Honda announced it is bringing the CRF250M supermoto to Europe. We first heard about the supermoto version of the CRF250L in January, when it was announced for Thailand. Though nothing official was said, it seemed likely at the time Honda would introduce the CRF250M to other markets. American Honda has not yet announced whether it would offer the CRF250M, but we hope it will.

Like the CRF250L, the M version uses a liquid-cooled 250cc Single engine based on the powerplant introduced with the CBR250R. The CRF models share similar power and torque figures, claiming 22.8 hp at 8500 rpm and 16.2 ft-lb. at 7000 rpm. Honda claims the CRF250M can get about 80 miles on the gallon. Combined with a 2.0-gallon fuel tank, the CRF250M should have a range of about 160 miles. Continue Reading »

Suzuki will produce a semi-faired variant of its GW250 for Asia and Europe. The new Suzuki Inazuma GW250S, which adds a half-fairing and windscreen to the small-displacement standard, will be officially introduced April 20 at the Shanghai Motor Show in China. As with the original GW250, the S version will first be available in China with Italian site Motociclismo.it reporting the GW250S will be soon after be offered for Japan and Europe.

An earlier prototype of the Suzuki GW250S (pictured here) was actually unveiled last October at the 2012 China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition (CIMAMotor) alongside a police-spec version dubbed the GW250J. Both models were produced by Haojue, Suzuki’s Chinese joint venture and the country’s leading motorcycle manufacturer.

The GW250J has already been pressed into service by police in China but the final production version won’t finally be introduced until the Shanghai show. The GW250J’s handlebars are set higher than the base GW250, and the same appears to be true of the GW250J. This would give the GW250S a more upright seating position which, combined with the added wind protection, would make it more suited for sport-touring duties. Continue Reading »

A recall initially announced in Canada for turn signal stems on certain 2012-2013 Triumph motorcycles has now been announced for the U.S., affecting 3,799 units. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects the Triumph Tiger 800, Tiger 800XC, Tiger 1050, Speed Triple, Street Triple and Daytona 675,  as well as their various R versions.

As described in the Transport Canada recall, the supports for the front and rear turn signals may be prone to fracturing. In the case of a brake, the turn signals will remain attached to the motorcycle, but instead of staying in position, they would dangle by their electrical wiring. This not only puts a strain on the wires, it may also prevent other motorists from seeing the turn signals, creating a safety risk.

Triumph attributes the problem to a manufacturing error. According to documents released by NHTSA, Italian lighting supplier ECIE used an incorrect raw material that contains an excessive amount of ethanol. The material is prone to fracture after short periods of time.

Continue Reading »

Transport Canada has announced a recall for the 2012 and 2013 Triumph Daytona 675, Speed Triple, Street Triple and Tiger 800 because of a flaw in their turn signals. Several members of the Motorcycle.com forum network’s TriumphRat.net community have reported issues with turn signals breaking off, and this recall appears to address the issue.

According to Transport Canada, the supports for the front and rear turn signals were incorrectly manufactured and may break. In such a case, the light assemblies would dangle from their mounts by their electrical wiring. This may damage the wires but perhaps more importantly, the turn signals may not be clearly visible to other motorists, increasing the risk of an accident.

The recall notice only lists the non-R versions of the Daytona 675, Speed Triple and Street Triple, but we suspect the recall will include the R versions as they likely use the same turn signal components. The same applies for the Tiger 800XC which was not specifically listed by Transport Canada but is likely also included. Continue Reading »

Honda will display a number of new motorcycles at the upcoming Osaka Motorcycle Show and Tokyo Motorcycle Show in addition to a new 400cc version of its 500-series models. Honda describes the new motorcycles as exhibition models or models planned for production.

The new models include the previously announced-for-North America CTX700 and CTX700N, and the Thailand-bound CRF250M motard (pictured above). The CTX700N and the cowled CTX700 will launch first in the U.S. The CRF250M has not been confirmed for the U.S. however, though it wouldn’t be a surprise if Honda did introduce this motard version of the CRF250L.

Other announced models are less likely to arrive in the U.S. Read more about them after the jump. Continue Reading »

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 »

Norton Motorcycles has received approval from Canada’s transportation and environment government agencies, finally opening the way for the British manufacturer to introduce its Commando models to the market. Norton has been working to enter Canada for a while and already has customers waiting since 2010. Deliveries will finally be made in the spring.

The news comes after Norton gained similar approval from the California Air Resource Board. Norton will import three models to Canada, the Norton Commando 961 SE (pictured above), the Commando 961 Café Racer and the Commando 961 SF.

All Commando models share the same 961cc air-cooled parallel-Twin engine, upside-down Ohlins forks, radial-mount Brembo brakes and carbon fiber trim. Canadian customers will have a choice of blacked-out or chrome exhausts for the SF and black or polished rims for the Café Racer Continue Reading »

Triumph has revealed Special Edition versions of the Bonneville and Speed Triple for 2013, proving once again that nothing delivers a bang for the buck like cosmetic enhancements to popular models.

Most appealing to our eyes is the subtle but sexy Triumph Speed Triple SE (pictured above.) Its Matte Graphite color is beautifully set off by soft blue accents of the frame, swingarm, subframe and wheel pinstriping. Included on the SE are a color-matched fly screen, belly pan and seat cowl.

Carbon fiber jewelry abounds, including the front fender, side pods and fuel tank cover. Other detail refinements consist of racing stripes on the fly screen and tank, with the stripe line continuing over the seat, new mirrors and a rubber tank pad. Restyled clutch, alternator and sprocket covers enhance the distinctive makeover. In addition, exhaust heat shields, handlebars and clamps are now black to complete the stealth appearance. 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 »

Triumph announced a very limited production run of the 2013 Speed Triple R in a special “Dark” livery for the U.K. market.

The British manufacturer teamed up with custom paint shop 8 Ball to produce 30 units of the Triumph Speed Triple R Dark. The livery is predominantly black with red highlights to match the Speed Triple R’s red frame and pinstriped wheels. Finer details include new “R 1050″ logos and air-brushed Union Jack flags on the fuel tank.

The Dark version includes a color-matched flyscreen and belly pan, both of which are usually available as accessories at a total price of £320 (US$495). The Speed Triple R Dark however is only priced £200 over the regular price of £11,349. Continue Reading »