2012 Suzuki GSR750 ABS

When Suzuki’s naked GSR750 was introduced last year, one key item was missing from the spec sheet: anti-lock brakes.



Now that omission has been fixed with the launch of the GSR750 ABS, which goes on sale this month.

The UK on the road price has been set at £7,478, which is just £350 more than the non-ABS version. As an extra incentive, there’s currently a £650 cash back offer that runs until the end of April, but to qualify the bike has to be bought using Suzuki’s finance scheme.



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V-Strom accessory packs

With the arrival of the updated 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS earlier this year, the short-lived XP version seemed to disappear from the line-up.



So, to maintain the appeal of its middleweight to adventure and touring riders, Suzuki has launched three accessory packs which are available now for both new and used bikes.

Starting things off is the Tourer Pack, which comprises a lower engine cowling, chain guard, accessory bar (designed to protect the radiator side cowls), 14 litre magnetic tank bag, tank protector and hand guards. The cost is £499 including VAT and fitting, a saving of £121 compared to buying all the components separately.



Next up is the Adventure Pack, which will probably tempt regular commuters as much as those contemplating epic journeys to the back of beyond. It includes all the elements of the Tourer Pack (except the tank bag) and adds a 42 litre top case, a centre stand and the Vario adjustable screen. It’s priced at £999 including VAT and fitting.



Finally, the £1,299 GT Pack focuses on maximum luggage capacity. That’s because it features a pair of panniers that together offer 70 litres of volume, as well as the 42 litre top case, centre stand, hand guards and lower engine cowling.



Oddly, given its potential for touring, the Vario screen, accessory bar, chain guard and tank protector are all absent from the GT Pack. Maybe Suzuki decided that attempting to add any more than £1,299 to the V-Strom’s retail price of £6,899 would not be well received?



Given the all-weather, all-season riders these packs are aimed at, the one glaring omission from all of them is heated handlebar grips. They are, however, available as a Suzuki accessory for an additional £269.



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Husqvarna Concept Strada

Under BMW ownership, Husqvarna has been very busy developing its range of on-road motorcycles. The Nuda 900R was launched earlier this year, and now there’s going to be a smaller capacity model based on the Concept Strada.

Just revealed at the Salon de la Moto show in Paris, the Concept Strada is aimed at any rider who needs a lightweight, fun and nippy bike for everyday use.



Like the Nuda 900R, it uses an engine borrowed from BMW, which in this case is the 46 bhp (35 kW / 48 PS) 652 cc single-cylinder out of the G 650 GS. It hasn’t been a straight transfer though, as Husqvarna has taken the opportunity to raise the power output (although for now the exact increase is unspecified).



A production version of the Concept Strada is scheduled for launch sometime in 2012.

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Suzuki reveals Inazuma 250

There aren’t too many 250 cc motorcycles currently on sale in Europe. The Honda CBR250R and Kawasaki Ninja 250R spring to mind, but they’re both very much sports-orientated.



So the Inazuma 250, which Suzuki has just launched at the Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham, could open up a whole new niche when sales begin in just under a year’s time.

With naked styling inspired by the large-capacity B-King, it’s aimed at commuters or those looking for their first ‘proper’ bike. It’ll feature a novice-friendly liquid cooled, parallel-twin, 248 cc engine connected to a six-speed gearbox.

Given the target audience, power delivery is going to be biased towards the lower end of the rev range, and there’ll be a three-mode RPM indicator that prompts the rider to change gear to minimise fuel consumption.

Pricing for the Suzuki Inazuma 250 has yet to be confirmed.



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Honda’s three electric bikes

As part of its display at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show, Honda will be exhibiting three electric motorcycle concepts.



The most striking is definitely the extremely pretty RC-E. As the Honda blurb states, it’s ‘an EV version of a super sports bike that pursues the joy of riding. A powerful and smooth ride unique to an EV model is achieved with the 250cc-class compact body.’ No word yet on likely range, performance or recharge times, though.

Slightly more peculiar is the Motor Compo, which resembles a suitcase that’s sprouted wheels and a set of handlebars. Designed as a compact commuter vehicle, its battery pack can be removed to power other things. What exactly the average commuter needs to power is anyone’s guess, but nevertheless it’ll be a useful feature if it means recharging can be done away from the bike.

Last of the trio is the E-Canopy. It has been created by installing an EV system into the popular Gyro Canopy tilting three-wheel scooter and, as with its petrol-powered counterpart, a large rear cargo box can be fitted for urban deliveries.

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Honda NC700X and NC700S

When the new Integra maxi scooter was first revealed back in September, Honda said that it would soon be joined by a pair of mid-size motorcycles using the same running gear.



And, good to its word, the EICMA bike show has seen the debut of the naked NC700S and crossover-styled NC700X.

2012 Honda NC700S.

2012 Honda NC700X

Like the Integra, power for both comes from a twin-cylinder 670 cc that produces a fairly modest 51 bhp (38 kW / 52 PS) and 62 Nm (45 lb/ft) of peak torque.



That’s clearly way down on potential rivals such as the 71 bhp (53 kW / 72 PS) Kawasaki ER-6 and 70 bhp (52 kW / 71 PS) BMW F 650 GS. However, it could be that Honda is attempting to create a new market niche where the focus is on fuel economy rather than outright performance.



Further differentiating the two NC700 bikes is Honda’s semi-automatic Dual Clutch Transmission, which will be available as an option.



Prices and market launch dates have yet to be confirmed.



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BMW unveils maxi scooters

Following several concepts, the production versions of BMW’s maxi scooter have been revealed at the EICMA bike show in Milan.



Called the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT, the naming is somewhat confusing as both feature the same 647 cc twin-cylinder engine. Connected to a continuously variable transmission, it develops 59 bhp (44 kW / 60 PS) at 7,500 rpm, with a peak torque figure of 66 Nm (48 lb/ft) at 6,000 rpm.



Those outputs are similar to the recently-announced 670 cc Honda Integra but, understandably, a bit less than larger-capacity maxi scooters such as the Gilera GP800 and Aprilia SRV 850.

The BMW C 600 Sport...

... and the C 650 GT. Scroll down for more images.

The motor, which is angled forward by 70°, sits in a tubular bridge frame and acts as a load-bearing element for enhanced rigidity. Combined with 40 mm front forks and a single rear spring strut, the chassis set-up has been tuned to offer both high-speed stability and motorcycle-like agility.



Anti-lock brakes are going to be fitted as standard, as is a ‘hold brake’ that’s automatically activated when the side stand is down - a useful feature to have when parking on a slope.



With the two versions being technically identical, the differences between them are purely cosmetic.



The C 600 Sport has more minimal bodywork with a manually-adjustable windscreen, and includes the ‘FlexCase’ under-seat storage system that can accommodate two helmets.



Its riding position has been optimised for a more dynamic riding style, characterised by flatter handlebars with an 810 mm (31.9 inches) seat height. Colour choice comprises Sapphire Black Metallic, Cosmic Blue Metallic Matt or Titanium Silver Metallic.



Designed mainly for long-distance comfort, the C 650 GT comes with higher-set handlebars, a lower 780 mm (30.7 inches) seat height, an adjustable backrest for the rider and floorboards instead of footrests for the pillion passenger.



For extra weather protection the body panels are larger, as is the screen which is electrically adjustable on this model. The C 650 GT will be available in Sapphire Black Metallic, Platinum Bronze Metallic or Vermilion Red Metallic paintwork.



The new generation of BMW scooters may not be as daring as the firm’s previous effort, the C1, but they’re bound to gain market acceptance more readily. Prices and on-sale dates for the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT have yet to be confirmed.

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Husqvarna Concept MOAB

Husqvarna’s Concept MOAB has been designed as a contemporary take on the scrambler theme.



Unveiled at the Milan EICMA bike show, it’s powered by a 650 cc engine that sits inside a perimeter frame, and features 17” wheels with semi-knobbly on / off-road tyres.

Husqvarna Concept MOAB. Scroll down for more images.

The attractive styling is defined by the distinctive tank and long seat unit, while yellow number boards add a finishing touch. As is befitting for a scrambler the handlebars are high and wide, plus they house a neat digital instrument panel in their upper crossbar. There’s also an engine start / stop button that looks suspiciously like it’s been borrowed from one of parent company BMW’s cars.

It’d be a shame if the Concept MOAB didn’t turn into a production model, but undoubtedly Husqvarna is going to gauge public reaction before making the final decision.

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BMW F 800 R updated

BMW has revised its naked F 800 R for 2012. The alterations are purely cosmetic though, with the most noticeable difference being the redesigned side panels.



In addition, the previously optional body-coloured handlebar fairing and white indicators have become part of the standard specification, the rear suspension strut spring is now red and the front mudguard is painted to match the rest of the bike.

Technically things are unchanged, which means the twin-cylinder, 798 cc engine still produces 85 bhp (64 kW / 87 PS). Drive to the rear wheel remains via a chain, rather than the innovative belt-drive system of the F 800 S and F 800 ST - a missed opportunity for BMW to really differentiate the F 800 R, perhaps?



Sales of the 2012 BMW F 800 R are due to begin next month, and buyers will have the choice of Alpine White / Black Satin Gloss, Magma Red / White Aluminium Metallic Matt or Mineral Silver Metallic colour schemes. Its price in Germany has been set at €8,400 including VAT.

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MV Agusta Brutale 675

MV Agusta has revealed its latest naked bike, the Brutale 675. Due for a public debut at next week’s EICMA bike show, the new arrival features plenty of technology combined with striking looks.

2012 MV Agusta Brutale 675. Scroll down for more images.

Like the F3, power comes from a 675 cc three-cylinder engine with a counter-rotating crankshaft. For the Brutale its power output is reduced slightly to 113 bhp (84 kW / 114 PS) at 12,500 rpm, although peak torque of 71 Nm (52 lb/ft) at 10,600 rpm remains the same.



Both are impressive figures that promise exciting performance, especially as the bike weighs just 163 kg (358 lbs) without fluids.



The brain of the Brutale 675 is the Motor and Vehicle Integrated Control System, or MVICS for short. This links the ‘Full Ride By Wire’ throttle, the engine maps (four standard plus an additional one that’s rider programmable) and the eight-stage traction control system.



Keeping the MV on the road is a suspension set-up that includes 43 mm upside-down front forks and a single-sided, aluminium alloy rear swingarm which incorporates a Sachs damper. Stopping power comes courtesy of Brembo radial calipers, dual 320 mm front discs and a single 220 mm rear disc.



Buyers will be able to choose from either Red / Silver, Pearl White / Matt Gold or Matt Magno Grey / Matt Anthrocite colour schemes when sales begin in March 2012.



The Eurozone price has been set at €8,990 (subject to local tax variations), while in the UK the MV Agusta Brutale 675 will cost £7,999 on the road.

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