KTM released the 790 Duke last year to criticial acclaim but they have one-upped the concept for 2020 with a new 890 Duke R. The new model does not replace the 790 Duke, but will sell alongside it as a more premium option that delivers a bit more sting and will arrive in Australia sometime in the second-quarter of 2020.
And for the first time in the known history of the universe a KTM model displaces the cubic capacity it says on the box! The 890 Duke R displaces exactly 890 cc thanks to both a bore and stroke increase over the 790 Duke, which actually displaced 799cc.
Power jumps from the 105 hp 790, to 121 hp in the 890. Torque is up by around 15 per cent to 99 Nm at 7750 rpm.
Urgency under throttle is also sure to be more responsive due to a large increase in the compression ratio from 12.7:1 to 13.5:1. The 790 is already very impressive in this regard so I am especially eager to sample the response of the 890.
Stoppers are also up-specced to Brembo Stylema Monoblock calipers clamping on larger discs.
With the increased focus on outright performance the ergonomics of the 890 Duke R are also more aggressive than found on its sibling. Lower bars, higher pegs and a 9 mm taller seat height round out the rider triangle.
Fully adjustable WP APEX 43 mm split open-cartridge upside-down forks and a fully adjustable WP APEX rear shock absorber with linear spring and pre-load adjuster suspends the 3 kg lighter 890 Duke R. There are also some geometry changes including a steeper swing-arm angle.
Duke 890 R also boasts 20 mm more ground clearance with an almost adventure bike-like 206 mm under its trim belly.
Many had expected BMW to unveil new production ready cruisers at EICMA this week but it seems Motorrad are keeping their powder dry and competitors guessing for now. Leaving us longer to wait before they publicly unveil the first production ready models that will roll out from Munich next year.
What they have shown in Milan this week though are two ‘concept’ machines. The R 18 had already been seen at the Villa d’Este on Lake Como earlier in the year but this week it was joined by the even more strangely named R 18 / 2 which had its public debut at EICMA.
Generally if BMW brings ‘Concept’ bikes to a major show you can almost guarantee that 6-18 months later they will announce a production model almost identical to the publicly shown concepts. And I think we can expect new models along these lines to be added to the BMW inventory in due course.
The Concept R 18 /2 “Slash Two” is a stark contrast to the previous R 18 heritage concept, with a more modern custom cruiser design and built around the instantly recognisable egg-like 1800 cc two-cylinder ‘Big Boxer’ engine.
In contrast the R 18 offered a traditionalist design, with iconic historic BMW styling for a very retro overall theme.
The R 18 /2 offers another look at how the Big Boxer can be realised, with minimalist handlebar trim, flowing lines and a tear-drop fuel tank. Candy Apple Red is a custom favourite and used to great effect in the R 18 / 2/
The 1800 cc boxer-twin is a modern air/oil-cooled powerplant built to a 1960’s aesthetic, with the R 18 /2 following in the footsteps of ‘Departed’ by Custom Works Zon and ‘The Revival Birdcage’ by Revival Cycles in Texas, now offering the fourth interpretation.
The R 18 /2 features a loop-frame dominated by the Big Boxer, while contrast cut cast-iron wheels are sized to a 19-inch front and 16-inch rear to add a touch of dragster to the look.
Also notable is the well displayed shaft final drive. Large disc brakes adorn both ends, a dual rotor set-up on the front complete with Brembo four-piston calipers.
A Hattech stainless steel tail-pipe system is also featured, with the two into two system running a conical exhaust on either side of the bike.
Surge in form the result of extensive pre-season says Tanti
Section: Competition
SX2 points leader targeting trio of consistent results in Wollongong triple crown.
Image: Foremost Media.
Aaron Tanti says his surge in form throughout the opening rounds of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship has come as a result of an extensive pre-season, the Serco Yamaha rider set to don the red-plate this weekend at Wollongong’s third stop of the series.
Tanti, who holds a two-point advantage in the SX2 standings over American Josh Osby (Raceline KTM Thor), has recorded a pair of podium results at Brisbane and Port Adelaide, finishing second and third respectively.
This weekend’s stop at WIN Stadium marks a home round for the New South Welshman, and with the triple crown format coming into play for the first time this season, the number 18 is targetting a trio of consistent results to strengthen his title chances.
“I’ve just learned over the last year – and through motocross – and it’s really come down to that I’ve put in a lot of hours on the bike with a lot of ride time before round one,” Tanti explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “We had a fair few weeks, and it seems to be paying off. I’m comfortable, and working with the team, I have the best setting I can.
“I just want to place myself in the best possible position, stay on the bike and be consistent – especially in the triple crown, I want to have three good races and hopefully end up on the podium. I want to get some really solid points – I don’t want a bad round or DNF or something like that.”
This weekend’s third round of the Australian Supercross Championship will run alongside the Australian Motorcycle Festival, which will take place at Lang Park on 9-10 November.
Highly-anticipated Superbike set for 2020 Q2 arrival.
Image: Supplied.
Honda Motorcycles Australia has confirmed the SP variant of the 2020 CBR1000RR-R will be the sole model brought into the country, with an anticipated delivery during Q2 next year.
Honda, which currently sells standard, SP, and SP2 versions of the 2019 model, has indicated a HRC-inspired Grand Prix Red and Matte Pearl Black colourways will be made available locally.
Heavily inspired by the RC213V MotoGP machine and its street-legal RC213V-S counterpart, the 2020 CBR1000RR-R SP is powered by the most powerful inline four-cylinder engine that Honda has ever made.
Sharing the same bore and stroke as the RC213V-S, the 2020 CBR1000RR-R SP delivers maximum power of 160kW at 14500rpm and peak torque of 113Nm at 12500rpm while tipping the scales at only 201kg.
It utilises a cutting-edge aerodynamic package – also influenced by HRC’s multiple championship-winning RC213V – works in tandem with a new Bosch six-axis IMU.
The SP model boasts a new 43mm Ohlins NPX front fork that replaces the NIX fork of the previous model and second-generation Ohlins Object Based Tuning interface (OBTi) offers finer control of settings front and rear. The front discs are larger in diameter and worked by new Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers while the ABS is adjustable for track riding.
Apart from mirrors, the Norden appears to be a fully developed bike. Interestingly, Husqvarna has wrapped the bodywork in crash protectors, fit luggage perfectly onto the rear, and designed a skid plate to protect the internals. These may be minor elements when considered against more relevant mechanical details, but it seems telling, to me at least, that designers have gone so far as to build what are likely accessory add-ons for a project that remains in the concept stage. It may just be wishful thinking, but it feels like this bike is destined for production.
Measured approach for Team HRC in Evans MXGP transition
Section: Competition
Team manager Marcus Pereira de Freitas confident in youthful Australian signing.
Image: Supplied.
Team HRC is taking a measured approach with Australian Mitch Evans as he graduates to the premier MXGP category in the world championship next year, according to team manager Marcus Marcus Pereira de Freitas.
Evans’ signing with the factory squad alongside reigning world champion Tim Gajser was made official this week during a Honda Racing Corporation presentation at EICMA in Milan.
The Queenslander is no stranger to riding a 450, racing to runner-up honours in the 2018 MX Nationals before representing Team Australi at RedBud’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) during the same year.
With a season under his belt on the world championship circuit in the MX2 category, Marcus Pereira de Freitas explained the team will completely support him in his transition to the MXGP class.
“We are also very excited to have Mitch join us for the 2020 season on the Honda CRF450RW,” said Marcus Pereira de Freitas. “We know that he can ride a 450 well, after his showing at the Motocross of Nations in RedBud when he was just 19 years old, so it is great to have him under our awning for next year.
“However, while the world championships start in March, he knows he has to do a lot of training to do before that in order get ready for the 20 round series on this bigger machine.
“His rookie season last year had some positive results and he now knows a little of what to expect with the tracks and the conditions so that will help, but of course he will have a whole team around him, supporting him and making sure he is able to go out there and deliver some good results for Team HRC.”
Evans scored a pair of podiums in maiden MX2 World Championship campaign this year, completing the series with a ranking of 11th despite missing almost a third of the season.
KTM’s original 1290 Super Duke R was dubbed The Beast when it was released in 2014. After it’s last comprehensive update in 2017 it became known as Beast 2.0 but for 2020 KTM are unleashing an essentially all-new Beast thanks to a new chassis and electronics harnessing a heavily revised version of the charismatic LC8 V-Twin.
KTM claim that almost every single component is lighter than before. Rims, brakes, swingarm are all lighter and a new aluminium-carbon composite sub-frame contributes to the weight savings.
According to KTM the new main chrome-molybdenum steel trellis frame has larger sectional diameters along with thinner walls and is a significant three-time more rigid than before.
An updated single-sided swing-arm is now activated via a new WP Apex shock through a linkage that then mounts directly to new crank-cases. The engine being used as a stressed member.
After thousands of testing kilometres to fine tune the frame, swing-arm, triple clamps and forks KTM claim more front end feel and stability at maximum lean angle.
New additional top-feed shower injectors atop the 56 mm throttle bodies along with a new intake system, bigger spark and increased compression adds up to an output of 180 horsepower (132 kW) at 9500 rpm, and 140 Nm of torque at 8000 rpm.
The engine is Euro4 compliant and KTM claims the Pankl gearbox is now smoother shifting.
A latest-generation traction control system with a 6-axis IMU aims to help keep things in check with lean-angle sensitive traction control and ABS along with completely updated mapping in all ride modes.
A new five-inch TFT display made of scratch and glare resistant glass is also adjustable for angle.
KTM Australia expect their first stocks of the 2020 1290 Super Duke R to arrive sometime during the first quarter of 2020.
2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Specifications
Specifications
Engine
Engine Type
2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75°
Displacement
1,301 cc
Bore / Stroke
108/71 mm
Power
132 kW (180 hp) @ 9,500 rpm
Torque
140 Nm @ 8,000 rpm
Compression Ratio
13.5:1
Starter / Battery
Electric starter / 12V 12Ah
Transmission
6 gears
Fuel System
Keihin EFI (Throttle body 56 mm)
Control
8 V / DOHC
Lubrication
Pressure lubrication with 3 Eaton pumps
Engine Oil
Motorex, SAE 10W-50
Primary Drive
40:76
Final Drive
17:38
Cooling
Liquid cooling
Clutch
PASC™ slipper clutch, hydraulically operated
Engine Management / Ignition
Keihin EMS with RBW and cruise control, double ignition
Limited edition two-stroke anticipated for 2020 Q1 Australian arrival.
Image: Supplied.
Husqvarna Motorcycles has introduced a 2020 TE 300i Jarvis Edition to its line-up, which is anticipated to arrive in Australia during the first quarter of next year.
A fitting tribute to the legend Graham Jarvis, the new TE 300i Jarvis Edition is the perfect machine to explore new ground and go where few have gone before.
The trusted two-stroke is exceedingly simple to manage. Combined with electronic fuel injection, smooth power delivery and an extremely nimble chassis, this limited edition TE 300i delivers class-leading performance to match its official Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing graphics.
The Jarvis Edition boasts a black frame, black seat cover with additional ribs, Supersprox blue rear sprocket, front disc protector, blue chain guide, Grey grips, and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing graphics.
Pricing for the 2020 Husqvarna TE 300i Jarvis Edition is still to be determined. For more information, visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com/au.
In addition to the spectacular views and incredible network of trails surrounding Stagecoach Trails RV Resort, you can test your mettle by taking part in the individual skills challenges, maybe take a test ride on a BMW adventure bike or if you’re feeling lucky, throw some axes alongside the folks from Axe Lair. There will also be gear demo opportunities from Alpinestars, Adventure Bros. ADV Skills Classes, a showing of the CABDR-South film on Friday at 7 p.m., featuring 4-time Baja 1000 Champion and Dakar Rally Racer Quinn Cody of KTM, or simply sit back and enjoy a live concert from Redneck Rodeo on Saturday night.
Yamaha launched their Tricity 125 three-wheeler back in 2014, introducing the brand’s first ‘Leaning Multi-Wheel vehicle’ and evolving into the more powerful Tricity 155 more recently. Now for 2020 Yamaha have announced the Tricity 300, a mid-range option that sits above the Tricity 155, but well below their full sports-touring three-wheel motorcycle – the Niken.
The Tricity offers excellent stability thanks to a dual front-wheel setup, built around the LMW Ackerman suspension/steering system, without compromising lean angle. Combined with the easy-going automatic nature of a scooter TriCity make for an ideal commuter.
The Tricity 300 also offers the benefit of being able to be ridden on a car licence in some countries, although this isn’t the case in Australia, however we can assume the Tricity 300 will be LAMS legal, as the XMAX 300 is, and the Tricity will no doubt weigh in a little heaiver than the XMAX.
Blue Core – liquid-cooled 4-stroke SOHC 300 cc 4-valve single-cylinder
Storage for 2 full-face helmets
LED lights and large LCD instruments
Convenient Smart Key operation
Traction Control System (TCS)
267 mm brake rotors, ABS and Unified Brake System
Parking brake
Large 14-inch wheels
Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW) technology
The LMW Ackerman suspension/steering system features a parallelogram link and cantilevered front suspension with the dual fork tubes mounted on the inner face of the front wheels. This layout gives agile and confident handling together with enhanced feelings of stability when riding on slippery or uneven surfaces.
The LMW steering mechanism contributes towards the machine’s easy and user friendly character by giving a generous 72° of steering angle, making the Tricity 300 manoeuvrable in congested traffic and tight spaces. A full 130mm of ground clearance means the machine can handle uneven surfaces and avoid being grounded out when being pushed over kerbs while parking.
Having two front wheels offers the benefits of additional front-end traction and braking power thanks to a wide 470mm front wheel-track, with a balanced and planted character when steering and cornering.
The Tricity 300 will be ideally suited to both new riders and those riders coming over to three-wheels from conventional scooter or motorcycle, with a focus on the new generation of riders with no experience on two or three wheels looking for an easy entry-point.
2020 Tricity 300 chassis
The Tricity 300 features a 1590 mm wheelbase combined with optimised steering geometry and a 470 mm front wheel track, which combined with a front-rear weight distribution of around 50:50 with a rider on board – ensure a great chassis balance and lightweight feeling.
The newly designed frame is constructed with small-diameter tubing offering a balance of strength and rigidity – while plates are used around the head pipe area to help provide feel when steering and cornering.
In order to reduce any feelings of vibration to a minimum, the engine is mounted to the new lightweight frame using a linked type system.
The Tricity 300 is also equipped with matching 14-inch wheels at both the front and rear, larger than those fitted to much of the competition which increases stability even further.
These lightweight larger diameter wheels and specially developed wide-section Bridgestone tyres offer a number of advantages, including high levels of traction, durability and wet weather performance, together with a smooth ride and confident road holding.
The use of large diameter 267 mm discs on all three wheels give greater braking power and control on a wide variety of road surfaces.
A commuter can encounter everything from tram lines and cobbles through to poorly maintained roads and diesel spills, but with a stable three-wheel configuration and high-specification brakes, the Tricity 300 is ready to tackle the all the commuting challenges.
As well as being equipped with ABS to prevent accidental wheel lock ups on loose or slippery surfaces, the Tricity 300 also features Yamaha’s Unified Braking System that balances braking force to all three wheels.
Yamaha’s Unified Braking System ensures when the rider applies only the rear brake – either through the left handlebar lever or via the foot brake – braking force is applied to the front and rear wheels.
When both the front and rear brakes are applied at the same time the braking force applied to the front wheels is a combination of input from both levers; and when the front brake lever is applied on its own, only the front brakes are activated.
Tricity 300 styling & storage
The Tricity design incorporates styling cues from Yamaha’s XMAX and TMAX sport scooters – as well as a touch of DNA from the Niken – Yamaha’s three-wheel sport tourer motorcycle.
A compact and aerodynamic front cowl is slimmer and higher than other designs in the category. Tricity 300’s short and relatively narrow nose leaves an open space between the twin front wheels to emphasise this feature.
There’s a large storage space under the seat that can accommodate two full-face helmets or one full-face helmet and an A4-sized briefcase, and the compartment is fitted with internal LED lighting.
A parking brake secures the machine when not being ridden, while the fuel tank and seat locks can be easily released with the push of a button – and there’s also a DC outlet in the front panel for charging and powering various devices.
300cc Blue Core engine
The Tricity 300 is driven by Yamaha’s latest Blue Core engine, a liquid-cooled four-stroke SOHC 300cc four-valve single-cylinder engine used by the XMAX 300 and incorporates a number of features to suit the unique requirements of the new Tricity.
For strong acceleration, fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness, the Tricity 300 runs with revised fuel injector mapping settings, and the 12-hole injector features an optimised spray angle that increases combustion efficiency for strong low to mid-range torque, particularly important with a heavier three-wheeler compared to the more conventional XMAX.
Horsepower losses are reduced by the use of a semi-dry sump lubrication system and the Tricity 300 is equipped with a one-piece forged crankshaft.
To achieve a high level of combustion efficiency the shape of the combustion chamber and intake port is also optimised while the lightweight DiASil offset cylinder is equipped with a durable forged piston.
2020 Tricity 300 electronics & tech
Using the new Tricity 300 is convenient thanks to its Smart Key system. As long as the rider has the Smart Key with them, they can carry out all of the main operations via the main switch.
Along with the three-wheel layout and the enhanced control offered by the ABS and a Unified Braking system, a Traction Control System (TCS) adds another layer of safety to the Tricity 300.
The Tricity 300’s LCD instruments provide all the relevant information in a clear and easy to understand display. There’s a large digital speedometer as well as a bar-type tachometer, clock, odometer, tripmeter and more – and ln the outer edges of the panel the rider can see the indicator lights showing ABS, Tilt Lock Assist system status, TCS and ambient air temperature – with a warning light coming on at 3ºC and lower.
The Tricity 300 also features a Tilt Lock Assist system that provides extra convenience by helping the machine to remain upright when stopped.
This system features a caliper and brake disc that are mounted onto the LMW mechanism’s upper parallelogram arm. When the Tilt Lock Assist system is activated, the caliper’s compact electric actuator pushes the pads onto the disc and locks the parallelogram linkage in place.
As soon as the Tricity 300 throttle is opened the Tilt Lock Assist system disengages automatically, enabling the rider to ride away.
The Tricity 300’s Tilt Lock Assist system is completely separated from the suspension functions, making it easier and more comfortable when pushing the Tricity 300 forwards or backwards when parking and also makes it easier when placing the vehicle on its main stand.
Australian availability and pricing is yet to be announced.
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