This year's Motorcycle and Scooter show at the RDS had, says John Wheeler, a vast range of both the powerful and the ordinary, the cheap and the wildly expensive
The Motorcycle and Scooter Show, held at the RDS at the weekend attracted motorcyclists and those "just interested", in large numbers. On display was a huge variety of motorcycles of every kind. The machines ranged from 50 cc mopeds priced from €1,399 to, in one extreme case, a 5.7 litre giant of a machine, "Big Brute" at €50,000.
It has long been the case in Irish motorcycling that virtually all machines on offer here were handled by local companies, either as distributors or dealers. In recent times two of the big European manufacturers, Ducati and BMW have established themselves here, both aiming to provide a very high degree of service. This makes Irish motorcycling somewhat less of a poor relation.
Bikeworld, distributors for Kawasaki, used the occasion to unveil the Kawasaki ZX10, an uncompromising real sports machine, destined to be much in demand.
BMW was highlighting its luxurious K 1200 LT, an elegant, comfortable touring machine which would be in its element crossing Europe in the day. It created considerable interest. It sparkles with upmarket features, including central locking, adjustable pillion footboards, an electro-hydraulic centre stand and mountings for a GPS Navigator. Priced, depending on specification, between €22,150 and €24,400. On the same stand was BMW's F 650 range.
The F 650 GS, BMW's smallest and cheapest machine at €9,100 and now in its 11th year, has undergone further refinement, a twin-spark head, improved camshaft and tappets improving both performance and giving 8 per cent better fuel economy.
Ducati featured its new 749R, a race homologated special, the "must have" if track days feature high on your calendar. Also on show was its MotoGP machine, which if you could persuade them to part with it, would probably set you back all of six figures.
Green machines had on display their range of EVT electric bicycles, scooters and mopeds. The scooters have a top speed of 45-55 kph, and a range of 50-60 km on a full charge. Ideal for those seeking silent, fume-free local transport.
Centrepiece of the Honda stand was the new 1,800 cc Honda Rune. This massive, chrome glittering machine which uses a version of the 1,800 cc Gold Wing engine, is perhaps the ultimate interpretation of the "All American Cruiser".
Retailing at €28,000, it will appeal to those for whom the stateside Iron Horse approach to motorcycling is the only way to go. Honda also featured its all-new Fireblade supersports, which we will soon be testing.
Until now the name Hyundai has been associated with cars. In a state-of-the-art production facility in Korea they have now begun to produce a wide range of mopeds, "step-throughs", 125 cc scooters and conventional 125 cc motorcycles in the €2,750 to €2,950 range, with a 250 cc machine likely to emerge soon.
The 125 cc motorcycles on show were thoroughly orthodox, with an uncanny resemblance to many better-known makes. We were intrigued to see that some models, all having electric start, still retain kick starters.
On the Kymco stand we noticed their Venox 250, a 250 cc, water-cooled, vee-twin costing €5,800 that unashamedly echoes the look of Harley-Davidson's much larger, far more expensive Vee-Rod. Alongside it, the €4,250 Kymco 125 scooter with a spacious luggage compartment complete with mobile phone charger and another example of electrically operated fold-in mirrors.
In contrast, Peugeot waswere showing its new Ludix B 50 cc moped, the minimalist approach to personal mobility. With no concessions to chrome or frivolity, this small scooter, costing just €1,399 is the most economical alternative to the bus queue.
The Suzuki stand exhibited the very impressive 650 cc V-Strom which we recently tested and the latest, Executive version of its 650 cc Bergman scooter, which now comes with a pillion backrest and electrically-operated fold-in mirrors. In our view this attractive looking machine is still the best of the big bore scooters.
The all-new Yamaha Fazers, in 600 cc and 1,000 cc forms were attracting considerable interest, particularly the FZ6M naked version with its very distinctive headlight.
Bikes apart, there were numerous stands selling helmets, clothing, accessories and just about any and everything even remotely connected with motorcycling. In the outside area there were displays of motocross, trials and stunt riding which drew large crowds.
The theme of this year's show was safety. The Institute of Advanced Motorists, Irish Rider Training Association, the National Safety Council and various rider training organisations were there to help point riders, old and new, in the right direction. Their message is that motorcycling need not be dangerous, given proper training and the right attitude.