Suzuki will produce a semi-faired variant of its GW250 for Asia and Europe. The new Suzuki Inazuma GW250S, which adds a half-fairing and windscreen to the small-displacement standard, will be officially introduced April 20 at the Shanghai Motor Show in China. As with the original GW250, the S version will first be available in China with Italian site Motociclismo.it reporting the GW250S will be soon after be offered for Japan and Europe.

An earlier prototype of the Suzuki GW250S (pictured here) was actually unveiled last October at the 2012 China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition (CIMAMotor) alongside a police-spec version dubbed the GW250J. Both models were produced by Haojue, Suzuki’s Chinese joint venture and the country’s leading motorcycle manufacturer.

The GW250J has already been pressed into service by police in China but the final production version won’t finally be introduced until the Shanghai show. The GW250J’s handlebars are set higher than the base GW250, and the same appears to be true of the GW250J. This would give the GW250S a more upright seating position which, combined with the added wind protection, would make it more suited for sport-touring duties. Continue Reading »

Honda‘s CBR250R has done fairly well for itself since its introduction in 2011, helping to revitalize the entry-level segment of the market in the U.S. What some people may not realize is Honda has been producing a 250cc-class called the VTR250. Available in its current form since 1997, the Honda VTR250 is a naked standard with a Ducati Monster-esque trellis frame offered in the Asia-Pacific region.

Whereas the CBR250R introduced a brand new 249cc single-cylinder engine, the Honda VTR250 is powered by a 249cc 90-degree V-Twin engine. Claiming 29.5 hp at 10,500 rpm and 16.2 ft-lb. at 8500 rpm, the VTR promises more power and torque than the CBR250R which claims 21.9 hp at 8500 and 14.7 ft-lb. at 6750 rpm.

For 2013, Honda is introducing a partially-faired variant called  the VTR-F. Instead of the VTR’s conventional circular headlight, the VTR-F uses a Y-shaped multi-reflector headlight reminiscent of the CBR250R. The VTR-F also gets a new instrument cluster with an analog tachometer and amber-backlit LCD screen while the VTR uses dual analog dials with smaller inset LCD screens. Continue Reading »

Honda pulled the covers off a new streetbike series aimed at younger, shorter riders. The Honda CTX700 represents the first in a new series from Honda combining the three tenets of Comfort, Technology and Experience. It’s a platform “specifically engineered to make motorcycling more approachable, affordable and fun than ever before.”

Our own Troy Siahaan is at the CTX700 models’ launch in Chicago and will have a full first-hand report next week, but for now here’s a quick look at Honda’s new streetbikes.

The Honda CTX700 and CTX700N are powered by the 670cc parallel-Twin engine introduced in the NC series and are available with Honda’s second-generation dual-clutch transmission (DCT) technology. DCT is standard on the 700N and optional on the NC700. Both will be available with ABS on the DCT versions, but not on the standard transmission models. Vertically challenged riders will appreciate the CTX’s low seat of just 28.3 inches.

The CTX700N (pictured above) is the naked version, sharing a similar front end as the NC700S. The CTX700 adds a fairing and windscreen to make it better equipped for longer trips. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the ill-fated DN-01 but looks, thankfully, more subdued.

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KTM set a new company record with 107,142 motorcycles sold in 2012, with a lot of credit given to strong demand for its small-displacement naked Duke line. The 125 Duke and 200 Duke have been popular sellers in Europe while Indian consumers accounted for more than 8000 units of the 200 Duke alone. KTM will try to maintain its momentum with its new 390 Duke, not to mention the 690 Duke R and the upcoming 1290 Super Duke R which was unveiled in prototype form at the 2012 EICMA show in Milan as the eventual successor to the 990 Super Duke.

With six models bearing the Duke name, they’re all bound to have some similarities, but what are the differences besides their engine displacements? Quite a bit, it turns out, according to Peter Gorbach, KTM head of engine development. Continue Reading »

Last week, Honda revealed the modern successor to the Z50 “Monkey” bike in the new MSX125. While it’s not clear if the Honda MSX125 will be offered in North America, our original post drew a lot of positive comments from our readers so let’s hope American Honda is paying attention.

The 2013 Honda MSX125 will be available in Europe however, and Honda’s European arm has released more photographs of the new model. The new images show the MSX125 from multiple angles and the high resolution allows us to take a closer look at details like the 125cc engine inherited from the Honda Wave scooter, the projector headlight and LCD display. Look for the gallery after the jump. Continue Reading »

A little while ago, we published a review of a motorcycle Honda produces for the Indian market called the Unicorn Dazzler. Yes, that’s the actual name of a production motorcycle designed by Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, a Honda subsidiary. In his review of the 150cc motorcycle, Rajeev Gaikwad said the Honda Unicorn Dazzler was “a handsome commuter with an enthusiastic and proven engine” though it was underwhelming in terms of performance and handling as the higher-priced successor to the regular Honda Unicorn also sold in India.

To western consumers however, the name “Unicorn Dazzler” may seem a bit odd for a motorcycle. But it’s not the only motorcycle with a peculiarly cutesy name. In honor of the Honda Unicorn Dazzler, we decided we should play a little game called “Actual Motorcycle or My Little Pony Character.”

Here’s how it works. We’ve cobbled together a list of five motorcycles and scooters and paired them up with characters from Hasbro‘s My Little Pony line of toys and cartoons. We’ll give you a pair of names and you guess which one is the motorcycle and which one is the pony. Continue Reading »

KTM made a big entrance on the small-displacement streetbike segment in 2011 with its 125 Duke and in 2012, the 200 Duke. Both models were popular sellers in Europe while the 200 had a successful launch in India, home of one of KTM‘s largest owners, Bajaj. North American consumers were left out however, as neither of the smaller Dukes were imported to these shores.

That may soon change with the introduction of the new KTM 390 Duke at the 2012 EICMA Show. A leaked slide from a KTM North American dealer meeting listed a 350 Duke as U.S. bound for 2013. At first, the assumption was it would use the single-cylinder engine from the KTM 350SX-F but KTM now reveals the new Duke will use a 375cc Single claiming 43 hp at 9500 rpm.

The chassis has been enhanced to cope with the larger engine and increased power (the 200 Duke claims 26 hp at 10,000 rpm), yet the 390 Duke maintains the dimensions and weight of the 125 and 200 versions. KTM says it will still weigh 326 pounds, fully fueled. Continue Reading »

Last week, KTM teased its new large-displacement naked prototype, revealing a brief glimpse and an audio recording of the engine on the so-called “beast”. KTM has now revealed the beast, presenting the new 1290 Super Duke R prototype at the 2012 EICMA Show in Milan, Italy.

Due to launch some time in 2013, the KTM 1290 Super Duke R will top a full line of naked Duke models which includes the 125, 200, newly revealed 390, 690 and 990. The new 1290 Super Duke R is powered by a new variation on the RC8R’s 1195cc V-Twin engine with ride-by-wire throttle. KTM doesn’t say exactly what the displacement is except to note it is larger than any previous versions.

How much power and torque does it have? “Very, very much” is KTM’s reply. Remember, this is still a prototype. But it is a prototype that is very near ready for production. Continue Reading »

Ducati is streamlining its Hypermotard lineup for 2013, replacing its air-cooled  796 and 1100 models with a new 821cc liquid-cooled Hypermotard. Announced at the 2012 EICMA Show in Milan, Italy, the line now includes the Hypermotard, the Hypermotard SP and the more touring-oriented Hyperstrada which you can read about in a separate post.

Bowing to ever tightening environmentally-friendly restrictions, the new generation of Hypermotards come equipped with a new 821cc version of Ducati’s Testastretta V-Twin engine. The Hypermotard has three ride modes: Sport, Touring and Urban. According to Ducati, the the Sport mode offers an output of 108hp at 9250rpm. The Touring mode also claims 110hp though its power curve is better attuned for longer distance travel. The Urban mode restricts power to 74 hp, also at 9250rpm. The Hypermotard also comes standard with the Ducati Safety Pack which includes ABS and traction control.

The rider triangle has been revised on the new Hypermotard, with the handlebars placed higher and further forward than on the previous generation models. The footpegs are also moved further ahead. Ducati claims the new riding posture offers a commanding riding position. Continue Reading »

MV Agusta has made it no secret it is producing an 800cc motard-styled model using a larger version of 675cc three-cylinder engine from the F3 and the Brutale 675. MV Agusta had been openly talking about the new model, expected to be called the Rivale, releasing a sketch of it earlier this week. Less discussed, but probably expected, was the same larger Triple engine would appear in another version of the Brutale.

The 2013 MV Agusta Brutale 800 slots into the manufacturer’s lineup between the Brutale 675 and the newly announced four-cylinder Brutale 1090 models and stepping into the gap left by the discontinued 921. The new Brutale, and the upcoming Rivale as well, is powered by a 798cc three-cylinder engine with a counter-rotating crankshaft.

The extra capacity comes from increasing the Triple engine’s stroke to 54.3 mm from the 675cc engine’s 45.9mm throw.  MV Agusta claims an output of 123.3 hp at 11,600 rpm and 59.7 ft-lb. at 8600 rpm from the Brutale 800′s powerplant, though the Rivale will likely be tuned a little differently. MV Agusta claims a top speed of 153.1 mph for the Brutale 800 compared to the Brutale 675′s claimed 139.8 mph top speed. Continue Reading »