KTM unveiled a new electric scooter concept at the 2013 Tokyo Motorcycle Show called the E-Speed. The E-Speed is the second electric model from KTM, following the Freeride E dirtbike.

The E-Speed actually shares the same electric battery and motor technology as the Freeride E, but repurposed for urban mobility. The E-Speed’s motor isn’t as powerful as the Freeride E’s however, with KTM claiming 14.8 hp and 26.6 ft-lb. compared to 29.5 hp and 30.9 ft-lb. for the Freedom E.

According to KTM, the E-Scooter weighs 309 pounds and has a top speed of 85 kph (53 mph). The E-Speed’s lithium ion battery has a capacity of 4.36 kWh which KTM claims offers a range of 40 miles can be fully charged within two hours from a normal household power outlet. Continue Reading »

Bimota revealed a new concept sportbike at the 2012 EICMA Show equipped with a BMW S1000RR engine.

The Bimota BB2 concept is the first product of a new partnership signed with BMW that would see the German manufacturer supply S1000RR engines for Bimota. The S1000RR engine has class-leading numbers, with the 172.4 hp we measured in our 2012 European Literbike Shootout a 10.4 hp advantage over any literbike we dyno’ed for that shootout or the Japanese Literbike Shootout.

The BB2 mounts the engine in a new aluminum spar chassis and adds an Arrow exhaust, Öhlins  suspension and Brembo monobloc brake calipers. Continue Reading »

Last January, Husqvarna unveiled a new concept model at the International Motorcycle Shows stop in New York City called the Baja. That concept was similar to the MOAB concept Husqvarna displayed at last year’s EICMA show, but with an off-road style mud guard instead of the MOAB’s street fender. This year, Husqvarna returns to the 2012 EICMA Show with an updated version of the Baja concept that looks a lot closer to being ready for production.

The Baja concept is styled after the Husqvarna Cross 400, made famous by Steve McQueen on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1971. This, combined with the concept’s initial debut in New York, means the final production version of the Baja is likely to be brought to the U.S. market.

Powering the concept is a 650cc single-cylinder engine, a variation of BMW G650GS-sourced engine used in the TR650 platform. Other details include a steel tube frame, inverted fork, knobby tires and dual underseat exhausts. The headlight unit now uses a single lamp instead of the multiple LEDs embedded in a number plate used on the original concept as well as on the MOAB. Continue Reading »

Today at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany, Suzuki unveiled its V-Strom 1000 Concept. Heavily rumored to receive similar styling updates as its V-Strom 650 stablemate, Suzuki instead turned to its 1988 DR750S, the company’s first big on/off road machine, for inspiration, taking many by surprise. The updates are more than just skin deep, as the entire motorcycle has been redesigned. Read about the list of updates after the jump.

From a visual standpoint, the new V-Strom 1000 establishes itself as an adventure-tourer with a more dominant presence compared to its predecessor. More importantly, its 1000cc V-Twin engine has been completely redesigned and now includes traction control for peace of mind while street riding. Details are unclear at this point about an “off” button and power output from the new mill, however. Continue Reading »

Yamaha announced it is developing a new three-cylinder engine using a crossplane crankshaft inherited from the company’s YZR-M1 MotoGP bike and its YZF-R1 sportbike. Yamaha says the new Triple will play an important role in the company’s future.

The Japanese manufacturer unveiled a concept sculpture with the new three-cylinder engine at the 2012 Intermot show in Cologne, Germany. The sculpture is abstract, showing little beyond the engine, wheels and front fork, but the tires and wheels would suggest the first model to use the new engine will be a streetbike.

Yamaha trumpets the benefits of its crossplane crankshaft which has been used in bikes that have won championships in MotoGP, World Superbike and AMA Superbike. Yamaha claims the engine offers linear driving power and more efficient torque output. Yamaha hopes the crossplane crankshaft can work additional wonders as a platform for a new generation of models. Continue Reading »

French manufacturer Peugeot is not very well known on this side of the Atlantic. Sure, some people may have heard a thing or two about Peugeot’s cars, but it’s easy to forget the company also produces scooters. Next week, Peugeot will present its new Onyx supercar concept at the Paris Motor Show, but it won’t be alone. By its side will be a bicycle concept and the Onyx Supertrike concept pictured above.

The Onyx Supertrike is still just a design concept at this point but it does have some interesting features. With two wheels on the front end and one at the rear, the Onyx Supertrike resembles the Piaggio MP3. The Onyx however has a large hump in the middle.

This hump is part of the Onyx Supertrike’s transformer function, allowing it to convert from a sporty trike to an urban commuter. In sporty mode, the rider leans over the hump and positions his feet on the rear footrests. Remove the hump however and the Onyx Supertrike resembles the MP3 with feet forward positioning and step-through scooter design. We’re not sure how practical this feature is, but again, it’s a design concept, not a production model. Continue Reading »

BMW has unveiled the a new “near-production” prototype of its electric maxi-scooter. The German manufacturer has produced five operational prototypes of the BMW C evolution scooter which will be showcased at various events around Europe to prepare for the launch of the serial production version.

The BMW C evolution maintains many of the styling cues from the Concept e scooter unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The white side body panels maintain their boomerang shape, though its much more angular and has a rectangular panel on its lower half. A refined split seat and mirrors with integrated turn signals complete the near-production picture.

The scooter is powered by a 14.8 hp continuous output electric motor (as measured by ECE R85 regulations) with a peak output of 46.9 hp. According to BMW, the C evolution has comparable 0-60 kph acceleration to 600cc internal combustion scooters. Top speed however is capped at 120 kph (74.56 mph). Continue Reading »

San Francisco-based Frog Design released images of a new electric motorcycle concept, just as its influential Yamaha FZ750-based Rana concept gets enshrined at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Frog designer Jin Soek Hwang prepared the Frog eBike concept as an expression of how electric motor technology can influence motorcycle design. In a post on Frog’s blog, the designer says he was inspired in part by Frog’s 1985 FZ750 Rana concept (pictured after the jump). Continue Reading »

Honda Thailand unveiled a new prototype at the 2012 Bangkok International Motor Show showcasing the next generation of the Ruckus scooter.

Known as the Zoomer in other markets, the Honda Ruckus is probably best known for its non-traditional scooter styling, with the usual tiny tires and wasp-like body replaced by a fat rubbers and exposed tube frame.

The Honda Zoomer X maintains the original’s rugged-looking tires but instead of the exposed tubes, the Zoomer X has a boxy-looking structure, though like the original the space under the seat is exposed to the elements, so if you want to store something there you might have to break out the bungee cords.

Continue Reading »

Husqvarna has unveiled a new dual-sport concept at the New York stop of the 2012 International Motorcycle Shows.

At first glance, the Husqvarna Baja Concept appears similar to the Moab concept unveiled at the 2011 EICMA Show last November. Both models are aesthetically inspired by Husqvarna motorcycles from the ’70s and especially Steve McQueen‘s Husqvarna H400 famously immortalized on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Continue Reading »