The new Z1000 is powered by a 1,043 cc, four-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine, producing 140 hp at 10,000 rpm and 110 Nm of torque at 7,300 rpm. The naked street bike features a 6-speed gearbox. The same engine is also used in the new Ninja 1000, which has also been launched in India today.

Over the years, Honda has provided the market with some of the best bikes of this segment, dating back to the original Fireblade 900R of the 1980s, to the CBR1000RR of the the new millennium.

The Honda CBR1000RR SP was already a great sport bike, but with the 2014 model year has just became even better.

Among the improvements made for the new model year you’ll find a new windscreen, a revised riding position and more power. You also get a new Pearl White color scheme.

Shoei VFX-W Sear TC2 

With so many helmet options available to the motocross and off-road riding and racing communities, SHOEI takes great pride in the fact that more top riders prefer the ground breaking VFX-W over all others.

The absolute pinnacle of off-road helmets, the VFX-W is the result of countless hours of conceptualization, R&D, and testing with the most hard-nosed critics of all, our professional racing team. With top pros like Kevin Windham, Josh Grant, Josh Strang, and Destry Abbott leading the charge, the VFX-W is drenched in state-of-the-art features, and absolutely no stone was left unturned during its development. If you’re looking for a new lid to hit the track or trail, look no further than the VFX-W Sear TC2

Suggested retail R7500 including vat

Shoei GT-Air Inertia and Regalia

SHOEI’s all-new GT-Air Inertia and Regalia models makes it easier to adapt to the ever-changing conditions that lie ahead. Features like the convenient flip-down internal sun shield, free-flowing yet easily adjustable ventilation system, superior aerodynamics, and Pinlock Anti-Fog System ensure greater comfort and thus more time in the saddle than ever before. Plus SHOEI’s first internal sun shield-equipped full-face helmet—the progressively stylish two new  GT-Air  Inertia and Regalia helmets.

Suggested retail  R7300 including vat

For more info: www.ampsa.co.za 

Two giants in the South African motorcycle industry have just joined forces and become one. Jonway/Gomoto and Big Boy have now become a single company in the tempting world of affordable motorcycle transport.

The Company set to transform this market is SAM (South African Motorcycles), who also distribute well-known market place names like Regal Raptor, CF Moto, Piaggio Commercial, Bashan and Baja, so their extensive knowledge in this sector will most certainly benefit new and old clientele.

If you already own a Big Boy product SAM would like to enforce that they will take care of all existing customers in a professional manner regarding readily attainable spares and full factory support.

SAM says they’ll endeavour to provide an even greater and exciting range in the near future with new models supporting the names of these famous household brands, offering effective transport solutions for the South African masses, which undoubtedly has to be a good thing for all concerned.

For full model range and news go to www.jonway.co.za

“The mother of hard enduro”, the Roof of Africa, had its forty sixth running in the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho this past weekend, and for what has now become synonymous with the local Basotho, the race brought the rain that the drought stricken country so badly needed. But what was a blessing for the Basotho farmers, was a curse for the 410 entrants into the Roof as they tackled the 360km race over the three days of the event. 

With riders well prepared to tackle the rocky and mountainous course, another dimension was added by the rain – and that was slick and super slippery MUD! 

As has now become tradition, Yamaha supported every Yamaha entrant in the race via the Yamaha Roof of Africa Support Programme. This provides the Yamaha Roof pilot with service like a factory racer. At the end of each day, all the rider has to do is check his bike in to the Yamaha pits based at the Maseru Sun, and Steve Thompson and his crew take over from there. Bikes are cleaned, lubed, repaired, tyres are changed etc. – and all for no charge, other than the cost of spare parts!

This service is truly welcomed by the riders who, after a exhausting day riding the race, can relax and only  have to worry about getting their bodies enough nutrition and rest for the next days onslaught, safe in the knowledge that their bike will be perfectly race ready by the morning’s 6am start.

With 24 Gold entries, 15 Silver entries and 5 bronze entries, the Yamaha Support Team worked late into each night to ensure that all the race bikes were in perfect running order for each race day’s start.

The Turismo Veloce celebrates the unique pleasure of Grand Tourismo with two models of MV Agusta: the first for traveling through time and space with the feeling of agility that only a complete but essential motorcycle can provide.

The second is the Turismo Veloce Lusso whose very name suggests things that seem to have been forgotten in time. Lusso stands for an extraordinary level of accessories and technical solutions which include the innovative MVCSC system (MV Agusta Chassis Stability Control) electronic stability control through the use of semi-active suspension, less bulky saddle bags which nevertheless can carry an astounding 60 litres and the new generation MVICS 2.0 (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) inertial platform which includes the up&down EAS 2.0 electronic gear change system as well as the Anti Wheelie System. These features have never before been offered to a Touring bike.

The standard equipment also includes an immobiliser, heated handle grips, Bluetooth connection and integrated GPS.

Engine and Electronics:

The perfect blend of agility and performance. The Turismo Veloce is a perfect example of this: its three-cylinder 800cc engine is a new interpretation of the advanced engine on which MV Agusta has based the expansion of its model range. Its size would lead you to believe it's a smaller engine thanks to the layout, and the three cylinders ensure excellent power output from low and medium revs then all the way up to the top of the rev range. This three-cylinder engine has many characteristics which make it a milestone for MV in terms of the technology applied to a standard production bike. The oil and water cooling systems have been integrated into the casting of the engine and this particular feature of the three-cylinder engine that gives it such an exceptional aesthetic impact and which allows it to blend in perfectly with the flowing lines of the Turismo Veloce. Under the cast and forged aluminium surfaces lies a counterrotating crankshaft derived directly from MotoGP. This was introduced as standard on the F3 675 and characterises the MV Agusta three-cylinder engine, not to mention the considerable impact it has on riding dynamics by significantly deceasing the effects of inertia when the bike changes direction. The precise application of fluid dynamic and thermodynamic principles, along with evolved electronic engine management systems have permitted specific fuel mapping settings to be designed to ideally suit both Tourismo and Sport riding modes on the new Turismo Veloce.

available from www.mvagusta.co.za at the bottom

The brand with the blue elephant will fit the new Honda CRF450 RALLY of riders Helder Rodrigues, Sam Sunderland and Javier Pizzolito with KAROO™ Extreme prototype tyres in sizes- 90/90-21 front and 140/80-18 rear

Munich (Germany), 13 October 2013 – Metzeler has been chosen by Team HRC Rally, the Honda works motorcycle rally team, as tyre supplier and technical partner to face the toughest raids and rally competitions in the world, among them the 2014 edition of the prestigious Dakar.

The new Honda CRF450 RALLY of the riders Helder Rodrigues, Sam Sunderland and Javier Pizzolito will be fitted with KAROO™ Extreme prototype tyres in sizes- 90/90-21 front and 140/80-18 rear.

The product used in the competitions in which Team HRC Rally will take part, the Metzeler KAROO™ Extreme, is a prototype tyre not available for sale because it is specifically developed for competitions in collaboration with Team HRC Rally and will be used in different competitions, including the challenging Dakar.

With the name KAROO™ Extreme the goal was to emphasize two important aspects behind the development of this product that combines the heritage and experience of the KAROO™ in Enduro on/off use and the "extreme" experience of Metzeler in the international Enduro competitions with the MCE 6 Days Extreme, the 22 times Enduro World Championship winner tyre. This product for rally raid competitions is therefore the natural evolution of Metzeler in Offroad activities.

The rear tyre has been specifically developed to provide a 0 degrees steel belt together with a 4-ply carcass and a new generation of compounds featuring Metzeler’s exclusive mixing process: all these elements combined together are able to ensure excellent durability and resistance for the tyre and to offer top performance throughout the entire race.

The front tyre is available in two different versions to cope with all types of soils, from those hard and rocky to those softer and with sand. Team HRC and its riders will thus be able to choose, with the help of Metzeler technicians present onsite, the best solution depending on the type of stage they have to face.

The 36th edition of the Dakar will take place from 5 to 18 of January 2014 on the varied lands of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

“In the 2014 Dakar we have our top two brands Metzeler and Motul partnering this exciting Honda HRC team” said Graeme Leach GM for AMP (After Market Products) both products have a huge track record in racing, locally and internationally and would certainly be the ideal choice for any team looking for a major victory. The Dakar has to be the toughest tests for both man and machine and breaking down on this event could be the end for any rider as there are no pit teams immediately on hand. A total breakdown would mean waiting for the sweep vehicles.” So reliable, proven hard core products are crucial in this event, we are proud to be associated with this Honda HRC Team for the 2014.” he went on to say.

BMW has announced the 2014 BMW S1000R, a new naked motorcycle based on its popular S1000RR superbike. Sourcing the S1000RR’s 999cc Inline Four, BMW engineers revamped the powerplant to provide more low-and mid-range punch to suit “everyday use.” The cylinder head is redesigned, valve lift curves changed, cam profiles modified and a new BMS-X engine management system (which also supports a ‘throttle-by-wire’ system) was added to achieve the claimed 160 horsepower and 83 lb-ft of torque. Our 2012 S1000RR posted 175 horsepower at a 13,000 rpm and 74 lb-ft of torque so the assumption will be that the S1000R 'everyday use' power will arrive sooner in the revs.

The claimed 456-pound S1000R comes with two riding modes (Rain and Road), Automatic Stability Control and BMW Motorrad Race ABS standard. Dynamic Traction Control with lean angle sensor is optional, as is a Pro Mode which includes two additional riding modes, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro, suited for both road and track use.

The S1000R uses an aluminum alloy perimeter frame and the 32-degree, forward inclined engine is a load-bearing member of the set-up. The 46mm front fork allows for compression and rebound adjustments and if equipped with the optional Dynamic Damping Control (DDC), spring preload can be adjusted as well. The central spring out back comes with adjustable preload and compression damping. Alterations to the rake, trail and wheelbase promise to optimize handling and stability.

The 2014 BMW S 1000 R produces a claimed 160 horsepower and 83 lb-ft of torque.

Front braking is handled by two radial-mount, four-piston calipers gripping twin 320mm discs. The rear stopper is a single piston floating caliper that bites a 220mm disc. Steel-mesh wrapped brake lines connect both front and rear to the controls.

The instrument cluster features a gear position indicator, analog tachometer, ride mode information, speedometer, engine temperature, fuel level, fuel consumption, shift indicator light and more.

Design features have been stripped down for the naked bike, though it retains some hallmarks of the S1000RR. Asymmetrical headlights and a large central air intake are some features the company press highlights as sourced from the superbike. 

The S1000R has a 32-inch seat height, wide tapered handlebars and foot pegs mounted to provide riders with a more relaxed upper body posture. The S1000R will be available in Racing red non-metallic, Frozen dark blue metallic and Light white non-metallic colorways. There’s no indication yet of price or availability. 

For more go have a look at www.motorcycle-usa.com

The Caterham Group, a British sports car company that also has its hands in Formula One Grand Prix racing, recently announced the creation of a new motorcycle division. Caterham Bikes, the name of the new branch, launched three prototype motorcycles at the recent EICMA show in support of its two-wheeled efforts, the Brutus 750, Classic E-Bike (an all-electric bike with retro styling), and the Carbon E-Bike (a premium electric bike said to be inspired by F1 technology). Caterham will also be fielding a Moto2 race team in 2014, the announcement reinforcing Caterham’s commitment to the two-wheeled realm. Production of the Caterham bikes will begin in the spring of 2014.