A-Z

By Ben Purvis and Robin Bradley

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debuted in the Multistrada V4 , an 1,158 cc unit tuned for torque as opposed to the 1,103 cc powerfocused four in the Panigale and Streetfighter ranges , the Diavel V4 is very much the equivalent to a modern-day Yamaha V-Max . Peak power isn ' t much higher than the 1,262 cc V- twin predecessor , at 124 kW ( 166 hp , 168 PS ), and torque actually drops a fraction - in line with the reduced capacity - to 126 Nm . However , the Diavel V4 is substantially more expensive than the old model . There ' s just one variant at the moment ( a higher-spec ' S ' model with Öhlins suspension is likely to follow ), but even in its base form , the V4 costs far more than the old Diavel 1260 , and even the Diavel 1260 S . It has 50 mm USD forks and a rear monoshock , both fully adjustable , mounted on an aluminium monocoque frame rather than the old bike ' s steel trellis . The V4 engine itself is structural , doubling as the rear part of the chassis , with the front monocoque bolted on top of it . It ' s a design that means despite two extra cylinders , the Diavel V4 is no heavier than the V-twin at 236 kg , including fuel . As usual for Ducati , there ' s a vast array of electronics including a quickshifter , but the main talking point will be the styling - an evolution of the Diavel shape that ' s even more aggressive , adding a four-exit exhaust to emphasise the engine layout . It ' s not the most expensive of Ducati ' s new 2023 offerings , though . That title goes to the Panigale V4

R - the latest version of the homologation superbike used for WSB competition , coming in at € 43,990 to just slide in under the updated 2023 price cap for such machines . Even at that price , Ducati probably has a slim profit margin , given the bike ' s high specification , as it ' s a machine that brings near- MotoGP performance to the street . Stock , the power is rated at 160.4 kW , but in reality , most customers are sure to specify the optional trackonly race kit that takes it to an astounding 174 kW ( 237 PS , 233 hp ), a figure that rises even more to 177 kW ( 240.5 PS , 237 hp ) when you use a speciallyformulated Shell oil that cuts 10 % from the internal engine friction . As before , that performance comes from a special version of Ducati ' s Desmoquattro V4 , with a 999 cc capacity rather than the 1,103 cc of the standard Panigale to comply with race rules , and the ability to rev to 16,500 rpm . Visually , there are small tweaks to the carbon fairing , while the chassis geometry is mildly revised . Another new V4-powered offering in Ducati ' s 2023 range is the Multistrada V4 Rally , a spiritual successor to the old Multistrada 1260 Enduro and the most offroad capable V4 model yet . Along with other bikes using the ' Granturismo ' version of the V4 in 2023 , it features a cylinder cut-out feature that allows it to run on the front cylinder bank only at low speeds , reducing heat output , emissions and fuel consumption . The rear cylinders kick in when the throttle is wound on .

Panigale

With 125 kW ( 168 hp , 170 PS ) it ' s the most powerful mainstream adventure bike on the market . The alloy chassis is from the standard Multistrada V4 , but it ' s fitted with longer-travel Marzocchi suspension that uses the firm ' s Skyhook semi-active damping adjustment and features the ability to automatically wind off the preload as you come to a halt , lowering the seat height to make it easier to touch the ground . The 30 litre fuel tank is also larger than other Multistrada models , and the bodywork is revised to allow it to blend in . Elsewhere in Ducati ' s range , the 803 cc Scrambler models - the Icon , Full Throttle and Nightshift - are completely updated , with new frames , an updated 53.6 kW engine and redesigned bodywork . The Streetfighter V4 is also refreshed , gaining the same revisions that the Panigale V4 received a year ago , including a new fuel tank , revised ergonomics and uprated electronics .

When Honda stirs , the motorcycle industry takes note . On paper , the company ' s 2023 new model releases look set to be game-changers in two - or even three - of the key market sectors , even though none of the brand ' s launches boasts particularly astounding power or performance figures . The first of Honda ' s 2023 offerings is the new CB750 Hornet , a bike that plunders the company ' s heritage for not one but two evocative names from the past . First previewed with sketches shown last year , the Hornet is the debut platform for a completely new 755 cc parallel twin engine that makes 67.5 kW ( 90.5 hp ) - a figure that easily outguns most rivals thanks to a short-stroke , high-revving design . It ' s a compact , lightweight engine , using Honda ' s Unicam cylinder head design , and in the Hornet it ' s bolted to a simple steel ' diamond ' frame . Nonadjustable but name-brand Showa suspension , 41 mm USD forks and a rising-rate monoshock , Nissin radial brakes and simple but crisp styling make for an attractive package , but one that looks potentially irresistible when combined with a remarkable pricing strategy that undercuts Yamaha ' s MT-07 - a market leader in the middleweight roadster class - despite the Hornet offering vastly more power and higher levels of equipment . That equipment includes multiple riding modes , ABS and traction control settings , plus a colour TFT dash that links to your smartphone for extra features , including voice operation of some when used with a Bluetooth headset . A 25-degree head angle , 1,420 mm wheelbase and 15.2-litre fuel tank are all par for the course , and the bike ' s 190 kg weight - including fuel - and 795 mm seat height means it should be easy to handle . There are signs of cost-cutting , of course . The headlight is borrowed from the CB500F , for instance .

CB750 Hornet

But with a price strategy that bucks the trend for increases seen across rival brands , the Hornet could become a go-to bike for customers in 2023 . Honda ' s second new offering takes the same basic ingredients - the Hornet ' s 755 cc twin and steel frame - and adds long-travel suspension and adventure styling to revive another classic name : Transalp . The 2023 XL750 Transalp sits below the Africa Twin in Honda ' s range , but on paper could be the adventure bike of choice with only 10 hp less than the Africa Twin , but a substantial 18 kg less mass at 208 kg wet . Like the Hornet , it uses Showa suspension at each end , in this case 43 mm USD forks adjustable for preload only , and a preload-adjustable monoshock , with additional ground clearance and travel plus a longer wheelbase and a more relaxed 27-degree head angle . A combination of 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoked wheels , fitted with tubed tyres , shows that the Transalp has genuine off-road intentions . Like the Hornet , the Transalp has clean but unexceptional styling and uses the same off-theshelf headlight and the same colour TFT dash as the roadster while offering a strong combination of performance and equipment . A 16.9 litre tank gives a theoretical range of more than 380 km between refills , while the 850 mm seat is relatively low in the Adventure bike class to expand its appeal to a wide band of riders . Price will be key , but if Honda follows

the aggressive approach it ' s taken with the Hornet , it ' s likely to be surprisingly low . Honda ' s third potential disruptor for 2023 is the EM1 e : the firm ' s first electric scooter aimed at the European market . Competing in the moped category , it ' s a short-range machine that ' s due at dealers in summer 2023 , and full details have yet to be revealed . However , Honda says the range is ' over 40 km ', which is enough for most inner-city commutes , and more importantly , it uses Honda ' s Mobile Power Pack e : battery , a swappable cell that the firm hopes will become something of an industry standard . In Japan and India , where models using the MPP e : battery are already on the market , the company has just started selling battery-swap stations - essentially walls of batteries that allow riders to simply pull up and swap a flat battery for a fully charged one ( for a small fee , of course ). The idea is to create an infrastructure where such battery swap stations are commonplace , eliminating ' range anxiety ' for riders who use MPP e : batteries in their bikes . It ' s a formula that Gogoro has already established with huge success in Taiwan , and Honda

Transalp

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