That's right: the aluminum RAD02 frame (3600 Euros) weighs in at just 4.2 kilos, or less than a loaded M-16.
Sometimes you get some eye candy that’s so delicious you feel guilty stuffing it into your eye-hole all alone. So I thought I’d share this particularly delectable streetfighter from Spanish custom builders/racers/parts suppliers Radical Ducati (RAD). It’s called the RAD02 Pursang and I want to ride one very badly.
Radical Ducati started with a custom chromoly frame, mated to a Ducati S2R single-sided swingarm with Öhlins shock. An Öhlins fork goes in front, and forged Marchisini wheels keep the bike rolling. RAD’s own custom triple clamps go underneath a Rizoma handlebar and clamps. The bodywork—what there is—is all out of the RAD catalog; carbon fiber “seat” (I use that term loosely here) and aluminum gas tank. Instrumentation is by Italian supplier Aviacompositi.
The motor, of course, has been heavily modded. The donor is a Multistrada 1100 unit, pumped up with new cams, ported heads, NCR titanium valves, a rattling, chattery dry slipper clutch and 41mm flat-slide carbs. Exhaust goes out a very anti-social WolfMan two-into-one system.
RAD doesn’t list power or weight specs for this bike. I’d expect about 110 horsepower at the wheel and 320 pounds ready to ride. Compare that to maybe 85 hp and 470 pounds or more from the stock air-cooled Multistrada. I rode an NCR Leggera, which had similar specs (although at a much, much higher pricetag) and it was orgasmic and terrifying at the same time. Orgasmifying?
RAD has a garage full of customs based on its RAD02 parts. So why call this the Pursang? We all know the Pursang as the famous motocrosser that put Bultaco on the lips of American dirt-riders in 1974 when the Mark 7 hit the market. With performance approaching a works motocrosser, the Pursang Mark 7 drew customers off their Japanese-built machines with better performance at a competitive price. Still, it was no 110-hp cafe racer.
But who cares? The name rolls off the tongue (say it in a Ricardo Montalban voice and you’ll see what I mean) and promises lightweight high performance—and fun. You can build a RAD02 custom yourself, in fact—RAD sells all the bits you need (except the motor—you’ll have to stalk eBay for one of those), although they’re not cheap. Frames start at 1800 Euros (the aluminum version, which weighs in at under 10 pounds, is 3600) and the exquisite tank is 1293 Euros. Sign me up! I’m sure Dirck won’t mind me dipping into the MD expense account.
I am really shocked at some of the reader responses. Do you people even ride motorcycles? How can you complain about this thing? It has a stellar Ducati DS motor mounted to a custom chassis with Ohlins suspension and Marchesini wheels. Radial or no, those brakes look like they would stop the bike. This bike is bare because it was made to be light and ridable. Get off your computer seat and get onto your bike seat. I just got back from a 1721-mile ride on a Buell XB12S two hours ago (Cincinnati to New Orleans via Natchez Trace Parkway.)
You can build it yourself?! Does that take off some $$$ off the price?
Thanks Gabe. This is the coolest motorcycle I have seen since the NCR Legerra. Sorry about all of the posters that just don’t get it.
No radial-mount brakes… let’s be cheap, maybe no one will notice?
Sorry. A real Pursang does fourth gear power wheelies, doesn’t turn or stop well, and is loud enough to frighten small children from two blocks away. This bike is cool, but is most certainly not a pursang.
I will be nice and say.. I can think of many things to can this motorcycle.. but eye candy is not one of them.
It appears everyone else is as well. I just don’t see it.
I messed up. I meant this as a reply below last post.
Like everything except the exhaust. Fugly pipes.
xootrx says:
July 19, 2011 at 7:06 am
“It appears everyone else is as well. I just don’t see it.”
I agree with craigj and xootrx. I am not a fan of the wrapped pipe look, and there are too many bends. I cannot imagine that the pipe is tuned for optimum airflow, nor is it attractive. Neither form nor function succeeds in my book with this exhaust. The rest of the bike is gorgeous, though.
The bike is carbureted, so I’m sure the pipes are designed to be equal-length, i.e. tunable. That should put some function back into the equation for you.
Looks like another example of the currently fadish “assembled in junkyard” look. Do people who buy these high powered naked bikes just avoid the freeways or do they shoot up steroids for their arms.
Seriously ugly collection of bits and pieces which appear to be held together with black plastic tie wraps.What??
Where’s the ‘buy now’ button?!
A beautiful piece, defines orgasmifying.
So I am kinda new to the extreme naked bike popularity….reminds me of when Harley Choppers came out, steal a bike, bolt the parts on a custom frame and go get it registered…..hope that is not what this fad is all about.
Awesome! I love all the models on their website. Thanks for the great eye candy MD!!
LOVE it. I have a 2001 Aprilia RSV Mille that I recently crashed at Sears Point – I put it all back together this weekend for a friend to ride on our trip to Laguna Seca. While I had it all apart I was thinking how awesome it would be to strip it down and make it a mean naked streetfighter. Talk about a timely article! This is just the inspiration I need – thanks for another great article Gabe!
320 pounds ready to ride sounds way off. NCR claims their base Leggera is 328 dry (CW says 347), and that’s already with the titanium frame, carbon wheels, and other trickery that the Pursang doesn’t have.
I think you’re right! The Leggera I rode had $75,000 in custom parts to get it under 300 pounds “with a splash of gas.” This bike would probably be more like 350.
Titanium is usually heavier than aluminum for frames, plus this is air cooled, it’s a pretty simple bike. 320 would still be incredible but I can see it being close to the Leggra.
That’s eye candy, eh? I suppose, if you’re into dark chocolate covered wasabi.
I’m in favor of both the bike’s design and your dessert idea.
WOW! I just bought an old Monster with a few of those mods, love it. Gives me a new level to take it to!
Bultaco Pursang! Great race memories. And this new Pursang looks to be great as well.
Hmmm, a Ducati engined naked (really naked) with a Bultaco name. Too naked in my opinion.
Too naked? I bet you leave your socks on during sex then
Where does the line start?