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EICMA 2015: Yamaha MT-10 debuts

Having already set a milestone with its all-new 2015 YZF-R1, Japanese powerhouse Yamaha have opted surprise everyone by debuting the superbike’s naked offshoot during EICMA 2015.

Meet the all-new Yamaha MT-10 super-naked. Essentially, this is the budget-friendly Yamaha R1S superbike as we know it reborn as a streetfighter.

As far as its design goes, the work is rather controversial to say the least with Yamaha fans being divided over it. Nevertheless, we can’t argue at the fact that it looks rather sharp and quite futuristic, more akin to some of Yamaha’s radical concepts instead of a full-blown production bike.

More importantly, the MT-10’s arrival signals Yamaha entry into the competitive super-naked segment, and sees the brand completing its range of offerings to cover a wide spectrum of buyers. Yamaha has been absent in the high performance naked bike segment since perhaps the Fazer 1000 model.

Being based on the venerable R1 superbike, the MT-10 shares the same 998cc CP4 crossplane in-line four-cylinder from its fully-faired sibling, albeit detuned ‘slightly’ with just 165hp and roughly 101.6Nm of torque. Complementing the powertrain are features such as a three-level traction control feature, a slipper clutch, as well as a cruise control function.

The chassis is also derived from the R1S, with the MT-10 also retaining the same suspension set and swingarm assembly. And, minus the Bosch IMU, much of the R1S’s electronics package is also retained here in the MT-10. Other notable highlights include a full LCD dash, 320mm twin floating front discs with quad-piston radial calipers combined with a single 220mm rear disc with a sliding calipers, as well as ABS.

Clearly, Yamaha has got the BMW S1000R naked in its target crosshairs, explaining the standard equipped cruise control. This being based on the budget R1S, we can also expect this MT-10 to carry a lower pricing from the flagship R1 as well. There is no doubt though that the MT-10 now sits at the top of the brand’s MT naked model range.

2016 Yamaha MT-10

Sources: Asphaltandrubber / Visordown / MCN

EICMA 2015: All-new Suzuki GSX-R1000 finally unveiled

After being absent from the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the long wait is finally over after the covers were pulled off an all-new Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike.

Its been a full 11 years since Suzuki fully updated the model, and this new GSX-R1000, which bears the ‘L7’ chassis code, arrives sporting plenty of new hardware and an all-new look as well.

Suzuki claims this new sixth generation GSX-R1000 is the lightest, most powerful and best handling GSX-R ever built, and we have very little reason to doubt that claim. This 6th generation GSX-R1000, or better known as the ‘Gixxer’ thousand amongst fans, is also the most highly equipped version of the superbike ever built.

As far as looks go, the sixth-gen Gixxer thousand now boasts a brand new face and yet, the bike’s lines remains rather distinctively unmistakable as a Gixxer. There’s new LED lighting all round that is complimented with a new LED dash display as well, giving this new L7 Gixxer a very high-tech touch. Of course, what counts for the most is what’s beneath the pretty new metal and this sixth-gen Gixxer has got plenty to boast.

For starters, it gains with a new and improved 999cc in-line four-cylinder engine primed with variable valve timing (VVT). The S-brand’s new litre-sized screamer offers 200hp and about 111Nm of peak torque. Highlights here include Suzuki Racing Finger valve train follower rocker arm to improve valve control and allow higher rpm, while the Suzuki Exhaust Tuning-Alpha (SET-A) and Suzuki Top Feed Injector (S-TFI) systems, which all combine to make what Suzuki call their Broad Power System. Crucially though, much of these were developed off the S-brand’s GSX-RR MotoGP bike.

The mill is encased within an all-new chassis design made using lightweight aluminium, but the icing on its cake has to be the Showa Balance Free Front Forks (BFFF) that was first seen in the rivalling 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. The Gixxer takes things up a notch though by pairing that with Showa’s Balance Free Rear Cushion at the back, and if our trained eyes are correct, you even get of twin Brembo anchors up front as well.

Like the rivalling Yamaha YZF-R1 and Kawasaki ZX-10R, the new Gixxer thousand also arrives with a full array of new electronics and advanced rider aids. Things start off with a quick-shifter and auto-blipper, followed by a 10-level traction control system, launch control, as well as three different riding modes thanks to ride-by-wire, not forgetting the all-important advanced ABS suite too.

The new sixth-generation Suzuki GSX-R1000 is expected to hit markets starting early next year but prices are still undisclosed for now. Nevertheless, this is one superbike we know will stack well against its other Japanese- and European-made litre-classed rivals indeed.

2016 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (L7)

Sources: Asphaltandrubber and MCN

2016 MV Agusta Brutale 800 fully ‘teased’ in video

Italian motorcycle artisans MV Agusta have just released its teaser video for the refreshed 2016 MV Agusta Brutale 800 naked model. Though called a ‘teaser’, the video ironically reveals the revised bike in full, showing off some of the cosmetic changes the Varese brand has performed for its core naked bike model.

Though we are visually clear on the aesthetic revisions, MV Agusta have withheld any further information surrounding the refreshed naked. Seems the brand wants to save the details for the bike’s scheduled debut at the annual EICMA show in Milan that is set to open its doors this week.

In any case, the changes are rather clear in comparison to the outgoing 2015 model. Firstly, this 2016 model sports a revised tail section, complemented with a redesigned triple-exhaust and tail lamp as well. Up front comes a smartened up front fascia thanks to the revised and rear-swept headlamp design, a restyled fuel tank, as well as a set of new intake ducts and radiator fairings.

Visually, it is difficult to ascertain any mechanical revisions from the video. However, sources are led to believe that much of the oily bits remain unchanged from the outgoing 2015 version. Of course, this is still subject to confirmation, so we will have to wait until MV Agusta things official once EICMA 2015 opens its doors.

Sources: YouTube / Moto.it / Asphaltandrubber / Visordown

Video: Ducati teases mysterious new model

The annual EICMA show is happening later this month in just over two weeks, but this did not stop Ducati from releasing a new teaser video for one of its reported nine new models that will debut during the show. The dark and stylised video does not reveal much, but we can somewhat make out shape of the bike’s tank along with bits and pieces of its rear lights.

Despite the video’s dark silhouette masking, the visible tank shape has lead us to believe that this could be the rumoured belt-driven cruiser off-shoot of the brand’s Diavel supercruiser. Furthermore, the bike’s tagline of “This is style” suggest a non-performance edge with the product, and we assume it could be more of lifestyle bike if anything.

Nevertheless, we have no doubts that this is one of the nine new models the brand will reportedly showcase during the show. Amongst them are the new Monster 1200 R and the Diavel Carbon. Also rumoured to be part of this nine-model line-up are possibly two new Scrambler Ducati models.

EICMA 2015 opens its doors to the press later this month on November 17 and 18. However, Ducati will be hosting its on private premier on November 16. The brand will also the event online and you can the details here.

Sources: Ducati via Visordown and YouTube

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

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Italy

Having already set a milestone with its all-new 2015 YZF-R1, Japanese powerhouse Yamaha have opted surprise everyone by debuting the superbike’s naked offshoot during EICMA 2015.

2016 Yamaha MT-10

After being absent from the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the long wait is finally over after the covers were pulled off an all-new Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike.

2016 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (L7)

Famed Italian brand Ducati is set for a major model expansion with nine new models reported for debut at EICMA 2015.

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Yamaha took the wraps off new 2015 YZF-R1 and R1M supersports, as well as the 2015 MT-09 Tracer in EICMA 2014.

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