John Wheeler reports from the motorcycle and scooter show in Birmingham
If there was a theme to this year's International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in Birmingham, it would be more refinement, bigger, better, more high-tech and increased all-round performance with scooters just having the edge on the improvement front.
The Harley Davidson stand was as eye-catching as ever, with virtually the entire range on display. But this year it had an added twist as Harley is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
All the current range are labelled 100th Anniversary models and likely to be much sought after by aficionados. On every other major manufacturers' stand what can be called the "Harley influence" was evident - they all seem to have at least one Harley look-a-like (big, shiny, laid-back, American-style cruiser) machine.
Elsewhere, the once ultra-conservative BMW is increasingly catering for all sorts and conditions of riders. Its R 1200 CL fully dressed 1170 cc Boxer cruiser looked impressive and comfortable. In more modest vein, we were impressed with the F 650 CS "Scarver", a recently introduced belt-driven variant of the F 650 range - it comes with digital engine management, ABS, catalytic converter and fuel-injection as standard. Overall a reasonably priced and versatile machine. To complete an ever-widening range, BMW even had a three-wheel "trike" on display.
Navigating our way through press photographers clearly enthralled by the bevy of skin-tight, lyra-clad blonde models on the Suzuki stand, we admired the DL 1000 V-Strom, a well conceived, versatile and multi-purpose 1000 cc, fuel injected machine displayed with optional hard-luggage.
Also on display was Suzuki's AN 650 Bergman. This "automatic" big-bore machine has an override, so that one can select a five-gear mode at the touch of "up" and "down" buttons on the left-hand grip. This will give much greater rider control and, importantly, enable the rider to make use of the engine braking effect.
So, one can laze in automatic in heavy town traffic and then, on the open road, ride it as one would a "real" motorcycle. Add in 15-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels and fuel injection, and at last we have a scooter that bridges the gap. This is a machine that should be as happy in Dublin traffic as it would be at 100 mph on a German autobahn. We hope we can test one soon.
Carole Nash, the insurance broking firm which has a Dublin office, had an impressive stand surrounded by its collection of ancient and modern classics. Representing the modern age were Ducati's new 999 and a highly customised Harley V-Rod, with a 1960s BSA Gold Star and a 1950s Vincent Black Shadow for times past.
We couldn't but help gaze in wonder at the Vincent. A 1000 cc v-twin, this superbike par excellence of its day was notable for innovative design, unsurpassed engineering and the minutest attention to detail.
Close by was the Watsonian Squire stand. This long-established sidecar manufacturer imports what once were Royal Enfields. Now made in India, the bikes were imported for many years as Enflields, but, now that some legalities have been ironed out, they are once again Royal Enfields.
These are pure 1960s British-style machines. In recent years quality has much improved all round and now electric start is available as well on the new "Sixty-5", a left foot gearchange and a five-speed gearbox.
For elegant low-tech simplicity, appealing "traditional" looks, 70 mpg economy and a licence-saving 70 mph maximum speed, they do have a certain appeal. Low tech means low prices, starting at €3,900. Add a sidecar and, for £5,136, you have a complete nostalgia outfit.
On the Piaggio stand we saw its B 500 scooter, a liquid-cooled, four-valve 500 cc, 16-inch wheeled, fuel-injected machine, another example of the "big" scooter trend.
Red dominated the Ducati stand, with pride of place being given to its new supersports 999, which replaces the previous 991/996/998 series.
Powered by Ducati's Tesastretta engine producing 124 bhp at 9,500 rpm, with fully adjustable hand controls, adjustable fore and aft seat position, and Öhlins suspension, the word is that this is a quantum leap ahead of previous models, which means it should be highly exciting and exhilarating. We look forward to testing the 999 for real in the near future.
Honda's stand, notably blonde-model-free by the time we reached it, was displaying, side-by-side, three of its elegant creations: the 1800 Gold Wing, next to it the 1300 cc Pan European, which we expect to test in the next few weeks, and then the 650 cc Deauville.
Honda's renowned CBR 600 RR is now lower, lighter and more compact, now with twin fuel injectors for added high speed, power, and improved brakes. Their XL 1000V Varadero has undergone a major re-work and now comes with fuel injection, six-speed transmission, uprated suspension, an improved fairing and three-way adjustable screen.
Kawasaki ZX-6 machines in "R" and "S" variants have undergone significant performance enhancing changes. However, at the stand we had to ask the lycra-clad blondes to move so that we could see the bikes.
The Z 1000, is a new "streetbike" which uses a 953 cc ZX-9R powerplant, a practical bike with serious attitude. Alongside it the VN 1600 Classic, a huge, laid-back, cruiser with tree stump pulling power, longer, lower and fatter-tyred.
Yamaha's R6 is now lighter and more powerful. Although similar in appearance to the previous R6, it claims that internally it is 90 per cent new and produces 123 bhp at 13,000 rpm. Whatever about performance, it looks even more aggressive than before.
The obligatory big, fat, American cruiser theme is represented by the Road Star Warrior, an improved version of their XV 1600. Effortless sports touring is catered for by the FJR 1300, the "A" model now with ABS braking.
Another first for Peugeot: their 125 cc Jetforce scooter is now supercharged, inter-cooled and fuel-injected and produces 63 per cent more power and is, perhaps as well, equipped with ABS servo-assisted brakes.
As ever there were dozens of smaller stands mostly dealing with various accessories and seemingly enough clothing to re-equip everyone. Among the few thatcaught the eye were Widder's electrically heated clothing; gloves, waistcoats, arm and leg chaps. Highly-efficient, tried and tested gear suitable for the worst of conditions. (www.riderhouse.co.uk)
Pro Shift (proshift1@aol.com) displayed their add-on, electrically operated hand gear shift mechanism - expensive but especially useful for those with a partial disability. For those concerned about collecting penalty points Licencesaver (www.licencesaver.com) displayed what they claim are "legal" laser/radar warning devices.
Our pillion critic, in the market for a new outfit, was disappointed that, for all the variety on display on dozens of stands, she still could not find comfortable riding gear that looked like it would last. BMW, which displayed some of its up-market clothing range omitted to bring the very items on her "must see" list.
Sated with such variety of machines we asked ourselves, assuming that a benevolent Fairy Godmother was at hand, what four machines we would like to add to our virtually non-existent collection.
The highly subjective and deeply personal answers boiled down to Ducati's 999 for blowing away the cobwebs; Suzuki's Bergman 650 scooter for sheer, serious practicality: BMW's F 650 CS "Scarver" arguably the best mid-range all-rounder, and Watsonian's Royal Enfield Manx GP sidecar outfit for nostalgic dreamtime leisurely pottering in the countryside. Proof at least of a catholic taste.