11-18-2015, 12:47 PM
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).
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).