The CB1100EX gets new stainless steel 18-inch spoked wheels, Showa forks and shocks.Here’s the redesigned CB1100RX.The engine, as far as we know, is basically unchanged, but the intake and exhaust systems have been updated, most likely due to emissions standards..Speaking of that dual-bending fork technology

; Harley-Davidson also used the same idea on their 2017 models, so this tech might be becoming standard on retro machines.Honda has aounced an updated version of its CB1100EX retro, as well as a new version the CB1100RS. It sounds as if the frame itself might not be changed, but the seating position moves the rider forward, and remote reservoir shocks combined with 43 mm Showa dual-bending forks mean the bike is now set up for sharper handling.First off, the new bike: The CB1100RS has the same inline-four as the EX, but it has redesigned chassis geometry and upgraded suspension to make it handle more like an aggressive naked bike, and less like a leisurely throwback.Both bikes get LED lighting and a slipper clutch. It also gets a redesigned gas # tank.The RS model also gets 17-inch cast aluminum wheels and dual Tokico four-piston brake calipers up front (radially-mounted)

When Suzuki brought out the GSX-S1000 last year, the engineers repurposed old GSX-R1000 technology as a basis for the engine. Curb weight is 213 kg with ABS, 211 kg without. The revised engine makes 112 hp at 10,500 rpm, and produces just under 60 lb-ft of torque at 9,000 rpm.The Suzuki GSX-S750 naked bike motorcycle air filter suppliers was unveiled at Intermot today, raiding the parts bin to build a new mid-sized streetfighter..ABS is optional in some markets, and will probably be standard in others.Of course, it’s been tuned for street use, and is Euro4-friendly.Much of the rest of the bike is derived from the GSX-S1000, which is a logical move. For more specs and photos, visit Suzuki’s website here.

This year, they’ve done the same with the 750; the new naked bike has a powerplant based on the old 2005-edition GSX-R750.GALLERYCheck out all the pics that go with this story!Here’s a side view. The 750 version has a six-speed gearbox, low RPM assist technology (Suzuki seems to really like this feature, which helps ride smoothly in the bottom of the rev range), a three-mode traction control system (sport, road, rain), radially-mounted, four-piston Nissin calipers up front (with 310 mm discs), Bridgestone Battleax Hypersport S21 tires, and KYB inverted front forks.The forks are adjustable for preload, and the rear shock has seven adjustments for preload

Despite their usefulness, motorcycle two-wheel-drive systems are still slow in coming to market. However,  Armotia might be about to change that.Armotia is an Italian outfit with two machines, the Due R and the Due X (essentially the same machine, but one’s an off-roader and the other’s in supermoto trim).At first glance, there’s nothing too exciting about the Armotia Due machines; they’ve got an air-cooled motor powering the rear wheel, with 5.1 kWh battery pack. 

Reports say top speed for the supermoto version is roughly 88 kph, and 80 kph for the electric version. None of those facts thrill and excite (Bitubo monoshock rear suspension and Brembo front brakes do point to the machine’s quality, though).The supermoto version has a little more top speed than the off-road version.What does make the  Armotia machines interesting is the fact they also have a 15 hp motor driving the front wheel.

This technology has been available floating around for quite a while — Yamaha experimented with installing it on their dirt bikes, and Philadelphia-based Christini has mated their 2WD system with Chinese motorcycle platforms to build a lineup of machines they’re selling seemingly everywhere in the world but Canada (they’re selling quite a few to military operators, for what it’s worth).It isn’t easy to efficiently transfer power from an inteal combustion engine to a motorcycle’s front wheel. An electric motor setup is far easier, but not something the market has really explored.

Armotia has Motorcycle Starter Shaft the concept now, so it’s only a matter of time before another respected battery bike outfit picks up the idea. And it’s also possible we’ll end up seeing the technology mated with an inteal combustion engine, to create the ultimate hybrid.Find out more about Armotia’s bikes at their website here (you might need Google Translate). We haven’t heard anything about a possibility of these bikes coming to Canada, but it would be pretty cool if they did.