Intermot 2012: Cologne Motorcycle Show

Other big news include a big technological jump from Zero, an updated Triumph Street Triple, Yamaha's plans for a new crossplane Triple engine and the European launches of the Honda CB1100 and Kawasaki Z800 (neither of which is likely to come to North America this year, unfortunately.)

We didn't see everything we were hoping to see however. Many manufacturers held back some highly-anticipated new models, but we hope to see them in November at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy.

Until then, scroll through this page and read up on the new models unveiled at the 2012 Intermot Show.

Aprilia

2013 Zero Lineup

Zero gave its entire line a huge upgrade, nearly doubling horsepower figures for many of its models.

Preview:

The first of the 2013 model year motorcycles have already been announced, but the true 2013 season begins Oct. 2 with the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany. Held every two years, Intermot draws nearly 200,000 visitors over four days, all looking for the latest from the major motorcycle manufacturers.

Italy’s EICMA show may be a larger show with more new model unveilings, but Intermot remains the site of choice for the world premieres of notable new models, especially from German manufacturer BMW and KTM from neighboring Austria. The 2010 Intermot show saw the launch of the six-cylinder BMW K1600GT and K1600GTL, the KTM 125 Duke and the Triumph Thunderbird Storm.

The theme for this year’s show appears to be the Adventure-Tourer, with several manufacturers expected to present new and updated models in that segment. This may not be too much of a surprise however, with the BMW R1200GS far and away taking top spot on Germany’s monthly sales charts. The headliner at Intermot will no doubt be the successor to the GS, which BMW has already confirmed for the show. Trying to keep step will be competitors such as Aprilia, Ducati, and KTM who are expected to present their own interpretations of the adventure-touring motorcycle.

Intermot is also where manufacturers often unveil special edition models while saving their new models for EICMA. The 2010 show saw the debut of the KTM RC8R Track, the Ducati 1198SP and the Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE, and we expect to see a few new special edition models as well as other surprises for the 2012 show.

Aprilia

Aprilia is expected to unveil the Caponord 1200 adventure-tourer, a prototype of which was presented at Piaggio’s North American dealer meeting earlier this year. The new model will be powered by the Dorsoduro 1200’s engine and will make its debut in final production form in Cologne.

We expect some other new models from the rest of the Piaggio family, but the Italian company will likely save the new Moto Guzzis (including a new California) and Vespas for the Milan show. Also likely to be saved for the Milan show is an updated RSV4 superbike.

BMW

The new liquid-cooled successor to the BMW R1200GS will finally break cover in Cologne. We’ve already seen several spy photos of the new GS, leading to some very educated guesses as to what to expect.

We’ve also seen spy photos of other BMW prototypes including a naked version of the S1000RR and a new roadster, but we expect BMW to save some of those for EICMA so they won’t steal thunder from the new GS. We do however expect to see the C Evolution electric maxi-scooter, which BMW has been showcasing at major European events such as the London Olympics and the Paris Motor Show.

Ducati

This year’s show will mark the first for Ducati under the new ownership of Audi, so we expect the new German owners will want to show off their new acquisition. The Italian brand will be making its biggest unveils at Cologne instead of for the Italian audience at EICMA. We expect to see the three new 820cc models revealed here, plus the first public showing for the revamped Multistrada 1200 four-model line. We may also see some special edition models and perhaps updates to the Monster line.

Harley-Davidson

Last week, Honda chief Executive Officer Takanobu Ito announced plans for a new sportbike with MotoGP-derived technology in the vein of the classic RC30, as well as a new, larger series of models under the NC700’s “New Concept” philosophy. We’ve also seen spy photos of a pair of 500cc models, a new CBR500 and an unfaired version we’ve dubbed the CB500.

We will likely see the new NC models at Intermot, but the timing of Ito’s presentation would suggest at least a concept version of the V4 superbike. Honda is also expected to show updates to its CBR600RR and CBR1000RR.

Honda may also present its CB1100 at Intermot; at the moment, the CB1100 is only available in Japan but the classically-styled roadster is rumored to be destined for the European market. Intermot would be a good place to confirm those rumors.

Kawasaki

Kawasaki already had its big unveiling with its “Times Square Takeover,” introducing the Ninja 300 and a 636cc Ninja ZX-6R. Both models will be in Cologne.

The new Ninjas will be joined by the Kawasaki Z800, a new smaller version of the Z1000. Unfortunately, the Z800 is not expected to come to North America as it is replacing the Z750 in Kawasaki’s European lineup.

KTM

Suzuki has been fairly quiet of late, but we may see signs of life at Intermot. So far, Suzuki has only announced models returning unchanged, including the return of the Boulevard M90 after a three-year absence, and the renaming of the Gladius to its letter designation the SFV650. The big news is what hasn’t been announced.

Last year, Suzuki introduced an updated version of its V-Strom 650, so it’s conceivable the V-Strom 1000 will get a similar refresh this year. The Burgman 650 is also getting a little long in the tooth and may be due for an update to compete against new maxi-scooter competition from the BMW C scooters and the recently revised Yamaha TMax.

Both of these models are conspicuously absent from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent list of certified 2013 models, which may mean updated versions are on their way. Whether they will pop up at Intermot will be revealed next week.

Yamaha

The Tuning Fork brand recently announced updates to its European XJ line, so the 2013 Yamaha XJ6, the Diversion and the Diversion F will be at Intermot. Similar cosmetic updates may appear on Yamaha’s FZ8 which has yet to be confirmed for 2013. Also expected is an update to the FJR1300 sport-tourer.

Yamaha recently announced the 2013 FJR1300 and FZ8 would be revealed over the next month, which all but guarantees they will be unveiled at Intermot and not EICMA.

Zero

With the pace of development for electric motorcycle technology, it’s no surprise to see a similar rate of change from Zero’s lineup. Not only is the technology improving each year, but Zero’s models are looking more and more like “regular” gasoline combustion motorcycles.

That’s why we’re intrigued with what Zero has in store for 2013 as it faces renewed competition from Brammo’s Empulse and Lightning’s LM SB2. We’ll get our first look at the new Zero line at Intermot where the 2013 Zero S will make its world debut.

Related Reading
INTERMOT 2010: Cologne Motorcycle Show
EICMA 2011: Milan Motorcycle Show
EICMA 2010: Milan Motorcycle Show
EICMA 2010: Milan Show Wrap-up
EICMA 2009: Milan Motorcycle Show