Much of the development effort has gone in to power and weight, with the bike claiming three extra horses this year (118 at 13,500rpm). Torque is as before, but has moved another 250rpm up the range.
Meanwhile weight has been shaved down to a claimed 155 kilos.
Despite the apparently peaky figures, the company says a great deal of work has been invested in making the machine more user friendly to ride, with a new two-stage fuel injection system that claims more progressive response than before and a transmission design aimed at removing gear-lash as the rider gets on and off the throttle.
Overall the engine is more compact, allowing a new frame design that lops a huge 22mm off the previous wheelbase - down to 1374mm. The swingarm is 5mm longer than before. Suspension and brakes are similar to this year's offerings.
All up the claims suggest the bike will be much more nimble than its predecessor and perhaps a little smoother to ride.
No price has been announced. We can expect to see it here around March 2007.
Published : Thursday, 21 September 2006