Intermot 2016: PH2
All the news on 2017 bikes from the Intermot motorbike show in Cologne
At long, long, last we have a new Fireblade from Honda. And not just any 'blade - this is an all-singing one and comes in two forms. The 'blade has been completely revised, with a substantial weight loss program and electronics package to keep up with the opposition. Like the rest of the superbike class, it now gets an IMU (gyroscope) so has angle-sensitive traction control, ABS, wheelie control, engine braking control, ride by wire and variable fuel maps.
The engine has been upgraded and now boasts 11hp more at 189hp, plus 82lb ft of torque thanks to lighter internals. A slipper clutch is also standard. The frame is revised, as is the swing arm, the look is new and 14kg has been trimmed - it now weighs 196kg wet.
As currently, there is standard Fireblade that we'll see at Milan and an SP version, the latter gaining semi-active Ohlins suspension, quick shifter, cornering ABS and more adjustment of the electronic systems. Even more exciting for racers is the SP2 model, which is a road legal homologation special and boasts bigger valves, Marchesini wheels and electronic updates. Only 500 will be made for race use.
Honda has also updated its unpopular CB1100 retro with a new look and slipper clutch. Alongside the stock EX model, a higher-specification RS comes with 17-inch wheels and Showa inverted forks with radial brakes.
Only one new bike for Ducati at Cologne, but it does come in two forms. The SuperSport is billed by Ducati as an everyday sports bike, a tradition of the SS name since the mid-1980s. That bike was air-cooled; as is the way of things now the new one is water-cooled and uses an 113hp engine from the Hypermotard range. It also gets the same electronics package but adds a 16-litre tank and a full fairing to its relaxed but sporty stance.
The S version comes with Ohlins suspension and a few upgrades. Does the world need a real world sports bike? Price will be a key factor and the base model costs £10,995 and the S version is £12,295, or £12,495 in white. The Panigale models get revised electrics and the Monster 821, Multistrada and Diavel are now Euro4 compliant. Expect more new models in Milan, Ducati's 'home' show.
Yamaha
No new R6 at Cologne, which was a shame, but it is arriving soon. That said, news of a high spec MT-10 for 2017 more than softened the blow! The MT-10 SP gains Ohlins semi-active suspension, a new dash and cool paint. Wanted more? Come on, it's already bonkers in stock trim! The MT-09 has also been updated with new forks (great news), a bit of a styling tweak to make it look like the MT-10 and a quick shifter. Expect more new metal in Milan.
This year needed to be big for Suzuki and, sure enough, it has responded. Cologne sees the (delayed) release of the new GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R, a year after we first saw them. Are they on the ball? It certainly seems so. With a claimed 199hp the engine is the most powerful GSX-R lump to date and comes with the variable valve timing system and finger rockers that were shown last year. Add to this a new chassis and full electronics package (with IMU, which wasn't on last year!) and a claimed wet weight of 203kg and it's all looking good. And it even has an up and down quick shifter. The R model gains upgraded Showa BFF forks, a BFR damper and a few extra chassis performance tweaks. Back in the game? Absolutely. And you know it will be cheaper than the competition...
The other big news from Suzuki is the launch of the GSX-S750, a naked middleweight using a version of the GSX-R750 motor and taking over from the GSR750. With traction control and 112hp it should be fun if the price is right.
Alongside the GSX-R1000 and GSX-S750, the even more delayed GSX-R125 should appeal to younger Suzuki fans while both the V-Strom models, the 650 and 1000, are also upgraded with small tweaks mainly aimed at meeting Euro4 regulations.
More a show of tweaks than major new models for BMW, but that's not to say they aren't exciting. Kicking off with some old school charm, the R nineT family has grown to include the Pure, a basic spec roadster, and the Pure, which is essentially a half-faired R nineT. And therefore rather lovely. Both should be competitively priced.
The firm's in-line six K1600 models have been updated to include dynamic semi-active suspension, a reverse gear (whoop!) as well as new clocks and the ability to automatically call for help if you are in a hedge.
Finally, the S1000 in-line four models have also received a few updates. The S1000RR now has dynamic traction control as standard and is Euro4 compliant, while the S1000R gets more power, vibration free bars, a new frame and swing arm, up and down quick shifter as an optional extra and a few other bits and bobs. The S1000XR gains the same small power boost as it also becomes Euro4 compliant.
Kawasaki
Sadly, no more supercharged bikes at Cologne (will Milan see a smaller capacity supercharged machine?) but there is a new Ninja 650 and a ZX-10RR. The RR gets a tweaked cylinder head with a hard coating on the tappets and room for higher lift cams to be fitted as well as beefed up cases. Its chassis boasts Marchesini wheels, a single seat unit and revised suspension.
The Ninja 650 is effectively a faired ER-6n and has the same parallel twin engine in a new sporty chassis. Well it works at the TT, so this could be a surprise hit and is certain to be well priced. Kawasaki has also updated the electronics on the H2 and H2R models, changed the damper for an Ohlins unit and added an H2 carbon to the range, which comes with a carbon upper cowl. The Z1000SX has also been tweaked with new electronics and a bit of an engine upgrade.
Triumph
Somewhat expectedly, it's a retro Cologne for Triumph. The Street Twin has been given a bit of a body kit to become a Thruxton-style bike called the Street Cup, while the T100 and T100 Black versions are old-school in their styling.
KTM
Cologne was a strange show for KTM as, despite launching quite a few new models, it somehow didn't feel that new. The 1090 range has been extended to include an Adventure model as well as an Adventure R with more off-road focus thanks to a 21-inch front wire wheel. This is instead of the Adventure's 19-inch cast item. And this pattern is also repeated in the bigger bikes, the 1190 range now replaced by 1290 models in Super Adventure S and R forms. They certainly aren't lacking in power with a claimed 160hp and all the various electronic bells and whistles. The current Super Adventure is now called the T as it has full touring kit.
Not much to shout about from Aprilia. The RSV4 RF and Tuono V4 become Euro4 compliant and gain a few tweaks that include a new dash, revised electronics and upgraded suspension and brakes. The Tuono 125 is reintroduced alongside the RS125, which gets revamped for 2017. Moto Guzzi sees the Audace carbon appear, but it is more a few bolt on extras than anything outstanding. Expect something exciting in Milan.
I think you need to refer to the "Racer" in this sentence:
"R nineT family has grown to include the Pure, a basic spec roadster, and the Pure, which is essentially a half-faired R nineT."
It started with the Panigale which was ok and then the VFR800 which is hideous. The R1 shows that interesting headlight designs are possible but the new Ducati SS, Fireblade and GSXR all look good until you get to the headlight.
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