California-based Zero Motorcycles showed up at the 2011 EICMA to introduce its range of all-electric motorcycles for the year 2012. There hasn’t been any revolutionary change in the line to speak of, just a number of slight modifications improving the overall efficiency of many already known models. The Zero S model is probably the one motorcycle that was affected the most by the restyling, receiving a new set of headlights that makes it look quite different from the current version.

The whole Zero Motorcycle range receives more powerful and long-lasting batteries as well as an upgraded engine that will not be used for Zero X and Zero MX models, which will stick to their current units. A new ‘DS’ version of the Zero S will be made available, with optional 9 kWh battery in place of the usual 6 kWh one: the new battery will provide the model with an extended 185 km range (114 miles) in urban traffic and 100 km (63 miles) on motorways.

This new wave of Zero Motorcycle products will become available in the showrooms from February 2012. Check the whole lot out in our photo gallery, taken live at the recent 2011 EICMA.

View the full Zero Motorcycles gamma 2012 photo gallery

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In the wake of its recent unveiling at the 2011 EICMA, Yamaha releases a massive photo gallery of the new T-Max, one of the undisputed stars at the recent Italian event. The model firstly debuted in 2001 and is now at its third generation, sporting its most aggressive look to date.

Making it lighter was probably what Yamaha engineers had in mind since the word go. The new T-Max is powered by a 530 cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke, 4-valve engine built with many light components and delivering 45.8 hp (34.2 kW) at 6,750 rpm and 52.3 Nm of peak torque at 5,250 rpm. Its die-cast aluminum frame is also significantly lighter than the current one, and is connected to a motorcycle-style telescopic fork on the front and to a strong rear shock at the back.

It is easy to tell that a lot of work has been put into the new aesthetics, which give the T-Max its most aggressive look ever as well as a bodywork offering great weather protection. The model retains its signature double head light (although slightly revised) and sports new LED technology on its tail, while the instrument panel with its two distinctive polygon-shaped analogue counters is also new. Click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below the thumbnails to see the 2012 T-Max full technical specs.

View the full Yamaha TMAX 500 ABS MY 2012 photo gallery
View the full Yamaha T-Max m.y. 2012 at the 2011 EICMA photo gallery

Continue reading: Yamaha releases massive photo gallery of the new T-Max/ABS

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Czech manufacturer FGR showed up at the 2011 EICMA with its much-talked about Midalu FGR 2500 V6, giving us the chance to take a few pictures of this crazy 2.5-litre naked. The model has been developed with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and it has been in the works for 6 years before finally getting unveiled in early 2011. The main thing about it is certainly the engine, nothing less than a 2,442 cc 90° V6 engine, water cooled, producing 240 hp and about 200 Nm (147 ft-lb) of peak torque.

If all that is not enough, the look of this exotic bike is just as impressive: the lack of fairing let it shows off that monstrous shiny V6 mounted into a black steel tube frame. Seat unit and fuel tank are made of carbon fiber, with a pair of vertical triple exhausts surrounding its short tail. Front and rear suspension courtesy of Ohlins, braking system by Brembo and a dry weight of 270 kg complete the profile of this outstanding machine.

All that considered, we would expect the Midalu FGR 2500 V6 to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in about 2.5 seconds with a top speed of about 320 km/h, and also to be quite an expensive piece of machinery. In spite of all these impressing figures, average fuel consumption claimed by FGR is not that bad: it consumes 6-8 liters of fuel to travel 100 km. Check our exclusive photo gallery from the 2011 EICMA and click on the “Continue Reading” link below to see Midalu FGR 2500 V6 full technical specs.

Continue reading: 2011 EICMA: Midalu FGR 2500 V6

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Diminutive Italian manufacturer Borile presented at the 2011 EICMA a new model: the B450 Scrambler. Loyal to its style, Borile unveiled this vintage looking motorcycle which - as the name suggests - is quite reminiscent of the Ducati model that became a big success in the US in the 60s and 70s. As for now, the only known features of the model are bore and stroke (98×60), electric starter, 19″ front wheel and 18″ rear wheel with disc brakes, Weber-Marelli electronic injection and removable gearbox. The B450 Scrambler will be equipped with the a Borile engine, Ducati from the cases up.

At the last EICMA Borile also introduced a range of frames called ‘Bastard’ (suitable for old Ducati, Norton and other motorcycles) and is already on the market with other models such as the small Multiuso and the limited edition B500 Ricki. To find out more about this company and its offerings, check out their official website.

View Borile at the 2011 EICMA photo gallery

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Here’s the fourth instalment of our huge photo gallery dedicated to the pretty ladies attending the 2011 EICMA, once again courtesy of our mates from motoblog.it. This time we got another 85 pictures for you, and we actually did save the best for last. However, we have enough material for a fifth part as well. In case you missed out on them, here are the links for the 3 previous parts too.

2011 EICMA Girls photo gallery: Part IV
2011 EICMA Girls photo gallery: Part III
2011 EICMA Girls photo gallery: Part II
2011 EICMA Girls photo gallery: Part I

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Taiwanese manufacturer Sym presented its range of products for the year 2012 at the 2011 EICMA, featuring two new motorcycles: Maxsym 600i and the renewed Joymax 300i. Beside that, the whole range has been upgraded: for instance, the Maxsym 400i is now equipped with ABS-STCS.

Sym Maxsym 600i is basically a bigger version of the 400i, with bigger engine and standard ABS. Aesthetically it is just like the its little sister, and maintains all of the key features of the model: comfortable riding position (thanks to the huge saddle), huge loading capacity, sharp dual projection headlights, telescopic fork, great aerodynamic protection (thanks to the big windscreen) and 15″ front 14″ rear wheels fitted with 120/70 and 160/60 tyres respectively.

Sym Joymax 300i uses a new styling that provides the model with a more modern look, but it retains those features that made it a perfect vehicle for in-town traffic. Also at the EICMA there were the small electric scooters called ‘e-Virid’ and ‘Symmetry’, that got introduced in Milan last year and will enter into production, in 2012.

View the full Sym 2012 line up photo gallery

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Taiwanese company HaiHao introduced a pretty peculiar new product at the 2011 EICMA: you read it in the headline, it’s wiper for the visor that has to be placed on the top of your helmet.

Surely, every time the rain catches us off guard when out for a spin, visibility becomes a serious issue, but we cannot help but wonder how many people would find this solution better than stopping under a bridge and just wait for some sunshine. Taking this device out of a bag and put it on your helmet might actually allow you to keep on riding, and the wiper can be remotely controlled by a command that has to be placed on the handlebar.

The pictures and the video above are quite self-explanatory, but if you click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below, you will access more footage that clearly explains how this wiper for visors gets assembled and works. The product is suitable for any type of helmet, to find out more about it go visit their website at www.haihao.com.tw.

Continue reading: 2011 EICMA: a visor wiper for your helmet

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Suzuki did not go for radical changes for the 2012 version of its V-Strom 650 ABS. Apparently, the current model was tweaked according to what European owners reported in a series of focus groups, and Suzuki took that as reference points to obtain the m.y. 2012, whose styling and bodywork design was revamped for better wind protection. The model will mark the 10th anniversary of the V-Strom series since its introduction (the 1000 cc debuted in 2002), and the Hammamatsu-based company took a couple of these bikes to the 2011 EICMA. Let’s look at the most relevant changes.

First off, it’s got a new engine: lifted from the now-defunct Suzuki Gladius, this engine has the same dimensions and configuration as before: 645 cc, liquid-cooled, 90-degree V-twin, 81.0 mm bore, 62.6 mm stroke and four-valve DOHC heads. Enhancements over the previous V-Strom include SCEM-plated cylinders for better heat dissipation and single rather than double valve springs to reduce weight and mechanical losses. The fork comes from the factory with more preload applied, but apart from that it is basically unchanged whereas the rear shock boasts an increased spring rate. Both of them are obviously adjustable. Seat height is now 15 mm higher, but short riders shouldn’t be discouraged as the new 650 Strom features a narrower saddle: Suzuki claims that the reduced width retains an almost identical reach for planting feet on the ground. Besides, the bike uses a lighter version of the previous model’s ABS, a new instrumentation with digital readout and gear-position indicator, and an adjustable windscreen.

Suzuki also improved the accessories: hand guards, heated grips, crash guards, power outlets, a center stand and two different luggage systems are available for the 2012 V-Strom 650 ABS . Click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below the thumbnails to see the technical specs sheet.

View the full Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS at the 2011 EICMA photo gallery

Continue reading: 2011 EICMA: Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS

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Scarabeo presented at the 2011 EICMA the revamped version of its 125/200 ie which will take on the market in 2012. The range shows new aesthetics (air intake, indicators, tail light) and features that will place it at the top of its category.

The 200 cc engine produces 19 hp (14 kW) at 9,000 rpm with 17,1 Nm of peak torque at 7,000 rpm whereas the 125 cc unit develops 14 hp (10,5 kW) at 9,750 rpm with 11 Nm of maximum torque at 7,750 rpm. Both version uses tubular steel single cradle frame, electronic fuel injection and CVT with torque server, and will come with two different mappings that can be selected by the rider through a command on the handlebar: the ECO mode reduces the fuel consumption by up to 7% while the SPORT mode provides the best possible performance. .

Other highlights include 35 mm hydraulic telescopic fork (100 mm wheel travel) and double hydraulic shock absorbers with adjustable preload (4 settings, 90 mm wheel travel 90), an integral braking system using 260 mm steel disc with 3-piston floating caliper on the front and 220 mm steel disc with dual piston fixed caliper, and 16″ 5 spoke wheels at both ends. Check it out in our huge photo gallery.

View the full Scarabeo 125/200 ie 2012 photo gallery

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CRP Racing is a small Italian manufacturer that started life as a racing team of high performance parts maker CRP Technology in 2006, and then became an independent electric motorcycle manufacturer in 2010. This year they showed up at the 2011 EICMA to introduce “the first electric streetbike with racing DNA”: the Energica. This ambitious project is surely one of the most interesting things we have seen this year at the Milan event, and we are sure that many people in the industry are paying attention to its development.

Making the most its racing experience over the years, CRP Racing has come up with this 100% electric motorcycle equipped with a permanent magnet PMAC synchronous engine - delivering 134 hp and 157 Nm of peak torque - that provides the bike with a top speed of 220km/h (137 mph) and 150 km of range. Its braking system, courtesy of Brembo, features double caliper radial and 310 mm floating discs on the front and rear single fixed caliper mated to a 220 mm disc on the rear.

Other remarkable features of the Electrica include 17″ OZ forged aluminum wheels, Marzocchi or Ohlins fork, Matris or Ohlins monoshock and an innovative 100% LED lights set. To find out more about CRP Racing Energica , visit its dedicated website: www.energicasuperbike.com.

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Honda introduced at the 2011 EICMA the 2012 version of its Vision 50 scooter. The model is equipped with a single-cylinder 4-stroke engine with PGM-FI fuel injection and electric start. The unit produces output of 3.35 hp at 7,000 rpm and peak torque of 3.5 Nm at 6,750 rpm and boasts good fuel-efficiency and low emissions: its average fuel consumption 62 km/l (146 mpg) meaning that - with its 5.5 litre fuel tank - the Vision has a full autonomy of about 284 km (177 miles) when filled up.

The Vision 50 uses a compact and light steel tube frame with a pair of telescopic forks with hydraulic damping on the front. Braking comes from Honda’s Combined Braking System (CBS), which links front and rear brakes. The model is available with either 14″ or 16″ front rims made of lightweight cast aluminum, which benefits both ride quality and ease of handling.

The 2012 Vision 50 will be launched in a range of striking colors: Pearl Procyon Black, Pearl White, Boss Grey Metallic, Candy Aruja Blue and Candy Lucid Red. Click on the continue reading link below the thumbnails to check out Honda Vision 50 m.y. 2012 full technical specs.

Continue reading: 2011 EICMA: Honda Vision 50 m.y. 2012

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Alongside with Vespa, Lambretta is the most famous scooter brand in the world. The company begun producing its signature scooter model back in 1947, becoming an icon of the 50s and 60s in Italy and abroad. After an almost 40-years long hiatus and with an all-Italian management, the legendary brand is now back into business, presenting at the 2011 EICMA two new products that retain the style of its noble ancestors: Lambretta LN125 and LN151.

Lambretta LN125 uses a single cylinder air-cooled 2-valves 124.6 cc engine - producing 8.7 hp at 8,000 rpm and 8.2 Nm (6.1 lb/ft) at 6,500 rpm - and a 6-speed wet multi-plate clutch automatic transmission made by Sym in Taiwan. it also uses a cast aluminum twin spar chassis, telescopic fork with 190 mm discs on the front, single spring with drum brake on the rear and a 6-litre capacity fuel tank which provides a range of about 145 km. This model boasts a dry weight of 111 kg and is marketed worldwide.

Lambretta LN151 instead is a scooter for the Italian market only. It will be powered by a 151 cc single cylinder 4 stroke engine producing 10.3 hp at 7,500 rpm with 10,8 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm, while most other feature will be identical to what we said for its little sister.

View the full Lambretta LN125 and LN151 at the 2011 EICMA photo gallery

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