Intermot 2004

The Group consists of Aprilia motorcycles and scooters, plus the Moto Guzzi and now defunct Laverda brands.

Only one new model was released under the Aprilia name this year, a totally new replacement for the Pegaso 650. Similar on concept to the BMW F650 (indeed, the original BMW and Aprilia were codeveloped using the same engine/platform) this new Pegaso features a Yamaha engine surrounded by a very pretty and sophisticated body. In classic Aprilia fashion the use of contrasting materials in the seat and tank couple with fine mechanical styling to make a look far more upmarket than the price suggests. The use of cast, OZ type 17" wheels with pure street tires clearly indicate that this is an urban off-roader only.

Supersport models remained unchanged except for the availability of optional Grand Prix replica colours on the whole range from the entry level 50cc RS to the exclusive RSV Mille R Factory.

Triumph

British manufacturer Triumph has been respectably taking on the major Japanese brands for well over a decade with well made, competent machines. The Hinckley based company proudly develops its own engines, frames and designs in house and has built up a reputation for quality and handling, if not inspiring designs. The second generation Speed Triple with its naked twin headlamps was one brilliant exception. Arguably the first factory streetfighter, the Speed Triple crated a cult following and spawned a smaller capacity twin, the Speed Four, both of which were based on the rather conservative supersport Daytona 959 and TT600 models.

Unveiled at Intermot was a new Speed Triple, with completely new bodywork and a new proportion. Rather than continue to mildly restyle this modern classic, they elected radically alter the volume balance. The back end is truncated, placing two stubby mufflers neatly beneath the passenger seat all of which frees up a lot of negative space around the rear wheel making the bike seem lighter and stronger. The twin round headlamps remain, mercifully free of the cheap looking tiny flyscreen that adorned the last model. The complete image of the new Triple is one of a compact hod rod, purposeful and original while keeping all of the cues of its predecessors.

Also new was the Sprint ST touring. A mature and cleverly sculpted design which fortunately ignores the hard plastic feeling that came from the past few full fairing models such as the blocky TT600 and dull Daytona Sport models. A new triple headlamp identity appears, echoing the three exhaust pipes at the rear and the three cylinder power plant within that the brand is famous for.

Other notables were the previously presented Rocket Three, the world's biggest displacement mass production motorcycle with a staggering 2.3 three cylinder engine, and the Bonneville Thruxton, a remake of the classic cafe racer but with modern handling, reliability and ride quality.

Others

Ducati introduced a face lifted 999/749, with a more simplified front fairing and belly pan, clean of the many vents and blisters of the original. Benelli released special editions of the TNT streetfighter and Tornado, both of which wear copious amounts of titanium and carbon fiber parts and special wheels. One prototype Tornado Tre had a fully composite frame that also integrated the ram air ducts and much of the bodywork.

Bimota, back from the grave after several years in bankruptcy released the DB5, a Ducati engined limited production superbike. the traditional steel trellis frame mates with radical, planar surfaces on the full fairing, creating a shock aesthetic, also traditional Bimota. The design was awarded the best Supersports 2004 prize by the Motorcycle Design Association.

Power Cruisers

Nothing new from the factory in Mandello, other than a further development of the Griso show model first presented in 2001. The low-slung power cruiser is somehow following the trend of making American style cruisers that have supersports high performance tires, suspension and brakes first witnessed with the Yamaha Warrior and more recently the Suzuki Intruder, Harley-Davidson V-Rod and in the extreme the Confederate motorcycle. The latter is an ultra-exclusive, hand assembled bike with top range components, carbon fiber bodywork and novel engineering solutions such as a hollow rear swing-arm that doubles as an exhaust. The craftsmanship is flawless, and the design is really fresh, integrating the traditional chopper aesthetic with a thoroughly modern attention to detail.

Chinese up and coming

Among the many Chinese brands at the Intermot, two of the largest, Zongshen and Loncin made a clear their intent to seriously enter into large international markets. Korean and Taiwanese brands such as Kymco, SYM, and Hyosung have all penetrated deeply into the global motorcycle and scooter market, with an ever increasing level of design and technological sophistication. Zongshen seems to be following the path taken 40 years ago by the Japanese by using racing in the International World Endurance Championship to strengthen its brand image. They won the championship last year, albeit with a re-branded Suzuki GSXR 1000, but it won't be long before they develop indigenous products of original design.

Design Awards

Held in conjunction with the Intermot event were the MDA and IVM design competitions. The Motorcycle Design Association (MDA) was established to promote design and styling in the motorcycle industry to the public and press. Most of the worlds major manufacturers and independant designers are among their members, and help support MDA activities such as their annual Design Awards.

Since the first awards year in 2001 at the Mondial de Deux Roues, the awards have been gaining recognition and prestige. Since 2002, an honourary award for lifetime acheivement has been granted to designers and individuals whose commitment and contribution to motorcycle design has had wide reaching impact.
www.motorcycledesign.com/News_Info/Trophies/
Awards2004/awards2004.html

The Intermot also hosted a Design Cafe as part of the IVM design contest. The IVM is the Motorcycle Industry Association of Germany, and together with a number of international sponsors hosted a design competition open to aspiring design students to come up with new motorcyles, apparel and systems that reflect the motorcycle as more than simply a commuter or transport vehicle. The successful entries, with spanned an impressive range of concepts from folding bikes to innovative safety apparel, were displayed among many professional prototypes from years past, donated by some of the worlds leading manufacturers.
www.intermot-designpreis.de

Intermot website: www.intermot.de