The Hong Kong government is replacing its entire gasoline-powered motorcycle fleet including police motorcycles with electric-powered Brammo motorcycles.
The Hong Kong Police Force will use the law enforcement version of the 2012 Brammo Enertia Plus. Engineers from Hong Kong’s Water Supplies Department will also use the civilian version of the Brammo Enertia Plus to travel to service locations around the Chinese city-state.
Honda reports a 20.0% year-on-year increase in motorcycle and ATV sales over the second quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011. Despite a record second quarter for motorcycle sales, Honda saw a drop in net profit due to struggling auto sales and the aftereffects of the Japanese earthquake in March and flooding in Thailand.
According to its second quarter 2011-2012 report, Honda sold 3.28million motorcycles, a new second quarter record. By comparison, Honda sold 2.73 million motorcycles in the same quarter last year.
Motorcycles generated 38.9 billion yen (US$498.7 million) in operating income, a 29.6% increase from the same quarter last year. Despite the strong performance from its motorcycle division, Honda saw a 55.5% drop in net income, taking in 60.4 billion yen (US$774.3 million) over the quarter, compared to 135.4 billion yen (US$1.74 billion) reported last year. Honda attributes the decrease to parts shortages created by the March earthquake and tsunami, as well as a strong yen.
The FIM’s Superbike Commission announced new rules for the World Superbike Championship designed to reduce expenses.
Among the numerous rule updates, the most significant is a new single-bike rule. New to the Superbike class but already existing in the Supersport and Superstock 1000 classes, teams will only be allowed to enter one race bike per rider and will no longer be allowed to have a back-up machine prepared. The single-bike rule will make it easier for teams, especially privateer squads who often only have one machine, as they will no longer be at a disadvantage to larger teams which can afford a second bike.
For Indian, 2012 represents 110 years since the first motorcycle bearing the namesake rolled off whatever sufficed for production line at the Hendee Co. in 1901. To celebrate, Polaris Industries, owner of the Indian brand since April of this year, is celebrating the occasion with special badging on all 2012 models. The twenty-twelve bikes will be the first produced under the auspice of Polaris. According to company spokesman, Robert Pandya, the Polaris-built Indians are endowed with minor technical changes and a few new colors.
There are three Indian Chief models for 2012, Vintage, Dark Horse and Classic ranging in price from $26,500 to $36,700. The hand-built Indians are powered by a 105 cu. in., fuel-injected, air-cooled, 45-degree Powerplus V-Twin. Power reaches the rear wheel via a belt drive attached to a six-speed transmission. Hauling the 800-pound machines to a stop is a trio of Brembo braking components.
The $26,500 Indian Chief Classic is available in solid Indian Red with gold script and solid Thunder Black with silver script with a black leather seat, chrome wheels and black wall tires. The $28,000 Dark Horse is painted Thunder Black Smoke with a black leather seat, black wheels tires. The Vintage Chief is available in both solid colors, Thunder Black and Indian Red for $35,600 and two-tone schemes, Indian Red and Ivory Cream, Arizona Turquois and Winter White, and Willow Green and Ivory Cream for $36,900.
Harley-Davidson is issuing a recall for 250,757 units from its Touring, CVO Touring and Trike line from model years 2009 – 2012.
The rear brake light switch on the models in question may become degraded due to the heat from the exhaust systems. This may affect brake light function and may result in a brake fluid leak.
According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problem was first identified in June 2010 after a Harley-Davidson Trike model lost rear brake function due to a fluid leak. A month later, Harley-Davidson received a report of an alledged crash with a similar problem.
Suzuki is bringing back its V-Strom 1000 for 2012 and adding a new U.S.-only “Adventure” version with luggage.
The 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 is unchanged from its previous version, last offered as a 2009 model. It’s powered by the same 996cc liquid cooled, fuel-injected 90-degree V-Twin engine as the previous model.
What is new is the V-Strom 1000 Adventure which is exclusive to the U.S. market. However, the only feature denoting the Adventure model are nylon (plastic rather than, say, aluminum) side cases and top box. This luggage set is more along the lines of traditional aftermarket luggage rather than the luggage standard on the 650 ABS Adventure. The 1000 Adventure also lacks engine guards and adjustable upper windscreen deflector that are standard features on the 650 Adventure
The base 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 will retail for $10,399 while the V-Strom 1000 Adventure (available only in black) will cost just $600 more at $10,999.
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Suzuki has updated its GSX-R1000 sportbike for 2012 with Brembo monobloc calipers and a new single-pipe exhaust system.
Last updated in 2009, the 2012 Suzuki GSX-R1000 also receives a number of updates to the the engine to the wiring harness to even the front tire to to reduce overall weight by 4.4 pounds. The new GSX-R has a claimed curb weight of 447.5 pounds.
The 999cc engine receives new MotoGP-derived pistons, now 11% lighter than the previous version. The new pistons are also largely responsible for a slight boost in compression, from 12.8:1 from 12.9:1. Cam followers are each also 2.5 grams lighter, and revised exhaust cam profile provides less valve overlap. The higher lift exhaust cam profile allowed engineers to boost midrange (roughly between 5500 to 7500 rpm) without sacrificing horsepower in the top of the powerband. New pentagonal-shaped crankcase ventilation holes, just like those first seen earlier this year on the all-new GSX-R600 and 750, reduce pumping losses and is a key contributor to improved mid-range grunt and 8% better fuel economy.
Ducati unveiled a new model to its Monster family specifically for the Asian market, combining the engine of the 796 and the chassis of the 696.
The new Ducati Monster 795 is powered by the same 803cc 90-degree V-Twin engine as found in the Monster 796, claiming 87hp at 8250 rpm and 58 ft-lb. at 6250 rpm. The chassis, double-sided swing arm and three-spoke wheels, however, appear to be identical to those on the Monster 696,
Honda announced it will mass produce the Crosstourer adventure tourer unveiled first in concept form at the 2010 EICMA show in Milan, Italy.
The 2012 Honda Crosstourer will use a V4 engine similar to the one used in the VFR1200F and will also be available with Honda’s dual clutch transmission. Long-travel suspension adds to the adventure touring theme, but the Crosstourer is still more suited to paved roads than dirt.
“The Crosstourer offers a high-level fusion of vibrant off-road styling, upright riding position, V4 engine power and Dual Clutch Transmission that offers more direct power transmission and easy operation,” says Yosuke Hasegawa, leader of the Crosstourer’s development team. “We are convinced that we have successfully brought out new value in what can be termed the true Crossover Concept.”
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The 2011 EICMA show in Milan is just a few weeks away and from what we’ve seen from the manufacturers so far, it looks like the prevailing theme this year is the maxi-scooter.
Honda will present its 700cc dual clutch transmission Integra scooter at EICMA, BMW announced it will unveil two new maxi-scooters in Milan, and Aprilia is rebadging an 850cc V-Twin Gilera scooter as the SRV 850. And now Yamaha is jumping into the fray with an update to its popular TMax.
Yamaha will unveil its next generation TMax Nov. 7 on the eve of the 2011 EICMA show. Yamaha hasn’t released any specifics, except for the teaser image above and the video shown below after the jump.
