Yamaha ' s desire to make a highperformance middleweight sports bike based on its ' CP3 ' three-cylinder platform has been apparent for a while , and now the company has wheeled out a prototype that gives the best hint yet as to what ' s in store . The XSR900 DB40 prototype , which debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK , is ostensibly a one-off to mark the 40th anniversary of the Deltabox beam frame . But that excuse for the bike ' s existence stumbles at the first hurdle because , as Yamaha ' s own press release points out , the Deltabox initially appeared 41 years ago on the 1982 YZR500 OW61 GP bike and didn ' t reach a showroom model until the 1985 TZR250 . So , it ' s either running late or shown up two years early for the anniversary it ' s intended to mark . No , the reality is that Yamaha is planning at least one and possibly two faired sports bikes based around the aluminium Deltabox frame and 889 cc three-cylinder engine used in the current XSR900 and MT-09 roadsters . We know this because the company has filed trademark applications for two potential names - YZF-R9 and XSR GP - that could apply to the bikes . The YZF-R9 is the more definite project . Yamaha has applied for trademarks on ' YZF-R9 ' and simply ' R9 ' as well as copyrighting the ' YZF-R9 ' logo in its normal signature font , as used on the rest of the ' R ' sports bike range . However , the XSR DB40 prototype is perhaps closer in appearance to the ' XSR GP ' model that ' s also been subject

to trademarks . Could both be coming ? There ' s a good chance of it - Yamaha already sees space for the MT-09 and XSR900 in its range , despite similar stances and shared mechanical parts , because the modern look of the MT contrasts with the retro style of the XSR . The XSR900 DB40 prototype itself takes the standard Deltabox frame from the MT-09 and XSR900 , along with its CP3 engine , and adds dropped bars , raised pegs and bodywork inspired by 1980s sports bikes . The tail is similar to the single-seat XSR900 Racer bodywork kit , but instead of being a pure singleseater , it appears that it ' s actually a cover over a two-seat rear end . The tank is from the XSR900 , but the rider ' s seat is shifted forward , moving the weight distribution towards the front and giving the impression that the footpegs are further back . The pegs themselves are mounted higher than either the XSR900 or MT-09 , on suspiciously production-looking castings . Up front ,

the fairing is clearly designed to look like those 1980s TZRs , with separate , screwed on extensions on either side to deflect air past your hands . That central air intake on the nose doesn ' t appear to actually go anywhere , but it ' s in just the right spot for a headlight … As well as clip-on bars mounted below the top yoke to add a race-rep riding position , the DB40 prototype uses the adjustable forks from the MT-09 SP . By using existing parts where possible , the bike ' s R & D costs are clearly minimal - an important consideration given the relatively small market for faired sports bikes at the moment . On balance , it looks like the XSR900 DB40 prototype is likely to reach production looking much like it does here , probably carrying the ' XSR GP ' name . The YZF-R9 is also looking nearcertain for production , probably sharing most , if not all , its mechanical bits with this bike , but wrapping the package in more modern R1-style bodywork .

London based Zapp has been granted twin European patents for its " sector-transforming " i300 Electric Urban Motorcycle ahead of customer deliveries that are slated to start later this year . The patents are for Zapp ' s unique Z-shaped exoskeleton and removable front fenders . " Exoskeleton endows i300 with a unique combination of step-through scooter convenience and motorcycle performance and handling , whilst enhancing sustainability and manufacturability . Removable fenders unlock near-unlimited colourway personalisation options ".

The Bologna based FIVE Group ( Fabbrica Italiana Veicoli Elettrici ) has announced Italian market comeback distribution of the Chinese Tromox brand of electric motorcycles - including the brand ' s flagship UKKO S ( and UKKO S lite ) with a nominal 4 kw mounted motor , which reaches a peak of 8 kw , the UKKO S reaches a maximum speed of 90 km / h and has a range of up to 130 km . FIVE Group is a network of some 60 retailers in the motorcycle and scooter market segment .

Ducati has announced a Web3 digital collectible programme in partnership with Web3Pro and the XRP Ledger - " a new opportunity to extend the experience of Ducatisti around the world and reach new fans , the programme includes the release of a sequence of digital collectibles dedicated to telling the history of Ducati and the company ' s present , while keeping an eye on the future ".

Sources : AMD , IDN , FT , Reuters , PSB , MPN , BDN , MCN , AP , Bloomberg , MSNW , Electrek , electricmotorcycles . news , RideApart . com , Motor1 . com , Cycle World , motorbikewriter . com