EICMA 2019 – The Top Bikes We’re Dying to See

The Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori, or, EICMA, is one of the most important events in the motorcycling calendar.

Every year, the biggest bike businesses in the world – manufacturers, distributors, dealers – get together to show off their new products and innovations.

Major brands like Ducati, Triumph, and Arch will introduce new models at the EICMA 2019 show. In this post, we run through the bikes we’re most excited to see.

What is EICMA?

EICMA is the premier motorcycle industry trade show.

The 2018 show saw over half a million visitors and more than 1,200 companies flock to Milan’s Rho Fairgrounds for a celebration of motorcycle innovation, engineering, and style.

At this annual event, diverse manufacturers reveal new models including sportbikes, adventure bikes, cruisers, tourers, dirt bikes, cafe racers, and electric motorcycles. Custom fabricators display their work on choppers, scramblers, and concept bikes. Suppliers and retailers exhibit their new products and gear to bike enthusiasts and resellers.

EICMA in 2019

2019 is the 77th year for EICMA, and this year the show will focus on the theme of “moto rivoluzionario”, or, “revolutionary movement.”

As such, while the event will feature two-wheeled vehicles new and old, we expect there to be a strong spotlight on electric motorcycles and e-scooters, as we saw in 2018.

This is another year of growth for the Italian institution, with two new pavilions being added to host an ever-expanding audience of exhibitors and fans.

New Bikes at EICMA 2019

The EICMA show puts the best in gear, engineering, and gadgets on display.

But the reason it is the most popular motorcycle show in the world… the bikes.

Bike manufacturers will be out in force in Milan, and everybody is talking about the new bikes they will bring to the centre stage. New Ducatis, a collaboration between Brough Superior and Aston Martin, and rumours of an upgraded Kawasaki Ninja are all getting bikers excited.

Here are the motorcycles we’re counting down the days to get a glimpse of:

KAWASAKI NINJA 1000

The Euro 5 emissions regulations have forced many companies to take their bikes back to the schematics. The Kawasaki Ninja looks to be one of these, and we’re counting on a new version of the Ninja 1000 to be launched with a completely new engine in November. Based on filings with the California Air Resources Board, the new engine will be more efficient and economical.

TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS

The Triumph Thruxton (modelled on the original 1965 hand-built model) is one of our favourite from Triumph’s contemporary line-up. The recent announcement of the revived RS has got us all excited. The RS is set to have “a higher power 1200cc twin-engine, more agile handling, and an even more contemporary style, finish and detailing.” We can’t wait to see it in full metal.

ARCH-KRGT1

Keanu Reeves’ Arch will reveal a reinvigorated version of its flagship model KRGT-1. Among other upgrades, Bosch ABS (anti-lock braking system) now comes standard on all new KRGT-1s. A new billet aluminium swingarm has also been introduced to increase rigidity and to reduce unsprung weight. As well as countless other additions, it looks like a work of art.

BROUGH-SUPERIOR / ASTON MARTIN TEAM-UP

English motorcycle legend Brough Superior and 007-carmaker Aston Martin have announced a collaboration on a new concept bike. They plan to unveil a super-limited edition motorcycle, the AMB 001 – a turbocharged, carbon fibre track motorcycle (not road legal). Needless to say, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for the result of these British goliaths teaming up.

DUCATI DESERT X

The Desert X is a variation on the Scrambler 1100 and is modelled after the Cagiva Elefant that won the Paris-Dakar rally in 1990 and 1994. From the looks of the concept artwork presented on stage in October, the Desert X will be a lightweight addition to Ducati’s adventure line-up. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long to see, as the Desert X will be presented live at EICMA.

APRILIA RS 660

We’ve been waiting to see the RS 660 since it was announced back in June, and Aprilia has teased it for an EICMA debut. This is a middleweight sports bike that reveals a brand with its eye firmly fixed on the gaps in its consumer market. The development of a mid-range option has been something everyone has been excited about see since the concept was shown last year.

BMW R18

BMW showed a concept for the R18 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May. This boxer-cruiser has been available for pre-order in France but was first spotted in production a few weeks ago. With a flat-twin unit 1800CC engine, it will be the company’s biggest engine on this category of bike. It could be one of the four BMW bikes set to launch this year at EICMA.

KTM 390 ADVENTURE

Seen testing in India and Europe over the last few months, the KTM 390 Adventure has been overdue for a production release. This is a completely new motorcycle, featuring a different chassis to the Duke 390 and other KTM adventure models. It looks to be purpose-built for an expanding market for entry-level, off-road motorbikes – for many, it will be a welcome addition.

KYMCO REVONEX

The Kymco Revonex has been teased. The thing is… we have no idea what it will be. What we do know is it will be a zero-emissions vehicle, part of the Nex line-up. Hints from the video, in which we don’t see the bike but people talking about it, have cast rumours that it could be equipped with the Acoustic Active Motor ‘soundtrack’ device Kymco announced last year.

A NIU MOTORCYCLE??

NIU is known for its electric scooters, which are widely used in China and have been growing in popularity around the world. Based on some photos of a prototype seen ridden near the NIU factory in China, the company could be about to break into the world of motorcycles. Known for top-class engineering and design, NIU could enter the electric bike market with something entirely different, and with a lot more power. Or not. We’ll just have to wait and see.