Hot new LAMS bikes heading our way...
New to riding? For those buying new, there’s a swag of great learner-approved hardware hitting Aussie dealerships this year...Choosing a first motorcycle or scooter is no easy decision at the best of times, but it’s set to get that bit harder in 2022 thanks to a looming influx of new learner-approved (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme, or LAMS) models.
Rest assured the bikesales team will bring you a full review of each as and when they lob Down Under, but here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming, and when, to whet your appetite...
Just days away from Australian dealerships, the LAMS-approved Yamaha YZF-R7 brings the brand’s storied history of racing expertise to the learner market. Also available as a ‘High Output’ full-power model, the LAMS variant is powered by the 655cc CP2 engine also found in Yamaha’s MT-07LA naked bike and XSR700 retro model. A light and agile supersport machine with genuine sports performance, the Yamaha YZF-R7LA is available in Yamaha Black or Icon Blue for $14,049 ride away, or in a striking heritage scheme that celebrates Yamaha’s 60th anniversary of GP racing for $14,649 ride away.
Quick specs: Yamaha YZF-R7LA
Engine: 655cc parallel-twin
Output: 52.1hp/57.5Nm
Weight: 184kg (wet)
Seat height: 805mm
Price: $14,049 ride away ($14,649 ride away for anniversary model)
BMW CE 04
Touching down in the first quarter of 2022, the BMW CE 04 is at the spearhead of BMW’s e-mobility charge, with the all-electric model packing a host of high-tech gear. It’s not cheap, mind you, with a starting price of $21,915 ride away, but this is a premium scooter with plenty of bells and whistles, and a range of somewhere in the order of 130km between charges. Features include a choice of ride and charge modes, a large 10.25-inch TFT display, integrated sat-nav, smartphone connectivity, heated grips, a heated seat, and tyre pressure monitoring.
Quick specs: BMW CE 04
Engine: Permanent magnet electric motor
Output: 42hp/62Nm, 8.9kWh lithium-ion
Weight: 231kg
Seat height: 780mm
Price: From $21,915 ride away
Kawasaki Versys 650 L
Due to land in late February, Kawasaki’s LAMS-approved Versys 650 is a road-oriented adventure bike with a roomy and upright ride position that is perfect for novices. For 2022, the Kawasaki Versys 650 L receives refreshed styling with LED lighting, traction control, a new windscreen with 80mm of adjustment, and a new 4.3-inch TFT display. Pricing for the updated model is yet to be announced.
Quick specs: Kawasaki Versys 650 L
Engine: 649cc parallel-twin
Output: 56.0hp/56.0Nm
Weight: 218kg (wet)
Seat height: 845mm
Price: TBA
KTM 390 Adventure
KTM’s popular lightweight LAMS adventure bike receives a mild update for 2022, the single-cylinder-powered machine now benefitting from refreshed styling, tougher cast-alloy rims, and new ride modes – Street and Offroad – with each offering different traction settings and allowing different degrees of rear-wheel slip. Other notable carry-over features include a Dakar-inspired chassis with removable steel trellis subframe, WP Apex suspension, ByBre brakes, switchable ABS, a 14.5lt fuel tank, and a TFT display. While local availability is yet to be confirmed, pricing for the 2022 KTM 390 Adventure is priced at $9970 ride away.
Quick specs: KTM 390 Adventure
Engine: 373cc single-cylinder
Output: 43.5hp/37Nm
Weight: 158kg (dry)
Seat height: 855mm
Price: $9970 ride away
KTM RC 390
Due to arrive in late April, the 2022 KTM RC 390 incorporates a fresh design that makes the sportsbike physically bigger, also giving the rider better wind and weather protection. The ergonomics are roomier and weight has been shaved from both the wheels and the brakes, while the WP Apex suspension has also been refreshed. There is also a new and customisable TFT display, adding to a comprehensive electronics package that includes Cornering ABS and Cornering traction control, along with a Supermoto ABS mode. The new 2022 KTM RC 390 is priced at $8399 ride away.
Quick specs: KTM RC 390
Engine: 373cc single-cylinder
Output: 43.5hp/37Nm
Weight: 158kg (dry)
Seat height: 824mm
Price: $8399 ride away
Kymco DT X360
Just one of a brace of new models from the Taiwanese manufacturer that been in the pipeline for over a year, the latest word we have received on the COVID-delayed but funky-looking Kymco DT X360 is that it should be reaching Australian dealerships in February. A ‘crossover’ style scooter that mates ‘twist and go’ convenience with adventure styling, the DT X360 sports a keyless ignition, LCD instrumentation, a 14-inch front wheel and dual-sport rubber. Pricing is yet to be announced.
Quick specs: Kymco DT X360
Engine: 320cc single-cylinder
Output: 28.8hp/30Nm
Weight: 194kg (wet)
Seat height: 800mm
Price: TBA
Triumph Tiger Sport 660
Slated for the first quarter of 2022, the new Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a learner-approved, adventure-sport bike based on the Brit brand’s recently released Triumph Trident 660 (which recently won the inaugural bikesales Leaner Bike of the Year award). Powered by a 660cc in-line triple, the bike has an upright and comfortable ride position, LCD instrumentation with inset TFT display, a choice of two ride modes, and optional Bluetooth connectivity. Triumph also says it offers the lowest cost of ownership in its category. The 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is priced at $14,690 ride away.
Quick specs: Triumph Tiger Sport 660
Engine: 660cc in-line triple
Output: 80hp/64Nm
Weight: 206kg (wet)
Seat height: 835mm
Price: $14,690 ride away
Aprilia Tuareg 660 L
Due to land in July, the new Aprilia Tuareg 660 adventure bike will also be available in a LAMS-compliant version, just like the RS 660 sportsbike that spearheaded the Italian brand’s new middleweight platform. The Aprilia Tuareg 660 L will have the same engine as its full-biscuit sibling but restricted output, while the rest of the bike will remain unchanged. Features span an 18-litre fuel tank, ride modes (including an off-road mode), switchable ABS and traction control, cruise control, a 5-inch TFT display, Brembo brakes and off-road friendly KYB suspension. Pricing for the 2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 L is still to be announced.
Quick specs: Aprilia Tuareg 660 L
Engine: 660cc parallel-twin
Output: 47.6hp/61Nm
Weight: 204kg (wet)
Seat height: 860mm
Price: TBA
Aprilia SR GT
Due to touch down in August, the 2022 Aprilia SR GT scooter – like the Kymco DT X360, above – adopts something of an ‘urban adventure’ theme. Powered by a 125cc single, the scoot features heathy ground clearance and suspension travel, plus ‘all-terrain’ tyres, an idle-stop function, LED lighting, LCD instrumentation, and optional Bluetooth connectivity. Pricing for the 2022 Aprilia SR GT is still to be confirmed.
Quick specs: Aprilia SR GT
Engine: 125cc single-cylinder
Output: 15hp/12Nm
Weight: 144kg (wet)
Seat height: 795mm
Price: TBA
Yamaha XSR700
Arriving in Australia in April, the updated 2022 Yamaha XSR700 will only be available in a LAMS format in both Heritage Black and Heritage White colour schemes. Following in the wheel tracks of the recently updated Yamaha MT-09 and Yamaha MT-07 platforms, for 2022 Yamaha’s learner-friendly retro model scores a Euro 5 CP2 parallel-twin engine, new LED headlight, new cockpit layout with revised switchgear, and larger front brake rotors. The 2022 Yamaha XSR700 is priced at $13,699 ride away.
Quick specs: Yamaha XSR700
Engine: 655cc parallel-twin
Output: 52.1hp/57.5Nm
Weight: 186kg (dry)
Seat height: 835mm
Price: $13,699 ride away
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