Euro Gossip October 2005

The Paris Motorcycle Show has now been and gone, and while there was nothing earth shattering launched, thankfully for me some of the bikes mentioned in this column over the past few months materialised in glorious Technicolor metal, proving me right.

Bikes that did surface were the Aprilia Tuono, the Moto Guzzi Griso, the Paul Smith Triumph and of course the stunning Triumph 675 sports bike. The Scrambler, too surfaced, but none of the smaller Rocket III-based machines, only a 'Classic' version of the existing 2.3-liter bike. The new Peugeot Scooter range also made its debut.

So, moving on to a new set of rumors and some firming up of existing talk that appears to be gathering momentum.

Word is now out that the revised Rocket III 'Classic' may just be the tip of the iceberg, with yet another variant already passed the drawing board stage. Insiders report that a clay model is already underway with styling similar to a Honda Gold Wing.

Footboards, electrically adjustable screen and integrated luggage all hint at the long-distance cruiser market dominated by the 'Wing and certain models in the BMW range. Expect more information in the future on accessories like satellite navigation, stereos and the like, although do not expect any changes to the chassis and engine.

Staying in the UK, we reported earlier that British sports car firm TVR had purchased Italian manufacturer Benelli. While that report was true in that they had signed an agreement, it appears this was only a preliminary one and not the final sale document.

In between, the Italian union representing the workers got wind of the fact that they wanted to move production in future to the UK and promptly used their influence to stop the transaction. Despite an about turn by TVR in agreeing to produce the bikes in Italy, it lost the chance to buy the historic firm.

Chinese manufacturer Qianjiang quickly stepped in and snapped it up for 7 million Euros, plus 52 million Euros of debt. The Chinese produce thousands of small bikes in their home country and now want to move into larger machines and state they will produce 3,000 Benellis next year. What is not clear is how many of these will be large-capacity machines!

Benelli's recent problems have meant that MV has snapped up their British designer Adrian Morton to work with the legendary Italian designer, Massimo Tamburini. Prior to working for Benelli, he actually worked on the current MV F4, so he is no stranger to the brand.

In the meantime, MV has come up with their ultra-powerful F4 Veltro, a track-only bike with a claimed 200-plus-mph top speed. Only 23 of the 30,000-pound (52,500-dollar) bikes will be built. Making a claimed 190 bhp, it weighs in at 170 kg (375 lbs). It is a taste of what we can expect for the homologation special that will be built to allow them to compete in World Superbike races in the future. Expect the race-ready machine to cost over 40,000 pounds (70,000 dollars) and have an engine producing 220 bhp!

However, this may not happen at all if MV's parent company Proton cannot solve its financial problems. As reported last month, they are in negotiations with Volkswagen, although it is unlikely the German car firm will want to keep the two-wheeled brand, preferring to sell it off. Any takers? TVR?

Ducati has dropped a few hints that the S4R Monster may shortly come with the Testastretta 999 motor fitted. In the meantime Italian tuning firm NCR have launched their own version, a 135-kg (298-lb) bike called the 'Macchia Nera' (Black Spot) with a race-tuned 998 motor said to produced 185 bhp.

The one-off concept machine that they recently revealed cost a staggering 93,000 pounds (163,000 dollars) to produce thanks to all the tuning and special parts like the all-titanium fame. However, it is expected the 'production' versions will cost around 22,000 pounds (38,500 dollars), although as you might expect they will not quite be as light as some cost cutting in the materials department will have to be done. NCR intends to produce around 600 of the bikes for sale worldwide in 2007, which will closely mirror the design of the concept bike, if not the exclusivity.

Minneapolis-based Polaris Industries has bought a 24% shareholding in Austrian firm KTM (Read MCUSA's article here). This was acquired in a series of private transactions and is being billed as a 'strategic partnership,' which will allow them to work together on new product development. It is thought that this is a preliminary move by the world's largest ATV producer (outside Japan) before looking to gain total control of the predominately off-road company in 2007.

There was little sign of the alliance at the Paris Show, with both companies having separate stands. KTM showed a track-only version of the Super Duke called the RR along with a 950 Super Enduro and their competition range. There was no sign of the RC8 as we predicted in this column the other month, and 2007 still seems the earliest we will see this stunning bike.

Another dream which may not become a reality is the Italian firm Mondial. British-born American businessman Andrew Wright was trying to purchase the company through an Italian court. With a dealer network in place and advance sales said to be in the hundreds, all looked set for a successful rebirth.

But Wright recently was informed the factory had been broken into and over 200,000 Euros worth of bikes and parts had been liberated. Then Wright found out that Honda had terminated their agreement to supply engines for the bikes, an agreement he thought was good until 2008. However, a revised agreement was then formally accepted by the Italians before they then sold the company under his nose to an asset stripper. Despite Wright fighting this last cruel blow, it is unlikely that Mondial bikes will be on sale in the near future!

French design house Boxer is offering a two-for-one deal like British supermarkets. Buy the SSR Streetfighter and you also get a set of body panels to transform it into a sports bike. The machine is powered by a French-made Voxan V-Twin motor and uses all top-spec components like Marchesini wheels, Ohlins forks and Brembo radial brakes.

The firm, who in the past designed the Aprilia Blue Marlin and Mondial Nuda concept machines, state that around an hour's work should complete the transformation. Around 300 of these 'BOGF 'style bikes will be built, unless demand outstrips the supply.

Spanish MotoGP sponsor Telefonica is now set to pull out of bike sponsorship and just concentrate on Formula One motor racing. The reason is thought to be the loss of Daniel Pedrosa to rivals Repsol thanks to his upcoming move to the Honda MotoGP squad. This will also mean that several teams will need to find another sponsor for next year or disband!

Any Isle of Man TT fans will no doubt be upset to hear that the famous TT Museum on the top of Snaefell Mountain has closed its doors for the last time. The proprietor, Peter Murray (66), whose father Charlie started it in the '50s, states that recent attendance figures have been low and he has had no offers of help from the Manx authorities to help with rising maintenance costs.

Therefore, Murray had no choice but to offer the bikes and memorabilia for sale. One hundred and forty bikes, including some very rare items and prototypes along with historic race bikes, are now up for sale to the highest bidders. As you would expect, many museums have already taken the creme de la creme from the collection, but there is still time for individuals to get a little piece of Manx TT history.

Meanwhile, Suzuki plans to produce 100,000 motorcycles annually with engine displacements of 100-150cc in India, where it will begin production at the end of this year. Initial investments will be around 5 billion yen.

Suzuki actually began production and sales of motorcycles in India in 1984, but pulled out of the market in 2002. In 2004 it decided to re-enter the market with a new joint venture arrangement and is in the process of building a new plant in Gurgaon, Haryana. In anticipation of the production, the company invested in Integra Overseas Private Ltd. last year. Suzuki has a 51% stake in the firm, which is located in New Delhi, and will develop its operations through the company.

Suzuki previously founded a joint venture with a local motorcycle maker in 1984 and began India production and sale of motorcycles through the firm. However, Suzuki's stake in the company was about 25%. Suzuki decided that it required a controlling stake to advance its operations.

For the record, 6.2 million motorcycles were sold in India in the year 2004, making it the second largest market in the world after China. It is expected to break the 10-million-unit mark in 2008.

Lastly, Swiss authorities have been caught trying to disguise speed cameras in an effort to generate more cash. They have tried fitting them in traffic bollards and even a dummy cow! Now they have decided it can get a better return by selling blank spaces on them for advertising. Who said they are not revenue raisers and are there purely for road safety?

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