We received some pictures of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring from the 2011 EICMA. This particular model sports the new Race Titanium Matt paint scheme which actually makes it look quite sober and elegant. Maybe it’s just a little too serious.

The 2012 Multistrada range consist of Multistrada 1200, Multistrada 1200 S Sport, Multistrada 1200 S Sport “Pikes Peak Special Edition” and Multistrada 1200 S Touring.

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“This is not the typical American motorcycle” is the opening phrase of this video on the new Motus MTS-01 touring bike. We’re inclined to believe them as this is unlike most US-style bikes you’ll see, and here the guys from Motus Motorcycles give us a run-down of what the new machine is all about from test rides conducted by journalists.

Apart from the design and ride feel of the new Motus, which is described as having great control and responsiveness at the front end, the MTS-01 sports tourer has the most amazing sound. That comes from a V4 engine derived from a car’s V8 unit. The engine unit heads are placed in a Moto Guzzi-style position, but the aspiration happens higher up just like in a car. The 1650cc unit gets 161 hp and a full 165 Nm of torque.

That to us sounds like European sports style and American innovation put together. And we like what we hear. Interestingly though, for such a raw-sounding machine one comment is that it’s quite a refined bike. The naked sports-tourer design is obviously a personal thing, and we’re guessing you can take those saddle bags off for more dynamic riding, although these guys seem to get around fast enough as it is.

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Touching up an icon like the BMW R1200GS is no easy task and so the German company has decided to go all out and just rebuild the whole thing, including fitting out its world-famous adventure tourer with a brand new water-cooled engine. These new R1200GS spy shots published both by MCN and MotorcycleUSA show that new water-cooled engine thanks to some mechanical upgrades that show themselves, like the exhaust port at the base of the engine and the hint of a radiator fan.

The most interesting point of the new water-cooling exercise for the R1200GS is not that BMW wants to improve on power. The model already has 110 hp, which is more than respectable. Rather, sources say that BMW is interested in other benefits that water cooling can provide like reduced noise and emissions, and more comfort for the rider.

The BMW R1200GS will also get significant chassis updates, a new drive train and updates to the final shaft drive and exhaust - the latter’s canister will swap sides on the bike with the shaft drive. If the radial-mount calipers in these spy shots remain, the GS will also get updated brakes, but these are minor details compared to the shift to water cooling.

In fact, seeing BMW move away from its long love affair with the air-cooled boxer twin confirms just how good the competition in adventure tourer models has become. While BMW claims no power increase is being pursued, we would see it only as a benefit anyway, as the R1200GS gets an overhaul against the Ducati Multistrada and Yamaha Super Tenere. As we hope to see the new BMW R1200GS at the 2011 EICMA show, let the games begin on the adventurer tourer front.

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Can BMW be beaten in the adventure-tourer bike segment? It’s a hard task but one that the new Triumph Adventurer 1200 intends to take on. Originally, the Triumph Adventurer 1200 looked set to beat the BMW R 1200 GS at its own game, but MCN now reports that in terms of power and performance, the new British adventure tourer could actually be closer to competing with the Ducati Multistrada.

Triumph is developing this globetrotting, long range adventure tourer with apparently about 150 hp, although power could be dropped a little in favour of a more practical feel. MCN reports a three-cylinder engine between 1150 and 1180cc, plenty of torque and more than 140 hp. Apparently it will be fitted with a shaft drive and we expect a few extra technological goodies if it’s to compete with the likes of BMW and Ducati.

The adventure segment has become a sophisticated one but one in which purist bikes still find their space. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the Triumph Adventurer get two versions, like the Tiger, with one a more offroad-oriented version with a 21-inch wheel. This spy shot shows that the new Triumph Adventurer 1200 has been used, but it’s still minus its final trim and colours, and there’s no word as to when we might see this debut.

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The BMW R 1200 R gets a new HotCam 2 Titanium Short exhaust by Laser. Made from carbonfibre the exhaust has been designed as an attractive silencer with better performance and weight saving for the bike. The titanium-carbonfibre mix makes for a lighter exhaust and has a track-going sound on removing the DB killer.

Laser Exhaust estimates a performance increase of about 4.8 hp, up to a total of 103.6 hp. The Hot Cam 2 BMW R 1200 R exhaust sells for about €800. A Duo Tech silencer in stainless steel is available at €442 and there is also a Duo Tech titanium exhaust. For more details on the HotCam range, go to the Laser Exhaust website.

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As far as we know it, this could be the first silencer kit for the new Honda Crossrunner model. LeoVince is equipping the Crossrunner with its Factory R EVO II unit from the LeoVince SBK range. The exhaust pupe is made entirely from titanium with an outlet and mounting frame in carbonfibre.

The external shell comes in either titantium or carbonfibre, and in the video we see quite an elegant look in the titanium model. The LeoVince Factory R EVO II Honda Crossrunner exhaust is sold at about 519 euros. More details from the LeoVince site.

LeoVince Honda Crossrunner exhaust

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BMW has created some new updates and kits for its “F” range for the 2012 model year. Starting with the BMW F 800 GS Triple Black kit, which takes on the same Triple Black details as used on the R 1200 GS and R 1200 GS Adventure. Available from September the F 800 GS Triple Black gets a new granite grey frame with updated graphics, a Nurburg Silver fork, black stems and a Rally black and grey seat.

All that comes finished with BMW’s new black livery for an overall mean look to this enduro model, and the Triple Black kit costs abut €170. The BMW F 650 GS on the other hand, is perfect for beginning riders with great daily use characteristics and short trip capabilities. The new F 650 GS Sun Yellow kit gives it a younger, more dynamic look with the same kind of updates as the F 800 GS but with a larger mudguard, touring windshield and bright yellow paint job. It costs about €270 and is available from September.

The BMW F 800 ST gets a new touring pack from August, which will also include new ABS brakes. That makes it a pricey little kit at about €970 but BMW says that purchasing the entire Touring kit saves about €330 off the price of just the ABS purchased as a separate optional extra.

2012 BMW F 800 GS Triple Black and F 650 GS Sun Yellow

Continue reading: BMW F 800 GS, F 650 GS and F 800 ST 2012 updates

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This video presents the two brand new Victory Motorcycles models for 2012. The models have been added to the range to expand it and don’t substitute any previous models. A new Victory Edge program has also been developed which is a new quality and performance control system to ensure the customer gets the best product.

The Victory High Ball model already debuted this year, but hasn’t been on sale so far. It will hit dealerships from next year and has been built using the Vegas and Hammer chassis. It’s very much the retro bobber bike, with wide vintage-style tyres and high handlebars. Colours include options like matte black and it will represent the entry-level model of the cruiser range.

The Victory Cross Country Tour is a new version of the standard Cross Country, but is closer to a grand touring model, particularly in teh company of two. It has features like new adjustable leg protection fairing, large windshield and a spacious top case, and will appear in the range between the Cross and the Vision.

Continue reading: Video: new Victory Motorcycles High Ball and Cross Country Tour

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As Europe comes into its busy holiday season, we had to share these pics of the “20,000 pieghe” competition. It’s a European motorcycle ride across five days that starts from Pavia in Italy and goes to Sestriere. This year saw 150 motorcycles take part, all of whom hooked up at the end with the Cesana-Sestriere rally revival and its historic cars. If you’re interested in this motorcycle ‘tour’ across northern Italy, check out the pics below to see some of the scenes you can take in.

Continue reading: Pic of the day: motorcycle tour of northern Italy

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Last year Spanish riders ruled all three Grand Prix classes, Marc Marquez in 125cc, Toni Elias in Moto2 and Jorge Lorenzo in MotoGP, and what better way for Spain to promote tourism in their fantastic country, than use the three champions.

This is one of the videos that the Spanish Tourist Board launched as part of the campaign ‘I need Spain’ to bring more people to visit Spain and see the diversity that the country offers to tourists.

Other top personalities in the campaign include top chef, Ferrán Adriá, Gisela Pulido, six times Kitesurfing World Champion, the Spanish Basketball team and the Spanish players in the Liverpool football team.

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