One of the few surprises in Paris this year was the MV Agusta "Le Bestiale" concept bike that shortly will be unveiled at the MV Agusta stand. Full Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph, KTM, Voxan and more coverage coming soon... TS from Porte de Versailles, Paris 2007.
Paris international motorcycle show coverage starts now!
We are now ready to start the coverage from the first big international motorcycle show of the year. Last year Cologne hosted the first big show of the year, this year it is Paris again. Fasten your seatbelts and enjoy this weekends coverage with all the news, bikes in the flesh, videos and bike babes. TS
After a very successful year for Ducati with the 1098 and in MotoGP Ducati have held up to their promise of launching a new sportsbike to replace the 749. The 848 is based on the new 1098 true to tradition. The spec sheet according to my source are as follows: 137bhp and 95Nm. Less expensive components than the 1098, but still 3 kilos lighter. Colours: Red and White, abandoning the traditional yellow we have gotten used to in the 749. It will cost 13.500€ (Europe) and $12.900 in the US. Ducati are planning to have it in the shops (Europe) by mid-December 2007 after the unveiling in Milan at the EICMA show. By Tor Sagen
First front shots of 2008 Honda CBR1000RR!Paris international motorcycle show 2007
Oops, the cat is out of the bag again and here you can see the new front of the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR. Neat... See the whole front and the 08 CBF600N and CBF600S here.
2008 Voxan GTV1200 - Paris international motorcycle show
Voxan, the French manufacturer of V-twin motorcycles are back in force for Paris 2007 with a brand new 1200cc sports tourer, the GTV 1200. More info and more pictures coming. See the whole bike here. Next: BMW to launch 4 new motorcycles in Paris and Milan.
It looks like the rumours about the new Transalp was true after all. This picture has been sent to Raptors & Rockets and claimed to be the real thing by our source. It takes more of a clue from the Varadero and if this is the case we are looking at a brand new 700cc V-twin from Honda! In Paris on Friday we will know for sure.
Every year Raptors & Rockets visits the top international motorcycle shows in the world. This is where all the new bikes are launched for the first time and 2007 looks to become a record year in news. We expect many new models from the Japanese manufacturers. Yes, there will be the usual upgrade in sports bikes. We expect a new Honda Fireblade (official), New Suzuki GSX-R600 and something fresh on the Yamaha R6 and Kawasaki Ninja front. But the bikes everyone will be talking about are the new Yamaha Vmax (concept will tour Europe this year), Suzuki Hayabusa, something special from Honda, KTM RC8 1150, Aprilia's V4 possibly being shown in race-trim, Ducati 848 and perhaps an upgraded Ducati sports tourer, More Hypermotard style bikes and something top secret from BMW (HP2). Buell will have something exciting to show us already in August (might include more water than usual...). We'll tell you what from Laguna Seca... It is also expected that the Harley-Davidson XR1200 will get an all out official go and launch sometime next spring too. After Victory stepped up and launched the futuristic Vision Tour and Street luxury touring bikes we are waiting in anticipation for other manufacturers take. The big international motorcycle shows this year are as follows: 2007 Paris International two-wheel show Sept 29th-Oct 7th, 40th Tokyo Motor Show Oct 26th-Nov 11th, EICMA 65th International Motorcycle show in Milan 06th-11th Nov and the International motorcycle & scooter show in Birmingham, UK Nov 23rd- 2nd Dec. TSBIKEBABES!
Vintage Rock n’ roll from Moto Guzzi - California Vintage & Touring tested
If you’re a Guzzisti California is one of the absolute epic names in Moto Guzzi history. To celebrate the great California model Moto Guzzi launched the black and white Vintage. With great attention to detail and finish Moto Guzzi makes the only Italian cruisers. And they sure are unique. Read the full tests of the California Vintage and Touring by clicking on the links below.
We are now in the process of testing the 2007 Honda CBR600RR. Check out what's going on in the Blog or on the review page itself during the next two weeks. Check out all our Honda vids below! TS
2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250 SA ABS in the city and countryside
A bit bored reading nothing about the latest Japanese crotch-rockets? Do not despair, we have added some reading about the practical new Suzuki Bandit 1250 S ABS tested in the real world. Read it herewhere you'll also find three videos explaining ABS in detail!
The Honda dealers convention has already taken place in the US and you all know what that means... Whilst we do some embargo investigations, have a look at these shots from the convention. Last year Yamaha Canada screwed up and published the whole 2007 Yamaha range days ahead of the official embargo. Looks like Honda US made the same mistake this year and published the CBR1000RR pictures. And then withdrew them... But with the interweb there is no such thing as a remedy after a mistake like that. The front end design of the new Honda CBR1000RR (no Fireblade decals this year...) looks uncanny similar to the 2007 Ducati 1098. The 175bhp and lighter new CBR1000RR also features a new stubby exhaust solution. We believe that we for the first time in Honda's history are looking at a one horsepower per kilo ratio (175/175). Needless to say, we have the good stuff, but holding... More details coming. See the bike here
Honda have now started to let the 2008 news sip slowly out. In the US all new colours and new cruisers have been released. Most eye catching is the new 2008 Honda CBR600RR Graffiti. Much more from Honda soon... We will also do a long-term review of the Honda CBR600RR this month. TS
Here at Raptors & Rockets you will get the worlds first glimpses of the 2008 Yamaha motorcycle line-up on the 10th of September. Even more specific than that, at 15:00 GMT we will unleash what looks to be a very exciting Yamaha year..." With our strong model line-up in 2008, we fully expect to capitalise on this success, bringing the Yamaha brand values of quality, performance and innovation to a greater number of motorcycle riders." Simon Belton at Yamaha UK said. On September 28th we will see all the new models in the flesh for the first time and photograph them in Paris. As usual, you can expect Raptors & Rockets to be first to publish quality shots. All Yamaha 2008 news will be published here.
Next: Honda 2008, we dine and wine with the top Honda brass in Paris. As usual, pleasure is always business at Raptors & Rockets! 2008 BMW HP2 Sport-The R 1200 S HP version. It's pretty cool and we have six new photos! By Tor Sagen
“ABC-easy as 1-2-3” is what Michael Jackson sings in the old Jackson 5 classic. We’re wondering whether the Suzuki engineers took some inspiration from Never Neverland on this one. ABC-Easy as 1-2-3, then you’ve got 4-5-6 oh so fast.
Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Martin Leyfield & Tor Sagen
CCM, the British manufacturer of offroad and MX motorcycles returns to the MX scene in 2008 with a brand new bio-fuelled motocross motorcycle next year. Only 12 handmade competition motocross bikes will be built for 2008, but CCM aims at having the CMX in production by the latter half of 2009.
The CMX 450 will feature an innovative weld less bonded aluminium frame developed with the help of Lotus and Aston Martin. The sub frame and fuel tank will be made of carbon fibre and the 449cc engine is a single cylinder liquid cooled four stroke (DOHC) with five valves. CCM have spent two years on this project so far and already one year ago the engine was being tested on the bench when I visited the Bolton factory. Read more and see the whole picture here.
2008 Buell 1125R onboard with Jeremy McWilliams from Laguna Seca!
This 9 minute long video has got it all! Brand new superbike from Buell, one full onboard lap from Laguna Seca at World Superbike pace, ridden by none other than Jeremy McWilliams on a bog standard 1125R that was not set up in any way for him and Laguna Seca instructions from Skip Barber by McWilliams again! McWilliams commented: "I haven't ridden the 1125 around Laguna until Tuesday with you guys so I have no idea what it may be capable of. I know with a set of slicks we would be another 2-3 seconds better but I was riding with plenty in reserve as we had another day to go and it wasn't about breaking records." Still the lap was around the early 1.30s... Enjoy! TS
You've got to love those mobile phones! Here are exclusive images of the first pre-production KTM RC8 1190 superbike on road-plates with new mirrors/blinkers and all! the fuel tank looks a little bit bigger with some new lines, a new top-windscreen and some very special looking led-blinkers. The test bike pictured even features footpegs for the pillion and what looks to be a final design swinging arm. A new and big LCD digital instrument panel can be spotted from the rear of the bike. Two clamps close together can be seen at the top of the fork stanctions and something that looks like a new steering damper, possibly a digital one similar to the solution on Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. other than this the RC8 looks true to the concept bike. Tor Sagen Next: Buell 1125R onboard with Jeremy McWilliams from Laguna Seca video!
Welcome to the apparent real-deal 2008 Kawasaki Z1400 scanned from a brochure. The Z1400 follows the current top end Kawasaki Z design from the 750 and 1000 with an all new design on the front cowling. It keeps the aerodynamical front mudguard from its faster and faired donor whilst a new 4-2-4 exhaust makes it stand out from the other Z's. To Z or not to Z will be a valid question in 2008. See the whole bike here.Tor Sagen
Buell 1125R @ Laguna Seca-one of our best days ever!
I have literally just stepped of the Airbus that took me back from San Fran to old Blighty. The Buell 1125R world launch is one of the best launches I have ever attended. I rode the 1125R virtually as much as I wanted on the famous Laguna Seca race track in Monterey California. It took me at least two sessions just to get over the fact that I was riding the bloody Corkscrew at Laguna Seca! Then the test started... Then the day after I rode the bike on a 196 mile road ride on a variety of roads, some of them rather hairy and scary! But the Buell 1125R has now been thoroughly tested over two days in Californian sunshine. The track day did hide a few glitches in the new Buell sportsbike package that was evident on the slower road ride. The new 1125cc Helicon V-twin engine feels very modern and fast, but perhaps not as fast as I had expected it to be. Not as wild as a 1997 Suzuki TL1000S (a pity really...) even though the 1125R should boast an even stronger midrange than that. The steady torque curve might hide the nature of the beast a bit and sublime handling makes for brilliant traction. There are no steering damper on the 1125R so there are movements, but no tank slappers. Much more later included a full onboard lap by Jeremy McWilliams etc... Not to be missed... Picture gallery here. By: Tor Sagen/Pix: Double Red
Tre-K 1130 handles really well and feels nimble despite the claimed 205kg dry weight. The chassis is the same tubular work of art as on the TNT. The swingarm in particular deserves some admiration. The German Benelli importer sold 1000 TNT’s in 2005. More than anywhere else in the world, but then he said, and I quote; “I also got a 1000 problems out of it”. The engine delivers a lot of torque and if I had felt it would be a problem I could always push the power button. Read more here. TS2008 Buell 1125R from Laguna Seca next...
Bonus: 2007/08 Honda CB600F Hornet full video from Portugal!
Not only have we added the full text from the world launch of the 07 Honda Hornet, we have uploaded every bit of video available from the launch too. There's onboard, blog from the hotel in Faro, Portugal and much more. Enjoy! TS
In just over a week I will jump into my A'stars leathers and do my first lap ever on Laguna Seca onboard the brand new 146bhp Buell 1125R. I have just compared the impressive new spec sheet to that of the Ducati 1098 and that doesn't make it less impressive! In the past you wouldn't even contemplate comparing a Buell air-cooled Firebolt to the old Ducati 999. From 2008 it looks like you actually can. The 1125R Helicon developed with BRP-Rotax is Buell's very own Revolution engine. Harley did one with Porsche, now Buell has done one with BRP-Rotax. Liquid-cooled is the name of the game and in the max-power figures the new 1125R makes its power almost exactly at the same rpms as the 1098. The mighty Ducati has got about 10bhp and around 10Nm more power and torque, but weighs in at 3 kilos more than the new 1125R that carries a claimed 170kg dry weight. In addition to all this the 1125R has got almost 6 litres (21.2litres) more fuel capacity. That counts for a few extra laps around the race-track or several miles on the road compared to the tiny 15.5 litre Ducati item. Almost 2 kilos have been saved by using a new super-belt: aramid-reinforced Goodyear Hibrex belt with Flexten Plus technology. Buell have added Showa suspension both front and back with a new 47MM USD fork featuring titanium fork caps to reduce weight. It will be exciting to see how the extremely short wheelbase (1384mm) copes with all that power and torque on Laguna Seca. When the front wheel is not in the air there is a 375mm rim-mounted single brake disc with the all new octal brake caliper developed on the XBRR race bike. Interestingly, the number 8 in tarot cards means strength (don't you love Wikipedia!). The 1125R also features a new EFI system. When I last spoke to Erik Buell he revealed that they have developed this EFI system in house and also sold it to Harley. way to go Buell! The bore x stroke configuration that makes out the 1125cc in the Helical engine is no coincidence. Buell says that the 103mm bore and short 67.5mm stroke makes for optimum breathing and valve space. The short stroke reduces friction to allow more rpms, but the stroke is still longer than in Ducati 1098 so we expect some serious drive at low rpms too. More about how this new and exciting Buell behaves on both road and track shortly. Words: Tor Sagen/Pix: Buell
We have tested the biggest, most expensive and most exclusive 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The 105th anniversary CVO Electra Glide. Read about it and see video of all the CVO's here. 2008 Victory Vision TourHonda GL1800 Gold Wing
Have we been able to unravel a thing or two about what KTM is up to the next two years or what? On a highly confidential list of the model programme suggestion for 2008 and 2009 we found amongst other models the RC4 superbike. With the RC8 1190 being a V-twin with 8 valves, we think that the RC4 is a 1-cylinder Supermono with 4 valves. Hence the RC4 690 Supermono. Our design are based on the RC8 design, but with the LC4 single cylinder 690 engine. It will be a pumped up R version of possibly more than the 654cc's in the 690. perhaps more true to the 690 name? Expect the low rpm grunt to go to make place for a serious top-end rush! Anyway, this in KTM disguise will be a beautiful bike. No one knows 1-cylinder four strokes as well as KTM and they must build this bike! For the love of God, build it! Words: Tor Sagen/CG: Luc1 More KTM here, everything in fact.
Supermono, 2008 KTM 690 Supermono and Cagiva Mito 500
We have briefly mentioned the KTM 690 previously in what could turn out to be a brand new supermono. We think it will get a full fairing in the style of the RC8 1190 and it will be big news from Mattighofen if they chose to launch such a sportsbike based on the 690 single-cylinder from 690 SM. Last year Cagiva showed us the Mito 500 concept. Visually it just looks like the current Mito 125, but within was a 500cc single-cylinder engine developed by Husqvarna. The latest we hear is that the Mito 125 will get a new engine and fairing styled like Ducatis 999! That means that Cagiva must have done a deal with Ducati to be able to do that as the old 916 design was a Tamburini design whilst Cagiva owned Ducati, the 999 is a Terblanche design for the "new" Ducati. Cagiva will also launch an all new mid-sized (600-800cc) Hypermoto styled bike featuring a new V-twin engine. Much more on this and in particular 2008 MV Agusta new models very soon. MV Agusta got a lot of cash we have been told after selling Husqvarna to BMW. By Tor Sagen/CG: Luc1/Photo: Tor Sagen More in the links below.
RC8: KTM's head executive has now forbidden any leakages of further RC8 information. The RC8 1190 superbike will be launched for the first time in Milan on press day. We'll be there to cover it. KTM will first concentrate all efforts on the RC8 1190 superbike and the racing activities planned for this. Then KTM will start looking at other platforms such as the Venom concept. Today there is a "no go" for the naked Venom, but sometime next year KTM will probably start developing concepts such as the Venom further, perhaps into a full production model by 2009. KTM launched pictures of the white Venom 990 concept years ago before the 1190cc V-twin displacement was decided. Back then KTM still contemplated using a V4, but decided in the end for a 1150CC V-twin and then 1190. We have upgraded the concept for KTM and added street features such as mirrors, blinkers and pillion seat. And we were also a bit fed up with the boring white colour. By Tor Sagen/Venom CG's: Luc1 Want to see how the Venom RC8 1190 looks like in Black? Click here!
2008 KTM LC4 690 Enduro, Rally, Duke III, Adventure and Supermono
In Paris KTM will concentrate on the LC4 single-cylinder models, involving the 690 Enduro and 690 Duke III. All developed from the first LC4 690 product, the 690 SM. Earlier this year KTM has been in action all over the world in enduros and in desert rallies on 690 versions of its Enduro and rally bikes. The 690 Baja and 690 Rally. In Milan last year KTM showed us its 690 Rally Replica for more serious rally privateers. A 690 Adventure model is now expected as well as a LC4 690 street offroad model. Read more here!
We have received many E-mails from army personnel serving all over the world that have motorcycles as their hobby. Now is the chance to tell your army motorcycle story. We have heard that sniper teams have ridden the Kawasaki KLR650 Diesel army model (or the M1030B1, USMC KLR650) on missions. That's the sort of story we are looking for. If it happened in a current conflict or one 40 years ago doesn't matter. Please provide as much detail as possible, name, rank and unit if possible. Full confidentiality will be given if necessary. Send E-mail and pictures to this address.
2008 Benelli Sei-Six-cylinder MotoGP engine!
I spoke to Gianluca Galasso at the Benelli factory today regarding 2008 developments. Good news are that the 756 midrange naked sportsbike is in the finishing stages and we'll hopefully be able to ride one this Autumn. The factory are currently waiting for frames.
The MX 449 project moves on and Benelli plans to move on and make an Enduro and supermotard version too.
But what excites us all is the prospect of a 6-cylinder Benelli again. Benelli Sei is a beauty from the seventies and Benelli have now developed a new 6-cylinder engine based on two current triples. First we thought this would be for a roadbike, perhaps a cruiser to brake through in the American motorcycle market. But today Benelli told me that their 6-cylinder engine is not planned for road-use! Which can only mean one thing, MotoGP. With Chinese financial backing Benelli certainly are looking to make a big impact in racing again soon. Words: Tor Sagen More here.
2008 Triumph Street Triple tested! First UK road test!
Raptors & Rockets have now done the UK's first road test of the 2008 Triumph Street Triple. Which means you will be treated to some stunning video (really, onboard, roadside, walk around etc), a huge photo gallery, test and a lot more. First impressions are of one extremely entertaining motorcycle. Even more so than the firms very own Speed Triple! We say you don't need a 1000 no more after riding the Street Triple 675! Where Triumph found all that torque whilst still maintaining a class leading horsepower figure we don't know, but one thing is for sure; the Speed Four is now firmly in the history books alongside the 600TT! Triumph has done it again and made the most entertaining naked midrange motorcycle on the market. Just wait for our onboard video and you'll see what I mean. TS
Triumph Tiger 1050 after being hit by car from behind!
This Triumph Tiger 1050 belongs to the Triumph marketing department and one of the Hinckley employees got the shock of his life when a reckless car driver hit him from behind whilst at a standstill. The rider was catapulted forward, but luckily survived the accident which must be any bikers nightmare! Raptors & Rockets caught these pictures on mobile phone camera as evidence of how bad some car drivers observation skills are. there is pretty much nothing anyone can do to protect themselves from such an incident apart from always filtering to the front of the queue. Safe riding!
This press release caught my attention as I have been an eager Supertech rider for many years now. The 2008 Supertech R is a new and improved version of the popular Alpinestars Supertech boots. Directly from MotoGP to the roads works just fine when we are talking safety. Very few other motorcycle boots can match the super safe Supertech's. With a lightweight inner boot and extra strength where needed my feet have never suffered during the few crashes I've had with Supertech's on. The boots are usually more than up for continued use afterwards too. So now there's a brand new and improved version. "New research has produced a re-profiled double hinged inner and outer torsion bars to give greater impact protection of the ankle and progressively absorb flex and rotation stress, reducing pressure and hyper-extension injury to the lower leg joints." "New opening/closure system, featuring side-opening/exit zip with stretch bellows panel edge to ensure close fit and ease of access and removal. Security and adjustability is further improved with internal Velcro® which ensures a tight, non-slip, connection between surfaces. Micro adjustable ratchet top closure for added precision and security around the calf."
Colors: Black, GP Tracks Camo, Black/Red, Black/Blue with vented versions in White and Black/Silver Sizes: (EUR) 36-48, (US) 3.5-12.5 Alpinestars More Raptors gear here
James Toseland signs for Yamaha Tech 3 to become a MotoGP rider.
2008 Victory, Vegas Low, 8-Ball Kingpin and Purple Ness Vegas
We attended the 2008 press conference in the US getting all the 2008 news from Victory. The news includes the Vision Tour & Street that we have already tested with an all new 106ci (1734cc) Freedom twin engine and also a new 100ci with all the goodies added to the 106. Read the Vision test to find out more about the engine. Victory have now added a Vegas Low to accommodate riders that prefer a lower seat whilst they ride. My favourite is the 8-Ball Kingpin with an all blacked out look. Not only is it cool, but also more affordable than any other version of the Kingpin. Then let your eyes feast on the two new Ness signature Vegas motorcycles. Diamond cut cooling ribs, customised handlebars and paintjobs ++. See them all here.
I'm a Rocker, I'm a roller-a right out of controller!
Harley-Davidson have just finished launching the new Rockers, Fat Bob, Euro version of the Sportster Nightster and 2008 CVO/105th Anniversary models in New York City. We have just received the last few pictures from the launch that we attended last week. Below are links to extensive picture galleries from the launch and the Rocker and Rocker C full test inspired by the late Bon Scott from AC/DC. Watch the film, read the test, try the bike at your dealers. We really enjoyed riding the Rockers in the big apple and we're sure you will too. TS
Kawasaki will update its ZX-10R for the 2008 model year reliable (but unofficial...) sources has told me. I have been told sharper design, more horsepower (sic) and that Kawasaki will not repeat the mistakes made in the past (probably design wise-07 ZX-6R, 10R...).
Versys 1000 and Z1400 also seems to be on the cards for Kawasaki in 2008. More info as soon as it ticks in. TS/CG's by: Luc1 and Robert O'Brien
All 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail, Dyna, Nightster Euro and CVO's ridden
I am sitting in a hotel room in York, Pennsylvania after a cool ride from NYC through lower Manhattan on Harley's new Rocker, Fat Bob and a host of CVO and 105th Anniversary models. The CVO's are a treat for the eyes and with the new 110C.i. V-twin they are pretty cool to ride too. Luckily we were not riding when that gas pipe exploded further downtown from the Hudson hotel. The ride: Via Central Park, past Times Square and all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge followed by a photo shoot. Then we rode the new Harleys past Ground Zero, Holland tunnel, Ellis Island and then motorways and B-roads to York in Pennsylvania where I today visited the Softail assembly line. Soon we will tell you more about the two Rockers, Fat Bob and CVO models. Videos will also start appearing next week. Check back as there will be several updates from NYC. Much more coming... TS
Oh, and BMW did buy Husqvarna as we told you they were in the process of doing last winter.
