Autoblog

Watch the KTM 1290 Super Duke R Prototype stretch its legs

Zach Bowman — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Videos, Motorcycle

Behold the KTM 1290 Super Duke R Prototype in all its glory. The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer showed off its newest concept at the 2012 EICMA International Motorcycle Show, and it boasts an extra 100cc of displacement over the LC8 mill in the 1190 RC8 R on which the prototype is based. That means there's a full 180 horsepower on hand to kick you down the track, and given the impressive efforts at weight saving engineers implemented on the concept, something tells us the sprint to 60 mph will take no time at all.

KTM hasn't released a specific curb weight, but the 1290 Duke R Prototype features a chrome-molybdenum steel tube frame, a light-weight alloy single-sided swing arm and lightened alloy wheels. That's fun and all, but not nearly so interesting as the way this bike sounds. With that big V-Twin barking through an Akrapovic exhaust, the bike sounds like a 55-gallon drum full of lionesses on meth. Check it out in the video below.

Continue reading Watch the KTM 1290 Super Duke R Prototype stretch its legs

Watch the KTM 1290 Super Duke R Prototype stretch its legs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Piaggio Group brings the goods to EICMA 2012

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Motorcycle

From the adorable Vespa 946 to the brawny Moto Guzzi California 1400 and the go-anywhere Aprilia Caponord 1200, the Piaggio Group came to the 2012 EICMA International Motorcycle Show armed with an array of hardware. When it comes to that plucky Vespa 946, engineers approached the bike with an eye toward incorporating modern technology and efficiencies to a classic design. The result is a scooter with all LED lighting and an engine capable of yielding 129 miles per gallon. That figure is thanks in part to a new focus on weight savings. The 946 ditches steel for aluminum in its side plates, fenders and seat for the first time.

Too demure for your tastes? The Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring and Custom models boast the largest production twin-cylinder engine ever built in Europe, according to the company. At 1380 cc, the big twin cranks out 96 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque, but it's the impressive amount of detail lavished on the bikes that make them special. Moto Guzzi went so far as to screen print lettering on the machine's valve covers for a little extra flair. Take some time to chew on the gallery above. You'll be glad you did.

Finally, the 2013 Aprilia Caponord 1200 offers adventure riders an alternative to all those BMW GS, KTM Adventure and Triumph Tiger models rolling around. The Caponord 1200 uses the frame from the company's Dorsoduro 1200 paired with a 1197 cc V-twin engine. There's 128 horsepower and 85 lb-ft of torque to be had from the configuration, and engineers lavished the bike with a raft of rider aids. Those include traction control, ride-by-wire, separate engine maps and dual-channel ABS, to name a few. Shovel out a few extra dollars, and Aprilia will serve up the company's semi-adaptive suspension as well. Riders facing down cooler weather will also appreciate the adjustable windshield and heated grips.

Again, be sure to scroll through the high-res galleries above and below to take in all the incessantly Italian detailing.

Piaggio Group brings the goods to EICMA 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 2013 Bimota DB11 VLX is a supercharged terror

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, Motorcycle

Bimota kicked in the doors at the 2012 EICMA International Motorcycle Show with a whopping 19 models, and while creations like the 1198cc Ducati Testastretta-powered DB11 and the BMW S1000RR-based BB2 are enough get our hearts pumping, the 2013 DB11 VLX can stop them all together. That beast situates the same 1198cc Duc engine between the rails of a custom frame, but bolts on a supercharger for good measure. That's right, there's a blown V-twin dumping 188 horsepower on this bike's rear tire. We'll admit, we're having a hard time wrapping our mind around that sort of lunacy.

The DB11 VLX just goes to show no one does insanity with quite the same elegance as the Italians. With 105 pound-feet of torque on hand and a curb weight of under 400 pounds, the DB11 VLX is likely quick enough to carry you from zero to dead faster than anything else in your stable. We approve. Right now, there's no word on how much the machine will set you back, but like most toys worth having, you probably don't have the pennies if you have to ask.

The 2013 Bimota DB11 VLX is a supercharged terror originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati debuts three new bikes at EICMA 2012

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, Motorcycle

The minds at Ducati have been busy lately. The Italian manufacturer pulled back the curtains on three new machines at the 2012 EICMA International Motorcycle Show, including the water-cooled 2013 Hypermotard. Using and 821cc variant of the company's Testastretta 11-degree DS V-twin, the Hypermotard dishes out 110 horsepower and 65.8 pound-feet of torque thanks in part to a smaller bore and longer stroke than the standard 848cc engine. The revised Hypermotard tips the scales at 436.5 lbs fully fueled and boasts Kayaba front forks with 6.7-inches of travel. Out back, a Sachs rear shock serves up 5.9-inches of flex, though the Hypermotard SP delivers more inches in both categories.

By most accounts, the Ducati Diavel is as wicked a cruiser as you're likely to find, but that didn't stop engineers from pouring a few tricks from the Ducati Performance line onto the bike. The result is the 2013 Diavel Strada. Designed to serve up easy miles, the new bike offers up a larger windscreen, slightly higher handlebars with heated grips and a gel seat. There's also a higher capacity generator on board to help power additional electronics via two 12-volt ports.

Then there's 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale R. A subtly tweaked version of last year's bike, the 2013 model now features a 500 rpm rev boost thanks in part to light-weight titanium connecting rods and a lightened flywheel. There's also a four-point adjustable swing arm for the first time, and a full race exhaust and ECU helps the bike spit out 201 horsepower on the top end. More importantly, Ducati says the Panigale R now generates 15 percent more mid range power. Want one? Better pull a stinking $29,995 from your wallet.

Ducati debuts three new bikes at EICMA 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MV Agusta unveils Brutale 800, sketches Rivale ahead of EICMA debut

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorcycle

Up above is the new MV Agusta Brutale 800. It is, as you can plainly see, beautiful, and it will be powered by a 798cc three-cylinder engine offering up 125 horsepower and 60 pound-feet of torque. With a claimed weight of 368 pounds, this stunner will boast an impressive power-to-weight ratio. Price ought to come in around $10,000 when it comes Stateside.

To the right is the first sketch of the MV Augusta Rivale, called by company CEO Giovanni Castiglione "a new concept" in motorcycles. Tucked in the trellis frame is the same 798cc triple used in the streetfighter-styled Brutale 800, which is a bored-out version of MV Augusta's 675cc engine.

Function is said to be a combination of supermoto and enduro, while styling is a combination of MV Augusta's can't-miss cues like the triple exhaust and detailing from bikes of fellow Italian motorcycle maker Ducati - such as the rear end features reminiscent of the Diavel. The Rivale being revealed at the EICMA show in Milan, alongside the production Brutale 800, will be a concept. The production version of the bike is not scheduled to go on sale until September of next year.

Check out an official press release announcing the new Brutale 800 below.

Continue reading MV Agusta unveils Brutale 800, sketches Rivale ahead of EICMA debut

MV Agusta unveils Brutale 800, sketches Rivale ahead of EICMA debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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