Next gen Sportster
Describing it as combining " unbridled power with contemporary technology ," Harley-Davidson has now announced that it is to bring its long awaited 1,250 cc Revolution Max 60-degree custom V-twin to market . In doing so , and in anticipation of the likely shorty-term demise of the existing line of XLs , Harley has badged it as the Sportster S - " an all-new sport custom motorcycle designed to deliver a thrilling riding experience that ushers in a new era of Sportster performance ." Highlighting the " on-demand torque " delivered by the 121 hp engine , basically the same power plant developed initially for the Pan America , Harley says that " a taut , lightweight chassis and premium suspension deliver responsive , intuitive handling " offering riders " extraordinary power and performance " and creating " a new standard for the most enduring Harley-Davidson model ." The Sportster S is slated to start reaching dealers in the USA in the autumn , and although the MSRP is considerably higher than the pricepoint at which Sportsters have traditionally been positioned , at $ 14,999 Harley has continued with the start-point pricing realism that it started to show with the Pan America and recently announced LiveWire ONE . " The Sportster S is the next all-new motorcycle built on the Revolution Max platform and sets a new performance standard for the Sportster line ," said Jochen Zeitz , Chairman , President and CEO , Harley- Davidson . " This is a next generation Sportster defined by power , performance , technology and style . And it ' s part of our commitment to introduce motorcycles that align with our strategy to increase desirability and to drive the legacy of Harley- Davidson ." Equipped with a " host " of technologies designed to enhance the riding experience , there are three preprogrammed , selectable Ride Modes ( Sport , Road and Rain ) electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle , and the level of technology intervention . Two Custom Modes may be used by the rider to create a set of performance characteristics to meet personal preference or for special
Fantic 450 cc models
By Ben Purvis
Triumph isn ' t the only old name to make a return to the world of motocross and enduro - Fantic made a comeback last year and for 2022 has added a pair of 450 models to the range . Since creating a whole line of competition off-roaders is a costly and difficult process , Fantic took the shortcut of collaborating with Yamaha to create its machines , using the engines and frames from the Japanese company ' s YZ and WR models for a range of two- and four-stroke machines . For 2022 , both the motocross and enduro ranges are expanded . For motocross , Fantic ' s two-stroke offerings already include the XX125 and XX250 , although the company is promising a ' revolutionary ' new 125 cc two-stroke model next autumn , while its four-stroke line is made up of the XXF250 and XXF450 . The four-strokes feature a new RX1Pro Athena-GET electronic control unit with three riding modes - standard , hard and soft - that can each be customised . An Arrow exhaust with titanium end can is standard , along with traction and launch control .
A phone app , dubbed WiGET , gives access to the control unit to manage the engine maps . The KYB suspension and Nissin brakes are straight from the Yamaha donors . On the enduro side , the 2022 range starts with the XE125 two-stroke , which gets a different cylinder head and lower compression ratio than the motocross version , plus a dedicated , enduro-specific CDI unit and larger generator for the 12V battery . As with the MX models , there ' s an Arrow exhaust , KYB suspension and Nissin brakes . Stepping up to the bigger models , the four-stroke enduro range includes the XEF250 and the new XEF450 . Like the XXF450 , the XEF450 uses the Athena- GET electronics , developed by Fantic , with app control . Mariano Roman , CEO of Fantic Motor , said : " We are ready to make another big leap forward , projecting our company towards really interesting market scenarios . The completion of the racing range , both in terms of motocross and enduro , finally allows us to compete on equal terms with the main competitors in this sector ."
34 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2021
situations . Cornering rider safety enhancements by Harley-Davidson , " a collection of technologies , intended to enhance rider confidence during unexpected situations or adverse road conditions , are designed to match motorcycle performance to available traction during acceleration , deceleration and braking , in a straight line or while in a turn ." It is equipped with fully adjustable premium front and rear suspension - SHOWA 43 mm inverted cartridge forks and a SHOWA piggyback reservoir rear shock . The rear suspension features hydraulic pre-load adjustment using a convenient knob located on the left
XEF450
side of the motorcycle . Lightweight cast aluminium wheels with a staggered , five-spoke design are shod with wide Dunlop / Harley-Davidson Series GT503 tyres . Premium Brembo braking components produce outstanding braking feel and performance . The single front brake features a new Brembo radial monoblock four-piston caliper and a 320 mm diameter disc . The rear brake is a two-piston Brembo caliper and a 260 mm diameter disc . The aftermarket will no doubt be quick to additionally offer revised handlebar and triple tree layout options that are more in keeping with the nature of the new model ' s potential .
XXF450
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