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Remember the Bimota KB998 WorldSBK racebike? We have said earlier that manufacturers need to produce a certain number of roadgoing bikes to homologate it for racing in the series, examples being the BMW M 1000 RR, Ducati Panigale V4 R, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, etc. So yes, the 2025 Bimota KB998 Rimini road bike was launched at EICMA 2024.

As with the previous Bimota motorcycles where the company makes the frames and uses contemporary engines, the KB998 uses the Kawasaki ZX-10R’s inline-four engine and wrapped in a Bimota frame.

The frame here is called a “hybrid design” as it combines a tubular frame from the headstock and mated to a CNC-machined from billet sideplates. Capping the headstock are billet aluminium triple clamps that also clamp fully-adjustable Showa forks.

Brakes are by Brembo, of course, fed cooling air through a beautiful carbon fibre duct which is part of the front mudguard. The TFT screen is shared with the ZX-10.

Unfortunately, Bimota and Kawasaki did not indulge in further details of the 2025 Bimota KB998 Rimini such as engine performance, weight, price, etc.

The bike will be ridden by Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani in the 2025 World Superbike Championship. The team, called Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team (BbKRT) consists of the staff members of the previous KRT.

The 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R was previewed at EICMA 2024.

Unlike other manufacturers, the “R” moniker for KTM denotes adventure variants with more off-road capabilities and higher specifications. For example, the 790 and 890 Adventure R, 1290 Super Adventure R. In fact, most of us journos have been asking about the R-spec 390 Adventure since its launched in 2019. So, it is finally here.

However, the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R is 99% new compared to the current bike.

Highlights
  • Firstly, the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R has a new look, and surprisingly different from spyshots.
  • A pair of stacked round LEDs are flanked by LED DRLs like on the 990 Duke, while the 5-inch TFT screen in housed in a tall tower and larger windscreen.
  • KTM says the new bike will share the updated 390 Duke’s LC4 engine, which displaces 399cc, and produces 44hp and 39Nm, although these figures will be different for the 390 Adventure R’s.

  • The new engine has a longer 64mm stroke, while leaving the bore at 89mm, thus moving peak torque at 1,000 RPM lower.
  • Up front are fully-adjustable WP Apex forks with 230mm travel, compared to just 170mm for the standard bike.
  • At the back is a WP Apex monoshock with also 230mm of travel compared to 177mm. It is adjustable for rebound and preload.

  • A new and redesigned gravity-cast swingarm complete the rear suspension.
  • The wheels are 21-inches front and 18-inches rear, compared to the 19/18 combo on the standard Adventre.
  • There is a new frame and subframe, and although it appears to be similar to the 2024 390 Duke’s, there is an additional bracing for off-road duties.

  • Weirdly, the Akrapovic muffler is low-slung which will raise concerns for water crossings, but it allows for the rider to mount soft luggage without having to worry about exhaust heat.
  • There are of course ride modes Rain, Street, and Rally. The Rally mode allows the rear ABS to be deactivated. However, there is no mention of adjustable traction control levels like that of the 790/890 Adventure R.

KTM did not state when the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R will be available for sale and how much it will be. We hope to be able to test it during the international media launch, like we did when the 790 Adventure and its R variant in 2019.

The Aprilia Tuono 457 was also launched at EICMA 2024, filling the gap between the Tuono 125 and Tuono 660.

The Tuono range is based on their larger sportbike siblings, thus the Tuno 457 is based on the Aprilia RS 457 sportbike. As such, the engine is the same 457cc parallel-twin which produces 47.6hp at 9,400 RPM and 43.4Nm of torque at 6,700 RPM. 82% of the peak torque is available from as low as 3,000 RPM. The Tuono’s shorter final drive contributes to the extra 2% of torque at those RPMs.

Also sharing the same chassis as the RS 457, this model uses an aluminium frame. This makes it as the only naked motorcycle in its class to sport an aluminium frame. As such, Aprilia claims the same dry weight of 159kg.

Suspension duties are handled by 41mm upside-down forks up front and a monoshock at the rear. Both ends are adjustable for preload. The monoshock is mounted to an asymmetricla steel swingarm, just like the RS 457, too.

The brake system consists of a single ByBre four-piston caliper up front, which clamps on a single 320mm disc. A single 220mm disc is at the back. The front brake lever is adjustable. A two-channel Bosch ABS is standard. Tyre sizes are 110/70-R17 and 150/60-R17, front and rear, respectively.

A new 5-inch TFT screen with smartphone connectivity also allows the rider to choose his preferred ride modes namely Eco, Sport, and Rain. A bi-directional quickshifter is optional.

The Aprilia Tuono 457 is offered in two colour options called Piranha Red and Puma Gray. Aprilia has not released the price of the bike.

The Fantic brand is still very much under the radar here in Malaysia, but it is gaining some traction, especially with the Caballero Scrambler 500’s success in Rimba Raid. Now, the company shows off the production ready Fantic Imola sportbike and Fantic Stealth naked bike at EICMA 2024.

Both are powered by a new 460cc single-cylinder engine which was developed in-house in partnership with the engine maker Motori Minarelli. It had been developed over three years and meets the Euro5+ regulations. This is a clear move from using engines supplied by Zongshen.

The engine is said to produce 44.4hp at 8,250 RPM, weighs less than 40kg, and incorporates a slipper clutch besides ride-by-wire throttle. There is a smaller 125cc engine which produces 15hp.

The engine is houses in a frame which combines steel trellis up top, with aluminium side plates below. There is 5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity, multi-level traction control, and cornering ABS.

As for the variants, the Fantic Imola is a sportbike complete with winglets, while the Fantic Stealth is a naked sportbike which includes a Ducati Streetfighter-like headlight unit. Both also feature a high-mounted exhaust muffler.

We expect these bikes to be launched in the first half of 2025.

Suzuki did produce some real fun (and bulletproof) adventure bikes, in the DR range. Many Suzuki fans shed tears when the maker stopped producing the DR-Z400S and DR-Z400SM. Well, we can now live fulfilling lives again with the launch of the all-new Suzuki DR-Z4S and Suzuki DR-Z4SM, because they look FUN!

As you can see from the photos, the “S” variant is for off-roading, while the “SM” version is shod with road tyres for supermoto duties.

Engine:

  • New 98cc, single-cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, Euro 5B-compliant engine which produces 38PS (37.5hp) at 8,000rpm, and 37Nm at 6,500rpm.
  • The new engine is up-to-date, as expected, featuring titanium(!) intake valves and hollow sodium-filled exhaust valves, new cam profiles, dual spark-plugs for smoother and linear power delivery along with low RPM torque.
  • There is also a new airbox and exhaust, along with an assist and slipper clutch.
  • Suzuki claims a fuel consumption figure of “over 3.5 litres/100km (80mpg)”.
Electronics:

  • The Suzuki Intelligent Ride System provides a package of electronic rider aids including the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS) with three power modes.
  • There are also two standard traction control modes, with each variant equipped with its own specific G (Gravel) mode.
  • G mode aims to maintain maximum off-road performance by allowing a certain amount of wheel spin. On the DR-4S it focuses on enabling riders to enjoy off-road riding with confidence. On the DR-Z4SM it is tailored more towards flat-dirt surfaces.

  • The ABS system allows the rider to tailor it to his needs and riding conditions. On the DR-Z4S, the rider can disengage the ABS at the rear, or at the front and rear. On the DR-Z4SM, the rider can disengage the rear ABS.
  • All rider information is displayed via a compact LCD dash.
Chassis:
  • A brand new, twin-spar steel frame was developed for the new Suzuki DR-Z4S and Suzuki DR-Z4SM.
  • It is then mated to a new aluminium subframe and an aluminium swingarm.
  • The new chassis is rigid, yet supple, meaning it can absorb impact and bumps on rougher terrain, and reduce rider fatigue.

  • Long-travel suspension on both the DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM comes from KYB, specifically tuned for each model’s intended application.
  • There is 280mm of front fork travel and 296mm of rear wheel travel on the DR-Z4S.
  • The DR-Z4SM has 260mm of front suspension travel and 277mm of rear wheel travel.
  • Both have compression and rebound damping adjustment at the front and rear. There is also preload adjustment on the rear shock.

  • The DR-Z4S is fitted with a 21” front and 18” rear, fitted with IRC GP-410, dual purpose, tubed tyres.
  • The DR-Z4SM uses 17″ rims front and rear, shod with Dunlop SPORTMAX Q5A tyres.
  • There are disc brakes all round, and an aluminium under guard as standard.
  • Ground clearance is 300mm on the DR-Z4S, and 260mm on the DR-Z4SM.
  • Seat heights are 920mm and 890mm and they weigh 151kg and 154kg, respectively.

Styling:
  • Lighting all-round is LED, from the single assembly headlight, rear combination lights, and indicators.
  • The DR-Z4S is available in Suzuki’s signature off-road Champion Yellow, and Solid Iron Grey, both with black rims. The DR-Z4SM comes in a new blue/grey colour scheme, dubbed Sky Grey, plus a Solid Special White, equipped with blue rims.

The manufacturer has not confirmed the prices of the Suzuki DR-Z4S and Suzuki DR-Z4SM yet.

The 2025 Yamaha YZF-R3 has been launched overseas, following several teases through October.

It is obvious from the pictures that the new bike’s design has been completely overhauled to look even closer to its YZF-R7, R9, and R1 brethren with a strikingly aggressive take.

Gone are the dual headlamps, their positions taken by dual LED DRLs. The headlamp is now a single projection LED er… headlamp placed in the what used to be the faux central air intake. The rest of the bodywork features sharp lines compared to the previous bulbous look. The panel of the rear seat has also been redesigned to more closely resemble that of its bigger siblings, and the taillight of the YZF-R15.

Yamaha says the ergonomics have been revamped for a close to 50/50 weight distribution and that hints at a more aggressive riding posture.

Several new features include a new LCD screen with Yamaha Y-Connect, a USB charging port, assist and slipper clutch.

But that is as far as it goes. The engine remains the same 321cc parallel-twin, the frame is the same, and even the exhaust muffler is unchanged.

The 2025 Yamaha YZF-R3 will surely become the 2025 Yamaha YZF-R25 when it gets to Malaysia.

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