Movie star’s bike, special factory limited editions and great customs — this week’s Speed Read has it all. Got a Ducati Desmosedici RR from RSD, a Norton Commando and a chance to own a James Bond Triumph Scrambler.
But first, we break down our usual program to show you something we rarely get: a high-spec superbike.
Aprilia RSV4 Xtrenda Aprilia just uncased their latest MotoGP-inspired track machine: the RSV4 XTrenta. Built to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Aprilia’s first World Championship, my first impressions of the RSV4 XTrenta were simply an “oof” sound. Even though I just had dinner, all those outfits make me hungry.
You’re looking at the first bike outside of MotoGP ever with not only a front wing but also a rear wing and undercarriage. The “spoon” hanging on the underside of the swingarm may look familiar to fans of the Aprilia RS-GP MotoGP racing bike. Developing 25% more downforce and 4% less drag, it not only boosts performance, but also looks cool.
Like the factory bikes, the RSV4 XTrenta is equipped with a carbon fiber body. It was specially built for Aprilia by PAN Compositi, following the same manufacturing process used to make bodywork for MotoGP bikes. A very strict diet has helped reduce the weight to only 166 kg [366 lbs].
Using the Aprilia RSV4 Factory engine as a base, Aprilia increased the compression ratio, and added an all-titanium and carbon SC-Project exhaust and a Sprint Racing air filter. All that has an engine that produces a whopping 230 horsepower. Coupled with its low weight and high thrust, describing this as an absolute track weapon would still be an overstatement.
Besides the power and weight numbers, it also represents the business. The purple versus red and silver Day-Glo offers just style and performance. It seems to sit still quickly.
Aprilia is only offering 100 RSV4 XTrenta for sale, so if you want one, you should hurry. Sure, the €50,000 price tag is high — but I bet none of your mates have that many on their bikes. [More]
Ducati Desmosedici RR by Roland Sands Design With only 1,500 units produced, the Ducati Desmosedici RR is one of the most collectible models that Bologna has ever released. Primarily based on their Desmosedici MotoGP bike at the time, the RR (Racing Replica) made 200hp at 13,800rpm thanks to a 989cc Desmodromic V4 engine.
Ducati added a V4 to its stationary lineup a few years ago – but back in 2008, it was their only MotoGP model with more than two cylinders.
If you’re one of the 1500 lucky owners worldwide, paying over $72,000, you’ll feel pretty special. It can be hard to give up, especially if you think you’re too old to ride a MotoGP bike. And that’s the plot of what you see here – a 2008 Desmosedici RR transformed into a striking, upright street bike for an elderly gentleman.
To get here, Roland Sands Design The team tore up the bike and 3D scanned the rest with no parts. This allowed them to design the bike in virtual reality — a first for a workshop in California. By using the 3D VR approach, they were able to get the perfect fit for the new body parts.
Most interestingly, RSD has changed the rear Marchesini wheel. The factory Desmosedici RR rear wheel has a diameter of 16.5″, which must be a huge pain when you need new tires. Swapping it out for a 17” bracelet was the obvious choice.
That’s right, the owner could have sold his Ducati for a fortune, bought a brand new Ducati V4 Streetfighter and been done with it. However, anyone with the inclination and money can do it any day of the week.
This way the owner remains one of the lucky 1,500 and has a unique custom from RSD. Probably the luckiest of the lucky 1,500. [More]
1973 Norton Commando 750 Combat The Norton Commando is one of the most famous English motorcycles in the world. The arrival of large Japanese inline quads brought it down, but it was still equally praised by owners, journalists, and the public at the time. It was the first motorcycle I rode on as a child, so I myself have fond memories of Commando.
In factory form, they are beautiful machines — but a few light touches here and there do wonders. An example of those miracles, you can see here. This is a 1973 Commando, complete with a matching ‘Combat’ engine, built under the ownership of award-winning musician Tim Lopez.
Norton Combat engines had a rough start, baffling owners with ongoing problems almost as soon as they left the factory. However, with proper care and a few upgrade options, higher-powered engines can be much easier to use. So the engine is the first thing sorted in this project.
Where better to get that job done than Colorado Norton Works? They completely rebuilt and modified the engine and transmission, adding Viking custom exhausts. Up front, Suzuki GSX-R forks have replaced factory parts, which look pretty shabby by today’s standards.
A set of new black wheels are rimmed (with adaptive front fork) and shod with new Avon tyres. They look a few sizes wider than a factory Commando, which gives the car a more aggressive and modern look. The custom fenders are crafted in brass, which pairs nicely with the overall black and gold theme.
The rear subframe has been shortened, rejoined, and features custom leather seats. The Commando engine is a dry tank design, so there’s a custom oil tank under the saddle. Beneath that is a sleek rear footrest, again from Colorado Norton Works.
As soon as Tim tested the engine’s 1000-mile run time, he decided to continue it. Revival Cycles in Austin, Texas handled the sale — and understandably sold it almost immediately. [More]
Own a piece of bond history With the release of the latest Bond film, No Time to Die, the 007 film franchise has teamed up with Triumph Motorcycles for the first time. It’s a bit odd that they took so long, since James Bond and Triumph are both British as Queen, tea and mushy beans.
The partnership is 59 years old in the making and audiences have been treated to incredible chase scenes, filmed on location in some special spots. Stunt racers expertly drove Triumph Scrambler 1200 and Tiger 900 through the city streets of Italy and the wilderness of Scotland. From all reports, the bikes delivered everything in their stride, even when climbing stairs and flying through the air (although rumor has it that the biggest jump was actually made by a KTM in a Triumph outfit, fake rear shock absorbers and all).
If you want to own a piece of Bond and Triumph history, we have good news. The Triumph Scrambler 1200 custom-built from the film will be auctioned off in September, as part of a charity auction by Christie’s and EON Productions. Triumph released special ‘007’ editions of the Scrambler 1200 and Tiger 900 a while ago, but alas, they sold out quickly.
As a longtime Bond fan, I absolutely loved No Time to Die (and yes, I cried at the end—I’m not a monster). I don’t have enough pocket money to place a serious bid above 1200, but I hope some of our readers take note. If you’re interested, the pre-sale highlights exhibit will be open to the public at Christie’s London headquarters, from September 15 to 28. [More]
