New Metal 2013
NEW METAL 2013
ROUNDUP
Must-look-at rides
BLAKE CONNER
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE Industry gets a fresh injection of life with the announcement of kick-ass new models. It looks like 2013 is going to be a particularly good vintage, because manufacturers around the world appear to be getting back on the throttle as they continue to recover from the recession.
FAMILY FUN
The family that plays together stays together, or so the saying goes. But in the case of Honda's 500-Twin trio, the bikes are so mechanically similar that styling and a few tweaks here and there are the only things that set them apart from one another.
An all-new liquid-cooled, dohc, counter balanced engine using a 180-degree crank for reduced vibration and good torque production powers all three. (We estimate power will be in the 50-hp range.) Their virtually square bore-and-stroke dimen sions are 67.0 x 66.8mm. The cylinder head has four valves per barrel actuated by lightweight rocker arms. Fuel mix ture is delivered via Honda's proprietary Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FT) with
34mm throttle bodies. A six-speed gearbox with identical ratios is used on all three.
Each of these 500s uses a lightweight but rigid steel-tube frame with Pro-Link rear suspen sion and a preload-adjustable shock. Whereas the naked F model and the CBR sportbike have identical wheelbases (55.5 inches), front-end geometry (25.5 degrees of rake, 4.1 in. of trail) and the same suspension travel front and rear (4.3 and 4.7 in.), the X's longer 4.9 in. of front suspension travel (from the otherwise-identical 41mm fork) extends the adventure-oriented bike's wheelbase
to 55.9 in. and mellows geom etry by increasing rake to 26.5 degrees and trail to 4.3 in.
Brakes consist of a 320mm wavestyle disc with a twin-piston caliper up front and a 240mm disc with single piston caliper out back. Optional ABS is available on all three bikes, but Honda hasn't released the price; we expect that anti-lock will be a $500 premium. Cast aluminum 17-in, wheels in 120/70 and 160/60 sizes are fitted to all three.
HONDA CBR500R
The crown jewel of Big Red's brand-new trio of 500 Twins is the fully faired CBR500R sportbike that shares a strong resemblance to the rest of the CBR family. Its full-coverage aerodynamic bodywork is patterned after that of its CBR600RR and CBR1000RR siblings.
Which is a good thing, because as American Honda's Motorcycle Press Manager, Bill Savino, so accurately put it, "Nobody wants a beginner bike that looks like a beginner bike." The cockpit has a full array of in strumentation within its LCD display, including speedometer, tachometer, odometer, twin tripmeters, fuel gauge, clock, average fuel consump tion and current fuel consumption. Colors include red, black or Pearl White/blue/red. The ABS model (shown) is only available in red. Pricing for the standard model is $5999.
HONDA CB500F
Like the other two Twins, the F was developed to meet homologation in all major world markets to reduce produc tion costs. The CB500F could therefore be priced oh-so right at $5499 for the non-ABS model.
A low, 30.9-in, seat height should be inviting for a wide range of riders, and the CB500F's 420-lb. curb weight (with a full tank of fuel) should make the bike quite manageable. Honda hasn't re leased fuel-economy figures for any of the three new 500s, but you can bet that mpg will be emphasized.
Two colors will be available: black or Pearl White. The ABS model will only be available in black.
HONDA CBR600RR
For 2013, the CBR600RR receives a short, yet seemingly significant, list of updates aimed at improved performance for track and backroad riding.
New MotoGP-inspired bodywork is claimed to reduce aerodynamic drag, while a redesigned, centrally located ram-air system combines with revised ECU and fuel-map settings to produce more midrange power and improved throttle response in the upper rpm range. A new 41mm Showa Big Piston Fork and revised shock round out the significant changes.
The standard model will be available in red, white/blue/red or a Repsol Edition. The C-ABS model is available in red only. Pricing has not yet been announced.
Don Canet
HONDA CB500X
A few tweaks to the fork (see "Family Fun") and totally different styling instantly transform this 500 Twin into an urban adventurer.
What really sets the CB500X apart visually and functionally is the upright and relaxed adventure-style riding position, which should make the X an ideal commuter, weekend explorer or errand runner. A wide and upright handlebar, an adjustable windscreen and a larger-capacity fuel tank (4.5 gallons compared to 4.1 on the other two) make touring a definite possibility. So, too, do the optional side cases and 35-liter top box that the SOOX shares with the similarly styled NC700X. Handguards, heated grips, centerstand and a taller windscreen also are available.
Official price has yet to be an nounced, but Honda hopes to sell the bike for right around $6000 ($1000 less than the NC700X) only in Matte Black Metallic.
HONDA GOLD WING F6B
A six-cylinder bagger?! Yes, Honda's F6B is a low-slung, stripped-down Gold Wing that makes a bold styling statement with its shorty windscreen, sleek fair ing, gunfighter-style seat and i blacked-out wheels, engine and frame, not to mention a pair of 22-liter integrated, lockable saddlebags.
The F6B is based on the Gold Wing's excel lent twin-spar aluminum
frame, and it's powered by the familiar 1832cc flat-Six, a sohc, two-valve-percylinder engine fed by electronic fuel injection. And while no motorcycle that weighs 842 pounds should ever be considered light, the F6B tips the scales some 62 lb. less than a Wing.
Two models will be available when the F6B arrives in the spring: the $19,999 standard version and the $20,999 Deluxe, which is fitted with a passenger backrest, heated grips, a cen terstand and self-canceling turnsignals.
Andrew Bornhop
BMW F800GT
The dramatic evolution of the immortal boxer-Twin wasn't the only novelty BMW had up its sleeve this year. At ETCMA, BMW unveiled a full-dress version of the F-series parallel-Twin that will replace the F800ST.
A sporty yet protective fairing is the major styling addition to the F800GT, which retains the ST's other body components, including the 4.0-gallon gas tank and stepped seat.
The dohc, 798cc engine now generates a claimed 90 horsepower, 5 more than the F800ST, with a respectable 63.4 foot-pounds of peak torque. The bike is equipped with twin 320mm front brake rotors and four piston Brembo calipers. ABS is standard.
Bruno dePrato
DIAVEL STRADA
A larger and much more comfortable seat (with a backrest for the passenger), plus a windshield, side bags and a taller handlebar with heated grips, transform the Diavel into the Strada touring version. -BdP
DUCATI HYPERMOTARD
The second-generation Hypermotard is offered in base, SP and touring-oriented Hyperstrada forms. All share the brand-new 821cc edition of the 11-degree Testastretta, an engine conceived to upgrade the performance of the Hypermotard.
Claimed output is llOhp and 65.8 ft-lb. of peak torque. -BdP
DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE R
As expected, Ducati showed the 1199 Panigale R, the Bologna company's street-legal superbike. Lightweight titanium rods and a lighter flywheel help move redline up to 12,000 rpm. Horsepower is rated at 195 at 10,750 rpm. The bike is loaded with racing-oriented components, starting with a Termignoni high-performance exhaust, an Ohlins TTX fork and carbon-fiber body pieces that help keep the claimed dry weight down to a svelte 364 lb. The MSRP is $29,995. -BdP
TRIUMPH DAYTONA 675/675R
Triumph has completely overhauled its Daytona 675 and 675R, including an all-new, higher-revving (14,400 rpm) engine, a new frame and a raft of other improvements. The most obvious change is the exhaust. As with the Street Triple R (see pg. 18), a low-mount system replaces the old undertail cans, cen tralizing mass and shifting weight forward onto the front tire for sportier handling.
In addition to KYB `s latest fork and shock, the 675 wears new lightweight wheels and Pirelli Supercorsa tires. Switchable ABS includes a track setting. The standard 675 is yours for $11,599.
But why stop there? For a mere $1900 more-$13,499-the Daytona 675R uses an Ohlins TTX shock and inverted fork with NIX3O cartridges, Brembo Monobloc brake calipers with switchable ABS, an improved quickshifter and a host of carbon-fiber bits.
John Burns
Bimota BB2
How can you not drool over a BMW S1000RR-powered Bimota?! This prototype is expected to go into production in 2013.
MV Agusta Rivale
Add another supernioto-inspirec naked to your lust list. MV Agusta's interpretation is powered by its brand-new 800cc inline Triple.
Vespa 946
This curvaceous neo-classic scooter will be available in 125cc form, but expect a 150 and other -displacements to follow soon.
KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R
Shown at ETCMA in prototype form was the monster Super Duke R, which we pray makes it into production. Power comes from an RC8 R engine punched out to 1290cc. A single-sided swingarm, lightweight racing wheels, top-line WP suspension and piles of carbon fiber show what the guys from Austria can build with no rules imposed on them. KTM, please make this bike! -BC
KTM 390 DUKE
KTM has pleasantly surprised fans of lightweight streetbikes with the 390 Duke, a bike that prom ises to be the meanest little beast one can buy for less than 5000 euros ($6400 at presstime).
KTM's engineers have shoehorned a 3 90cc, 44-hp, fuel-injected Single into the com pact but strong frame of the 125/200 Duke to produce a supermoto-style roadster with incredible potential for the price. Claimed dry weight is just 307 lb. -BdP
