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Normally, we would roast a brand for bringing a “bold new graphics” model to market, but in the case of the 2017 Montesa Cota 4RT260, we will give the Spanish firm a pass…purely because we think trials riding is AWESOME.

So, yup…for the 2017 model year, Montessa is brining basically the same machine to market, with the big changes being the red, white, and blue HRC-inspired color scheme, along with the chromed fork tubes that have black-painted lowers.

If it counts as a technical change, the kickstarter lever has been made longer than on what is found on the 2016 model, and of course there is a “race replica” version, which drips in carbon fiber, Showa suspension pieces, and has the traditional Repsol livery.

We already know that Bimota plans to go racing at the 2015 Isle of Man TT (and other road races) with Brit Ben Wylie and American Brandon Cretu — the duo riding on a pair of Bimota BB3 superbikes.

What we didn’t know is that Bimota will make 60 replicas of these race bikes available to consumers, calling the machines the Bimota BB3 TTrofeo.

The BB3 TTrofeo bikes will have the same race livery as the road racing superbikes, along with “select performance upgrades” which we take to mean bolt-on goodies, not engine work.

This isn’t the first year where the Honda COTA 4RT 260 has been available in the United States, but until now only a limited number of these trials bikes have been available to American riders. Thankfully Honda America is changing that though, officially announcing the 2015 Honda COTA 4RT 260 & 2015 Honda COTA 4RT 260 Race Replica for the US market.

Essentially rebadged Montesa machines that come from Honda’s partnership with the Spanish marque, Honda’s COTA 4RT 260 models represent Big Red’s attempt to offer a competition-grade trials bike (2015 Honda COTA 4RT 260 Race Replica, shown above) as well as an entry-level trials bike (2015 Honda COTA 4RT 260) to American motorcyclists.

Judging by the temperature emanating from the Asphalt & Rubber server hard drives, the 2013 Honda CBR600RR caused quite a stir today when it broke cover ahead of the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. Unfortunately at the time of our coverage, we only had a few side-profile photos to share with you, which really didn’t do any justice to the bike’s visual redesign efforts.

That is about to change though, as we have a few more shots, which most importantly give a good look at the Honda CBR600RR’s new mug. A more aerodynamic bodywork package (the new fairings have a 6% air-flow factor), Honda’s new RAM-air intake on the CBR600RR also helps put a little more pep in the supersport’s step. Check it out after the jump.

In Germany, and other European markets, the Honda CBR600F is offered alongside the venerable Honda CBR600RR, as a lower-cost and more affordable sport bike alternative to Big Red’s race-bred supersport machine. Zie Germans are a practical lot after all, and they also happen to be quite thrilled that native Stefan Bradl is now racing in the premier class of motorcycle racing, and doing quite well we might add with the LCR Honda squad.

Getting their cross-promotion on, Honda Germany has teamed up with the Italian MotoGP team to bring a special LCR edition Honda CBR600F to market, which uses the same livery found on Bradl’s Honda RC213V race bike. In addition to the livery, the Honda CBR600F LCR Edition comes with Progrip handlebar grips, an Arrow exhaust, and some other Honda accessories. No word on price, but the bike will premiere June 2nd at the AMI Car Show in Leipzig, Germany. Possible Instagram photos after the jump.

It’s only a matter of time before Ducati releases some race replica paint jobs for the recently unveiled Ducati 1199 Panigale. It almost certainly won’t be during the 2012 model year, but in 2013 don’t be surprised to see some race-inspired colors adorning Bologna’s flagship superbike. Seemingly beating Ducati to the punch, the guys over at MotorBikeTV have put together some fine photoshops of what the Ducati 1199 Panigale race replicas would look like. Hayden, Bayliss, Checa…the only thing missing is perhaps the most important race replica of all: Valentino Rossi’s.

With The Doctor signing onto the Italian MotoGP squad for two seasons, the match was a marketing director’s dream come true. And while the Rossi yellow might clash with the Rosso Corsa, you can beat anything stamped with a 46 and the Ducati Corse logo will sell like hot cakes…it did for the Ducati Monster at least. A Rossi-branded Ducati 1199 Panigale? The sound you just heard was Ducatisti worldwide having spasms of joy, of the change-your-pants variety. Thanks for the tip Sergio!

If you’re reading this post, then you are already too late to own a Yamaha YZF-R1 with MotoGP replica bodywork. For starters, the bikes were offered by Yamaha France, making local delivery here in the US a little challenging, even if you could pony up the €15,999 ($22,750) asking price. Second, race replica R1’s were gone almost immediately after being offered on the French website. If the price seems a bit steep, consider the fact that the machine would be delivered in person at the French GP by its appropriate MotoGP rider (there’s also a bit of Yamaha and team swag involved in the purchase price).

If you’re a die hard Lorenzo, Spies, Edwards, or Crutchlow fan, this opportunity by Yamaha France would probably be a once in a lifetime moment, but what we think is really special is that Yamaha left the Japanese support stickers on the bikes’ livery, not only drawing further ties to the MotoGP machines, but also noting a point in time that changed Japan, the world, and the motorcycle community…good stuff. More photos after the jump, but be forewarned that the yellow and black Tech3 paint scheme is extra drool-worthy on the R1.

If you’re not in the motorcycle industry, the name Aldo Drudi might still ring a bell, as the Italian designer has done work with some of the biggest names in the sport like, Marco Luchinelli, Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan, Alex Crivillé, Kenny Roberts Jr, Marco Melandri, Manuel Poggiali, and Valentino Rossi. Most recently Drudi has inked the livery for American Honda’s Moto2 wildcard at the Indianapolis GP, and of course worked on Valentino Rossi’s helmets and Ducati livery.

UPDATE: According to Ducati North America the United States will not get the carbon fiber Termignoni exhaust can, and instead will feature a numbered badge on the engine crankcase cover. Pricing is $21,995, available June 2011.

Helping celebrate Ducati’s heavyweight class win (and 2nd place overall) at Pikes Peak last year, the Italian company has released the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Special Edition today. We’ve been saying that Ducati needs to build a Pikes Peak Special Edition of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S since…well, since we first laid eyes on the beautiful machine a year ago. Launching the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak today though, we’ll have to find something else to pester the Italian company about, but that’s fine by us.

Helping send off Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden on their 2011 MotoGP Championship season, Ducati is holding a big event in downtown Bologna on Friday night. Naturally of course the two MotoGP riders will need something to make an entrance with, and Ducati thought this would be the perfect time to tap its Monster Art program for some Rossi/Hayden GP replica paint schemes that take their cues from the duo’s Ducati Desmosedici GP11 race bikes.

The first of what is surely to be many Ducati motorcycles to have the yellow “46” on them, we’re still having some trouble getting used to the neon yellow/Rosso Corsa combo, but we’re this will be the best selling livery in Ducati Monster Art personalization package. Wake us up when the Ducati Superbike 1198 Rossi Rep comes out.

For 2011 Shoei has made available a special helmet that honors fallen Moto2 rider Shoya Tomizawa, who died tragically at the 2010 San Marino GP. The 2011 Shoei X-12 Tomizawa Replica Limited Edition features the same graphics as Tomizawa’s race helmet, and seems to be a fitting tribute to the popular young rider.

Unfortunately for American GP fans, the Tomizawa race replica helmet will only be available in Japan. Cost is expected to be ¥71,400 including taxes ($870.00), with part of the profits going to Tomizawa’s parents and and young riders who want to get into motorcycle racing. Orders must be placed before January 28, 2011, and will be delivered by April 2011.