2011 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC Special Edition

Aprilia has brought a new limited edition RSV4 to the US market. Called the RSV4 Factory APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) Special Edition, this special edition was developed using data from this year’s Superbike Championship and is equipped with a new electronic management system that includes traction control, wheelie control, launch control and quick shift.

The new bike is powered by a water cooled, 999cc, 65° V4 engine that develops 180 HP and 115 Nm of torque. The APRC package uses an automotive inertial platform with two turn meters and two accelerometers that enable the ECU to track dynamic conditions and adjust engine control consequently. The rider can adjust any component of the APRC system independently at will.

Also, the RSV4 Factory APRC SE is the first Aprilia bike that comes with the Aprilia Quick Shift as standard. Basically, the quick shift shortens spark advance for an instant and then gradually restores it, making for super-fast shifting with no need to close the throttle or use the clutch. The system works hand in hand with the new closer spaced gearbox to limit RPM drop during shifting for faster lap times.

Press release

For riders with a need for speed and agility, Aprilia offers four new models to its intense lineup of powerful motorcycles. Derived from the bike that won the coveted 2010 World Superbike Championship Triple Crown - Manufacturer’s Title, Team Title and Rider Title with race pilot Max Biaggi – the RSV4 – Aprilia unleashes the RSV4 Factory Special Edition (SE) with the exclusive Aprilia Performance Ride Control package (APRC), which offers superbike race technology to professional and recreational riders alike.

Aprilia also applied its knowledge gained on the track to the Dorsoduro 1200, an explosively powerful and extremely agile, twin-cylinder motard, offering riders a balance of performance, precision and excitement. Both the RSV4 Factory SE APRC and Dorsoduro 1200 will be in dealerships in the spring of 2011. Aprilia also designed a bike that novice riders could enjoy — the RS4 125. It is the successor and most advanced evolution to date of the RS 125, the bike that dominated the 125cc sports class for years and remains the most highly sought after machine among riders competing in the Sport Production Category.

The Aprilia RS4 125 introduces the highly advanced, all-new 4 stroke powerplant to the sports segment, while adopting styling and technical solutions inherited from the RSV4. The much anticipated Tuono V4R was also shown at EICMA and, along with the RS4 125, is planned for arrival in the U.S. at the end of 2011.

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2011 Harley-Davidson V-Rod 10th Anniversary Edition

Harley-Davidson is rolling out a fleet of new bikes, all of which should make fans of the iconic American motorcycle maker drool and grab for their wallets at the soonest possible time.


Even better, at least a few of these models are limited edition pieces, including the 2012 V-Rod 10th Anniversary, a commemorative model that celebrates the 10th anniversary of the brand’s V-Rod model.


In developing the frame for the bike, Harley went above and beyond to make something that will catch the awe and adulation of its customer base. Using an innovative process called hydrofoaming, Harley was able to build a strong chassis that features unconventional angles while applying fewer welds and bending and shaping metal pipes with high-pressure water. To go with the unique chassis, Harley-Davidson decked out the V-Rod 10th Anniversary model with plenty of striking features, including a Brilliant Silver Pearl bodywork that bears a striking similarity to the anodized aluminum bodywork of the original V-Rod models. There’s also an aluminum speed screen, a drag-style low rise handlebar, dual chromed mufflers, heat shields, polished forks, clamps, and handlebars, silver split 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels with machined highlights, a silver instrument cluster, a two-up bucket saddle, and special edition V-Rod 10th Anniversary badges.


Powering the V-Rod 10th Anniversary model is an engine that Harley built in collaboration with Porsche, an innovative technical masterpiece called the 1,250cc V-Twin Revolution. It’s a fuel injected, liquid cooled powertrain that comes with dual overhead cams, producing an output of 125 horsepower and 84 lb/ft of torque at 7,000 rpm with a combined fuel efficiency rating of 37 mpg.


The attached price tag for this special edition Harley-Davidson V-Rod 10th Anniversary model is $15,999, which is by no means cheap. But given the special edition tag and the fact that it’s a Harley-Davidson, there will always be a strong appeal for it in the bike-riding population of America.

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Harley-Davidson-Bell & Ross ’Nascafe Racer’

If at any point in your life you doubted the co-existence of a watchmaker/motorcycle brand partnership, there will be no shortage in ways Harley-Davidson and Bell & Ross will show you just how ridiculous you are in your skepticism.


The iconic American motorcycle brand and the American watchmaker have collaborated in turning a Harley-Davidson FXSTB Softail Nightrain into a creative mash-up that features a Bell & Ross BR 01 Carbon watch installed in the handcrafted center console using a machined section of aluminum.


The special edition bike, which was overseen by Harley tuner extraordinaire, Shaw, is a one-off edition that has been christened as the “Nascafe Racer”. In building the bike, Shaw stripped the Harley back to its bare ‘n bones state before implanting the B&R watch into the center console. After doing so, the tuner custom painted the bike by using a combination of anodized blue, carbon, and a matte black custom paint finish to complete the stylish and expensive makeover.


While we never would have thought that Bell & Ross and Harley-Davidson would go hand-in-hand, given the segments to which their clientele belongs, we do applaud both American brands for the collaboration, if only to show that a hardcore-performance bike like Harley-Davidson and a luxury American timepiece like Bell & Ross can strike a partnership and create a one-of-a-kind ride.

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2012 Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition

Those of you who follow the automotive industry already know that AMG and Ducati are not at their first partnership. And when things go in the right direction you should always expect to see more than just one thing coming from a collaboration. The Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition is the latest, but of course not the last, development from Ducati and Mercedes AMG.

This special edition is based on the Diavel Carbon and features AMG’s signature 5-spoke wheel styling, carbon fibre lateral radiator grills with aluminium trim, AMG-style sport exhaust system with engraved end-caps and AMG-style horizontally ribbed seat upholstered in Alcantara.

The model comes painted in matte black carbon fiber bodywork with AMG’s very own “Diamond White Bright” stripe and frame color contrasted with black wheels.

Also, every engine has its Desmodromic cam-timing set by hand and authenticated with the name of the engine technician engraved on the left-side engine casing.

The model will make its world debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show and will be available in early 2012.

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2012 - Ducati Streetfighter 848

Italian bike manufacturer, Ducati, is expanding its street bike line-up by introducing the latest member of their family, the 2012 Streetfighter 848.

With the likes of the BMW F800R and the Yamaha FZ8 in the market, Ducati is looking at the Streetfighter 848 to enter the fold and provide some stiff competition for its rivals. The bike is built using the company’s own steel trellis frame to go with components that include an adjustable inverted fork, a pair of Diablo Rosso Corsa tires, and radial-mount Brembo brakes. Ducati also announced that the Streetfighter 848 will carry the Ducati Traction Control, a system that we’re all familiar with in both the company’s Multistrada and Diavel lines.

The Streetfighter 848 will be powered by the company’s very own 848 Testastretta 11 engine that produces an output of 119 horsepower and 63 lb/ft of torque.

The bike is expected to hit the market by the start of next year and will be offered in a number of options, including three different color schemes: Ducati red, yellow, and matte black.

source : http://www.topspeed.com

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