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Top 10 EICMA Show Bikes You May Have Missed

Interesting motorcycles you probably didn't see1 of 11Next Last There’s no cave deep, mountain high or rock heavy enough to have thwarted news of Ducati’s 1199 Panigale superbike launch at the 2012 EICMA show in Milan, Italy. And a few models such as Honda’s NC700S and X, Kawasaki’s Versys 1000 and CRP’s Energica were unveiled without heavy prior fanfare, but gasps of surprise weren’t heard when the wraps were taken off Triumph’s Tiger 1200 Explorer, Husqvarna’s Nuda or MV Augusta’s F3 675 among others, whose existences were revealed months in advance of the show. What we’ve comprised below is our list Top 10 Bikes unveiled at EICMA that didn’t receive top billing but are certainly worthy of your attention.

The future. But we can't have it

It's no secret that we motorcyclists are getting older. We're ageing because less people are passing their bike test each year (roughly 30,000 last year compared to 50,000 for the 10 years before the new two-part test) and so not only is the pool not growing it's not even being replenished and so the average age isn't being diluted down by yoof. When the going gets tough in any situation, you really get to see who's got their shit-sorted and who's light enough on their feet to adapt to change.

2012 Triumph Speed Triple R Unveiled at EICMA

Triumph’s legendary Speed Triple receives the ‘R’ treatment for 2012, which means it comes equipped with top-shelf parts like Öhlins suspension and Pirelli Supercorsa SP rubber. Judging from its looks alone, it’s plain to see that this is no ordinary Speed Triple. Triumph worked in close collaboration with Öhlins, to fine tune the NIX30 43mm fork and TTX36 shock to work specifically for the Speed Triple R.

2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer Unveiled at EICMA

Powered by an all-new 1215cc three-cylinder engine producing a class-leading 135bhp with 89lb-ft. of torque, the Tiger Explorer sports a high specification that Triumph thinks will set a new benchmark in the adventure touring class. The thoroughly modern powerplant utilizes a new ride-by-wire electronic throttle system, allowing for a number of high-tech rider aids for added rider safety and comfort.

Rock ‘n’ Rollers’ Harleys and The Fonz’s Triumph Hitting the Auction Block

Matt Sorum with his customized 2008 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail. Sorum’s bike will go on auction Nov. 12 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

French Moto Website Anticipates Versys 1000 at EICMA 2011

Musings of a liter-size engined Kawasaki Versys have circulated the web for a few years now, as loyalists of the likable Versys 650, as well as displacement-driven riders waiting in the wings, have pondered the potential of a more powerful adventure bike from Kawasaki that’s in the same league as BMW’s R1200GS and Yamaha’s Super Tenere. Alas, nothing of the sort has ever left the lips of Kawasaki, let alone go into production. Recently, however, the French motorcycle website, Moto-net.com, has produced convincing images that appear like photos of a complete Versys 1000, including matching hard luggage.

This Used to be a Triumph Daytona 675 Race Bike [Video]

Crashes occur fairly often during motorcycle races but rarely do we see a race bike get as spectacularly demolished as this Triumph Daytona 675. The crash took place during the Sept.  11 Donington Park round of the Triumph Triple Challenge, a support class in the British Superbike series featuring the Triumph Daytona 675. Rider Ash Beech low sides going into a corner and thankfully slides relatively safely into the grass.

Zero Enters South American Market

Zero Motorcycles has signed a distribution deal with the Brazilian dealer network Grupo Izzo, bringing its electric motorcycles to first Brazil, and soon across South America. Brazil is one of the world’s fastest growing markets for motorcycles, a market Zero hopes to tap with its new distribution deal. Grupo Izzo is based mainly in Brazil with 11 locations, but has plans to expand into other South American countries.

Roland Sands Designs Triumph Scrambler For Charity Auction

Roland Sands Designs is customizing a Triumph Scrambler and a Triumph Thruxton to raise money for the Tony Hawk Foundation. The custom Triumph Scrambler, pictured in the rendering above, and the Thruxton will be sold at the Tony Hawk Foundation’s “Stand Up for Skateparks” gala auction Oct. 2 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

2012 Triumph Tiger 1050 and 1050SE – New Suspension, Handlebars and Colors

Triumph announced some updates to its Tiger 1050 and Tiger 1050SE for 2012, though at the moment it appears only the SE version will be offered in the United States. The 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050 and the special edition version receive updated suspension with new damping settings for both the front and the rear as well as a stiffer rear shock. Triumph says the updates will provide a more controlled ride for both riding solo or with a passenger while brake diving is also reduced.