WSBK 2010 Expo

The Superbike Expo: Another great Expo, many new models were on display for the first time in Australia including the Honda VFR 1200F, Yamaha XT1200 Super Tenere and the Ducati Multistrada 1200. Surprisingly Kawasaki were missing from the Expo, I definitely wanted another look at the fabulous Kawasaki Z1000EAF ABS which was displayed for the first time in Australia a few weeks earlier than the WSBK 2010, at the Gold Coast Motorcycle Expo, link here....

THE HONDA VFR 1200F: Definitely a Sports Tourer, the new VFR looks great, however my closer inspections revealed some concerns, the obvious ones include the minimal pillion seat and the proximity of the right hand side pannier to the upswept 'huge' exhaust muffler. Honda have seen fit to provide an alloy plate under the 'offending' pannier but I have never found that to be a long term solution, certainly where plastic panniers and constant heating and cooling are concerned. Another pannier concern is the minimal sized lid hinges, they look very similar to the design used on the CBX1000B and CBX1000C genuine panniers of the early eighties, to me they are undersized, ugly and designed to collect dirt.


THE VFR 1200F FITTED WITH THE OPTIONAL PANNIERS, TOP BOX AND DOUBLE SCREEN


RHS PANNIER Vs EXHAUST GASES, HEAT ISSUES HERE?		VERY NEAT SHAFT DRIVE ETC	DUAL FAIRING

THE YAMAHA XT1200 SUPER TENERE: Hot on the heels of the first showing of the Yamaha Tenere XT660Z at the Gold Coast Motorcycle Expo, its big brother took centre stage at the Superbike Expo and attracted a great deal of attention. This machine is clearly designed to take sales away from the BMW R1200GS, it certainly offers a slimmer profile, similar equipment levels and the obligatory shaft drive.

The XT1200 is a slight contradiction of function in some instances, the petal drilled discs, exposed upside down fork sliders and minimal front guard just don't seem correct for the intended purpose, they do 'look' great!


PURPOSEFUL LOOKS	STANDARD EXTRA LIGHTING	WRAP AROUND CRASHBAR

THE DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200: A Ducati multi role motorcycle is somewhat unique and this machine is claimed to be a sport bike, long distance tourer, urban and road enduro machine. All these facets are apparently available at the touch of the proverbial button which can control both engine characteristics and suspension systems.


VERY STYLISH	UNIQUE FRONT END

MORE WSBK 2010 PHILLIP ISLAND COVERAGE: Please continue my coverage by selecting from the following pages...

I LOVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, DIGITAL CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES/WIRELESS BROADBAND, GPS, ETC. ALL SO COOL AND 'PORTABLE'......