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SEXY X2
MAGAZINE - APRIL 2012
in less than 10 seconds. Distinctive
and intimidating looks gives it street
cred, and switchable traction control
helps keep the tires under you. The
14R is an impressive speed merchant,
but it’s also a versatile and relatively
comfortable sportbike that enjoys
sport-touring duties.
KTM Freeride E
The no-
tion that
electric
motorcycles
are merely a passing
fad no longer holds water.
The Zero brand of electric motor-
cycles is only a few years old, but
the company continues to build and
expand its lineup, which now includes
a total of five models. And if you need
more proof that e-bikes are here to
stay, then consider the two separate in-
ternational roadracing series (TTXGP
and FIM e-Power) dedicated entirely
to electric race bikes.
This niche in the moto world is grow-
ing quickly, giving consumers more
options each year. However, most
of the electric motorcycles currently
available are street bikes. While Zero
does offer two models it classifies as
dirt bikes, major OEMs stayed out
of the market to provide an off-road-
specific electric motorcycle.
KTM is daring to be the first major
manufacturer to produce an electric
motorcycle.
The battery and motor are carried in a
perimeter-type frame made of alu-
minum and steel. A 43mm WP fork
and a WP PDS shock provide approxi-
mately 10 inches of suspension travel
front and rear. And the simplicity of
an electric motor powertrain pays
dividends in the form of keeping the
bike’s weight down: KTM claims the
Freeride E weighs 209 lbs.
MVAgusta F3
Intro-
duced at the
2010 EICMA show and our choice
as one of last year’s hottest new
bikes, the MVAgusta F3 is only
now making its way to European
dealers, with its U.S. debut expected
later this year.
The 675cc, 3-cylinder counterpart to
the in-line Four 998cc F4, the stun-
ningly gorgeous F3 is recognizably
MVAgusta. A choice of two, the
$13,500 standard F3 will be joined
by a limited edition Serie Oro for
$27,900 of which only 200 examples
will be made.
The stunningly beautiful MVAgusta
F3 is the company’s first foray into the
middleweight sportbike category, and
it’s entering with guns ablazing.
Boasting a dry weight of 381 pounds
and producing a claimed 126 crank
horsepower, the F3 is already setting
new standards for middleweight sport-
bike performance. And then there’s its
electronics package that incorporates
adjustable traction control. If desired,
a person can purchase other modules
such as launch control, anti-wheelie
and electronically assisted shift pro-
graming.
The Serie Oro features a host of
unique upgrades including fully
adjustable Öhlins inverted fork, TTX
shock and steering damper, plus
Brembo brakes with radial-mounted
Monobloc calipers gripping racing
discs. The front and rear mudguards,
dashboard cover, air box side and
intake covers, fairing inserts, both up-
per and lower chain guards, swingarm
protector cover, sprocket cover, fairing
lower, and stacked exhaust outlets are
all manufactured from carbon fiber.
The Serie Oro is distinguished by
its menagerie of gold-painted and
polished bits and pieces, not to men-
tion a triple-clamp-mounted number
plate.
Norton Commando 961
For the last year Norton Motorcycles
USA has been working through the
red tape of bringing its revitalised 961
Commando model to U.S. shores. Ac-
cording to Norton USA president, Dan
Van Epps, the new Commando will
soon have its EPA certification with
deliveries of the iconic motorcycle
scheduled for early spring.
In production for the last couple years
and available in a growing number of
foreign markets, the 961 Commando
comes in three iterations: SE, Cafe
Racer and Sport. The three models
share the same basic platform but
differ from one another in the compo-
nents with which they’ve been outfit-
ted, such as the inverted Öhlins forks
on the Cafe Racer or the BST carbon
fiber wheels on the SE.
Combining classic styling with
modern technology, the Norton Com-
mando Sport and Cafe Racer (above,
in yellow) represent a welcome return
from one of the most historic names in
motorcycling.
According to Van Epps, an initial 50