Front wheel of 17″ and adventure on the road: this is the formula for motorcycles that range from Crossovers to Tourers, passing through the intermediate category which is the sport-touring segment. In this analysis, which does not intend to be very comprehensive, we present some of the motorcycles that impressed us the most during 2023 and that belong to these categories.
Benelli TRK 702
Inheritor of the 502, the new 698 cc range also offers a version with a front wheel of 17 inches: the TRK 702 is thus the version designed for those who want to always ride on asphalt and enjoy the curves. The liquid-cooled two-cylinder engine, with four valves per cylinder, delivers 70 hp and 70 Nm of maximum torque at 8000 and 6000 rpm, respectively. The seat height in relation to the ground is 795 mm and the weight in running order is 235 kg.
BMW M 1000 XR
The BMW M 1000 XR was a missing link in the “M” family equipped with the four-cylinder engine: it is based on the standard model and assumes an aggressive and clearly uncompromising form. With a power of 148 kW (201 hp), a torque of 113 Nm and a weight of 223 kg, the new M XR promises a four-cylinder engine derived from the S 1000 RR, but with even more power and torque, and to leave no doubts, here we find shorter secondary transmission ratios and gearbox.
Ducati Multistrada 1100 V4 RS
The Borgo Panigale maxienduro is enriched this year by the V4 RS version, a motorcycle produced in a numbered series and that offers for the first time in the Multistrada family with 20 years the V4 Desmo engine derived from the Panigale V4. In other words, Ducati accepts the challenge of super-performance in its reference crossover and does it with a V4 RS that weighs less and is more powerful than the already very daring Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak, expressing 180 hp managed by a shortened transmission ratio, but which can reach almost 195 hp of power through the adoption of the STM-EVO SBK clutch, which allows separating the gearbox oil from the clutch and using the Ducati Corse Performance Powered by Shell Advance oil, which provides an additional 2.5 hp of power, and then reach the top of the performance by combining it with the Ducati Performance exhaust.
Kawasaki H2 SX SE
Technological and very powerful (200 hp, 210 with pressurized airbox), it is equipped with a 998 cc four-cylinder engine equipped with a centrifugal compressor. The electronically controlled Aras suspension completes the remarkable equipment of a motorcycle that is certainly at the top of its category in terms of charm and performance.
KTM 890 SMT
A comeback, if you prefer: the KTM 890 SMT takes up the legacy of the 990 SMT, finding that mix of supermoto DNA and touring spirit that makes it clear that this is an adrenaline-filled motorcycle, capable of having fun on mountain passes, but at the same time allowing long journeys as well. It is equipped with the well-known LC8c 889 cc engine, with four inline valves and two inline cylinders, with a 75° valve regulation, capable of producing 105 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 100 Nm at 6,500 rpm, inserted in the frame as a tension element. It weighs 206 kg in running order and the seat height is 860 mm.
Suzuki GSX-S1000GX
Recently presented at EICMA 2023 and already tested by our team: the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX is the crossover with a 17-inch front wheel that will join the family powered by the 152 horsepower and 106 Nm torque four-cylinder 1000 cc K5 engine, but it does so with renewed equipment and frame: The GSX-S1000GX features electronically controlled suspension, making its debut in a Suzuki production model, so we find the Suzuki Advanced Electronic Suspensions (SAES) system that uses a Hitachi Astemo (Showa) SFF-CA fork and a BFRC-lite rear shock absorber, but there is also a six-axis IMU and the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS), which manage the onboard electronics in an integrated way.
Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+
The 2023 crossover from Iwata is enriched with electronic equipment: the radar and connected driving aids are introduced: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and the Unified Brake System (Unified Brake System), but there is also the new 7-inch color TFT instrument panel, equipped with new smartphone connectivity and with which it is possible to interact with the navigation system. We also find adaptive headlights and the new bidirectional quickshifter. No news for the engine, which remains the wonderful CP3 three-cylinder unit with 119 hp at 10,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 9.5 kgm at 7,000 rpm, while the weight is 223 kg in running order and the seat is positioned at 810 mm from the ground.
