Now as its new year’s eve 2020, I thought it’s time we say goodbye to this cluster f*#k of a year in style. And what better way than looking at some awesome bikes that are coming in 2021. I’ve compiled a list of my most anticipated bikes for 2021 and I’ve thrown in some honourable mentions too. No doubt you’ll have some bikes you think should be on the list, if there are just let me know in the comments below.
The first bike is by far the bike I’m most looking forward, the Aprilia 660. Now I say 660 because while I’m extremely keen to try out the RS660, I’m just as excited for the new Tuono 660 and Tuareg. I’ve owned two Tuono’s now and they were amazing bikes and I think a Tuono 660 would be great fun on the street. The RS660 has 100hp and weighs in at 399lbs (181kg) wet and ready to ride. I think that’s a great amount of power for the street as you can actually use all the power and it still won’t be underpowered. I’m really try one of these out.
The Tuareg 660, we don’t know much about except that they are making it. If they can keep the weight down like they have on the RS660, Aprilia could be onto a real winner here. The 660 twin makes 35% more power than an MT07. I know power isn’t everything off road, but it certainly doesn’t hurt!
Next up I have the new Ducati Monster. I recently did a detailed article on this, so check that out if you want more information. The short version is this bike is a major revamp of the old Monster. Gone is the trellis frame and they are using their 937cc motor now. Weight is way down at 366lbs (166kg) and I really like the new styling. People have been complaining about the new design, but honestly I think it would put a horn on a jelly fish.
The third bike we know absolutely nothing about, but I’m looking forward to it anyway, and that is the new Kawasaki KLR650. We aren’t even sure this is going come out, but from the press photos and leaked information, we are expecting Kawasaki to announce it at the end of the month. My guess is that the bike will use the Versys 650 motor. Besides that I honestly have no idea, we’ll just have to wait and see on this one. I know a LOT of people are excited for this though, and so am I. Here’s hoping it isn’t as ugly as the old model.
I’m a big fan of super nakeds and BMW has recently shown off their new BMW S1000R. Like the old model, this is based off the S1000RR so it should be a cracker. The bike is 14lbs (6.5kg) lighter and the styling has been changed along with the frame, suspension and geometry. No doubt this will be a cracker. While the old model was a great bike, I thought it was butt ugly. This one looks pretty sexy so I could be tempted.
Next is something completely different for me, the Moto Guzzi 850 V7. I have always loved the V7’s, but they’ve always been a little down on engine for me. The 850 V7 has nearly 25% more power than the 750. And not only does it have a new motor, there are a fair few other changes too. There’s a new exhaust system, led headlight and dash, chunkier shaft drive, larger diameter forks and a few other changes too. I think the V7 is one of those bikes that are just cool, and this could be a great bike to cruise to work on and ride on the weekends.
The second last bike I’ve got is the new Kawasaki ZX10R. Now I highly doubt I’ll be getting one, but I just love the latest and greatest sports bikes and the new ZX10 is pretty bloody sexy. The bodywork has been completely changed, the engine has been updated, the electronics are changed, the dash has changed, the frame and geometry have been revised, the suspension has been revised…they’ve changed or revised pretty well everything. As I said earlier, I doubt I’ll be getting one, I just don’t have a need for a superbike anymore, but man I’d love to try one out.
Ok the last bikes on my most anticipated bikes of 2021 I’ve grouped together, they are the Honda CRF300L and Kawasaki KLX300. I have covered both extensively on my channel so I’ll just be short, but suffice to say I’m extremely keen to see how these bikes turn out. I own a KLX250S at the moment and while I think Kawasaki should have done more with the 300, I’m still keen to see what the capacity bump does. I find the current CRF250L is underpowered, overweight and under suspended, not a good combo. The new CRF300L improvements look good on paper, but we’ll have to see if they are any good in real life.
Now I have a few honourable mentions that I’ll briefly touch on. The first bike is the Triumph Trident 660. If you haven’t heard about it, it’s basically a detuned Speed Triple with 81hp. By all accounts it handles great, but compared to the Aprilia RS660 it’s a bit lacking to me. It is significantly cheaper though, the price is $7995 US/EU or $12690 AUD.
Next is the KTM890 Adventure R. The base model Adventure 790 is just shite to me, so the fact that KTM are making the 890 Adventure R more dirt focused is tickling my naughty bits. No doubt the price will be astronomical, but I’m keen to see more of this bike. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.
My final honourable mention is the Speed Triple 1160. There aren’t a lot of details about the new Speed Triple yet, just some spy shots and speculation. The rumour is it will be an 1160cc triple that isn’t quite as hard-edged as an Aprilia Tuono or Ducati Street fighter V4 but still bloody mean.
And those are my most anticipated bikes for 2021. Are there any bikes you think I’ve missed or that you are looking forward to? Let everyone know in the comments below. Have a happy new year everyone, make sure you party hard because who knows, 2021 could be worse! Keep it OnTheBackWheel, catch yas.
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