PULSE
2020
ISSUE FOUR
2021 KAWASAKI Z900RS
Reigniting the classic style of the original Z1 900 motorcycle, the Kawasaki Z900RS motorcycle calls upon timeless design elements with minimal bodywork and no fairing for a pure retro-style look. The Z900RS family is powered by a 948cc engine and modern technology for a classic yet modern ride. The combination of a lightweight trellis frame and powerful engine allows the motorcycle to achieve a superb balance of power and handling while the retro design meets modern technology and performance for superb riding comfort around town and on the highway. All in all, it’s one of the safest and most comfortable bikes in its class while maintaining an impressive power output and the modern technology to tie it all together.
Double-walled headers, integrated connections and short megaphone silencer—all treated to a buffed finish highlight the Z900RS motorcycle’s retro-sport image. A round LED headlight and oval surface-emitting LED taillight pay homage to the original Z1 motorcycle with a blend of retro and modern designs. The high-tech multi-function LCD screen nestles between bullet-shape analog dials, creating a balance of retro style and modern functionality and the seat is well cushioned and comfortable for extended highway cruising and enhanced road bump absorption. Lastly, a classic look on both wheels with machining on the spokes and rim plus high-quality paint demonstrates superb craftsmanship from the wheels up.
2021 KAWASAKI Z900RS
The powerful inline-four delivers strong acceleration and silky-smooth performance for cruising at higher rpm and it’s tuned to deliver a satisfying rumble during engine start and idling. The powerplant is a 948cc DOHC electronically injected beast that produces a total of 109 horsepower at 8,500 RPMs and 95.0. N.m of torque at 6,500 RPMs. The power of a sportbike makes the 2021 Z900RS more versatile and appropriate for an afternoon spin or just day-to-day activities around the city.
The modern lightweight trellis frame provides strength to harness the inline 4-cylinder power and balanced flex to achieve responsive and agile handling. A relaxed upright riding position accommodates both comfortable cruising and sporty riding. The low seat height allows an easy reach to the ground while an upright handlebar position adds leverage for cornering and low-speed maneuvering. Powerful braking performance featuring a firm, progressive feel is helped by modern radial-mount calipers and a radial-pump brake master cylinder. A compact and lightweight Nissin motorcycle ABS unit helps reduce wheel lock-up under certain conditions. A fully adjustable 41mm inverted front fork and a horizontal back-link rear suspension offer progressive damping that delivers both ride comfort and sporty performance.
The availability of the 2021 Kawasaki Z900RS hasn’t yet been released, but the starting MSRP was set at $11,299.
2021 YAMAHA YZ250F
The YZ250 is ready to roost the competition with race-winning features never before seen in the 250cc class. It’s already potent motor was treated to a host of refinements, including an all-new cylinder head with an improved intake port shape, new exhaust camshaft profile, a new silencer, and an updated ECU and more—to produce stronger mid-to top-end power and increased peak power, while retaining its class-leading low-end torque. The YZ250F aluminum frame features all-new flex characteristics that give riders the ultimate combination of precise cornering performance and handling stability. By tuning the rigidity balance of the chassis with changes to the lateral beams and engine cradle tube thickness as well as engine mounts, top triple clamp and front axle, the 2021 YZ250F takes rider confidence to new levels.
Featuring a high-spec piston, aggressive cam profiles, cylinder geometry and more, Yamaha’s reversed cylinder head layout works to give YZ250F riders the best balance of high-rpm power with a broad, useable powerband. The liquid-cooled, DOHC 4-valve, fuel-injected engine features a forward-positioned straight downdraft intake with symmetrical intake and exhaust ports. A flat-top forged piston features a bridge-box design for additional strength with minimal weight. The piston, rings and DLC-coated piston pin, along with the offset cylinder configuration, all reduce friction loss and contribute to quick response. The engine’s intake ports, cam profiles, high-strength connecting rod and optimized crank and counterbalancer all work together to produce potent high-rpm power with user-friendly delivery and exceptional reliability. The transmission gears, dogs and shift mechanisms are designed to smooth gear changes and improve durability under the heavy demands of motocross racing. The YZ250F also features a large-diameter clutch to boost reliability even further under high-heat conditions. An innovative exhaust pipe design improves mass centralization and power development characteristics. This layout moves the rear end of the exhaust pipe farther forward and positions the muffler closer to the bike’s center of mass.
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The YZ250F features a compact electric starter system that minimizes restart delays on track and adds convenience everywhere else. Powered by a high-capacity and ultra-lightweight, four-cell lithium-ion battery, the system adds minimal weight. Yamaha’s free of charge and industry-leading Power Tuner app puts the flexibility and precision tunability of the GYTR® Power Tuner into your smartphone. Make fueling and ignition timing changes instantly and upload them to the bike for ultimate track-side tuning.
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2021 YAMAHA YZ250F
Yamaha's spring-type forks with refined, speed-sensitive damping give industry-leading suspension performance straight out of the box. Industry-leading, fully adjustable KYB coil spring-type fork with speed-sensitive damping provides an exceptional balance between handling and bump absorption for race-winning handling performance. The linkage-type rear suspension features a KYB® shock with revised damping characteristics to match the chassis. The YZ250F’s compact frame refines the instinctive handling that makes this Yamaha one of the best handling machines in the class. Large upper frame bracing improves rigidity and durability. The wider rear frame spars, and the YZ250F-specific engine mounts centralize mass for the best possible balance of bump absorption, stiffness and feeling of grip. A large 270mm front brake disc is the same system fitted to the YZ450F and uses an aggressive pad material for exceptional stopping power and braking control. Out back, a durable heat-resistant rear rotor boosts brake durability. Careful computer-aided refinement of each wheel’s cross-sectional profile shaves valuable weight without sacrificing durability.
The 2021 YZ250F is available from September 2020 for an MSRP of $8,299.
2021YAMAHA
TT-R110E
Small package. Big fun. The 2021 Yamaha TT-R110E is the bike that produces good times for both young and old riders and everyone in between. It’s perfect for the entire family - the YZ-styled, four-stroke-powered TT-R110E begs to be ridden by everyone. A seat height of only 26.4 inches makes the TT-R110E accessible to most riders, but the 7.1 inches of ground clearance and great suspension at both ends means it can almost anywhere too. Four-speed auto-clutch transmission has an easily accessible gear for nearly any terrain and the convenient electric starter effortlessly starts the bike. It’s the perfect choice for a little bit of two-wheeled fun whether you’re an experienced rider going for a quick trail ride or a beginner riding a grass-track in your backyard.
Team Yamaha-inspired colors and graphics and front and side number plates create styling similar to larger YZ lineup while the long, YZ-style gripper seat is low and comfortable and allows for easy rider movement. Die-cast aluminum top triple clamp provides light, precise handling and looks great, too. Steel backbone frame ties steering head and swingarm pivot together via a straight line, with the engine mounted at three places for optimum strength and high ground clearance. The 31mm fork with high-tech internals including a damper valve with oil lock provide excellent damping and great bottoming resistance with 4.5 inches of smooth travel. Monocross rear suspension pivoting on a strong, 12mm shaft, along with a gusseted steel swingarm, provide excellent rear wheel control through 4.3 inches of travel. Front and rear drum brakes deliver strong, dependable stopping power and the 14-inch front and 12-inch rear wheels inspire great rider confidence by keeping the seat low and the steering light.
2021 YAMAHA TT-R110E
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A powerful 110cc air-cooled SOHC four-stroke powerplant is tuned for maximum off-road performance in a wide range of trail conditions, boasting loads of torque. A compact hemispherical combustion chamber with 9.3:1 compression produces max torque at 4000 rpm and max horsepower at 7500 rpm. A four-speed gearbox with automatic clutch has the right gear for wherever you ride and a convenient electric starter is there for effortless starting and backup kick starting. The lightweight exhaust system features quiet, USFS-approved spark arrestor which is perfect for riding in the backyard without disturbing any of the neighbors. The CDI ignition system is ultra-reliable and never needs maintenance and the automatic cam chain tensioner means minimal maintenance and longer engine life. It’s easy to service, too, as an easy-access, tool-free air filter adds extra convenience to the necessary maintenance.
The 2021 Yamaha TT-R110E is available from September at a starting MSRP of $2,299.
2020 TRIUMPH STREET
TRIPLE LINE-UP
The all-new aggressive attitude, poise and styling of the new Street Triple range sets the benchmark for agile, dynamic handling, and all-out performance. With a new category-leading top-spec Street Triple RS, plus R and S models that are even more accessible and affordable, this Street range was built for addictive everyday fun – on the track and on the road. There are also several significant aesthetic upgrades compared to 2019 and there’s also a nice $750 decrease in price in addition to the offering of sidebags, a tank bag, and a rear pack. Triumph claim a faster throttle response which results in “a crisper, purer sound, with an even more distinctive tone,” according to a spokesman of the English manufacturer.
The new Street Triple R – now even more accessible and affordable than ever before – combines an all-new aggressive attitude and style with a more responsive 765cc triple engine and a high specification equipment setup. Its addictive level of performance, together with exceptional low-down and mid-range torque, delivers all the dynamic, agile riding fun that the Street Triple family is renowned for.
The top of the line model comes with a major step up in performance as the new generation Street Triple RS has a significantly updated 765cc triple engine, developed by Triumph’s Moto2 engine team, that delivers track-ready levels of power and torque. The Street Triple has always set the benchmark in its category with a revolutionary, game-changing ride. Now, the new RS raises the bar all over again.
2020 YAMAHA MT-03
The R actually matches pretty well with the RS as it only loses out a little bit on horsepower and braking ability, while sporting a slightly cheaper suspension and a different TFT dash. The RS also has a couple more ride modes, GoPro integration, and a marginally nicer stock exhaust - but all of that will run you an extra $2,050!
For even more accessibility the Street Triple R Low Ride Height version has a dedicated suspension setup and a 1.77-inch lower seat than standard for a more manageable riding experience. This motorcycle shares the more aggressive style, more responsive high-performance 765cc triple engine, high equipment spec, and all the dynamic agile riding capability that the Street Triple R is renowned for.
The Triumph Street Triple RS starts at an MSRP of $12,850.00 while the Street Triple R comes in at a base price of $10,800.00, matching the price of the Low Ride Height version.
2020 TRIUMPH STREET
TRIPLE LINE-UP
KYLE CHISHOLM
YEAR IN REVIEW
The 2020 racing year has been one of the most unpredictable and unprecedented in recent memory, due to the untimely and unexpected effect of a global pandemic and a truly bizarre couple of months where the entire world went on pause. Daily societal routines as we know them ceased to exist, the entertainment business came to a halt, and the sporting world was by no means immune to the consequences. By an odd twist of fate, Monster Energy Supercross was one of the first sporting events to resume within this historic time period and as a result, there were lots of eyes on a sport that usually flies under the radar. LS2 was involved in that restart with our very own Kyle Chisholm and has made plenty of history of our own lately - starting, in fact, at the beginning of last season with the signing of Chisholm. The 32-year-old veteran joined the LS2 team at the beginning of the 2019 Monster Energy Supercross campaign and came onboard as the flagship athlete of the brand in the United States, leading the charge of the LS2 family in the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross scene.
2021 BMW R 18
The new R 18 invokes the history and the iconic hallmarks of the BMW brand. The result is a true BMW cruiser that is full of character, surrounding the largest displacement boxer engine they have ever built and timeless design features, such as the white double striping on the R 18 First Edition. The flyline is elongated and low. The double-cradle steel frame covers the powerful, sculpted engine that underlines the impressive presence of the bike. Riders also have a number of custom equipment options: the R 18 is scaled back to its core to allow for full customization.
With the new R 18, BMW Motorrad now enters the cruiser segment. Like no other BMW motorcycle before it, this model stands entirely in the tradition of historical BMW motorcycles – both technically and in terms of design style. It borrows from famous models such as the BMW R 5 both technologically and visually, shifting the focus back onto the motorcycle essentials: purist, no-frills technology and the boxer engine as the epicenter of riding pleasure, combined with “good vibrations”. What is more, classic design is combined in the R 18 with clear-cut yet contemporary technology to create a fascinating overall concept – offering a riding experience that is as cultivated as it is emotional.
The R 18 masterfully transposes the iconic style of bygone times to the present day, retaining a purist design in numerous details that is mainly influenced by classics such as the BMW R 5. It is no coincidence that functional and stylistic elements such as the double-loop frame, the pear-drop tank, the open-running driveshaft and the pinstriped paintwork (ex-factory option) are reminiscent of the legendary boxer dating back to 1936. The classic bodywork features of the R 18 are also made of metal – as befits an authentic classic. The suspension is likewise aptly reminiscent of the legendary R 5. Together with the double-sided swingarm and a cantilever suspension strut, the rigid-frame concept of the R 5 is perfectly transported into the modern age in visual terms.
The centerpiece the new BMW R 18 is a newly developed 2-cylinder boxer engine – the “Big Boxer”. Both its impressive appearance and its technology reflect a continuation of the traditional air-cooled boxer engines that have offered an inspiring riding experience since BMW Motorrad began production in 1923. The most powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine ever used in motorcycle series production has a displacement of 802cc. The peak output is 67 kW (91 hp) at 750rpm. From 2,000 to 4,000 rpm, over 150 Nm of torque is available at all times, and this elemental pulling power is combined with a full, resonant sound.
The centerpiece of the suspension in the new R 18 is a double-loop steel tube frame. Its design perpetuates the longstanding BMW Motorrad tradition of this frame type. Outstanding manufacturing quality and meticulous attention to detail is also evident in unapparent features such as the welded joints between the steel tubes and the cast or forged parts. Like the legendary BMW R 5, the rear swingarm – sporting a comparable design – surrounds the rear axle transmission in authentic style by means of bolted connections.
The suspension elements of the new BMW R 18 deliberately dispense with electronic adjustment options. Instead, a telescopic fork and a directly mounted central suspension strut with travel-dependent damping and adjustable spring preload ensure superior wheel control and attractive suspension comfort. As in the legendary BMW R 5, the tubes of the telescopic fork are encased in fork sleeves. The fork tube diameter is 49 mm, while the suspension travel is 120 mm at the front and 90 mm at the rear. The new BMW R 18 braking system consists of a twin-disc brake at the front and a single disc brake at the rear in conjunction with four-piston fixed calipers. Meanwhile, the wire-spoked wheels ensure a supremely stylish appearance.
An exclusive R 18 First Edition will be available across the globe in congruence with the model launch, sporting a black paint job with white pinstripes, chrome upgrades, a seat badge, and a First Edition chrome inscription on the side covers. The price in the United States for the FE will be $19,780 while a base model will also be available in select markets for $17,495.
2021 BMW R 18
2021 HONDA CB500X
Anaheim I is arguably the most highly anticipated dirt bike racing event of the season in the United States, oftentimes taking place on the first weekend of the new calendar year. Up until this season, LS2 had yet to qualify for a Monster Energy Supercross Main Event and with a rider of Kyle Chisholm’s caliber - it was only a matter of time. The Floridian came out of the gate flying aboard his YZ450F and qualified right on pace with the top-twenty riders in the highly competitive and endlessly deep premier class field. Chisholm ignored the pressure cooker that can be Angel Stadium of Anaheim and kept his eyes on the prize, doing what he always does as he got the job done. He was seeded into the first 450SX Heat Race and he did enough to secure 9th position at the checkered flag, completing his first success Main Event finish of the season. It was no surprise as Chisholm has built a reputation on his consistency and reliability on the track, proving time and time again with his veteran racecraft and strategy that he’ll consistently score points in the 450SX class. Due to the challenging nature of racing as a privateer, his 19th place finish was even more impressive when you take into consideration that he only had three days on the bike to get things dialed in before the race. He was poised to make continual progress throughout the beginning of the season, but unfortunately adversity reared its ugly head, as it so often does in Monster Energy Supercross.
The privateer life continued the following weekend as Chisholm caught a plane overseas to Germany for the Dortmund Supercross, returning to the United States the following weekend for the second round of racing in Anaheim. Things were going well in the Heat Race as he was on pace to put it in the Main Event for the second consecutive time in Angel Stadium of Anaheim and things went awry when a slight mistake sent him flying over the bars, pile driving most of his weight onto his head. It’s not the first time that Chisholm has done some real-world crash testing in the Monster Energy Supercross series as you may remember a spectacular crash he had at the start of a Heat Race in 2019. The LS2 Subverter did its job yet again, but the 32-year-old still had to sit out a couple of rounds to let his body rest in preparation to return back to racing. He came back fired up at the fifth round of the Monster Energy Supercross season in Oakland, instantly putting himself back in the Main Event where he belongs with a 17th place finish.
