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2016 Honda NC750X and Honda CB500X unveiled

The mighty red wing marque that is Honda has finally taken the wraps off its two updated-for-2016 adventure sport models. Meet the 2016 Honda NC750X and Honda CB500X twins. Both models were unveiled online ahead of their slated public debut at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.

Here are the details we’ve managed to garner as of now.

2016 Honda NC750X

Compared to its previous iteration, the 2016 model sees the NC750X gaining with a facelift. It now looks more rugged and adventurous than before, but we’ll agree if you think the facelift is rather ‘mild’.

Complementing the aesthetic revisions are other updates such as LED lights front and aft, followed by a taller windscreen for increased wind protection, a pair of new Showa ‘dual-bending valve’ forks, as well as increased helmet storage space.

Furthermore, variants primed with Honda’s DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) have gained with additional riding modes for riders to select too.

2016 Honda CB500X

Unveiled alongside its revised big brother is the revised 2016 Honda CB500X. The second of the CB500 range to undergo an update after the CBR500R, exterior changes are once again mild in this mid-sized adventure-sport.

Underneath, revisions here include a 100mm-taller windscreen, LED lighting front and aft, a revised front suspension set with pre-load adjustability and new colour schemes too.

2016 Honda NC750X

2016 Honda CB500X

Sources: Visordown ( Link 1 / Link 2 ) and Moto.it ( Link 1 / Link 2 )

New Scrambler Ducati model possibly teased

If you’ve been religiously tracking the development at Ducati this year leading up to EICMA 2015, you’d already know that the brand is set to release up to nine new models during the annual two-wheeled exhibition.

We’ve already seen a few of them, those being the new Monster 1200 R and the Diavel Carbon.

Leaked emissions application documents in the US have also revealed that the two will be accompanied by the revamped Hypermotard trio (Hypermotard, Hypermotard SP and Hyperstrada) as well as an upgrade of the 899 Panigale called the ‘959 Panigale’. If spyshots from earlier this year are to be believed, we could also see a slowed-down, belt-driven ‘cruiser’ version of the Diavel as well.

Do the math and you’d know we’re missing just a few more from that magical number of nine.Well, a recent and very cryptic teaser released on the Scrambler Ducati sub-brand’s Facebook page has perhaps shed some light into this. Whilst the comic strip introducing two new characters named Bart and Betty seems innocent enough, we are likely led to believe that we could see two more versions of the Scrambler Ducati debuting later this year.

Fuelling this further is the fact that rumours of an even smaller displacement Scrambler Ducati model have been around since last year. Details are very scarce, but rumours suggest that the ‘baby’ Scrambler will adopt an engine smaller than the current 803cc found in the Scrambler, and will either be a V-twin or perhaps a single-cylinder should Ducati decide to re-introduce the latter original engine type into the Scrambler range.

Details beyond this point remain rather scarce, but we are excited nonetheless. This year’s edition of the annual EICMA show in Milan, Italy is set to open its doors for the press on November 17 and November 18. Expect more details by then.

Sources: Scrambler Ducati Facebook, Asphaltandrubber and Visordown

2016 Kawasaki Ninja H2 – a dark sparkle

The supercharged monstrosity known as the Kawasaki Ninja H2 has gained a new paint scheme for its 2016 model year version. The new scheme, which Kawasaki calls “Mirror Coated Spark Black”, gives the Ninja H2 a much more darker stance as a result of the scheme’s blackened-out theme and nature.

Besides this dark new paint job, Kawasaki has not announce any further changes to its supercharged halo bike. Minus the new paint, it is highly likely that the model would remain mechanically unchanged from its current form.

Kawasaki has also yet to confirm if it would continue to offer the Ninja H2’s track-only sibling, the Ninja H2R, throughout 2016 as well.

You can check out the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja H2’s darkened new personality in the gallery we’ve prepared below.

Sources: YouTube, Asphaltandrubber and Visordown

Adam Norrodin joins Drive M7 SIC Moto3 team

Asia Talent Cup rider Adam Norrodin announced as Zulfahmi Khairuddin’s replacement in Drive M7 SIC Moto3 team for 2016.

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KTM 1050 Adventure launched in Malaysia @ RM77,888

Newly consolidated KTM Malaysia introduces new KTM 1050 Adventure model at the starting price of RM77,888.

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Yamaha DT-07 Concept revealed

Yamaha USA revealed its latest creation, the DT-07 flat tracker concept at the AIM Expo motorcycle show in Orlando, Florida last week.

Using a race-tuned version of the 689cc, parallel-twin engine that is powering the MT-07, the DT-07 is apparently a one-off concept that was built by Jeff Palhegyi Design and Yamaha USA’s race department.

Sporting Yamaha’s 60^th anniversary celebration Speedblock paint scheme, the DT-07 also comes with a straight-through exhaust system from Graves Racing.

Other notable highlights on the concept include the purpose-built frame, the swingarm with an adjustable pivot and link system, modified R6 conventional-style forks, Ohlins rear shock, as well as Propulsion Labs wheels.

Derek Brooks, Motorcycle Product Planning Manager for Yamaha USA said: “One of our specific goals with the Yamaha DT-07 was to retain some of the FZ-07’s styling cues. I worked with Jeff Palhegvi on the design of the bike and we literally used the FZ-07’s fuel tank cover as the basis for the body mould on the DT-07 Concept. The entire bike was essentially built from scratch, and it is Yamaha’s interpretation of what a dirt tracker designed from the ground up in 2015 should look like.”