The CB1100 Community Forum

Holy Moly! Are there ever a ton of interesting bikes that have debut during or just ahead of this year's big show in Milan! I'll touch on some other things, but the "Scrambler" genre seems to be the hot thing this year. Obviously, Ducati has theirs out already, but now others seem to be jumping in or signaling an interest by showing concept bikes.

Ducati is going to offer a smaller displacement version utilizing sleeved cylinders to bring capacity down to around 400 cc and making just 40 hp / 25 lb ft torque. While I understand the need to a smaller displacement, lower power bike to meet the requirements of tiered and restricted licenses and entry-level riders in general, their strategy seems a bit lacking. First, this new model is only $700 less than a standard model Scrambler Icon. Aside from what seems like a rather small price difference and a disappointing engine configuration (where's the lightweight single?), you are getting lower spec suspension, brakes, and gas tank. I'll talk about the new entry-level Indian Scout in a minute, but they have a much more sensible strategy. The biggest transgression is the engine. If you are going to take the cheap way out by slaving the cylinders to reduce displacement, the savings of not developing a new engine should be put towards a significantly lower price, especially with the other lower spec items. A lot of people were speculating there'd be a single cylinder engine in a new entry-level Ducati.


Another new Scrambler will be coming from Moto Guzzi as the V7 Stornello. The basic V7 seems to lend itself well to the Scrambler treatment and this is a handsome bike with the high exhaust, tiny fly screen, and gaitered forks.


It's also no surprise that the Bavarian want in on the Scrambler Bandwagen (see what I did there?). I'd like to think there were some eyes on Ack's TKC80'd R nineT and they knew it was too awesome not to put into production. Like the Ducati, there is some decontenting with the omission of USD forks and aluminum tank. Pricing has not been announced, but the Scrambler is expected to undercut the original NineT. I've seen photos of this bike with cast wheels and street rubber as well as wire wheels with more dirt oriented tread and the latter looks cooler to my eye. Way to go, Ack. I hope BMW is sending you a fat check as a design consultant.



Honda also unveiled their CB Six50 concept. This is based on their CB350 naked and CCBR650 sport bike we get here in the States. The digital camera graphics are a little much, but I dig the overall form. Given that the CBR650 retails in the $9k range, I'd expect a similar price were Honda to produce something like this. Instead, I think they would capture more sales by aiming slightly down market with something based on their CB500 platform. Heck, even a little CB300 Scrambler would be trick.


Not quite in the Scrambler realm, but nearby in the modern-retro category is Yamaha's XSR900 based on the FZ/MT-09. That triple is a sweet engine and this might tempt me to let go of my CB. A couple months back, Yamaha revealed the XSR700 based on the FZ/MT-07 twin platform. Yamaha North America has not yet confirmed this model for the US, but will be bringing in the 900.


Honda also seems to be considering something in the modern-retro category by showing g their CB4 concept. You might be thinking it's a 400 cc engine with that moniker and those waterfall headers harken in to the past, but it's a 650 based on the CB/CBR.



I said I would circle back to the new Scout and it certainly deserves some attention. Looks just like the old one, huh? This is the new Scout 60, as in 60 cubic inches. Same engine, but less bore for 9 fewer cubes and a claimed 75 (or 78) hp. Also, one less cog in the transmission, so a 5 speed. That's probably better for newer riders who might be scared off by th 100 hp rating of the original Scout, but the big news is the price. $8999 to start for a black paint Scout 60 and the same $300 up charge for optional colors as is on the regular model. That's $2000 less. Ducati, this is how you do entry-level! (Sorry, no pic, but y'all already know what the Scout looks like.)

There are plenty of other interesting bikes that have debuted at EICMA 2015, but these are what caught my eye. Since I didn't make this thread about one particular bike, feel free to post what you might have seen and liked (or hated).

Thanks for posting!

Those Hondas are... Oh, never mind.

It's funny, but for me the most interesting news has been something not quite so "new" — the return of Suzuki's SV650. I gave up on waiting around for Honda to release an updated version of the Hawk GT a long time ago. So its kind of fun to see Suzuki pull off what I had long hoped Honda would do by bringing back the SV.

The Stornello is a beauty. It really would be a shame to go through life never having owned a Guzzi...

All of these new bikes, whether one likes a given one or not, point towards good things for the motorbike industry. More choice, interesting designs, and progress. Retro is fine, but at some point, you gotta go forward. Not straight, but forward!

As for the 400cc Scrambler, me thinks it's aimed at the new rider, and in developing markets where sub- 400cc bikes are the norm. It doesn't make sense in the US...I thought they were going to intro a light, 400cc single, but it's just a small- bore iteration of the L- twin, at virtually no price savings.


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The different scramblers really appeal to me, the Guzzi especially. Would love to own one or more of these new models but would never sell my CB. Looks to be a good time to be a motorcyclist.

(11-18-2015, 05:59 PM)Guth_imp Wrote: [ -> ]It's funny, but for me the most interesting news has been something not quite so "new" — the return of Suzuki's SV650. I gave up on waiting around for Honda to release an updated version of the Hawk GT a long time ago. So its kind of fun to see Suzuki pull off what I had long hoped Honda would do by bringing back the SV.

I saw that and almost included it on my post. I was focusing more on the Scrambler trend and what was new or exciting. I see the reintroduced SV as Suzuki seeing the error of their ways. Not saying the Gladius/SFV650 wad bad, but it's hard to justify paying new bike money when a used SV was such a great buy.

I am impressed with the claimed 74 hp they are getting out of the new SV. I will be curious to see if this is yet another revision of that basic engine architecture or if they carried over the Gladius engine and simply revised software and maybe cam timing. A lot of people with the Gen 2 V-strom 650 have been playing around with swapping cams out of the Gen 2 SV engine to gain a little power. It's pretty cheap and easy to do if you already have the valve covers off for a valve adjustment.

(11-18-2015, 10:31 PM)redbirds_imp Wrote: [ -> ]The different scramblers really appeal to me, the Guzzi especially. Would love to own one or more of these new models but would never sell my CB. Looks to be a good time to be a motorcyclist.

The Guzzi is the most pure of the new Scrambler crop. I could have one in my garage.

The Ducati 400 Scrambler is clearly not designed for the US market, nor the European market. The small difference in price for the US market is very much the result of the bike prices already being so low there. For the rest of the world, and particularly in developing markets of Asia, there will be a much bigger price incentive for the 400, other than the obvious license advantages.

The UD, thanks for posting this. Great read!!! I'm actually in the market for a Scrambler version of the MG V7 and looking to trade a V7Racer in on it. One issue with MG is that they don't release their bikes until late in the year in the states. As a result I'm toying with the idea of picking up a left over Stone (tubeless rims on them) and installing the Arrow exhaust. That would save me some cash and allow me to start riding early in the spring in southern Utah. Besides, fundamentally the running gear is the same except for the 16's 6 speed.

This is my favorite of the new crop of Scramblers, at least looks wise. Benelli Leoncino 500. The main caveat being that I'd be a little leery of an Italian designed bike made in China, but, still, is a very cool little machine. Check out the little lion on the front fender! The original Leoncino had this feature. There are several recent stories out that Benelli is returning to the U.S. by the end of 2015 or early 2016.
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