Aprilia Scarabeo 500 ie

The PERFORMANCE PLUS SAFETY
Though light in weight, equipped with an automatic variator, and aerodynamically protective, it gives performance that you need to tackle medium and even long journeys.
The Lightweight, agile and fast, Scarabeo i.e. is as comfortable as any motorcycle, but far, far easier to ride. Its compact dimensions make it the perfect vehicle for traffic-intensive routes and easy parking, while high performance engines guarantee nippy overtaking.

The ENGINE
The 500 cc engine is a single cylinder, liquid cooled, four stroke power plant with a single overhead cam and a four valve head.

=The Liquid cooled single cylinder four stroke. Single overhead cam (SOHC), 4 valves.
=Fuel : Unleaded petrol.
=Bore and stroke : 92 x 69 mm.
=Displacement : 460 cc
=Compression ratio : 10.5:1.
=Maximum power : 29 kW (39 HP) at 7,500 rpm
=Maximum torque : 43 Nm at 5,500 rpm
=Fuel system : Electronic fuel injection.
=Ignition : Electronic CDI ignition with automatic timing.
=Starting : Electric.
=Alternator : 12 V – 380 W.
=Lubrication : Wet sump. Forced circulation with mechanical pump.
=Gearbox : Automatic variator.
=Clutch : Automatic centrifugal dry clutch.
=Primary drive : V belt.
=Final drive : Gearbox.
=Frame : High strength tubular steel frame with closed double cradle.
=Front suspension : 40 mm hydraulic fork. Wheel travel 103 mm.
=Rear suspension :
Engine acting as swingarm. Two double acting shock absorbers with 4 spring preload settings. Wheel travel 100 mm.
=Brakes :
Front: Twin 260 mm stainless steel discs. Floating calipers with two parallel pistons. Integral braking system.
Rear: 240 mm stainless steel disc. Fixed caliper with two pistons. Integral braking system.

=Wheels :
Light alloy.
Front: 3.00 x 16”;
Rear: 4.50 x 14”.

=Tyres:
Tubeless.
Front 110/70 x 16”;
Rear: 150/70 x 14”.

=Dimensions:
Overall length: 2,263 mm
Overall width: 765 mm (at handlebars)
Overall height: 1,411 mm (at windshield)
Wheelbase: 1,535 mm
Seat height: 780 mm
=Dry weight : 189 kg
=Tank capacity : 13.2 litres (3 litres reserve)
=Standard equipment : Car-type electronic anti-theft system with remote control.

THE CHASSIS
Like all Aprilia motorcycles, the Scarabeo i.e. benefits from the tremendous know-how that Aprilia has built up over many years of success in racing. The frame and suspension are designed to let you make full use of the generous performance of its electronic injection engines.
The double cradle frame is made from high strength steel, and is specially designed to guarantee fantastic torsional rigidity and amazing strength. This highly rigid and efficient frame ensures that Scarabeo i.e. remains totally stable even at high speed.
The hydraulic fork incorporates robust 40 mm stanchions for precision control and steering and effortless shock absorbing even on long journeys.

BMW R1200GS

The German motorcycle magazine Motorrad Aktuell has published on its front page a decent photo of the soon-to-be-announced BMW R1200GS. This photo seems to be much more in line with what we'll actually see, since it's not a spy photo.

It would seem that BMW is getting ready to show the world the new bike.

British magazine MCN published spy photos of the new BMW R1200GS, the replacement of the successful R1150GS. The first change is obvious with its name... the 1150 engine is replaced by a 1200 cc engine!

Ducati Hypermotard

THE DUCATI HYPERMOTARD CONCEPT BIKE

The Ducati Hypermotard - a radical concept bike - takes power, aggressiveness, versatility, and sport performance to a new extreme.
The Ducati Hypermotard - the most extreme mountain conquering, urban assaulting machine.
Taking advantage of the compactness and agility of a traditional supermotard, Ducati has upped the ante with potent street power thanks to a new air-cooled twin engine. The front of the bike is as slim and compact as a single cylinder, in part thanks to the engine layout, but also due to the absence of weighty cooling radiators.
The Ducati Hypermotard takes-on urban canyons and attacks mountain curves with total abandon. High performance starts with attitude. Pared down to its essentials, the Ducati Hypermotard is an extreme performance, over-the-top motorcycle. Its purpose is single minded - to thrill.

Incredibly slim, compact and exceptionally light, with riding position to dominate, it's ready to rock every road with big-bore acceleration.
Supermotard styling makes the blood boil. This bike offers what no Supermotard can: speeds exceeding 220KPH on the race track, fuel injection and 100 horsepower on only 175 kg of dry weight.

On the Road
Bring on the curves, the bumps, the unexpected.
A rigidly triangulated tubing Trellis frame and track tested chassis geometry is matched with state-of-the-art suspension. Start off with the road-holding of huge 50mm Marzocchi R.A.C. forks, gripped by a triple screw lower fork crown, then add an Ohlins remote reservoir shock that mounts to a stout single-sided swingarm. Ultra light forged and machined Marchesini racing wheels are paired with a single radial mounted Brembo four piston, four pad calliper gripping a 320mm disc up front and a 240mm disc at the rear.

Making power
1000cc's of DESMO power
The 1000 Dual Spark engine pumps out torque and horsepower that is smooth and linear, because the roads that the Ducati Hypermotard seeks are neither smooth nor linear. A Slipper type racing clutch makes aggressive downshifting and heavy braking more exciting and by damping the abrupt engagement of lower gears while entering a turn. Magnesium engine covers subtract more weight for a feathery feel and athletic manoeuvres.

The Pilot controls :
A ride on the Ducati Hypermotard is road domination.
The wide tapered section handlebars transfer control of the tarmac to the rider. A wide full length seat design lets the pilot move fore and aft, up-front entering the turns, back for maximum traction on exit.