[Toshihiro Wakayama : Motorcycle Journalist]
Japanese Dual Rear Suspension Has Come into Style in Europe
After having a tour of INTERMOT 2016, I was convinced that there is a trend for retro styled motorcycles in Europe too.
Naked motorcycles with dual rear suspensions made for Japanese market are now attracting attention although no one had a look at it at all few years ago. Yamaha SR400 is now available in Europe and US, and XJR1300C is planned to be sold in Europe also. This is something we never thought about before.
Honda CB1100 was born 7 years ago originally focusing on the Japanese market, but it attracted much attention in Europe. This is why HONDA CB1100 was not just released in Europe 4 years ago, they also introduced their new CB1100RS with a taste of sportiness at INTERMOT this year.
“Back to the Basics” in Europe, too
Focusing on European motorcycles, BMW released R nineT 3 years ago, and they added derived models, R nineT Pure and Racer this time. TRIUMPH also released fully model-changeovered Bonneville series last year, but they added T100 with smaller displacement to compete their product line.
It is said that people are tired of motorcycles which have too much emphasis on advanced functions and looking back the past to reconsider motorcycle’s original state including ordinal retro style.
Scramblers were Born from the Needs of Ordinal Motorcycles
Additionally, Scrambler-oriented thought came from the tendency to be attracted by ordinal motorcycles. This was caused by people who asked for a versatility as a general motorcycle. However, there was not such a model to be introduced at INTERMOT this year.
People who showed interest in retro styled motorcycles were mostly elderly, so this current trend might not last for a long time. However, I believe the tendency to pursue motorcycles which are “closer to human being” will not change anytime soon.
CB1100RS Tickles Through My Mind!
Improved Front Fork and Engine Characteristics is Changed
Newly introduced HONDA CB1100RS has 17″ front and rear wheels comparing to 18″ wheels which regular EX model in Europe have. The fork offset remained the same as 40mm while the vehicle posture is down warded. You might think this may cause you a balance problem, but there is no worry for that.
Handgrip is located 7mm anterior and Φ41mm front fork is now Φ43mm dual bending type. Newly modified map matching engine will help the machine to provide faster riding rhythm than EX and offer superior sportiness.
Fuel tanks (including New EX) has frangeless bottom plate which is not welded. This enhances its curves and improves retro style looking even more.
Widened Varieties for R nine T Series
Casual TRIUMPH T100 Series
BMW added scramblers on R nineT series last year, but R nineT Pure literary pursuits the origin of motorcycles. The inverted fork is now upright, the fuel tank is steel mare, meters have single-lenses as well as scramblers. It is much simpler and the price is reduced.
Also, racers have rocket cowls to complete café racer style which offers forward-bent riding position. This is a model which reminds us 70’s.
TRIUMPH changed over retro styled twin Bonneville into water-cooled engined. They introduced traditionally imaged T120 with 1197cc capacity, café-racer style ThruxtonR, and casual and reasonably priced Street Twins which were bored down to 899cc.
Then this year, they added T100 and T100 Black which are both loaded with 899cc, and Street Cup which looks like “café-racer style Street Twin”.
These all newly added Bonneville series are loaded with a traditional 360° crank, not 270° and have ABS and Traction Control System. This is why those retro styled motorcycles with smaller displacement are not easily low-priced.
“Ducati Super Sport” Reflecting the Image of “Ducati SS Series”
Another newly added motorcycle from Ducati, Supersport, is not retro style by looking , but I can say that I get the impression of “Retro” in my heart since this is a revival model of “Ducati SS”.
It seems like that the vehicle itself is designed based on “Monster”, and its riding position is more forward bent, but more upright than superbikes so it can be used on public roads. It is also loaded with Hypermotard 939’s 937cc Testastretta 11° engine (Big bore version of Monster 821’s 821cc engine).
900SS and 400SS from Ducati SS series were once relatively popular in Japan, but they were difficult to handle for beginner riders when turning corners. However, current Monster is manageable for everyone. The fact Monster 1200R shows off its potential on circuits means it is suitable for riding not just on winding roads but also enjoyable on circuits too.