Issue 126 : December 2002 - January 2003
Triumph factory visit
Int'l Motorcycle Show
European Bike Week
Anglesey Show
Bulldog
Bike Theft
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Triumph factory visit
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International Motorcycle Show 2002, Birmingham
The problem with a leap frogging contest in a single direction is that it has to end somewhere. This year's show suggests that perhaps, thankfully, the manic quest for ultra ultra performance has officially ended. The Amazon torrent of indefinite power has spread out just short of the Niagara of draconian legislation and motorcycle production is now diversifying into a saner and more interesting delta of diversity. Having got used to Yamaha's R1 occupying the podium only to be told that the GSXR 1000 has 're-written the sports bike book' the humble sub sonic among us had been hoping that the motorcycle world would abandon the space race and look in other directions. Before we go there, full marks to the MCI for sparing us the opening ceremony of oikish brat bands that no-one over the age of 13 had heard of; what a relief. By contrast we had, for the second year running, Roads Minister David Jamieson who did the honours after a whistle stop tour of leading stands to straddle bikes and grasp handlebars for the cameras. Very sporting of him. The oaf factor seemed to be down all round which was good. Thud music was less obvious or loud than in years past and I didn't spot any video screens depicting non stop crashes surrounded with spectacular sound effects. The bare flesh quota was down on previous years too which some people may think is a good thing. On the subtly sensuous front there were some dance routines from BMW and Harley-Davidson, all in good taste with some cracking looking girls modelling the company's clothing range, the point of which seemed to be lost on the ape behind me - 'ee it's pity they got all them clothes on int it?'
By contrast the scooter field seems to have stalled a bit. No spectacular Italian city architectural backdrops fronted by Latin beauties with simpering 'Oh Lurkio' smiles. King of the castle, Honda was a bit tame after their extravaganza in tin foil and dancing space girls of last year or was it the year before? The 1800 Gold Wing led the 'fat is best' field and the SP2 put in an appearance but whether the super sports class is really going anywhere terribly new is questionable. Suzuki's press release kit waxes lyrical about the new GSXR1000 and I don't doubt it does indeed 'own the track' as they claim, but most mortals would probably notice the difference between it and an R1 like Bill Gates would spot an extra fiver in his current account. Triumph clearly like to keep all bases covered as their Daytona 600 is new for 2003 with an all -yellow faring though I am one of a minority who liked the smoked black and yellow combination on their first 600 sports offering. Perhaps I'm biased as their choice was clearly a tribute to MAG for defeating the 100bhp limit and whose corporate colours are of course black and yellow. Playing to the American audience, the oddly named 'Speedmaster' strikes me as a little schitozphrenic. Somehow the heavy look of forks and rear end aren't quite balanced by the vertical twin that looks happier in Bonnie guise to my eye.
Speaking of MAG, as we were, our new stand was wheeled out for the first time. A black metal framework of tubes with bolt on flexibility and a walk through minimalist style, it is designed to invite crowd interaction in a new wave of friendly inclusivity which is probably enough buzz words for any one exhibit. Did it work for you? Answers on a postcard to Streetbiker, actually forget the postcard, just email them please it's much easier for the editor.
The supersports market however, which fueled the post '94 boom is now in decline by some 15 % over the last 12 months and the show is beginning to reflect that shift in purchasing choices. Is the shift propelled by speed camera anxiety, insurance rates - availability of insurance even, or the discovery of the pleasure of riding less manic bikes with more forgiving power delivery? Is it a combination of all of those things ? Over on the Harley-Davidson stand the mood was understandably up-beat as they are clearly reaping the benefit of the shift that they are undoubtedly fueling, not that everything in camp America is modestly powered. Harley-Davidson endorsed their new ground -breaking identity with a re-worked a V Rod on their stand. Vaguely reminiscent of a 60s Triton with clip ons and ally tank, it took the prize for in line mean on steroids. I presume it was a drag bike or drag inspired concept, whatever, it certainly had presence.
Fortifying the mid range class of sanity was the outsider Sachs. A German outfit which marries Japanese engines to German engineering and now has a UK importer in the shape of Three Legged Cross. Their 800cc 57bhp V twin bears more than a passing resemblance to Yamaha's Bulldog though my jury is still out on the strange over and under headlamp arrangement. Speaking of the Bulldog the stand model was rather fetchingly dressed in action man tank covers and a colour scheme that leant the bike a machismo that belies its modest power. The talk on the block, and in our review, is that it needs more bhp but why? My guess is that Yamaha see the non sports grunt sector filled by the V Max with the Bulldog occupying a junior league sibling class of real world fun with less tickets and lower fuel bills. Does such a sector exist? Time will tell but I reckon it does and that it will grow. In quest of more niches is BMW's new cruiser tourer hybrid, low and laid back but with serious weather protection and hard luggage. Since the RT is now much lower than the forerunners in its class, and the newcomer looks bulkier it's difficult to see what kind of person is going to buy this amalgam of images but those who sat on it spoke favourably of its comfort. My guess is it may earn more converts from the touring class rather than the real cruiser camp- objective Electraglide customers who aren't died-in-the-wool H-D heads? Who knows. Interesting days eh ? Mutch
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A broad overview and pithy comments from the Streetbiker reporter.
Kawasaki's concept bike The Warrior, on the other hand was a bike with a clear cruiser identity, albeit with an aftermarket catalogue pedigree. I've never seen a more impressive Harley custom clone and in excellent taste, from its fat rear tyre to its wide low flat- tracker bars the machine was a class act. I guess there's a market for wealthy cruiser patrons who crave a Harley replica but can't bear fueling Uncle Sam's finest and and they aren't all confined to fortified caves. Realistically there is a growing market for cruisers as well as tourers and off-road/adventure bikes, with big percentage increases in their sales.
