Star bikes the at Milan Show
We take a look at the latest two-wheelers on show in Italy. By Paul Owen.
Superbikes are about to step into a new lightweight era judging by two recent unveilings at the recent EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.
First, Ducati showed off a limited-edition Superleggera version of the 1299 Panigale that is even lighter than the factory’s World Superbike Championship racer at a svelte 156kg (dry).
Then BMW followed that up with an ultra-light prototype version of the popular S1000RR sportsbike, set to go on sale as a limited-edition model late in 2017.
The extensive use of carbonfibre in the structural components of both new Euro-speedsters separate them from the superbike herd, and the 1299 Superleggera and BMW HP4 Race arguably usher in a new generation of hitech, high-ticket, top-end sports motorcycles.
Where the bespoke production version of the HP4 Race is still a year away, the Ducati is on sale now at a cool US$80,000. That’s US$10,000 more than the Desmosedici RR, a road-legal version of the brand’s Motogp racer sold in very limited numbers over the last decade.
New Zealand prices for the Desmosedici RR topped $100,000 here, but that didn’t stop several Kiwis stumping up the bucks for one. The new 1299 Superleggera is likely to experience similar demand here, despite the projected $130,000 pricetag by my calculations. And if you’ve got the moolah you’d better get that order in quick. Ducati will only make 500 Superleggeras.
Lashings of carbon-fibre prune plenty of kilograms from the Superleggera along with new engine internals that remove 2.4kg from the crankshaft, conrods, cylinder liners, and flywheel. The revised engine develops 160kw (215bhp) and 147Nm of torque, lifting performance beyond that of the Desmosedici V4 thanks to the more dynamic power-to-weight ratio of the Superleggera.
Where the Desmosedici had a carbon-fibre monocoque frame, the Superleggera opts for simpler Panigale chassis architecture, with a minimalist front sub-frame attaching the engine to the steering head, and a rear swingarm bolted directly to the engine crankcases. The difference is that all the major chassis components – wheels, sub-frames, swingarm etc – are now fashioned in carbon-fibre instead of alloy forgings and castings. Further weight savings are won through the use of a lithium-ion battery and titanium springs in the Ohlins suspension of the Superleggera.
Ducati’s conversion of a Panigale chassis to carbon-fibre construction was a relatively easy exercise for the company compared to the challenges faced by BMW in converting the S1000RR over to a composite chassis.
Hence the focus of the HP4 Race prototype unveiling was entirely on the new carbon-fibre frame, wheels, and rear swingarm that the production version will sport next year. Few details were given at the show about how many kilograms the conversion to carbon-fibre is likely to save, or about the powertrain improvements likely to accompany it. However, you can be assured that BMW will ensure that the HP4 Race will at least match the performance of the Superleggera now that there is a direct rival bike in the marketplace to take aim at.
While these two tasty lowvolume superbikes are definitely more important for the polish they give to the image of both brands rather than the incremental numbers they will add to sales, both Ducati and BMW launched new models in a sector more likely to supply their bread-and-butter – the adventure touring segment.
From the German brand came two new Gs-branded bikes – an upgrade of the R 1200GS that essentially defines the segment due to its widespread adoption by vast numbers of adventure tourers the world over, and an entry into new territory for the brand with the affordable G 310GS.
The latter is based on the Indian-made G 310R commuter/ learner streetbike about to go on sale on NZ, and the GS model comes with a 19-inch front wheel instead of a 17-incher, extra suspension travel, and increased weather protection and comfort.
As with the R model, power comes from an innovative fuelinjected single that faces the inlet ports towards the oncoming airstream and has the exhausts exiting from the rear of the engine.
It develops 25kw (34bhp) at 9500rpm and 28Nm of riding force at 7500rpm. With a wet weight of 169kg, BMW says the G 310GS is a bike ‘ready for everyday adventures’.
The upgrade given to world’s best-selling individual motorcycle model above 600cc blesses the R 1200GS with Euro 4 compliance without altering the 92kw (125bhp) and 125Nm engine outputs.
New bodywork defines the cleaner-burning 1200GS from the previous version and there are now an expanded range of options and packages for the bike. Headlining these is the new Rallye package, which fully equips the R 1200GS for off-road use through the fitting of crash protection, suspension revisions, knobbly tyres, and extra riding modes that target off-road conditions.
The theme of more affordable, lighter ADVS was promoted not only by the debut of the G 310GS and a 700cc twin-powered concept bike from Yamaha called the T7, Ducati also began singing from the same song sheet by releasing a lighter, more accessible middleweight-sized Multistrada.
The new Multistrada 950 replaces the Hyperstrada 939 in the Ducati range by placing the Hyper’s superb 937cc Testastretta V-twin engine in a more longdistance-ready model, equipped with a 19in front wheel to better handle off-road applications.
Engine output is unchanged from the outgoing Hyperstrada, with 84kw (113bhp) developed at 9500rpm and 96Nm generated at 7500. A six-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch handle processing duties, and a welcome powertrain revision is the shifting of the V-twin’s oil cooler to a less vulnerable position than just behind the Hyper-bike’s front wheel.
Other bugbears of the Hyperstrada have also been ironed out through the larger tank capacity of the Multistrada 950, the increased weather protection through the fitting of a proper fairing, and the opportunity to fit larger optional luggage accessories to it.
Meanwhile Hyperstrada owners seeking reasons to retain their bikes will find it in the Multi 950’s less appealing double-sided swingarm, and the extra 15kg of mass. Expect to pay a price pegged somewhere close to the $23,000 mark for the new midi-multi when the bike arrives here in March.
Meanwhile, in further nod towards affordability, Ducati also displayed a new entry-level Monster streetbike at Milan, powered by the same 56kw/68nm air-cooled 800cc V-twin engine as used by the Scrambler range. Because we all know that not everyone can afford a new Superleggera.