Join Bike Review as we take the media walk to check out all the new models being unveiled by the major manufacturers in Australia at the 2015 Sydney Motorcycle Show. Words: Kris Hodgson
This year’s Sydney Motorcycle Show by Troy Bayliss Events has proven another winner, taking place from November 20-22, with 40-degree heat on the opening day not able to dampen moods or attendance.The show opened Friday morning with public invited to join the media walk for the first time as the latest offerings were unveiled by Triumph, BMW, Victory, Kawasaki, Indian, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Yamaha, MV Agusta and Royal Enfield.
At the Triumph stand attendees were offered their first opportunity to check out the new awesome new Bonneville line, including the Street Twin, T120, T120 Black, Thruxton and Thruxton R. The newly announced at EICMA 2016 Speed Triple wasn’t in attendance, while the Tiger 1200 will be revised in 2016 and follow in the Tiger 800’s footsteps with the XR (road) and XC (off-road) sub-model designations.
BMW unveiled their F 700 GS, replacing the outgoing F 650 GS, as well as the revised F 800 GS which BMW are claiming to be the sportiest member of the GS family, while the 2016 Rallye Suit was also on display representing BMW’s amazing range of gear. Another item drawing crowds to the BMW stand was the Dues Ex Machine R nineT -a highly customised machine with bespoke bodywork.
At Victory the new Ignition concept was revealed with the bike featuring the next evolution of the Victory powerplant, which will be powering a yet undisclosed 2016 model, with the Ignition concept designed by multi-time drag racing champion Urs Erbacher, who is based in Switzerland.
At the Kawasaki stand the recently announced 2016 ZX-10R was on display, featuring the first Showa BFF suspension on a production bike, as well as including an all new electronics system derived from Kawasaki’s success in WSBK, including a Bosch five-axis IMU, throttle-by-wire, a revised and improved traction control (S-KTRC) with five modes, launch control, and engine braking control. ABS also includes a Cornering Management Function which assists in reducing a bike’s tendency to stand up when hard on the brakes while leant over, by distributing the braking force intelligently. The chassis has likewise been revised, including the adoption of larger 330mm front rotors, with Brembo M50 calipers and an Ohlins adjustable steering damper.
At the Indian stand the new Scout Sixty was on display along with the current model line, introducing the brand’s new, smaller capacity offering that promises to offer a more competitive entry point to the brand’s offerings, in comparison to the regular Scout, and featuring a 999cc 60-degree V-twin, with power claimed at 78hp and torque 65ft-lbs, only 10-ft-lbs down on the larger model.
At the Ducati stand the excitement was palpable with the brand displaying three new models only just revealed at EICMA, with the XDiavel representing the meeting of two worlds -cruiser low speed fun with Italian adrenaline filled sports riding. Ducati describe this via three numbers -5000, the point of peak torque generation, 60 representing the number of rider ergonomic configurations and 40 -the bike’s maximum lean angle. The XDiavel features a new Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 engine and is the first Ducati to feature a belt final drive.
Also seen for the first time in Australia was the new Multistrada 1200 Enduro, Ducati’s new maxi-enduro offering in the Multistrada line, featuring spoked wheels, a range of over 450km, semi-active Sachs suspension with the Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evolution system and all the technology we’ve come to expect from the Multistrada model line, including an all new hill start assist called Vehicle Hold Control.
For the more laid back rider was also the new Scrambler model, the Sixty2 which Ducati describe as inspired by youth street culture. The bike features a slim steel tank with all new graphics and logos, with an even greater focus on affordability, with a 399cc L-twin engine derived from the regular Scrambler line and to join the Monster 659 in the Ducati LAMS line-up.
At the Harley Davidson stand the new Sportster Iron 883 was also introduced, with new suspension, seat, exhaust and wheels and joined the KLX1200 Forty-Eight, Softail Slim S, Fatboy S and Street 500 2016 offerings on display.
At the Suzuki stand on-lookers were treated to a first look at the 2016 SV650, with the newly announced at EICMA GSX-R1000 ‘concept bike’ expected to arrive late 2016. The SV650 itself features a 645cc 90 DOHC liquid-cooled V-twin engine that has been refined with over 60 redesigned parts and components, with a new trellis frame, revised styling and additional technology. It’ll come standard with a Low RPM Assist function to help with taking off and low RPM riding, and will also benefit from the Suzuki Easy Start System, which starts the bike at the press of a single button.
The massive Yamaha stand meanwhile received a guided tour by Yamaha’s Sean Goldhawk himself during the media walk, with an array of 60th anniversary models on display with the iconic yellow, white and black ‘bumble bee’ livery, including the 2016 -WR450F, YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M (available in Silver Blu Carbon only) which will be available in the first quarter of 2016, the YZF-R6 which is already available in the anniversary colours with two additional colours available in January, the XT1200Ze available now, and the YXZ1000R which will be available in the first quarter of 2016. Kel Carruthers was also invited by Yamaha to celebrate the colour scheme he originally introduced.
At the MV Agusta stand the brand was well represented by a variety of models, including the stunning F3 AMG RC in all its glory as well as the Turismo Veloce 800 and many more, with the brand flourishing under importer Urban Moto Imports, who were able to boast record MV Agusta sales in the Australian market.
The Royal Enfield stand was also a major talking point with importer Urban Moto Imports revealing the Classic 350 model, which will be available for under $5,000 plus on road costs, in a move that is sure to cause a major upheaval in the LAMS and smaller bore classic categories. The Continental GT, Classic 500 range where also both present for onlookers to admire.
Other big news from the weekend included Troy Bayliss announcing that his company, Troy Bayliss Events will take over promotion of the Australian Superbike Championship during the second half of 2016, for three years, running a summer based calendar from October through to April.
Troy Bayliss also announced he would be launching an all-new Superbike team, DesmoSport Ducati, with the factory supported team a joint venture with Ben Henry whose Cube Racing team saw Mike Jones take the 2015 ASBK Championship. Mike Jones will be racing aboard a DesmoSport Ducati 1299 Panigale S in the 2016 ASBK championship, with Bayliss announcing one of the team’s goals was to run a two-rider team for the 2016-2017 motoSBK championships.
