Honda announced it is bringing the CRF250M supermoto to Europe. We first heard about the supermoto version of the CRF250L in January, when it was announced for Thailand. Though nothing official was said, it seemed likely at the time Honda would introduce the CRF250M to other markets. American Honda has not yet announced whether it would offer the CRF250M, but we hope it will.

Like the CRF250L, the M version uses a liquid-cooled 250cc Single engine based on the powerplant introduced with the CBR250R. The CRF models share similar power and torque figures, claiming 22.8 hp at 8500 rpm and 16.2 ft-lb. at 7000 rpm. Honda claims the CRF250M can get about 80 miles on the gallon. Combined with a 2.0-gallon fuel tank, the CRF250M should have a range of about 160 miles. Continue Reading »

Honda has revealed a new supermoto version of the new CRF250L in Thailand dubbed the CRF250M.

Like the L, the CRF250M uses re-tuned version of the CBR250R‘s engine, a liquid-cooled fuel-injected 249cc Single. When we dyno’ed the CRF250L in our recent 2013 250cc class dual-sport shootout, we measured a peak of 20.3 hp at 8700 rpm and 14.0 ft-lb. at 5800 rpm, so we expect similar numbers out of the CRF250M.

The CRF250M is equipped with 17-inch street tires instead of the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear knobby tires that come with the CRF250L. The suspension will have been adjusted for the change in wheel sizes but the M retails the CRF250L’s upside-down fork and Pro-Link rear suspension. Continue Reading »

MV Agusta has a new entry in the motard segment, unveiling the new Rivale 800 at the 2012 EICMA Show in Milan, Italy.

The 2013 MV Agusta Rivale 800 is powered by a 798cc engine based on the three-cylinder 675cc engine with a counter-rotating crankshaft used in the F3 and Brutale 675. The same 798cc version of the engine is mounted on the new Brutale 800 and both models claim a peak output of 123.3 hp. The Rivale is a bit heavier however, with MV Agusta claiming a dry weight of 375 pounds, compared to the Brutale 800′s claimed weight of 368 pounds.

Like the Brutale 800, the Rivale is loaded with MV Agusta’s Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System electronics package which includes ride-by-wire throttle and selectable engine maps, though MV Agusta does not mention whether the Rivale will also have traction control. Continue Reading »

MV Agusta is developing a new model to be revealed at the 2012 EICMA show in November. While it isn’t that surprising an Italian manufacturer will have something to show off in Milan, the big news is the new model will not be a sportbike or a naked but a new motorcycle segment for MV Agusta.

Rumors of a new MV Agusta have been circulating for a while, gathering momentum when the company recently trademarked the name “Rivale”. The new model is rumored to be a motard to compete against the Ducati Hypermotard. Recent statements from MV Agusta Chief Executive Officer Giovanni Castiglioni seem to support this theory.

In an interview with Italian site Moto.it, Castiglioni says the new model will be presented at EICMA 2012 and that it will surprise people. Castiglioni says the new model will not be a hypersport like the MV Agusta F4 or the F3 675 or their Brutale naked versions, but a model with an upright riding position.

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Big Red (the Italian one) is at it again. Ducati today announced an all-new model, the Hypermotard 796. The Hypermotard 1100 now has a sibling.

Relying on the proven Ducati platform of an air-cooled, two-valve-per cylinder L-Twin mill, the Hypermotard 796 uses a brand new engine for a brand new bike. The Twin incorporates a light action APTC clutch, and claims 81hp and 56 lb/ft of torque.

The new lightweight motard-like Duc save pounds by utilizing redesigned top and bottom fork clamps, and an improved “frame layout” that apparently eliminates almost all of the forged elements used previously on the 1100. Claimed weight (likely dry) is a svelte 368 lbs.

This should be one kick-ass Duc to ride, making a great urban assault vehicle. And in about two to three weeks we’ll let you know just how cool it is, as we’ll get our first ride on the 796 at Ducati’s headquarters in Bologna, Italy.

The Hypermotard 796 will be available at authorized Ducati showrooms beginning in December 2009. Color selections will include Ducati red, matte black, and matte white. MSRP for the Hypermotard 796 will be $9,995, joining the Monster 696 in Ducati’s sub- $10,000 sporting market. It could be a good contender against Triumph’s Street Triple 675 R that retails for $8,999 ($9,599 for 2010), though the Street Triple will likely have an advantage of 15 or more rear wheel horsepower.

The Hypermotard 796 should make another great hooligan option in this price range.

See the rest of the post for more pics. Continue Reading »