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

0 comments

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

0 comments

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

0 comments

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.

0 comments

After reports that Harley-Davidson has posted its first positive earnings results since 2006, it seems like an appropriate time to see what the 2012 range offers. New models have been included, the first being the new Switchback based on the Dyna model. It’s a touring model based on the custom FLD chassis, which uses the TwinCam 103 engine.

The twin-cylinder 1690cc engine has a twin rear shock, and the new Switchback gets ABS on a decidedly touristic model with elements in common with the Road King tourer, but on a custom bike style. It has a new front end with chrome stems, integrated headlight and a tapered rear with hard saddlebags and a lovely, low-slung exhaust that runs along the side.

Compared to the classic Road King touring model, the Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback is lighter at 330 kg compared to the bigger bike’s 373. HD might have just butchered its classic touring model with a lighter, custom-style tourer with attractive looks which could be a clever alternative in the range for the new year.

Continue reading: 2012 Harley Davidson Dyna Switchback

0 comments

The Honda Gold Wing has now made history as the world’s greatest (and biggest) motorcycle touring model. The first Goldwing to be released was the Honda GL1000 and it had already established itself as the biggest, most comfortable kilometre-going tourer on the market, before the next generations came along.

The GL1800 Gold Wing hasn’t received any great updates since 2001, and now we get both style and technical updates for the new 2012 Gold Wing. The new model keeps us with innovation for the new generation, maintaining its spot as the best tourer around. The new body panels and styling upgrades are the first things to notice, with new headlights, grey side panels and an updated rear layout with a centrally-mounted light.

Aerodynamics on the new Gold Wing have been improved with more homogenous saddle bags and a compact, close fit design. Studies in the Honda wind tunnel were carried out, to create better wind protection for the lower body. Chassis upgrades include changes to the suspension with a Pro-arm rear swingarm and final shaft drive. The model is set to be a more comfortable one with greater ride stability.

Continue reading: 2012 Honda Gold Wing GL1800

0 comments

Here are new videos of the Honda Crossrunner sports adventure bike. The static and dynamic Crossrunner videos would seem to confirm that the model is back on our radar, and on the market. Seeing the riding video of the Honda Crossrunner, the V4 technology doesn’t initially excite for its sporty ride, but then some country riding and onboard shots restore the idea.

The Crossrunner is a sports-adventure bike and it has a price tag to match its technical specs. The Crossrunner price in Europe is nearly 11,000 euros, making it a pricey option in its segment, but then again the V4 technology is one that Honda backs and is particularly proud of. The Crossrunner has 100 hp and 73 Nm of torque, and a long list of optionals to go with it. See more after the jump.

Continue reading: Honda Crossrunner videos

0 comments

When the BMW Concept 6 was first shown, it was a naked bake that made room for the first BMW six-cylinder motorcycle. On heading to production though, we got the sophisticated and powerful BMW K1600GT touring bikes. So what happened to that first naked sportsbike? According to internet rumours, we could see a new BMW K1600R six-cylinder naked developed.

VisorDown reports that a BMW K1600R could be in the works. Certainly a six-cylinder bike would suit both the design and riding style of a naked bike, but the six-cylinder that was developed by BMW is in fact, less powerful than the older four-cylinder “K” engine by about 13hp. To then tune-up the six-cylinder to make it more powerful makes us wonder if there’s any point to the exercise at all.

Not only is the K1300R a more powerful bike, it’s also a reasonably priced one, meaning that a new six-cylinder naked would have a tall order at coming close to that value for money. If the project does happen though, we could see the old 1300cc four-cylinder engine disappear altogether. With other projects keeping BMW busy at the moment, we might not see any BMW K1600R naked before 2013.

2 comments

The 2011 Dolomites Ride motorcycle tour has taken place with about 120 riders taking part, and here we have some photographs from the guys at Motoblog.it. There’s nothing better to encourage some summer riding than pictures of a motorcycle tour in beautiful countryside. The Dolomites tour takes in about 150 km of Italy’s majestic mountains, and other events organised by Yamaha include a Sport Riding School, test rides and demo rides. If you haven’t already done so, it is definitely time to get out your leathers.

2011 Dolomite Ride motorcycle festival

Continue reading: 2011 Dolomite Ride: the pics

0 comments

What would you give to be exploring the roads and offroads of Panama? In these videos from HalfThrottle, we get cool music, great landscapes and a battered Kawasaki KLR650 which keeps going the distance. The words from the man himself on the video above are:

I love riding motorcycles, any kind of motorcycle. It just so happens that right now I have a KLR650, and in my mind that means it must be the best motorcycle in the world. In time I will get a different motorcycle, and it will become the best motorcycle in the world.

This film is about loving, and riding what you have now. Stop worrying about not being able to afford your dream bike, and just enjoy this moment with whatever motorcycle you may have.

Check out more from this motorcycle tour of Panama on the Halfthrottle YouTube channel. Thanks to Ryan for the email.

0 comments