Tag Archives: Panigale

Ducati unveils White Rosso Panigale V2

Ducati has unveiled a gorgeous White Rosso livery for the Panigale V2 which debuted at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan last year in Ducati Red.

It is expected to be in showrooms in the next month.

Price has not yet been revealed, but the red V2 is $A22,900 ride away and if previous white editions are a guide, it should cost about $200-300 more.

Ducati says the White Rosso livery has “Star White Silk” as its main colour with Ducati Red colours the rims, the front air intakes and the deflectors of the upper half-fairings.Ducati Panigale V2 in white

This new livery is complemented by a large Panigale V2 logo on the lower half fairings, inspired by the graphics of Ducati Corse motorcycles.

To showcase the new livery, the bike in the photos was “modelled” by Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia of the Pramac Racing Team at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”.

Poetry in motion

Ducati Panigale in whitePecco with V2

As usual, the official Ducati press release has a lot of poetic description as well as some flowery “quotes” from Pecco:

“Since 2016, my personal motto has been #GoFree. For me it means living in a light-hearted and carefree way, having fun and giving priority to the things you love to do. I think the Panigale V2 fits well with this definition and reflects my way of being “, said Pecco Bagnaia after trying the Panigale V2.

“The new livery, so white, is very beautiful and different from the usual. Despite being a street bike, it surprised me how much speed it can have when cornering. It is a fun, very stable and very sincere bike that allows you to go fast, safely, without becoming tired, while having a very strong and decisive character and personality.”Ducati Panigale V2 in white

Panigale V2 power

Panigale V2 is Ducati’s entry model Panigale.

It is powered by the Euro5-compliant 955cc Superquadro twin-cylinder engine with 115kW of power (155hp) at 10,750rpm and 104Nm of torque at 9000rpm.

More than 70% of the maximum torque is available above 5500rpm, allowing riders to exit corners quickly.

The chassis is based on the monocoque frame inspired by the Panigale V4 with a single-sided swingarm and under-engine silencer.Ducati Panigale V2 in white

The electronic rider-aid package includes “cornering” Bosch ABS, an electronic gearbox with up/down quickshift and wheelie control.

All controls are integrated into the three Riding Modes (Race, Sport and Street) that can be modified via the 4.3” TFT colour dashboard.

It comes with fully-adjustable suspension with 43mm Showa Big Piston Forks and a Sachs shock absorber.

The V2 is shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II multi-compound tyres.

There is also a Sachs steering damper, Brembo brakes with M4.32 monobloc callipers activated by a radial brake master cylinder. The discs are 320mm at the front and single 245mm rear disc.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ducati selling more premium bikes

Ducati has posted its 20129 financial results which shows a record in turnover for per bikes sold which indicates they are selling more premium bikes.

The financial results come amid the factory being closed by the pandemic for cleaning and restructuring to allow workers to have more distance between them.

Ducati expects to reopen the factory on Wednesday (25 March 2020).

Several motorcycle factories have also closed across Europe and Asia for cleaning as well as Harley-Davidson in the USA.

The latest to join the factory closures is Royal Enfield in India and the UK until March 31.

All these production halts may not have an immediate effect on motorcycle supplies, but could result in longer term delays, especially on spare parts.

Ducati resultsDUCATI MOTOR HOLDING premium

Ducati has announced it “delivered” 53,183 motorcycles last year. That doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how many were sold.

It’s the fifth consecutive year the Bologna factory has receded deliveries above 50,000.

Ducati report turnover of €716 million ($A1332m) and €52m ($A97m) in operating profit, equal to 7.2% of operating margin.

While the Scrambler has become the biggest-selling model since its release in 2015, Panigale and Multistrada are generating the most income.

The company says turnover per bike of about €13,500 ($A235,120) per motorcycle represents the highest value in the history of the company.

They say this indicates a move toward the premium part of the market.

Panigale was the best-selling super sports bike in the world for the second consecutive year, with a market share of 25%.

The Multistrada family recorded the highest value of motorcycles sold since entering the market in 2003. last year the Multistrada family added the 950 S and 1260 Enduro.

Premium Streetfighter V4

Ducati EICMA Streetfighter V4 voteDucati Streetfighter V4 wins most beautiful bike at EICMA

The premium Streetfighter V4 should also help lift turnover-per-motorcycle when it is released this year.

It was unveiled in November 2019 at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan where it won the most beautiful bike award.

Price and delivery have not yet been revealed.

However, we expect they may be announced when Ducati telecasts a presentation on Wednesday (25 March 2020) featuring techs involved in developing the bike.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ducati launches Project 1708 (Superleggera)

Ducati launches Project 1708 which is code for the V4 Superleggera on Thursday (6 February 2020).

It is expected to be one of the world’s most powerful street-legal super bikes with 167kW (224hp) at 15,250 revs.

Throw on the optional Akrapovic full racing exhaust system and power is boosted to 174kW (234bhp), even beating the supercharged Kawasaki H2 at 171kW (230hp).

That compares with the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory at 162kW (217hp) and new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade with 160kW (212hp).

CEO Claudio Domenicali gushed about the project in this invitation:

All the bikes we produce are a declaration of our desire for perfection. But nothing is comparable with the Project 1708 is a true statement of intent, it is thew monument in which we draw a line between trying and doing. Iy is out most pioneering creature.

Super lightDucati V4 Superleggera super power

As we can see from the top image plus this leaked photo (above), it will feature a lot of lightweight carbon-fibre bike.

So the bike will weigh just 152kg which is 20kg less than the V4R, hence the term superleggera (super light).

The Superleggera’s Desmosedici Stradale R V4 engine is a big jump up from the “standard” V4 with (155kW/208hp, 124Nm) and V4S/R (top of page) with 159kW (214hp).

However, it is expected to have a super cost as well at $US100,000 (about $A145,000).

Superleggera will be produced in a limited edition of 500. We expect they will only be available here on order.

It will also feature MotoGP livery, exotic components (top-shelf Brembo brakes and Ohlins suspension) with all-LED lighting.

Ducati is expected to start production in April 2020 with deliveries the following month.

Like the V4R, it will have bi-place wings plus extra winglets to increase downforce at 270km/h from 30kg to 50kg.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ducati to launch Scrambler Motard or Desert X

Ducati will add another Scrambler model to its fleet “in the coming months”, either an 803cc street motard or an 1100cc desert-racing Dakar model.

The vague announcement came in the company’s annual report on 2019 global sales which were fairly flat at 53,183, just 179 more than 2018.

There was no mention of Scrambler sales figures.

Maybe they have slipped, although Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali said as recently as last November that Scrambler is now the company’s biggest seller with more than 70,000 sales since launch in 2015.

At the end of the official press release, they say:

Last but not least, the Ducati Scrambler range – which saw the new 800 Dark presented at EICMA – will see the introduction of a new model in the coming months.

It doesn’t give much away, but we suspect it will be either the motard or Dakar model debuted at EICMA in Milan last November.

Meanwhile, the Dark will be the new entry level 803cc model. It will be €800 cheaper which should mean at least $A1000 off the current price of $A13,990.

It features a matt black frame, black engine with polished fin ends, black seat with grey trim and round black mirrors.

Motard Scrambler2020 Ducati Scrambler Motard

Claudio said at EICMA that their styling department was asked to create “something unprecedented but entirely possible”.

The results are the motard and scrambler.2020 Ducati Scrambler Motard

The Motard will be based on the 803cc Scrambler.

“This is a bike we are working on right now,” said Claudio, so the production version can’t be far away.2020 Ducati Scrambler Motard

Desert X Scrambler2020 Ducati Scrambler Desert X

The Desert X is based on the 1100cc Scrambler.

It celebrates the 1990 Paris-Dakar Rally victory by Italian rider Edi Orioli on the Ducati-powered Cagiva Elefant. That bike is in now in Ducati’s museum above their Bologna factory.

Ducati Scrambler Motard Desert XDakar-winning Cagiva

“We want to build the future without forgetting the past,” Claudio said.

Interestingly, Desert X is the name of a contemporary art exhibition held in the Coachella Valley in Southern California.2020 Ducati Scrambler Desert X

While Ducati already has an 803cc Desert Sled which is more off-road capable, the Desert X will be the 1100cc equivalent.

Scrambler Ducati Desert Sled country roadScrambler Ducati Desert Sled

Ducati global sales

Ducati says they sold 8304 Panigales last year, confirming its status as the “world’s best-selling superbike with a market share of 25%”.

Two new bikes introduced in 2019 – the Hypermotard 950 and Diavel 1260 – racked up sales of 4472 and 3129 respectively, doubling the overall volumes achieved in 2018 by previous versions.

The Multistrada family performed equally well, scoring a 3% increase compared with 2018 thanks also to the addition of the 950 S and a revamped 1260 Enduro. Deliveries totalled 12,160, the best sales performance since the Bologna-built bike made its debut 16 years ago.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ducati recalls 199 and 1299 Panigale over oil leaks

Ducati Australia has recalled 183 1199 and 1299 Panigale models over a potential oil leak problem.

The official notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the engine oil breather system may operate incorrectly “possibly resulting in an oil leak from the air intake breather tube”.

“Oil may leak from the air intake on to the engine and tyres, increasing the risk of an accident and injury to the passenger(s) and other road users.”

(Not sure why the official notice thinks you would have more than one passenger!)

Owners will be sent a letter requesting them to contact their closest Ducati dealer or service agent “as soon as possible” to make an appointment for a free inspection.

The vehicle identification numbers of affected bikes are listed at the end of this article.

Panigale recalls

This is the third recall notice for Ducati this year and the first for the Panigale 1199 or 1299 since 2015.

However, Ducati has recalled the Panigale V4 five times with four recalls in its first year of production.

This latest recall comes as Ducati has announced its 2020 models, including updates for the Panigale V4.

Ducati Panigale
2020 Ducati Panigale family

Even though manufacturers and importers contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.

Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle recalls as a service to all riders.

If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.

To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:

• Australia

• USA

• New Zealand

• Canada

VINs of affected bikes

Model VIN NUMBER
1199SL ZDMH806AADB015549
1199SL ZDMH806AADB015550
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB019581
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB019582
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB019598
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB019599
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB019600
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB019601
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB019602
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021169
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021170
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021171
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021182
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021183
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021184
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021185
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021186
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021918
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB021919
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB022048
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB022049
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB022050
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB022056
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB022298
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB022299
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB022569
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB022570
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB023620
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB023621
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB023622
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB023623
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB023624
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB024285
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB024286
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB024287
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB024288
1199SL ZDMH806AAEB024289
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB001813
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB001859
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB001860
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB001861
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB001862
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB002739
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB002833
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB002910
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB002928
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003016
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003444
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003457
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003479
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003488
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003534
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003655
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003656
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003657
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003830
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB003913
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004180
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004181
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004182
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004191
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004192
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004304
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004325
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004346
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004366
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAFB004367
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005030
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005031
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005042
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005053
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005164
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005278
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005322
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005379
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005441
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB005480
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006177
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006198
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006199
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006230
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006231
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006724
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006725
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006726
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006727
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB006728
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007005
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007006
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007069
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007070
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007201
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007561
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007562
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007563
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007588
PANIGA LE R ZDMH900AAGB007641
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000075
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000201
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000223
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000225
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000224
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000226
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000286
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000287
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000288
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000293
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000294
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000297
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000307
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000326
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000327
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000330
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000343
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000344
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000363
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000364
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000368
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000369
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000370
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000371
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000372
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000373
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000374
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000375
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000387
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000389
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000391
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000393
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000395
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000495
1299SL ZDMHC00AAHB000596
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000613
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000619
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000620
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000621
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000623
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000624
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000625
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000626
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000627
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000628
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000622
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000800
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000801
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000802
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000803
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000804
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000805
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000806
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000807
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000820
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000821
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000885
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000886
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000887
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000888
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000889
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000923
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000924
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000925
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000926
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000927
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000928
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000929
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000930
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000931
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000932
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000933
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000941
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000942
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB000968
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001101
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001102
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001114
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001131
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001143
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001148
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001158
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001163
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001178
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001179
1299R FE ZDMHC02AAJB001195

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ducati V4 wheelies at touch of a button

How would you like to wheelie a Ducati Panigale V4 S at the touch of a button?

Well, now you can! However, it’s not the real thing, but a self-balancing 1:6 scale toy from Spin Master Toys costing about $A270 when it is released in August.

The Ducati-licensed Upriser has a top speed of about 20km/h and can drift, pull wheelies and do burnouts at the touch of a button.

The Upriser maintains balance by 12 small counter-rotational wheels in the rear wheel and controlled by dual optical sensors.

It is just over 35cm long and 26.5cm tall and includes working LED headlight and suspension.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ducati Panigale marks 916 25th anniversary

You better get in quick with your orders, because Ducati is producing only 500 Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 motorbikes to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the legendary 916.

The 25th anniversary edition will be unveiled at this weekend’s American round of the Superbike championship at Laguna Seca by four-time World Superbike champion Carl “Foggy” Fogarty (above).

Ducati team riders Álvaro Bautista and Chaz Davies will compete at the event on bikes with a special livery inspired by the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916.

Ducati Australia and New Zealand Marketing and Sales Operations Manager Simon Leplaw says he has no further information yet on how many Australia will be allocated or the price.Ducati Panigale V4 25th Anniversario 916 Carl Fogarty

25th anniversary edition

Apart from graphics and limited-edition numbering, it doesn’t appear that the bike has any other extras.

The ground-breaking 916cc Ducati was a masterpiece by famous designer Massimo Tamburini with its iconic twin underseat exhausts, twin-eyed headlights, gold trellis frame, single-sided swingarm and elegantly simple lines.

anniversaryDucati 916
1994 Ducati 916

The 25th anniversary edition follows the recent news that Ducati will produce a Streetfighter V4 and rumours that there will also be a Multistrada V4.

Maybe there will also be Hypermotard and Monster versions powered by the V4 Desmosedici Stradale engine.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ducati tease Pikes Peak V4 streetfighter

Ducati has issued a teaser video of what is expected to be a naked version of its V4 Panigale to tackle the annual pikes Peak Hill Hillclimb.

The video below doesn’t reveal much, but says “more to come” on June 13, which is a couple of weeks before the famous Colorado hillclimb.

Pikes Peak edition

Ducati has won the prestigious international hillclimb on several occasions and has subsequently released several Multistrada Pikes Peak editions.

So we expect the same this time with a new production model.

A couple of weeks ago, Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine released spy photos of a naked V4 being track tested.

Ducati naked V4
Image: Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine

The blurry images showed the V4 headlight, bellypan like an Aprilia Tuono and street fighter bars rather than clip-ons.

It should be noted that the Pikes Peak Hillclimb on June 30 2019 does not allow bikes with clip-ons.

Ducati wouldn’t go to so much effort to produce a bike just for one race, so we believe a production version will be unveiled on June 13.

The other clue of an impending production model is what looks like a number plate holder on the back of the bike in this photo.

Ducati naked V4
Image: Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine

The Pikes Peak racer is bound to harness the full might of the 213 horsepower (158kW) 1103cc V4 engine and maybe even more!

However, the street version may be a little tamer, although probably still more than the Aprilia Tuono’s 173hp (129kW).

After all, the Italian companies are quite competitive on and off the track.

Naked V4

There has been a lot of talk about a naked version of its V4 Panigale for some time.

In February, Italian design company Officine GP Design unveiled a custom V4 Penta.

Ducati V4 Penta naked PIkes peak
Ducati V4 Penta

However, don’t expect that girder-style fork on the production model!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Is Ducati planning new naked models?

Ducati looks like it is planning a GP-inspired Hypermotard 950 and a naked “streetfighter” version of its V4 Panigale.

A Hypermotard 950, customised by the company’s styling shop, Centro Stile Ducati, has won first place in the Concept Bikes: New Design and Prototypes by Manufacturers and Independents category at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este held at Cernobbio on Lake Como, Italy, at the weekend.Ducati naked Hypermotard 950 Concept

The concept features a compact full LED projector plus styling and technology inspired by the MotoGP bike.Ducati naked Hypermotard 950 Concept

The Hypermotard was introduced in 2005 and has been through many iterations.

Now it could have a GP-inspired version.

Let’s just hope it doesn’t have those ridiculous partially red tyres and rims!

Naked V4

There has been talk for some time of a naked version of its V4 Panigale for some time.

In February, a custom V4 Penta by Italian design company Officine GP Design was unveiled.

Ducati V4 Penta naked
Ducati V4 Penta

Now, Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine has released spy photos of a naked V4 being track tested.

Ducati naked V4
Image: Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine

The blurry images show it has the V4 headlight, but only a lower fairing and bellypan like an Aprilia Tuono.

As a street fighter it gets MX-style bars rather than clip-ons.

Since the famous Pikes Peak Hillclimb in Colorado does not allow bikes with clip-ons, this could just be a prototype to run in the event which Ducati has won on several occasions.

The hillclimb is on June 24, so the track testing seems relevant.

But surely Ducati wouldn’t go to so much effort just for one race. We think a production version will not be far away.

Ducati naked V4
Image: Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine

However, don’t expect the 1103cc engine to have the same 213 horsepower (158kW) as the V4.

No doubt they will tune it down for a street fighter version, probably just a little more than the Tuono’s 173hp (129kW).

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Netflix’s “Burn Out” Is The Latest Terrible Motorcycle Movie

The Netflix original Burn Out is a French movie about a racer looking for his big break when he gets sucked into the crime underworld and forced to run drugs on a Ducati 1299 Panigale. No, the film is not inspired by the life of Marco Lucchinelli, if that’s what you’re thinking (too soon?).

In the grand tradition of biker B-movies, Burn Out has a script seemingly written by a film school dropout who knows as little about motorcycles as he does about plot devices and character development.

It’s easy to get duped into watching because there’s a slew of Ducatis in the movie, including 959 and 1299 Panigales, an old Monster Dark, a Hypermotard, and a Diavel. There’s also a brief cameo by a Kawasaki Ninja H2 and a KTM dirt bike. Some Dainese and Arai product-placement add to the hope that “maybe—just maybe—this one will be different.” It isn’t.

The film begins at a trackday where our moody protagonist, Tony, draws the attention of a team owner looking for new talent to partner alongside real life ex-racer Chris Walker (who does not appear in the film). After Tony’s invited to a tryout—because motorcycle racing, like high school cheerleading, depends on shame-based person-to-person comparisons to uncover true talent—he discovers his baby mama has been robbed of $50,000 worth of drugs she’d stashed in her sofa. Tony, the can’t-catch-a-break good guy, is forced to “work nights” for the mustachioed family man who runs the drug game and a sinisterly neck-tattooed henchman.

Burn Out commits the usual cardinal sins of biker movies: Ducati V-twin engine noises are replaced with inline-four noises, and a perfectly good Arai XD4 is rendered unsafe after Tony, ironically, uses it to crush a man’s skull (“experience—smash!— the Arai—smash!—difference!”).

After destroying a perfectly good helmet, our protagonist loses his innocence and loses his way. Perhaps the murdering had something to do with it. But it was a nice helmet. Regardless, the whole thing unravels when Tony gets too “burned out” trying to simultaneously maintain his day job as a forklift operator, become the next Johann Zarco, and run drugs to save his family. So I guess the moral is: Don’t bite off more than you can chew, otherwise you’ll “burn out.” Real deep stuff.

Not even Ducatis can redeem a movie this terrible. If you’re looking for motorcycle drama, better stick with watching MotoGP.

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com