#eicma

Last November, Moto Guzzi presented its V85 concept, an adventure-touring model powered by a new air-cooled 850cc V-Twin. Based on the comments in our EICMA show coverage, the V85 concept was very well received by MO readers. If you’re one of those who liked the concept, you’ll be happy to learn that Piaggio has filed a design patent for what looks to be the final production model, and it does not stray too far from the original concept. (UPDATE: better quality versions of the patent images now added, from filings with China’s patent office.)

The new model announcement season is an exciting time for motorcyclists, as it’s when we get our first glance at all the latest motorcycles being released in the upcoming year. While AIMExpo, with its extremely early event date (starting on September 22nd), was short on new models, EICMA blew the doors off of 2018 with no less than 37 different new bikes that we covered here on MO.

While you might already be satiated with the Thanksgiving Feast we served up over the last couple of weeks about all the new bikes that might be coming to the World’s Biggest Motorcycle Exposition, the new bikes that did appear at EICMA, and the future new bikes that might be in the works for next year’s EICMA – have you watched our full-color live-action videos of all of them?

Have I died and gone to motorcycle heaven? Pretty much. EICMA is the world’s biggest motorcycle trade show; anyone and everyone who has anything to do with motorcycling is there. From all the OEMs, to aftermarket performance parts manufacturers to riding gear and apparel companies – it’s all there in unimaginable abundance. I was tasked to sniff out the top five coolest things at EICMA this year and thought – well, that ought to be easy! Boy was I mistaken…

Yamaha announced some mild improvements to its FZ-07 middleweight “hyper-naked” motorcycle, including an all-new name. Meet the Yamaha MT-07, restyled and upgraded for 2018. Changes include new bodywork, suspension tweaks, and more. The MT moniker – Masters of Torque, don’t cha know – goes along with Yamaha’s “Dark Side of Japan” marketing campaign to highlight the edgy nature of the 07 and its bigger bros, the MT-09 and MT-10.

The Honda CB1000R, a legendary model from the company, had its latest iteration, the 2018 Honda CB1000R, unveiled today at EICMA in Milan. To escort the CB1000R onto stage for its debut was none other than five-time world champion Mick Doohan – a Honda legend in his own right.

AIMExpo offered us some tasty hors d’oeuvres and last month’s Tokyo Show further whetted our appetites with new motorcycles from the Japanese manufacturers, but the main course is now upon us. That’s right, it’s time for the 2017 EICMA Show the largest motorcycle show on earth, where manufacturers from around the world gather in Milan, Italy, to reveal their most exciting new models.

Upcoming Motorcycle Events: Oct 31 – Nov 28

Upcoming Motorcycle Events: Oct 24 – Nov 21

A new, more adventure-focused version of the Honda Africa Twin may be on its way, offering more off-road capability and a larger fuel tank. The new model may make its debut in a couple of weeks at EICMA as a 2018 model. It will likely be based on the Africa Twin Adventure Sports Concept (pictured above) that was shown off in early 2016.

Perhaps noticing the success rival Yamaha has seen with its sports heritage models, Honda will unveil a retro-infused modern café racer in Milan next month ahead of the 2017 EICMA show.

Upcoming Motorcycle Events: Oct 17 – Nov 14

Kawasaki will introduce a new sport-touring model featuring its new balanced supercharger technology next month at EICMA.

Upcoming Motorcycle Events: Oct 10 – Nov 9

Beginning with Intermot on October 3rd, moving on to AIMExpo October 12th, and EICMA November 4th, we come to the final rounds of the moto show season, the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS) leading off in Long Beach, California. For the moto-public the Progressive IMS tour has six more dates ending February 12th in Chicago. With all the new 2017 machinery to be seen, we recommend attending because the Progressive IMS is the only place you’ll find everything motorcycle under one roof.