As the launch season gains pace, we look at the new motorcycles that are hitting the showrooms in 2020 that we cannot wait to ride.
WITH the winter launch season of shows and press rides now in full swing, we thought we’d take a stroll through the bikes we cannot wait to get on in 2020.
Through this list, we aren’t talking about the rumours and hearsay, these are the nailed-on bikes that are landing in dealers. This is the pick of the best nakeds, sportsbikes, off-roaders and adventure machines you can buy in 2020.
2020-Indian-Chieftain
10. 2020 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse
Okay, we know, a massive slice (and this is a massive slice) of Americana such as this is not every rider’s cup of tea. But you can’t deny, it’s still a cool looking thing. And it’s nice to have an alternative to the Harley-Davidson baggers and full-dress tourers that are available.
For 2020, the big-bore machines in the Indian line-up benefit from a new Thunder Stroke 116 engine that packs a chunky 1890cc. With 126ft-lbs on offer at just 2900rpm – is this the ultimate in lazy grunt?
9. Triumph Daytona Moto2 765
It’s a bit of a long shot this one, but it is still a bike that you or I could go out and buy in 2020. The reboot of the iconic Daytona with the addition of the Moto2-spec 765cc engine was the big news earlier this summer.
The news that (at that time anyway) Triumph was not planning on making a full-scale general release version for the masses – just the carbon-clad Moto2 special – was a big disappointment to many fans. There was a lot of grumbling on social media about the lack of a production version and if any manufacturer listens to the public, it’s Triumph. Who knows, there might be another winter unveiling to come.
8. MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro
For a company that specialises in scalpel-sharp machines with jewel-like engines and lithe handling, the Brutale 1000 Serie Oro is something of a departure from the Varese based factory.
Based around the idea of the Brutale 800, the 1000 Serie Oro borrows knowledge gained on the World Superbike championship, pours it into the four-cylinder unit out of the F4 superbike and creates the most powerful naked ever from MV Agusta.
It may also be the most powerful production naked motorcycle to date, with the Ducati V4 Streetfighter (if that’s what it’s called) confirming a power output of 208hp in the teaser video they shared earlier this week.
7. Moto Guzzi V7 III Racer
When working on a platform like the V7, any new bikes are going to be cases of evolution over revolution. With that in mind, a new bike has to play to the strengths of the machine. A thing that Moto Guzzi has got it spot on with their 2020 Racer.
Yeas the forks are conventional items and there is a single disc up front, but don’t overlook this sweet looking model. The weight is all held low, the riding position should be spot on and it looks just so right. If you want to feel what riding a pure motorcycle feels like – book your self a test ride on one of these.
6. Honda CRF1100 Africa Twin + Adventure Sports
With a new aggressive look, sleeker bodywork and less weight than the old bike, the 2020 Africa Twin range is bridging the gap between mid-weight adventure bikes and the heavy-weight bruisers – that most won’t/don’t take off-road.
Updates for next year include touchscreen TFT dash, multiple riding modes, electronic suspension for some models and of course, the DCT option for those with a phobia of the clutch lever.
5. Triumph Street Triple RS (and possibly an S and R too!)
Having been in production for 12-years and with 90,000 bikes sold worldwide, the Triumph Street Triple is one of the biggest bikes in the Triumph line-up. To help keep the bike at the forefront of a buyer’s mind for 2020, the bikes had an aesthetic and mechanical makeover.
With some Moto2 knowhow introduced to the 765cc powerplant, the new machine makes more peak power, peak torque and more midrange than the old model. If a sub-1000cc naked is on your wish-list for 2020 – this is really one of only a couple of bikes you can choose from.
4. Triumph Rocket 3
It’s been a long time coming for the gigantic triple from Triumph. Killed off by Euro regs a few years back. The bike left a massive hole (literally huge) in the Triumph line-up. Thankfully Triumph listened to their customers and their heart in recreating the three-cylinder beast.
The press launch for this bike is in early November, we’ll be in attendance to bring you all the news and of course a full video review
3. Yamaha R1 (R1M)
The new aerodynamic fairing of the R1 and R1M may seem subtle, but the changes beneath the skin help cement the bike as one of the best-suited machines for the avid trackday addict.
It’d be easy to see the new bikes as a simple act of Euro regulation avoidance, and while that may be true in some respects, the differences between the old and new bikes do warrant some attention. The 2020 R1M also means the gap between the two models has never been bigger.
2. Ducati V4 Streetfighter
Guaranteed to be the star of the Rimini live-streamed launch event in November, the Streetfighter V4 is one of the most eagerly awaited Ducati models since the introduction of the V4 powerplant a few years back.
208hp, 178kg, the riding modes from the Panigale V4 and aerodynamic winglets. The more we look at the V4 Streetfighter, the less we can find that we aren’t excited about!
1. Kawasaki Z-H2
It’s officially confirmed for the Tokyo motorcycle show, so we are assuming that means we’ll get to swing a leg over it very soon. And hopefully, it’ll hit the dealers in the spring.
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to ride an H2, you’ll understand what an exciting prospect a naked version of the bike will be.
We have little in the way confirmed specification as it stands, we’ll be following Tokyo closely for updates