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Jensen Beeler

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Honda Teases a 650cc Retro-Modern Concept Model

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While we were busy running around Cologne, Germany for the INTERMOT show, Honda Motor Europe was busy in France, for the Paris Motor Show. Debuting there another “Neo Café” concept model, the Japanese brand seems set to release a middleweight version of this popular trope.

Based off the Honda CB650F, the latest Honda Neo Café concept promises a 650cc inline-four engine package in a retro-modern style, similar to what Big Red has done with the Honda CB300R and Honda CB1000R. As such, we are very likely looking at an early version of the Honda CB650R.

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Dirt

Honda CRF250L Recalled for Wiring Harness Malfunctions

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Honda is recalling 505 units of its 2018 Honda CRF250L dual-sport motorcycle because of production issues concerning the bike’s wiring harness. According to the Japanese manufacturer, the wiring harness may have been improperly installed at the company’s Thai factory, which could cause the harness to become damaged.

In its recall documents filed with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), a damaged wiring harness was found during routine quality checks at the assembly plant. Honda then began an investigation and determined that the wiring harness was damaged during installation of the front fork assembly. Additional units were inspected with some units exhibiting the same symptom of a damaged wiring harness. 

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Bikes

Up-Close with the Kawasaki Ninja 125

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One of the few surprises at the INTERMOT trade show in Germany, was Team Green’s release of two 125cc motorcycle models: the Kawasaki Ninja 125 and the Kawasaki Z125. The bikes are basic in their concept, and will be headed only to the European market.

Kawasaki hopes that the Ninja 125 and Z125 will be the ideal option for those with A1 or A2 licenses in Europe’s tiered motorcycle licensing program, though the Japanese company didn’t discount some interest from older riders who are looking for something smaller in their garage.

That is a fair goal from Kawasaki, because despite the budget-focus of these 125cc machines, the quality of the bikes is quite high, and we were most impressed with the fit and finish found on the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 125.

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Rumors

BMW Begins Teasing Its New S1000RR Superbike

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We have only a month longer to wait until BMW Motorrad debuts its all-new superbike, and the German brand has now begun teasing the new liter-bike on its social media channels.

Showing only a race track, with sounds of an accelerating motorcycle off-screen (and then a quick flash going by), zie Germans are not giving too much away yet, and we are left to our own sources to figure out what is in store for the 2019 BMW S1000RR.

The big news is the arrival of a counter-rotating crankshaft, which should help keep down the front wheel, and improve side-to-side transitions. This means that BMW Motorrad will join Ducati in producing a current superbike engine that uses this race-derived engine setup.

We also expect BMW to bring out several versions/trim levels to the new S1000RR, so as to better take advantage of the changing rules in the World Superbike Championship. This should mean a higher-spec race homologation bike, which could include aerodynamic aids.

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Products

Aftermarket Winglets for Superbikes Are Now a Thing

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The dawn of aerodynamics is upon the motorcycle industry, because aftermarket winglets for superbikes are now a thing.

If we are surprised about anything, it is that it has taken this long for someone to come up with a winglet for modern superbikes.

Ever since the first MotoGP bike rolled out of the pit lane garage sporting aerodynamic aids, the clock has been ticking until someone made them for the general public. That time is today. That someone is the good folks at Puig.

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Bikes

Up-Close with the Indian FTR1200

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The belle of the INTERMOT ball, the Indian FTR1200 made its debut in Germany this week to much fanfare. We should all make note that the American brand has released its first non-cruiser motorcycle…and it did so on foreign soil. This is not an accident.

The FTR1200 marks an important moment in the Indian Motorcycle Company’s history, as it is the first of several machines to come from this historic marque that will take it into the future.

As I have said before, we should all pay attention, because Indian doesn’t want to be the next Harley-Davidson…it wants to be the next Honda, and that means worldwide domination.

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Bikes

The Twin-Cylinder Kramer GP2 Prototype Debuts

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Kramer Motorcycles is ready to make its sequel to the potent single-cylinder Kramer HKR EVO2 track bike, and again the German manufacturer has tapped a unique KTM engine to power this next edition race-focused motorcycle.

Debuting today at the Barber Vintage Festival, the Kramer GP2 prototype has broken cover, and it features the 790cc parallel-twin engine from the KTM 790 Duke. The Germans plan to develop the bike over the next 12 months, with an eye on providing a potent twin for those who are racing inclined.

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Bikes

Horex Debuts Its Third Model, The Horex VR6 Raw

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We had given up Horex for dead several years ago, with the German brand struggling to get its VR6 platform to market and in the hands of customers.

But, don’t discount this motorcycle company just yet, as the Horex VR6 Raw debuted this week in Cologne, for the INTERMOT trade show.

As such, the attractive roadster is an exercise in black-on-black, with virtually every component on the six-cylinder machine murdered out for a sinister effect.

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Bikes

Bold New Graphics Come to the Scrambler Ducati Line for 2019

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Ducati’s new model releases at INTERMOT was reserved, to say the least. Showing us some updates to the Scrambler Ducati lineup, the Italian brand debuted three new graphics for its Café Racer, Desert Sled, and Full Throttle models.

It might only be “bold new graphics” for these 2019 model year bikes, but the fresh liveries are very fetching.

The Full Throttle model is based off the Ducati Scrambler that is being raced in the Super Hooligan series in the United States, while the Café Racer design comes from the Ducati 125GP Desmo raced, with the blue and white livery a nod to racer Bruno Spiaggiari.

As for the white and red Desert Sled, well…that’s just delicious.

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