September 28, 2009 - There's a fair amount of new hardware making its way into dealerships for the 2010 model year, despite an economy-driven trend among some manufacturers to streamline their lineups. Here are the new or significantly changed bikes from the Japanese makers we know about so far....
HONDA While we patiently await official images and info on Honda's new 1200 V4 sport/sport-touring bike (check back here about mid-October), Big Red has finally brought a popular sport-touring bike stateside and given the Shadow a double dose of bad.
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Shadow Phantom The 2010 Shadow Phantom has a low 25.7-inch seat height with a clean and uncluttered look accented by an extensive blackout treatment to the Shadow 750 platform. Its 745cc V-twin engine has revamped Programmed Fuel Injection with a single 34mm-diameter throttle body. Minimal bodywork and a new handlebar shape enhance its bobber styling. Available at dealerships now in Black, MSRP is $7,999.
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NT700V Sport-touring riders overseas have known and enjoyed this bike as the "Deauville" for years. It has a stylish and functional fairing with a five-position windscreen and just enough power from its 680cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin engine with Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI). The Combined Braking System (CBS) offers triple discs with the option of ABS. Large-capacity saddlebags feature a pass-through space between the two sides to facilitate packing of longer items and provide additional carrying capacity. Accessories include a top box and heated grips.
The standard NT700V is available in Metallic Red and Metallic Silver colors for an MSRP of $9,999, and the ABS model is available in Metallic Silver only for $10,999.
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CBR1000RR Last year Honda made the CBR1000RR available with its electronically controlled Combined ABS braking. The 2010 model adds new graphics and engine changes that provide smoother power delivery. An increased-diameter flywheel in its liquid-cooled, 999cc in-line four offers more inertia and improved performance, a redesigned license plate stay makes for easier removal on track days and there's a prettier new muffler cover. New colors include Pearl Orange/Light Metallic Silver and Red/Black. The C-ABS model is available in Black only. Dealer availability and MSRP are TBD.
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STAR MOTORCYCLES Stratoliner Deluxe Star's new Stratoliner Deluxe adds a distinctive fairing to the Roadliner/Stratoliner family platform. The fairing includes a handlebar-mounted audio control system with integrated high-fidelity speakers, connectors for an iPod jack and cool shorty windscreen. To complement the fairing a pair of large, color-matched, locking hard sidebags with one-touch openers provide spacious storage for long hauls and short trips.
The Stratoliner has Star's 113 cubic-inch (1,854cc) air-cooled, pushrod V-twin with twin-bore downdraft EFI, four-valve cylinder heads with dual spark plugs and 2–into-1 exhaust. The long and low aluminum frame provides a smooth, clean look and a near 50/50 weight distribution between both wheels. The 2010 Stratoliner Deluxe will be in Star motorcycle dealerships in January in a Raven finish with a starting MSRP of $17,490.
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V Star 1300 Tourer Changes to Star's mid-size touring cruiser include a new handlebar and more relaxed riding position, a newly contoured seat that's nearly an inch lower, more chrome, a new tank badge and a new frame color. The change in handlebar bend brings the grips closer to the rider. Styling changes like the new 3-D emblem design on the fuel tank, a new chrome headlight housing, chrome belt guard and new gloss black finish on the frame further add to the high-quality look. The V Star 1300's engine is liquid-cooled and fuel-injected and has four valve cylinder heads with roller rocker arms and a single pin crankshaft.
The 2010 V Star 1300 Tourer is in dealerships now with a starting MSRP of $11,790 and is available in Raven and Impact Blue.
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SUZUKI GSX1250FA Although its U.S. presence is not quite confirmed, we will probably enjoy an all-new GSX1250FA from Suzuki for 2010. Not to be mistaken for a simple 1250 Bandit upgrade, the FA is more like a larger version of the GSX650F introduced in 2008. The 1250 has a distinctive full fairing with vertically stacked headlights that is shaped for a neatly integrated look with the fuel tank and tailsection. Its 1,255cc fuel injected, liquid-cooled engine is tuned to deliver smooth acceleration and broad power, and the classic tube-frame chassis provides a balance between sporty handling and highway cruising comfort. Digital ABS monitors wheel speed and matches stopping power to available traction. Available Suzuki Genuine Accessories include top and side cases and a taller windscreen.
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YAMAHA YZF-R1/LE For 2010 the YZF-R1 will be offered in an LE Limited Edition complete with Valentino Rossi/Fiat Yamaha livery including the number "46" and "The Doctor" logos. Each LE will also have a replica of Valentino's signature on the fuel tank. The R1 LE will be available in January 2010 with a starting MSRP of $14,500 in Fiat Yamaha Team graphics. The liquid-cooled, 998cc, in-line four-cylinder 2010 R1 is in dealerships now with a starting MSRP of $13,290 in Raven, Pearl White and Team Yamaha Blue/White.
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YZF-R6 For 2010 the YZF-R6 gets a remapped Engine Control Unit for its liquid-cooled, 599cc in-line four and a new 100mm longer muffler for increased performance. It will be in dealerships beginning January 2010 with a starting MSRP of $10,490 in Raven, Pearl White and Team Yamaha Blue/White.
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