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Husqvarna 401 Concepts Will Be 2017 Production Models

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One of the more intriguing things to come out of the 2014 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan were Husqvarna’s two “401” concepts, the Vitpilen and Svartpilen. The café-styled bikes are based off the KTM 390 Duke platform, though you wouldn’t know it from looking at them.

Husqvarna said at EICMA that if there was sufficient interest, the Vitpilen and Svartpilen could go into production. With an overwhelming critical response from the press and fans, it should come no surprise then that our friends at Bike.se are reporting that Husqvarna intends to make the small-displacement machines a part of its 2017 model lineup.

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Bikes

Spy Shots: BMW NineT Spotted in the Wild

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At the EICMA show last year, BMW Motorrad announced that it would make another air-cooled model, in order to commemorate the 90 years that the German OEM has been producing two-wheelers.

Expected to be the production version of the company’s LoRider concept, we got our first taste of what BMW had in store for us with the BMW Concept Ninety — which had its retro goodness co-developed with America’s own Roland Sands.

Now seemingly ready for a true production model, BMW Motorrad has been caught testing the BMW NineT street bike inside the Lake Garda region in Italy.

Obviously fitted with the venerable 1,200cc air-cooled boxer twin that has made the GS and RT such steady steeds, the NineT uses classic motorcycle aesthetics, mated to classic BMW design pieces.

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The 2011 BMW R1200R Gets the DOHC Treatment

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Ahead of EICMA, BMW has released information on the 2011 BMW R1200R & 2011 BMW R1200R Classic street bikes (along with the 2011 BMW G650GS). Getting the R1200GS/R1200GT’s dual-overhead cam twin-cylinder boxer motor, the R1200R series gets a 500 RPM boost, more power (110hp), and more torque (87.77 lbs•ft) from the updated air-cooled 1170cc motor. Other minor updates include a more distinct old school style for the 2011 BMW R1200R Classic, while both bikes benefit from an increased stand pipe (41mm up from 35mm) on the front Telelever suspension.

Other subtle changes to the R1200R’s are the two-bolt configuration on the cylinder head, which used to have four bolts (breath-taking, we know). A shorter exhaust pipe is used with both bikes, with a brushed sleeve for the BMW R1200R, and chrome plated version for the BMW R1200R Classic. The 2011 BMW R1200R will get aluminum alloy wheels, while the 2001 BMW R100R Claissc will have alloy rims held to the bike via spoked hubs for that retro feel.

Both bikes can be fitted with the optional electronic suspension (ESA), which changes the R1200R’s rear pre-load with a touch of a button, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and automatic stability control (ASC). Our favorite touch though has to be the revised instrument cluster, which brings a classy look the bikes. Check out a whole mess of photos after the jump.

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