Rumours that Kawasaki's new generation Z1000 would be the super-sports ZX-10R with its fairing removed proved exaggerated, but the updated naked four should still be exciting. The existing model's 1,043cc, 16-valve engine is tweaked to give 140bhp; the chassis gains Showa's Big Piston Forks and radial Monobloc front brake calipers. Stripped-down styling and a more forward-biased riding position add to the aggressive image.
Kawasaki's other NEC newcomer is the firm's first scooter. The J300 has been produced in conjunction with Kymco, which provided the 299cc, 28bhp single-cylinder engine and the chassis, while Kawasaki was responsible for bodywork. Features include a front glove compartment with 12v socket, and room beneath the seat for a full-face helmet plus a briefcase.
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| The Kawasaki Z1000 |
KTM
The Austrian firm's slogan is "Ready to Race", backed up by an enviable competition record, and it has two 2014 models in similar vein. The KTM RC390 is a single-cylinder sports bike whose sharply styled full fairing hides the 373cc, 43bhp liquid-cooled engine from the naked 390 Duke. The lightweight chassis features a tubular steel frame, WP suspension and single front and rear disc brakes with ABS. There's also a similarly styled RC125, powered by the 15bhp engine from the Duke 125, which like the other singles will be built in India to allow a more competitive price.
The fiery 1290 Super Duke R, seen last year in prototype form, is now ready for showrooms. Its 180bhp, 1,301cc V-twin engine is matched by agile handling and sophisticated electronics. KTM will also be displaying the 2014 version of its 1190 Adventure, which looks identical to the current model but has Bosch's Motorcycle Stability Control system, incorporating ABS that works in corners.
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| The KTM RC125 |
MOTO GUZZI
Moto Guzzi's stand will be dominated by the naked Custom and comprehensively equipped Touring versions of the California, launched earlier this year. The Italian firm will also debut the 2014 variants to its V7 range of 744cc V-twins, which combine Guzzi's traditional layout with retro charm and rider-friendly 50bhp performance. The base model V7 Stone gets a minor engine update plus various styling tweaks.
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| The Moto Guzzi V7 |
NORTON
You can look and possibly even touch, but you can't buy. That's because Norton is building only 50 examples of its Domiracer, and all are sold at £22,000 each. That's a shame because, with its clip-on bars, polished alloy tank and racy single seat, the parallel-twin café racer looks like a quick and appealing machine. Norton will take your order for the Commando 961 roadster, which sells for between £13,995 and £15,995 depending on model. But even then there's a six-month waiting list.
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| The Norton Domiracer |
PEUGEOT
This show is important for the French firm because of the long awaited appearance of the Metropolis, a three-wheeled scooter that will compete with Piaggio's popular MP3. Peugeot's challenger is powered by a 399cc single-cylinder engine with 37bhp, good for about 85mph. Features designed to attract car drivers include keyless ignition and linked triple disc brakes. The standard Metropolis will cost £6,999 with the slightly sportier RS £200 more.
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| The Peugeot Metropolis |
ROYAL ENFIELD
These days Royal Enfields are built in India, far from the marque's old factory at Redditch, just down the road from the NEC. Enfield has a new star in the recently launched Continental GT café racer. Powered by a 535cc single-cylinder engine producing 29bhp, the £5,299 Continental features stylish lines and a sweet-handling chassis developed by British specialist Harris Performance.
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| The Royal Enfield Continental GT |
SUZUKI
The V-Strom 1000 is the production version of an adventure bike that Suzuki unveiled in prototype form a year ago. Its 1,036cc V-twin engine produces 99bhp and incorporates a traction control system. The chassis is based on a twin-spar aluminium frame, with an off-road-friendly 19in front wheel and ABS as standard. The V-Strom faces strong competition in the booming adventure class but its price of £9,999 looks competitive.
It will be joined in Birmingham by an updated version of the Burgman 125 scooter.
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| The Suzuki Burgman 125 |
TRIUMPH
Next year looks like being a slightly more laid-back one at Hinckley, because Triumph's main 2014 models are cruisers. The Thunderbird Commander and LT are based on the existing Thunderbird Storm, powered by an unchanged 1,699cc parallel twin with 93bhp and an emphasis on low-rev torque. The Commander is a naked cruiser with twin headlamps and two-tone paint; the LT (standing for Light Touring) is built for long-distance riding and has a quickly detachable windscreen and leather saddlebags.
Triumph's smaller capacity cruising range is also updated, with cosmetic changes to the America and Speedmaster and a new model: the America LT. This has the same 865cc, 60bhp parallel twin as the standard America, and adds Light Touring accessories as above. Triumph will also be showing the new Tiger 800XC Special Edition, a cosmetic update with black paintwork and a red frame.
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| The Triumph Thunderbird Commander |
VESPA
The new Primavera is a classically styled scooter inspired by the popular model of the same name launched in 1968. Based on the Italian marque's existing 946 scooter, the Primavera (springtime in Italian) combines sheet steel bodywork with a new version of Vespa's single-arm front suspension. The 125 and 150cc models develop 10bhp and 13bhp respectively.
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| The Vespa Primavera |
VICTORY
These will inevitably be overshadowed by the new Indian range from parent company Polaris. But the acquisition allows Victory to be repositioned as a sportier American V-twin option, with models such as the new Hammer SLE (Sport Limited Edition). Powered by the same 1731cc V-twin engine, it has been created solely for the European market, with lower handlebars and more rearset footrests.
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| The Victory Hammer SLE |
WK
The Chinese-built range began with small-capacity bikes and has recently grown to include two 650cc parallel twins, based on Kawasaki's ER-6. Alongside the naked 650i, which costs £4,199, is the new 650TR EFI. This a touring model that combines the same 69bhp engine and tubular steel frame with a full fairing and panniers – all for £5,199.
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| The WK650TR |
YAMAHA
In a break with tradition, two major new models, the MT-09 and XV950, were launched in mid-summer. This means that many NEC visitors will be getting a first close-up of the MT-09, a light and aggressive naked roadster with an 847cc, three-cylinder engine developing 113bhp. The XV is a 942cc aircooled V-twin with minimalist cruiser styling, and is also available with uprated suspension and ABS brakes.
In Milan, revitalised Yamaha also launched the MT-07. It’s a naked roadster powered by a 689cc, 74bhp parallel twin engine. The MT-09 Street Rally is a close derivative of the original MT-09, with supermoto styling. The SR marks the return of the old SR400, relaunched as a base for customising with its traditional styling and single-cylinder engine.
Yamaha also has a new three-wheeled scooter. The Tricity is powered by a 125cc four-stroke engine and weighs just 150kg, much less than rival three-wheelers. Another notable figure is its price, likely to be less than £4,000 when it arrives next summer.
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| The Yamaha Tricity |
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Motorcycle Live opens from 10am-5pm on weekdays and 10am-6pm at weekends. Advance tickets (available until 5pm on November 22) cost £17 for adults, £11 for seniors and £7 for children 6-16 (under-fives accompanied by a paying adult go free). This includes access to the Crank'd Live Action Show.
first published in www.telegraph.co.uk
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