EICMA once again set the stage for manufacturers like Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Husqvarna, and Kawasaki to reveal concept motorcycles ranging across the various motorcycle categories.
But enough of the intro, let’s get down to the bikes.
The Tuono 660 is Aprilia's middleweight sportbike concept revealed at EICMA. The Tuono 660 is differentiated from the RS 660 with its minimal bodywork and raised wide handlebar. Similar features between the two include the middleweight 660cc parallel-twin engine, aluminum frame, adjustable suspension, and the triple LED front light assembly with perimeter daytime running lights situated around the main headlamps. The Tuono 660 also adopts the double fairing, best seen in the head-on image below. Electronic rider aids include traction control, anti-wheelie control, and engine-brake control, all of which are adjustable. Switching between road and track ride modes is an option for the daily rider/trackday attendee. Now that the 2018 concept RS 660 will be making its way to 2020 production, we are anticipating the Tuono won't be too far behind.
Yes, you have seen BMW's Vision DC Roadster before and now you get to see it again because the Bavarian manufacturer had it on display at EICMA. Modern tech is paired with some BMW tradition on the Vision DC Roadster. Replicating the flat-twin girth are two protruding elements that are integrated with ventilation to cool the electric motor componentry. Traditional styling cues are seen not only in the boxer-mimicking width, but also in the exposed drive shaft.
The R18 perhaps takes another step closer toward production in the latest R18/2. Note that the last R18 concept was carbureted, but this latest rendition takes on modern features such as fuel injection and LED lighting. We are also able to see that BMW has now added an airbox and side covers—components that were not seen on the previous cruiser concept. Additionally, this R18/2 has shifted gears to a much more American cruiser style than the nostalgic R5-like styling of the last model. Catch a glimpse of the R18/2 in action in the video below.
One of the two Ducati Scrambler concepts that the Italian company revealed at EICMA was the Scrambler Motard. In comparison with the production models like the past Scrambler Icon and Scrambler Desert Sled, this concept raises the bar, or should I say pipe, for scrambling shenanigans. As you can see, the exhaust is rerouted to end in a higher muffler, which could provide additional ground clearance.
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According to Claudio Domenicali, the Ducati Scrambler DesertX concept design is inspired by the iconic Cagiva Elefant as well as rally motorcycles from the 1990s. With a 1,079cc L-twin engine, knobby tires, windscreen, spoked wheels, and cargo rack on the tailsection, the DesertX looks ready to head to the rugged rally terrain.
It takes a team to complete a concept design; Valerio Aiello and a squad of young designers came together for the Honda CB4 X you see here. To give the sport-tourer concept a menacing look, the headlight with integrated daytime running lights is situated in the lower part of the fairing. Sharp angles from the fuel tank to the short tail complete the geometric concept. The trademark inline-four engine promises some substantial power delivery, because as Cycle World contributor Seth Richards put it, "Inline-fours are, after all, the gold standard of sportbike engine configurations because they're so damned good." The 17-inch front wheel on the machine hints at a sporty character of the inline-four-powered machine.
The CW office is excited about this concept. Not only because Husqvarna has a track record for bringing concept bikes to production, but because the manufacturer is dabbling in the adventure category, pairing its dirt background with its recent street devotion. The Husqvarna Norden 901 Concept fits in the adventure-tourer with elements like WP suspension, spoked rims, a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel, and rally styling. It is powered by an 889cc engine which is based on the parallel twin that powers the fantastic 790 Adventure and Adventure R. Now let the office-wide arm wrestling competition commence for who gets to ride this adventurer-tourer first.
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