Cycle News Staff | December 1, 2021
We show you some of the stars of the EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show.
The EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy, returned in vengeance last week after skipping 2020 due to the global pandemic. Despite a few notable no-shows, such as Ducati, BMW and KTM and its subsidiaries (Husqvarna and GasGas), all opting to host their own launches, this year’s EICMA show was huge and worth the wait.
Unfortunately, we don’t have the space to show you every motorcycle that was on display or announced, but we picked out a few motorcycles that caught our attention, including the new Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello, and Yamaha’s new MT-10 and MT-10 SP.
For 2022, Moto Guzzi has announced its all-new V100 Mandello, the new platform emphasizing a comfortable, two-person travel in a sporty and technologically advanced package.
The V100 Mandello is the first motorcycle to offer adaptive aerodynamics. This system will automatically adjust the position of side deflectors depending on speed and selected riding mode. The bike’s top fairing can also be electronically adjusted. The fully raised deflectors reduce air pressure on the rider by 22 percent, offering a level of air protection comparable to less sporty touring models.
Other electronics include the six-axis IMU platform, cornering ABS, semi-active suspension, quickshifter, and cruise control powered by the Marelli 11MP ECU. Up front you’ll find a five-inch color TFT instrumentation complete with full LED lighting with a Daytime Running Light, and cornering lights that illuminate the corner when leaning.
The V100 Mandello heralds a new direction for Moto Guzzi.
The 1042cc liquid-cooled motor is 103mm shorter than the V85 TT small block and uses a double overhead camshaft layout with finger followers and four valves per cylinder. It also uses a wet sump lubrication system and a hydraulically controlled wet clutch. The motor pumps out 115 horsepower with 77 lb-ft of torque, 90 percent of it available at 3500 rpm and the limiter set at 9500 rpm.
A steel tube frame with a 58.5-inch wheelbase is paired with a shaft-drive single-sided swingarm, which eliminated the need for rear-suspension linkage.
Four ride modes come standard on the V100 Mandello: Travel, Sport, Rain and Road. Each of these manages three different engine mappings, four levels of traction control, three levels of engine braking and the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension on the “more comprehensive” model. This version includes Öhlins semi-active suspension as standard, quickshifter, heated grips and the Moto Guzzi MIA multimedia platform.
No official word from Moto Guzzi USA on price and availability of the V100 Mandello.
Yamaha has debuted a heavily revised MT-10 and for 2022 and for the first time, we’ll get the MT-10 SP in the North American market.
Focusing on the base model MT-10, the motor is the CP4 unit derived from the 2022 Yamaha YZF-R1 but features steel conrods and a new exhaust for better mid-range torque compared to the superbike’s needs for top-end power. Yamaha USA isn’t releasing power and torque figures but the European models will come with a claimed 163 hp and 82 lb-ft of torque—whether the U.S version produces that remains to be seen.
The now Euro-5-compliant motor sits in the same Deltabox chassis as previously, and particular attention has been paid to the sound the rider will hear via acoustic tuning of the intake system via different length intake tubes as well as “acoustic amplifier grilles” on the gas tank that direct the sound to the rider.
Happy days! We finally get the MT-10 SP in the U.S. for 2022.
The MT gets a new face that features twin-eye mono-focus LED headlights and LED position lights situated above the headlights.
The electronics are all new and mimic those found in the R1. A six-axis IMU is fitted and monitors the traction, slide, lift (wheelie), and brake control (BC) systems, and there are three different stages for engine-braking control as well. You can also adjust all these modes independently of each other via the Yamaha Ride Control feature by way of four different riding modes.
The brakes get a new Brembo radial master cylinder, and the suspension is conventionally adjusted 43mm KYB forks up front and a KYB monoshock, both fully adjustable.
Looking at the MT-10 SP, the main difference is the Öhlins fork and shock that feature semi-active adjustment, like the R1M. The system offers six modes (three auto and three manual), with adjustment done via the dash. The SP also gets a lower fairing and steel braided brake lines.
The 2022 Yamaha MT-10 SP will be available in the Liquid Metal/Raven color scheme from dealers in May 2022 for an MSRP of $16,899, while the base model comes in Cyan Storm or Matte Raven Black and will be available from dealers in March 2022 for an MSRP of $13,999.
The Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory will debut next year to bring it into line with the Tuono V4 Factory and comes with revised suspension in the form of the fully adjustable 41mm Kayaba fork and a Sachs monoshock.
There’s been about five pounds knocked off the overall weight by removing the standard lead acid battery and replacing it with a lithium-ion unit, with Aprilia claiming the curb weight of the Tuono Factory is now 399 pounds.
Although the motor is unchanged, there’s a shorter final drive via going down one tooth on the front sprocket to 16. Aprilia claims the power is 100 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 49 lb-ft of torque.
There are a couple of added bits, such as the now standard up-and-down quickshifter (the base model comes with it as an optional extra), multi-map cornering ABS and cornering lights, Factory Dark graphics and single-seat tail fairing—painted black and red—and supplied as standard together with the passenger seat and footpegs.
American price and availability have not yet been released.
Kawasaki is bringing back the KLX 230 for 2022 and along with it comes the new KLX 230 Special Edition (SE). This entry-level dual sport is purpose built for various uses riding on the streets or off-road trails.
The SE model comes equipped with plenty of features that make it off-road ready for any new buyer. New tapered handlebars as well as handguards, frame covers, and a skid plate keep the bike protected. Black rims and two special-edition graphics (Firecracker Red and Oriental Blue) give the bike a unique look. The KLX SE continues to come with a 233cc air-cooled engine, a six-speed transmission, and weighs in at 291 pounds.
The KLX 230 is a staple in the small-bore dual-sport world. With more enthusiasts learning to ride, it’s great to see Kawasaki offering a ready-to-ride package that’s geared more toward an entry-level market. With the SE, we imagine these new riders will be thrilled to have protective parts on their ride right from the dealership. The plastics and graphics definitely give the bike a racey motocross look that will certainly stand out in the city and on the trails.
The KLX 230 SE sports an MSRP of $4999, only $200 more than the standard model.
Honda has just unveiled a stunning tribute to its most famous motorcycle, with the 2022 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP also coming in a limited-edition 30th Anniversary color scheme.
Draped in the beautiful brushstroke tri-color of the original 1992 missile that redefined the superbike sector, the 30th Anniversary version isn’t any different, mechanically speaking, to the 2022 CBR but, who cares when it looks this good?
At this stage, we must stress that this is a European-spec model, and no word yet has come from American Honda on if it’ll make it here (but we can always dream).
Like the base Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, the 30th Anniversary will get updates to the traction control and ride-by-wire throttle, as well as a reduction in the final drive by going up a sizeable three teeth on the rear sprocket to help the ’Blade leap out of corners faster. There are also changes to the intake ports, airbox and funnels, and a new exhaust.
The brakes get a new surface finish on the Nissin brake-caliper pistons to improve braking performance and consistency in race conditions, and there’s a new quickshifter.
There’s been a bit of a retro theme going on of late, with Kawasaki giving Jonathan Rea a ZXR750 replica paint job for Argentina this year and now this Blade from Honda. What’s next? Hypercolor T-shirts?
The big news is the H2 SX SE is the first Japanese machine to come with radar technology. In a similar vein to what we saw on the Ducati Multistrada V4 S and BMW R 18 Transcontinental, the H2 SX SE gets Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD) as part of the new Advanced Rider Assist System (ARAS).
Also new is a massive 6.5-inch TFT with a new smartphone infotainment app called SPIN that allows you to download third-party applications (like Spotify) and mirror them on the dash. Other electronic upgrades include a new tire-pressure-monitoring system, Vehicle Hold Assist (VHA), USB power outlet, grip heaters, remote key fob, settings for the Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS) and a new Bosch 10.3ME ABS IMU.
As for the guts of the bike, the motor receives new cam timing, a new exhaust muffler, the second gear cog has had the number of teeth reduced to help with meshing, and the hydraulic-clutch-fluid volume has been changed to give improved feel at the lever and improve the release.
The styling has also come in for a once-over, with a new top fairing and side cowls, LED headlight with cornering lights, mirrors, and the trick Kawasaki supercharged emblems, all costing $27,500 MSRP.
Remember the Yamaha France Sonauto Gauloises YZR500s that Christian Sarron rode against Lawson, Rainey and Gardner? One of the most recognizable and iconic designs of the 1980s has now been revived in the 2022 Yamaha XSR900, which is essentially an MT-09 in very fancy dress.
The MT-09 got a ground-up redesign for 2021 and the mechanical attributes have made it into the XSR. That means the MT’s new 890cc inline triple motor and aluminum chassis have been used, as have the 41 mm KYB fork and shock.
Also, the XSR gets the full electronics suite from the MT which includes the six-axis IMU that mitigates lean sensitive Traction Control System, Slide Control System (SCS), front wheel Lift Control System (LIF) and Brake Control (BC) System. There’s also an up-and-down quickshifter and cruise control as standard.
The styling has come in for a proper once over as well. The XSR gets a reworked gas tank, a much deeper seat and new colors in the black and red (Raven) or the retro blue and gold (Legend Blue) of Sarron’s 500. The 2022 Yamaha XSR900 will begin arriving in dealerships in April 2022 for an MSRP of $9999.
Aprilia announces a new RS 660 Limited Edition, 1500 special units each equipped with a stars and stripes livery to celebrate a dominant 2021 season in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup championship. A badge located on the fuel tank marks each of the limited-edition machines.
The medium-sized Italian sport bike was unmatched during the Twins Cup season, taking 10 wins out of a possible 13 races. To commemorate this achievement, the new livery is characterized with a stars and stripes graphic inspired by the American flag.
The sporty personality of Aprilia RS 660 Limited Edition is highlighted by the single-seat tail-fairing cover, which eliminates the passenger seat and enhances a sleek design. A passenger’s seat comes with the bike, which is still approved for two-person riding. The oversized top fairing ensures greater protection against the wind, both on the road and on the track, and provided software lets you set up the quick-shift gearbox in an upside-down configuration. This means that riders can configure the gearbox entirely on their own, without replacing any parts on the bike. With this kind of personalization, Aprilia looks at the RS 660 for being ideal on the streets or at the occasional track day.
As more and more new bikes were announced at this year’s EICMA, one that really caught our eye is the 2022 Yamaha Tenere Raid Prototype. Before you get your hopes up, yes, this bike is still a prototype, but it does look strikingly similar to a hopped-up Tenere 700.
The Raid prototype looks to be outfitted with about every part from the GYTR accessories catalog. A full titanium Akrapovič exhaust system, oil cooler, oversized brakes and race-ready suspension are just the tip of the iceberg on the spec sheet. Photos also show a large dash with full road-book navigation display. In short, the bike looks like Yamaha said “Hmm, if we were to race the Dakar on a Tenere, what would we throw at it?” This purpose-built machine is still just a prototype, but it definitely makes us wonder what the future of adventure riding, or racing, could bring.
MV Agusta has unveiled the Lucky Explorer Project, which they say is “a multi-faceted initiative aiming at gathering the passionate lovers of rally raid and off-road racing around Schiranna’s unforgettable legacy of epic participations and victories in the great African rallies of the golden age.”
At the center of the project will be two new MV Agusta bikes, one dubbed the 5.5 and the other being the 9.5. Spec details are a little scarce but the 5.5 has been developed in tandem with Chinese concern QJ (QianJiang) and centers around a 550cc twin-cylinder motor, with styling closely mimicking the Cagiva Elefant racer.
The 9.5 is a full-on MV Agusta and uses a bored and stroked version of the 800cc three-cylinder motor found in the Brutale for 930cc, and offers 123 hp and 75 lb-ft of torque. The motor will also come with the option of having a Rekluse variant clutch or a standard clutch, and an optional electro-actuated (paddle shift) gearbox.
The 9.5 rolls on a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel for solid off-road performance, and the chassis is a steel double-cradle design.
No word yet on price and availability for either of the 5.5 or the 9.5 from MV Agusta USA.
As Royal Enfield celebrates its 120th anniversary, the company revealed a 120th Year Anniversary Edition of both the INT 650 and Continental GT 650. Only 480 units will be produced. Royal Enfield is sending 120 of them to North America, with 60 Continental GT 650 and 60 INT 650 models hitting the shores sometime in 2022.
Unique black-and-chrome color schemes are the big highlight of these limited-edition bikes. The bike’s powertrain components are completely blacked out, with the engine, silencer and other elements in an all-black color scheme. Along with that are some Royal Enfield genuine accessories like fly screens, engine guards, heel guards and bar-end mirrors that come standard. Die-cut brass badges also adorn the bikes, crafted from a family known for its effigies in Indian temples.
Inspired by the Royal Enfield Interceptor 750 and Continental GT 250 of the 1960s, these motorcycles have been key to the brand’s global expansion and success in recent years.
Price and availability details will be announced soon.CN
Click here to read the 2021 EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show Review in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
