#sp

Honda announced a number of evolutionary changes to its CBR1000RR-R and CBR1000RR-R SP. The changes include a retuned engine, a new 2-motor throttle-by-wire system, new aerodynamics, a revised frame, new suspension and brakes, and updated electronics. So, basically everything short of adding yet another “R” to its name.

Mere days after announcing an updated MT-09, Yamaha has revealed a revised MT-09 SP. The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 SP receives a number of upgrades in addition to the changes made to the regular model. This includes the 2024 MT-09’s new styling and the more aggressive ergonomics, which you can read more about in our First Look post, but also updated brakes and suspension.

Allow me to say it before you do: this is cheating. I know. The Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP is bonkers. And while it technically meets our rules of being available for purchase by the time of posting, it also kinda doesn’t because each of these were spoken for within a week of its release. Sorry.

The Ducati Streetfighter V4 lineup is about to add a new, higher-spec SP model. The confirmation comes to us via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which listed the Streetfighter V4 SP alongside the Streetfighter V4 and V4S as models certified for 2022.

Let’s be real for a second here: Honda’s always taken the über conservative route with what we now know as the CBR1000RR, and this dates all the way back to the CBR’s origins with the CBR900RR. When compared against its peers, the consensus usually goes “The Honda is a really good bike, but it’s not great.” The reason is because Honda’s tried to toe the line between racetrack performance and streetable useability because these are road-legal motorcycles after all. And as much as any investor will tell you how important it is to diversify, in the sportbike world, this simply isn’t the case anymore.

Race bikes evolve constantly, so the tire manufacturers must race to catch up. Race tires evolve further, passing the race bikes, but eventually allow them to catch up and get back on track. And this motorcycle of life, goes around and around and around, like a dropped forged wheel.

The Ducati Hypermotard is getting a significant update for 2019, receiving a revised 937cc Testastretta 11° motor, six-axis IMU, new rear subframe and a brand new look.

Around the MO offices, we’re filled with excitement and restraint whenever a motorcycle with “motard” in its name enters our graces. This is especially true when we took delivery of the $14,995 Ducati Hypermotard SP. With its high ground clearance, light weight, abundance of power, and dirtbike-like agility, we were anxious to rip around the city and the canyons, knowing there would be very little on the roads that could keep up. Of course, motards, more than any other kind of motorcycle, compel us with a childlike enthusiasm to act like even bigger MOrons than we are, much to the chagrin of the local constabulary.