Walking dead: 5 popular bikes that won’t pass Euro4

1. Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
Believe it or not, by the end of this year Suzuki’s Hayabusa will have been in production for 18 years. The last major update came some nine years ago, so it’s no surprise the ’Busa will fail to meet Europe’s new type-approval laws which come into effect from January 2017, and which include tough new Euro4 emission regulations. While many believe Suzuki will opt to turbocharge the large capacity sportsbike as an effective way to meet emission regs without sacrificing horsepower, Bikesales believes it is unlikely. The long-standing model’s avid followers adore it for its large-capacity normally aspirated, high-powered engine and, for such a significant model in the firm’s line-up, we doubt Suzuki will be prepared to take the risk.

2. Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré
The new regulations will call time on the long-standing LAMS-approved XT660Z Ténéré but Yamaha has a replacement in the works ready to pick up where the mid-sized adventure bike will leave off. While still officially under wraps, the internet is abuzz with spy images of its replacement; a similar looking machine in terms of styling and ability, but powered by the Yamaha MT-07’s 689cc parallel twin engine instead of the ageing 660cc single.

3. Triumph Street Triple
The tightening regulations are good news for the 675cc nakedbike’s large fan base as it’s looking more and more likely that with the emission-reducing tweaks will also come with an increase in capacity. Many are tipping the next-generation mid-sized British naked will be around the 800cc mark, a move that would make sense in a bid to compete with another popular triple-cylinder nakedbike — the recently updated MV Agusta Brutale 800.

4. KTM 390 Duke
The hugely popular LAMS-approved single-cylinder nakedbike is another machine likely to benefit from the tighter regulations as it's set to follow in its 690 sibling’s wheel tracks with more power and a reduction in vibrations. If the update to the fully faired RC390 unveiled at last year’s EICMA show in Milan is anything to go by, we can bid farewell to the good-looking under-engine exhaust which is likely to be replaced by a bulkier side-mounted affair. Like the recently launched 690 Duke update, the 390 is tipped to gain an extra balance shaft which will dramatically reduce its notorious single-cylinder vibrations.

5. Ducati Panigale 899
With its replacement already announced at the EICMA motorcycle expo in Milan, the good-looking Italian middleweight sportsbike’s days are numbered. Set to be replaced by the 959 Panigale, the 2017 emission regulations were met using a combination of reducing the engine’s internal friction as well as a heavily updated exhaust system. In many markets that exhaust system is a rather unsightly stacked side-mounted affair replacing the under-engined unit we’ve become accustomed to on all Bologna-built Panigale variants of late and, while Australia is safe — for now — with the aesthetically pleasing option, it’s surely a matter of time before the toughening laws go global.