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British motorcycle marquee Triumph have unveiled their 2013 Speed Triple lineup and colour options in the UK market.

The Speed Triple has always been one of the brightest jewel in the Triumph crown along with the super sexy Daytona and the monstrous Rocket III. The 2013 lineup includes both the standard and the R versions of the speed triple and both the bikes have been heavily revised. Meanwhile the big-wigs at Triumph are keen on stressing the fact that these are new models and not just mere tweaks of the current versions.

The new version of the Speed Triple has shed weight and is almost 6kg lighter than its previous model. Majority of the weight saving has been done on the rear-end of the bike, which includes shedding-off a whooping 3.6kg from the exhaust system alone! Engineers at Triumph have also claimed to have improved the Speed Triple’s fuel efficiency by almost 30% in urban riding conditions. The new versions also features a new gear box in which the first gear is taller than the previous variants, this has been in order to make the bike more user-friendly and fun to ride.

Triumph have also revealed the 2013 clolours as well, the Street Triple will be available in Phantom Black, Caribbean Blue and Crystal White. The Street Triple R will be available in Matt Graphite, Crystal White and Phantom Black. Meanwhile both the Street Triple and the R versions are also due to have optional ABS, which will cost £350 (INR 30,000) extra. These new bikes will be available at UK dealers by mid-November with the ABS version expected to be released before the end of the year. The Street Triple will be priced at £6,999 (INR 6.10lakh approx) while the Street Triple R will cost £7,699 (INR 6.72lakh approx).

Austrian heavy weights KTM have churned out some of the most radical sets of two wheels like the RC8 and the Duke series etc.

Here’s the low down regarding a 250cc offering from KTM, the first thing which strikes a mind is ‘pocket rocket’. Well many bikers will argue to my saying that “it has every right to be an enthusiast’s dream bike” even thought it’s just a mere kid if compared with its 1000cc KTM big brothers.

This ‘KTM Moto3 Racer’ based production motorcycle churns out a mere 49PS from its 250cc mill, might not sound so appealing but my thoughts are a bit different regarding the GPR. For starters the looks of this pocket rocket simply put is stunning, embodied with amazing lines and killer curves. The fun element on this bike kicks in when its on the track, it’s far from being some motocross engine shoehorned into a steel trellis frame. The KTM 250GPR is just a small step down from Sandro Cortese’s world championship winning Moto 3 machine.

It is a state-of-the-art GP machine with its chassis and suspension totally adjustable, souped up with electronic tidbits like traction control, pit lane limiter etc this pacer is one for the track. Astonishingly its just a mere 85kg in mass and flickering this pocket dynamo is very easy in straits as well as corners. The KTM 250GPR boasts of an impressive top speed of 209+ kmph. Even though it is more of a track bike, the GPR is a fun too ride motorcycle on the streets as well. The KTM 250GPR is priced around £45,000 (INR 39 lakhs approx) in the UK.

The Jakarta Motorcycle Show was witness to the unveiling of the 2013 Honda CB150R Streetfire

Is Honda’s (HMSI) thinking of bringing the Streetfire in India? Could this bike replace the existing CB Dazzler in the near future? We have to admit that it sure looks like an interesting option.

Unlike the premium Honda CBR150R available in India, CB150R Streetfire seems to have been built for a price. It has streetfighter styling, and the sporty nature is embellished by a new and good looking trellis frame. Like most other 150-cc bikes from Honda, this one also features telescopic front forks, monoshock rear suspension, cast wheels, and a belly pan.

The small single cylinder hints at a 150cc engine, which is oil-cooled to meet strict emission norms, and also sports Honda’s celebrated PGMI fuel ignition (FI) system. The Indian version could shed the FI and oil-cooled systems to make it more cost effective. The Streetfire uses an exhaust similar to the ones on CB Dazzler and interestingly has a kick-starter lever as well. The low seat and a new handlebar would offer an upright riding stance, ideal for city commute.

Indonesia is a price-sensitive market like India, and the CB150R Streetfire will be competitively priced giving it huge potential in Asian markets, if the dominance of small capacity bikes is an indicator.

Picture Courtesy: Jakarta Motorcycle Show 2012

There it stood the masterpiece in blood red, I couldn’t take my eyes on it! Like some Picaso masterpiece I was just spellbound with its aura.

Well my fellow bikers, I ain’t diverting from motorcycles to sculptures, but my introduction to this story is truly about a new masterpiece by another Italian art lover like Pablo Picaso, the MV Agusta motorcycle company have officially unveiled the Rivale at the ongoing EICMA show.

MV have unveiled this ‘hypermotard-styled’ motorcycle in Milan – this will be the Italian marquess third addition to its three-cylinder range and boy it sure looks a stunner. It is the new eye candy from MV, engineers from MV have carried over their iconic three-exhaust pipe system. But when it comes to the rear end of the bike specially with the turn indicators, the bike has a lot in common with the Ducati Diavel which might be a big turn-off to MV Agusta loyalist.

However, the overall package looks quite stunning so far, and if the Varese brand ends up delivering a motorcycle close to what is represented here, it should have another clear winner on its hands. Sources have said to expect the MV Agusta Rivale to feature a stroked-out 800cc three-cylinder mill on similar lines like the Agusta Brutale 800, while availability date and price have not been revealed as of yet.