Bike India Team

Carlin Dunne wins Pikes Peak International Hill Climb aboard Ducati Multistrada 1200 S

August 14, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Carlin Dunne dominated the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, setting the new course record for motorcycles today from pole position for the second year in a row on a Ducati Multistrada 1200 S.

This win marks Ducati’s third-straight victory at the historic “Race to the Clouds”. Both Dunne and Spider Grips Ducati teammate and six-time winner Greg Tracy finished the race under the 10-minute barrier, which is a first for any motorcycle in the race’s 90-year history. Dunne crossed the finish line at the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak with the record-setting time of 9:52.819, beating his previous record of 11:11.32, while Tracy was less than six seconds behind, placing second with 9:58.262.

“Today was an emotional day,” said Dunne. “The year of work the Spider Grips Ducati team put into preparing for Pikes Peak got us across the finish line in under 10 minutes, an achievement we’re very proud of. When we heard that we won and broke the record for the second time, I was speechless. The one-two finish proves the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is the ultimate bike to conquer Pikes Peak.”

Dunne reached speeds above 144mph (230kmh) throughout the mountain’s straights, and traversed 156 turns, ranging from hairpin, blind, decreasing radius, and multi-apex turns, while consistently gaining elevation up the technical 12.42-mile (20km) course. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, or “Race to the Clouds”, is situated in a range of the Rocky Mountains, 16km west of Colorado Springs and races from a start line altitude of 2,862 metres (9,389ft) to a finish line at 4,300 (14,100ft).

“Ducatisti around the world are celebrating the victory of Carlin Dunne and the Spider Grips Ducati Team – we are all very proud,” said Dominique Cheraki, General Manager of Ducati North America. “Three years ago we chose the Multistrada 1200 S to compete at Pikes Peak to showcase its on-and-off road capabilities, class-leading ergonomics, handling, and performance. When we were alerted that the entire course would be paved in 2012, there was no doubt that the Multistrada 1200 S was still the right choice and breaking the record today proves this.”

Brad Pitt buys son a brand new Suzuki motorcycle

August 14, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Many of us are already aware about actor Brad Pitt’s love for motorcycles, so it should come as no surprise that the actor recently bought his eldest son Maddox’s first motorcycle. And we aren’t talking about any kiddish pocket bike either, the actor has gone the whole hog and bought a Suzuki DRZ-125 dirt bike. The single 4-stroke, single-cylinder, SOHC 2-valve, air cooled 125cc engine weighs around 88Kg and has a top speed of 80 km/h. Pretty impressive for a pocket rocket, we say.

Brad, in fact, has a motocross track built at his Chateau Miraval home where he enjoys his passion for bikes safely and in complete privacy with his family. Since Maddox, who turned 11 recently, is too young to ride publicly, he’s been allowed to learn on the grounds of Brad and Angelina’s home in Surrey and their castle in France. All we can say is that when you have a father like Brad Pitt you are one lucky dude.

Polaris invests USD 13 million in Brammo

August 14, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

The Future of EV motorcycle manufacturers like Brammo looks to be heading the right direction in terms of growth and financial stability as power-sports specialists Polaris have invested a total of USD 13 million in the 5 year old EV motorcycle firm.

This move clearly is showcasing the fact that the future is all about EVs, be it within the 4 wheel sector or the 2 wheel sector. After the recent launch of their Empulse electric sport bike, Brammo recently announced the close of the first USD13 million tranche of a total of USD 45 million funding figure which Polaris are investing.

This is certainly great for a start up manufacturer like Brammo, because the investment comes from Polaris, maker of ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles and low-emission vehicles, and a household name in the power-sports world. In fact, earlier this week Cleantech nominated this particular investment deal for its EV Deal of the Year Award in 2012. We can only hope that that Brammo, with such a funding, will be churning out even more amazing motorcycles like the Empluse in the near future.

M S Dhoni unveils Special Edition TVS StaR City for Tamil Nadu

August 14, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Indian cricket captain and brand ambassador of TVS StaR city, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was in the city yesterday, unveiled a special, limited edition, all black, 110cc TVS StaR City motorcycle for Tamil Nadu.

In a private function the Indian captain, who interacted with TVS Motor Company’s Tamil Nadu dealers and select owners of TVS motorcycles, said, “This has been a great experience for me, mingling with people who literally live motorcycles. Every interaction is a new learning experience no matter how much one thinks one knows. It feels great to be among the consumers of TVS StaR City that I’ve endorsed for seven years now. I personally love motorcycles, so launching a special edition TVS StaR City, is that much more exciting.”

According to TVS Motor Company’s President–Marketing, H S Goindi, “In addition to having an all-black themed styling, this value for money, executive class commuter is elegant, yet tough and powerful, returns a stunning fuel economy. High quality ride handling and easy maneuverability makes riding the TVS StaR City extremely comfortable, on any terrain. There is no change in price which starts from Rs. 40,775/- (ex-showroom Tamil Nadu) and we expect this special edition TVS StaR City motorcycle, to further strengthen the volumes of TVS StaR City by around 15% in the state.”

All black alloy wheels, refreshed styling and graphics with a comprehensive backlit speedo add to the style quotient of the TVS StaR City.