Older news 6 September to December 2006

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We all remember the two Bimota Uber engineering projects Tesi 1D and Tesi 2D (and if you don't you can see them photographed at the Rimini factory below). At the EICMA show in Milan Bimota will launch the third incarnation of the Tesi. Naturally this one is called 3D. Bimota says it is a brand new project, but principals from the 2D stays. Such as the swingarm up front rather than a conventional fork. For 2007 Bimota have gone for tubular trellis  at the front as you can see from the concept sketches. A Ducati 1100DS V-twin powers the bike, but that's about the only conventional thing about the 3D apart from the fact it has got wheels and brakes as other bikes have. The good news in 2007 is that Bimota will now price it more in-line with its other bikes. This could mean Bimota have planned to build slightly more than the odd 30 or so from the past. 100 maybe? Bimota have now confirmed it will build 100 Tesi in 2007 and 50 of the show version. Exclusivity will always be Bimota's forte' and no compromising that with the Tesi 3D. Real pictures from the EICMA show very soon. Bimota will also show a redesigned DB5 R and S in Milan.

1-2-3

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha  Black Metal

These pictures have been so widely spread on the Internet that even some websites purely living on official press releases have got them! My source tells me about a possible scan from a brochure at an Italian dealer. Good for us and at least now you can see the whole bike rather than the official feed from Ducati. Because if you were to rely on seeing the whole bike at the current pace in various Ducati blogs on the internet you would see the whole bike in about 10 years or so. Full presentation and big pictures after the November 13th press conference in Milan. Tor Sagen

1098 left, Desmosedici RR right. Pretty similar...

No new news? Go read the BLOG!

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha  Black Metal

06/11: The R gets radial brakes, 4 litres more fuel capacity, redesigned front, new instruments, mirrors, led rear lights, colours and graphics as well as full Euro 3 compliance. The 990 R also gets several carbon fibre parts, orange frame, CNC machined headstock, steering damper, single seat unit (only available as a single seater) and more horsepower. The standard 2007 990 Superduke gets the radial calipers, 4 litres bigger fuel tank, new chassis details and new instruments. More pictures here. 

Check out the EICMA link if you want to know more about the 2007 MV Agusta F4 C.C. 1079. By Tor Sagen

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha  Black Metal

Next from Raptors & Rockets, Superdukes, Tigers and EICMA

On Monday we will publish the first official 2007 KTM 990 Superduke and 990 Superduke R images. Shortly we will also do the first road test of the production version of Triumph Tiger 1050. We have requested the albino Tiger for the test. This is Triumph's reply: "Fusion White Tor - it's Fusion White! Yes you can". That will happen just about the same time as the EICMA bike show in Milan kicks off with Ducati's special pre-event press conference in Milan November 13th. We will be there. Yamaha is launching the 2007 R1 in Qatar then as well, but we will settle for a road test early next year. Also from Yamaha the technical details about the M1 from the Valencia presentation. We will also tell you why Yamaha have reversed the decision to show the V-max prototype in Europe this year. More about Victory's 2007/2008 efforts. No new news? Go read the BLOG!

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha  Black Metal

We have now spent the whole morning at the NEC in Birmingham. CCM have launched their SR40 Street Scrambler and Cafe Racers SR40 and SR40S. We have encountered loads of babes too whilst waiting for the Norton NRV588 Racer to be launched. We have photographed all the 2007 new bikes again in new surroundings as well of course. BMW had a great new stand for the 3 X's. The NEC link will be updated throughout the day. TS

2005 NEC bike show     2006 NEC bike show     2005 NEC Bikebabes

2006 NEC Bikebabes

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

Aprilia will show us the brand new V4 engine destined for the 2008 Superbike at the EICMA show. Aprilia will also provide more technical details about the project for the first time. But only the engine itself, designed by Aprilia, will be on show. Design, chassis etc will remain a secret a little longer. By Tor Sagen/Robert O'Brien

2005 EICMA bike show   2006 EICMA bike show   EICMA Bikebabes

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

This week we'll be heading down to Birmingham and the NEC to set up office there for a day or two to bring all the latest bikes and babes to your computer screen! We have already added the CCM news under the 2006 link. TS

2005 NEC bike show     2006 NEC bike show     NEC Bikebabes

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We know that Aprilia are furious about the leakage of these pictures. They look like mobile phone shots from the Factory at Noale, just like last year with the new Tuono. The pictures show the new naked 750 that Aprilia might call Tuono 750, Sport Gear 850 that is an automatic, Pegaso 650 Fun and SX 650. See them all here.

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

As we have told you for a few months now Kawasaki have made the same transformation to the Z750 as to the Z1000. Meaning a upgrade of exterior design, Engine now EURO 3 compliant and a big silencer. Kawasaki have axed the Z750S for 2007 so you can make a real bargain with your Kawasaki dealer on a 2006 Z750S right now. More pictures under the 2007 Kawasaki link. Test 2006 Z750 vs. Z750S TS

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

The new 400cc Cafe Racer is a tribute to the 1981 TT winning CCM ridden by Steve Tompkins. CCM will launch both a naked and a faired version in Birmingham. Details: Tubular steel frame, Marzocchi 40mm front suspension and twin shocks at the rear, megaphone silencer, 400cc Suzuki DRZ engine that can be upgraded to 436 or 499cc, 18inch spoked wheels, Brembo brakes, 800mm seat height and 126kg dry weight. OTR price will be £5840. See the other new 2007 CCM, the SR40 Street Scrambler here. TS

KTM launched the new 690 SM at the recent INTERMOT show, but have saved several news and details until the EICMA show in November. One of them is the new 990 Superduke and 990 SDR (Superduke R). The R gets radial brakes, 4 litres more fuel capacity, redesigned front, new instruments, mirrors, led rear lights, colours and graphics as well as full Euro 3 compliance. The R also gets several carbon fibre parts, orange frame, CNC machined headstock, steering damper, single seat unit and more horsepower. We also expect a glimpse of the production ready RC8 1150 V-twin superbike in Milan. See the whole 2007 990 Superduke range here. TS

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

You would have thought that the test riders at Ducati were not allowed to stop and chat to their mates whilst big pixel camera phones were around. Unless Bologna don't mind their new superbike jewel re-appearing in the news in regular intervals ahead of the exclusive November 13th press conference in Milan. Raptors & Rockets will be there. More pictures here. TS

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

Paint it black and it goes all moody and stealthy. There are so many new black bikes that we decided to dedicate a whole page to black metal. TS

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

We know that Kawasaki have left a few surprises for us until later this year. A new Z750 will most likely be unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan in November. It will get Z1000 front and rear end styling points, but still a 4 into 1 exhaust. More exciting are the rumours about a new 800cc Ninja roadbike. Kawasaki dropped the 636 from its model line-up this year and the 750 was dropped several years ago leaving a big gap between the ZX-6R and ZX-10R. Now that WSBK regulation is out in the open when displacement for V-twins are concerned, the in-line four might get bigger too. That leaves an even bigger gap between the 600 and let's say a 1050-1100cc in-line four. With MotoGP going 800 in 2007 there are some synergy effects to consider and the ZX-8R could be Kawasaki's answer. We instructed our designer to make it as much MotoGP as possible, but expect something like this to bear similarities to the new ZX-6R. We hope Kawasaki will launch an 800 to compete with the GSX-R750 even though there are no race series for these machines anymore. Go on Kawasaki, we dare you! Kawasaki Euro marketing boss Leo Schlueter commented: "No comment" and UK marketing manager Martin Lambert commented he wouldn't speak to me on or off the record about new models. We assume in case something would slip. By Tor Sagen/CG by Luc1

INTERMOT   NEC Birmingham   EICMA Milan   2007 Aprilia   2007 Benelli   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

2008 Aprilia V4 1000 superbike

After finishing the RXV/SXV V-twin enduro and supermoto bikes the Aprilia engineers turned around to concentrate 100% on the biggest Aprilia project ever since the RS3 Cube MotoGP bike. This time the project is World Superbike glory in 2008. The tool for the job is not the RSV-R V60 anymore, but a spanking new V4 1000cc superbike. This will be a very high end bike that will feature groundbreaking technology, very high max power output and glorious design. Our Aprilia spokesperson starts to hyperventilate every time I ask him about the project, but it has been confirmed that we will not see the bike at this years EICMA Exhibition in Milan. 2008 is the year, but we might start seeing pictures of the bike being track tested during 2007. Perhaps even wildcard entries on the racetracks around the world or in the Italian superbike series to measure progress. It will be the first ever Aprilia four cylinder motorcycle and expect MV Agusta prices and design and R1 performance. Aprilia wants to win races straight away and the engineers are now working 24/7 to make sure they do so in 2008. CG by Robert O’Brien. Read more about the Tuono 750 and RSV-R 1000 here

Benelli launched a host of new models in Intermot. One of them was the new Tre-K 1130 Amazonas. Yellow as a python from the rainforest and with some serious rubber for offroad use. Benelli's Brazilian importer will take one through the Amazonas on a 9.000 mile journey. Another one for your motorcycle diaries this...

Benelli Tre-K 1130 test  Benelli at the Intermot   Benelli 2007

It's not all hard work at a motorcycle show. Check out some of the entertainment here

Check out the new R1 as we photographed it in the flesh in Cologne.

INTERMOT 2006

More here

 See more pictures here.

More here.

In 2007 Ducati makes the Sport 1000 available as a Biposto version. In addition to the standard version Ducati have also launched the Sport 1000 S with red frame and a classic fairing with a round headlamp. Also Biposto. The GT1000 now comes in a new two-toned colour scheme. See the GT 1000 and Sport 1000 here. TS

Back after attending a long fly-away world launch. From the Victory launch we learned that Victory is well advanced in planning its forthcoming luxury tourer. It will get stereo, luxurious seats, both for the passenger and rider, groundbreaking American design that according to Victory should last 10-15 years-in effect three times as long as Victory has been in serious business, expect Gold Wing 'ish proportions, a big thumping V-twin engine of at least 100c.i making it the most ambitious Victory project ever. You will get pictures in December and we will ride the new tourer in April or March next year. One for the calendar. Victory will be present in Intermot, but for the big news at Intermot we'll have to look over to Japan first. Honda have already launched pictures of the new CBR600RR, new colours on existing models and the 2007 cruiser range. We expect both a new Hornet (599) and Pan European plus much more. We will attend Honda's pre-event press conference in Cologne on Monday 9th October. Read the rest here about the 2008 Hayabusa and another new Harley to be revealed.

The 2007 Yamaha news have been the best guarded secret in 2006. Not anymore... Look at the new gorgeous R1(L) and the R6(R) with new colours. More detail as soon as we get them in. More pictures and details here

2007 Aprilia   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

BMW have gone all black for 2007 and several of the current models gets a bucket of black paint. The K1200S, K1200LT, R1200GS and R1200RT all gets some fresh new colours for 2007. TS   2007 BMW     Intermot

From Italy: Ducati Scrambler and Benelli Leo 756

For real pictures from the floor at the INTERMOT use this link

More info coming soon.

2007 Kawasaki ZX-6R and 1400GTR added here. Benelli Leo 750 coming.

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Our man in Paris at the Suzuki 2007 press conference provided live updates from the event with all the 2007 Suzuki news. Update with more pictures and more thorough presentations of the new bikes coming. B-King 1300 launched!,  GSX-R1000 with 3-way ECU traction control, Bandit 1250 and Burgman updates. Check them all out here.

2007 Aprilia   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

Aprilia launched the revamped Tuono R with the latest RSV-R engine last year. Since then we have been waiting for the Factory version with full Ohlins suspension and carbon fibre goodies. Well, here it is with a more powerful engine and a new paint scheme as well. Read more and see more pictures of the new bike here.  TS

2007 Aprilia   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

Upd. 22/09! The 2007 Triumph Tiger 1050 has not been the best kept secret in the business this year. After countless magazines have rotted together against Triumph's wishes (in effect breaking embargos and trust) Triumph today chose to release the Tiger pictures and info. And since we didn't have the chance to either show the pictures first or ride the bike first we are giving you a nice big picture that shows all the details better than anywhere else until now. But we will have one of the first proper road tests (not just a day's impressions) on UK soil this year. The bike will be officially launched to the world press in Las Vegas in November. The new Tiger features a tweaked 1050cc 115bhp version of the... Read the rest here, and also the news about the 2007 Sprint ST, Triumph America and Speedmaster.

Coming this week: the whole 2007 Suzuki & Triumph range!

The latest about the new Ducati superbike is that a 1100 will be launched this year to replace the standard 999 and 999S. Ducati have already showed us their first litre+ bike ever in the Multistrada 1100. That was a upgrade of the 1000DS air-cooled Desmo that is expected to be carried on to both a Monster S2R and possibly to the Supersport. The Ducati sports classic remains as they are today with the 992cc engine. The new air-cooled engine based on the DS is now of 1078cc displacement. The liquid cooled performance engine is a brand new engine destined for Superbike racing. For some reason it looks like we will get an 1100 in 2007 and a 1200 in 2008. Read more here. TS/CG: Robert O'Brien

Next: 2007 Triumph Tiger-115bhp and 100Nm, Suzuki 2007 news, Road test Benelli Tornado 1130 and Tre-K at Misano, Bill Davidson interview, Victory 2007 road tests and much more.

To see what we caught on our mobile phone camera whilst partying with thousands of Harley fans in Faaker See in Austria click on the link. Not work safe by the way. NWS! Bikebabes from Austria, stripping!   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Night Rod Special

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In 2006 Aprilia launched its heavily revamped RS125 with all new bodywork and fresh angles. For 2007 it is expected that Aprilia will upgrade its Tuono 125 as well with fresh styling clues from the big Tuono R and RS125. Following tradition the 39bhp 1-cylinder two-stroke will look something like our artists rendition. TS/CG by Robert O'Brien   2007 Aprilia

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The K7 GSX-R1000 pictures will be out tomorrow in the gossip press. Already last week the pictures appeared, but it would have been overkill with the new CBR600RR to release last week. We know how it looks like. It is a very close design to the current GSX-R600 and 750. The under belly exhaust is there, but with two bigger silencers. All the details from Paris the 21st of September. 2007 Suzuki

Send Raptors & Rockets all your 2007 Suzuki news

And 2007 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati 1199R, 2007 Aprilia RS 125 Tuono, 2007 Aprilia Tuono Factory and much more...

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See the new pictures of the new Fireblade colours and the new Shadow Spirit VT750 here. 2007 Aprilia   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

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Honda have brought out its best paintjob again for the 2007 VFR800 or Interceptor as the pictured US model is called. Anyone thinking RC30 when looking at this paintjob with special 25th anniversary decals? TS

2007 Honda

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Ducati have shown some new faith in the Multistrada and now the air-cooled L-twin has grown to a big 1078cc displacement. That's 86cc more than the old DS1000 engine. New performance figures are 95bhp @7750rpm and 10.5Kgm @ very low 4750rpms. New Bore/Stroke is: 98x71,5. Ducati could probably have gained even more horsepower from the big bore Multistrada, but it also had to comply with Euro 3. But the figures sounds very good for the Multi(s)purpose in the real world. And surprise, surprise Ducati is now using a wet clutch to improve feel in the lever, make it quieter and more durable. More here: 2007 Ducati

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First official pictures of the 2007 Honda CBR600RR. One thing is for sure and that is that not much have been left untouched on the new bike! Notice that huge centrally mounted Ram-air in the same style as the SP2. It has got 118 horsepower and it weighs 155kg dry. And you can see the electronic steering damper. Ohh, and the displacement is 599cc! TS 14 new pictures of the 07 CBR 600RR here

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Ducati have now given the S4R higher specs than ever, almost the same as the S4Rs apart from Ohlins suspension. That involves the 998cc, 130bhp Testastretta engine and top spec radial Brembo calipers. S4R gets a Showa fork and Sachs rear monoshock. Bike will be available from October. Only suspension differs from the S. TS More here

2007 Aprilia   2007 BMW   2007 Ducati   2007 Harley-Davidson   2007 Honda   2007 Kawasaki   2007 KTM   2007 Suzuki   2007 Triumph   2007 Victory   2007 Yamaha

I just can't stop looking at this video of a Gold Wing with and without airbag being crash tested!

Next: 2007 Honda CBR600RR, 2007 Harley-Davidson including chat with Bill Davidson, Bimota Tesi 3D, Latest on Ducati 999 replacement, Aprilia V4 claimed "beautiful" already+ more from Noale, Aprilia RS125 road test, Triumph 675 race-support, 2007 Suzuki Hayabusa & GSX-R1000 worlds first official pictures, first ride on the 2007 Victory models, Porn king rides (bikes) in Morocco and much more.

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