Girl On A Motorcycle

Ducati reinvents its superbike with the 1199 Panigale

Ducati is on a tear. While most of the motorcycle industry remains flat, the Italian manufacturer has refused to let go of the throttle. Sales are up 47% so far this year compared with 2010 -- a trend that is likely to continue when it introduces its 1199 Panigale next April.

A little sex appeal goes a long way

Ridden hard and put up wet, the motorcycle industry has been through the wringer the past couple of years. Sales were in continuous decline throughout 2009 and 2010. At least in 2011, the motorcycle industry is beginning to show a pulse.

Devil or wizard? The 2011 Ducati Diavel

Ducati calls its latest the devil, or Diavel. I call it the Guidata.

Keira Knightley "rides" a vintage Duc for Chanel

In a new perfume ad, Keira Knightley wears a suede Chanel catsuit and boots to "ride" a vintage Ducati 750 SS over cobbled streets in France. Ooh la la.

L.A. Auto Show: Ducati inks deal with AMG

Ducati unveils new Diavel

Ducati's calling its new Diavel "the shape of power and style." Apparently, that new shape is a Monster that's been force fed through an extruder.

Lower and longer than most Ducatis, The Diavel, which means "devil" in Bolognese dialect, is powered with a 1198 cc Testastretta 11-degree L-twin that cranks 162 horspower and 94 foot-pounds of torque. It tips the scales at a substantial 456 pounds.

Even more unsual for a Duc, the rear tire is a plump 240. Available in carbon-fiber body work,  this looks like an Italian take on the Harley-Davidson V-Rod.

The specs:

2011 Ducati Diavel

Powertrain: Mitsubishi electronic fuel injection, liquid-cooled, Testastretta 11-degree L-Twin, 4 valves per cylinder, desmodromic, 6 speed

Displacement: 1198 cc

Maximum horsepower: 162 @ 9,500 rpm

Maximum torque: 94 lb-ft @ 8,000 rpm

 

 

Former Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock Thinks about bikes

Michael Lock is something of a rock star in motorcycle circles. The former chief executive of Ducati North America grew the small Italian sportbike brand from a niche player in the U.S. market into a powerhouse synonymous with sleek and sporty sex appeal. Lock recently left to take over marketing duties for Think, a Norwegian EV maker that will soon start selling plug-in electric cars in the U.S., and stopped by The Times to chat about his new venture. I took the opportunity to also pick his brain about the U.S. motorcycle market, which continues to experience declining sales. Third quarter sales of motorcycles, released Wednesday, were down across all segments versus the same quarter last year... Read my Q&A with Michael Lock, originally published on www.latimes.com October 21, 2010.

Los Angeles Motorexpo revs up downtown May 10-14

Ducati will be showing off its new Monster Art Body kits at a new (and free) event called Los Angeles Motorexpo. The event runs May 10-14 at the Bank of America Plaza, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.... To read the rest of the story, originally published on www.latimes.com May 5, 2010, click here.

Ducati's new Hypermotard 796 is not a "girl's bike"