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2015 BMW R1200RS Mega Gallery

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Our last mega gallery from BMW Motorrad’s INTERMOT debut, the 2015 BMW R1200RS borrows from both the R1200RT and S1000RR in its design elements. A rebirth of the RS brand, BWM is again loading-up its lineup with sub-segment models. A sportier sport-tourer in design than the RT, the RS still uses the same water-cooled boxer engine as the RT.

The headlights are positively borrowed from the BMW S1000RR, perhaps to add more language to the RS that this is a sporty two-up ride. BMW has certainly added a bevy of photos of the R1200RS being used two-up, with our dynamic couple wearing leathers while they explore what looks like the Spanish coastline.

It will be interesting to see what the press thinks of the 125hp boxing twin, as our biggest complaint has been its lack of power. A fine enough lump on the R1200GS, we wonder if the wasserboxer will show its weakness more heavily with this sport model. Then again, we suppose the BMW S1000XR is for that power-hungry crowd — which brings us back to BMW’s very crowded two-wheeled lineup.

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2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000 — Coming to the USA Too

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The good times don’t stop rolling with the new Kawasaki Versys 650, as the 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000 is confirmed to be coming to the United States as well. We already got a glimpse of the new Kawasaki Versys 1000 from yesterday’s leaked photos, which showed the revised bodywork from Kawasaki.

Getting official details now, we know that the 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000 makes relatively minor improvements technically over the previous model. Longer travel suspension has been added, and the 17″ wheels have been beefed up, both in order to aid going on off-road excursions.

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2015 Suzuki GSX-S1000F — A Sporty Sport-Tourer

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We caught a glimpse of the 2015 Suzuki GSX-S1000F yesterday, as it sat on the expo floor at INTERMOT, and we were curious about the machine. Thankfully we didn’t have to wait long for the details.

Essentially a fully-faired version of the Suzuki GSX-S1000, the Suzuki GSX-S1000F fills the void in Suzuki’s lineup for a 1,000cc sport-tourer that is actually sporty — think of it as a response to the Honda VFR800.

The GSX-S1000F uses the same purpose-built chassis and retuned 2008 Suzuki GSX-R1000 engine that the GSX-S1000 uses, though Suzuki obviously wrapped that package in a full-fairing design.

Also carried over is the three-way adjustable traction control system as standard, KYB suspension, and Brembo monoblock brakes. Anti-locking brakes are available as an optional item.

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2015 BMW R1200RS — Welcome Back the Sport-Tourer

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A bit more of a surprise at INTERMOT from the German brand, the 2015 BMW R1200RS has also broken cover, in addition to the 2015 BMW R1200R roadster model.

Again using the now tried-and-true liquid-cooled boxer design, the BMW R1200RS makes an unsurprising 125hp (this should surprise no one who is familiar with BMW’s model lineup).

However, BMW is quick to note that the R1200RS makes a little bit more torque, earlier than the other models, because of the R1200RS’s modified airbox and air intake snorkels.

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LEAKED: Photos of the 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000

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It’s the day before the INTERMOT press day, which means leaks are coming left and right, as the villainy and scum that are moto-journalists get their hands on embargoed information from motorcycle manufacturers. Kawasaki seems to be the biggest leaking sieve, as a photo of the Kawasaki Ninja H2 has already surfaced.

Now our friends at Nieuwsmotor have gotten their hands on the photos of the 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000 and 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650. First up is the updated Kawasaki Versys 1000, which has mostly revamped bodywork, when compared to the 2014 model. We are expecting there to be few technical changes for 2015, though an adjustable windscreen has obviously been added.

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2015 Honda VFR800X Crossrunner – More Than an Update

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For the 2015 model year, the Honda VFR800X Crossrunner is getting a massive update from Big Red. As such, the 800cc V4 engine on the Crossrunner sees more horsepower (104.6 peak) and more mid-range torque added, new design aesthetics, longer suspension (+25mm) , and new wheels and brakes also get updates for 2015.

Other highlights for the 2015 Honda VFR800X Crossrunner include Honda’s Selectable Torque Control system (HTSC), ABS brakes, full LED lighting, self-cancelling indicators, and heated grips, which Honda hopes will help ADV buyers consider the Japanese brand.

With these changes, the 2015 Honda Crossrunner pushes further into the adventure side of the touring equation, making the Crossrunner an attractive sport/ADV model from Honda.

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Photos: Here is the 2015 BMW S1000XR

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It has taken various names in the press (e.g. the BMW S1000F), but trademark applications in Germany and in the USA tell us that the Bavarians have settled on calling their new sport-tourer the BMW S1000XR — and it is debuting in just a few weeks’ time at the INTERMOT show in Cologne.

Luckily for us, a spy photographer has caught the 2015 BMW S1000XR out testing ahead of its debut, with only the badges and headlights covered in tape. While we already had a good view of the BMW S1000XR when it was testing, these photos reveal the off-the-assemblyline shape of the latest Bavarian machine, and we like what we see.

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Yamaha FZ1 Fans Sleep Well, The Fazer Will Continue On

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When we saw that Yamaha had a sport-tourer based off the FZ-09, we had some worry for fans of the Yamaha FZ1. The venerable “Fazer” is certainly long in the tooth, and one doesn’t have to have an overly active imagination to see the FZ1 being replaced by an FZ-09 variant.

Applying for CARB certification this week though, Yamaha seems content to sell the four-cylinder Yamaha FZ1 within the borders of the Golden State in 2015, presumably along with the rest of the United States.

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A Yamaha FZ-09 Based Sport-Tourer – A TDM Cometh?

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Trademark applications with the European Union have revealed a new sport-tourer model from Yamaha, which uses the FZ-09 / MT-09 three-cylinder standard as its basis, and looks very similar to the old Yamaha TDM models.

The model seems to be very similar to what was envisioned by designer Oberdan Bezzi, which saw the MT-09 / FZ-09 platform turned into a pair of convincing adventure-touring motorcycles, with a TDM variant as well.

Yamaha has made no secret about its plans to develop more three-cylinder machines, as the Japanese company tries to breath life back into its sales figures and model lineup, post-economic meltdown. With this new sport-touring triple now out of the bag, could the writing be on the wall for loyal FZ1 owners?

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2015 BMW K1300S Motorsport – A Swan Song?

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Mid-year product launches are usually uneventful affairs, as manufacturers basically trying to grab some column space with the reworkings of their previous-year machines. BMW Motorrad is no different of course, releasing information on a number of “2015” machines that only really have new paint options to show for their model year distinctions.

Some credit can be given to the 2015 BMW R1200GS, which will be receiving the same heavier flywheel that is found on the current crop of BMW R1200GS Adventure and BMW R1200RT motorcycles. This should make the GS a little bit more manageable at lower engine rpm’s, and match the “bold new graphics” nicely in the process.

Another Bavarian motorcycle of note is the 2015 BMW K1300S Motorsport, which takes the venerable sport-tourer from BMW, and adds a bit of flash to the machine. The new paint scheme is the most obvious of new elements, and the BMW K1300S Motorsport incorporates a black engine spoiler, tinted windshield, HP wheels, and Akrapovic exhaust. What’s more important though, is in the fine print.

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