* New Bikes 2001
Something wicked this way comes via Massimo Tamburini's Monster-like MV Agusta Brutale. The F4's under-seat exhaust gives way to a dual-pipe setup while the sportbike's ovoid headlamp returns in striking form.
Just 300 of the Senna edition F4s will be built. From Ducati, in a move that makes perfect sense, comes the ST4S sport-tourer, housing the updated 996 engine and an hlins shock. The standard ST4 makes do with the 916 engine and a Sachs damper. From Moto Guzzi we'll see the V11 Sport Rosso Mandello, a limited-edition model with red valve covers and frame side plates and a carbon-fiber bikini fairing. The Mandello in the name confirms that parent Aprilia will keep Guzzi in its traditional home. To be powered by either the RC51 or TL1000 engine, the Mondial Piega will feature a gyroscope informing the engine-management system of your lean angle and tailoring power accordingly. Finally, the long-awaited Aprilia RST1000 Futura will horn in on the sportier sport-touring squatters and leave passersby gawking in the wake of its sharp styling.
When just enough won't do, try a little Xtra: Cagiva's new version of the 1000cc V-Raptor is called the Xtra-Raptor, and features special gray paint with carbon-fiber parts including front fender, side panels and tailpiece. Revised suspension raises the bike at the rear to quicken its steering, so the Xtra-Raptor will also get a steering damper. Triumph celebrated its 10th anniversary by bringing back the Bonneville as a parallel-twin retro bike designed to look like the original but work like a modern piece. This 790cc twin is air-cooled but has eight valves and twin overhead cams. Aprilia's V-twin Mille powerplant finds another home in the ETV 1000 CapoNord, an enduro-style tourer with suspension travel, weather protection and "pose" value in equally generous measure. German marque Sachs displayed "The Beast," a futuristic V-twin prototype created by the firm that dreamed up the Suzuki Katana two decades ago. Other prototypes on display included a neat 900cc parallel-twin sportster from MZ and the German MBS 656, which utilizes a much-modified Kawasaki engine (Europe's equivalent to the ZX6E's) in an all-new chassis.
Wanna-be Carl Fogartys take note: There was no sign of the next-generation 996 from Ducati, but it did display the new limited-production 996R, which features a narrow-head 998cc engine that's more oversquare than the current 996's. The larger powerplant features revised fuel injection and other mods to increase horsepower to a whopping 135 at 10,200 rpm. The much-anticipated Monster S4 is powered by the 916cc eight-valve engine from the ST4 (and even shares the sport-tourer's chassis) and weighs only two pounds more than the Monster 900S. Yamaha introduced the FJR1300, a Europe-only big-bore sport-tourer, combining a 1298cc shaft-drive four producing 135 hp with an aluminum beam frame, electronically adjustable screen and purpose-built luggage in a package that looks to be a worthy successor to the FJ1100/ 1200. BMW's R1150R is a revamped R1100R fitted with the 1130cc boxer engine and six-speed transmission from the R1150GS. Other features include revised styling, wider handlebars, a more powerful brake system, a larger fuel tank and five-spoke cast wheels from the R1100S.