Knockout Naked Bikes!
KNOCKOUT NAKED BIKES!
ROUNDUP
NAKED BIKES ARE ALL the rage these days, but what might the future hold for this exciting niche? Most of the top bike-makers already produce at least one high-handlebar, minimally faired model. But all-around competency may not cut it in a class clearly defined by inyour-face aggression-witness the Aprilia Tuono, BMW Rockster and Triumph Speed Triple. Among the Japanese, only Kawasaki, with its new bikinifaired, four-pipe Z1000, has so far pulled out all the stops, styling-wise. And with its ongoing alliance with Suzuki, a skinnied-up version of the TL 1000-powered V-Strom-a KLR1000, perhaps?-could prove a KTM 950 Duke-beater.
Honda, meanwhile, is at a crossroads. The MotoGP-winning RC21IV has given Big Red application options aplenty. Might a streetfighter be the first on-road use for the allpowerful V-Five?
The answer is maybe. “Are MotoGP platforms going to trickle down to where the end product doesn’t have to be an RC21IV look-alike?” asked a Honda PR-type. “If manufacturers continue to up the ante, will the market respond? Will the consumer be willing to pay within, say, $500 of a CBR954RR? Some will, but how many?”
BMW, for one, isn’t about to be caught with its pants down. A real eye-catcher in metallic orange or limegreen paint, the new-for-’03 Rockster differs little from last year’s Munich showbike. But the oil-head Boxer doesn’t enjoy the knockout punch of, say, a hot-rod K-bike. In fact, the Bavarian manufacturer is known to be working on a new multi-cylinder engine, which could power a whole range of bikes. The long-running laydown Four, or “Flying Brick,” is on its way out. F650CS, are alleged, as well. Harnessing the uprated performance, the “K4 Kompressor” will eschew the current aluminum engine-mounting plates for more conventional aluminum spars. Up front, a “Duolever” doubles the current Telelever’s single-A-arm setup. Yamaha V-Max fans-count us among ’em-have been begging for a modern take on the legendary 1198cc VFour for years. In 1996, we proposed the “Mod Max,” which called for a monoshock rear end, meaty radial tires, singlesided swingarm, burly inverted fork, monster brakes and chain final drive. Yamaha liked the idea then, and finds it just as appealing today. Ditto the tie to MotoGP.
According to overseas reports, BMW was planning a Boxer-style flat-Four with two vertically stacked cylinders per side. Now, rumors suggest a more conventional transverse Four, entirely unlike our illustration. Supercharging and belt final drive, the latter already employed on the single-cylinder
“I see a lot of relation to the V-Max concept,” said a company product planner. “Naked bikes should offer high levels of performance. No compromise on styling, no compromise on performance. That’s what’s going to drive the category for the next five years.” Can’t wait ’til 2008! -Matthew Miles
