Motorbike sales may have taken a slide for a second month in a row recently, but it is not all doom and gloom based on the machines we have coming up in the pipeline - these are the bikes we are most looking forward to getting our hands on...
Triumph Rocket 3 TFC
The Triumph Rocket range is brought up to date and up to a premium standard with its latest variant, the Rocket 3 TFC, which boasts more power, more technology and a more aggressive look to match its impressive performance specifications.
Packing a huge 167bhp – but weighing 44kg less - the 2,500cc triple is the nucleus of the Rocket 3’s stylish package, the muscular bodywork flexing its polished ‘ribcage’ and accentuating the huge 240/50ZR16 rear tyre that lends the Rocket 3 TFC with its distinctive profile.
The Rocket 3 TFC is brought into line with the rest of the Triumph range with the TFT dash suite familiar to those who have ridden a Scrambler 1200, while dynamic features as multiple rider modes – Rain, Road, Sport and Rider-configurable – and contemporary features as Bluetooth are added the to the spec-list. Only 750 will be produced to assure exclusivity.
Aprilia RS660
Aprilia takes aim at its rivals in the Supersport class with its upcoming RS660, which we are surely getting close now to seeing in its full beautiful glory.
First teased with its show-stopping concept bike unveiled during EICMA in November 2018, the Aprilia RS660 has taken a more realistic form in patent drawings that were revealed recently.
Though the images are grainy and monochrome, they reveal a design that remains faithful to the prototype and blends Aprilia’s customary design flair in a compact, sporty silhouette.
Powered by a 660cc parallel twin derived from the dependable V4 – the front two cylinders form the twin – to maintain a compact and light package, it gives Aprilia a new weapon in its armoury alongside the RSV4.
With the Superbike no longer a big feature on grids around the world now, will the RS660 become a new weapon in the Supersport championships instead?
Kymco SuperNEX
Electric motorbikes are taking a big step forward with every new release – just look at the Zero SR/F and the Energica Ego – and it’s only a matter of time before the major manufacturers start rolling their additions silently off the production line too.
Until then, the Kymco SuperNEX shows what could be coming our way. Having dazzled with some mightily impressive innovations when the Taiwanese firm revealed its halo machine at EICMA, the SuperNEX with its sharp ‘fusion of supersport and electric’ surprised us by the way it will lean back towards the ‘traditional’ motorbike using technology rather than gimmicks without compromising on that environmentally-friendly ethos.
Most interestingly, the SuperNEX features a six-speed gearbox and clutch to help alleviate the linear torque that while certainly rapid from a standing start loses its spark towards the top end. With gears to work through now, efficiency is actually more favourable and acceleration is still a rapid 2.9secs from 0-60mph and a top speed of 155mph.
The bike will also be equipped with an Acitve Acoustic Motor which will attempt to give more depth to the bike’s sound, even if Kymco insists it will remain unique to the machine. So, whilst we don’t expect a roaring petroleum-soprano soundtrack layered over the top, it’s clear Kymco has Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha in its sights rather than simply cornering the zero emissions market.
Yamaha YZF-R1 / YZF-R1M
Yamaha has pulled the wraps off its 2020 MY Yamaha R1 & R1M Superbikes with a raft of revisions targeted directly at keeping its distinctively sculpted nose ahead of the opposition.
Taking inspiration from its M1 MotoGP bike, the R1 retains its familiar DNA sees a taller central cowl and nose arrangement alongside its familiar, LED-enhanced dual headlight set-up, plus greater fairing coverage on its profile.
Mechanically, the YZF-R1 packs 200PS from its 998cc 4-cylinder unit, which has been tweaked to strike more of a balance between useable performance and maximum power at 13,500rpm, while meeting EU5 emissions regulations.
New-for-2020 is the ride-by-wire throttle to improve control, with APSG (Accelerator Position Sensor Grip) which uses magnets and sensors to increase feel and improve interaction with the bike, and Brake Control system which allows riders to select one of two ABS modes – BC1 and BC2 – depending on sensitivity levels and corner braking.
Ducati Streetfighter V4
Is the Ducati Streefighter V4 the most eagerly anticipated motorbike of 2019? Based on your eager reactions on social media and Ducati’s drip-feed of careful unwrapping its road-ready model, we have a strong feeling it might be.
Though the machine has been seen in almost production-ready form after a camo-liveried ‘prototype’ variant was entered into the Pikes Peak Hill Climb (alas, tragically overshadowed by the Carlin Dunne’s fatal accident) the final roadgoing version is dubbed as a ‘Panigale without the fairings’.
We have a good idea how the Streetfighter V4 will look based on this model, while prospect of a 1103cc Testastretta engine combined with a nimble chassis and wide handlebars is enough to get us enthralled…we can’t wait!
