2009 Norton Commando 961 SE Specs News and Review

In accordance with its name and heritage, the new Norton Commando is powered by a 961 cc, air-cooled, parallel twin engine, which manages to blend perfectly in this classic scenario while developing an impressive 80 Hp and 90 Nm. That is due to the electronic fuel injection system which, together with the three way catalytic converters, ensures that the Commando meets Euro 3 regulations.
A multitude of carbon fiber pieces lighten the bike and, according to Norton, this thing weighs only 415 pounds dry.

While qualifying for a decent power-to-weight ratio, the new Commando features goodies such as the electric start, constant mesh five-speed tranny and wet clutch, all being absolute must-haves considering today’s requests and fierce competition. So are the Brembo brakes, Ohlins suspensions and 17-inch modern, carbon fiber wheels that enhance the already consecrated sporty nature of this British icon.

Frame
- Frame: Steel tubular with integral oil tank
- Swing arm: Twin-sided steel construction
- Wheelbase: 1420mm (55.9 in)
- Rake: 24.5 degrees
- Trail: 99mm (3.9 in)
- Front suspension: 43mm Ohlins RWU
- Rear suspension: Ohlins reservoir-style twin shocks
- Front wheel: 3.50 x 17” BST Carbon Fibre
- Rear wheel: 5.0 x 17” BST Carbon Fibre
- Front tyre: 120/70 x 17”
- Rear tyre: 180/55 x 17”
- Front wheel travel: 115mm (4.53 in)
- Rear wheel travel: 100mm (3.94 in)

Transmission
- Gear box: constant mesh 5 speed
- Final drive: 525 “O” ring chain
- Clutch: Wet multi-plate hydraulic lifter
- Electric start

2010 KTM 990 Supermoto R Specs News and Review

Designed to push the limits further and further on the race track, the KTM 990 SM R is the most radical two-cylinder supermoto on the market. It is all the more surprising that town and city riding is at least as much fun as negotiating twisting roads on mountain passes.

The KTM stand is expected to be pretty crowded this November at the EICMA show in Milan as the Austrian manufacturer announces the official release of one of its most notorious naked motorcycle, the 990 Supermoto R.

At a first glance, the new bike distinguishes from the 2008 model year due to the new color scheme

featuring a set of white plastics mounted on the orange powdercoated frame. Also, the rims feature a nice, Y-spoke design and the swingarm is black painted on the 2009 model year.

The only downside yet to be identified is the reduced fuel capacity. Apparently, the gas tank became smaller in the designer’s attempt to create a sportier riding position.

2009 KTM Duke Specs News and Review

2009 doesn’t bring a totally restyled 690 Duke so the bike works with the same longitudinally mounted streetfighter headlights integrated into an aggressive housing that looks like a pretty well made aftermarket piece even though it is a standard feature of the bike. The side plates and fenders look sharp too while the supermoto-style seat is positioned at 34.06" from the ground.
The 17-inch wheels, 320mm front disc brake and under engine exhaust all indicate that we’re dealing with a veritable sports bike while the supermoto-style handlebars works with the seat in order to get us pretty confused about the bike’s specific category, but even more interested to see what it’s up to when on the move.

Orange and White where the 2008 color schemes for this model and they carry on to 2009, but this year’s special color for the middleweight Duke is Black. If this would have only got an orange painted frame and upgraded engine, we would have talked about a very special 2009 KTM 690 Duke R, just as we did about the 2009 KTM 1190 RC8 R and 2009 KTM 990 Super Duke R models. These models are all related and it’s just too bad that the small Duke was excluded from the performance and visual upgrading process.