While here at BRM towers we knew there’d be a few cool bikes on show at EICMA in Milan, we weren’t thinking anywhere near the numbers that have already appeared. With such a big showing at Intermot in Cologne just last month, we were pretty sure there wasn’t much left in the manufacturer’s new bike bags left. Boy, were we wrong! Even before the show has started manufacturers are letting slip the wonders that will be behind the doors when the show officially starts later today.
DUCATI
EICMA is Ducati’s home show, and we were expecting some pretty big things from the Italian marque. Not only was the rumoured 1299 Superleggera expected to finally break cover, but also a new Monster and maybe a couple of new Scrambler based derivitives. Ducati didn’t disappoint, showing all the expected bikes, plus the new Multistrada 950 and Multistrada 1200 Enduro.
The Superleggera is of course the biggest draw of the show for Ducati as the nameplate returns in another incredible carbon fibre clad machine. With an excellent 215bhp on tap and only 167 kilos of fully fuelled bike to push, even Desmosedici RR riders will be looking at trading up to the new king of the Ducati stable.
For the Monster aficionados out there the new 797 brings back air-cooling with a model that looks back to the original bikes of the ‘90s. Now powered by the same 75bhp 803cc L-Twin as found in the Scrambler and featuring mod-cons such as an LCD dash, lightweight wheels, and Bosch ABS, the new ‘little’ Monster is sure to be an attractive package for riders looking at getting into the marque one they’re on their full licence.
The other highlight for the Ducati stand is the two new Scrambler based models – the Café Racer and the Desert Sled. The Café Racer is what it says on the box, a head down bum up street racer in the same vein as so many in the market, but with its L-Twin it has a lot going for it in terms of individuality. The Desert Sled is what
some commentators have said the Scrambler should have been in the first place, a capable off roader with longer travel suspension, Pirelli Scorpion Rally tyres, reinforced bash plate, and a desert worthy updated look.
HONDA
After their strong showing at Intermot we weren’t really expecting Honda to come out with anything for EICMA, but not only do a host of bikes get an update, but one of the coolest concepts Honda have had in years has also become a reality. The awesome realisation of the 2015 Honda CRF250 and CRF250 Rally concept bikes, the 2017 CRF250 Rally. The little adventure bike is well equipped for off-road duties due to being based on the CRF250L. While much of the bike is the same as the 2017 CRF250L (which has been updated mostly for Euro4), it gains a Rally inspired front end, better suspenders, and better protection for its belly. Not only that, it gains a very trick new dash unit that looks the goods, and could be one of the best dash units in the sub 300cc category.
YAMAHA
The Dakar rally inspiration is strong at EICMA, with Yamaha also debuting what is hoped will be the replacement for the very long in the tooth (but somehow still very capable) XTZ660 Tenere.
With the gem of an engine that is the MT-07 derived CP2 as its heart, the T7 concept looks like the middleweight Tenere we’ve been waiting for. Continuing the Dakar inspired styling legacy, the T7 looks like Yamaha’s modern Dakar racer, the WR450F Dakar. Up front are a set of four projector LEDs are mounded behind the large screen, and out rear is an Akrapovic exhaust can. With a true off road set of hoops with a spoked 18incher in the rear and a 21inch wheel up front, the T7 has the look and the specs to match. We just need to see a set of indicators attached before we can call whether or not it will be heading into production. But with that gorgeous CP2 engine rocking between the frame just begging to see some off road action, we can only hope it will be sometime soon.
Watch the video from Yamaha Europe here
There will be so much more on show at EICMA this week. For the full rundown, grab a copy of BRM issue 151, on sale in a couple of weeks.
