Milan 2007 - Molto Classy Milano
Added on Saturday, October 20th, 2007 by Carole Nash Editor
The New Ducati 1098R
This was the first time the Eicma show was staged at the all new Fiera complex and very impressive it was too. Good public transport connections, plenty of luggage deposit areas, decent food with a variety of outlets and a refreshing lack of the jobsworth attitude amongst the staff, which makes visiting some international motorcycle shows a complete pain frankly.
Curiously, the main manufacturers are kind of spread out through various halls at Milan, which makes it a big trek to see everything, especially if you try and cram it all in on one day.
To be honest, I missed a fair bit out, but still saw most of the bikes I really wanted to see included the new 1098R, 848, Bimota DB7, Triumph Rocket III Touring, BMW F800 GS, Benelli 2ue and the KTM RC8. On the way around I bumped into all kinds of other stuff too, like the Vectrix electric Superbike, a Kreidler stand (yep, they’re still going) loads of Chinese bikes and some flower power helmets ‘n’ clothing. Groovy eh?
The Milan show also has custom bike stands, a large bicycle expo area, tons of accessory, parts and clothing companies, plus a large area outside called Bike Live, where you could test ride all sorts of bikes, scooters and watch an off-road demo show too. You can’t buy loads of cheap stuff at the show, it’s mainly an exhibition, a showcase for the whole two wheel industry and I think that’s a good thing.
For me, the bike of the show was the Bimota DB7. This motorcycle is just engineering porn basically. Your eye catches the details on the bike; the milled alloy parts at the end of the swingarm, the offset rear shock, the carbon fibre panels, the sheer hand-crafted uniqueness of the whole thing. Now that Bimota have a bike with the 1098 engine, rather than the old Multistrada 1000 V-twin, they can truly offer a Superbike alternative. Good on ‘em I say.
Ducati of course had the new 1098R, the 848 and the Monster 696, which looks like it’s had a serious makeover. The Monster has elements of the Hypermotard in there, and that’s not a bad idea by any means. Beefy brakes, modern styling and really compact – novice friendly – in the metal too. The 696 looks like another sales floor winner.
The Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 looks like another fun bike to me. Again, it’s surprising how tiny the bike is up close. Everything is tucked in tight on it, real functional. The Guzzi Stelvio 1200 impressed me as well, top quality components, big ‘n’ burly adventure tourer. The Morini Granpasso is in the same ballpark, but that name…never put the word Granpa in your tank badge.
Cagiva had a revised Mito 125, now called an SP525 for some bizarre reason, but undeniably gorgeous. Still using a two stroke engine, and a 28mm carb – retro or what? The Mito is arguably the ultimate teenage dream 125, although the TZR 125 in Rossi Fiat/Yamaha MotoGP colours runs it a close second I think.
MV Agusta had a seadoo/jetski on their stand, plus a Senna F1 car. Hmmm, maybe if they paid more attention to making bikes they might be more successful?
The latest variations on the Brutale and F4 bikes were as beautiful as ever, but it would have been great to have seen something really stunning – why aren’t MV Agusta making a retro styled, America 750S? I think a stripped down, no compromises, café racer, in fire engine red, or maybe an F6, with an across-the-frame six cylinder engine would be just the thing MV Agusta fans would love to buy in 2008.
Over at Benelli they had the new Enduro/MX bikes as seen in Paris, plus the new 2ue, a 750cc twin Roadster, which looks set to go up against the Aprilia Shiver 750, the Kawasaki Z750 maybe and, if the price is right, might make a good entry level bike for Benelli, as the Monster 696 does for Ducati. The 2ue isn’t in the official 2008 Benelli brochure, but it is expected to make its debut by the summer. There were lots of Chinese staff on the Benelli stand at Milan and they all looked extremely businesslike – I think the Chinese will make a success of this famous Italian brand, and soon.
It’s not all Italiano baby
Over at Honda, the world’s number one bike factory, there was a real buzz as the new DN-01 was carefully man-handled onto its rotating platform. Why, I don’t know, because if there’s one thing biking doesn’t need it’s more big touring scooters, which what the DN-01 is, regardless of the hi-tech features.
Honda tried this approach to two-wheeled touring/commuting back in the 80’s with the PC800 Pacific Coast, which failed miserably. The DN-01 will do the same thing – anyone who thinks people ride bikes for practical reasons, like you drive a car for transport, is missing the point entirely. Bikes are fun, or should be.
I like the Honda Streetfighter 1000 however, especially its fly-like headlight/beak on the front end. The CBR1000RR engine is ideal for a roadster – let’s hope Honda don’t make it too civilised which was the 900 Hornet’s great undoing.
Talking of crazy front ends, take a gander at this Wunderlich assembly for a BMW K series bike. Is it me, or does it make the bike look like it’s an insurance write-off?
Did you know Kreidler are still going? No, me neither, but they had a range of 125/250 class machines there including a half decent Supermoto model. The motor looks a basic four stroke, with just 11.5 bhp from the 125 and 20bhp from the 250, but the chassis looked well made with USD forks, a small 10 litre gas tank and wavy front disc brake.
Over at Triumph I can’t say I was that thrilled with the matt black Bonneville Scrambler, it just makes the bike look a bit unfinished, a dirty old rat bike, as opposed to a very cool 60’s retro runabout town sort of bike, which is what the original Street Scrambler was all about really. The custom flat-tracker was more like it, bit flash maybe, but a beauty nevertheless.
The Rocket III Touring is going to do well in America for sure. Its big motor, low chassis and vast luggage and accessory options will make it a contender, although the new Victory Vision aces the rest for sheer in-your-face styling.
Not sure how keen some people in Europe will be to tour on a bike which slurps fuel like Oliver Reed used to infuse alcohol, but otherwise a class tourer/cruiser with undeniable presence.
One of my favourite bikes at Milan was the RC8 Superbike from KTM. It’s been a long time in development, but maybe that’s a good thing – some small manufacturers can rush big projects like these. It’s got an 1190cc V-twin engine, making a claimed 155bhp in a 200kg (fully fuelled up) chassis. That’s surprisingly heavy for you? Well, maybe some other companies blatantly lie about the lightness of their sportbikes…
What I really like about the KTM RC8 is that it looks so damn different and it will almost certainly feel that bit special, a bit raw perhaps, compared to a Honda SP2, or even a Ducati 1098. The 990 Super Duke is a real laugh, scary at times, to ride fast and I think biking has a place for motorcycles that challenge the best riders and don’t flatter those who simply don’t know how to go round corners rapidly. The RC8 should be on sale in March 2008.
Bring it on…and the summer too.
Pro’s:
New venue, latest 2008 bikes, sheer size of the event, warm weather
Con’s:
Can’t think of any
