Updated with pricing and American availability.

Moto Guzzi unveiled a limited edition California touring motorcycle to mark the Italian manufacturer’s 90th anniversary. The special edition model was presented at the manufacturer’s 2011 Guzzi World Days celebration in Mandello del Lario, Italy.

The limited edition 2012 Moto Guzzi California 90 will be the final version of the California 1100 model, which marks its 40th year anniversary this year. Moto Guzzi will be replacing the California with a new model based on the prototype unveiled this February in Monte Carlo.

Continue Reading »

A new era has begun as the first Indian Motorcycle under the ownership of Polaris Industries has been produced at the company’s Spirit Lake, Iowa, factory.

The landmark first Polaris-owned Indian won’t be heading right to the showroom floor however; instead, it will undergo extensive testing and evaluation by Polaris. As such, this particular Indian Chief Vintage, and the rest of the 2012 Indian line, will be fairly similar to Indian’s previous offerings, save for some minor updates to catch any issues Polaris already discovered.

The 2012 Indian models will be equiped with air-cooled, fuel injected 105ci (1720cc) engines, six speed transmissions, chrome laced wheels, 5.5 gallon fuel tanks, Brembo brakes, long fenders and an array of color options.

The 2013 lineup will likely see more substantial updates, including perhaps a switch to the 106ci engine used on Victory models.

[Source: Polaris]

Related Reading
Polaris Acquires Indian Motorcycle
Two Recall Campaigns for 2009-2011 Indian Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson has revealed a new member to its Dyna family featuring quick change convertibility from touring to cruiser mode.

As we expected, the new Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback features hard saddlebags and fork-mounted windshield that can be removed quickly and without tools, allowing it to change from a touring motorcycle to a cruiser, and back again.

The Dyna Switchback uses Harley-Davidson’s Twin Cam 103 engine, 2-into-1 chrome exhaust, and five-spoke cast aluminum wheels with full fenders.

According to Harley-Davidson, the Switchback has a curb weight of 718 pounds, about 94 pounds lighter than the Road King.

Continue Reading »

Polaris is issuing a recall for certain 2004-2011 Victory Kingpin and 2006-2011 Victory Jackpot motorcycles equipped with accessory touring seats.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,the backrest supports on some accessory seats may separate from the motorcycle, potentially putting a passenger at risk of falling off.

The recall campaign affects the Victory Kingpin Touring, Double Backrest seat (part number 2876641-01) and Victory Jackpot Touring with backrest seat (part number 2875961-01). Certain seats were produced with a stress riser in the bend area of the support which may weaken and separate due to metal fatigue or overloading.

Continue Reading »

Bombardier Recreational Products announced its 2012 lineup of Can-Am Spyder Roadsters.

The 2012 Can-Am Spyder Roadster line consists of two RS models and four RT touring models. All 2012 models come with a new amber-colored display, with the RS models receiving an LCD screen while the RT models get a Dot-matrix screen.

Continue Reading »

Piaggio has revealed a new touring version of its three-wheeled MP3 scooter.

The 2012 Piaggio MP3 Touring will be produced with four engine options, 125cc, 300cc, 400cc and 500cc. The 500cc version will be available in Sport or Business trims. Piaggio will also produce an LT version with a wider distance between the two front wheels for markets where it could legally be ridden by holders of a car drivers license. All versions are equipped with a 3.1 gallon gas tank.

The Touring version of the MP3 offers a number of new features including a three-way adjustable windscreen. The windscreen is designed so that airflow is directed over the screen as well as under, between the screen and the fairing. The new top fairing has a storage pocket with three separate compartments. Other new features include new hand grips, silver finish wheels and upholstered seat with new passenger grab-handles and integrated backrest.

Continue Reading »

Harley-Davidson has begun shipping its 2012 Sportster, Touring and Trike models across the U.S. and Europe.

The 15 announced 2012 models are all returning models from the 2011 lineup. The 2012 models will have new color options but the big news is the 103 cubic engine will now be offered standard across Harley-Davidson’s 2012 Touring line, replacing the 96 cubic inch engine.

Continue Reading »

OEMs are getting hip to online publishing insatiable appetite for new news. Suzuki is the latest company to trickle out bits of info about its upcoming new model, in this case, numerous teaser images of what looks to be the 2012 V-Strom.

The biggest unknown at this point is what Suzuki has done to the old DL650’s V-Twin engine. It might be something as simple (and cheap) as a repurposed 647cc Gladius engine, but it might be enlarged to better compete with BMW’s F800GS and Triumph’s new Tiger 800 (speaking of which, check out our review of the new Tigers).

Continue Reading »

Suzuki has released a another teaser for its upcoming “Middle-class New Motorcycle”.

We wrote about the previous teaser last week, speculating the new motorcycle is an updated Suzuki V-Strom, possibly a V-Strom 650 with a retuned version of the Gladius’ engine. A commenter named Steven suggested it might be a V-Strom 1000 instead. I guess it depends on how Suzuki defines “middle-class”. Perhaps the new model will split the difference with an 800cc engine to compete against the BMW F800GS and Triumph’s new Tiger 800.

The new teaser shows a bit more detail than the previous image … though not by much.

It also remains to be seen how “adventure” worthy the new Suzuki will be. The V-Strom DL650 is billed as a dual sport but it leans more in the road oriented direction.

Continue Reading »

Polaris Industries has initiated a recall campaign for the 2011 Victory Cross Country due to a defect in the handlebar riser and clamp assembly.

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some handlebar clamps and risers may have been machined to deep by the part supplier. As a result, the handlebars may slip within the clamps, potentially causing a rider to lose control.

Victory received three field reports of loose handlebar clamps in the U.S. from March 9 to May 4, 2011. All three field reports were identified and corrected by dealers and no accidents or injuries have been reported.

Dealers will inspect the clamping force of handlebar clamps and risers on 2011 Victory Cross Country models and, if the force isn’t adequate, replace riser/clamp assemblies at no charge. The recall campaign affects 840 units.

[Source: NHTSA]