Tag Archives: Italy

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JEREMY MCGRATH’S 2005 KX250 PROJECT: 2-STROKE TUESDAY

Jeremy McGrath was headed to Italy for the FIM Vintage World Cup held on the famed Maggiora MX Park so he once more group up with bike builder Tim Sharp (Sharp Prepped Bike Building Services) on this 2005 Kawasaki KX250 venture. Sharp is the individual that constructed McGrath’s Championship Yamaha YZ250 we featured earlier this 12 months. If you wish to see extra on that YZ250 construct hit the unique hyperlink on the backside of this submit.

This Sharp Prepped Kawasaki KX250 will keep in Italy with the proprietor of the Maggiora MX Park after the occasion. McGrath labored with trade main firms like Maxxis Tires, Dubya USA, Showa, Xtrig, ARMA, Renthal, Boyesen and Pro Circuit.

The Xtrig clamps and fork arrange is immediately off McGrath’s 2022 KX450. If you look shut you possibly can see the Trick Engineering billet aluminum steering cease.

Boyesen outer case covers and Supercooler have been used on this construct . That Pro Circuit pipe is a murals!

The OG of aftermarket pegs, IMS Pro Series pegs with the polished sides.

We can stare at this Pro Circuit one-off exhaust system all day lengthy!

Specialty coating on the decrease fork tubes, Dubya USA constructed wheels that includes Kite hubs, DID Dirt Star rims and wrapped in Maxxis MX ST tires.

The engine was fully rebuilt proper earlier than the bike was bought by McGrath. You can see merchandise from Boyesen, Lightspeed and Mototassinari have been additionally used on this construct.

Lightspeed carbon fiber merchandise have been round and been commonplace challenge on manufacturing unit bikes because the  late ’90s.

Thanks to the crew at Pro Circuit the KX250 is now on its technique to Italy.

Look for a whole story on this machine in an upcoming printed challenge of the journal.

2-STROKE BEHIND THE BUILD

If you’re a fan of Supercross and motocross and over the age of 25, you may keep in mind watching Jeremy McGrath within the late ’90s and 2000 aboard his Chaparral Motorsports-supported Yamaha YZ250 dominating SX principal occasions throughout the nation. This group made historical past as the primary non-factory group within the sport to win a premier-class Supercross championship. We simply assumed that McGrath had not less than one in all these championship-winning Yamahas in his assortment. After all, he has memorabilia from nearly each period of his profession. However, we have been shocked to seek out out this was not the case.

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE COMPLETE STORY

News

Key tales from international automotive market after 2023’s return to type

The UK and Italy led the European new automotive market’s restoration in 2023 because the world emerged from the Covid pandemic and the next provide chain disruption, whereas the US and Japan additionally bounced again considerably, Tesla set a brand new gross sales report and China’s BYD emerged as a world pressure.

After three years of doom and gloom, a level of normality returned to the worldwide market, with each area lastly recording gross sales will increase once more and companies like Toyota, Tesla, Mercedes-Benz and JLR rediscovering their mojos.

Perhaps essentially the most outstanding story is that of an EV turning into a world best-seller, the Tesla Model Y eradicating the Toyota Corolla from the throne after a few years.

News

Brazen Bike Bandits Attempted to Steal a Kawasaki at EICMA

According to reports, motorcycle theft has been increasing in Italy, with over 31,000 bikes stolen in 2022 alone. Nonetheless, at the world’s biggest major motorcycle show, EICMA 2023, a group of individuals attempted to steal a Kawasaki KX250X while the event was being taken down.

Two individuals, a father and his 18-year-old son, attempted to take advantage of the chaotic environment of the teardown to make off with a new Kawasaki KX250X. They posed as workers and tried to move an extra bike off the show floor on Monday, November 13, 2023.

At around 9:30 a.m. local time, the pair, accompanied by two others, arrived at the Kawasaki stand and claimed to be there to transport four bikes. They then proceeded to take the four bikes and exit the area. However, it was soon discovered that only three bikes were scheduled to be transported at that time.

After the theft was reported, members of the military conducted a search and found the stolen bike inside a truck. The pair were apprehended for questioning, and the bike was returned to Kawasaki.

Why Take a KX250X?

The motivation for targeting the KX250X remains unclear. The bike is valued at about 11,000 Euros in Italy and approximately $9,000 in the US. It is not particularly expensive compared to other new motorcycles. The reasons for choosing this specific bike can only be speculated at this point.

  • They may have wanted it for a specific purpose.
  • They could have been enthusiasts familiar with the bike.
  • They may have taken it simply because it was convenient and nearest to the other scheduled bikes.

Unless this incident is part of a larger organized motorcycle theft operation, the true reasons may never be known. The boldness and audacity of attempting to steal a bike from the EICMA show floor remains a matter of judgment.

Show photos courtesy of EICMA.

Motorsport

Subaru BRZ Touge: A Special Edition with Style

The long-awaited second-generation Subaru BRZ has finally arrived in Italy. To celebrate its arrival, Subaru Italy is introducing a special edition called the Touge. Named after the Japanese word for a mountain pass, this performance coupe is limited to just 60 units and comes with a price tag of €49,500 or $52,200.

The 2024 Subaru BRZ Touge is exclusively available with a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. It boasts 18-inch OZ Racing Ultraleggera Race Gold wheels with unique Touge logos, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 215/40 tires. These eye-catching wheels weigh only 8.7 kilograms (19 pounds) each. Alternatively, you can opt for regular 18-inch wheels with a Dark Gray finish, paired with Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905 tires.


Technology

Ranking of Major Espresso Machine Brands from Worst to Best

Lelit, an Italian brand, is recognized as a top-tier manufacturer of espresso machines. Despite being a smaller brand, Lelit has established itself by creating high-quality machines. The company is proud of its Italian heritage, and all Lelit machines are designed and produced in Italy.

Due to the excellent quality they provide, Lelit machines come with a premium price. They are suitable for businesses and charming cafes. However, the cost may be prohibitive for the average household unless they have a significant disposable income or have saved specifically for an espresso machine. Lelit’s entry-level model, the Victoria, costs around $1,000, while their flagship model, the Bianca, can be priced over $3,000. Despite the investment, owners receive a professional-grade espresso machine equipped with top-of-the-line features. Lelit machines are praised for their precise temperature control using electronic sensors, durable stainless steel construction, and stylish design.

While not as large as industrial-style espresso machines, Lelit machines deliver the same level of quality in a compact and visually appealing design. The higher-end models even feature carved wooden handles and knobs, while the entry-level options incorporate plastic elements in their design.

News

Moto Guzzi Open House 2023 Begins In Mandello Del Lario, Italy

If you’re anywhere near Mandello del Lario, Italy between September 7 and 10, 2023, then you may want to check out the Moto Guzzi Open House 2023 celebration. Last year’s annual gathering of Guzzisti celebrated the storied brand’s 100th anniversary. This year promises fun, test rides, and plenty of Guzzi culture at the Moto Guzzi Museum and factory.

A full schedule of events is planned for Guzzi fans from around the world. Visitors can check out the museum and factory, including getting to see the engine assembly line and wind tunnel areas. A variety of vendors, live entertainment, food, beverages, and more will be on hand to make the Moto Guzzi Open House 2023 a fun weekend for the whole family.

The official Moto Guzzi community, called the Clan, will also be present throughout the event. Guzzisti who are already members can claim a special welcome kit from them, and Guzzi owners who wish to sign up to join the club can also do so on site.


Moto Guzzi Festival 2022

5 Photos

Test rides of the full 2023 range of Moto Guzzi bikes will be available, including a special circuit set up just for testing out the V100 Mandello. On the official event website, Guzzi says it created this V100 Mandello area “so that you can really understand what makes it roar.” All test ride bookings are only available on site at the event and will not be scheduled online.

If you have time to check out the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera, it’s hosting a new exhibition featuring the art of Ettore Gambioli, timed to coincide with the Moto Guzzi Open House 2023 event. Gambioli is from the Marche region of Italy, and much of his artwork focuses on the history of the Moto Guzzi brand. Watercolors, drawings, and sculptures are all part of the multimedia artist’s repertoire, so be sure to check it out if you get the chance.

Finally, if you’re eager to schedule a future tour with the Moto Guzzi Experience organizers, they’ll also be on hand at this event so you can speak about upcoming tours. While many of the 2023 Moto Guzzi Experience calendar dates have passed, there are still some remaining. This year’s events included rides in various places in Italy, as well as the Balkans, the US, Tunisia, Spain, and Morocco.

News

The Bologna Dogfight: A Ducati Monster 821 Café Racer By Rough Crafts

Winston Yeh, from Rough Crafts, has completed another build, this time transforming a Ducati Monster 821 into a Café Racer named “Bologna Dogfight.” This build focuses on simple body lines, meticulous attention to detail, and a predominantly black color scheme.

Rough Crafts is well-known for their custom bike builds, including previous projects such as the XDiavel “Flatout Titan,” the Honda CB1100 “Oriental Uppercut,” the BMW R 18 “Berlin Barnstormer,” and more, all originating from Bologna, Italy.

The Ducati Monster 821 was introduced in mid-2014 and featured a sporty naked design, powered by an 821cc Testastretta L-Twin engine producing 109 horsepower and 63.4 foot-pounds of torque. The 821 followed Ducati’s iconic “Il Mostro” formula, with a trellis frame and an upright yet sporty riding position.

The “Bologna Dogfight” Ducati Monster 821 looks stunning in its all-black color scheme, enhanced with custom 3D-printed parts. Rough Crafts took a retro approach with this build, utilizing 3D printing technology to create the tank, fairings, and tail. The frame of the 821 was also custom-made by Rough Crafts to fit the renowned L-Twin engine.


Rough Crafts Ducati Monster 821 Bologna Dogfight

10 Photos

The design of the bike focuses on a monochromatic aesthetic, with even the shock spring lacking any bright colors. The Öhlins rear mono-shock features a black spring instead of the signature yellow. Yeh installed two LED headlights from Koso in the front fairing. Aritek Ltd contributed CNC-machined parts, including the top triple tree, while a CNC Racing part was used for the lower triple tree. The upside-down fork contains an Andreani cartridge kit for damping. The stock Monster’s switch gear was retained but installed on Motogadget handles, fitted with Beringer fittings and protected by CNC Racing lever protectors.

Rough Crafts collaborated with Simon Fiber Craft for the carbon fiber dress-up parts, Rover Works Custom Paint for the recoloring, and BST carbon rims for the wheels. Grip is provided by Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa tires, and Berringer plus Moto Master braking components replace the original Brembo parts.

To complete the build, Rough Crafts added twin exhaust tubes from SC Project. These tubes are slimmer than the stock ones but still follow the two-into-two configuration and boast exceptional finishing.

Motorsport

Mint Green Ferrari F40 Is A Sight To Behold In Supercar Parade At Villa d’Este

Every year, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy attracts many pristine and eye-catching cars that don’t even participate in the event. Similar to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, the parking lot at the Italian concours can be considered a car show in itself. People from all over the world who have a passion for cars gather at Villa d’Este to showcase their most prized possessions and admire other expensive vehicles.

A recently published video on the Varryx YouTube channel shows several cars arriving in style for this year’s Villa d’Este event. Among them were the Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2, the Kimera EVO37, and a unique mint green Ferrari F40.

The Ferrari F40 is known as the ultimate supercar of the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was in competition with the Porsche 959 for the title of the fastest car in the world. This car is powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 477 horsepower. It has a fascinating history rooted in the Group B rally category.

Usually, the F40 is recognized for its iconic red color. However, the car showcased at Villa d’Este had been repainted mint green by the German-based Schaltkulisse collection. The unique color pays tribute to the Ferrari 250 GTO that raced at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by the late Sir Stirling Moss. The Ferrari 250 GTO was sold at auction for an astounding $35 million in 2012.

The mint green F40 stands out because all 1,315 F40s ever made left the factory painted in the famous Rosso Corsa. Given that these cars can fetch over $2 million at auctions, it is quite unusual to see one painted in any color other than red.

What are your thoughts on this color change? Do you think the mint green looks good on the F40, or should it have been kept in the original red as intended by Enzo Ferrari? Let us know in the comments below.

News

MBP Looks to Enter Malaysian Market with MForce Bike Holdings

MBP, also known as Moto Bologna Passione, is an emerging motorcycle brand originating from Italy. It has been gaining traction in the European market with a series of recent launches. The brand was officially introduced at EICMA 2022, where it showcased its premium adventure-tourer called the T1002V.

It turns out that MBP is a subsidiary of Qianjiang, a Chinese motorcycle giant. This affiliation places the brand alongside other up-and-coming marques like Benelli, QJ Motor, and Keeway. This connection to Qianjiang, which is part of China’s Geely Group, explains MBP’s rapid growth and expansion of its model range.

Keeway's Premium Sub-Brand MBP Presents The C650V Power Cruiser

In recent months, MBP has released a range of motorcycles targeted at the premium market. Alongside the T1002V adventure bike, MBP also unveiled the C650V cruiser, a retro-inspired, muscular cruiser designed for the European market. Additionally, MBP introduced the SC300 maxi-scooter to cater to the growing demand for practical and efficient two-wheelers in Europe.

While establishing its presence in Europe, MBP is now setting its sights on the Asian market due to the significant increase in sales of premium motorcycles. The brand has partnered with MForce Bike Holdings in Malaysia and intends to launch some of its models in the Southeast Asian country by 2023. MForce Bike Holdings currently manages the sales and distribution of other Qianjiang group brands in Malaysia, including Benelli, Keeway, and Taiwanese manufacturer SYM.

Keeway Subsidiary MBP Launches The SC300 Maxi-Scooter

MForce Bike Holdings has announced that MBP will make its official debut in the Malaysian market at the Kuala Lumpur Bike Show 2023, scheduled to take place in August at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Center. The specific models that MBP will offer in Malaysia have not been revealed yet. However, considering the recent launch of high-end motorcycles in the country, it is not far-fetched to envision MBP making a strong impact in the premium segment.

FiatUk

Goodbye grey, welcome colours

  • “ITALY. THE LAND OF COLOURS.​ FIAT. THE BRAND OF COLOURS”. Today marks a breakthrough for FIAT as it stops producing grey cars and ushers in a brand-new, colourful world.
  • FIAT is the first automotive maker to make this revolutionary decision, starting with the new Fiat 600e.
  • From now on, the colours in the present and future FIAT lineup are inspired by the Italian Sea, Sun, Earth, and Sky.
  • Grey is the most popular colour for new cars in the UK.
  • Mobility is about to become more colourful and cheerful than ever: FIAT is embracing a real challenge, as shown in the dedicated video available here.

 

Starting today, FIAT will no longer produce grey cars. This decision was made to emphasize the importance of colours in life, embody the Italian way of living, and reaffirm the brand’s new Dolce Vita value. 
 

Italy is closely associated with vibrant colours such as the Sea of Italy, the Sun of Italy, the Earth of Italy, and the Sky of Italy; landscapes that provide FIAT with ample inspiration for its cars. This strategy has been implemented to give FIAT cars a distinctive feature in the automotive market, as 2023 is a year of significant change for the brand.
 

“We broke the rules: we decided to stop the production of grey FIAT cars. This is a challenging and disruptive move aimed at further reinforcing FIAT’s leadership as the brand of joy, colours, and optimism. Italy is the country of colours and, starting today, FIAT’s cars will be too” declared Olivier Francois, FIAT Chief Executive Officer and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Stellantis. “This choice further communicates the New Dolce Vita values and the Italian DNA embodied by the brand. FIAT wants to inspire people to live with optimism and positivity, and this will also be one of the missions of the new Fiat 600e, the electric car for families and friends, which will be presented on July 4th.”

 

In the new dedicated video, viewers can discover FIAT’s brand-new colourful world as the brand’s CEO, Olivier Francois, aboard the new Fiat 600e, takes a deep dive into colour under the claim “ITALY. THE LAND OF COLOURS. FIAT. THE BRAND OF COLOURS.”

 

The current FIAT range – New 500, 500 Hybrid, 500X, Panda, and Tipo – is available in different shades of colours, including Gelato white, Sicilia orange, Paprika orange, Passione red, Blu Dipinto di Blu, Italia blue, Venezia blue, Rugiada green, Foresta green, Rose gold, and Cinema black. All of these colours have evocative names that remind us of Italy’s beautiful landscapes and the Dolce Vita mood.

Grey is the most popular colour for new cars in the UK, according to official registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), representing more than one in four new cars sold in the UK in 2022.

 

Turin, June 26th, 2023

 

Notes to Editors:

https://www.smmt.co.uk/2023/01/colours-put-in-the-shade-as-grey-matters-most-to-uk-car-buyers/