The 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure actually broke cover in late September after an image from an official brochure was accidentally leaked onto the Internet. Or was it an accident? The supposed leak just happened to occur the same day Ducati revealed its 2013 Multistrada 1200 lineup, a direct rival to KTM‘s latest adventure touring model.

Regardless, the 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure made its official public debut in Cologne, Germany, at the 2012 Intermot show, alongside its more off-road oriented R version.

The Adventure and Adventure R are powered by KTM’s 1195cc 75-degree V-Twin engine, a powerplant shared with the KTM RC8R. In the Adventure, the engine claims an output of 148 hp and 92 ft-lb. of torque. Despite having a larger engine than its predecessor the 990 Adventure, KTM claims the 1190 consumes 20% less fuel. Combined with a 6.1 gallon fuel tank that’s 0.8 gallons larger than the 990′s, the 1190 Adventure should have a significantly longer range than its predecessor. 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 »

When Ducati announced the updates for the 2013 Multistrada 1200 lineup this week, it was very vague on the details. We know the engine received some updates and the Ohlins suspension had been replaced with a new semi-active “Skyhook” suspension system, and of course, we learned about the new Multistrada 1200S Granturismo variant.

It took a couple of days but Ducati has released full specifications for its Multistrada 1200 lineup, shedding some more light on the 2013 models. All versions receive the second-generation version of Ducati’s Testastretta 11° engine. The 1198cc 90-degree V-Twin engine now features a dual-spark configuration, likely introduced to help meet emission control standards.

The new engine also offers more torque than the previous version, with Ducati claiming an output of 91.8 ft-lb. compared to 87.5 ft-lb. for the previous generation model. Ducati claims the power will still max out at 150 hp, at least for the Sport and Touring ride modes. In Urban and Enduro configurations, power is limited to a more pedestrian 100 hp. Continue Reading »

When news broke yesterday of leaked details of the new 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure, the first question that crossed our minds was “when do we find out about the R version?” The answer, it turns out, is today, with a new photograph of the 1190 Adventure R now surfacing.

Members of ADVForum, where we found the original leaked KTM brochure, have uncovered new a studio photo of the R model as well as the non-R version.

The 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure R is equipped with larger wheels than the base model, likely a 21-inch wheel up front and an 18-inch wheel at the rear (the non-R 1190 Adventure appears to sport a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel.) We are surprised the tires appear to be street tires and not knobby off-road rubbers. Continue Reading »

Pictures and details of an all-new 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure have emerged from a brochure that briefly appeared on KTM‘s official website. The document has since been removed but not before we got our hands on them.

Expected to be unveiled at the 2012 Intermot show in Cologne, Germany, in just a few weeks, the latest adventure touring bike from KTM will be powered by a 1190cc V-Twin engine, not a 1290cc powerplant as initially expected. The engine is based on the engine powering the RC8R sportbike, though it has been tamed somewhat, with the brochure claiming 148 hp (150 PS for in metric) compared to the 173 hp claimed by the RC8R.

Still, that is an upgrade to the 113 hp claimed by the KTM 990 Adventure R and its 999cc engine. Other highlights revealed by the leaked document include four engine maps plus one for off-road, ride-by-wire throttle, an adjustable windshield, multifunctional display, ABS, slipper clutch and traction control, a first for KTM. The brochure also claims a weight of 235 kg (518 pounds) fully-fueled. Continue Reading »

Kawasaki is issuing a recall for the Concours 14 for a rear brake pedal issue the company had previously tried to fix in 2008.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, road debris can get trapped between the brake pedal and a pedal guard, causing slight pressure on the rear brakes. The rear brake drag can cause the brakes to overheat, potentially leading to brake damage, a rear brake lockup or failure of the rear brakes.

Kawasaki initiated a recall for a similar problem with the Concours 14 in 2008 (campaign ID# 08V623000). The solution at the time was to install a cover guard which would prevent debris from interfering with the pedal.

Years later, Kawasaki learned the problem persists, only with smaller debris getting stuck, this time between the pedal and the guard, leading to the new recall (campaign ID# 12V343000). Continue Reading »

Alongside the Honda NC700S at EICMA comes the NC700X, a “crossover” model with better off-road capability.

Like the NC700S, the 2012 Honda NC700X is powered by Honda’s new 670cc parallel Twin engine. Honda designed the engine to be highly efficient, with optimal performance at speeds up to 87 mph and the engine revving up to 6000 rpm, a range Honda’s research found accounts for 90% of an average commuter’s uses. The NC700X’s engine has been tuned to offer more power and torque than the NC700S, with Honda claiming 51 hp at 6250 rpm 45.7 ft-lb. at 4750 rpm (compared to the NC700S’ 46.9 hp at 6250 rpm and 44.3 ft-lb. at 4750 rpm figures. Like the NC700S, Honda claims the NC700X gets 63.5 mpg, enough for a range of 235 miles.

Like the NC700S, the Honda NC700X will be available with or without a dual clutch transmission system and combined ABS.

Continue Reading »

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.”
Continue Reading »

For a company best known for its sportbikes, it may surprise some to learn Ducati’s hottest selling model is its Multistrada 1200. But it’s true: the Multistrada 1200 family, consisting of the base version, the 1200S Sport, 1200S Sport Pikes Peak Special Edition and the 1200S Touring is topping Ducati’s sales charts.

It makes sense then for the Ducati Multistrada 1200 to return relatively unchanged for 2012, though it appears the Pikes Peak edition is the only version of the Multistrada to come in the 1200S Sport trim. The only update for 2012 is a revised seat with an increased front and rear length for all versions of the “four-bikes-in-one” Multistrada.

Continue Reading »

Honda is recalling certain 2009-2010 ST1300 sport touring motorcycles due to a risk of a brake fluid leakage.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the pre-formed hose supplying fluid from the rear brake reservoir to the rear brake master cylinder is routed in a way that puts it at risk of damage. When the Honda ST1300 is heavily loaded and ridden over rough surfaces, the rear suspension may bottom out, causing the hose to contact the swingarm.

Over a prolonged period, the hose may develop a leak, allowing air to enter the rear brake master cylinder, resulting in a spongy rear brake pedal and loss of braking performance.

Continue Reading »