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The Aprilia RS 660 Makes 95hp on the Akrapovic Dyno

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Ever since 2018 when A&R first caught wind of the Aprilia RS 660, we knew this twin-cylinder sport bike was going to be a class killer.

Up until its introduction, the middleweight twins segment has been full of either outdated legacy machines, or bikes that serve a price point above all else.

There is nothing wrong with that per se, but it left the door open for a brand like Aprilia to come in and mix things up with a cutting edge motorcycle.

That is where we are today with the Aprilia RS 660, with its high-power, high-revving parallel-twin engine, its advanced electronics, and its track-tuned chassis.

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MotoGP

Paddock Pass Podcast #178 – Aprilia & KTM in MotoGP

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Episode 178 of the Paddock Pass Podcast is out, and this one starts our review of the 2020 MotoGP Championship season, as we take a look at the fates of the various manufacturers.

On the mics, we have Neil Morrison and our newest member to the show, Adam Wheeler (from the magazine On-Track Off-Road).

Taking the manufacturers two at a time, this episode focuses on the results of the Aprilia and KTM squads during the year.

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Rumors

KTM 490 Duke Expected to Arrive by 2022, Says KTM CEO

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The first of KTM’s 500cc lineup is expected to be ready by 2022. This isn’t exactly new information for those who have been following the space, but it is the first time that we have heard it from the horse’s mouth.

This is because KTM CEO Stefan Pierer sat down with journalist Sir Alan Cathcart, and discussed the new models (you can read his full interview on Motoring World) and several other items in an expansive interview.

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Recall

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Recalled for Possible Short-Circuit

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Owners of a Ducati Scrambler 1100 model, model years 2018 thru 2021, should take note of this latest recall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

At issue is the potential for the exhaust cable on the Scrambler 1100 series to touch the main positive battery wire. If this were to occur, it could cause the motorcycle to short-circuit and cease operation.

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Bikes

Yamaha XSR900 Custom “XR9 Carbona” by Bottpower

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The Yamaha MT-09 isn’t considered one of the more beautiful motorcycles on the market, but thankfully the three-cylinder street bike is offered in a more palpable café racer version, the Yamaha XSR900.

This is where we begin today’s story too, thanks to Yamaha’s Yard Built program, which encourages tuners and designers to take their hands to these affordable machines, and restyle them into something new and beautiful.

With that, we see the work of David Sánchez from Bottpower with his XR9 Carbona build, which will also be available as a body kit for those who are looking to spice up the looks of the Yamaha XSR900 sitting in their garage.

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Rumors

Kramer Set to Debut a Cheaper Lightweight Race Bike

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Another juicy news item that comes to us straight from the Brap Talk motorcycle podcast, we get word that Kramer Motorcycles is working on a cheaper version of the Kramer HKR Evo2 race bike.

Based around the 690cc single-cylinder engine from KTM, the Kramer HKR Evo2 R is current available for a gasp-worthy amount of $22,500, which is obviously a lot of coin for a lightweight-class race bike.

Hoping to make that entry into the brand a little easier, and to provide racers with a platform that they can develop and customize themselves, we get word that Kramer is looking at a cheaper version of the Evo2, which will cost south of the $15,000 price point in the USA.

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Rumors

The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Will Start Around $17,000

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As we get closer to the debut of the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 for the 2021 model year, information about this adventure bike is making its way into Harley-Davidson’s various channels, which means it’s making its way into the ears of our Bothan spies.

First reported on the Brap Talk motorcycle podcast, our initial news is that the Pan America will debut at a fairly affordable price for the category, starting around the $17,000 mark.

With all the bells and whistles installed, the bike is still expected to be a sub-$20,000 machine, which makes it one of the more affordable luxury ADV bikes on the market.

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Lifestyle

Here’s How to Make a Honda CBR1000RR-R Out of Paper

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We imagine that A&R readers have some extra time on their hands during this COVID Christmas season. So, if you are wondering how you are going to fill that void of time, might we suggest that you let Honda help?

This is because the folks at Big Red have no shortage of craft projects that are aimed at petrol heads, with the latest being a papercraft version of the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade superbike.

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