Our European Correspondent Tor Sagen is in Sicily, Italy, this week testing the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200. We’ll have a full review coming up but first here are Tor’s first impressions.

I’ve just finished testing the updated version of Aprilia‘s Dorsoduro 1200. On paper Aprilia has merely upgraded a few things and, as such, it isn’t the most interesting new motorcycle of 2012.

The upgrades include new Aprilia wheels that are said to be nearly 6 pounds lighter than previous models. This reduces unsprung weight, and I felt their effect during my test – the “new” Dorsoduro is more responsive than ever. A new front mudguard, a less-bulky exhaust heat shield and a new license-plate holder shaves an additional 300 grams.
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Ducati‘s upcoming 1199 Panigale is the most exciting new sportbike in years. The outgoing 1198 was one of the most highly regarded sportbikes on the market, but the Panigale immediately demotes it to has-been status. It’s especially noteworthy for its monocoque chassis design that eschews a traditional frame for a structure built only around its new Superquadro engine.

We’ll finally get to throw a leg over the Panigale tomorrow when we test it at the fantastic Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. If ever a racetrack could provide equal billing with a game-changing sportbike, Yas Marina is it. It was built for Formula 1 car racing in 2009 at a cost of around $1.3 billion! Part of the 3.45-mile track runs under one of the most amazing hotels you’ll ever see, and the facility also includes the giant Ferrari World theme park and a harbor that sees some of the most luxurious yachts ever created.

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Loyal fans of Suzuki’s iconic Hayabusa have something to be seriously worried about. Kawasaki has overhauled its fast and smooth ZX-14, adding a bigger and more powerful engine that promises to outgun the venerable ’Busa.

I just spent a day hammering the new ZX-14R In Las Vegas, beginning with a blast through the desert and ending with several runs down the quarter-mile dragstrip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Even though atmospheric conditions were unfavorable, calculating to a 3000-foot altitude, the 14R posted a blazing 9.77-second run!

Think about this: Here’s a completely stock and EPA-legal production streetbike that can from a dead stop accelerate to nearly 150 mph in just 1320 feet!

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Moto Guzzi unveiled two new models from its V7 line, joining the already released (and recently reviewed right here on Motorcycle.com) V7 Racer. The new Moto Guzzi V7 and the V7 Scrambler will make their public debuts Nov. 8 at the 2011 EICMA show in Milan.

The Moto Guzzi V7 range will all use a new 750cc 90 degree V-Twin engine, mounted longitudinally in true Guzzi style. Detailed specs haven’t been released but Moto Guzzi claims improvements in power (with a 10% improvement), torque and fuel economy and fewer emissions compared to the previous V7 engine.

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Hot on the heels of the release of full specs for the F3 675 supersport, MV Agusta has unveiled the naked version featuring the same engine and MVICS electronics package and a claimed weight of 163 kg (359 pounds).

The 2012 MV Agusta Brutale 675 is the smallest member of the Brutale line, but it’s also the most high-tech. The Brutale 675 gets the same ride-by-wire throttle control and traction control system as the new F3. The MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) gives riders a choice of  eight levels of traction control and four selectable engine maps (plus a fifth customizable map).

Powering the new Brutale is the high-revving 675cc three-cylinder engine used on the F3, but toned down a bit. Instead of the F3′s claimed 126hp, the Brutale 675 peaks at 113 hp at 12,500 rpm. Torque is said to be the same 52 ft-lbs at 10,600 rpm as the F3. According to MV Agusta, the engine offers linear power delivery while the torque curve is more like that of a literbike than a supersport.

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KTM has released a video teasing its redesigned 690 Duke, which is set to make its debut at the 2011 EICMA show.

The 2012 690 Duke will be powered by what KTM claims is the world’s most powerful Single-cylinder engine in production, with output expected to be close to 70hp.

Updates include a side-mounted exhaust instead of the previous version’s underslung silencer, ABS, ride-by-wire throttle and weight savings from a new manufacturing process for the structural fairing and subframe.

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MV Agusta has released a video teasing a new Brutale 675 which is expected to be unveiled at next week’s EICMA 2011 show in Milan.

The MV Agusta Brutale 675 will be the naked version of the F3, having a similar exhaust as the supersport’s distinctive side-mounted triple pipes. The tail also bears the word “Trepistoni”, Italian for “three pistons”.

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Honda has released specifications and new photographs of its new 670cc Integra motorcycle/scooter crossover which will make its public debut at the 2011 EICMA show in Milan. While the hybrid model may not be for everyone, the engine details are important as Honda has announced it will also debut two additional models at EICMA using the same power plant.

The 2012 Honda Integra, named according to Honda for integrating “the ease of use of a scooter with the dynamic performance of a motorcycle”, uses an all new 670cc parallel Twin engine with a second generation version of Honda’s dual clutch transmission.

Honda claims an output of 51.1 hp at 6250 rpm and 45.7 ft-lb. at 4750 rpm from the new engine. Honda also claims a fuel efficiency of 65.7 mpg thanks to a reduction in friction and a small number of moving parts. The cylinders, for example, are offset to reduce the friction of the piston against the cylinder wall. The balance shaft does double duty, also driving the oil pump while the camshaft also drives the water pump. Combined with the 3.7 gallon fuel tank, Honda claims a range of 250 miles between fill-ups.

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Honda announced it will mass produce the Crosstourer adventure tourer unveiled first in concept form at the 2010 EICMA show in Milan, Italy.

The 2012 Honda Crosstourer will use a V4 engine similar to the one used in the VFR1200F and will also be available with Honda’s dual clutch transmission. Long-travel suspension adds to the adventure touring theme, but the Crosstourer is still more suited to paved roads than dirt.

“The Crosstourer offers a high-level fusion of vibrant off-road styling, upright riding position, V4 engine power and Dual Clutch Transmission that offers more direct power transmission and easy operation,” says Yosuke Hasegawa, leader of the Crosstourer’s development team. “We are convinced that we have successfully brought out new value in what can be termed the true Crossover Concept.”
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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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