I've had a rest now, but also continued to provide INTERMOT stuff. In retrospect the 2006 INTERMOT was a bit of a anticlimax. Loads of boring new Japanese bikes that have received nothing but the most necessary EURO 3 upgrades. But we did get some new exciting bikes such as the R1, GSX-R1000, B-king, Z1000, 1400 GTR, CB600F Hornet, 690 SM, HP2 Megamoto and XR 1200. Even though I am sure I will love the new Triumph Tiger 1050 when I get one to test, the excitement was taken away as Triumph have let too many people ride the prototype. I haven't read one of the prototype tests fully, but realise that it's old news by the time the world launch takes place. So I'll be taking my time to get some great photography of it instead. Benelli is somewhat still managing to cause grief. The piece of shit press kit we were handed at the Intermot only includes some sketches and drawings that I already had a month ago. So I have been on the phone to Pesaro to get some pictures of the Due 750 and BX Cross 450. I have explained that I work for several editors that are on tight deadlines, but still no one have managed to send me a single picture of the bikes as they were shown at the Intermot. I have also had one cancellation for the Tre-K test as this magazine wanted track shots of the Cafe Racer that I only rode for reference. Just a bullshit excuse to use some cheap crap from one of the many civilians attending the Misano event. I will finish the Tornado 1130 test reluctantly and borrow some pictures from someone in Italy. On Monday I am picking up Aprilia RS 125 for a roadtest. It has actually taken this long to fix the bike after T.W.O's eminent and brilliant test rider Neil McKenzie seized the last engine in the bike. I really want to keep the 125 stroker for a while this time as I want to know how it's like to live with one, but knowing Mr Walker over at AWS UK he'll want it back before it breaks again. I'll at least make sure that I am riding it down to the NEC show in Birmingham next Thursday. I tried as best as I could to wind up MCN a few weeks ago, but no one took the bait thus far which is a shame. I guess I'll just have to keep scooping. I mentioned the NEC show here in the UK next week, but I am already in full EICMA Milan mode. I am looking forward to that show as I have planned to stay two days to reduce the stress and have proper chats with everyone. I hope there's no pre-event hassle and just a straightforward show so that I can do my own pre-event round at Eicma between the airport and my hotel in central Milan. Just like last year. This year I will grab Sergio Robbiano as soon as I see him to get all the latest. I think Aprilia have given him strict orders not to say anything so I will go lightly and grill Leo Mercanti more in stead. We know about the RXV/SXV past, V4 present and future, but I now want to know what's next after that. Back to the Intermot a moment and the BMW news. Cool as the Megamoto might be, there's nothing new about it. Just a new front cowling and road wheels. Nothing new about the K 1200 R Sport apart from half a R 1200 S fairing either. The three X's was new, but I suspect that BMW have got more for us. I'll eat my helmet if they don't show something new in Milan as well. Tor
raptorama posted on Oct 18, 2006
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