While the KTM RC8 R will be taking over the price point of the now defunct RC8 for 2011, the track-only 2011 KTM 1190 RC8 R Race Spec will in-turn take over the RC8 R’s role as the top-spec “ready to race” machine in the Austrian company’s line-up. Debuting at Intermot, details were scarce about the RC8 R Race Spec (called the RC8 R Track at the time), but we knew it would come sans headlights, turn signals, license plate holders, and anything remotely resembling sanity in a street bike.

Officially announcing the KTM RC8 R Race Spec for the American market, we see that this track weapon comes with a bevy of extra items to help justify its nearly $20,000 price tag. Assembled at KTM Factory Racing Department, the RC8 R Race Spec comes with a Akrapovic Evo 4 titanium exhaust, slipper clutch, quick shifter, and upgraded suspension among other track-oriented goodies.

KTM must have read our wish list for Christmas (we originally asked for a reduced price and free puppy with every purchase), as not only has the Austrian company improved upon its already impressive KTM 1190 RC8 R v-twin awesomebike, but they’ve considerable slashed the RC8 R’s MSRP. Prices so low, they’re practically giving the bike away, the 2011 KTM 1190 RC8 R will retail for $16,499 — a nearly $3,500 price reduction from the 2010 model (the RC8 R effectively takes over the price point of the RC8, which has been discontinued for 2011).

Making 175hp (with the right fuel), the 2011 KTM 1190 RC8 R benefits from a dual spark plug ignition setup that features two different spark plugs for different ignition points. Improving not only performance levels, the new spark plug configuration also gives the RC8 R a 12% fuel economy increase, while decreasing emissions. Also new for 2011 is a new crankshaft and flywheel which have increased masses (100g & 1,000g respectively) to smooth out the power pulses of the RC8 R.

The North American distributor for the Piaggio Group (PGA) has released pricing and availability info for the company’s 2011 range of motorcycles and scooters for the Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, and Piaggio brands. While most of the scooters are immediately available, many of the big bikes will come in the first half or middle of 2011. Noticeably absent from the pricing and availability sheet are the 2011 Aprilia Tuono V4 R & 2011 Aprilia RS4 125, but the 2011 Aprilia RSV4 Factory SE ($22,499 MSRP/mid-2011) is listed along with the base model RSV4 R ($15,000/mid-2011). Check after the jump for a full breakdown of prices and availability times.

American Honda announced today the official pricing on the 2011 Honda CBR250R, the company’s 250cc beginner bike. With base pricing on the CBR250R starting at $3,999, the ABS equipped model will cost an additional $500, with an MSRP of $4,499. This price point goes right after the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, which is also sold for $3,999 MSRP. The Honda tips the scales a full 15 lbs lighter than the Kawi, and is equipped with fuel-injection.

We expect Honda’s strategy with the Mini-Me CBR is to offer more performance and features for the same price as the Kawi, which should make things in this part of the market very interesting (Aprilia is trying to play here too with its 125cc Aprilia RS4 125, which will likely cost more than these two bikes). Photos, video, and technical specifications of the new Honda CBR250R after the jump.

Confirming what we already told you last month, Ducati has officially announced the pricing on the 2011 Ducati Diavel power cruiser. With the base Diavel costing $16,995, Ducatisti can spend an extra $3,000 for the Diavel Carbon, which costs $19,995, or purchase the Diavel Carbon “Red” (named for its red frame and rally stripe) for $20,395.

Is the Ducati Diavel not your cup of tea? In an interesting move, Ducati has setup a feature on its Diavel mirco-site for people to sound off their opinions on the new Italian machine by filling out a questionnaire. You can catch the Ducati Diavel, and many of the other recently released motorcycles, in person at the International Motorcycle Show through March.

Source: Ducati North America

Well it didn’t take long for news of Triumph’s pricing information for the United States to surface, after the European pricing came out last week. Announced to Triumph dealers in the United States, the 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 will hit dealership floors with a MSRP of $9,999, while the 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XC will cost $10,999. ABS for both Tigere 800 models will be an additional $800 option.

Compare that to the BMW F650GS (still an 800cc motorcycle mind you), which has a base price of $9,255 ($10,155 with ABS), and the BMW F800GS’s starting price of $11,395 ($12,295 if you want ABS). We’ll let you decide how Triumph has positioned itself against the two BMW’s, but also bear in mind that it’s hard to find a BMW without the standard options package (a $1,500 package that includes ABS, heated grips, and a ride computer).

UPDATE: British pricing has come in at £7,149 for the Tiger 800, and £7,749 for the Tiger 800 XC. The optional ABS package is an additional £600. For reference the base BMW F800GS costs £7,780.00 MSRP OTD.

While pricing in the United States still is yet to be determined, Triumph has set its base MSRP for the Tiger 800 & Tiger 800 XC for the Italian market (and presumably the European market as well), which sheds some light on how much we can expect to pay here in the US. According to information sent to Triumph dealers in Italy, the 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 will cost €8,990, while the the 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XC will cost €9,990.

Abroad this means Triumph is taking a stab at BMW, and pricing the Tiger 800 below the F800GS (€10,500 MSRP), which should translate into a similar segment positioning here in the United States. It is hard to guess exactly how Triumph will price the Tiger 800 and Tiger 800 XC in America exactly, as Triumph’s international pricing structure is a bit more convoluted than other manufacturers, but we expect to see the Triumph Tiger 800 XC priced just under $10,000. More on that as we get it.

MV Agusta USA has announced that pricing for the 2010 MV Agusta F4 superbike will be set at $18,500 MSRP. MV hopes that his price point will make the bike a competitive entry in the US market, and is aimed squarely at the Ducati 1198S ($21,795) and Aprilia RSV4 Factory ($20,999) on price, while still offering a bike with traction control and adjustable engine maps (not to mention 186hp) at a lower price point than the two other Italian brands.

The fine folks of Noale have finally added the 2010 Aprilia Dorsoduro Factory to their official line-up and removed any doubts that the good Factory name means less today than it used to in the good ol’days. Tacking on a €900 premium for the “upgraded” Dorsoduro Factory model, riders will see an increase in carbon fiber, but only a limited change to the performance of the street tard. Despite this, the 2010 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 Factory makes a strong rival for the Ducati Hypermotard 796. See why after the jump, along with a bevy of photos and a video.

After Ducati North America announced its pricing for the United States, we now know what the 2010 Ducati UK pricing is going to be. Unsurprisingly, Ducati has raised it’s prices to be in-line with the UK’s return to the 17.5% VAT rate. Check the prices after the jump, some are not what you’d expect.