Milan EICMA 2015: PH2
PH2 checks out the latest 2016 two-wheeled delights
Also new from Suzuki is a tweaked SV650A and Van Van 200. The SV gains a bit of power, loses some weight, and is basically a re-styled Gladius that has been called an SV as it is a stronger brand.
Topping the new GSX-R1000 for the star of the Milan show was Yamaha's new naked bike, the MT-10. Boasting a re-tuned version of the new 2015 R1 engine housed in an R1 chassis and given an advanced electronics package that includes ABS, cruise control and traction control, the MT-10's look may be a little out there but its performance certainly won't be. PH2 chatted to a few insiders who, although unwilling to talk power figures, confirm the motor's character is more relaxed than the R1 but no less thrilling and the chassis very sports bike in its handling. Alongside the MT-10, Yamaha pulled the covers off a naked MT-03, which is a stripped down YZF-R3, and also an XSR900, which is a retro styled MT-09 in a similar fashion to the XSR700 PH2 recently tested.
Ducati's R&D department has certainly been busy with a stack of new models unveiled in Milan - some totally fresh, others simply restyling exercises. Kicking off the interest is the new Multistrada 1200 Enduro, which is basically a more rugged Multistrada with a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel to give it more off-road potential as well as harder bodywork, a 30-litre tank and a double-sided swingarm. Next up is the XDiavel, which is a feet-forward Diavel with some stunning styling touches such as all the DVT engine's water pipes hidden under covers, a great new look, belt drive and launch control. It looks awesome in the flesh but the all-singing S model costs over £18,000. At the other end of the scale is the new Sixty2 Scrambler, which is a 400cc version of Ducati's smash hit of 2015. Speaking of Scramblers, the Flat Track Pro is a new flat track inspired version of the bigger capacity model. If capacity is your thing, the Hyperstrada, Hyperstrada SP and Hypermotard have grown to 937cc while the new 959 Panigale adds 6 per cent more power, sharper styling and a godawful twin pipe (thank you Euro4) to the sports bike party. Aftermarket exhaust suppliers will be rubbing their hands...
Kawasaki
Kawasaki appeared on the face of it to have a fairly quiet Milan show with a new J125 scooter, a few special editions (the winter testing ZX-10R is pretty cool) and a tarted up ZZR1400 in the shape of the Performance Sport edition. Then it dropped a bombshell. Over the next two years we will see 12 brand new Kawasaki models. What will they be? Kawasaki unveiled a concept bike that is a small capacity triple with a supercharger. The Soul Charger may be a concept, but its engine will form the basis of future models. Superchargers are not only cool, they help bikes pass the ever tightening emissions laws instead of having to fit stupid pipes like Ducati!
Only really one bit of BMW news from Milan - the arrival of the R nineT Scrambler. According to BMW it is a 'reckless version' of the naked bike. What this basically means it is has a bit of attitude as well as lower spec parts such as the conventional forks to give it a bit of ruggedness. The look certainly works, and the price is expected to be less than the R nineT, which is the good news. The bad news is that if you haven't stuck in an order, it has probably sold out by now. Just before the Milan show BMW released details on its new small capacity bike, the G310R. Designed for the 'world market' the G310R uses a liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve engine with a 313cc capacity and '180-degree rotated' head with the exhaust exiting at the bike's back and the intake at the front. Making 34hp, it's European learner legal and weighs just 158kg. Depending on price, this could be a massive seller for BMW.
Honda
What the hell is going on with Honda? No new bikes for the Milan show, just some model updates that have already been seen, and more waffle on the Africa Twin. There was also the stupidest concept model ever - an adventure scooter!
Ok, we have seen the new Speed Triple and Bonneville models, what's left? Oh, the Explorer. Triumph unveiled six new Explorer models (as well as pinching Charley Boorman from BMW), which are basically the same basic updated Explorer with extras. The XR models are more on-road targeted while the XC ones are off-road orientated. The basic models get WP suspension while the higher spec ones gain semi-active units as well as cornering ABS and hill control. There are lots of updates but to be brutally honest, it is the Bonneville models that will sell like hotcakes in 2016 and Triumph has already been forced to increase its production to meet demand before the bike has even been ridden!
Three new bikes from KTM that have already been seen. The 1290 Super Duke GT is a half-faired version of the naked bike that is aimed at touring riders and comes with a 23-litre tank and an advanced electronics package. The 690 Duke and Duke R have a brand new engine with a bigger bore and shorter stroke as well as a re-deigned head and extra balancer shaft. The R adds some sporty bling in the shape of a Brembo caliper, cornering sensitive ABS and traction control and an Akrapovic pipe. There was also a 1290 Super Duke R Special Edition, that has a stack of Power Parts bling stuck on it.
Aprilia
After releasing the new 1100 Tuono and RSV4 RF last year, the Milan show was pretty quiet for Aprilia. The RF gains a shock tweak and V4-MP (Aprilia's multimedia interface) as standard but that's it for the road bikes. On the race front, however, it was a little more interesting with Aprilia announcing its 'Factory Works' program, which is effectively ready to go superbike and superstock race bikes, much like the Ducati Corse machines. Aprilia claim the all-singing WSB spec bike tops 230bhp... As for prices, Aprilia say the bikes will be "attainable", which is nice and vague.
With its strong heritage, it's no surprise Guzzi is playing the retro card for 2016 and we have another 'urban scrambler' to go with every other one. The V7 II Stornello uses the V7 engine and has traction control, ABS and the usual knobbly tyres and flat seat. To go with the Stornello, the V7 Roamer is more traditionally styled while the Bobber is, well, kind of a bobber. For those wanting something a bit bolder, the MGX-21 Flying Fortress takes the California engine as a base but gives it bagger styling, a 21-inch front wheel and 88lb ft of torque.
MV
Not much news from MV aside from the fact the Brutale 800 has been tweaked to make it a little less aggressive and there is a Lewis Hamilton Dragster 800 RR.
Yep, the Rimini-based manufacturer is still going strong and for 2016 has built a cafe racer version of its Tesi 3D as well as putting the latest twin-spark Ducati Diavel engine in its Impeto naked bike. Interestingly, the firm also announced a supercharger kit that fits any liquid-cooled Ducati engined bike it makes. The kit fits in the V of the cylinders and increases power and torque by 15-20 per cent. Finally, the BB3 is now available in kit form, which Bimota claim is a 'build your own Bimota' kit. You get a rolling chassis and you just need to source your own BMW engine and electronics. Which kind of makes you think possibly BMW no longer wants to supply Bimota with them directly...
No new road bikes from Husky, however according to the firm the Vitpilen 701 concept is now 'one step closer' but the big news is the fact that Husky confirmed that 2017 will see a Vitpilen 401and 125 road bike released with the 701 following on very soon afterwards.
"Sixty2 is a Ducati Scrambler inspired by the youth culture of skateboarding, surfing and pop music."
Never before have I heard a marketing line sound more like it has come from a man having a mid life crisis. It sounds like Ducati formed a focus group of its current core market to make a new bike for bringing in new riders.
Also "There was also the stupidest concept model ever - an adventure scooter". Have you never seen what a Honda cub can do? They were doing adventure biking way before huge BMW's and aluminum panniers.
Suzuki - another GSXR that looks like a K5 with ZUKI written down the side, Yamahahaha, the M10 Transformer bike, Honda, a scooter with knobbly wheels and 2 concepts which they showed later on to almost no press coverage.
Even the revitalised Benellichina managed several good looking and prezctical bikes.
Suzuki - another GSXR that looks like a K5 with ZUKI written down the side, Yamahahaha, the M10 Transformer bike, Honda, a scooter with knobbly wheels and 2 concepts which they showed later on to almost no press coverage.
Even the revitalised Benellichina managed several good looking and prezctical bikes.
And it is going to cost 13k, which isn't much cheaper than the ZX10R, R1 and S1000RR - and they are seem to be much more impressive and look more modern.
I would take the baby [not that is much of a baby with 959cc and 157bhp!] Panigale over a GSXR1000 and it will cost about the same – best bike ever I ever owned was a 748 SPS
I want to buy a non-sports bike and lots of this new Euro Stuff is very interesting - I hope Husqvarna make the Vitpilen 701 - if it’s half affordable I will buy one
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