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Inside News
Ducati continues to deliver on their commitment to their flagship Panigale V4 family with the introduction of the 2023 models and a series of improvements to the bikes’ suite of electronics that are focused on creating a more intuitive experience for every rider.
Included in the enhancements is the new Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO 2 software which refines engine braking based on the current load on the rear tire with gear-by-gear calibration for each of the three selectable levels. In addition, an updated version of 2023 Ducati Panigale V4 S. PHOTO COURTESY OF DUCATI MEDIA HOUSE the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) has been designed to improve shifts at both partial and full throttle opening. These updates as well as improvements to the Ducati Traction Control and Ride by Wire systems will be included on the 2023 Panigale V4, Panigale V4 S and Panigale V4 SP models.
Visit www.ducati.com/ca/ for further details on the 2023 Panigale models and the complete Ducati lineup. IM
2023 KTM 50 SX Factory Edition.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KTM CANADA
2023 KTM 50 SX Factory Edition
Making sure that motocross racers of every age have the opportunity for a factory experience, the engineers and designers at KTM have created the latest version of the 50 SX Factory Edition. Featuring a full FMF exhaust system, Dunlop Geomax MX53 tires and CNC-machined components as well as race-focused gearing, jetting and clutch configuration, this Factory Edition minibike embodies the brand’s Ready to Race mantra.
Factory-inspired orange and blue graphics round out this latest 2023 model from KTM is available on showroom floors now with an MSRP of $6,499.
For more information visit www.ktm.com/en-ca/. IM
All-new KX250 Headlines Kawasaki 2023 Off-road Lineup
Kawasaki has unveiled their 2023 lineup of off-road vehicles including the new KX250 motorcrosser and KX250X cross-country racer.
The four-stroke competition-ready KX250 features an updated 249 cc liquid-cooled engine that has been reworked to provide improved performance at all rpm. The increased power is complemented by revised gearing targeted at the requirements of racing as well as fine-tuned suspension and Dunlop MX33 tires and a wider 110/90-19 rear tire.
MSRP for the 2023 KX250 is $9,999 while the KX250X, which shares many of the updates from its motocross sibling, will retail for $10,099.
Visit www.kawasaki.ca for complete details and specifications. IM 10 Inside Motorcycles
Ducati World Premiere 2023
Starting on September 2, Ducatista around the world will be turning their attention towards YouTube as the Ducati World Premiere 2023 video kicks off the unveiling of the company’s latest models with an episode titled “The Unexpected.”
Additional episodes will follow at scheduled intervals until the seventh and final video “Next Gen Freedom” ushers in the 2022 EICMA show on November 7.
In addition to viewing the World Premiere 2023 series on Ducati’s YouTube channel, the videos will also be available on the company’s www.ducati.com website. IM
Inside Motorcycles from coast to coast
The lastest issue of Inside Motorcycles is always as close by as your local newsstand, whether you are on Vancouver Island, the prairies, Ontario or as IM off-road editor Mark Dzikowski discovered on a recent trip to the east side of the country to test the 2023 Beta two-stroke lineup, even in Antigonish, NS.
Of course, for those who prefer to receive their reading material in the mailbox, a visit to www.insidemotorcycles.com/subscribe/ online will guide you through the simple steps of securing a subscription.
Watch for Mark’s review of the 2023 two-stroke Betas in an upcoming issue of
Inside Motorcycles. IM
Can-Am Unveils Electric Models
Following up on announcements earlier this year outlining their intention to expand their product offerings with all-electric motorcycles, Can-Am has now officially unveiled the first two models of this all-new lineup.
Targetted at riders in search of dual-sport capabilities, The Can-Am Pulse and Origin. PHOTO COURTESY OF CAN-AM. Can-Am describes the Origin model as being “designed to bring new exhilaration to both the street and the trail for a more modern multi-terrain experience.” Conversely, the Can-Am Pulse is intended to offer “a balanced and agile motorcycle designed to immerse riders in the energy of the city and transform their daily commute into an electric joyride.” Both models will utilize Can-Am’s Rotax E-Power technology. These models also represent Can-Am’s return to the production of two-wheeled motorcycles after a 35-year hiatus.
Can-Am anticipates unveiling the full specifications for these new models by August 2023 with availability on showroom floors by mid-2024. IM
Suzuki Finalizes MotoGP Exit
Byline Goes Here
Following the company’s early May announcement of its intention to cease involvement in MotoGP, Suzuki has recently confirmed that an agreement has now been reached with series operator Dorna to facilitate the termination of the brand’s pre-existing obligation to remain in the championship until 2026.
In addition to ceasing participation in MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season, Suzuki has also announced that it will also exit the Endurance World Championship at the same time. IM
Suzuki's decision to exit MotoGP leaves 2020 world champion Joan Mir in search of a ride for the 2023
season. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUZUKI RACING
Trystan Hart Taking on the World
Inside Motorcycles 2021 Athlete of the Year Trystan Hart continues to demonstrate his ability to compete with the best hard enduro racers in the world. Following his seventh-place finish in the 2021 Red Bull Romaniacs, the FMF KTM Factory rider continued to improve on his results picking up a hard-earned fourth place in the 2022 edition as well as successfully defending his AMA Hard Enduro championship. This follows Hart’s third place finish earlier this summer at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria. As Hart builds towards defending his Red Bull Outliers championship this August in Alberta, his current trajectory has definitely elevated him to “the one to beat” status. IM
Hart competing in the 2022 Red Bull Romaniacs near Sibiu Romania. PHOTO COURTESY OF RED BULL CONTENT POOL
VRRA’s Vintage Sidecar Award of Excellence
By Graham Clayton
This year’s VRRA Vintage Festival at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) circuit will include the naming of the first recipient(s) of the new David G. Powell Vintage Sidecar Award of Excellence. Dave Powell was initially a 250 GP class road racer who in 1969 made the switch for three seasons to driving a sidecar rig with passenger Steve Rice. The duo won both the Canadian Sidecar championship and the first ever North American Sidecar championship, and in 1970 set a CTMP sidecar lap record of 1:51.2 that stood for 47 years.
Dave retired from racing in 1971 to pursue a career, raise a family and enjoy other adventures that eventually included a return to solo road racing while living in Vancouver. In 2009 he retired back to the Windsor-Essex area where he got the bike racing bug once again and at the age of 70 started vintage sidecar racing with the VRRA. Those were six good years. Sadly, Dave passed away in his sleep in March of 2021.
The VRRA’s new commemorative trophy, donated by the Powell family, was sculpted out of a single block of mahogany by BC master carver Ben Furse. Ben used to ride with Dave out on the west coast. The trophy features a No. 90 racing sidecar driver and passenger approaching a curve through the centre of a laurel victory wreath. No. 90 was the number used by Dave and his VRRA passengers Jonathan Minnett, Dave Lloyd, Dale Minnett and Jason Fitch. IM
The David G. Powell Vintage Sidecar Award of Excellence. PHOTO BY GRAHAM CLAYTON
The October 2012 issue of Inside Motorcycles was packed full of twowheeled fun and adventure, highlighted by rallies, road racing and a look at the trend of retro-inspired models.
Introducing readers to the Alberta Badlands area, IM travel writer R. Bruce Thomas wrote about a trip to Drumheller to take in the Ride the Valley event hosted by the Drumheller Motorcycle Madness Society. This annual event was put on hold the last couple of years due to COVID-19 health restrictions, but will hopefully return in the near future. In the meantime, the third annual Rally in the Rockies, featured in this issue, continues to highlight the world-class riding in Alberta.
Racing coverage of the 2012 season included Jordan Szoke’s eighth Superbike title. Szoke would continue his winning ways for many more years while breaking records previously held by racers like 2011 Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee Rueben McMurter, who was featured in the same issue. While Szoke continues to recover from a pre-season motocross accident that will keep him out of action in 2022, there is no shortage of racing action this year and you can stay on top of it with the IM Podium Rundown starting of page 48.
Among the racing related content in October 2012 was the announcement of the new Rockyview Motorsports Park scheduled to be built to the north of Calgary, AB.
While it involved overcoming multiple unforeseen obstacles, including relocation to an alternate site, thanks to the determination of the track’s developer, the renamed Rocky Mountain Motorsports facility saw motorcycles on track in 2022. IM
