2020 Recap: Top 'BIG' motorcycle launches of the year

2020 is coming to an end and what a year it was... full of unexpected events that we never thought could happen. Industries all around the globe witnessed the harsh effects of the pandemic, however, they thrived back sooner or later. We already discussed the top car launches of 2020, plus the ones that grabbed the most attention (Part I & Part II). And now let us look back at the amazing motorcycles that arrived at our shores. We'll also be discussing the top scooter and moped launches of 2020 in our upcoming story. Until then, let us check out the top broom-broom machines of the year.

1. 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R SP

The year 2020 started with a bang for the Malaysian motorcycle market, as we got the Honda flagship bike, the 2020 CBR1000RR-R SP. Priced at RM 198,800, its short-stroke inline-four revs up into the stratosphere and churns out a maximum power of 213 hp and a peak torque of 112.7 Nm. It packs several best-in-class features and a full suite of electronic riding aids. For instance, it gets launch control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, sport & track mode ABS control, and a 5-inch full-colour TFT-LCD screen.

2. 2020 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing

Honda Big Wing launched several new models in its touring range in 2020, one of which was the GL1800 Gold Wing. The latest edition retails for RM 208,800 and is powered by a 1,084 cc flat-six mill that churns out a max power of 124.7 hp and a peak torque of 170 Nm. Helping achieve full rider comfort is a Dual Clutch seven-speed transmission with reverse. Included in its specs list are four ride modes, smartphone connectivity, navigation, and Honda's Smart Key.

3. 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

 

Honda Big Wing also introduced the CRF1100L Africa Twin in the Adventure Sports range in Malaysia in two variant options - manual model and one with Dual Clutch Transmission. Powering it is a 1,084 cc parallel-twin mill that pumps out a maximum power of 100.5 hp and a peak torque of 105 Nm. Part of its standard equipment list is LED DRLs, Apple CarPlay, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 6.5-inch TFT-LCD touch instrument panel.

4. 2020 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide

This touring cruiser by H-D Malaysia retails for RM 132,400, making it the brand's most affordable bike in the segment. Powering the 2020 Electra Glide is a 1,746 cc Milwaukee Eight 107 V-twin mill that churns out a peak torque of 150 Nm and is paired to a six-speed transmission. It comes with a navigation system and an on-board entertainment unit.

5. 2020 Triumph Rocket 3 R & Rocket 3 GT

The Triumph Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT are priced at RM 130,900 and RM 136,900, respectively. Powering the Rocket 3 is the world’s largest displacement production bike engine, i.e., a 2,500 cc inline-three-cylinder engine making a maximum power of 167 PS and a peak torque of 221 Nm. On the transmission front is a six-speed gearbox. The Rocket 3 comes with four riding modes ( Rain, Road, Rider, and Sport) and Hill Hold Control. While the Rocket 3 R comes with mid-mounted controls, the Rocket 3 GT gets foot forward control positions.

6. 2020 BMW S1000RR

 

The 2020 BMW S1000RR retails for RM 116,500 and is powered by a 999 cc inline-four cylinder mill making 207 hp of power and 113 Nm of torque. This BMW superbike benefits from the brand's ShiftCam Technology that gives enhanced torque across S1000RR’s rev range. It comes with BMW Motorrad’s best in class features like BMW Dynamic Traction Pro, Hill Start Control, TFT-LCD display, Pure Ride screen display, and smartphone connectivity.

7. 2020 BMW Motorrad S1000XR

This sport-tourer is priced at RM 121,500 and is 10 kg lighter than the previous model, thanks to the 19% lighter swingarm, 5 kg lighter engine, and a lighter Euro 5 exhaust system. The S1000XR is powered by an inline-four mill producing a maximum power of 165 hp and a peak torque of 114 Nm. Enabling it to offer stunning ride quality are aids like Hill Start Control Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, and four ride modes.

8. 2020 Ducati Panigale V4, V4S & Panigale V2

The 2020 Panigale V4 and V4S are priced at RM 132,900 and RM 172,000, respectively. The two borrow aerodynamic packages from the Panigale V4R, a race only machine. Like nose fairing, larger lateral fairings with bigger vents, aerofoils, and screen. Powering them is a 1,103 cc stradale V4 Desmodromic valve actuation making 214 hp and 126 nm of torque. The main difference between the two is suspension. While the V4 comes with a fully-adjustable Showa BPF front and a fully-adjustable Sachs monoshock at the rear, the V4S gets an Ohlins NIX-30 front fork and Ohlins TTX36 mono shock at the rear.

The Panigale V2 is powered by the company’s iconic two-cylinder mill making 115 hp and 104 Nm of torque.

9. 2020 BMW R18 First Edition

The 2020 BMW R18 First Edition finally made it to Malaysia in October, of which only 18 units were made available locally. It takes design clues from the 1936 Motorrad R5 and is powered by an air-/oil-cooled boxer 1,802 cc mill making a maximum power of 91 hp and a peak torque of 158 Nm. It gets several modern riding aids like hill start control, starter operated reverse gear, reverse assist, keyless start, and engine drag torque control.

10. 2020 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory & Tuono V4 1100 Factory

The 2020 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory superbike is priced at RM 159,000 and comes with Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 - Ohlin NIX upside-down from at the front and Ohlins TTX monoshock at the rear. It is powered by a Euro 4 V-four mill pumping a maximum power of 217 hp and a peak torque of 122 Nm.

The Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory like its mate is available in a single colour tone, i.e., Atomico Racer Black. It also gets Ohlins semi-active suspension setup like the former. Its narrow V-four engine pumps out 175 hp and 121 Nm of torque.

That’s the top ‘BIG’ motorcycle launches of 2020, stay tuned to see what all the year had on offer apart from the pandemic.

Also Read: Top luxury car launches of 2020