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The KTM 450 SMR, In Case You Like Orange Supermotos

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It is a strange relationship between KTM and Husqvarna, with the prior owning the latter. Often times, this means that we see the orange bikes in blue and white clothing, with few changes separating the two offerings.

Such is the case with their pair of supermotos, with the 2022 KTM 450 SMR being almost identical to the 2022 Husqvarna FS 450 – save for a different color palette.

What are the real brass tacks differences? The Husqvarna has a composite subframe, while the KTM’s is made from aluminum. That’s it.

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Bikes

Absurdly Ultra High-Resolution Photos of the KTM RC 8C

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It is the end of the week, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the weekend than to ogle some ultra high-resolution photos of the KTM RC 8C.

Zie Austrians uploaded these to their media site well after the fanfare of the track-only bike had settled, so I don’t think they have really been seen until now – the fact it sold out in less than 5 minutes probably didn’t help that fact either.

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Bikes

The KTM RC 8C Debuts as a Kramer with Wings

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Have we just seen the unveiling of the ultimate track bike? The KTM RC 8C certainly fits the part on paper with its 128hp on tap, 140 kg dry weight (308 lbs), and high-spec components.

Though the exterior is all-new, we have seen much of the KTM RC 8C before, as the bike is really just a rebadge and massaged Kramer GP2 890R track bike, though the Ready to Race folks make no mention of the involvement of their German counterparts.

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A&R Pro

The Supersport Segment Reboot – A Story About the Yamaha YZF-R9

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Yamaha is in the midst of redefining its sport bike lineup. The first step was to kill off the popular and iconic YZF-R6 supersport, but that left a massive hole between the R3 and R1 models.

To help fill that void, Yamaha recently debuted the Yamaha YZF-R7, but while the 75hp / twin-cylinder platform makes for a good stepping stone from the R3, an R6 replacement it is not (and never was supposed to be).

That duty will likely fall to another machine, whose name has been spotted in government documents: the Yamaha YZF-R9.

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Rumors

When Will We See a Full-Fairing Suzuki SV650?

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Go to any motorcycle racing club, and you will surely see a fleet of Suzuki SV650 race bikes. The 650cc v-twin sport bike has been a mainstay for track enthusiasts and sport bikers alike for over two decades. The bike is an icon.

And yet, the venerable Suzuki SV650 finds itself under attack from all sides, no more so than by Suzuki’s Japanese rival Yamaha, which now has a two-pronged approach with its MT-07 and YZF-R7 offerings.

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Bikes

Aprilia RS 660 Trofeo Now Available with a Race-Ready 105hp

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Something we have been hinting about the Aprilia RS 660 just came true today, as the middleweight-twin sport bike is now officially ready for racing duty, and being offered through Noale’s Aprilia Factory Works program.

What does that mean? A factory equipped ready-to-race bike that has been honed by the same hands that touch Aprilia’s MotoGP and WorldSBK projects.

The result is a 105hp machine that tips the scales at 337 lbs (153 kg) dry, which by our math should be good for 370 lbs when fully fueled and lubricated.

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Bikes

The Aprilia Racing RS 660 Trofeo Is Ready for Racing Duty

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This bad mammer-jammer right here is coming to a race track near you…if you live in Italy, that is. It is the Aprilia Racing RS 660 Trofeo, and it is the middleweight-twin cup bike from Aprilia Racing.

Built around the Aprilia RS 660 street bike (obviously), the Trofeo version is a track-only machine from the racing department in Noale, and it means business.

Built with support from Italian brands like SC-Project, Pirelli, Brembo, and Andreani, the Aprilia Racing RS 660 Trofeo is another stepping stone in Aprilia’s racing lineup to develop young riding talent.

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Bikes

A Bigger Ohvale GP-2 Finally Arrives with 12″ Wheels

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When it comes to race-ready minimotos, the name Ohvale is all you need to know. The Italian brand has stormed onto the scene, and quickly found traction with youth riders and old pros alike.

It is easy to see why, as the platform offers top-shelf kit in a space that has been mostly about heavily modified Honda Grom street bikes and cheap dirt bike conversions.

If you were serious about developing your road racing skills on a go-kart track, then the Ohvale GP-0 190 was the beast for you.

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Bikes

Yamaha R6 RACE Now Available for Your Supersport Track Fix

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If there is a silver lining at all to the news that the Yamaha YZF-R6 is being discontinued at the end of 2020 for the European and American markets, it is that a version of the bike will at least be offered for interested track riders.

The newly named Yamaha R6 RACE is pretty much exactly what you think it would be – a track-kitted version of the current Yamaha YZF-R6 sport bike.

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