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Category: Motorcycles
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Pricing for the most off-road ready V-Strom yet, the all-new V-Strom 800DE, has been announced at £10,499.
Powered by Suzuki’s new 776cc, long-stroke, DOHC, parallel twin with a 270° crank, the V-Strom 800DE is born to explore and is equipped with a host of electronic rider aids and chassis features designed to help it tackle the rough stuff, as well as ensure it remains capable and usable on the road, too.
Suzuki’s new powerplant delivers 84.3PS peak power at 8500rpm and 78Nm of peak torque at 6800rpm in the new V-Strom, though riders can choose their preferred power delivery thanks to three selectable engine maps, controlled by a rocker switch on the left handlebar and displayed on a 5-inch colour TFT screen.
Also displayed on the dash in the selected traction control mode, with three on-road modes available to choose from and a G mode, for use off-road, that allows more wheelspin, which is suppressed only enough to help prevent excessive slip, so power continues to be delivered to the rear wheel with minimum interruption. It can also be disengaged completely.
There are also two ABS settings, providing greater or lesser intervention, plus there is the ability to disengage the rear ABS for improved confidence and control off-road, and a bi-directional quickshifter for seamless gear changes.
A new steel frame with bolt-on subframe and aluminium swingarm is suspended by fully-adjustable Showa components providing 220mm of travel and ground clearance. That ground clearance also comes courtesy of 21 and 17-inch wire-spoked wheels, front and back, running tubed Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres. Wide aluminium ‘bars and tough steel footpegs are designed to provide greater control when stood up off-road.
All this is wrapped in unmistakable a new, sharper, taughter incarnation of V-Strom stylinge, complete with a DR-Z-esque beak, and comes in the classic yellow that pays homage to Suzuki’s off-road racing heritage. The V-Strom 800DE is also available in a striking matt grey, with yellow accents, and subtle black, with blue.
It will be in dealerships in the spring.
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Suzuki has announced pricing for its all-new GSX-8S, with the parallel twin-powered naked coming with an RRP of £7,999 when it arrives in the spring.
The new-from-the-ground-up GSX-8S has a long-stroke 776cc parallel twin engine at its heart, with a 270° crank, designed to deliver punchy torque and a flexible character, while four valves per cylinder and a double overhead cam enable a free-revving nature.
With the GSX-8S born to thrill, that engine is wrapped in an all-new frame, with a separate tubular steel subframe, aluminium swingarm, 43mm upside down front forks and rear shock from KYB, lightweight aluminium wheels, shod with 120 front and 180 rear Dunlops – and wide, tapered, aluminium ‘bars providing a blend of stable roadholding and agility and flickability. Radially-mounted calipers and 310mm discs provide the stopping power.
Enhancing the riding experience further is a full-colour TFT screen, which displays settings linked to the new machines bi-directional quickshifter, its three-mode traction control system – which can be switched off – and three selective power modes.
Styling is unmistakably GSX-S, and is angular and futuristic, while bright, light blue wheels and subframe on the pearl cosmic blue and pearl tech white versions are striking accents. There’s also a matt and sparkle black option. Upfront, stacked hexagonal LED headlights and LED running lights all contribute to a slim, compact, and aggressive stance, while bold graphics make for a contemporary look.
The GSX-8S will be in authorised Suzuki dealerships in the spring.
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Indian Motorcycle Dealer Bike-Farm Melle wins top spot with a nearly 3:1 voting ratio
Last weekend, during the Custombike Show in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, the finals of the European Biker Build-Off saw Indian Motorcycle Dealer Bike-Farm Melle gain nearly three times the votes with their Indian Chief based Longfork Chopper “Purple Haze“ over Harley-Davidson Bielefeld to take the title.
First held in 2007 and the highlight of the famous Custombike show, the European Biker Build-Off sees two teams competing to complete their custom bike in just three days, live, under the eyes of the trade show visitors. This year’s title fight was even more exciting as both finalists come from the region, just 30km from each other: Bike-Farm, the Indian Motorcycle dealer from Melle and Reibchen + Stegemann the Harley Davidson dealer from Bielefeld.
From Friday to Sunday at noon, the creation of two extraordinary custom bikes could be followed on the show stage and by 1 pm on the Sunday, the time had come: Judgement Day. With 529 to 179 votes, nearly a 3:1 ratio, the audience chose Bike-Farm’s ‘Purple Haze’ Indian Chief chopper as the clear winner.
“A classic long fork chopper based on the 2022 Indian Chief! It’s absolutely stunning what the Bike-Farm crew has created here. This bike radically brings to flower the seeds that are at the core of the current Chief lineup: The spirit of the past combined with the technology of today.” said Ola Stenegärd, Director of Industrial Design at Indian Motorcycle. “We always had the builders in mind during development and we worked really hard to make the reimagined Indian Chief a delight to work on. So, it’s such a pleasure to see this great canvas to create motorcycle art.”
Not only has ‘Purple Haze’ been completely designed around the current air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 engine, it also still features all the electronic amenities of the original Chief Dark Horse from which it evolved: from ABS to GPS navigation, via the touchscreen of the original gauge now centered in the revised Chieftain tank.
Other core companets have also been adopted and adapted from the original bike such as the footrests and brake systems. The frame, with a full 48° rake, was manufactured by the Dutch experts VG Motorcycle Specials, and all other components are custom-made by the Bike-Farm crew: Sheet metal parts such as the tank cover with integrated gauge and GPS transmitter to the fender were created in-house just like the sissy bar, seat, wheels, handlebars, final drive, intake and exhaust system. Even the seal-less, oil-free fork with its Teflon-lubricated sliding tubes incorporating Progressive Suspension Cartridges. Finally, Lange Metallveredelung took care of the chrome surfaces, while Vossi Lackcenter Melle traditionally handled the finishing of the paint.
“The entire bike was created within just eight weeks,” as workshop manager Tristan Frische recounts. “With four men, we wrenched, shaped and turned day and night. All the more we are delighted with this title. Not only have all the electronic features been retained, but also the fully road legal, including remaining Euro 5. So, this dream bike will soon be seen quite regularly on public roads.”
In case anyone feels inspired to build their own Longfork Chief Chopper: the VG frame is available for order at Indian Motorcycle Melle, the Indian Chief, of course, at any official Indian Motorcycle dealer.
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Suzuki has celebrated the annual graduation of apprentices from its Apprenticeship Programme, with 26 technicians, customer service advisors, and aftersales parts consultants acknowledged at an award ceremony held at the British Motor Museum.
Of the 26 graduates – across Suzuki’s motorcycle, ATV, marine, and automobile divisions – there was one motorcycle technician, one motorcycle aftersales parts consultant, and one motorcycle customer service advisor.
The newly qualified students travelled to the West Midlands to receive their certificates from Suzuki GB’s managing director, Nobuo Suyama, and director of aftersales, Denis Houston. Also in attendance were three other members from the Suzuki board of management as well the apprentices’ families and their employers within the wider Suzuki family.
Each of the employees from Suzuki’s nationwide dealer networks undertook a combination of practical on-the-job learning and expert tuition at the Bosch-run state-of-the-art Doncaster training centre in South Yorkshire.
Denis Houston, director of aftersales for Suzuki GB, said, “The graduation ceremony is the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication. It is always a proud moment for not only the apprentices themselves, but also for their families and employers who have played a pivotal role in supporting each of the individuals. They should all be commended for the great lengths that they have gone to in order to enable the learning and development of these young trainees. We would like to congratulate the graduates on their achievement, and they are certainly destined for very bright futures as they continue their professional careers within our dealerships.”
The motorcycle graduates are:
Barnaby Ingham, motorcycle technician
Joe Phillips, motorcycle aftersales parts consultant
Oliver Radley, motorcycle customer service advisor
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- The brands aim with its presence at EICMA 2022 is to consolidate its good progress on the international market, since it is already present in Spain, Germany, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates.
- URBET ELECTRIC MOTORS will be joined in Milan by LORA S as its main attraction, its flagship model thanks to its 360 km range and its 24 HP power.
- URBET will also unveil a new model called GRAN VIA, a new electric maxiscooter focused on satisfying the needs of a growing demand.
URBET will attend the most important motor show for the two-wheel sector in Europe, the EICMA, an event which will take place between the 8th and the 13th of November. The brand will have an exclusive and attractive stand which can be found at the T84E location in Hall 24.
The aim of URBET ELECTRIC MOTORS with its presence at EICMA is to continue its international expansion strategy and therefor strengthen its presence in key markets. The Marbella-based company is already present in the Spanish market through more than 20 authorised dealers, as well as in Germany, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates. Soon, URBET will start its activity in Italy thanks to a new partner.
This will also be the first time the company shows LORA S in an international exhibition. Thanks to its 360 km range, its 24 HP of maximum power and a naked design with neo-retro lines, the model will help to project the URBET ELECTRIC MOTORS brand in a stronger way in the different european markets.
URBET ELECTRIC MOTORS wants to demonstrate its ambition for growth and commitment with the customer, and for this reason it does not only restrict itself commercially to the markets where it has an official presence, but also will deliver any model to any country within the European framework, offering personalised attention.
URBET ELECTRIC MOTORS model range
The URBET range starts in Spain at 2,200 euros* for its most economical model, RIAZOR, an affordable moped based on the concept of a flat-floor urban scooter. EGO is the brand's second electric moped. With a more radical image, it does not follow design concepts, and starts at 3,900 euros*.
GADIRO is the brand's best-seller. A 125 C.C. equivalent that offers up to 160 kilometres of autonomy in its dual battery version. It is one of the most affordable 125 electric bikes in Europe, starting at 3,500 euros*.
LORA is the maximum expression of technology and power within the URBET ELECTRIC MOTORS model range. In its LORA S version, it reaches a top speed of 150 kilometres per hour thanks to its 19 kW maximum power motor (24 HP) and a range of up to 360 kilometres on a full charge of its 15.1 kWh battery. All of this is possible at the same time that is considered a 125 C.C. equivalent, as its rated power remains at 8 kW.
As URBET ELECTRIC MOTORS announced previously, LORA and LORA S will reach the streets of Europe during the last stages of this year.
URBET GRAN VIA, the new electric maxiscooter for those looking for more in every way
In order to continue to meet the requirements of a growing demand, URBET ELECTRIC MOTORS will add a new electric maxiscooter to its model range that aims to satisfy those who need a scooter with bigger dimensions and better performance than a traditional urban scooter.
The new model owes its name to the most famous streets in Madrid and Barcelona, Calle Gran Vía. Will be positioned between Gadiro and Lora in terms of performance. It will reach up to 120 kilometres per hour thanks to a central electric motor with 9 kW of continuous power and 20 kW of maximum power.
URBET GRAN VIA will also have a superior range to the needs of the average user on the daily basis, since with a full charge of its 7.56 kWh battery (72 V, 105 Ah), it will be able to complete journeys of more than 130 kilometres between charges.
In the coming weeks, URBET will announce GRAN VIA’s launch for the European market.
URBET: E-Mission Ø
URBET: E-Mission Ø is the philosophy under which URBET ELECTRIC MOTORS works, in which the electric vehicle is the basis on which healthier and more efficient cities must be created.
Santiago Díaz- Pache comments on the brand's mission: "URBET aims to be a protagonist in this transformation, we want not only to drive cleanly, which we already do, but also to extend our technology so that we do not emit CO2 when we charge our vehicles.”
“Our innovation department is working in this direction. Zero-emission driving and charging. We believe that the electric vehicle is the basis on which to create healthier and more efficient cities.”
URBET's goal with the international launch of LORA is to establish itself in the European market, something that GADIRO has already helped with, and which they hope to complete with LORA: "URBET is experiencing a moment of expansion of the brand both nationally and internationally. The Lora model also aims to introduce us more forcefully into the European market, something that is already being achieved in cities such as Paris, Berlin, Brussels and Stockholm," concludes Díaz-Pache.
*Prices may vary depending on the country.
Sobre URBET
Urbet Electric Motors is a Spanish electric mobility brand founded in 2017 in the city of Marbella and already has 20 official distributors in Spain. Its range is made up of four models, including the Urbet Gadiro E125, one of the most popular models on the Spanish market in its niche thanks to a price/range ratio that is currently unrivalled. In the future, the Andalusian company aims to set up production in Málaga.
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