Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Harley-Davidson and the Piaggio Group of motorcycle and scooter companies have announced massive loans to get back on their feet after the pandemic. In June, Harley-Davidson announced it had access to a loan of up to $US350 million (about $A500 million) over the next year. While it has not committed to the entire amount of the …
The news just gets worse and worse for riders who enjoy a fruity exhaust note as the noise crackdown intensifies across Europe. We recently reported on Germany’s crackdown with special noise cameras, no-go areas and an 80dB limit on motorcycle exhausts that could make all BMW motorcycles quieter. Now Austria will ban specific motorcycles with …
Winglets have been used on MotoGP bikes for a few years now to improved high-speed handling, but are they just a gimmick on street-registered motorcycles? It’s not just MotoGP bikes that have them, but also Ducati’s Panigale V4, Aprilia’s RSV4 and their upcoming RS660 (pictured). These all have fixed winglets, but not it seems there is a …
Aprilia has applied for a patent for a system that prevents the front forks diving under heavy braking and losing the ability to absorb bumps. The drawings show it being used on Aprilia’s RS-GP MotoGP bike. However, preventing brake dive is more important on normal roads where there are more bumps that can unsettle a …
While the pandemic is closing some motorcycle factories in Europe, MV Agusta in Lombardy, the epicentre of the Italian coronavirus contagion, continues production. KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas will close their Austrian factories at the end of the month for two weeks and Moto Morini in Italy has already temporarily closed. The Piaggio Group – owner of Aprilia, Moto …
As panic buying sets in over the coronavirus, bans are placed on large gatherings and Italy goes into lockdown, motorcycling looks set to be one of the victims. MotoGP and World Superbikes are scrambling to reschedule their calendar, factories are scaling down and accessories such as helmets may soon become short in supply. (THIS ARTICLE …
Ducati and Piaggio (Aprilia, Vespa, Moto Guzzi) have closed their museums due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus (coronavirus) in Italy, but their factories are still operating. Chinese motorcycle factories were closed for a prolonged period over the Chinese Lunar New Year, but many, including Honda and CFMoto, have now restarted. In the case …
Aprilia plan to introduce a lower-powered version of its upcoming RS 660 lightweight sports bike so it can be ridden by learners and novices under the European A2 motorcycle licence. The announcement came in a quirky Instagram post that says “A2 driving license? Aprilia RS 660 95hp version confirmed! Keep updated!” The A2 licence is …
Aprilia seems to have faith in the supersport segment with the final unveiling of its lightweight RS660 to be followed by a naked Tuono version next year. Ever since the RS660 concept hit the EICMA stage in Milan a year ago, there has been a lot of interest in this bike in a segment that …
Aprilia and Moto Guzzi have recalled 197 bikes over an issue with a dragging front brake. The issue affects the following bikes made between 2015 and 2019 (Vehicle Identification Numbers of bikes are included at the end of this article): Aprilia Shiver 750/900 Dorsoduro 750/900 Mana 850 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring California 1400 Touring …