A look back at 2016 EICMA’s finest

Honda CBR1000RR

The high-spec SP and SP2 versions of Honda’s new CBR1000RR were launched in October but the entry-level model released in Milan might actually be the sleeper of the range — if Honda prices it right.

With the same 141kW power level and 196kg wet weight as the higher-spec machines, the same reworked frame and plenty of exotic titanium and magnesium parts, it’s not exactly poverty-spec. It also gets the same electronics, with five-axis IMU, new Bosch ABS instead of the old Honda-developed system, traction control, wheelie control and engine braking control.

So where are the changes? Well, you lose the titanium fuel tank of the SP version, and instead of the look-at-me Öhlins and Brembo combo of the SP there’s suspension from Showa and brakes from Tokico. It’s still high-end stuff and you won’t find many complaints about the BPF forks and BFR shock.

Price will be key to which version of the new Blade is the best buy, but don’t rule out the entry-level one from taking the honours.

BMW R nineT Urban GS

This is the retro bike that BMW should have produced originally. With the R1200 GS dominating international sales charts year after year and prices of original R80 G/S models going through the roof, a tribute to the daddy of all big adventure bikes should have been a no-brainer.

Technically, the R nineT Urban GS is much the same as the existing R nineT Scrambler, but its styling takes its cues from the Lac Rose concept bike and the original R80 G/S.

Strangely, five-spoke alloy wheels are standard equipment, but there’s an option of much more convincing wires fitted with knobbies. As on the other bikes in the range, power is 82kW from the air-cooled 1170cc boxer.

Kawasaki Versys-X 300

Yet another 2017 bike ploughing the entry-level adventure furrow is Kawasaki’s Ninja 300-derived Versys-X 300.

Using the Ninja 300 engine, but detuned (who thought we’d ever say that?!) and given Euro4 emissions compliance, the Versys-X may become Kawasaki’s only contender in the 300cc class in Europe next year, since the Ninja isn’t expected to get the needed emission updates.

Even detuned the engine should easily out-punch the 18kW Suzuki DL250 V-Strom or Honda’s similarly-powerful CRF250 Rally, although Kawasaki hasn’t revealed power numbers yet.

With a heavy bias towards on-road use, it’s more adventure-style tourer or commuter than a true adventure bike, but that should suit many buyers. A steel frame and low-spec suspension should also help it reach a low price, too.

Yamaha T7 Concept

Yamaha softened the blow that the much-anticipated Tenere 700 isn’t yet ready to go on sale by unleashing the T7 concept at EICMA. Apart from the name and a few styling details, the T7 is identical to the Tenere 700 production bike that’s now planned to be on sale in 2018.

That means an MT-07 parallel twin in a bespoke steel chassis and some serious off-road chops. Think of the T7 – and by consequence the Tenere 700 that will follow – as a cut-price alternative to Honda’s Africa Twin rather than a rival to milder adventure bikes like the BMW F800GS. It has styling inspired by Dakar machines and isn’t expected to be toned down much for production. Even the strange, four-light LED headlight arrangement is expected to carry over to the final model.

Moto Guzzi V7III

Guzzi’s V7 offers a left-field alternative to a Bonneville or a Ducati Scrambler in the retro-chic market and for 2017 morphs into its third generation.

The main changes are a new engine, derived from the V9’s Euro4-compliant V-twin and upping power by 10 percent but, at 39kW, it still isn’t a powerhouse. The chassis is also updated, with a redesigned structure and new geometry for sharper handling.

Visually, the bikes aren’t that different from their V7II predecessors, and the range retains the three variants – Stone, Special and Racer. A limited-run Anniversario that combines the Racer’s chrome tank with the Special’s styling is also on offer in 2017, with numbers limited to 750

KTM 790 Duke

KTM’s 790 Duke might officially be just a concept bike at the moment but it’s clearly a preview of the all-new parallel twin model that the firm will introduce in 2018.

The bike currently features rather extreme styling from KTM’s favoured Kiska studio, but the engine, chassis and swingarm are all basically production-spec parts that will appear on future showroom models. The neat under-seat exhaust is set to be lost and the skimpy bodywork will become bulkier on the production model, expected to be revealed in 12 months’ time.

KTM has also revealed updates to its Duke range for 2017. The crazy 1290 Super Duke R has its power hiked to 132kW, with reworked cylinder heads, a higher compression and new combustion chamber shapes. It also gains improved electronics, with the optional track pack including a both-ways quick shifter and cornering ABS. Keyless ignition and a new dash are standard, along with reworked looks dominated by KTM’s new vertically-split headlight design.

Further down the range the 390 and 125 Dukes also get the new headlight set-up, new forks and bigger fuel tanks, with the 390 gaining a TFT display and updated frame.

BMW R1200GS

While updates to the BMW R 1200 GS in 2017 are fairly minor they do tweak both its styling and equipment levels. The engine is cleaner, meeting Euro4 emissions limits, while power stays at 93.2kW, and there are minor alterations to the bodywork.

More notable is the optional Riding Modes Pro pack that adds more modes along with Dynamic Traction Control, Hill Start Control and cornering ABS. Another option box is for a new generation of Dynamic ESA semi-active suspension, which now includes self-levelling to counteract luggage loads.

A new model level, the R 1200 GS Rallye, includes stiffer, sportier suspension with longer travel to increase its off-road ability.

Other new BMWs include a face-lifted K1600GTL, mimicking the tweaks made to the 2017 K1600GT, and mildly revised F 800 R and GT offerings which gain ride-by-wire and new instruments.

Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro

Aprilia’s Shiver and Dorsoduro twins sit in the shadow of the firm’s more illustrious Tuono and RSVR models, but for 2017 they get serious mechanical changes.

The old 750cc V90 V-twin is revamped and upped to 896cc to meet Euro4 rules without losing power, which stays at 71kW. There’s a 10 percent boost in torque, though, thanks to the longer-stroke engine.

Ride-by-wire and traction control becomes standard, along with a TFT display, new forks and lighter wheels. There are styling tweaks, but they’re hard to spot – the Shiver’s new side panels and reshaped seat unit are the clearest changes.

Honda CB1100TR

The Honda CB1100TR  concept shows how the mundane CB1100 could easily be turned into something much more appealing. A smattering of flat track styling, an angular tank and seat unit and up-spec’d suspension and brakes result in a bike that looks far more eye-catching than the CB it’s based on. Styled by Honda’s European R&D department in Italy, the 58 on the side panels is a nod to Marco Simoncelli. Production? Don’t get your hopes up.

Honda Africa Twin Enduro Sports

The second concept this year from Honda’s Italian R&D arm is the Africa Twin-based Enduro Sports — arguably the machine many expected the Africa Twin to be. A lighter, more aggressive take on the Africa Twin theme, it’s intended to suggest ideas that owners could copy on their own ATs rather than as a preview of a future production model. Looks great, though!

Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen

We’ve long been waiting for Husky to put its Vitpilen 401 café racer into production and by the end of 2017 it will finally be in showrooms. And as a bonus, the Svartpilen 401 scrambler, which also debuted as a concept in 2014, will also be on offer.

Both bikes look near-identical to the 2014 concept versions, right down to the colour schemes and the ring of LEDs around the headlight. Technically, they’re pure KTM 390 Duke, with the same single-cylinder engine and frame as the Austrian bike, although they have distinctly different riding positions and styling.

Further Vitpilen models are also planned, again mimicking the KTM Duke range. Eventually they will range from 125cc to 1301cc, with a 701 derived from the 690 Duke as a mid-range version. However, Husqvarna has also opened up the possibility of a faired version, showing the Vitpilen 401 Aero as a concept bike and hinting that it might well be destined for production in future.

BMW G310 GS

No surprises here. BMW was always certain to make an adventure-style GS version of its G310 single-cylinder and this is a styling job above all else. The frame, engine, suspension, brakes and wheels are all identical to the existing G310 R, which means it gets 25kW from the reverse-cylinder single and a light 169.5kg weight in ready-to-ride form. The GS styling includes the inevitable beak and several nods to the market-dominating R1200 GS elsewhere. For new riders who aspire joining the GS crowd, it’s got to be the default choice.

Honda CRF250 Rally

Another bike that we’ve been waiting a long time for, the CRF250 Rally might be merely a kitted-up CRF250L with Paris-Dakar styling but it might well be the most convincing of the new breed of small adventure bikes.

The new styling includes a 10-litre fuel tank and 15mm more ground clearance than the stocker,  a longer Showa fork and 25mm more rear suspension travel means this is a bike with real off-road potential. Its 18kW power output puts it on a par with the new Suzuki DL250 V-Strom despite only being a single.

Honda X-ADV

It’s been a year since the weird NC750-based adventure-tourer-scooter was shown in concept form but now the final version has been shown along with its specs. The engine is the 745cc twin, with 40kW on offer, but surprisingly the X-ADV has a bespoke chassis rather than sharing the NC750 frame. DCT is standard to give twist-and-go ease of riding and, despite its friendly scooter-ish looks the bike weighs an intimidating 238kg.

Cunning tech includes a proximity key, the five-position adjustable screen is also a nice touch, but price will make or break its prospects. Worry worry us, Honda Australia says it’s not coming our way.

Yamaha XSR900 Abarth

Yamaha might not have had much to show at EICMA but the firm’s limited edition XSR900 Abarth turned some heads.

The tuning fork brand did have a new three-tiered TMAX range on show, along with tweaks to other scooter models, but the XSR900 Abarth was its star turn. Clearly based on the MT-09-derived XSR900, the Abarth version marks a tie-in with the Italian tuning firm, a subsidiary of Fiat. It features a skimpy carbon-fibre nose fairing, carbon seat cowl and new graphics plus a titanium Akrapovic exhaust and suede seat unit.

Worldwide only 695 will be sold, though, so it’s set to be a rare beast. But we wouldn’t be surprised if a similar fairing and seat turned up on a future mass-market café-racer based on the XSR900.

Honda CB650F and CBR650F

With the CBR600RR being killed in 2017, the 650cc machines are Honda’s flagship middleweight four-cylinders and get a 3kW power hike to 66.4kW. Shortened gear ratios will make the performance increase seem greater and new Showa Dual Bending Valve forks promise improved handling to match. Currently only available in LAMS-approved models in Oz, we’ll see if Honda changes its, er, tune.