The DUU. Italian Design. American S&S X-Wedge Performance.

0duu1duu2duuA common perception of the current V-Twin custom motorcycle scene is that all builders build new old school style motorcycles or do makeovers of classic and vintage bikes. Like other magazines, I am probably responsible for giving this impression. As a matter of fact, many builders in the US and even more abroad are dedicated to creating machines using only the best of today’s technology.

3duu4duuThe DUU ( the Milanese word for number 2) is a perfect example of a very sophisticated custom motorcycle where quality is measured by the way the best performance parts are mixed together to produce the best of each other. Objective is to create a machine sweating performance even when standing still and of course offering a very pleasing aesthetic configuration.

The Italian duo behind custom shop CR&S is considered in Italy one of the best team of experts in motorcycle history and technology. Giorgio Sarti, engineer and journalist, is the author of most motorcycle  books published in Italy, and Giovanni Cabassi owns one of the most important collection of historical motorcycles. Because of their knowledge, they could have leaned towards restoring old bikes. Instead, they build modern high end bikes hoping to contribute to the future of motorcycling.

5duu6duuTheir 3 limited edition bike models (the Duu Alleger featured here, the Duu Nottenbia and Duu Sbirluscenta) are powered by the same S&S Cycle air-cooled 56° 1916cc X-Wedge v-twin engine that produces 91 bhp at 5100rpm and 148Nm of torque at 2,500 to 4,700rpm. An awesome motor requiring a custom frame that the shop formed with one large-section of stainless steel tube working as the backbone and partially, as the fuel tank, and other smaller parts that are also made of stainless steel and connected to each other by light alloy components. The custom single-sided swingarm is also stainless steel tubing.

7duuBodywork is typical of the 2-wheel Italian racing spirit, mixing muscled up components for a racy performance styling. The Duu rolls on a pair of 17” machined-alloy wheels shod with 120/70 front and a 190/55 rear tires. Front suspension is via beefy adjustable (rebound damping and spring preload) 48mm forks. In the rear, a fully adjustable mono shock. Braking job is done via twin 320mm front brake discs with radial-mount 4-piston calipers and a single 260mm rear disc with 2-piston caliper. DUU’s weight is 540 lbs dry (245kg) Full tech sheet below. Live  your life. Go fast… CR&S Custom Motorcycles.

Chassis:
– Hand brushed stainless steel main backbone frame/fuel tank and single sided swing arm.
– Self supporting, seats holder with light alloy box structure designed to carry pilot, passenger, fuel and accessories.
– Light alloy machined from billet passenger’s foot pegs and foot peg holders, with black anodized finish.
– Polished Light alloy passenger’s handgrips, horn cover intake protection and dashboard holder.
– Light alloy yokes, risers, caliper holders, “Y” shaped chassis holder, engine/chassis main plates, shock absorber and plate dumper.

Power train:
– Engine, primary case and gearbox in light alloy, black wrinkled finish and polished/chromed covers.
– Light alloy black finish oil tank with raw intercooler fins.
– Stainless steel exhaust system. Matte grey finish and shot peening treatment..

Wheels:
– Light alloy multi-piece, black hub and spokes, milled borders, hand polished rims.

Brakes:
– Double CR&S/Discacciati light alloy front radial calipers machined from solid with 4 pistons – – Single Brembo rear 2 pistons floating caliper with silver finish.

Discs:
– Front: double 320 mm SBK floating “Wave” disks with machined cuts and light alloy drivings and machined flanges with black anodized finish.
– Rear: single “Wave” floating SBK with machined cuts.

Suspension:
– Fork: light alloy upside-down adjustable forks with caliper holders
– Shock absorber: Light alloy single progressive adjustable rear shock absorber with black spring.

Controls:
– Light-alloy variable section black handlebar.
– Discacciati radial front brakes and clutch master cylinders, machined from solid.
– Black light alloy dashboard with black aluminium holder.
– Black rear view mirrors

Structural carbon details:
– License plate holder, front and rear fenders supports and engine/frame air duct/heat shields with matt finish.
Carbon body parts:
– Clutch’s cover protection, exhaust slash cut pipes cover , rear master cylinder’s and tension regulator’s case protections, belly pan, chain protection with matt finish.
– Front and rear fenders, headlight cover, front air intakes, wire tunnel’s side covers, horn cover, tail.

23 Responses to “The DUU. Italian Design. American S&S X-Wedge Performance.”


  1. 1 M&M CUSTOMS Oct 19th, 2015 at 8:17 am

    I’ll take one in red and one in a matte black and charcoal please.

  2. 2 Jerry Oct 19th, 2015 at 8:18 am

    A great bike in its category. Yes, made to go very fast.

  3. 3 Woody's Oct 19th, 2015 at 8:27 am

    Love the look, but all that money for a sub 100HP two liter bike? Yes, plenty of torque, but I guess I expect more from this kind of bike.

  4. 4 highrpm Oct 19th, 2015 at 8:41 am

    the website states
    “price starting from euro 39.039”

    39.039 Euro equals
    44.27 US Dollar

    what am i missing?

    artisan merchants. may they flourish.

  5. 5 Boomer Oct 19th, 2015 at 10:30 am

    Beautiful muscle bike. A work of art really. I’m reminded of the Confederate and Conquest bikes.

  6. 6 Greeko Oct 19th, 2015 at 11:49 am

    A lot of fab work on this one. Like it.

  7. 7 nicker Oct 19th, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Not clutter.
    Nice stance.
    Great design.
    In a word stunning….!

    -nicker-

  8. 8 dhaffa Oct 19th, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    a bit close to a 2008 Benelli TNT 😉

  9. 9 NoH2oh Oct 19th, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    I think the bodywork may be a little too busy, but beyond that what is there to moan about?

  10. 10 NoH2oh Oct 19th, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Oh yeah……..and fuel in frame, underslung exhaust and honking air cooled American v-twin. Erik Buell must be smiling.

  11. 11 James just another crazy kiwi Oct 19th, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    I am sure it must be there some where ? what gear box is it running ??

  12. 12 Mdsphoto Oct 19th, 2015 at 7:21 pm

    Would trade in my bike tomorrow for one of these.

  13. 13 Dave Blevins Oct 19th, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    I like very much… this is the kind of bike I’ve been wishing HD would produce for last few years.

  14. 14 Seymour Oct 19th, 2015 at 9:49 pm

    Transformers: Robots in Disguise

  15. 15 Aloha-Terry Oct 19th, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    Huba…Huba…sweat and beauty all at one time. I like it!

  16. 16 Tom Ryan Oct 19th, 2015 at 11:30 pm

    I thought the bike was pretty nice when I saw it this morning. Upon further review I wonder how the bike would look if those front air intakes were also attached to the bottom of the front headlight, and then add a narrow piece of carbon fiber at the rear of the intakes and back toward the bottom of the whole gas tank? I also might want the seat a couple of inches lower and longer.

  17. 17 Paul Oct 20th, 2015 at 5:26 am

    @highrpm, euro style of writing uses dot instead of comma in money representation. So US dollars would be about $44,504 at current exchange rate.

  18. 18 clickob Oct 20th, 2015 at 5:29 am

    Whao man 1 I need to take a ride on it ! hell yeah !

  19. 19 Woody's Oct 20th, 2015 at 8:35 am

    I would imagine Mr. Buell will only be smiling if the bike is a flop.

  20. 20 Calif Phil Oct 20th, 2015 at 8:37 am

    Gorgeous !!!

  21. 21 Steve Hog Radio Show Producer Oct 20th, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    Very clean nice design. Someone above stated 100MPH? where does it state this info – I suspect a lot faster than that. Love the color.

    Too bad these guys are in Italy and probably only speak Italian otherwise would get them on the show.

  22. 22 NoH2oh Oct 20th, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    Why is that Woody??

  23. 23 Blackmax Oct 20th, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    I love anything with an S & S X-Wedge in it
    Riding position is not for my old bones,
    but Boy, what a fun ride it looks like it is !
    Would probably keep up with or pass some of similar style
    Congrats! Nice job !!!

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Cyril Huze