Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In gear

Text Lisa Curtiss
Pictures Getty Images, Corbis

Check out the latest Harley-Davidson and keep up to speed with the latest motoring news

Live to ride

The long-awaited Harley-Davidson XR 1200 is everything an easy rider could want when tackling the open road

The XR 1200 has already been hailed by some members of the motorcycle press as the “best Harley-Davidson motorcycle ever built” – promising a real treat for existing Harley-Davidson owners who are looking to update their current motorcycle.

The bike’s predecessor – the XR 750– is the most successful racing motorcycle ever built. It has been used by several MotoGP stars in the early stages of their racing careers, as well as by infamous stunt rider Evel Knievel. The performance offered by the XR 1200 is expected to appeal to a wide range of motorcyclists – and is the first motorcycle released by the legendary motor company in Europe before America.

Dunlop Qualifier tyres, sport-tuned Showa suspension and Nissin dual front brakes add to the performance capabilities of the dirt-track inspired streetbike, while ergonomic styling based upon European riders enhances the motorcycle’s comfortable riding position.

“This is a very exciting time for us,” says Harley-Davidson and Buell UK’s marketing manager Greg Willis. “The XR 1200 is a completely new direction for Harley-Davidson, but based on the racing success of the bike’s predecessor – the XR 750 – we are expecting a lot of interest in it. It’s also a great opportunity to welcome new owners and sports bike riders, who are looking for something unique, to the Harley-Davidson brand.”

A range of parts and accessories are available to allow owners to customise their XR 1200s, including a quick-detach windscreen and additional luggage for touring capabilities. The motorcycle is also available in three colourways – in Belgium, the vivid black XR 1200 costs €11,395, while the pewter denim and mirage orange pearl versions both cost €11,575. www.harley-davidson.com

Motoring in Moscow

Russia’s premier motoring show takes place in the capital at the end of this month

More than 800 companies from 30 countries will be exhibiting at this year’s Moscow International Motor Show, which takes place from 28 August to 1 September. The show attracts more than 100,000 visitors from the automotive industry keen to view the latest in automobile components, spare parts, manual tools, accessories and much more.

The show has the official support of the Moscow government, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Moscow Association of Entrepreneurs. A Shatsky, head of technical policy division of the Russian Federation’s department in charge of road construction, automobile and city passenger transport, said: “We are pleased this exhibition reflects both the development of domestic industry and worldwide achievements. Every year Russia increases its own car

manufacturing volumes… and develops modern technologies and, therefore, the necessity for such kind of exhibition is obvious”.

Companies expected to exhibit at the show include Yokohama, Bosch, Delphi, Mahle and Fenox Automotive. www.mims.ru

In the news

Celebrity circuit

Formula One has always attracted the great, the good and the glamorous, and recent seasons have proved no exception as celebrities have swapped the red carpet for the pit lane. Monaco normally steals the show, but the British, Italian and Brazilian grand prix have had their share of celebrity circuit-gracers, including Claudia Schiffer, Catherine Zeta-Jones and the Minogue sisters (pictured).

If you fancy some celeb spotting, there are still eight races left in the F1 season. Keep an eye out for events in – Hungary (3 Aug), Valencia (24 Aug), Belgium (7 Sep), and Italy (14 Sep).

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