A British notice that Norton will be struck off the Register of Companies and dissolved is no cause for alarm, says Norton Motorcycles.
“It’s a standard late-filing notice,” a company spokesperson told us.
“We’re not going bust or indeed going anywhere.”
Only last week the company posted the above social media photo of a beautiful Commando Street.
Unfortunately, they are only making 50 which are limited to the UK due to homologation. Click here to make an enquiry.
“We are currently delivering more bikes than ever and investing millions in a larger production facility along with new model launches.
Donnington Hall where Norton continues to build motorcycles
“We have a very strong future ahead.”
The Companies House notice was published by UK website Visordown.
“We have contacted Visordown but sadly they will not respond,” thge Norton spokesperson says.
Big year ahead
We recently published an article saying Norton Motorcycles will have a big year ahead.
Here is that article:
Norton Motorcycles is expected to improve reliability and spare parts availability as well as delivering important new models this year after two major cash injections.
Harley-Davidson has now provided more detailed specs for its LiveWire electric motorcycle, together with plans for fast-charging devices at dealerships.
We rode the first incarnation of the LiveWire in LA in 2014 and inspected the production model at Milwaukee last year.
While some of the bike’s specs were provided, range was still a vague figure that seemed to vary from about 100-160km depending on whom you spoke to at HD.
Now Harley-Davidson has announced the final production-verified performance figures for LiveWire:
225km (140 miles) of city range or 142km (88 miles) of combined stop-and-go and highway range as measured using the MIC City and MIC Combined (70mph) tests;
Standard DC Fast Charge technology which provides a 0-80% of battery charge in 40 minutes or 0-100% in 60 minutes;
Top speed is 177km/h (110mph); and
0 to 100km/h in 3 seconds and 100-130km/h in 1.9 seconds.
The range figures are interesting because most companies just state one figure which is useless as range varies substantially on a number of factors. Click here for more details.
LiveWire will be available for sale in North America in August at $29,790, but is already taking orders. It will be available late this year in Europe and Canada with orders open from April.
Charging points on the LIveWire are under the “fuel” cap.
That’s a handy service and we expect it might even be free or, at least, very cheap.
It’s also a good sales tactic as it would guarantee riders called into dealerships more often.
Riders would not only be able to charge their LiveWire electric motorcycle, but also the new children’s Harley-branded electric bicycles.
Harley also plans a range of e-bikes, electric scooters and smaller urban electric motorcycles than the LiveWire.
Harley electric scooter
Electric bicycle
More LiveWire specs
Familiar switchgear
LiveWire has a twist-and-go electric powertrain with no clutch or gear shifting, just like most scooters and many other electric motorcycles.
Braking effect of the power regeneration mode adds charge to the battery, especially in stop-and-go urban traffic.
Central to the technology driving the LiveWire is an Electronic Chassis Control (ECC) system.
It uses cornering ABS, traction control and Drag-Torque Slip Control System to “monitor and manage front and rear brake torque as well as motor torque to the rear wheel to enhance rider control and balance vehicle performance across diverse riding environments”.
In other words, it keeps the wheels on the ground and prevents slides.
In some markets, the LiveWire has the H-D Connect mobile app that uses an LTE-enabled Telematics Control Unit and cloud services to collect data and provide the rider with information about their bike such as battery charge status and available range, so long as you have mobile signal. It will also show riders where they can recharge and guide them there.
Touchscreen instruments
The app includes alerts riders if someone is trying to steal their bike and uses GPS to track it if it has been taken.
Riders will also get service reminders and other vehicle care notifications.
LiveWire has a fully adjustable Showa Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite mono rear shock and Showa Separate Function Big Piston forks.
Fully adjustable Showa rear shock
It comes with Brembo monoblock front brake calipers on dual 300mm discs.
Harley-Davidson wants children riding electric “Harley-Davidson” bicycles so they become “the next generation” of riders. They hope to achieve this by selling electric bicycles through selected US dealerships.
The move follows their acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, of Californian children’s electric bicycle company StaCyc, which stands for “stability cycles”.
StaCyc will continue to sell their bikes in the US through powersports dealerships, including 29 Harley-Davidson dealerships, as well as online and in specialty bicycle shops.
However, from the third quarter of this year, selected US Harley dealerships will sell the electric bicycles rebranded as Harleys.
Harley-Davidson Australia has not advised whether the bikes will be sold here.
StaCyc electric bicycles
StaCyc started in 2016 and has a range of 12-and 16-inch-wheel electric EDRIVE bikes priced from $US649 ($A915) to $US699 ($A985).
There is no word on whether they will cost more when rebranded as Harley-Davidsons.
Electric portfolio
Harley say the acquisition expands their electric portfolio and reinforces their “commitment to lead in the electrification of motorcycling”.
Harley also plan a range of e-bikes (pedal-assisted electric bicycles) and scooters in the next couple of years.
Harley electric scooter
Electric bicycle
In March 2018, the Milwaukee brand acquired a stake in electric dirt-bike company Alta Motors, but later relinquished it after gaining key technology on batteries and electric motors.
Alta Motors went bust in October and Canadian company BRP, which makes the Can-Am Spyder, has now bought a selection of its assets, including intellectual property, patents and some physical assets.
Brand loyalty
Perhaps Harley will also gain some technical know-how from StaCyc as it did in the short-lived Alta Motors deal.
However, the StaCyc acquisition seems to be more about building brand loyalty from young cyclists in the hope they will become Harley motorcyclists.
Harley-Davidson Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand, Heather Malenshek, says StaCyc “shares the same vision we have for building the next generation of riders globally”.
“We’ve said previously that we believe electric vehicles are where global mobility is headed and they hold great appeal for existing riders as well as opportunity to build new riders,” Heather says.
“As we lead in the electrification of motorcycling, we’re demonstrating our commitment by delivering a full range of electric products for a vast audience who will be inspired to imagine and discover what is possible from Harley-Davidson.”
Harley-Davidson has stripped $1500 off the price of the Street Glide and deleted the distracting music infotainment system to create the new dressed-down Electra Glide Standard dresser.
It arrives in “Vivid Black” at $34,495 ride-away ($NZ37,995) which compares with the Street Glide at $36,995.
Despite deleting the infotainment system, the Electra Glide Standard still has a lot of features such as electronic cruise control, hand-adjustable emulsion-technology rear shock absorbers, 49mm front forks with dual bending valve suspension, and Reflex Linked Brembo Brakes with optional ABS.
“The deletion of the infotainment system enhances the light touch and leaves the rider to focus on connecting with the road,” Harley says.
It is still powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine.
Dressed-down dresser
Harley saying guru Brad Richards calls it a “dressed-down dresser”
“To express the stripped-back essence of the Electra Glide Standard, we focused on finishes that were simple, timeless, and fundamental to the Harley-Davidson’s touring line. Chrome was added to key components and complimented by polished and blacked out parts, for example,” he says.
“The rocker, cam, and derby covers are finished with chrome to emphasize the V-Twin shape of the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. In addition, they add a dose of nostalgia that draws a through-line all the way back to the first Electra Glide.”
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard tech specs
PRICING 5
VIVID BLACK$34,495 AUD / $37,995NZD
ENGINE
ENGINE 2Milwaukee-Eight® 107
BORE100 mm
STROKE111 mm
DISPLACEMENT1,745 cc
COMPRESSION RATIO10.0:1
FUEL SYSTEMElectronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
EXHAUSTChrome, 2-1-2 dual exhaust with tapered mufflers
DIMENSIONS
LENGTH2,400 mm
SEAT HEIGHT, UNLADEN680 mm
GROUND CLEARANCE120 mm
RAKE (STEERING HEAD) (DEG)26
TRAIL170 mm
WHEELBASE1,625 mm
TYRES, FRONT SPECIFICATIONBW 130/80B17 65H
TYRES, REAR SPECIFICATIONBW 180/65B16 81H
FUEL CAPACITY22.7 l
OIL CAPACITY (W/FILTER)4.9 l
WEIGHT, AS SHIPPED354 kg
WEIGHT, IN RUNNING ORDER372 kg
LUGGAGE CAPACITY -VOLUME0.064 m3
PERFORMANCE
ENGINE TORQUE TESTING METHODEC 134/2014
ENGINE TORQUE 3150 Nm
ENGINE TORQUE (RPM)3,250
LEAN ANGLE, RIGHT (DEG.)31
LEAN ANGLE, LEFT (DEG.)29
DRIVETRAIN
PRIMARY DRIVEChain, 34/46 ratio
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 1ST9.593
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 2ND6.65
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 3RD4.938
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 4TH4
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 5TH3.407
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 6TH2.875
CHASSIS
WHEELS, FRONT TYPE 7Impeller Cast Aluminum
WHEELS, REAR TYPEImpeller Cast Aluminum
BRAKES, CALIPER TYPE32 mm, 4-piston fixed front and rear
ELECTRIC
LIGHTS (AS PER COUNTRY REGULATION), INDICATOR LAMPS 6High beam, running lights, directional lights, low oil pressure, engine diagnostics, neutral, cruise control, accessory, battery, gear indication, security system, 6-speed, low fuel warning, ABS, miles to empty display, fog/aux lamp indicator
GAUGESGauges styled to complement each vehicle. Display features odometer, trip A, trip B, range to empty and gear indicator; and larger tell-tale indicators.
Read more at https://www.harley-davidson.com/au/en/motorcycles/2019/touring/electra-glide-standard/detailed-specs-and-pricing.html#iygWttyPP3pykAZl.99
Triumph’s Scrambler 1200 is less of a neo-classic scrambler than it is a viable low-weight alternative to the over-litre, top-heavy adventure bikes.
The British company has loaded the bike with all the latest hi-tech mod cons and given it true all-road credentials, while still remaining a stunning neo-classic in design.
And unlike most hideously ugly utilitarian adventure bikes, this is classy with exemplary quality finish and some beautiful touches. So nice you will be reticent to take it off road and get it dirty!
More power and torque
It is also the brawniest of the 1200 water-cooled Bonneville models with the high-torque engine from the Bobber, but using a single throttle body that gives it 14Nm more torque and almost as much power as the high-power engine from the Thruxton R.
The Scrambler 1200 XE and XC are far more than just a 900cc Street Scrambler with more cubic capacity.
This is now a multi-purpose bike: an adventurer, a stylish retro, a sports tourer, a capable commuter and a naked streetfighter.
It will tour tarmac and dirt roads in comfort and ease all day long with long gaps between refills thanks to the super-efficient engine and bigger 16-litre tank.
It’s also a lot more expensive at $21,700 (plus on-road costs) for the off-road-oriented XE and $20,300 for the more road-tame XC version at $20,300.
Scrambler 1200 XC and XE
XC
XE
The XC has five riding modes and the XE adds Off-Road Pro that turns off traction control and ABS to use a special off-road engine mapping.
XE also has cornering traction control and cornering ABS, plus 50mm longer suspension (250mm).
Despite all the tech on board, I love the fact that you can customise the digital instruments so that only the centre screen shows minimal info in digital or analogue format until you press a control button on the left switchblock that reveals all the other comprehensive data on side screens.
Now you see it …
Now you don’t!
It makes you focus your attention on the important things such as revs and speed!
However, you can upgrade with a USB connection under the seat that plugs in your smartphone in a padded cell and allows access on the instrument screen to various apps and Google Maps.
The connector is coming in the next few months for an extra $400.
Under-seat Smartphone compartment
Manners
What I love about the Scrambler 1200 is the good manners this brawny 1200cc engine displays even around slow-moving traffic.
Fuelling is smooth, reliable and more refined than the other 1200s I have ridden.
This makes it great in traffic, together with the slick-cut gears and wide spread of ratios.
Braking is also much improved with dual Brembo M50 radial Monoblock calipers on 320mm front discs with a 255mm rear disc and twin-piston caliper.
Riding position is upright and neutral with a commanding view of the traffic for safe filtering.
I stand 183cm tall and my toes only just touch the ground on the XE.
Out on the highway it gallops along with plenty in reserve in sixth gear and an unstressed feel to engine and riding position.
The seat is comfortable enough for rolling down highways all day.
Dirty business
Once you get your tyres dirty and stand up on dirt roads, this has a much more natural feel than the Street Scrambler which makes you ride bandy-legged.
Here it also feels less top heavy than other adventure bikes and gives you more control as you flick it around.
Those Ohlins rear shocks provide plenty of traction, control as well as a comfortable ride over the roughest of terrain.
Up front is a Showa unit that also feels good on rough corrugations as well as pushing into tight tarmac corners.
If you can only afford one bike, but don’t want an ugly utilitarian adventure model, the stylish neo-classic Scrambler 1200 is just what you’ve been looking for.
Single 255mm disc, Brembo 2-piston floating caliper, ABS
Instrument Display and Functions
TFT multifunctional instrument pack with digital speedometer, trip computer, digital tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, service indicator, ambient temperature, clock and rider modes (Rain/Road/Sport/Offroad/Off-road Pro/Rider-Customisable)
Single 255mm disc, Brembo 2-piston floating caliper, ABS
Instrument Display and Functions
TFT multifunctional instrument pack with digital speedometer, trip computer, digital tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, service indicator, ambient temperature, clock and rider modes (Rain/Road/Sport/Off-road/Rider-Customisable)
KTM Australia has announced the pricing for all their 2019 adventure models, including the new 790 Adventure and Adventure R, arriving in June 2019.
The 790 models start at $21,195 ride away and an extra $1500 for the R model at $22,695.
That compares with the BMW F 850 GS which starts at $17,990 (plus on-road costs) and goes up to $22,305 for the Rallye X model.
The KTMs arrive several months before its major new mid-mid-sized competitor, the Yamaha Ténéré 700.
790 Adventure
The much anticipated 790 Adventure is powered by KTM’s new-generation LC8c 799cc in-line twin-engine with 70kW of power (95hp) and weighing in at only 189kg.
KTM claims 400km of range from the 20-litre tank. And it should all be smooth riding with two balancer shafts and long service intervals of 15,000km.
Suspension is, of course, WP, with 43mm forks, 200mm of travel, 233mm clearance and an 850mm seat height, compared with the Ténéré 700 at 880mm.
The engine sits in a CroMo steel frame with an open-lattice swingarm.
Finally, a manufacturer has provided an easy-to-adjust handlebar. It can be set in six different positions with a 30mm adjustment range making it comfortable no matter what size the rider and whether standing or sitting.
Instruments are in a 5-inch TFT display with a wide range of configurable information. The display varies according to light and the rev counter blinks to indicate when to shift.
Electronic rider aids include traction control, cornering ABS, and an off-road mode with a smooth throttle response.
Other tasty features are LED lighting, steering damper and hefty 320mm twin discs with four-piston radially mounted callipers.
Factory accessories include an up/down quickshifter, heated grips and cruise control, as well as the usual protection parts and luggage.
790 Adventure R
The R model adds longer-travel 240mm suspension, Karoo 3 dirt tyres, 48mm WP XPLOR forks, upgraded shock and different bodywork.
690 Enduro R
690 Enduro R
The 690 Enduro R which returns in 2019 with several updates will cost $17,595 ride away.
It was previously available at $14,695 plus on-road costs.
One of the best for long-range touring is the addition of two balancer shafts to smooth out the LC4 single.
It also now gets the super-duper fully-adjustable WP XPLOR suspension.
There are two changeable rider modes (off-road and street), cornering ABS and traction control.
Styling is now sharper and slimmer, with a redesigned seat.
KTM Australia has also confirmed ride-away pricing for the rest of their 2019 adventure range: 1090 Adventure R $24,295, 1290 Super Adventure Super Adventure S $28,395 and 1290 Super Adventure R $29,195.
As if the Indian Roadmaster isn’t special enough, the company has released an Elite version with a 600-watt stereo system and gold-leaf paint that took more than 30 hours to paint by hand.
Indian Australia spokesman Christopher Gale says they have already sold one of the $52,995 (ride-away) limited-edition bikes to a Perth customer.
He says they do not yet know when they will be delivered or how many will be available in Australia.
The company has been releasing these special Elite models for the past few years and they have all sold out rapidly.
Last year Indian Motorcycle released a limited-edition Chieftain Elite in a hand-painted and “marbled” silver paint job at $47,995 ride away which was the same price as the 2017 hand-painted Chieftain Elite in Fireglow Red Candy with Marble Accents.
Indian Roadmaster Elite
This range-topping costs $10,000 more than the “standard” Roadmaster and for that you get a whole lot more bike as well as exclusivity which is priceless.
The bike already features a host of features including rider modes, rear-cylinder deactivation, Ride Command infotainment system, heated grips and seat, electronic windscreen and more.
The Elite is hand painted in Wildfire Red and Black Crystal livery with real 24-karat gold-leaf badging that takes about 30 hours.
If the paintwork doesn’t take your breath away, the 600-watt audio system with speakers in the fairing, top box, and saddlebags will.
It also features billet mirrors and passenger floorboards, full leather upholstery right down to the pillion armrests.
Indian will make only 200 of the Roadmaster Elite models.
Meanwhile, Indian Motorcycle Australia is running a promotion on 2018 model bikes, offering a 116ci big-bore kit for free. The kit costs $5250 fitted.
Norton Motorcycles is expected to improve reliability and spare parts availability as well as delivering important new models this year after two major cash injections.
MV Agusta has launched its fourth limited-edition model, the Brutale 800 RR LH44, in collaboration with five-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
Only 144 bikes will be made, each with Hamilton’s race number “44”.
They will cost $A38,880 ride away, which is about $14,00 more than the RR version and $10,000 more than the RR America.
Lewis Hamilton collaboration
The Brutale 800 RR LH44 is distinguished by a blacked-out ceramic exhaust, LH44 rim design, pearl shock red lever sets, and carbonfibre highlighted side covers, fuel tank trim, front and rear fenders and dashboard cover.
It also has a compact and lightweight two-channel ABS 9 Plus that features Rear Wheel Lift-up Mitigation to control the pressure on the front brake and avoid rear wheel lift-up.
MV Agusta says the Euro 4 inline-three cylinder engine has “undergone extensive technical updating”.
However, they don’t say what that is, but horsepower remains at 140hp with a top speed of 244km/h.
Limited editions
MV Agusta has launched a host of limited edition models in the past few years as they have struggled under financial constraints to produce new models.
While we’ve lost count of the number of “limited-edition models” they have released in recent years, we do know this is the fourth in collaboration with Lewis Hamilton.
It sort of makes a mockery of the term “limited edition” when they produce so many.
Top of the range of limited-edition models was last year’s $A125,012 Claudio F4 which pays homage to former company president Claudio Castiglioni.
Claudio F4
Meanwhile, MV Agusta have produced only a couple of new models since 2013 and suffered from a frustratingly slow supply chain. We know of one rider who waited six months for a sump plug!
Instead of fixing supply, updating their bikes or launching new models, MV continued to churn out limited-edition models with a lick of paint, some extra farkle and a hefty price tag.
