Milan Motorcycle Show Review

The Milan Motorcycle Show, or EICMA, is hardly as big as something like the Paris Motor Show, or even as prestigious as the Intemot. Still, the show attracted over 500,000 visitors in the course of its six-day run. And its not just interesting bikes, but a host of other goodies like accessories and clothing that made an appearance at EICMA 2008.

Ducati

The Italian motorcycle manufacturer's stand at the Milan Motorcycle Show also pulled huge throngs of visitors as they unveiled 3 new models for 2009 along with upgrades for their older models.

One of Ducati's more impressive bikes for 2009 was the much anticipated 1198 Superbike. While it may look fairly similar to the older 1098, Ducati claim this bike is all new. This new 1198 integrates all the technological innovations that Ducati has pioneered on Troy Bayliss's 2008 World Championship winning race bike. Now running a slightly bigger version of the L-twin engine from the 1098 and like the new KTM RC8 R, keeps the cubic capacity just under 1200cc, for homologation in WSB racing. The new engine now produces 172 PS of power with the bike weighing just 171kgs, giving the 1198 an outrageous power-to-weight ratio. As with other Ducati Superbikes, as "S" model is also available off the bat. The 1198S features the company's proprietary Ducati Data Analysis system which allows track racers to download and analyse their telemetry data. The "S" also features the road use version of Ducati's innovative race-derived traction control system which comes with 8 different settings to provide safety and confidence during mid corner acceleration.

Another of the Superbikes to make an appearance at Ducati's stand was the limited edition "1098 R Bayliss". This bike was launched to celebrate Troy Bayliss's career when he announced his retirement from WSB racing after winning the 2008 season on the Ducati 1098's maiden outing. The bike is available in the same high specifications as the standard "R" model and features the same red and white livery used on Bayliss's race bike in his final race in Portimao in Portugal . The 500 examples which will be produced will also feature Bayliss's famous "21" racing number painted across the bike.But the most impressive bike Ducati showed off during the Milan show was the much anticipated Streetfigher. Basically a 1098 Superbike sans the body panels, it was one of the most menacing looking machines in the whole show and really stole attention from nearly every bike present there. Apart from the missing body panels, the Streetfighter features flat handlebars, a single angular headlamp and a minimalistic console. Stylistically, the Streetfighter represents a complete departure from the standard naked bikes produced by motorcycle manufacturers, instead going for a "sportbike-stripped-in-the-shed" look and being true to the original streetfigthter motorcycles from the 70s and 80s. The bike is powered by a slightly detuned version of the 1098's L-twin engine and produces 157 PS of power, which will certainly prove to be a handful. When it goes on sale sometime next year, the Streetfighter will also feature an S" version with upgraded bits like suspension, exhausts and brakes.

KTM

The KTM stall showed off four new, or rather improved, versions of some of their existing motorcycles at the show. One of the most impressive ones there was the RC8 R Superbike, which is basically a race-oriented version of the standard RC8. The displacement of the 1148cc V-twin has been upped to 1195cc, still keeping it inside the 1200cc regulation for World Superbike Racing. The bike now produces 167 PS of power and the optional race exhaust can bump this figure up to 182 PS. This "R" version is stylistically still very similar to the old RC8, but it gets a new two-tone black and white paint scheme with its trellis frame in traditional KTM orange.

Another rather interesting new model from the Austrian manufacturer was a touring version of their 990 Supermoto. This Supermoto T gets a much prettier look as compared to base Supermoto, thanks to a small edgy fairing and a windscreen at the front. Mechanically, the bike remains pretty much the same, but has improved ergonomics for long distance touring along with mounts for saddlebags. The Supermoto R, another bike displayed by KTM, on the other hand, gets the exact opposite treatment as the T. Lots of weight-saving measures, upgraded brakes and suspension make the Supermoto R properly "Ready-to-Race" as compared to the standard model.

Last but not least from the KTM stables is the new 990 Adventure R. Just like the other two "R" models KTM had on display, this endure bike gets more a sporty treatment. The ABS system has been dropped in favour of weight reduction and the brakes and suspension has been upgraded significantly. The engine also develops about 10 PS more power than the older Adventure model.

Aprilia:

Aprilia had already unveiled both the race and street versions of its crazy new RSV4 at the Intermot last month. The bikes once again made their appearance at the EICMA Milan show in their full splendor. The race version of the RSV4 is a 998.9cc, 65-degree V4 powered pocket rocket producing over 180PS of power. Packed with state of the art electronics like a fly-by-wire throttle and a full traction control system, it will be raced in the WSB championship in 2009. Surprisingly, the street version of the bike is not much different and will feature most of the components straight off the race bike.

The other interesting bike at the Aprilia stand was the SMV750 Dorsoduro. This radical looking supermotard seems to have been based on Aprilia's own naked bike, the Shiver, and borrows a lot of its functional components from it, such as the 97PS 750cc V-twin engine and the cast aluminium / tubular steel hybrid frame. Other components like the cast aluminium swing-arm and the Showa forks have been specially developed for the SMV. The SMV also features some advanced electronics like a ride-by-wire throttle system.

Yamaha:

The line-up of naked bikes at the Milan show was also graced with the beautiful little Yamaha XJ6, another addition to Yamaha's range of bikes. The 600cc inline-4 engine is based on the one from the new FZ6, but has been retuned for more low to mid-range torque. The chassis is shorter, slimmer, and lighter than before making this an excellent choice as an everyday bike. The tank and panels have also undergone a redesign from the FZ to give this bike a more stylish, urban look meant to appeal to the European market. The side exhaust design from the other Yamaha naked bikes has been dropped in favour of a midships muffler mounted under the body.

Yamaha also showed off its Majesty 400 scooter at the EICMA. The big 395cc scooter now comes with an aluminium frame which is said to have improved its handling by leaps and bounds. Also in the mix was Yamaha's 942cc Midnight Star XVS950A cruiser motorcycle.

BMW:

BMW stunned the entire world with their brutal Lo Rider concepts bike displayed at Milan . This "factory-custom" from the Bavarian manufacturer is based around their air-cooled 1200cc horizontally opposed-twin or "boxer" engine and shaft drive mounted on their traditional "Paralever" single sided swing arm. Traditional telescopic front forks in place of their more common Telelever system and beautifully finished 17-ince wire-spoke wheels complete this bike's geometry. The bike on display had a fuel tank lifted from their cruiser range, which spoilt the show a little, but with a perched single-seat, "scrambler" style side exhaust and streetfigher-like stacked projector lamps gave the Lo Rider a rather fresh, and menacing, appearance. No one could deny though, that the Lo Rider, seemed to resemble one of the creations from custom-house Confederate. If or when this muscle bike goes into production, BMW plans to offer a large number of customizable options for the paint, exhaust, seat and headlamp.

Another interesting bike BMW showed off was its F800 R Roadster. The F800 R is designed to as a smaller sister of the K1300 R and will come with a liquid-cooled 800cc parallel twin engine producing about 90PS of power. The bike also has a totally redesigned, light-weight double sided swing arm and an improved ABS system. Visually, the bike adorned with the F800 GS style twin headlamps and a small cowl on top. Options on the F800 R will include a sporty windshield, radiator panels, rear seat cowl and a belly-pan. This bike will be going on sale from May 2009 and will add a middle-weight naked bike to its already large range.

Suzuki

Suzuki celebrated its 100 th birthday on the first day of the Milan Motorcycle Show and unveiled its upgraded middleweight inline-4 naked bike range in the form of the Bandit 650 and the Bandit 650 SA. The Bandit 650 doesn't seem to have changed much mechanically from last year's model, but has received some visual upgrades like sleeker, modern headlights, redesigned mirrors, slimmer taillight, new instrumentation and a black engine finish. The semi-faired 650 SA model features a brand new half fairing with stacked low and high beam multi-reflector headlamps, which includes small storage places in either sides of the fairing.

Suzuki also unveiled the Gemma, a wild designed 250cc scooter which will be only available in the Japanese market.

All in all, the EICMA show was host to many exotic and interesting motorcycles. Apart from those we've covered, many other famous manufacturers like Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Benelli, BiMota, Gilera, Husqvarna and even lesser knowns like Wakan, Nipponia and Pierobon had some prime examples of their work on display at Milan 2008. As with any motor show, the EICMA wasn't content with just having motorcycles. Gear manufacturers like Sidi and Draggin' Jeans also had their stalls among the bike makers. And how can one forget all those long-legged, provocatively clad beauties posing along with all the motorcycles...