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CCM Spitfire Coming in a Scrambler Version Too?

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The CCM Spitfire (above) was a big hit with A&R readers, with the bike’s basic looks and 600cc single-cylinder engine showing that sometimes less is indeed more.

In case you are not in the market for a roadster model though, CCM reportedly has a scrambler version in the works as well, so says Britain’s MCN .

The idea seems pretty obvious, when you think about it, with the two design aesthetics being very similar, and the SWM-sourced engine originally coming out for use in dirt bike models.

As such, we are almost surprised that CCM didn’t start first with a scrambler model, but that is despite the point.

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Is The 2018 BMW HP4 Race About to Debut in China?

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After this year’s April Fools hijinks, we have a whole new respect for the cunning that resides at BMW Motorrad, and the Germans seem to be honing that trait even further today.

Announcing its plans for the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2017 later this month, BMW lists a number of four-wheeled news items for the Chinese auto show, and then casually slips-in at the end of the press release that we should expect a big unveil from BMW Motorrad.

The statement reads that “the highlight of the BMW Motorrad stand is the world premiere of one of the most exclusive models ever offered by BMW Motorrad,” which is terse, though given what we know about the Bavarian brand, it should be easy to guess what they are hinting at.

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Yamaha Recalls FJ-09, FZ-09, & XSR900 Motorcycles

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Confirming our report from several weeks ago, Yamaha has issued a recall through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for several of its three-cylinder motorcycle models for the 2015-2017 model years: FJ-09, FZ-09, and XSR900.

The recall affects 22,433 units, and centers around the fact that the handlebar might come loose while riding. According to filing documents made to the NHTSA, this is due to a painting problem at the factory, which caused not enough locking agent to be applied to the mounting bolts.

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Vyrus 986 M2 Street Bike Now Priced at €38,000

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It is apparently more difficult to sell a kidney than I had previously thought (type o- / non-smoker / non-drinker…if you happen to be in the market), which isn’t good news when you are trying to get together some scratch for a Vyrus 986 M2 – the hottest supersport we have ever seen.

Making matters worse is that Vyrus got in touch with A&R, updating us with their latest pricing structure for their Honda-powered hub-center steering masterpiece, which now comes with a price tag of €37,940 for the street bike, and €27,930 for the street bike kit.

That is quite the change from the originally quoted €25,000 street bike model and €16,000 kit, and there is good reason for that, say the folks at Vyrus.

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Triumph Boasts Big Sales Increases for Q1 2017

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Triumph Motorcycles America is reporting today a healthy 15% gain in its sales over Q1 2017, compared to the same time period from last year.

Triumph doesn’t breakout its sales figures by model, but we can expect that most of those gains come from the company’s “heritage” lineup, which has seen the addition of five new post-authentic motorcycles for the 2017 model year.

Of course, anyone who has followed the Triumph brand in the United States will greet this news with an ounce of skepticism, as the British marque has earned itself a reputation for being less than forthright with its sales figures.

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Energica Adds More Power To Ego and Eva Motorcycles

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Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer has two announcements for us today. The first is one is perhaps not that shocking (figuratively), because the Energica Ego and Energica Eva motorcycle have both been homologated as Euro4 compliant.

The second piece of news is a bit more shocking (literally) though, as both the Ego and Eva will see power increases for the 2017 model year. As such, the 2017 Energica Ego will see a 145hp peak power figure, while the 2017 Energica Eva will top the sheets at 108hp.

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You Didn’t Know You Missed It, But the Honda NM4 Is Back

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You probably didn’t even realize that the Honda NM4 was missing from Honda America’s model list for 2017, but the polarizing motorcycle is back for the 2018 model year.

The first 2018 motorcycle to be announced so far this year from Honda, it probably helps that the Honda NM4 is featured in the Ghost in the Shell movie, which stars Scarlett Johansson. Laugh if you want, but the NM4 is a surprisingly pleasant to ride, even if you aren’t dressed like the Caped Crusader.

As such, the Honda NM4 represents a tradition of motorcycles from Big Red that have pushed that boundaries of not only what we visually accept a motorcycle to look like, but it also blurs the distinctions we make between different motorcycle segments.

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