It’s so cold out here in Europe, that even the motorcycles freeze over.

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Ducati has announced that it will be back at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in July. The company will once again partner with the Spider Grips team using Multistrada 1200 machines. The Multistrada is the same bike that propelled Ducati to first and third place last year. Privateer Carlin Dunne took home a slew of titles when he conquered the mountain in 11:11.32, setting a new record for motorcycles in the process. He’ll be back this year alongside Greg Tracy, a six-time Pikes Peak winner. In 2010, Tracy took the top win on the mountain astride a Multistrada of his own.

To celebrate the brand’s return, Ducati is inviting fans and owners to join the team in Colorado in July for a gathering that should include plenty of riding along some of the state’s more impressive scenery before attending the race. Sounds like a very good time to us. Head over to the Ducati site for more information.

July is still a long way off, so Ducati has been kind enough to show off a short recap film of the brand’s 2011 season. Hit the jump to check out the clip as well as the full press release.

Continue reading Ducati heading back to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for 2012 [w/video]

Ducati heading back to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for 2012 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:56:00 EST.

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Last year was a good one for Harley-Davidson. According to Asphalt and Rubber, the American bike manufacturer saw its sales increase by 5.9 percent globally compared to 2010. Sales in the U.S., meanwhile, were up 5.8 percent. All told, Harley-Davidson managed to move 235,188 units last year, with 151,683 of those heading to owners in the States. Those figures mean the manufacturer managed to post a net income of $105.6 million last year. By contrast, during the fourth quarter of 2010 the company saw a net loss of $46.7 million.

The global recession hadn’t been kind to the company. With a model line designed to cater to the wealthy and their lust for toys, Harley-Davidson suddenly saw itself posting yearly losses. Those at the helm sold off MV Agusta and pulled the plug on Buell all together in an effort to keep Harley-Davidson up right.

Those moves seem to have helped. The company posted $4.6 billion in revenue last year, which marks an increase of 11.6 percent over 2010.

Harley-Davidson sales grew 5.9% in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:58:00 EST.

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Mercedes-Benz has cobbled together a behind-the-scenes video chronicling a photo shoot with two stars: the 451-horseepower C63 AMG Coupe and a Ducati 848 in matching white. Deviating from the behind-the-scenes template, this one is more like a series of rushes set to music. In addition to the mechanical eye candy, a pair of models feature prominently (as suggested by the screencap above). The action takes place on an Iberian runway, and you’ll find it after the jump.

Continue reading AMG takes us behind the scenes of Ducati photo shoot

AMG takes us behind the scenes of Ducati photo shoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST.

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We’ve seen a swell in RoToR camera set ups in bike videos lately, and we have to say the trick makes for some pretty entertaining viewing. Take the clip you’ll see after the break that was worked up by Supermotard Denmark, for example. The video tracks one rider as he finishes up a practice day. The crew crafted their own homemade version of the RoToR setup we know and love, strapped it to a rider’s head and came out with some awesome footage. There’s plenty of peg-scraping glory as the rider works his way through the tight and technical course.

As much as we dig watching the rider kick the machine’s tail out, we’re equally smitten with the video’s soundtrack. Hit the jump to enjoy the antics for yourself. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have some supermoto classifieds to peruse.

Continue reading Enjoy some Supermoto action from every angle in Denmark

Enjoy some Supermoto action from every angle in Denmark originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:28:00 EST.

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It takes guts to ride a motocross bike. Tuned practically to the point of blowing themselves to bits, every pound stripped away so that only the bare necessities are left and sitting on top of a foot-plus of suspension travel, it takes a deft hand to tame these race machines.

Which makes the feat you’ll see in the video after the break all the more amazing. It’s one thing to strap on your gear and head out to the relatively safe confines of an off-road track. It’s something completely else to ride a singletrack trail at the top of a mountain ridgeline.

Judging from the perspective of the rider, which is where the camera has been thoughtfully mounted, a single mistake could send this daredevil plummeting to the ground, where serious injury or even death seem inevitable. And yet there seems to be no tension whatsoever from the rider. We’ve got to say, we’re impressed. See what we’re talking about after the break.

Continue reading Watch as a motorcycle rides on top of the world

Watch as a motorcycle rides on top of the world originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:58:00 EST.

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Bonhams wrapped up an impressive motorcycle auction in Las Vegas, and some very pricey metal rolled across the block. While seriously expensive bikes like the 1955 Vincent Black Prince pictured above and a 1915 Harley-Davidson 11-F Twin failed to bring home enough cash to find new owners, the 1953 Vincent Black Shadow to the right brought home well north of its early bid estimates. A new owner laid down a hefty $122,500 for the pleasure of ownership. Likewise, one very sparse-looking 1907 Indian Camelback went for $67,860.

We took the time to pick through the auction’s offerings to show off some of the more interesting bikes to roll across the stage in Las Vegas. You can check out the gallery for our personal faves or click over to the Bonhams site for more information on specific lots. The auction featured plenty of memorabilia in addition to full bikes.

Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Sale sees big numbers for vintage bikes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:22:00 EST.

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Bonhams wrapped up an impressive motorcycle auction in Las Vegas, and some very pricey metal rolled across the block. While seriously expensive bikes like the 1955 Vincent Black Prince pictured above and a 1915 Harley-Davidson 11-F Twin failed to bring home enough cash to find new owners, the 1953 Vincent Black Shadow to the right brought home well north of its early bid estimates. A new owner laid down a hefty $122,500 for the pleasure of ownership. Likewise, one very sparse-looking 1907 Indian Camelback went for $67,860.

We took the time to pick through the auction’s offerings to show off some of the more interesting bikes to roll across the stage in Las Vegas. You can check out the gallery for our personal faves or click over to the Bonhams site for more information on specific lots. The auction featured plenty of memorabilia in addition to full bikes.

Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Sale sees big numbers for vintage bikes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:22:00 EST.

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