Etc.

ETC.

LAMBRETTA RETURNS

Performance Scooters, a Canadian company, says it will import Lambretta scooters to the U.S. in 1995. The GP200, powered by a 200cc two-stroke, will retail for $1700. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation testing will begin later this year. Performance Scooters say the GP200 should have no trouble passing emissions tests, since the scooter has already passed such tests in European countries with stringent exhaust tests. For more information, contact Performance Scooters (105 Irvine Ave., Westmount, Quebec, Canada, 514/932-2414).

BARKER’S NEW BOXER

Dutch chassis specialist Nico Bakker will soon release a motorcycle based on BMW’s R110ORS, which he will market for the street and for Twins racing.

Bakker uses the engine as a fully stressed chassis member, as BMW does, retaining the shaft-drive and bolting the front suspension to the crankcases via an aluminum subframe. A tubular-steel sub-frame supports the seat. Bakker also adds an Öhlins rear shock.

Bakker’s bikes and components can now be ordered from PC. Racing in Wrightwood, California (619/249-5572).

BIAGGI CHARGES ON ELECTRIC BIKE

Max Biaggi, the Italian 250cc grand prix racer, recently established speed records for an electric motorcycle. The purpose-built bike, named Violent Violet for its bright purple paint, is about the size of a 250 GP racer and topped out at 102 mph at the Nardo track in southern Italy. Although the top-speed is respectable, power off the line is apparently rather low. Biaggi’s best standing-start quarter-mile speed was 47 mph.

MYSTERY BIMOTA ON THE WAY

Details are sketchy, but Bimota will likely introduce a new motorcycle at October’s Cologne Show unlike anything it, or any other company, has ever made. The unnamed Bimota is said to be a dynamic-looking, multi-purpose motorcycle that works well in sport, commuting and touring settings. Power will come from a 900cc engine made by one of Bimota’s current suppliers.

Bimota will also use the Cologne Show to debut the street version of its 500cc two-stroke engine, which will appear in a Tesi chassis in 1995.

DUCATI HURRIES A NEW 750

An eight-valve 750cc Ducati, the 748SR is slated to appear at the Cologne Show. The new model is said to be smaller and lighter than the 916, with similar styling. Swift production of the SP will allow it to compete next year in the FIM’s 600 Supersport class, which permits Twins as large as 750cc. Ingegnere Massimo Bordi says street and race versions will be produced.

While the SP is fast-forwarded into production, Ducati is delaying the release of its sport-tourer (see Roundup, May). Ducati decided that introducing the bike now would take a big toll on sales of the stillpopular 900SS.

ATK’S LIMITED EDITION 605

ATK has something for serious desert riders, the 605cc Nevada Rally Limited Edition. Additions to the motorcycle, which starts out as a 605 Cross-Country, include a speedometer/odometer, lights, special tires and tubes, handguards, roll chart, high-performance exhaust system, skid plate, 4.3 gallon gas tank, choice of camshafts and taller gearing. All this is yours for $7395, just $400 more than the 605 cross-country. ATK says it will produce about 200 Lmited Editions.