Rant On What's New At Intermot

This is a very exciting time of the year for me.  My free moments are spent on mostly European motorcycle websites trying to get a glimpse of what's being introduced for the next year.  A lot of times, you'll find me on a website trying to decipher Italian.  So, the first major show of the year has hit in Cologne, Germany and here's my take on what's been introduced so far in no particular order:

• Kawasaki ZX10R - I'm a little bit of a fan of Kawasaki though I hate the color green.  It's no secret to anyone that knows me that I'm a huge Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey fan who both got their starts on Team Green/Muzzy tuned Kawasaki superbikes in the eary 80's.  The new ZX10R looks to me like a mix of the current Yamaha R1 and Honda CBR1000RR with a horribly exaggerated, cartoonish exhaust.  I liked the '03 ZX10R and the ones that followed it were at least unique looking.  The new bike just looks terribly derivative in it's styling.
• Triumph Thunderbird Storm - My poor friend DJ!  He was an early taker for the new Thunderbird 1600 when it was introduced.  Since then, he's adapted what he feels is a set of "Triumph Trademark" bug-eye headlights and has spend a small fortune at the local powder coater's blacking out a bunch of shiny bits of chrome.  Now the factory has done it themselves, with their 1700cc kit to boot!  The bike looks pretty good and I know it works well.  DJ, you should have waited a year!
• Ducati 1198/1198SP - Ah, Ducati at it's parts bin best!  So far, the 1198SP has gotten most of the press coverage with it's S-Corse bits and pieces, but the basic 1198 to me, presents the best value.  It now has all the high tech electronic nannies that the S model had.  Though it doesn't have Öhlins forks or rear shock, it doesn't carry the same price either!  Good effort on what is reportedly it's final year.
• Triumph Speed Triple - I have not been a fan of the styling of this bike since the introduction of the 955 bug-eyed naked from the late '90's, though I feel that the original single headlight, carbureted model is one of the best looking bikes of it's time.  To tell you the truth, Triumph has been lacking in the styling department of their sportier bikes for a long time.  Currently, the Daytona 675 is only fairly good looking at best.  The new Speed Triple, though looks very compact and light, looks very derivative in it's styling.  My gripes:  The fuel tank looks like it's lifted directly from a Kawasaki Versys and the radiator shrouds look like the barge boards of the Ducati Multistrada 1200.  At least the front end looks better with a fly screen.  At least the bike looks more finished now.
• Horex 203CV - My father's stories from his youth in Cuba include bikes from Horex.  It's nice to see them coming back.  The new bike reminds me of a Moto Guzzi concept from Milan from a couple of years ago.  I don't know what's going on with the engine.  Anyone?
• Suzuki GSXR750 - You know, this bike doesn't look half bad.  I've always been a fan of 3/4 liter bikes because of their good usable horsepower and torque.
• BMW K1600 GT/GTL - These bikes aren't as bad as they could have been.  I really don't understand BMW's design language when it comes to motorcycles.  At best, I can describe them as bulbous.  On the other hand, I'm a big fan of inline six cylinder motorcycles.  The technological aspects of this bike is quite impressive, especially the self leveling HID headlight.  I'm curious to see how big this bike is in person, because it looks huge in the pictures, especially in GTL form!

Now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for EICMA in Milan.  Stay tuned!