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Kawasaki recently showcased a couple of their electric motorcycle prototype during Suzuka 8 Hours.

  • Kawasaki’s EV prototype makes an appearance at Intermot.
  • The electric and hybrid prototype will form the basis of Kawasaki’s upcoming EVs. 

That was the first time we laid our eyes on Kawasaki’s electric and hybrid project, with both bearing Team Green’s current two-wheel range.

That said, since both motorcycles were prototypes, no further details were revealed to the public at the time. 

However, Kawasaki took the opportunity to allow the public to take a closer look at their prototypes at the Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany.

While Kawasaki remained tight-lipped on its upcoming project, Kawasaki Motors Europe managing director, Masaya Tsurono, revealed that the prototype “will form the basis of an actual future production machine.”

 Despite the push for electrification, Tsurono said that Kawasaki would continue developing cleaner internal combustion motorcycles as well as further research on e-fuel and biofuel.

Can-Am proudly announced its return to the two-wheel segment during last month’s 2023 Club Bombardier Recreational Product (BRP) event.

  • Can-Am to begin manufacturing the Origin and Pulse electric motorcycle by 2024.
  • The Origin and Pulse signify Can-Am’s return to the motorcycle market.

At the time, the Canadian-based company showcased its first electric motorcycle, the Origin dual-sport and Pulse roadster. 

Unfortunately, while Can-Am revealed that both motorcycles would run on an all-new Rotax E-Power electric motor, the firm remained tight-lipped on the Origin and Pulse power, range and charging time.

Nevertheless, BRP quickly got things running as the company recently broke ground for a new EV-manufacturing plant in Queretaro, Mexico.

According to the firm, the new facility will primarily produce Can-Am’s electric two-wheeler range, including the Pulse and Origin. 

“We have set out to reclaim our motorcycle heritage by launching a lineup of electric two-wheel motorcycles, and we are gearing up to execute our plan.

“We look forward to producing the first electric Can-Am motorcycles for a new generation of enthusiasts,” said BRP Powersports Group President Sandy Scullion. 

Meanwhile, Can-Am aims to deliver the first batch of electric motorcycles to customers by 2024. 

Thanks to Triumph’s successful partnership with the James Bond film franchise, the British firm has revealed its latest collaboration in the form of a special edition Speed Triple 1200 RR Bond Edition. 

  • The Speed Triple 1200 RR gets a special James Bond edition for 2023.
  • Only 60 units are built to commemorate 60th anniversary of the Bond film franchise. 

The Speed Triple 1200 RR is Triumph’s most advanced motorcycle yet, featuring Ohlins electronic suspension, Brembo Stylema brakes and Pirelli Diablo Supercosa tires. 

Fundamentally, the Bond Edition motorcycle features limited edition graphics with a blacked-out colour scheme that also showcases details referencing all 25 of the James Bond film franchise. 

Look closer, and you’ll find another James Bond detail on the handlebar clamp, including the iconic “007” codename. 

According to Triumph Motorcycles, the special edition Speed Triple 1200 RR is all about being ‘stealthy’ hence the colour choice, including the premium custom-made gold logos that can be found across the motorcycle.

Powering the Speed Triple 1200 RR is a 1160cc inline-triple engine capable of producing 177.5 hp and 125Nm of torque.

As a nod to the 60th anniversary of James Bond, only 60 units of the Bond Edition are made with each bike comes with a unique certificate of authenticity signed by Triumph’s CEO, Nick Bloor.

The Speed Triple 1200 RR Bond Edition will cost around GBP21,995 (RM116k) and can be purchased directly from Triumph’s UK website. 

Honda officially revealed the latest generation Honda Hornet 750 that features all-new engine, riding modes and new styling at the Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany.

  • Honda Hornet 750 features Honda all-new engine.
  • Equipped with ride-by-wire and Honda Selectable Torque Control. 

The engine will also powers three upcoming models including the Translap 750. 

Nevertheless, the Hornet’s revival is the first to feature the new platform along with other exciting goodies.

Powering the Hornet is a 755cc parallel-twin engine producing 92hp and 75Nm. The engine features a 270-degree crank that allows the engine to provide a feel similar to a V-Twin configuration. 

In addition, the two cylinders is coated with nickel-silicon carbide, a feature inherited from the firm’s CBR1000RR-R while the Unicam system is similar to the CRF450R motocross machine.

Meanwhile, the engine is wrapped around an all-new steel diamond frame which Honda claimed to weighs only 16.6kg which is 2kg lighter than the frame on Honda’s CB650R. 

According to Honda, the Hornet 750 is equipped with a 15.1L fuel tank and with a fuel consumption rate at 23km/l, this means that the bike could go up to 340km. 

The Hornet also gets Honda’s patented ‘Vortex Flow Ducts’ designed to evenly distribute air into the airbox. According to Honda, the air ducts boost the bike’s throttle response.

Electronically, the Honda Hornet 750 gets ride-by-wire, which offers three pre-mapped riding modes; Rain, Standard and Sport. However the fourth mode, is fully customisable by the rider.

The motorcycle is suspended by Showa’s SFF-BP 41mm USD forks with 130mm travel at the front and a preload-adjustable shock absorber with Pro-Link swingarm at the rear. 

Other notable features include auto-cancelling indicators, 5-inch TFT display, Honda Smartphone Voice Control System (available for Android and iOS). 

Interestingly, there is a series of accessories available later for the Hornet including a quickshifter, fly screen, tank pads and panniers. 

Malaysian media were given a special preview of Italjet’s latest scooter, the Dragster 125 and Dragster 200, ahead of its official launch this weekend.

  • The Italjet Dragster 125 dan Dragster 200 is the most premium and exclusive scooter ever built.
  • The Italian built scooter features unique bodywork and components. 

As previously reported, the Dragster 125 and Dragster 200 share similar bodywork and design language; the primary difference is the engine displacement.

The Dragster 200 features a 181cc single-cylinder DOHC engine, while the 125 trim gets a 124cc single, Euro5 compliant powertrain. 

Power output is claimed to be 17.2hp @ 8,000rpm and 15.5Nm @ 7,750rpm for the Dragster 200, while the Dragster 125 makes 9.2hpp and 10.5Nm.

Meanwhile, power is delivered to the rear 13-inch wheel via an automatic gearbox with belt drive. 

The Italjet Dragster is suspended by a unique independent steering system (ISS) at the front that separates the steering and suspension components. The new feature allows better manoeuvrability for city riding. 

Coming in standard on the Dragster twin is two-channel ABS, Brembo hydraulic callipers mated to a single 200mm disc at the front and 190mm disc at the rear.

Other notable features on the Dragster include bright LED headlights (80,000 lumens to be exact), a 9L fuel tank, a USB port and 140kg kerb weight. 

Meanwhile, Chear Global – the authorised distributor of Italjet’s Dragster in Malaysia – will announce the official price for the two scooters on October 8, 2022. 

Kawasaki UK has officially opened their order books for the 2023 Kawasaki H2R, signalling the arrival of one of the most powerful production motorcycles from Team Green.

  • Kawasaki H2R is a track-only supercharged machine developed by Kawasaki next to the road-legal H2.
  • The H2R makes 326hp and claims a top speed of 380km/h. 

While further detail remains scarce but with more than 300hp, the H2R represents what every manufacturer can do when given the utmost freedom. 

Thanks to its supercharged four-cylinder engine that consumes 200 litres of air a second, Kawasaki claimed the H2R could hit a max speed of 380km/h. 

Nevertheless, we expect the 2023 model year to receive minor upgrades, considering the track-only H2R was already ahead of its time during its introduction in 2015.

The H2R is 20kg lighter than the stock (and road legal) H2 and features slick tyres and a full titanium exhaust. 

We expect the H2R to continue to feature top-notch track components, including Ohlins suspension, KYB shocks and Brembo brakes.

According to Kawasaki UK, interested parties can submit their order for the 2023 Kawasaki H2R with a recommended selling price of GBP50,000 (RM262k). 

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