Milan International Bicycle & Motorcycle Show:
phone interface and several other communications op-
tions it seems that the 1290 Super Adventure R is more
suited to highway touring rather than rough, forgotten
tracks. There’s no denying that this is an impressive bike.
Triumph came out in full force with upgrades to their Ti-
ger 800 and 1200 models. While the 800 XC and XR models
are still based on the existing platforms, Triumph says that
over 200 alterations have been made, the majority around
the engine to make it ‘more useable’. A shorter first gear
ratio and new rider aids all complement the power unit,
which is then topped off with styling changes.
The 1200 range has also seen significant changes, per-
haps in recognition that the larger Tiger was falling be-
hind the competition. The engine has had an upgrade
yet has seen no improvements to performance. It seems
many of the alterations to the Tiger 1200, no longer called
the Explorer, have been to the rider aids and cosmetics.
As reported in the last issue of Traverse, Yamaha is
planning a release of the Tenere name in the form of the
Tenere 700 World Raid. The bike looks great, yet is still
TRAVERSE
only in prototype form. Tests will take place across many
landscapes, including; Australia, the Americas, Europe
and Africa before the bike makes it into production.
The Japanese manufacturer also unveiled new version
of the (FJ) Tracer 900 models. Most of the alterations are
cosmetic or aimed to improve the comfort of both rider
and pillion, the GT version does however, get new colour
matched hard panniers, cruise control, heated grips and
improved suspension to help the rider cope with longer
trips.
The last of the manufacturers to release something
new to the adventure / touring rider were Ducati with the
Multistrada 1260.
The latest offering from the Italians sees what is essen-
tially an all new bike; new engine, new chassis and a mul-
titude of rider aids and electronics. Ducati says the new
Multistrada is a much more rider friendly bike and pro-
vides opportunities the previous model perhaps couldn’t.
There’s a hell of a lot of electronics on this bike, some-
thing which might be a little daunting to the long-distance
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