Slovenia’s Akrapovic celebrates its 20 years of history with the launch of its 2012 range, which will feature a number of special and limited editions. The renowned exhaust system manufacturer founded by former racer Igor Akrapovic begun producing high-performance sports exhausts in 1991 and later expanded its offer to the whole market, releasing exhaust systems for vehicles as different as sportsbikes, offroad bikes and tourers, recently expanding into custom bike, scooter and even car markets, too. Let’s have a very quick look through Akrapovic’s 2012 range..

A significant number of new products are decicated to the new maxi-scooters of the 2012 generation, namely BMW C 650 GT/C 650 Sport, Honda Integra 700, Yamaha X-Max 125 ABS and Gilera Fuoco 500. As for the custom-bike world, Akrapovic presents the “Morsus” show bike - developed by Dreamachine Motorcycles - and after-market kits for Harley-Davidson’s V-Rod and Night Rod. Akrapovic also announced at the EICMA the launch of a special Anniversary Edition Slip-On series for all four Japanese superbikes - Honda CBR1000RR, Kawasaki ZX10-R, Yamaha YZF-R1 and Suzuki GSX-R1000 - featuring a unique finish incorporating a ceramic nano-coating of 5-10 microns and a unique Akrapovic Anniversary Edition logo. The ‘plusses’ of this line are exclusivity, design, scratch resistance, anti-finger printing properties, anti-oxidation, long life, easy to clean and fit and - obviously - Akrapovic’s usual performance boost and deep resonant sound.

Akrapovic’s Marketing Director Neil Morley pointed out that the already tough motorcycle market is going through a harsch period, mostly because of a decline in consumer confidence, but that did not prevent the company from entering new segments such as custom Harley-Davidson and scooters. “We have had a great reaction to our new products so far - Morley added - and the qualities Akrapovic bring to these sectors – quality, outstanding materials, perfect fit, great design, performance and the deep resonant sound – seem to be well-received by customers and dealers.” The company will also continue its technical partnership with Yamaha. Check out the whole Akrapovic 2012 range in our extensive photo gallery.

View the full Akrapovic 2012 photo gallery

“Macio” Melandri may have not found the Ducati GP 8 suited to his riding style, but this mini motocross bike seems more to his liking, at least its green like his new Kawasaki ride.

Last weekend twowheelsblog was present at the Stuntmasters and Bikeshow 2008 in Belgian’s Nekkerhal. It was great to see the French Adam Arnaud FMX Team riding and jumping all around the place. Special for this event was also the presence of the Ducaticlub, showing all the different types of Ducati bikes. Visitors could eat hamburgers and have beer but many came to enjoy the performances from the Mechanic Girls. There was snow outside on Belgian roads, but inside it was real hot…

The control tire rule should have helped cut development and testing costs, but with world economics in such a turmoil and that scary word that starts with ‘R’ perpetually looming, MotoGP teams are still feeling a big economic pinch, so they’ve decided to cut additional costs by reducing winter tests outside of Europe. Each team spends about a 100,000 euro for each test outside of Europe, so they have decided to reduce them.

The 2008/2009 testing schedule will be the following:
November 26 -27 Jerez Spain
December 1 to January 20 winter test ban
February 5-7 Sepang Malyasia
March 5-7 Losail Qatar Night test
March 28-29 Jerez Spain Official IRTA test

Phillip Island has been taken off the calendar and Malaysia will only host one test instead of the traditional two. Monday testing days after GP races will also be sized down they will include Jerez, Barcellona, Mugello, Brno and Hungary or Estoril.

Source|Gpone

Does the blonde boy in video seem familiar or is there something in his riding style that reminds you of someone else? The boy is Luca Marini. Name still unfamiliar? You may have noticed him occasionally celebrating at the parc ferme with multi World Champion Valentino Rossi.

Luca Marini is Valentino Rossi’s 11 year old step-brother. Besides riding pocket bikes, Luca also rides a Honda NSF 100, and takes part in the Honda Italian Racing Project in the Junior Category (10-13 year olds). HIRP is basically a riding school that teaches and trains 24 young and budding riding talents, who are schooled in riding safety and techniques and then go on track to race in their own small championship. Luca placed 5th in his category this year.

HIRP is in partnership with Honda Italy, HRC and Team San Carlo Honda Gresini and in association with the Italian Motorcycle Federation.

Source| Motocorse.com

All great pilots from today and the past started at early ages. Good physical condition, experience and a good feeling with the bike are the most important elements to develop great skills. A good start for the young ones is definitely the Polini Minibike Cup.

After Italy, it’s also now a great succes in Spain and for the first time it was organised by the Federacion Catalana de Motociclismo. The competition is dedicated to children between 6 and 9 years.

Polini has developed a lot of models, to give you a nice example some details from the 910 GP4 Air Junior:

Two stroke monocylinder with aluminium cylinder
SHA 14-14 carburator
Electronic with inductive discharge ignition
Weight: 20Kg
Seat Hight: 395 mm
Use on public highways is prohibited.

Via | Polini

After bringing you the Triumph Joker, here’s another gem from RocketGarage: a minibike equipped with a 500cc engine. This is a mini dragster with an incredible power-weight ratio.

This time though, managing the delicate gesture which is a perfect mix of balance, power and agility, is a rider in the seat of a minibike. That he completes it on a wet track we think gives him some well deserved recognition.

via | Masmoto

Participants can choose from five categories: MB1 up to 125cc, MB Open from 125cc to 150cc, and then categories riserved for riders of Amatori, Stock up to 125cc, Stock Open from 125cc to 150cc and finally the Stock Boymotard to 125cc for under-14’s.

On the same day the Challenge, Mobster Trophy, currently enjoying a great participation rate for its first year, will also take place. For registration and information visit the fxaction site or write to fxaction@tiscali.it

via | FMI