Indian Motorcycle of the Year award goes to Yamaha YZF-R15

Yamaha’s commuter-friendly sportsbike trounced the competition to win the coveted title. The YZF-R15 was driven and tested by the expert jury members in real conditions. The experts judged the motorcycles on price, fuel efficiency, design, comfort, safety and performance. The awards have been introduced to bring the Indian motorcycle industry on par with international competition.

Yamaha R15 on Show

Yamaha R15 on Show

Powerful Performance From Aprilia RS125

Sharpest, best handling bike of any type. A truly Italian bike. Aggressive, decisive, and with plenty of character to express its dynamic, lightweight nature in a personal, unique style that typifies Italian passion for motorbike racing.

2009 Ducati 848 Preview

2009 Ducati 848
Ducati unveiled three new bikes: a Monster 696, an 848 Superbike and an "extreme racing version" of its 1098, the 1098 R.

Ah, Italy. Who doesn't love the traffic, the scooters, the sport bikes using city streets as a racetrack? At the 65th International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan, which began today and runs through the week, Italian manufacturers are finally announcing their 2008 models. The roster is, as expected, full of funny names, but molto bene!

Aprilia announced three new bikes: the SMV750 supermoto, RX125 enduro and SX125 supermoto. All three models are currently slated for sale in Europe only, though the SMV750 (a.k.a. the Dorsoduro) may come to the U.S. as a 2009 model.

Ducati also unveiled three new bikes: a Monster 696, an 848 Superbike and an "extreme racing version" of its 1098, the 1098 R. The Monster 696 adds a single cubic centimeter to the famed Desmo L-twin engine, but it cranks an extra 9% of horsepower (80 hp) and 11% torque (50.6-pound-feet) over the 695 model it's replacing; it also features a wider tank, larger diameter trellis frame and twin mufflers. On the superbike side of the business, the new 848 is a mid-size evolution of Duc's famed 999 -- 6 1/2 pounds lighter and 30% more powerful than its predecessor. Meanwhile, the new "maximum performance" 1098 R will enter the market as the Bologna manufacturer's most powerful and lightest-weight twin-cylinder bike ever produced -- 364 pounds with 180 hp -- and it has a price tag to match: $39,995.

Moto Guzzi's big news is a new 1,200 cc "maxi enduro" called the Stelvio, with transverse twin cylinders and four valves per cylinder. Guzzi hasn't been in the enduro market for several years, and its Stelvio has an entirely new engine and frame. Guzzi also announced a new model called the V7 Classic, which is a retro version of its V7 from the late '60s and early '70s.

MV Agusta's new lineup consists of three models: the 989R Brutale, the 1078 Brutale (both naked bikes) and the hyper-sport F4312 RR, one of the fastest bikes on the market. They all improve on their predecessors, the 910S, the 910R and the F4312R, offering increased displacement, horsepower and performance. The bikes also boast higher levels of braking and suspension. The first U.S. deliveries are not anticipated until early spring.
By: By Susan Carpenter, Los Angeles Times Staff Write

EUROPE'S TOP SPORTS 125 PRDUCTION TECHNOLOGY, APRILIA RS 125

Aggressive, decisive, and with plenty of character to express its dynamic, lightweight nature in a personal, unique style that typifies Italian passion for motorcycle racing. For years the RS 125 has been unbeaten on the 125 Sport Production racing circuit.

The RS 125 comes in two versions, GP-One Replica and SBK Replica, both destined to reinforce the market leadership of the RS 125, Europe's best selling road sports bike.

The Aprilia RS 125 brings the under 18 rider the best the European motorcycle market has to offer in terms of equipment and technology.

The sporty lines of this bike are the result of painstaking design and advanced aerodynamic research. Fruit of extensive wind tunnel testing, the aerodynamic form ensures total protection and minimum air resistance, giving a whole series of advantages including reduced fuel consumption and optimised performance under all conditions.

The aerodynamic fairing and windshield, with integrated hand guards to eliminate all turbulence, allow the rider to really make the most of the incredible speed and performance of this bike. The styling of the front mudguard matches the rest of the bodywork. The RS 125 is proof that perfect aerodynamics mean stability and safety at high speed.

The headlight cluster features a multi-focal double lamp unit and gives the bike an original, eye-catching appearance. Naturally, as well as looking good, the headlight cluster also adds to active safety during night-time riding and guarantees instant visibility in the day.

The tail not only improves aerodynamic penetration but also incorporates a spacious lockable storage compartment to house items like locks and rainproofs.

The passenger seat is integrated in the tail to avoid spoiling the clean, streamlined lines of the bike. The tail is mounted on an extremely lightweight rear frame.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 14 litres, and gives exceptional autonomy. Not only, but its perfect shape allows the rider to hug the bike like a leech.

The five spoke wheels look sporty but are also lightweight, reliable and safe. The competition standard braking system features a 320 mm front disk with a four piston calliper, and a 220 mm diameter rear disk.

The suspensions play a fundamental role in ensuring top level performance, safety and comfort. The Aprilia RS 125 is equipped with a 40 mm Ø upside down hydraulic action telescopic fork, with adjustable spring preload and wheel travel of 120 mm. The front fork is one of the winning cards taken from the Aprilia 125 Challenge Trophy.

The rear suspension's hydraulic monoshock has also been developed on the basis of racing experience and features adjustable preload too.

The aluminium alloy swing-arm gives the RS 125 the best torsional rigidity of all production 125 cc bikes. Differential member design permits the swing-arm to pass close to the bike's body. This permits bends to be tackled at greater angles without the risk of dangerous grounding.

The aluminium alloy perimeter beam frame gives exceptional torsional rigidity and light weight. Its design is the reference point for all our competitors. Here again, the transfer of knowledge and technology from the track to the road is typical of Aprilia's approach to quality, technology and safety.
Extensive wind tunnel testing has led to a globally improved CX for this already aerodynamic motorcycle, and has optimised even further the performance of its 125 cc two stroke engine. This advanced power unit features water cooling, balancing countershaft, exhaust control valve and reed intake for riding pleasure and constant power.

The aluminium silencer complements the bike's styling and is highly efficient in maximising engine power and minimising noise.

RS 125 is equipped with a catalytic exhaust in compliance with EURO 1 specifications.
This sporting Aprilia is available in two versions: the RS 125 for newly licensed riders with power limited to 11 kW and the RS 125 kat Euro 1 full power. A conversion kit can be fitted to the 11 kW version to convert it to full power at a later stage.

The side stand safety system is another extremely important feature. A safety switch prevents the bike being started up and ridden off with the stand down.

The racing style instruments not only look good but are also easy to read. The dashboard includes speedometer, rev counter and coolant temperature gauge to allow the rider to keep all important parameters under control. The speedometer can be removed quickly and easily for track use.

2009 APRILIA RS 125 SPECIFICATIONS

APRILIA RS 125 SPECIFICATIONS

Engine type Single cylinder two-stroke, liquid cooled. Aluminium cylinder with Gilnisil coating on barrel. Reed intake and exhaust port control valve. Separate lubrication.
Bore and stroke 54 x 54.5 mm
Displacement 124.8 cc
Compression ratio 12.5 ± 0.5:1
Carburettor Dell'Orto PHBH 28 BD
Ignition CDI capacitor discharge electronic
Starting Electric starter
Generator 12V - 180 W
Lubrication Separate mixing with variable displacement volumetric pump
Gear box Six speed
Primary drive Gear
Final drive Chain
Clutch
Multiple disk in oil bath
Frame

Cast aluminium sloping twin-spar with thin walled structural shell and cross rib reinforcement
Front suspension Upside-down hydraulic action telescopic fork, 40 mm Ø inners, wheel travel 120 mm
Rear suspension Cast aluminium swing-arm with asymmetrical members, thin walled structural shell, single hydraulic monoshock, adjustable spring preload, wheel travel 120 mm
Brakes Front: floating calliper, disk Ø 320 mm, four parallel pistons, 32 mm diameter
Rear: single disk, Ø 220 mm, twin piston calliper, piston diameter 32 mm
Wheels Five spoke aluminium alloy, front 3.00 x 17", rear 4.00 x 17"
Tyres Tubeless radials, front. 110/70 ZR 17", rear 150/60 ZR 17"
Dimensions Maximum length 1,950 mm
Maximum width at handlebars 720 mm
Maximum height at windshield 1,135 mm
Seat height 805 mm
Wheelbase 1,345 mm
Tank capacity 14 litres (3.5 litre reserve)
Colours SBK Replica, GP-1 Replica

Noriyuki Haga, The First Race Win Superbike at Phillip Island

Xerox Ducati's Noriyuki Haga has taken the first race win at Phillip Island, pipping Alstare Suzuki's Max Neukirchner after a race-long battle at the front. Haga, who last won here in 1998, came from the middle of the grid and worked his way through the field very quickly to take the lead at Doohan Corner with only two laps gone.

Neukirchner then went with the Japanese and they began to pull away before settling into a rhythm, with Yukio Kagayama in third. The German sat behind Haga until the final lap when he went past into Doohan's but had a huge moment at the top of Lukey Heights, which let Haga back through for the win.

Stiggy Honda's Leon Haslam worked his way up to fourth, catching and passing Jonathan Rea, who got the holeshot, before slipping back to sixth behind the Irishman and Haga's team-mate Michel Fabrizio. Tom Sykes got a poor start and was busted down to 18th before struggling back up and finishing in the top 10.

Tommy Hill, who started from 20th, managed to fight his up to 12th before succumbing to Sykes and Haslam's team-mate Robbie Rolfo and ending the race in 13th with two points. Troy Corser got a spectacular start and pulled himself up into the top 10 in the first dozen laps and got a solid finish in eighth.

Pole-sitter Ben Spies had a nightmare debut race, clashing with Aprilia's Max Biaggi and going off-track across Southern Loop. Hde re-joined and got back up through the order, finishing just outside the points in 16th. Sterilgarda Ducati's Shane Byrne crashed out at the race's mid-point.

By David Miller