2009 Yamaha MT-03 goes 'extreme yellow'

The 2009 Yamaha MT-03, a small-bore all-rounder that manages to look cool...

Pics: Motoblog

The 2009 Yamaha MT-03 remains unchanged mechanically, but does get this ‘extreme yellow’ paintjob that you see here. And for those who aren’t crazy about yello, the bike will also be available in white and black…

The 2009 MT-03 is still fitted with the same 660cc single-cylinder engine that also does duty on the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere. The engine makes 48bhp at 6,250rpm and 56.2Nm of torque at 5,500rpm, which sounds just about adequate.

The MT-03’s other 'features' include a short wheelbase, mass centralization for improved handling, double-disc front brakes, underseat exhaust, aluminum swingarm and horizontally mounted rear monoshock. If nothing else, we think the bike looks funky-cool. Now, if only Yamaha started fitting the R6 engine on this bike.... ;-)

We wonder how it'll behave with an R6 engine stuffed into it...!

2009 Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 4V TT, Griso 8V SE, V7 Café Classic, Nevada 750

For the serious off-road rider, the 2009 Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 4V TT
Pics: OmniMoto

These are the first pics of the 2009 Moto Guzzi lineup, with the bikes getting new colours and other minor updates. First up is the Stelvio 1200 4V TT, which is more off-road-oriented than the standard model. The bike gets a two-tone paintjob, more luggage carrying capacity, additional lights, sump guard, crash bars to protect the cylinders, extra protection for the shaft-drive system, and off-road-oriented tyres. We think the bike looks hot!

The 2009 Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE

Next up is the 2009 Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE, which gets a fancy satin-green-and-black paintjob, tan/brown leather seat and Pirelli Scorpion tyres. Just looking at that 1,200cc engine, with its four-valve cylinder heads, somehow convinces you that that thing must be capable of pulling like a locomotive…

The 2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic. Not as cool as last year's V7 Classic...

And for those who want a healthy dose of style, but not necessarily huge gobs of power and torque, there’s the 2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Café Classic, which is fitted with Guzzi’s air-cooled, 744cc, 49bhp v-twin. To us, the V7 Café Classic looks like a variant of last year’s V7 Classic, with a different seat, different paint and reshaped exhaust pipes. And, frankly, we think last year’s V7 Classic looked much better!

The 2009 Moto Guzzi Nevada 750. Dull and uninspiring...

Finally, there’s the 2009 Moto Guzzi Nevada 750, a bike that Guzzi should not be making at all. It’s a feeble attempt at cloning various Harley and Japanese cruisers, and it looks terrible. For a company that used to make the 850 Le Mans, why get into making, of all things, such crappy looking cruisers? Anyway, the Nevada is powered by the same 744cc v-twin as the V7 Classic, and given enough stick, the bike should probably be able to chug along faster than most people can walk

2009 Ducati Streetfighter: First pics and specs

The 2009 Ducati Streetfighter. Looks absolutely superb...

First pics of the much-anticipated Ducati Streetfighter are out, and we must say the bike looks really, really good! Oh, it’s actually two bikes – the Streetfighter and the Streetfighter S – and both are fitted with the liquid-cooled v-twin from the Ducati 1098, which makes 155bhp and 118Nm of torque here.

While the standard Streetfighter gets Showa suspension components, the S version gets higher-spec Öhlins suspension, some carbonfibre bits, five-spoke forged aluminum wheels from Marchesini, traction control and a data logging system.

Apart from the engine, the 2009 Streetfighter also has the chassis and single-sided swingarm as the 1098, though the wheelbase is longer and the steering is more relaxed. In terms of the styling, we love the dual exhaust pipes, and the squat, aggressive stance of the bike.

More pics, and details on pricing and availability coming soon…

A video of the Ducati Streetfighter. Oh yes, we want this bike...


Pics: Motoblog

2009 BMW F800R First official pics

The 2009 BMW F800R. We do wish BMW had worked a bit harder on the styling...

After all the hype, Photoshop-specials and endless speculation, the BMW F800R is finally here, for real. The 2009 BMW F800R is powered by BMW’s 798cc parallel twin, which makes 87bhp at 8,000rpm and 86Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. And BMW will also make learner-friendly versions, with the power and torque limited to 25bhp and 55Nm.

After the amazing K1300R, the F800R looks a bit… tame? Anyway, the bike weighs 204kg with all fluids, rides on 17-inch wheels, has conventional suspension (43mm non-USD fork at the front, monoshock at the back) and chain final drive, Brembo brakes (twin 320mm discs at front, single 265mm disc at the back), conventional switchgear (those BMW-spec turn-indicator switches are gone!) and optional ABS. We only wish BMW had worked a bit harder on the bike's styling...

Details on pricing and availability coming soon.

2009 Ducati 1198, 1198S: First pics and specs

With the new 1198 and 1198S, Ducati are not only ready to take on Japan Inc., but also the likes of the BMW S1000RR, Aprilia RSV4 and KTM RC8 1190...

These are the first pics of the Ducati 1198, which replaces the 1098 in 2009. Like with the 1098, the 1198 also has a cousin – the 1198S – with both bikes getting the 1198cc engine which was earlier fitted on the 1098R. However, while this engine makes 180bhp and 140Nm of torque in the 1098R, here it only makes 170bhp and 131Nm of torque.

While both bikes are likely to have somewhat similar performance, the 1198S gets a full data logging system and a traction control system that’s controlled by software that comes from Ducati’s MotoGP and WSBK bikes. This system comes with all of eight settings to allow you to fine-tune the way it works, so now if you’re really brave enough, you can start opening the throttle that little bit earlier while exiting those 200km/h corners.

The 1198 looks hot as ever, and with 170bhp to play with, there should be no shortage of 'go'...

The 1198S also gets Öhlins suspension (the standard bike makes do with Showa bits), an Öhlins steering damper, seven-spoke forged aluminium wheels from Marchesini, and a carbonfibre front mudguard. Dry weight is 171 kilos.

With 170bhp at 9,750rpm and 131Nm of torque at 8,000rpm, Ducati’s 1198cc Testastretta Evoluzione L-twin fitted to both the bikes is likely to cause some worries for the latest four-cylinder litre-class tackle from Japan, and should be more than a match for bikes like the Aprilia RSV4, KTM RC8 and BMW S1000RR.

The standard Ducati 1198 is likely to cost around US$16,500 while the 1198S will be closer to the US$21,000 mark.

2009 KTM 990 SMT Images and Videos

The 2009 KTM 990 SMT. A supermotard that's also a sport-tourer. Whatever next?!

Pics: MotoFlash

KTM have launched an all-new bike at the EICMA – the 990 SMT – a supermoto-style bike that’s also a long-distance sport-tourer. And while that does sound a bit outlandish at first, the bike itself looks pretty convincing…

Based on the 990 SM, the 2009 990 SMT, which weighs 196kg dry, features mildly reworked ergonomics, better wind protection, and hooks etc. where you can fit panniers and/or soft luggage.

The bike’s 999cc v-twin remains unchanged, and the 115bhp and 97Nm of torque it makes should be quite handy with this type of bike. Suspension components are from WP and the 990 SMT has a 19-litre fuel tank, which should be useful for long-distance sport-touring.

More pics, and details on pricing and availability coming soon...

The KTM 990 SMT should be all right for a spot of adventure touring...

2009 Bimota DB7 Oronero

The 164bhp, 164kg Bimota Oronero. Snazzy, even if it does cost US$52,000!

Pics: Motoblog

While they don’t seem to have any new bikes to show at this year’s EICMA, Bimota have unveiled a new version of the DB7 – the DB7 Oronero (Black Gold), which is six kilos lighter than the standard bike. With 164bhp from its Ducati 1098 v-twin, the DB7 Oronero has a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio, which is probably a good thing.

Other new bits on this Bimota include petal-shaped brake discs at the front, fully digital multi-function instrumentation with data logger, and integrated GPS. There are also, of course, various titanium and carbonfibre bits on the bike – only to be expected on a bike that will be built in limited numbers next year, and that will come with a price tag of US$52,000. Rush to your nearest Bimota dealership to book yours now…