I like the way you move

Videos are now circulating on the internet of MV Agusta's magnificent new 675cc, three cylinder, F3. This bodes well for MV's goal to begin production in Autumn of this year. Fingers crossed.

DUU Production Begins

CR&S announced today that production of their new DUU model is now underway.

The company's initial target was to begin production early March. Completion of strict EURO 3 vehicle certification and tooling up for low volume production had pushed this date back three months but now the first three frames have been loaded onto the assembly bench and are in production.

These first three bikes, once completed, will be used to promote the bike, in showrooms and the print media. This will be followed by the initial batch of bikes that will go out to eagerly awaiting customers.

 Robert Crepaldi with the DUU undergoing homologation testing

Testing the DUU two-up (Conlatusa)

Braking test with wet disk simulator

The DUU's X-Wedge motor undergoes final dyno-testing

The first three DUUs on the assembly line

Roadson 550 - Beat That!

L'incroyable histoire de la Roadson Superleggera by moto-journal

In French

Short film of how two racing enthusiasts with few resources were able to prove that lighter is better. A 550cc Aprilia SXV derived race bike weighing less than 100 kg (wet) competes the against modern superbikes. Just look at how the Roadson is able to corner so much faster and more efficiently than its competitors.

Fun to watch, even if you don't understand French.

Coco Mademoiselle (updated)

I know it's fake and she isn't really riding the bike but... I can't help but love this video clip.

Happy Birthday Italia

CR&S celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy with the construction of the VUN Tricolore.

I Mille (the one thousand)

On this day, one hundred and fifty years ago, the peninsula of Italy was united as one nation. One of the decisive acts in uniting the disparate Italian states was the famous march of Giuseppe Garibaldi. In 1860, with a force of just 1000 volunteers (the redshirts), Garibaldi sailed from Genova (in the north) to conquer the island of Sicily. After decisive victories, and with his army swelling in numbers, he crossed to the mainland and marched north conquering Naples and uniting with the Piedmontese army from the north. This campaign led to the eventual unification of the Italian peninsula and its freedom from various foreign powers of the day (France and the Habsburg empire).

 Giuseppe Garibaldi

Il Tricolore

Il tricolore, the three colors (green, white and red) of the Italian flag, originate from the days of the 'first Italian republic'. This was comprised mainly of the northern Italian regions of Lombardia and Romagna (i.e. CR&S territory).

The VUN Tricolore will be on display at the "Esperienza Italia" exhibition in Turin. The event celebrates the anniversary of the Italian Unity. After one month of exposure, the VUN will will be substituted by a Tricolore version of the CR&S DUU.

Italy in Crisis

The Italian leadership of today seems blithely out of step with current world events: The Italian premiere fawns over and publicly kisses the hand of Muammar Gaddafi, who upon returning to his kingdom of Libya, begins to brutally repress and murder his people; Japan struggles to prevent a major nuclear disaster, while Italy prepares to hold a referendum on whether to allow the construction of nuclear reactors on Italy's earthquake-prone territory (the referendum is worded in such a way that if you are against changing the law to allow nuclear reactors you must answer "yes" - 'furbo').

Today, in Italy, it is difficult to find someone who is enthusiastic about 150 years of Italian unity. The nation seems increasingly divided into various factions: north vs south, communists vs fascists, AC Milan vs Juventus. And while public attention is diverted over such intractable divides, political and global business interests are exporting the country's industrial heart. The place and status of women in Italian society is being undermined and eroded at all levels by the mainstream media, the advertising industry and of course the scandalous acts of its political leadership. The once proud performing arts are being axed, even the ancient excavated city of Pompeii has begun to collapse, building by building, through bungling and neglect.

Perhaps it is time, once again, to remember the fateful words of Giuseppe Garibaldi: Qui si fa l'Italia o si muore.

VUN photos gratefully supplied by motoblog.it.

Second Hand VUNs Online

CR&S is now hosting a second hand VUN market on its company website. The site is a service to current VUN owners who want to connect with future VUN owners. If you are looking for a VUN motorcycle at a more affordable price then this is a good place to start.

There are currently two VUNs on sale at this site:

These VUNs are selling at €11,800 and €12,500 respectively. Every VUN is unique with its own specification and customization. For more details visit the CR&S second hand web page.

The motorcycles listed on this site are certified to be original CR&S motorcycles. CR&S Motorcycles is not directly involved in the trade-ins. The page is only a service for CR&S customers.

VUN Eye Candy

Oliver Thiel, of Thiel Motorsport, is planning a new "big bike killer" VUN. The all important graphic design details are being finalized and if these are anything to go by this VUN will really turn heads.

The design is by Steven Flier from Stuttgart, Germany. Steven was recently responsible for this iconic BMW 1000RR design...

Oliver's plans include a target weight of 120kg with 70-75HP.

Motus MST

The Motus motorcycle company has just released this video of the sports touring bike they have been developing over the past few years. The project is coming along nicely, and that V-4 engine sounds great.

Sounds like they are using a "big bang" firing order as per the current Ducati Desmoseidici Moto GP bike. But the Motus has a longitudinally-mounted crankshaft (a-la Moto Guzzi) powering the rear wheel via a drive shaft rather than a chain.

Given that a small team of enthusiasts can get this far on a shoestring, seems to me that Moto Guzzi just haven't been trying in recent years (decades). Bad for them, and the countless Moto Guzzi fans around the world... good for Motus.

Jungle Boogie

Below: Deus Ex Machina's new Temple of Enthusiasm in Bali.

Deus Ex Machina - Temple Of Enthusiasm, Bali from Deus Customs on Vimeo



1978 XS650 from Deus Customs on Vimeo

Above: the simple essence of motorcycling + I want a t-shirt like that!