Suzuki Katana.

BERLIN: While the retro trend in the motorcycle world looks to be showing no sign of slowing in 2019, there are enough "electrifying" surprises to keep the year's releases interesting.

Take the 59kW/80hp Moto Guzzi V85 TT for starters, with looks that hark back to the late 1970s, or the return of the Kawaski W800, which has been on hiatus for three years: Both are looking to the past for inspiration.

Despite that, there are still modifications, with "90 per cent of the installed parts being new" for the W800, says Michael Lenzen, Chairman of the German Association of Motorcyclists.

The W800 is offered as a street version and a cafe version, with a small cockpit panel and hump seat.

The Moto Guzzi, however, for all its retro looks, is far from a bargain at €12,000 (RM56,000), says Lenzen.



For only €1,550 extra, the significantly more powerful and lighter Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC - with 66kW/90hp - is available.

The smaller Street Scrambler has also been improved by Triumph, with the British company adding 10hp (now at 48kW/65hp) to the bike.

Both Scrambler models owe their off-road looks to models from the 1960s, but they offer more versatility for the rider, with two driving modes for changing terrain.

Continuing with the off-road capable rides are the BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure with 100kW/136hp.

"It costs at least €16,150, and if you choose the Adventure variant with a larger tank and more travel, it adds up to €17,700," says Lenzen.



The Royal Enfield company, which has been in Indian hands since 1984, has so far only built single-cylinder classic-style models.

That is until now, with the classic two-cylinder tradition from the 1960s and 1970s - when they were British-owned - coming into their latest range.

With the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 come two classic models that offer four-valve technology and overhead camshaft.

Prices for both start at around €6,500.

In contrast, the Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 sports an avant-garde interpretation of the classic flat-racer bikes of the past.



The single-cylinder engine - which is based loosely on the 690 Duke of parent company KTM - produces 55kW/75hp and costs €10,195.

With twice as much horsepower comes the 110kW/150hp Suzuki Katana.

The original Katana, released in the early 1980s, was a design icon.

"The Katana seemed almost like a science-fiction movie," says Lenzen.

Using the solid technical base of the GSX-S1000, the Japanese manufacturers have renewed the Katana.



A price is still not known, but Lenzen assumes that Suzuki will price it a little higher than the GSX-S 1000, which costs €12,395.

For this money, you could almost afford both the new Honda CB 650 R and the CB 300 R.

With the 650, the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer is closing the gap created in the Neo Sports Cafe series between the CB 1000 R and CB 300 R.

The four-cylinder bike with 70kW/95hp should cost around €8,000.

Likely to be much more expensive is Harley-Davidson's first e-bike, the LiveWire. Expected for release in late summer, the LiveWire's electric gliders should be to reach a riding range of 177km.

Due to the electric drive, neither a clutch or gearbox are required, with the US manufacturers' latest model capable of going from 0 to almost 97kph in less than 3.5 seconds.



BMW R 1250 GS

 

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