A reader queried a claim in Benzina #9 that the Laverda American Eagle failed to take off in the USA. "Evel Knieval had a short deal with American Eagle" he points out, "and they 'FLEW'!" Yes, very good. Also proves Evel was completely bananas, and a bonkers hero from a bonkers era.
And then there's a grumble on the drive, and a reader staying at the nearby Great Bustard rally rolls in on the only American Eagle I've ever seen. Syncronicity or what? Lovely thing, and to my mind proof that the Laverda 750 is one of the most under-rated and usable motorcycles out there, even though they are a tad heavy and big drum brakes can be grabby. Owner James of OTB Design reckons the engine weighs more than his Jota's, not helped by a crank that weighs 19kg on its own. And that's why they don't vibrate as much as a Brit 750.
None of our group has ever seen Barbers, but Sig Morbidelli showed a group of us around his eponymous and rather fabulous Morbidelli museum last week. Most had ridden from the UK for a season finale-fling organised by Neil (on the left above, with a bike made for grandson Morbidelli) and Ann of Ardenne and Eifel Adventures. Having visited most of the top museums (Sammy Miller, Ducati, Moto Guzzi) we agreed this was the finest place any of us have visted and the highlight of our holiday. An absolute must-see destination; especially if he lets you sit on the V8 (never mind my sweaty expression, those Ducati branded jeans show a lack of gratitude...) Right, issue 10 of Benzina has just turned up - will get in the post over the next 48 hours.
Issue 10 of Benzina is at the printers, but won't get here till I've left for Monza; so sorry (as Nick Clegg would say) but that means it won't get posted out till the 16th October.
Italy is a week-long story chasing fest - Monza and Benelli are definitely on the list, as is time with a Ducati 1200S Multistrada. Much of the rest is still down to Italian promises being kept. Fingers crossed.
Ducati 750SS 1997, one of the last carb models hence must be approaching classic status. Superb original condition - even have the pillion seat cover. 8400miles, over half of these miles have been in my ownership as it had been pampered by previous owners; in 2011 I took it on a fabulous week long ride to Gros Glockner (Austria), calling in on Italian and Swiss ski resorts on the return home - classic vee-twins were just made fore roads like those! Warwickshire, call Matt on 07909 914345 £1600.
New 2013 Ducatis... do like the anniversay Monsters - 20 years since the original M900? Scary. Spiritual bonkers succesor might be the Pikes Peak Multistrada: video of the reason for the name below, with the Ducati press release
Ducati present 1199RS13 Superbike and start to reveal 2013 models at Cologne’s Intermot show
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 products to present. Despite today’s severely shrinking market, Ducati continues to show positive growth, and since 2007 has consistently increased its market share and further strengthened its financial position. 2011 was a record year in the history of Ducati and we expect to continue our growth in 2012. Our 2013 motorcycles, such as the new Multistrada 1200, demonstrate the consistency of our development strategies and today I am especially proud to present our new Monster Anniversary, a celebration of the glorious history of this iconic model in the Ducati family.”
“Twenty years have passed since the presentation of our first Ducati Monster, right here at Intermot,” said Claudio Domenicali, General Manager of Ducati Motor Holding, during the press conference. “This model redefined the parameters of the naked segment and our new Monster Anniversary is dressed in the original livery of that very first version and applied to the whole range of latest-generation Monsters. In addition to the Monster Anniversary, we have brought a number of interesting new products to Cologne. Our new Multistrada 1200 is an evolution of the 4-bikes-in-1 concept and now becomes even more versatile with the introduction of the revolutionary Ducati Skyhook Suspension system. The model also presents a new and improved Testastretta 11° DS engine, with enhanced power delivery and smoother operation, and a re-styled front-end with new LED lighting. We are also presenting brand new colour schemes for the Diavel and the Superbike 848 and 1199 Panigale and Ducatisti here in Cologne have the first chance to see the RS13 version of the 1199 Panigale, now available for teams to prepare their fight for the 2013 Superbike World Championship.”
First introduced in Cologne in 1992, the Monster family now reaches a milestone 20 years of production and Ducati celebrates the iconic naked with special 20th Anniversary editions of its latest 696, 796 and 1100EVO models. Standing proudly alongside the exclusive Monster Diesel, this bold range of lifestyle motorcycles are dressed in special liveries, revised colour finishes and character-forming features.
The innovative Ducati Diavel, which has become one of Ducati’s most desired models, rolls into 2013 with an exciting line-up that sees the flagship Diavel Carbon now exclusively in carbon red and the standard Diavel in three stunning new colour versions. The Diavel Dark in matte black with black-finished components and two “street-sport” schemes that introduce metallic blue or Ducati red with stylish white stripes, white wheels and special defining features.
The 2013 Ducati Superbike family introduces arctic white versions of the exciting 1199 Panigale and 1199 Panigale S alongside the signature Ducati red, while the 1199 Panigale S Tricolore continues proudly as the flagship of the family. The highly successful 848EVO is available in the traditional colours of Ducati red* and dark stealth*, while the exclusive 848EVO Corse Special Edition, with a new-for-2013, lightweight, aluminium fuel tank, gets dressed in the stunning new Ducati Corse Test Team livery of matte black and matte grey.
The 2013 Ducati Multistrada family has its first public showing at Intermot and presents an innovative and technically advanced evolution of an already successful range. Restyled aesthetics, a brand new Granturismo model and the new Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) system, which provides confidence-inspiring, intelligent electronics, are just a few of the many enhancements that continue the Multistrada's excellent reputation.
Ducati’s highly anticipated 1199 Panigale RS13 also breaks cover for the first time at Intermot. The spectacular Ducati Corse prepared machine previews the full race version of the company’s top-of-the range sportbike model, now ready and available for teams to prepare for competition in the 2013 World Superbike series.
Intermot will be open to the public from 3-7 October and Ducati’s impressive 2013 models, accessories and apparel can be viewed on stand A-042/C-055 in Hall 8 of Cologne’s exhibition complex.
Issue 10 of Benzina will be out on or before 15 October and features a Guzzi Dondolino, the Moriniday in the Po valley and the new Rebello, Lino Tonti's Linto 500, Ducati's 500GP plus Sports Motorcycles entry in the 1982 Suzuka 8 hour - featuring Steve Wynne in very short shorts. Then there's a 1960s replica MV Agusta racer with a 750F4 engine, riding in Puglia and the Dolomites, plus much more including regulars like Ian Gowanloch's Happy Farm, Mark William's Running Out of Road, and a buyers' guide to Ducati widecase singles. Plus the cover bike, enjoyed by a Dachshund called Dr. T...
Spotted these rather wonderful pics by Shelly Mosman of an cafed-up 900GTS. If you've seen issue 9 of Benzina you'll know I've a huge soft spot for these under-rated gems. The most reliable bevel-twin by far, and with valve springs that can be adjusted in 20-30 minutes rather than taking the afternoon desmo heads need, if you have the skills. Sure that means (combined with the 32mm carbs) you lose 15mph, but if you're riding 35 year old bikes for the 130mph top end, maybe you've missed the point.
Ducati has given a preview of its 2013 Multistrada with a second generation Testastretta 11° engine and optional (and fabulously named) Skyhook Suspension - a semi-active suspension system. I'm off to Monza and Pesaro next month, and this looks just the ticket. Monza's nearly 900 miles from me, but Major Tom-Tom reckons that's 14 hours of riding, never mind fuel and food stops. Looks more like a challenge than a timetable if you're armed with the world's fastest armchair. Press launch is Bilbao this weekend, so with a bit of luck Ducati UK will have a new Multistrada back here by the time I need to leave. "Hello? Is that Ducati UK? I like the look of the Pike's Peak Multistrada and wonder if..."
