More pictures of the Mega Monster are emerging, but this one profile pic is enough to know that its not going to be hideous. The its clear about the exhaust and single sided swing arm, and at least it looks pretty good. The ride angle itself looks comfortable and with a decently powerful engine, so I’m looking forward to more info.

Here is the previous post.

Ducati has went ahead with a more sinister looking 848, the EVO version is that and it’s as mean as it looks. They have overhauled the engine with lots of upgrades to make it more aggressive and more race oriented while upgrading it from 134 bhp to 140 bhp which does have an affect for a bike that’s so light. Even with all the upgrades this machine remains at 370lbs which is pretty light, making it the most powerful machine in its class. The best part about the whole upgrade is that the Dark version is cheaper then the base version 848, so it’s been upgraded, looks meaner, and its about $1000, I like what Ducati is doing.

Link: Asphalt&Rubber

Now more details of this Mega Monster is coming out, and it keeps looking better and beter. With the Multistrada engine, trellis frame, and single sided swing arm this is a very good Ducati performance cruiser. With the Multistrada 1200cc v-twin engine we are talking about 150 bhp engine, and the rear tire looks massive at a about 240. That prototype picture looks hideous so I’m hoping that its just to throw people off and looks just as good as the paper. But its official the bike will be unveiled at the EICMA November 2010, which is only a few months away, hopefully it will be on sale right away.

Spy shots of the new Ducati power cruiser popping up all over the press, a machine targeting the Yamaha V-Max market. This is a new step for Ducati, there were rumors of a cruiser and some sketches that popped up last year but nothing materialized but now this a different story. Just as the campaign for the Multistrada with spy pictures and leaked images coming out over a few months, this tactic is done by Ducati’s marketing, just before the launch in EICMA 2010 in Milan.

What lends these pictures to being the work of Ducati are the photographs and the riders. As last time there is only one angle for the bike and very clear pictures, same as the last leaked pictures. Secondly the riders wearing full Ducati gear. What I find sneaky is that Ducati announced last year that they have no plans to make a cruiser style motorcycle, but the pictures say other wise and I would love to see this Ducati Power Cruiser. I like the single side swing arm, and I like the location of the exhaust, now lets hope for a good looking front.

Link: Asphalt&Rubber

I love when companies take punches at each other, and since BMW had there S1000RR Ad, Aprilia decided to take a solid punch at BMW. Taking the table cloth magic trick and turning it around, Aprilia view themselves as motorcycle company building true racing machines and the Ad says it all. But I still love both machines, you can’t ever have too many machines to ride!

Batpod Custom Motorcycle Batman Movie Prop Dark Knight

Many men would have loved to get their hands on the BatPod and now they have their chance. One company made a custom one-off custom BatPod based on the movie, its not from the company that made the BatPod for the movie but damn it looks identical. If I had 100’000 I would make that purchase without a second thought, adding to it a real Batmobile and Tumbler to have the coolest garage known to man. Its run by a 650cc water cooled engine, and from I read a while back it doesn’t ride like a motorcycle, its a little different due to its size and shape of the tires.

Link: GunJap

The electric Superbike developed on the KTM RC8 frame and body, basically an RC8 but with no exhaust or sound. I know this day was coming and what a strange machine it is, you can see from the picture that it doesn’t have an exhaust but an X-Large clutch cover which could be some sort of alternator. You just switch it on and go, I knew this day was coming soon, and here it the first production electric superbike. I think I’m still an old school guy who needs to hear and feel the tone of the engine and exhaust, this is an amazing development but I still like filling up my gas tank and hearing the roar of the engine when I switch on the bike, the rumble of an engine gets me excited as well as the ride. Check out the video, you just switch it on and go, but it does change the dynamics of the ride itself since the weight will be lighter without all those components.

The Mavizen TTX02 uses a complete KTM RC8 superbike rolling chassis, but is powered by two 96V DC Agni 95R electric motors instead of a petrol engine. There’s no clutch, gearbox, exhaust, oil or expensive fuel and when it’s switched on ready to go, absolutely no noise or emissions either.

Thanks Kuwaity

Link: MCN

Got a call from BikeWorld that they have a surprise waiting in their showroom, I had an inkling but wasn’t sure. I headed straight over only to find the beast sitting on the showroom floor, the infamous KTM X-Bow right in front of me. I was impressed when I first saw this machine on the track during GulfRun 5, but seeing it again made my heart skip a beat. Luckily this machine is also fully street legal, so you can drive on it on the streets but I would prefer to drive it on the track. Words can only describe the ferocity of the machine, powered by Audi 2.0 liter turbo FSI four it can fly down the road since its frame is made out of carbon fiber. The engine is mated to an Audi six-speed manual with military precision design. I like how it looks and the best part about it is the minimalistic design. One of the key features that I like about this machine is that its serviceable by Audi and you can tune the engine from any manufacturer who modifies Audi engines.

I knew this is an expensive piece of machinery, I have been asking about it for over a year now and it I kept getting pricing between 41’000 to 45’000 KD from the Emirates or Qatar. There was no budging on the price and it was too much, and this wasn’t even for the Superlight version, with upgraded brakes, modified suspension and lighter body. This KTM X-Bow at BikeWorld is selling for 34’995 KD which is barely above cost, its insanely cheap for an X-Bow, cheaper then the used ones online. I know this isn’t a machine for everyone but who ever gets it is someone who will love it dearly.

The 2011 Monster 796 has been approved and moving forward, and it is meant to fill in the gap between the 1100 and 696, the Monster being the bread and butter of Ducait want to maximize their return on the new Monster. Its a capable machine with a fresh ride to it, has optional ABS brakes and features the same single side swingarm as the 1100 and a bit taller then 696. It uses the same 796 cc engine which is used in the Hypermotard 796 pumping out 87 bhp and it only weighs 368lbs or 166 kgs. I for one like the look of the new Monster and this one sits right in perfectly between the two models.

Expected to be available from late April, the Ducati Monster 796 is available in the traditional Ducati Red, Arctic White, or Diamond Black Silk. All the colors of the bike will feature a red trellis frame and black wheels. European pricing is set at €8990/$9,995/£6,995

Link: Asphalt&Rubber

How to decide what helmet to get. If you talk to any person who rides motorcycles they always have a favorite which they usually stick to. You want to make sure whats on your head is going to protect you at the time you take a fall, you also want it to be comfortable. Keep in mind that I wear my helmet in the heat and most times, you want the material inside the helmet to be comfortable and doesn’t cause your skin to be irritated.

How to Pick a Helmet:

• Comfort (head fit, and shape)
• Comfort (helmet lining)
• Price
• Look
• Racer Afiliation

My most preferred brand based on comfort when wearing them for long periods, and the results when I had a few mishaps and my head is one piece. At the top is Arai, then Scorpion, and also Shoei at the top of the list. Really hot helmets, that protect your head while making you feel comfortable and you look good.

Helmets:

• Arai
• Shoie
• Scorpion
• Soumoy
• AGV
• KBC
• HJC
• Bell
• BMW
• Icon

Where to Buy Helmets Online:

• Rizvilla
• HelmetCity
• RideGear
• Cycle Gear
• KneeDraggers