Bikes 17 October 2013

2

17 OCT

2013

TRIPLE THE FUN Yamaha have decided it’s more fun with three as they launch their new triple, the MT-09. Jon Bennett finds out if the MT promises – or if it’s just empty promises...

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www.bristolpost.co.uk

Thursday, October 17, 2013

NEW MACHINERY

TEST RIDE

MT-09 Yamaha get it bang on with new triple Jon Bennett Motorcycling correspondent jon.bennett@b-nm.co.uk

V-Strom 1000 spec announced SUZUKI has finally announced the final details of its hotly anticipated V-Strom 1000 adventure bike, including engine capacity, details of its MotoGP developed traction control system, class-leading fuel economy and pricing.

Set to be Suzuki’s most advanced adventure model ever, the V-Strom will feature a new 1036cc V-twin engine, developed to deliver excellent low-mid range power and torque.

Power is confirmed as 98.6 bhp @ 8,000rpm with torque at 76 lb ft @ 4,000rpm, demonstrating the new bike’s eagerness in real-world riding conditions.

To keep power in check on every type of road surface, the new V-Strom features a completely new traction control system developed by Suzuki’s MotoGP engineers and is one of the most advanced systems ever seen on an adventure bike.

The new system analyses information from five sensors on the machine, helping to deliver optimum traction with precision, and features multi-function settings, too.

With an all-new chassis the new V-Strom has an overall kerb mass of 228kg, some 8kg lighter than the original V-Strom 1000 and the lightest in its class. As well as reduced weight, the new bike boasts a 19-inch front wheel – the preferred size in the adventure bike class, providing stability and agility.

Suzuki’s lightweight ABS system will be combined with new radially mounted brake calipers. And along with the increased power, the V-Strom promises to return classleading 1000cc frugality too, with an claimed 59mpg figure and a range of 259 miles from its 20-litre fuel tank.

According to Suzuki GB, the recommended retail price for the V-Strom 1000 will be £9,999 plus on the road charges.”

Potential customers can also begin their decision process on colours, with Suzuki GB confirming colour schemes of Candy Daring Red, Pearl Glacier White and Glass Sparkle Black.

Keep an eye out for a demo model coming to Fowlers in Bristol soon.

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It’s the world’s biggest bike – official!

WE all like riding big bikes, but they don’t come much bigger than this...

Welcome to the mad world of Fabio Reggiani from Italy, who has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for constructing the world’s largest rideable motorcycle measuring 5.10 metres (16ft 9in) from the ground to the top of the handlebars.

Six times bigger than a normal motorcycle, it is 10m (32.8ft) long, 2.5m (8.2ft) wide and weighs approximately five tonnes.

Reggiani, a 32-year-old product de-

signer, led a team of eight people over seven months to build the vehicle.

It is powered by a 5.7 litre V8 engine, running at 280 bhp with three forward gears plus reverse.

Reggiani, from Reggio Emilia, in northern Italy, added additional wheels for stability though it can be ridden without its stabilisers.

He never tires of the public reaction to his labour of love with his favourite response being: “O mamma mia, come e grande!” (“Oh my mother, how big it is!”)

T

HE 850. It’s a funny old size for an engine. Many manufacturers have tried it at one point or another, with varying degrees of success. BMW adopted it early on as a flat twin with their R80 series. Norton went Commando with a parallel twin 850 in 1973. Suzuki once created a popular four-cylinder version with their shaft-driven GS850, and more recently the Italians have had a punt with V-twin variants – the Aprilia 850 Mano, Ducati 848 and Moto Guzzi Le Mans.

Back in the very early 80s Yamaha had a brief dalliance with their three-cylinder XS850, but here we are 30 years on and they’ve rejoined the party with an all-new 850 triple. It’s called the MT-09 – and it’s an absolute blast.

So, how does the MT-09 go?

Make no mistake, the MT-09 is one eager motorcycle. It’s light, it’s powerful, and it’s agile. The engine oozes charisma, with its creamy blend of muscular torque and sweet top-end power. Acceleration is suitably impressive, with the front wheel regularly skipping off the Tarmac as it pulls harder and harder through the gears, while the ergonomics make it surprisingly comfortable to ride at higher speeds even with scant protection from the elements.

What Yamaha have created is a modern-day, useable sports bike that gives thrilling performance in everyday conditions.

Part of the reason it is such a joy to ride is its power-to-weight ratio. Tipping the scales at just 188kg, it weighs less than Yamaha’s own R6. To give it further perspective, it’s got an extra 10bhp over Triumph’s Street Triple, and, while it’s not as powerful as the Speed Triple R, it weighs a whole five stones less.

How does it handle?

Yamaha designed the MT-09 with sporting intentions. If you’re looking for a simple, unflustered ride, you’re best off sticking with the XJ6 or the Diversion. That isn’t to say the MT-09 is difficult to ride but the immediacy of its throttle response can make it seem flighty for the less experienced rider.

It has a choice of three power settings, and you really can tell the difference between them. Controlled

“ Acceleration is

suitably impressive, with the front wheel regularly skipping off the Tarmac as the MT-09 pulls harder and harder through the gears with your right thumb and switchable while on the move, the standard STD setting offers all the power, spread evenly across the range, and is suitable for pretty much all occasions. Before the days of choosing our own power maps, this is where the MT-09 would have been all the time and we’d have been none the wiser.

The A position, however, tweaks the settings to make for sharper revving and even harder acceleration at low to middle revs. Pop it in B mode and the world seems a much safer place. I only used the B setting once as the rain lashed down across the Brecon Beacons, but it was nice not to feel like I had to ride like Rossi for a while.

More than any other form of transport, a well-designed motorcycle should feel like an extension of the body, and with adjustable front and rear suspension and Dunlop Sportmax tyres, cornering on the MT-09 is as fluid as you could hope for, holding lines with ease and carving through apex after apex with real surety.

FACTFILE ✔ Price: £6,932 at Fowlers ✔ Engine: 847cc triple ✔ Top speed: 140mph (est) ✔ Power: 115bhp @ 10,000 ✔ Torque: 64.5 ft lb @ 8,500 ✔ Weight: 188kg ✔ Seat height: 815mm ✔ Fuel capacity: 14.6 litres ✔ Consumption: 45 mpg ✔ Tank range: 130 miles

What about the looks?

The MT-09 is said to be the product of ‘the same creative forces that drive the darker, more unconventional side of Japan’, and every aspect of the MT-09’s design has been carefully considered. From the menacing hunched looks to the concealed threeinto-one exhaust, the MT-09 looks like an expensive motorcycle.

The rear lights are a work of art inspired by the MT-01. A long strip of LEDs features separate left and right side lamps when the lights are turned on, while the whole surface lights up during braking. Further features are the lightweight 10-spoke alloy wheels, and the offset LCD dash. The Fowlers demo bike I took out has a wonderfully deep metallic finish to its Blazing Orange 14-litre tank that holds enough juice to see you up to around 130 miles of spirited riding.

Is it value for money?

At just under £7,000, what you are getting with the MT-09 is a motorcycle that is totally new from the ground up, built around some of the latest technology available to the buying public.

If you’re looking for a new bike with some real spark, you ought to try one.

Book yourself a test ride by calling Fowlers of Bristol on 0117 977 0466.

www.bristolpost.co.uk

Thursday, October 17, 2013

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UNIQUE AND DISTINCTIVE SOUND ● WITH the new MT-09 already arriving in dealers around the UK, Yamaha has announced that a new Akrapovic exhaust system will be available from next month for this stunning triple cylinder machine.

With its CP3 (Crossplane concept 3-cylinder) engine and 120 degree crank, the triple cylinder engine produces a unique and distinctive sound that hasn’t been heard from a Yamaha motorcycle for well over 30 years. But with the new Akrapovic exhaust system, the

MT-09 growl will be heard in all its glory!

Available exclusively through authorised Yamaha dealers, the system will cost just shy of £940.

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Bikers association is looking for journalists

RACING

MotoGP Dani secures third win of season

● THE British Bikers Association, headed up by chairman Colin Mahoney, is looking for aspiring motorcycle writers who can write interesting and insightful articles relating to anything that covers bikes. Initially, submissions will be unpaid but in the future, that may well change. Ideally, they want articles that take a unique angle on motorcycling subjects, with the focus on cultural aspects as much as analysis.

Find out more at www.british bikersassociation.org/work-withbba/motorcycle-journalists-wanted

Jon Bennett

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ANI Pedrosa clinched his third win of the MotoGP season at the Malaysian Grand Prix while Marc Marquez finished second to extend his championship lead to 43 points.

Repsol Honda rider Pedrosa beat team-mate and compatriot Marquez by 2.757 seconds, and reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo made it an all-Spanish podium in Sepang at the weekend by placing third for Yamaha Factory Racing.

Pedrosa, pictured, has now shortened the standings gap to 11 points on second-placed Lorenzo with three races remaining.

Lorenzo was 6.669 seconds off Pedrosa’s winning time of 40 minutes 45.191 seconds, with Italy’s Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory Racing) pipping Alvaro Bautista (Honda Gresini) to fourth spot.

British duo Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith were sixth and seventh for Monster Yamaha Tech 3.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Aleix Espargaro (Power Electronics Aspar) and Yonny Hernandez (Ignite Pramac Racing) completed the top 10.

Lorenzo made the strongest start on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur but he was overtaken by Pedrosa at the end of the first lap.

The Catalan then streaked clear to leave Lorenzo battling Marquez for the runner-up spot and the younger rider did not look back after making a move stick on turn 14 with 11 laps to go.

A philosophical Lorenzo told motogp.com: “I enjoyed the battle (with Marquez) because it was good fun and went on for a while.

“I’m happy with the podium because a podium is a podium, but I’m slightly disappointed too because I wanted to beat Dani and if possible win the race.

“Today in the heat we were not competitive enough. At the beginning like always we were not so bad but once the rear tyre dropped we weren’t strong enough on braking and the other guys recovered so much ground.

“In the middle of the race we also started to lose out on acceleration too. Third place was the best result possible and we did everything we could.”

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Motorcycle correspondent jon.bennett@b-nm.co.uk

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● Dani Pedrosa celebrates win at Sepang