If you want An overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the motorcycle industry, this year’s EICMA trade show is it. It’s clear that budgets have been shrinking over the last two years, and it’s all the more obvious as major OEMs have found more cost-effective ways to release motorcycles to the public than launching floor space at a show. trade show.
Notable players like BMW and Triumph have chosen to reveal their 2023 updates in the weeks leading up to EICMA, rather than waiting for the show. And many brands have been successful, having done so with slightly updated versions of current bikes.
Key revelations are few and far between, but we’ve managed to pick out some highlights (and low light) for your reading pleasure. If we missed anything, feel free to contact us in the comments.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor Royal Enfield’s modern 650 twins are praised for how easy they are to drive, how minimalist they are, and how customizable their classic design is. But despite the platform’s versatility, it comes in only two categories: intercept roadster and the cafe racer Continental GT. Until now, that is.
The new Royal Enfield Super Meteor cruiser adds a third style to the mix. It is powered by the same 648 cc engine as its siblings, but it closely resembles the smaller Royal Enfield Meteor, in terms of design (hence the name).
Low-slope styling thanks to a unique tubular steel frame designed by Harris Performance. The bodywork is tailored, with the sculpted fuel tank rolling down to the slotted saddle. It is supported by reverse travel forks with 19” wheels at the front and twin shocks with 16” wheels at the rear.
Sure, the Super Meteor is a bit small for most cruisers, but we think that’s part of its appeal. The real question, however, is whether Royal Enfield will eventually add a Scrambler 650 to their range, when every other box is ticked. We waited with biting breath.
MV Agusta 921 S Concept One of the hottest cars to debut at this year’s EICMA, is this neoclassical. cafe racer ideas from MV Agusta. Dubbed the 921 S Concept, it’s a beautiful design that borrows from MV Agusta’s legacy without trying to look like a vintage machine.
It was designed to pay tribute to one of the most iconic MV Agusta motorcycles ever, the 1973 750S. And even though the two machines are miles apart, there are still hints of the 750S are scattered throughout the 921 S — plus its paintwork is a deadly gift. The design looks light and extremely balanced, highlighting the car’s inline four-cylinder engine.
And that’s the real news here; The 921 S engine is a completely new, completely new design, which is not currently available in the MV Agusta lineup. The 921 cc, 115.5 hp engine is mounted on a steel trellis frame with aluminum shaft plates. There’s a lot of fun here—from the unique ‘spokes’ rear wheel to the floating rear bumper.
There’s no word on whether the 921 S will hit the market in its current form – and if so, when will it arrive and how much it will cost. But it looks unbelievable, so our fingers are crossed. [Source]
Bimota KB4 RC Bimota has brought to EICMA a few new machines (including an off-road motorcycle based on the Kawasaki KX450X). But the biggest one, is the Italian brand’s KB4 RC ‘café racer’.
Bimota first introduced the KB4 RC in 2021, as a naked concept of their full bib sports car. Now, they have finally finalized and revealed the final bike. And all we wanted to do was reassemble the bibs.
The roofed KB4 is actually quite an attractive motorcycle, packed with premium materials and parts and powered by a 140hp Kawasaki engine. But remove its shield, and its distinctive, lithe design turns into an awkward mess. No matter how you look at the naked KB4 RC, there’s just too much going on—and that doesn’t match the ‘less is more’ aesthetic that most cafe racers aim for. .
No doubt the exclusivity and weird nature of KB4 RC will appeal to some… but we don’t see that.
Honda XL750 Everyone knows that Honda is about to launch an updated version of their popular Transalp adventure bike. But Honda fans are still very excited when Big Red is officially at EICMA. After all, the Transalp has always been renowned for its versatility and reliability – but it hasn’t been on Honda’s list for a decade.
The new Honda XL750 Transalp 2023 takes all that was good about its predecessors and elevates it to the next level. It is powered by the same 755 cc parallel twin that you’ll find in the new Honda CB750 Hornet, with a power output of 67.5 kW. [90,5 hp] at 9,500 rpm and 75 Nm at 7,250 rpm. The 270-degree firing range adds character, while Honda’s ‘Unicam’ head design helps keep the engine firmly in place.
It has a ride-by-wire throttle with multiple driving modes, a 5” TFT display and LED lights. The frame is a steel diamond material, with preload adjustable Showa suspension running at both ends and a curb weight of 459 lbs. And if you like your adventure bikes to have big wheels, then Transalp will give you the 21F/18R combo.
The new Transalp slots fill the gap between the smaller CB500X and the larger CRF1100L Africa Twin. Its mid-road styling reflects this; it’s not quite as visually appealing as the Africa Twin, but it does look a lot better than the CB500X. Some might call it bland, but we think it looks uncomplicated and functional—and that vibe has always been Transalp’s forte.
Honda CL500 Honda brought more than one bike to EICMA. Shifting focus from adventure bikes to modern classics for a minute, they’ve launched the new Honda CL500 disturbance person.
The new CL500 is not quite a copy of the Honda CLs of the 60s and 70s, but more of an homage. It borrows the 471 cc twin-cylinder engine from the Rebel 500, with changes to the fuel injection system as well as the intake and exhaust setup. So it generates enough 34.3 kW [46 hp] and 43.4 Nm.
The Rebel influence is also reflected in the lines on the CL500’s frame and fuel tank—and we’re not sure how we feel about that. The upward straight line in front of the gas tank doesn’t help the bike, but we don’t entirely hate it either. The heat shield drilled on the high exhaust is a definite highlight for the classic CL line.
The aggressive look of the CL500 is supported by a 19F/17R wheel combination, wrapped in blocky dual sport tyres. That aside, it’s a handsome little motorcycle that’s fun enough to ride and if the price is right, it can perform very well.
Ducati Scrambler Ducati previewed their updates Scrambler scope at EICMA, marking the first time they’ve done anything significant to the platform since it was first announced eight years ago. The new bikes don’t look completely different from before, but there are some distinct differences.
The next-generation Scrambler is still powered by Ducati’s twin-cylinder Desmodue engine and is still built around a trellis frame. But that frame has been redesigned to reduce weight, the subframe is now a separate unit, and the rear shock is now closer to the center of the car. The engine has also been downshifted and has a brand new clutch.
Visual changes include a new fuel tank with replaceable side caps and new wheels. The headlights are now fully LED, with daytime running lights. And the speed of being replaced by a TFT unit looks rather awkward.
Scrambler is available in three versions: Icon [top]Full throttle [above] and Night Teleport [below right], each section has its own final section. There is no mention of the Desert Sled being completely extreme, leading us to believe it has fallen out of range – which makes us sad.
But perhaps the biggest change to the Scrambler line is in the text itself. Ducati eventually stopped calling it ‘Scrambler Ducati’, and eventually got the world press to call it simply ‘Ducati Scrambler.’ That alone is reason to celebrate.
