Not many people might be aware that famed Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves who has given us films like Speed, Constantine, and the Matrix trilogy, is an avid biker and is passionate about everything related to two wheels. [Read more…] about Keanu Reeves & Gard Hollinger’s Arch Motorcycle company readies first bike
Latest Bike News
Suzuki zooms into Intermot
V-Strom concept headlines Cologne Show launch.
Japanese two-wheeler giant Suzuki is putting up quite a show for biking enthusiasts in the International Motorcycle Show (Intermot) this year, with as many as five model announcements to talk about. The centre-stage, however, was grabbed by the V-Storm Concept, Suzuki’s new 1000-cc adventure concept. Other bikes that were unveiled at the show were- Intruder C1500T, Burgman 650, the famous Hayabusa GSX 1300R now with ABS, and one millionth GSX-R 1000 special edition model.
Suzuki has always given bike enthusiasts just what they need from their bike and what special do they offer with these new showcases, let’s take a look.
Inspired by the legendary DR Big Dakar racer, Suzuki claims that the V-Strom 1000 Concept will be their most advanced adventure style machine ever. Powered with a 1000-cc liquid cooled, V-twin engine, this go-getter machine with its aluminum frame promises agility on all kinds of terrains. It comes with traction control and integrated luggage as a standard feature. The V-Strom 1000 will be part of Suzuki’s 2014 line-up.
Talk of meaty cruisers and you can’t but miss the Suzuki Intruder. Promising power-packed mile munching, and practicality hand-in hand, the Intruder displayed came with new styling (black detailing carried throughout the length of the bike), and integrated luggage and windshield as a standard feature.
The Burgman 650 takes the concept of convenience of a scooter a bit towards the ‘luxury’ side. Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, Suzuki shares the joy with their customers as they offer an even more fuel efficient Burgman 650, using the new ‘Eco Drive Indicator’. Features like light-weight ABS, a powered height adjustable screen electrically tractable mirrors, even heated grips and rider and passenger seats.
The legendary Hayabusa GSX 1300R just gets Brembo monoshock calipers and lightweight ABS as a standard feature. The one millionth special edition of GSX-R comes with special paint scheme and Brembo monoshock calipers. The Intruder C1500T, Burgman 650, Hayabusa GSX 1300R ABS, and GSX-R special edition will be a part of the company’s 2013 line-up. But how many of these would come to India? No word on that yet.
Honda unveils new Dakar Rally model at INTERMOT
Honda has just unveiled their new CRF450 Rally model at the 2012 International Motorcycle, Scooter and Bike Fair (INTERMOT) in Cologne, Germany.
Honda competed nine times from 1981 in the forerunner of the present Dakar Rally, the Paris-Dakar Rally and this new machine will compete in the 2013 Dakar Rally to be held in January. Frenchman Cyril Neveu got Honda its first victory in 1982, the race’s fourth year, and from 1986 to 1989 Honda won four consecutive titles for an overall record of five victories in nine years. The CRF450 Rally model, is based on Honda’s commercial CRF450X enduro racing model and also features Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system to ensure optimum fuel efficiency and durability. This year’s race should be interesting as Honda will be aiming for its first rally victory with a model based on a production machine. The CRF450 Rally model is still currently under development but has already undergone testing in Japan, and will be ridden in its first race at the Morocco Rally from October 14th. The five riders set to compete in the Dakar Rally will ride the Morocco Rally mainly to gather data, identify any problems with the machine under actual race conditions, and pinpoint any operational issues. This year 11-time U.S. Baja 1000 champion Johnny Campbell (USA) will join the four riders already announced—Helder Rodrigues (Portugal), Felipe Zanol (Brazil), Sam Sunderland (United Kingdom) and Javier Pizzolito (Argentina) to complete the five-man Honda team.
Honda unveils new Dakar Rally model at INTERMOT
Honda has just unveiled their new CRF450 Rally model at the 2012 International Motorcycle, Scooter and Bike Fair (INTERMOT) in Cologne, Germany.
Honda competed nine times from 1981 in the forerunner of the present Dakar Rally, the Paris-Dakar Rally and this new machine will compete in the 2013 Dakar Rally to be held in January. Frenchman Cyril Neveu got Honda its first victory in 1982, the race’s fourth year, and from 1986 to 1989 Honda won four consecutive titles for an overall record of five victories in nine years. The CRF450 Rally model, is based on Honda’s commercial CRF450X enduro racing model and also features Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system to ensure optimum fuel efficiency and durability. This year’s race should be interesting as Honda will be aiming for its first rally victory with a model based on a production machine. The CRF450 Rally model is still currently under development but has already undergone testing in Japan, and will be ridden in its first race at the Morocco Rally from October 14th. The five riders set to compete in the Dakar Rally will ride the Morocco Rally mainly to gather data, identify any problems with the machine under actual race conditions, and pinpoint any operational issues. This year 11-time U.S. Baja 1000 champion Johnny Campbell (USA) will join the four riders already announced—Helder Rodrigues (Portugal), Felipe Zanol (Brazil), Sam Sunderland (United Kingdom) and Javier Pizzolito (Argentina) to complete the five-man Honda team.
Ducati unveils 2013 lineup at Intermot
Bologna-based Italian motorcycle heavyweights Ducati officially unveiled their 2013 lineup of bikes at the 2013 Intermot show in Germany.
The Ducati stable offered the first glimpse of the 2013 Multistrada 1200 and the 2013 Panigale RS13 to the public, the latter of which would make its debut next year in WSBK. The Italian marquee also showcased a cosmetically upgraded 2013 Diavel, Monster and the 848.
The Diavel lineup included the Diavel red carbon, featuring a vivid gloss red stripe on the fuel tank and tail, and the completely blacked out Diavel Dark version. The Ducati Monster which turned 20 this year had a lineup comprising of the 1100 EVO, 796 and 696 Anniversary Editions dressed in the 1992 monster livery. Ducati also added an 848 EVO Corse Special Edition which was decked in the Ducati Test Team color scheme of matte black and matte grey and sported a new aluminum fuel tank. The 2013 1199 Panigale was showcased in a new arctic white paint scheme, along with the standard and Tricolore versions.
Ducati also featured a full line of accessories and apparel lineup for each model which included the full 2013 lineup of the Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Superbikes and the Streetfighter.