KTM’s smallest naked bike lineup, the 125 Duke, is set for a major update in 2023.
Since the motorcycle’s inception in 2007, the 125 Duke has established itself as the popular option for young and new riders.
However, while the rest of its bigger siblings are given a proper update, including the original 790 Duke, who is set to make a comeback, the smaller Duke seems to be left out.
But the latest report by Motorrad is about to bring joy to the 125 Duke fanboys as the Austrian firm was caught testing an updated version of baby Duke.
Looking at the photos, KTM has given the 125 Duke some new refreshments for 2023.
Motorrad says that KTM has revised the single-cylinder engine to ensure better ignition and power delivery while the exhaust has been shortened.
Nonetheless, the 125 Duke will retain the same steel tube frame with the engine sitting in a cast aluminium mounting. KTM also redesigned the aluminium-cast swingarm along with the subframe.
Other major highlights include new five-spoke cast wheels, front brake moving to the right side of the wheel, WP inverted forks, double LED headlights and TFT display.
Currently, there is no word from KTM regarding the launch date, but looking at how close the test mule is to a finished product, the 2023 125 Duke might break cover soon enough.
(Source: Motorrad)
Famous environmentalist, Sadhguru has set off on a 30,000-kilometre journey from London to India to raise awareness on his Save Soil campaign.
The campaign will see him ride his BMW K 1600 GT motorcycle across Europe and the Middle East en route to India just in time for the Summer Solstice on June 21, 2022.
The first course of the week will witness the ‘yogic guru’ riding through Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague before aiming to arrive in New Delhi in 75 days in honour of India’s 75th year of independence.
According to Sadhguru, soil depletion is a worrying rate, and he hopes that the campaign will have a significant impact on raising awareness.
“It’s extremely important that we act now. I’ve been talking about this for over 24 years, but solution can only happen when there is positive policy in every nation.
“It is still snowing in many parts of Europe and we’ll be going through that on a two-wheeler,” he said.
Although riding has been his passion, Sadhguru admits that he wants to use it to bring a positive change to the world.
The 64-year-old previously toured all of India on a Yamaha RD 350 and was also spotted cruising on a customised Honda VFR X for his ‘Save Cauvery River’ campaign.
“At this age, it’s not a joy ride. So why am I doing this? Because over 300,000 farmers have committed suicide in the last 20 years. Not just in India, across the world this is happening..one of the main concerns is soil depletion,” he added.
Sadhguru’s campaign aims at inspiring at least 3.5 billion from the world’s population to support long-term government policies to revitalise soil and reverse depletion.
(Source: News18)
KTM was recently spotted testing a new variation of the Super Adventure.
While it may look like a typical 1290 Super Adventure, some components are clearly designed to mimic the likes of Ducati’s Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak.
Like the Italian Pikes Peak edition, KTM has fitted the 1290 Super Adventure with road-going 17-inch front and rear wheels, replacing the 19-inch stock front rims.
The different wheel size also lowers the bike and helps to shift the weight onto the front, which speeds up the steering to ensure better cornering ability at high speeds.
The smaller front also allows for sportier tyre options and turns the 1290 Super Adventure into a supermoto.
While the suspension setup appears to be the same fully adjustable WP units, KTM fitted the new Super Adventure with a lighter swingarm.
However, maintaining the same suspension kit might be a backward move from Team Orange as the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak gets the yummy semi-active electronic suspension.
Nonetheless, other key highlights on the new variants is a carbon fibre front mudguard, shorter windscreen and the fancy Bosch radar sensor technology.
However, the test mule does create some questions as to why there is a need for a Pikes Peak killer build from the 1290 Super Adventure when the Austrian firm has the Super Duke GT in its stead?
(Source: MCN)
Yamaha Motor announced that the firm would donate USD700,000 (RM2.9 Million) towards humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
The donation will be made via Japan Platform – a non-profit organization – with the funds that will be used explicitly for helping those who are affected by the Russian invasion into the country.
According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, more than 902 civilians have perished in Ukraine and another 1,459 have been wounded so far in the ongoing war.
Unfortunately, the office is worried that the actual number will likely be considerably higher.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Yamaha Motor expressed its deepest condolences and sympathies to all victims affected by the war.
What began from a rumour that surfaced a few months ago has finally materialised at the 2022 Osaka Motorcycle Show as Honda officially pulls the wrap off the all-new Honda Hawk 11.
Despite the recent leaks revealing a blue coloured Hawk, Honda fielded a silver and black colour combination at the show.
The display unit is also fitted with added accessories, including a tank grip, levers and a Moriwaki exhaust system.
Nevertheless, the most attracting feature on the Hawk 11 is the retro Monza-inspired front fairing followed by chrome components, compact windscreen, round mirrors, low handlebar and sculpted fuel tank.
Despite the fact that the overall look of the Hawk 11 is almost similar to the CB4 Interceptor Concept unveiled in 2017, the new model display minimal fairing and exudes a retro-classic motorcycle DNA, similar approach by Triumph’s Speed Triple RR.
Based on the photos, the Hawk 11 offers quite a sporty ergonomics yet not as aggressive as a typical sportbike.
As previously reported, the Hawk 11 carries the same semi-double cradle steel chassis as the Rebel 1100 as the two is fitted with the same 1082.96cc parallel-twin engine capable of pumping 100hp @ 7,500rpm and 103Nm @ 6,000rm. The Hawk 11 is also available in manual and DCT transmission.
Other key highlights include USD front forks, monoshock rear suspension, disc brakes, dual-channel ABS, throttle by wire, heated grips, cruise control, cornering ABS and wheelie control.
At the moment, Honda is yet to revealed any release date for the Hawk but it is safe to assume that the new motorcycle will reach worldwide dealership soon enough.
KTM’s Miguel Oliveira produced a sensational display on a soaking wet surface to win the 2022 Indonesia GP at Mandalika.
Despite starting at seventh place, the Portuguese rider wasted no time to overtake early leaders Fabio Quartararo and Ducati’s Jack Miller.
Quartararo then dropped to 5th place behind Suzuki’s Alex Rins before climbing up the pack to second and threatening to catch Oliveira.
However, Oliveria managed to keep his calm and claimed his first victory of the season with a comfortable margin of 2.2s.
The win at Mandalika was Oliveira’s fourth MotoGP win and his first podium since Assen 2021.
Meanwhile, Pramac’s Johann Zarco completed the podium at third place. The Frenchman had a late scare when trying to keep his lane during Quartararo’s pursuit for third place, as his GP22 had a bit of a slip before gaining control.
On another note, rookie Darryn Binder claimed a Top 10 finished at 10th place despite starting the race in 23rd place on the grid.
The 24-year-old South African gave his all in the wet and even managed to pass his brother Brad (Binder) before the two swapped places in the final lap, which saw Brad go up to 8th and Darryn dropping down to 10th and securing his first points of the season nonetheless.
