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As EICMA 2021 draws to a close, here’s a roundup of new and unusual motorcycles that debuted at the show.
The last year has been challenging for many manufacturers as they face supply shortages, shipping issues, COVID-19, and more. These headwinds might be why many of the ‘22s revealed at the show are mild updates to existing models. Let’s take a look.
Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory and RS 660 Limited Edition
No surprise here: The new Tuono 660 gets the coveted Factory trim for 2022. If you want to get the most out of this twin’s impressive power-to-weight ratio, get in line for this Tuono. It weighs 399 pounds (claimed, curb) and makes 100 horsepower. Features include shorter final gearing, fully adjustable suspension, an IMU (which adds corrning ABS with lean-sensitive traction control), and racy bodywork. If the Factory versions of the big-boy Tuonos are anything to go by, these will be popular.
There’s also a stars ‘n’ stripes special edition of the RS 660 to celebrate Aprilia’s winning season in MotoAmerica Twins Cup. 1,500 RS 660 Special Editions will be sold with a unique “Racing Package” that includes “a single-seat tail-fairing cover, oversized top fairing, and quick shift with upside-down gearbox.” Aprilia claims that the quickshifter can be set up for standard or upside-down shift using software, not sockets and screwdrivers, which is pretty neat. Aprilia, please send us one to try?
As for that paintwork, it honors the colors of MotoAmerica Twins Cup champ Kaleb De Keyrel, who went on to race in the Aprilia RS 660 Trophy after cleaning up in MotoAmerica.
2022 Bimota KB4 and KB4 RC
Kawasaki acquired Bimota a couple years ago, but in that time, the new owners focused on the wild Tesi H2, which grafts Bimota’s iconic Tesi styling and hub-center steering onto Team Green’s supercharged H2 platform. Now, another pair of Kawi-based Bimotas joins the Tesi. Say hello to the KB4 and KB4 RC, based on the naturally aspirated Ninja 1000 SX.
These motorcycles drape retro-inspired Bimota looks over fully modern running gear. Bimota traditionally named their models with the first letter of the powerplant supplier (K for Kawasaki, in this case), the first letter of their own brand, and a number to denote how many times they’d collaborated. It’s been a few decades since the beautiful KB3 of 1983, based on the KZ1000.
The KB4 is dripping with carbon fiber and other exquisite parts, including forged wheels, hand-painted fairings, and a leather seat. Bimota calls it “mechanical jewelry – art to see as well as ride!” The engine and its tune seem to be unchanged from the Ninja’s, so these retro roadsters should produce 140 horsepower from their inline fours. The KB4 and KB4 RC feature an unusual cooling design that places the radiator under the seat, with a cooling fan and large ducts to evacuate heat. Maybe not the most practical arrangement, but it is striking. (Benelli’s lovely Tornado Tre 900s used a similar design starting in 2002.)
2022 Kawasaki H2 SX SE
Kawasaki gave their speedy H2 SX SE sport-tourer some love for 2022, headlined by new front/rear radar for a range of high-tech features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warnings, and blindspot warnings.This marks the first Japanese manufacturer to offer these features on a production motorcycle thanks to the same Bosch technology we’ve seen on recent Eurobikes.
As an additional upgrade to the H2 SX SE, Kawasaki added its dash with their SPIN infotainment/smartphone connectivity system. The headlight and upper fairing got a redesign, the seats were widened, and some other niceties like TPMS, heated grips, and hill hold were added. As a result, the H2 SX SE remains the finest sport-tourer with forced induction on the market.
2022 Suzuki Katana
Suzuki announced some updates for the Katana at this year’s show, mostly focused on electronics. One of the major highlights here is the addition of ride-by-wire throttle, which means the Katana now features three ride modes. There’s also an up/down quickshifter (which this model should have had from the start, given its positioning).
The bike also picked up a few horsepower to reach an even 150 after changes to the camshafts, airbox, and valve springs. Throw in a slipper clutch and a matte navy paint option, and the new generation of Katana can stand a little taller among its competitors.
Yamaha Ténéré 700 Raid Concept
The Ténéré 700 Raid Concept suggests a high-spec middleweight adventure model for customers who push the limits off-road. What are they waiting for? Just release the bike and move on. Yamaha has been showing T7s at EICMA since 2016… Good grief.
2022 Benelli TRK 800
Benelli made an unexpected move at EICMA with their largest ADV bike yet, the TRK 800. The new bike features a a 754 cc parallel twin borrowed from their Leoncino street standard. It’s good for 76 horsepower and 48 foot-pounds of torque… but Benelli claims a dry weight of nearly 500 pounds. A dry KTM 1290 Super Adventure R weighs less than that. Throw in the 19-inch front wheel, and it’s clear that the TRK 800 isn’t about to face off against the champions of the middleweight class. That said, we’ll have to try it for ourselves before passing judgment, although this isn’t the first Benelli with an unusually high dry weight.
Suspension is by Marzocchi, braking is by Brembo, and the dash looks modern enough in photos. Keep in mind that today’s Benelli motorcycles are designed in Italy and built in China. Attractive pricing could put this bike on the map. They should reach Europe in late 2022, and there is no word on U.S. availability yet.
That's all that caught our eye this year. We'll be watching for more new motorcycles as 2022 approaches, particularly from Ducati. Stay tuned.
