Hot stuff on two wheels in Milan

Nov 23 2009 Harriet Ridley

Hot stuff on two wheels in Milan

BMW unveiled its 180bhp four-cylinder S1000RR superbike at the 2009 EICMA Milan show. The bike is similar to the Aprilia RSV-4R in size and shape, although I'm not too sure about its asymmetrical headlights but I guess this is a BMW, so it needed a quirk.

The S1000RR has a handlebar switch for 'modes' that control power delivery, as well as traction control and ABS if you opt for these. But unlike Ducati's Multistrada it doesn't control suspension. However BMW says you can use the ignition key to change suspension settings it's that easy.

But the big BMW news from Milan was the double overhead cam engines derived from the HP2 Sport now fitted to BMW's top-selling R1200 GS and R1200 GS Adventure. The new engine replaces the high cam motor first seen in 1993 in the R1100 RS. The DOHC engine brings power up five percent to 109bhp, while torque is up to 88lb/ft. The HP2 Sport engine is also smoother and more willing to rev, with peak rpm on the 2010 GS rising by 500rpm to 8,500rpm.

The R1200 RT tourer also gets the DOHC engine for 2010, as well as the sophisticated ESA II electronic suspension control that adjusts spring rate as well as preload and damping.The fairing has been redesigned to improve weather protection, and there's a new dash.

In the Austrian camp, KTM unveiled its Duke 690R, with a 48cc capacity hike from the standard 652cc model. This brings power up to 70bhp with 50lb/ft of torque.

KTM also unveiled a funky 125cc prototype, hinting at its sexy new range of learner bikes expected in 2011. The brand new engine developed by KTM specifically for the bike is a liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve that puts out 15bhp. The learner-legal bike also boasts upside-down forks, Marchesini wheels, four-piston brake caliper that bites a large-diametre disc and Akrapovic exhausts with twin silencers.

Italian firm MV Agusta unveiled its overhauled F4 superbike. The F4's style is sharpened with details including squared exhaust mouths, with an all-new frame and 10-spoke star-shaped wheels. A new 998cc engine replaces the old 1078cc motor and the F4 now makes 186bhp with a top speed of 189mph. But while power is on a par with its rivals, the new F4 is still heavier with a claimed 192kg dry weight.

Moto Morini showed a new supermoto version of the Granpasso V-twin adventure bike, the Granferro 1200. The bike's an 1187cc Ducati Hypermotard-style motorcycle that puts out 127bhp, compared to the Granpasso's 118bhp.

Granferro means big metal in Italian which suits it just fine what with all that chunky metal on display. The bike gets only a small flyscreen and minimal bodywork. Style is more aggressive than the Granpasso with more performance-orientated street wheels, tyres and brakes. The wheels are 17-inch cast alloy, while brakes feature Brembo monobloc calipers biting larger discs. But the Granferro retains the Granpasso's comfy seat and impressive 27-litre fuel tank, which should give it an advantage over its rivals in the comfort and mileage stakes.

From the Piaggio Group, Aprilia unveiled a new high-spec Dorsoduro as well as an updated Shiver 750, and the lower-spec RSV-4R that costs £2,500 less than last year's £15,000 RSV-4R Factory. The Dorsoduro Factory gets carbon tank panels and mudguards and uprated suspension and brakes, but the 92bhp 749.9cc engine is unchanged.

The Shiver meanwhile gets Aprilia's next-generation fly-by-wire throttle, a headlight cowl, wavy brake discs and new colours. The riding position is altered with a narrower seat to make it easier for shorties to reach the ground, and sportier footpegs and handlebar angles.

Moto Guzzi introduced an updated version of its Norge tourer, the Norge GT 8V. The bike gets the latest four-valve per cylinder version of Moto Guzzi's trademark transverse V-twin shaft-drive engine, with a revised exhaust. The changes bring torque up from 70lb/ft to a claimed 81lb/ft, and power up from 95bhp to a claimed 105bhp.

Moto Guzzi also unveiled a café racer version of its V7 Café Classic machine launched last year. It gets a chrome tank with kneepads and Monza-style fuel cap, top fairing inspired by the 850 Le Mans, a single seat with race-style number boards, race-style Arrow exhausts, rearsets, adjustable clip-on bars and bar-end mirrors.

That's it from the Milan show. Next stop is the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter show at Birmingham's NEC that runs from 28 November to 6 December, www.motorcycleshow.co.uk.