The bikes we thought we’d get...
Even with 57 new bikes coming in 2021 we’re still expecting quite a few more
We may well be enjoying a fabulous deluge of new bikes for 2021, but there were several other key models we were expecting for the New Year that have so far managed to stay firmly off the radar. So where the hell are they? We delve into our bank of spy shots and consult our industry moles on the bikes we believe will be unveiled in Spring – covering everything from Suzuki’s Hayabusa return to the new Husqvarna Norden 901,
‘Spy shots show the Husqvarna Norden is still on the way’
Back in June, when both the Intermot and EICMA motorcycle shows were cancelled, you’d have been forgiven for thinking 2021 was going to be a barren year for new bikes. Even so, more than 57 major new bikes are arriving next year (see p16) but recent spyshots got us thinking about the new bikes Covid-19 has held back.
Alright on the night
We’re big fans of KTM’s 790 Adventure range and presumably we’ll love the new 890 bunch even more. That’s why we were incredibly excited when Husqvarna unveiled the Norden 901 concept this time last year and also why we were even more excited when they announced just a few weeks later that it would go into production. The parts of Austria where KTM build their bikes (and, of course, Spain where they test) were both hit quite badly by coronavirus resulting in a temporary shutdown.
New spyshots have shown that little has changed since the concept was unveiled – in fact the only thing noticeably missing is the funky split dash that paired with a smartphone. Instead it’s a standard TFT from KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R although, being honest, that’s probably a good thing. Otherwise it looks almost finished, especially in the fairing, which will have been one of the last pieces of the puzzle. In an ordinary year we’d have expected to have seen the finished model in November but it’s more likely we’ll see it at some point next year, with it probably not reaching dealers until 2022. KTM proper also have another model waiting in the wings: the 1290 Super Adventure. We’ve seen shots of both new 1290 Rs and 1290 Ss in testing, both sporting a similar cruise control radar system to the new Multistrada V4. KTM announced back in 2018 they would have a bike on sale with this hardware by 2021, so chances are we’ll see both of these new bikes shortly ahead of them going on sale by Spring.
Triumphant return
Triumph have had a mixed year. News of job losses and reorganisation early on have partly been forgotten after the fanfare surrounding the Trident and Tiger Sport 850. However, their two big machines are due for replacement: the Tiger 1200 and the Speed Triple. Both models are expected to have huge overhauls as seen in the spy photos caught in the summer. The Tiger line is splitting, as per the
900s, with the offroad version gaining a 21in front wheel for increased dirt focus. The Speed Triple, meanwhile, is widely expected to get a capacity increase and a power hike to compete with the likes of Super Duke.
We doubt Triumph will be waiting a full year to release these models, so we’d expect to see something early next year.
Nothing from Noale
Northern Italy was hit early on and that seems to have affected the Piaggio group. So far the only new bike we’ve had is the V7 from Moto Guzzi and the RS660 is only arriving now, having been unveiled this time last year. As far as we know the Tuono 660 is still on the way along with the muchanticipated Tuareg 660 adventure bike. Don’t hold your breath for them arriving in 2021 though.
Honourable mentions
There are a few manufacturers who have yet to show their hands. Suzuki have been eerily quiet all of 2020 but rumours still swirl of a new Hayabusa. We’ve not seen anything concrete but sources in Japan still indicate we’ll see something in early Spring. Indian have also been strangely quiet for a brand on the up. A leaked internal document said that an adventure version of their hugely successful FTR1200 is due in 2021 but we’ve heard nothing about it since. That said, it would be the perfect time to spoil HarleyDavidson’s Pan America party.