Firms reveal new ranges in Milan

The international motorcycle show in Milan kicked off on Tuesday with almost every motorcycle manufacturer turning up to show their latest bikes.

Ducati turned out with a multitude of new and special edition bikes on show including the new 749R, the ST3 sports tourer (replacing the ST2), and the last ever update for the 998. On the special edition front there is a 998 and 620 Monster in dark green inspired by The Matrix film, a jet black 749 and Multistrada, plus a number of bikes that have been fitted with all the accessories from the Ducati Performance range. See many of them in MCN, out on Wednesday.

Yamaha is showing the new R1, as revealed in MCN, September 10, as well as a new concept bike that takes the 660cc single cylinder engine from the new XT660R trail bike and drops it into a radical streetbike frame with LED lights and an unusual triangular exhaust.

Yamaha has used the XT again to become the first Japanese manufacturer to offer a Supermoto bike in its range with the launch of the XT660X. The bike is based around a brand new 660cc single cylinder fuel injected four-stroke engine offering 48bhp and will come fitted with Excel wheels, a 15-litre fuel tank and sticky Pirelli tyres as standard. See it in MCN, out on Wednseday.

Honda is showing the new Fireblade, as revealed in MCN, September 10, as well as its all-new range of budget bikes in the form of the CBF600, CBF500 and CBF250. Also on show is the new CBR125R, a mini version of the company’s flagship Fireblade. The bike replaces the NSR125R and is expected to sell for under £2000, around half the price of its predecessor.

Aprilia has the Nera, a 200-bike special edition version of the RSV1000R Factory. The bike is fully clad in carbon fibre bodywork along with a titanium exhaust system and magnesium engine covers making it the lightest ever RSV1000R – a massive 24kg lighter than the Ducati 999. See it in MCN, out Wednesday.

This week’s MCN features 36 new bikes, plus, we ride Neil Hodgson’s championship winning Ducati 999 against the £20,000 999R road bike at the Assen World Superbike circuit.

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