New bikes showcased at EICMA 2014

EICMA is one of the hottest two-wheeler fairs in the world. Known to attract half a million enthusiasts from every corner of the world annually, the EICMA is a haven for two-wheeler manufacturers to unveil new models. Then, there are also concepts, some that offer a peek into the near future, and others that defy physics in a way that blurs the line between sci-fi and reality.

Benelli BN251

The smallest of the Benellis has been revealed. The BN251 is powered by a 249cc single cylinder, liquid-cooled engine which makes 24.2bhp and 2.14kgm of torque, coupled with a six-speed gearbox.

The BN251 is built on a steel trellis frame with an inverted fork upfront and two-sided monoshock swingarm at the rear. It measures 2080mm in length, 805mm in width and 1090mm in height. The wheelbase is 1385mm, while the ground clearance is 130mm. Benelli is bringing its entire range of bikes to India in collaboration with Pune-based DSK motors.

Kawasaki Superlight Ninja 250SL and Z250SL

Kawasaki has revealed its 250 twins on a weight-loss program. The lean, lightweight motorcycles are powered by a 249cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that’s mounted on a steel trellis frame. The engine, mated to a six-speed gearbox, is good for 27bhp.

Both machines are extremely similar, with the extra fairing separating the two, Z being the naked sport. The Ninja 250 gets a clip-on split handlebar, while the Z250 comes with a wide flat bar. Both the Ninja 250SL and the Z250SL weigh in at 151kg and 148kg respectively.

Kawasaki 1400 GTR

Kawasaki's sports tourer, the 1400 GTR has always combined sporty performance with comfort for long distance riding. It now gets some minor upgrades for the 2015 iteration. These changes include an electronically controllable wind screen, and a better sculpted seat for the rider and pillion. The pillion gets better support, while the rider has better ground reach.

The new windscreen can be adjusted to make the motorcycle more aerodynamic, or to offer better protection to the rider. The ZZR1400-based 1352cc in-line four cylinder motor with variable hydraulic valve-timing, which propels the shaft-driven 312kg machine, making 153bhp is still retained. However, Kawasaki claims that the chassis and the engine have been fine tuned for better performance.

Kawasaki Ninja H2

The Japanese brand recently unveiled the manic H2R, a 300bhp Ninja with a supercharged engine. The Ninja H2 is the road-going version of the H2R. The H2 is powered by a 197bhp supercharged 998cc four cylinder engine mated to a six-speed gearbox.

A lot of stress has been laid on aerodynamics and light weighing - it tips the scales at 238kg. In terms of electronics, it gets launch control, multi-level traction control, track mode and ABS. The suspensions is from KYB and brakes come from Brembo.

KTM 1050 Adventure

The lighter, humbler iteration of the range-topping 1190 and 1290 KTMs, the 1050 Adventure is targeted at riders who want to tackle off-road riding.

It is powered by a ride-by-wire throttle, V-twin engine, similar to the 1190 Adventure, and develops 95bhp. It is also lighter than the 1190 by 17 kg, weighing in at 212kg. Suspension comes from KTM-owned WP, while the wheels are Metzelers, as is typical of KTMs.

New BMW F800R

The BMW F800R is now more powerful. It also gets cosmetic changes, a different suspension setup, new gearing ratios, new brakes and traction control. Power comes from a parallel-twin engine that sits in a twin-spar chassis, and makes 90bhp.

New Triumph Tiger 800s

Triumph has just launched four new Tiger models at EICMA 2014. It now differentiates its road use model called the XR and the off-road oriented XC. Triumph steps up further by offering higher versions, the XRx and the XCx, both equipped with switchable riding modes - Road, Off-Road or Rider Mode. The special Rider mode offers a solution which allows the rider to select any one throttle map that includes Rain, Road, Sport, and Off-Road. All models are fit with switchable ABS and traction control as standard.

New headlight and radiator shrouds make the new 800 seem similarly styled to the Explorer 1200, and the new engine uses parts from the Daytona 675 for reduced engine noise, Triumph says. The new Tiger XR series is fit with aluminum wheels - 17-inches rear and 19-inch upfront, while the XC models have wire-spoke wheels for off-road terrain, with a 17-inch rear and larger 21-inch front, for better off-road handling.

Triumph RocketX

Celebrating 10 years of producing the world’s largest capacity production motorcycle, Triumph is building just 500 models of the new Rocket X.The heavy cruiser Rocket X comes with a new all black custom paint job by 8 Ball. It also comes with new badging all around the bike to truly differentiate the limited edition from the normal production bike.

The special paint job includes the exhaust and engine also. The Rocket X will house the same in-line three, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox from the existing Rocket III. The Rocket X produces 146bhp at 5750rpm and a massive 22.5kgm of torque.

Triumph Thunderbird Nightstorm SE

The Thunderbird Nightstorm SE also gets the same all black paint-scheme ‘ghost flames’ like the Rocket X. The Nightstorm SE comprises of all-black exhausts, handlebars and levers. The engine on the Nightstorm SE remains unchanged and still makes a substantial 94bhp of power and 14.9kgm of torque.

Yamaha YZF R1 and R1 M

Yamaha has unveiled the new YZF-R1 and also added a YZF-R1M version. The R1 uses a newly designed 998cc four-cylinder liquid cooled engine with a crossplane crankshaft. The engine is lighter and slimmer than before and now makes 197.27bhp of power, 17.75bhp over the outgoing model.

The internal mechanical parts have been made lighter to achieve this decrease in weight and loss of less horsepower. There are lots of electronic rider aids, and the R1 M gets a higher seat height and a different rear tyre as compared to the standard R1.

Ducati 1299 Panigale

The range-topping Ducati 1199 Panigale has just been updated by the Italian manufacturer, and the engine capacity has been bumped up to 1285cc. This new Panigale has been christened 1299 Panigale. What is interesting here is that the 1299 is an update to the base and the S variants of the Panigale, and the 1199 Panigale R will still be sold with the old specifications.

This is so that the fully race-ready R version meets WSBK norms. The R will continue to get a tungsten-balanced crankshaft and low-friction two-ring pistons to go along with Öhlins suspension bits and a full titanium exhaust system from Akropovič. The engine is rated at 205bhp.

Ducati Multistrada 1200

Ducati has announced the new Multistrada 1200 models. As expected, the Multistrada now features Desmodromic Variable Timing (DVT), which the company announced a while back. The updated Multistradas also feature the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) used in the Panigales; the IMU measures roll, pitch and yaw and allows the ABS system to be upgraded to include a cornering function.

Additionally, on the S model Multistrada, the IMU controls the new Dual Cornering Lights (DCL) and an 8-level anti-wheelie control. Also on the S model, the IMU works with the Ducati Skyhook Suspension to enhance its operation; the system is now called DSS Evolution.

Ducati Diavel Titanium

If the Scrambler is Ducati’s attempt to bring new, cost-savvy riders into the Ducatista fold, the Diavel Titanium is the brand’s attempt to keep the high-income riders happy. The Diavel will be the most expensive of the Diavel line, thanks to big-ticket features like titanium covers on the headlight and gas tank, as well as lots and lots of carbon fiber.

The Diavel Titanium is powered by the latest evolution of the 1198 Testastretta 11 Degrees V-twin, fitted with twin-spark ignition and secondary air supply. Claimed power is 162bhp at 9250rpm. All new Diavels for 2015 will be powered by this latest engine, which is teamed with Ducati’s latest electronics suite for added safety and extra comfort.

BMW S1000XR

The newest in the in-line four-pot motorcycles in the BMW lineup is the S1000XR. XR fits into a new category for BMW, and has been dubbed “Adventure Sport” by the manufacturer. The 999cc inline four cylinder motor is very similar in specification to the S1000R naked bike, with the same claimed output of 160bhp. The XR will come with two riding modes as standard —Rain and Road —and Automatic Stability Control (ASC).

An optional Pro package adds two additional ride modes (Dynamic and Dynamic Pro), and also a lean-angle sensor that enables the excellent and effective Dynamic Traction Control and ABS Pro. A wide, upright handlebar creates a relaxed seating position behind the manually adjustable, two-position windscreen, while multiple seat options will allow buyers to tailor seat height.