The Bikes of the 2013 New York International Motorcycle Show
By Nick Goddard, Popular Mechanics, 24 January 2013.
By Nick Goddard, Popular Mechanics, 24 January 2013.
The hottest new bikes - Hondas, BMWs, Kawasakis and plenty more - filled the floor of the Javits Centre in New York this week.
1. Goldwing F6B
The F6B is a blacked-out Goldwing with a clipped windshield and no top case, but the resulting change in character is dramatic. Honda created the F6B to appeal to riders who like dressers and baggers. It keeps the same smooth 1832-cc flat-six as the regular Goldwing, creating a futuristic, menacing Goldwing that's 62 pounds lighter than the full version. [More at Honda]
2. Honda CBR500RR
This $6000 sportbike saves costs by using a steel frame as well as a 500-cc twin that's used in a few new Hondas. The 500 is a welcome sight for new riders; it's more powerful than the CBR250, but not as race-focused as the four-cylinder CBR600. [More at Honda]
3. BMW R1200GS
This bike may not look much different from the outgoing R1200GS, but BMW has switched to water cooling so the GS can keep up with its increasingly powerful competitors like the Multistrada and Aprilia's Caponord. Power is up 15 hp to 125, while stock ABS and semi-active suspension keep things under control. A smaller 19-inch front wheel will upset off-roaders, but should improve road manners. [More at BMW]
4. Ducati Panigale R
Thanks to titanium con-rods, a lightened flywheel, some carbon bits, and a Termignoni exhaust - changes intended to prepare the Panigale for the World Superbike series - the fierce Ducati Panigale R sheds a few pounds over its desirable Panigale S stablemate. That new exhaust boosts power by 15 percent in the midrange and 3 percent at the top end. [More at Ducati]
5. Victory Boardwalk
If it looks similar to other Victorys, that's because it is. The Boardwalk is built around Victory's monstrous 106-cubic-inch Freedom V-twin and accented with big fenders, chrome pipes, and whitewall tires. This bike can easily be fitted with bags thanks to Victory's toolless Lock & Ride technology. [More at Victory]
6. Ducati Hypermotard 821
The 2013 Hypermotard has been redesigned around a long-stroke version of the water-cooled 848 Testastretta engine. It makes 110 hp and 66 lb-ft of torque, which is about 15 hp more and 10 lb-ft less than the old air-cooled 1100 engine. The upmarket SP version is dressed with an Ohlins rear shock and forged Marchesini wheels, carbon bits, and other goodies. [More at Ducati]
7. Kawasaki ZX6
Sophisticated engine management and a move back to the 636-cc displacement gives the ZX6 a midrange boost over its 600-cc competitors. It's also got traction control, monobloc brakes, and ABS. The angular bodywork looks good enough for this bike to be a big hit. [More at Kawasaki]
8. Kawasaki Ninja 300
It's got a new frame, a stroked motor, and styling to rival the prettiest 600s. Crucially, the 39-hp 300 doesn't look like a beginner bike, which is important to self-conscious new riders. As those newbies gain confidence, they'll be glad they chose the 300's parallel-twin, which has more power, torque, and character than the single in Honda's CBR250. [More at Kawasaki]
9. Husqvarna TR650
Husky's new TR650 houses a breathed-on BMW G650GS engine in a new frame. The result is a bike with 10 more hp than the G650GS while weighing in 20 pounds lighter. It'll be a bit happier in the dirt than the BMW, and a decent rider could coax some off-road action out of the Husqvarna.[More at Husqvarna]
10. BMW HP4
No, the HP4 isn't a completely new model like BMW's other HP-series bikes were. It is an S1000RR that's lots 22 pounds and gone on a technological binge. There's a titanium exhaust, a lithium battery, and forged wheels, but Dynamic Damping Control is what makes it an HP4. Sensors feed information to electric valves that constantly adjust the damping to keep the bike perfectly tuned for the conditions. [More at BMW]
11. 110th Anniversary Harley-Davidsons
This year marks the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson, and it has rolled out six 110th-anniversary models, from the 1200 Custom to the Electra Glide. The bikes feature solid-bronze gas tank medallions and numbered plaques, as well as a luscious Anniversary Vintage Bronze and Anniversary Vintage Black two-tone paint scheme. [More at Harley-Davidson]
12. Triumph Street Triple
More comfortable and civilized than a Speed Triple, yet still a raucous beast. For 2013, the Street Triple gets a little more steering lock and a nastier engine note, though power remains unchanged. Elimination of the underseat exhaust saves 13 pounds, though we preferred the look of the old exhaust to the stubby new one. Triumph says the new throttle bodies and EFI calibration boosts urban fuel economy by 30 percent. We'll have to wait for a test ride to see if that's true. [More at Triumph]
13. KTM 990 Baja
Live out your adventure dreams on this final-edition KTM 990 Adventure, the Baja. KTM's website claims the 990 Baja has an "adventurous chassis." We don't know what that means, but we know we like the dual gas tanks and 115 hp. [More at KTM]
14. Burt Munro Indian
In 1967, Burt Munro took this streamlined Indian Scout to a 183.586 mph record at Bonneville. This bike is still the "World's Fastest Indian." [More info]
15. Eastern Fabrications Icarus
This exquisite custom bike by Connecticut's Eastern Fabrications features a handmade experimental V-Twin that uses pistons and cylinders from a Continental 0-200 aircraft engine. [More at Eastern Fabrications]
16. Victory Cross Country Tour
The huge Cross Country Tour gains this flashy yellow paint. It still has class-leading storage, heated seats, grips, and Victory's innovative wind-management system. [More at Victory]
17. Working Class Choppers Tamaqua
A string of custom bikes runs through the New York Motorcycle Show, providing a nice contrast to the mass-production bikes of the mainstream manufacturers. This colourful 1979 Yamaha XS650 is one of many custom bikes we saw.
Goldwing looks really impressive, btw if you need any motorcycle service manuals visit my blog
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