Tag Archives: By manufacturer

Gloves off in Harley Vs Indian rivalry

Indian Motorcycle has always been diplomatic about their rivalry with Harley-Davidson, but a brazen new video showing their new Challenger and a Road Glide Special towing a taco van has sparked an online bitter feud.

The YouTube video shows both frame-mounted-fairing baggers having a go at towing the taco van to prove that the new Challenger can “smoke” the Road Glide Special.

The Challenger is powered by a new 1770cc Powerplus liquid-cooled engine with 122hp (91kW) and 173Nm (128lb-ft) of torque at the crank.

By comparison Harley’s Road Glide Milwaukee Eight 114 (1868cc) has 80.71hp (60kW) and 153Nm (113.63lb-ft) of torque.

rivalryChallenger pulls taco van while Road Glide Special looks on

Sales rivalry

Harley hasn’t readily identified Indian as a threat even though it has been taking minuscule chunks out of the cruiser, bagger and tourer market since its modern revival in 2013.

Around the world and in Australia, Harley sales have been sliding over the past few years.

However, they still sell substantially more than Indian.

Indian doesn’t say how many motorcycles they sell worldwide, but Australian figures show Indian sold 803 bikes last year (down 3.9%) compared with Harley’s 6462 (down 7.9%).

If this is an indication of global sales proportions then Indian probably sold about 26,000 bikes globally while Harley sold some 218.273 last year.

That’s about 12%, which isn’t a lot, but it’s obviously starting to get under Harley’s skin.

Their marketing department has bitten back over the YouTube video with this very clever ad with a not-too-subtle dig at the brand’s Polaris ownership.

If you can’t read the small print it states:

We’ve been building riders (not gimmicks) for over 115 years. With 700+ US dealer partners and category defining motorcycles, there’s never been a better time to join the tribe. Tow challenge accepted – we’ve been carrying your weight for a long time.

Ouch!

That’s what you get when you poke the sleeping bear.

So now that the gloves are off, we can expect to see more direct comparison in this rivalry and a lot of fun and interesting videos and ads!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MV Agusta plans Elefant adventurer

MV Agusta has been promising for some time that it will move into new fields such as small-capacity bikes and adventure bikes and now it has a name for the latter – Elefant.

The Italian company has applied for the trademark for Elefant which is Italian for elephant.

It also comes from the famous Cagiva Elefant (pictured above) which won the 1990 Paris-Dakar Rally with Italian rider Edi Orioli and is now in the Ducati museum in Bologna.

Ducati used that bike as the inspiration for their 1100cc Scrambler Desert X concept shown at last year’s EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

2020 Ducati Scrambler Desert XScrambler Desert X

We expect they will unveil the Desert X later this year.

If MV Agusta is successful with its trademark application, then the Ducati Scrambler 1100 off-road model won’t be called an Elefant.

Elefant history

The whole Cagiva/Elefant/Ducati/MV history is as messy as Italian politics.

Back in the 1990s, Cagiva owned Ducati and MV Agusta and their Elefant was powered by a Ducati engine.

Through a series of strange financial arrangements Cagiva came under MV Agusta’s umbrella.

Both companies were infamously bought by Harley-Davidson and quickly sold back to the son of founder and former owner Claudio Castiglioni in quick succession.

Cagiva production ended in 2012.

MV Agusta 75th anniversaryTimur Sardarov

MV Agusta still own the Cagiva brand and new boss Timur Sadarov confirms their plan to resurrect it for electric bicycles and motorcycles.

So their new adventure bike may be branded MV Agusta, not Cagiva.

However, we’re not putting aside for a deposit just yet.

There have been many promises of new models from MV Agusta over the past few troubled financial years but all we’ve seen is limited-edition variants of ageing models.

Now that they have a new Russian boss and Russian money they may move forward with new models. But don’t hold your breath!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

BMW plans motorcycle crumple zone

BMW has secured a patent that turns the front wheel into a crumple zone similar to the safety feature built into cars for decades.

In the BMW Motorrad patent, the front wheel stays straight on impact, rather than deflecting, by means of a metal V-shaped unit mounted on the frame.

Crumple zone

They claim this will add precious crumple zone centimetres before the rider impacts with the other vehicle or obstruction.

Crumple zones were developed and patented by Mercedes-Benz in 1952 and first installed in their 220 in 1959.

They are now in just about every vehicle on the road, except motorcycles.

But adding a heavy chunk of metal to a motorcycle – even if it is low down and will improve the centre of gravity – doesn’t seem like a smart idea.

It also only serves as protection in a head-on crash and we don’t see how it will stop the rider going over the handlebars, anyway.

BMW plans motorcycle crumple zonePatent drawing

Joke?

We’re not sure if BMW is serious about this. After all, BMW are kings of April 1 pranks, but this is a little too early for an April Fool’s Day joke.

BMW is also keen on patents and has applied for these just over the past couple of years:

None of these has yet gone into production.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley Softail Standard makes a comeback

Harley-Davidson‘s FXST Softail Standard, one of the most popular Harley models ever sold in Australia, now looks like making a comeback.

The model name and FXST designation has been listed with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) documents which means it could be unveiled as soon as this August as a 2021 model.

2021 Softail Standard

1984 Harley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard 1984 Harley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

However, a new Softail Standard will be a long way from the 1984 Evo original or the last model in 2007, thanks to the last major overhaul in 2017.

It will be more powerful with a 107 (1746cc) Milwaukee Eight engine, up to 17kg lighter, with better handling thanks to a 17% stiffer frame, emulsion rear shock and Showa dual-bending-valve forks.

The new Softails come with two frames – one wide for bikes such as the Fat Boy and top-selling Breakout – and the rest narrow, which we expect for the Softail Standard.

They also come with mod-cons such as LED headlights, digital instruments and, in some cases, a hand-adjustable rear shock.

Standard styling

But what makes a traditional Softail Standard should still be present.

That includes a raked-out front, tall and skinny front spoked wheel, fat rear tyre on a chunky mag, ducktail rear fender, mini-ape bars, double-banana saddle, dual shotgun pipes, single headlight and tank-mounted instruments.

The Standard was a basic bike, unlike the Custom which had plenty of chrome.Bushfires Harley Softail motorcycle festival

It’s classic Harley which is just what the core fans have been missing in recent years.

Instead, recent Softails have included the confronting FXDR drag-style bike and even incorporated the Dyna line-up into the family.

Harley-Davidon Softail FXDR SEASON your triumphs pricesMBW rides the FXDR Softail in Milwaukee

The return of the base model will probably cost in the mid-$20,000s and be a perfect blank canvas for custom bike builders.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Will Aprilia RS 660 suit learners?

Aprilia plan to introduce a lower-powered version of its upcoming RS 660 lightweight sports bike so it can be ridden by learners and novices under the European A2 motorcycle licence.

The announcement came in a quirky Instagram post that says “A2 driving license? Aprilia RS 660 95hp version confirmed! Keep updated!”Aprilia RS 660 learner bike?

The A2 licence is a similar system to the Australian and New Zealand Learner Approved Motorcycle System, so there could be scope to also make a LAMS version alongside the fuel-powered version.

This has been done with several other bikes on the market, notably the Yamaha MT-07LA which has reduced capacity (from 689cc to 655cc) and restricted power (from 55kW to 38kW) via 25% throttler restriction, different cams and pistons.

Yamaha MT-07 missing stickerYamaha MT-07LA

The lithe Aprilia RS 660 weighs in at 169kg dry and fits in the 660cc or below capacity limits of LAMS.

However, they would have to do a fair bit more power restriction on the 95hp (70kW) bike to fit the scheme which also has a power-to-weight formula of 150 kilowatts per tonne or less.

Aprilia RS 660

Aprilia RS 660 lightweightAprilia RS 660

The Aprilia RS 660 was unveiled at the EICMA show in November 2019.

Aprilia sees the bike as having wide appeal, even as an everyday commuter.

In fact, its five riding modes spell it out: Commute, Dynamic, Individual (we imagine that’s a customisable mode), Challenge and Time Attack.

It has adjustable Kayaba suspension, a double aero fairing and smartphone connectivity with navigation display on the instruments.

The bike is expected to arrive in the latter half of the year with prices and full tech specs announced closer to that time.

2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 concept2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 concept

It will be followed in 2021 by a Tuono naked version like the concept presented at EICMA which is slightly downtuned at 96hp (71kW).

There is also expected to be a restricted version for Europe that may also come in under Australia’s LAMS rules for novice riders.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Royal Enfield adds Flying Flea, Roadster

Royal Enfield looks set for a host of new models after registering for trademarks on Flying Flea and Roadster which quickly follows applications for the names Sherpa and Hunter last month.

We suspect that these will be 350cc singles and 650cc twins as the 500cc model looks set for extinction after it is withdrawn from sale in India because it no longer meets the new domestic emissions regulations.

We speculated that Sherpa and Hunter would be great names for the 400cc Himalayan which could soon come as a 650cc variant.

Royal Enfield Himalayan Sleet invests camoRoyal Enfield Himalayan

Flying Flea and Roadster

As for the Flying Flea and Roadster, they are more likely to be versions of the 650cc.

A Roadster could lie somewhere between the sit-up-and-beg Interceptor and the cafe-racer style Continental GT.

The Flying Flea is a reference to the lightweight 250cc bike Royal Enfield produced in World War II which were parachuted into battlefields and behind enemy lines from the Horsa Glider.

In 2018, Royal Enfield paid tribute to the Flying Flea with a limited-edition military-flavoured Pegasus 500cc.

Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus Edition“Flying Flea”

Perhaps the Flying Flea will be a similar style to the Pegasus, although maybe as a 650cc twin, not a 500cc single, or perhaps a 350cc version to match the original’s “light weight”.

This video gives some background on the development of the Pegasus model.

It came in two paint options (brown and olive) with replica badging and even the unique army-style serial numbers painted on the tank.

Adding to the period look were the military-style canvas panniers, leather strap with brass buckles on the air box, and blacked-out exhaust muffler, engine, rims, handlebar and headlight bezel.Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus Edition

Military heritage

Royal Enfield says the Flying Flea was produced in collaboration with the British Ministry of Defence.

The bike was so light messengers could lift it on their shoulders when the trenches were too deep to be ridden over.

Royal Enfield’s military involvement has included making mobile machine gun platforms for World War I, targeting components for anti-aircraft guns in World War II and continual service with the Indian Army since the early 1950s.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ducati Superleggera V4, 159kg and 224hp

(Contributed post)

The Borgo Panigale riders are constantly improving and breaking records, as demonstrated by the new Ducati Superleggera V4 says Carcody.

At Ducati they have shown their latest creation, an elite superbike, equipped with the latest materials and technology, and available only to a few lucky pockets.

This beast has been designed with the sole purpose of being the fastest and most exclusive on the circuit, as well as being the queen of power and lightness. Lighter than the Superleggera V2.

It is obviously powered by a 90º V4 engine, the Desmosedici Stradale R , and has the aesthetics and DNA of the Panigale V4, but reducing its weight to a minimum and increasing the power to a maximum.Ducati Superleggera V4

To reduce weight they have used noble materials such as carbon fibre to make the chassis, subframe, single-arm swingarm, rims, fairing and tailpipe.

And they have also used titanium in the spring of the Ã-hlins monoshock, in the exhaust system and hardware, to further slim down this V4.

The rest of the components have been optimised to be as light as possible, such as the Ã-ohlins fork heads or the Brembo Stylema R brake calipers, exclusive to this V4.

The Ducati Superleggera V4 is the standard bike with the best power-to-weight ratio

The second part has been to optimize the V4 engine at 90º Desmosedici Stradale R -4T, LC, 16V, Desmo, IE-, lightening it and extracting more power, to reach the figure of 224CV (164kW), a whole record.Ducati Superleggera V4

But there’s more, because if the racing kit is installed, 234hp is achieved and the weight is reduced even further, from 159 kg to 152.2kg, achieving a record power-to-weight ratio of 1.54hp/kg.

To top it all off, the fairing also features the obligatory spoilers/winglets, which produce more negative thrust than the MotoGP Desmosedici itself. These 270km/h biplane wings generate 50kg of ground pressure, 20kg more than the Panigale V4 MY20 and V4 R wings, which keeps the bike more stable at high speed.

And there is no lack of the electronics package with IMU, DTC EVO and DQS EVO up&Down, or the reprogrammed Riding Modes (Race A, Race B and Sport), plus 5 extra Riding Modes -new- that can be customized. There is also a GPS Lap Timer that allows you to record the finish line coordinates and intermediate times for five favourite tracks. Default settings include finish line/intermediate time details.

Only 500 units will be produced, at a rate of 5 units per day, and will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and the usual numbered plate, which will match the chassis number.

They will start to be delivered in June. What is the price? The price is around $US100,000.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Triumph updates Street Triple R

Triumph’s updated Street Triple R with new styling and a cleaner, more responsive 765cc engine will hit Australia in the second quarter.

Pricing will be released close to the release but as an indication the previous R model cost $15,950 (plus on-road costs), while the S is $14,100 and RS is $17,650.

Like the S and RS, the new R gets the updated styling.

Street Triple R stylingTriumph Street Triple R

  • Twin LED headlights;
  • New sporty bodywork;
  • Compact muffler;
  • Restyled mirrors with more adjustability;
  • New paint and graphics schemes with red rear sub-frame.

Like before, there is a low version with a 780mm seat height.

Engine updatesTriumph Street Triple R

The engine is now Europe 5 compliant with 88kW of power and 77NM of torque.

Triumph claims it has a more responsive feel, thanks to 7% reduced rotational inertia.

They also claim it improves low and midrange usable torque.

It comes now comes with three riding modes (Road, Rain and Sport)

There is also a new Triumph Shift Assist up and down quickshifter with slip and assist clutch.

It also features Brembo calipers, hi-spec fully adjustable Showa suspension and Pirelli Rosso III tyres.

Accessories include:Triumph Street Triple R

  • Scrolling LED indicators
  • Water resistant luggage with quick release mount;
  • Colour-coordinated belly pan and seat cowl;
  • Fly screen visor;
  • Machined mirrors and reservoirs;
  • Arrow slip-on silencer;
  • Tail tidy;
  • Internally wired heated grips; and
  • Paddock stand bobbins.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Is Ducati the master of motorbike design?

Ducati has featured its new Scrambler 1100 Pro models at the renowned ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, in yet another example of how the Italian company is a master in motorcycle design.

Don’t believe me? Think your Harley, BMW, MV Agusta, Yamaha or Honda is prettier?

Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

However, Ducati really does have the runs on the board in design.

Design awards

Ducati EICMA Streetfighter V4 voteDucati Streetfighter V4 wins most beautiful bike at EICMA

Last November Ducati’s Streetfighter V4 took out the award as the most beautiful bike at last week’s EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

Ok, it was voted by visitors to the show who are mainly Italian, so there is a lot of patriotic fervour behind the vote.

However, Ducati has scored five wins in the past seven years, or 10 in 14 years.

Ducati has also scored three “Best” wins in the Red Dot Awards for the 1199 Panigale in 2013, the XDiavel S in 2016 and the Diavel 1260 S in 2019.

They are the most prestigious industrial design awards in the world, presented by the Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

And then there’s Massimo Tamburini’s famous 916 which many rightfully regard as the world’s most beautiful bike.

anniversaryDucati 9161994 Ducati 916

Ugly stick

However, Ducati doesn’t always get it right.

Remember the slab-sided Paso models from the eighties — not a good decade for fashion or design!

Revzilla said: “It looks like a 1987 Honda Hurricane smashed into a Suzuki RF900.”

Ducati Paso is no design masterDucati Paso is no design master

And the original 2003 Multistrada was widely referred to as the “Uglystrada”. The front headlight and fairing assembly looked more like a Dyson vacuum cleaner than a motorcycle.

Thankfully Ducati totally redeemed the Multistrada with a complete redesign in 2010 into one of the prettiest of the brutish adventure bike category.

Scrambler design

No matter what you think of the modern “scramblers” and whether they are true scramblers, Ducati really has scored an ace with the design.

When the Scrambler family was introduced in 2015, they immediately became the company’s top seller.

That’s not to say they are not without their design quirks.

The most obvious is the looping cables which are reminiscent of original scramblers.

Ducati Scrambler Hashtag onlineLoopy cabling

When Ducati unveiled its Pro models recently the cabling had been tidied up and tucked away.

Hopefully that will flow through to the rest of the range.

And the long trailing fender has been replaced with the remote fender from the Icon.

Ducati debut Scrambler 1100 Pros2020 Ducati Scrambler 1100 Pro

Design master

Despite its design credentials, the object of the ArtCenter lecture by Scrambler designer Jeremy Faraud was to get the students to help design the Scrambler of the future.

Students will submit their designs to Ducati who will recruit one lucky student for an internship at the Ducati Design Centre.

Ducati master of designJeremy talks with ArtCenter students (Image: James Lipman / jameslipman.com)

The Pasadena event will also be followed in Bologna, where a second training and meeting event is scheduled for March, involving the most important Italian design institutes.

Tapping into millennials for design guidance is a smart move that should see Ducati sitting atop the motorcycle design throne for years to come.

Which motorcycle company do you think is the leader in design? Leave your comments below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com