EICMA 2022: 10 new bikes that caught our attention
There's something for everyone at this year's EICMA exhibition. Which is your favourite?
After much anticipation, this year's edition of the EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition has finally opened its doors in Milan, playing host to numerous world premieres by all the top bike manufacturers from around the world.
Although the show is still not as big as it used to be before Covid-19 came into the picture, the launches and announcements were "big" ones indeed.
That being said, below are ten of our favourite new bikes which were unveiled at EICMA 2022 in no particular order:
10) 2023 Ducati Scrambler
The new generation of Ducati Scrambler has been completely redesigned, retaining the spirit that has made this family a worldwide success by winning over 100,000 fans.
Offered in nine funky colours, the Scrambler now comes with interchangeable covers, and features Ride by Wire, different riding modes and a Quick Shifter for the first time.
9) 2023 Indian FTR Sport
Headlining the 2023 model year for Indian Motorcycles is the FTR Sport. Replacing FTR S, the reason why we love the FTR Sport more than the other new Indian bikes is because the FTR Sport’s bold aesthetics and sporty componentry, including a number plate, chin fairing and seat cowl, take the FTR’s energetic attitude to another level.
8) 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
Powered by a brand-new 776cc, DOHC parallel twin engine with 270° crank, the GSX-8S also gets an all-new steel frame, a five-inch full-colour TFT dash, a three-mode traction control system, bi-drectional quickshifter, selectable power modes, and a slipper clutch. Finally, a new Suzuki that is actually new from ground-up.
7) 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
The V-Strom 800DE is an all-new adventure bike designed to allow riders to journey without limits. Powered by the same new 776cc engine as the GSX-8S, the V-Strom 800DE comes with Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres, 220mm of ground clearance, a tough steel frame, a quickshifter, three on-road modes and an off-road mode, and two ABS settings among other goodies.
6) 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650
When it comes to value for money, not many brands can match what Royal Enfield can offer. Take the all-new Super Meteor 650 for instance.
The cruiser which was unveiled yesterday features the brand's 650 cc engine, a new frame, a ‘digi-analogue’ instrument cluster with tripper navigation, full LED lights, an upside-down fork, and a long list of accessories list.
5) 2023 Italjet Dragster 500GP Concept
Looking like it came straight out of the sets of the Star Wars' Mandalorian, the radical looking Dragster 500GP is actually a bike that is disguised as a scooter.
Powered by a 450cc DOHC four-stroke engine, it has a 6-speed manual transmission with a clutch! So, is it a bike or is it a scooter? You decide.
Whatever it is, it is certainly the most talked-about model at this year's exhibition.
4) 2023 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+
The new Tracer 9 GT+ comes with a range of new technology like the millimetre wave radar, Adaptive Cruise Control, radar-linked Unified Brake System, electronic suspension, intelligent riding modes, as well as connected TFT instruments and fully integrated Garmin navigation.
Thanks to these features, the Tracer 9 GT+ is on par with most European adventure bikes in terms of technological advancements.
3) 2023 Honda CL500
Honda’s new CL500 strikes a rich retro vein, with inspiration from the original CLs of the 60s and 70s. Using the twin-cylinder engine of Honda’s CB500 series, it applies a new tubular diamond-structure steel frame, long-travel suspension and 19/17-inch front/rear wheel combination to good effect.
Ready for the urban travel and light off-roading, design highlights include the rounded fuel tank, knee pads, rubber fork gaiters and upswept dual-exit exhaust muffler with drilled heat shield. All lighting is LED, while the dash features a negative LCD display and four contemporary paint options.
2) 2023 Honda XL750 Transalp
Honda’s brand-new XL750 Transalp carries the adventure forward from the iconic original, ready for a fresh generation of riders looking to travel wherever the road leads. Its eight-valve, parallel twin-cylinder engine delivers 67.5kW and 75Nm; Throttle By Wire (TBW) serves up 4 default riding modes plus User option, 5-level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) with integrated Wheelie Control and 3 levels of Engine Braking and Power.
1) 2023 Aprilia RS660 Extrema
In an effort to celebrate the great success achieved by the RS 660 around the world, Aprilia presented the sportiest version of the current RS 660 model range, called the RS 660 Extrema. Equipped with SC Project exhausts, a generous dose of carbon fiber, a single-seater seat fairing, as well as a special software for the upside-down gearbox, the bike is arguably the most extreme in its segment.