Sydney Motorcycle Show
The doors have closed on the 2013 Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show presented by QBE with Official Vehicle Isuzu D-Max, wrapping up the biggest motorcycle show in Australia in almost a decade.
Over the course of the Show’s three days, over 28,000 enthusiasts – the largest crowd for any Sydney or Melbourne motorcycle show since 2004 – enjoyed everything the Show had to offer including the latest motorcycles and scooters from leading manufacturers.
BMW, Ducati, Kawasaki, KTM, Honda, Piaggio, Suzuki and Triumph all utilised the Show to unveil their newest models to the Australian media and public, with Aprilia, Harley-Davidson, Victory and Yamaha also exhibiting their latest offerings, among others.
Indian made its official Australian motorcycle show debut, with Arctic Cat also premiering its brand and vehicles to local punters.
Starring on the Suzuki stand was the reinvented for 2014 DL V-Strom. Long overdue for an update, the machine on show only landed in Australia on Wednesday and features a heavily revised engine, higher specification suspension and appointments. Expected in Australia April next year Suzuki are hoping to price the machine under $20,000. The machine featured at the show features optional accessories including, luggage, spotlights, crashbars and GPS navigation.
Suzuki also used the show to announce a new learner legal version of the hugely versatile DL650 all-rounder. An ECU restricts the power of the machine to meet learner restrictions for power to weight ratio.
The first machine showgoers saw on approach to the BMW stand was the R nineT 90 year celebration model. Marrying the air-oil cooled Boxer engine with a conventional fork front end this new roadster style machine is intended as a blank canvas for customisation, although I must say it looks the part as is with a tastefully minimalist tail section looking quite unique.
At the other end of the BMW exhibit was the delectable new S 1000 R naked bike. The stratospheric top end power of the sportsbike has been curtailed to 160hp for the naked bike, but with 10 per cent more torque everywhere below 7500rpm, the naked bike version of this engine will make more sense on the street. The full gamut of electronics will also feature on the S 1000 R and the machine is sure to prove a big hit in 2014.
Next stop was the bright Yamaha stand where the main subject of interest was the new Yamaha MT-09. Powered by an angry 850cc triple-cylinder engine and priced at only $10,990 plus on-road costs the MT-09 heralds a new triple-cylinder era for Yamaha. And after riding the machine in NSW last week MCNews.com.au knows just what a fantastic performer the MT-09 is after it surpassed expectations.
Yamaha’s well priced sporty cruiser, the XV950 Bolt was also on display in a wide range of stock and customised guises.
Ducati showcased 17 machines across their six family models with prices ranging from $12,990 plus on-road costs for the learner legal Monster 659 through to the $39,990 Panigale 1199 Tricolore complete with competition kit. The feature of the Ducati stand though was the all-new 899 Panigale which is being introduced next month at $19,999 plus on-road costs.
On the other side of the channel Triumph debuted new variants of the popular Thunderbird Storm, the Thunderbird LT (light touring) and more stripped down Commander. Both models ride on a new chassis and feature many updates from the Storm. The LT is expected in March, the Commander follows a month later.
Hyosung had nothing new to display but the full range wass featured from the 250cc machines that start at $4490 plus on-roads to the range topping GV650 classic at $9990 (plus on-roads).
Starring on the Moto Guzzi stand were the new 1400 California Touring and Custom machines. The touring variant features cruise control, heated grips and all the creature comforts and the machine on display also features an optional topcase. The V7 Classic range is the more traditional stripped down sporty looking Guzzi with the V7 Stone the most affordable of the range $12,990 through to the Café Special Limited Edition with clip-on bars, upswept bars and a retail sticker of $15,590 ride away.
The world’s most powerful production scooter took pride of place on the Aprilia stand with the SRV850 featuring traction control, ABS and the rare combination of CVT transmission married to a chain drive. Priced at $17,490, the 76hp SRV850 is clearly far away from your average scooter and is more a fully featured alternative to a conventional motorcycle.
A little further along the hall eyes were immediately drawn to the tastefully minimalist lines of the delectable new Vespa 946. Hand crafted on an assembly line specially reserved for 946 models only the machine is really something special and even the most skilled photographer cannot really do the machine’s beauty justice.
Across the aisle was Team Green with the first big Kawasaki taking your eye, the ZX-14 Ninja that broke the Australian production motorcycle land speed record holder at Lake Gairdner earlier this year with a 334.99km/h run. Kawasaki also celebrated the looming introduction of a new FX 300 Ninja race class as part of the Australasian Superbike Championship with two 300 Ninjas resplendent in race trim. Australia’s biggest selling motorcycle is expected to make road racing affordable to newcomers on equally matched machinery.
Next along was KTM with the 1290 Superduke R celebrated on a pedestal and looking like it is doing 200km/h standing still. Arriving in March KTM have already been flooded with orders for the $23,490 machines and showgoers were already offering to pay over that price to take away a show model ahead of the expected delivery date.
KTM’s 1190 Adventure machines are also in hot demand with KTM Australia sold out of all stock until 2014 deliveries of those machines also commence in 2014. The affordable new 390 Duke is finally now available though and at $6490 plus on-road costs with ABS is also sure to be a big seller for the Austrian brand as it finally comes of age in the road sector after dominating off-road for so many years.
MV Agusta featured the $19,990 ride-away F3 800cc alongside their F4 1000 flagship models.
Nearby was the X132 Confederate Hellcat. This 2163cc stripped down monster showcases the 132HP engine like few machines and despite that huge engine weighs in at a claimed 226kg. Truly unique the Hellcat is a $75,000 ask thus well and truly for the well-heeled individual!
The re-born Indian triumvirate of models featured further down the hall alongside a tasteful range of new merchandise from the historic American brand. The motorcycles are pretty tasty too!
Honda’s huge display featured at the end of the showgoers journey with the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR Fireblade machines positioned to catch your eye as you approach. Honda’s expansive range of kids bikes feature under a suggestive Christmas display, nudge-nudge wink-wink mum and dad… The new 500cc trio of affordable and learner legal Honda machinery also feature with the $6990 plus on-road costs CBR500R alongside the naked and adventure variants.
“Wow, what a fantastic showing for the 2013 Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show. The crowds began on Friday morning and we had to usher people out on Sunday evening, not even Sydney’s inclement weather would keep them away,” said Paul Mathers, Event Director and Portfolio Lead (Motoring Lifestyle), Exhibition and Trade Fairs.
“This year we implemented a few new exhibits and features, which proved extremely popular with visitors and exhibitors alike.”
“The inaugural Walk of Fame, a collection of historic and milestone bikes along the Grand Promenade, created a great talking point for visitors and really gave our show a point of difference … And we will definitely be bringing it to Melbourne in 2014.”
Charley Boorman, the world-renowned motorcycle adventurer was the Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show’s special guest for 2013, where he conducted the Charley Boorman Live Tour on-site and made numerous appearances on the QBE Stage and select exhibitor stands.
The Showtime FMX Team and KTM rider ‘Lukey’ Luke wowed the Darling Harbour crowds with their regular stunt shows as did the daredevil tricks from the Jack Field’s Hell Team inside the halls of the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.
A record 140 exhibitors displayed their latest and greatest wares showcasing everything from motorcycles and scooters through to collectibles as well as accessories, products, services, travel destinations and much more – making it a one-stop-shop for all motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts.
“We would like to make a special note of thanks to our sponsors, without which the Show wouldn’t have been possible, namely QBE Insurance our naming rights partner, as well as the Isuzu UTE D-Max which was our official vehicle sponsor.”
Motorcycle enthusiasts will be able to get their show fix next year with the Australian Motorcycle Expo to be held in Melbourne, 21-23 November, 2014 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. To keep up to date with the latest news, please visit www.australianmotorcycleexpo.com.au.
