Europe’s classic motorcycling brand, Moto Guzzi, has released information on its updated V7 line of street bikes. Three flavors will be available in the U.S. including the Stone, Racer and Special—these motorcycles offer distinct styling with more contemporary road performance.
All three models share the same powertrain, frame, suspension and brakes. The motorcycles are powered by an more powerful air-cooled 744cc V-Twin engine fed from a generous 5.8 gallon fuel tank (1.4 gallons larger than the '11 model) which will equate to a useable range in excess of 250 miles. In contrast to other brands, Moto Guzzi mounts the engine in a traverse position which adds character and makes Moto Guzzi motorcycles so charismatic to ride. The engine is fuel-injected and employs a conventional manual-style five-speed transmission and shaft final drive.
Honda has recalled certain model NC700XC and NC700XDC motorcycles due to power train issues. Honda says 1,542 motorcycles are affected.
Honda says some motorcycles may be equipped with drive chains that contain outer drive plates that were improperly heat-treated, resulting in plate fracture during use. If a plate breaks, the the motorcycle can unexpectedly lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the drive chain, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on October 8, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870.
Honda's recall campaign number is S54. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or visit safercar.gov.
Zero Motorcycles unveils 2013 models, faster, longer range, faster charging, and with apps
10/03/2012
Zero Motorcycles' 2013 model year features higher power motors, higher energy density battery packs, offering significantly higher speed and longer range than the 2012 models and now has smart phone apps letting the rider customize the bikes performance characteristics.
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Electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero Motorcycles unveiled today their 2013 model line. The new models feature massive improvements over the 2012 line in speed, performance, riding range, as well as smart phone apps. The company is the only such manufacturer to sell a full range of electric motorcycles, and they have been in this position for several years now. Most importantly, in most respects Zero has leapfrogged rival Brammo, while keeping a lower price point.
Zero's lineup includes five electric motorcycles, all inspired by the dirt bike side of motorcycling. The models include the Zero DS, a dual sport bike, the Zero S, FX and XU, all street legal bikes, and the Zero MX, a dirt bike. Between 2012 and 2013, the company dropped the Zero X, and added the brand new Zero FX.
Top speed has increased to 95 miles/hr on the Zero S, DS and FX, up from 88 miles/hr top speed for the 2012 S. The Zero MX has also seen a massive speed increase, up to 85 miles/hr from 54 miles/hr for the 2012 model. This is due to an all new electric motor, the Z-Force, designed by Zero Motorcycles. The new motor is the same size and weight as the 2012 motors, but packs 125% more power and 91% more torque. It produces a higher power-to-weight ratio, while remaining an air cooled motor, thanks to a design which puts the heat producing elements on the outer part of the motor, allowing heat to be extracted with aluminum fins.
The higher top speed will mean two things in electric motorcycle racing. First, in the TTXGP's eSuperStock award the speed gap between the Zero's and the top end bikes will shrink a bit. Second, when Brandon Nozaki Miller goes for his 2013 land speed record attempts he'll have a faster base speed to start with. With a 2012 Zero S he set a 101.652 miles/hr land speed record for electric motorcycles under 150 kilograms.
For comparison, the Brammo Empulse is specified with a top speed over 100 miles/hr, 46.5 ft-lbs torque, and 40 kilowatt (54 horsepower) motor. Riding range is 121 miles city, or 56 miles at 70 miles/hr highway speeds. In most regards Zero's S and DS have leapfrogged Brammo's Empulse. The Empulse is a lot heavier at 470 lbs, than is the Zero S and DS which weigh in at 382 lbs and 395 lbs respectively.
The 2013 models also support a bluetooth connection, and companion iPhone or Android apps. The smartphone apps have two modes. While riding it serves as a customized dashboard showing additional information over the built-in dashboard. When stopped the rider can adjust acceleration, top speed, and regenerative braking behaviors to give the bikes a customizable riding experience.
A curious addition is an optional CHADEMO model to use DC Fast Charging stations for a 1 hour complete recharge. While the fast recharge time is welcome, the CHADEMO standard is on uncertain footing. The automobile industry appears to be moving away from CHADEMO with most of the automakers backing the SAE DC Fast Charging system instead. As Zero says there is a strong effort underway to deploy CHADEMO fast charging stations, and Nissan is sticking with its choice to use CHADEMO. That means that while the SAE DC Fast charge system should be widely deployed in the future, in the short-to-medium term CHADEMO is an excellent choice for fast charging.
The FX, XM and XU use an exclusive-to-Zero feature, quickly swappable battery packs. What's new for 2013 is that the bikes support a dual battery pack configuration, letting you easily switch between a 2.8 kilowatt-hour or 5.7 kilowatt-hour configuration. Additionally owners can buy additional battery packs and quickly swap in fully charged ones to get back to riding. Battery swap time is approximately 1 minute and requires no tools.
Zero DS: Comes in either 8.5 kilowatt-hour or 11.4 kilowatt-hour capacities. This means a maximum city riding range of 126 miles, which drops to 61 miles at 70 miles/hr highway speed. Top speed is 95 miles/hr, due to a 54 horsepower motor and controller, at 68 ft-lbs of torque. Fuel efficiency is a whopping 426 MPGe.
MSRP: (ZF8.5) $13,995, (ZF11.4) $15,995
Zero S: Comes in either 8.5 kilowatt-hour or 11.4 kilowatt-hour capacities. Maximum city riding range is 137 miles, which drops to 70 miles at 70 miles/hr highway speed. Top speed is 95 miles/hr, due to a 54 horsepower motor and controller, at 68 ft-lbs of torque. Fuel efficiency is a whopping 463 MPGe.
MSRP: (ZF8.5) $13,995, (ZF11.4) $15,995
Zero FX: The company bills this bike as a 'do anything ride anywhere' urban electric motorcycle. The motor is configured for 44 horsepower maximum, 70 ft-lbs of torque and an 85 miles/hr top speed. Riding range is 70 miles city, and 31 miles at 70 miles/hr highway. Fuel efficiency is 470 MPGe.
MSRP: (ZF2.8) $9,495, (ZF5.7) $11,990
Zero XU: This bike is configured for lower power, with a 250 amp controller versus the 420 amp controller used for Zero's other bikes. This gives it a lower top end speed, lower power, but longer riding range. Top speed is 77 miles/hr, with 28 horsepower and 42 ft-lbs of torque. Riding range is 76 miles city, and 35 miles at 70 miles/hr highway. Fuel efficiency is 512 MPGe.
MSRP: (ZF2.8) $7,995, (ZF5.7) $10,490
Zero MX: This is Zero's remaining off-road-only bike. Top speed is 85 miles/hr, thanks to the 54 horsepower 68 ft-lbs torque drive train. Riding range is quoted as 50-140 minutes of trail riding, or 35-120 minutes of track time. Unlike the other bikes in Zero's lineup which all use a belt to drive the wheels, the MX uses a chain.
MSRP: (ZF2.8) $9,495, (ZF5.7) $11,990
The bikes can be ordered now through dealers. Deliveries begin in January 2013 in the USA and February 2013 in Europe.
"With up to 137 miles range in the city, a top speed of 95 mph and a CHAdeMO accessory that allows recharging in around an hour, the 2013 model line is truly exceptional,” said Richard Walker, CEO of Zero Motorcycles. “This year's lineup offers breathtaking acceleration, new eye-catching designs and the innovative ability to customize the riding experience to each individual's preferences via a mobile application. We invite consumers to discover the experience of riding a 2013 model by contacting an authorized dealer to sign up for a test ride or to place an order. The new lineup arrives in January."
Harley-Davidson has recalled 2,798 of its 2012-2013 Night Road Special VRSCDX motorcycles due to license-plate bracket issues.
Harley says the effected Night Rod Special motorcycles were manufacturered from June 14, 2011, through Aug. 1, 2012.
The license plate bracket assembly's mounting screws may loosen and the assembly may separate from the rear fender. This condition may lead to contact with the rear tire which could cause the license plate bracket to rotate, possibly damaging the rear brake line, Harley says.
If this issue remains undetected, it may affect rear braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any affected motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, November 5, 2012. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
This is Harley-Davidson recall 0148. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or visit safercar.gov.
American Honda today announced that production of Honda side-by-side MUVs will transfer in 2013 from Honda de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (HDM) to Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC) in Timmonsville, SC. Honda currently markets the Big Red side-by-side in the U.S.
These changes are part of a global Honda strategy tied to future growth forecast in the side-by-side segment. Current plans call for the completion of side-by-side production at HDM in 2013, with production to begin at HSC in the summer of 2013 to meet the needs of U.S. customers and for export to global markets.
Currently dedicated solely to the production of Honda all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), HSC has the capacity to produce more than 250,000 vehicles and 310,000 engines annually. Based on the increased production capacity and future expansion potential, it was determined that HSC was the right location for Honda side-by-side production.
HSC is one of nine major Honda factories in the U.S. Since it began operation in 1998, HSC has manufactured more than 2.5 million Honda ATVs.
Following the move of side-by-side production, HDM will increase capacity for the production of additional two-wheel products to meet growing market demand in Mexico.
About American Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. was established in 1959 and is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides in the U.S. The American Honda Motorcycle Division is responsible for the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to Honda Powersports - Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Watercraft.
11/06/2012
Powered by nothing by a scuba tank full of compressed air, the O2 Pursuit motorcycle achieve speeds usually reserved for combustion engines without the emissions.
While electric motorcycles may be all the rage, they’re not necessarily the most cutting edge alternative fuel bikes out there.
At first glance, the compressed air bike seems to solve all of the frustrating problems of an electric motorcycle, i.e. a big, heavy battery to tote around and long recharging times. But if compressed air were such a simple solution, we’d already be driving air powered cars, so there must be something more to it.
The biggest barrier to compressed air-powered bikes or cars is that there’s insufficient infrastructure to support it (sound familiar?) and there still needs to be power available to compress the air in the first place. Still, the technology has promise, which is probably why the O2 Pursuit was recently shortlisted for a James Dyson Award.
KTM has announced the recall of around 7,000 motorcycles, specifically models with electronic fuel injection (EFI) of the 2012/2013 model year.
11/07/2012
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The manufacturer has taken the decision after concerns were raised over a possible leak in fuel hoses on the bikes. They are attributing the problem to a defect in production.
So far there have been no reports of incidents as a consequence of this problem, but KTM has taken the precautionary step to recall the models nonetheless.
KTMs 250 EXC-F Six Days EU, 250 SX-F EU, 350 EXC-F EU/USA, 350 XCF-W USA, 350 SX-F EU, Freeride 350 EU, 450 EXC EU/AUS and 500 EXC EU/AUS/USA have been recalled from the Offroad 2012 range.
Models in the Offroad 2013 range that were released in the US and Australia have also been recalled, alongside the 990 Supermoto R EU/FR from the Street 2012 range.
Customers who have taken delivery of motorcycles potentially affected by the problem will be personally informed in writing by the manufacturer. The fuel line replacement will be exclusively carried out by KTM dealers.
Things have been a little sleepy over at Suzuki, and their car division going the way of the dinosaur has only put further pressure on their bike division to boost sales.
For 2013, Suzuki aims to expand their motorcycle footprint by introducing a blacked-out, custom-style, touring-friendly C90T BOSS (<-- short for Blacked Out Suzuki Special... get it?) The saddlebag and tall windshield-clad cruiser packs a liquid-cooled, 1,462cc v-twin, and is priced at $13,999. And while incremental tweaks to the Burgman 650 ABS, GSX-R1000, and Hayabusa are certainly better than no change at all, I'm personally more excited about the 2013 Suzuki GW250, a naked starter bike that's powered by a liquid-cooled, 248cc parallel-twin engine.
2013 Suzuki GW250
Suzuki has been coy (or negligent, depending on your perspective) about pricing for the muscular looking newbie ride, but perhaps the trepidation is comprehensible. After all, it's fair to assume the GW250's success will depend almost entirely on how it stacks dollar-wise against the $4,199 Honda CBR250R and the $4,799 Kawasaki Ninja 300-- two potent competitors that have seriously raised the stakes in the market for great beginner bikes.
When the Ducati Hypermotard was unveiled at the 2005 EICMA in Milan, it won best of the show.
The supermoto-styled machine had Ducati's popular formula - high horespower from the 1078cc air-cooled, two-valve L-Twin, combined with lowe weight of just under 400 lbs.
The bike, which had its first model year in 2007, was a huge hit for Ducati. The bike remained relatively unchanged through 2012, except for Ducati offering a 796 version from 2009 on and the 1100EVO.
But Ducati has totally revised the Hypermotard for 2013, offering the bike in three versions that all feature a brand new 821cc Testastretta 11-degree engine - the Hypermotard, the Hypermotard SP and the mid-range tourer, the Hyperstrada. Dropped from the Hypermotard line is the 1100EVO.
The 110-horsepower 821cc engine is a totally new design that doesn't need valve checks until 18,641 miles (30,000 kilometers). In addition to a new engine, the 2013 Ducati Hypermotard lineup includes the Ducati Safety Package of three-level ABS, eight-level Ducati Traction Control, and integrated Riding Modes.
High ground-clearance combined with a thin waistline and commanding riding positions gives the rider an instant Supermotard feeling, with the added luxury of latest street bike comfort and component quality. While the Hyperstrada is ideal for dominating the every-day urban or long distance commute, the Hypermotard and track-ready Hypermotard SP are intended for the extreme rider who demands the very highest performance.
The new range takes the Hypermotard concept into the future with refined design and user-friendly technologies that will enhance its enjoyment to a wider range of riders.
These are not your father's Triumphs. Nor your grandfather's. The new Daytona 675s are hard-charging English metal designed to go head to head with their Italian, German and Japanese counterparts.
The 2013s are running with an all-new triple-cylinder motor that winds the tachometer up a lot higher than earlier models -- to a redline above 14,000, I'm told -- as well as some newly kitted suspension. The machine also weighs less and is expected to deliver better handling than its predecessors.
They'll be in stores in February with reported price tags of $11,599 for the 675 and $13,499 for the 675R.
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