Category: Bike news & reviews

Source of the detailed specs and details (including pictures) – Accredited to Aprilia.

Aprilia are selling this machine as ‘a new concept in sport bikes”.

So what is it up against!? When I first saw this, I was thinking it ‘looked’ like competition for the new Ducati V2 , but the V2 will have around 155hp from a 955 engine. From a power perspective, this is closer to the Ducati Supersport S with 110bhp but that machine is around 10- 15kilos heavier and it is aimed more a sports tourer rather than a straight sports bike.

(I thought I would mention the comfortable Ducati Supersport because in contrast to the “sports bike” mantra that Aprilia talk about for the RS660, they also mention that the riding position has been designed with comfort in mind with its generous seat, foot pegs that are not too high and semi-handlebars mounted on top of the upper steering yoke!) Interesting .. so this a true sports bike – but with real world road usability…but can we really have both, I hope so! 🙂

Most of the current crop of new bikes with similar performance and power levels, are naked, which is why I think that Aprilia may hit some gold with this machine. I’d suggest some of the competition will include the 2020 Ninja 650, the 2020 Suzuki GSX-R750 and stunning 2020 Yamaha YZF-R6. I’d love to know what you think would be it’s medium capacity sports bike competitors (ie not naked machines). Visit our Facebook page and join the discussion!

The RS 660 is all about its new engine. We’re talking about an extremely compact latest-generation front-facing 660-HP parallel twin-cylinder, with Euro 5 certification. Derived from the V4 1100-cc, its configuration was chosen for its compactness and efficiency, reduced heat transmission and the freedom it offers for optimising space to create a lightweight, sleek frame.

The structural characteristics of the fairing are unmistakably those of the Aprilia V4, with the front light triple-LED configuration and its DRL lights clearly distinguishing it as the RS 660. The double fairing serves as an integrated aerodynamic appendage,.

Aprilia RS 660 is presented in two graphic versions: the first clearly dominated by colours that represent the history and sports heritage of Aprilia. The second (my favorite!) is a black look on which the numerous bright red details make a real impact. 

2020 is going to a be a fantastic year!

Ride safe, Ride Smart

Smart Motorcycling Guide

The KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R has been ‘re-Beasted’ for 2020. KTM’s flagship bike has won rave reviews by catering for the preferences and skills of a vast range of motorcyclists and has undergone its most radical re-invention yet for 2020. A completely new chassis, styling, and electronics mean the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R has trimmed weight across the board, while a reworked LC8 engine has unleashed even more power.

While the ‘hornet like’ looks of the Super Duke will always divide opinion, it will be undeniably an angry stinger of a machine ride.

Power? (Look at that torque figure!)

So on that ‘reworked LC engine’ – the message from KTM is , “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” so the V-Twin from last years model is back, but it is meaner. Boasting 177 hp and 140 Nm, the 1301 cc LC8, V-Twin has undergone a subtle development. Optimized to be lighter but retaining its torquey character.

So we know it’s going to be blisteringly fast but what about stopping power?

FRONT BRAKE – 2 x Brembo Stylema Monobloc four piston, radially mounted caliper (320mm)
REAR BRAKE -Brembo twin-piston fixed calliper (240mm), brake disc
ABS -Bosch 9.1MP 2.0 (with cornering ABS)

On the electronics side of things you get a host of premium features – any top line hyper naked machine being released for 2020 should be expected to come almost ‘as standard’ with a host of riding modes – and the Super Duke is no exception! The Duke comes with , Rain, Street, Sport and Track Mode (which allows the rider to customize a few features to best suit their riding style, like the level of slip allowed by the traction control, plus anti-wheelie can be switched off..). Other goodies include Cruise Control and Tire pressure Monitoring and auto-cancelling turn signals.

The real question is, if you already own a Super Duke should you upgrade? If you’ve the cash and still love the Duke – I think its certainly worth considering .. because they are hitting this new model where it matters, it not just cosmetics! Slightly more power, a lighter machine , a new chassis for improved handling and new electronics package – that would be enough to pull me to towards the 2020 model. Though if you do not have the cash saved up for an upgrade, all the pre-2020 models are still offer fantastic experiences; the Super Duke’s have always been, and always will be, the definition of a hooligan machine.

At the time of writing prices start a £15,699 in the UK – so a premium price tag as expected – but KTM have thrown everything at this machine.

I hope the enjoyed that quick round up this new machine, Ride Safe, Ride Smart.

Smart Motorcycling Guide

For more news about the KTM 2020 model range please visit www.ktm.com or your nearest authorized KTM dealer.

LiveWire! – the first ‘electric’ Harley Davidson! What makes a great electric motorcycle? The same thing that makes a great petrol powered motorcycle! How about 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 3.0 seconds and 60 to 80 mph (100 to 129 kph) in 1.9 seconds. Read on! 

No thanks, I need petrol. 

Before we continue, we know that there will be some of you thinking that an electric motorcycle is too futuristic and too different from what you are used to, and that it is impossible to really imagine owning or riding one.  What I would suggest is when you strip it back, these things still have a big powerful motor (instead of an engine) and instead of a fuel tank, they will have a battery. We are not looking at some kind of hoverbike powered by nuclear fusion –  they are simply motorcycles, powered by electric. So if you love motorcycles, give these early electric motorcycles some serious consideration as you might be riding one in a few years time! [Don’t get me wrong – I will always love the noise, the rumble (the smell!) of petrol engines but that is not going to stop me giving something new a try!]  

Does it make you feel good and does it put a smile on your face?

Harley Davidson is a premium manufacturer – they simply do not make cheap / affordable machines, they aim for a premium quality look and feel and use that to define what the brand Harley-Davidson product stands for. So yes, I’d say if had one these beauties sitting on my driveway I would have a smile on face for sure. (And from the way theses things move (see performance figures below!) – I’ll have a smile on my face when I’m riding it too!)

Harley have chosen to focus their styling cues around the electric motor. Just as the combustion engine is the most eye-catching element – the crown jewel – of most non-electric motorcycles (especially cruisers), Harley have built a bright case and designed a mechanical, muscular shape is meant to convey power: I think it really works, it looks good! The cast-aluminum case has highly styled cooling fins with similarities to horizontal cooling fins on an air-cooled engines of old.

The tone of this paint finish gives it the look of anodized metal and is available in two exclusive colors: Yellow Fuse, and Orange Fuse, which is clearly been chosen by Harely to reflect the futuristic electrical technology, they wanted something different, eye catching, futuristic and modern. (Though wisely there will also be a model available in ‘Vivid’ Black)

Does it ride well for what you plan to use the machine for..but is this thing fast?

With instant torque (like any electric powertrain) hammering you, the LiveWire delivers acceleration of 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 3.0 seconds and 60 to 80 mph (100 to 129 kph) in 1.9 seconds. So yes, this is a blisteringly fast motorcycle. Because maximum torque is always on tap, roll-on acceleration for passing from any speed is outstanding.

Electric power-trains requires no clutch and no gear shifting, but you have the effect of engine braking by the power regeneration mode kicking you back as it adds charge to the battery, especially in urban traffic that often requires a lot of slow-rolling and stop-and-go riding. When it comes to handling, electric motorcycles are able to have an optimized center of gravity. The Livewire has a rigid aluminum frame and premium adjustable suspension, other reviewers who have test ridden machine are usually relatively impressed with handling, not exceptional, but good. 

Range Anxiety?

This is where all electric motorcycles get the hard time. The Livewire is said to have 146 miles (235 km) of city range or 95 miles (152 km) of combined, so this is really a machine for the urban street-rider. That’s not too bad as some petrol tank range figures would be similar. 

So what about charging time? 

DC Fast Charge (DCFC) technology provides a 0-80 percent of battery charge in 40 minutes or 0-100 percent charge in 60 minutes. This is the current real issue with electric motorcycles – filling your petrol take takes 2 minutes while filling your electric battery takes 40 minutes, and while there is a lot more electric charging points available , at the moment in 2019 / 2020 we simply have a lot more petrol stations. Driving an electric car / riding an electric motorcycle requires some planning!  (Though…on the other hand … there’s no engine oil to change, and no spark plugs, air filter or primary drive system to service!) 

Electrical systems include

• Cornering Enhanced Anti-lock Braking System (C-ABS), 
• Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS) 
• Drag-Torque Slip Control System (DSCS) 
• A 4.3-inch color TFT touchscreen 
• Seven selectable Ride Modes electronically control the performance characteristics 

The LiveWire motorcycle will be available in 2019 and 2020  through select authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships in the United States, Canada and most European countries where Harley-Davidson conducts business, with expanding global availability planned for 2020 through 2021. LiveWire MSRP around $29,799 but for full details obviously see the Harley website! 

Hope you enjoyed the above blog article. 

Ride Smart , Ride Safe

SmartMotorcyclingGuide

The Triumph Rocket 3 has an all-new 2,500cc triple engine –  the world’s largest production motorcycle powerplant, and produces an “arm ripping” 221Nm of peak torque, which is the highest on any production motorcycle. (Correct at the time of writing!) This is great, but does it ride like a Triumph or turn like an oil tanker? 

The answer is..this is Triumphant magic. What Triumph have engineered can be best described as “a breathtaking contradiction”. 

On one hand, this beast has an immense scale and presence : a glorious mountain of raw machinery with the looks of a bruising custom hot rod. On the other hand, the team at Hinckley England have engineered (relatively!) agile handling, a comfortable ride, a smooth power delivery, all delivered through a new frame and suspension that belies this machine’s gargantuan proportions and prodigious power-plant. This all equals cornering confidence that you should not have on a machine this size, but even more important it gives the rider a ‘smile factor’ that test riders are reporting as incredible. 

One of the best professional reviews I have had the pleasure of watching is from the guys at the 44 Teeth YouTube Channel – those burnouts on tap without even breaking a sweat : literally laughter inducing insane levels of power. 

There is a consistent thought and feeling coming across from the motorcycle press on this machine, “a power cruiser that really handles”. It is a machine that WILL put a smile on your face. Which in my opinion, is what any motorcycle should do. The Ducati Diavel is the only real top line direct competitor in this small sector of ‘power cruisers’ but most reviewers come away suggesting this Triumph beats it, which is jaw dropping.

ENGINE

• 2,500cc Rocket 3 triple engine 
• 167PS peak power @ 6,000rpm
• 221Nm peak torque @ 4,000rpm
• 18Kg mass savings over the previous generation engine
• Beautiful hydroformed three-header exhaust run
• Incredible acceleration (2.79 sec 0-60mph)

TECH

• Optimised cornering ABS & traction control
• Four riding modes (Road, Rain, Sport and Rider-Configurable modes) 
• All LED lighting with distinctive DRL 
• Hill hold control
• Cruise control

There are two models to choose from the Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT. The R has roadster-style handlebars while the GT’s are more touring-oriented. You’ll have a 750mm seat height on the R, while the GT is 773mm , but the GT has a foot peg position which is more forward. Both machines have adjustable pegs, but with two vertical options on the R and three horizontal positions on the GT.

Prices start at GBP £19.5k for the R. 

Ride Safe. Ride Smart.

Smart Motorcycling Guide.