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The Honda XL750 Transalp Finally Returns

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After much expectation and waiting, the Honda Transalp returns to Big Red’s lineup. Officially dubbed the 2023 Honda XL750 Transalp, the bike shares its 755cc parallel-twin engine with the new Honda CB750 Hornet.

This means power comes in at 90hp (67.5 kW), with torque at 56 lbs•ft (75 Nm). That should be plenty to appease those shopping in the middleweight ADV segment, and the 458 lbs (208 kg) wet weight means that the Honda Transalp competes nicely against even the latest crop of machines in this category.

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Rumors

Bimota BX450 Dirt Bike Leaks Ahead of EIMCA Debut

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Another EICMA show is on the horizon in Italy, so that means no sleep for the wicked and our Bothan spies, as they scour the corners of Milan for information about next year’s bikes – ahead of their official release.

Already it seems that Bimota is going to be the talk of the show, as the boutique Italian brand is making a foray into the off-road world, first with a limited-series Kawasaki-powered enduro.

Dubbed the Bimota BX450, this enduro model is an intriguing offering. The power plant comes from the 2023 Kawasaki KX450X “cross-country” dirt bike, and we can see that much of the chassis comes from the green machine as well.

That makes sense considering Kawasaki’s sizable investment in Bimota, and the obvious ability to tune an already stout package. Bimota takes the trail bike and adds a proper headlight, tail light, and larger fuel tank to the offering.

Looking beyond the surface, we understand that Bimota has also added a robust electronics package to the green machine, offering an adjustable traction control setup and selectable throttle maps.

A fatter 140/80 profile 18″ rear tire is another change, and it is mated to 80/100 profile 21″ front tire – both featuring Metzeler 6 Days Extreme rubber.

For more details, we will have to wait for Bimota’s official unveiling at the 2022 EICMA Show, but if our report of a possible ADV model is true, then it is an exciting day to see the Bimota brand getting its feet dirty.

Source: Bothan Spies – More photos and analysis available below to our A&R Pro readers.

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Bikes

The BMW M1000RR Superbike Takes Another Step Forward for 2023

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The BMW M1000RR was the first motorcycle from BMW M Motorsports, and while the machine was a carbon-fiber upgrade to the BMW S1000RR superbike, it failed to excite the segment, due in part to its hefty price tag and close resemblance to its more “normal” sibling. That changes for 2023.

While the 2023 BMW S1000RR gets a number of needed upgrades to bring the liter-bike onto par with the rest of the segment, BMW Motorrad has stretched things further with the M1000RR, giving this super “superbike” some uniqueness of its own.

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Bikes

No Compromises: BMW M1000R Debuts with 205hp on Tap

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For the 2023 model year, BMW is adding to its M Motorcycle lineup, adding an M1000R streetfighter to its now updated M1000RR superbike. And on that same vein, BMW Motorrad is bringing some real substance for its “motorsports” models.

Whereas the current generation BMW S1000R is a bit…let’s say bland…when compared to a segment filled 200+ horsepower streetfighter road bikes, the new 2023 BMW M1000R is a no-compromises offering from the German brand.

With 205hp on tap, the BMW M1000R debuts with the big horsepower numbers that consumers are looking for, along with a litany of premium pieces that fill this high-end space.

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Bikes

Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Brings Us an Italian Rival for the GSA

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The Ducati Multistrada V4 family got a little bigger today, with the Italian brand offering the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally for the 2023 model year.

The bike is aimed at the niche carved out by bikes like the BMW R1250GS Adventure, where long-distance travel (over questionable terrain) is the name of the game. 

To aid in that goal, Ducati has added several key features that set the Multistrada V4 Rally apart from the rest of the Bologna brand’s lineup.

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Bikes

The BMW S1000RR Gets Wings and Updates for the 2023 Model Year

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The BMW S1000RR is getting some meaningful updates for the 2023 model year, most of which seem to be targeted towards requests made by the company’s WorldSBK and critical feedback from journalists and customers regarding the previous iteration.

That’s welcomed news, because despite our excitement when the current generation S1000RR debuted, we found that BMW had essentially ruined the bike with its US specification – adding a giant hole to the middle of the throttle map.

While quite the looker, the BMW S1000RR didn’t do anything particularly better than its competition, and in certain aspects of the bike (e.g. the front brake performance), the machine was notably off the mark.

It is hard to tell if BMW Motorrad has completely fixed all these issues now for 2023, but the company has made an extensive list of improvements to the bike’s chassis, bodywork, and electronics.

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Bikes

Ducati Monster SP Arrives for the 2023 Model Year

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The Ducati Monster lineup will grow by another model for the 2023 model year, as the Italian brand has announced the new Ducati Monster SP for next year.

Available in January 2023, the Ducati Monster SP boasts Öhlins suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers, and a homologated Termignoni exhaust amongst other key features.

With a price tag of $15,595 MSRP for the USA, the Monster SP commands a $2,900 price difference over the lesser-spec’d Monster+.

That extra coin gets you the above-mentioned goodies, along with a “MotoGP inspired” livery, lithium-ion battery, and a steering damper. All told, the Monster SP is just under 5 lbs lighter than its cheaper sibling.

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Bikes

An Early Christmas: Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini Edition

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The business structure of Ducati Motor Holding is a lot like one of those nesting Russian dolls – the Italian motorcycle brand is owned by Lamborghini, which is owned by Audi, which is owned by Volkswagen…whose stock is largely owned by Porsche, which is also owned by VW.

Are you still with me? Good, because it will can also be a little confusing without this knowledge to see the Lamborghini name on a motorcycle. This isn’t the first time that the two Bologna companies have made a fraternal partnership, however.

The Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini was a polarizing project, but a strong-seller for Ducati, with the bike selling out almost instantly once it debuted.

Lamborghini and Ducati are now looking to rekindle that magic, and have tapped the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S for the job. As such, say hello to the Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini.

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Bikes

Aprilia RSV4 XTrenta – The Ultimate Track-Ready Superbike

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Aprilia is making a tradition out of track-only specials for a discerning few (take a loo at the Tuono X and RSV4 X, and the latest iteration of that thought is certainly a stunner. Say hello to the Aprilia RSV4 XTrenta.

Only 100 units of this track weapon will be made, and in order to put one in your garage, you will need to shell out €50,000 (excluding VAT) from your pocketbook.

For that exclusivity and that chunk of change though, you get quite the potent superbike.

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Bikes

Ducati Drops the Details on Its 150hp Electric MotoE Race Bike

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The bombshell racing news for 2023 has to be the fact that Ducati is taking over as the sole-manufacturer of the FIM MotoE World Cup, which runs at select MotoGP race rounds.

Before this news, Ducati was perhaps the last brand you would expect to embrace an electric powertrain, and since their MotoE announcement, the folks in Borgo Panigale have been working publicly on that goal with gusto.

Now today, we get our first proper glimpse at the Ducati “V21L” MotoE project, but also some of the performance specs we can expect in the MotoE series.

First off, the numbers you are dying to hear: 495 lbs (225 kg) ready-to-race, 150hp (110 kW) of peak power, 103 lbs•ft of torque (140 Nm), a 18 kWh battery pack (running at 800 volts) that can be charged to 80% in 45 minutes with the onboard 20 kW charger, and a top speed of over 170 mph (275 km/h) at the Mugello track.

Not to over-use an Italian cliché, but that’s a spicy meatball, and close to what Ducati achieves with its Panigale V4 superbike.

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Bikes

Too Many Photos of the 2023 Husqvarna FS 450 Supermoto

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Supermotos have a special place in our Asphalt & Rubber loving hearts, so we celebrate every new model release we can, and today sees us looking at the 2023 Husqvarna FS 450 – the pointy end of production supermotos.

The Swedish brand claims that the 2023 is “all new” for the coming model year, though a careful look at the previous year’s machine shows that things are a close evolution of before.

That being said, the 2023 Husqvarna FS 450 does feature a new hydro-formed frame, as well as a new 450cc single-cylinder engine, and promises to be a class-leader on performance.

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