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Tag: racing

  • Desmo450 MX: Ducati’s Impressive Entry into Motocross Racing

    Desmo450 MX: Ducati’s Impressive Entry into Motocross Racing

    The Ducati Desmo450 MX made its inaugural appearance in the Italian Motocross Prestige Championship last weekend. Spearheaded by former MXGP World Championship rider Alessandro Lupino, the Desmo450 MX immediately showcased its potential. Ducati is renowned for its superbikes and it stepped into the world of competitive motocross for the first time over the weekend. It has marked a significant debut in the sport.

    DUCATI VICTORIOUS

    Lupino is considered as a seasoned rider and winner of the 2021 Motocross of Nations with Team Italy. He has impressed everyone by securing pole position in the MX1-class on Saturday. He continued to demonstrate the capabilities of the Desmo450 MX by clinching victory in its first-ever competitive motocross race during the first moto on Sunday.

    Despite a challenging start in the second moto, Lupino’s efforts earned him a commendable second overall position with consistent performances of 1-7 finishes throughout the day. The overall victory went to Isak Gifting, who transitioned to 450s this year after a successful stint in the MX2 World Championship. Riding a Yamaha YZ450F, Gifting showcased resilience by finishing sixth in the first moto despite a crash at the start, before claiming victory in the second race.

    The race unfolded at the Circuito Internazionale Motocross Citta di Mantova, the same venue that hosted the prestigious 2021 Motocross of Nations. While Lupino narrowly missed out on the overall victory, the Desmo450 MX proved its mettle as a competitive motorcycle right from its debut. The Desmo450 MX demonstrated promising potential even in its maiden outing.

    Ducati is committed to further showcasing the capabilities of the Desmo450 MX and Lupino throughout the remainder of this year’s Italian Championship. Anticipation is high for the anticipated debut of both the make and model in the MXGP World Championship in 2025.

  • Honda RC166: The Legendary Six-Cylinder Racing Marvel

    Honda RC166: The Legendary Six-Cylinder Racing Marvel

    The five motorcycles that will be featured in today’s article have unique histories and features. From rare bikes like the Honda RC166 to motorcycles like the Hesketh V1000, will be discussed today. Each bike has its own place in motorcycle history and many enthusiasts want to have these bikes in their collection.

    Honda RC166

    1. **Honda CX500 Turbo**
    The Honda CX500 Turbo was a motorcycle from the 1980s that aimed to capitalize on the turbocharging trend of that era. It was designed to boost the performance of the ordinary CX500 with its V-Twin engine. However, the CX500 itself wasn’t very exciting and didn’t hold much value. The CX500 Turbo didn’t help change that perception and was only in production for a single year in 1982. The CX650 Turbo’s successor also had a short production run the following year. Today, very few licensed CX500 Turbos are combined in the UK and America.

    2. **Hesketh V1000**
    The Hesketh V1000 was an ambitious project by Lord Alexander Hesketh to establish a new British motorcycle manufacturer. It featured a V-Twin engine developed in-house, providing modest power. Marketed as a luxury sports motorcycle that could revive the British motorcycle industry, the Hesketh V1000 faced engine issues and only 149 units were produced, leading to its ultimate failure.

    Honda RC166

    3. **Norton Manx**
    The Norton Manx is a legendary British racing motorcycle that was highly successful for many years. It was a dominant force in Grand Prix racing, even after the introduction of multi-cylinder Italian motorcycles. The Norton Manx provided a level playing field for talented amateur riders to compete against established stars in its heyday. Around 1,100 units were built, and there is still a demand for replica models in the market.

    4. **Confederate X132 Hellcat**
    The Confederate Hellcat X132 is a unique and futuristic-looking motorcycle designed by Pierre Terblanche. Hand-built and powered by a powerful 2,163cc V-Twin engine, the Hellcat X132 featured extensive use of carbon fiber to keep its weight low. It was produced between 2012 and 2017, with only 65 units ever made, making it a rare and sought-after collector’s item.

    Honda RC166

    5. **Honda RC166**
    The Honda RC166 is a highly coveted racing motorcycle from the 1960s. It was an innovative and technologically advanced bike with a six-cylinder, 250cc engine that could rev up to an astounding 18,000rpm. The exhaust note of the RC166 was as impressive as its performance. Only a handful of these bikes were built, and the official Honda race team exclusively used them. Owning an RC166 today is a rare and expensive privilege, with prices reaching millions of dollars if one is ever available for sale.

  • Surprising Speed: Indian’s Challenger Dominates American Factory Racing

    Surprising Speed: Indian’s Challenger Dominates American Factory Racing

    Indian’s “Challenger” motorcycle has been making waves in the racing world, achieving impressive speeds and surprising everyone with its performance. This class of motorcycle, known for its heavy and long-wheelbase design, has evolved into American factory racing, and it’s gaining popularity rapidly.

    Indian's "Challenger"

    The development of the Challenger has been a step-by-step process, focusing first on the significant gains before addressing smaller issues. This approach has led to visible technological changes from race to race.

    The engine in the Challenger class is not regulated for cam lift and timings, resulting in a distinct V-8 sound when started. The engine’s life depends on reliable oil delivery to its plain bearings, which was achieved by designing a cavity behind the crankshaft to submerge the pressure pump’s intake.

    The Challenger’s one-piece forged crankshaft with a single crankpin carrying two connecting rods side by side, and the primary drive from the crank to the gearbox is by gear. The drive to the rear wheel is through an S&S chain conversion.

    Initially, the engine’s torque curve was planned to be “rainbow-shaped,” emphasizing midrange acceleration. This was different from the traditional torque curve of older two-valve big-inchers, which had peak torque at the bottom and decreased as engine speed climbed.

    Compression ratio and head temperature play crucial roles in the engine’s performance. The cylinder heads on the Indian’s engine are CNC-ported, and the fuel used is VP’s T4, which is lead-and-ethanol-free but contains the oxygenate MTBE.

    The exhaust system is critical, and the Challenger’s exhaust headers are additive-manufactured stainless pieces. Each cylinder has its own oxygen sensor, allowing it to be tuned separately.

    The class has attracted significant attention from major American corporations due to its unique nature and the application of racing development techniques to motorcycles designed for touring.

    Indian’s riders in this class are champion Tyler O’Hara and development specialist Jeremy McWilliams.

    The key to the Challenger’s impressive 180 mph speed at Daytona lies in its mighty acceleration off the chicane and the power to push the wide front fairing through the air resistance. The bikes’ large V-twin engines and long wheelbases make them comparable to MotoGP bikes in terms of acceleration.

    The choice of a 60-degree V-twin angle prevents piston skirt-to-skirt clashing as the large-bore pistons approach bottom center.

    S&S Chief Engineer Jeff Bailey revealed that the horsepower of the modified engine is more than the commonly stated range of 155 to 165. The engine’s capabilities and the RPM limit set by MotoAmerica indicate its potential for further development.

    The modifications made to the engine, such as the increase in bore size and the addition of a CNC-ported and additive-manufactured right angle bend for improved air intake, have significantly improved its performance.