Motorcycle Monthly - July 2019 - Preview

YOUR

THE WORLD’S

BIGGEST BIKING MONTHLY!

July 2019

#157

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Snooper tech is in the UK NOW!

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Police officer CLEARED C after ‘tactical contact’ No penalty for copper who took down wrong’un

TT Time

2019’s Island fun

In a case that’s been under investigation for two years, a Met police officer has now been cleared of breaching professional standards after he used his car to get a suspected ‘moped mugger’ off his bike.

The case was put before the Independent Office for Police Conduct for review and took an astonishing TWO YEARS for the decision to be made in favour of the officer. > More on page 4

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Aprilia’s RS660

production patents now filed

NEWS 3

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We’ve been bringing you the first looks at the production version of the 2020 Aprilia RS660 road bike undergoing an extensive road and track testing regime since the start of the year – and now the firm’s official patents for the bike have been filed.

And yes, the bike in the designs does look virtually identical to the machine our spy snappers have previously caught in action during private track tests in Milan, Italy.

Originally shown in Milan last year at the EICMA show, the bike is powered by a new 660cc parallel twin-cylinder motor that’s expected to make around 95bhp.

The good news is that the designs appear to ape, virtually identically, the concept bike with the drawings showing the production machine having the same chassis and swingarm. Expect the Ohlins suspension units of the concept bike to be replaced with Sachs options and the drawings do show slight tweaks to the headlight design and the rear mudguard.

Expect the bike to be officially released as part of the 2020 Aprilia model year range in Milan in November this year.

Lighting them up Called the Sotera Advanced Active Safety Helmet, this light-up helmet is cool, not only because designer Joe Doucet hasn’t patented his idea saying that he wants this helmet to be a global benefit that would prevent accidents, but because the design features a lid with built-in lights that flash red when the rider slows down or brakes. Expect to see this tech on shelves soon.

Watch the R18 in action

BMW has finally offered us a proper look at its Concept R18, releasing a short film which shows the new 1800cc cruiser in action. To watch it go to: MoreBikes.co.uk and search ‘Concept’.

The 2020 Ducati V4 R Streetfighter caught out in track tests Filmed at the Autodromo de Pergusa in Sicily, the big naked from Ducati has been putting in some hard laps ahead of the American ‘Race to the Clouds’ on June 30. The testing sessions are clearly also useful for Ducati to iron out any niggles with the bike ahead of the official launch of the bike later on this year in Milan, the show being held in early November.

With the V4 R superbike making 217bhp in stock trim (that goes up to 234 with a factory exhaust system fitted) and tipping the scales at just 172kg dry (165.5kg with that factory

THE WORLD’S

BIGGEST BIKING MONTHLY!

SPOTTED

KTM electric confirmed

The Executive Director of Bajaj Auto has confirmed that the company is working on a new generation of electric motorcycles and that the new platform will be developed with KTM. The first Baja bikes will be on sale in 2020 with the KTMs available for 2022.

exhaust) and being physically tiny to ride, expect the Streetfighter to be squarely aimed at the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100.

That Italian rival makes 170.5bhp @11,000rpm and costs a penny under £17k. The Ducati, in superbike trim, revs to 16,000rpm in the first five gears and 16,500rpm in sixth gear.

Price-wise the V4 R superbike costs from £34,995 – so will Ducati seriously play down the spec of the bike and come in at a price near to the Aprilia?

Possibly, we’ll see the finished bike soon enough.

Motor Cycle Monthly, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529529 Editor Tony Carter Editorial design Fran Lovely and Charlotte Turnbull Publishing director Dan Savage Publisher Tim Hartley Email editorial@motorcyclemonthly.co.uk Production editor Mike Cowton

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4 NEWS

Tactical contact Met police officer cleared Won't face prosecution for knocking ‘moped mugger’ off his bike

Call 01507 529529 or go to www.classicmagazines.co.uk/mcm20

The tactic is working!

As part of a crackdown on moped-enabled crime, the use of ‘tactical contact’ has been advocated by the Met Police.

Previously officers feared being jailed or sacked if moped riders were injured during high-speed chases – and they’d also have to stop pursuing suspects if they removed their helmets. But

Words: Ross Mowbray

PC Edwin Sutton faced the sack from the Met after he was accused of breaching professional standards by using a ‘dangerous’ method to stop a suspected moped mugger in 2017.

But the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has finally cleared PC Sutton of any wrongdoing.

PC Sutton took action when he saw a suspected handbag thief escaping the scene of the crime on a moped – and employed tactical contact to stop the rider in his tracks.

The moped rider was hurt and admitted to hospital with leg injuries.

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that’s no longer the case – and as a result of the new approved tactics, moped-enabled crime has plummeted. In fact, police say from January to October in 2017 there were 19,455 mopedenabled offences across London, while from January to October last year there were 12,419 offences.

“We are in a risk business” But following a two-year investigation, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has cleared PC Sutton and said that the officer was: ‘Taking his duties seriously when he decided to

take some action.’ Originally, Sutton’s decision to make a ‘pre-emptive stop’ was described by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as ‘disproportionate and unreasonable in the circumstances’ and constituted gross misconduct.

The resulting tribunal rejected this statement however, ruling that PC Sutton’s ‘decision to block the rider was a reasonable one’ because he had spotted the bag and ‘formed the not unreasonable decision that it may have been part of a crime’.

After Sutton was found not guilty of breaching professional standards, Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “He was thrown to the wolves. The case sums up exactly what is wrong with the IOPC.”

So far, the tactic has received praise from the general public and former officers – despite some people, including Labour’s shadow home secretary Dianne Abott, criticising it as dangerous.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has come out in defence of the new tactic. Commissioner Dick said pursuit drivers are “supremely well trained” and the ramming method has resulted in only a “very small” number of injuries.

The Commissioner went on to say that at least two moped-riding thieves had

suffered broken bones after being rammed by police cars, but defended the tactic and her officers. “They make the best possible decisions. We are in a risk business.”

Ms Dick said the freedom to ram scooters was brought in to deter moped crime. “These are people who have been repeatedly left in no doubt whatsoever that there’s a police car right behind them. If you look over your shoulder and drive on as fast as possible, putting the public in danger, you should expect we will come after you.”

NEWS 5

Here are the OFFICIAL designs for Suzuki’s Supermono single-cylinder!

Could the Japanese factory really be looking to push out a single-cylinder motorcycle that is similar in idea to the classic Ducati from 20 years ago? According to a couple of patent applications that have surfaced in the States, yes.

What we can see from the drawings is that the patents are for a SOHC motor with a single upright cylinder.

Inside the engine is a second con-rod attached to a weighted rocker. It’s the same idea as was used on the Ducati Supermono (minus the Italian bike’s dummy cylinder).

Why do this now, especially as Suzuki previously filed a patent for an engine like this over two years ago?

Well, the resulting motorcycle would most likely be small capacity and the well-balanced lump would mean that it could deliver many more revs than a conventional single.

The previous patent for a supermono was sited to sit in a motocross or enduro bike so there’s every chance that this could do the same – but what if it’s not? Would you fancy a highrevving, powerful single-cylinder roadster? Yes, we would, too.

Yamaha unveils electric scooter

Yamaha has just revealed its new EC-05 electric scooter. It’s capable of 60mph and will run for 60 miles off a charge, plus you’ll get two 2170 lithium-ion batteries with the bike.

The first models will begin to arrive in Taiwan in August.

KTM reveals 2020 Enduroo bikes and they’re on sale NOW W KTM has unveiled its latest line-up of new 2-stroke and 4-stroke enduro machines for 2020.

Their new base range includes the new KTM 150 EXC TPI, updated KTM 250 EXC TPI and KTM 300 EXC TPI 2-strokes, as well as the KTM 250 EXC-F, KTM 350 EXC-F, KTM 450 EXC-F and KTM 500 EXC-F 4-strokes.

They each come equipped with more efficient, high-performance engines, a re-developed chassis with improved WP XPLOR suspension, new bodywork, a new air filter box, a new cooling system and new exhausts, too. That’s not all – they also get high-quality NEKEN handlebars, Brembo brakes, No-Dirt footpegs, and CNC milled hubs with Giant rims fitted as standard.

Away from the base models, KTM has also created two serious co ompetition models: the SIX DAYS and the ERZBERGRODEO. With itss International Six Days Enduro heritage, the KTM SIX DAYS is widely regardeed as one of the best competition maachines on the market. For the 2020 model lineup, KTM has created a new w KTM 300 EXC TPI ERZBERGRO ODEO machine as a tribute to th he iconic Austrian Hard Enduro event. Kitted out with exclusive graphics and maany aftermarket READY TO R RA ACE parts, you’ll need to act faast if you fancy getting your han nds on one, because production is limited to 500 units.

Trials and Tarmac

Sh herco has created a short film sh howing what its new TY 125 Classic is capable of on the trails.

Powered by a 4-stroke 123cc engine, th he Sherco TY 125 Classic features a Deltabox chassis, both electric and kiick start, and a 5-speed gearbox. It’s fittted with a floating 185mm disc up front and 150 mm disc at the rear, and co omes with 40mm front forks and a 1665mm rear monoshock.

To watch the film go to: MoreBikes. co o.uk and search ‘Sherco’.

6 NEWS

Check out this beautiful MV Agusta F3 XX

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Call 01507 529529 or go to www.classicmagazines.co.uk/mcm20

It makes 160bhp @ 13,000rpm and weighs just 145kg without fuel!

This absolute stunner was unveiled at the Imola round of WSB. It's a gorgeous, updated and carboned-tothe-hilt MV Agusta F3.

Called the F3 800 XX Reparto Corse, the motorcycle has been made for track use only, combining parts from the World Supersport championship with the standard F3 three-cylinder roadster. The bike was made by the

racing department at MV, turning out 160bhp at 13,000rpm, but coming in at just 145kg wet (without fuel).

On board are Titanium valves, MecTronik control unit with launch control and an entirely customisable software suite, carbon bodywork, adjustable quickshifter, a WSS-spec three-into-one exhaust and Brembo brakes.

Goodbye Gene

Gene Romero, racing legend and a pioneer for the sport of motorcycle competition, plus one of the legends who starred in the iconic movie On Any Sunday, has died.

Winning 12 AMA Nationals in his racing career over a 16-year period, Romero was one of the first riders to bring non-motorcycle-related sponsorship into the sport. Ever the showman on and off the track, there was something about Romero that Evel Knievel liked, and in 1970 the stuntman put his money into Romero, the only time Knievel directly sponsored a racer.

The 2020 Yamaha R1 is coming with auto braking...

Well, that’s what this patent from Yamaha shows There’ve been various rumours and updates about the next generation Yamaha R1, widely expected to appear at the end of this year to make up the top of the 2020 model range.

So far we’ve been told that the bike is getting variable intake, contra-rotating

crankshaft and seamless gears.

Now the latest bit of tech to be dropped into the supposed tech-fest is an auto rear brake that will be used to stop the front wheel lifting.

Patents filed by the factory in Japan and revealed by Spanish site SoyMotero sh how

the system using ABS sensors along with the bike’s new Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) looking out for the moment the front wheel lifts under power.

When that happens, rather than taking a small amount of power off the bike to keep the front wheel down, the R1 will

RUMOURS: Suzuki’s new sm mall Burgman to be unveiled later this yearr?

Words: Ross Mowbray Rumours are swirling that Suzuki’s venerable Burgman scooter is set to receivee a complete overhaul ahead of the introduction of Euro 5 emissions regulationss – and there’s speculation that we might see it as soon as the end of the year.

Over the last few weeks there have been rumours that there’s a new Suzuki Burgman on the way for 2020, which will be brought into line with the fastapproaching Euro 5 regulations.

Aside from that, we don’t expect to see too many changes. After all, the Burgman’s already a hugely successful machine, so it’s unlikely Suzuki’s goingg to mess around too much with its winning formula.

If true, then the first new Suzuki Burgmans for 2020 will be heading to Indonesia. At the minute, there’s a 150cc available there, but rumours suggest that there’s a bigger displacement model on the way (in either 170cc or 180cc form). The new Indonesian model would likely be the base for development of European models – either as a 125cc or 200cc.

modulate (pulse) the rear brake automatically, just enough to keep the bike moving forward as aggressively as the rider wants without the whole machine trying to flip backwards around the rear wheel.

Watch THIS!

It’s nearly eight minutes long, but it’s the best eight minutes of bike racing you’ll see this year. This is the helmet cam of Red Bull’s Jonny Walker taking part in the Porto Prologue of the World Enduro Series in Portugal last month. It’s like a scene from a James Bond film (but it’s real) with various stuntmen riding set-up shots (but it’s real) and is well worth your time. Log on to MoreBikes.co.uk and search ‘Walker’.

Astars Marquez Five-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez is synonymous with Alpinestars, and to celebrate their hugely successful partnership, the American brand has created a new range of clothing for the Spanish star’s huge fanbase. To see the range log on to MoreBikes.co.uk and search ‘Marquez’.

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7

8 CROSSWORD

IT’S THE MOTOR CYCLE MONTHLLY

CROSSWORD!

Win this BRILLIANT Shark Spartan Carbon helmet Crossword compiled by Ben Rumbold of MotoXwords Be a clever motorcycling brain, complete the MCM Crossword, send it in to us and YOU could be the lucky person to win an amazing Shark Sparton Carbon helmet worth over £400!

As ever, our competition is completely free to enter. You don’t need to click on a link, buy a product or attend a show, simply crack open the nearest Biro, fire up the kettle for a brew and settle down to complete our motorcyclethemed puzzle.

Be the first correct entry pulled from the upturned MCM helmet and you’ll get yourself a shiny new helmet for a British summer of riding. You lucky thing.

Up for grabs this month is the superb Shark Sparton Carbon helmet. A real rider’s lid, the Shark is a favourite of MCM and combines racetrack-derived tech with touring-style comfort levels.

Like it’s racing sibling, the Race-R

PRO, the Spartan was developed using CFD design and there’s nothing on the helmet that’s not needed to improve performance at speed.

Optimal aerodynamics help to stabilise the lid at higher speeds, and the double spoilers at the back of the helmet also give the helmet very effective air extractors, meaning that cooling air is efficiently whipped around your head and out of the back of the lid to keep comfort levels high.

The Shark Spartan also gets the firm’s peak side visor fastenings.

Because the visor fitment sits so close to the outer edge of

the helmet, and doesn’t have any extra side pods on the outside of the viso or mechanism, it means that wind noise levels can b e kept down.

A Pinlock MaxVision visor is standard on the e helmet, too.

Tipping the scales at 1,290gm, the Spartan Carbon (the Guintoli replica – worth £409.99 9 – is pictured, but the prize helmet is available e in a range of colours forr t h e winner to choose from) comes in sizes from XS (53/54cm to XXL 63/64cm).

Worth over £400!

If you want to know more...

Then log on to www.nevis.uk.com for all the info on the range of Shark helmets.

CROSSWORD 9

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Flying BMW BMW is back in the air, thanks to Czech manufacturer Skyleader, who’s built a plane powered by a S 1000 RR engine. The UL-39 Albi is essentially a two-seater aircraft manufactured entirely from carbon fibre. Its design is based on the L-39 Albatros military training reactor, but scaled down.

See it in action at: MoreBikes.co.uk and search ‘BMW’.

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Red Bull has now released the first part of its new series, the ABCs of MotoGP. And it’s well worth a watch.

Go to: MoreBikes.co.uk and search 'Red Bull'.

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ABCs of MotoGP

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June 2019 Issue #156 39

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Last Month’s Answers:

Across

Across

1 & 4 Across & 23 Down: Central London’s new area set up this year to tackle pollution. (5,3,8,4) 8: Charley Boorman’s slightly more intense TV series project that followed Long Way Round. (4,2,5) 12: A control moved with a foot or a finger. Maybe several fingers? (5) 14: Leaning a bike over too far might test this on your bike. (6,9) 15: A bike bought with just delivery mileage. (3) 16 & 17: A chequered flag signals this for a practice session or race.

(3,3) 19: Bike model built for comfort over long distances. (6) 20: Mr Okada, to give his abbreviated forename, former GP racer and Honda Asia manager (4) 24: German company who specialise in making a quality 12 across, for motorbikes and bicycles. (6) 25: Tighten a nut down on this! (4) 28: Ducati and many other trick superbike makers run a single ___ swingarm. (5) 29: Nolan’s Carlos Checa replica helmet had a distinctive design of a map of this. (5) 31: Many top race teams run with these chains. (2) 33: Czech bike maker that was a branch of Skoda and most successful in the off-road arena. (2) 34 & 35: Famous racing team for the Hamamatsu factory in both Japanese and American Superbike series. (9,6) 36: Imminent massive island event. (2) 37: ___-Ray, oil company with a blue logo. (3) 38: In the UK we call it a yoke, keeping the forks attached to the frame. (6,5) 39: To tighten some of 25 across you will need a few of these. (8) 40: German road without speed limits. (8)

Down

1: A non-racing riding position, definitely favoured on a 19 across. (7) 2: Used to help you keep an eye on your rpms. (10) 3 & 30 Down: Corner at the bottom of the hill at Donington Park, which doesn’t really live up to its name. (3,7) 5: Suzuki’s MotoGP rookie who’s doing pretty well so far this year. (3) 6: Keeping the noise down on your weapon, whether it’s hand-held or two-wheeled. (8) 7: The 200, classic road race and a good warm-up for 36 across. (5,4) 9: A cool visor, but legally needs to still let in 50% of the light. (6) 10: The pin that keeps a wheel on. (4)

11: Old school gauges and dials before digital came in! (8) 13: Van___, rare Dutch manufacturer founded by the country’s importer for Kreidler, who made the green and black OCR 1000, with little success. (4) 18 & 37 Down: The Creg, at 36 across, needs two little words to find its full name. (2,3) 21: They stop the weather, and in extreme conditions rocks and trees, from getting to your fingers. (10) 22: Japanese former team-mate of Valentino Rossi when they debuted the MotoGP Honda V5s. (5,5) 23: See 1 Across.

26: Premium French rubber. (8) 27: South American country, which may be the last on that continent to host the event featured in 8 across. (4) 30: See 3 Down.

32: Helmet makers who took over the Suomy brand alongside its own when they went into liquidation a few years ago. (3) 33: Spanish state-owned petrol company that sponsored Sito Pons in his championship years before being dissolved in 1992. (6) 35: A common term for a bike’s handling if you’re really enjoying it. (5) 36: Zip or cable, also easy fixers if a 25 across comes out! (4) 37: See 18 Down.

1 Anti-Wheelie System 8 Tanks 9 ZZR 10 & 24 Down Full Gas 11 & 28 Down BMW R-Nine-T 12 Tex 14 Goldentyre 15 Kalex 17 Zarco 21 Festival 25 Fimez 27 Ana 29 Shell 30 Piston Ring 33 & 20 Down & 32 Down Wall Of Death 34 Asia 35 Cartagena 38 Husqvarna VitpilenW

Down

1 Airbag 2 Intruder 3 & 19 Across Honda Neo Sports Café 4 East 5 Sprocket 6 Thunderace 7 & 16 & 31 Miles Per Gallon 9 ZX 13 Europe 18 Aesthetics 22 Valencia 23 Lap 25 Footrest 26 Moriwaki 36 Ron 37 ATV

Here’s the legal bit that you need to know To be in with a chance of winning, fill in your details on the form and return the completed crossword to: Motor Cycle Monthly, June 2019 Competition, Mortons Media Group Ltd, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR. Competition closes: July 8, 2019 Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms (please circle)

#4

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Address:.................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Town/City:.............................................................. County:................................................ Postcode:.....................................

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There are no cash alternatives available. The winner(s) will be the first name(s) drawn at random from the upturned MCM helmet. Terms and conditions apply.

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10 NEWS

Is this what the NEXT Katana will look like?

Rumours in Japan have this suped-up 'R' version of the retro reboot on the way

Want your motorcycle news FIRST, FRESH and FREE? Then make your essential, one-stop website Get up to speed. Every single day.

The rumour mill in Japan is that Suzuki is planning a limited edition ‘Super Katana’ that is effectively an ‘R’ version of the bike that was launched by the Japanese factory earlier this year.

What’s being said in Japan and being shown here in this illustration from top Japanese outlet YoungMachine is this: the supposed new bike will appear sharing parts from the current GSX-R1000R at the front end (high-end suspension and brakes) and GSX-R1000R electronics (so, possibly more power than the current Katana’s 149bhp). The bike will still run with the standard Katana’s GSX-R K5-derived motor and frame.

The swingarm will be considerably different on the 1135R though, with a heavily braced racing item.

The riding position will be different too with clip-on handlebars that will sit lower than on the current bike, and a lower front fairing to follow the sweeping line from the bridge of the petrol tank forward and down in an aggressive line. As for the small wings placed under the nose-fairing? Time will tell.

What is interesting too, is that this illustration has been created with some input from Yoshimura, so it’s likely that the 1135R could appear with a full Yoshi system (on the illustration the exhaust clearly has a section that’s ready for a road-going catalytic converter to be added).

Got a loud pipe on your motorcycle? Uh oh...

Road users who breach legal noise limits could end up with fines if trials of so-called ‘acoustic camera’ technology is successful.

This news comes from the Department for Transport, which has said that it will test the noisedetecting cameras in a variety of locations around the country over the next seven months.

According to the DfT, the move has come about after pressure from campaigners in rural communities who complained about the increased noise from road users who had ‘modified their vehicles’.

The tech works in a very similar way to how a speed camera is triggered, except that noise

cameras use a microphone to trigger a camera to take a photo of the offending vehicle.

According to the Government, the noise level which will trigger the camera is yet to be decided.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said that the cameras could help to combat the fact that police resources are too stretched for officers to easily enforce noise regulations on boy racers in souped-up vehicles.

“This technology could provide an alternative to make sure those communities are protected against excessive noise, that the people who are acting illegally are prosecuted… it’s a simpler, easier way of doing it,” he said.

NEWS 11

Peugeot unvveils its new hi-tech Metrropolis The latest three-wheeler comes with TWO built-in cameras as standard Peugeot is celebrating 120 years of two-wheeler manufacturing with the launch of a limited edition model of its Metropolis threewheeler. And it’s the ONLY production scooter to come equipped with HD front and rear dash-cams as standard.

The front and rear cameras capture Full HD 1080p video at a 155º angle – which means as a pair, they offer close to full coverage around the rider.

Operated using a button on the handlebar, you can take photos – and it even has a screen so you can see what you’re recording.

Aside from the video kit, the Metropolis is powered

by a Euro 4--compliant 400cc PowerMotio on engine, a Traction Co ontrol System (which can be disabled when not reequired), and independen nt dual tilting wheels with h locking mechanism m and electronic parking braake. It’s also kitted out with a Smart Key system for keyless ignition, a TPS Tyre pressu ure monitoring system, a USB socket for charging gaadgets on the move, and front and rear connecting under-seat storage areaas to house a full-face, flip p-front or openface helmett. It’s not cheap though, com ming in at £8,299 plus OTR ch harges.

Biagggi acquitted

Max Biagggi will not face charges over alleged taax evasion that amounted to nearly 18 million euros and could have meaant that the Italian would have been sent to prison for a year.

Last Marcch the 250GP and WSB world chaampion was accused of false residencyy in Monaco and was told that, if fou und guilty, he would have to pay 17.8 million euros.

Classic Racer #198 is OUT NOW!

Make sure you get YOUR copy of the world’s BEST racing magazine Hitting the newstands right now is another jam-packed issue of the best-selling racing magazine on the planet. Featuring the greatest names throughout decades of brilliant motorcycle racing from around the world, the real stories behind the historic domestic, AMA, WSB and Grand Prix legends PLUS the best photography ever taken of the men and machines who became icons of the racing game - Classic Racer magazine really is your one-stop for everything from the history books of the greatest sport in the world.

Costing just £4.50, the magazine can be found in a load of places, but if you want it delivered to your door then go to www.classicracer.com

Car park fees cut

Following customer feedback, Motorcycle Live organisers have said that they’re subsidising parking charges for all Motorcycle Live visitors this year.

Motorcycle Live, in association with Bikesure Insurance, will be offering car parking booked in advance at a discounted rate of £10 (£12 on the door), giving a saving of 25% on the 2018 on the day prices. As always, motorcycle parking is FREE.

CUx Ducati scooter

Super Soco has unveiled a new Limited Edition CUx Ducati electric scooter. It features a 60V/30Ah Lithium battery and a 1.3KW Bosch motor. Weighing just 70kg, the scooter has a range of 40 miles on one charge.

It costs £2,299 (that price is after government grant).

12 FIRST RIDE

‘What an amazing

machine!’

The new BMW R1250GS Motorcycle Sport & Leisure magazine – MCM's sister publication – has been out to Portugal to ride BMW’s R1250GS, putting its new 1250cc ShiftCam Boxer powerplant through its paces on and off-road. Here’s what they thought

What’s new All-new 1254cc boxer engine with BMW ShiftCam technology for variation of the valve timings and valve stroke on the intake side, and there’s more power across the entire rev range, optimised fuel consumption and an even more increased smoothness and refinement. The new boxer powerplant now kicks out an improved 136bhp at 7750rpm and 105lb-ft of torque at 6250rpm.

What does it cost?

R 1250 GS: £13,415 R 1250 GS Rallye: £13,950 R 1250 GS Rallye TE: £16,975 R 1250 GS TE: £16,200 R 1250 GS Exclusive TE: £16,500

Words: Matt Hull Photography: BMW The success story of BMW’s rugged, large capacity tyy GS adventure bikes is one of the greatest in motorcycling history. Selling in large numbers worldwide, the popularity tyy of the range has grown slowly since the birth of its iconic R80G/S back in 1980. Admittedly, it took time for the virtues of the GS to be truly appreciated in the UK, but as time passed, and the GS continued to grow in size, so did its popularity ty. y Ever since BMW’s 1170cc R1200GS appeared in 2004, the adventure bike market has gone from strength to strength, and the GS remains its undisputed king.

Helping the cause and bringing the big BMW to more people than ever before, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman used a pair of 1150 Adventures for their famous Long Way Round TV show back in 2004, and then in 2007, they used a couple of 1200 Adventure

models to film their Long Way Down follow-up.

As a result, BMW’s R1200GS and R1200GS adventure machines have stood steadfast near the top of sales charts in the UK and much of Europe for years – and with the biggest update in years coming for 2019, the Bavarian brand is surely looking to continue its dominance in the adventure motorcycle market.

Of course, it’s been gradually updated over the years, with improvements made right across the board. One of the bigger changes came about in 2013 with the introduction of a new water-cooled engine, complete with a new chassis and sty tyling. y But the basic recipe has stayed the same since its inception – a thumping boxer twin, Paralever shaft-drive rear end, Telelever front suspension, lopsided headlights and the trademark beak at the front.

For 2019, BMW isn’t about to mess

around too much with its tried and tested Adventure machine. After all, the company prefers to make gradual, incremental changes, honing its bikes rather than undertaki king i any radical changes. But there is one big change for the latest GS – its new 1250cc powerplant with ShiftCam technology gy. y

Riding the new GS

It’s always said the second album is the trickiest and the BMW Motorrad design team must know pretty tyy much exactly how that feels – they have just worked a series of changes to the modern world’s best-selling big bike, the boxer GS, after all.

Visually, the changes have been kept small, mostly so there’s nothing dramatic to catch the eye. This version of the GS looks pretty tyy similar to the previous version of the hugely popular big Adventure. Remember the welcome Ducati’s 999 had when it was brought in to replace the 916? It

wasn’t good. So a nip here and a tuck there will suffice this time around for the German motorcycle.

No, this bike’s big changes (at least where the majority tyy of the work has been put in) is with the engine.

You can read elsewhere what goes into making ‘ShiftCam’ work, but what it does is effectively give the engine the best cam profile for both low revs and light throttle, and the same best profile at higher revs with a fully open throttle, too.

Allied to this cleverness is an increase in bore and stroke, taking the engine up in size by 84cc to a grand 1254cc of boxer fun.

Combine those two powerplant facts and it means that power is up 9%, torque by 14% and fuel consumption improved by 4% – according to BMW on the world launch of the big bike.

Hurl a leg over the new R 1250 GS and you immediately feel at home.

The Swiss Army knife of the two-

wheeled world is ready for your needs, able to become whichever tool you need.

The seat, while it is high at 850/870mm, is not so high as to be precarious, especially so with the familiar trait of the boxer engine carrying its girth low. One counters the other well and instils a secure sense of ability tyy from the off.

It’s comfortable too, which is very welcome as there’s not a huge amount of variety tyy that you can find with the seat set up. It looks big and roomy on there, but you tend to find yourself naturally in the optimum BMW riding position without really thinking about it.

The footrests, gear lever, rear brake, sidestand and handlebars are again familiar in reach and placement. It’s definitely a GS. There’s nothing radical or worrying to be concerning yourself with. The keyless ignition throws my simple

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That’s the maximum power in bhp at 7,750rpm

FIRST RIDE 13 Dynamic ESA active suspension Dynamic ESA is supremely clever.

Essentially, it adjusts the suspension depending on the type of riding you’re doing and the conditions you’re riding in.

No matter whether you’re loaded up with luggage and a pillion, or you’re tackling some twisties solo, the ESA system is capable of setting up the suspension to ensure you’re getting the most from your ride.

How it works is a little more complicated..

Basically, signals are sent from the rotational speed sensor and the front and rear travel sensors. Data is collected and analysed, before being used (automatically) to finely tune the bike’s suspension set up. It detects compression n, acceleration and deceleration, and then adapts damping at the rear spring strut and Telelever front wheel. The chang ges are managed through electrically actuated d regulation valves – within a millisecond – which means that a stable ride response e is ensured, even when the bike’s banked over.

TECH SPEC BMW R1200GS (2019)

Engine: 1254cc air/liquid-cooled 2-cylinder 4-stroke boxer engine with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts, a counterbalance shaft and BMW ShiftCam variable intake camshaft control system Power: 136bhp @ 7750rpm Torque: 105lb-ft @ 6250rpm Frame: Two-section frame concept consisting of main frame with bolt-on rear frame, loadbearing engine Wheelbase: 1525mm Brakes: (F) Twin 305mm diameter floating disc brakes discs with 4-piston radial brake calipers (R) Single 276mm diameter disc brake with 2-piston floating caliper Transmission: Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical gearing system Suspension: (F) BMW Motorrad Telelever central spring strut 37mm diameter forks with 190mm of travel (R) Cast aluminium singlesided swingarm with BMW Motorrad Paralever rear spring with 200mm of travel (with adjustable spring preload and rebound-stage damping – and optional Dynamic ESA) Wheels: (F) 3.00 x 19 (R) 4.50 x 17 Tyres: (F) 120/70 R19 (R) 170/60 R17 Seat height: 850/870mm Fuel capacity: 20 litres Fuel consumption: 4.75 litres to 100km Weight: 249kg (wet) Contact: www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

At the front the GS is equipped with twin 305mm m diameter floating disc brakes with four piistton rad diall brak ke callipers, and at the rear there’s a single 276mm diameter disc with a two piston floating caliper. Basically, it’s the same set up as on the outgoing R1200GS – and if you’ve ever ridden one, you’ll know that there’s no need for any upgrades, as the set up works extremely well.

BRAKES

BMW is we ell known for its top level tech, and as you u’d expect, the 2019 GS is well kitted out. The new R1250GS features LED headlights, a 6.5in full-colour TFT screen with connectivitty, and the choice of two distinct ‘Road’ and d ‘Rain’ riding modes, too. There’s also an Automatic Stability Control ASC as standard, which works to keep you safe when the weather’s bad or grip’s not plentiful, helping the e bike find the best traction possible – while its set-off assistant Hill Start Control helps to allow convenient and (comparatively) hassle-free e set-off on slopes.

TECHNOLOGY

The BMW GS has been lauded for its sophisticated suspension set up in recentt years - and d for 2019, the GS comes with its next generation Dynamic ESA. Essentially, Dynamic ESA helps to provide an even higher level of riding safety, performance and comfort through a set of unique riding modes and automatic damping adjustments.

DYNAMIC ESA SUSPENSION

The GS is a big bike – there’s no denying it. It weighs in at a fairly hefty 249kg (wet) and the seat stands at 850/870mm, but BMW has worked to make it lightweight and manoeuvrable out on the Tarmac and trails.

A big part of that weight distribution is it’s hefty, but low down Boxer engine.

ERGONOMICS

The GS’s new 1250 boxer engine is the big change for 2019. Building on the successes off the previious generattion powerplant, BMW has introduced and added its own ShiftCam technology, which offers variation of the valve timings and valve stroke on the intake side. In turn, that translates to even more power, better fuel consumption and lower emissions.

ENGINE

With its 19in front wheel and 17in rear, 20 litre fuel tank and dynamic ESA, the new GS is a true adventure machine. It’s a hell of a bike as standard, but BMW also offers a huge range of aftermarket bits and pieces to help get you ready for your next big trip. There’s everything from luggage and engine protection, through to comfort seats and eCall technology – and even a range of HP sports performance-oriented kit.

ADVENTURE PROWESS

The new BMW R1250GS has had a bit of a styling upgrade.

Nothing wild, but there’s a few nice touches which help make the latest model distinctive from previous incarnations. For 2019, there are a few different models, each with its own claimed benefits. In essence, there’s the basic R1250GS, an Exclusive variant and a Rallye variant. The standard version is available in Blackstorm metallic and Cosmic Blue metallic, the road-focused, well-equipped R1250GS Exclusive is available in Blackstorm metallic/Night Black and the R1250GS Rallye, which is geared towards off-road riding, is available in a HP-style Light White/Racing Blue metallic/ Racing Red colour scheme.

STYLING

14 FIRST RIDE

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16 FIRST RIDE

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Lots of Ib-ft of torque on tap from 6,250rpm

brain out of kilter for a split second, though. This isn’t what I equate to GS riding, but even this is (naturally) totally intuitive.

Hit the starter button and there’s that familiar feeling as the boxer underneath you starts – it does sound slightly different, though. Jump off the current model and on to this one and immediately you’ll notice that the revs sit fractionally (100rpm) lower at idle. That’s the motor being able to optimise the cam duration for slow speed running. But this changes rapidly – a better word might be rabidly – as you twist the throttle.

The new engine revs, hard and very fast. The user-friendly split personality means that while there’s all the fun of rapid riding on tap, it still feels like a friendly kitten when pulling away from junctions; it’s also a soft and delicate flower of a lump, thanks to the light-action clutch.

With the impeccable manners of the Telelever and Paralever suspension, which give little noticeable front-end dive and a good steering lock, you and the GS are ready to go. It’s worth noting that Honda has previously taken a lot of stick over the VTEC system it used on the VFR800 – that system delivering the power with a pretty dramatic step.

Well, I’m very happy to report that this system on the GS is much smoother than that. Honestly, you can’t feel the step in the motor as the spinning engine comes off one cam lobe and on to the other (BMW says that the move across happens in just five milliseconds).

What you do feel though, is an instant surge as you twist the throttle in any gear and from any revs.

Personally, it’s the only engine I’ve ridden that I personally think comes close to behaving like an electric motor; the torque feels like it’s instantly on tap.