Milan International Bicycle & Motorcycle Show:
PRESENTING
THE FUTURE
FOR THE PAST
T
100
YEARS
he Milan International Bicycle and Motorcy-
cle Show, or EICMA, has long been regarded
as the most important show of its kind for
many years.
The 2017 edition, held between November 7
and 11, was no exception as the worlds me-
dia and public were treated to no fewer than 40 new mo-
torcycle launches from 15 manufacturers, many aimed at
the adventure or travel market.
An attendance increase
of 24% over the 2015 event
were not only treated to new
bikes but also new products
from 1,713 business from 42
different countries, making
EICMA a truly international
event. It was the bikes they
came for, and it was the bikes
that they got.
Undoubtedly, one of the
most anticipated releases
was that by BMW. The Ger-
man manufacturer revealed
the replacement for their
popular F700/800GS models
with the F750GS and the F850GS. Both have received sig-
nificant upgrades and apart from a few styling cues are
completely new models, there’s very little to compare the
aggressive new look with that of the past.
The K1600 Grand America is also a new machine from
BMW and while in a different league to that of the GS range
it is suited to travel. The completely redressed K1600B
it would seem has been designed with the heavyweight
American market in mind, and a heavyweight it is, coming
TRAVERSE
in at an unladen 364kg.
Honda came out with the updated 2018 version of the
Africa Twin, including a more off-road capable version
called the CRF1000L2 Africa Twin Adventure Sports.
Listening to customers over the past two years, Honda
added features that riders want, including an enlarged
fuel tank (now at 24 litres), crash bars, long travel suspen-
sion and heated grips. Mid-range power has also been im-
proved while weight has been reduced slightly. Honda has
also altered the ergonomics of
the footpegs and instrument
cluster to improve the experi-
ence when standing.
Honda has also made im-
provements to the NC750X
ready for the American mar-
ket, improvements and a
launch that some may say is
long overdue. The changes
are primarily to the power
and how this is output to the
rear wheel, all very welcome
additions.
With its 1290 Super Adven-
ture R, KTM says it has a bike
capable of beating any sports bike. Really? Why?
It’s something we can’t answer and really can’t see the
point of however, the additions to the 2018 model are im-
pressive.
Full electronically managed suspension, lean angle
sensitive ABS, lean angle sensitive traction control (fully
disengageable), and there’s also the option of adding hill
hold control, motor slip regulation and a quick shifter.
With the addition of Bluetooth connectivity, mobile
10