The EICMA 2013 concludes today and our correspondent and friend Akis Temperidis was at Milan to bring us a roundup of the event that could be rightly termed as the Milano motorcycle fashion week.
TEXT & IMAGES: Akis Temperidis
This year’s Milan Motorshow was impressive for more reasons. Economic contraction for the motorcycle industry in Europe and record low sales numbers haven’t discouraged the manufacturers, instead they injected creativity, flexibility and a bit of out of the box thinking in their R&D departments. This was a motorshow of extremes and contrasts.
Downsizing was the norm for many manufacturers. Yamaha presented a simple everyday – 2 cylinder bike, the MT07 and the Concept Tricity, its first three wheel scooter that will be available in 2014. Kawasaki relied on Kymco to present its own first mega scooter, the J300. KTM launched the RC range of small supersport bikes departing at 125 cc. Harley Davidson presented a custom model for younger masses, the Street 750 and 500.
Piaggio relaunched its small Vespa Primavera. Honda reintroduced the small CBR with 300 cc and a smaller CTX, the 700, that adds to the well accepted range of medium bikes, the likes of NC and Integra. Even MV Agusta compromised its philosophy with the Turismo Veloce, its first all around bike.
On the other hand, there were premieres of extreme bikes like no other. Ducati played it high profile launching its bigger ever Monster, the 1200S and its more advance bike, the hi-tech-low-weight (155 kg!!!) 1199 Superleggera. Honda didn’t present the well awaited road version of its MotoGP RCV bike but launched the SP version of the Fireblade with full Ohlins suspension.
A historic and pretty forgotten name from GB, Brough Superior, relaunched itself and a new bike for a handful of enthusiasts, the SS100. All manufacturers show a special interest to customizing, from Yamaha to Triumph to BMW. Funny thing is that Germans gave us this year the most genuine, the most essential and possibly the most beautiful naked bike, the R NineT, celebrating its 90 years.
So here we go in a mini-tour of the EICMA 2013.
Bimota BB3
Bimota BB3 was launched as a real star and was accepted enthusiastically by the press. The Italian Superbike uses the 4cylinder BMW engine from S1000RR with 193 hp. The size of the bike is like a Moto2 racing machine!
Next page for MV Agusta F3 Ago, Yamaha Yard Built SR400 and XVS 1300A
KTM RC series bikes are great…
Hahahaha, we do understand what you mean 😉
Excellent pictures. I think I needed four sets of eyes to watch it in full detail if you know what I mean.. But all in excellent, good to see BS and Honda SP, and Carerham. Thumbs up!