The agreement will see IMI become the sole distributor of both brands, their parts, and apparel, which they will offer from a brand-new Italian lifestyle emporium in Johannesburg.

Ian Huntly, CEO of IMI, says: “We are very excited to bring the new range of Moto Guzzi and Aprilia motorcycles to South Africa and equally excited that we will be moving in with our Italian family – Maserati – in their state-of-the-art facility in Bryanston.”

Huntly has been spearheading negotiations with several other Italian lifestyle products, which will be launched in due course and will also be hosted in the emporium.

Busy two months

IMI will move in during August and hopes to launch the new facility and motorcycles in September 2019.

Rens Rademeyer, dealer principal at Maserati Johannesburg, says: “The names Moto Guzzi and Aprilia have always stirred the senses, whether you are talking about the long open road or the race track. They will find a natural home alongside Maserati and we look forward to welcoming them.”

According to Jon Isherwood, chief operating officer (COO) of IMI, the group has also secured service space in the building and are in the process of setting up a modern service centre for both brands. It will, thanks to its partnership with Piaggio, also be able to service older and classic Moto Guzzi and previous-generation Aprilia models.

Isherwood notes: “One of IMI’s largest initial investments is in service equipment, parts, and trained motorcycle technicians. As avid bikers ourselves, we understand how important it is to have immediate access to quality service and repair parts and the trained skills to keep bikes running perfectly. We can also source special orders of parts for any historic model in South Africa, directly from Piaggio.”

IMI will offer four motorcycles when it opens its doors late in September. For Moto Guzzi, these models are the naked V7 in various configurations and the top-selling V85 TT medium weight adventure bike, made famous by enduro-enthusiast and actor, Ewan McGreggor. For Aprilia, fans will be able to buy the RSV4 and the Tuono, with both being available in Factory and Race-Ready (RR) configurations.

For more than 25 years, BMW Motorrad has used four-valve technology in this connection, combined with electronic fuel injection and closed-loop catalytic converter technology in order to achieve the best possible power and torque delivery, efficiency and environmental compatibility.

With the extensively further advanced boxer engine, the new R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure not only achieves a whole new level of power and torque. It was also possible to significantly optimise refinement and running smoothness – especially within the lower engine speed range. What is more, the new engine offers improved emission and fuel consumption levels, as well as a particularly satisfying sound.

Two riding modes

For this purpose, BMW ShiftCam Technology has been used for the first time in the serial production of BMW Motorrad engines: this enables variation of the valve timings and valve stroke on the intake side. In addition, the intake camshafts are designed for asynchronous opening of the two intake valves, resulting in enhanced swirl of the fresh, incoming mixture and therefore more effective combustion.

Other technical changes to the engine relate to the camshaft drive – now taken care of by a toothed chain (previously a roller chain) – an optimised oil supply, twin-jet injection valves and a new exhaust system.

There are two riding modes available as standard in order to be able to adapt the motorcycle to individual rider preferences. The standard Automatic Stability Control ASC ensures a high level of riding safety due to the best possible traction. The set-off assistant Hill Start Control is likewise a standard feature in both models, enabling convenient set-off on slopes.

“Riding Modes Pro” is now available as a standard equipment item, featuring the additional riding mode “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro” (configurable), Dynamic Traction Control DTC, and in the R 1250 GS Adventure also the riding modes “Enduro” and “Enduro Pro” (configurable). DTC enables even more efficient and safe acceleration, especially when banking. ABS Pro offers greater safety under braking, even in a banking position.

The new Dynamic Brake Control DBC provides additional safety when braking, also in difficult situations, by avoiding unintentional accelerator activation. By means of intervention in the engine control, drive torque is reduced during braking so as to make full use of the braking power at the rear wheel. This keeps the motorcycle stable and shortens the braking distance.

Electronic suspension

With BMW Motorrad Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) “Next Generation”, damping automatically adapts to a situation according to the riding state and manoeuvres, and there is also automatic compensation in all load states. This allows finely tuned adaptation of the motorcycle to riding states, achieving optimum damping comfort and a very stable ride response.

The new R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure now feature a LED headlamp and LED daytime riding light as standard. The new boxer models now have the equipment feature Connectivity as standard including a 6.5-inch full-colour TFT screen. In conjunction with the standard BMW Motorrad Multi-Controller, this means the rider can access vehicle and connectivity functions particularly swiftly and conveniently.

The new R 1250 GS showcases its travel and off-road prowess in two modern basic finishes and two striking style variants. The new R 1250 GS Adventure features one basic paint finish, as well as two style variants.

Prices:
BMW R 1250 GS
Full Spec – R263 000
Style Exclusive – R265 700
Style HP – R275 000

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure
Full Spec – R288 900
Style Exclusiv – R297 400
Style HP – R299 500

And of course the CRF450R has constantly evolved, with every upgrade, large or small, drawing on lessons fed back from Honda’s moto-cross racing programmes throughout the world. For 17YM revolution replaced evolution. Under a total redesign headlined ‘ABSOLUTE HOLESHOT!” Europe’s favourite open-class moto-crosser was effectively a brand-new machine, wielding a major power boost from a brand-new engine, plus increased grip and drive from a completely redesigned chassis.

It looked different from the CRF450Rs that had gone before, felt different and delivered a whole new experience on track. In 18YM the addition of standard-fit electric start (an option for 17YM) completed the package.

But the relentless demands of moto-cross competition mean that, year by year, even the best bikes have to get better, and for 19YM, the CRF450R is getting a straight shot of HRC works technology with major upgrades that make it faster still.