Article by: anees

Models of interest will appear one after another this year! 

The motorcycle industry has been booming for a long time. Recently, I feel that we are seeing more and more people enjoying motorcycles in the city and the service areas of highways. Many attractive new models will be released in 2022. From such a situation, I will pick up and introduce the models that I expect from the viewpoint of motorcycle lovers.

1. Yamaha "YZF-R7" attracting attention from the racer replica generation

Yamaha's "YZF-R7" has no choice but to be expected as the author who obtained a license during the heyday of racer replicas. It is a new model of the "YZF-R" series that is also active in racing, but it features a 688cc 2-cylinder engine that is installed in the "MT-07" and other powertrains. With a 270 degree crank and an engine with excellent traction, expectations are high that it will be easy to open the accelerator on public roads and circuits.

▲ "YZF-R7 ABS WGP 60th Anniversary"

Another thing that surprised me was the price of 999,900 yen including tax. Although it is a large supersport, I am grateful for the price setting of fewer than 1 million yen. Even so, the parts that are indispensable for sports driving, such as the inverted front fork and the master cylinder of the radial-pump, are properly adopted. The "YZF-R7 ABS WGP 60th Anniversary", a color commemorating the 60th anniversary of participation in the Road Racing World Championship, is also available in a limited number of 400 units, which will be released on March 14th and the standard model on February 14th.

2. Triumph "Speed ​​Triple 1200 RR" with a cool cafe racer style

Triumph's "Speed ​​Triple 1200 RR" is exciting in the style of half cowl equipped with round lights. The handle is also a low clip-on type, realizing a British cafe racer style. The "Speed ​​Triple" series is a recent Triumph "face" model equipped with a 1160cc 3-cylinder engine and has a reputation for good driving performance, so expectations are even higher.

The engine delivers 180 horsepower to achieve the most exhilarating ride in the history of the series. The low-inertia engine provides agile response and is highly tuned by electronic control. ABS and traction control are systems whose effectiveness is optimally adjusted according to the bank angle and are equipped with a quick shifter that supports up and down. Although it looks classical, it is the latest sports machine inside. The price is 2,285,000 yen, and it is expected to go on sale in January 2022.

3. Bimota "KB4" with Kawasaki engine mounted on a handmade frame

Bimota is an Italian brand that manufactures sports machines equipped with engines made by other companies on a handmade frame. The second model that Bimota will release in a capital tie-up with Kawasaki is the "KB4". The 1043cc water-cooled 4-cylinder engine installed in the "Ninja 1000 SX" is mounted on a 1390mm, short wheelbase body comparable to a 600cc machine.

The original frame is a combination of steel pipes. The swingarm is made of aluminum, and lightweight carbon fiber is used a lot for the body, giving a feeling of light running. The suspension is solidified with Orleans front and rear suspensions, Brembo brakes, and first-class parts, and the price of 4,378,000 yen is a convincing finish. It is scheduled to be released in March 2022, but due to the limited number of initial arrivals, the negotiation right will be a lottery.

4. Suzuki's touring machine "GSX-S1000GT" that inherits the engine of a famous car

Suzuki's "GSX-S1000GT" is what I would like to expect as a sporty touring machine. It is equipped with the "GSX-R1000" engine, which was also active in the race, and the "K5" engine, which is said to be a famous machine. This engine has a long stroke as a unit for super sports and is easy to handle even on the street. Coupled with a sharp design that does not seem to be a touring model, it is finished as a new generation sports touring machine.

The steering wheel is closer to the rider and it is a riding position for touring, but it also supports mode switching, traction control that can be switched in 5 stages, and a quick shifter that supports up and downshifts. You can enjoy aggressive driving even on touring. The release date and price in Japan have not been announced, but I am looking forward to announcing it soon.

5. New model Honda "NT1100" pursuing the comfort of long-distance touring

Another touring model that I would like to pay attention to is the "NT1100" that appears as Honda's latest model. It is equipped with a 1082cc 2-cylinder engine that is full of torque from low speeds. The transmission is equipped with DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) as standard, which automatically shifts gears, so you can enjoy long-distance touring more comfortably.

The large windscreen that makes high-speed movement comfortable can be adjusted in 5 stages, and inside it is equipped with a 6.5-inch touch panel type full-color liquid crystal multi-information display. You can also use the app by connecting to a smartphone. Of course, it is equipped with driving mode switching and cruise control, and also has a traction control function that suppresses the lifting of the front wheels and the slipping of the rear wheels. It is a model that seems to make long-distance touring dramatically comfortable, and the price is 1,683,000 yen. The release date has been announced as March 17, 2022.