MOTOR-CAR SPORT

Purchasing the Superduke R was a big gamble for me. The bike was not even in Australia before I was required to put my deposit down on the $24,500 machine so I really purchased it based on that impressive promotional video they released last year and the specs they announced more recently. My previous motorbike, a 2008 Yamaha FZ1, I had owned for four years and was always of the vocal opinion that nothing could ever replace it. So much so, that I registered it for a full year with no intention of buying a new bike just three days before putting a deposit down on the Superduke and advertising the FZ1. For me, the Superduke had a lot to live up to. The FZ1 was an unbelievable bike and would take something completely new to the motorbike scene to trump it. The claimed specs of the Superduke was the selling item with a near one to one power to weight ratio (180HP and 189kg) and a seemingly impossible 144NM of torque. The overall look of the bike was an added bonus. Sitting on the

Changes to Monozukuri* & Changes to the Way We Work The “Revs your Heart” concept for all  - * engineering, manufacturing and marketing http://car-motor-sport.blogspot.gr/ President Yanagi gave a presentation on “The growing world of personal mobility” at the Tokyo Motor Show 2014 is the second year in the current Yamaha Medium-term Management Plan in which the aim is to further strengthen the foundations where opportunities lie for sustainable growth. The following is Yamaha President Yanagi’s message for the up-coming year. Changes to the company In 2014, as was covered in the “New Year’s Greeting Speech” at the New Year’s Opening Ceremony, we will work towards profitability in all segments, as well as reviewing and strengthening the business strategies for each market. We will also continue “Pursuing the unique style of Yamaha” and “Breaking out of Our Current Norms” with a particular focus on the aspects of “Changes to Monozukuri” and “Changes to the Way We Work”.

Ducati has started to reveal its 2013 range at the Intermot International Motorcycle Show in Cologne, Germany, displaying new colours in the Diavel and Superbike families and, as the famous naked icon now celebrates 20 years of production, special Anniversary versions of the Monster 696, 796 and 1100EVO. The recently released 2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200 also made its first-ever public  appearance, as did the brand new 1199 Panigale RS13, which is now ready to make its debut in the World Superbike series next year. Company CEO, Gabriele Del Torchio, and General Manager, Claudio Domenicali addressed the world’s motorcycle press during a special conference held on the Italian manufacturer’s stand at the massive biennial event. “Ducati has entered a new era,” said Gabriele Del Torchio, CEO of Ducati. “Being part of such a prominent and significant group as Volkswagen makes us look to the future with confidence and optimism and we are very happy to be here at Intermot with so many new

Germam designer  Ulfert Janssen  recently contacted us to showcase his take on a new ‘more fluid’ design based on an existing Ducati Superleggera chassis, and also notes that it would also fit just as well on a regular 1199 Panigale chassis. Ulfert, “ The idea was to develop a new form language of fluidity and to elaborate new surface development, normally more seen in fashion and architecture . “ The aim was to detach from common bike design and envision something new and create very fluid surfaces. “The result is an exclusive design which is reinterpreting the monocoque frame approach and seems to propel the motorcycle into the future. ” His company  Gannet Design , based in Switzerland. designs custom motorcycles for clients alongside his various other design projects. Prior to establishing his own company Ulfert worked as a designer at Renault after gaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, USA

Milwaukee Yamaha’s 2014 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship line up of Tommy Bridewell and Josh Brookes have ended their first pre-season tests at the Cartagena and Alcarras circuits in Spain as the team bid to lift a second title. Bridewell had been the pace-setter at Cartagena as he evaluated a number of set up changes to the Milwaukee Yamaha, building on his previous experience with the team from the final three rounds of the 2013 season. Bridewell utilised the track time to get back up to speed and worked closely with his chief engineer Pete Jennings and the team to continue looking for the optimum set up of the Milwaukee Yamaha ready for the first official test which takes place in the UK next month at Donington Park Brookes made his first appearance on track with the team at Cartagena after a winter back home in Australia and rapidly adapted to the Milwaukee Yamaha, posting competitive lap times and closing the gap during the final sessions on circuit. Brookes furt