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2020 Suzuki Katana

Silver 2020 Suzuki Katana2020 Suzuki KatanaSuzuki

Putting aside for a moment the GSX-F range produced from the late-1980s to the mid-2000s, the 2020 Suzuki Katana is a four-cylinder Metallic Mystic Silver (Solid Black is also available) tribute to its namesake drawn some 40 years ago by ex-BMW stylist Hans Muth. While that sleek, bikini-faired machine still knocks motorcyclists of a certain age on their heels, the current version is a thoroughly modern sporting standard powered by an earlier-generation GSX-R1000 engine with chassis underpinnings served up by the GSX-S1000. Translation? Smooth, traction-controlled liter-class acceleration and an aluminum frame and swingarm complemented by adjustable Kayaba suspension and antilock-equipped triple-disc Brembo/Nissin brakes.

Thanks to the relatively upright rider triangle afforded by a wide handlebar and moderately rearset footpegs, this is a motorcycle you could ride all day—or night, thanks to full LED lighting—on all types of tarmac if it weren’t for the near-complete absence of protection from the elements and smallish fuel tank. Those realities, however, won’t dissuade fans of the Japanese brand from swooning over the traditional bright red block lettering on said tank or grinning with the speed and ease with which the Katana covers ground.

2020 Suzuki Katana Reviews, Comparisons, And Competition

Black 2020 Suzuki Katana2020 Suzuki KatanaSuzuki

Manufacturer Claimed Specifications

Price $13,499
Engine Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-cylinder
Displacement 999cc
Bore x Stroke 73.4mm x 59.0mm
Horsepower 150.0 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Torque 80.0 lb.-ft. @ 9,500 rpm
Transmission 6-speed
Final Drive Chain
Seat Height 32.5 in.
Rake 25.0°
Trail 3.9 in.
Front Suspension 43mm fully adjustable; 4.7-in. travel
Rear Suspension Preload/rebound-damping adjustable; 5.1-in. travel
Front Tire 120/70-17
Rear Tire 180/50-17
Wheelbase 57.6 in.
Fuel Capacity 3.2 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight 474 lb.

Cycle World Tested Specifications

Seat Height 33.2 in.
Wet Weight 475 lb.
Rear-Wheel Horsepower 139.6 hp @ 10,100 rpm
Rear-Wheel Torque 76.3 lb.-ft. @ 9,220 rpm
0–60 mph 3.2 sec.
1/4-mile 10.86 sec. @ 133.28 mph
Braking 30–0 mph 33.7 ft.
Braking 60–0 mph 133.9 ft.

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

Honda Celebrates 60 Years in the US with Kokoro Videos

Kokoro means heart. Soichiro Honda is bracketed here by Dave Mungenast and his wife Barbara, who started a Honda motorcycle dealership in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1965. Dave M. sounds like he was quite a guy; Green Beret, racer, adventure motorcyclist before there was such a category, and a risk taker who took at least one very good one. Later came Honda cars, then an Acura dealership… all three of which are still hawking Hondas in St. Louis. Honda sent us a couple of really nice 6-minute videos, packed with Mungenast nostalgia and classic Hondas. 
If you find yourself in St. Louis, though, what you really need to do is track down the Mungenast Classic Museum, which houses all manner of motorcycles besides Honda, and more than a few classic automobiles as well.
——————————————————————————————-
Honda Press Release:

Like a time machine transporting viewers back to an earlier era, the newest videos in the Honda Kokoro™ series take visitors on a virtual visit to original style Honda showrooms of the 1960s and ’70s, as seen at the Mungenast Classic Automobiles & Motorcycles Museum. The Honda Kokoro video series celebrates the heritage, culture, people and products that make Honda unique. “Kokoro” means heart in Japanese.

Last year marked Honda’s 60th year in the continental United States and the Mungenast family is an integral part of the brand’s American legacy. The Mungenast museum was established by the late Dave Mungenast, Sr., who became a Honda motorcycle dealer in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1965 and went on to establish a Honda auto dealership and one of the first Acura dealers in the U.S., in 1986. The Mungenast Automotive Family continues to operate all three dealerships in St. Louis.

The two-part video based on the Mungenast museum, tells the story of the relationship between Dave Sr. and his family with the Honda brand and includes a focus on both Honda automotive history and motorcycle history, through the products and memorabilia housed at the museum.

 The segment on automobiles features several rare Honda “S” model sports cars never sold in America, as well as a Z600 and a 1979 Civic. The motorcycle segment features a replica of the first Honda Scrambler to win a National Championship, a rare XLV750R never sold in America, and other iconic Honda bikes, including a Z50 Mini Trail, XL250, CBX, GL1000 Gold Wing and a 1970 CB750, named “Motorcycle of the Century” by Motorcyclist magazine.

ABOUT THE MUNGENAST CLASSIC AUTOMOBILES & MOTORCYCLES MUSEUM
The Mungenast Classic Automobiles & Motorcycles Museum is a permanent, two-building display dedicated to celebrating the memory of Dave Mungenast, Sr. and his family’s passion for everything on wheels. Founded with Dave Sr.’s donation of his collection of vehicles, the expanded facilities now include the next generation of Mungenast’s favorite bikes and automobiles, including many rare items. The family’s collection has something to pique the interest of every enthusiast, young or old. The museum is a gift from Dave and Barbara Mungenast and the Mungenast Automotive Family to the community that has supported the growing family of businesses since 1965. Mungenast Classic Museum

The post Honda Celebrates 60 Years in the US with “Kokoro” Videos appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Red Bull Ring receives Best Grand Prix trophy in Kitzbühel

On Friday, the award for Best Grand Prix was officially handed over in Austria, with Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta personally presenting the trophy to Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz. The town of Kitzbühel proved the perfect backdrop for the event, just as another incredible Austrian sporting event gets underway: the legendary Hahnenkamm race weekend.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

The Lowside Of Hooligan Racing At The Moto Beach Classic

As the racers have gotten faster, the crowds have grown bigger, and so have the prizes. This makes for more serious competition in a sport that was built around comradery, so we talked to some of the original hooligan racers as well as a first-year competitor to see if the sport is still as fun, or if the high level of competition has let the desire to win outweigh the spirit of fellowship on the track.

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

What does 2020 hold for the manufacturers? Part 6: Aprilia

One of they ways they are attempting to do that is by using an external flywheel, as used by Ducati and, it is rumoured, Honda. By altering the mass of the external flywheel, you alter the character of the engine. Less weight, and the engine is more responsive, but a bit more aggressive. More weight, and the engine doesn’t accelerate as hard, but you get more progressive engine braking. Having an external flywheel means you can change it and adapt engine character to each individual circuit without breaking the engine seals. Engine braking is a key target for Aprilia, to help the bike enter corners better.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Metcher the fastest qualifier at Island Classic

News 24 Jan 2020

Metcher the fastest qualifier at Island Classic

Phillis and Martin lock out the front row in Victoria.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Melbourne’s Jed Metcher heads a solid Australian showing in qualifying today for this weekend’s International Challenge at the 27th Island Classic for historic bikes at Australia’s Phillip Island, steering his 1984 Yamaha FJ 1200 to the top spot on the grid in afternoon qualifying with a time of 1m37.248s.

Following the 29-year-old is a raft of fellow Aussies, with Alex Phillis (1m37.354s), Steve Martin (1m37.870s), David Johnson (1m38.260s) and Aaron Morris (1m38.266s) snatching the next four grid spots – all aboard Suzukis.

Johnson tackled brake problems, while Morris had an engine change to contend with, and his crew will install a new gearbox overnight to give the 2019 pace-setter a little more speed. It was Metcher though who snatched the top spot and will start on pole for the first six lap battle.

“I feel really good about qualifying actually,” said Metcher, a proven performer in International Challenge racing with a 2016 Ken Wootton trophy under his belt. “This is our first run out on the bike ever so really happy with the Yamaha FJ and I think it is obviously a little bit more of a modern bike and it’s a little bit easier to ride than the old Harris.

“The boys are working pretty hard, we still have a few issues which I guess is a good thing in this case, cause we’re fastest and the front fork isn’t travelling all the way. I think we can definitely race in the 36’s tomorrow and maybe set a new benchmark for the Island Classic.

For the Americans it has been a tough 24 hours, but despite a game of musical engines and bikes they have three riders in the top 10, with other experienced names sitting just outside the top 10. The new-look UK squad have their best riders sitting in position 16 and 17 followed by a squad of classic racers eager to perform at the island circuit.

The International Challenge now in its 16th year, will see defending champion Australia take on squads from America and the UK in four six-lap battles over Saturday and Sunday.

Detailed results

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Triumph tie-up with Bajaj India formalised for new mid-capacity motorcycles

Triumph  Bajaj Global Partnership Commences

Triumph Motorcycles and Bajaj Auto India, the world’s third largest motorcycle manufacturer, have today formally commenced their long term, non-equity partnership in Pune, India. The two motorcycle brands are coming together to build a brand new range of mid-capacity motorcycles.

Triumph Motorcycles CEO – Nick Bloor

“This is an important partnership for Triumph and I am delighted that it has now formally commenced. As well as taking our brand into crucial new territories, the products that will come out of the partnership will also help attract a younger, but still discerning, customer audience and is another step in our ambitions to expand globally, particularly in the fast-growing markets of South East Asia, but also driving growth in more mature territories like Europe.”

The partnership will see the two companies with their respective strengths in large and small capacity motorcycles collaborate to design, engineer, and manufacture a range of mid-capacity motorcycles.

The iconic Triumph brand will seek to further expand its global reach, with the partnership offering a new mid-sized sector opportunity and, importantly, a new entry point to several high-volume emerging markets, including India and other Asian markets.

The strategic partnership will benefit both parties with Bajaj becoming one of Triumph’s key distribution partners in crucial new markets for the Triumph brand around the globe.

Going forward Bajaj will take over Triumph’s Indian distribution activities, at a date yet to be confirmed, leveraging the great expertise that Bajaj has in this region.

In their other key overseas markets, where Triumph is not currently present, Bajaj will represent Triumph and offer the new mid capacity bikes as part of the full Triumph line-up.

In all other markets where Triumph is present today, the motorcycles developed together from this partnership will join the current Triumph product portfolio and be distributed by the Triumph led dealer network worldwide.

The Triumph-Bajaj collaboration aims to combine strengths in design, technology, cost-competitive manufacturing and an intimate knowledge of key target markets to deliver a range of winning products and business success.

The partnership will build new engine and vehicle platform in the mid-capacity range (200- 750cc) and offer multiple options to address different segments in this class and create a new entry point to the Triumph range around the world. Ensuring Triumph can compete in important large segments of the global motorcycle market, and attract new customers to the brand.

Rajiv Bajaj – Managing Director of Bajaj Auto India

“The Triumph brand is an iconic one the world over. So, we are confident that there will be a huge appetite in India and other emerging markets for these new products. We look forward to working alongside such a famous motorcycle company and to leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise to make the relationship a success for everyone.”


Building over 60,000 bikes per year, Triumph is the largest British motorcycle manufacturer and has around 650 dealers across the world.

Bajaj Auto Limited was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and has its registered office at Mumbai. The Bajaj Group is amongst the top 10 business houses in India. Founded in 1926, at the height of India’s movement for independence from the British, the Group has an illustrious history.  The Company is the world’s third largest motorcycle manufacturer, India’s second largest manufacturer of motorcycles and world’s largest manufacturer of three-wheelers. Bajaj achieved landmark sales of 5 million two and three wheelers in FY 2018-19, the highest ever in its history.

Source: MCNews.com.au

2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici Specs and Images

2020 Ducati Desmosedici unveil

Ducati officially launched their 2020 MotoGP campaign overnight at the historic Palazzo Re Enzo in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna.

MotoGP Ducati Launch Desmosedici Reveal

MotoGP Ducati Launch Desmosedici Reveal

2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici


Claudio Domenicali – Ducati Motor Holding CEO

“Racing is and has always been a fundamental part of our company, even in such a particularly complicated era where technology is drastically changing our surroundings.

MotoGP Ducati Launch Dovizioso Petrucci

MotoGP Ducati Launch Dovizioso Petrucci

2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici

“In order to succeed in this situation, it is necessary to keep investing in research and development, and racing is a crucial part of our commitment to this.

“If we sum the R&D done for the production line, for racing and the assets needed to produce new models, the global Ducati R&D is worth more than 10 per cent of the revenue.

MotoGP Ducati Launch Dovizioso

MotoGP Ducati Launch Dovizioso

2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici

“Our Panigale V4 machine has been profoundly renovated for 2020, and it wouldn’t have been born without the contribution of all the lessons that we have learned thanks to the competitions.

“An engine that features a counter-rotating crankshaft, a spine and slice traction control, an efficient aerodynamic fairing that includes aerofoils are just a few of the elements deriving from the skillful work done by Gigi and his crew in MotoGP.

MotoGP Ducati Launch Dovizioso

MotoGP Ducati Launch Dovizioso

2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici

“We are incredibly proud, not just because Ducati is the only Italian company, but also the only European company able to win races in MotoGP since the beginning of the Championship in 2002.

“We are proud to represent an excellent territory, the Motor Valley, in the competitions. This is an incredible area that within a ray of 150 kilometers sees prestigious brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Dallara, Pagani and of course Ducati, that is situated just 15 minutes away from the centre of Bologna.

MotoGP Ducati Launch Petrucci

MotoGP Ducati Launch Petrucci

2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici

“This is what racing is for Ducati: an advanced technological incubator, a showcase for Italian intelligence and technology, and an incredible component of passion for all the Ducatisti. I want to thank all our partners and sponsors and wish all my best to Andrea, Danilo and Gigi and the whole team. I wish to all of us a highly competitive season full of satisfaction”.

MotoGP Ducati Launch Desmosedici

MotoGP Ducati Launch Desmosedici

2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici

2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici Specifications

Ducati Desmosedici
Engine Liquid-cooled, 90° V4, four-stroke, Desmodromic DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Capacity 1,000cc
Maximum power Over 250hp
Maximum speed Over 350 km/h (218 mph)
Transmission Ducati Seamless
Final Drive Chain final drive
Carburation Indirect electronic injection, four throttle bodies with injectors above and below the butterfly valves. Throttles operated by double Ride by Wire systems
Fuel Shell Racing V-Power
Lubricant Shell Advance Ultra 4
Exhaust Akrapovič
Chain D.I.D Chain
Frame Aluminium alloy twin-spar
Suspension Öhlins inverted front fork with carbon outer tubes and Öhlins rear shock absorber, adjustable for preload and damping
Electronics Magneti Marelli ECU programmed with Dorna Unified Software
Tyres Michelin 17″ front and rear
Wheel Rims Marchesini magnesium alloy
Brakes Brembo, two 340mm carbon front discs with four-piston callipers. Single stainless steel rear disc with two-piston calliper
Dry Weight 157 kg (346.1 lbs.)

2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici Images

Source: MCNews.com.au

Indian ups ante on FTR 1200 discounts

Indian Motorcycle Australia is extending its massive discounts to FTR 1200 in its expanded closing-down sale.

Two weeks ago they announced they were closing down their Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth company-owned stores and moving to a system of privately owned dealerships.

Then they announced discounts that last to the end of January including:

  • $3000 off accessories or apparel and free on-road costs on Roadmaster, Chief Vintage and Springfield Dark Horse;
  • $2000 off accessories or apparel and free on-road costs on FTR 1200 and Scout Bobber.

Now they are offering up to $3000 off the rideaway price on any FTR 1200 model.

This new offer is separate, ends on 31 March 2020 and cannot be used in conjunction with the previous offer.

Shame if you bought one of the above Indian models before these massive discounts were announced!

Closing down

Indian say there will be a gradual closing down of their stores throughout the year as alternative dealerships are found.

By the end of 2020, Indian Motorcycle in Australia and New Zealand will operate solely with an independent dealer network, except for Christchurch for is independently owned.

Clearing out floor stock with sales offers will help them move the process along faster.

That’s one customer benefit from closing their company-owned stores. Another benefit they claim is that it will increase the spread of dealerships throughout the country.

Company history

 stores Victory-Indian-Perth-Dealership-Artistic-Render.jpgPerth store opened in 2016

The model of a mix of company owned and independent dealers has been operating since they started in Australia in 2008 with Victory Motorcycles.

Indian Motorcycle was added in 2013 after being bought by Polaris. They sold 102 Indian Chief models in their first year.

The traditional brand has experienced substantial growth since, even during the past few parlous years of motorcycle sales, but last year recorded a 3.9% decrease to 803.

That’s still far better than the 11.9% slump in total road bike sales in Australia.

Sales should increase with the launch of the new Challenger range early this year.

Indian ChallengerIndian Challenger

In 2017, Polaris axed the Victory Motorcycle brand, but continued with the company owned stores just for Indian.

However, it was only a matter of time before they switched to the conventional system as used elsewhere in the world.

Polaris Australia boss Alan Collins said customers needed “more locations and more support”.

“Moving to an independent franchised network of dealers is more sustainable for us and our partners as we look to grow in order to meet demand, while also enabling a broader network of support and options for our customers.”

Former Indian Motorcycle executive and now a senior motorcycle industry consultant Robert Pandya said the factory-owned dealership model was needed to establish the new brand in a new market.

Alan says they will double their dealer network in the next two years.

Sydney Indian and Victory store - platforms halogenSydney Indian and Victory store

They say warranties will not be affected.

Customers are invited to call their Indian Motorcycle Australia Customer Service Centre on 0460775949 “for a chat” or contact them via email.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com