GS-Riders International

Official photos by BMW:





Moderate increase to 110 hp, some may be disappointed. The main benefit is said to be an even better torque curve.

More at MOTORRAD

Here the colours: clicky

Question: Do we need 150 hp?

Multistrada 1200 main features:
- 4 selectable engine riding modes
- variable traction control
- electronic throttle
- electric suspension adjustment by Ohlins (~ ESA)
- new ABS
- mono-swing arm
- new Pirelli tires
- new hard luggage
- 220 kg with full tank (!)

Tourer, sport-bike, city cruiser, off-roader - Ducati claims the new Multistrada is 4 motorcycles in one. At the EICMA press conference from 09-Nov Ducati highlighted, that the new Multistrada is not a foul compromise like other adventure tourers, but it is suitable for all 4 segments likewise.



I have never been a Ducatisti ... even the opposite. But now this got my attention.

Concept 6 is another Eicma release by BMW.



The 6 cylinder engine with 1600 ccm is meant to furnish the new LT first. BMW says power will be 160 hp or more. Yet power is not the main focus, but building a torque engine. It has 130 Nm already available at 2000 rpm. The new model is planned for launch in 2011.



Some Concept 6 photos: clicky

To the background: A couple of bike are available in Europe, which are not sold in North America. The Honda CBF 1000 is one of them. It is a solid bike with high practicality, good ergos, and moderate maintenance requirements at a good price. During the traditional MOTORRAD 50.000 km long time test it neither needed to see the workshop outside the regular service, nor did it show any other problem over the entire test distance. One of the very few.

Honda does not participate on the EICMA, but still introduces the updated version CBF 1000 F:





Slide show: clicky

Quoted from "Peter"

US$ 14,995, that is for the standard version. Priced to get market share. More: clicky

Yamaha throws the word 'FZ8' into the world ... after the EICMA motor show has closed doors. As with the upcoming Super Tenere there is close to no information available, except a headlight pic. Looks like the FZ8 will be launched after coming spring as a competitor to the BMW F 800.

http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/fz8/

- Suzuki shines through introduction of a new motorcycle fashion line
- Yamaha and Honda shine through absence
- Two interesting prototypes from Moto Guzzi + updated Stelvio
- Moto Morini show new models (safe Moto Morini!!)
- Ducati shows the new Mulitstrada 1200, coming with a couple of bright ideas. The new adjustment options are the logical step-up from BMW's ESA system
- BMW shows a new 6-cylinder engine together with a future concept bike, plus a refined R 12 GS (which silently got a couple more changes additionally to the valve heads).

The Japanese are still in hibernation. Japanese are good in refining and detailing, but not with innovation. BMW and Ducati are they most innovative companies currently. They are giving new impulses to the market ... or at least they are trying. My opinion: Overall, it looks like the most disappointing EICMA show. It hopefully is not a preview picture of what happens to the motorcycle industry in the near future. Where are greener, more energy efficient motorcycles?

What do you think, why it is so?

Multistrada 1200, pricing for Germany:

Multistrada 1200 ABS: 14990 €
Multistrada 1200 S Sport ABS: 17990 €
Multistrada 1200 S Touring ABS: 17990 €

Source: Motorrad Online

To my personal opinion, what the US lacks is a vivid and (mostly) unbiased motorcycle press. That of course is not all the reason, but a relevant one. I am able reading motorcycle magazines from many regions. To me the German motorcycle press is the best by far, which relevantly contributes to more choice, newer bike models, etc etc.. Well, you may say I am a German, but I think the vivid press makes really a difference to the market.

Here is a brief MCN video review: clicky (English),
and here a video from the Lanzerote press introduction test ride: clicky (German).