Ducati Dream Tour

An unforgettable weekend

 

Fulfil the dream of a weekend riding the world's most beautiful bikes on a journey of discovery through the places where they were born.

 With the Ducati Dream Tour you can spend three unforgettable days riding the world's most beautiful and high-performing sports bikes through the Emilian hills where they were conceived, and visiting the factory where they were born.

 The tour starts on Friday with a visit to the Ducati Museum and factory and, after you collect your Ducati, continues with a voyage of discovery through the Emilian Apennines.

 On a thrilling trip through the twists and turns, you can immerse yourself in your surroundings and the typical Italian countryside where you need only worry about enjoying yourself. Two professional test riders will accompany you along the route, specially designed to offer you the best of the Emilia region and the Ducati that you will ride, while a support truck following behind will transport your bags.

 To make this experience even more authentic, you will spend the night at the fantastic Palazzo di Varignana Resort, deep in the heart of the green hills. Fall in love with the traditional wines and foods of this fascinating region and with the sensational spa located within the resort.

 The weekend will conclude on Sunday afternoon when you will return the bike to Ducati's HQ
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2015 DUCATI MONSTER 821 – FIRST RIDE

2015 DUCATI MONSTER 821 – FIRST RIDEA Monster 1200 fitted with the 821cc Testastretta engine. No baloney!

Spare a thought for the long-suffering souls in Ducati’s PR department whose job it is to dream up clever ideas for the many new model launches. Especially when the new model in question isn’t so much new as an addition to an existing family.

And so the tagline for the launch of the 2015 Monster 821 was “Ducati is Bologna.” Which, depending on how you pronounce it, is what rival bike owners (and makers) have been saying all along! But in this case it’s not baloney, but Bologna—a.k.a. Ducati’s hometown, as the factory is located in a suburb called Borgo Panigale. That’s where the name of their latest top-shelf superbike comes from.

Ducati made a big deal out of this association, too, with a welcome speech by the mayor followed by a ride to dinner. This was a bit of a first, as there was a cocktail reception without any cocktails and dinner without any wine—unheard of in Italy! But we got to go on a police-escorted tour of the city and dine in the old mayor’s residence in the city center, parking all 40 of our blood-red bikes in a line and stopping traffic in all directions. It wasn’t quite as grand an affair as when Ducati took over the square to celebrate Casey Stoner’s 2007 MotoGP World Championship, but it was a privilege to be part of nonetheless. When it comes to hosting parties, Ducati does it right.

They do a pretty good job making motorcycles, too, as we discovered the following day when we headed into the Apennine Mountains south of Bologna for a test ride.

At its essence, this latest Monster is the 1200 fitted with the 821cc Testastretta 11º engine from the 2014 Hypermotard. But there’s more to it than that. For starters, there’s a more efficient exhaust system that boosts horsepower by 2 to a claimed 112. And the 1200′s sexy single-sided swingarm was replaced by a double-sided setup in the interest of cost. That change entailed a different rear wheel, shod with a Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tire in a new 180/60 size derived from World Supersport racing.

Like the 1200, the 821 boasts three ride modes, each of which tailors settings for the ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Living up to their billing, Urban mode (which reduces power to just 75 hp) did in fact work very well in city traffic, while Touring was wonderful on wet mountain roads. And Sport was even better yet when those roads dried out. Those who remember when the Ducati 851 was a fire-breathing Superbike will have a hard time thinking of the 821 as an “entry-level” machine, but between the variable ride modes and the low, adjustable seat, it actually fits the bill.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise: The liquid-cooled, four-valve-per-cylinder, dohc engine proved every bit as flexible as the air-cooled, two-valve, sohc lump it replaces. It’s also much smoother, and mechanically quieter, though how the raucous exhaust passes noise standards is anyone’s guess. Its rapid-fire staccato idle is reminiscent of a top-fuel dragster, and it sounds even more glorious under deceleration. Another pleasant surprise is the six-speed gearbox, which in conjunction with the cable-actuated wet slipper clutch shifts better than any Ducati in recent memory.

Handling is no less praiseworthy, as the bike steers perfectly neutral and flicks from edge to edge with little effort. The Brembo Monobloc four-piston radial front brakes are exemplary, with excellent feel and stopping power. The only fly in the ointment is the non-adjustable 43mm fork, which provides excellent feedback from the front tire but deflects over bumps. Chalk that up to cost as well.

We only have three real complaints. First, heat radiating off the right-side exhaust headers bakes your thigh and calf at a standstill. Second, the passenger footpeg brackets force your heels out at an awkward angle if you try to ride on the balls of your feet. And third, the rubber-covered footpegs are slippery when wet.

Those nits aside, the 821 is a winner. The Italian engineers have done a fine job of producing a modern mid-size Monster that possesses all the qualities of its forebears while meeting tough Euro 3 emissions standards.

No baloney.

Ducati Scrambler Resmi Launching, Made in Thailand

Bro sekalian, akhirnya setelah beberapa bulan yang lalu terus intents disuarakan dalam beberapa teaser, Ducati akhirnya merilis secara Resmi Ducati Scrambler . . . Sebuah MotorRetro-Roadster yang dilabeli sebuah Brand yang kuat aroma sportnya. Ducati Scrambler menurut informasi yang tmcblog terima dibekali dengan mesin 803 cc V Twin dengan pendingin udara dengan ukuran Piston 88 x 66 mm. Mesin ini bisa menghasilkan power maksimum 75 hp @7000 rpm debfab torsi maksimum 50 lb ft  . . . lumayan lah buat roadster jalanan , mirip mirip sama output mesin ER6 yah ? . .  pantesan bejaban waktu pembaca motorcycle.com sempat kejar kejaran sama test ridernya.

Mesin, power dan torsi bukanlah fokus utama di Scrambler ini, Seluruh Keindahan ala Retro-bike ala Era Vintage lah yang menjadi fokus utama state of the art Ducati terakhir ini. Tangki bbm teardrop shape dengan posisi yang rendah, ditambah finishing alumunium di setiap sisi sampingnya , handlebar tinggi dengan seat height hanya 30,3 inchi . . . sepertinya sangat friendly dengan rider asia yang rata rata nggak setinggi rider eropa nih. namun bobotnya sih lumayan nih 410 pon ( 200-an kg )

walaupun Retrobike, Scrambler juga dibenamkan dengan beberapa detail yang beraura modern yakni hadirnya Lampu LED yang membentuk angle eye di headlamp. Aroma Modern juga diperoleh di panel meter LCD . . . namun agar masih terasa aura retronya walaupun LCD, tapi tidak berwarna alias monochrome

Motor ini tetap menggunakan signatur Ducati yakni Sasis teralis, namun tidak terlalu terekspose dengan vulgar jalinan teralisnya . . . lebih simpel dibanding ducati Monster series. DI sektor belakang swing arm casting alumunium yang hubungkan dengan sasis melalui jalinan suspensi kayaba yang berada di sisi samping kiri, mirip panigale secara posisi

Mengenai Roda, Ducati tetap mengedepankan aura Scrambler dengan pemasangan ban dirt Track dengan ukuran 18 inchi, namun untuk Versi specialnya Urban Enduro (green), Full Throttle (black) and Classic (orange) ban yang digunakan adalah ukuran  120/70/18 di depan dan 180/55/17 di belakang dengan merk Pirelli. Pengereman motor bermesin 800-an cc ini juga diperhatikan  . . . Brembo 4 piston di depan dan satu piston dibelakang plus Standar ABS . . .

link ponsel

Aslinya Motor ini didesain di Pusat RnD Ducati Italy, namun untuk mengurangi biaya produksi, Plant Ducati Di Thailandlah yang ditunjuk untuk memproduksi massal . . . Indonesia kebagian? disinyalir Kuat ya, namun Ducati Indonesia belum memberikankonfirmasi , di eropa sendiri pengiriman baru dilakukan awal tahun 2015 nanti . . . silahkan dikunyah kunyah dan semoga berguna

Taufik of BuitenZorg

Ducati Scrambler ICON

Ducati Scrambler in Detail

DUCATI LAUNCH THE STRADATOUR, A DISTANCE DREAM

Touring on a Ducati for many would be a dream adventure, and now with the Strada range of Ducati motorcycles, that dream is now easier than ever to fulfil. The Strada concept began with the Multistrada and has now been expanded this year with the new additions of the Hyperstrada and the Diavel Strada.
The Stradatour is an evolution of the popular Ducati Roadshow that has run over the last 3 years covering the length and breadth of the UK. This year, the Stradatour will consist of 33 dates beginning on April 6 and running until August 4 and will feature extended rides up to a maximum of one and half hours.
These test rides will give the customers an extensive period of time to evaluate the bikes touring and long distance appeal.  The local Ducati dealer will take riders on a route taking in a variety of roads to fully test the bikes touring capabilities and also give pillion riders the chance to assess the comfort of these machines.
The Multistrada was the first Ducati to embrace the Strada concept, with its unique blend of adventure styling, blistering performance and touring capabilities. With its four-bikes-in-one concept the Multistrada has proven to be unrivalled in its sector and now with its semi-active (Skyhook) suspension the bike has moved on to another level. On the Stradatour fleet there will be not only the Multistrada Touring S, but also the Multistrada Granturismo, the ultimate touring Ducati. The Granturismo  features  extended screen, larger panniers,  top case, higher handlebars, comfort seat, LED spotlights and engine crash bars.
2013 has seen the introduction of the Hyperstrada and the Diavel Strada which will make up the remaining models of the tour. The Hyperstrada is a new dimension of the Hypermotard uniquely blending together the worlds of motard and touring that will provide thrills on demand and yet with the flexibility that a touring bike gives. The Hyperstrada features panniers, centre stand, touring screen, touring seat as well as the Ducati Safety Pack that includes ABS and traction control as standard.
The Diavel set pulses racing when it came onto the market and the unfeasible was made feasible as Ducati produced a cruiser that had sports bike performance with handling to match.  Now the Diavel Strada version comes with higher handlebars, touring screen, touring seat, heated grips and side luggage as well as the riding modes and ABS and traction control found standard on other Diavel models.
For further information regarding the Stradatour and a full list of dates visit www.ducatiuk.com

BRITAIN’S FIRST 100MPH CAR CELEBRATES CENTENARY

The Vauxhall 30-98, one of the greatest sports cars of the twentieth century and the first to top 100mph in production form, is marking its centenary in style this May, when almost 50 surviving examples attempt the Waddington Fell hillclimb, site of the car’s first appearance and competition success in 1913.
Described as ‘The car of grace that sets the pace’, the 30-98 was derived from Vauxhall’s C10 ‘Prince Henry’ – acknowledged as the UK’s first real sports car – and was produced at a time when Vauxhall vied with Bentley in the prestige car market.
But armed with a kerb weight 400kgs less than a Bentley 3.0-Litre, a powerful engine and high axle ratio, the 30-98 became renowned as a high-performance car that could swallow long distances with ease. This made it particularly popular with drivers in the colonies, and explains why so many cars still survive in Australia today.
A precursor to the recently launched Cascada convertible, the 30-98 was actually developed in just 71 days, but went on to spawn a production run of 600 cars over a 14 year period (with a break for WW1). Remarkably, around a third of these cars still survive today.
At a time when car manufacturers promoted the performance, durability and handling of their products through competition, Vauxhall had already been successful in hillclimbs, grands prix and endurance trials since the company was formed in 1903 (now celebrating its 110^th anniversary, it’s the UK’s oldest surviving car brand).
And the 30-98 represented the zenith of those achievements. On its first outing at the Waddington Fell hill climb in Lancashire, it set fastest time of the day, proving to the car’s designer, Laurence Pomeroy, and Vauxhall’s directors, Percy Kidner and Leslie Walton, that the car had a future, and production started in earnest.
Originally fitted with a 4,525cc side-valve four cylinder engine, producing 90bhp, the model was made in two basic types: E-type and OE-type, with the latter denoting the more powerful overhead valve cars producing 112bhp, and built between 1923 and 1927.
And it was the OE-type that became the first production car to exceed 100mph, partly prompted by a letter to The Autocar’s editor from a Major L.Ropner, complaining that he was unable to buy a road car that could cover a flying mile at more than 100mph!
Vauxhall responded by producing a stunning two-seater 30-98 for him in polished aluminium, with a full set of road equipment. On March 28, 1923 factory test driver Matt Park took the car to Brooklands and achieved a flying lap at 100.7mph, before delivering the car to Ropner, who used it extensively for competition, continental touring and commuting to London from his home in Yorkshire.
The British motoring press fell in love with the OE-Type 30-98, and in 1923 The Autocar subjected one to an early road test, recording a maximum speed (with standard Velox body and wind-breaking full windscreen) of 82.57mph – no mean feat at a time when most cars were struggling to top 50mph.
The Autocar went on to say: ‘Few cars have such graceful lines yet at once suggest unlimited strength allied to speed…and very, very few can take a corner stiffly with absolute certainty as this one can.’
This year, Vauxhall Motors’ own 1926 OE-Type Velox Tourer (OE268) will join around 50 other 30-98s in Lancashire to celebrate the model’s competition debut at Waddington Fell. Working with the Vauxhall 30-98 Register, local authorities have closed the public road which used to form the course, allowing cars from as far afield as Australia and the US to recreate Higginson’s winning run.
Other events which Vauxhall is supporting as part of the 30-98 centenary include:

• Brooklands Double Twelve (June 15-16)
• The 30-98 Centenary Run (July 5) – Tour starting at Brooklands and travelling to Vauxhall’s Luton HQ and then on to Millbrook Proving Ground with up to 100 30-98s
• CarFest North, Oulton Park (August 2-4)
• CarFest South, Laverstoke Park (August 23-25)
• ‘Thirsty Down Under’ Tour (Oct/Nov) – a three-week tour of Victoria and Tasmania for the thriving 30-98 Register based in Australia

Goodwood has yet to confirm entry of the 30-98 in its centenary year at the Festival of Speed.

THOMAS SABO extends involvement with Mercedes-Benz and the DTM

The THOMAS SABO lifestyle brand is strengthening ties with Mercedes-Benz in the world’s most popular touring car series. The company, headquartered in the Bavarian town of Lauf an der Pegnitz, is involved once again as a car sponsor with Mercedes-Benz in the 2013 DTM season. Spaniard Roberto Merhi will be in the THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé cockpit this season.

Furthermore, THOMAS SABO intends to intensify cooperation with Mercedes-Benz in the DTM; commencing with the season opener at Hockenheim on 5th May, the logos of the jewellery and watch brand will feature prominently on the front aprons of all six DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupés and on the racing overalls of the six Mercedes-Benz DTM drivers.

THOMAS SABO is the jewellery company headquartered in the northern Bavarian town of Lauf an der Pegnitz that was established in 1984 by its eponymous owner. The company ranks among one of the world’s leading lifestyle brands with its jewellery, watches and beauty products.

THOMAS SABO has been a sponsoring partner of Mercedes-Benz in the DTM since the 2011 season. In addition, the lifestyle label is also personal sponsor to MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg.

Roberto Merhi will be contesting his second DTM season this year. The 22-year-old Spaniard has been a Mercedes-Benz protégé since 2008 and won the Formula 3 Euro Series championship in a Dallara-Mercedes before moving up to the DTM. He secured the FIA ​​Formula 3 International Trophy in the same year.

Roberto Merhi: “THOMAS SABO is a global brand that has also made a name for itself in motor racing in recent years. My black THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé looks fast and aggressive. I am really looking forward to Hockenheim and lining up for the first time in the C-Coupé. Gary achieved brilliant results with our very own Black Lightning last season. Now it’s up to me to continue the good work.”

Thomas Sabo: “I am delighted that we are expanding our involvement in motor racing with Mercedes-Benz. THOMAS SABO will have a dynamic and promising team on the grid once again this year. We are particularly keen to promote young drivers and in Roberto Merhi, we have found a young dedicated DTM driver who not only has a great career in motor racing ahead of him, but also perfectly fits the image of the THOMAS SABO lifestyle brand. I am certain that we are in for a thrilling DTM season.”

Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: “The black THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé with its elegant, sporty look is a firm favourite of many DTM fans. So, I am really pleased that THOMAS SABO is stepping up a gear with Mercedes-Benz and the world’s most popular touring car series. The two brands fit together perfectly: The distinctive design and the high quality standards of the lifestyle label correspond exactly with those of the Mercedes-Benz brand. We aim to continue our successful long-term cooperation both on and off the track this coming season.”

LAND ROVER FORMS AFFILIATION WITH THE NEW HMS DEFENDER

Land Rover joins the celebrations for the commissioning of the Royal Navy’s newest warship today by announcing an affiliation with HMS Defender and supplying a Land Rover Defender for its use whilst on dry land. Company representatives will be among the guests attending the official ceremony at the HM Naval Base in Portsmouth, the Type 45 destroyer’s home port.
The name provides an obvious link: HMS Defender is the navy’s fifth warship of its name, while today’s Land Rover Defender can trace its roots directly back to the original Land Rover of 1948. The two are also fine examples of British engineering, the former built at the Govan shipyard on the River Clyde in Scotland, and the latter at the Land Rover plant in Solihull. Both are designed and equipped to tackle tough, albeit very different, environments around the world.
Mark Cameron, Land Rover Brand Experience Director – Global Marketing, said: “We are proud of our Land Rover Defender as an expression of what Land Rover has stood for for more than 60 years, and in the same spirit we are also proud of our new association with HMS Defender and her servicemen and women.
“Our affiliation reflects shared values and heritage that represent the best of Britain on the world stage. We look forward to sharing experiences and friendship in the future as HMS Defender takes up her duties.”
HMS Defender Commanding Officer, Commander Nash said:  “The Commissioning of HMS Defender is a hugely significant day in this state of the art warship’s life – it marks the point at which building and testing the ship finishes and frontline service in the Fleet begins.  It is also important to recognise that for the 190 women and men that make up my ship’s company this day of Commissioning represents the culmination of months and years of hard work, of training, trials and practice focussed on ensuring that Defender is ready to undertake operations around the world whenever tasked.  We are extremely proud of our achievement and would like to thank our partners in British industries for their assistance in reaching this goal. Land Rover have lent great support for the staging of the ceremonial event today and on behalf of My Ship’s Company and guests I would like to pass our sincere thanks for that assistance. ”
Today’s commissioning ceremony is a significant occasion that will be recorded in Royal Navy history, the moment when HMS Defender is officially taken up into the Fleet’s Order of Battle under the White Ensign. The destroyer was launched in 2009 and has undergone extensive sea trials prior to entering service this year. It has a number of other affiliations, notably with the cities of Glasgow and Exeter.
HMS Defender and Land Rover Defender – key facts

	HMS Defender Type 45 Destroyer	Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon
Heritage	Fifth Royal Navy ship of this name since 1797	Current model is the latest development of the original Land Rover concept of 1948
Displacement/weight	8,000 tonnes	2,062kg
Complement/accommodation	190 personnel	Driver and up to six passengers
Length	152m	4.639m
Beam/width	21.2m	1.79m
Height
Draught/wading depth	5.3m	500mm
Max. speed	30+ knots	91mph
Range	7,000 nautical miles	420 miles
Weaponry	Medium calibre guns and weapon systems, short range machine guns, Sea Viper missile system and Lynx helicopter weapons systems	n/a