BMW save F800R for Milan unveiling

Nov 18 2008 Harriet Ridley

BMW save F800R for Milan unveiling

AUSTRIAN manufacturer KTM joined Ducati at the Milan show in unveiling the machine it will race in the 2009 World Superbike championship - a racier version of its 1190 RC8 Superbike.

The bike looks identical to the previous model but with capacity stretched closer to the 1,200cc limit allowed for twins in WSB.

This should give the RC8 that little extra power that owners complained was lacking in the standard model, first launched at last year's show.

The 1,195 RC8 R also gets forged light alloy wheels and higher quality suspension. It will be available in next spring.

Back to the Italians, and Aprilia had already shown off its V4 superbike at Cologne, so we were left with little to drool over - other than a flat-track-style version of last year's semi-automatic Mana 850.

The Mana X uses the same 830cc V-twin as the standard Mana, but instead of plain commuter styling the X is stripped back with only a motocross seat and a front number board with two stacked projector headlights. The exhaust is moved underneath the engine to show off the chunky billet aluminium swingarm.

Meanwhile, Bimota was flying the exclusivity flag with a carbon-framed version of the DB7, the Oronero.

The bike is based on the Bimota DB7 launched earlier this year, but is eight kilos lighter (down to 164kg compared to the standard model's 172kg) thanks to the front section of the frame, the central section of the swingarm and all of the bodywork being made from carbon fibre.

The Bimota DB7 Oronero uses the same 1,099cc V-twin engine sourced from Ducati's 1098, but a freer-flowing exhaust gives an extra 2bhp taking power to a claimed 164bhp. The bike will be available at the end of January.

As expected, BMW unveiled most of its model updates on its home turf in Cologne, but it did hold something back for Milan. The Bavarian manufacturer showed off the F800R, a naked addition to the successful parallel-twin range.

The BMW group also brought along a new Husqvarna - an exclusive brand that produces mainly off-road bikes that BMW bought from MV Agusta last year. The SMQ450 is a single-cylinder street bike that mixes vintage flavour with modern technology.

The new motorcycle is based around Husqvarna's own 450cc liquid-cooled single, and features minimalist design with a slim, low and lightweight chassis.

Neat design touches include the headlight cowl that also completely disguises the radiator, and an all-in-one tank, seat and tail unit. The SMQ450 is still in concept form, but may well grace our streets soon.