While the Ducati 1199 Panigale is getting a number of revisions under the skin for its second year on the market, like an improved chassis and suspension setup (more on that later), it seems Ducati has also seen fit to offer its superbike in a color other than red. Behold from INTERMOT, the 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale in Arctic White. Apparently this is the new matte black, which is what we’re all really waiting for. Photos after the jump.
Zero Motorcycles continues to upgrade its model line-up, with the 2013 Zero Motorcycles bikes getting a motor and battery upgrade. Offering bikes now in 8.5 & 11.4 kWh packages, Zero claims city mileage ranges to be 103 & 137 miles, respectively. The motors on the Zero S, Zero DS, and Zero MX have been bumped up to 54hp spec, the Zero XU retains its 27/28hp configuration, and the new Zero FX gets a 44hp lump.
The big addition to the family is the 2013 Zero FX (pictured above), which follows the lines of the Zero DS dual-sport, but uses the same chassis as found on the MX. The Zero FX appears to be the more off-road capable version of the Zero DS. While the DS will have 8.5 & 11.4 kWh options for its battery packs, the Zero FX will come with only 2.8 & 5.7 kWh unit options — the same as the Zero XU and Zero MX. Pricing on the Zero FX starts at $9,495.
The added battery and power boosts should help keep Zero Motorcycles in check with Brammo, which is set to finally bring its Brammo Empulse R street bike to market later this year. With 2013 rumored to have a “Brammo Killer” in the line-up, we’re not quite sure if the Zero S design lives up to the hype, even with its upgraded power train, but considering the sales figures between the two companies, we might be wrong on that assessment. Photos after the jump.
Our first official news from the showroom floor of INTERMOT is Honda’s race bike for the 2013 Dakar Rally. Rumored, teased, and now official, the 2013 Honda CRF450 Rally is as the name implies, a CRF450 built out and specially suited for adventure rally racing. The fuel-injected off-roader will get its first outing at the Rally of Morocco, which starts October 14th.
Honda intends on fielding five riders on the 2013 Honda CRF450 Rally bike: 11-time Baja 1000 winner Johnny Campbell (USA), Helder Rodrigues (Portugal), Felipe Zanol (Brazil), Sam Sunderland (United Kingdom), and Javier Pizzolito (Argentina). Expect to see Honda CRF450 Rally on the Dakar Rally starting line come January 1, 2013 in South America, where it will take on the KTM contingency of Marc Coma and Cyril Despres.
Getting spotted a day ahead of schedule, the 2013 BMW R1200GS has broken cover with most of its water-cooled glory, sort of. The good folks at Oliepeil.nl managed to get onto the show floor at INTERMOT, and grabbed a few photos of the BMW kiosk displays for the new GS.
Visually similar to the current R1200GS, the new water-cooled 1,170cc BMW R1200GS makes 123hp and 92 lbs•ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. That makes for a noticeable bump over the current model’s 110hp and 88 lbs•ft of torque. That added power comes with some added weight though, as the the 2013 BMW R1200GS tips the scales at 525 lbs at the curb, roughly 20 lbs heavier than the outgoing model.
We will have to wait until tomorrow to get the full details and official photos of the 2013 BMW R1200GS, but this should whet your adventure-touring appetite until then. Has the king retained its crown? More photos after the jump.
We have to admit, we’re sort of a sucker for the tri-color paint scheme on the Ducati 1199 Panigale S Tricolore, and it broke our hearts seeing one of these $28,000 bikes hit the dirt during our track day this weekend. Classy and understated, the Italians constantly remind us that less is more, but why should the Panigale get all the fun? The folks at Motovation Accessories seemingly agree, and have dressed up their Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring in the Tricolore’s paint — naturally, we likey.
In about six weeks, Ducati will be unveiling its 2013 model line-up. The star of the show will be the new liquid-cooled Hypermotard, but the Italian brand has several other new models it plans on debuting as well. We have already seen the updated 2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200, with its implementation of the Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), as semi-active suspension package developed by Sachs.
The updated Ducati Multistrada 1200 also features the second-generation Testastretta 11° DS engine, which uses a dual-spark configuration to boost mid-range power, as well as clean up some of the v-twin motor’s emissions. At Milan, we will also more than likely see a middleweight displacement Ducati Multistrada, and our Bothan spies confirm to us that a Ducati 1199 Panigale R will also be making its debut at Milan.
For the new model year, Moto Guzzi is bringing three variations of its V7 line to the United States with includes the 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer, and 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Special. Based around the Italian company’s revised 750cc 90° longitudinally mounted v-twin motor, all three models also sport a cardan-shaft drive and double-cradle “Tonti” frame, for that classic Guzzi retro look.
The three Moto Guzzi V7 models should be popular with riders who are looking for a throw-back aesthetic, with a bit more modern engineering. That being said, Moto Guzzi has struggled for traction in the US market, due in part to an inadequate supply/support chain, but also because of some confusing marketing and segment placement.
While the Piaggio Group subsidiary struggles to find its identity, we think the company should further explore bikes like the V7, which provides a unique alternative to the standard modern-bike fare, and creates a bit of distance between Moto Guzzi and the rest of the Piaggio Group line-up.
Thanks to our good friends at the Dutch site Oliepeil, we have our first glimpse at the updated 2013 Yamaha FJ1300A. Said by Yamaha to have minor updates for the upcoming model year, it is clear from these photos that the FJR has spent some time at the spa, and gotten a visual makeover. What is underneath the fairings is anyone’s guess, though beyond some upgraded systems, the new Yamaha FJR1300A seems relative unchanged, which should surprise no one.
Exposed by Akrapovic’s 2013 exhaust catalog, the pictures here show the Yamaha FJR1300A with an aftermarket exhaust (of course), as well as a new instrument cluster, which supposedly makes way for the addition of traction control to the sport-tourer. Leaked EPA document’s peg the 2013 Yamaha FJR1300A as staying with its 1,298cc motor and 143 hp, seemingly putting to bed suggestions that the FJR will get a displacement boost for 2013.
Yesterday, we broke the news that Ducati’s second-generation Testastretta 11° motor features a dual-spark configuration, and we got a bit of flak in the comments section of that article over that claim. Well, today Ducati has released the technical specifications of the 2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200 line, and the Italian company has confirmed a dual-spark setup in what it is now calling the Testastretta 11° DS engine.
The new Testastretta 11° DS engine is mostly the result of the ever-tightening emissions standards in Europe, though the 2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200 (along with the other bikes that will get the Testastretta 11° DS engine) benefits from a smoother power delivery, as well as increased mid-range power and torque. Accordingly, peak torque on the Multistrada 1200 goes from 87.5 lbs•ft to 91.8 lbs•ft for 2013. Zesty.
With a brochure photo of the 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure leaking yesterday from KTM’s website, today we see more photos of the Austrian brand’s new adventure hitting the interwebs on the ADVrider forums. A studio shot of the 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure R, and two more photos of the base model give us a clearer picture of what KTM will “officially” unveiled at INTERMOT in a few weeks’ time.
The changes between the KTM 1190 Adventure and the KTM 1190 Adventure R are subtle, but the “R” is KTM’s more off-road oriented model between the two. As such, it sports a 21″ wheel up front, and an 18″ wheel in the back. Crash bars, a shorter windscreen, and single-piece saddle complete the changes, though we can expect other non-visible additions like upgraded suspension, etc.
Debuted at the San Marino GP, Yamaha’s new Race-Blu livery is set to black & blue the European market when it hits dealers this October (December for the R125). While we still get the tasty Graves Yamaha inspired Team Yamaha Blue/White, you might be longing for the matte grey and vivid primary blue color scheme that Jorge Lorenzo rode to victory at Misano this past weekend.
Coming to the 2013 Yamaha YZF-R1, 2013 Yamaha YZF-R6, & 2013 Yamaha YZF-R125, the Race-Blu livery is very fetching, so it is a bit of a shame that we won’t be seeing it here in the USA. Maybe if we Americans hold our breath until we go blue in the face, Yamaha USA may consider it as a mid-model year option (not likely).
Don’t feel blue though, we can still live vicariously through our European brethren. More photos of how Yamaha Blu itself after the jump. There’s gotta be a better way to say that.