What Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez will be riding this year.
Here we highlight a few news items for the week. Triumph’s big Rocket III motorcycle has been purposely reigned in by the manufacturer so that it produces less than peak power in the first three gears. Why? To avoid “rider intimidation”, that’s why. After all, the big Rocket puts out more horsepower and torque (146bhp and 163 pound feet) than most compact automobiles available in Europe.
2013 Triumph Rocket III Roadster
Now, however, Triumph is unleashing the Roadster version with full power and torque in the first three gears…whether you can handle it or not …. The Roadster will also be largely devoid of chrome this year, while you can still get the touring version with all the shiny bits. Pictured is the Roadster.
The new Aprilia RSV4 SE for the U.S. market.
Aprilia is offering a special RSV4 exclusively for the US market commemorating Max Biaggi’s world superbike title in 2012. The SE, actually known as the RSV4 Factory APRC ABS SBK SE (a mouthful), gets a bump in horsepower and torque (up to 182 and 86, respectively) , as well as a slightly larger gas tank and all of the delectable electronic aids, including traction control, wheelie control, launch control, three engine maps and a quick shifter. No word yet on pricing or availability date.
A look at Nicky Hayden’s Ducati GP13.
Meanwhile, Honda and Ducati have unveiled their 2013 Moto GP bikes. These weapons are in constant development and specs can change from race–to–race. Nevertheless, Ducati has offered to tell us that the new GP13 makes “more than 235 hp”, and has a top speed in excess of 205 mph. Both bikes will have to meet a new minimum weight standard, which has gone up a few pounds in comparison to last year.
Another angle on the new Honda MotoGP bike.
Will MD soon test the new Triumph Trophy SE? I am highly interested in rider impressions, etc.
When Triumph unleases all the power of the Roadster, does that mean it removes double butterfly valves or does it mean it removes computer limitations?
I can’t wait to see Vale on the Yamaha again, but if Dani continues his dominance in the start of 2013 the way he ended 2012, I think the #26 is going to crush the competition. That RC213v screams dominance…
I’m not the biggest cruiser guy in the world, but something about that blacked-out look on the Rocket III is calling to me. Many argue it’s more of a muscle bike than a cruiser…and that’s fine with me.
Big deal, so the Duc can do 205 mph: http://www.gizmag.com/go/3314/
All the factory bikes can. It is called “gamesmanship”…. Tell the opposition things that they already know.
I CAN’T Wait for the Moto GP season to get rolling. Rossi back on a Yamaha is going to be fantastic!
Yep. Looking forward to it.
Bought my tickets for the Austin, TX event as soon as they went on sale.
Boycotting due to their treatment of Schwantz… Won’t even watch this one on TV.
ya know what, i respect that.
I agree. I’m anxious to see if he has anything left in the tank, and if the last two years were problems related to aging or to the bikes.
NEVER thought I’d say this, but that Honda MotoGP bike sure looks great compared with the Duc (which has none of the styling magic contained in the street-going lineup, IMO). Can’t wait to see the new road-going RC bike from Honda. Been too long since there was a top-flight offering from the big H.
The Duc must be an electric bike. It’s got speakers in place of the exhausts!! =P
Yeah, some sort of diffuser.
spark arrestors/fire suppression on the world’s most powerful grandprix engine.
Nope. It keeps gravel from getting in and working its way back to/destroying the engine, should a rider suffer a nasty trip to the kitty litter. No joke.
If that is so I can only it somehow happened to them in the past and they don’t want it to sideline them again. Other brands do not look to have joined in that concern.
I have a hard time believing that anything fine enough to stop kitty litter would be prohibitively restrictive for exhaust to pass. These things move a lot of gasses out of those pipes.
Dave I understand your reluctance to believe…but without saying too much let me state that I am not speaking from opinion 🙂
Look closely at the grates and you will see there are several layers of them, which are offset so the openings allow gases to flow freely but don’t permit a straight through shot for physical debris like gravel.
re: “These things move a lot of gasses out of those pipes.”
hey, that’s just like me after a bowl of chili…!!! LOL
it’s to stop debris getting sucked in case of a crash….very important considering how many engines are allowed for the season
I’d like to ride each one of them!