July 23, 2007 – Motorcycle Digest

KTM North America Will Return to the International Motorcycle Shows
KTM’s lineup will be shown at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows for the tour’s 27th annual event schedule.
“The International Motorcycle Shows provide us a great opportunity to debut our new lineup of off-road motorcycles, new sport ATVs and our exciting street machines, like the new 990 Super Duke,” said Jeff Salamon, director of marketing for KTM North America. “The 13-stop U.S. tour allows us to showcase our motorcycles in important markets throughout the country to a qualified audience that the shows are known for producing.”
“We are very pleased to have KTM back on board for this year’s series,” said Group Show Director Jeff D’Entremont. “The addition of KTM and the debut of both their off-road and street products are the perfect compliment to our already impressive manufacturer lineup.”
The 2007-2008 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows will showcase what’s new from more than 17 manufacturers with more than 800 units on display.
Yamaha Brings Back Two-Stroke Zuma for 2008
With the EPA cracking down on motorcycle emissions, two-stroke scooters might soon be few and far between. However, Yamaha Motor Corp. has made adjustments to its popular 49cc Zuma to keep the scooter in its 2008 lineup.
The latest round of EPA restrictions reclassified 49cc and smaller motorcycles into the same category as the broad under-250cc Class I motorcycles, making it difficult for two-stroke scooters to be kept on 2008 rosters.
The adjustments made to the 49cc Zuma included revamping the carburetor settings and exhaust catalyzers and an automatic transmission and electric start to ensure the user-friendliness of the Zuma’s air-cooled, carbureted power plant.
The 2008 Yamaha Zuma will be available from dealers in August with an MSRP of $2,099.
Triumph Unveils The New Street Triple in Austria
The Triumph Street Triple was officially unveiled to more than 5,000 Triumph owners on June 30 at Triumph Tridays in Neukirchen, Austria.?
The Street Triple offers 675cc and, according to the company, combines “the streetfighter styling of its older brother, the Speed Triple, with the 675cc engine, chassis and performance of the award-winning Daytona 675.”
The Street Triple’s aluminum frame and swingarm come directly from the Daytona 675, while the Nissin two piston sliding calipers with sintered pads (the same material as used on the Daytona 675) provides the braking power. The lightweight five-spoked wheels also come straight from the Daytona 675, with Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier tires fitted as standard (120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear). The Street Triple is equipped with Kayaba suspension front and rear, with rear preload adjustment, giving class-leading handling.
The low dual seat and new foot pegs and handlebars provide a comfortable riding position for rider and passenger. The headlights echo the distinctive units used on the Speed Triple, while the comprehensive instrument console shares the same functionality as that on the Daytona 675 but is restyled to fit neatly within the lines of the Street Triple.
“The Street Triple is one of the most important models we’ve ever brought to market, giving Triumph a strong presence in this important segment and offering a new entry point to Triumph’s range of sports bikes,” said Tue Mantoni, Triumph’s commercial director. “It’s a great bike for both new and experienced riders, with distinctive style and class leading performance in an affordable package.”
Priced at $7,999, the Street Triple will be available in dealerships in late September.
Saxon Ready to Put Mad Jack into Production
Saxon Motorcycle Company’s Mad Jack V-Twin Streetfighter has made its way into full production. It is expected to arrive to dealers in September as a 2008 model, the company said in a press release.
This is the second bike L.A. County Choprod’s Gard Hollinger has designed for Saxon. In 2005, Saxon released the Black Crown, which became one of Saxon’s best sellers. Because of its popularity, Saxon partnered with Hollinger to create another bike.
The Mad Jack features numerous “old-school modernistic” styling elements, the release stated.
These components include a proprietary frame, gas tank, fenders, machined aluminum strut system, LACC beehive side mounted oil filter, Moon Eyes barrel type oil tank and LACC hydraulic seat shock dampening system.
In addition, each Mad Jack will be numbered and signed.
Viper Motorcycle Enters Commercial Production
Viper Motorcycle Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Viper Powersports Inc., is now shipping its 2007 Diablo and Diamondback V-twin motorcycle models, the company said in a press release.
John Silseth II, managing director of Viper Motorcycle Co., stated, “As we make the transition from an R&D company to production, we expect to ship approximately 50 bikes before year-end to our awaiting dealer network.”
American Performance Cycle Introduces the High Roller
American Performance Cycle, a custom production bike manufacturer located in Las Vegas, introduced a softail chopper that features a 36-degree rake in the neck.
The bike, called the High Roller, starts at $28,995.
The High Roller has a right-side drive and comes complete with an S&S engine, Baker 6-speed, billet closed primary, forged one-piece Forge-Tec or 80 spoke wheels. American Performance Cycle currently has four distinct models with various versions of each one (chopper, drop seat, FLH style and pro-street) that can be custom built with a variety of options. psb