Cologne Motorcycle Show review: PH2
PH2 checks out the first batch of 2015 models at Cologne. One stands out...
The star of the Cologne show was undoubtedly the Kawasaki Ninja H2R, a simply stunning machine that shows Kawasaki is still prepared to make a bike every bit as impressive as its two-stroke namesake. So what have we got? Well Kawasaki was pretty tight lipped but the H2R is a track only version of a road bike that will be appearing at the Milan bike show in November.
Versys not getting much attention at Kawasaki
The stock road version is expected to cost around £20,000 and will make 200hp. Although it will also be exclusive, don't expect carbon fairing parts as the overall spec will have to be diluted. Awesome job Kawasaki...
Alongside the H2R, Kawasaki also updated its Versys models. But, to be honest, it was quite hard to notice them with the H2R around...
S1000R gets updated with HP4 bits
BMW has updated the S1000RR for 2015 with a host of electronic parts nabbed from the HP4, explaining why this model has now stopped production. The base model RR now comes with the HP4's seven-step adjustable traction control but also adds cruise control to the package. And that's not all. The new dash now displays your current and maximum lean angle as well as current and maximum deceleration rate plus all the usual features including a lap timer. Talk about a recipe for one-up disaster...
The HP4's dynamic damping (DDC) is an optional extra, as is an 'auto blipper', but for 2015 BMW has altered the spec of the 'Pro' riding mode, which is also available as an optional extra. Alongside Launch Control and an adjustable pit lane speed limiter, 'Pro' adds 'slick' and a new 'user' mode that allows riders to configure their own individual set-up. Inside the engine, a redesign of the RR's cylinder head includes lighter intake valves and a new intake camshaft, boosting power by 6hp to 199hp, while a new exhaust system has shed 3kg in weight and also improved mid-range torque. A new frame with altered geometry and rigidity is claimed to sharpen the RR's handling even further.
Alongside the RR, BMW also displayed the new R1200R and R1200RS. As expected, the R1200R is a naked bike using the R1200GS partially water-cooled boxer engine to create a sporty roadster with 125hp and 92lb ft of torque. Unlike the retro R nineT, the R1200R gets loads of electronic options such as traction control. However like the cafe racer, the R uses conventional forks instead of a Telelever front end. The RS is basically an R with a semi-fairing added aimed at the sports touring market.
GSX-S1000 should cost around £9K
Suzuki is pinning a lot on its new super naked - the GSX-S1000. Using a retuned version of the K5 motor with new three per cent lighter pistons and altered cams all housed in a brand new aluminium chassis (which is claimed to be lighter than the current GSX-R1000's unit) and accompanied with fully-adjustable KYB inverted forks and Brembo radial brakes with ABS, it may have hit the mark. No power figures were claimed, but as you would expect the GSX-S1000 also comes with a three level traction control system that can also be deactivated should you wish to pull wheelies. Alongside the basic bike, Suzuki also revealed an 'F' version with a half-fairing, a machine that could well be the surprise hit of 2015 as it looks great and will rival the Kawasaki Z1000SX. Prices are likely to be £9,000 for the stock and £9,500 for the F.
On the update front, the V-Strom 650 gets a rugged look to become an XT variant, the Bandit 1250 returns in the form of the tweaked GSF1250S and the Inazuma 250 gets a catastrophically ugly fairing attached to it to become the Inazuma 250F. Also, the GSX-R1000 now has ABS and a new 'MotoGP' rep paint scheme. Almost... Can you see the slight error? A 'UKI' rep anyone?
Four versions of Scrambler shown by Ducati
A quiet Cologne Show for Ducati saw the much hyped release of the Scrambler, although surprisingly it arrived in four versions. As well as the standard 'Classic' bike with its wire wheels, brown seat and low slung pipe, there is an 'Urban Enduro' with green paint, a motocross-style tall front mudguard and short tail, the 'Icon' with cast wheels and a black seat and the 'Full Throttle' with a more aggressive look, Termi pipes and number boards on the seat unit. All the bikes use the same basic platform of an 803cc, 75hp, air-cooled V-twin and tubular trellis chassis, however according to Ducati, the price will be very competitive and only marginally higher than the air-cooled Monster 796. A cool city bike anyone?
Honda
After displaying 14 new bikes last year, Honda seems to have run out of steam and Cologne saw a new Crossrunner with the 2014 VFR800's technology and not much else. Is it saving everything up for Milan?
The 160hp adventure machine!
KTM displayed two new models at Cologne, although as both have already been seen they were hardly a surprise! The 1290 Super Adventure uses the Super Duke's 1,301cc motor with a heavier flywheel and altered heads to create a 160hp adventure machine! Claimed by KTM to be 'the safest bike in the world' the Super Adventure takes the 1190 Adventure's electronics package of traction control and ABS and adds WP dynamic suspension and Bosch combined ABS that responds to the bike's angle of lean as well as if the front wheel is locked. Also added is a massive 30-litre tank, cruise control, tyre pressure monitors, heated grips and seat as standard and also the option of hill hold control.
Alongside the Super Adventure, KTM displayed a small capacity electric supermoto called the E-SM. The E-SM takes the E-XC's base (watch out for a test of this soon on PH) and adds 17-inch supermoto wheels, sticky tyres, different gearing, altered suspension and uprated brakes. Weighing just 110kg and making 21.4hp peak power (average 14hp), the SM is technically a 125cc bike so can be ridden by 17 year-olds. Assuming they can afford the expected £10,000 price tag...
Street Triple tweaked to make the RX
Not much from Triumph at Cologne, however it has tweaked the Street Triple to create a new version - the Street Triple RX. Costing £8,549 the RX gets a new paint scheme, quickshifter and a seat unit from the Daytona 675 to sharpen its look. Other than that, it was Bonneville specials such as the T214, T100 Spirit and Newchurch.
Yamaha
Sadly no new R1 at Cologne, this will be appearing at Milan. However Yamaha did pull the covers off a few bikes. The old XJR1300 has had a revamp in order to appeal to the new cafe racer and customization culture. After getting leading customisers to work on the XJR under the guise 'Yard Built', Yamaha have made it easier for home DIYers to follow suit, in much the same way as BMW with the R nineT. The forks are upgraded, subframe and a few other bits fiddled with. A cafe racer style Racer joins the basic XJR in the model range and gains a few styling modifications.
The MT-07 Moto Cage is a pretty cool take on a stunt bike using the MT-07 parallel twin as a base. The bike gets engine protectors, knuckle protectors and a new seat unit. PH2 reckons it's quite funky, in an odd way...
What's missing?
According to show gossip, the new Yamaha YZF-R1 is being held back until the Milan Motorcycle Show on November 4 where it will be released in two versions, a base and higher specification model. Ducati may has already accidentally revealed the existence of the 1299 Panigale, but it is also destined to be officially launched at Milan. MV will be pulling the covers off another variation of their F3 800 triple, most likely a cafe racer, and BMW will be showing the S1000F as well as few new variants of the R nineT. Kawasaki will show a road legal version of the supercharged H2 and Honda must have something up its sleeves...
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv2q3yh4wxc&lis...
The other problem I have with it is the fact that the street version is de-tuned to 200 bhp. How can they possibly build a supercharged litre-bike with "only" 200 bhp? I'm guessing that to de-tune it that much, they would have to leave the supercharger off, but that poses another problem. There's no question that 200 bhp is more than enough to use on the street, but then what separates this bike from other litre+ bikes with similar power like the GSXR1000, CBR1000, and Kawasaki's own Ninja ZX14?
Anyone know which version of the Scrambler is the one pictured? I think it looks fantastic and is exactly the type of bike I'd like to ride.
Having said that, the road version's 200hp is ample just to retain your license, let alone your life. Perhaps it's a Japanese thing, as the Nissan GT-Rs always understated their power levels to comply with government regulations. It's nice though that Kawasaki gives everyone a nod with the track bike by saying 'Look what you can really do with it'... nudge nudge wink wink.
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