Aaaaaaaah! There’s literally nothing I get more excited for than supermoto news! I don’t own one, and it sure took me a long time to come around to liking them, but supermoto and Hypermotard motorcycles are up there for my favourite type of bikes available. This excitement is what verifies me as the best person to break the news for our AUS and NZ readers regarding the release of the upcoming 2021 KTM 690 SMC R (and 690 ENDURO R – arguably not as cool as the sumo version… fight me).
The 2021 Enduro R provides riders with a large-displacement offroad MX option despite the slim form factor. The bikes come jam-packed with electronic features such as cornering ABS, standard ABS, TC, and ‘sensitive motor slip regulation’. On the mechanical side, some highlights include the new WP XPLOR suspension(I have an entire article as to why this system is awesome), and the 74 horsepower 693cc drivetrain.
The 2021 KTM 690 SMC R takes that same package and tailors it for absolute pure and unadulterated hooning with a full street-setup. Many technical features from the Enduro R make their way over (they’re almost the same bike), but the WP APEX suspension, upgraded Brembo brakes, street tires, and some updated visual elements set this bike apart from its off-road-oriented brother. “Supermoto bikes aren’t just for hooning and wheelies, Chase” many of you may say. If that’s the case… Please explain to me why all of KTM’s press release images for this motorcycle are photos of riders doing burnouts, wheelies, stoppies, and drifts? Ha. Gotcha.
Both Euro5 spec motorcycles will be available at authorized KTM dealers in both AUS and NZ come March 2021. If I can manage to save enough spare change by then, you bet I’ll be buying one along with you. North American Riders should be able to snag one in December of this year.
Ever wish your ‘maxiscooter‘ had offroad capabilities? Maybe it’s time to sell your current ride to pick up the newly updated 2021 Honda X-ADV (if you’re located in Europe, that is). The Euro 5 approved scooterbeast comes with a plethora of new updates such as more engine power, higher top speed, optimized gearbox, fly-by-wire throttle configuration, lighter frame, lockable glovebox and updated seat for riders to have an easier time resting their feet on the ground.
The same 745cc engine is found in last year’s model, except this time around Honda bumped the power figures and redesigned the engine to save 1.4kg of weight. The engine sees a 3.6 horsepower increase, bringing it to 58.6 horsepower at 6,700 rpm, and the torque sits at 69 nm (one more than last year). The engine’s rev-limiter has also been cranked an extra 600 rpm higher.
Due to the introduction of fly-by-wire throttle control, the new model comes with four total riding modes: Standard, Sport, Rain, and Gravel. This is very important for ADV riding as different situations can call for different throttle configurations to make your life easier. The User Riding Mode allows for control over all parameters to create custom maps for your trip.
The 5 inch TFT display found in most of Honda’s 2021 models finds its way to this scooter, as well as all the smartphone-pairing, Bluetooth functionality that comes along with it.
Although the motorcycle doesn’t have a ton of visual updates, the few changes Honda sprinkled in managed to make this bike look far more luxurious and higher quality. Personally, I’m not a scooter guy myself, but I cannot deny that this thing looks absolutely awesome with the introduction of the new daytime running LED headlights.
The scooter comes in four colour options (red, black, silver and grey) and pricing will start at$ 13500.
Norton Motorcycles has really been through the wringer this year, and now under new leadership, there are a lot of questions about the future.
Recently Bennetts Bike Social had a chance to sit down and chat with the Interim CEO of Norton Motorcycles, John Russell. During that conversation, he discusses some new motorcycle, what motorcycles won’t make it to production in the future.
Russell said that Norton doesn’t just plan to let nostalgia rule here and wants to push the brand into the future with modern manufacturing techniques and new bikes.
He said that the company is doing all it can to protect trademarked historic Norton motorcycle names, but he didn’t say whether or not all of the names recently trademarked by the company would become production models.
The company’s current task is getting the current V4 engines up to Euro 5 compliance for future models. Russell did say that the Commando as it exists at the moment is nearing the end of its lifecycle. The bike will leave the lineup after this run of bikes. A new Commando could return in the future, but it’s unclear when.
He also said that alternatively powered bikes (electric) are certainly on the company’s radar, but what Norton would need out of an electric is vastly different than what other companies might be looking for. At the moment there is nothing much to report other than the fact that the parent company TVS, will likely supply the technology once it’s ready.
If you want to watch the whole interview, it’s over 36 minutes long and you can see the whole thing below.
Fashion trends and tighter emissions controls will inevitably force some motorcycle models to disappear from the showrooms. Estimating when that will happen is difficult.
While it doesn’t consider the pressure of European emissions controls which could terminate some models even sooner, it basically looks at the rate of sales from 2010 to 2020 and calculated the current average change per quarter.
Bikesure business manager Robert Balls says the estimated change data was then applied for the next decade to produce a list of estimated model expiring dates.
Some of the most popular motorcycles which feature in the list include Yamaha R6, Kawasaki ZX600, Honda CBR900, Peugeot Speedfight, Piaggio Zip, among many other rider favourites.
“While these bikes were popular in their time, in many cases it was probably due to their affordability and reliability as first-time bikes rather than because of their style,” Robert says.
“Many will think fondly of the bikes on this list, but unless that reaches beyond nostalgia, these bikes will continue to become an increasingly rare sight. Whatever you choose to ride, we will continue to offer bespoke policies that keep your wheels on the road.”
Here’s a list of the top 10 motorcycles and scooters that are destined for extinction by 2030, followed by the number of vehicles on British roads at the start of this year and the quarter of their expected extinction:
Vehicles on road
Extinction date
Yamaha YBR125
Suzuki GSF 600
Kawasaki ZX600
Piaggio Vespa LX
Peugeot Speedfight
Honda CBR900
Honda CG125
Piaggio Zip
Kawasaki ZX900
Other motorcycles which could, sadly, no longer be seen on British roads by 2030 include:
Knock knock – Who’s there? It’s the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. The world has been seeing a steady rise in new cases across the board. My hometown didn’t have a terrible initial outbreak, but the news is showing cases skyrocketing due to cold weather and Halloween parties.
Italy had one of the first initial waves on earth, and are taking every possible opportunity to make sure that doesn’t happen this second time around. Ten days ago, the government imposed curfews and the country just divided itself into areas based on COVID cases with a colour assigned to indicate risk levels. Motorcycle dealerships and gear stores remain open, even in the highest risk areas.
If you don’t fancy braving the outside world to go pick up your new bike to help burn some free time during a second lockdown, the Piaggio Group has you covered. If you buy a new bike or scooter on their website they now offer an additional service that gives you the option to have your new vehicle delivered right to your doorstep.
Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi’s websites will all have the option to have your new purchase delivered. Although you might initially think that keeping dealerships open in the ‘red zones’ is a bad idea, keep in mind much of Italy’s residents fully commute by motorcycle or moped, so it is important for the brands to keep their servicing centers open in the event a customer needs a tune-up or major repair to keep them mobile during the pandemic.
If Lamborghini ever made a motorcycle, you can be it would be a pretty extreme design. The car company is known for its outlandish machines, and artist Al Yasid has captured what that might look like in his latest concept design.
Yasid is known for his car designs, but this time he thought he’d change things up and give motorcycles a shot, specifically, a Lamborghini-inspired motorcycle.
The bike appears to be based on the Ducati Diavel. That makes sense because VW Group owns both Ducati and Lamborghini. Also, the Diavel is just a crazy enough bike that it makes sense as the base for a Lamborghini motorcycle. It’s a unique power cruiser unlike other bikes on the market.
The styling is undeniably Lamborghini with sharp edges and dramatic angles. It’s mean and the front cowl of the bike looks a bit like the Huracan, which is fitting for this bike. At the rear of the motorcycle, you see some LED taillights that remind you of the Aventador.
According to RideApart, Yasid’s fans have begun calling this bike the Mangusta. That’s an odd name. The supercar manufacturer De Tomaso used this name on one of its models, so it seems a little weird to use it here. That said, the whole idea of a Lamborghini motorcycle is weird, so I guess that’s not too big of a deal.
Recently, the 2021 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT hit Australian Suzuki dealerships. The adventure bike is a machine that’s been proven to be one of the best adventure motorcycles on the market.
The V-Strom 650XT features a 645cc DOHC v-twin engine that puts out 70 hp and 62Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. It’s a reliable engine, too, known to be tough enough to handle the demands of an adventure rider for mile after mile. There’s also a learner version of the bike that has a maximum output that’s restricted to 47 hp to mee the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme requirements.
The V-Strom 650XT comes with switchable multi-mode traction control. This system monitors a variety of stats and adjusts the controls and engine output accordingly by altering ignition timing and air delivery to the v-twin engine. You can adjust the sensitivity to suit your riding needs and preferences.
The motorcycle also has an aluminum twin-spar frame, a seat befitting an adventure tourer and known as one of the more comfy seats out there, disc brakes with ABS (twin 310mm discs up-front with twin-piston calipers and a single 260mm disc in the rear with a single-piston caliper.
The motorcycle also has wire-spoked aluminum-alloy rims as standard equipment. These rims get Bridgestone Batlax Adventure A40 tires. The V-Strom 650 XT also gets hand guards and protection from the engine to help keep the bike in good condition as you traverse rough terrain. There’s also a12-volt DC outlet allowing you to charge a mobile device if you need to.
For 2021, Suzuki also has two new Genuine Accessory luggage kits, including aluminum luggage and top box. The bike is currently for sale at Australia Suzuki dealerships. The MSRP for the V-Strom 650XT is $13,490 Ride Away.
I’m the biggest Formula 1 nerd I have ever met. Say what you will about tobacco advertising in motorsport, it still produced some of the greatest and most-legendary racing liveries the world has ever seen. There is no comparison. Tobacco advertising made cars, motorcycles, racing jackets, pitlane teams look cooler than ever. I said it, kill me.
Who was the king of tobacco-based advertising in motorsport? You already know the answer to this question, because it’s been unanimously decided already: MARLBORO. How could a brand speak such volume with such simple liveries? I have no idea, but I like to pretend the amazing looking cars gave famous racer, Ayrton Sena, a competitive edge.
Roland Sands took a 2008 BMW R 1200 GS and completely transformed it into this beautifully vintage-styled off-road masterpiece. Sands took the front end off an R NineT and retrofitted it with forks from an Africa Twin with Ohlins cartridges to maximize the motorcycles off-road abilities.
The gas tank was borrowed from an R80, and set up to run the robust fuel injection system found in the 1200 GS’s engine. A skid plate, fork guards, crash bars, LED lamps, and an Akrapovic exhaust was also added to complete the look and provide more functionality to the bike, making it a dangerous off-road weapon.
Now that you’re more informed on the bike itself, It’s time to discuss the amazing merchandise collection RSD brought us to celebrate the build. The merch kit comes with an ash trey, shirt, string bag, hat, lighter, and photo of the RSD Dakar GS for a price of $160 (only 150 packages are available – don’t miss out). None of these items are sold separately, so you’re stuck buying the entire package. That’s not a huge deal though, these trinkets and apparel items are wicked cool and feature a confident nod to the Marlboro Dakar racing heritage through its design. I’ll be buying one; race you there.
The UK’s National Motorcycle Museum applied for a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage, and it recently received news that it will not get that grant.
The museum has been hit hard by the impacts of COVID-19, and this is especially dire because the museum typically receives no external funding whatsoever according to its website.
It is funded by visitors to the museum and income from the conference business and two sister hotels. With no large gatherings happening, this means the museum is without the funds it needs to operate.
The grant sought by the museum would help it resume allowing visitors to come and visit. However, According to an email the museum received, it “did not meet the criteria for the programme, and the board has decided not to award a grant through the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.”
MoreBikes reported on this unfortunate turn of events and shared the museum’s correspondence. The museum noted that it applied for funding in the under-£1-million category. These funds would have been used to retain the expert team and preserve the collection of British motorcycles, which is the largest in the world.
Now the museum is providing two options in an effort to raise the £500,000 needed just to break even. First, you can donate to the museum. Second, you can enter a raffle. The raffle will go to help the museum but it will also enter you in a chance to win one of three motorcycles shown in the picture above.
The first prize will get a 1977 Norton commando 850cc motorcycle. The second price will get a 1948 Ariel NG 350cc Motorcycle. The third prize will get a 1959 BSA B31 350cc motorcycle. The drawing will take place on Monday, December 21st, 2020.
Note that only UK residents can participate in the raffle due to gambling laws. However, anyone can donate, and I’d love to see motorcycle lovers from around the world donate.
It is the first tracker to be fully integrated with an app. It not only helps detect and pinpoint motorcycle crashes to guide first responders, but also tracks stolen bikes, scores riders on their skills and safety and doesn’t drain the motorcycle battery.
Slovenian high school student Žan Pignar, 17, says he owes his life to Vigo Smart Track.
Žan was hit by a car that drove in front of him at an intersection. The tracker detected the impact when the bike’s speed fell from 95km/h to 0km/h in 1.5 seconds and activated the automatic SOS notification.
An ambulance arrived at the crash scene within three minutes.
“On the day of the accident I remember I was riding home from a friend. I don’t know what exactly happened during my unconsciousness, but I remember the moment when I woke up in the hospital,” Žan says.
“My family was worried, sad, and at the same time so glad I’m alive. Even though I had this accident, I’m looking forward to the moment, when I’ll be able to ride a motorcycle again. Vigo Smart Track saved my life.”
Movalyse co-founder and COO Rok Upelj says that when it comes to saving lives, “reaction time, from accident detection to rescuing the injured, is crucial”.
The Vigo Smart Track includes sensible sensors to detect forces and movements that are characteristic of accidents. The tracker has a SIM to notify a nominated emergency contact and provides the exact GPS accident location.
It has three emergency levels:
Level 1: When you crash on high speed, the system recognises it immediately. It calls your emergency contact, listed in the app, and provides exact GPS location.
Level 2: If you have a low-speed accident, the system sends an app notification asking you if you’re okay. If you don’t respond to the notification, your emergency contact will be called.
Level 3: If your bike gets knocked over the system is alerted. If you continue to ride, there will be no notification. But if the bike isn’t moved after it’s been knocked over, you will get a notification.
Besides the automatic SOS notification, Vigo Smart Track has an advanced algorithm that includes GPS, Bluetooth and mobile antenna.
If the motorcycle is moved when the user isn’t around, the app will immediately inform the owner and provide live data of the motorcycle’s location if it is stolen.
Bluetooth and Mobile data do not have to be on all the time. The device has its own SIM card and senses if your phone is near. If the Vigo Smart Track cannot sense your phone, you will immediately get a free SMS with the theft notification.
Rok says Vigo Smart Track also has a platform that scores a rider on their riding abilities and safety, encouraging them to ride safely.
It issues a score out of 10, based on acceleration, braking, speed, lean angle and position of the rider and compares to a professional motorcycle safety instructor.
“Crucial for ensuring and improving safety on the roads are being cautious on every curve and respecting other traffic participants,” Rok says.
“The scoring system enables the rider to get to know its riding style to the core, which is a great basis for improving it and becoming the best possible rider.”
Users must register their details, emergency contact, motorcycle’s data and use a QR code to pair their phone with the device.
The Vigo Smart Track suits most bikes and is easy to install; just connect the red cable is connected to +, and the black to -. The device should not be covered by any metal and the rider should not sit directly above it as that would interrupt the GPS signal.
