
