This week we’ve received Ducatis previous and new: a German-built {custom} 848, plus the most recent manufacturing unit race bike—the electrical V21L. We additionally check out the 21 Helmets present from the US, and a BMW R nineT with classic rally theming from Munich.
Ducati 848 redux by Motocrew We’re at all times fascinated to see bikes which can be developed and tweaked over time. A yr in the past, German builder Chris Scholtka wowed us along with his super-clean 848, clad in minimal silver bodywork.
He’s since revisited the 848 to provide it a traditional race bike look—and he’s managed to get it previous the very fussy TÜV regulators, too. “The old-fashioned racer type was in my head since day one,” he explains, “however the prices and the rules have been horrible.”
The fairing is a Nineteen Eighties race job from a Kawasaki. “It took plenty of time to get it almost symmetrical on the bike, as a result of the previous fiberglass stuff isn’t good,” Chris says. “I additionally needed to construct a powerful and sophisticated ‘cage’ to put in the fairing—an instruction from the TÜV to get it avenue authorized.”
The headlight is now hidden, and so is a brand new, custom-made radiator that price €1000. “It was laborious to search out somebody who may construct it—the previous craftsmanship is sort of gone.”
There’s a brand new shock from Black-T on the again, and the forks have been refinished in black and upgraded internally with new springs. Chris has additionally revamped and hidden {the electrical} system, which now will get juice from a tiny NOCO lithium battery and is wired as much as Motogadget lighting.
After ending the brand new bodywork in white, Chris has lastly received the 848 street authorized. “The TÜV boy checked out each lil’ half to ensure it was sturdy sufficient,” he says wryly. The subsequent step will probably be a fast shift system with new engine software program—however we’d be blissful to take this machine simply as it’s. [Motocrew] 
21 Helmets Present The One Bike Present is an establishment nowadays. Held in Portland, Oregon and arranged by See See Bikes since 2009, it’s a celebration of bizarre, uncommon, {custom} and traditional bikes.
One of many highlights of the present is the 21 Helmets exhibition, and this yr, 21 artists have been every given an ICON Airflite lid to showcase their skills.
It’s a synergistic collaboration: ICON is thought for the wild graphics on its helmets, however the artists have taken the concept to the following stage.
The present was curated by native a inventive company, the Lincoln Design Co., and as you’d anticipate, there’s some really retina-searing stuff right here.
We’re significantly keen on the extra conceptual concepts although, such because the military-toned lid with a cranium inside, by Lonely Design.
After which artwork director Dustin Noden got here up with a novel concept for a helmet that’s previous its use by date, or broken: spray it with terracotta-toned paint and switch it right into a plant pot. Discover the designs in additional element right here.
BMW R nineT ‘Desertfox’ by Motoism Motoism are based mostly within the metropolis of Munich, however this new R nineT construct is destined to work off-road in addition to on. It’s a substitute for BMW’s personal Scrambler and City G/S fashions—however the Metzeler Karoo 3 tires will give it a bit extra prowess on the hardpack.
Motoism’s mods don’t contain any grinding, however they remodel the vibe of the favored roadster. There’s a complete catalog-worth of Motoism {custom} components fitted, together with a brand new headlight masks, enduro-style fender, leather-based seat and carbon fiber tail unit.
The lighting is new too, from the LED models on the again to the blinkers built-in inside {custom} fork covers. And the whole lot has that all-important regulatory approval.
The brand new vintage-style paint job is placing, and many of the naked steel on the R nineT has been refinished in black for added impact. A smattering of top-spec aftermarket additions end the BMW off, together with a neatly built-in Motogadget speedo, a high-spec Öhlins monoshock and a ceramic coated Arrow Professional-Race exhaust system—full with light-weight muffler.
There’s no scarcity of mods on the market for the R nineT, however this is among the most engaging and cohesive choices we’ve seen. [Motoism]
Ducati’s first electrical motorbike It needed to occur, and it’s lastly right here. Borgo Panigale has simply revealed ‘V21L,’ which is sadly a distinct segment race bike slightly than a showroom providing. Nonetheless, it’s a step in the direction of the longer term, and the tech will in all probability discover its method into roadgoing machines.
Subsequent yr, this machine will compete within the MotoE race sequence, with Ducati changing Energica and supplying 18 bikes for monitor use. That’s why the launch PR features a clip of former MotoGP racer Alex de Angelis thrashing a V21L prototype across the Vallelunga Circuit.
The styling is nothing to jot down house about, particularly within the context of Ducati’s prettier choices, however the tech aspect is fascinating.
The battery pack is rated at a hefty 18 kWh; to place that into perspective, the LiveWire claims 15.5 and the Zero SR/S 14.4 kWh. However regardless of the dimensions of the battery, Ducati’s precedence appears to have been weight—the V21L clocks in at simply 225 kg (496 lb).
Each the battery and the motor are liquid cooled, which implies simpler and safer charging, and so they sit inside a carbon fiber and aluminum body that weighs a mere 3.7 kg. The Desmosedici-inspired swingarm truly weighs extra, at 4.8 kg, and there’s a 20 kW charging socket hidden within the tail.
Ducati quotes energy and torque figures of 150 hp (110 kW) and 140 Nm, and says that the bike tops out at 171 mph (275 kph) on a circuit like Mugello.
A Desmosedici MotoGP bike squirts out nearly double the horsepower of the V21L, however the MotoE racing ought to nonetheless be fairly quick and thrilling. And given Ducati’s behavior of filtering race tech right down to showroom bikes, it won’t be lengthy earlier than we see a street model. And that can give the patron sportbike market an actual jolt. [More]
