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Triumph Speed Twin for 2021 offers all-round improvements

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com 2021 Triumph Speed Twin Gains Horsepower, New and Better Hardware All Around It’s Speed Twin time for Triumph motorcycle lovers, as they’ve finally got the news they have been waiting for: five months into 2021, the range is getting upgraded for the new model year, and we’re talking about some serious changes, at least from place to place. The “Modern Classic performance roadster,” as Triumph likes to call the range, was launched in 2018, and the three years that have passed since then call for an overhaul of the motorcycle. And that’s exactly what the British bike maker just announced. First up, power levels. Although the engine remains the same (the 1200cc High Power Bonneville twin), it has been massaged into delivering more power and torque, faster and better than before. The engine’s output increased by 3 hp, bringing the total to 100 hp at 7,250 rpm, while the maximum torque of 112 Nm (82 lb-ft) is now reached at 4,250 rpm. The riding modes for the powerplant (there are three, namely Road, Rain and Sport) have been upgraded too. As far as hardware improvements go, the Speed Twin gets several higher specification parts. They include new Marzocchi USD forks with cartridge damping, Brembo M50 radial monobloc calipers, Metzeler Racetec RR tires, and new 17-inch aluminum wheels in a 12-spoke design. All of these modifications should allow for improved handling of the two-wheeler, the bike maker says. Visually, the Speed Twin brings brushed aluminum front and rear mudguards, anodized headlamp mounts, and three color schemes. Over 50 accessories designed for the motorcycle are also thrown into the mix for the revised version. The new interpretation of the bike is already listed on the bike maker’s website, showing a retail price of $12,500. You can have […]

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New Pan America motorcycle drawing national attention

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by Sarah Hauer from https://www.jsonline.com Harley-Davidson Inc.’s newest bike — a less expensive and lighter motorcycle — is drawing national attention as the company tries to lure new riders. Harley-Davidson’s Pan America is arriving at hundreds of dealerships now. “(The Pan America) is definitely not your dad’s Harley-Davidson cruiser,” New York Times reporter Mark Gardiner wrote. The Pan America is about $2,000 cheaper and 200 pounds lighter than Harley-Davidson’s most popular touring bikes. The base model of the Pan America is around 530 pounds and starts at $17,319. Pan America’s launch was delayed a year. The company held a virtual launch event in February. Kevin Duke, who writes about motorcycles, was impressed by his test ride of the new bike. “The news about Harley for the past couple of years has been quite pessimistic,” said Duke, the editor in chief at Thunder Press in the New York Times article. “With the older demographic aging out, there was no real hint at what the company could do to gain market share, but this really changes it. The new motor is that good.” The Milwaukee-based company has been trying to expand its customer base for years. The company experienced a steep decline in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. Motorcycle sales were up 9% worldwide for the company during its most recent fiscal quarter. That bump was driven by a 30% increase in North America motorcycle sales over the same three-month time period last year. Harley-Davidson launched its all-electric motorcycle brand LiveWire in May. The first motorcycle branded as a LiveWire bike is scheduled to premiere at the International Motorcycle Show on July 9.

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From the past: Honda PC800 Pacific Coast Motorcycle

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by Steven Symes from https://autos.yahoo.com This is probably the weirdest motorcycle Honda has ever made, but is it collectible? Quirky, weird, and car-like, the Honda PC800 Pacific Coast emerged for 1989 to woo people out of their Accords and onto two wheels. Amazingly, the bizarre touring motorcycle was manufactured through the 1998 model year, but many people today seem to have forgotten about it. If we didn’t know better, it would almost be like people have collectively tried to forget about the Pacific Coast. However, we figured now is a good time to revisit this now-vintage motorcycle and examine if anything about it could be considered desirable for collectors. At the other end of the spectrum was the Honda Valkyrie Rune. The origins of the PC800 go back to 1985 when Honda R&D Americas, Inc. was established in the name of efficiency. That characteristic is, after all, one of the main attractive elements of Hondas, so it seemed to make sense. That meant the same people were developing cars, motorcycles, and other Honda products. We know, we know, the jokes practically write themselves but we’ll leave it at that. Perhaps the most bizarre products of this shift in strategy was the Honda PC800. Designed as a motorcycle for people who prefer cars, the design was friendlier and more approachable than what you would find with a Harley, Ducati, Suzuki, or even another Honda motorcycle. The press for the most part were wowed by the PC800. It was portrayed as innovative, forward-thinking, and further testified to the master genius of Honda. Most definitely it was a gamble made at a time when the US economy was strong and companies were more willing to stick their necks out to take a gamble. After all, Honda risked losing a lot of its credibility

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BMW to Expand R 18 Cruisers With Two New Models

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com A little more than a year ago, BMW returned to the cruiser segment with the mighty R 18 motorcycle. Designed to take on the big boys of the segment, specifically Harley-Davidson and Indian, the range will get a few more versions very soon. The line already comprises the standard cruiser and the more touring-oriented Classic. They will be joined by a sportier incarnation, R 18 B, and the Transcontinental classic tour-oriented two-wheeler, which according to our sources, will likely be revealed as soon as this June. Like all other bikes in the family, the new ones are said to use of the same 2-cylinder engine that is 1,802 cc in displacement, albeit fitted inside a slightly larger frame required to accommodate the needs of longer cruises. Named by the Germans Big Boxer, the powerplant is rated at 91 hp and 158 Nm (116 lb-ft) of torque in the existing bikes, and that will probably be the case with the new ones as well. The B will come with a large fairing and a short windshield, while the Transcontinental will sport a larger windshield, additional headlights, and a top case at the rear. Both new models will get a larger tank, 10.5-inch TFT screen, and even an area with inductive charging for smartphones. The wheels are likely to remain the same in size, namely 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels, only in a new design. Visually, the B will take a darkened approach to things, while the Transcontinental will go for chrome. According to the spies that captured the photos you see in the gallery, the R 18 B should tip the scale at 365 kg (805 pounds), while the Transcontinental is said to come in at over 400 kg (882 pounds). Full details on the

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Curtiss Electric Motorcycle Is Born

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by Florina Spînu from https://www.autoevolution.com Company formerly known as Confederate Motors has introduced their electric luxury motorcycle. One way or another, the future will be electric. With the debut of Harley-Davidson’s new LiveWire EV-only brand, more and more motorcycles will take on the trend. For Curtiss Motorcycles, luxury marries electrification in a ride. On that note, the brand just rolled out a trailer that showcases the beginning of its new “golden age” of electric motorcycles. We know that retro-bikes will never lose their charm, and Curtiss Motorcycles seem to combine the vintage look with modern convenience. Formerly known as Confederate Motors, the Alabama-based brand has a rich history dating back to 1907, when Glenn Curtiss set an unofficial world record of 136 mph (219 kph), on a 40 hp (30 kW) V8-powered motorcycle designed and built by himself in Florida. Sharing the name with its famous aviation pioneer ancestor, the brand tried to keep its heritage and implement it into their bikes, but with a twist. Along with the production of its all-electric motorcycle Curtiss One, it started a path toward electrification with all its future rides. Titled “Green, Clean, Mod, Cool: A New Age,” the trailer explains the brands’ philosophical narrative as well as Curtiss One, the company’s not only first precision-centered motorcycle, but also its new platform architecture that will serve as the foundation for all its future motorcycles. Ergonomics played a key role in the making process of the One. Inspired by an aircraft, its core is connected by a 39mm hard-steel axle. Its only moving parts are the oversized output shaft and its wheels. By keeping the radially organized battery cells submerged in coolant, the Curtiss Power Pak acts as a radiator for the whole system. The bike has no transmission or gearbox. Instead, the power

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Ducati Hypermotard 950 SP new features announced

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Ducati Hypermotard 950 SP Goes for MotoGP Look, Cuts Back on Emissions. It seems to have been a busy week for motorcycle makers, as a number of them have released versions of some of their most sought-after products revised for the 2022 model year. The latest name to join the party is Ducati, which has just announced some changes for the Hypermotard line. These changes are not all that extensive. First of all, the family continues to have three members, namely the 950, 950 RVE, and 950 SP. All continue to be powered by the same 937cc Ducati Testastretta 11° twin-cylinder engine as before, rated at 114 hp. All three models in the range now comply with the Euro 5 emissions standard, without that change taking its toll on output levels. The difference is how the engine is worked through a revised gearbox that allows for easier shifts to neutral when the bikes are standing still. Ducati says the solution chosen for the gearbox is the same one already deployed on the Monster and SuperSport 950. Just one member of the small family received a more comprehensive upgrade. Already at the head of the Hypermotard table, the SP is now gifted with a special livery meant to be reminiscent of the Italian bike maker’s involvement in MotoGP. The elements that set it apart from the other two, Öhlins suspension with increased travel, Marchesini forged wheels and standard Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up and Down EVO, continue to be offered for the SP. As for the other two, the 950 RVE continues to be offered in Graffiti livery, while the 950 comes in the usual Ducati Red. Ducati says it has already begun producing the new Hypermotard motorcycles, and they should hit dealerships’ shelves next month.

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Royal Enfield recalls 236,966 motorcycles on ignition coil defect

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from https://www.financialexpress.com Royal Enfield recalls Meteor 350, Classic & Bullet bikes sold. The company states that the defect was discovered during routine internal testing and the issue has been clearly identified and isolated to specific batches of material. Royal Enfield has announced a recall of three models in seven countries over a defect discovered in one of the parts. The defect is in the ignition coil that can cause misfiring, reduced vehicle performance, or rarely an electric short circuit. The three motorcycle models include the Meteor 350, Classic and Bullet. While the company is recalling Meteor 350 units built between December 2020 and April 2021, the Classic and Bullet units produced between January and April 2021 have been recalled. In a press statement, Royal Enfield states that the defect was discovered during routine internal testing and the issue has been clearly identified and isolated to specific batches of material sourced from an external supplier. The recall has been initiated as a precautionary measure, the statement continues adding that the issue is rare and does not impact all motorcycles manufactured during the mentioned period. Is your motorcycle affected? Close to 2,36,966 motorcycles of the Classic, Bullet and Meteor models will be recalled. As mentioned above, only those manufactured and sold between December 2020 and April 2021 for the Meteor, and between January and April 2021 for the Classic and Bullet. The recall will be applicable to Meteor, Classic and Bullet motorcycles sold in India, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. What to do? The company states that only an estimated 10 percent of motorcycles will require replacement of the part. All recalled units will undergo inspection and if required, the defective part will be replaced. Royal Enfield service teams, and/or local dealerships will reach out to consumers whose motorcycle

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Yamaha YZF-R7 for 2022 Supersport

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Breaks Cover as $9,000 Piece of New Japanese Supersport For decades now, fans of Yamaha motorcycles treated themselves to a special range of bikes the Japanese company likes to call Supersport. The current lineup, comprising some five models, just got its sixth member this week. YZF-R7 is how the new motorcycle is called, and it is supposed to slot right in between the entry-level YZF-R3 and the slightly meaner, mid-level YZF-R1. It has been created, says Yamaha, with new riders in mind but also for the more experienced ones looking for a more affordable two-wheeler with enough racing credentials. Yamaha says the R7 was built from the ground up with a lightweight chassis and a steel frame. Compared to the other bikes in the family, it comes with improved rake, trail, and wheelbase dimensions (now 54.9 inches/139.4 cm), all tweaked to provide better handling during cornering. Inside the frame sits a 689cc four-stroke, in-line two-cylinder engine running forged aluminum pistons and linked to a 6-speed transmission with multi-plate wet clutch. We have not been given the exact performance figures for the powerplant. The frame and engine are supported by a 41-mm front fork with optimized spring rate. The fork is adjustable for preload, rebound, and compression. Stopping power is ensured by Brembo hardware. The 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 also features a new full LCD instrument panel and larger display areas for the clock, gear, trip meter, and tachometer. There are new handlebar switches that allow the rider to control and select the features of the bike better. Yamaha says the new R7 should be available in American showrooms in June in two colors, Team Yamaha Blue and Performance Black. The starting price has been set at $8,999, and the Japanese bike maker is

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New top management at Norton Motorcycles announced

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from https://www.financialexpress.com TVS announces new top management at Norton Motorcycles: 2021 V4SS to launch soon. With TVS infusing multi-million-pound investments, the Solihull facility will be the most advanced and modern plant that Norton has operated out of in its 122-year-old history. TVS Motor Company (TVS), owner of The Norton Motorcycle Co Ltd (Norton), today announced that Dr Robert Hentschel has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Vittorio Urciuoli as its Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of the historic Solihull-based motorcycle brand. Hentschel and Urciuoli will take up their new positions as John Russell steps down from his role as Interim CEO. Dr Robert Hentschel joins Norton from Valmet Automotive Holding GmbH & Co KG, where he has served as Managing Director since 2017. Before that, he headed Ricardo Deutschland and Hentschel System and was also Director of Lotus Engineering. Vittorio Urciuoli’s former key roles within the global automotive industry include Director of URVI LTD, Head of Powertrain at Lotus Cars and Project Leader at Ferrari and Aprilia Racing. TVS has created a plan for Norton to transform into the future. Along with the entire TVS team, I look forward to working together with them for the revitalisation of one of the world’s most storied brands. Under John’s tenure, with investment and support from TVS, Norton has returned to a firm footing and made marked improvements to engineering and product quality, which will be seen in the updated V4SS that will be launched soon. In addition, we have established a new, state-of-the-art global design, engineering, manufacturing and sales and marketing HQ in Solihull, Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director of TVS Motors, said. In January this year, Norton announced it would get back to work in full swing by March at its new facility at Solihull, Birmingham in the UK.

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Historic Off-Road Show at the Harley-Davidson Museum

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by Skyler Chun from https://www.milwaukeemag.com Preview: A Historic Show at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Learn all about the history of off-road motorcycling at the Harley-Davidson Museum. A new exhibit – about the storied past of off-road motorcycles and the people who rode them – has rolled into the Harley-Davidson Museum. “There’s a deep history here with this type of riding,” exhibits curator David Kreidler says, adding that the company has long made special motorcycles designed to be ridden across difficult terrain. After all, when the company was founded in 1903, roads weren’t widely paved, and riders needed to be able to maneuver their bikes across rutted earth, or dodge fallen logs and debris. The “Off-Road Harley-Davidson” exhibit was created to coincide with the introduction of the Pan America adventure-touring motorcycle. One of the highlights of the exhibit, “Off-Road Harley-Davidson,” is the LiveWire, the company’s first all-electric motorcycle. The bike was featured prominently in the Apple TV+ show “Long Way Up,” which followed Ewan McGregor and his friend motorbiking from South America to Los Angeles. Older bikes are also on display. While the museum is open to the public, it’s planning virtual events as well. To replicate the experience of walking through the galleries, Kridler will lead tours of the exhibit space that viewers can access online if they’d rather not visit in person. “Off-Road Harley-Davidson” looks back at Harley’s history of all-terrain motorcycles. Visit the Harley-Davidson webpage for more information. “Off-Road Harley-Davidson” exhibit celebrates the company’s past by Mark Gardiner from https://www.revzilla.com To celebrate the launch of its Pan America adventure bike, The Motor Company recently mounted a lovely exhibit called “Off-Road Harley-Davidson” at its museum in Milwaukee. Unfortunately, just as the exhibit was due to open to the public, a surge in COVID cases forced Milwaukee County to close museums!

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