New bikes for 2010

Oct 6 2009 Harriet Ridley

New bikes for 2010

The motorcycle show season is approaching fast and with it comes more news on bikes for 2010.

Starting off with the Italians, Ducati announced it's to launch the Hypermotard 796 with a new air-cooled, V-twin 803cc engine and a lighter, lower chassis.

Ducati describes the engine as smooth and flexible, which should mean it's softer than the more aggressive Hypermotard 1100.

The chassis is near-identical to the 1100, but 12kg lighter, while seat height is reduced by 20mm to 825mm. But it should get the same Marzocchi suspension and Marchesini lightweight wheels as its larger sibling, as well as Ducati's APTC slipper clutch for smooth running.

Ducati is also launching a new Multistrada. A 1,098cc superbike engine detuned to around 140bhp for more low- and mid-range grunt will power the bike.

The 2010 Multistrada will rival BMW's 1200GS and Triumph's Tiger, but will have a greater road-bias so will be less suitable for off-road terrain. Meanwhile, Ducati's entry-level Monster 696 will get an update in the form of ABS brakes for 2010.

Staying with the Italians, the now Harley-Davidson owned MV Agusta is launching two new 2010 model Brutale, the 990R and 1090RR super-naked machines that replace the current 989R and 1978RR.

The new models are instantly recognisable as the mad, bad Brutale, but MV says they're 85% new. Both versions have electronic traction control as standard, like Ducati's Streetfighter S, and a selection of engine maps. To improve handling and stability both bikes are also lighter and the swingarm is 20mm longer. They also get new fuel injection, ECU, exhaust, wheels, rear shock and a revised tail unit with a more comfortable seat.

Over to Japan, and Kawasaki has announced the unveiling of two exciting new 2010 learner models to reflect the success of the current 125cc market. These are the dual purpose, on-off road KLX125, and the Supermoto styled D-tracker 125.

The dual-purpose KLX125 is a smaller version of the successful KLX250. It gets a fuel-injected, electric-start, air-cooled engine mounted in a lightweight, compact chassis. With an off-road attitude and a slim profile, the KLX125 will appeal to a range of riders including those new to motorcycling.

Meanwhile, the D-Tracker 125 is more road-biased with shorter suspension, road wheels and a taller gearing. The bike has all the credentials to make it a hit with image-conscious younger riders, including digital instruments, upside-down front forks and race-style supermoto tyres.

Kawasaki will also give its Z1000 a heavily revised engine for 2010 for better midrange grunt. The bike will use a new 1,043cc four-cylinder engine based on the current machine's 953cc motor, with increased capacity boosting power from 125bhp to more than 130bhp. Torque will rise from 73lb/ft to 80lb/ft. The new engine will also improve emissions, with two catalytic converters and revised fuel injection.

Meanwhile Suzuki, buoyed by the success of the updated, refreshed Bandit from last year, is releasing the GSX1250FA for 2010. In essence, this is a fully faired Bandit 1250 but with a fetching fairing from the GSX650F.

And Yamaha has unveiled the new 2010 R6 that boasts revised intake funnels, airbox, ECU mapping and exhaust for more midrange.

There's to be no R1-style crossplane crankshaft though: Yamaha says the smaller capacity engine is easier to manage so doesn't need the technology. Although the fact it costs a bomb may have something to do with it... But if you can wait, then Yamaha is promising that the 2011 R6 will be as close to Rossi's M1 MotoGP machine as is humanly possible.

A few weeks ago Honda's latest bikes were revealed - except one. It's the hotly anticipated V4-powered machine, the VFR1200F. The bike's a super all-rounder that will feature Honda's brand new dual clutch transmission, making large displacement motorcycles easier to use and return improved fuel economy.

Commenting on the introduction of the VFR1200F into to UK market, general manager of Honda (UK) Motorcycles, Steve Martindale, said: 'Although there has been much talk of this bike being a replacement for some Honda models, we don't see the VRF1200F as a replacement for any bike and it doesn't do this incredible new machine justice to view it in that way. It's a totally new breed of machine in terms of performance, engineering and style, we're confident motorcyclists who enjoy bikes with incredible looks, a sportier ride, larger-capacity and great touring capability will not be disappointed.'

Most of 2010's new motorcycles will be on display at the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show from November 27 to December 6 at the Birmingham NEC.