The Best Of EICMA 2018

"slipperysallylikespenguins" (slipperysally) 11/07/2018 at 15:47 • Filed to: None

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The last few days have been the press days for EICMA in Milan. This is one of the biggest moto shows of the year where all the big reveals happen. Here is what stuck out to me.

The concepts:

Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 Aero Concept:

Just a fancy faired version of the standard Vitpilen 701. I love the idea of a hardcore single cylinder sportbike. Husky comes out with these types of showbikes every year and typically release a production version the following year. It will inspire customs at the very least. 50/50 chance of production.

Aprillia RS660 Concept:

Aprillia basically just cut the RSV4's engine in half to give it a parallel twin. While I don’t usually relate parallel twins to hardcore performance, Aprillia would be the one to pull it off. Mostly this is just a good indication of companies moving into and investing in the midsize markets(the best market!) Almost certainly will see production.

Royal Enfield Concept KX:

Royal Enfield has really been shaking up their image the last few years with major product updates and the introduction of the Himalayan. Now they come out with this 838cc cruiser and it is fabulous. High chance of production but would definitely be toned down.

Kymco SuperNEX:

While I’m not a big fan, this is a massive step up from Kymco who normally make low displacement bikes and scooters. 155 MPH top speed and 0-60 in 3.0 seconds. Will almost certainly see production.

MV Agusta Superveloce 800 Concept:

A new favorite(h/t to Peter Black) of the show. Based on the current F3. I absolutely love a good triple and this looks fantastic. MV never fails to impress. Not sure about the split exhaust though.

The production models:

Panigale V4 R:

Ducati’s new big boy! Actually gets a big displacement drop (1203cc down to 998cc) to comply with new SBK regulations, but gets a power bump to 234 HP with the optional Akrapovi exhaust.

Ducati Hypermotard 950/SP:

More my style with a few upgrades over the previous 939. Hopefully they will be introducing a Hyperstrada version as well.

MV Agusta Brutale Serie Oro:

A 208 HP, 186 MPH naked limited to 300 units. Bonkers!

Harley-Davidson FDXR 114:

As much as I hate Harley, this thing looks fantastic and should move pretty good with its 114 CI engine. Costs $26,499 before options though!

Yamaha Ténéré 700:

By far the bike I’m most excited about, a proper midsize adv bike. Powered by a 689cc parallel twin and looking almost exactly like the concept that spawned it. However, it won’t arrive until 2020. What the fuck is wrong with you Yamaha? You’ve been dangling this bike in front of us for years and now KTM has beat you to the punch.

Yamaha Niken GT:

A touring version of Yamaha’s radical tilting trike. I’m not that interested in it but would like to try it out.

KTM 790 Adventure/R:

People have been wanting a real middlewight adventure bike and KTM is the first to actually deliver. Uses the parallel twin from the standard duke.

Husqvarna Svartpilen 701:

The production Svartpilen 701 using the same frame and engine from the rest of the 701 lineup. Should be a lot of fun.

Kawasaki W800 Cafe:

Kawasaki’s re-released retro standard finally in the US. Uses a 773cc air cooled parallel twin.

Honda Monkey:

Just a retro Grom, but awesome.

Honda CRF450L:

The return of the street legal Honda 450 dirtbike.

Honda Super Cub C125:

Returning to the US after 40 years absent and with over 100 million sold worldwide. Hopefully they sell a ton.

Honda CB650R:

Look at that exhaust!

Benelli 752S

Powered by a 754cc parallel twin, most likely won’t ever come to the US.

BMW S1000RR:

It’s a little bit lighter, little more powerful, and a little more symmetrical. While the new front looks very good and much like some sort of pissed off animal, I prefer the older asymmetrical look.

Arc Vector:

Rare (399 units first year), Expensive ($117,000), and all electric. C ompletely irrelevant to your average rider. Also only a top speed of 124 MPH, so meh. They’ll sell every one.

So to sum it up, middlewights for everyone!!!

Nom De Plume > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 15:59

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Wow.  Excellent job.  Too bad you believe in Yamaha still.  Maybe some day again.  Not now.

bob and john > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 16:00

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you missing the best one thouse. the MV F3 super veloce

thejustache > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 16:01

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Wow, I’ve never even heard of EICMA before this but pretty much every one of those bikes looks awesome. And I agree, we need more killer middleweight bikes

slipperysallylikespenguins > bob and john 11/07/2018 at 16:04

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I don’t know how I missed that release, will attempt to add.

jimz > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 16:09

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As much as I hate Harley, this thing looks fantastic and should move pretty good with its 114 CI engine. Costs $26,499 before options th ough!

the riding position is butt, like the V-Rod.  Legs and arms both fully stretched forward. 

slipperysallylikespenguins > jimz 11/07/2018 at 16:13

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back breaker !

slipperysallylikespenguins > Nom De Plume 11/07/2018 at 16:14

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Yamaha is still my favorite of the Japanese brands. My next bike will very likely be a used FJ-09.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 16:19

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HOLY HELL. That Royal Enfield is gorgeous. Build that as-is... I want one.

(keep the pseudo-hard-tail springer, and the framed front end (as a Hossack suspension upright, mounted on control arms.)

The other bike I might buy, announced at EICMA

Diavel 1260S.

Nonster > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 16:34

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Jesus, that looks miserable

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 16:36

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Thank you for this, I wouldn’t have bothered to check what’s new otherwise since I’m not that into 2wheels. But most of these I find amazing, even the production models. Cheers!

slipperysallylikespenguins > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 11/07/2018 at 16:37

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I really don’t get how the Diavel isn’t more popular. Looks awesome, massive power, competitive prices with Harley.

traumaticnudity > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 16:52

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You missed the new BMW S1000RR - the arguments from fans over ‘asymmetrical vs. symmetrical headlights’ have been truly entertaining.

nermal > jimz 11/07/2018 at 16:59

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The key is to make sure you’re properly attired. The combination of ass-less chaps and a leather jacket with fringe all over the goddam place will give an optical illusion that your posture isn’t completely ruined from sitting in that position for an extended period.

Duh!

slipperysallylikespenguins > traumaticnudity 11/07/2018 at 16:59

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Not sure how I forgot about it. I was just thinking about it before I made the post. I have to say I prefer the older look. Will add.

nermal > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 17:02

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I want one of those RS660s to complement my RSV4, but I’m still having PTSD flashbacks just thinking about ‘Nam working with an Aprilia dealer to actually buy one.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 17:08

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Man, i really wish I could afford one of those Husqvarnas... That Royal Enfield is a triumph. If they build it looking like that they will probably sell all they can build. I dont even like cruisers, and id be seen on that. The Tenere 700 has a better chance of being rideable by someone with my inseam than the KTM, so I too agree with you. 

OmerCarrothers333 > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 17:13

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That new Royal-Enfield is the business!

slipperysallylikespenguins > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' 11/07/2018 at 17:14

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It’s unfortunate they don’t get much press outside of the enthusiast circles.

slipperysallylikespenguins > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 11/07/2018 at 17:16

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The Enfield is very interesting as they are some of the cheapest bikes on the market. That bike could probably on the market under 10k.

jimz > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 19:42

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you realize people aren’t all the same height, nor have the same length arms and legs, right?

Right?

slipperysallylikespenguins > jimz 11/07/2018 at 20:23

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You realize that I am in agreement with you about the shitty ergonomics ?

jimz > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/07/2018 at 20:26

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Honestly I didn’t, because my complaint about that bike is that I’d be a clamshell on it. on the FXDR my arms and legs would be almost straight.

that’s why I have a Street Glide instead.

Decay buys too many beaters > slipperysallylikespenguins 11/08/2018 at 02:07

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Those huskies *drool*

I’ll need to sit on a Svartpilen. Almost bought a Vitpilen before I bought the supermoto, but the ergos just weren’t there. The Svartpilen looks to have rectified most of this. 

slipperysallylikespenguins > Decay buys too many beaters 11/08/2018 at 13:09

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I haven’t even seen any of the street bikes yet, they get snatched up so quick. I’m still more interested in the enduro, but definitely  curious how the 701 engine works in a conventional streetbike.