This week we’ve acquired Ducatis previous and new: a German-built {custom} 848, plus the newest manufacturing unit race bike—the electrical V21L. We additionally check out the 21 Helmets present from the US, and a BMW R nineT with classic rally theming from Munich.
Ducati 848 redux by Motocrew We’re at all times fascinated to see bikes which might be developed and tweaked over time. A yr in the past, German builder Chris Scholtka wowed us along with his super-clean 848, clad in minimal silver bodywork.
He’s since revisited the 848 to present it a basic race bike look—and he’s managed to get it previous the very fussy TÜV regulators, too. “The old school racer style was in my head since day one,” he explains, “but the costs and the regulations were horrible.”
The fairing is a Eighties race job from a Kawasaki. “It took a lot of time to get it nearly symmetrical on the bike, because the old fiberglass stuff isn’t perfect,” Chris says. “I also had to build a strong and complex ‘cage’ to install the fairing—an instruction from the TÜV to get it street legal.”
The headlight is now hidden, and so is a brand new, custom-made radiator that value €1000. “It was hard to find someone who could build it—the old craftsmanship is nearly gone.”
There’s a brand new shock from Black-T on the again, and the forks have been refinished in black and upgraded internally with new springs. Chris has additionally revamped and hidden {the electrical} system, which now will get juice from a tiny NOCO lithium battery and is wired as much as Motogadget lighting.
After ending the brand new bodywork in white, Chris has lastly acquired the 848 highway authorized. “The TÜV boy looked at every lil’ part to make sure it was strong enough,” he says wryly. The subsequent step shall be a fast shift system with new engine software program—however we’d be comfortable to take this machine simply as it’s. [Motocrew] 
21 Helmets Show The One Motorcycle Show is an establishment nowadays. Held in Portland, Oregon and arranged by See See Motorcycles since 2009, it’s a celebration of bizarre, uncommon, {custom} and basic bikes.
One of the highlights of the present is the 21 Helmets exhibition, and this yr, 21 artists had been every given an ICON Airflite lid to showcase their skills.
It’s a synergistic collaboration: ICON is understood for the wild graphics on its helmets, however the artists have taken the thought to the following stage.
The present was curated by native a inventive company, the Lincoln Design Co., and as you’d anticipate, there’s some actually retina-searing stuff right here.
We’re significantly keen on the extra conceptual concepts although, such because the military-toned lid with a cranium inside, by Lonely Design.
And then artwork director Dustin Noden got here up with a novel thought for a helmet that’s previous its use by date, or broken: spray it with terracotta-toned paint and switch it right into a plant pot. Explore the designs in additional element right here.
BMW R nineT ‘Desertfox’ by Motoism Motoism are based mostly within the metropolis of Munich, however this new R nineT construct is destined to work off-road in addition to on. It’s an alternative choice to BMW’s personal Scrambler and Urban G/S fashions—however the Metzeler Karoo 3 tires will give it a bit extra prowess on the hardpack.
Motoism’s mods don’t contain any grinding, however they remodel the vibe of the favored roadster. There’s a complete catalog-worth of Motoism {custom} components fitted, together with a brand new headlight masks, enduro-style fender, leather-based seat and carbon fiber tail unit.
The lighting is new too, from the LED items on the again to the blinkers built-in inside {custom} fork covers. And all the things has that all-important regulatory approval.
The new vintage-style paint job is placing, and a lot of the naked metallic on the R nineT has been refinished in black for added impact. A smattering of top-spec aftermarket additions end the BMW off, together with a neatly built-in Motogadget speedo, a high-spec Öhlins monoshock and a ceramic coated Arrow Pro-Race exhaust system—full with light-weight muffler.
There’s no scarcity of mods on the market for the R nineT, however this is without doubt one of the most engaging and cohesive picks we’ve seen. [Motoism]
Ducati’s first electrical motorbike It needed to occur, and it’s lastly right here. Borgo Panigale has simply revealed ‘V21L,’ which is sadly a distinct segment race bike somewhat than a showroom providing. Still, it’s a step in direction of the long run, and the tech will in all probability discover its manner into roadgoing machines.
Next yr, this machine will compete within the MotoE race sequence, with Ducati changing Energica and supplying 18 bikes for observe use. That’s why the launch PR features a clip of former MotoGP racer Alex de Angelis thrashing a V21L prototype across the Vallelunga Circuit.
The styling is nothing to jot down dwelling about, particularly within the context of Ducati’s prettier choices, however the tech aspect is fascinating.
The battery pack is rated at a hefty 18 kWh; to place that into perspective, the LiveWire claims 15.5 and the Zero SR/S 14.4 kWh. But regardless of the dimensions of the battery, Ducati’s precedence appears to have been weight—the V21L clocks in at simply 225 kg (496 lb).
Both the battery and the motor are liquid cooled, which suggests simpler and safer charging, they usually sit inside a carbon fiber and aluminum body that weighs a mere 3.7 kg. The Desmosedici-inspired swingarm really weighs extra, at 4.8 kg, and there’s a 20 kW charging socket hidden within the tail.
Ducati quotes energy and torque figures of 150 hp (110 kW) and 140 Nm, and says that the bike tops out at 171 mph (275 kph) on a circuit like Mugello.
A Desmosedici MotoGP bike squirts out virtually double the horsepower of the V21L, however the MotoE racing ought to nonetheless be fairly quick and thrilling. And given Ducati’s behavior of filtering race tech right down to showroom bikes, it won’t be lengthy earlier than we see a highway model. And that can give the buyer sportbike market an actual jolt. [More]
Source: www.bikeexif.com
