STREET CRED WITH KTM:KTM is planning a clandestine production of its new and highly anticipated RC8 street motorcycle - maybe they've already produced it, nobody knows.
The aim is to produce a motorcycle that sounds more like it will morph into a Kung Fu super-hero. The machine is a pioneer, with its most innovative focus around the compact 75 degree V2. Trevor Baker, of MotoMax Motorcycles in Dublin, saw one of these machines in Austria and was impressed. "It was absolutely amazing," he said. The 835mm seat is the tank, keeping fuel at the machine's centre of gravity. The exhaust system is placed underneath the engine, so "dry sump lubrication allows the entire exhaust system to sit precisely where it has the least influence on dynamics," according to KTM. The company is keeping this machine under wraps for the moment, but when they are made available, MotoMax Motorcycles will be the only outlet from which they can be purchased. For more information visit, motomax.ie
RALLY FOR A GOOD CAUSE:
The second annual Rev-up4 DSI Round Ireland Motorbike Tour kicks off at the weekend. The crew will depart from Joe Duffy's BMW dealership on the M50 in Dublin and head north to tour Ireland for the weekend. Last year's event was a huge success, raising in excess of €200,000 for Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI). This year's two-wheeled tour is fully subscribed with 150 riders participating, and each rider set to raise at least €1,000.
Watch out for the DSI Galway branch, who will have a bucket collection in Eyre Square on Saturday as the cavalcade arrives, and the Cork branch will have a collection on Sunday in Patrick Street. The rally is supported by BMW Motorrad Ireland, Access Lift Trucks and Adelaide Insurance Services. For further information and pictures of last year's event please log on to downsyndrome.ie/events/rev-up.html or contact Aidan Lynam on 01-426 6500.
BEEMERS FOR MONDELLO DAYS:
BMW has announced that it will be running two customer trackdays to get you racing around the British Superbike circuit at Mondello Park, on June 7th and July 27th.
The cost of participation will be €150 per person and numbers will be limited. According to Dave Humphrey's at BMW Joe Duffy, "Anyone attending must participate on a BMW Motorcycle, which should be in good working order, hold a full valid Irish or UK motorcycle driving licence and have at least two years riding experience on a full licence." In order to secure your place on this event, please send an email with the words "customer trackday" to motorradevents@bmw.ie
If you have motorbike news, e-mail motorbikes@irish-times.ie