Following the evolution of its bigger sibling (the Suzuki DR650SE), the Suzuki DR-Z400S remains visually unchanged for 2010, but ads a few distinctive touches in order to stand out by its own. Mechanically, the new DR doesn’t feature any late additions worth to brag about, so it remains the same bulletproof built machine on the trails and a docile commuter when not on them.
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Suzuki doesn’t miss a year from impressing its consumers with the middleweight V-Strom model, so the bike is not only present in the 2010 lineup, but comes in three different versions: the V-Strom 650, V-Strom 650 ABS and V-Strom 650 SEA ABS Touring all get their general characteristics from their bigger siblings, the V-Strom 1000 models so there’s plenty to expect in all possible matters.
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Suzuki plays an important role in the dual-sport category, like always before, with the V-Strom 1000 model. A bike designed for all kinds of roads and all kinds of riders, this is without a doubt a benchmark in matters of versatility and comfort with many secrets yet to be unveiled by every rider individually. Furthermore, Suzuki also offers the V-Strom 1000SE Touring, which raises the bike’s long haul credentials.
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Ducati Newport Beach has come up with what appears to be the first Multistrada 1200 race replica, which they plan to take to the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
The 1200S features a smaller windscreen, hand guards and a new tail section. This means no luggage racks, lights or number plate holder, making the bike look much more suitable for pumping adrenaline. Also, although it doesn’t make any difference when ridding the bike, that 1198-like red/white/black paintjob does send a clue about the Italian two-wheeler’s racing inspirations.
No word on any possible power increase yet, but considering the standard model’s 150hp, there shouldn’t be any, or at least not a significant one. Expect to find this in Pikes Peak, Colorado on June 26-27.
The Ducati Multistrada 1200 is a highly successful motorcycle due to its huge versatility, so a racing replica should delight everyone planning to buy such a model in the future. We shall wait and see if Ducati makes a move in the near future.
Versatility sells. That’s a fact. But when the level of orders exceeds even the manufacturer’s expectations is when you know you got yourself a winner in your lucky hands. This pretty much describes Ducati’s case with the all-new Multistrada 1200, which was introduced in the United States this past weekend. Turns out that the 150hp and over 87lb/ft of torque Italian motorcycle featuring four different riding modes – Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro – won the hearts of the Americans and Ducati has pre-sold more than 500 units. They even call it "2010’s Hottest Motorcycle," and it now comes with a sixty-day waiting period. Please read the press release after the jump.
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BMW has issued a recall of 122,000 motorcycles worldwide because of pipe problems to the front braking system. The affected models are K 1200 GT and R 1200 GS manufactured between August 2006 and May 2009.
The respective models were first recalled over the same issue two years ago, but the solution found then – bringing in new brake houses – didn’t prove as reliable as expected. Apparently, as a result of vibrations, the brakes could leak but BMW reports that there should be no problems as long as the fluid level in the front brake reservoir is the right one. More after the jump.
Check this out! It is a funny Yamaha commercial from Italy, where they advise riders to “Treat Every Yamaha as it Was Yours.” That guy sure does so with that FZ8 despite the fact that he actually rides a Super Ténéré.
What do you think of this for a Yamaha way to promote two of their latest motorcycles on the European market?
BMW has launched four new special edition models to celebrate the GS model’s 30th anniversary. The bikes, which are R1200GS and Adventure, F800 and F650GS models, mainly stand out thanks to the new BMW Motorrad Motorsport paintscheme, decals, handguards, spoked wheels, red seats and tinted windscreens.
These modern machines pay tribute to the first GS model, the famous 1980 R80GS, also acknowledged as being one of the first enduro bikes around, also thanks to its Dakar success. BMW’s celebration range is called “30 Years GS” and you can check out each model’s details after the jump.
Either the owner of this Suzuki DR is willing to take his enduro bike across the continent or only to the cesspit and back as he has fitted the bike with probably the world’s larges panniers, so there’s got to be a great purpose for someone to ruin his bike like that.
Still, we have all the reasons to believe the guy actually uses that stuff to carry his luggage as the panniers can be locked…why would anyone lock the garbage? Also, he has a fuel canister on the side, so this is definitely a homemade long distance motorcycle. Love it or not, it gets the job done.
Aprilia has come a long way with the Pegaso 650 and we’re now witnessing the presence of more than one such model in their lineup. The Factory and Trail are two similar and yet very different models. Although featuring the same engine and chassis, one fits in the supermotard category and the other in the enduro one. This really shows the Italian manufacturer’s talent in transforming a bike depending on the requests of riders, but also how versatile the Pegaso 650 actually is.
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