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    RiderBOT
    New look emerges in Chinese type-approval filing
    A revamped version of KTM’s 790 Duke is heading for production this year with the redesign leaking early thanks to Chinese government filings showing the model’s type-approval details.
    With the debut of the bigger 990 Duke, powered by KTM’s second-generation LC8c parallel twin, you might have thought the 790’s days might be numbered, but it appeals to a slightly different market segment and as such KTM has seen fit to bring the original 799cc version of the LC8c motor into line with modern emissions rules and now the new look confirms the 790 Duke is being ushered into another model cycle.
    The styling, unsurprisingly, brings the 790 Duke into line with KTM’s latest design signatures. The complicated nose, with a central LED headlight bracketed by strips of DRLs on either side, each in their own pods, is similar to the 990 Duke’s design but not an identical part. Instead it’s unique to the 790, and the same applies to the side panels and fuel tank behind it, now more angular and sharply creased than before. In fact, the new 790 manages to look even more aggressive than the 990 Duke.
    At the back, the subframe is also new, and appears to be a self-supporting cast alloy unit, topped by a heavily stepped seat that perches the pillion much higher than the rider.
    Mechanical changes are relatively few, but the redesigned bike sports WP’s new brake calipers – a theme set to spread through KTM’s range, since it owns the WP brand – instead of the old KTM-badged J.Juan calipers of the previous generation. The discs, too, are new, along with their carriers, and the document confirms the brakes are controlled via an Indian-made Bosch 9.3MP ABS system. WP also supplies the suspension, of course, and both it and the main chassis structure appear to be carried over from the existing 790 Duke. The TFT instrument pack is also similar to the current model’s, but the mirrors are borrowed from the 990 Duke.
    As before, the new 790 Duke is manufactured in China at KTM’s joint venture with CFMoto, which explains both why the bike has been approved in that country first, and why it carries ‘KTMR2R’ badging on the tank, which is the firm’s Chinese branding.
    The approval specs show that the next-gen bike puts out 77kW and has a curb weight of 185kg, 2kg less than the existing bike. The power output is likely to be reined in to 70kW for European markets, allowing the bike to comply with their ‘A2’ licence rules like the current model does. At 1476mm, the new bike’s wheelbase is 1mm longer than the spec for today’s version, but that’s close enough to be a rounding error or a chain adjustment difference rather than indicating any substantial change to the chassis or setup.
    The post Redesigned KTM 790 Duke incoming appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    R‑Experience packages will soon be available at Sydney Motorsport Park from $599, including bike rental and track
    Yamaha Motor Australia and MotoSchool are set to lift the supersport training experience with the introduction of a YZF-R9 hire fleet and an exclusive Yamaha customer day. The pair has confirmed the extension of its strategic partnership into 2026, a move aimed at reshaping how riders connect with the Yamaha brand, build skills and experience track performance.

    Building on the success of the 2025 program, the expanded partnership signals a longer-term commitment to rider education, community and accessibility, while also delivering a major new step in Australian rider training: an all-new Yamaha YZF-R9 hire bike fleet, alongside deeper integration of Yamaha’s performance and genuine accessories ecosystem.
    The changes see MotoSchool positioned not only as a training provider, but as a national rider-experience platform—bringing customers, machines and brand culture together in a way not previously offered in Australia. Following record attendance, strong customer demand and industry recognition throughout 2025, MotoSchool’s training environment will fully integrate:
    A new, purpose-built R-Experience, available exclusively to MotoSchool customers Yamalube oils, lubricants and maintenance products across all operations Yamaha racing components from the proven performance range of GYTR accessories Akrapovic exhaust systems from Yamaha Genuine Accessories Continued collaboration with Dunlop Tyres via Ficeda Accessories, ensuring race-proven grip and consistency The goal is a unified, professional training environment that remains accessible to everyday riders.
    The R-Experience: Performance without barriers
    Central to the 2026 program is MotoSchool’s R-Experience, a premium, track-based immersion designed to give riders access to Yamaha’s high-performance R-series platform in a structured, professional and race-inspired setting. Headlined by the all-new YZF-R9, the Yamaha R-Experience is intended to deliver Yamaha’s next-generation supersport technology as a brand-led experience rather than a straightforward rental-bike arrangement.
    Each motorcycle will be fitted with a GYTR Akrapovič titanium race exhaust system and prepared to professional standards, giving riders the chance to experience Yamaha’s engineering as intended. Participants in the Yamaha R-Experience will also have the option to run either:
    Dunlop race slicks for advanced training, or Dunlop treaded slick track day tyres for high-performance road-based track riding MotoSchool says the R-Experience package is being designed for accessibility, allowing riders to arrive, ride and immerse themselves in a premium race-inspired environment without compromise. More details will be announced shortly.
    YamaFest customer day at Sydney Motorsport Park
    As part of the expanded 2026 partnership, Yamaha Motor Australia and MotoSchool have also announced an exclusive Yamaha Customer Day on Sunday 29 March, using Sydney Motorsport Park’s Grand Prix Circuit. Details are yet to be finalised.
    The one-day event will bring together Yamaha riders from across the country, offering Yamaha motorcycle customers the chance to ride alongside like-minded enthusiasts in a professionally run, inclusive and supportive environment.
    The event will cater to:
    All Yamaha road-going models All rider experience levels Riders seeking community, connection and fun through the Yamaha brand It will also mark the first public opportunity for customers to participate in the R-Experience and hire a YZF-R9—positioning it as a milestone event for Yamaha customers and MotoSchool alike.

    “What we’ve built with MotoSchool goes far beyond a traditional partnership,” says Mathew Ferry, General Manager Sales & Marketing, Land Mobility at Yamaha Motor Australia.
    “It’s a platform that brings riders closer to our brand, our technology, and our philosophy. Extending this partnership into 2026 and launching the YZF-R9 hire fleet and Yamaha Customer Day, allows us to offer something truly unique to our customers.”
    “What Yamaha Motor Australia has created through this partnership is something truly special,” says Haydan Parker, Managing Director and Founder of MotoSchool. The Yamaha team has shown what’s possible when a manufacturer genuinely commits to riders through experience, education, and community. This partnership is a blueprint for how brands can invest in the future of motorcycling in a meaningful way. Together, we’ve built a model that removes barriers and opens doors. An environment where world-class machinery and elite coaching are no longer reserved for the few. The 2026 program proves that when motorcycle distributors and rider development organisations work in true partnership, the result is not just better riders, but a stronger, more connected global motorcycle culture. For the first time, riders can step straight into a race-inspired Yamaha environment, ride the new YZF-R9, train with elite coaches, and be part of a community that’s built around learning and passion. We aim to offer riders the chance to experience something completely new.”
    Yamaha R-Experience packages will soon be available at Sydney Motorsport Park from $599 inclusive of bike rental and track access. For more details, email MotoSchool at vip@motoschool.com.au or visit https://motoschool.com.au/
    The post Yamaha and MotoSchool to launch YZF‑R9 R‑Experience appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    Aprilia Tuareg Racing has wrapped up its 2026 Africa Eco Race campaign, with Jacopo Cerutti finishing fourth in the +650 twin-cylinder class and fifth overall at the seventeenth edition of the rally-raid event.
    The 2026 Africa Eco Race concluded in Dakar, Senegal on 7 February following twelve stages covering more than 6000 kilometres from Morocco through Mauritania to Senegal’s Lake Rose.

    Riding the Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally, Cerutti secured one stage win and one class victory during the event in what proved to be a challenging competition for the Italian manufacturer’s racing program.
    Marco Menichini, competing in his second Africa Eco Race aboard the Tuareg Rally, finished seventh in the +650 class and eighth overall. Menichini showed consistent pace particularly in the second half of the rally, including a fourth-place class finish in stage seven.

    Francesco Montanari completed the manufacturer’s three-rider lineup, finishing eleventh in the category standings after a withdrawal during stage four impacted his overall campaign.
    Aprilia Tuareg Racing team manager Vittoriano Guareschi acknowledged the demanding nature of this year’s event while highlighting the team’s resilience.
    “Arriving here at Lake Rose with all three bikes is always a great feeling. It means we finished the race, and that is what matters,” Guareschi said.

    “This year’s Africa Eco Race was different from the previous two editions: overall it was tougher, with stages that were truly demanding for both the riders’ physical stamina and the bikes. Furthermore, the general level has risen significantly, and our opponents arrived in excellent form.”
    Despite facing challenges through the Mauritanian sections of the rally, Guareschi noted the team’s ability to fight back in the closing stages.

    “We were among the protagonists until Mauritania, then things didn’t go as we expected. But in the end, we reacted, and in yesterday’s stage, we returned to the positions we are used to, proving that we know we can be competitive. We have gained important insights on how to improve ahead of future competitions.”
    The Africa Eco Race represents a key testing ground for Aprilia’s Tuareg Rally program, with the manufacturer using the event to develop both machine and rider capabilities in extreme off-road conditions.
    1 of 11 Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Aprilia Tuareg Racing completes 2026 Africa Eco Race appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Gresini Ducati rider sets fastest time of 2026 winter testing as field completes preparations ahead of Thailand season opener
    Alex Marquez has capped off the three-day Sepang MotoGP test with the fastest lap time of the entire pre-season, posting a 1:56.402s aboard his Gresini Ducati GP26 on Thursday morning.
    The 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix winner’s benchmark came just 0.065s shy of Francesco Bagnaia’s official lap record at the circuit, set during last year’s race weekend.

    Alex Marquez’s effort came early in the opening session, and despite late time attacks from several riders in the afternoon, his morning flyer remained unbeaten. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) came closest with a 1:56.526s, while Fabio di Giannantonio completed a Ducati GP26 lockout of the top three.
    Marc Marquez endured a crash at Turn 1 during the second hour but recovered to finish fourth overall, with world champion Bagnaia rounding out the top five.
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    Honda emerged as a surprise package at Sepang, with Joan Mir’s 1:56.874s from Wednesday remaining the second-fastest time of the test. The Spaniard also topped the Sprint race simulation times on the final day.
    “If tomorrow was a race, we can be there in the top five,” said Mir, who completed more than a Sprint race distance and expressed satisfaction with Honda’s winter progress.
    Teammate Luca Marini finished 13th in the combined standings but remained optimistic about the RC213V’s development direction heading to Thailand.
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    Monster Energy Yamaha returned to action on Thursday following a technical issue that sidelined the team on Wednesday. Alex Rins completed 36 laps across both sessions, finishing 12th on the day, while test rider Augusto Fernandez substituted for the injured Fabio Quartararo.
    The Pramac Yamaha squad also logged valuable track time, with Jack Miller and WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu continuing their steep learning curve with the YZR-M1.

    Red Bull KTM used the three days to evaluate aerodynamic options and chassis configurations, with Pedro Acosta leading the Austrian manufacturer’s charge in eighth overall. The young Spaniard focused on chassis comparisons rather than outright lap times.
    “I wanted a clear image in my head of what pieces we need now for Thailand,” said Acosta, who posted the fourth-fastest Sprint simulation average.

    Enea Bastianini expressed growing comfort on the RC16 in his first test with Tech3, while Brad Binder and Maverick Vinales worked through setup options across the three days.
    The afternoon’s race simulations revealed competitive order, with Alex Marquez again leading the way with an average lap time of 1:58.028s over Sprint distance. Factory Ducati duo Bagnaia and Marc Marquez followed closely, averaging 1:58.166s and 1:58.289s respectively.

    Less than two seconds separated the top 18 riders on the final day’s timesheet, highlighting the field’s competitive nature heading into the season.
    The MotoGP paddock now heads to Kuala Lumpur for the 2026 season launch event before reconvening at Buriram for the final pre-season test on February 21-22, one week before the Thai Grand Prix season opener.
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    Combined Test Times (Days 1-3)
    Alex Marquez – 1:56.402s Marco Bezzecchi – 1:56.526s Fabio di Giannantonio – 1:56.785s Marc Marquez – 1:56.789s Joan Mir – 1:56.874s Francesco Bagnaia – 1:56.929s Franco Morbidelli – 1:56.983s Pedro Acosta – 1:57.116s Maverick Vinales – 1:57.126s Raul Fernandez – 1:57.245s 1 of 21 Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Alex Marquez tops Sepang test as MotoGP pre-season concludes appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Honda Racing has revealed the colours Luca Marini and Joan Mir will race in 2026, with the Spanish rider immediately backing up the launch by topping day two of pre-season testing at Sepang.
    The factory Honda squad unveiled its 2026 livery ahead of the first official test, maintaining the iconic HRC tricolore of red, white and blue alongside title partner Castrol’s branding.
    In Honda’s words, red represents passion for racing, blue the quest for technical excellence, and white motorsports fans. The design also marks the continuation of Honda’s partnership with Castrol, now in its second year.
    1 of 4 The livery reveal comes as Honda celebrates 60 years in the premier class, dating back to the 500cc RC181 that started a lineage leading to today’s 1000cc RC213V. Honda has accumulated 314 premier class wins and over 2300 podiums across all classes.
    Marini and Mir are entering their third season together in the factory team, having shown steady progress throughout 2025. The Italian finished inside the top ten in all but two races during the second half of last season, while Mir secured podiums at Motegi and Malaysia.

    Testing got underway immediately after the livery launch, with both riders sitting comfortably in the top ten on day one before Mir blitzed the field on Wednesday.
    The 2020 world champion set a 1’56.874 on day two, 0.6 seconds faster than his Q2 time from the Malaysian GP a few months earlier. The laptime put him quickest overall as Honda continued development work on the RC213V.
    Marini ended day one in sixth with a 1’57.569 before Wednesday’s rain limited his running. The Italian completed 1’57.550, 0.676s behind his teammate.

    Both riders focused on evaluating new parts across the opening two days, with the factory pair completing 107 laps on day one before weather curtailed Wednesday afternoon’s programme.
    Honda HRC Castrol will complete the final day of testing at Sepang before heading to Buriram for the second test and opening round. The Thai GP runs February 27-March 1.
    The 2026 season marks the final year of competition for the 1000cc machines before new technical regulations arrive in 2027.
    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Honda HRC Castrol unveils 2026 livery as Mir tops Sepang test appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Upcoming Indian-made electric bike developed with Zero’s help
    Last year Hero MotoCorp – India’s largest bike maker – unveiled its biggest push yet into the field of electric motorcycles under the Vida sub-brand. Already selling electric scooters under the Vida name, Hero showed several concepts at EICMA in November including the Ubex – an EV ‘urban explorer’ bike – and a trio of electric mobility solutions in the form of the NEX 1, a foldable, stand-on scooter with tracks to let it cope with kerbs and stairs, the NEX 2, a leaning three-wheeler like the Piaggio MP3, and the NEX 3 microcar. It also teased an upcoming production electric bike – the VxZ – which has now broken cover in more detail thanks to a set of design registrations showing its final shape.


    In an apt convergence of names, Hero has tied up with Californian electric bike pioneers Zero on the development of the VxZ, and teaser images of the machine reveal it uses Zero’s Z-Force 75-5 air-cooled, brushless motor, as used in the Zero FX. That suggests similar performance to Zero’s machine, which offers an absolute top speed of 137km/h and the ability to maintain a sustained 113km/h, with the Z-Force 75-5 motor putting out 106Nm and 34kW.

    The battery, too, shares some similarity with Zero’s packs, sporting the same style of badging on the side, reading LI for lithium-ion, and ‘X.X’ where Zero’s batteries normally state their maximum capacity in kWh. The Zero FX, for example, has an ‘LI 7.2’ badge for its 7.2kWh pack, while the bigger models extend as high as 17.3kWh.

    The VxZ isn’t just a rebadged Zero, though. That battery appears to be a new pack, and sits in a tubular steel frame that isn’t shared with an existing Zero model, even though the overall design isn’t dissimilar. The cast alloy swingarm is new, too, along with all the styling. With Hero’s manufacturing might behind it, the VxZ has the potential to be made in vastly bigger numbers than any Zero in the American brand’s two-decade history.

    Hero’s decision to tie in with Zero isn’t an obvious one. The company already has deep connections with Harley-Davidson, distributing H-D bikes in India and even building its own home-market Harleys, the X440 and X440T. Harley-Davidson, of course, is majority owner of LiveWire – arguably Zero’s fiercest rival on the electric motorcycle scene – making Hero’s choice to go with a Zero-based bike rather than a LiveWire-derived machine an intriguing one.

    Although the Indian market is clearly a focus, Hero’s Vida brand is now available on export markets throughout Europe and the UK, so there’s a good chance the production version of the VxZ will be offered globally once it starts rolling out of the factory.
    The post Zero to Hero for Vida VxZ appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    Polaris completes divestment as the 125-year-old brand becomes a standalone company again
    Indian Motorcycle has officially become a standalone company following the completion of its sale from Polaris to private equity firm Carolwood LP, marking a major structural shift for America’s oldest motorcycle brand.
    The deal, announced on February 2, confirms that Carolwood has closed its agreement with Polaris to acquire the Indian Motorcycle business. The transaction establishes Indian Motorcycle as an independent, motorcycle-only company as it enters its 125th anniversary year in 2026.

    The newly formed Indian Motorcycle Company will be led by CEO Mike Kennedy, a veteran of the motorcycle industry. Kennedy said the milestone year provides both a moment of reflection and a foundation for the company’s future direction.
    “It’s an incredible honor to take the helm of Indian Motorcycle as it celebrates its 125th Anniversary, empowered by a sense of gratitude and opportunity, and the support and ambition of a well-resourced, highly motivated ownership team,” said Kennedy. “2026 will be a special year to honor our history, but more importantly, to drive the brand into the future with a renewed level of commitment, focus and clarity that can only be found as a stand-alone company.”
    Indian Motorcycle CEO CEO Mike Kennedy According to the company, the new ownership structure will allow Indian Motorcycle to concentrate investment on product development, rider experience and dealer support. Kennedy said the strategy centres on reinforcing brand differentiation and aligning future products with Indian’s heritage.
    “We will achieve our vision through a deeper level of differentiation, leaning in on what makes our brand unique, and with products that possess a style, craftsmanship and performance quality that is uniquely justified by our historic legacy and spirit of innovation,” he said.
    Indian Motorcycle said its global dealer network will remain central to its operations under the new structure, with a focus on collaboration and transparency.

    “Dealers are our most important partners, and we will judge our business based on the success of our dealers,” said Kennedy. “We intend to be extremely collaborative with our dealers, actively listening to their feedback and incorporating it into our planning and decision-making, not only in terms of dealer operations, but also product development and marketing.”
    As part of the acquisition, approximately 900 employees will transition into the new Indian Motorcycle Company, while it has been reported that up to 200 jobs will be cut as a result of Polaris closing the western Wisconsin Plant. Manufacturing will continue at existing facilities in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Monticello, Minnesota, while industrial design and research and development operations will remain based in Burgdorf, Switzerland, and Wyoming, Minnesota.
    The company said sales, service and dealer support will continue without interruption during the transition.
    Kennedy also emphasised the brand’s manufacturing footprint in the United States.
    “America’s first motorcycle company will put America first,” said Kennedy. “Our brand and business will be grounded in our American identity and more importantly, American manufacturing. ‘Built in America’ is not a slogan. It’s a competitive advantage, and we intend to use it.”
    Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle is recognised as one of America’s longest-standing motorcycle manufacturers. The company said the new ownership under Carolwood LP represents the next chapter in its history as it operates independently for the first time in its modern era.
    The post Indian Motorcycle Sold to Private Equity Firm appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    KTM has announced its 2026 Duke naked bike lineup for the Australian and New Zealand markets, with deliveries commencing from February.
    The Austrian manufacturer’s latest range features updated versions of the 990 Duke, 990 Duke R, 1390 Super Duke R and 1390 Super Duke R Evo, alongside two yet-to-be-revealed models slated for April 2026.

    The middleweight 990 DUKE receives refreshed styling for 2026, maintaining its parallel-twin engine platform while introducing a new colourway.
    Stepping up the performance ladder, the 990 Duke R adds an 8.8-inch touchscreen TFT display with offline map navigation, delivering 97kW and 103Nm. The R-spec model features fully adjustable WP APEX suspension with a linkage rear setup, positioning it as the most track-focused variant of the 990 platform.
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    The 1390 Super Duke R and R Evo continue as flagship hypernakeds, with the Evo variant adding semi-active suspension and cornering ABS to the package.
    KTM has teased two additional Duke models set for an April reveal, described by product marketing manager Gareth Davidson as “the most extreme DUKE models in the history of KTM.”

    “April changes everything. Two of the most extreme Duke models in the history of KTM will hit harder than ever before,” Davidson said. “Sharper. Lighter. Meaner. Power that resets expectations, precision that hunts apexes, torque that could turn the world on its own axis.”
    The 2026 KTM Duke range will be available through KTM dealers across Australia and New Zealand from February 2026. Australian pricing has not yet been announced.
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    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post KTM unveils 2026 Duke naked bike range for Australia appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Simplicity rules for new, low-performance EV
    There’s an argument to be made that the high-tech, high-price route taken by many of the high-profile electric bikes on the market today is the wrong one – and that instead of aiming at the top of the market they should be targeting the masses with cheap machines that capitalise on efficiency of electric power to save even more money.
    We’ve already seen that basic electric scooters have succeeded on that premise in countries like China, where they sell by their millions, and now Honda has filed a patent showing an ultra-basic electric motorcycle that could be aimed at markets like India and Africa.

    The new design, which is detailed enough to indicate it’s a serious, production-intended project, adopts a simple, conventional steel backbone frame and the simplest and cheapest components, from the dual-shock rear to the cable-operated drum brake at the front. But where you’d normally expect to find a simple, air-cooled single-cylinder engine, there’s a small electric motor, a single-speed transmission and a pair of removable batteries.
    The way those batteries are mounted are the focus of the patent application. They sit in metal frames, one on either side of the bike, which are hinged at the front. That means the cages can be swung sideways to slide the batteries out. When the batteries are in place, the cages hinge back into place, aligning the batteries into cut-outs on each side of the bike’s ‘tank’ area, and locking into place so they can’t be removed.

    A lockable flap on top of the ‘tank’ hides a simple, manual latch that locks the battery cages into place, so they can’t be removed unless you have the key, and the patent shows that the bike also has an old-school ignition key to turn it on, just behind a basic readout that presumably includes  information about their state of charge.
    There’s no on-board charger and no complicated mechanism to connect the batteries once they’re put in place. Instead you just plug them in with a flexible cable for each when they’re on the bike, and remove them to bring indoors and charge at the end of the day.

    It’s not clear what the battery chemistry is or what range or performance they might offer, but the goal must be to make the two batteries and the electric motor and transmission cheaper than the basic combustion engine normally found in a bike like this, lowering the cost of purchase enough to offset any inconvenience in terms of range or performance.
    The post Honda Patent Reveals Low-Cost Electric Bike appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    New limited-edition extends MV’s 2026 lineup
    Owning an MV Agusta of any ilk is already quite a statement but the company has long been happy to offer something a bit more special for the wealthiest of its customers and for 2026 the Rush Titanio can be added to that list of limited-edition machines.
    As the name suggests, titanium plays a significant role in differentiating the Titanio from the already stunning standard Rush, a bike that takes the Brutale 1000 it’s based on and ups the ante in terms of impracticality and appearance. The material appears in the Arrow slip-on exhaust, specially designed for the Titanio, as its bracket. The fuel tank’s rear cover is also sculpted from titanium, bearing the bike’s name and logo – a graphic intended to represent atomic structure. The headlight carrier is machined from titanium, too, as are the brackets that hold the TFT instruments in place, and wherever possible MV has swapped screws and bolts for titanium equivalents.

    The seat, made of Alcantara (titanium would, presumably, be a little uncomfortable) gets the Titanio logo, which is also repeated on the front of the fuel tank, ahead of the filler cap.
    Where titanium would be impractical, MV Agusta has used carbon fibre as much as possible, with exposed weave to leave no doubt where your money’s gone.
    Although MV Agusta says the result of these exotic materials is a weight reduction, the company hasn’t released specifications yet so we don’t know whether it’s going to be a matter of grammes or kilos below the stock bike’s 205.5kg mass. There’s no claim that the power will be increased, although since the stock Rush already has 208hp it’s unlikely customers will be crying out for more.
    The price hasn’t been announced either, but you can be certain there will be a substantial weight reduction from your wallet – the current Rush will already set customers back $83,995 AUD, and the 300 buyers of the limited-edition Titanio version are sure to be expected to pay more than that.
    The post MV Agusta Rush Titanio appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
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