Dream motorcycles for 2008 - Ducati 1188R, F41000, RC8 1150
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:13 am
Dream motorcycles for 2008 - Dream motorcycles for 2008 - Ducati 1188R, F41000, RC8 1150
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - By Tor Sagen - Wheels 24 - wheels24.co.za
But will these bigger displacement bikes be allowed. We asked the manufacturers for their views.
By the look of it, 2008 will see the rise of the dream sports motorcycle. We know for a fact that Aprilia will race its 999cc V4 and that Ducati will race either its 999 V-twin or the new 1098 that will turn into an 1188R by that time.
The Aprilia V4 project utilizes a brand new V4 999cc engine destined both for world superbike and the road. This model will be Aprilia's first ever four cylinder motorcycle.
Aprilia surprised everyone when it last threw itself into World Superbike racing with the RSV Mille by being competitive and winning races in the first year. The new V4 project is a different ballgame and the engine is completely designed in-house. But in many ways, Aprilia have got more racing heritage to its name than Ducati. Not in world superbikes, but on the GP tracks with 125's and 250's.
One of the reason the 65 V4 was chosen is to utilize Aprilia's extensive know-how in producing a race chassis around narrow V-engines. The new V4 is even more compact than the current V60 used in the RSV models and Aprilia will use fly-by-wire technology with wiring never seen on any motorcycle before.
The fuel management system of this engine is very advanced where servo motors only operate its own row of cylinders throttle bodies. This has been done to optimize high power engine management, which is needed when the V4 spins around at a maximum 13 500 r/min.
KTM on the other hand is riding into the unknown with its RC8 1150 prototypes. Currently KTM only operates two prototypes for various testing.
We were told earlier this year that KTM would build the world?s most powerful V-twin engine. With the new Ducati 1098 in mind this could prove to be just hype, but the Austrians seem to know what they are doing.
KTM will most likely not race the RC8 in World Superbike 2008, but rather 2009. In 2008 KTM plans to race the bike wherever it will be allowed on national level.
Our insiders both at KTM and Ducati confirmed exclusively to us that they are in good contact regarding the World Superbike regulations. Both these companies have it in their interest to be allowed to race the new machines that will top both firms production range.
Ducati told us exclusively that there is a stalemate situation with the World Superbike organisers at the moment. There is confusion regarding the regulations and this is causing Ducati big problems as they need to start testing the 2008 superbike now.
According to Ducati they are obviously hoping for a quick resolution to the regulation issue. From official sources we are just talking about the 'new bike', but we know that the 'new bike' is actually the 1188R based on the new 1098.
One of the big issues for Ducati and KTM are the Japanese manufacturers. Neither Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki nor Yamaha wants to see the new big super twins race against their powerful in-line fours in World Superbike.
Finally, we spoke to Federico Totti at the MV Agusta racing department. Totti explained to us how MV Agusta aims at being on the World Superbike paddock with the F41000R in 2008 and how to get there.
"We have two different projects next year; one in the Italian superbike championship and one in the AMA. This is our starting procedure for 2008 World Superbike effort," said Totti.
"The programme is not sure yet and it depends on the AMA results. The English and American championships are the most important to us, we need to sell bikes! But we have in our mind to start the World Superbike efforts in 2008," he said.
"We will continue with our current riders next year. For 2008 we need a very fast rider and it is not important where he is from. We want to find persons that believe in the project, it is important that the person we are looking for is a MV rider more than a superstar," said Totti.
Regarding the 1000cc in-line four engine, Totti said, "We have a good engine, but we are testing some specs on the engine to bring it to the same level as the other WSB engines."
"We are being smart and testing now without the WSB pressure. Step by step is the way forward for us. Even superstock racing will be very difficult for us next year," he added.
"Ducati will be allowed to race the 1098 in superstock and they are very strong. To increase the power is the most difficult part. We can make the exhaust lighter and improve a lot, but it is difficult to find the correct balance. We can have a lot of power, but in a small range. Less power is better for the handling, but horsepower and the balance is the most difficult for us now," said Totti.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - By Tor Sagen - Wheels 24 - wheels24.co.za
But will these bigger displacement bikes be allowed. We asked the manufacturers for their views.
By the look of it, 2008 will see the rise of the dream sports motorcycle. We know for a fact that Aprilia will race its 999cc V4 and that Ducati will race either its 999 V-twin or the new 1098 that will turn into an 1188R by that time.
The Aprilia V4 project utilizes a brand new V4 999cc engine destined both for world superbike and the road. This model will be Aprilia's first ever four cylinder motorcycle.
Aprilia surprised everyone when it last threw itself into World Superbike racing with the RSV Mille by being competitive and winning races in the first year. The new V4 project is a different ballgame and the engine is completely designed in-house. But in many ways, Aprilia have got more racing heritage to its name than Ducati. Not in world superbikes, but on the GP tracks with 125's and 250's.
One of the reason the 65 V4 was chosen is to utilize Aprilia's extensive know-how in producing a race chassis around narrow V-engines. The new V4 is even more compact than the current V60 used in the RSV models and Aprilia will use fly-by-wire technology with wiring never seen on any motorcycle before.
The fuel management system of this engine is very advanced where servo motors only operate its own row of cylinders throttle bodies. This has been done to optimize high power engine management, which is needed when the V4 spins around at a maximum 13 500 r/min.
KTM on the other hand is riding into the unknown with its RC8 1150 prototypes. Currently KTM only operates two prototypes for various testing.
We were told earlier this year that KTM would build the world?s most powerful V-twin engine. With the new Ducati 1098 in mind this could prove to be just hype, but the Austrians seem to know what they are doing.
KTM will most likely not race the RC8 in World Superbike 2008, but rather 2009. In 2008 KTM plans to race the bike wherever it will be allowed on national level.
Our insiders both at KTM and Ducati confirmed exclusively to us that they are in good contact regarding the World Superbike regulations. Both these companies have it in their interest to be allowed to race the new machines that will top both firms production range.
Ducati told us exclusively that there is a stalemate situation with the World Superbike organisers at the moment. There is confusion regarding the regulations and this is causing Ducati big problems as they need to start testing the 2008 superbike now.
According to Ducati they are obviously hoping for a quick resolution to the regulation issue. From official sources we are just talking about the 'new bike', but we know that the 'new bike' is actually the 1188R based on the new 1098.
One of the big issues for Ducati and KTM are the Japanese manufacturers. Neither Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki nor Yamaha wants to see the new big super twins race against their powerful in-line fours in World Superbike.
Finally, we spoke to Federico Totti at the MV Agusta racing department. Totti explained to us how MV Agusta aims at being on the World Superbike paddock with the F41000R in 2008 and how to get there.
"We have two different projects next year; one in the Italian superbike championship and one in the AMA. This is our starting procedure for 2008 World Superbike effort," said Totti.
"The programme is not sure yet and it depends on the AMA results. The English and American championships are the most important to us, we need to sell bikes! But we have in our mind to start the World Superbike efforts in 2008," he said.
"We will continue with our current riders next year. For 2008 we need a very fast rider and it is not important where he is from. We want to find persons that believe in the project, it is important that the person we are looking for is a MV rider more than a superstar," said Totti.
Regarding the 1000cc in-line four engine, Totti said, "We have a good engine, but we are testing some specs on the engine to bring it to the same level as the other WSB engines."
"We are being smart and testing now without the WSB pressure. Step by step is the way forward for us. Even superstock racing will be very difficult for us next year," he added.
"Ducati will be allowed to race the 1098 in superstock and they are very strong. To increase the power is the most difficult part. We can make the exhaust lighter and improve a lot, but it is difficult to find the correct balance. We can have a lot of power, but in a small range. Less power is better for the handling, but horsepower and the balance is the most difficult for us now," said Totti.