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 »

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 »

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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BMW unveiled its concept for an electric-powered entry-level motorcycle, the Husqvarna E-go, a motard-style urban commuter that appears to be BMW’s answer to Zero’s offerings.

Despite the rather self-centered sounding name, the E-go is a humble-looking vehicle with some intriguing innovations.

At first glance, the Husqvarna E-Go looks a lot like a bicycle – until you notice there are no pedals. The E-go is powered by an electric motor, though BMW has not released any information about the motor or the battery.

Visually, the E-go does reflect Husqvarna’s brand identity with the red and white colors, dirtbike-style number plate and a similar front fender to the Nuda 900R. Two things do stand out with the E-go however: the 176 pound claimed weight and the single-sided front wheel.

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BMW will unveil an electric scooter concept model and an entry level Husqvarna streetbike concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.

The BMW concept, shown in the teaser sketch above, will likely be a version of the E-Scooter electric maxiscooter concept announced in July. BMW claimed the E-Scooter’s liquid-cooled electric motor offers performance similar to a 600cc combustion engine, while the battery casing itself will form the body of the frame.

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Suzuki is bringing back the DR-Z125 entry-level off-road motorcycle and its slightly larger DR-Z125L variant as part of its 2012 model year offerings.

Last offered in 2009, the Suzuki DR-Z125 returns for 2012 with updated graphics similar to Suzuki’s RM-Z family of motocrossers.

The DR-Z125 is powered by a 124cc air-cooled four-stroke engine Suzuki describes as having strong low to mid-range power. Power is delivered through a five-speed transmission with link-type shifting.

The 2012 Suzuki DR-Z125 is equipped with a 17-inch front wheel and a 14-inch rear wheel. Both wheels are stopped by drum brakes. The slightly larger DR-Z125L uses a 19-inch front wheel and a 16-inch wheel at the rear, with a disc brake on the front wheel. The DR-Z125L has a seat height of 31.7 inches while the DR-Z125′s seat is 30.5 inches from the ground.

[Source: Suzuki]

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According to reports out of India, KTM Chief Executive Officer Stefan Pierer has announced the Austrian manufacturer will produce 200cc and 350cc versions of its youth-oriented 125 Duke. Unfortunately for us in North America, the two new Dukes will appear destined for emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia.

Speaking with the Indian press, Pierer says KTM is partnering with Bajaj Auto to develop the 200 Duke in 2012 with the 350 version to follow in 2013. Bajaj is one of India’s largest home-grown automotive manufacturers and a part-owner of KTM, and also helped develop the 125 Duke. Pierer says the 200 Duke will be introduced at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.

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Aprilia U.K. will offer a quick shifter as an optional add-on to the Aprilia RS4 125 entry-level sportbike.

Inherited from the Aprilia RSV4 R APRC, the quick shifter allows for clutchless upshifts without needing to close the throttle. While the racing and trackday applications for the quick shifter on the RSV4 R APRC are clear, on a beginner-level model like the RS4 125, it helps ease the learning curve for new riders.

There’s no word yet whether the quick shifter option will be offered in the U.S. when the Aprilia RS4 125 arrives later this year as a 2012 model. In the U.K., the quick shifter adds an extra 99 pounds (US$160) to the Aprilia RS4 125′s 3,999 pound (US$6,500) price tag.

Related Reading
EICMA 2010: Aprilia RS4 125 Coming to US

Press release after the jump.

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IndianCarsBikes.in has uncovered spy photos of a KTM 200 beign tested in Pune, India. Pune is home to automaker Bajaj Auto which owns a share of KTM.

Bajag Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj had previously hinted at a 200cc version of the KTM 125 Duke in an interview with BSMotoring. The KTM 125 Duke isn’t expected to be available in North America but a 200cc version would probably have a better chance of showing up on these shores.

[Source: ICB]