High-tech Bikes Shine at INTERMOT Cologne 2008

A few hundred reporters got an early peek at the world's latest and greatest powered two wheelers (PTWs) displayed at INTERMOT Cologne 2008 on October 7, one day before the event's grand opening. If the constant strobe of camera flashes was any indication, they were clearly impressed by what they saw.

The world's largest international trade fair for motorcycles and scooters, INTERMOT more than justified the price of admission with the huge array of industry-leading products on display. New technologies, materials, and manufacturing techniques were all highlighted on the show floor, with a raft of new vehicles billed as stronger, safer, lighter, more environmentally friendly, and easier to handle than models past. In terms of pure visual appeal, the new breed of cycles also raised the bar.

Futuristic V4

Honda, the world's largest motorcycle maker, arranged a huge 2,500-square-meter display to showcase several new models, including the futuristic "V4" concept bike.

Honda also introduced its new CBF 125 bike for beginners. The CBF 125 shares much of its style and attitude with its bigger-displacement siblings in the Honda family, but it comes with a more affordable price tag. Another new model on display was the CRF Crosser.

Honda also presented the world's first electronically controlled combined ABS (C-ABS) for sport-bikes and sports riding. According to Honda, sportbikes are prone to pitching under hard braking due to their short wheelbase. The C-ABS resolves this problem to ensure superior stability and deceleration without detracting from performance or controllability. The C-ABS is optionally available with the new CBR 600 RR and CBR 1000 Fireblade super-sport bikes.

However, most eyes were on the V4, which presented a glimpse of how Honda is leading motorcycle design into the future.

Honda announced that it would redefine preventive security in the motorcycle sector with a communications system to link cars and motorbikes. Under development by the Car 2 Car communication consortium, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system continuously monitors the position, speed, and direction of other surrounding vehicles, even in conditions or poor visibility. Through wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, data on vehicle location, accidents and obstructions are provided to drivers and motorcyclists to warn them about potential traffic situations and dangers.

Most Powerful BMW Ever Built

BMW was another big name at the show this year. The German motorcycle brand premiered its extensively revamped K-series. Starting in 2009, BMW said, the new K 1300 S, K 1300 R and K 1300 GT models would come standard with ABS and a four-cylinder in-line engine with a larger displacement of 1,293cc.

The output of the K 1300 S is 175 horsepower (hp) at a maximum torque of 140 Nm, making it the fastest, most powerful BMW ever built. BMW offers gear assistance, slip control and a new electronically adjustable frame as optional equipment for the K models.

As a preview of their entry in the Superbike World Cup 2009, BMW introduced the new S 1000 RR super sport machine with racing trim. The street version of this bike, with dynamic traction control and sport ABS, will be available from spring 2009.

Husqvarna, which was under the BMW umbrella last year, introduced its SM 450R supermoto. The new model is visually optimized and will be upgraded in the next model year with a stiffer frame and better engine.

At the stand of Harley Davidson subsidiary Buell, motorcycle enthusiasts had their first chance to see the new Cafe Racer 1125 CR, a bike with personality and an aggressive look. It is among the lightest and most dynamic machines in the segment. Its liquid-cooled V2 engine with an anti-hopping clutch generates a remarkable output of 148 hp and 111 Nm of torque.

New "Monsters"

Ducati presented the world premiere of its new Monster 1100 and 1100 S models. The two-valve V2 engine generates 95 hp with 1,078cc of displacement and an impressive 103 Nm of torque. The new models deliver improved dynamic handling thanks to their light and stiff single-sided swing-arm. The Italian manufacturer also presented a touring version of the sport classic GT 1000 model.

Kawasaki's European Debut

Kawasaki touted the KX 250 F and KX 450 F, two extensively redesigned motocross racers, as well as the KLX 250, which made its European debut at the show. The KLX 250 is powered by a 22 hp, 249cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with fuel injection system and features a sport enduro frame. The ER-6f and ER-6n, two popular mid-range machines, stood out by virtue of their aggressive styling. A treat for the eyes at the Japanese company's stand was the addition to the VN family of several new models--the VN 1700 Classic, VN 1700 Classic Tourer, and the VN 1700 Voyager with its full line of equipment features. The new ZX-6R super sport bike will be about nine kilograms lighter when it takes on the competition next year. Kawasaki has not yet released any performance data for the machine.

Group Power

The Piaggio Group also made a splash at INTERMOT with a host of new product offerings under its Aprilia, Gilera, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, and Vespa brands.

Aprilia presented its RSV4 Factory with a 180 hp, 65-degree V4 engine and 999cc of displacement. The RSV4 comes with fully adjustable suspension components so users can adjust the swing-arm position, fork angle and engine position to meet their riding needs. Equally sporty was the new Crosser MXV 450 with a 45-degree V-twin engine installed in a very agile frame.

From Mandello del Lario, Italy, the home of Moto Guzzi, came the 1200 Sport 4V. This sporty naked bike is powered by a 105 hp V-twin engine and features a maneuverable frame.

The Gilera brand has long been renowned for its high quality scooters. The company's one-cylinder four-stroke Nexus 300 scooter promises to be a great addition to the market in 2009.

Always an issue and an eye-catching vehicle, scooter specialist Piaggio presented the new three-wheel machine--the MP3 LT--which features a one cylinder engine with a choice of 250cc or 400cc of displacement. The unusual thing about the MP3 LT is that only a standard car driver's license is required to ride it. Minor changes have been made to the XEvo and the Beverly series in Piaggio's lineup.

At the press conference, Piaggio's ranking officials said that 40,000 MP3s, the world's safest scooter ever built, have been sold worldwide since commercialization.

Vespa is marking its 60th anniversary with two new scooters with nostalgic retro style--the LXV and the GTV. The new Vespa S50 4V is powered by a 50cc four-stroke engine, and the popular GTS now has more than 125cc of displacement. Minor modifications have been made to the Vespa Scooter LX and the GTS 300 Super.

Suzuki

Suzuki surprised INTERMOT visitors with a brand-new naked bike, the SFV 650 Gladius. The aggressively styled machine with a 645cc V-twin engine is a new addition to the mid-range segment. The brand's sporty flagship, the GSX-R 1000, has not only been given a new look for the next model year, but also a redesigned engine, although the company did not reveal the bike's performance specifications. Suzuki has expanded its cruiser line-up with the new M 1500, which fills the gap between the 800cc and the 1,800cc machines.

Triumph debuted its Thunderbird cruiser with belt drive at INTERMOT. The Thunderbird's 1,599cc engine is the largest displacement of any parallel twin and the standard factory version delivers more than 75 hp and 135 Nm of torque. Visitors also enjoyed the comprehensively re-engineered Daytona 675, which is lighter and more powerful than its predecessor.

New Yamaha YZF-R1

With an entirely redesigned power train for 2009, the brand new Yamaha YZF-R1 is sure to be a big hit with customers, the Japanese motorcycle maker claimed. The new engine incorporates many principles from the MotoGP, including a new crankshaft with crank pins offset at 90 degrees to deliver more torque at all engine speeds and power that builds in a manner even easier for riders to control. Also extensively modified is the chassis, which now features a new, even stiffer "Deltabox" frame and a die-cast magnesium frame tail.

Yamaha displayed other new products as well, including the super powerful VMAX, which draws its high strength from the 200 hp and 167 Nm of torque of its 1,679cc V4 engine. Many design elements from the VMAX's well-known predecessor have been kept in the new bike. And then there is the new mid-range four-cylinder XJ6 Diversion, which is powered by a heavily modified 78 hp, 600cc engine from the FZ6.

Like the VMAX, the XJ6 is equipped with a sensitive ABS system. Riders who love great looking cruisers are expected to be crazy about the newly introduced XVS 950 with its air-cooled four-valve V2 engine. Yamaha also added two impressive additions to the 125 line-up: the 15 hp, one cylinder WR125R enduro bike and its supermoto counterpart, the WR125X.

Trends

While each exhibitor at INTERMOT Cologne highlighted features that set their bikes apart from the crowd, they all shared a mantra of safety, environment protection, and fuel-economy.

With pump prices at record highs, and city traffic congestion and accidents rising, producers are designing motorcycles and scooters that are safer, cleaner, and use less fuel.

At INTERMOT Cologne, exhibitors showcased more advanced safety systems, though mostly on pricey up-market models. In the engine department, horsepower took a back seat to efficiency and low emissions, and electric and hybrid powertrains muscled further into the once exclusive domain of gas-powered engines. Visitors could also see some high-tech fuel-cell power units, which turn alcohol into electricity to charge batteries on electric powered machines; as well as solar-cell concepts for light scooters. Though all of these advancements are still unaffordable for the mass market, they are rapidly coming of age.