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test mule

Earlier this year, Aprilia was caught testing a smaller version of the RS 660, which was reported to be a 440cc sports bike.

  • The test mule was caught testing alongside the upcoming Moto Guzzi Stelvio.
  • In the latest development, new details emerge about the upcoming Aprilia RS 440.

Engine and Performance

The new Aprilia RS 440 is set to feature a 440cc parallel-twin engine, boasting approximately 45 bhp of power and 40 Nm of torque. Designed for those looking to upgrade from smaller bikes, the RS 440 is equipped with a 6-speed gearbox and is likely to offer liquid cooling.

Design Elements 

Spy shots reveal significant refinements in the motorcycle’s body design, displaying clear lineage to the Aprilia family. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are reminiscent of those on the new RS 660. These DRLs not only serve as accent lights but could potentially double as turn indicators, although this is yet to be confirmed.

The bike features a split headlight design, an integrated windshield for enhanced aerodynamics, and a sculpted fuel tank. The fairing, which encapsulates most of the engine, is one of the standout design features, adding a sleek yet aggressive look to the motorcycle.

Chassis and Braking

Contrary to the RS 660’s twin disc setup, the RS 440 will incorporate a single disc setup at both ends, likely featuring radial calipers at the front. The bike also sports a custom cast rear swingarm, which is less sophisticated than that of its bigger sibling, the RS 660.

Additional Features

The RS 440 is expected to come with a fully digital instrument screen and dual-channel ABS. Bi-directional quick shifting is also highly likely to be a feature. The absence of a tire hugger and a neatly integrated underbelly exhaust point toward the bike’s focus on mass centralization.

The Triumph-Bajaj partnership has been progressing steadily over recent months, and it seems that a new bike is on the horizon. A recent video posted on YouTube by The Fat Biker has given us the clearest look yet at a Triumph Bajaj test mule being tested on roads in India.

  • The test mule is seen with alloy wheels instead of wire-spoked wheels shown last year. 
  • Reports suggest the all-new motorcycle is likely to break cover towards the end of 2023. 

The bike is believed to be a 400cc machine, with a neutral and upright seating position and mid-mounted foot pegs. It features cast wheels (19-inch up front and a 17-inch in the rear), high-mounted fenders front and rear, and an underslung exhaust with a dual-tipped canister mounted low on the right side. LED lighting is present throughout the bike, and the speedometer is analog.

While it’s not yet clear when the new Triumph-Bajaj bike will be formally revealed, bike press in India believes it will happen later in 2023. 

The upcoming bike is expected to directly compete with other scramblers like the Royal Enfield Scram 411, the Yezdi Scrambler, and the Honda CB350RS.

With eight months to go until the formal reveal, enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting more information about this exciting new offering from the Triumph-Bajaj partnership. Stay tuned for more updates on this upcoming model.

Several spy photos have emerged what looks like a new small-capacity KTM Duke undergoing testing in Spain. 

  • The test mule is likely to be an updated version of the 125 Duke. 
  • The bike features a new redesigned headlight and revised subframe. 

The test mule can be seen HERE as published by European publication Motociclimso. However, from the looks of it, the test mule is still in an early stage given that many components are not yet completed. 

While we have no information regarding the engine capacity, it is likely an update for either the 125 Duke or 390 Duke. However, looking at the engine size and exhaust exit, it is possible that we are looking at the 125. 

Taking a closer look at the bodywork, we can see a design language that is similar to the KTM 1290 Super Duke R and Super Duke R EVO.

That said, the front shroud bodywork extends towards the front past the fork legs. The rear subframe also appears to be a cast aluminium instead of the steel tubular design. 

The test mule also features a redesigned headlamp but continue to portray the Duke’s DNA. 

While the new development seems exciting, it is difficult to predict when will the new machine make its way to production. 

This isn’t the first time that the next-generation KTM 390 Duke has been spotted testing in India. 

  • Next-gen KTM 390 Duke caught testing again in India. 
  • The upcoming single-cylinder naked motorcycle could feature bigger displacement. 

In fact, from the previous sighting, we already conclude that the upcoming 390 Duke will feature a revised engine and rerouted exhaust system.

However, there’s also an ongoing rumour that the 390 Duke will get a bump in displacement to 399cc. 

In an exciting development, the latest spy shot does suggest that the next-gen 390 Duke sports a larger radiator with a twin-fan setup (the current model only has one) as reported by AutoCarIndia. 

This could suggest that the upcoming model offers more power, likely due to the increase in displacement. 

While the turn of events sounds exciting, there is also the possibility that the extra fan is simply to help improve cooling for the current engine, similar to the one found in the 390 Adventure.

Also, the spy shot revealed a revised swingarm, assuming it’s lighter than the current model. The test mule also features a sharper fuel tank design, redesigned headlight and a wider saddle.

The new 390 Duke is expected to be launched sometime this year. 

The Covid-19 pandemic might have delayed the Triumph-Bajaj motorcycle project over the last three years but with things are moving positively these days, the motorcycle is is getting closer for its global debut.

  • Bajaj-produced Triumph motorcycle could roll out to production soon.
  • Latest test-mule hints at more than one variant. 

The Bajaj-produced Triumph first made an appearance back in February with the test mule sported with a single-cylinder engine. 

At the time, there’s no confirmation regarding the bike’s variants but latest spy shot from India’s Bike Dekho confirms that the upcoming Triumph-Bajaj motorcycle could comes in two different trims.

That’s because, the latest test mule features wire-spoked wheels as opposed to the former that is shod with 17-inch alloy wheels.

Interestingly, the latest test mule also features hand guards and a high-mounted front fender. 

That said, the test mule is likely to be a scrambler version of Triumph-Bajaj’s upcoming motorcycle but since both parties is yet to confirm this, it’s best to leave it to our imagination. 

One thing for sure, the highly anticipated motorcycle from Triumph-Bajaj partnership should arrive by 2023. 

KTM’s parent company, Pierer Industrie AG bought Husqvarna from BMW back in 2013.

The Austrian firm then proceeded to unveil the Svartpilen and Vitpilen concept a year later at the 2014 EICMA show in Milan, before the production version successfully made its way to the showroom around the globe.

However, the latest spy shot has confirmed that the Svartpilen is getting a significant update soon.

While the prototype may look similar to the current generation of Svartpilen, the new generation model sports different styling cues.

The test mule features a rectangular TFT dash – similar to KTM’s – new radiator panels, new side sections and a redesigned tank mount to carry luggage.

While the previous Svartpilen tank section flows straight to the side of the rider’s saddle, the new generation features a more exposed subframe.

At the tail sits a new conventional license plate holder instead of the previous swingarm-mounted unit.

Husqvarna also wholly redesigned the steel trellis frame and swingarm, which shares similarities with KTM’s Duke prototypes.

Nonetheless, the next-gen Svartpilen continues to use WP Apex front fork and ByBre brake callipers.

Moving on to the best bits, the Svartpilen will run on the same single-cylinder platform; however, the photos showed what could be a prototype motor as it shares no visible components with the current 373cc engine.

While the exact capacity is still unknown to us, reports suggest it features a similar-looking engine spotted in the KTM Duke test mule.

Other notable changes include an underbelly exhaust, replacing the side-mounted pipe on the previous generation Svartpilen. 

Rumoured new Royal Enfield model with 750cc parallel-twin heart spotted testing in the wild.

(more…)

Yamaha MT-07 Ténéré prototype caught testing in Italy.

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Refreshed KTM 390 Duke spotted testing out in the wild.

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This is the first spyshot of KTM’s upcoming new 390 Duke-based supermoto, caught testing in the brand’s home country of Austria. (more…)

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