Your Definitive Guide to the 2015 EICMA Show

We are already feeling the early effects of the EICMA show in Milan, Italy – easily the most important trade event for the motorcycle industry.

EICMA is where many of the next year’s new models are released, not to mention the show serves as a platform for much of the yearly business that occurs in the motorcycle industry, especially in Europe.

For us in the media, EICMA is a cross between a marathon and Christmas, a plethora of days where articles surge as we see the launching of so many new models. It can be a lot to take in, but it is always exciting to see what the manufacturers have been working on for the past year(s).

To help you keep track of everything, and to help guide your expectations, we have put together this exhaustive list of all the models we expect to see at EICMA. Let the holiday season begin!

The Italians

Bimota

Still recovering from the failure that was the Bimota BB3, boutique brand Bimota as a couple of interesting for us at EICMA, as it tries to steer itself back onto the right course.

At Milan, there will be two models for Bimota enthusiasts. The first model is a café racer version of the Bimota Tesi 3D, which will get the unsurprising name of the Bimota Tesi 3D RaceCafe. The bike should be an interesting mixture of futuristic chassis design and post-heritage styling. We’re curious to see how Bimota pulls this off.

The other model is the Bimota Impeto, which Bimota describes as a “hyper-naked” model. Powered by a Ducati Diavel v-twin engine, the Impeto should make 162hp…that is of course is only true if one does not get the option supercharger kit that Bimota is making available for any Ducati-powered model in its current lineup.

Bimota is also offering its “Bimota Experience Package” which adds a carbon fiber frame and carbon fiber swingarm to Bimota models. Bimota is also making the BB3 model available in a kit, which should be fun for anyone with a crashed S1000RR laying around that they want to pimp out.

Ducati

Ducati says it has nine new models to debut at EICMA, though we expect some of those nine to be model variations. The highlight for Ducati will surely be an off-road suited Multistrada 1200, likely with a 19″ front wheel that will make the Multistrada more of an 80/20 machine for on-road/off-road duty.

We also expect to see a small-displacement Scrambler debut, which would be well suited towards Europe’s tier-licensing system. It is dubious as to whether this model, or any of its variants, will make it to the USA. These bikes are expected to be sleeved-down versions of the current Scrambler, with little variation in look from last year’s model.

We know from CARB filings that two models will be getting a refresh and displacement increases.

The first is Ducati’s “supersport” which is now reaching superbike displacement levels. It will be called the Ducati 959 Panigale, and will likely look very similar to the Ducati 899 Panigale it replaces.

There is a sufficient space in Ducati’s lineup for two 959 Panigale models though, a base model and a up-spec model. It would make sense for Ducati to offer the 959 Panigale at two different price points, so we will have to wait and see if that occurs.

The second model update is the Hypermotard, which too will get a displacement increase and as such will be called the Hypermotard 939. We can expect a base model and “SP” model for the Hypermotard, and it wouldn’t surprise us to see the Hyperstrada get the “939” treatment as well.

The last model, which has certainly gotten a lot of press, will be Ducati’s “X” Diavel. This will be a forward-control, belt-driven, power cruiser model that will take the Diavel line even closer to the offerings from the likes of Harley-Davidson and Victory.

Much has been said about this “X” so it will be interesting to see if 1) it lives up to the hype, and 2) proves whether or not Ducati has jumped the shark with its new model ventures.

MV Agusta

Has two models for us at EICMA, though we’ve seen both of them already. The first is a joint-production with Mercedes-Benz’s Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, with a special MV Agusta Dragster RR “LH44” being released. From the teaser we have seen, it will be an exercise in aesthetics, with MV Agusta loving its special limited-edition motorcycles.

The second machine is the updated MV Agusta Brutale 800, which appears to be getting a cosmetic makeover that certainly is appealing, though the chassis and motor seem to be untouched.

We were hoping to see the F4 superbike updated for 2016, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. There will be other F3 special liveries on display though.

Moto Guzzi

Piaggio’s heritage brand is set to have four models debut at EICMA, the first we’ve already seen teased: the Moto Guzzi V9. The V9 is a retro-standard that will compete with bikes like the Triumph Bonneville T120, which we will get to in a second.

Aprilia

There has been nothing definitive about what Aprilia could be bringing to EICMA, and the trouble with the Aprilia lineup is that many of its machines are due for a refresh. A new Shiver or Dorsoduro seems very possible, and even the RSV4 and Caponord are getting to the point where a new edition is in the realm of possibilities. (UPDATE: Aprilis just announced that you can get factory-prepped RSV4 superbikes with up to 230hp).

The only bike we wouldn’t expect an update for would be the Aprilia Tuono V4, which got a bump to 1,100cc last year, and thus should be good for a while longer.

Benelli

We never expect much from Benelli at EICMA, any more. The Italian brand seems to lose its luster with each passing year. For the 2016 model year though, Benelli is teasing the “Leoncino” – a name from Benelli’s past.

As far was we can tell, the Benelli Leoncino is a street-standard. We will have to wait for EICMA to show us all its details.

The Rest of Europe

BMW

BMW Motorrad has already said that it will have five models to unveil at EICMA, the BMW R nineT Scrambler being the biggest model that the Germans are debuting.

The other four models that BMW will be showing we have already seen with online debuts: the BMW G310R, BMW G650 Sport, BMW G650 GT, and a new F-series model.

We also expect the BMW eRR electric superbike concept to be on display the EICMA show, which shows that BMW is certainly dipping its toe into the electric motorcycle realm.

KTM

KTM will have a number of machines to show at EICMA, though we have pretty much seen them all. First up, the KTM 690 Duke will get a refresh, with a new motor that is said to dramatically reduce vibrations and make more power. This model has already been basically announced by KTM, though we haven’t seen it all tarted up in the company’s colors.

The same can be said for KTM’s second model to debut, the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT. Basically a KTM 1290 Super Duke R with a windscreen and luggage, the Super Duke GT adds more touring prowess to Austria’s streetfighter. This should suit the bike well, as the KTM 1290 Super Duke is a surprisingly comfortable machine in its own regard.

The last model we expect to see is a special edition KTM 1290 Super Duke R, though our sources say this is mostly a design exercise from the Austrian brand.

Husqvarna

We can’t talk about KTM without also mentioning Husqvarna. The Swedish-born brand is sure to have a concept or two that shows further how it will differentiate itself from its Austrian owners. We would expect these models to be more street-oriented.

On the dirt side of things, we will see the Husqvarna 701 Enduro make its public debut. We will also get to see the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto, which has already had its press debut, but will finally be available to the general public.

It’s possible we could see the Husqvarna 401 Vitpilen & Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen make their production debut this year, but we expect those models to arrive next year, as production models for the 2017 model year.

Triumph

The brand from Hinckley, Triumph Motorcycles, has a number of bikes to show us, though many have already leaked. The new water-cooled Bonneville and Thruxtons will be on display, as will be the recently debuted Speed Triple S and Speed Triple R.

Both Triumph Speed Triple models came with little technical information though, so we expect the full monty to occur in Milan.

We know that we will see an updated Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 at the Milan show, as photos of that machine already leaked from Triumph’s dealer unveiling. Beyond that, there should be few surprises from the British brand.

The Japanese

Honda

The Japanese manufacturers are a bit harder to read for EICMA, having just debuted concepts, teasers, and models at the Tokyo Motor Show a couple weeks ago. Honda will almost certainly debut the Honda CRF250 Rally though, having registered the name in both the USA and Europe.

We hope we will see the production version of the Honda Light Weight Super Sport concept, widely expected to be a new Honda CBR250RR. We’d put even odds on this reality though.

Almost certainly out of the question is a new Honda CBR1000RR or Fireblade, as the Europeans like to call it. There has been some minor musings about a cheaper version of the Honda RC213V-S, but we’re skeptical, and don’t expect a new superbike from Honda until 2017.

Kawasaki

We don’t expect to see too much from Kawasaki, but what we will see should be intriguing. The edgiest of the Japanese brands is surely about to debut another supercharged model, widely tipped to be called the “S2” and have a 650cc parallel-twin motor.

Kawasaki has already sent a teaser inviting the press to its model unveiling, and it features a photo of supercharged engine…we think that bodes well.

Yamaha

We expect Yamaha to have two new motorcycles for our viewing pleasure. Yamaha has already begun teasing one of the models, using its “Dark Side of Japan” tagline. If spy shots from Southeast Asia are any sign, that model will be the Yamaha MT-15, a 150cc people mover.

We hope Yamaha has some bigger displacement machines to show us – something that will get the American market excited. We would like to see a new Yamaha YZF-R6, but we aren’t getting our hopes up.

Yamaha Motor has been on a tear lately with its models, so we do expect good things at EICMA, especially since 2015 is the company’s 60th anniversary.

Suzuki

Suzuki whetted out appetite with its turbocharged engine on display at the Tokyo Motor Show, which almost certainly will go into a street bike of roughly 600cc in displacement. Suzuki has trademarked the “Recursion” name in the USA and Europe, which of course refers to a 588cc street bike that features a turbocharger.

The hope is that the Suzuki Recursion will debut in Milan this year, though we would think such a model would better fit a Tokyo debut. It would be strange to see Suzuki showing off a motor in Tokyo and then follow it with a motorcycle in Milan, though anything could happen.

It’s possible too that we will see various GSX-R models at EICMA as well. We expect many, if not all, of these motorcycles to be 2017 model year machines, though they could debut at EICMA this year, and be available to the public in mid-2016.

The Americans

Victory

We don’t normally see too many American manufacturer debuts at EICMA, though Victory is widely expected to debut a sporty street bike with a water-cooled v-twin engine, which we’ve already see on the Pikes Peak Project 156 race bike.

Since the Project 156 machine was very much a one-off build by Roland Sands, we doubt the new Victory bike will look even a little bit similar. But, Victory is surely pushing into the performance street bike space, which is an intriguing prospect from the company.

Erik Buell Racing

“Too soon” is the operative phrase for Erik Buell Racing. Though the company was close to releasing the EBR 1190 AX adventure bike, virtually nothing has been heard from the recently acquired outfit since. With ample to do domestically, we suspect it’ll be a while before we see a new model release.