First Looks: Euro Show Stoppers 2008
FIRST LOOKS: Euro Show Stoppers 2008
We always look forward to fall, which is when we usually get our first glimps es of what's in store from the European motorcycle manufacturers for the following model year. Many first-time unveilings took place at the Intermot show in Germany or the Milan show in Italy last fall, and here are some of the more notable headliners. -Bruno dePrato
Aprilia MXV 4.5
Aprilia showed off a new motocrosser based on its 449cc, 77-degree, liquid-cooled V-Twin from the RXV 4.5 enduro. Weight reduction for the MXV was accomplished by fitting a four-speed tranny instead of the five-speed and ditching the battery and starter. Don't expect to see it state side prior to 2010.
Ducati GT Touring
The latest addition to the SportClassic lineup is the 2009 GT 1000 Touring. It retains the older air-cooled 1 000DS engine instead of the 1100 found in the Hypermotard and Multistrada. Features include a tall windscreen, a chromed lug gage rack and a retro black color scheme with white pinstriping. The GT Touring has an MSRP of $11,995 and should be in dealers by the time you read this.
Benelli 750 Due
A big surprise at Milan was the unveiling of Benelli's 750 Due. Engine is a parallel-Twin extracted from the company's 1130cc inline-Three. Motor aside, what separates it from the similarly styled TnT is the use of a twin-spar aluminum frame in place of the Tornado/TnT's hybrid trellis design. Engine output is estimated at 95 horsepower with a 418-pound dry weight. We expect to see the engine in future Benelli variations, as well.
Husqvarna SMQ
Since its acquisition by BMW, Husqvarna has found a new lease on life. One of the biggest attention grabbers at the Milan show was the SMQ (Steve McQueen). The concept bike was built around BMW's liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 450cc Single that powers the G450X. The short (53.5-inch wheelbase), stylish "scrambler" has a claimed dry weight of 265 pounds. Is Husky going to take us back to the future and produce the bike? Stay tuned.
Bimota Oro Nero
On the heels of the beautiful Ducati 1098 Testastretta Evoluzione-powered DB7, Bimota showed a special edition called the Oro Nero (Black Gold). What makes this bike stand out is the use of carbon-fiber for the frame's tubular-trellis sections and swingarm in place of steel, with those pieces bolting to the machined-bil let-aluminum sideplates. Through the use of ultra-light components everywhere, including a titanium shock spring, Bimota claims a feathery 361-pound dry weight, which is 13 pounds lighter than the standard DB7. It can be yours for just over $50,000.
NCR Mike Hailwood TT
NCR knows the value of history. Following "New Blue," which paid homage to the 1977 Daytona-winning "Old Blue" Ducati 900SS, the little Bologna-based ouffit has produced the most fascinating of all possible replicas. The Mike Hailwood Isle of Man TT Replica goes way beyond anything NCR has done previously. Again, it uses the Ducati Sport 1000 SportClassic as a starting `point, but engine internals are all NCR, good for 130 horsepower and 97 foot-pounds of torque. A full titanium frame is complemented by top-shelf Brembo, Ohlins and BST components. Only 12 NCR MH loM TT Replicas will be built, priced at $126,000 each.
