Mixed Two-wheeler Feelings In Cologne

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

The motorcycle market in Germany continues to decline. At the Intermot in Cologne, some manufacturers are therefore still a bit covered. The most important innovations are still quite impressive.

By Thilo Kozik

Despite the bad situation and declining registration numbers, motorcycle manufacturers are currently making Cologne the Mecca of the two-wheeled world again. All well-known manufacturers have traveled to the Intermot trade fair (until October 10th) and are opening their jewelry boxes there. It is filled with the new models of the next year. Since the EICMA motorcycle fair in Milan follows later in the year, some two-wheeler manufacturers are still keeping a low profile. Their premieres are only on the Italian motorcycle market, which is more important to them.

Long range at Kawasaki

The Japanese Kawasaki group offers a range of innovations from athletes to retro classics. They are led by the super sports car ZX-10R, which is equipped with the latest electronics used in MotoGP. The four-cylinder in-line of the green rocket is intended to mobilize a previously unattained 155 kW / 210 PS, which is domesticated by current assistance systems such as adjustable traction control and different driving modes. With this, Kawasaki is heading for the BMW S 1000 RR, which last year turned the supersport world off its hinges with just under 200 hp.

With the Kawasaki models Z 750 R and Z 1000 SX, two country road athletes are also new to the range, which lure them to take a bend excursion with different orientations: The 101 kW / 138 hp 1000 series is a fully faired supersport touring version with an adjustable windshield for touring drivers who need a lot of steam.

The 750 is a modernly styled naked bike, the four-in-line of which is good for 78 kW / 106 hp. The W800, a classically styled motorcycle that looks like it could have come from the 50s or 60s, offers a completely different kind of driving pleasure. With a real vertical shaft drive and modern injection system, the air-cooled in-line two-cylinder draws from 773 cubic centimeters. A five-speed gearbox with chain drive takes care of the power transmission.

Weight reduction at Suzuki

Suzuki is the second Japanese supplier to renovate its GSX-R Supersport family with a new 600 and 750 variant. Weight minimization was the focus of both super athletes - the GSX-R 600 weighs a proud nine, the GSX-R 750 even eight kilos less than the previous model. The not yet revealed performance values should increase moderately, using three driving modes the driver can adapt them to the respective conditions.

The new GSR 750 seems to be more interesting than the super sports car, with a 750 cc engine from the GSX-R 750 designed for more torque. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is optionally available for the GSR.

Honda and Yamaha reluctant

The once so proud Japanese two-wheeler power Honda is keeping a low profile in Cologne and does not present any real innovations. Among other things, the CRF250R and CRF450R motocrossers and the VT750S roadster, which were presented in late summer, will be on display.

The domestic competitor Yamaha has also been exhausted over the year: with the Super Ténéré, which appeared late in the year, and the FZ8 models, they anticipated the 2011 innovations. What remains are the cruisers XVS1300A Midnight Star and XV1900A Midnight Star, which have been sensibly redesigned with a combination brake.

Six cylinders for the K 1600

The Europeans, on the other hand, are responsible for the highlights of the Intermot, above all BMW: The Bavarian manufacturer trumps with the two six-cylinder models K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL. The two six-cylinder in-line engines have an ultra-compact design with a gearbox and auxiliary units behind the forward-sloping cylinders. From a displacement of exactly 1649 cubic centimeters, they draw a whopping 118 kW / 160 hp and an enormous torque of 175 Newton meters.

A good 70 percent of the power should already be available after 1500 tours and transferred via the cardan shaft to the rear wheel in the 190/55 ZR 17 sports dimension. As known from the super athletes, there are three different driving modes that can be selected at the push of a button on the right end of the handlebar. BMW Integral ABS comes as standard, with traction control and electronic suspension adjustment ESA II as options.

Horex makes a comeback

The first adaptive headlights on motorcycles are also special equipment. While the GT, as a super tourer, tends to emphasize dynamism, the GTL clearly focuses on comfort. So there is central locking for all locks from the storage compartment to the top case.

The new Horex is another innovative product from Germany, even if the first handpicked copies of the modern country road roadster will not be available until mid-2011. Equipped with the exclusive VR6 technology, the Horex is a piece of jewelry that attracts many visitors.

New Ducati flagship

Just like the new red racer from Bologna, the new Supersport flagship 1198 SP from Ducati. Of course, the new flagship model retains the well-known, beautiful shell of the Italian Superbike family, but inside work the little electronic helpers configured according to the latest findings in racing: The 1198 SP has, among other things, a traction control, an automatic gearshift and an anti-hopping clutch, as standard Light metal tank and the Öhlins TTX shock absorber, which is also used by the factory riders.

Aprilia takes its happy country road hunter concept Dorsoduro to a higher level with a 1200 engine. The modern, liquid-cooled 90-degree Vau engine has a peak output of 96 kW / 130 PS. On request, the Dorsoduro can be equipped with a traction control, which ensures a calmer conscience when pulling the gas out of the curve.

Time travel with Moto Guzzi

As a traditional company, Moto Guzzi relies entirely on history with the V7 Racer, because the new model in the V7 series imitates the historic racing machines of the 1960s.

With the engine, the manufacturer from Mandello goes the well-known traditional way with the transversely installed air-oil-cooled Vau engine, whose power output of 37 kW / 50 PS smells more of country road adventures than of race track, regardless of the sporty name.

New Triumph style icon

The traditional British manufacturer Triumph presents a new version of its style icon Speed Triple. The Englishwoman wants to satisfy sporty natures with a new frame, new spring elements, wheels and a powerfully modernized look. In addition, it has been slimmed down by three kilos, its striking 1050 cc three-cylinder engine delivers 111 Newton meters more torque than the previous model and the output has increased by five to 100 kW / 135 PS.

The second new model from the British company, the Thunderbird Storm Powercruiser, which is bathed entirely in black, also offers more power than the basic model. With a 1700 cubic centimeter bigbore version of the well-known parallel twin of the Thunderbird, the Storm with 156 Newton meters of torque should cause a big stir in the cruiser scene.

KTM for the racetrack

KTM is sending encouraging signals to young motorcyclists from Austria. The 125 Duke is really chic, powered by a four-stroke single-cylinder with DOHC control and four-valve technology that was developed in-house and has a real 11 kW / 15 hp. With the bold, youth-friendly design, the Mattighofen-based company wants to arouse adolescents' desire for two-wheelers.

For experienced pilots, the orange brand has the new RC8 R Track in its range, which is a real hit right from the factory. It is not approved for the road, but is delivered directly to order in various expansion stages - from club racing status to the homologated version for international races.

Focus on electromobility

Intermot is setting a new focus on the subject of electromobility. An entire hall is dedicated to the very trendy drive. A large number of smaller exhibitors will present their mobility solutions there, which are mainly designed for inner-city areas and have a maximum speed of 45 km / h.

A test course is also integrated, on which the electrified bicycles and scooters can be tried out. The Intermot is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Fridays visitors can admire the new models until 8 p.m. The day ticket costs 14 euros, with a reduced price of six euros. The fee for the two-day card is 19 euros. (mid)