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Jonathan Rea revealed plans to move to professional motocross once he leaves the WorldSBK Championship.

Rea admitted the doors to MotoGP have closed despite winning the WSBK six years in a row.

“To leave Superbike… it would need to be something that sets me on fire, as I’m comfortable in the Superbike environment.

“To consider something else – like MotoGP – I would need something concrete, like a factory bike, and this has never materialised. I don’t think the opportunity will come now that I am 33. SBK is my world and I’m happy. Then after the races I enjoy my little ones,” said Rea.

Rea did have a go at MotoGP in 2012 when he replaced the injured Casey Stoner at Repsol Honda. The rider finished 8th at Misano and 7th at Aragon before returning to SBK duties.

The British rider joins Kawasaki in 2015 as Tom Sykes new teammate and won his WSBK title after recording 14 wins.

Rea retained the title in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, becoming the first rider to win six successive SBK champions.

According to Rea, despite retiring from WSBK one day, he would like to keep himself match fit via motocross.

“I would like to enjoy Anaheim Supercross. Also, I have a desire to do a national motocross championship race after retiring, probably something in Northern Ireland, like a championship race in Ulster.

“I ride my dirt bike quite regularly, so I’d love to do that,” he added. – GPOne

Italian motorcycle brand Moto Morini has unveiled the X-Cape 650 at the 2021 Beijing Motor Show.

Design in Italy and build in China after a change of ownership to Zhongneng Vehicle Group in 2018, the X-Cape 650 are expected to be available as early as 2022.

This is not the first time the X-Cape 650 make its appearance as it was first unveiled at the 2019 EICMA before the company decided to keep it under wraps for a few more years.

Nonetheless, the X-Cape 650 retains most of the design features displayed in 2019, including a dual-lens LED headlight and 7″ TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity.

Despite manufactured in China, the X-Cape 650 offers some of the best features, including Marzocchi front forks and adjustable KYB rear shocks and Brembo callipers paired to a Bosch dual-channel ABS.

The motorcycle also comes with 19″ front and 17″ rear tires.

As for the engine, the X-Cape 650 is powered by a twin-cylinder 649cc water-cooled powerplant capable of producing 60hp @ 8,500rpm and 56Nm @ 7,000rpm.

According to reports, Moto Morini plans to introduce a few more models in the upcoming months.

Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin will remain with Pramac Racing for the 2022 MotoGP season after agreeing on a new deal with the Ducati satellite team.

Zarco currently sits second in the championship thanks to three podium finish after six rounds of MotoGP.

The Frenchman, alongside Martin (who are directly under contract with Ducati), will race onboard the Desmosedici GP 2022 next year.

Paolo Campinoti, Pramac Racing Team Principal, expressed his satisfaction over the new deal.

“We are very satisfied to be able to continue on this “project” with Johann and Jorge, two boys with whom we get along very well and with whom we are reaching excellent results.

“Both Ducati and ourselves firmly believe in their abilities; we couldn’t be happier,” he said.

Meanwhile, Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director, revealed the decision behind it because the two riders were able to compete at a very high level with the GP21.

“Johann and Jorge this year have inserted themselves very well in the Pramac Racing team. For this reason, together with Paolo Campinoti and Francesco Guidotti, we have decided to proceed with them into 2022.

“We will put at the disposition of both, the official bikes for next season as well. We are certain that they will provide us with many satisfactions,” said Ciabatti.

Qianjiang Motorcycle, the parent company of Benelli, has unveiled the QJ7000D electric motorcycle concept at the 2021 Beijing Motor Show.

According to reports, the electric motorcycle will go on sale under the Benelli brand for the international markets.

Despite Qianjiang efforts not to disclose the technical specifications, reports suggest the upcoming model will set a new benchmark for high performing electric motorcycle.

Based on the images, there is some exciting aspect of the motorcycle that is worth mentioning.

For starters, a compartment is located at the tank that can fit a full-face helmet and is noticeable from the side.

The bike also comes with USD front forks, a monoshock at the rear, a fully digital LCD display, and a full LED light setup.

At a glance, we like how it looks and the idea behind it; however, it is still unknown when will the QJ7000D goes into production.

Nevertheless, like other manufacturers, the future is definitely electric. – GaadiWaadi

The Kawasaki Z900 RS garnered a lot of attention when it was introduced back in 2018, with the motorcycle was heavily inspired by the original 1972 Z1.

Last year, Kawasaki updated the Z900 RS with the 1973 Z1 paint jobs, but for 2022, the new Z900 RS gets its unique colour scheme from the 1975 Z1.

 

The latest generation Z900 RS now sports a Candy Tone Blue base with the gold accent, a straight inspiration from the 1975 model.

 

Despite the new retro paint job, the updated Z900 RS continues to be powered by the inline-four, 948cc, DOHC, a liquid-cooled engine capable of producing 111hp @ 8500rpm and 98.6Nm @ 6,500rpm.

 

However, the new model gets a host of refinements which includes:

  • ABS braking
  • assist and slipper clutch
  • tuned exhaust note
  • smartphone connectivity
  • Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC)

(source: Young Machine)

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Ducati first world title in the 2001 Superbike championship, the Borgo Panigale firm has set up a temporary exhibition, “Troy Story: The Legend of a Champion” at the Ducati Museum.

The exhibition display new and exclusive content for the fans to get up close to the success of Troy Bayliss at the Superbike championship.

According to Ducati, the date of 21 May, chosen for the reopening of the Ducati Museum, is not accidental.

On this day, 20 years ago, the virtually unknown Troy Bayliss accomplished a feat that turned him overnight into a motorcycling legend in the hearts and memories of all Ducati and Superbike fans; the extraordinary quadruple overtaking move at the Monza circuit.

Interestingly, Bayliss was coming in for the injured Carl Fogarty before Ducati decided to allow him to finish the championship onboard the factory 996R.

In the 2000 season, Bayliss finished sixth in the championship, accumulating 243 points, two wins and seven podiums.

Ducati then awarded a seat in the Ducati Infostrada team, where Bayliss won his first WSBK title in 2001.

Those who visited the Ducati Museum will get to admire all of the Australian rider machines which include:

  • 996 Factory 2000 – his Ducati World SBK debut and used at Monza in the famous quadruple overtake.
  • 996 Factory 2001 Testastretta – his first world title with the livery used at Imola in 2001.
  • 998 Factory Testastretta 2002 – the protagonist of the breathtaking duel with Edwards at Imola.
  • 999 Factory 2006 “Superman” – Ducati’s 250th victory in SBK, and Troy’s second title.
  • 999 Factory 2007 – used in the photo-finish against James Toseland at Assen.
  • 1098 R Factory 2008 – his last title won at Magny-Cours

For those living outside of Europe, you can get a chance to view the exhibition via Ducati Museum Online Journey.

The temporary exhibition “Troy Story: The Legend of a Champion” will remain at the Ducati Museum until 19 September 2021, with the sole exception of the days between 1-4 July, when the bikes will be exhibited in Modena at the 2021 edition of Motor Valley Fest.

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