Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/146679
V/=i'/J PRO SER/ES the light weight, I suppose. It only weighed 120 kg. (264 pounds) when I rode it, but 5 kg. (11 pounds) of that was taken up with diagnostic and computer equipment, so really the bike's even lighter. And that's with all the heavy superbike bodywork we're using at present - Ing. Bordi says he can get the weight down to 110 kg. (242 pounds) for the final version, which will make it even better in braking for turns and accelerating out. But the really nice thing is the handling - because the weight's so low down, you can't believe how quickly it will turn from side to side in a chicane, or how easily it is to lay it into a turn. I wish my superbike was so responsive!" Such unqualified praise from such a no-b.s. rider as fearsome Falappa gives the 502 the stamp of approval even at this early stage in its development, and is likely to make it the bike to beat in SoS racing around the world next season, with 70 bhp available at the rear wheel at 11,000 rpm, according to Massimo Bordi, who also admits to be working on a big-bore 550cc (100 x 70 mm) version of the motor which, contrary to previous reports, has not yet even been run on the dyno, let alone tested in the prototype bike. Bardi expects to get nearer 80 bhp with the larger engine, which will also glean valuable data for future development of a 'jumbo' V-twin engine. The layout of the prototype bike shown in these sneak photos from a factory test session show the bike in the form it'll be launched at Cologne, except for the carbon brakes which will be replaced by twin 300mm steel rotors, according to factory information. That means the Ohlins upside down forks and rear shock will be retained on the customer racers (helping account for their steep price), With the cantilever swingarm pivoting in the crankcases like on the V-twin. Engine accessiblity is outstandirIg, while the host of carbon fiber parts which combine to help in achieving the extremely low weight for a single are mostly shared with the 888 Superbike, as is the new-type dry clutch which Falappa says is much easier to use off the line than Ducati clutches have hitherto been. The two-into-oneinto-two exhaust system is very quiet for a single - just as the superbike is for a twin - though there's still a notable crack from the pipes and a distinctive whine from the engine. Three-and-a-half-inch front and 5.25inch rear Marchesini wheels are presently fitted, shod with Dunlops for Falappa's test rides. No date has yet been set for the race debut of the Ducati Supermono, but it may well be that the factory will opt not to race the bike themselves, and instead leave it to whichever of their customers is first in the line to stack the 502 up against the Yamaha and Suzuki engined bikes which currently rule the SoS class. Falappa's testing. times have shown the bike performs very effectively, leaving little room for doubt that Massimo Bordi's bornagain Ducati single is everything that he promised it would be. As a result, Ducati are likely to come under heavy pressure, especially from fustomers in Japan and northern Euro(1e, to come thr~ugh with the promised street versions. It's an exaggeration to say cost is no object, but there are definitely many customers who are either Ducati fans and/or street single enthusiasts who have been waiting a long time for a -bike like this, and are prepared to pay a premium to have one at last. :Time (;1' will tell. . . A portion of every spectator ticket sold will be donated to the Red Cross for The Hurricane Relief Fund. All Spectators are urged to bring canned goods for the collection center at the gate. SEPTEMBER 18·20 MOROSO MOTORSPORTS PARK WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA ADVAHCE DISCOUNT TICKETS AT 7~: VI;~fll;uSA·· (.Ilr1i~ FORMULA II "'Ho1:o1.1bert.Y ~ ® FORMULA III NATIONAL E~DURANCE DUN.£DP SUPERSTOCK METZELER FUTURE STARS ~&f~~. Or CoIIFl* iIIld .... ~ 1D: WEIIA PRO SERIES P.O. Box 114' Trudtee. CA 96160 Or FAX Oedt ~d Orders kl: (916) 582.0456 IlGll. Weekend Super Ticket (With Pit Pass & Camping) Sunday Super Ticket (With Pit Pass) Order Deadline: September 12, 1992 M~,wCIAI. ENTER lOUR liKE IN THE Dynojef HORSEJIOWEIl SHOOT-ouT! For Additional Information Call 1·800·732·9383 0Iy Toi '25 -20 S '20 -15 S $3.00 PostaJe &Hadrg f - - - TOTAt ENClOSED S Name Address City/State/Zip . Daytime Phone RK /¥If eN D Check or Money Order Payable To: WERA PRO SERIES (All checks need two weeks to dear) D Master Card DVISA DAm. Ex. Card # Expiration Date Signature Donate to THECLAYTON FO ATION 2201 Cherry Avenue Long Beach, CA 90806 310/427-7433 HWe want to be your favorite charitt 27