Orlando, FL. – Here’s a quick look at three new forms of two wheeled transport for the 2014 model year introduced at the American International Motorcycle Expo in Orlando, Florida last month.
Among new two-wheelers shown to the public for the first time, at the American International Motorcycle Expo in Orlando, Fla. were the new 2014 EBR 1190RX, displayed by Eric Buell Racing. The bike is a street-legal sport bike powered by a 72-degree, V-twin with a claimed 185 horsepower along with a claimed 102 foot-pounds of torque. The EBR 1190RX tips the scale at 419-pounds wet, (sans fuel). The motor is crammed into a narrow, short package with a 55.5-inch wheelbase, and feeatures a 21-position traction control system to aid in stability and control. As with previous Erik Buell designs, the twin-spar aluminum frame doubles as the fuel tank and reining the bike in is one huge perimeter brake disc up front.
The Buell EBR 1190RX is completely assembled in East Troy, Wis., with full-scale production slated to begin next month. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is set at $18,995.
Suzuki displayed the production version of the concept V-Strom 1000 ABS first displayed on the show circuit in Europe last year. It represents a major reworking of the old one-liter V-Strom.
Motive force is delivered by a 1037cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled, EFI, 90-degree V-Twin with a bore 2mm bigger than that of its predecessor. Suzuki also redesigned the cylinders, heads, pistons, rods, crank, clutch, flywheel and radiator. Suzuki claims that overall, the V-Strom engine is lighter and more powerful. It has a six-speed transmission, and a slipper clutch for smoother downshifts, and the new V-Strom features Suzuki’s first production traction-control system with two modes, plus full off. Mode one allows modest wheel-spin for more advanced riding scenarios. Mode two activates at the slightest loss of rear wheel grip. The rider can change modes on the fly utilizing a handlebar switch.
Suzuki claims that the new model, with a 503-pound curb weight, is 17 pounds lighter than the big old Strom.
The chassis features radial-mount monobloc front brake calipers and 310mm discs with ABS all around. It comes with a fully adjustable fork and dial-adjusted shock. As with other adventure-tourering bikes, there’s a 19-inch cast alloy wheel up front, and a 17-incher out back.
The windscreen is so clever and unique, that Suzuki applied for a patent. It’s a ratcheting, spring-loaded windscreen with three different angle positions. Just reach out and pull it back and set it where you want it, with no tools required. You can also easily adjust the screen height (to three varying positions) with four screws.
Suzuki accessories will include owners bags and a trunk that uses a single key.
For those riders in colder climes, there’s a freeze indicator that blinks when the ambient drops below 37 degrees – a good indicator of the presence of black ice.
Suzuki also showed off a new addition to its Burgman scooter lineup, this one will be the smallest at 200cc. The 2014 Burgman 200 ABS draws its power from a single-cylinder, double-overhead-cam engine with liquid-cooling and fuel-injection. There’s no shifting required, thanks to the Continuously Variable automatic Transmission (CVT). While smaller than the 400 and 650cc Burgman scooters, the 200 still allows for the storage of two full-face helmets under the seat. It also has a 12V DC outlet to charge cell phones or other electronic devices.
Pricing the 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS will begin at $12,699 while the Suzuki Burgman 200 ABS starts at $4,999.
Ty van Hooydonk of Discover Today’s Motorcycling, who is also an advanced instructor for the Motorcycle Saftey Foundation attended the show and served as correspondent.
On The Fast Lane Car’s rating scale of:
• Buy It.
• Rent It
• Lease It.
• Forget It.
We can’t make a recommendation here until we’ve had the chance to actually throw a leg over (a leg through in the case of the Burgman 200 scooter).
Preview by Arv Voss
