UCATI WORLD DUC 11 100 LAUNCH SCRAM MBLER FEVER
HARL LE EY KTM 120 00 IRON N
790 DUKE
NIKEN! Yamaha’s MT-09 powered three-wheeler is HERE
BONKERS. Brilliant. Bold. CAUGHT ON LENS!
KTM’S FUTURE HAS WINGS BUYER’S GUIDE Bagging a brilliant CB1100 for not much cash
CASHING IN:
CHEAP THRILLS
Moto Gymkhana – the sport you can do right now for just a few quid
BE SMART
How to make Monster money (kind of)
July 2018 Issue 694
NEW Need to know ◆ Your letters ◆ First rides
KTM 790 Adventure spotted on the road WITH WINGS! We’ve been sent this photo of the upcoming KTM 790 Adventure bike, caught out in action during final road tests ahead of its official launch in a few months’ time. So far so normal, but what’s caught our eye most about this version of the bike is that, in addition to the larger screen, big seat and different mudguard on the front the bike has MASSIVE wings sticking out the side of the petrol tank. The huge aero parts look to be moulded into the natural lines of the petrol tank surround and branch off well above the rider’s knee. The rider himself has his leg fitted into the side of the bike between the top wing and the bottom bit of extra aero which is a huge bulge around the bottom of the engine. We did see this bottom-fairing aero on the show-going prototype albeit those bodywork bulges were smaller.
In terms of the top ‘wings’, it’s the first time we’ve seen anything this aero-oriented on an Adventure bike of this size – a current prototype of the larger, physically-speaking, KTM 1290 Super Adventure T has large wings built into the top of the tank just like this 790. You can imagine that on the larger Adventure bike, with a much higher top speed and an engine character tuned towards covering mega miles at pace, those aero wings to aid stability would be a benefit but on the smaller capacity bike which will live its life at slower speeds it’s questionable whether it would need the added aero aids. Of course, there’s no guarantee that this development will even make it to production at all. This bike caught out on the roads may well be just a test bike that the factory wanted to run to see what would happen in the real world. It might have
the wings in place as an optional kit that you will be able to buy in order to ape the look of the bigger engined sibling. The point is, we don’t really know exactly why, exactly, KTM has bolted these big aero aids onto the 790 at this stage – but we’re very glad they did.
SSPY P Y SSHOT HOT
Glasgow, Derby and Portsmouth voted top for motorcycle riders A new study has discovered the top 10 cities and surrounding areas for riding a motorcycle through – with Glasgow, Derby and Portsmouth topping the list. Scenic routes, long open stretches of road and less traffic are what bikers consider make a good leisurely ride, with the average rider going out for five hours at a time once a fortnight. One in three bikers claim that Glasgow is one of their favourite cities to ride in, with London and Edinburgh making it into the latter half of the top 10.
The team behind www. wmbpride.bike undertook the research as part of an ongoing study in motorcycle riders’ experiences while riding throughout the UK. A total of 2194 British bikers aged 18 and over, all of whom stated that they ride their motorcycle for leisure, were asked about their top routes. Initially all respondents were asked: “How often do you ride your bike for pleasure?” The average response was found to be: “Once a fortnight.”
When asked how long they typically spent on the road, the average duration was found to be five hours. Of those five hours, respondents cited that four hours of that was riding, compared to just one hour spent admiring the destination, eating and socialising. Furthermore, when asked to share the longest leisure ride they’d been on, taking into account riding and stopovers, the average was found to be two days and seven hours, while the longest was 26 days.
www.mslmagazine.co.uk 7
Test Ride 2018 Suzuki Burgman AN400
Honey, they shrunk
Compare the Burgman to it s Yamaha rival, at a standstill and on the move, and you can really see how compact it is.
THE BURGMAN At Suzuki’s 2018 Burgman AN400 model launch in late summer 2017, Mikko found it ‘thoroughly enjoyable to ride’. Fast forward to 2018 and the scooter is now in the UK – time for a spot of ‘real world’ testing.
WORDS: Mau Spencer PHOTOGRAPHY: Gary Chapman
M
y first impression of the 2018 Burgman is that the scooter is smaller – and it is, having lost a little length, width and weight (although it’s still a little heavier than it was on release in 1998). Having ridden older versions in the past, it would also appear that the new stepped seat pushes the driver’s position a little forward; that’s not a problem on short daily commutes, but I’ll wait to be convinced on whether it affects comfort on long journeys; Suzuki says the seat itself is 20mm thicker than on the old model, so that should help with ‘numb bum’ syndrome. Something else I suspect has shrunk (although I couldn’t find any
reference to it in the tech specs) is the underseat storage space – Suzuki claims you can get two helmets under the seat, albeit one of them being a ‘Jet’ style. There is some other limited storage available, which consists of two storage compartments in the front legshields, one of which contains a 12v DC power outlet. If the Burgman’s stature has shrunk slightly, the front wheel has actually gotten bigger; the rear wheel remains at 13 inches, but the front wheel is now 15 inches (maybe this is part of the reason that the seat height is up on the previous model, sitting at 755mm)? Style-wise there have been several changes; to match the weight loss, the Burgman also gets a more compact-
10 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962
looking upswept front windscreen (tool adjustable). The restyled front end brings a sharper, edgier look, enhanced by the dual LED headlights with integrated LED running lights and indicators. At the rear, there are independent LED combination lamps which incorporate the rear indicators. On the dashboard you’ll find large analogue speedometer and tacho dials; the accompanying digital display unit provides you with a plethora of information courtesy of an odometer, dual trip meters, a fuel gauge, coolant temperature, average fuel consumption, ambient temperature, a freeze indicator plus a clock. Another feature is Suzuki’s ‘Eco Drive’ indicator (a warning light that flashes on and off to tell you just
ROAD Specification 2017 SUZUKI BURGMAN AN400 Price: £6299 Engine: 399cc four-stroke, one-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC Power: 31bhp (23kW) @ 6300rpm Torque: 26.55lb-ft (36Nm) @ 4800rpm Transmission: CVT, belt final drive Suspension: (F) 41mm telescopic forks, coil spring, oil damped, (R) link type, coil spring, oil damped, preload adjustable Brakes: (F) Two 260mm discs, (R) 210mm disc. Both with Nissin ABS Wheels: (F) 15in, (R) 13in Seat height: 755mm Tank: 13.5 litres Kerb weight: 215kg Contact: bikes.suzuki.co.uk
how economically you’re riding). And while we’re talking about economy, the new Burgman’s fuel tank capacity is larger (if only slightly) at 13.5 litres.
UNDER THE SKIN
The Burgman’s DOHC four-valve engine is basically the same as in the old 2017 version, although it has been updated to provide greater low-tomidrange torque and more powerful performance; some changes have been made in order to help meet thee latest emission regulations (includin ng a new cam profile and an enlarged aair intake box); this helps the Burgman n achieve a CO2 value of 91g/km, butt overall, the engine’s maximum poweer is down by around 1bhp. Housing the power unit is a new large diameter ‘underbone’ frame with thin wall tubes to help with weight and rigidity. Complementingg the frame are 41mm telescopic, oil damped, coil spring front forks, whiile the rear end is taken care of by a link-type oil damped coil spring preload adjustable monoshock setup. Braking is taken care of by twin front discs with a single unit to the rear operated via a linked braking system. The rear brake can also be locked via the lever that holds it on when parked-up (useful when stopping or parking on a slope).
SECURITY ASPECTS
To help keep the scooter safe and secure the Burgman has the ‘Suzuki Advanced Immobiliser System’ (SAIS) fitted as standard; it uses an electronic identification system embedded in the owner’s key to stop unauthorised people from starting the engine. The scooter’s ignition lock also comes with a magnetic security cover that will only open by using the correct ignition key.
Closest rival
YAMAHA X-MAX 400
With a price tag of £6299 the Burgman faces fierce competition from the updated Yamaha X-Max 400, which features traditional twin shock suspension at the rear, but boasts traction control, keyless ignition and tooladjustable windscreen. The X-Max 400 is estimated to retail at just under £6000 when it becomes available in the UK this autumn.
For added security, a ‘chain lock gate’ is built into the scooter; this allows you to fit your own security chain lock through the bodywork, around the frame, so you can secure the Burgman to an immovable object.
PRICE POINT
The AN400’s RRP has been set at £6299 (plus OTR charges), so at that price point it’s pitched against the likes of Yamaha’s X-Max 400, currently on offer (at the time of going to press) from £5,999 upwards (depending on model variation), so it looks like the Burgman could have a battle on its hands if Suzuki want to attract purchasers. Both scooters are available with the latest 2018 configurations and updates, so it could be interesting to see which way that battle goes… www.mslmagazine.co.uk 11
Test Ride
24 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962
LAUNCH 2018 Yamaha NIKEN
TRIPLE
THREAT Motorcycle Sport & Leisure has been out to Austria for the launch of Yamaha’s hotly anticipated leaning multi-wheeler, the Niken. Hailed as a corner carving king, we’ve been putting it through its paces on some tight and twisty mountain roads, to see just how well the revolutionary bit of kit handles.
WORDS: Ross Mowbray IMAGES: Yamaha Europe
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Blending ‘Ni’ (two) and ‘Ken’ (which can mean ‘sword’ in Japanese) – the word Niken draws inspiration from 17th century Japan when the two-sword style of swordsmanship – a katana in one hand and a wakizashi in the other – was first invented and employed. It proved truly revolutionary, and marked the beginning of a new era in combat. With claims of razor sharp cornering and an aggressive muscular aesthetic – could Yamaha’s all-new Niken leaning multi-wheeler revolutionise the world
of motorcycling in the same way? Yamaha claims it really hasn’t done any specific market research on who’s going to buy the Niken – but there are three main groups that they believe could well be tempted. There are the innovators, who are always looking to get their hands on the latest tech; then there are the expert riders, who are looking for a tool to help them get the most out of riding. And finally, there’s function-oriented riders, who are looking for extra confidence and stability.
Given that it’s a high-performance machine, rather than a commuter or shopper vehicle, the Niken can only be ridden on a full motorcycle licence – unlike other three-wheelers available.
WHAT’S IT GOING TO COST?
It’s not going to cost as much as you might think – setting you back £13,499. Yamaha has been purposefully aggressive with its pricing strategy to try and convert as many motorcyclists as possible to the new design.
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Test Ride
1/ TECHNOLOGY: As you’d expect, the Niken’s well kitted out. It comes with a traction control system which offers two riding modes, and can also be turned off. Plus there’s a D-MODE, which offers three running modes for the engine. 2/ LEANING MULTI-WHEEL SYSTEM: The Niken is based
on the use of revolutionary advanced leaning multi-wheel technology, in the form of an Ackermann steering unit with double upside down front forks which help to offer a maximum lean angle of 45º. 3/ SUSPENSION: Double upside down telescopic forks with 110mm of travel and rebound and compression damping adjusters at the front and fully adjustable link-type suspension with 125mm travel at the rear. 4/ FRAME: The Niken is built around an all-new hybrid frame, which has been specifically developed for the revolutionary leaning multi-whee ler to help it stay planted, while offering a sports bike level of handling. Its head pipe area is manufactured from cast steel, its swingarm pivot area is made from cast aluminium, and the main frame which connects the two is made from steel. 5/ ENGINE: It’s powered by a 847cc, 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC CP3 engine – pulled from the hugely successful MT-09, and tweaked to suit the Niken’s heavyweight frame. 6/ WHEELS: Dual 15in front wheels with 410mm track – and a single 17in wheel positioned at the rear. 7/ GEARS: It comes with an A&S clutch for increased stability when downshifting, and a quick shift system for smoother, clutchless upshifts. 8/ BRAKES: Dual 298mm front discs generate high levels of braking performance, and the increased surface contact area provided by the double front wheels enables the Niken to stop quickly and efficiently. The rear brake features a large diameter 282mm disc, and with these three large diameter discs working through three wheels, Niken riders have a high degree of control.
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