Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, but bikes are more important, so let's talk about that.
I don't know about you, but I can't quite believe there are only five weeks left of 2022! It's been a good year for riding. Free from lockdowns and spoiled with an amazing summer, plenty of us were out on the roads and tracks, doing what we love. However, as winter draws in, many of us have tucked up our bikes to keep them safe, warm and free of salt over winter. That doesn't mean we stop thinking about bikes, of course. In fact, it's at this time of year when I start thinking about the possibility of changing bikes or adding something new to the garage ready for the next season. I rarely change my bikes, but it's nice to think about it sometimes. The thought of something new, shiny and a little bit sexy in the garage is a big lure. Nevertheless, if you exercise less self-control than me or you desperately need a new bike next year, we've compiled a short list of ten bikes to look out for next year.
BMW M 1000 R
From £19,480
Whilst BMW could have chosen to make the M1000R an exercise in pretty stickers and carbon tat, they have instead thrown the kitchen sink at it. When the kitchen sink landed, a more powerful version of its inline four-cylinder fell out, and conveniently landed neatly into the bike’s frame. Boasting a whopping 44bhp over the S1000R, and without losing any noticeable torque, the M provides a huge step up in power over the bike it’s based on. If you want a fully-featured hypernaked boasting 207bhp and an electronic package that's tantamount to witchcraft, the M1000R may be the bike for you.
BMW says the M1000RR will be available from next April, though you may want to start badgering your dealer now. With a starting price of £19,480, I fully expect demand to be on the high side.
Ducati Diavel V4
From £23,595
The proliferation of Ducati’s fabulous V4 has conquered another part of the model range. The Panigale, Streetfighter and Multistrada have been available with the V4 for a while, but it’s the Diavel’s turn. However, this update is more than a case of just throwing away the old 1,262cc V-twin and strapping in a new engine—it’s a whole new bike!
The new Diavel uses Ducati’s 1,158cc Granturismo V4. It’s the same unit found in the Multistrada V4 and V4 S, although it produces slightly more torque in this application. Headline figures are 124kW (166bhp) and 126Nm (93lbft) of torque at 7,500rpm. Not too shabby. The cylinder deactivation system, which shuts off the rear cylinders when idling or at slow speeds, remains. However, the Diavel differs from the Multistrada in that there’s a noticeable step in exhaust sound when switching between 2- or 4-cylinder running.
If you want a comfortable cruiser with Italian style and some serious grunt, it's worth taking a look. Just try not to think about the price or the frequency of fuel stops.
Ducati Monster SP
From £13,995
Often hailed as the bike that saved Ducati, the Monster is a perennial favourite amongst bikers. There's always been a lot to love about it, but now there's an SP version promising more fun, more thrills, and more sex appeal.
Carrying the 111bhp Testastretta twin inside its new frame, the Monster SP is going to appeal to a lot of riders. The fact it's suspended by Ohlins NIX30 forks, stopped by Brembo Stylema callipers and shouts through twin Termignonis is a very welcome added bonus.
As with the rest of the Ducati range, there's a vast array of electronics to help you out in less-than-ideal moments. The plethora of assists include cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and even launch control. Naturally, all the settings are configurable through riding modes to help you fine-tune your perfect settings.
The other notable fact about the Monster SP is that it's available in a 35kW version. If you're currently riding with an A2 licence, it's nice to know you can ride and buy a proper piece of Italian style.
KTM 890 Adventure R
From £TBC
There's no escaping the fact that adventure bikes are becoming more popular. It makes sense. If you want to go anywhere, in any conditions, over any surface, an adventure bike can probably do it. It'll do it whilst keeping you warm and comfortable, too.
KTM's 890 Adventure R has been updated for 2023 with a few upgrades and enhancements to make it more capable off-road. The 889cc parallel twin remains, but it now includes new looks, improved ABS, a raft of electronic updates for the rider aides, refined suspension and a snazzy 5-inch TFT display.
The only downside is that you'll magically start needing orange boots, gloves and a helmet, but that's not necessarily a problem if the end result is you look like you're having as much fun as the chap in the photo.
KTM RC 8C
From £34,990
This is one for the track bunnies. More specifically, it's one for the comfortably well-off track bunnies. There's no escaping the fact the RC 8C is an expensive machine. Not only is it prohibitively expensive for most riders, but you can't even ride it to your local Costa to pick up a skinny latte. It's for tracks only.
However, if you're wealthy enough not to worry too much about taking a 35-grand bike on track, you'll get one hell of a machine. Tucked inside the frame is an 889cc twin pushing out 135bhp. On the outside is a pure-bred, aerodynamic racer complete with carbon winglets, forged aluminium Dymag wheels and fuel tank you fill through the rear subframe. It's all a bit special.
Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE
From £13,699
A series of updates to the V-Strom focusing on the addition of more off-road capability is set to draw people to the brand who may have overlooked the adventure bike in the past. Starting with a new full-colour TFT dash, which is a significant step-up over the outgoing bike’s somewhat ‘busy’ display. Also new for the 1050DE is the standard fitment of an up-and-down quickshifter. Quickshifters really should be standard on all bikes these days.
The new bike also features increased ground clearance and suspension travel, to make it easy to bounce along rutted terrain. Furthermore, it should be a more comfortable bike, too. Improved ergonomics, including the use of wider bars and new steel footpegs, should help riders enjoy the ride both on and off-road.
As is typical for bikes produced this decade, there’s been a strong focus on electronics. Along with three different modes and variable traction control, the 1050DE also features slope- and load-dependent control, along with hill hold control. Additionally, a six-axis IMU serves as the controller for lean-angle sensitive ABS, while longer rides should be easier on the wrists thanks to the addition of cruise control. It's a great package and with a starting price under £14,000, it represents stonking value.
Yamaha MT-07
From £7,500
Representing possibly the best value of the bikes in this list is the MT-07. Yes, I know it's not a new bike, but it has been updated for 2023 with a few goodies which improve on an already near-perfect formula.
For starters, there's a new TFT display, which can show you all you need to know in either its Street theme or Touring theme. On top of that, there's also Bluetooth connectivity. If you use Yamaha's MyRide app, you'll receive messages, emails and call notifications on your lovely new dash. While the MyRide app is packed with features - some of which are useful - one of the more entertaining ones is its ability to keep track of your rides, including your route, rates of acceleration, top speeds and lean angles. Remember, this could be used as evidence against you.
Even without the upgrades, the MT-07 is a great bike. Whether you've been riding for five minutes or five decades, it offers reasonably affordable fun in a reliable and attractive package.
Honda XL750 Transalp
From £TBC
With the success of the revised (and then further revised) Africa Twin, it made sense for Honda to bring back another name from the past. For 2023, we have the Africa Twin's baby brother, the XL750 Transalp. This may also be the bike I'm most excited about.
Powered by a 755cc parallel-twin, the Transalp pumps out a healthy 91bhp and 55lbft of torque, which really isn't that far off its big brother. Although pricing is yet to be announced, it's hard to believe it won't be reasonable value for money. There are 43mm Showa forks up front with 200mm travel of and a monoshock at the rear with 190mm of travel. There's even a 21-inch wheel up front.
They haven't skimped on the tech, either. You get LED headlights and taillights, a colour TFT dash and even a USB-C socket. There's no standard quickshifter, which is a little disappointing, but you can still add one as an option.
If you've considered an Africa Twin but felt it was too large and cumbersome, the Transalp may be a decent alternative. I can't wait to take one for a ride in the new year!
Energica Experia
From £24,990
Look, everyone! It's an electric bike! Hey, we're looking to the future here, and it'd be remiss not to include at least one electric bike in the list. It's a good-looking machine. In fact, if you saw one parked up outside your favourite bike shop in Stevenage, you'd probably not even realise it was lacking an engine.
The Experia is an all-electric touring bike, putting out 101bhp and 85lbft of torque. Top speed is limited to - a perhaps disappointing - 112mph, but it can still reach 60mph in 3.5 seconds.
Of course, the first question for many people is about the range. It's not bad. For normal riding, you can expect up to 150 miles from the battery. However, if your riding is around town and you're not thrashing it to death at every chance, it's possible to see 260 miles from a single charge. When the battery does eventually run out of magic electron juice, it only takes 40 minutes to charge from nothing to 80%.
I'm not going to suggest electric bikes will work for everyone, but if you had a 50-mile commute into a busy city and had someone to park and charge it while you're working, it may be worth considering.
Aston Martin AMB 001 Pro
From approximately £135,000
Drawing inspiration from Aston Martin’s Valkyrie AMR Pro hypercar, the AMB 001 Pro is no shrinking violet. It features a nose-heavy design reminiscent of a streetfighter but with a fully-fledged racer’s waistline and rear end. It’s particularly striking, finished in its two-tone green paint—the only colour option, by the way. Wherever you look, you’re faced with either painted carbon fibre, naked carbon fibre or anodised aluminium. It’s no surprise, then, that the bike tips the scales at a rather slender 175kg.
And then there’s the question of power. The first AMB 001 sports bike delivered a respectable 180bhp, which was more than enough for its 180kg dry weight. Now, however, the Pro delivers an eye-watering 225bhp from its 997cc four-stroke v-twin. To save you from having to do the maths, that’s a 25% increase, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 1,278bhp/t. Although that figure is based on the dry weight, it will still break the 1:1 barrier when fully wet. Hold on tight, folks.
I should probably say something about the price, but I'm struggling to find a way to say it without making you fall off your chair. Just look up.
