Spy shots have just appeared of an updated Versys 1000, which isn't surprising as the Z1000SX was tweaked last year. Expect a new look and a few extra updates to its electronics. Will the little ER-6 and Versys follow suit? Again, it is unlikely to be much more than simple styling mods. The big news for Kawasaki fans is the H2. Kawasaki won't confirm what this new bike is, but the smart money is on a supercharged ZZR1400. Not only is the ZZR a flagship model, the supercharger can then be rolled out into the GTR model, something that will certainly boost the appeal of this tourer. Aside from these models, the time is certainly right for the W800 to get a bit of a cafe racer refresh and maybe a new cruiser or two.
See a naked one of these at Cologne
Please, please, please let 2014 be a good year for Suzuki, God knows it needs a break. The big news will be the naked
GSX-R1000
, or GSX-S1000 as it is being called. Expect traction control, ABS and a price tag below £10,000. Those wanting a new GSX-R model will be left disappointed, there may be a few basic tweaks, but that's about it. Another possibility is the GSX-R125, but again, this has been rumoured for so many years it seems unlikely to ever actually appear!
Honda
Honda's model range has been moving more towards the 'worthy' than the exciting of late with bikes such as the NC and CBF range its big sellers. Will we see an updated 'blade or CBR600RR? Not likely. Will the fabled V4 MotoGP rep road bike make it to Cologne? Here is the odd thing. PH2 has spoken to people very closely connected to the factory and the bike is ready to rock, it's just awaiting the go ahead from the bosses. Why won't they give this? It's all down to money and specification. It might appear at Cologne, but don't hold your breath, expect instead a few scooters, possibly a funky looking naked 125 and maybe an update to the Fireblade-engined CB1000R. That bike uses the 2007 Blade motor and Honda have been doing a lot of promotion to clear current stock. Any other surprises? After releasing so many bikes last year it hard to see Honda doing much, although a new Africa Twin is certainly on the cards. Let's just hope it doesn't use the NC parallel twin engine...
Expect to see tweaks to the MT-07
Yamaha's rejuvenation looks set to continue with some headline bikes in Cologne, the most important of which will be the new YZF-R1. Yep, it is going to happen. The bike is believed to retain the cross-plane in-line four engine, but other than that is totally new and should have all the bells and whistles. We are talking traction control, ABS and probably electronic suspension. A few wild reports talk of connectivity between the bike and a smartphone, but this seems unlikely. Will there be a high spec SP version? Fingers crossed.
Other than that there should be more variations on the MT-07 and MT-09 range including a semi-adventure/big supermoto MT-07 and a Fazer-style MT-09 for commuters. With recent Yard Built projects the old XJR1300 seems ripe for an update, provided the air/oil-cooled engine can pass emissions laws. There have been whispers of a new R6, but PH2 reckons this is a 2016 model and the chances are it will be a triple and not an in line four. That said, the supersport market is all but dead and that means the whole project might well be stopped in its tracks.
R NineT has been a big success for BMW
BMW is looking to steal the home crowd with some terribly kept secrets. The first is the updated
S1000RR
, which is likely to get a few hp more and some extra bling, especially as the HP4 has now stopped production. The big supermoto S1000F should be a strong seller for the firm and will attract owners who don't want to ride a GS but like the thought of an adventure styled, and very rapid, machine. On the boxer front the massively underrated R1200R is set to go water-cooled and BMW are yet to take full advantage of that glorious Roland Sands Concept 90 bike with its half fairing. The
R NineT
has been such a smash hit, they would be bonkers not to stick a half-fairing on it and some orange paint.
Triumph
Triumph announced last year that it is diverting R&D money into its new 250cc bike aimed at emerging markets, so little was expected this year. But now the talk is that Triumph has canned the project! A year of wasted R&D? We would all love to see a new Speed Triple or Daytona 675, but this seems unlikely. A few special edition Bonnevilles such as the Ace Cafe special we have already seen are the most likely show stoppers from the British brand. The Trophy has been a poor seller and the Tiger Explorer could do with a refresh, however PH2 hasn't heard anything exciting from dealers on this front. Sorry.
Rumours continue about a 'Streetfighter' Panigale
Ducati have been making a huge fuss about their Scrambler and we will finally see it in Cologne. After the Sport Classics disaster, has it got the timing right? PH2 hopes so as it is a good looking bike. Another potential machine on the cards is a naked Panigale, probably using the Streetfighter name, to go head to head with the BMW S1000R. Will Ducati roll out an electric surprise? Doubtful, but there will probably be a Monster variant and a few flash paint schemes on the Panigale models.
KTM
What will Europe's biggest bike manufacturer come out with? KTM's boss Stefan Pierer let the cat out of the bag a few weeks ago by announcing it was making a V4 MotoGP bike (again), so expect a few more details on that. There may be a variation on the small capacity Duke models, but this is unlikely as the Indian manufacturer can hardly keep up with supply. KTM have confirmed the existence of the new 1290 Super Adventure, so that will be in Cologne. Will the RC8 finally get traction control? Don't count on it, with the V4 in the pipeline the RC8 is starting to take a back seat... There will also be an electric supermoto that can be ridden on L-plates like a 125cc bike.
Piaggio Group
Aprilia has had a torrid time of late and PH2 isn't expecting much at Cologne, maybe a few cheap tweaks to the V4 Tuono or RSV but that's it. Moto Guzzi might show off a California variant or a newly styled V7 Guzzi, but there are unlikely to be any show-stoppers on this stand.