The Triumph Street Triple R already has some impressive credentials to its name, but just like a lot of things in this world, "impressive" isn’t impressive enough if you can help it become even more so.
That’s exactly what Triumph was thinking of with the new Street Triple R. As the hardcore version of the Street Triple, the Street Triple R comes with a host of detailed changes that improve this already outstanding motorcycle. From the fully adjustable, supersport-specification suspension to the premium graphics and color schemes, the 2012 Triumph Street Triple R is an awesome bike every which way you look at it.
Visually, the bike is the personification of mean. The fat alloy Magura handlebars, the stylish two-tone seat unit, the comprehensive instrumentation including a built-in lap timer, programmable gear change lights, clock, and gear indicator, and the large tachometer and digital speedo, all play their part in the whole set-up. The bike also has new style headlights, new mesh headstock infill panels, brushed finishes on the exhaust canisters, and the Triumph branding on the clutch and alternator covers.
In terms of performance, the Street Triple R comes powered by a 675cc liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder engine that produces an impressive 105 horsepower, providing a lively yet composed ride that few bikes in its class can replicate. After all, there’s a reason why the Street Triple R was once the recipient of numerous accolades, including “Bike of the Year” awards from Bike magazine in the UK and Moto Navi of Japan.
Simply put, this bike is a chrome menace on two wheels.
Find out more about the Triumph Street Triple R after the jump.
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Triumph’s most iconic model, the Speed Triple, delivers a new level of handling and composure to the super naked class, something that isn’t all that surprising, especially since we’re dealing with a Triumph.
With the sharpest and most aggressive look yet from a Speed Triple - and more power from the legendary 1050cc triple - the latest Speed Triple builds on a legacy that has seen over 70,000 Speed Triples sold since the model was first introduced in the market back in 1994.
At only 471 lbs. fully fueled, the latest Speed Triple is over six lbs. lighter than the previous model. The front and rear wheels are each two lbs. lighter, while the narrower frame and improved packaging allows for increased ground clearance, making the machine feel incredibly light and nimble. Adding to the superb handling and performance characteristics of the bike are new 43mm forks that offer excellent control and plushness and are fully adjustable for preload, rebound, and compression damping on both legs. Brembo radial caliper brakes grip 320mm rotors, with the option of Triumph’s anti-lock braking system, are also available to the rider.
As far as the design of the bike goes, the aggressive body panels and heavily sculpted seat accentuate the Speed Triple’s street fighting stance and complement the twin headlights. Color-coded radiator cowls are a new feature and sport stylish Speed Triple decals. Three color options are available - Crystal White, Phantom Black and Diablo Red - with color-coded flyscreen, seat cowl, and belly pan as genuine Triumph accessories.
Find out more about the Triumph Speed Triple after the jump.
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The new Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic is a testament to what happens when you combine old-school looks with new-school technology. The result is a cafe racer version of the V7 Classic retro roadster that was introduced last year.
In terms of design, the V7 Cafe Classic packs plenty of unique features, including a 31.7" seat height, high pegs, and café-style bars that make for a comfortable ride courtesy of the bullet seat. Speaking of comfort, riding the Cafe Classic won’t give you the speed thrills you’re looking for, but what it does give you is a comfortable and classy ride on a bike that exudes retro awesomeness. Even the contrasted instrumentation and the elegant, aero-inspired filler cap exudes that old-school look that has become en vogue these days.
Speaking of the engine, the V7 Cafe Classic isn’t the most powerful bike on the market, but it does have a powertrain that’s more than capable of holding its own. The bike is powered by Guzzi’s small block 750 Nevada V-twin powertrain in an old school twin shock chassis. This engine comes equipped with twin shocks, spoke wheels, and period Veglia-esque clocks, all of which add to the Classic’s vintage virtue. While the blacked-out frame, fenders, drivetrain, fork lowers, and a fast idle lever show more modern style, the combination of styling and performance makes for a bike that’s perfect for a ride out in town.
Find out more about the Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic after the jump.
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What makes the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer such a desirable bike? Lots of reasons, if you know what you’re looking for.
Built in 2008, the V7 Racer comes with a design inspired by its predecessors - the V7 Special and Sport from the seventies - but combined with the technology of a modern Moto Guzzi. The result is a bike that’s well worth owning.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the V7 Racer is the red frame that was inspired by the legendary first 150 examples of the V7 Sport with CrMo frames. The bike also has an ultra sporty single-seater saddle - with a two-seater saddle and pillion footpegs available as optional accessories - that has been upholstered in suede. The seat leads into an aerodynamic tail fairing that also incorporates lateral race number panels in true Seventies style.
In terms of power, the Guzzi V7 Racer doesn’t hold back, thanks to an updated 745cc V-twin engine with more than 70% of its internal components being all-new, and twin intake manifolds and throttle bodies being replaced with a single Y manifold and single 38mm Magneti Marelli throttle body. All these components help the bike not only improve its fuel economy, but also reduce CO2 emissions.
The updated engine of the V7 also gets a redesigned fuel tank with the tank now lighter than the earlier unit and made of metal instead of polyethylene. All told, the bike can hit 51 horsepower and 58 Nm of torque, enough numbers to make it a worthwhile cafe racer.
Find out more about the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer after the jump
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The name pretty much says it all as far as this Ducati super bike is concerned. The Monster 696 is a true beast of the open road, complete with a ’less-is-more’ philosophy that underlines Ducati’s never-ending pursuit of a genuinely compact, high performance motorcycle.
Every single component of the Monster 696 has been redesigned and redeveloped to adhere to the tried-and-tested adage of form following function. The Monster’s radical styling has also provided the inspiration for an entire after-market sector specializing in hot-rod parts for this legendary machine. For this reason, rarely do you see two Monsters the same.
In terms of performance, the Monster 696 is no slouch. It comes packed with a 696cc L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, air cooled engine that produces inane levels of power and torque numbers. To complement the unbridled rage of the Monster 696, Ducati put in an APTC ‘wet’ clutch that gives a ‘slipper’ type action, preventing destabilizing of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and also gives the extra benefit of a super-light feel at the lever, a great benefit in stop-start city traffic or during longer journeys. Meanwhile, the 21-plate oil-bath clutch (11 friction and 10 steel) represents a power-enhancing weight reduction over the ‘dry’ system as well as having a quieter operation and requiring less maintenance.
The new crankcases hug the gearbox internals much closer to create a smaller and more compact outer profile and achieve considerable weight savings over previous cases.
Find out more about the Ducati Monster 696 after the jump.
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Have you ever pictured what the perfect bike is like? You know, the kind of uncompromising riding machine that, in its purest form, just speaks to how perfect engineering could give birth to something so beautiful?
Open your eyes and you’re looking at the ultra-sporty KTM 990 Super Duke R.
With its muscle-flexing V2 and perfectly controllable power, the 990 Super Duke R has been regarded as the ultimate scourge of the superbike. The bike’s performance capabilities means serious business. After all, when you have a 999cc water-cooled V-engine that packs a powerful punch to the tune of 123 horsepower, you’re controlling a bike that can just wallop anything it sets its eyes on. The 990 Super Duke R’s engine also comes with state-of-the-art four-valve cylinder heads, each with flow-optimized ducts, two overhead camshafts, and
an electronic Keihin engine management system that regulates the modern fuel injection system on the 990 Super Duke R, focusing on maximum power, efficient, and spontaneous responsiveness.
As far as handling characteristics are concerned, the 990 Super Duke R’s orange, powder-coated tubular space frame that’s made from chrome-molybdenum steel with a bolted-on, light alloy subframe is as strong and sturdy as any in the market. On top of that, it provides a steeper steering head angle in the "R" setup than the Super Duke and therefore slightly less trail for even greater maneuverability. The sports bike also has an upside-down telescopic fork with TiAlN-coated sliding surfaces and a directly connected shock absorber from WP Suspension with a TiAlN-coated piston rod that allows optimum individual adjustment of the chassis to suit load, riding style, and track.
From front to rear and top to bottom, the 990 Super Duke R possesses the kind of all-world capabilities that makes it a true sports bike in every sense of the word.
Find out more about the KTM 990 Super Duke R after the jump.
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The baddest bike in the KTM line-up certainly needs no introduction. Not when KTM designers pulled out all the stops to ensure that it keeps its menacing reputation in the industry.
That’s what the 1190 RC8 R is all about. The bike comes loaded with one of the most powerful V2 engines of our times and one of the best chassis in the world. And the best part: the bike is completely street-legal.
The RC8 R not only offers extraordinarily relaxed ergonomics for all its supreme sportiness, but it also comes with more setting options than any other series production super bike, including the footrests, each with two positional variants, the foot levers with variable lever operating angle and lever length, the seats, hand levers, and a two-height adjustable handlebar.
Mechanically speaking, the 1190 RC8 R boasts of an insanely powerful V2 twin-engine that produces a mighty output of 173 horsepower. The KTM engine impresses with an extremely broad rev range and spontaneous throttle response, while supplying supreme ride quality. If you’re looking for reasons as to why the RC8 R has such an impressive engine, look no further than the state-of-the-art cylinder heads with twin plug ignition, flow-optimized ducts and cam follower drive, each with two overhead camshafts for four valves, as well as the electronic Keihin engine management system with twin throttle valves that regulate the modern electronic fuel injection system on the RC8 R. This features focuses on maximum power with predictable engine characteristics and spontaneous responsiveness with controllable throttle response.
Handling is also an important part of the RC8 R package, thanks to an intricately made light alloy swing arm that contributes in providing outstanding traction of the RC8 R. The position of the swingarm can be adjusted by means of an eccentric on the lever linkage, allowing for minimized compression and preventing squatting anytime the bike accelerates out of corners.
Find out more about the KRM 1190 RC8 R after the jump.
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There’s a reason why the KTM 1190 RC8 R Track is being built in strictly limited numbers for those who want to use their machine exclusively for the racetrack.
Built to be "ready to race" by the KTM Racing Division and packed with all the goodies from the KTM PowerParts range that make the potential for race success even greater, the 1190 RC8 R Track is equipped with everything that has made KTM super bikes so successful then, now, and in the future.
The forged piston structure on the RC8 R Track, borrowed from Formula 1, results in a high piston loading capacity, despite the extremely short and lightweight design. This allows the reciprocating weight to be minimized and the responsiveness and free-revving nature of the engine maximized. It also has a racing seat, a multiple-adjustment racing footrest system, and handlebars that can be mounted at two heights and two angles, with subframes mounted at two heights.
The RC8 R Track is the embodiment of a sports bike that packs plenty of punch, courtesy of its 1190cc V-Twin engine that produces a very tasty 177 horsepower. Considered the measure stick of all things for ultra-sporty twins, the RC8 R Track offers maximum performance, predictable characteristics, and high reliability. The KTM engine impresses with an extremely broad rev range and spontaneous throttle response, while supplying supreme ride quality. It also carries an Akrapovic titanium EVO 4 exhaust system that produces optimum torque levels and power progression, to go with weight savings of almost six kilograms. The main reasons for the outstanding performance of the RC8 R Track’s V-twin with 75° cylinder angle are the ultra-modern cylinder heads with flow-optimized ducts and cam follower drive, each with two overhead camshafts for four valves.
Find out more about the KTM 1190 RC8 R Track after the jump.
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KTM’s line-up of Duke bikes has become a staple for a lot of consumers. In particular, for young and up-and-coming riders, the 125 Duke comes chalk full of unique features.
Even if it’s classified as a bike for young people, the 125 Duke has everything that distinguishes a genuine KTM: from the high-quality chassis components to the multi-function cockpit that keeps you up to date with fuel consumption and remaining range. The bike sports a two-piece seat that provides surprising long-distance comfort, perfect support, and first-class ergonomics for rider and pillion. At 810 mm, the seat height is low enough for a secure standing position, but also high enough for sports-oriented use and a genuine big-bike feeling.
The 125 Duke also offers maximum riding fun, thanks to thoroughbred motorcycle technology. The refined four-stroke single cylinder with fuel injection and six-gear transmission provides adequate propulsion while the featherweight chassis with high-quality components and first-class brakes guarantee dynamic cornering fun.
As for the former, the 125 Duke is powered by a state-of-the-art, 125cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke engine with twin overhead camshafts, four valves and electronic fuel injection, producing a peak output of 15 horsepower.
As for the latter, that’s been taken care of by a lightweight tubular space frame that’s been built in the mold of KTM’s outstanding design. The bike also has a high-quality upside-down fork from WP Suspension that has the same 43 mm outer tube diameter as the RC8 R.
Every which way you look at it, upstart riders will be enamored with the 125 Duke. Then again, we already knew that.
Find out more about the KTM 125 Duke after the jump.
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Think of the ultimate bike that offers a marriage between brains and brawn and there’s a good chance that you’ll come up with one bike: the Yamaha V-Max.
The V-Max is really in a class all its own. The muscular looks combined with sporty handling and Yamaha’s latest electronic engine management technologies make for a bike that offers the ultimate riding experience.
The bike’s engine alone - a 1,679cc DOHC, liquid-cooled, 16-valve V4 engine - is reason enough to drool over. But this bike is more than just the powertain that makes it run, there are also plenty of elements that help in its overall awesomeness. It has steel valves that are used for excellent durability. There’s also a chain and gear camshaft drive system that’s responsible for increasing engine productivity. High-performance camshafts provide incredible engine performance while a centrifugal decompression device on the exhaust cam allows for seamless starting.
You’ll also get a Mikuni fuel injection system that uses four 48mm throttle bodies fitted with T.P.S. (Throttle Position Sensor) and numerous other sensors. An oxygen sensor has been fitted into the exhaust, providing excellent throttle response, great fuel economy, reduced emissions, stable idling, and no choke to fuss with during start up.
The V-Max also comes with a lightweight main Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that’s made up of three ECUs in total. One is the main 32-bit ECU that controls the ignition and fuel injection process, while a 2nd and 3rd integral ECU controls the Yamaha’s YCC-T & YCC-I systems. Then there’s the Air Induction System (AIS), which is responsible for injecting fresh air into the exhaust port area to fully combust any unburned fuel.
Find out more about the Yamaha V-Max after the jump.
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