Motorcycles

[Graeme]

So you haven't seen the spy shots of the 701 Café Racer with the 690 engine then?

Sorry @Giles I think that @activechild might be cutting back on IH purchases in the near future…

[Giles]

I'm mildly tempted by the concept of the Ducati 400 Scrambler…..

[Graeme]

The only problem with the Scrambler 400 is that it's ridden by a hipster, skateboarding gorilla.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Ducati spring on us at EICMA next week. They've got nine new models coming.

[Graeme]

Ducati have posted a teaser video of the nine new models they're going to unleash on Monday…

It includes this shot of the upcoming Scrambler 400, which is being ridden along the beach in Gosvegas.

There are some more, poor quality spy shots of the baby Scrambler at Motociclismo.

[Giles]

I'm a late developer…...

Just organised the first part of my riding licence......

BOOM.....

[Seul]

Great stuff, G!..

[Giles]

Dec 2nd…..for what in UK we call CBT....

[Graeme]

The CBT is pretty straightforward. Are you doing it with Mark?

[Graeme]

Best product reviews ever.

[Giles]

@Graeme:

The CBT is pretty straightforward. Are you doing it with Mark?

Yes, he sounds really great and I can split it all up, so I am never more than a day out of the office…..

[Graeme]

Have fun.

When Mark taught me I was completely sucking until he gave me a bollocking. :o

[Giles]

I've just my sensible head on and have ordered a Yamaha 125…..Because of my relationship with them I get a really amazing deal.  I can use that after my CBT until I do the real test....

[Graeme]

If it had been your usual head it would have been a Yamaha R1M.

I really need to buy more bikes. I'm getting left behind, and I've had my licence for years…

[Graeme]

BMW announced their upcoming R nine T Scrambler at a press conference on Wednesday. The official video has been released or leaked.

Looks a nice bike, and a more retro alternative to the Ducati.

[Graeme]

A journalist tests the Morgan Three Wheeler and S&S Dragon, has a lot of fun, and barely survives the latter.

[Graeme]

Many of Asphalt and Rubber's Bothan spies died to bring this shot of the BMW R nine T Scrambler variants. One has spokes and knobbly tyres for off-road fun, whilst the other has mag wheels and road rubber.

@Giles the Ducati pre-EICMA press conference is scheduled for 16:30 CET. It'll be live-streamed if you want a chance to get a preview of the baby Scrambler.

[Graeme]

Due to railway maintenance I'm awake. So I'm watching the Ducati model announcements.

They've announced the 400 cc Scrambler, the Sixty2.

And an the Flat Track Pro, an 800 cc model.

Pictures from Visordown.

[Graeme]

For the cruiser fans, there's also the Diavel X. It sounds like a hybrid of Harley and Ducati characteristics. Interesting bike, though maybe not for me.

Details at Visordown, and more pictures at Nieuwsmotor (and details if you can read Dutch).

[organisys]

I kinda like that, different in an interesting way.

[Graeme]

The Diavel X has forward, cruiser style controls, but they're also offering mid-controls for a more standard riding position. It's got a lot of nice detailing on the bike too, particularly the way that the engine has been cleaned up, and the exhaust's routing.

Speaking of Ducati, there are rumours of a 1000 cc Scrambler to be unveiled in December.

Yamaha unveiled the XSR900 earlier. It's similar to the smaller XSR700, but the details look better resolved. @Giles - you might want to take a look at it as an alternative to the Scrambler, particularly given your relationship with them.

There's also the MT-10, which is a more user friendly version of the R1S. I like the "Megatron got frisky with a motorbike and this is the offspring" look, particularly with the day-glo wheels.

There seems to be a trend is that the manufacturers are building bikes that there's more of an emotional connection to, rather than just being an appliance, and I approve of that. The customisation aspect also appeals, and that's something the Diavel, Scrambler and XSRs all embrace.