The Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori (EICMA) trade show is a showcase where manufacturers pull out the big guns and show new and updated models. This year, however, there were a few notable absentees in the form of BMW Motorrad, Harley-Davidson and the Pierer Mobility group (comprising KTM, Husqvarna and Gas Gas). Nonetheless, there were quite a few notable developments, particularly in the electric sector.
EICMA 2022 new electric bikes and scooters: details
Electric mobility is the future and quite a few new electric two-wheelers were showcased, in both concept and production form, at the famed trade show.
Let’s start with the Honda EM1 e electric scooter, which marks the Japanese giant’s first foray into the e-scooter space. The EM1 e has removable batteries, much like the recently-launched Vida V1 e-scooter from Hero, and Honda claims it will have a range of "over 40km". It remains to be seen whether it makes its way to India.
Kawasaki showcased two electric bikes, in Ninja and Z body styles, which will be available for purchase from next year. Both electric Kawasakis will feature the same removable battery pack, with a capacity of up to 3.0kWh, and will go on sale sometime next year in international markets. Alongside these bikes, a hybrid prototype was also revealed, although no details have been shared just yet. Expect it to be on the showroom floors by 2024.
CFMoto is another manufacturer that made a big splash in the electric two-wheeler segment, launching not just a motorcycle but also an entire sub-brand. The CFMoto Papio Nova is a small electric motorcycle that borrows more than a few styling cues from the Honda Grom, while the Zeeho sub-brand has been set up specifically to retail e-scooters in the future.
Piaggio revealed the 1 Active electric scooter which promises more performance than the standard 1 e-scooter, owing to a stronger 3kW motor. Aprilia showcased the Electrica concept and it has more than a hint of motard about it, although no technical details are available at the moment.
This brings us to our homegrown entrant, Ola Electric. Ola showcased the S1 e-scooters, which gave people overseas a taste of what’s in store, considering it will begin exporting them shortly.
EICMA 2022 new ICE bikes and scooters: details
While battery-powered vehicles are the future, ICE bikes and scooters aren’t disappearing anytime soon, and for good reason. EICMA 2022 gave us a whole bunch of droolworthy motorcycles, some of which will make their way here soon.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the biggest motorcycle reveal (as far as India is concerned, at least) was the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650. The brand’s flagship cruiser carries a couple of RE firsts such as a USD fork and an LED headlight. What isn’t a first though is the vast array of accessories available for the Super Meteor 650.
Honda took the covers off the XL750 Transalp, essentially the younger sibling to the Honda Africa Twin. This bike shares quite a few of its components with the recently-revealed CB750 Hornet. Honda also took the covers off the CL500 scrambler, its fifth motorcycle based on its 500cc platform, and showcased a more touring-oriented version of its cruiser, the CMX 1100T Rebel; you can read more about them here.
Suzuki unveiled the brand-new V-Strom 800 DE, which is the middle-ground between its V-Strom 650 XT and the range-topping V-Strom 1050 DE. This adventure bike also shares its engine, main frame and most of its electronics with the newly-unveiled Suzuki GSX-8S naked bike.
One name that certainly turned heads in the adventure bike segment was MV Agusta, which took the covers off not one but two adventure bikes, the Lucky Explorer 5.5 and 9.5. The smaller 5.5 has been developed in conjunction with QJMotor while the larger 9.5 is a completely in-house design.
Indian Motorcycle added a new variant to the FTR line-up for 2023, the FTR Sport, which replaces the outgoing FTR S. Another notable highlight was the ultra-exclusive, Challenger Elite, limited to just 150 units worldwide.
Yamaha has also significantly updated its Tracer range of motorcycles, with the Tracer 7 getting a new 5.0-inch TFT dash and updated switchgear trickling down from the new MT-07. The big talking point here, however, is the adoption of radar-assisted cruise control for the Tracer 9 GT+. This makes it the smallest and most affordable motorcycle in the world to feature this system. For 2023, Yamaha has also endowed the three-wheeled Niken with the larger 889cc triple-cylinder engine from the updated MT-09.
The Piaggio group had new entrants from all its subsidiaries. Aprilia showcased the RS 660 Extrema, a lighter and racier version of the RS 660 middleweight sportbike. Moto Guzzi took the wraps off its first liquid-cooled machine, the V100 Mandello, and unveiled special editions of its V7 and V9 motorcycles. Vespa, the eponymous name for stylish and convenient urban commuting, took the covers off its entire GTS range. You can read about all the updates from Piaggio in more detail here.
Benelli took the wraps off three new funky-looking bikes, the Tornado Naked Twin 500 and the BKX 250 twins. Speaking of radical design language, CFMoto took the covers off the Concept NK-22, which uses the brand's 800cc platform as its base.
Which new bike or scooter shown at EICMA would you like to see in India? Let us know in the comments section below.