Brudeli 625L: Radical new KTM-based three-wheeler

The Brudeli 625L lets you do this without fear of falling off!

BrudeliTech, the makers of the Brudeli 625L three-wheeler you see here, say that theirs is ‘a unique new vehicle providing an extraordinary riding experience,’ and that it is ‘best described as something in between a motorcycle and an ATV-quad.’ The machine is expected to be launched by mid-2007.

Designed by one of Scandinavia’s leading design houses, Hareide Designmill, the Brudeli 625L borrows its engine and various chassis components from the KTM 625 SMC supermotard, and utilises Ohlins suspension components. The specially designed front wheel mechanism lets the two front wheels lean at an angle of up to 45 degrees. With some practise, even moderately skilled riders should be able to ride the Brudeli harder than they would be able to ride a motorcycle, without falling off!

For videos of the Brudeli in action, go here

Yeah, three-wheelers can be fun!

2007 Ducati 1098: First pics and details

Will the new 1098 be able to revive the glory days of the 916/996/998 for Ducati...?

As reported earlier, Ducati are ready with the new 1098 and what you see on top are the first official pictures from the Italian manufacturer. And here’s what you really want to know – the 1098 packs 160 horsepower, weighs 173kg dry gets a 998-style single-sided swingarm. Like the 2007 GSX-R1000, the new Ducati 1098 could possibly get some kind of traction control system, though details are not yet available.

For many potential buyers of the 1098, its styling could be an important factor. And while the bike (designed by an Italian - Gianadrea Fabbro) certainly looks very different from the 999, we aren't convinced it looks better. There are shades of the Honda Fireblade here. And the 999. And the 998. While the 999 was a bold, confident step ahead in the evolution of Ducati design, the same can't be said of the 1098. Ducati already have the Sport Classic range for retro fans, but a retro superbike...?

If you don't like red, you can buy your 1098 in black...

The 1098 will be available in three versions, with the base (standard) model being pegged at US$14,995 and the 1098S costing US$19,995. The top-of-the-line 1098S Tri-Colore will get a special red, white and green paint scheme, Ohlins suspension, lightweight alloys and and Termignoni high-performance exhaust system. It'll cost US$24,995.

Will the 1098 do much better than the 999? Will it revive Ducati's fortunes in the showroom and on the racetrack? Time will tell.

Honda Fireblade? Ducati 999? Ducati 998? No, it's the new 1098. In yellow. For those who don't like red...

Also see:
2007 KTM 990 Superduke R
New Benellis at the Intermot 2006
Limited edition MV Agusta F4 CC
2007 Ducati Sport 1000 S Biposto
2007 Yamaha R1

Must admit the 1098 looks much better in the tri-colore paint scheme!
And while on the subject of who/what looks beautiful, just watch this video. It'll blow you away!

Wildlife: 2007 KTM 990 Superduke R breaks cover!

The 2007 KTM 990 Superduke R. Wild!

KTM have shown the 2007 990 Superduke R, and the bike seems to be wilder than ever before! The orange and black paint scheme has been revamped, the chassis is painted orange, the fuel tank is slightly bigger, and the 1000cc KTM v-twin has been tuned to kick out a few more horses.

The styling has shades of the earlier Superduke, but has actually been sharpened up a bit, and the LED taillamp, instrument cluster, radial brakes and front mini-fairing are all-new. The 2007 Superduke R is only available as a single-seater, which indicates just how hard-core a streetfighter this is supposed to be. Should be interesting to see how this KTM stacks up to the Aprilia Tuono R Factory!

A video of the KTM 990 Superduke in action!

Also see:
Nitroduke - the world's fastest KTM!
2007 KTM 690SM
2007 BMW HP2 Megamoto
KTM 950 Super Enduro R

Rossi starts preparing for 2007

Yeah, he will be back!

Valentino Rossi has started preparing for the 2007 MotoGP battle. He recently tested the new 800cc Yamaha in Valencia, and came away feeling happy. Said Rossi, "I’m already feeling much better. In fact, I wish the season started in two weeks time! We actually started off the test by doing some laps on the old 990cc bike as we wanted to have one more go at understanding why we lost! Then it was time to finally put it all behind us and get on with the new campaign. It’s been great to be able to try the new bike straight away, when the 990 is still fresh in my mind, as it’s easy to compare and understand the differences. Our bike is already quite good; it’s at a good level for this early stage of development. This is the third time I’ve ridden it and it’s got better each time because they’ve been working hard in Japan.

They haven’t made so many big changes yet, just small things like the engine setting, but already it’s a bit faster. The most important thing at the moment is to get as much information as possible and really start to understand and get to know the bike. I’m already feeling very motivated about the new bike and I am sure that next time I ride it in Jerez it will be even better!"

Meanwhile, 2006 MotoGP world champ, Nicky Hayden says "Next year, I'd like to come back stronger. I feel like I'm getting better every year." To read more about what the Kentucky Kid has to say, visit the Cycle World website here