FIM in a decision yesterday has decided to abolish the 250cc 2st class from MotoGP, will be replaced by 600cc 4st. A move that is sure to cause heartburn amongst two stroke fans around the world:

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of M. Paul Butler (Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held today at the circuit of Assen, unanimously decided to introduce the following change to the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.

Technical Regulations
2.11 Fuel, Oil and Collants
2.11.2 Unleaded petrol will comply with the FIM Grand Prix specifications (in conformity with the new EU Standards) if:
a) It has the following characteristics:
Sulphur (mg/kg) 10 (instead of 50) – application as from 1.1.2009

Replacement of the 250cc class
For application from 1.1.2011, the Grand Prix Commission accepted the following proposal, taken by the majority of members of MSMA: 4-stroke engines of 600cc maximum and 4 cylinders maximum. A request will be sent to all manufacturers. The candidatures of the manufacturers interested in taking part in the new class must be sent to the FIM and Dorna by July 31, 2008 at the latest. More precise technical specifications will then be discussed and established.

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Before you start to wonder, let me clarify that we aren’t even going to mention that certain Indian movie starting with the letter D, as this list is reserved for the real biker movies and documentaries, which not only personify the bikers that we are, but also manages to touch our hearts.

So Ladies err… Biker babes and biker dudes, lets put our hands together for India on two wheel’s Top Five Biker Movies of All Time:

Number 5 - Riding Solo to The Top of The World: The only Indian movie/documentary to make it to the list, Riding Solo to The Top of The World, manages to capture Guaurav Jani’s journey from the concrete jungles of Mumbai, to one of the remotest places in the world, the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh. What makes it even more interesting is the fact that the whole movie was shot by Guaurav Jani himself, with only his overloaded Royal Enfield for company!

Number 4 - Faster: Faster is a tribute to the world of motorcycle racing and MotoGP in particular. There are no actors (ok there is one, Ewan McGregor as the narrator), there are only racers and their steeds. Based on the 2001 and 2002 season of MotoGP, Faster manages to capture an important era of MotoGP, the rise of the 4st behemoths and the bitter and often volatile rivalry of Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi.

Number 3 - Long Way Around: Long Way Round is a documentary, made by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, of their 32,000km journey from London to New York, going Long Way Round. Crossing over into mainland Europe, they ride through France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Siberia, Alaska, Canada before arriving 115 days later at their final destination, New York.

Number 2 - The World’s Fastest Indian: While the title of the movie might suggest that the movie is about an Indian racer, the movie is in fact loosely based on the true story of Burt Monro, a biker from New Zealand, who wanted to create history by breaking the land-speed world record at the Bonneville Salt Flats, using his rebuilt 1920 Indian motorcycle. The World’s Fastest Indian manages to captivate the audience and follows Burt Monro’s journey from New Zealand to United States, in order to fulfill his life long dream.

Number 1 - The Doctor, the Tornado, and the Kentucky Kid aka. DTK: The top honor goes to the sequel of Faster (number four in our list), The Doctor, the Tornado, and the Kentucky Kid. Even though it is only covers the Red Bull Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, California, held on July 10th, 2005. It manages to capture the essence of motorcycle racing at MotoGP’s most technically demanding and physically intimidating race courses, Laguna Seca. Even those who aren’t even remotely interested in motorcycling and motor sports would marvel at the skill and bravery of the riders as they skillfully negotiate fifth gear turn 1 and the infamous Corkscrew. A must watch for bikers and motor sports fan!

Don’t forget to tell us, what is your favorite biker movie of all time and why. Till next time, keep the rubber side down…

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I came across this poem a few years back and while the writer wrote it for his beloved RD350, in essence it is true for every biker’s first brush with motorcycles. So here it is, enjoy:

When I was nineteen years old,
typically rash, stupid and bold,
I went through a phase called the double ‘A’.
My automotive adolescence so to say.
As a compromise between power and money,
I was given the Rajdoot Yamaha three-fifty
Yes, the one with the miserable fuel economy.

Though the four figure petrol bills,
gave my father nasty chills,
the machine gave his son amazing thrills.

The bike was built for mad, suicidal speed,
and that was my strongest need.

Under me my Rajdoot Yamaha,
the road was my virtual Suzuka.

You feel an incomparable high,
when on the road in harmony you fly.

The bike’s an extension of your body, you two are one.
You think about changing gear and its done.

Roaring into a corner you come,
the wind in your ears a loud hum.

Physics says you have to fall, and gravity does try,
but you make poor old Newton sigh,
he rolls over and over in his grave,
wondering why, according to his laws you don’t behave.

Your confidence soars
Louder the bike roars.

The throttle is like a batten in your hand,
the pistons and the crank the best orchestra in the land
and its Wagner’s opera to your mind,
the scream of the engine near the red line.

The adrenalin in your blood makes it boil,
but….on the next corner there’s spilt diesel oil….

Then comes the fall,
with a shower of sparks, bike, you and all.

You hit the tar at a hundred and one,
dragged along with the bike, remember you two are one,
but now it isn’t so much fun.

You have burns due to friction,
and pain has reached a new dimension.
You are laid up in bed for quite a while
and now it is old Newton’s turn to smile.

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• Phoenix: The Yamaha RD350

The 1098 R is one of the most advanced, most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle ever built, with the highest torque-to-weight ratio in the sport bike category. Its competition specification and superior components together with advanced electronics and race-proven chassis technology deliver a level of performance that empowers you with confidence and capability.

World Superbike rule changes mean that the road-going ‘R’ version is closer than ever to the factory race bike. The 1098 R is not a replica - it’s the real deal. An incredible 180hp L-Twin Testastretta Evoluzione engine in a race-winning Trellis chassis set-up tips the scales at an unbelievably lightweight 165kg (364lbs) and comes with a race kit that introduces Ducati Corse’s world championship winning traction control system.

1098 R Testastretta Evoluzione power

The 1098 R engine represents the finest twin-cylinder technology in the world. It produces 180hp (132.4kW) @ 9,750rpm and 99.1 lb-ft (13.7kgm) of brute torque @ 7,750rpm in standard mode and an astonishing 186hp when using the supplied race kit, which is intended for track use only.

Confirming the 1098 R’s race specification by minimizing weight and increasing performance, the crankshaft connecting rods are made in titanium saving 130g over the stock 1098 rods while reducing their reciprocating forces and improving crankshaft acceleration. Cam belt covers molded in carbon fiber and cam covers cast in magnesium alloy complete the lightweight package. The result is a weight saving of 5.6kg (12.34lbs) over the 999R engine and 2.2kg (4.8lbs) less than the 1098.

The increased capacity of 1198.4cc is the product of a larger bore and stroke of 106 x 67.9mm and is fed through four titanium valves per cylinder and compressed to a ratio of 12.8:1. The valves, which are chrome nitride (CrN) coated, have been increased in diameter by approximately 5% to 44.3mm for the inlet and 36.2mm for the exhaust. They are actuated by rocker arms that are super-finished for reduced friction and fatigue, and double overhead camshafts with radical profiles that achieve approximately 16% more lift than the standard 1098.

These incredible valve performances are only possible because of Ducati’s unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is activated mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valve to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe if it were relying upon a normal valve spring, but with the Desmo system the valve is mechanically closed with the same accuracy as it is opened, enabling steep cam profiles and radical cam timings. This system is used on every single Ducati motorcycle including the world-beating Desmosedici MotoGP bike.

The pistons utilise the same design developed for the Desmosedici in the Ducati MotoGP program by using a distinctive double-ribbed undercrown to achieve high strength with minimal piston wall surface area and, therefore, less friction. In this way, the 106mm RR58 alloy components are able to operate reliably at high rpm while delivering incredible performance.

The 1098 R elliptical throttle bodies have been increased 6.5% in size compared to the 1098, a diameter now equal to 63.9mm. For the first time on a road-going Ducati, twin injectors are used on each cylinder. The first centrally mounted injector feeds through a 4-hole nozzle while the second offset injector feeds through a 12-hole nozzle ensuring progressive and fluid power delivery throughout the rev-range. With this configuration the system has the capacity to provide much heavier fueling when used in competition.

The gearbox shares the same ratios as the 1098 and 1098 S, except for 3rd, 4th and 6th gear, which has a higher ratio so as to be able fully exploit the speed gained from the supplied race kit or additional performance modifications. Also with performance in mind and because of its high resistance to fatigue, the gears are machined from the same high-strength steel used in Ducati Corse race applications with 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gears being subjected to a shot-peening treatment that further ensures their strength and reduced fatigue. The dry, multiplate ‘slipper’ clutch reduces the destabilizing effect of aggressive downshifting and helps provide the fine control required when used under extreme track conditions.

The 2-1-2 exhaust system, which complies with Euro 3 emission standards, is formed in 52mm-57mm diameter tubing with a wall thickness of 0.8mm (.030in) and terminates with Ducati’s trademark twin under-seat mufflers beautifully formed in super lightweight titanium and stainless steel.

Chassis

The 1098 R chassis and suspension components are the results of detailed study and a performance first priority approach to development. The goal was to achieve even more weight saving while building in strength and rigidity to manage the incredible power of the new 180hp engine. The result is an impressive 16kg (35lbs) overall vehicle weight reduction compared to the 999R and an impressive 6kg (13lbs) over the already lightweight 1098 S.

Trellis frame: Developed in cooperation with Ducati Corse, the 1098 R Trellis frame features main section tubes in ALS 450 with a diameter of 34mm and 1.5mm thickness to achieve a total weight of just 9kg (19.8lbs) and an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio. Race-proven with hundreds of victories, the Trellis design remains the chosen engineering solution by Ducati Corse and a feature of every Ducati motorcycle.

Front subframe: As with all the models in the Superbike family, the front subframe is produced in magnesium alloy to reduce the weight to just 0.61kg (1.3lbs). While its construction ensures secure, rigid support for the headlamp, instruments and fairing, the weight-saving around this high, forward position contributes considerably to overall ‘feel’ and control of the machine.

Rear subframe: Underlining its competition intention, the 1098 R is designed as a true ‘monoposto’ with no provisions to carry a passenger. By producing the rear sub frame in aluminum alloy it has enabled a 50% weight reduction (compared to biposto models) to 1.3kg (2.8lbs).

Single-sided swingarm: The 1098’s unique single-sided swingarm is made up of main operational components in aluminum castings so as to ensure strength around the pivot points, wheel hub and suspension links, with fabricated aluminum sections used to fuse the construction into a single, beautifully engineered component. For the ‘R’ model, the swingarm is finished in black to denote its racing status as well as to contrast sharply against the ‘racing gold’ wheels.

Rear Suspension: Working together with the single-sided swingarm and an efficient linkage is a fully adjustable Öhlins TTXR single shock. Used for the first time on a Ducati production bike, this exclusive shock gives top performance while enabling considerable weight-saving over similar components produced with traditional technology.

The TTXR uses twin tube technology and offers totally separate damping adjustment in compression and rebound. It uses experience gained in MotoGP to minimize friction and reduce the risk of cavitations under extreme conditions. A vitally important feature of the rear suspension system is the ability to adjust rear ride height independent of spring pre-load and other suspension settings, critical when seeking the perfect set-up for personal riding style or track conditions.

Front Suspension: The front the of new 1098 R boasts fully adjustable 43mm Öhlins with low friction Titanium Nitride sliders feature radial Monobloc caliper mountings. The unique look of these mountings further endorses the no-compromise racing specification of the 1098 R. The Öhlins set-up offers superior road holding, delivers precise feedback, and enables every rider to be more confident and in control. The Öhlins package is completed with a control-enhancing, fully adjustable steering damper.

Control

Brembo Monobloc calipers: The 1098 R is also equipped with Brembo’s Monobloc caliper racing technology. The M4 calipers use four 34mm pistons and two large surface pads for maximum stopping power. The calipers are machined from a single piece of alloy compared to the bolt-together construction of conventional ones. The Monobloc design has much higher rigidity and resistance to distortion during extreme braking and gives a much more precise feel at the brake lever. The massive 330mm discs and Monobloc caliper technology combined with the legendary stability of Ducati’s Trellis frame and the 1098 R’s lightweight 165kg (364lbs) now makes world championship level brake performance available for the road.

Super lightweight wheels: One of the most effective ways to improve the handling and performance of a motorcycle is to reduce its unsprung weight by using superior lightweight wheels. The 1098 R uses lightweight Marchesini Y-shaped spoke wheels created from forged then machined alloy and finished in ‘racing gold’. Both front and rear wheels achieve a lower moment of inertia and unsprung weight to enhance the 1098 R’s change of direction and braking performance.

Fairing and finish: Wind-tunnel development has enabled excellent aerodynamic penetration, allowing the rider to take a perfect racing stance, effortlessly. Great care has been taken in the design of the air supply ducts so to ensure efficient air-flow through radiator and oil coolers as well as provide ample air delivery to the airbox feeding the powerful Testastretta Evoluzione engine. The fairing belly-pan, tank lower side panels, seat assembly and front fender in carbon fiber are contributing factors to the overall performance of the machine.

In true ‘R’ style, the red bodywork sports white background number plates on the tail section and nose fairing. The front and rear Marchesini wheels are finished in ‘racing gold’, exactly the same as the F08 official factory race bikes and the fairing belly-pan, front fender and side panels are left in a contrasting natural carbon fiber finish.

Finally, the small red, white and green tricolore graphic, neatly shaped between the twin headlamps in the nose fairing, proudly underlines the Italian design, style and precision race engineering of this motorcycle.

Electronics

Instrumentation: Desmosedici-style digital instrumentation is taken from Ducati’s MotoGP World Championship winning GP7 project. This pure racing, minimalist solution has no switches or buttons to compromise its clean lines. Instead, information additional to the default read-out is managed by handlebar-mounted switch gear, allowing the rider to scroll through and select from various menus. The default read-out presents rpm and speed, with the former displayed across the screen in a progressive bar graph. Optionally, the rpm and speed can be displayed in numeric values. The instrument display also doubles as a control panel for the activation of the data acquisition system as well as listing lap times recorded by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch. For the 1098 R, fitting of the race kit initiates dialogue between the race kit ECU and the display to activate the DTC (Ducati Traction Control).

Traction control: For the first time ever on a production motorcycle, a true competition-level traction control system comes integrated into the 1098 R electronics as standard equipment. Activated by fitting the race kit ECU, which is designed to be used with the race mufflers and so intended for track use only, the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) system is accessible via the digital instrument display and offers eight levels of control.

Choose the profile that best suits the track conditions and riding style and, upon activation, front and rear wheel sensors compare speed differential to sense when rear traction is being broken (wheel-spin). Using exactly the same software logic developed and used by Ducati Corse, instant electronic adjustment to the ignition advance or a pattern of ‘spark cuts’ initiates immediate control over power output so as to restore traction at the rear wheel before re-establishing normal power delivery. In this way, DTC provides an incredible advantage during mid-corner acceleration.

Data acquisition

Supplied with the 1098 R, the Ducati Data Analyzer (DDA), which includes PC software, a USB-ready data retrieval card and instructions, enables owners to review and analyze the performance of the bike and its rider, and make comparisons between various channels of information.

Normally used on race bikes only, the system records numerous channels of data including throttle opening, vehicle speed, engine rpm, engine temperature, distance traveled, laps and lap times. The system also automatically calculates engine rpm and vehicle speed data so as to also display gear selection as an additional channel of information. At the end of a ride or track session, up to 2mb (approximately 3.5 hours) of data can be downloaded to a PC ready to compare, analyze and get an inside view of the performance of both the rider and the 1098 R.

Data can be analyzed in graphic form with options to zoom into detail of specific sections. Dragging a trace along a timeline to reveal individual values of the above listed channels enables the user to analyze performance in the same way that data technicians are able in factory teams.

Ducati 1098 R Technical Specifications

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Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India is planning to launch a new motorcycle on the 30th of June.

It is expected to be a 125cc four stroke motorcycle and would feature a half fairing like Hero Honda Karizma.

Design wise CBF Stunner is exactly the same motorcycle, which was displayed by Honda at AutoExpo 2008. As you can see in the photograph below (click to enlarge), is has the same fairing, tail lamp cluster, rear set footrest, exhaust, duel suspension setup and even the clear lens turn indicators.

This bike would come as a breath of fresh air into the 125cc segment which is at this moment, dominated by motorcycles with bikini fairing. If Honda manages to price it right, it could give a stiff competition to other motorcycles in its segment.

While there is no doubt CBF Stunner is a looker, we also hope that Honda launches something similar to the CBF Racing Concept Motorcycle they had displayed at AutoExpo 2008, and which is loaded with goodies like petal disk brake, rear disk, under seat exhaust etc.

A good engine configuration (possibly CBR 150 one) would definitely give strong competition to the likes of Yamaha R15.

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