Honda confirmed it will produce a 399cc version of its new 500-series motorcycles for the Japanese market. The Honda CBR400R, CB400F and 400X will be offered in Japan instead of their respective 500 versions, as they are a better fit to the country’s tiered licensing system than the CBR500R, CB500F and CB500X.

The new 400 models should come as no surprise after Honda announced in February it would produce a smaller version of the 471cc engine used in the 500 series. Like the larger engine, the new powerplant is a liquid-cooled DOHC parallel Twin engine. The smaller engine has the same 67mm bore as the 500 engine, but at 56.6mm, it has a smaller stroke than the 500 engine’s 66.8mm. Continue Reading »

The 2013 BMW R1200GS hasn’t arrived in showrooms yet and it’s already been subjected to its second recall in Canada. Fortunately, this means the problems should be corrected before BMW‘s updated adventure-tourer gets delivered to customers.

Earlier this month, Transport Canada announced a recall for the new R1200GS for a potential transmission oil leak. The Canadian department of transportation has now announced a second recall for the GS’ Automatic Stability Control (i.e. traction control system.) This affects only those models with ASC installed as well as an optional plug-in that unlocks the “Enduro Pro” ride mode.

The “Enduro Pro” mode is specifically calibrated for off-road use and adjusts both ABS and traction control to allow for rear wheel slide. According to Transport Canada, the ASC system may not reactivate following off-road use while in the “Enduro Pro” ride mode. The ASC’s warning light would also not illuminate, which may lead the rider into thinking the traction control system is on and working when in fact it is disengaged. Continue Reading »

BMW Motorrad has announced U.S. pricing for the new 2013 R1200GS, with the German company’s updated flagship adventure tourer starting at $15,800. Recently reviewed by our EiC Kevin Duke, the 2013 BMW R1200GS is nearly completely re-designed, with the most notable new feature being a new 1170cc boxer engine with small radiators providing what BMW calls “Precision Cooling“.

Available at American dealerships in March, the 2013 BMW R1200GS will be available in several sometimes confusing packages. The base GS is priced at $15,800 and comes with disengageable ABS, aluminum engine guard, center stand, power accessory socket, white turn signal lenses, LED rear light, on-board computer, height-adjustable seat, longitudinally-adjustable passenger seat, adjustable windshield and removable pillion foot rests. Continue Reading »

Just in time for this weekend’s DealerExpo in Indianapolis, the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) announced today that Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA will use the event to introduce its 2014 products to the marketplace. Yamaha is the first official OEM partner of AIMExpo, a landmark step in the continued growth of the event, which is hoping to be a viable rival to DealerExpo as a powersports industry destination.

Yamaha’s range of powersports products comprises both the Yamaha and Star motorcycle brands. The Yamaha line-up of off-road motorcycles, sport ATVs, and street motorcycles from its sport segment will be joined by UTVs and utility ATVs from the outdoor segment. Star features one of the most diverse lineups of cruisers in the industry. Continue Reading »

Founded in 1963, Alpinestars marks a half-century of high performance apparel this year. Named after the Stella Alpina mountain flower, Alpinestars got its start manufacturing ski and hiking boots. The company’s first motorcycle footwear, introduced in 1965, were MX boots bedecked with innovations. With 5-time World Motocross champion Roger Decoster’s stamp of approval Alpinestars earned global recognition. From there Alpinestars diversified in to road racing and is now a recognized leader in a variety of sporting disciplines.

Although Alpinestars has not yet introduced any special 50th anniversary gear or apparel the company did give Motorcycle.com a preview of its 2013 spring collection. The collection includes new as well as updated products from casual riding sneakers to one-piece leather suits and everything in between. Here’s a few that caught our eye as well as a list of Alpinestars’ entire spring offering. Continue Reading »

Continental Tire announced a voluntary recall campaign for certain ContiMotion sport-touring tires.

According to Continental, market feedback has shown some tires may experience uneven wear from the 180/60R16 74H ContiMotion rear tires. Tires may develop groove cracking and, in some cases, belt lift, conditions which can lead to a loss of tire inflation pressure and a potential for loss of control.

The problem has been observed on ContiMotion rear tires equipped on Honda Gold Wing tourers, particularly when carrying a large load or when the tires are under-inflated. Continental has not received any accident reports related to this issue. Continue Reading »

(Update: Ducati has clarified the Dolomites’ Peak Edition is just a one-off created for Wrooom.)

Ducati has revealed a one-off variant of its Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Edition as part of the Wrooom 2013 celebrations at Italy’s Madonna di Campiglio ski resort. With the mountains of northeast Italy as the backdrop, MotoGP factory riders Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden pulled the covers of the new Multistrada 1200 S Dolomites’ Peak Edition.

The Dolomite’s Peak Edition is essentially the same as the Pikes Peak Edition, a replica of the Ducati Multistrada S that won the motorcycle class races at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb three years in a row. With the Ducati MotoGP team launch in the Dolomites, it made sense for Ducati to prepare special graphics for the occasion. The special edition models add with three-spoke Marchesini wheels, and  carbon fiber racing screen, fenders, air scoops, side extractors and engine guards. Like the European-spec Pikes Peak Editions, the Dolomite’s Peak Edition is equipped with a carbon Termignoni exhaust. Continue Reading »

Triumph revealed a new version of its 1050cc Tiger named the Tiger Sport. Triumph currently lists this new Tiger Sport beside its Tiger 1050 on the Triumph website’s 2013 offerings but the new model appears to be a replacement for the previous model which has been relatively unchanged since its introduction in 2007.

Officially unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show, the 2013 Triumph Tiger Sport receives new body panels, tail and windscreen but perhaps the most notable design change is the new single-sided swingarm which better shows off the black cast aluminum alloy multi-spoke rear wheel. Also new are the reflector headlights, footrests and seat which is both narrower and at 32.7 inches slightly lower than that of the previous model.

The new Tiger still uses a 1050cc liquid-cooled, 12-valve in-line Triple with a bore of 79mm and stroke of 71.4mm. A new intake and exhaust system however gives a power and torque upgrade, with Triumph claiming 123 hp at 9400 rpm from the new model compared to claims of 113 hp at  9400 rpm from the previous model. According to Triumph, the Tiger Sport gets a 5 ft-lb. improvement in torque to 77 ft-lb., and the peak torque now arrives at 4300 rpm compared to 6250 rpm on the outgoing model. Continue Reading »

A 2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000DS belonging to actor Bruce Willis has been auctioned off for $6,250. The Multistrada was the first of five motorcycles from the “Die Hard” actor’s personal collection that will be sold to benefit the Boot Campaign, a non-profit organization supporting active and retired members of the U.S. military.

In excellent condition with just 285 miles on it, the Multistrada sold for close to market price. Kelley Blue Book lists the 2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000DS at $6,045, so the fact it was owned by Willis didn’t increase the value as much as we expected it might. Continue Reading »

The 2013 Triumph Trophy is being recalled because a NHTSA label listing the sport-tourer’s tire data has the wrong information.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the tire label on some Triumph Trophy models list erroneous tire and laden weight information. The labels are mandated by NHTSA and can be found affixed to the left side of the main frame headstock on the Trophy. The correct information should specify a 120/70 17 front tire and a 190/55 17 rear tire for the Trophy.

Customers looking for replacement tires may be relying on the wrong information posted on the label, and may thus purchase the wrong tires. Using the wrong tires may affect the motorcycle’s performance and increase the risk of injury. Continue Reading »