2012 Honda Gold Wing Specifications

• Model: GL1800
• Engine Type: 1832cc liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder
• Bore and Stroke: 74mm x 71mm
• Compression ratio: 9.8:1
• Valve Train: SOHC; two valves per cylinder
• Induction: PGM-FI
• Ignition: Computer-controlled digital with 3-D mapping
• Transmission: Five-speed including Overdrive, plus electric Reverse
• Final Drive: Shaft
• Suspension
• Front: 45mm cartridge fork with anti-dive system; 4.8 inches travel
• Rear: Pro Arm single-side swingarm with Pro-Link single shock with computer-controlled spring preload adjustment with two memory presets; 4.1 inches travel
• Brakes
• Front: Dual full-floating 296mm discs with CBS three-piston calipers; optional ABS
• Rear: Single ventilated 316mm disc with CBS three-piston caliper; optional ABS
• Tires
• Front: 130/70R-18
• Rear: 180/60R-16
• Wheelbase: 66.5 inches
• Rake (Caster angle): 29.15°
• Trail: 109mm (4.3 inches)
• Seat Height: 29.1 inches
• Fuel Capacity: 6.7 gallons
• Colors: Pearl White, Candy Red, Ultra Blue Metallic, Black
• Curb Weight: 904 - 933 pounds, depending on option packages selected (includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel-ready to ride)
• Price: $23,199 to $28,499
• Availability: May 2011
  RIDING STYLE
  Helmet: Vemar Jiano
  Jacket: Pokerun 3-in-1 Mesh
  Gloves: Tour Master Cold-Tex
  Pants: Rev'It Cayenne Pro
  Boots: Tour Master Solution Waterproof

Ducati is set to unveil the new Monster 1100 EVO motorcycle, an early 2012 model, at the New York International Motorcycle Show (IMS) on Jan. 21-23, 2011.

This EVO naked bike is the new flagship model of the air-cooled Monster family, the best selling of the Ducati model family ever, although sales of the Monster have certainly slowed in the last few years. This may be partly due to the fact that the Streetfighter is now the naked bike platform for the Ducati liquid-cooled Testastretta engines.

The '12 Monster 1100 EVO is powered by the Desmodue Evoluzione engine, which is the first two-valve Ducati to hit the 100 hp. Compared with the previous 1100 cc twin-cylinder air-cooled L-Desmodromic, this new engine has high revs while a more linear torque curve designed to ensure a smoother power delivery.

The inlet ports and the combustion chamber shape have been redesigned, while the new camshafts have an extreme profile to provide an increased valve lift. The pistons are new too and feature an high compression profile. To ensure high standards of reliability the head cooling system has been revised with improved lubrication to enhance the cooling performance.

The Monster 1100EVO also marks the arrival of the new "Ducati Safety Pack", a simple and effective combination of adjustable Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and ABS brakes designed to aid rider safety.

This new 2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO also features a new APTC wet clutch which ensures quiet operation and long life. In addition, the progressive self-servo mechanism reduces the lever effort at the handlebar and makes the Monster even more practical in traffic.

The Monster APTC wet clutch works with a race-like ‘slipper' system which reduces the destabilizing effect of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting, and compared with other wet clutch used so far by Ducati, features an additional cush-drive damper mechanism which smoothes the repeated transition from drive to over-run during stop-start traffic.

This innovative new 2012 Ducati EVO package is the first of its kind to be offered in the interest of rider safety as opposed to outright performance figures. At an MSRP of $11,995, the new EVO looks to up the game for the Monster family.

Made here in the USA, Zero Gravity is ready to release its new line of 2010-2011 Honda VFR1200F windscreens available in three distinctive styles.

The stock replacement SR Series (20-455 shown in light smoke) approximates the size, shape and function of the OEM windscreen.

The Double Bubble screen (16-455 shown in dark smoke), feature a stepped profile design with an overall height somewhere between the SR Series and Sport Touring.

Performance will be geared for sports riding, canyon carving and "tucked in" aerodynamics. The Sport Touring Series screen (23-455 shown in dark smoke), which is 3.75" taller than stock, provides additional wind protection for the street or touring applications.

It uses the factory hardware and its intricate mounting design is like factory. Both are available in Light Smoke and Dark Smoke.

Zero Gravity screens are made with cutting edge technology and feature a precise fit, hand polished visible edges and distortion free optical clarity.

Available in a variety of colors, Zero Gravity's new Honda VFR1200F windscreens start at $99.95 and are protected with a limited factory warranty.

Sicily and the road to Mt. Etna, the famed active volcano, was the location for the launch of the 2011 Ducati Monster 1100.

Ducati and Mercedes AMG have a strategic partnership to such a degree that they are now even launching their vehicles in the same location.

I'm only doing some testing on the 2012 Ducati Monster 1100, of course, so here's some first impressions.

Compared to the last generation Monster 1100, which was the original evolution, the 2012 (early release) sports five more horsepower, making it a rounded 100 horsepower.

It's also the first time we see full traction control on an air-cooled Ducati motorcycle. The new traction control has been adapted to the simpler nature of a Monster and you get four levels rather than eight.

I tested with the setting on level 2 in the morning when it was a bit damp after some rain that fell during the night and at level 1 and off during the rest of the day.

The Ducati Safety Pack that consists of mentioned traction control and ABS brakes will be unique to this Monster as Ducati feel there's no need for traction control on either the 696 nor the 796.

This and the new exhaust system now distinguishes the Ducati Monster 1100 much more from its smaller siblings than before. There are other updates as well which I'll deal with in the full review.

On the way up and down from the Etna base camp I had some serious fun on the new Monster 1100 EVO and full throttle corner exits on great lean was the norm.

There's not a hell of a lot that can go wrong on the Ducati Monster 1100 EVO in terms of rider error apart from overcooking corner entries really. So the safety pack works despite one Italian journalist binning it on the way up due to one of the aforementioned rider errors. The riding position is slightly less extreme but still sporty.

The Ducati Monster 1100 EVO is a sportbike and much more so than the 696 and 796. The ABS brakes really are good and they only have to stop 169 kilo's. All in all a very worthy evolution of the 1100 model.

Jerez - Valentino Rossi claims that he was not about to overtake Casey Stoner, in the incident which later led to both falling from the motor.

Rossi started the race at Jerez on Sunday (04/03/2011), from position 12. With good speed, the Ducati rider had successfully passed a number of other drivers although stuck behind Stoner who was in second position.

At a bend to the right, Rossi was later seen picking up speed until menyejajari Stoner, who is on the left. Rossi then fell off and go take along the Honda rider.

Who see the situation clearly thought that Rossi fell after failing to pass Stoner, who then become victims. Though Rossi himself said he did not want to go through these rivals.

"When I got behind Stoner, I'm not going through it at the moment of braking," explained Rossi in Autosport.

"But I braked a bit late than himself, and I arrived too fast and did not have enough space to go on the outside so I tried to get into the inside to minimize the problem for both of us, but unfortunately I lost motor control of the front and I join him fall, "continued the Italian racer.

As a result of the incident, Stoner must be out of the race, while Rossi could again drove and scored. Feeling guilty, was immediately after the race Rossi apologized to Stoner.

"That's all my fault and I have to apologize to Casey. I know she is very angry because he did not make any mistakes," said Rossi.

The process of apology itself - which can not be separated from the media spotlight - was quite odd. Rossi did not mention his helmet off while Stoner, Rossi after asking the shoulder, say, a desire Rossi had exceeded his abilities.

Responding to comments that a bit cynical, the primary class world champion seven times that did not give a damn because they know Stoner would still be emotional.

"I do not know, maybe he did not know who I am! But never mind, fair enough really, he is definitely angry and I would feel so well."

"I made a mistake and very important for me to apologize. I'm not interested in what he says," Rossi straightforward.

Jerez - Casey Stoner will start the Spanish MotoGP race from pole position after he became a racer with the fastest time in qualifying session. While team-mate Dani Pedrosa in second position.

In the qualifying session at the Jerez circuit on Saturday (04/02/2011) night local time, Stoner involved fierce competition with Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo to compete for pole position. Having had time to recognize the benefits of the two rivals were in the midst of qualifying, Stoner finally able to beat Pedrosa and Lorenzo.

Stoner's pole-winning success to continue the domination of the Honda at Jerez circuit. Previously, Stoner and Pedrosa alternately become the fastest racer in the three free practice sessions have been held.

The times are recorded from Australia, Honda rider was one minute 38.757 seconds. After listing the best time, Stoner had experienced incidents when he fell from the horse. But he's seen no serious injuries from the incident.

Meanwhile, time is inscribed Pedrosa, who makes it will start the race from position two, is one minute 38.915 seconds. Drivers' host was very slim lead over Lorenzo who was behind with a time of one minute 38.918 seconds.

Row behind Lorenzo filled Ben Spies will start the race from fourth position, Marco Simoncelli on the order of five and Andrea Dovizioso on the order of six.

Disappointing results obtained Valentino Rossi. Time to fall in the middle of the qualifying session, The Doctor must start the race from the order of 12.

Spanish MotoGP Qualifying Results
1. Casey Stoner Honda 1m38.757s
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 0.158s 1m38.915s
3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1m38.918s + 0.161s
4. Ben Spies Yamaha 1m39.390s + 0.633s
5. Marco Simoncelli Honda Gresini 1m39.486s + 0.729s
6. Andrea Dovizioso Honda + 0.952s 1m39.709s
7. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati 1m39.892s + 1.135s
8. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1m39.895s + 1.138s
9. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 1m40.019s + 1.262s
10. Hiroshi Aoyama Honda Gresini 1m40.168s + 1.411s
11. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m40.175s + 1.418s
12. Valentino Rossi Ducati 1m40.185s + 1.428s
13. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati 1m40.217s + 1.460s
14. John Hopkins Suzuki 1m40.310s + 1.553s
15. Loris Capirossi Ducati 1m40.523s + 1.766s Pramac
16. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 1m40.601s + 1.844s
17. Toni Elias Honda LCR + 2.357s 1m41.114s