Zero Motorcycles made a big splash at the 2012 Intermot show in Cologne, Germany, announcing a host of impressive updates. We’ll have a more in-depth look for you tomorrow, for now, here are the highlights:

• A higher-voltage Z-Force power pack;
• An average power increase of 99% across the entire lineup;
• A claimed range of 137 city miles for the Zero S;
• A quick charge to 95% of battery capacity in under an hour using CHADeMO charge stations;
• iPhone and Android phone integration via Bluetooth;
• All new frames;
• New bodywork on the Zero S and Zero DS;
• The Zero MX gets upsized, while the Zero X gets replaced by:
• The new Zero FX claiming 44 hp, 70 ft-lb. of torque and a weight of just 275 pounds;

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BMW pulled the covers off the latest iteration of its popular R1200GS, revealing a number of updates including a new boxer engine at the 2012 Intermot show in Cologne, Germany. The German manufacturer has sold 170,000 units of the R1200GS since it was introduced in 2004, making it the world’s top-selling adventure-tourer, so BMW obviously has a lot riding on the new 2013 model.

The biggest change for the 2013 BMW R1200GS is its new 1170cc engine. The engine still uses a combination of air and liquid cooling but instead of coolant oil, it uses a glycol-water mixture BMW claims offers a high level of heat absorption capacity. Using a principle similar to one used in Formula 1 called “precision cooling”, only the elements of the engine being particularly strained by thermal stress are targeted by the coolant system.

The result is a boost in performance with BMW claiming an output of 123 hp at 7700 rpm and  92 ft-lb. at 6500 rpm, both up from the previous model’s claim of 110 hp and 89 ft-lb. Continue Reading »

Husqvarna has announced U.S. prices for its new TR650 streetbikes. The 2013 Husqvarna TR650 Terra dual-sport will be available for$6,999 while its more street-going sibling the Strada will be priced at $7,499.

At those prices, the TR650 are actually priced lower than Husqvarna‘s current TE series dual sports line. For 2013, Husqvarna has priced  the TE310R at $8,399, the TE449 at $8,599 and the TE511 at $8,999, making the TR650 models significantly cheaper despite having a displacement advantage of at least 174cc.

The difference of course is the TR650 Strada and Terra are designed primarily to be street bikes whereas the TE models are off-road bikes converted to be street legal. EiC Kevin Duke has tested both TR650 models at their press launch and we should have a full review available shortly. Continue Reading »

Husqvarna announced two new street bike models based on the Concept Strada unveiled last November at the Salon de la Moto show in Paris, France.  The new TR 650 Terra and the TR 650 Strada expand Husqvarna‘s suddenly burgeoning street bike lineup alongside the Nuda 900 and Nuda 900R. Unlike the Nuda models however, the Strada and Terra are coming to the U.S.

The Terra model is a dual sport equipped for light off-roading while the Strada is better suited for paved roads. Both models are powered by a fuel-injected double-overhead cam single-cylinder 652cc engine inherited from the BMW G650GS. According to Husqvarna, the engine produces 58 hp at 7250 rpm and 44 ft-lb. at 5750 rpm compared to the BMW G650GS’ claimed figures of 50 hp at 6500 rpm and 44 ft-lb. at 5000 rpm. Power is delivered to the rear wheel through a constant-mesh five-speed transmission.

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The Yamaha XT250 dual sport is getting a fuel injection system for the 2013 model year, replacing the previous model’s 33mm Teikei carburetor.

Apart from fuel injection and new graphics, the only other changes are a new TCI ignition system in place of the 2012 model’s CDI ignition, and a slightly larger gas tank (2.6 gallons versus 2.4 gallons on last year’s model). The 249cc air-cooled SOHC engine and five-speed transmission remains unchanged.

Suspension is still provided by a 35mm telescopic fork with 8.9-inches of travel and a swingarm with rebound-adjustable monoshock with 7.1-inches of travel. Braking is provided by 245mm front and 203mm rear disc brakes.

The new fuel injection system adds a slight boost to fuel economy with Yamaha claiming the 2013 XT250 gets 76 mpg compared to the 2012 model’s 73 mpg claim. Continue Reading »

As expected, Honda has officially announced it will introduce its new CRF250L to the U.S., offering it as a 2013 model for $4,499.

The 2013 Honda CRF250L is powered by a liquid-cooled fuel-injected 249cc Single inherited from the CBR250R, so it carries the same low-friction innovations such as the roller rocker arm design. Like the CBR, the CRF250L is produced in Thailand, helping keep costs low. By contrast, the CRF250L is $500 cheaper than the CRF230L it replaces, despite adding a larger engine with fuel injection, double-overhead cams, and liquid cooling.

American Honda hasn’t released U.S.-spec figures but the specs sheet for European and Japanese models claim  an output of 23 hp at 8500rpm and 16 ft-lb. at 7000rpm. According to Honda, the CRF250L has a curb weight of 320 pounds. Fuel economy, at least for other markets, is stated as 104 mpg, so the 2.0 gallon tank should provide enough for 208 miles. Continue Reading »

American Honda and Honda Canada haven’t yet officially announced they will import the new Honda CRF250L, but the parent company has outed the dual-sport’s availability in North America.

Honda has launched a new micro-site dedicated to the CRF250L describing its features including its CBR250R-derived engine. The section discussing the CRF250L’s muffler explicitly confirms an American and Canadian model, saying: “the model for the United States and Canada complies through additional settings for a spark arrestor.” Continue Reading »

Honda has released full specifications for its upcoming the CRF250L, a dual-sport with an engine based on the CBR250R‘s powerplant with a fuel efficiency of 104 mpg.

Set to launch in Japan in May and Europe in the summer, the 2012 Honda CRF250L replaces the CRF230L in Honda’s repertoire. North American availability hasn’t been officially been announced, though Honda Canada is expected to introduce the CRF250L in the summer.

To produce the CBR250R, Honda developed the fuel-injected liquid-cooled 250cc four-stroke DOHC Single engine to have very low internal friction, employing a number of innovations such as an offset cylinder and roller rocker arms in the valve train. The CRF250L’s engine maintains the same 76mm bore, 55mm stroke and 10.7:1 compression ratio. Honda claims a peak output of 23hp at 8500rpm and 16 ft-lb. at 7000rpm from the CRF250L’s engine. Continue Reading »

Honda announced it will introduce the new CRF250L to Europe this year. North American availability has not been confirmed, though it appears the new dual-sport, which shares a similar engine to the Honda CBR250R, may soon be announced for these shores.

While there’s no official word on the Honda CRF250L in the U.S.,the liquid-cooled dual sport has already appeared in North America, appearing last weekend at the Montreal Motorcycle Show. A member of the ADVRider forum reports Honda Canada only received the CRF250L recently and the price is expected to be about CN$5000. That puts it close to the price of the ABS-enabled CBR250R.

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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 »