The style is consistent throughout the whole bike as well. The turn signals and taillights all have the same 70s styling; the single headlight and racing stripe right down the middle, it’s all part of the same minimalist look.
This is the real deal though, not just a pretty face. The engine is immensely powerful, it does whatever you want it to do, I was tempted to just ride away, go as far away as possible, leave everything behind and just start a new life. Me and the bike. It’s inexplicable, it just feels good. It has a musical, harmonious rumble.
The seating position is undoubtedly awkward. The stretch is even more extreme than a lot of the modern sport bikes. It puts a bit of a kink in your neck, but it’s worth it. Even if I couldn’t take it over 35, it’d still be worth it for the looks you get in the city.
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| Ducati 998 |
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| Ducati 848 2008 |
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| Ducati 1098 |
The irony is, I’m young enough still to drive this machine at the speeds which it was meant to be driven, without reservation, and to cruise around the city stretched and bent into it’s weirdly radical driver’s position, yet relatively unbothered by the pressure on my wrists and back. But this purchase will put a frightening dent in my finances, if I can afford it at all. For the lucky older guys though, the ones who can easily afford this $11,500 dollar toy and do appreciate the beauty of the old café racer styling, it’s probably too unforgiving on their bodies to even be a real consideration. Terrible irony.
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| Ducati 848 |
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| 2010 Ducati Streetfighter Sports Bike |
Let’s break down the specs first:
The Ducati Sport 1000 Biposto (two-seater) has a type L-twin cylinder air-cooled engine with just under 1000cc displacement (992cc). The bike has a wet weight (with gas and fluids and battery) of 436 pounds, and a tank that holds 3.9 gallons of fuel. But it’s so much more than the sum of its parts.
Ducati did it up on the Sport 1000. You can see the quality everywhere. The retro instrument panel with the 6 multi colored indicator lights: warning light for low oil pressure, indicators for high beam, fuel reserve, turn signals, etc etc. The white backed/retro lettered speedometer and rev counter with chrome trim. The attention to detail is just fantastic.
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| 2008 Ducati 848 |
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| 2007 Ducati 1098S Superbike |
Weighing just 210 kg, featuring a powerful sophisticated design and offering a massive 162 hp that is managed to perfection via the three Riding Modes, the Diavel is an utterly spellbinding bike that only Ducati could have come up with. The Diavels heart is the Ducati Testastretta 11° - developed directly from the incredibly powerful, world-beating race engines of Ducati Corse. Ducati’s Testastretta 11° harnesses the immense power of the Superbike engine and makes it smooth and adaptable, a massive step forward in balancing high-performance with an enjoyable ride. For an engine with brute power on tap when needed and smooth, user-friendliness available for an effortless and comfortable ride, Ducati revised the configuration of the cam timing with particular focus on the valve overlap angle. The overlap angle is defined as the interval of crankshaft rotation, measured in degrees, during which both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time. This overlap occurs between the end of the exhaust stroke and the start of the intake stroke. High performance engines, which are subject to compromising smoothness for extreme power delivery, use high values of this parameter in order to benefit from the pressure waves to improve engine performance by maximising volumetric efficiency. On the Testastretta 11° engine, this angle has been reduced from 41°, used in the Testastretta Evoluzione engine which powers the 1198, to 11°. As a result, the fresh inlet charge flow is less compromised by the exiting exhaust gases, resulting in a much smoother combustion in addition to improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.
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| Ducati Diavel |
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| Ducati Diavel |
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| 2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon |
With its 162hp and colossal 94lb-ft (127.5Nm) of torque, the Diavel Testastretta 11° engine is all about authentic Ducati Desmodromic performance. The revised intake and exhaust ports combined with radical adjustment of the cam timing have enabled Ducati to achieve a fantastic torque curve at low rpm, which remains strong through a wider rev-range. The increase in bottom-end torque is managed by Ducati’s Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system to considerably enhance the Diavel’s effortless ridability, while ensuring plenty of power remains on tap for high-rpm riding.
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| Ducati Diavel |
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| 2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon Photos |
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| 2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon |
The massive 58mm (2.28in) section exhaust headers lead the 2-1-2 system through power-enhancing equal lengths that enable the Diavel’s efficient power delivery. The engine management system dedicates a lambda probe to each header, providing precise fueling via a large airbox, while the stylish cannon-style, vertically stacked silencers carry catalytic converters to provide Euro 3 conformity and electronically controlled mid-section valve optimises exhaust pressures throughout the rev-range.
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| 2011 Ducati Diavel Rear Side View |
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| 2011 Ducati Diavel |
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| 2011 Ducati Diavel Photos |
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| Diavel |
A chopper is a type of motorcycle that was either modified from an original motorcycle design ("chopped") or built from scratch to have a hand-crafted appearance. The main features of a chopper that make it stand out are its longer frame design accompanied by a stretch front end, or increased rake angle. To achieve a longer front end, while the frame is being designed, the fabricator will tilt the neck of the frame at less of an incline and install a longer fork. Another unique aspect of a chopper design is that there is usually no rear suspension meaning the frame of the motorcycle will extend from the neck (or front of the frame) all the way to the rear wheel. This can make handling the motorcycle more challenging and the ride a bit more "bumpy". These attributes may seem radical to some but are necessary for the look that is desired. One look that is becoming more popular with chopper designs is a low frame to ground clearance or a low-rider look. Well known examples of chopper designs are the customized Harley-Davidsons, the "Captain America" and "Billy Bike", seen in the 1969 film Easy Rider.
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| Harley-Davidsons Chopper Bikes |
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| Harley-Davidsons Chopper Hot Wheels |
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| Choppers Motorcycle |
Before there were choppers, there was the bobber, meaning a motorcycle that had been "bobbed," or relieved of excess weight by removing parts, particularly the fenders, with the intent of making it lighter and thus faster, or at least making it look better in the eyes of a rider seeking a more minimalist ride. An early example of a bobber is the 1940 Indian Sport Scout "Bob-Job" which toured in the 1998 The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition. Indian Scouts and Chiefs of the time came with extravagantly large, heavily valenced fenders, nearly reaching the center of the wheel on the luxurious 1941 Indian Series 441 while racing bikes had tiny fenders or none at all. The large and well-appointed bikes exemplified the "dresser" motorcycle aesthetic and providing a counterpoint to the minimalist bobber, and cafe racers. Choppers would grow into and explore the dimensions of the space between the stripped-down bobbers and weighed-down dressers.
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| Choppers Motorcycle |
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| West Coast Choppers |
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| Thunder Choppers Bike Wallpaper |
In the post-World War II United States, servicemen returning home from the war started removing all parts deemed too big, heavy, ugly, or not essential to the basic function of the motorcycle, such as fenders, turn indicators, and even front brakes. The large, spring-suspended saddles were also removed in order to sit as low as possible on the motorcycle's frame. These machines were lightened to improve performance for dirt-track racing and mud racing.
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| Yoshi Honda Chopper |
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| Custom Choppers Motorcycle |
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| Custom Choppers Motorcycle |
Forward-mounted foot pegs replaced the standard large 'floorboard' foot rests. Also, the standard larger front tire, headlight and fuel tank were replaced with much smaller ones. Many choppers were painted preferably all in either flat black or in shiny metal flake colors. Also common were many chromed parts (either one-off fabricated replacements or manually chromed stock parts). According to the taste and purse of the owner, chop shops would build high handle bars, or later Ed Roth's Wild Child designed stretched, narrowed, and raked front forks. Shops also custom built exhaust pipes and many of the “after market kits“ followed in the late 1960s into the 1970s. Laws required (and in many locales still do) a retention fixture for the passenger, so vertical backrests called sissy bars were a popular installation, often sticking up higher than the rider's head.
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| Custom Choppers Motorcycle |
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| Boneshaker Chopper Sideburn |
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| Motorsports Chopper Bike |
While the decreased weight and lower seat position improved handling and performance, the main reason to build such a chopper was to show off and provoke others by riding a machine that was stripped and almost nude compared to the softer-styled stock Harley-Davidsons, let alone the oversized automobiles of that time.
Aprilia has always been the undisputed leader in 125 cc supersports, a market segment in which Aprilia has pioneered new concepts and advanced solutions, and developed technology that others have struggled to follow. Like all Aprilia motorcycles, the RS 125 has benefited from the sophisticated technology that has been developed over years of success in GP racing, and quickly transferred into production. Over the years, the RS 125 has forged a reputation as the standard setter for sports 125’s. Sales success has come naturally too, with the RS 125 topping the sales tables on major European markets. The RS 125 is the inevitable choice of riders entering Sport Production racing. And rightly so, because when the competition gets tough, there is simply no other bike like the Aprilia RS 125. The Aprilia RS 125 offers young riders the best in components and equipment, and a concentration of technical refinements worthy of a flagship supersport.
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| Aprilia RS 125 |
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| Aprilia RS 125 d |
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| Aprilia RS 125 2010 |
ENGINE
The powerful but reliable, single cylinder, two stroke, Rotax-Aprilia engine needs no introduction. Over the years it has won a reputation for being unbeatable on the track and dependable on the road. Still today, this engine boasts technical solutions that are state-of-the-art for two strokes, including a crankcase reed valve intake, liquid cooling, an anti-vibration balancer shaft, and an automatic mixing system. The RS 125’s engine has been constantly updated over the years to keep in line with the latest emission control legislation without penalising performance. A catalytic converter and precision carburation has won Aprilia’s single cylinder two stroke homologation to Euro 3 standards. And the amazing thing is that this has been achieved without losing out on performance: the Aprilia RS 125 engine remains the reference point for all 125 cc powerplants.
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| 2006 Aprilia RS 125 last |
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| Aprilia RS 125 f |
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| 2009 Aprilia RS 125 black |
EQUIPMENT
The Aprilia RS 125 is packed with prestige components. Compact and impressively light in weight, the instruments include an analog rev counter and a multifunctional digital display with an on-board computer that can be operated from the handlebars. The speedometer, rev counter, coolant temperature gauge and exclusive racing chronometer put you in total control. The on-board computer even has provision for interfacing with the optical finishing systems used on racetracks.
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| Aprilia RS 125 sport motor |
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| Aprilia RS 125 2009 |
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| Aprilia RS 125 |
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| 2009 Aprilia RS 125 rear |
This is truly a lightweight big-bore sport ATV, with an engine designed for torque, and a chassis designed to rail corners. Inspired by the YFZ, the Raptor 700 R has many of the race bred features developed from years on the track, with a little extra comfort built in. With a wider/thicker seat, taller bars and suspension damping geared for the trails, the Raptor has an edge over the YFZ for long distance trail riding. It's more comfortable, has more leg room, and with all that torque, you aren't searching for gears every corner. So if you're looking for the ultimate sport ATV, and spend most of your time on the trails, look no further.
The designed to dominate any terrain, the sharp-handling 2009 Yamaha Raptor 700R draws jaw dropping power from a 686cc liquid cooled engine. Electronic fuel injection means fantastic throttle response and performance, while a light hybrid chassis with aluminum rear section helps make it the lightest thing in its class. At the top of the food chain you have little competiton, and with the Raptor 700R, there simply is no other ATV like it.
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| 2009 Yamaha Raptor 700Rd |
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| 2009 Yamaha Raptor 700Rc |
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| 2009 Yamaha Raptor 700R-SE |
The YFM700R starter button opens a door into a whole new ATV landscape of high-traction discovery. This isn't just the biggest-engined Yamaha ATV, it's also one of the most exciting.
There are three main factors contributing to YFM700R's exceptionally ride characteristics. First, the hybrid aluminium/steel sports chassis, which makes it the lightest ATV in its class. Then there's the highly absorbent, fully adjustable long-travel suspension front and rear for precise handling and energy-saving comfort on long rapid trail rides.
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| 2009 Yamaha Raptor 350e |
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| 2011 New Yamaha Raptor 700R SE |
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| 2011 Yamaha Raptor 125 |
And finally of course there's the mighty 686cc engine, the YFM700R's smoothly pounding heart. This single-cylinder powerhouse is the ultimate expression of Yamaha's four-stroke engineering expertise. High torque and big-bore power gives the 700R terrain-conquering ability irrespective of whether it's on the flat, a loose incline or across rocky slopes. A confidence-building ride is built into every bolt, spring, chassis section and engine part. Big front disc brakes with twin-piston calipers and an adjustable lever give maximum stopping performance, while EFI fuel injection provides advanced fuel management for optimum power delivery.
Any expectations based on previous ATV experience have to be left back in the van because the dynamic 700R will reset every benchmark you ever had. If unstoppable riding action is top of the wish list, nothing else comes close.
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| Yamaha Raptor 500 |
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| 2010 Yamaha Raptor 700R-SE |
The Streetfighter's Superbike soul combines fighter attitude and naked sophistication to create pure adrenaline. ‘S' treatment of the Streetfighter pushes its tech spec to the red line.
The massive 2-1-2 exhaust system is made from weight-saving 1mm thick steel and flows from 58mm to 63.5mm diameter pipes. The system uses two lambda probes to ensure precise fuel mapping for optimum performance and an electronic valve in the mid-section to achieve a wide spread of power.
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| Ducati Streetfighter S Front Angle View |
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| 2009 Ducati Streetfighter S |
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| 2009 Ducati Streetfighter |
The cannon-style, vertically stacked, brushed steel mufflers deliver the famous Ducati L-Twin sound synonymous with raw, Desmo power.
Producing a ballistic 85lb-ft (11.7kgm) of torque and 155hp (114kW), the Streetfighter’s awesome 1098 power house fears nothing of the naked sports competition. The L-Twin, Testastretta Evoluzione engine gives both the best power-to-weight and the best torque-to-weight ratios in its class.
The Streetfighter’s power house is protected by twin coolant radiators, carefully curved in pure naked style for optimum performance and stunning with visual effect. The upper radiator is assisted by lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies while the lower sits in the front of the belly pan, which also houses a highly efficient oil heat exchanger.
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| 2009 Ducati Streetfighter S |
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| 2011 Ducati Streetfighter S Pictures |
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| 2011 Ducati Streetfighter S Sportbike |
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| 2010 Ducati Streetfighter S |
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| 2011 Ducati Streetfighter S Rear Side View |
