INTERMOT 2018

The 3rd to the 7th of October saw motorcycle manufacturers and enthusiasts gather at the biennial INTERMOT conference held in Cologne, Germany. The trade show originally began in Munich but moved to Cologne in 2006 where it is held at the international trade fair and exhibition center, Koelnmesse. This year saw a total 1131 exhibitors from 40 countries make the pilgrimage that draws a total of 222,000 visitors to the almost 200,000 sq meter exhibition space. It’s no wonder then that the top motorcycling manufacturers in the world chose this event to unveil some of 2018’s most exciting additions to the Adventure segment.

Arguably the most anticipated launch is that of the much-speculated upgrade to BMW’s legendary GS range. To say that the rumor mill has been active on the new offering from the engineers at Bayerische Motoren Werke would be an understatement. The last couple of months seeing countless online threads and “leaked facts” about what the future might hold for the legendary GS class. However, BMW has put all conjecture to rest with the release of the upgraded king of adventure. The official details provide a glimpse into a more refined machine with increased power across the whole speed range, enhanced fuel consumption and emissions control along with a quoted “smoother ride.”

The newest installment to the Gelände / Strasse sees the engine capacity of 1,170cc’s increased to 1,254cc’s that puts out 136 hp (previously 125 hp) at 7750rpm and 105 ft-lb of torque (previously 92 ft-lb). This has been a major point of discussion with many adventure riders siting the top KTM specs as a reference for what they believe BMW should have aimed for. However, Ulrich Ast, BMW Motorrad Project Manager, has been quick to address these concerns. “Power is not everything. Torque is actually a much more important figure. Even though most people don’t recognize it torque is the bit that lets you drive off easily, that gives you the punch to get out of corners more easily. So for us, it was definitely more important, especially on a bike that you want to have super control off-road, to increase torque over power.” With this, the challenge to skeptics was given; “Go take it for a ride and tell us if you lack any power.”

The most notable change within the engine itself has been the new cam technology which at first glance seems highly promising. “The engine uses Shiftcam Technology which enables variation of the valve timings and valve stroke on the intake side. The intake camshafts are designed for an asynchronous opening of the two intake valves, resulting in an enhanced swirl of fresh, incoming mixture and therefore a more effective combustion.” An electronic actuator alternatively shifts the intake cam between a low and high lobe as required by the engines power needs. Although this might beg the question of reliability out in the field, Ast comments that; “In the very unlikely event that there might be a system failure the cam will be just in the low position, and the engine will be running. Probably not on full power but it will be running, and it will not prevent you from continuing your adventure out in the wilderness.”

On offer for the 2019 GS are two new style variants. First being an HP white ‘Rallye’ version that features golden spoked wheels, a short rally style windscreen, flat enduro seat, and an option to install longer-travel suspension for an off-road orientated set-up. The second option is, in turn, more geared towards touring with the standard equipment one would expect. A split seat, taller windscreen, and cast wheels.

This year’s big reveal from KTM has been the new 450 Rally Replica. With a concept from the orange giant that is genuinely Ready To Race. It brings a “customer” version to market of the famed KTM 450 that Matthias Walkner rode to the podium of the Dakar in early 2018. This new Rally Replica now employs the technological innovation that propelled the Austrian firm to their 17th straight Dakar. The bike has been completely redesigned from the ground up with a hundred percent of the focus placed on rally racing. It features the same 450cc SOHC powerplant with fuel-injection designed to increase engine power thanks to a newly designed cylinder head, extended durability, and an improved transmission. These elements are all complemented by a new engine management system and a freshly developed throttle body. Also reworked is the new air filter box that offers more room for the electrics and battery while also helping to centralize the mass of the motorcycle. This has been a key point in the development of the checkered flag focused machine. “The 2019 KTM 450 Rally Replica also enjoys a brand-new chassis, tested and developed with factory riders for the perils of Rally riding which we have seen in recent years. It combines improved agility with enhanced braking while retaining the incredible straight-line stability that the KTM rally machines are renowned for.”

Front suspension WP XACT PRO 48mm closed cartridge units, with Cone Valve technology, and the new swingarm with the reworked linkage and shock absorber provides improved traction when accelerating, while also providing increased bottoming reserves. “The new bodywork utilizes sophisticated aerodynamics to increase rider comfort while improving visibility past the carbon tower to the front wheel. A new, softer seat, revised fuel tanks, and Akrapovič exhaust, which also contributes to mass centralization and improved weight distribution also reiterates the design goal of a lightweight, agile, comfortable and stable bike.” KTM Factory Rally Team Leader Stefan Huber had the following to say: “The 450 Rally Replica is based on the already-successful factory machine that we began racing at the end of last year, which was specifically developed to win the Dakar. With the latest generation, our goal and focus were to develop a bike around the style of our current factory riders, who required something with more comfort, more agility, and improved stability. We looked for an improvement in handling, a lower weight, as well as a bike that also meets the demands of the conditions and intensity that we now find at Dakar.” The 450 Rally Replica is as close to identical as one can get to the machines raced by KTM’s top athlete. Unfortunately, there are only a planned 75 units in the limited production run, and almost all have already been reserved at a price of $29,977 / €26,000. Although if you didn’t have that kind of cash lying around you might be happy to hear that KTM also announced that support packages would be available at next year’s Dakar Rally for all models of KTM rally bikes. Just in case you want to stoke your inner privateer dreams.

First, put on display in 2017 at the EICMA show in Milan, the Moto Guzzi’s V85 Concept garnered a great deal of attention for its retro-inspired adventure-focused styling. This enthusiasm carried over to the unveiling of the V85TT production ready model proudly displayed at this year’s Intermot show. Along with a new color variant that was displayed fully loaded, which also managed to draw its own level attention, the production-ready machine sees a few minor changes from the concept original. Featuring different hand guards, exhaust canister and a shorter windscreen the Moto Guzzi engineers also chose to swap out the Ohlins rear shock for a production unit, possibly all in the name of keeping costs down.

The TT marker in the V85TT stands for “Tutto Terreno” translating to All Terrain from Italian. Unfortunately, specifications for the new offering from The Piaggio Group owned company have been sparse making this a bit more difficult to confirm. The powerplant is quintessential Guzzi with a two-cylinder 90° transverse air-cooled 850cc engine sitting in a tubular steel frame with the final drive being shaft driven as expected. With an output of 80 hp, currently available marketing material reveals that; “The anchorage of the engine creates a rigid structure that restores precision and rigor on the road, and even robustness and the right feeling in off-road riding. A truly rewarding performance is assured on every route as well as guaranteeing to the V85 TT all the character and responsive acceleration a Moto Guzzi is famed for.” Up front, the TT boasts a modern full-color TFT display which should provide access to smartphone integration and rider modes. ABS and Traction Control is in turn handled through a pair of Brembo brakes in the front and as expected a single rear unit. Current display models wear a 19” / 17” wheel configuration. Even though they are dressed in road-orientated tires this points to Moto-Guzzi’s desire to position their latest offering as a potentially serious touring machine. More info should be released at the upcoming EICMA show in Milan scheduled to be held from the 6th to 11th of November.

With the Legendary Africa Twin making its way back into riders garages across the globe in 2016, 2018 saw Honda updating the range with the launch of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports model. The new variant satisfying some of the key complaints we’d heard from off-road riders such as long-travel suspension, extended range and other ADV riding features. With the first edition of the CRF1000L having sold over 36,000 units, the Adventure Sport managed to match these sales within less than a year. So with this kind of success, Honda has chosen not to tamper with an obviously popular and incredibly capable product. Instead, they chose this year’s show to reveal updates to the color schemes on offer for current models. “This autumn sees the arrival in dealers of a sophisticated new ‘Silver Metallic’ color for the Africa Twin Adventure Sports and revised colors for the Africa Twin. The matt black version now wears gold rims; both the red and tricolore versions have their classic ‘Africa Twin’ logo in black. The tricolore version now also borrows the beautiful royal blue of the ‘Adventure Sports’ version on its evocative paintwork.”

While Suzuki chose to unveil their stunning new Katana at Intermot this year they, unfortunately, neglected to show off their latest ADV offerings. The 2019 V-Strom 1000XT Adventure is undoubtedly the best bang for your buck currently in the ADV segment. With a 1037cc 90° V-Twin engine the new V-Strom manages to “still deliver strong engine performance while at the same time meeting worldwide emission requirements.” And with it scheduled to make an appearance at this upcoming weekends AIMExpo in Las Vegas from the 11th to the 14th of October, it undoubtedly means that the new V-Strom should be making its way to US showrooms by early 2019. Featuring standard equipment that includes an accessory bar, engine protection bars, center stand, heated grips, and new 37-liter ADV-style aluminum panniers on stainless steel mounts, it is a strong price contender against the more expensive ADV models currently on the market. Suzuki has also installed their Five-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) which provides the V-Strom with spatial information that is employed in an innovative Motion Track Anti-lock and Combined Brake System to assist in real world riding conditions. On the dash, the multifunction, illumination-adjustable instrument panel delivers a wide range of vehicle information and also aids in selecting different traction control modes. With styling that harks back to a DR-Big the Suzuki heritage is well cemented. The fairing holds the vertically stacked headlights while housing a hand-adjustable windshield. Along with the 1000XT Adventure Suzuki has also opted to bring out a 650XT, which even though it carries the Adventure moniker, is arguably slightly more touring orientated.

This year’s show proved to be as exciting as promised. Bringing a new ADV leader to the fray and shedding some light as to the direction that the industry leaders are taking in the current climate. The Adventure motorcycling segment has been growing steadily in the last couple of years. With some markets experiencing a resurgence while others are seeing an unprecedented uptake over traditional segments. Seeing not only motorcycle manufacturers catch on to this but clothing and accessories suppliers investing in offering more innovative products than ever before. There has undoubtedly never been a more interesting time to be riding an Adventure bike than now. Speculation however as to what the future will bring for the segment is a hot topic though. For now, we look forward to the annual EICMA in November and seeing what else might be in store for Adventure riders in 2018.

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