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The Aprilia RS 660 Makes 95hp on the Akrapovic Dyno

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Ever since 2018 when A&R first caught wind of the Aprilia RS 660, we knew this twin-cylinder sport bike was going to be a class killer.

Up until its introduction, the middleweight twins segment has been full of either outdated legacy machines, or bikes that serve a price point above all else.

There is nothing wrong with that per se, but it left the door open for a brand like Aprilia to come in and mix things up with a cutting edge motorcycle.

That is where we are today with the Aprilia RS 660, with its high-power, high-revving parallel-twin engine, its advanced electronics, and its track-tuned chassis.

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Rumors

KTM 490 Duke Expected to Arrive by 2022, Says KTM CEO

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The first of KTM’s 500cc lineup is expected to be ready by 2022. This isn’t exactly new information for those who have been following the space, but it is the first time that we have heard it from the horse’s mouth.

This is because KTM CEO Stefan Pierer sat down with journalist Sir Alan Cathcart, and discussed the new models (you can read his full interview on Motoring World) and several other items in an expansive interview.

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Bikes

Yamaha XSR900 Custom “XR9 Carbona” by Bottpower

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The Yamaha MT-09 isn’t considered one of the more beautiful motorcycles on the market, but thankfully the three-cylinder street bike is offered in a more palpable café racer version, the Yamaha XSR900.

This is where we begin today’s story too, thanks to Yamaha’s Yard Built program, which encourages tuners and designers to take their hands to these affordable machines, and restyle them into something new and beautiful.

With that, we see the work of David Sánchez from Bottpower with his XR9 Carbona build, which will also be available as a body kit for those who are looking to spice up the looks of the Yamaha XSR900 sitting in their garage.

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Rumors

Kramer Set to Debut a Cheaper Lightweight Race Bike

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Another juicy news item that comes to us straight from the Brap Talk motorcycle podcast, we get word that Kramer Motorcycles is working on a cheaper version of the Kramer HKR Evo2 race bike.

Based around the 690cc single-cylinder engine from KTM, the Kramer HKR Evo2 R is current available for a gasp-worthy amount of $22,500, which is obviously a lot of coin for a lightweight-class race bike.

Hoping to make that entry into the brand a little easier, and to provide racers with a platform that they can develop and customize themselves, we get word that Kramer is looking at a cheaper version of the Evo2, which will cost south of the $15,000 price point in the USA.

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Rumors

The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Will Start Around $17,000

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As we get closer to the debut of the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 for the 2021 model year, information about this adventure bike is making its way into Harley-Davidson’s various channels, which means it’s making its way into the ears of our Bothan spies.

First reported on the Brap Talk motorcycle podcast, our initial news is that the Pan America will debut at a fairly affordable price for the category, starting around the $17,000 mark.

With all the bells and whistles installed, the bike is still expected to be a sub-$20,000 machine, which makes it one of the more affordable luxury ADV bikes on the market.

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Dirt

Honda XR650R Supermoto by VMX Restomod

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The “Big Red Pig” (as it is affectionately known) is a stalwart in Honda’s dirt bike lineup.

That is to say, the Honda XR650 has gone relatively unchanged over the past 20 years, and yet the big 644cc thumper has a loyal, loyal following.

In the US market, we have lost the “R” spec machine, but the XR650L continues on, as a plated dual-sport that comes in a mild, yet reliable tune.

So, when VMX Restomod cranked the bike up to 11 in order to make it into a proper street-legal supermoto, it got our attention.

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Bikes

A Bigger, Better, Badder Moto Guzzi V7 Debuts for 2021

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When the Moto Guzzi V85 TT debuted, we speculated that the new 850cc engine could show up in other models. Now, it seems that day has finally come as we get word that the Moto Guzzi V7 is getting a hefty update for the 2021 model year.

Using a variation of the transverse v-twin engine found on the V85 TT, the 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 makes 65hp (up from 52hp), with 54 lbs•ft (73 Nm), in this street-bike friendly tune.

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Bikes

MV Agusta Superveloce Alpine Debuts with Limited Edition Paint

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The wait is over, and now we see what has been cooking in Varese, as MV Agusta has partnered with French automotive brand Alpine to create another Italian beauty.

The second automotive collaboration done by the Italian motorcycle brand, this one sees the MV Agusta Superveloce 800 getting the Alpine treatment, with the company’s traditional blue and white livery.

As one would expect, the partnership is mostly a design exercise, with only 110 machines being made in this limited edition run (a nod to the Alpine A110 sports car), though it is worth looking more than skin deep to see the changes this bike heralds for the 2021 model year.

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Dirt

Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Will Debut on February 22nd

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The long wait is nearly over, as the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 will finally get its production debut on Monday, February 22nd, 2021 – the Bar & Shield brand tells us (they will “preview” the bike, yet again, on January 19th).

Accordingly, this date will end what will be an almost three-year tease and wait process from the American motorcycle company, as the first Pan America concept broke cover in July 2018.

Since that time, Harley-Davidson has “let go” of CEO Matthew Levatich, and swapped its “More Roads” plan for the current “Rewire” scheme that has seemingly killed many of the diverse models once announced by Harley-Davidson.

The ADV project remains though, if for no other reason than it was the furthest along in Harley-Davidson’s portfolio by the time that current CEO Jochen Zeitz came onboard.

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Bikes

This BMW Electric Sidecar Concept by Iago Valiño Has Us Thinking Dirty Thoughts

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BMW Motorrad is already playing around with the idea of its electric future, teasing us with electric scooters and fancy futuristic concepts that practically ride themselves, but what if the company’s future actually rested in its past?

Take for instance this electric sidecar concept by Spanish transportation design student Iago Valiño. Drawing off-road inspiration from the El Solitario troupe, the concept is a nod to BMW’s sidecars from the WWII era, but with an obviously modern flare.

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Rumors

Rumors of a Honda CB1100X Are Heating Up…And They Look Good

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When we first saw the Honda CB4X concept at EICMA last year, we fell in love at first sight. Honda Motor Europe has a history of making intriguing concept designs, and the CB650 platform lends itself to some beautiful options.

With the reception that the CB4X received, it seemed likely that Honda would bring the bike to market, and fuel was added to that fire when Big Red filed for intellectual property protections for the concept’s design.

Now, we get some hope from Japan (thanks to the folks at AutoBy) for the future of the Honda CB4X, though the bike has taken a turn in its evolution.

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