The bikes to watch out for at EICMA 2019
Visordown takes you through the bikes that you need to be looking out for at the EICMA show in Milan
EICMA is the motorcycle industry version Christmas morning spread over a week. It’s a week where rumours are confirmed and hopes are dashed, and journos scramble like ants around the sprawling Rho Fiera Milano convention centre.
If you’ve never been, it’s a properly eye-opening event, the size of it alone dwarfs any motorcycle show we see in the UK. If you can’t, won’t or aren’t bothered about going to the event but don’t want to miss any of this year’s headline bikes – this article is for you.
In it, we bring you all the bikes we know about and some that we just have a feeling will be turning up at the event.
Kawasaki
It’ll be a busy year for Kawasaki at this year’s show, with the Z H2 - revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show - taking the majority of the limelight. Other machines that could also be making an appearance are possible updates to some of the firm’s naked bike ranges – we’re thinking some updates to the Z900 and Z1000 could be imminent. They'll be displayed alongside the new W800 retro scrambler which was also revealed alongside the Kawasaki Z H2. It’s also likely the show will be the first time we’ll get to see the newly updated Ninja 650 in the flesh.
Aprilia
The big news from EICMA for the Noale factory will be the showroom ready Aprilia RS660. Created by lopping the front two-cylinders of the RSV4 engine, the new machine was confirmed in patent drawings leaked in June this year.
The patent drawings confirm the new bike is very close to the original concept, although Sachs suspension seen on testing spy shots could mean we get two versions – the standard wearing Sachs suspension and an R version wearing the Öhlins of the concept bike.
Ducati
The highlight of the Ducati range has to be the new V4 Streetfighter, which has now officially broken cover. Other bikes we will see is the new Ducati Panigale V2, wearing the new V4 style bodywork and headlight setup, plus new winged versions of the Panigale V4.
With Ducati’s CEO Claudio Domenicali confirming we will not see the V4 Multistrada until 2021, though it may choose EICMA to tease glimpses of the machine at the event.
Yamaha
Yamaha has already done some of the 2020 new model groundwork after it released its flagship superbike the 2020 R1 and R1M last month. That leaves the naked MT range to pick up the new bike plaudits with the MT03 and MT125 both getting announced pre-event but being seen at EICMA for the first time in the flesh.
Triumph
The big news is, of course, the relaunch of the Rocket 3, but behind that lie a number of models to take a look at.
We’ve already ridden one of 2020’s new Triumphs in the form of the spankingly good Street Triple RS. It’d seem pertinent to assume that the S and R versions of the machine are about to get a refresh to follow the new RS’ styling direction.
As the Street Triple was the first in the naked family to get the new angry eye makeover the Speed Triple could follow suit, whether Triumph chooses EICMA for that unveiling or possibly reserving it for the NEC bike show later in the year remains to be seen. It’s also likely that the Hinckley factory will combine the visual makeover to coincide with the much talked about 1160cc engine that has been rumoured to be being worked on for some time.
The Tiger range is also thought to be getting a shot in the arm in the form of a new 900cc engine for 2020. To go with the new lump a revised look is thought to have been penned, making the bike look slimmer and sleeker than the outgoing model.
Moto Morini
It was only a week ago that we covered the fact that Moto Morini is to launch an Adventure bike based around their 1200cc Corsa Corta V-twin engine. Joining that machine, it’s thought we will get our first glimpse of their new retro scrambler in its final form. That machine also utilising the same 1200cc engine.
Honda
With the new 2020 Africa Twin models already launched, ridden and reviewed, attention is now turning to the much vaunted Honda Fireblade. Officially, Honda won't admit it exists but all clues point to it making its debut at EICMA and if it does, it really will be the star of the show. More information on that can be found here.
Suzuki
It’s been a quiet few years for Suzuki on the global motorcycle launch front. Aside from the Katana and some updated colours for small capacity models, there hasn't been much to talk about. However, this is all set to change at EICMA with the launch of a new Suzuki V-Strom, a machine that has been crying out for an update for a while.
After two somewhat underwhelming teasers, Suzuki instead pulled the wraps off for the third one to reveal a new version of its adventure tourer. We can only go off what we're seeing, but it gains a look inspired by the Katana design language and a colour scheme that evokes the DR Big rally raids of the 1980s, indicating that Suzuki might be pitching it as a hardcore off-roader this time.
KTM
New models abound for the boys and girls from Austria with the new 1290 Super Duke R we’ve all seem the teasers for, an 890 Duke R spotted testing on track and a potential replacement for the SMT in the form of the 890 SMT along the lines of a roadgoing 790 Adventure. With that final bike in mind, it seems highly likely that the 790 Adventure will also follow the 890 path and gain the same parallel twin motor at some point. Whether that is at EICMA or later remains to be seen.
BMW
![BMW R18 spy shot [Motociclismo]](https://cdn.visordown.com/styles/img_600/s3/r63i2khc_bmw-r18-spyshot_625x300_17_October_19.jpg?itok=oBgKSWDV)
With what look like fully finished versions of the BMW R18 spotted out testing recently, it’s odds on that the new custom machine from Beemer will be seen in production form at the show. In bagger and standard form if the spy shots are anything to go by. Along with the new ShiftCam variant of the S1000 XR. We also think that the rebranded 'M' models of the S1000 RR and S1000 XR MSports editions will also get an outing – instead, being referred to as the M1000 RR and M1000 XR.
Energica
The Italian manufacturer has received a global publicity boost on the back of its Moto E participation so it would seem prudent to use EICMA to either reveal updated models or even an entirely new motorcycle this year.
As expected, an updated Energica Ego sportsbike is definitely coming as it has already been revealed, curiously via the social media channels of F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg, who gave it a spin around Paul Ricard. Exact details - such as range and power - are being kept under wraps until EICMA, but given the firm's headstart on the 'electric revolution' expect to see it making big claims this week.,
As well as the Ego, an updated Eva EsseEsse9 has also previously been spotted on test, while there may also possibly be a result of its link up with the Dell'Orto to produce smaller, more affordable electric machinery.
MV Agusta
MV Agusta has teased a new model for EICMA, though this could be as simple as an update to its Brutale range following talk that it is tweaking them to make them, well, a little less brutal. Or it could be a hint to its promised middleweight models as the iconic marque looks to diversify its range into more affordable categories.
Indian
Though largely targeted at the US market, Indian will no doubt be parading its new Indian Challenger bagger having officially pulled wraps off the behemoth last week. Boasting a new V Twin engine and best in class equipment levels, the Indian Challenger may be a bold choice for anyone in the market for a big old cruiser, but it'll certainly stand out around its rivals.
Kymco
Kymco were one of the surpise stars of the 2018 EICMA show when it revealed a concept sportsbike, which goes very much against the expectation of this predominately scooter-focused company. Moreover, the SuperNEX was an electric motorcycle... with a gearbox and a Acoustic motor to give it more of a traditional feel.
While that was a concept then, Kymco has teased it is now coming to market with a production model at EICMA. We know it is called the RevoNEX but we don't know what exactly it is. One thing we are predicting though is it will be electric and come with that acoustic motor - which gives the electric motorcycle the sound of a fuel-driven one - based on a cheeky teaser that had punters appear impressed at what they were looking at and hearing.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
