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Prototype and concept bikes are my favorite part of EICMA. They're radical, they're fun, and they don't have price tags. Here’s what we got this year.
Ducati DesertX concept
Back in the day, Ducati built some burly rally machines to compete in events like Dakar. Factory versions of these super-trailies were badged E900s or Elefants. The recipe is simple: Jam a big desmo V-twin into what we’d call an ADV chassis today, and there ya go! Which way to the sand?
We’re seeing some renewed interest in this retro-rally style (see the Husky above, Suzuki’s V-Strom reboot, or even the Moto Guzzi V85 TT. People seem to like new bikes that kinda look like old rally bikes. Ducati, give the people what they want.
If the ultra-popular Desert Sled was the Scrambler line’s first step towards real off-roadin’, the DesertX concept would be their next big move.
For now, Ducati seems more interested in showing the DesertX than talking about it. We don’t know much, except that it’ll be motivated by the 1100 powerplant, which makes 86 horsepower in the big Scrams.
True to Ducati's drawings, the concept bike features rear fuel tanks, proper off-road wheel sizes, and distinctive daytime running lights. BYO Lucky Strike sponsor stickers.
Best of all, Ducati says this bike’s destined for production. Rad!
Husqvarna Norden 901
Husqvarna adventure bike concept? Honestly, I’d expect a KTM 790 Adventure dressed up in blue and white, and I’m happy to say that is not what Husqvarna delivered. While this ADV concept appears to borrow plenty from KTM, the styling is straight out of Husky’s street lineup. (Wait, does this mean there’s a KTM 890 Adventure on the way?)
Spurgeon’s pointed out that the Norden 901 carries more weight up high than the KTM, and that it won’t be as “sharp” in technical terrain. I think he’s right. This bike probably won’t satisfy the performance-first customers. (And let’s be real, they’d just buy the KTM, anyway.) And since KTM owns Husqvarna, it’s to their advantage to differentiate the two brands a little.
For a concept, the Norden 901 looks nearly production-ready. I think I see the KTM 790 Adventure’s frame under all that fancy bodywork, and probably a retuned Duke 890 engine if “901” is anything to go by. The wheels (21/18) and WP suspension are right in line with what’s already available on production KTMs. If Husqvarna decides to make this thing happen, KTM’s already done a lot of the work for them.
Not many details out there on this bike, because that’s how these concept things work. Husqvarna, just make it already. Everyone knows you’re going to, anyway.
Honda CB4X concept
This is the second time this week I’m writing about “adventure sports” bikes, which are apparently semi-faired standards on stilts. I think I like adventure sports.
So, what’s Honda showing off? First off, that appears to be the four-cylinder out of the CB650R. If Honda actually builds something like this, I’d be just fine with that engine, even if some folks wish it had more character or bite. For a bike like this, 100 horses would be more than enough for me.
And maybe it would be more than enough for Editor Lance, too. As our staff representative of the sport-touring market, I know he’d like a bike with some wind protection (check), smooth multi-cylinder power (check), an upright-but-slightly-forward riding position (check), standard wheels for sporty tires (check), and the ability to easily add hard luggage (not a prayer). Sorry, Lance.
BMW R18 Concept
Following a string of radical builds over the last year, BMW debuted the R18 /2 concept in Milan. I think this is the closest bike yet to a production-ready big boxer. The powerplant, which BMW calls the “R18,” is presumably around 1,800 cc. Chunky! With it, BMW’s gunning for the cruiser market, a segment they’ve traditionally struggled with. I’ll, uh, let that video speak for itself.
It’s very unlikely that BMW would use an engine like this in just one model. Along with something like the cruiser shown, I’d expect a few other heavyweights to follow if the R18 sees the light of day. Just look at what they’ve done with all their other platforms.
These were my top picks from EICMA, so this wasn’t an exhaustive list. If I missed something you loved, let me know about it.
