Autoblog

BMW defies logic with six-cylinder Concept 6 motorcycle

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:57:00 EST

BMW Concept 6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW is known the world over for its excellent brand of inline-six cylinder powerplants. In most cases, those supremely smooth and powerful engines power the German company's cars and trucks. Apparently, that won't always be the case, though, as BMW has just revealed its new Concept 6 motorcycle at the EICMA Show in Milan.

As the name implies, the Concept 6 boasts an engine with six cylinders, and the best news is that the mill is destined for a new production model in the near future. Expect to see a replacement for the long-running LT series of touring bikes, bringing BMW more in line with the standard-setting Goldwing from Honda.

Looking at the actual concept itself, the chassis appears to be heavily based on the current production K-Series unit, and the powerplant is tilted at the same 55-degree angle as the current four-cylinder. Bodywork is suitable for concept duty, with a futuristic take on the old-school Cafe Racer look.

Power? BMW's being a bit coy at the moment, suggesting that it makes as much horsepower as the current 1.3-liter four (over 150, to be sure) and as much torque as any other motorcycle engine in production with a stout 96 lb-ft at 2,000 RPM. With a redline of nearly 9,000... you can imagine that there's plenty of power on tap. Check out our high-res photo gallery below and hit the jump for a video and the press release.

Gallery: BMW Concept 6

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW defies logic with six-cylinder Concept 6 motorcycle

BMW defies logic with six-cylinder Concept 6 motorcycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ducati finally unveils 2010 Multistrada 1200 at EICMA

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 - Click above for high-res image gallery

After months of rumors, grainy spy shots and leaked information, Ducati has finally pulled the wraps off its 2010 Multistrada 1200. As with the original MTS, Ducati wanted to create a machine with sportbike-level performance that could be attained on nearly any kind of surface terrain. This time, though, the Italian manufacturer started with its latest liquid-cooled Testastretta powerplant as used in the top-level 1198 superbike, athough altered with revised valve overlap for smoother power delivery and a 15-percent improvement in fuel consumption and emissions.

Ducati says the new Multistrada 1200 is "four bikes in one," and has thus bestowed its new motorcycle with four distinct Riding Modes that alter power and traction control levels: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. Sport mode offers the full 150-horsepower experience with a low amount of traction control and Touring mode is intended for everyday riding. Urban and Enduro modes tone things down several notches to 100 horsepower - and opting for the latter also raises the suspension and sets the traction control to its least-active setting.

Uplevel S models get a new Ducati Electronic Suspension setup that can be tailored to adjust spring pre-load along with rebound and compression damping with options for rider only, rider with luggage, rider and passenger or rider and passenger with luggage. Ducati says that the Multistrada 1200's 417-pound dry weight is the lowest in its class, though a full 5.3-gallon load of fuel (enough for 186 miles between fill-ups) would certainly raise that a bit. Pricing starts at $14,995 before any options are added. Hit the jump for the rest of the details and check out our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200

[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading Ducati finally unveils 2010 Multistrada 1200 at EICMA

Ducati finally unveils 2010 Multistrada 1200 at EICMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

MV Agusta teases new F4, details leak out ahead of EICMA

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Motorcycle, Rumormill

Shortly after showing off its new 2010 Brutale naked streetfighter, iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta will unveil its range-topping F4 sportbike at the EICMA motorcycle show. MV let loose one teaser image early last month, but details are just now starting to leak out about the 998cc inline-four screamer.

According to OmniMoto in Italy, MV Agusta has massaged its well-known powerplant with twin fuel injectors per cylinder and variable throttle bodies to put out 186 horsepower (still short of the class-leading 193-horsepower BMW S 1000 RR) at 12,900 RPM. Also on the menu are a slipper clutch and eight-way adjustable traction control.

We don't expect major chages to the bike's already attractive overall design, but a new bi-xenon take on the vertical headlight will join a longer and lighter single-sided swingarm to update things a bit. In any case, we'll get all the details soon enough when the F4 makes its official debut next week in Milan.

[Source: OmniMoto via Asphalt and Rubber]

MV Agusta teases new F4, details leak out ahead of EICMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ducati launches 2010 Hypermotard 796, prices it below $10K

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

Ducati Hypermotard 796 - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no doubt that the Ducati Hypermotard is one of the most talked about new motorcycles in recent memory, but at $14,995, it is priced out of many buyer's budgets. If you're slightly shy of coin, we have some good news to share: Ducati has just officially announced the Hypermotard 796, and it carries a more reasonable $9,995 asking price.

At this point, Ducati isn't saying much about the new engine that powers the Hypermotard 796, except that it's air-cooled, sports two valves per cylinder and puts out 81 horsepower and 56 lb-ft of torque. We've heard, though, that the new mill will displace around 800cc and is a development of the mill used in the Monster 696. Those power figures coupled with the new bike's low 368-pound (unverified at this point, naturally) package provide an attractive power-to-weight ratio.

Other features will include an APTC clutch and a single-sided swingarm along with redesigned top and bottom fork clamps and a revised steel trellis frame. Color options will include Ducati red and matte black in addition to the cool matte white scheme seen in our photo gallery below. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: Ducati Hypermotard 796

[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading Ducati launches 2010 Hypermotard 796, prices it below $10K

Ducati launches 2010 Hypermotard 796, prices it below $10K originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW introduces LO Rider motorcycle concept

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:22:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, BMW, Motorcycle

Click above for high-res gallery of the BMW LO Rider concept

UPDATE: New gallery of high-res images added

BMW has been out of the cruiser market since it stopped building its R 1200 C models a few years back. The market shift towards ever-larger engines was what prompted the German marque's withdraw, as the firm's latest Boxer engines just can't be bored or stroked nearly enough to compete with some of the V-Twin behemoths that currently fill the market. Lately, though, there has been a new segment emerging, and it could be described as custom standards. Sure, placing a torque-rich motor into a standard-style frame isn't anything new, but bikes like the Moto Guzzi Griso, Suzuki B-King and the latest Yamaha VMax prove that there is a revival in that particular niche. BMW could definitely fit into that category with its latest concept bike.

Introduced at the EICMA Show in Milan, the BMW LO Rider concept uses a variation of the standard Boxer theme, stripped down to its bare essentials. Up front, the traditional Bavarian Telelever fork has been replaced with a beefy USD telescopic fork holding twin wavy disc brakes. Two projector-style headlamps add some urban flair to the front of the bike while a single saddle seat marks the bike's minimalist design. Twin high-mount tailpipes, which do an excellent job of exposing the single-sided swingarm, complete the look. Rumors indicate that BMW is seriously testing public reaction to the new concept and could put the bike into production in very short order if demand is there. We say go for it.

Gallery: BMW LO Rider concept

[Source: Bikes in the Fast Lane]

BMW introduces LO Rider motorcycle concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Enter the rumormill: Vectrix to debut an electric Superbike?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Motorcycle

Falling into the "maxiscooter" category, the Vectrix electric scooter has a top speed limited to 62 mph, allowing for a range of 68 miles from its 125 Volt NiMH battery. If the long-rumored all-electric Superbike from Vectrix does in fact make its first appearance on November 6th in Milan at the 2007 Eicma show, expect the speed and range to be a bit higher. Assuming that similar technology is used in the Superbike as in the scooter, the machine should feature regenerative braking by simply rolling the throttle backwards. When the bike is stationary, rolling the throttle back should move the bike slowly in reverse.

At this time, no details are available other than the teaser photo above. This machine is likely the work of ROBRADY Design, which worked with Vectrix on the design of the scooter. Vectrix has stated in the past that they plan on using lithium ion technology in the future, which would make sense in the Superbike since it will carry a higher price point than the scooter. Using lithium-based batteries would allow for higher speeds and greater range, potentially making for a very exciting all-electric sportbike indeed.

[Source: Motoblog, Vectrix]

Enter the rumormill: Vectrix to debut an electric Superbike? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments