English motorcycle racer, Gino Rea suffered a crashed during the second free practice at the 2022 Suzuka 8 Hours, last Saturday.
Gino Rea sustained a serious head injury during the second practice round at Suzuka.
The rider was flown to the nearest hospital for immediate medical attention with doctors kept Rea in medically-induced coma.
Medical personnel rushed to care the FCC TSR Honda France rider, but due to severe injuries, Rea was airlifted to a local hospital.
The team had earlier confirmed that the rider sustained a serious head injury due to the crash and remained in critical condition.
As a result, Rea is put under medically-induced coma for days.
International media tried to get a hold of Rea’s condition but due to the injury’s severity, no recent updates were collected.
However, Rea’s family has shared an update regarding the situation.
“We couldn’t make a post earlier due to the Japanese culture, as they do not release any news to media without the direct contact with the family first.
“We arrived in Japan on August 8 and 8pm with many thanks to the EWC, FIM, Suzuka Circuit, British Consulate, and TSR Racing Team for all the help in arranging emergency visas for us,” said Rea’s family in a statement.
The statement also explained that doctors kept the rider in medically-induced coma as an effort to reduce the swelling on his brain.
However, according to the family latest update via Rea’s official Instagram account, the rider showed a sign of recovery with reduced swelling after undergoing CT-Scan.
“He is in a stable condition and recovering from the usual side effects from such a trauma. We are looking forward to a speedy recovery from him as we all know he is capable of it,” the statement read.
Ducati is scheduled to unleash a series of 2023MY motorcycles via its virtual Ducati World Premiere.
The iconic Monster to get the SP treatment since its introduction in 2021.
The Monster SP features similar lightweight components as the Streetfighter V4 SP and Panigale V4 SP.
Despite brilliantly coming up with vague titles for all 7-episodes for the 2023 DWP, recent reports have indicated that a new Monster SP is among the new models set to be unleashed.
Motorcycle.com revealed the information in their latest publication.
According to the report, the name ‘Monster’ came up in Australian vehicle identification documents along with ‘Monster+’ and ‘Monster SP’.
Although the document doesn’t disclose information beyond the name, the upcoming Monster SP will likely get the same 937cc liquid-cooled V-Twin engine.
Based on the current SP models – Streetfighter V4 SP and Panigale V4 SP – it is likely the new Monster SP will feature lightweight components and an upgraded braking system.
Also, we can probably expect a host of unique components, including carbon fibre mudguards and so on.
That said, Ducati is set to kicked-off its 2023 DWP (The Web Series) on 2nd September.
Below is the number of the episode of the upcoming Web Series leading to EICMA 2022:
Royal Enfield is among the manufacturers that always stay true to its roots, making a beautiful and reliable motorcycle with the exception of power.
Royal Enfield plans to unveil its first electric motorcycle by 2026.
To feature a new battery pack and electric motor suitable for city riding.
The firm’s newly launched 350 range, including the Meteor 350, Classic 350 and Hunter 350, is a testament to this.
However, as the market started to shift towards electrification, even Royal Enfield couldn’t escape the new changes brought upon by the motorcycle industry.
That said, Royal Enfield reportedly has plans to release its own electric motorcycle range by 2026, as reported by Indian publication, BikeDekho.
While it may take three years before we can see one, Royal Enfield is not in a rush to play the chasing game with the rest of the industry’s players.
In fact, the company wants to ensure that the new electric two-wheeler will continue to carry the brand’s quality and brand experience.
According to reports, the motorcycle will perform like a 250cc powertrain. However, it may not offer a good range for long-distance riding.
Nevertheless, an urban-focused electric motorcycle makes a lot of sense for the firm’s first attempt at electrification.
Harley-Davidson has announced a new custom colour scheme for the Grand American Touring Range for 2022.
The Apex factory custom paint is available for all of Harley-Davidson GAT range.
The colour scheme starts with a base of Vivid Black paint and combines with Gauntlet Grey graphics.
Dubbed the “Apex”, the new custom colour way will be applicable to selected bikes from Harley’s Grand American Touring family including the Road King, Street Glide and Ultra Limited bikes.
According to the American firm, a total of nine custom options are currently available, with one Road King, two street Glides, two Ultra Limiteds and four Road Glides.
The Apex option is an additional GBP1,900 for the Road King Special, additional GBP1,900 for the Street Glide Special Chrome while the Street Glide Black with Apex paint is pricier with GBP3,100.
“The Apex colour scheme starts with a base of Vivid Black paint. A graphic element adds Gauntlet Grey panels.
“The panels are surrounded by an accent stripe of Jet Fire Orange, the original colour applied to the XR750 competition models,” said Harley in a statement.
Harley’s Vice President of Design and Creative Director, Brad Richards said that the new Apex custom paint provides riders the chance to express the thrill of speed and competition on their bagger.
“This paint scheme communicates velocity and forward momentum with lines and colours inspired by Harley-Davidson competition motorcycles,” he said.
Kawasaki decided to surprised the crowd at the recently concluded Suzuka 8 Hours by showcasing a demonstration run of the company’s electric and hybrid prototypes.
Kawasaki unveiled the all-electric and hybrid EV models at Suzuka.
The all-electric is modelled after the firm’s Z range while the hybrid EV takes on Ninja’s design cue.
Team Green first unveiled the hybrid motorcycle project back in November 2020, one year after teasing the public with the electric prototype at EICMA 2019.
However, during the Suzuka 8 Hours weekend, the company decided to demonstrate the near-production version in front of the home crowd.
The fans were allowed to witness the all-electric and hybrid powertrains.
Based on the video below, the Z range styling carries the electric motor while the hybrid EV project bore full fairings modelled after the Ninja series.
Kawasaki showcased the all-electric Z range first and followed by the HEV motorcycle, which looks considerably larger than its electric counterpart thanks to its dual-mill setup.
The HEV model also considerably louder than the all-electric motorcycle.
Unfortunately, Kawasaki did not unveiled the mechanics behind the two projects but looking at the finishing, the Japanese marquee might introduced the two motorcycle soon.
The World Ducati Week is a pilgrimage of sorts for any biker no matter the type of brand or bike they ride. It’s a congregation that happens every other year since 1998 at the Misano World Circuit ‘Marco Simoncelli’ in Misano, Italy.
The 2022 edition attracted over 84,000 people. This included world champions from different race series including MotoGP and SBK. In fact, there were 30 championship titles shared among all the world champions that were present during the 2022 edition.
But it’s not just a meeting of Ducatisti and passionists. It’s also a huge display of appreciation by Ducati for its fans. As a treat, Ducati organises the Race of Champions. This is where every big name racer who has ever competed on a Ducati in a major series is invited for an exhibition race where all of them race on standard bikes.
The bikes are Ducati Panigale V4S in their respective race liveries. Among the big names was Pecco Bagnaia, Jack Miller, Michele Pirro, Johann Zarco, Jorge Martin and Danilo Petrucci. Each a race winner, and all have done it on board a Ducati. The Race of Champions is a must watch!
But besides that, the World Ducati Week is also a chance to get close to the management of Ducati, ride the latest Ducati bikes and buy the latest Ducati merchandise. Just check out the video below to see how awesome the 2022 edition of WDW was.
If you are looking for a reason to go, here’s 10 reasons why you should attend the World Ducati Week!
1. It’s a party
With beer, coffee and lots of food to go around everywhere, the World Ducati Week is indeed one mega party that goes on for days! Then there is the Scrambler Beach Party too that happens at the coastal town of Riccione that is not too far from the Misano World Circuit. Legendary Italian DJ Benny Benassi headlined the beach party this year while there was another party during the closing at the circuit. This makes the trip a fun and memorable one beyond motorcycles.
2. Check out some amazing bikes, past and present
With thousands of people present, imagine the motorcycles present at the World Ducati Week. This is a great opportunity to check out some cool custom bikes, some rarely seen Ducatis and other models as well. This writer even saw a Honda Cub that was ridden over to Misano from the Czech Republic. It even had an arrows exhaust fitted on. The classic bikes are amazing too. If you are a gear head, the World Ducati Week is not to be missed!
3. Buy some cool merchandise
The great thing about the World Ducati Week is the sales of Ducati merchandise. You can literally get anything you want that has a Ducati logo on it. From the latest riding gear to the latest lifestyle merchandise. There’s even parts for your Ducati too. And guess what, there are some booths there that will even check out the condition of your Ducati to tell you whether or not anything needs to be replaced.
4. Experience the Italian culture
The Italian culture spans hundreds if not thousands of years. From the food to the coffee, everything is just amazing and it is something that needs to be experienced to be appreciated. Have wine for breakfast, drink a beer by the side of the street, experience gelato from every shop. No one is going to judge you. Just don’t be a nuisance.
5. Enjoy the beach life
World Ducati Week happens during the summer, and it can be extremely hot. This makes it perfect to hit the beach. Italians love summer, they love the beach life, they just love to hang out. Swim in the Adriatic Sea and just chill out. Don’t forget to turn off your phone!
6. Watch the Race of Champions
The Race of Champions is unlike any other race in the world. This race is only for those who have won races onboard a Ducati in major race series. And the best thing is they all do it on standard and the same bikes, particularly the Panigale V4S and the Panigale V2. You get MotoGP riders there, SBK riders and even riders from the Americas. The best thing is, you even get close to them unlike the elitist MotoGP or SBK where you see them from afar. There’s no other race like the Race of Champions.
7. Experience the latest Ducatis
Ducati won’t exactly let you ride the Panigale V4R or even a Superleggera, but you can experience bikes like the Desert X, Multistrada and the Scrambler. If you have always wondered some Ducatis feel like but your local dealer won’t let you ride one, the World Ducati Week has you covered.
8. Visit Borgo Panigale
This is holy ground for Ducati, the Vatican of Ducati even. Borgo Panigale is where the Ducati factory is situated and also the iconic Museo Ducati which houses some of the most iconic Ducatis ever to grace the planet. And the best thing is, the hills nearby is where Ducati test riders put prototype Ducatis to the test. So visit the factory and museum, then rent a bike and ride the hills. This is where Ducatis are born and given their character.
9. Learn from like-minded people
Young and old. Classics and modern. There are literally so many people to talk and learn from that it is impossible to get lonely at the World Ducati Week. Everyone is keen to show off their latest custom machine and share what they have done to their bikes. If you have a problem with your bike or are pursuing a custom job that you need some help with, World Ducati Week will be able to help you. The only barrier? Language. So brush up on your Italian or download a translation app to help you.
10. Ride Italy!
This is quite literally the best part and the main reason why you should attend the World Ducati Week. To ride Italy. Just remember to rent your bike much earlier because there are thousands of people who will be wanting to do the same. Ride the dolomites, experience the mountains, check out Cinque Terre, soak in Lake Como, ride south to Rome then to the Amalfi coast. Italy is the best place to experience motorcycling at its best, and the World Ducati Week offers the perfect chance!
