American Honda announced it will offer a new 125cc modern interpretation of the classic Monkey Bike to U.S. consumers as the Honda Grom. Originally announced in January for Asia as the MSX125, the new Honda Grom will arrive in the U.S. in August as a 2014 model. (UPDATED with video).

The compact Honda Grom is powered by a fuel-injected 125cc single-cylinder engine based on the powerplant used in the Honda Wave 125i scooter popular in Asia. American Honda did not release any performance numbers, but the parent company had previously claimed the MSX125 has an output of 9.7 hp at 7000 rpm and 8.0 ft-lb. at 5,500 rpm. The engine is paired with a four-speed transmission. Continue Reading »

KTM made a big entrance on the small-displacement streetbike segment in 2011 with its 125 Duke and in 2012, the 200 Duke. Both models were popular sellers in Europe while the 200 had a successful launch in India, home of one of KTM‘s largest owners, Bajaj. North American consumers were left out however, as neither of the smaller Dukes were imported to these shores.

That may soon change with the introduction of the new KTM 390 Duke at the 2012 EICMA Show. A leaked slide from a KTM North American dealer meeting listed a 350 Duke as U.S. bound for 2013. At first, the assumption was it would use the single-cylinder engine from the KTM 350SX-F but KTM now reveals the new Duke will use a 375cc Single claiming 43 hp at 9500 rpm.

The chassis has been enhanced to cope with the larger engine and increased power (the 200 Duke claims 26 hp at 10,000 rpm), yet the 390 Duke maintains the dimensions and weight of the 125 and 200 versions. KTM says it will still weigh 326 pounds, fully fueled. Continue Reading »

The Suzuki Inazuma is coming to Canada, according to multiple reports. The entry-level motorcycle was displayed at a recent dealer meeting in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, though it appears Canadians may have to wait as bit longer for the Inazuma to arrive in showrooms.

According to Canadian sites CMGOnline and MotorcycleMojo, Suzuki is in the initial stages of introducing the 248cc streetbike to Canada, so a 2014 launch may be more likely than 2013 availability. As yet, there is no word of American Suzuki also deciding to import the Inazuma to the U.S.

Twin-cylinder motorcycle was first introduced in China last October as the GW250 and will be arriving in European showrooms this November as the Inazuma. It is powered by a fuel-injected 248cc SOHC parallel Twin engine. According to Suzuki, the European-spec Inazuma claims 24 hp and 29.5 ft-lb. at the crank. Even accounting for some losses through the powertrain, it should be an improvement on the 15.4 hp and 11.6 ft-lb. from the air-cooled Suzuki TU250 we dyno’ed for our 2009 250cc Shootout. Continue Reading »

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American Honda announced a number of returning 2013 models with new color options but the most eye-catching of the new paint jobs is the Repsol-edition CBR250R.

Dressed to resemble Casey Stoner‘s and Dani Pedrosa‘s Honda RC213V MotoGP race bikes, the 2013 Repsol edition Honda CBR250R sports the Spanish petroleum company’s orange with red and white colors, the Honda Racing Corporation logo and the “One Heart” motto of Honda’s Indonesian joint venture which also sponsors the MotoGP team. Completing the look are the Repsol-orange wheels. Continue Reading »

Aprilia announced a new replica version of its entry-level RS4 125 sportbike, making it look even more like the company’s World Superbike Championship contender, the RSV4. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for the eighth-liter sportbike to arrive in North American showrooms despite Aprilia‘s promise of a late-2011 availability.

The replica version features graphics including the #3 to match the RSV4 of Max Biaggi who captured the 2010 WSBK title on the RSV4. The Aprilia RS4 125 replica also comes with a color-matched tail cover which can replace the passenger seat.

The changes from the base model are more than cosmetic however. The replica version will also come standard with Aprilia’s quick shift, making it easier for new riders to upshift without having to worry about cutting throttle or operating the clutch. A quick shift is available as an add-on to the base RS4 125. Continue Reading »

2010 MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo has earned his A2 Spanish motorcycle license. Last month, we learned Lorenzo was practicing for the test on a Yamaha YB250R motorcycle, and now the Yamaha factory racer has completed the practical portion of the test. Here he is pictured with his riding teacher Xavi Vallejo (and wouldn’t it be cool to tell people you taught a MotoGP World Champion how to ride a motorcycle?).

With his new A2 license, Lorenzo is now allowed to ride a motorcycle on the streets of Spain, provided the bike is restricted to no more than 47 hp. A far cry from his Yamaha M1, to say the least.

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You would figure a former MotoGP World Champion and one of the top motorcycle racers on the planet would have his pick for a streetbike.

Not if he doesn’t have a motorcycle license and is practicing for his riding test however. In 2010 MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo‘s case, his ride is the Yamaha YBR250.

Lorenzo, Yamaha‘s star factory rider only recently passed the theory portion of his motorcycle license exam and is now preparing for the practical part. Returning from Spain from last week’s MotoGP test in Malaysia, Lorenzo picked up the keys to a YBR250 to practice on the roads of Mount Montjuic in Barcelona.

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KTM has revealed a new lightweight entry-level off-road model with a claimed weight of just 99 kg (218 pounds).

Set to debut at the upcoming EICMA show in Milan, Italy, the 2012 KTM Freeride 350 was created as an introductory model for off-road enduro riding. The Freeride 350 offers an easier entry point to off-road riding than the company’s competition-based EXC line.

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If there’s one thing I like more than motorcycles, it’s hot supermodels, such as Victoria’s Secret Angel, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covergirl and Harley-Davidson spokesmodel Marisa Miller.

Miller has appeared in a number of promotional spots for The Motor Company in recent years, most notably for the Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle and to support Harley-Davidson’s U.S. Military Appreciation programs (one of Miller’s “American Bombshell” post cards is currently my computer’s desktop wallpaper).

In the latest promotional tie-in, the statuesque model appears in a new video for Harley-Davidson’s Rider’s Edge new rider course. Joined by her father, Marc Bertetta, and husband Griffin Guess (both reportedly, experienced riders themselves), Miller enrolls in the course, riding Buell Blasts in the rain.

As a new rider myself, having recently taken a rider training course, I shared the same feelings, first nervousness, and eventually, accomplishment, that Miller felt. Her husband and father also taking part helped provide Miller with support, but also reminds us that even experienced riders can get something out of a riding school. Check out the video after the jump.

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