The DUU Unveiled

Production versions of the new CR&S DUU come in two standard formats: The solo seat (Deperlù) and the twin seat (Conlatusa). Pricing details for each are as follows...

DUU Pricing (5-speed)
Deperlù	€19,000 (plus tax)
Conlatusa	€20,700 (plus tax)

The Conlatusa is more versatile. The twin seat model can be configured as a solo seater by simply removing various parts. The reverse it not so easy as it would require replacing the solo seater's rear sub-frame. So if you think you will ever need to use your DUU to take that pretty girl from the local bar for a ride (or to carry your grandmother home from her Bridge night), then the extra €1,700 is worth spending.

The standard DUU uses a 5-speed gearbox which is more than enough for a 2-litre V-Twin. However, if you think you might want to try the DUU out at the local drag strip then there is also a 6-speed gearbox available for an extra €900.

Equipment

The chassis is a compound structure. The main element consists of a stainless steel large section tube (107.5 mm). It is a backbone chassis that also forms part of the fuel tank. All the other chassis elements are stainless steel and TIG welded. Stainless steel resists life, and gives an excellent. All of the chassis components are connected by machined light alloy parts. The seat holder is a light alloy box structure, a CR&S’ patent. It is TIG welded and forms the remainder of the fuel tank.

The single sided swingarm is also fabricated from large section stainless steel tube (90 mm), reinforced with a stainless steel welded structure box. The light alloy fork yokes are machined from solid. The twin seater version’s shock absorber has a manually adjustable spring preload. The compound wheels are made in light alloy with cast hubs.

The tire sizes have been chosen to offer sporty handling capabilities, with excellent rider control (max lean angle 43°) : they are radial tires, with sport-racing compound (the rear tire has a three-zone compound).

Powertrain
Brand / Model	S&S X-Wedge
Type	4 stroke, 56° V-Twin
Displacement	117" (1916 cc)
Valves	Pushrod activated, 2-valves per cylinder
Cooling	Air
Chassis
Frame	Stainless steel with large section tubes. Machined stainless steel engine cradle and holders.
Swingarm	Single-sided arm in large section stainless steel tube.
Front Suspension	Upsidedown telescopic fork with 48 mm diameter. Adjustable hydraulic damping and spring preload. 120mm travel.
Rear Suspension	Hydraulic progressive mono-shock. Adjustable hydraulic damping and spring preload. 127 mm travel.
Front break	320mm Wave double floating disks, each with radial 4-piston calipers.
Rear break	260mm single disk with 2-piston floating caliper.
Front wheel	4 stroke, 56° V-Twin
Front tire	120/70-ZR17"
Rear wheel	6.00 x 17"
Rear tire	190/55-ZR17"
Dimensions / Weight
Length	2197 mm
Width	770 mm
Wheelbase	1576 mm
Seat height	800 mm
Weight	245 kg (dry)
Gas tank	15.5 litres (4 litre reserve)

Technical Specs

The DUU's power delivery graph is visible on the tachometer.

This extra information allows you to view the max power vs RPM as you ride.

The S&S X-Wedge is a traditional engine, but built with modern technology and materials. It is a pushrod actuated 2-valves per cylinder head with hydraulic self adjustment and three belt driven camshafts (one intake and two exhaust). The bottom end has a one piece machined crankshaft with twin conrods.

The ECU is developed by S&S. A catalyzed stainless steel exhaust system with 2 lambda meters.

Gearbox is a Baker unit available with 5 or 6 speeds.

Performance Details
Max Power	71 KW at 5100 rpm
Max Torque	148 Nm at 4300 rpm
Max Speed	Over 125 mph (over 200Km/h)

Deperlù "Grisa"

The structural body parts are made from carbon fibre. The remaining parts are made in VTR, ABS or carbon fibre. The fuel tank is divided into two parts: the chassis’ backbone and the seat holder box structure.

Deperlù "Sbirluscenta"

As the pictured models suggest, a wide variety of modular customizations are available. I will be covering these in more detail in a future Blog article.

Conlatusa "Nera"

BeOn SXV GP

BeOn Automotive unveiled the latest in its series of track bike kits during the final MotoGP round at Valencia.

BeOn track bike kits can be used to convert your KTM, Honda, Suzuki, etc. motocross, chicken chaser, into a serious little track day rocket. Their latest kit is the one I have been waiting for: the Aprilia SXV 550 conversion.

 Convert one of these...

...into one of these. 

Or have both. BeOn say that the conversion is easily reversed giving you both a track bike and a supermotard for the price of... well one and a half. The kit costs €4,450 plus tax, then you have the cost of the donor bike.

I wrote a previous blog article about the BeOn kits. This kit converts the iconic Aprilia SXV 550 (or 450 if you are that way inclined) into an exciting bike with an output of around 70 hp and an approximate weight of 120 kg.

Automotive BeOn says it is also working on certification of the SXV-GP for the street.

EICMA 2010 Highlights

EICMA 2010, this year's Milan International Motorcycle show (yes they have bicycles too but who really cares), finishes tomorrow. There was a 25% increase in attendance and all of the big brands were present this year. All good signs, but some important and interesting brands were missing. No Bimota, no Vyrus, no Morini, no Buell (the last two in this list are sadly no longer with us).

There were plenty of new motorcycles on show, but not too many that were interesting to me. Among this year's main attractions: production versions of the CR&S DUU, the Brammo Empulse electric motorcycle and the MV Agusta F3.

I have already covered the CR&S DUU and will write more about it soon...

Brammo

At last year's show I was hoping for a showcase of electric motorcycle technology, and was disappointed. This year there was half a pavilion devoted to green technologies with some serious-looking electric scooters and one production electric motorcycle which stood out from all the rest: the Brammo Empulse.

Here is the first production electric motorcycle that can stand proudly next to almost any petrol-engined motorbike. It weighs just 160kg (with 'fuel'), is capable of 160km/h, strong and smooth acceleration, and has a range of 100, 130, or 160km (depending on battery configuration). It has serious running gear (frame, wheels, suspension and brakes) and it looks great.

A TTXGP racing version of the Brammo Empulse

Times are changing, motorcycles of the future will be cheap, clean, silent, low maintenance, reliable, easy to ride, powerful, fun and electric.

An inside look at the Brammo's other model, the Enertia

MV Agusta F3

I remember, years ago, passing a boutique shoe store on one of Milan's famous shopping streets. There was something special and unique about that store, it has stuck in my memory while everything else from that day has faded. In the display window stood a white pedestal before a white backdrop. On top of that pedestal was a single, elegant, lady's black shoe. There was no signage, no price tag, no flashing lights, just a single black shoe.

The MV Agusta stand at EICMA 2010 was a white illuminated cube with the MV logo on it. From the outside that was all you could see. Only a limited number of people were allowed to go in at a time and inside was a white pedestal carrying just a single MV Agusta F3. No flashing lights, no free brochures, no technical sheets, no loud music. Just one motorcycle... and, of course, the girls - this is Italy remember.

And what a bike it is. For me the F3 was the sensation of the show. It could well become the pinnacle of combustion-engined sports motorcycles. A marvel of mechanical engineering, refined design and beautiful styling. I just hope that MV Agusta can put it into production while petrol-engined motorcycles are still relevant. The MV Agusta F4 took years to move from showroom prototype to production, but there is a good chance that things will be different with the F3. Harley-Davidson poured a lot of money into MV Agusta and then gifted the company back into the passionate hands of the Castiglioni during the financial melt-down. Let's hope the combination of passion, and recent investment is enough to get things rolling at Varese.

Best of the Rest

Last year, Moto Guzzi showcased some wonderful prototypes, including the beautiful, retro-styled Le Mans concept. This year they had the production version on display. If I had a magic money tree I think this would definitely be one bike in my collection.

CR&S and Moto Guzzi Dealer in Germany,

Bernhard Peintner tries the new Moto Guzzi

Bernhard finds a sports bike which is even lighter than the VUN.

This scooter also caught my eye.

Can't remember what it was called though.

Ducati had an enormous stand. The star attraction this year was their new 'Diavel' cruiser. Last year's ugly duckling, the multi-strada, went on to become a commercial success, but I can't believe many people outside of Italy would seriously consider buying one of these.

Remember the last time Ducati tried to enter this market? Does the Ducati Indiana ring a bell? If you don't know what I mean, click here (but be prepared to behold a bike that received a fair whack from the ugly stick).

Two New DUU Models

CR&S has released two beautiful new DUU models at this year's Milan International Motorcycle expo (EICMA): The Deperlù (on your own), a single-seat version and the Conlatusa (with the girlfriend) which, as the name suggests, has a pillion seat.

 The DUU Conlatusa (two-seater)

The new DUU Deperlù (single-set)

Personalization and Modularity

The DUU has been designed to be fully customizable and a large variety of factory options are available including: different headlight configurations, pillion set support, mini wind breaker, bellypan, paniers, turn signals, brake and suspension components, 6-speed gearbox and wheel design.

You can also select the factory finish including: custom colors, polishing and plating, leather finish, etc.

These are just some of the standard factory options. You can also consult directly with CR&S and have them build a DUU to your exact specifications.


Four DUU's at EICMA

The CR&S stand at EICMA had four DUU's on display. Two Deperlù (single-seat) models and two Conlatusa models. Each of these demonstrated completely different factory configurations.

 Conlatusa!!

Another interpretation of the DUU Deperlù

CR&S's  Roberto Crepaldi presents the new DUUs at EICMA 2010

The DUU engine and chassis

The DUU Breaks Cover at EICMA

First pictures of production versions of the new CR&S DUU have emerged from the Milan International Motorcycle Show EICMA, which opened today. These photos were posted on MotoBlog.it. Check out their site for more photos and information...

Homologating the DUU

Check out Roberto Crepaldi skillfully smoking the back wheel at the end. 

Since he owns the company he's allowed to have such fun with the only 

production prototype in the world :-).

A short video showing the DUU production prototype undergoing emission testing (Italian style). I'm not sure if smoking rubber is part of the emission standards....

MV Agusta F3

MV Agusta's new 3-cylinder, 675cc, middleweight is proof positive that the company was well worth saving from the brink of Harley-Davidson.

Harley's much-needed cash infusion followed by Claudio Castiglioni's timely and cunning reacquisition has bought us a motorcycle that is so beautiful that it makes the iconic MV Agusta F4, which preceded it, look positively old and clunky. Just compare these two images (the old vs the new).

1998 MV Agusta F4

2010 MV Agusta F3

I can't wait to see it in the flesh at this week's EICMA motorcycle show in Milan. Below, small is beautiful...