We’ve already told you about the Piaggio Group’s new Moto Guzzi California, Vespa 946, and Aprilia Caponard and RSV4. Now, here are more details.
The company’s management seem pretty excited about the 2012 California 1400 from Moto Guzzi. It’s got the biggest V-twin produced in Europe (1380 cc) and makes 120 Nm of torque at 2750 rpm and 96 hp at 6500 rpm. It’s not just a big-bore version of the old 1151 cc Quattrovalvole motor, though; it’s also more fuel efficient and has ride-by-wire technology with three-level traction control (with Touring, Fast, and Wet settings).
The new motor has four valves per cylinder with dual ignition and oxygen sensors per head. It’s fueled by a single 52 mm Magneti Marelli throttle body. It has a six-speed transmission, and the shaft drive has been re-designed from the unit fitted to the previous 1200 California.
Other details: The bike has 46 mm front forks, and a 1685 mm wheelbase; the double cradle frame is said to completely eliminate vibration transfer. It has twin shocks with adjustable preload in back.
The California 1400 has LED running lights, cruise control, Brembo brakes with ABS and radially mounted four-piston calipers up front, and 320 mm floating disc. The rear disc is 282 mm, with Brembo dual piston caliper. Wet weight is 336 kg.
There will also be a significant amount of accessories available for this bike, as well as a custom version that’s a bit lighter.
We gave you some details for the Vespa 946 last week; here’s some more information.
Along with an air-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder 125 cc motor, traction control and styling derived from the Mp6, Vespa’s first scooter from way back in 1946, the 946 has LED lights all around. That three-valve motor puts out a little over 11 hp and 10.7 Nm of torque. Service intervals are at 10,000 km.
The body is made of a mixture of sheet steel and aluminum, and the 946 also comes with ABS and dual disc brakes up front.
Aprilia’s been an early adopter of all the electronic technology that’s come into the world of superbikes lately, and the new RSV4 is no exception.
Their electronics package on the new bike has eight-level traction control that can be adjusted on the fly, without even closing the throttle and wheelie control has been re-calibrated. Launch control and quick shift are also standard. Of course, the bike also has ride-by-wire throttle and ABS from Bosch (with three settings – Track, Sport and Rain).
Along with the comprehensive electronics package, the bike is based around a tweaked version of their 65-degree 999.6 cc V4, making 184 hp and 117 Nm of torque. The exhaust has been re-designed for 2012.
The bodywork has been reshaped for 2012, with a new gas tank and front mudguard. Front and rear brakes have both been tweaked, with new Brembo M430 radial mounted monoblock calipers and 320 mm discs in front, and new radial master cylinder on the handlebar.
Dry weight for the new RSV4 is 180 kg; wheels are 17-inch three-spoke aluminum units and seat height is 838 mm. There is also a higher-spec R version of this machine.
Aprilia’s new Caponard 1200 adventure bike also comes fully loaded with electronics, including ride-by-wire throttle, engine maps for Sport, Touring and Rain and dual channel ABS and traction control (both can be disabled). The Travel Pack also has Aprilia Dynamic Damping, cruise control, four-way adjustable rear shock, panniers and a centrestand.
The re-designed frame is made of a combination of steel tubing and aluminum plates and swingarm. Wheels are 17-inch aluminum units fore and aft, brakes are radially mounted Brembo monoblock four-piston calipers up front with 320 mm stainless steel floating discs, and 240 mm disc combined with single-piston Brembo caliper in back.
Front forks are 43 mm Sachs USD units with fully adjustable compression and rebound damping and spring preload; there’s a Sachs hydraulic shock absorber with adjustable rebound and preload in back. The bike has a six-speed transmission.
What about the motor? The 90-degree long-stroke V-twin is supposed to put out 128 hp and 115 Nm of torque. There’s a 690W alternator, hydraulic clutch and gear ratios have been re-worked from the previous Caponard to reduce engine load at highway speed. Fuel capacity is 24 liters; we haven’t seen any numbers on wet or dry weight yet.
We don’t have Canadian pricing or availability dates yet for any of these models.
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