Sometimes, bigger doesn’t always mean better. No more is that evident with supermoto bikes. They’re not the biggest ones out there, but they sure are fun to ride.
This video proves as much. Uploaded by YouTube user Supermofools, we have here a pair of the finest supermotos in the business - a Husaberg FE570 and a KTM 640 LC4 putting in some work around a race track. The video itself isn’t about the two bikes matching wits with another, but more about seeing them seamlessly navigate around the track with the ease and versatility reserved for bikes of hits status. There are no big air jumps, which is a little bit of a bummer, but hey, you get what you can get, right?
I’ve personally ridden a KTM 640 LC4 and I can attest to its impressive handling credentials, especially when it’s in its proper environment. Watching this video kind of makes me want to hop back on one right now.
I can’t exactly do that at this moment, but rest assured, the next opportunity that I can, I’m getting in one and finding the nearest track in my neighborhood.
Yesterday, MV Agusta announced the Brutale 990R Italy 150 Special Edition, and today the company has launched the first teaser video for the 2012 F4 RR Corsacorta super bike. The new bike will make its world debut at the EICMA show in Milan in November 2011.
Compared to the standard F4 model, the new RR version will add an extra 18 HP and will be equipped with Brembo brakes, an Ohlins TTX, and carbon fiber components. The video also reveals a new paint scheme and various sport components making the RR model even more sportier than its previous version. The bike in the video features a new matte white exterior paint, but we expect more options to be offered when the bike goes on sale at the beginning of 2012. Expect prices to be in the $30K area.
UPDATE 05/11/2011: MV Agusta has revealed the official details on the 2012 F4 RR - "the most advanced and powerful superbike in the world." The new bike will be put on sale at a starting price of 22,900 euro, or about $32,900 at the current exchange rates. The F4 RR is powered by a short-stroke radial valve engine that delivers 201 HP at 13,400 rpm and will be offered with even more exotic materials and reduced weight. For 2012, the model will also get two new color schemes: pastel red/white and matte pearl white.
Hit the jump for the press release.
The Honda CB450 Cafe Racer "Bonita Applebum" started its life as a 1971 Honda CB450 bought from eBay, and believe it or not, the bike was built in a small apartment. After buying all the items needed from eBay, Pepe Luque - the guy who now owns the bike - started to clean, paint, and spit polish every piece before installing them on the frame.
Besides some minor fine-tuning, Luque worked on this project all by himself, including upsizing the main jets to compensate for the airflow in and out of the motor and replacing the Pirelli tires for some Firestones. As for the exterior paint, it was inspired by a CB450 Armadillo, while the handgrips and seat color was suggested by his flatmate. Why is the fact that he built the whole thing by himself so noteworthy? Well, Pepe Luque is colorblind.
When explaining how he came about picking the colors and getting everything just right for the bike to work, he said: "The main section I really struggled with was the wiring of the bike. As you could imagine, being color blind did not help with the colors of the wires. I was very fortunate that my girl and my brother’s wife helped with labelling the wires. For instance, yellow with a white trace, I labelled FLB (front left blinker) and so on. It took me by surprise that I nailed the wiring on first go."
Hit the jump to watch the video.
Honda was the first ever manufacturer to unveil a veritable production chopper. Yet, the public isn’t as surprised as initially expected not only because it managed to get a glimpse of the bike thanks to the different leaks, but also because the bike itself isn’t as innovative and mind-blowing as initially thought. Definitely not a disappointment, the Fury looks like a rocket taking off and if not towards your garage, you’re going to experience some sleepless nights.
After being launched last autumn at the EICMA Show in Milan as a middleweight super motard, Ducati’s all-new Hypermotard 796 turns out being, as expected, a smaller and much more versatile twin-cylinder Italian motorcycle with sportbike credentials and very aggressive looks. Let’s see what more.
At the 67th Milan International Cycle and Motorbike Show, Peugeot unveiled the new HYbrid3 Evolution Concept - a convertible version of the HYbrid3 compressor presented at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.
The HYbrid3 Evolution Concept is powered by two electric motors - one in each wheel - and a 300cc petrol engine that delivers 41 hp. The electric engines are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can be recharged by an energy recovery system active during deceleration and braking.
The concept has an average fuel consumption of 2.0 liters per 100km (141.2 mpg imp) and C02 emissions of 48 g/km.
Press release after the jump.
Choppers were born in America for American roads, but despite this fact, the continuously growing demand for such beasts in Europe determines Saxon, a US-based custom bike manufacturer to establish a European division – Saxon Motorcycles Europe – and start developing new models precisely for this new market.
The Saxon Whip is the company’s fourth such model, a hard tail chopper able to make even an accountant look like he’s most likely slapping people for fun. The fact is that the Whip, which stands out mainly thanks to its rigid frame and long fork, addresses to those riders who want the look and feel of a mean chopper, but also the relief of knowing that their ride was built using modern technology.
This precise model was recently introduced at the Arneitz Custom Show during the European Bike Week and the crowd there was delighted about it. The official press release also informs us about the opening of a new dealership in Spain. This company’s continuous evolution is due to excellent built quality and low prices on all their models. Read the press release after the break.
BMW is enjoying the benefits of their latest veritable touring bike, the K 1300 GT, which features electrically-adjustable windscreen as well as heated seat and handles as standard options. Although benefiting of an engine that produces 160 hp, the top speed is limited to 124 mph, so the new BMW would still have a hard time dethroning the Kawasaki Concours 1400. Still, it makes for one hell of a contender.
The 2009 BMW K 1300 R is a massive and very well individualized German naked which retains goodies such as the Duolever front suspension and single-sided rear swingarm with shaft included from its fully-faired sibling, the K 1300 S. The engine is the same, all-new 1293 cc, four-cylinder inline managing an outstanding 173 hp. This much amount of power together with the bike’s 217 kg dry weight position the new Beemer up against the Suzuki B-King, something that isn’t quite often seen.
Last year’s Intermot show in Germany saw BMW unveiling the 2009 K 1300 S, a bike that carries on the fame of the innovative K series by retaining the Duolever front suspension and single-sided swingarm with integrated shaft.
The new model makes a big impression on the industry’s scene not as much due to its 228 kg and 1293 cc inline-four engine that is capable of 175 hp, but more due to the optional quick shifter and the new ESA 2 (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) system.
Overall, the design hasn’t been changed except the slightly redesigned side fairings and black finished front air scoops. For 2009, the BMW K 1300 S is available in a range of new colors.
With each revamp that Yamaha performs on its machines you go through the specs sheet and at one moment you end up saying that there isn’t any way to make the product any better. But, usually after two years you’ll be surprised to find out that they’ve pulled it through very nicely again. So you start wondering which key opens the front door of the liter class each and every year for this manufacturer. An appropriate answer would be innovation as new systems are continuously being developed and implemented by Yamaha on its machines. The new R1 is probably the best example.