SHAFTY'S EICMA MILAN SHOW REPORT

Here's the slide show for a great set of Pictures from Milan by Shafty. 
The text and report below include the captions for each image.

Here's the link to the Flickr Set and the individual pics.

EICMA – the Euro Bike show held in Milan, Italy took place early to mid November attracting Vendors and Visitors from far and wide, but noticeably not Honda or Yamaha.

As you’d expect there was a  strong showing  from Euro manufacturers.

MV Augusta’s display included a gorgeous Stealth F4 model 051, along with a 1090R Brutalé Cannonball  059 in black and white with the current trendy stubby exhaust. Their 990R ‘Sport Touring’ was also eye catching in red. 062/064

Ducati’s stand was absolutely teeming with curious bikers checking out, amongst others, the brand spanking new Multistrada 1200 - Image 451 and 1200s Touring Edition - Image 444 – weighing in at 192kg, and sporting an Ohlins electronic monoshock, single sided swing arm with ABS as standard.

It was nice to see a Monster in orange for a change - Image 431, - Image 434 – this one an 1100 (ABS avail) with a rather young rider, looking good as did the 1198R alloy tank Corse. Motards were popular this year with a Duke Formula Hyper-Motard  1100 Evo 436 displayed in ‘black denim’ at €11700 basic or the Hyper-Motard  1100 Evo SP 441 at €13990.

The touring kitted GT1000 was a delight to behold – Gentleman Tourer. - Image 459

Elsewhere Ducati also displayed an electric pushbike, - which were much promoted by several suppliers.- Image 170

Benelli had their Tré series -all 1130 triples, in Tré-K– (Road), Amazonas (Adventure) and Cafe Racer modes, with a stunning example of their 6 cylinder Sei 750 model - Image 158 from the 1970’s also on display.

BMW had a huge stand, with at least 2 R1000ss - Image 537 bikes for punters to crawl all over (Also featured on the Dellorto stand), the F800R - Image 530 of course, was also popular – and a 6 cylinder Concept bike simply referred to as Concept 6, - Image 542/3/4/5 was a major head turner – you’ve gotta love that exhaust. Factory output target named as 170NM of torque. You saw it here first Folks!

Moto Guzzi’s stand was perhaps the most spectacular, with huge numbers poring over their display bikes, including some very special new offerings. Check out the V7, 750 Clubman Racer - Image 353/355 for instance, a great example of modern nostalgia, or the futuristic V12X, 1151cc - Image 357 -362 with an interesting swing arm arrangement,  and LED lighting.

The V12 LM 363 – 371 also looking like something out of Star Trek with a floating integrated fully adjustable Ohlins racing monoshock – and a very clever tyre tread! The retro V7 346 was also there, in touring trim and attracting admiring looks.

Adventure riding was represented by the Stelvia NTX1200 ABS. - Image 373/375

Also on display was a 1200 Norge as used by Polizia Locale! - Image 342/224

It was great to see Buell there – with both 1125 Rotax models on display - Image 133, as well as some ‘90’s models and their 1987 RR1000 Battletwin Stars and Stripes racer. - Image 136 My bet is that a company with such a great product and following won’t be out of the scene for long if at all.

Suzuki’s large stand focussed on the Gladius - Image 152 with the winner of the ’Gladius Cup’ on display, the best looking Cop ever - Image 143, mounted on a GSV R Racer, a ketchup coloured, Yoshi stickered GSX-R 750 Special - Image 144 as well as a newly styled M800 Intruder, a la M109.- Image 138

Kawasaki impressed with a new version of their popular Versys model - Image 296 – and a spunky touring version of the same, 318 as well as a restyled Z1000 - Image 299, 304. The new ‘CHIPS look-a-like’ 1700 Vulcan also appeared, sporting a deep lustre paint scheme. - Image 312/313

 An Orange Crush was evident on the KTM stand, with a beautiful RC8 Redbull Edition - Image 423, a 690SM Limited Edition 654cc Motard - Image 504 in black amongst others- and two new concept bikes – a 125  Stunt bike - Image 491 in lime and white and a 125 Racing bike - Image 495 in orange and white – testing the waters.

Triumph had plenty to show – the Rocket III of course (like the one seen later outside pulling very impressive wheelstands), the just released 1600 Thunderbird - Image 560, 561 in various guises, including a stunning red edition, an equally impressive 1050 Speed Triple in a gloss red carbon fibre look, their wide range of 900 parallel twins - Image 557, the Tiger and a separate display of independently customised bikes - Image 565, 562 – clever marketing and every success deserved.

The Polaris owned Victory brand drew many admirers, myself included, with their impressively finished and thought-out Hammer, Vision, Cross Country and Jackpot models – all very desirable. - Image 478,479,480,484

Moto Morini – being a local marquee was enthusiastically represented with a Corsaro - Image 471, 1200GT - Image 474 and GrandPasso 1200 on display...

Scooters were represented everywhere –  - Image 594, 599, 631, 635, 284 they certainly play a huge part in making cities like Milan work – they at least number 1:1 with cars, with common sense allowing them to park courteously on foot paths. Both petrol and electric were represented, 2 wheel and three – hey I even saw a Gal commuting in the dedicated Taxi/Bus/Bike lanes on a quad.- Image 394

With the current controversy over registration/ACC, I can see why a focus could become on electric bicycles  and tiny scooters – but I also but hope and pray it doesn’t come to that.

Amongst the throng, a couple of examples stood – a new concept scoot from Piaggio designated the USB, Urban Sport Bike - Image 626,629, and a prototype of a name from the past,- Lambretta, a name which will no doubt rekindle fond memories of days gone by, with a stylish new retro 125cc 4 stroke – watch this space. - Image 641

Outside – if you could drag yourself away from the sights, was an array of entertainment, with Suzy and Kawaka (Good on you Guys) offering test rides - Image 652, trials and stunt shows - Image 654, 655 and everything in between

The show was just amazing. As a first time visitor and long time enthusiast it was a delight – “full ya boots” as it were. The organisation and the venue were absolutely outstandingly professional.

That’s a bucket list item ticked off.

Get along.

Shafty