All posts tagged italian motorcycle design
Return of the Aspes brand after 27 years
The not-so-young will certainly remember teh Aspes brand, linked to the Yuma and Hopi models, and now we’ll have the chance to see them back on the market. Menzaghi Motors, from Varese in Italy has announced its acquisition of the Aspes brand and is undertaking a relaunch of the historic Italian motorcycles and their quality and innovation.
Aspes will take to the market with new motard models, and some new scooters both low and high wheel with engines between 50 and 150 cc. This is a move from the past into a modern niche market. Mostly four-stroke engines will be used in line with anti-pollution laws.
Aspes will establish a partner network among dealerships for sales. Umberto Pertosa is Aspes general manager and is happy to announce the return of the brand after 27 years. It’s their intention to launch environmentally friendly models from the outset.
Hell's Kitchen recycled parts bike accessories
This video shows the creations of Italy’s Hell’s Kitchen workshop, that creates motorcycle accessories from recycled tyre parts.
The range includes helmets, backpacks and satchels, 50’s style glasses, bags and wallets, all for environmentally but fashion conscious riders.
Hell’s Kitchen is describing it as “ecochic”. I’m quite taken with the helmets myself. For more information and a look at their products, go to the HK website.
Italian sidecar design: the PPB from CR&S
My first reaction on seeing this was: love the paint job! At CR&S VUN they really show a passion for motorcycles with some authentic Italian design, starting with a single cylinder “milanès” rumble.
This design from Cafe’ Racers and Superbikes includes a sidecar, or PPB as an acronym in Milanese dialect meaning “to carry knick-knacks” (the guys at CR&S are a little quirky). The sidecar is aerodynamic, easily attached and is not designed for passengers, hence the name.
On reaching your destination, having carried all your gear in the PPB, you can easily remove the sidecar to get about with your VUN. It’s a genius idea, and the sidecar is made from fibreglass, sold at the price of about 9,600 euros. For more information on CR&S check out our previous posts on the Vun story, part one and part two.
Italian bike design: Vun story, part two
Here’s the second part of the Vun story, as seen yesterday. It continues the feature of the development of this unusual bike from Milan bike builder, Cafe’ Racers and Superbikes, or CR&S.
Italian motorcycle design: Vun by CR&S
This is the first part of a video made by Key Frame on the story of the Vun, a peculiar bike created by CR&S (Cafe’ Racers & Superbikes), founded by Roberto Crepaldi in 1992.
We saw CR&S at the Eicma Milan show with some impressive bikes, and this is another which impresses for the maniacal attention with which it is produced. The originality of the Vun can be found in the Milanese dialect sticker on the bike and if you thought Italians were all about chaos and hotch-potch working style, the CR&S Vun will change your mind.
Thanks to Roberto Crepaldi who put us in contact with Raffaele Canepa from Key Frame, to get us this video story of the Vun. We also recognise all the guys who worked on the making of the video.
Eicma 2008: Moto Guzzi news
This video and brief interview was conducted by MotoTV at the Eicma show, and demonstrates some of the Moto Guzzi gems present at the event. Moto Guzzi went to Eicma with some special editions, described as feminine (or was he talking about the girls…?).
Moto Guzzi models on display included the V7 Cafe Classic, Griso 8V special edition and a Stelvio 1200. Described as “Italian creativity applied to a classic brand” and we would have to agree.
Ducati sold again?
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. is to be absorbed by the 3 largest share holders into a new company. This new company called “Performance Motorcycles S.p.A.” wants to consolidate the remaining outstanding shares of the company. Ducati leadership says the plan will be drawn up and approved by the board of directors in September.
Ducati achieved a net profit of €13.3 million in 2007, up from a debt of €8.5 million in 2006.
We wonder about this change again after the good financial results from Ducati. However, we hope and wish all the best for Ducati!
Via | Dealernews
Husqvarna TC250 gem
This is the lightest single-cylinder engine bike and it’s called TC250.
The Husqvarna TC 250 is built with an engine produced in the Husqvarna factory close to the Italian Varese Lake. The four-stroke 250cc engine, weighs only 22 kg and is built with titanium radial valves. The dry weight is only 92 kg and gives an amazing manoeuvrability when riding this single-cylinder bike.
The TC250 is a real “made in Italy” jewel and will be built in a limited number by the end of 2008. Husqvarna is also considering the option to use the bike during the MX2 Motocross World Championship in 2009. So it’s possible the limited edition won’t be so limited. Let’s hope so!
Via | Husqvarna
Great Polini Minibike Cup
The Polini Minibike Cup has seen great success.
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
Radical Ducati at Padova
The Spanish “Radical Ducati” is rebuilding Ducati bikes. They use some racing parts from the Italian NCR company.
And they like to compare the Rad 02 Corsa with the NCR Millona One Shot. Some specifications? The RAD 02 Corsa is having a aluminium frame from 4.100 kg, subframe from Titanium, dry weight 135 kg. They organise races is Spain…
Via | Radical
Photo of the day: a pink Ape in Milan
The “ape” trucks (three wheeled truck) are typical of Italy and you can see them everywhere. This one, snapped on the streets of Milan is a little different - classic green has been changed into splendid pink. The owner of the truck was selling women’s clothing, and the photo comes courtesy of our reader Marco.
Honda CB1000R: a story about men, and passion for motorcycling
Rarely when riding a motorcycle, do we ask ourselves who was behind the project of that model, or how the creation was born. In general, behind the simplicity of motorcycle, there is a chain of market research, technological development and at times also the passion and intuition of one person.
Great stories of passion are often linked to smaller companies and niche models, while larger companies often travel the straight and clear road. Which is why we wanted to re-tell the story of the new CB1000R, having a human touch in which its creator shows his spirit of initiative that brought the model to bear.
If we look at the new Honda CB1000R, you can see straight away that this model breaks the mold of Japanese production. It looks like a Special, created in a workshop, or an authentic streetfighter like those appreciated by French riders.
Continue reading: Honda CB1000R: a story about men, and passion for motorcycling
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