July 2, 2007 – Motorcycle Digest

Ducati Releases Special Edition for U.S. Market
Ducati North America said the 2007 Sport 1000 Mono Special Edition is being produced exclusively for the North American market.
Production of this model will be limited to 100 units, 90 for the U.S. and 10 for Canada. With only 100 units being produced, this will be one of the rarest Ducatis made in recent history, the company said.
Combining modern technology and historic design, this Sport 1000 SE embodies the spirit of the 1978 Ducati 900SS “Darmah,” and features the classic Black and Gold paint scheme.
Each of the limited 100 Monoposto (single seat) 2007 Sport 1000 SE models will be identified by a numbered plaque, located on the triple clamp. The motorcycle also features a twin muffler “shotgun” exhaust, spoke wire wheels and Brembo brakes. It is powered by the 992cc dual spark motor.
This Ducati 2007 Sport 1000 Mono SE has a MSRP of $11,495. For more information, including detailed specifications, visit www.ducatiusa.com.
JAMA Reports Mixed Results for April
The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association recently released motorcycle production and export figures for April.
JAMA members produced 136,229 units in April, 4.4 percent fewer compared with the same month of the previous year. It is the first production decrease after three months of upturn.
Motorcycle exports for April totaled 123,260 units, up 2.5 percent as compared with the same month of the previous year. It is the third consecutive month JAMA has reported an export increase on the same month of the previous year.
The total value of motorcycles exported for April was $766.39 million, including $634.8 million for vehicles and $131.5 million for parts. This marks an increase of $28.18 million, or 3.8 percent, as compared with the same month of the previous year.
Big Dog Closes 2007 Model Year With Limited Edition K-9
Big Dog Motorcycles is closing the 2007 model year — the company’s 13th — with 100 limited edition versions of its K-9 chopper.
The chopper will have limited edition graphics and styling. Individually hand-painted red and silver pinstripes adorn its gloss black sheet metal. The 117- cubic-inch
V-twin centerpiece is powder coated black and has Diamond Heads diamond-cut heads and cylinders. Other significant black powder-coated components include handlebars, headlight and PM vintage mag-style spoke wheels.
“The Limited Edition K-9 is a menacing blend of both form and function,” said Nick Messer, president of Big Dog Motorcycles. “With its stretched out, aggressive stance, powerful V-twin engine, BDM Balance Drive and blacked out components, it stirs the soul not just through its performance, but also through its presence.”
The Limited Edition K-9 shares key characteristics with the standard model, namely an ultra fat 300 rear tire cradled within an a-frame swingarm hidden shock suspension. It also has a 39-degree frame rake and 690-pound weight. The 1,916cc engine is fed by a Super G carburetor; a super-refined Baker 6-speed transmission provides aggressive acceleration and smooth highway cruising; and the standard BDM Balance Drive System helps amplify agility and cornering capabilities, even for wide-tire motorcycles.
Aprilia USA Introduces the SportCity 250 Scooter
The 2007 Aprilia SportCity 250, the Italian manufacturer’s newest addition to its U.S. model line, is packed with plenty of standard equipment.
Some of that standard equipment includes a class-leading electronic fuel injected engine for fast acceleration, a rigid frame for sporty handling, large 15-inch wheels for a stable ride, triple disc brakes for rapid stops and double lights for superior visibility.
The Aprilia SportCity 250 has a MSRP of $4,599.
The electronic fuel-injected four-stroke engine returns up to 61 miles for every gallon of gas.
The SportCity has a peak power of 22.5 hp at 8,000 rpm and 15 foot-pounds of torque at 6,250 rpm, accelerates from 0-50 mph in just 7 seconds and offers a top speed of 79 mph.
Triumph Kicks Off Test Ride Sweepstakes
Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. launched a “Win a Rocket III Classic” Sweepstakes.
Under this promotion, all eligible customers who take a test ride on any Rocket III model at a participating U.S. dealer until Sept. 30 will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a new Rocket III Classic.
The Rocket IIIs are the world’s largest displacement production motorcycles. The bikes feature a 2,300cc in-line 3-cylinder engines, low center of gravity and handling and brakes.
Rucker Distributes Iceengineworks Systems
Rucker Performance has teamed up with Icengineworks, a manufacturing and engineering firm, to distribute their patented new line of exhaust header modeling block systems that provide manufacturers and builders in the motorsports and automotive industries with the freedom to design and mock up exhausts.
Icengineworks has created a manually operated, three-dimensional modeling system that’s based on sets of interlocking plastic blocks that are molded in shapes and represent actual tubing, straight and bent after assembly.
The blocks, always one-inch in length at the centerline, display information on the metal sections, bend radii and length in inches. Fabricators can attach, disconnect and rearrange the blocks as many times as needed. Different sizes or series of the blocks can also be combined to mock-up stepped systems.
Due to the versatility of the blocks, builders and manufacturers can quickly and inexpensively develop and test limitless designs without committing expensive materials and other resources until they are satisfied with a final product.
“The main objective is creating the simplicity and speed to manually assemble, break apart, modify and also rearrange precise sections of blocks representing tubular designs,” said Victor Franco, founder and president of Icengineworks. “The designer becomes more efficient, reaches the optimum design in less time and can explore layout possibilities limited only by the imagination.”
To learn more about the precision exhaust header modeling systems from Icengineworks, contact Bill Rucker at 817/838-3200 or log onto www.icengineworks.com.
Motorcycle insurance to more than double in Quebec
Quebec’s automobile insurance agency, Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, has mandated premiums for motorcycles with more than 400cc increase from $525.95 to $847.34 in 2009 and $1,173.33 in 2010. The increases were approved and published June 8.
There will be variable annual rates for vehicles of 125cc or less, from 125cc-400cc and more than 400cc.
The premiums also will vary according to the total points of inaptitude each driver accumulates, according to the class of the license. These premiums will vary from $32.56-$379.97, according to officials.
SAAQ President John Harbour, during an interview with the Newspaper of Quebec, said he would seek to work with motorcyclist associations to create a formula for taxing that would also take into account the age of the motorcyclist, his or her experience and the type of machine he or she owns.
Can-Am’s Three-Wheeled Motorcycles Selling Out Quickly
The squeeze of higher gasoline prices coupled with novelty are sparking sales of Bombardier Recreational Products’ three-wheeled motorcycle in the earliest stages of its U.S. debut.
A Wisconsin dealer, the Engelhart Center, Madison, Wis., has sold its entire allocation of 18 Can-Am Spyder roadsters and has already taken deposits from another 60 buyers for 2008.
The Spyder is being rolled out initially in 12 states based on motorcycle sales, including Wisconsin. There are six other Spyder dealers in the state.
The Spyder retails for $15,700 and a $1,000 deposit will hold one for next year. psb