Over 200,000 visitors from 110 countries crowded the Intermot exhibit halls to see new motorcycles like Aprilia's 2009 RSV4 superbike.
The first of the big European Shows, Intermot at Cologne, has now been and gone and we have sight of many of next year's models as well as a few concepts for the future. Even taking into account Japanese models, it has not been a stunning year for new models so far, with few surprises. Hopefully next month's Milan Show may redress the balance.
However, while the manufacturers may be cagey in the current economic climate, show figures prove there is still a potential market available to them. Over 200,000 visitors from 110 countries viewed the exhibits in the massive halls showing that interest in motorcycles remains high.
Among the impressive total were numerous trade visitors from Germany and abroad and they accounted for around 30% of the total , with 35% of the buyers arriving from outside Germany. In total, 1,068 exhibiting companies from 36 countries exhibited their wares. After Germany, the home country, the largest number of exhibitors came from Italy, followed by Taiwan, China, the USA, the UK, Pakistan, the Netherlands and France.
So this month we take a quick look at what was revealed and maybe hint at what we can look forward to at the forth-coming Milan Show next month when the remaining new models will break cover!
Austria
Despite a press conference being called at Intermot for KTM to announce new machines, the manufacturer knew nothing about it as they have decided to launch all their new bikes at Milan next month! German show organisers had assumed they would be getting some of the glory; instead it was just red faces. Factory insider's claim up to five new bikes will break cover at the 'official' unveiling.
However, while the manufacturers may be cagey in the current economic climate, show figures prove there is still a potential market available to them. Over 200,000 visitors from 110 countries viewed the exhibits in the massive halls showing that interest in motorcycles remains high.
Among the impressive total were numerous trade visitors from Germany and abroad and they accounted for around 30% of the total , with 35% of the buyers arriving from outside Germany. In total, 1,068 exhibiting companies from 36 countries exhibited their wares. After Germany, the home country, the largest number of exhibitors came from Italy, followed by Taiwan, China, the USA, the UK, Pakistan, the Netherlands and France.
So this month we take a quick look at what was revealed and maybe hint at what we can look forward to at the forth-coming Milan Show next month when the remaining new models will break cover!
Austria
Despite a press conference being called at Intermot for KTM to announce new machines, the manufacturer knew nothing about it as they have decided to launch all their new bikes at Milan next month! German show organisers had assumed they would be getting some of the glory; instead it was just red faces. Factory insider's claim up to five new bikes will break cover at the 'official' unveiling.
French manufacturer Scorpa, best known for its trials bikes, is launching an electric moto called E-tricks.
France
French manufacturer Scorpa probably best known for their trials machines, has recently launched an electric bike called the E-Tricks. Aimed at those restricted to 50cc by law, it gives a claimed 90 minutes riding time from a fully charged battery.
Germany
No real show surprises from BMW really with most new models having appeared at least once here in recent months.
The S1000RR Superbike took pride of place at the launch displayed in team colours, this being the same machine to be ridden by Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser in next year's WSB championship.
What was new was the information that it will provide the basis for a whole new range, including a naked version and a 600cc version in the near future. Rumour has it the naked 1000cc will be on sale in the UK as early as spring next year.
French manufacturer Scorpa probably best known for their trials machines, has recently launched an electric bike called the E-Tricks. Aimed at those restricted to 50cc by law, it gives a claimed 90 minutes riding time from a fully charged battery.
Germany
No real show surprises from BMW really with most new models having appeared at least once here in recent months.
The S1000RR Superbike took pride of place at the launch displayed in team colours, this being the same machine to be ridden by Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser in next year's WSB championship.
What was new was the information that it will provide the basis for a whole new range, including a naked version and a 600cc version in the near future. Rumour has it the naked 1000cc will be on sale in the UK as early as spring next year.
BMW's K-series will benefit from a boost in displacement, with its 1300cc four-cylinder mill now churning out a claimed 175bhp.
BMW also released its latest machine in the K-series with a whole host of innovative ideas. The engine has grown to 1300cc and the large four-cylinder now puts out 175 bhp. A quick-shifter is available for the gear-change as an optional extra, the first to be offered on a mainstream production machine.
The suspension is electronically controlled with the options of 'normal,' 'sports' or 'comfort' being available for the damping, while 'solo', 'solo plus luggage' and ' plus pillion and luggage' take care of the spring rate adjustment. 'ESA II' is the first to offer such a wide range of settings on a production motorcycle. Anti-Spin Control (ASC) and ABS are also standard, while an electronic dash is available as an optional extra.
Italy
Ducati launched a new GT 1000 Touring model based on the existing Sport Classic GT1000. The new model has a screen and luggage rack, and lots of additional chromed items. Ducati also announced that every purchaser of one of its bikes in Europe will get a free back protector! Expect the major new models to break cover next month at their home show in Milan with larger engines!
A
The suspension is electronically controlled with the options of 'normal,' 'sports' or 'comfort' being available for the damping, while 'solo', 'solo plus luggage' and ' plus pillion and luggage' take care of the spring rate adjustment. 'ESA II' is the first to offer such a wide range of settings on a production motorcycle. Anti-Spin Control (ASC) and ABS are also standard, while an electronic dash is available as an optional extra.
Italy
Ducati launched a new GT 1000 Touring model based on the existing Sport Classic GT1000. The new model has a screen and luggage rack, and lots of additional chromed items. Ducati also announced that every purchaser of one of its bikes in Europe will get a free back protector! Expect the major new models to break cover next month at their home show in Milan with larger engines!
A
Featuring a new black livery, the GT Touring 1000 includes a luggage rack, windscreen, and chrome fenders front and rear.
s well as a world championship, the Bologna company also got something else to celebrate on a global basis. In a recent survey of the Coolest Brands in the world, they have been voted into 14th place, the only motorcycle manufacturer to make the top twenty. (Harley just missed out at 21st place!) However, they still have a way to go to be the top motoring icon as Aston Martin stayed firmly in the number one slot. Piaggio now appears to be courting the car driver who may not want to take a bike test with the latest three-wheel MP3 LT.
The factory has increased the spacing between the front wheels so that it now classifies as a car and to this end they have added a right foot brake lever to allow them to familiarize themselves with it. Two engine sizes are available, a 250 and 400 both being four-stroke single-cylinder items.
Aprilia is obviously keen to push the appeal of Mana and its CVT transmission and have launched a touring version called the GT. This comes with a new half fairing with an adjustable windscreen, while the standard model now gets the option of ABS brakes.
The factory has increased the spacing between the front wheels so that it now classifies as a car and to this end they have added a right foot brake lever to allow them to familiarize themselves with it. Two engine sizes are available, a 250 and 400 both being four-stroke single-cylinder items.
Aprilia is obviously keen to push the appeal of Mana and its CVT transmission and have launched a touring version called the GT. This comes with a new half fairing with an adjustable windscreen, while the standard model now gets the option of ABS brakes.
Despite rumors that Moto Guzzi's factory at Mandello de Lario is closing, Piaggio owners say it ain't so.
Also new is the half faired version of the Shiver, dubbed the GT. The half fairing is the only change over the existing model, this like the Mana now having the option of ABS.
Despite rumours circulating on various websites about the closure of the Moto Guzzi factory at Mandello de Lario on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, Piaggio's owners have confirmed that no such plans exist and it will stay open. It has been the home of Guzzi since 1921 and is something of a shrine to owners!
Sometime ago we mentioned that Benelli was working on a 600cc in-line four with hub-centre steering. Latest information is that work has stopped until at least 2010 while they work on improving existing models to get a bigger share of the market.
Norway
Norway is not normally a country associated with motorcycle manufacture, but a company called Brudeli Tech has now launched a three-wheeler based on a KTM 690. The machine has two wheels at the f
Despite rumours circulating on various websites about the closure of the Moto Guzzi factory at Mandello de Lario on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, Piaggio's owners have confirmed that no such plans exist and it will stay open. It has been the home of Guzzi since 1921 and is something of a shrine to owners!
Sometime ago we mentioned that Benelli was working on a 600cc in-line four with hub-centre steering. Latest information is that work has stopped until at least 2010 while they work on improving existing models to get a bigger share of the market.
Norway
Norway is not normally a country associated with motorcycle manufacture, but a company called Brudeli Tech has now launched a three-wheeler based on a KTM 690. The machine has two wheels at the f
Norwegian-based Brudeli Tech has launched a cool new three-wheeler that allows rider and machine to lean into corners at a claimed 45-degree angle.
ront and will allow the rider to lean the machine to 45 degrees in order to get the same experience as riding a bike, but without the risk of falling off.
Seven years in the making, it has now passed the strict German TUV test and will shortly be on sale as a road legal vehicle for around $30,000.
United Kingdom
Recently we mentioned the Norton racing project in these pages and their move back towards mainstream racing. Well it now appears that Stuart Garner, a UK-based businessman and owner of Norton Racing Ltd., has bought back all the trademarks and development work relating to the Norton, Manx, Atlas, Commando and Dominator brands. So after nearly fifteen years of US ownership, Norton, one of the most famous British motorcycle brands, is back in UK ownership.
It would also appear that Norton Racing Ltd., who are pioneering the racing effort with a rotary engine, have plans to introduce a new road bike for 2009 now that the brand name is part of the same company.
In the early nineties the brands were bought by Norton Motorcycles Inc. in the USA with the view of developing a new Commando road bike for the US market. Nearly $10 million was spent on IP, design and development, and this development work has formed part of the new deal.
Seven years in the making, it has now passed the strict German TUV test and will shortly be on sale as a road legal vehicle for around $30,000.
United Kingdom
Recently we mentioned the Norton racing project in these pages and their move back towards mainstream racing. Well it now appears that Stuart Garner, a UK-based businessman and owner of Norton Racing Ltd., has bought back all the trademarks and development work relating to the Norton, Manx, Atlas, Commando and Dominator brands. So after nearly fifteen years of US ownership, Norton, one of the most famous British motorcycle brands, is back in UK ownership.
It would also appear that Norton Racing Ltd., who are pioneering the racing effort with a rotary engine, have plans to introduce a new road bike for 2009 now that the brand name is part of the same company.
In the early nineties the brands were bought by Norton Motorcycles Inc. in the USA with the view of developing a new Commando road bike for the US market. Nearly $10 million was spent on IP, design and development, and this development work has formed part of the new deal.
It appears that UK businessman Stuart Garner has bought back all the trademarks to the Norton name, returning the famed motorcycle marque to British rule after 15 years of US ownership. It's history includes winning the inaugural Isle of Man TT in 1907.
The new company already has a new 15,000 sq-foot factory and office complex based at the Donington Park race circuit in the Midlands where the new bikes will be built. In addition to the hardware the company will pursue a vigorous licensing program through Norton Global Brands to safeguard and develop licensing of all kinds, from spare parts to clothing.
Royal Enfield was of course part of the British motorcycle industry and were based in Redditch. As most people know they became part of the Norton Villiers group in the mid sixties and died a death with them in the seventies. However, 1956 they had set up a subsidiary in Madras, India which has continued to produce the 'Bullet' range of single-cylinder machines.
The machines have since reappeared in the late seventies, remaining faithful to the original styling and engine configuration with a separate engine and gearbox unit. The only real changes to the 50-year- old design have been the introduction of a disc brake at the front, an electric start and electronic ignition.
However, despite continued strong sales, Euro 3 emission regulations have forced the company to introduce a new powerplant to meet the new stringent controls. The new engine is now a unit construction and has hydraulic tappets, a new oil pump and lighter seven plate clutch, not to mention a catalytic converter.
It was actually designed at Cranfield University by Stuart McGuigan with additional work by Ricardo Engineering in the UK. All tooling and production has been done in India and the new bike will be available in early January next year.
Meanwhile, if you want to buy a slice of English motorcycle heritage, Hesketh Motorcycles are up for sale with an asking price of £250,000. The company, founded by English Lord Alexander Hesketh, who was also involved with F1 car racing, is on offer complete with a full order book and plenty of parts in stock.
Current owner Mick Broom ,who was part of the original project which started in 1979, has now reached retirement age and wants to slow down as all the bikes are still hand-built!
Royal Enfield was of course part of the British motorcycle industry and were based in Redditch. As most people know they became part of the Norton Villiers group in the mid sixties and died a death with them in the seventies. However, 1956 they had set up a subsidiary in Madras, India which has continued to produce the 'Bullet' range of single-cylinder machines.
The machines have since reappeared in the late seventies, remaining faithful to the original styling and engine configuration with a separate engine and gearbox unit. The only real changes to the 50-year- old design have been the introduction of a disc brake at the front, an electric start and electronic ignition.
However, despite continued strong sales, Euro 3 emission regulations have forced the company to introduce a new powerplant to meet the new stringent controls. The new engine is now a unit construction and has hydraulic tappets, a new oil pump and lighter seven plate clutch, not to mention a catalytic converter.
It was actually designed at Cranfield University by Stuart McGuigan with additional work by Ricardo Engineering in the UK. All tooling and production has been done in India and the new bike will be available in early January next year.
Meanwhile, if you want to buy a slice of English motorcycle heritage, Hesketh Motorcycles are up for sale with an asking price of £250,000. The company, founded by English Lord Alexander Hesketh, who was also involved with F1 car racing, is on offer complete with a full order book and plenty of parts in stock.
Current owner Mick Broom ,who was part of the original project which started in 1979, has now reached retirement age and wants to slow down as all the bikes are still hand-built!
The 2010 Triumph Thunderbird is powered by a 1599cc DOHC Parallel Twin with a claimed output of over 80 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque.
Triumph showed their new model range for 2009, but also showed the new for 2010 1600cc Thunderbird that bizarrely will be available next summer. A 1700cc big bore kit will also be available to go with for those who want more and there will be an extensive range of bolt on extras to challenge the Harley market in the USA.
In standard trim the bike puts out 100 lb-ft of torque, (more than a Harley) has a 21-litre tank, 702mm seat height, 47mm Showa forks with 310mm front discs gripped by four piston calipers.
Meanwhile rumours are seeping out about a new Trophy 1200 with shaft drive using a three-cylinder engine as opposed to the old four-cylinder powerplant which was used in the last version. We will keep you posted when anything else is known!
We have previously mentioned the UK government's system SHARP helmet test and the problems the well-meaning system is causing. Well, it continues to cause controversy as more of the results are made public. Although the industry is broadly in favour of an NCAP rating system, it claims the new test is unrealistic by testing in areas that are not normally damaged when a rider comes off.
The results have given cheap Chinese manufactured helmets five-star ratings, while helmets costing hundreds from firms who have been in the business for years are not getting anywhere near the same rating, despite all passing the legal 22-05 and BSI tests.
However, the big fear is now that insurance companies will reduce pay-outs if a five-star helmet is not warn, which could put many manufacturers out of business, force riders to buy new helmets just to get insured, or face having insurance declined!
It seems that UK police are now spending thousands of pounds on using Home Office experts in face recognition to identify riders going through forward facing speed cameras at excessive speed. Normally these experts would be used in serious criminal offences such as armed robbery where the suspects use masks, but now they are looking through helmet visors!
Rest of the World
Japan
In standard trim the bike puts out 100 lb-ft of torque, (more than a Harley) has a 21-litre tank, 702mm seat height, 47mm Showa forks with 310mm front discs gripped by four piston calipers.
Meanwhile rumours are seeping out about a new Trophy 1200 with shaft drive using a three-cylinder engine as opposed to the old four-cylinder powerplant which was used in the last version. We will keep you posted when anything else is known!
We have previously mentioned the UK government's system SHARP helmet test and the problems the well-meaning system is causing. Well, it continues to cause controversy as more of the results are made public. Although the industry is broadly in favour of an NCAP rating system, it claims the new test is unrealistic by testing in areas that are not normally damaged when a rider comes off.
The results have given cheap Chinese manufactured helmets five-star ratings, while helmets costing hundreds from firms who have been in the business for years are not getting anywhere near the same rating, despite all passing the legal 22-05 and BSI tests.
However, the big fear is now that insurance companies will reduce pay-outs if a five-star helmet is not warn, which could put many manufacturers out of business, force riders to buy new helmets just to get insured, or face having insurance declined!
It seems that UK police are now spending thousands of pounds on using Home Office experts in face recognition to identify riders going through forward facing speed cameras at excessive speed. Normally these experts would be used in serious criminal offences such as armed robbery where the suspects use masks, but now they are looking through helmet visors!
Rest of the World
Japan
MotoGP going to a single tire supplier has been grabbing all the headlines, but Dunlop quietly won its 200th consecutive MotoGP 250cc Grand Prix.
Fittingly it was at the famous Motegi circuit in Japan that tire manufacturer Dunlop won its 200th consecutive Moto GP 250cc Grand Prix. Marco Simoncelli was in the hot seat for the historic moment for the tire manufacturer whose run in the quarter litre class was started by Max Biaggi on his Dunlop-shod Aprilia. This too was at the Japanese 250cc Grand Prix in Suzuka in 1996 and since then every race during the past 12 years has been won on Dunlop tires.
Just for the record, Valentino Rossi took the 50th win at the 1999 British GP, Marco Melandri made it one-hundred at Brno in 2002, whilst Casey Stoner delivered the 150th in Malaysia in 2005. In all, thirty-three riders and five constructors have contributed to Dunlop's impressive record.
With the proposed one make tire rule providing plenty of media interest, it should be remembered that Dunlop has supplied the tires for the 250cc World Champion every year since 1993, and a 16th consecutive title is theirs this year. The significance of the 250cc class is underlined by the fact that 12 of the 18 current 2008 Moto GP riders are previous 250cc Dunlop winners.
Just for the record, Valentino Rossi took the 50th win at the 1999 British GP, Marco Melandri made it one-hundred at Brno in 2002, whilst Casey Stoner delivered the 150th in Malaysia in 2005. In all, thirty-three riders and five constructors have contributed to Dunlop's impressive record.
With the proposed one make tire rule providing plenty of media interest, it should be remembered that Dunlop has supplied the tires for the 250cc World Champion every year since 1993, and a 16th consecutive title is theirs this year. The significance of the 250cc class is underlined by the fact that 12 of the 18 current 2008 Moto GP riders are previous 250cc Dunlop winners.
Despite being robbed, hit by a car and left for dead, and encountering armed insurgents, Jeffrey Polnaja continues his Ride for Peace, attempting to circumnavigate the globe eight times via motorcycle.
Dunlop has also won 1,331 of the 2,561 Grand Prix held in all the solo capacity classes since the World Championship started in 1949 - more, therefore, than all the other tire companies combined. Yamaha has filed a patent for a Motocross bike which has the cylinder head facing the opposite way to normal. This will mean the exhaust will exit in a straight line instead of having to turn through 180 degrees, making exhaust design easier as well as straitening the airflow through the fuel injection system at the front.
Apart from improving engine power characteristics, it means the engine can be moved further forward in the frame which allows for improving the C of G and allows the swing arm pivot to come further forward. This allows for a longer swing-arm which aids traction, very important when talking about loose surface riding!
And finally!
Jeffrey Polnaja, an Indonesian motorcyclist, is still on the road in his quest to ride around the world eight times to promote world peace. That is despite being robbed, hit by a car and left for dead, not to mention a meeting with some armed insurgents. Just goes to prove motorcyclists are a tough bunch wherever they hail from!
Apart from improving engine power characteristics, it means the engine can be moved further forward in the frame which allows for improving the C of G and allows the swing arm pivot to come further forward. This allows for a longer swing-arm which aids traction, very important when talking about loose surface riding!
And finally!
Jeffrey Polnaja, an Indonesian motorcyclist, is still on the road in his quest to ride around the world eight times to promote world peace. That is despite being robbed, hit by a car and left for dead, not to mention a meeting with some armed insurgents. Just goes to prove motorcyclists are a tough bunch wherever they hail from!