CONZ - german psycho with motorcycle

There is anticipation in the motorcycling world for the presentation of the CR&S DUU, the new motorcycle from the Milanese workshops headed by Roberto Crepaldi, at the 69th Salone Internazionale del Ciclo e del Motociclo (International Motorcycle and Bicycle Salon) to be held from 2nd to 7th November at the Fiera di Milano.
The motorcycle will be presented in Pavilion 2, stand I 33.
Following the success of the concept motorcycle which appeared for the first time at the EICMA 2009, the curtain is now being raison on the "single-seater" and "two-seater" road versions of the techno-custom bike, made by hand and only made to measure, which pays tribute to the glorious mechanical tradition of the Lombard capital.
The concept of the CR&S DUU motorcycle, which is stated to enter production next year, was unanimously acclaimed by the public, critics and motorcycling press. The entire production for 2011 has already been booked, with over 130 reservations made.
The original design shows the bike's muscles, highlighting the new, powerful American two-litre X-Wedge "V-Twin" engine by S&S, mounted on a sporty chassis of European form, and it reflects the capacity to effect a perfect synthesis of the best of Western motorcycle traditions.
These characteristics have enabled the CR&S DUU to win a place at the MAD-Moto Arte Design, as being one of the motorcycle masterpieces of the past 50 years.
The press - and not just the trade press - has also been extremely flattering, contributing to the expectations of a motorcycle that in terms of technology and appearance anticipates the new trends.
With its eyes firmly on the future, but without renouncing tradition and the added value of craftsmanship.
All CR&S motorcycles are unique pieces assembled by hand and made to measure like tailored suits for demanding and hedonistic motorcyclists.
"We want to apply to the field of motorbikes what already occurs in the sector of prestige cars, in which customisation is optimised during assembly. Today, the biker has to buy his motorbike the way it is, except for some few variants, and then personalise it as he wishes."
The founder explains, "we, instead, give the client the possibility of ‘building' his bike with us, following every phase of the construction process from the order onwards, and the continuing also with after-sales updates."
With the DUU, CR&S has broadened its potential target and is preparing to conquer the European market. On top of consolidating its presence in Italy, Germany and France, which constitute the largest markets in Europe, CR&S is also aiming at North America, and there are also good prospects for growth in Australia, Japan and the Far East.
"There are no direct competitors", continues the founder and sole administrator of CR&S. "There are and have also been in the past some solutions that are in some way similar to the DUU, but the overall concept and the originality of the project create a sector that is all on its own".
The CR&S DUU Concept Motorcycle
Two seats, two cylinders, two litres. The CR&S DUU ("two" in Milanese dialect) is a naked-techno-custom at the top of the Premium sector, providing a perfect combination of Western motorcycling traditions and enabling an entertaining and intuitive ride.
Power and agility are combined in a bike with an American engine and European form, designed for two-wheeling aesthetes and experts who like to open the throttle on US straights without having to give up the thrill of tackling the bends of the Old Continent.
A motorbike with a strong emotive charge, which lays bare its soul and shows its muscles. The frame made by CR&S, with a large cross-section "backbone" tubular structure, does not cover the engine but frames it, highlighting an unusual engine, the 1916 cc X-Wedge, made for the 50th anniversary of S&S, a leading US company in special parts for engines and makers of twin-cylinders "V"s.
Like all the CR&S, each DUU is unique, assembled by hand and made to measure like a tailored suit: starting with the standard version, it is possible to choose from an infinite range of technical and aesthetic variants.
The DUU is also modular: the basic module can be configured in a different way according to the requirements of the owner, while maintaining the aesthetic and functional features of the project.
CR&S - Founded in 1992 - with the aim of promoting sports motorcycles of the 1960s and 1970s (Cafè Racers) and their current descendants (Superbikes), is today the only manufacturer of road bikes in Milan to continue the mechanical tradition in the Lombard region.

2011 KTM RC8 Track

2011 KTM 1190 Track
At the INTERMOT Cologne motorcycle show in Germany this past Tuesday, KTM unveiled a few European-only models, including the 2011 1190 RC8 R Track, a bike that's intended just for what its name implies.
Sticking to their "Ready to Race" philosophy, KTM built a no-nonsense motorcycle. The RC8 R Track comes prepared to unleash all 180 horsepower from its V-twin; it lacks all street equipment, including mirrors, headlights, blinkers and even DOT tires.
The RC8R Track comes stock with Dunlop slicks, an Akrapovic EVO 4 exhaust, Brembo monobloc brakes, race mapping, quick shifter, and adjustable subframe, handlebars and footpegs.
In this not-street legal format, the unique twin represents a direct conversion of a commercially available Superbike that stems straight from the official KTM racing activities.
The RC8 R Track was fittingly presented at the show by two KTM factory racers Martin Bauer and Stefan Nebel, the riders who won the Manufacturers Title in the International German Championship on their 1190 RC8 R superbikes.

2011 Honda CBR600RR | Preview

2011 Honda CBR
For 2011, the Honda CBR600RR remains the same as 2010, but with new red/black and black paint schemes.
The machine is also available with Honda's Combined ABS, but only in Black. This C-ABS  is a true "brake-by-wire" design, which means that they are electronically controlled. Unlike conventional ABS, where the feel at the lever is soft due to hydraulic pressure, the C-ABS offers a more responsive brake-lever feel.
The CBR 600 has won more AMA championships than any other manufacturer, and for 2011 Honda releases a machine that offers a great balance of power and handling.
New for 2011

• Exciting new colors for the CBR RR: Red/Black and Black. C-ABS model available in Black only.
• All colors have silver swingarms.

2011 Honda CBR600RR / CBR600RR C-ABS Specs:

• Engine Type: 599cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder
• Bore and Stroke: 67mm x 42.5mm
• Compression ratio: 12.2:1
• Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder
• Induction: Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI) with 40mm throttle bodies, Denso 12-hole injectors
• Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with 3-D mapping
• Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed
• Final Drive: #525 O-ring chain
• Suspension
  Front: 41mm inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.7 inches travel
  Rear: Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 5.1 inches travel
• Brakes
  Front: Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with 310mm discs
  Rear: Single 220mm disc;
  Optional Honda Combined ABS
• Tires
  Front: 120/70ZR-17 radial
  Rear: 180/55ZR-17 radial
• Wheelbase: 53.9 inches
• Rake: 23.5°
• Trail: 97.7mm (3.9 inches)
• Seat Height: 32.3 inches
• Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons, including 0.9-gallon reserve
• Estimated Fuel Economy: 41 mpg
• Colors:
  CBR600RR: Red/Black, Black
  CBR600RR C-ABS: Black
• Curb Weight*: 410 pounds (CBR600RR) / 432 pounds (CBR600 C-ABS)

*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel-ready to ride.
Honda Genuine Accessories

• Color-Matched Passenger Seat Cowl
• U-Lock
• CBR Racing Cycle Cover (for indoor use)
• Carbon-Fiber Accents
• Carbon Fiber License Plate Frame
• Outdoor Cycle Cover

XDL 2010 Busa Tire Poppin Burnout

2011 Suzuki Motorcycles
Suzuki Motor Corporation has unveiled three new european motorcycle models for 2011 at the Intermot motorcycle, scooter, and bicycle fair, held in Cologne, Germany, from October 5 - 10.
The three new models each offer improved performance together with an improvement of at least 10%* in fuel economy.
2011 Suzuki GSR750: a new naked machine with futuristic styling and a powerful engine
The GSR750 is a new kind of naked machine: one that combines edgy, futuristic styling with great performance on urban streets.
It's outstandingly rider-friendly thanks to atomizing injectors and other cutting-edge technologies that make it at least 10%* more fuel-efficient than the 2010 GSR600 and realize smooth, strong torque delivery in the low-to-mid rpm range.
Plus, it has inverted front forks, a multi-function instrument cluster, a uniquely shaped headlight, and a triangle-shaped muffler that combines radical looks with great functionality.
2011 Suzuki GSX-R750: The best-balanced 750cc Supersport in the world
Reflecting the GSX-R concept of always being The Top Performer, the new GSX-R750 is 8kg lighter than its predecessor in the chassis and other areas and as compact as a 600cc machine; its lightness and compactness translate into better performance.
The chassis incorporates a newly designed frame, a Big Piston Front-fork, and Brembo monoblock front brake calipers.
The engine is at least 10%* more fuel-efficient than that of the 2010 GSX-R750 thanks to cutting-edge design techniques that yielded lower mechanical losses. Plus, compact bodywork reflects the pursuit of lightness.
2011 Suzuki GSX-R600: Nine kilograms lighter and class-leading performance
Suzuki has evolved its 600cc Supersport once more. The new GSX-R600 has a newly designed frame, a Big Piston Front-fork, and Brembo monoblock front brake calipers.
Plus, its engine has lower mechanical losses thanks to advanced component-design techniques originally used with MotoGP machines; output is higher at high engine speeds, and torque is higher in the low-to-mid rpm range.
The engine improvements are complemented by revised transmission gear ratios, resulting in better acceleration and an improvement of at least 10%* in fuel economy over the 2010 model.

Magny-Cours Superbike: France Preview

World Superbike




Although Aprilia rider Max Biaggi clenched the 2010 World Superbike Championship at Imola, the final round this weekend at Magny-Cours in France will decide the outcome of the manufactures' title and quite possibly some contracts for 2011.



Going into the final round, Aprilia leads the manufacturers' race with 433 points, 41 ahead of Ducati. As for the contracts, many riders have not yet been signed for the 2011 season, and their final point outcome may help decide who signs with who.



As for Biaggi, he earned the 2010 WSBK title after winning nine races in 12 rounds, including double wins at the Portimao, Monza, Miller, and Misano rounds.. The "Roman Emperor" became the first Italian in the series' 22-year history to win a World SBK title. And even before he clenched the title, the 39-year old extended his contract with Aprilia for two years.



Up to Imola, Suzuki Alstare rider Leon Haslam was the only rider capable of catching Biaggi, but when the Brit's motor went on his GSX-R1000 during the final race in Imola, his championship hopes were finished. It was announced this week that Haslam will be joining Troy Corser on the BMW Motorrad team, contesting on the BMW S1000RR next season.



Haslam will finish in second for 2010, due to being 62 points ahead of the man in third place, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea. The Northern Irishman was unable to contest at both races in Imola after breaking his collarbone and wrist during a qualifying crash.



Rea attempted to rejoin the racing at Imola on his spare CBR1000RR Fireblade, but was unable to control the machine, and thus withdrew from the race. As of Tuesday, it is unknown if Rea will compete in France.



Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa is coming off another great weekend, the Spaniard doubling at Imola. He is 14 points behind Rea in fourth place, and depending on results and Rea possibly not competing, Checa may easily take third in the championship.



Only one point separate the riders in fifth and sixth place, Yamaha Sterilgarda rider Cal Crutchlow and Ducati Team rider Noriyuki Haga, respectively. Crutchlow, who will be moving to MotoGP in 2011, has 238 points, and Haga, who is without a ride for 2011, has 237 points.



Haga had double podiums at Imola, and will be looking to overtake Crutchlow in France, even under the stress of knowing all factory Ducati efforts are pulled in 2011.



Crutchlow's teammate, James Toseland, didn't receive any points at Imola due to two DNFs, which places Suzuki Alstare rider Sylvain Guintoli only three points behind in a home race. Rounding out the top ten are Ducati Xerox rider Michel Fabrizio with 169 points, and Corser with 165.



World Superbike says Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) missed the Imola round through injury. Leon is another British rider fighting to be fit to race in France, as he recovers from surgery on his broken right scaphoid. Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati) had two good top ten finishes last time out in Italy and is now only ten points adrift of Camier. Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport), Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Jakub Smrz (PATA B&G Aprilia) complete the top 15 with one round and two races to go.



World Superbike says a quite fabulous home round for DFX Corse Ducati privateer Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Corse Ducati) saw him finish second in race one at Imola, and he is now 16th in the rankings, only six points behind Smrz. Lanzi is a former race winner at Magny-Cours, a fact he will no doubt be reminding himself of all the way to the line for Sunday's races. Luca Scassa (Supersonic Team) and Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) are having their final races for their respective teams at Magny-Cours, and will want to go out with strong results.



The American Roger Lee Hayden and Matteo Baiocco (Pedercini Kawasaki) are looking for season best finishes this weekend, which would mean 12th place or better for the American and 13th or higher for the Italian. Fabrizio Lai is out to do what he did in race two at Imola, score points for his ECHO CRS Honda squad.



2010 World Superbike Point Standings (after 12 of 13 rounds):

1. Max Biaggi 413

2. Leon Haslam 350

3. Jonathan Rea 288

4. Carlos Checa 274

5. Cal Crutchlow 239

6. Noriyuki Haga 238

7. James Toseland 187

8. Sylvain Guintoli 184

9. Michel Fabrizio 169

10. Troy Corser 165.



Manufacturers Standings:

1. Aprilia 433

2. Ducati 392

3.Suzuki 379

4.Yamaha 307

5.Honda 305

6. BMW 201

7. Kawasaki 100

2010 XDL Indianapolis - Chris TEACH McNeil and Others

Except for a handful of racers, the Motorland Aragon circuit in Spain is brand new territory across the paddock as the 3.155-mile circuit hosts Round 13 of the 2010 MotoGP Championship this coming weekend, Sept. 17-19.
The Gran Premio A-Style de Aragon is the third of four MotoGP races in Spain, the most of any country on the 2010 schedule. The first two races held in Spain - Jerez and Catalunya - were won by Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo, and the series leader is hoping for a repeat performance to entertain his home crowd.
Jorge Lorenzo says: "I hope lots of people but especially my fan club are coming because I think it will be a good weekend. My aim is to get on the podium again and to push as hard as I can. We're ready to start working."
Lorenzo, 23, has won seven races so far this season, and was on the podium for the remainder of the first 12 rounds. Lorenzo, who tested at Aragon, leads the championship with 271 points, but the man who beat him at the last outing in Misano, Dani Pedrosa, is slowly trimming Lorenzo's lead.
The Repsol Honda rider, also of Spain, now sits only 63 points behind Lorenzo with six rounds to go. He will also be looking to entertain his home crowd, and the power of his RC212V has been showing, the 24 year old winning the last two outings at Misano and Indy. Plus, like Lorenzo, Pedrosa has some experience on the track.
Dan Pedrosa says: "I did some laps in July with a Honda CBR1000RR street bike and I really enjoyed the layout - I loved the circuit. It's very different to the ones we are used to racing at in the MotoGP Championship, and so it will be really interesting this weekend. The circuit combines fast and slow corners which are quite technical, and the last straight and finish line section is going to be amazing. There are also some blind turns where you need to look for references outside the track. The facilities are very high spec and it looks like the fans are in for a treat at this race."
Sitting in third with 139 points is Pedrosa's teammate, Andrea Dovizioso. The Italian can't easily catch the two Spaniards battling up front, but will be running hard to maintain third in the championship considering two riders sit in fourth and fifth with equal amount of points at 130, Ducati Team rider Casey Stoner and Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi.
Stoner had five consecutive podiums heading into Indy, but crashed out of there. Then at Misano, he could only get his GP10 into fifth position. His biggest issue so far this season has been with grip, and he says this issue is being worked on for the Aragon GP.
Casey Stoner says: The team and all the engineers are doing a fantastic job so it is a case of giving my maximum and helping come up with something new to improve the feeling with the bike, to get it turning better and find some more grip. More than anything we want to put the last couple of weeks behind us."
Rossi is lucky in Spain, the nine-time world champion having won 19 grand prixs across all classes in the country. Rossi, who will be taking Stoner's spot on Ducati next year as Stoner moves to Honda, also tested on Aragon aboard a YZF-R1 superbike, giving him some additional experience over most of the field.
Valentino Rossi says: "Aragon is quite complicated but it's a lot of fun and it's fast, so I think it will be a real test. I think the best bit is the entry to turn 16 and I am looking forward to riding my M1 there."
The highest of the satellite riders, Ben Spies sits in sixth position, just 10 points behind Rossi and Stoner. The Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider will be filling Rossi's vacancy next year on the factory Yamaha team. Taking Spies spot for 2011 is current Yamaha World Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow.
The American Nicky Hayden sits in seventh with 109 points. He will be hoping for better results than last round's outing at Misano where the Ducati Team rider crashed out with Rizla Suzuki rider Loris Caprossi. Completing the top ten in points is LCR Honda rider Randy de Puniet, San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Melandri, and the last of the three Americans, Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards. Edwards will be making his 100th GP start this weekend aboard a Yamaha.
The 17-rider field will be lacking one, as Capirossi was ruled out earlier this week. During the wreck with Hayden at Misano, the Italian tore a tendon in his right finger; his doctors recommend an extra week of healing, ruling him out of the Aragon Grand Prix.
MotoGP says Aragón will also see the return of a three-practice format with two sessions on Friday and a third and final one on Saturday morning ahead of qualifying, in a trial system which will be reviewed following the GP.
Riders will be on track at 10:05 a.m. local time Friday.

Aragon Moto2: Elias Chases 7th Win

The majority of the Moto2 grid experienced Aragon for the first time in early July, during a two-day test session that was topped by Andrea Iannone (Fimmco Speed Up, Speed Up) and Julian Simon (Mapfre Aspar Team, Suter).
Moto2 World Championship leader Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2, Moriwaki) was also among the fastest riders during the outing.
This weekend MotoGP will still be in mourning following the tragic events of Misano, where Shoya Tomizawa (Technomag-CIP, Suter) died after an accident during the Moto2 race.
Tomizawa's friends and fellow Moto2 riders have all spoken of the young Japanese rider's infectious enthusiasm and his love for the sport. He will be deeply missed by everyone.
At Misano, World Championship leader Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2, Moriwaki) was as lost for words as anyone, saying only that Tomizawa "has left an indelible mark on my life".
With Tomizawa very much in his memory, Elias will be working towards a fifth successive Moto2 win at Aragon to further stretch his series lead over his biggest rivals, Simon and Thomas Luthi (Interwetten Moriwaki Moto2, Moriwaki). If he is able to win again, Elias wants to dedicate his victory to his late friend and rival.
Although Simon and Luthi are both on great form - the pair joined Elias on the Misano podium with their second and third place finishes - they know that Elias' recent form has given them a mountain to climb with only six races remaining.
While Simon was a promising second quickest at Aragon in July, Elias was less than three-tenths slower, so the points leader will be hard to beat, especially since this is another race on home tarmac. Elias won the first Spanish Moto2 round at Jerez in May, but he's not unbeatable at home; in July he could only manage fifth place at Catalunya.
MotorLand Aragon - situated 200km south west of Barcelona - is an exciting new venue designed to be much more than just another racetrack. Built with local government backing, Aragon is a multifunctional complex devoted to technology, sport, leisure and culture.
The Aragon circuit was created with the help of some big hitters in their respective disciplines - the track layout was designed by German architect Herman Tilke (creator also of the Sepang, Istanbul, Shanghai and Bahrain racetracks), while the infrastructure is the work of globally renowned British architect Sir Norman Foster. Foster's work includes the pit complex, a hotel and residence, a technology park, a business area and a sports complex.
The anti-clockwise circuit meanders across the undulating landscape with an interesting combination of 17 corners within the 5.077km layout. There's a great variety of fast and slow corners, with elevation changes and several blind corner entries adding to the challenge.
Aragon is the 13th event of this year's 18-race MotoGP season. It also the final European round before MotoGP embarks upon its Asian odyssey which takes the paddock from Motegi in Japan to Sepang in Malaysia to Phillip Island in Australia on consecutive weekends in early October. The action then returns to Europe for the final two races of the year in Portugal and Valencia.
Moto2 Rider Quotes
Toni Elias (Gresinin Racing) says: "We did a great job at Misano even though my physical condition was not perfect. In the end we reaped the fruit of all our hard work even though it was very tough. Taking pole position on Saturday and the win on Sunday was a nice gift to the team, who are based just a few kilometres from Misano. The win has also given us a boost in terms of the championship."
"It would have been a day for us to celebrate but our achievements lost all significance with the passing of Shoya Tomizawa. It was a tough blow for our sport and today more than ever I want to send my thoughts to his family and do my part to keep alive the memory of a rider and a young man that was so full of life. It is an extra motivation to pay homage to him at Aragon, with the number 48 in my heart alongside the Spanish fans, and try to win the race so that I can dedicate it to him."
Julian Simon (Mapfre Aspar Team Suter) says: "I am very motivated going to Aragon after my second straight podium at Misano. Moving up to second in the championship also makes me want to keep this positive trend going. I got a good feeling for MotorLand in July at the test and my lap times were good. I can't wait to get back there and ride again at a place I enjoyed so much. We found a good setting in the test so we should be able to adapt quickly on Friday. The fact it is another home race is another incentive to have a great weekend."
Thomas Lüthi (Interwetten Moriwaki Moto2 Team) says: "We all have tested in Aragon, so it is equal for all the riders. We already have data from there, which is also an advantage. We will try to continue where we finished at Misano and want to try not to touch the base settings too much from there. The upcoming Grand Prix should not be too much stress for us as we don't want to change around as we did in Misano. I think to stick with the front group is defiantly the target here and I will try my best to be up with the leaders again."