Best of EICMA 2022: Brand new motorcycles coming to Australia

Well, that’s a wrap on EICMA 2022. The world’s best motorcycle show has yet again provided enticing first reveals of some of the finest new motorcycles and bike products soon to make their way into a showroom near you.

This year’s event presented some surprises; like CFMOTO’s hard-edged 800MT Sport R track bike, Suzuki’s new parallel-twin and the return of the Yamaha Tracer 7 destined for release Down Under.

Some interesting new concepts also give us a hint at the future of motorcycling. For instance Aprilia’s pure-electric ELECTRICa supermoto and Kawasaki’s upcoming hydrogen- and hybrid-powered sportsbikes. But there’s so much more…

Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting metal on display at the 2022 EICMA motorcycle show, with a keen focus on the new bikes headed to Australian dealerships in the not-too-distant future.

EICMA 2022: Aprilia

RS 660 Extrema: A new range-topping variant based on Aprilia’s popular middleweight sportsbike model is set to hit Australian showrooms ‘late next year’.

Pricing for the Extrema has yet to be confirmed, however, it will certainly sit above the standard full-power RS 660, which is currently available from $21,230 rideaway.

Distinguishing the Extrema is a dedicated white-and-red livery, SC Project exhaust system, single-seat tail section, a revised carbon-fibre front guard and new belly pan as well as removable rear footpegs. These components contribute to a weight reduction of around three kilograms, compared to the standard variant.

The bike maintains its high-end six-axis IMU for cornering ABS and lean-angle sensitive traction control, among other features, although the Extrema gains the ability to set the shifter in an upside-down configuration for track use.

ELECTRICa: Aprilia previews a potential future electric motorcycle model with the reveal of its ELECTRICa concept bike.

While not yet slated for production, the Aprilia ELECTRICa provides a glimpse at its next-generation design direction and a new electrified form from the Italian marque.

Aprilia is tight-lipped regarding the ELECTRICa’s specifications, although we can see that the electric motor sends power to the rear wheel via a chain and that it is designed to be accessible to a wide range of riders, thanks to its low seat height and scooter-style front and rear brake levers.

Also: The Italian bikemaker’s most aggressive iteration of its RSV4 superbike, the XTrenta, was shown to the public in all its aerodynamic glory.

EICMA 2022: Benelli

TNT 500: A new naked sportsbike built on the same platform as the Leoncino 500 and TRK 502 will arrive in Australian showrooms next year.

The Benelli TNT 500 draws power from a familiar 500cc parallel-twin engine generating 35kW and 46Nm, making it fit for LAMS certification in Australia.

Key features include a 5.0-inch TFT dash, upside down forks with 125mm of travel, 320mm front brake discs and lightweight 17-inch wheels.

TRK 800, 702 and 251: Benelli is significantly expanding its adventure bike offerings with two non-LAMS models, the TRK 702 and TRK 800, as well as the small-capacity TRK 251 which will join the TRK 502 in its LAMS-friendly line-up and rival the upcoming 250 V-Strom from Suzuki when it launches later next year.

BKX 250: A new city runabout is expected to be the entry-point into the Benelli brand Down Under, drawing its power from a 250cc single-cylinder engine making 19kW and 21Nm.

Also: The all-new models revealed at EICMA will join the TRK 502, Leoncino 500, Leoncino 800, TNT 125 and 502C in the brand’s local line-up. It has yet to be confirmed whether the current TNT 600I and 752S will make way for the incoming TNT 500. Pricing for the 2023 range has yet to be locked in.

EICMA 2022: CFMOTO

800MT Sport R: While as yet unconfirmed for production, there appears to be nothing stopping CFMOTO from further developing the 800MT Sport R, a road-focussed version of its most popular adventure bike model.

The Sport R swaps large wire-spoked wheels and dual-sport tyres for 17-inch lightweight cast wheels with grippy road rubber.

Also distinguishing the concept bike is sportier ergonomics, an extended wheelbase, Brembo brakes and upgraded KYB suspension. CFMOTO designers have also given the bike a racing livery treatment with bright blue-and-pink graphics.

NK-C22: Alongside the 800MT Sport R was the platform-sharing NK-C22 concept, which will certainly make its way to the production line in the form of a new 800NK naked sportsbike.

It is unlikely that the concept’s single-sided swingarm, SC Project exhaust, aerodynamic wheels and winglets will make it to the production-ready 800NK, however, the concept bike does provide clues as to what can be expected.

700CL-X Adventure: CFMOTO has now released its off-road-capable 700CL-X Adventure in Australia, priced from $11,990 rideaway.

The Adventure joins the Heritage roadster ($9490) and Sport cafe racer ($10,490) in the brand’s local line-up, distinguished by a number of key features including raised ground clearance, a ‘scrambler-style’ seat, cruise control, an Off-Road rider mode, tubeless wire-spoked wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres and new smartphone connectivity features.

Motivating the 700CL-X range is a 693cc parallel-twin engine generating 55kW and 68Nm.

Also: CFMOTO’s electric subsidiary Zeeho revealed its Magnet Concept as well as production ‘AE’ scooter range. The brand’s local distributor confirmed that Zeeho will launch in Australia in the second half of next year.

EICMA 2022: Ducati

DesertX: Ducati’s 2023 DesertX sports a new livery to give a touch of colour to its off-road-focussed middleweight adventure bike, which was previously only available in white.

The new-look Ducati DesertX is priced from $26,400 rideaway, which translates to a $1700 price increase compared to the standard Star White Silk version, which carries on from $24,700.

The ‘RR22’ livery was first seen six months ago in a promotional video made in collaboration with carmaker Audi, which saw MotoGP racer Danilo Petrucci pilot the specially clad DesertX alongside F1 driver Carlos Sainz and the all-electric RS Q e-tron rally car.

Scrambler: The 2023 range of Scrambler retro naked bikes consists of three variants, Icon, Full Throttle and Nightshift, and will go on sale in Australia in the fourth quarter of next year.

The entry-level Ducati Scrambler Icon checks in from $15,895 plus on-road costs (around $18,000 rideaway), while the Full Throttle and Nightshift are both available from $17,995.

Notably, last week’s Ducati Scrambler reveal event did not feature a new Desert Sled, the most off-road capable of the Scrambler family. INFO MOTO has asked Ducati to clarify the Desert Sled’s position moving forward and will update this story accordingly.

Also: In a landslide victory the recently revealed Ducati Diavel V4 won EICMA 2022’s Most Beautiful Bike award, beating the second-place Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S by a significant margin.

EICMA 2022: Honda

XL750 Transalp: Honda officially revealed its XL750 Transalp, a new middleweight adventure bike to sit below its larger-capacity Africa Twin. The bike signals Honda’s entry into the booming segment occupied by the likes of the Yamaha Tenere 700 and Aprilia Tuareg 660.

The new Honda Transalp is built on the same platform as the recently revealed Hornet naked bike, using the same 755cc parallel twin engine, tuned in this case to produce 67.5kW and 75Nm.

While it uses the same motor as the Hornet, Honda says the Transalp’s ride-by-wire settings have been adjusted to better suit long-distance touring work.

Tech features include 5.0-inch TFT dash, smartphone connectivity with voice control, full LED lighting with self-cancelling indicators and a USB socket. Four rider modes can be chosen, including Sport, Standard, Rain and Gravel.

Preload adjustable Showa 43mm forks provide 200mm travel at the front end, while a similarly adjustable Pro-Link shock gives 190mm of travel at the rear.

Honda has confirmed that the XL750 will hit Australian showrooms in the second half of 2023 in three colour schemes: Ross White, Matte Ballistic Black and Matte Iridium Gray. Pricing has yet to be confirmed.

CMX1100T: Honda has revealed a new variant to join its flagship cruiser range, dubbed CMX1100T, the bike adding key touring upgrades, including a half-fairing and hard panniers.

Unique to the ‘T’ is a fork-mounted half-fairing with a short windscreen, new hard rear panniers with hinged top lids that offering a total 35-litre capacity (up 11L compared to current nylon saddle bags).

These new parts have resulted in a weight gain of 16 kilograms to 238kg (wet), or up to 248kg in DCT guise.

Mechanically, the Honda CMX1100 cruiser range is unchanged, drawing power from the same Africa-Twin-derived 1084cc parallel-twin engine generating 64kW and 98Nm.

CL500: Honda has confirmed that its all-new CL500 will indeed hit local showrooms in the second quarter of next year.

The Honda CL500 is positioned as a ‘street scrambler’, built on the same platform as its affordably priced CB500F, CB500X, CBR500R and CMX500 siblings, with a 471cc parallel-twin engine. Pricing for the CL500 has yet to be locked in.

Honda has clearly designed the CL500 to be approachable and easy-to-ride for new motorcyclists, with a seat height of 790mm and upright ergonomics. With the 12-litre tank filled, the CL500 tips the scales at 192 kilograms.

The ‘scrambler’ aesthetic is visible via the upswept exhaust, round LED headlight and tuck-roll seat, while standard equipment is kept minimal with a small round LCD dash, 41mm forks (150mm travel) and a single two-piston front caliper squeezing a 310mm disc. Cast wheels measure 19- and 17-inches front-to-back.

Also: Following its reveal at the Intermot motorcycle show in October, Honda showed its all-new CB750 Hornet to the crowd at EICMA. The revived Hornet should rival the likes of the Yamaha MT-07, Kawasaki Z650 and Triumph Trident when it hits showrooms in the second quarter of next year.

EICMA 2022: Indian

FTR: Indian has consolidated its FTR range to two variants, FTR Sport and FTR R Carbon, raising the point of entry into its flat-track-inspired, naked sportsbike range.

The 2023 Indian FTR will launch in March of 2023, priced from $25,995 rideaway for the base Sport, and $27,995 for the range-topping R Carbon.

This means that the base FTR and mid-spec FTR S, which were launched last year from $19,995 and $22,995, will no longer be available.

New for 2023 is a 4.0-inch round TFT dash, a new ‘sports’ exhaust and retuned front braking system for a ‘firmer feel’. The speedo has been also been adjusted for easier viewing and a new clutch is said to improve performance.

Challenger Elite: Just 150 units of the high-spec bagger will be offered worldwide, with just a few to arrive in Australia priced from $47,995 rideaway.

Key features for the Challenger Elite include electronic Fox suspension, adaptive headlight, upgraded speakers and new ‘Precision Cut’ five-spoke wheels.

Also: For 2023, the entire Indian line-up will see minor updates including a new clutch for Thunderstroke and PowerPlus models, revised lighting and switchgear with haptic feedback on select models and a new storage compartment for the Pursuit.

EICMA 2022: Kawasaki

Electric: Team Green revealed two electric motorcycles in the form of a Z naked bike and Ninja sportsbike, both set to go into production sometime next year.

The exact names of these electric bikes have yet to be revealed, although we now know that they draw power from an 11kW electric motor mated to a single-speed, clutchless transmission.

Hybrid: While not expected to launch until after 2024, Kawasaki showed a ‘near-production’ version of its hybrid model, currently referred to as HEV (hybrid-electric-vehicle).

If Kawasaki’s fully electric models set to launch next year can be considered ‘125cc equivalents’, the HEV is expected to offer ‘650cc performance’ with its parallel-twin petrol engine mated with a small electric motor.

One benefit of the hybrid powertrain setup is that the bike can operate in pure-electric mode in low-speed conditions, or work in unison for maximum performance. It also means that the rider is not stuck if the battery hits empty.

Hydrogen: Looking even further into the future is Kawasaki’s hydrogen-powered prototype, which can be thought of as a supercharged Ninja H2, modified to run on hydrogen.

Hydrogen-powered vehicles have yet to have significant impact on the automotive consumer market, although the fuel is considered a potentially sustainable alternative to petrol.

Kawasaki, alongside Yamaha and Toyota, is working on creating swappable hydrogen canisters which could be switched out at stations, making refill times shorter than both electric and petrol vehicles.

Also: While it is clearly committed to developing alternatively powered machines, Kawasaki says it will release at least 30 new internal-combustion-engine (ICE) motorcycles between 2024 and 2025.

EICMA 2022: Moto Guzzi

V9 Bobber Special Edition: Moto Guzzi will release its limited-run V9 Bobber Special Edition next year, the bike distinguished by a ‘dark look’ colour scheme and extra exterior niceties.

Pricing for the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Special Edition has yet to be confirmed although it will most likely check in above the current V9 Bobber Centenario which is now on sale from $19,330 rideaway.

Unique to the Special Edition is a two-tone black-and-grey colour scheme, a billet aluminium fuel cap, bar-end mirrors and a black slip-on exhaust tip.

Also: Moto Guzzi showed new colours for its V85 TT adventure bike, as well as the special edition V100 Mandello S in Navy Aviation colours. Despite being revealed at 2021’s EICMA motorcycle show, the V100 range is not expected to hit Australian showrooms until spring of 2023.

EICMA 2022: Royal Enfield

Super Meteor 650: A new model to sit above the Meteor 350 cruiser, and alongside the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 in the brand’s twin-cylinder line-up.

Like its 650 Twin stablemates, the new Super Meteor is motivated by the same 648cc parallel-twin engine although it is distinguished by highway-ready ergos like foot forward controls, big wide bars and a larger seat.

Suspension consists of 43mm upside-down forks (120mm travel) and twin shocks at the rear (101mm), while wheels measure 19- and 16-inches front-to-back.

A single front brake disc measures 320mm at the front, like its 650 siblings, though the rear is slightly larger at 300mm, likely due to its heftier weight of 241 kilograms (wet).

Also: Royal Enfield’s Hunter 350 is set to join the Classic 350 and Meteor 350 in its local line-up in the coming months as a new entry-point into the brand. INFO MOTO tested the Hunter 350 in July. Watch the video here.

EICMA 2022: Suzuki

V-Strom 800DE: Thw new middleweight adventure bike from Suzuki is set to land around the same time as the new Honda XL750 Transalp, priced from $18,590 rideaway.

While the parallel-twin-powered V-Strom 800DE is likely to eventually succeed its V-twin-motivated V-Strom 650XT sibling, both will remain on sale in 2023 with the latter offered in both LAMS and full-power configurations, from $14,990.

The new V-Strom 800DE was unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show alongside the new GSX-8S, with both bikes drawing power from a new 62kW/78Nm 776cc parallel-twin motor.

The bike takes on familiar, yet refreshed styling, with dirt-focussed components like a 21-inch front hoop, Showa suspension (220mm travel), wide tapered handlebars and switchable ABS (rear only).

Other key features include hand adjustable preload for the rear suspension, twin 310mm front brake discs, a 20-litre fuel tank and Dunlop Trailmax dual-purpose tyres on the 21- and 17-inch wire spoked wheels (front-to-rear).

The bike also benefits from a special ‘gravel’ traction control mode, a 5.0-inch TFT screen, full LED lighting, three-way adjustable windscreen, a USB port as well as an up/down quickshifter fitted as standard.

GSX-8S: The new GSX-8S presented at the EICMA motorcycle show is a new middleweight naked bike motivated by a parallel-twin motor and familiar streetfighter styling.

Pricing for the GSX-8S starts at $14,190 rideaway, with units expected to hit Australian showrooms in August in three colour schemes: Pearl Cosmic Blue, Pearl Tech White and Metallic Matt Black.

The new Suzuki GSX-8S was unveiled alongside the new V-Strom 800DE adventure bike, both of which sport the same 776cc parallel-twin engine generating 61kW and 78Nm.

This new powerplant is supported by a ride-by-wire system with “multiple” rider modes, three-stage traction control (as well as ‘off’), an up-down quickshifter and Suzuki’s one-touch engine start system.

Key equipment for the GSX-S8 includes an aluminium swingarm, KYB suspension, Nissin monobloc brakes and aluminium wheels shod with Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tyres.

Other tech features include a 5.0-inch TFT dash, and full LED lighting with vertically stacked headlights to complete the ‘GSX-S’ streetfighter look.

Also: The updated Suzuki V-Strom 1050 flagship adventure bike will hit showrooms in March, priced from $22,990 rideaway for the base variant, and $24,690 for the higher-spec 1050DE. This translates to a $1000 entry-point increase.

EICMA 2022: Yamaha

Tracer 7: Yamaha will release its new Tracer 7 sports tourer into the Australian market in 2023 as a full-power rival to the likes of the LAMS-only Triumph Tiger Sport 660 and Kawasaki Versys 650.

A previous version of the MT-07-based Tracer was offered locally in a unique LAMS configuration from 2014 (then called Tracer 700), but was dropped from Yamaha’s line-up in 2020.

The Yamaha Tracer 7 will be launched locally with a non-LAMS, full-power tune, with units expected to arrive in mid-2023 in all three colours: Tech Kamo, Redline and Icon Performance.

Tracer 9: Yamaha has confirmed that it will release its facelifted Tracer 9 GT in Australia next year, however, it has no immediate plans to launch the radar-cruise-equipped GT+ variant.

The Yamaha Tracer 9, available in up-spec GT guise Down Under ($24,099), will see new colour updates for 2023 though high-tech additions like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) are reserved for European markets at this time.

MT-07: For 2023, the highly popular MT-07 naked bike will benefit from a new 5.0-inch TFT dash with smartphone connectivity.

Other changes include pre-wiring for the optional up/down quickshifter, a painted front fender and revised switchgear.

Niken GT: The quirky three-wheeled sports tourer gains significant updates for 2023, including power from a unique version of Yamaha’s 890cc triple-cylinder engine, as well as a new 7.0-inch TFT dash, 30-litre lockable hard side cases as standard, revised rear suspension, a new adjustable screen and a comfort seat.

Also: New colour updates will be rolled out for the Super Tenere, FJR1300A and Tenere 700.

INFO MOTO will update this story as more information comes to light.