EICMA 2015: New motorcycle launches to look forward

Ducati Scrambler 400

Given the success achieved by the Ducati Scrambler, the Italian bikemaker plans to launch a smaller displacement offering to cash in on the hype surrounding it. From the spy picture posted, we can see that the Ducati Scrambler 400 is equipped with telescopic front forks instead of upside front forks. The telescopic front forks are cheaper than the USD forks and this is kind of an indication that the motorcycle is the entry-level Scrambler 400 given the fact that it will be cheaper. Powering the motorcycle will be a 400cc displacement, air-cooled twin-cylinder motor churning around 40PS of power. The motor is likely to be mated to a 6-speed gearbox while slipper clutch will most likely be given a miss. The frame for the motorcycle has been carried forwarded from the higher-displacement Ducati Scrambler. Braking will be done by disc brakes at both the ends and whether ABS will be offered remains questionable. The main objective of the Ducati Scrambler 400 is to tap into the A2 licensing structure found in the European region. The Ducati Scrambler will be the cheapest offering from the Italian manufacturer and among the most exciting new bike launches of 2015.

BMW G301

After a long wait and endless rumours, BMW has finally pulled the wrap off their first small capacity motorcycle, the G310R, prior to its debut in 2015 EICMA. This new offering has been crafted and engineered by BMW in Munich but will be produced at TVS Motor’s Hosur facility. In terms of looks, the G310R is exactly what you would expect a BMW designed bike to look like. BMW says that the bike follows the same design language that we have already seen on the new S1000R. The v-shaped headlight with the golden finished upside down forks gives the front an aggressive stance. Under the skin the BMW G310R sports a 313cc single-cylinder liquid cooled unit that produces 34 horses and close to 28Nm. The G310R tips the scale at 158.5kg. 

For those who worry about quality and service, BMW has spent a lot of time setting up shop as per their standards at the TVS facility. All the machines required to manufacture this machine have been built in Germany and shipped to India to maintain quality standards. The BMW G310R is expected to go on sale sometime next year. Details regarding the launch of the BMW G310R in India are still uncertain, but one thing’s certain, just like the Bajaj-KTM partnership, the BMW-TVS joint venture will bring some happy days for the enthusiast junta.

Ducati belt drive cruiser

A new belt driven Ducati cruiser based on the Diavel has been spotted testing and will be a new cruiser motorcycle offering from the Italian bikemaker. The design of the new Ducati cruiser motorcycle has been based on the popular Diavel power cruiser and is most likely been developed for the American market. There’s a new chassis; the tubular trellis has the same architecture as the Diavel’s but it has been overhauled. Then there’s a new swingarm, still one-sided but different from the one on the current Diavel and the rear shock is different too; unlike the horizontally mounted low monoshock, this one is an offset, on the left-hand side. Going by the Diavel being marketed as ‘not a cruiser’; the forward set footpegs, low stance and belt drive clearly point out this new belt-driven Ducati’s cruiser credentials. 

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Ducati Streetfighter 1299

The Ducati Streetfighter is among the rare products from the Italian bikemaker that hasn’t succeeded as opposed to its expectations. The Streetfighter was offered in two variants – 848 and 1098. The Ducati Streetfighter 1098 was discontinued in 2013 owing to poor sales as consumers preferred the Monster over it. Currently only the Ducati Streetfighter 848 is available and we must point it isn’t available in the Indian market. It is expected that Ducati will plonk the new Streetfighter with the 1299’s powerplant as demand for super-naked motorcycles has increased in the recent past.

New entrants in this segment include the Suzuki GSX-S1000 and BMW S1000R. Expect the new Ducati Streetfighter 1299 to get a cosmetic makeover and feature the monocoque chassis instead of the traditional trellis frame. It will be loaded with electronic goodies like ride-by-wire throttle, riding modes, traction, control, ABS etc. We can also expect the 1,285cc motor to be retuned to better suit the streetbike dynamics and power output could be around 190PS and around 140Nm of peak torque and it will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox. 

Ducati 959

Ducati will launch the 899 Panigale motorcycle replacement in the form of the new Ducati 959 Panigale. As the name suggests, the Ducati 859 Panigale will be powered by a new 955cc displacement twin-cylinder engine. The new bike has a 57cc higher displacement than its predecessor. The Ducati 899’s motor churns out 150PS and 99Nm of torque. Expect the above numbers to increase with the help of higher displacement. Expect power figures of around 165PS and 105Nm of torque. Power will be transmitted via six-speed gearbox with quickshifter. The styling of the Ducati 959 Panigale is expected to remain unchanged barring few tweaks. Despite the larger engine, the 959 Panigale has lower hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emission levels than the 899, an attempt to meet new Euro 4 emission standards which come into effect in Europe on January 1st, 2016. 

2016 Ducati Hypermotard / Hyperstrada 939 

Ducati will be finally giving the Hypermotard range of motorcycle a much needed update. It is expected that the 2016 Ducati Hypermotard will be powered by a new power plant. The twin-cylinder motors displacement has been hiked from the existing 821cc. According to documents from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) the next generation Hypermotard will be powered by a new 937cc displacement powerplant. Expect the 2016 Ducati Hypermotard 939 to have better power output from the existing motorcycle and it would have better emission numbers and will continue to use  a 6-speed gearbox. Cosmetic updates will be minor as the Ducati Hypermotard is a good looking motorcycle; the 2016 Ducati Hyperstrada will also feature the new 937cc twin-cylinder engine.  While it is also expected that the 2016 Ducati Hyperstrada SP with higher-spec Brembo brakes, carbon fibre components and better suspension parts would debut. 

2016 Triumph Bonneville T120 and Bonneville T120 Black

A rung above the Street Twin are the 2016 Triumph Bonneville T120 duo. The big difference is a larger 1200cc powerplant that churns out peak torque of 105Nm at 3,100 revs, also mated to a 6-speed transmission but here is fed by twin throttle bodies that are disguised as carburettors. Powered by the bigger motor, the T120s are close to 54 per cent more powerful than the outgoing models. While the ride by wire system would ensure that the bike is responsive, safe and more in control of the rider. Among the many design features, what sets the 2016 Triumph Bonneville T120 and Bonneville T120 Black apart from the Street Twin are T120’s more authentic twin instrument cluster, spoke wheels, daytime running lights, pillion grab-rail and peashooter exhaust pipes which are tuned to sound richer and deeper. The 1200cc bikes also come equipped with riding modes which are neatly integrated in to the switch buttons. Other interesting features include an USB socket under the seat and immobiliser built into the key.

2016 Triumph Bonneville Street Twin 900

The smallest (in engine capacity) and perhaps the most popular model is expected to be the new Triumph Street Twin, which comes powered by a new high-torque 900cc parallel twin engine churning out 80Nm at 3,200rpm which comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox. It’s also the most contemporary looking, with a single part-digital instrument cluster, which looks rather modern on a classic inspired bike. Similarly, the headlight brackets have a brush metal finish, gramophone type exhausts and alloy wheels all hint at its modernistic tilt. 

The good modern bits like ABS, traction control, slip-assist clutch are standard across the 2016 Triumph Bonneville models. In comparison to the other 2016 Triumph Bonneville models, the Street Twin has the lowest saddle height at just 750mm. The company decided to lower the seat height after receiving feedback from its (large in number but physically smaller) Indian and other Asian subcontinent customers. The 2016 Triumph Bonneville Street Twin is the lightest and most flickable and has been designed to attract new and younger motorcycle buyers, and bikers who would like to personalise the Triumph Bonneville with over 150 accessories to choose from.

2016 Triumph Thruxton and Thruxton R

If cafe racer is your thing, then Triumph has something for you too. Like in the previous generation Bonneville bike range, the 2016 model also offers the Thruxton variants. The 2016 Triumph Thruxton and Thruxton R come packed with performance, braking and handling abilities to live up to their legendary name. This time round it is powered by a new 1200cc motor but tuned to punch out a massive peak torque figure of 112Nm at 4,950rpm, which is a whopping 62 per cent higher than the previous generation Thruxton. The 2016 Thruxton range design is an evolution of iconic Bonneville cafe racer styling with intricate detailing inspired from classic Triumph bikes of the past.

All new suspension and geometry has been tuned to offer better handling and neutrality - probably the best handling bike in the lot. Like the rest of the 2016 Triumph Bonneville gang, the Thruxton also comes with the optional Vance & Hines exhaust system which adds to the race bike feel. While the ‘inspiration’ kit for the first time includes a full factory Thruxton R Race Performance kit, specifically developed for closed circuit competition. It’s still not certain if Triumph will introduce all these five versions of the 2016 Triumph Bonneville motorcycles in India. But we know for a fact that the bikes will be produced in Thailand and launched in India in the forthcoming 2016 Auto Expo in New Delhi.

Triumph Speed Triple

The British bikemaker has updated the 2016 Triumph Speed Triple S with styling changes, new powerlplant and a plethora of features. Official power figures aren’t out yet Triumph officials claim they have given the engine a complete overhaul with 104 new developments. Power and torque figures of the 2016 Triumph Speed Triple have been hiked while the motor is more free revving while being 10 per cent more fuel efficient than its predecessor.  Power figure is likely to be around 142PS while the new exhaust system has 70 per cent better flow rate.

The new Triumph Speed Triple also gets equipped with five riding modes: road, rain, sport, track and a rider programmable mode. ABS is rider selectable and so is the level of traction control. Brembo monobloc calipers have been used to take care of braking duties at the front. Styling updates includes daytime running lights, more aerodynamic and petite bodywork and new seats. The 2015 Triumph Speed Triple R version will get additional goodies like carbon-fibre front mudguard, tank inserts and a bellypan along with Ohlins suspension with NIX30 front forks and a TTX36 rear shock. In addition the new Triumph Speed Triple R will also sport billet-machined bar clamps and risers, swingarm pivot covers and rear wheel finisher, plus a red radiator cowls and subframe to visually distinguish itself.