Ariel launches new Ace motorcycle

BRITISH marque Ariel has just unveiled its first new motorcycle in over 50 years.

Called the Ace, it's powered by the 1237cc V-four engine from the Honda VFR1200, making 173hp and 96lbft.

Ariel has released pictures of two versions of the new bike, both featuring the same billet aluminium frame but with different styling and ergonomics. One looks like a power cruiser and has 'Ariel Girder' forks featuring an Öhlins shock. The other looks like a super naked and uses upside-down telescopic Öhlins forks.

According to Ariel, the two are examples of many possible configurations of the new model and each one built will be bespoke.

The Ace will go into low-volume production at the beginning of 2015, with between 100 and 150 built a year alongside Ariel's Atom sports car at its factory in Somerset. Prices will start from £20,000.

Ariel Director Simon Saunders said: 'The first photos show just two different possibilities of specification for the bike, but the combinations are nearly endless and we plan to continue to add further options in the future.'

The Ace will do 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 165mph according to Ariel.

As well as the engine, it also uses the single-sided shaft-drive and swing-arm from the VFR1200. Like the VFR, it's offered with either a conventional six-speed gearbox or Honda's Dual Clutch Transmission system, which has automatic and semi-automatic modes.

Three different seats are available, ranging in height from 745 to 825mm. There is also a choice of steering head angles, and wheel-base can range from 1541 to 1563mm.

The front brake uses Nissin 320mm dual floating hydraulic discs with six-piston callipers while the rear has a Nissin 276mm disc with a two-piston calliper. The wheels are five and seven-spoke alloy but full-carbon ones are also available.

Ariel motorcycles were produced from 1902 until the 1960s, with best known models including the Square Four and Arrow. Today the marque is better known for the 245bhp Atom car.

A release from Ariel said: 'The Ace represents the first new motorcycle from Ariel for over 50 years and builds on a history that began in 1870 making revolutionary bicycles and patenting the spoked wheel.  More recently known for the iconic Atom, Ariel were famous throughout the last century for innovative motorcycles such as the four-cylinder Ariel Square Four and the two-stroke, pressed steel frame Ariel Arrow. The new Ace reinforces Ariel’s tradition, both old and new, of all that’s best in British innovation, performance, quality and craftsmanship.'

www.visordown.com

APRILIA CAPONORD 1200 RALLY

Maybe the most attractive new bike from Piaggio’s motorcycle department is the Rally version of the Aprilia Caponord 1200, which will be unveiled next week at INTERMOT 2014 and goes on sale in Europe in January. What sets this new Rally apart?

Well, it’s a bona fide Aprilia Caponord, but this technological tourer is equipped with a very nice set of wire wheels (with a 19 incher in front) that are shod with multipurpose Metzeler radial tires. What’s more, the Rally is fitted with hard aluminum bags, new engine guards, additional long-range LED driving lights, and a larger fairing. These upgrades are all designed to make the Caponord Rally a more versatile and comfortable machine, one that can now be ridden more easily on dirt roads whenever the need arises.

I recently sampled the Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally, and the bike more than fulfilled my expectations. The classis is superbly competent, and the 1197cc V-twin is strong and smooth. Although the engine is not the most powerful of the lot, its 125 claimed horsepower is more than up to the job, and the ride-by-wire system has three maps. Cruise control and ABS are standard, and the latter can be disengaged in the dirt. All the while, the active Sachs suspension works very well on road or track, automatically altering the damping in real time.

Has the Ducati Multistrada met its match?  Look for the Caponord 1200 Rally to arrive sometime in the US early next year.

www.cycleworld.com/

NEW MOTORCYCLE 2015 BMW S1000XR

Judging by these photos that we just received from a German spy photographer, it’s clear to us that BMW is developing an adventure-touring machine based on the potent four-cylinder 999cc engine in the S1000RR. Just look at the bike, which we’ll call the BMW S1000XR. With its windshield and long-travel suspension, this new BMW looks like it’s aimed directly at the Ducati Multistrada. And judging by the fact that it already has badges, albeit covered with tape, we strongly suspect this BMW is a production model that will make its debut soon, perhaps at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany, at the end of this month.

Some might say that BMW’s boxer-powered R1200GS competes just fine with the Ducati Multistrada. Fair enough. But the BMW S1000XR is more like those new adventure-tourers, such as the Aprilia Caponord, soon-to-be-released KTM 1290 Super Adventure, and Multistrada, which are heavily biased toward tarmac duty and work great as upright everyday machines that can be used in all kinds of weather as commuters or long-distance haulers, aided by very advanced electronics.

What do you think: Would you like to see BMW build the S1000XR? Is it really needed? Is the R1200GS with its traditional boxer engine unable to effectively compete with the Multistrada, Caponord, and KTMs? Good questions, all. But only this we know for sure: BMW has a great engine on it hands, and perhaps with simple camshaft changes that alter the torque curve a bit, it can be integrated into an all-purpose adventure-tourer that spanks the competition.

Source: http://modcycles.com/

2015 BMW R1200R First Look

During the Intermot Shot in Cologne, Germany, BMW revealed one more addition to its R Series with the new 2015 R1200R roadster.

At the heart of the R1200R is the 1170cc liquid/air-cooled Boxer Twin that powers some of BMW’s most popular mounts, such as the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure. “Rain” and “Road” riding modes come standard, as does Automatic Stability Control. An optional Pro mode can be had as well which provides “Dynamic” and “User” riding modes along with Dynamic Traction Control. The airbox is updated and intake ports reshaped, the radiator has been slimmed and is centrally positioned for a thin profile.



The Boxer Twin is a self-supporting element in the new steel tube bridge frame. Front suspension is derived from BMW’s S1000RR, with an upside-down 45mm fork. Rear suspension makes use of BMW’s EVO Paralever design and both units are adjusted via the latest-generation Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment. ABS comes standard and can be disengaged. Braking duties go to dual 320mm discs/four-piston radial-mount calipers at the front and a 276mm, dual-piston floating caliper at the back.

If this is starting to feel like déjà vu, then you’ve probably just read the R1200RS First Look. The announcement of the R1200R came on the same day as BMW’s new sport-touring mount, and but for a few differences they are the same machine. The absence of bodywork, a windscreen, different color options and different headlights are a nearly complete list of the particulars that set the R1200R apart. A savvy move as both the sport-touring and streetfigher/naked bike segments have grown in popularity over recent years. Seating position is slightly more forward-biased on the R1200R, to give it a sportier feel at the handlebars. Dimensions are also slightly changed, the R1200R coming with a slightly tighter wheelbase, lower seat height and lighter weight.



The first aesthetic option for the 2015 R1200R is simply dubbed “Basic.” This option is done in a non-metallic Cordura blue and has a plastic fuel tank cover in the center with a contrasting Granite grey metallic matte finish. The frame is black and brake calipers are black-anodized. “Style 1” is a light white non-metallic colorway with large “R” model graphic. The white is offset by a red frame and gold-anodized brake calipers. “Style 1” also has a fuel tank cover in stainless steel. “Style 2” is painted a Thunder grey metallic with an Agate grey metallic matte frame and gold-anodized brake calipers. There is a range of accessories from anti-theft alarm systems, HP milled brake and clutch levers, panniers, top cases and more.

2015 BMW R1200R Specs 
Engine: 1170cc air/liquid-cooled Boxer Twin 
Bore x Stroke: 101mm x 73mm 
Compression Ratio: 12.5:1 
Clutch: Anti-slip wet clutch 
Gearbox: 6-speed constant mesh 
Final drive: Cardan shaft 
Frame: Tubular steel bridge frame, self-supporting engine 
Front Suspension: 45mm upside-down telescopic fork 
Rear Suspension: BMW EVO Paralever 
Front Brakes: 320mm dual disc, dual four-piston radial calipers 
Rear Brake: 276mm single disc, two-piston floating caliper 
ABS: BMW Motorrad Integral ABS 
Front Wheels: Cast Aluminum 3.50 x 17 inch 
Rear Wheels: Cast Sluminum 5.50 x 17 inch 
Front Tires: 120/70 ZR17 
Rear Tires: 180/55 ZR17 
Wheelbase: 59.6 inches 
Seat Height: 31.1 inches 
Weight: 509 pounds 
Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons 

Source: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/

Suzuki new on the market : 2015 SUZUKI GSX-R1000, GSX-S1000F, GSX-S1000

In light of Suzuki’s renewed commitment in MotoGP, the Hamamatsu company unveiled an updated its range of GSX1000s at the INTERMOT show in Cologne, Germany. There are three updated 1000s: the 2015 GSX-R1000 and its mellower GSX-S1000F and GSX-S1000 siblings. The most significant change: All benefit from radically revised electronics suite, which now features ABS and three-mode traction control.

Although these Suzuki engines are all based on the same powerplant, the GSX-R1000 motor is a slightly more oversquare design. It has a bore and stroke of 74.5 mm x 57.3 mm, whereas the GSX-S1000 engines have 73.4 mm x 59.0 mm measurements. Moreover, although the chassis of these new Suzukis are based on similar twin-spar aluminum frames, they have meaningfully different geometries. Naturally, the sporty GSX-R1000 has a steeper rake of 23.5 degrees, together with 3.86 in. of trail. The other two GSX-Ss have 25 degrees of rake and 3.94 in. of trail.

Lastly, Suzuki announced its MotoGP team riders for 2015: Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales. Also, Randy de Puniet will be given the opportunity to race the new Suzuki in the last MotoGP of the season, in Valencia, in recognition of his dedication and great skill as the development rider for the new MotoGP bike.

Source: http://www.cycleworld.com/