TWO NEW MODELS FOR MOTO MORINIItalian manufacturer Moto Morini unveiled two new motorbikes at the Padova show last week. The new Scrambler and 1200 Sport are based on the Moto Morini 9½ Sport and are powered by 117hp, 102Nm versions of the 1187cc V-twin used in all Moto Morinis.
The Scrambler harks back to similar models produced by Moto Morini in the 1960s with its twin, side-mounted exhausts, excel-spoked wheels and retro detailing, but it also has a modern trellis frame, rear cantilever suspension with a hydro-formed aluminium swing arm and 50mm Marzocchi forks. The 1200 Sport has a more aggressive riding position, but is technically very similar to the scrambler.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON UNVEILS NEW RETRO CRUISER
The Harley-Davidson FLSTSB Softail Cross Bones is a new cruiser designed by the company to look like a custom-built, post-war bobber.
The Cross Bones is easily recognised by its ape-hanger bars, a Springer front suspension, adjustable sprung solo seat, half-round footboards, circular airbox, straight-shot exhaust, spoked wheels, chopped front mudguard and a mean black paint job. Power is provided by an air-cooled 1584cc Twin Cam 96B engine. At 334kg, the Cross Bones is no flyaway, but with 117Nm of torque on tap it won't be a slouch. Irish prices and final specfications have yet to be announced.
BUELL EXPANDS ULYSSES LINE-UP
Buell has announced a new Ulysses model, the XB12XT. The new bike is Buell's first proper long-distance touring bike, and while it's based on the revised 2008 Ulysses, it has a specially-tuned short-travel Showa suspension, lower ride height and standard seat height. The adjustable rear backrest remains, making it ideally suited to two-up riding as well.
The 211kg XB12XT is powered by the same 103hp, 114Nm, 1203cc Thunderstorm air-cooled V-Twin, and uses the same belt-drive transmission as the standard Ulysses, which should make it a rapid and refined tourer.
2008 SET TO TEST HARLEY
Harley-Davison sales in 2007 dropped 7.7 per cent to $1.39 billion (€942 million). These are the company's first losses since 1993, but given how much the company has grown in recent years and the looming recession in America, it's perhaps not that unexpected that Harley-Davidson's remarkable 15-year run should come to an end. Unfortunately, the US's financial situation doesn't look like getting any better in 2008, so this year will be a real test of Harley's metal.
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