Applications can be made from 1st April, so please click here to discover how you can be a part of GSX-R history.
It’s here. The 25th anniversary edition of the
GSX-R600, the second model in the exclusive trilogy celebrating the legendary GSX-R badge. This limited edition pays homage to the GSX-R timeline by echoing the colour scheme of the 1999 factory bike in a bespoke paintwork design.
There are only 25 of these iconic machines available to purchase. Each of them featuring a special top yoke plaque and certificate together with a stunning Yoshimura exhaust that will make any rider the envy of the road.
Can-Am held its new model release last week in its own backyard of Valcourt, Quebec, Canada, just outside of Montreal – deep in the heart of four-season riding, often done with two different machines. Unlike the year-round two-wheel riding we have here in the southwestern quarter of North America, many Canadians are buried with a snowy blanket for sometimes more than half the year. These less-than-perfect conditions for motorcycles or trikes create a necessity for snowmobiles (or snowmachines for you fellers up north) to fill in for those “off” days.
BRP is the master of crossover riding, designing products to keep a buyer comfortable and familiar when switching from one season’s riding machine to the next. It builds riding ergos, features and sometimes actual product elements into more than one machine as well as the company's own DNA. It’s no surprise the first Spyder prototypes were based on snowmobiles.
Sporty to touring, the Spyder lineup is now as diverse as your desire.
Spyder RT Lineup
The Spyder RT features the same 998cc engine as its predecessor, but with tour-minded mapping.
Each of the three new RT models are built on the same 100-horsepower (at 7500 rpm) 998cc Rotax engine with electronic throttle control, pumping out 80 ft-lbs of torque at 5200 rpm. In our preview story post, we wondered about the Rotax 990 and 991; we’ve learned it’s the same 998cc engine with tour-minded mapping and compression changes from 10.8:1 to 12.2:1. Since Bombardier owns Rotax, it simply named the engine differently for performance distinctions.
Ducati 1198
With a 1198 cc, L-twin engine producing 170hp (125 kW) and with a dry weight of just 169 kgs (372 lbs), the 2009 Ducati 1198 S incorporates more World Superbike technology than ever before by taking the 1198 motor and adding top-of-the-range suspension, lightweight chassis components and a true racing-style traction control system designed for road use.
Based on the unit found in the Ducati 1098, the Ducati 1198's engine achieves its new, larger capacity by using exactly the same 106x67.9 bore and stroke as the factory race bike. Volumetric efficiency through the four valves per cylinder has been enhanced by increasing the valve diameters approximately 4% to 43.5mm for the inlet and 35.5mm for the exhaust. They are actuated by racing-type rocker arms, 'super-finished' for reduced friction and fatigue, and double overhead camshafts with radical profiles that achieve approximately 10% more lift than their predecessors.
Specs Engine Type L-twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, liquid cooled
Displacement 1,198.4 cc (73.1 cu in)
Bore x Stroke 106 mm (4.2 in) x 67.9 mm (2.7 in)
Compression Ratio 12.7:1 Power 126.8 kW (170.0 hp) @ 9750 rpm
Torque 97.0 ft·lbf (132 N·m) @ 8000 rpm
Exhaust Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and lambda probe. Twin stainless steel mufflers
Rear wheel 10-spoke Marchesini light alloy 6 in (152.4 mm) x 17 in (431.8 mm)
MSRP - US$16,495 - from 17 800 EURO
Ducati 1198 S
The Ducati 1198 S features high performance, fully adjustable 43mm Цhlins forks, which sport low friction titanium nitride-treated fork sliders. The rear suspension is handled by a fully adjustable Цhlins rear mono shock equipped with a ride enhancing top-out spring and mounted to a single-sided swingarm. The front and rear Цhlins suspension package is complimented with a control-enhancing adjustable steering damper.
The Ducati 1198 S features several weight saving modifications designed to reduce unsprung weight. This includes components like tires, brakes and wheels. Lighter wheels have a lower 'moment of inertia' that is beneficial with every direction change and application of the brakes. The 1198 S features new 7-spoke GP replica Marchesini forged and machined wheels. The weight saving is further enhanced with the application of a carbon fiber front wheel cover.
The Ducati 1198 S is equipped with the Ducati Data Analysis (DDA) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) systems as standard equipment. The DDA package enables the retrieval and analysis of data collected from previous track sessions or road trips. The DTC system monitors front and rear wheel speeds to detect rear wheel-spin under acceleration and electronically reduces engine power to restore traction. If you don't think you need all this software then there is always the Ducati 1198 to consider.
Front suspension- Öhlins 43 mm (1.7 in) fully adjustable upside-down fork with TiN
Front wheel travel - 120 mm (4.7 in)
Front brake 2 x 330 mm (13.0 in) semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc calipers 4-piston, 2-pad.
Front wheel - 7-spoke in forged light alloy 3.5 in (88.9 mm) x 17 in (431.8 mm)
Rear suspension - Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock with top-out spring. Aluminum single-sided swingarm
Rear wheel - 7-spoke Marchesini forged light alloy 6 in (152.4 mm) x 17 in (431.8 mm)
Dry weight - 169 kg (373 lb)
ENGINE
Type L-twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, liquid cooled
Displacement 1,198.4 cc (73.1 cu in)
Bore x Stroke 106 mm (4.2 in) x 67.9 mm (2.7 in)
Compression Ratio 12.7:1
Power 126.8 kW (170.0 hp) @ 9750 rpm
Torque 97.0 ft·lbf (132 N·m) @ 8000 rpm
Exhaust Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and lambda probe. Twin stainless steel mufflers
Final drive Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 38
Clutch Dry multiplate with hydraulic control
MSRP US$21,795-24,995 - from 22 000 EURO
Ducati 1198 R Corse
It seems the 1198/1198S are getting rave reviews, I think Ducati has another gem on their hand with this one. The new 1198S comes with the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) which is featured on the more expensive 1098R.Already the flagship of the Ducati V-twin range, the new 1198R Corse Special Edition is 1kg (2.2lb) lighter thanks to the new factory team-style fuel tank, which also increases fuel capacity by 2.5 litres (0.66 US gal) to 18 litres (4.75 US gal). Formed in 2mm thick aluminium, the tank is brush finished, clear-coated and topped off with the new Ducati Corse logo to maintain a factory race tank feel. The 1198 R Corse comes in the red, white and black Corse Special Edition livery bodywork with the new aluminium fuel tank clear-coated for all to see. And isn’t it pretty!!
Front suspension - Öhlins 43 mm (1.7 in) fully adjustable upside-down fork with TiN
Front wheel travel - 120 mm (4.7 in)
Front wheel - 7-spoke in forged light alloy 3.5 in (88.9 mm) x 17 in (431.8 mm)
Rear suspension - Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Öhlins TTXR monoshock with top-out spring. Aluminum single-sided swingarm
Rear wheel - 10-spoke forged Marchesini light alloy 6 in (152.4 mm) x 17 in (431.8 mm)
Dry weight - 165 kg (364 lb)
ENGINE
Type L-twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, liquid cooled
Displacement 1,198.4 cc (73.1 cu in)
Bore x Stroke 106 mm (4.2 in) x 67.9 mm (2.7 in)
Compression Ratio - 12.8:1
Power - 134.2 kW (180.0 hp) @ 9750 rpm
Torque - 99.1 ft·lbf (134 N·m) @ 7750 rpm
Exhaust - Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes. Twin stainless steel and titanium mufflers
Transmisson- the same
Clutch - Dry multiplate with hydraulic control slipper clutch
The fuel-injected 654cc motor is beloved for showing incredible numbers on the dyno (63 horsepower) and for the fact that it only weighs 305.4 lbs. Stop reading the numbers over and over again and try to imagine how this thing will perform on tight roads because street legality was a must while developing it. Not only it will leave behind all the supersports (only on the twisties) like most of these thumpers do, but you’ll be finishing your coffee before they even get to the point you’ve planned to meet.
The frame was designed with mass centralization and implicit handling in mind while the suspensions and brakes are all fancy performance units so, all around, the bike is ideal both for the track and the streets.
One of the most aggressive styled KTM motorcycle destined to hit the roads, the 690 SMC has its own very good idea on how street super motards should look. Massive and yet refined! Every single exterior piece blends perfectly in with another, creating this way a compact looking motorcycle. But things would have been much simpler for designers if they wouldn’t have chosen to go for sharp edges all around this thumper, including the seat. Have you ever seen a top notch manufacturer to do any concessions? I haven’t and for KTM, the SMC is a good “go for it” example.
Applications can be made from 1st April, so please click here to discover how you can be a part of GSX-R history.
has its own very good idea on how street super motards should look. Massive and yet refined! Every single exterior piece blends perfectly in with another, creating this way a compact looking motorcycle. But things would have been much simpler for designers if they wouldn’t have chosen to go for sharp edges all around this thumper, including the seat. Have you ever seen a top notch manufacturer to do any concessions? I haven’t and for KTM, the SMC is a good “go for it” example.