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2025 Triumph Speed Triple RS Launched, Replaces Speed Triple RR

The 2025 Triumph Speed Triple RS has been launched, replacing the half-faired Speed Triple RR.

As such, the RS naked is now more powerful and has higher specifications. To start, the three-cylinder engine gets a 3hp boost for a total 180 hp. Torque has also increased from 125.0 Nm to 127.5 Nm. The maximum torque also arrives a lower RPM than its predecessor. The performance increase is due to updates to the ECU and a new free-flowing Akrapovic exhaust.

The RR had Öhlins semi-active suspension, thus it has now been moved to the RS, although it is not 100% the same. On the other hand, the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple RS gets the latest Öhlins Smart EC3.0, which is backed up by the Objective Based Tuning Interface (OBTi). The rider can adjust the front and rear suspension’s firmness, braking support, acceleration support, initial acceleration support, cornering support, and comfort. All without needing to turn a screwdriver or wrench. The 2025 bike also gets an adjustable steering damper.

Other electronic support include Front Wheel Lift Control, Engine Braking Control and Brake Slide Control, IMU controlled cornering ABS. The new lighter wheels are shod with Pirelli Super Corsa tyres and braking duty is handled by Brembo Stylema calipers.

Buyers can choose from three colours, Jet Black, or the premium options of Granite and Diablo Red or Granite and Performance Yellow.

The 2025 Triumph Speed Triple RS sells for £17,495 (RM95,685.75) in the UK.

Kawasaki is Building a Turbocharged Two-Stroke Engine

Kawasaki is building a turbocharged two-stroke engine. The great news was announced on the Kawasaki US Instagram platform.

The short video showed a bunch of comments by social media users who called for Kawasaki to bring back the two-stroke engine, plus that two-strokes are the best, etc. IThe video ends with “WE HEARD YOU” and the revving of a two-stroke engine in the background.

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Of course, there is not much else to go on from the teaser. However, there have been reports that patent documents submitted by the manufacturer in July 2024 showed a revolutionary engine. It has fuel injection which is not new but get this: The intake valves are camshaft operated and it has a turbocharger. A turbocharged two-stroke engine. This is enough to get us salivating!

Fuel injection, coupled with camshaft operated valves promises efficiency and most importantly, cleaner emissions, as two-stroke motorcycles were banned in many countries for being polluting. Traditional two-stroke engines do not have mechanical valves and that led to unburned air-fuel and 2T mixture leaking out of the exhaust port. Kawasaki’s engine may well change that. The turbocharger adds in more air to the mixture so the engine burns leaner thereby saving fuel. The interesting now is to know what is its lubrication method.

But hang on. There is still no word on what kind of motorcycle that the engine will be used for. I could be a dirt-bike because there are countries allow its use on closed circuits and/or private lands, but not on the road. Or (god forbid) used for the hydrogen hybrid that Kawasaki had invested much into. Then again, Kawasaki already has the KX250 two-stroke MX bike.

Harley-Davidson Introduces 2 New and 6 Refreshed Models

Harley-Davidson today revealed all-new and refreshed motorcycles for its 2025 model line-up. New to this diverse line of bikes are the Street Glide Ultra, a fully equipped long-haul touring model, and the pavement-ready Pan America 1250 ST adventure sport motorcycle. The 2025 Harley-Davidson Cruiser motorcycle collection includes six models with significantly revised performance and technology features. The powerful Sportster S model is updated with revised suspension for enhanced comfort. The collection of limited-production Custom Vehicle Operation™ (CVO™) motorcycles includes three models and completes the most-desirable portfolio of motorcycles ever offered by Harley-Davidson.

These new Harley-Davidson models complete the collection of 2025 Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring, Cruiser, Sport, and Adventure Touring motorcycles, all presented on H-D.com and will be available at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships globally.

NEW 2025 Cruiser Models

The reinvigorated 2025 Cruiser collection includes six very distinctive motorcycles, each infused with new technology, elevated performance and refreshed styling. Each Cruiser model features a new Milwaukee-Eight® 117 powertrain and technology advancements and utilizes the Harley-Davidson Softail chassis with hidden mono shock rear suspension. The 2025 Cruiser line includes the following models, each representing a specific stylistic personality, from nostalgic to high performance to boldly custom: Low Rider S, Low Rider ST, Breakout, Heritage Classic, Fat Boy and Street Bob.

NEW 2025 Street Glide Ultra Model

The highway is calling. The new Street Glide Ultra model elevates the long-distance touring experience. This new model combines the comfort, technology, performance and design elements introduced on the 2024 Street Glide with new features intended to support two-up, long-haul travel for riders seeking freedom and adventure. This is the most capable regular-production Grand American Touring motorcycle offered by Harley-Davidson.

NEW 2025 Pan America 1250 ST Model

The new Pan America 1250 ST model is a dynamic adventure sport motorcycle that can be a practical daily ride, an exciting back-road apex chaser, and a capable weekend touring mount. Designed to appeal to riders ready to exchange a sport bike or streetfighter for an agile bike with more comfort and longer distance capability, the Pan America 1250 ST model offers a commanding and comfortable upright rider position, the flexible power delivery of the liquid-cooled Revolution Max 1250 engine, a 17” front wheel, and premium suspension and braking components.

NEW Sportster S Model

Underpinned by newly revised suspension, the Harley-Davidson Sportster S model is designed to deliver an extraordinary riding experience rooted in the thrill of unleashing on-demand torque for an exhilarating blast of thrust and adrenaline. Its light weight, technology features and bold design appeal to experienced riders, new riders and those ready to step away from the crowd on a motorcycle that discards traditional styling tropes. Newly revised front and rear suspension offers a 60 percent increase in rear wheel travel without impacting seat height to improve rider comfort on some pavement conditions. Both front and rear suspension are fully adjustable for compression and rebound damping, and preload.

NEW 2025 Harley-Davidson® Custom Vehicle Operation™ Models

For its 26th annual installment, Harley-Davidson CVO models offer discerning riders three super-premium, limited production motorcycle models. Each makes a bold statement of power and prestige and represents the pinnacle of Harley-Davidson style and design with new finish and design details for 2025.

CVO™ Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models elevate design, technology and performance to meet the expectations of the most demanding and discerning bagger rider.
CVO™ Road Glide ST model, inspired by the Screamin’ Eagle Factory Team Road Glide bikes competing for the MotoAmerica Mission Foods King of the Baggers championship, combines an exclusive Milwaukee-Eight 121 H.O. engine with a host of high-performance components with attention to custom detail to create a bagger that’s quick, fast and sophisticated.

Stefan Pierer Steps Down as CEO of Pierer Mobility and KTM

Stefan Pierer has stepped down from the position of CEO to the Pierer Mobility Group (PMG) and KTM AG.

However, he will remain in both companies as the Co-CEO to Gottfried Nuemeister, who joined PMG as the Co-CEO last year.

“Stefan Pierer will hand over the role of CEO of Pierer Mobility AG and KTM AG to Gottfried Neumeister,” according to a statement from PMG. It adds that Pierer “will continue to support [Neumeister] as Co-CEO during the restructuring process.”

On the announcement of his departure from the CEO role, Pierer said: “For me, KTM was always more than just a company – it was and is a passion, a mission and a family.

“The decision to hand over the helm was not an easy one. I am deeply convinced that Gottfried Neumeister, with his strategic foresight and commitment, is the right choice to lead KTM into the future.”

“KTM stands for courage, innovation and passion – values that we will continue to live by and carry into the future. Together with our team, we will continue to strengthen KTM and set new standards to build the best motorcycles in the world.”

Pierer’s term as CEO was supposed to end on 31 December 2025.

The news comes amid financial difficulties for KTM AG which has seen it commence insolvency proceedings which remain ongoing in an attempt to avoid bankruptcy. KTM is currently in self-administration proceedings, and has and will continue measures to cuts costs within the company.

Part of this has been reducing the size of the workforce, which the PMG statement announcing the change in CEO adds has been cut by 1,800 employees.

The reduction in workforce was combined with a reduction in production volume to 230,000 in 2024, which the statement says has “relieved by around 40,000 units. This represents an important first step in the restructuring plan.” The 40,000 unit reduction in production is equals to -18%.

Zontes 703F to Enter UK Market

The Zontes 703F adventure bike which we recently tested is set to enter the UK market in April.

To refresh, it was first revealed at EICMA 2024, followed quickly by the factory getting it into production. The 703F variant uses a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels. It is powered by a 699cc, DOHC, three cylinder engine which produces 93.9hp at 10,000 RPM. This engine is shared across the 703 platform which also consists of the 703T adventure-tourer and 703RR sportbike.

Its frame is revolutionary, cast as one piece for both halves, then joined without welds. The subframe is also cast aluminium. The suspension is fully adjustable on both ends.

Other specs include an 8-inch TFT screen, 22-litre fuel tank, under engine bash plate, 830mm seat height, J.Juan brakes, Bosch ABS, Michelin Anakee Adventure tyres, LED lights, etc.

According to MCN the bike will be initially offered at £6,999 (RM38,312.11 at the time of publication). UK buyers need to add £999 (RM5,467.12) for the crash bars, 3-piece aluminium luggage, and spotlights. The price is cheaper than the Suzuki V-Strom 650 in the UK.

Zontes has been selling their motorcycles in the UK and European Union for several years now.

Revamped 2025 BMW R 18 Announced

BMW announced the revamped 2025 BMW R 18, including styling updates to the R 18 and R 18 Classic, and fresh paint for the R 18 B, R 18 Transcontinental, and R 18 Roctane.

The 1802cc air/oil-cooled Boxer is shared across the board without different tuning corresponding to different models. It has received a 5.4Nm bump in torque, taking the total to 163Nm at 3,000 RPM. 149Nm is already available between 2,000 to 4,000 RPM. Maximum horsepower remains at 90hp at 4,750 RPM. The engine is now Euro 5+ compliant.

2025 BMW R 18

The base R 18 receives the most substantial changes. The most significant update is an 18-inch rear wheel replacing the previous 16-inch as the standard option. You can still get a 16-inch rear, but only as part of the Option 719 Olivine package. The front wheel remains at 19 inches.

The rear suspension receives new spring and damping rates tuned for the 18-inch rear wheel and new 180/55B18 tire. The front suspension is mechanically unchanged, though the R 18 loses the fork covers.

The fishtail exhausts from the previous model are gone, replaced with cylindrical exhausts to match the rest of the lineup. The side cover and front and rear fenders were likewise reshaped, getting more modern, squared-off shapes than the previous design.

BMW also redesigned the solo seat, using a thicker and softer foam and adding a new release button under the seat cover. Combined with the larger rear wheel, the seat is now 720mm from the ground, compared to the 690mm seat height found on the previous R 18.

Rounding out the updates to the standard R 18 is a new USB-C charging socket.

The 2025 BMW R 18 is available in Black Storm Metallic with a silver-colored powertrain. A blacked out engine and dark chrome exhaust is available as a styling package. More premium paint options include a two-tone Brooklyn Gray Metallic, and Mineral Gray Metallic Matte, both with dark chrome exhausts and optional black powertrain finishes. Additionally, BMW offers an Option 719 Olivine version in Velvet Green Metallic with a 16-inch rear wheel.

2025 BMW R 18 Classic

For 2025, the R 18 Classic gets a 19-inch front, 16-inch rear wheel combination, replacing the previous 16 and 16 combo. With the larger front wheel, the seat height has increased to 730mm from the previous 710mm.

The front fender is significantly larger than the previous design, giving it more of a retro look. For that same reason, the R 18 Classic retains the fork covers that are now missing from the standard model. Like the R 18, the Classic receives reshaped side covers and a USB-C charging port.

The 2025 BMW R 18 Classic is available in Black Storm Metallic with a silver-colored powertrain and chrome exhausts and wire-spoke wheels. The Classic will also be available in Mineral Gray Metallic Matte with a chrome exhaust and an optional silver-colored powertrain, or in Brooklyn Gray Metallic with blacked-out finishes, dark chrome exhausts and 18-inch rear/19-inch front cast alloy wheels. There’s also an Option 719 Blue Planet Metallic version with a number of accessories including chrome fender trim.

2025 BMW R 18 B

Apart from the updated engine and updated colors, the only change to the R 18 B (“B” for bagger) is a new FAVOURITES button on the right hand switchgear. Replacing the previous central locking system button, the FAVOURITES button allows quick access to specific functions, such as activating heated grips.

The standard colour for 2025 BMW R 18 B is Black Storm Metallic with a silver-colored powertrain and chrome exhausts. Paint options include Mineral Gray Metallic, and Two-Tone Dragonfire Red Metallic. BMW will also offer an Option 719 Black Pearl version.

2025 BMW R 18 Transcontinental

The Transcontinenal is the full-dress touring version of the bagger. and it also receives a quick-access FAVOURITES button.

The standard colour option is the same Black Storm Metallic with a silver-colored powertrain and chrome exhaust. Pictured above is the new Two-Tone Dragonfire Red Metallic which comes with a blacked-out powertrain and dark chrome pushrod tubes and airbox cover. An Option 719 Tanzanite version comes with Blue Planet Metallic/Asian Blue Metallic with a number of accessories including machined alloy wheels.

2025 BMW R 18 Roctane

The Roctane is the most recent addition to the R 18 family, so it’s no surprise it receives the fewest of updates. Apart from new paint and the revised engine, the only change is a new optional body-colored panel to fill the gap between the side cases and rear fender.

As with the other variants, the standard colour for the 2025 BMW R 18 Roctane is Black Storm Metallic. You also have a choice of Mineral Gray Metallic Matte, or Two-Tone Dragonfire Red Metallic.

BMW Motorrad Sales Broke Records in 2024

BMW Motorrad sales broke records again in 2024, with the German marque claiming to sell a total of 210,408 new bikes.

The biggest seller was of course, and without doubt, the new R 1300 GS and the previous R 1250 GS. Their biggest market was once again in their homeland.

Top sales region and countries:

118,727 new bikes were sold in Europe, making making it the most valuable region.
Sales in Germany were up eight per cent with 26,177 bikes.
France was the next best-performing country, with 20,693 units.
Followed by Italy, with 16,617 units.
Central Europe, which includes countries like Poland, Romania, Switzerland and Serbia collectively sold 11,411 new bike sales. It was a 12 per cent increase from the previous year.

Best-seling models:

As mentioned ealier, R1300 GS and R1250 GS were the most popular, selling 68,000 worldwide.
The S 1000 RR was the best-selling four-cylinder model, with 11,610 shifted
The entire four-cylinder family (S 1000 RR, M 1000 RR, S 1000 R, M 1000 R, S 1000 XR, and M 1000 XR) sold 27,147 units worldwide.

Markus Flasch, head of BMW Motorrad, said, “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our customers and community around the world for the tremendous trust they have placed in us once again in 2024. With the strongest sales result in company history, BMW Motorrad remarkably claims the 1st Place in the global Premium Motorcycle segment. Our market leadership in numerous segments and markets in based on our claim to innovation leadership, our highly attractive product offering as well as the consistent strategic focus on brand strength. Based on these success drivers, BMW Motorrad is well-positioned for the future and so I approach the year 2025 with a very positive outlook.”

Triumph Thruxton 400 Prototype Spotted

There have been many rumours about an upcoming café racer for the Triumph 400 range. It looks like it is true, after all, as a Triumph Thruxton 400 prototype had been spotted undergoing road tests in India.

Triumph had stopped production of the Thruxton 1200 (Final Edition in the main picture), and instead moved the high performance Bonneville ‘task’ to the Speed Twin. That leaves the company without a model with the Thruxton name in their lineup. To us, the Thruxton 1200 was the best Bonneville. Ever!

However, it now seems confirmed that the name will live on, albeit in the 400 range. We have ridden both the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X, and they were just amazing. On top of it, they are sold at very competitive prices. It is why both models are selling like hotcakes.

So, over to the Thruxton 400 prototype. The pictures show a café racer clad in a half-fairing, although it was an accessory for the Thruxton 1200. The handlebar or clip ons are also placed lower than the Speed 400. The rest of the bike appears the same apart from these two details.

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The engine will of course be the 398cc, single-cylinder unit built together with Bajaj Auto. It produces 39.5hp and 37.5Nm of torque, channeled through a 5-speed transmission. While it does not seem high on paper, it is entertaining enough.

Well, we cannot wait for more news about this bike. The Thruxton 1200 and its Final Edition were out of our financial reach, so maybe the Triumph Thruxton 400 could be the one!

Goodyear Sells Dunlop to Sumitomo

Goodyear has sold the Dunlop brand to the Japanese tyre brand Sumitomo, for a reported deal of USD701 million (MYR3.1 billion).

The entire deal is a little convoluted, as Sumitomo already owns the Dunlop brand since 1985 to produce Dunlop tyres under license for certain markets. However, Sumitomo did not buy the entire company. Then, in 2015, Sumitomo reacquired Dunlop’s entire motorcycle tire division from Goodyear.

The latest deal sees Sumitomo buying the entire Dunlop brand (including the car tyres) and their manufacturing facilities. The deal is part of Goodyear’s plan to streamline its operations, which it laid out in its ‘Goodyear Forward’ transformation plan. The plan has seen the closure of several factories around the world including in Malaysia, recently.

As well as the purchase price paid to acquire the brand, Sumitomo will also pay a “Transition Fee” and while it sounds like a lock, stock, and barrel purchase, in Europe at least, Dunlop will continue to manufacture, sell and distribute Dunlop branded consumer tyres until at least December 31, 2025. Furthermore, Dunlop will still supply certain branded tyres to Sumitomo for the European market for a five-year period, with quantities of 4.5 million tyres per year required to oblige the contract.

Speaking about the deal, Mark Stewart, Goodyear Chief Executive Officer and President, said: “This is another important milestone as we continue to execute against our Goodyear Forward transformation plan. We are optimising our portfolio and reducing leverage to drive sustainable and substantial shareholder value creation … Not only does the transaction deliver significant value for our shareholders, it better positions Goodyear to enhance our focus on the growth of our core brands.”

“Our team conducted a comprehensive process focused on maximising value for Goodyear through a divestment of our Dunlop Brand, and we are very pleased with the outcome achieved,” said Christina Zamarro, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “We are committed to working closely with SRI to ensure a smooth transition for customers of the Dunlop Brand.“

Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally Wins Africa Eco Race Again

As we published previously, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 surprised everyone when it won last year’s Africa Eco Race rally in maiden attempt. As such, the factory was more than keen to defend the title with the Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally this year.

Racing the bike to the top podium was Italian rider Jacopo Cerutti who beat Alessandro Botturi on the Yamaha Ténéré 700 by a mere 26 seconds. The duel was thrilling as the two riders took on the last stage with only 9 seconds separating them in the overall standings. The two Italian riders fought for every kilometre but Botturi, in addition to a navigation error, found himself stuck in a net that he dragged to the finish line.

Cerutti had not only conquered the gruelling race, but also several challenges such a gastrointestinal virus, issues with the mousse in his rear tire, and non-functioning navigation instruments. In the end, Cerutti defended his title all the way to the last kilometre, and taking five stage victories and another two podiums.

He said, “Winning the Africa Eco Race for the second consecutive year is a dream. We had an outstanding advantage in the sand, both because of my riding style and the performance of the Tuareg Rally, and I was able to exploit it fully. It was an edition where strategy was fundamental and, in the last two days, I accomplished an undertaking that even I did not think possible. Congratulations also to Alessandro Botturi, it was great to have an opponent like him and to fight to the end.”

Cerutti’s teammate and race debutant, Marco Menichini, took victory in the Junior Under 25 class and sixth overall, as well as third place in the multi-cylinder class, on the other Aprilia Tuareg 660.

Yamaha star Pol Tarres also competed in this year’s Africa Eco Race but crashed at Kilometer 111 of Stage 2 while fighting for the win. He lost consciousness for several minutes and had to be airlifted to safety. He is safe and recovering from his injuries.

The sixteenth edition of the Africa Eco Race began in Monaco and crossing over to the breathtaking landscapes of Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. The rally actually traces the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally’s and Thierry Sabine’s legacy, and as such, it has come to be known as “The Real Race to Dakar” in recent years. Spanning 14 days and 12 challenging stages, it covered roughly 6,000 km of unforgiving terrain.

Vespa 946 Snake Limited Edition Launched in Italy

The new Vespa 946 Snake limited edition has been launched to celebrate the Lunar Calendar’s Year of the Snake celebration. Vespa had also released the 946 Dragon to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, in 2024. In any case, the Vespa 946 snake is limited to just 888 units.

Vespa says the design is “inspired by icy landscapes”: Simple yet eye-catching, the model features a series of accessories, and has been created with particular attention to design and functionality.

Snake-inspired details are evident in the handlebar grips and the seat, which mirror the reptile’s characteristic skin texture, while there are chrome elements featured across the fuel tank and mudguard to complete the model’s aesthetics.

Additionally, Vespa has a helmet with a removable interior and smoked visor along with a very stylish Bomber jacket specifically made to suit the model. By contrast, the 946 Dragon had a jacket only.

Vespa is planning to implement an international retail strategy through pop-up stores in various locations. The tour for the 946 Snake will begin in Rome, at Rinascente Tritone, followed by Galeries Lafayette on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. This is already ongoing and will end on 5 February. The itinerary also includes stops at flagship stores in Milan, Vienna, Beijing, Istanbul, Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi, and Jakarta.

Pre-orders for the new Vespa 946 Snake began on 8 January with further information on the official Vespa website.

70-Year-Old KTM Controlled Foundry goes Bankrupt

A 70-year-old KTM controlled foundry has gone bankrupt.

The Austrian foundry, called Vöcklabrucker Metallgießerei Dambauer GmbH (VMG) was a family business and Pierer Beteiligungs GmbH took over 70 per cent of the business in 2022. The news outlet OÖNachrichten (OON) reported that the company had 150 employees and a turnover of €32 million at the time of the takeover.

Half of VMD’s sales was to KTM, while the other half came from other clients, including some from BMW.

OON further reported that KTM Components AG had promised VMG’s bosses that the former will keep the foundry afloat by providing funds including for the workers’ salaries, despite KTM’s struggles.

Unfortunately that did not come to pass as there seems to be no plan to restructure the company. It is a big blow to the staff, who are reported to be still owed wages, and also for the family that built the company. VMG was slated to celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2025.

A spokesman from the creditors’ protection association KSV1870 said, “We assume that the debtor company will be closed in bankruptcy court as quickly as possible after a prior examination by the insolvency administrator and that the remaining assets will be utilized in the best possible way.”

In other words, the creditors are keen to be repaid and VMG’s assets will be sold off.

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