Oh yes, Suzuki has recently won the Red Dot Design Award for design excellence and innovation, being their new GSX-8TT and GSX-8T. It’s quite an accolade because a jury consisting of professors and journalists from around the world evaluates it. We’re informed that there’re over 48 members from 23 nations agreeing to approve this memorable achievement.

We must also agree with these judges because they both look outstanding when you get up close. We’ve already ridden the GSX-8TT (go to New Rides) and we’ll follow up shortly with the GSX-8T review. Meanwhile drop into your local Suzuki dealer to view these bike(s) and book a test ride. The current price is R189,900 for the 8TT and, R179,900 for the 8T.

Go to www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za for more technical information on these bike(s).

Also visit www.red-dot.org for an insight into their operation.  

Red Bull KTM Tech3 will count on former rider Jonas Folger to fill their two-man line-up at Le Mans this week for the French Grand Prix. Maverick Viñales is recovering well from recent left shoulder surgery but the fifth round of the season has come just a few days too early for #12.

Viñales made a visit to the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre (APC) last week and made the decision to extend his absence to ensure he returns to his KTM machinery at full fitness. Therefore, the KTM RC16 next to Enea Bastianini in the Red Bull KTM Tech3 pitbox will be steered by Jonas Folger.

The 32-year-old has made all 19 of his premier class starts with the crew, impressing with a podium finish at his home race at the Sachsenring in 2017, and most recently stepping in as replacement rider for Pol Espargaró in April 2023. Folger is a winner in Moto3™ and Moto2™ and last competed in the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, scoring points at TT Circuit Assen.

Jonas Folger: “First of all, I want to wish Maverick a strong and quick recovery. On a personal level, I am really excited to be coming back together with all the guys at Tech3 — I have some history with this team and it will be great to see everyone again. Le Mans will be a big challenge, going back after so many years away from racing, and getting back on the bike will mean adapting quickly and learning a lot across the weekend. It is going to be tough, for sure, but I believe the positives outweigh the difficulties and I am very much looking forward to it. I cannot wait.”

Maverick Viñales: "I've been working hard since the surgery to fully recover and have always had Le Mans in my head as my target race to return. However, after attending the APC this week, I have been advised that I am not yet strong enough to jump back on the bike. Whilst I am disappointed, I understand being back to full strength is the most important thing and I will keep my head down and prioritise that."

There aren’t many things that can top the sensation of a motorcycle tour. The sounds, the views and the feel of the open road as you explore the highways and byways of our beautiful island create a true assault on the senses.

Experience the UK landscapes like never before with Destination Yamaha and Focused Motorcycle Tours.

✔ 10 Tour Dates

✔ Choose between 3 Day or 5 Day Tours

✔ 5 Stunning Routes Visiting Iconic Destinations

✔ Class Leading TRACER Touring Bikes Included

✔ Fuel, Meals & Accommodation Included

Everything has been carefully selected from the finest roads to the comfortable hotels. Enjoy the camaraderie that surrounds group touring and make memories this Summer that last a lifetime. Spaces are limited on the UK TRACER Tours, reserve your place now to avoid missing out.

https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb/en/motorcycles/sport-touring/pdp/tracer-9-gt/#2025-MT09ATRDXS-MLNM4

KTM’s unbeatable motocross line-up returns for 2027 with a refreshed look and renewed ambition. Whatever your speed, whatever the ability, whatever the age or target; copy the racing stars with a KTM SX excellence.

Motocross: the fiercest and most thrilling test of bike and rider. KTM offers the best possible exploration of this world thanks to a comprehensive 9-model line-up that spans all ages and every goal. From the first meters of offroad as a junior to the heights of top competition, there is a KTM SX minicycle, KTM SX or SX-F with the finest race-derived engineering for all motorcyclists everywhere. A strong production package sets the bar; personal preference then creates the magic.

The proof is in the standard: there has been no better basis for MXGP and MX2 Grand Prix winners Lucas and Sacha Coenen, MX2 World Champion Simon Laengenfelder or AMA SuperMotocross stars like Eli Tomac and Jorge Prado. KTM SXs have also been the choice of champions through European, national and amateur levels.

For 2027 the list of options is still peerless. For junior riders the KTM minicycles offer:

• KTM 50 SX
• KTM 65 SX
• KTM 85 SX

2-stroke and 4-stroke full-size motorcycles include:

• KTM 125 SX
• KTM 250 SX
• KTM 300 SX
• KTM 250 SX-F
• KTM 350 SX-F
• KTM 450 SX-F

The first obvious feature for 2027 is the new colorway and graphics that double-down on unmistakable KTM orange, with a dash of red on the tank spoilers to deepen the impact of on-track presence. The decals are in-molded, so hard-wearing and resistant.

The combination of state-of-the-art engine performance and handling means that 2027 KTM SX is a bona fide consideration for all motocrossers: tried, tested and triumphant.

The hydro-formed, laser-cut and robot-welded steel frame has passed through decades of evolution, and benefits from every single piece of feedback from our race-winning athletes as well as ceaseless development for the best response, stability, flex and weight, no matter the size of the motorcycle. The same path of progression can be seen with the advanced, compact and fierce engine technology fettled with EFI (for 2-stroke models as well). The powerplants are unbeatable for dimensions, torque and horsepower (while adhering to the latest FIM noise limits) for that ‘full grin’ effect.

Premium components grace the full-size KTM SX-Fs and trickle into sister machinery. Each bike profits from the best WP Suspension XACT hardware and settings, and other components like: Pankl gearboxes, Dunlop Geomax MX34 across the board, Excel rims with CNC hubs, Brembo clutches and brake systems, NEKEN handlebars, ODI lock-on grips and Keihin throttle bodies.

The 2027 KTM SX family is not only a full palette for possibilities and potential but also an inclusive celebration of the motocross spirit. For this reason, bikes like the KTM 300 SX still have pride of place, where riders can indulge in the dizzying blend of a throaty 2-stroke blast but with the latest tech to harness the full power-to-weight joy.

MV Agusta introduces the Brutale 800 with a new Nero Carbonio livery, a refined expression of the brand’s iconic naked DNA, where performance, design, and advanced technology converge in a striking black and red interpretation.

The Brutale has always represented the purest embodiment of MV Agusta's design philosophy, and the 800 Nero Carbonio further enhances this legacy with a bold, sophisticated aesthetic. The exclusive Nero Carbonio metallic finish adds a further premium touch thanks to an additional clear coat layer, while the livery is complemented by contrasting accents in MV Agusta's most iconic colour, Rosso Ago, marking the painted frame and rims to create a dynamic and unmistakable visual identity.

Signature elements of the Brutale design remain at the core of the model: the distinctive LED drop-shaped headlight, the single-sided swingarm, and the iconic triple-exit exhaust system. The steel trellis frame ensures the perfect balance between rigidity and agility, while the look-through underseat design reinforces the bike’s lightweight and aggressive character.

The chassis delivers a dynamic setup worthy of the Brutale name, with a fully adjustable 43 mm Marzocchi USD fork, complemented by a progressive linkage-actuated Sachs monoshock. The braking system features new Brembo radial-mount M4.32 four-piston calipers with twin 320 mm floating discs up front. The setup rolls on Bridgestone S22 tyres and MV Agusta's signature single-sided swingarm.

At its heart lies the renowned 800cc three-cylinder engine, delivering 113 horsepower and 85 Nm of torque. Engineered for both performance and riding pleasure, it features a counter-rotating shaft enhancing handling and stability.

The Brutale 800 in Nero Carbonio is equipped with a comprehensive and advanced electronic package as standard, ensuring riders have full control and adaptability across different riding conditions.

Built with passion and precision at MV Agusta’s historic factory in Varese, Italy, the Brutale 800 is manufactured under the highest quality standards and comes with a 5-year factory warranty — a testament to MV Agusta’s commitment to excellence, reliability, and customer trust.

Let’s get straight to the apex – the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE RR TRACK is a purpose-built, track-only weapon that puts crushing lap times ahead of all else and is officially the most powerful production model KTM has ever built. Limited to 100 units worldwide.

If you have ever asked the question “What would it take to build the ultimate track-attack machine,” the 2026 KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE RR TRACK answers it. 

The KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE RR TRACK is the first track-only SUPER DUKE model in the KTM lineup. Stripped of all components that could make it street-legal, it is built to strict FIM racetrack regulations, with a level of customization and equipment never before seen on a production-model KTM. 

Built at KTM HQ in Mattighofen, the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE RR TRACK tips the scales at 9 kg less than the street-legal KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE RR, and a whole 20 kg less than the standard KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R. 

To achieve this, KTM R&D removed all unnecessary road-going parts and panels, and reached for the very top shelf in the KTM parts catalogue, putting together a purposeful and deliberate mix of carbon fibre body parts, lightweight forged magnesium wheels, a full titanium Akrapovič Evolution Line exhaust, titanium screws, and a reduced electronics platform.

With weight-saving taken care of, the engineers set upon the handling characteristics next, bolting on WP PRO COMPONENTS suspension with MotoGP technology, a Superbike-spec BREMBO braking system, and Michelin Power Performance Slick tires – among others. 

The result is a true no-compromise, READY TO RACE track machine built for those who dare to break the rules. 

KTM’s FREERIDE philosophy of motorcycling liberty endures for 2027 thanks to the latest edition of the KTM FREERIDE E: the company’s flagship expression of effortless, low maintenance but high-quality engineering in electric mobility while hiking the fun factor.

For over a decade the KTM FREERIDE E has thrust many advantages of the concept directly into riders’ faces: a low-emissions, quiet, easy-to-service, durable offroad motorcycle that breaks boundaries for when and where it can be ridden. The convenience has been matched by performance: instant and grin-inducing torque and a 95 km/h top speed powered by a 29 kg MX50 Lithium-Ion battery providing 2-3 hours of typical Enduro-esque riding time. Combine these elements with a purpose-built chassis, latest-generation WP XACT suspension, Braketec hardware and Michelin Enduro Medium tires and the KTM FREERIDE E lives up to its name. 

For 2027 KTM has squeezed the peak power to 19.2 kW from the inaudible, efficient, waterproof and dustproof motor that also buzzes with 37 Nm of torque. The output can be administered through three ride modes and three energy recouperation settings that help extend the range and potential of the KTM FREERIDE E. The electronic package is advanced, featuring a ‘rollover’ sensor for safety and adjustable traction control and relayed through clear LEDs. 

The new KTM FREERIDE E has shaved weight and tips the scales at 112 kg. The same agile and precision-engineered chrome-molybdenum steel frame surrounds the engine package and battery architecture. The subframe is made from aluminum and glass-fiber reinforced nylon and the seat height has now crept up to 910 mm. 

More gains have been made with the battery capacity with a slight increase compared to the previous model. Riders can count on a 5.5 kWh from the innovative ‘swappable’ technology and the battery itself will easily withstand over 1000 charging cycles before a dip towards 80% effectiveness. 

The KTM FREERIDE E has been crafted on the immeasurable input of KTM’s offroad pedigree, countless hours of R&D as well as careful study of the latest hardware and software that applies to motorcycles in the electric segment. A refreshed colorway and renewed aesthetic add to the sensation that riders are steering a symbol of the present and a view of tomorrow.

With limited numbers available worldwide, the 2026 KTM 890 ADVENTURE R RALLY represents the sharpest expression of KTM’s rally-bred engineering. Developed from Dakar-winning DNA, it stands as the most performance-driven mid-capacity Adventure machine in the segment.

While the KTM 890 ADVENTURE R defines the benchmark for offroad travel performance, the KTM 890 ADVENTURE R RALLY is engineered for riders who demand factory-level suspension, rally-spec ergonomics, and uncompromising hardware straight from the showroom. Built to conquer, rather than to merely traverse terrain, it draws direct inspiration from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rally machines.
Derived directly from WP Factory Racing competition programs, the WP PRO COMPONENTS suspension brings genuine race technology, not adapted road hardware, to the Adventure segment. A lightweight WP XPLOR PRO fork with Cone Valve technology works in harmony with a WP XPLOR PRO shock absorber, delivering a class-leading 270 mm of travel and exceptional damping performance across the harshest terrain.

Despite its unmatched front-end confidence, superior bottoming resistance, and a planted, controlled feel at speed, comfort remains paramount, providing stability and composure when charging across the globe, even loaded with luggage or a pillion.

Power comes from a compact 889 cc parallel twin engine producing 106 PS and 100 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. Advanced electronics further extend the bike’s rally focus, with Offroad ABS, multiple ride modes including Rally Mode, Traction Control, and Motor Slip Regulation allowing riders to fine-tune performance on the fly via the 5-inch TFT display with Connectivity Unit and Turn-by-Turn+ navigation.

Visually, the 2026 edition makes an unmistakable statement. The new Red Bull KTM Factory Racing-inspired design and Akrapovič Slip-on Line exhaust echo that of past Dakar-winning machines, creating a motorcycle that looks ready to take on any terrain.

Adding further confidence to its uncompromising performance, the 2026 KTM 890 ADVENTURE R RALLY comes with KTM’s PREMIUM MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY. Riders benefit from up to 4 years of coverage, offering long-term assurance backed by KTM’s race‑proven reliability. To keep the warranty valid, regular servicing must be carried out according to the service plan at an authorized KTM dealer.

Motorcycle touring is one of the greatest riding experiences there is — incredible roads, unforgettable views and the freedom of the open road.

Now you can experience it with the new official Yamaha Tracer Tour Experience, delivered by Focused Motorcycle Tours.

✔ Latest Yamaha TRACER bike prepared

✔ All hotels and routes organised

✔ Expert lead and tail riders

✔ Stunning roads and scenery every day

All you need to do is turn up and ride.

www.focusedmotorcycletours.com

Every Yamaha unit is built with a purpose: to perform at its absolute best when it matters most. But performance isn’t just designed: it’s preserved

Yamaha Genuine Parts make the real difference in engine capability, reliability, and overall performance. When every component is engineered to work together, the result is power you can trust and durability you can count on.

Choosing non-genuine parts can compromise efficiency, increase wear, and limit the full potential of your motorcycle.

Yamaha Genuine Parts are made for your Yamaha. No compromises: just the performance it was built to deliver.

For parts and servicing, your official Yamaha dealerships and authorized workshops are the partners you can rely on. With certified expertise and direct access to genuine components, they ensure your Yamaha motorcycle stays exactly as it was engineered to be.