BMW S1000RR Video!

Check out some footage of the new BMW S1000RR Superbike:

New 2009 Ducati Streetfighter and Ducati 1198

New Ducatis! Hell for Leather Magazine has leaked photos and information regarding the new 2009 Ducati sportbike lineup -- that is the 1098 beefing up into the 1198 and 1198 S (traction control on the S versions) and even more exciting: an all-new 1098-powered Streetfighter and Streetfighter S:

Video: World Superbike 2008 Champions

Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 2008 World Superbike Champion:



Andrew Pitt, Honda, 2008 World Supersport Champion:

Ducati vs Lamborghini, Parts 1 and 2

Round 1: Gallardo VS 999



Round 2: Gallardo Superleggera VS 1098

New Naked: Ducati 1100 and Suzuki SFV 650 Gladius

Ducati and Suzuki have both unveiled new naked offerings in the Monster 1100 and SFV 650 Gladius, respectively.

Ducati Monster 1100 (click images to enlarge)

The Ducati will be powered by a 95 horsepower, 79.5 lb-ft torque, 1100cc, air-cooled, two-valve, twin cylinder as already seen in the Hypermotard model. It be available in a basic version and higher end, Ohlins-equipped "S" version.

Where the Ducati will be a classic bigger brother to the jack-of-most-trades Monster 696, the Suzuki will be aimed purely at entry-level riders looking for something a bit more stylish than the usual 'beginner bike' options. Yes, that equates to another really poorly disguised Japanese ripoff of Italian Ducati styling, but it still probably has a marketing niche. It will be offered with optional ABS and based on the SV650.

Suzuki SFV 650 "Gladius"

Troy Corser Signs with BMW!

Breaking World Superbike news: Troy Corser has struck a deal with the Germans to join current Ducatista, Ruben Xaus, and ride the BMW S1000RR superbike for the 2009 season.

With Troy's excellent levels of experience and success developing new bikes and his uncanny ability to make them serious threats on the track, many desperately wanted this to happen in order to bring BMW into the competitive fold immediately. Let us hope that the new BMW can compliment the skill of both Corser and Xaus!

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From World Superbike's Website Release:

"BMW are happy to announce that Australian Troy Corser has signed to ride the all new BMW S1000RR in next year's Superbike World Championship. The former double Superbike World Champion has agreed terms for two years and ends months of speculation as to who will join Spaniard Ruben Xaus in BMW's debut in the Superbike World Championship next season.

Troy won the Superbike World Championship in 1996, becoming the youngest rider ever to do so in the process, and then again in 2005. He has been runner-up in the WSBK championship once and third place on three occasions. To date he has taken part in over 300 races, been on the podium 126 times, and his 42 pole positions have earned him the nickname of "Mr Superpole".
Troy is married to Sam and they have two children, Kalani Gray (5) and Kelissa Illiana-Rose (3). Troy was born in Wollongong, Australia, but he and the family are now Monaco residents."

Peter Mueller (Executive Vice President Development and Model Lines)
"With Troy and Ruben, I feel confident we will have the best riders possible for our start in the Superbike World Championship. Troy has unrivalled experience in the series and that, together with Ruben's exuberance, is our ‘dream team' and the combination we wanted, right from the start of this project. I feel sure that their knowledge of the series will definitely help us become competitive very quickly."

Berti Hauser (Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport)
"I am delighted that Troy is joining our team and that our jigsaw is now complete. He was in our minds from the start and I am very happy because I believe he and Ruben are the best combination of riders for our new challenge. Troy has told me that is excited about helping us develop the bike and be part of the project from the start. He also said that he would like to be the first rider in WSBK history to win the title with three different manufacturers and that he is physically and mentally ready make that his target."

CONFIRMED! 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000

Our leaked pre-release photos turned out to be the real deal and enabled us to break the new GSX-R1000 days before larger moto blogs, thanks to a certain fellow at the Gixxer forum.

The release is now official and photos from Paris and Suzuki PR and specs are surfacing online:

(Click Images to Enlarge)

Engine Type		4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC
Bore x Stroke		74.5 mm x 57.3 mm
Engine Displacement		999 cm3 (cc)
Compression Ratio		12.8 : 1
Carburetion		Fuel injection
Oil Capacity (overhaul)		3.6L (1.0 US gal.)
Ignition		Electronic ignition (Transistorized)
Starter System		Electric
Lubrication System		Wet sump
Transmission		6-speed constant mesh
Primary Drive Ratio		1.617 (76 / 47)
Final Drive Ratio		2.471 (42 / 17)
Frame Type		Twin-spar (aluminum alloy)
Rake/Trail		23.8 degrees / 98.3 mm (3.9 in.)
Suspension	Front	Inverted telescopic, coil spring, spring preload fully adjustable, rebound and compression damping force fully adjustable
	Rear	Link type, oil damped, coil spring, spring preload fully adjustable, rebound and compression damping force 2-way fully adjustable
Wheels	Front	17 M/C x MT3.50, cast aluminum-alloy
	Rear	17 M/C x MT6.00, cast aluminum-alloy
Brakes	Front	Radial mount, 4-piston calipers 310 mm disc, twin
	Rear	1-piston caliper, 220 mm disc
Tires	Front	120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless
	Rear	190/50ZR17M/C (73W), tubeless
Fuel Tank		17.5 L (4.6 US gal.)
Overall Length		2,045 mm (80.5 in.)
Overall Width		710 mm (28.0 in.)
Overall Height		1,130 mm (44.5 in.)
Wheelbase		1,405 mm (55.3 in.)
Ground Clearance		130mm (5.1 in.)
Seat Height		810 mm (31.9 in.)
Curb Mass		203kg (448 lbs.)

In other colors:

See Additional Info HERE