Tokyo Motor Show 2017: Eight most exciting motorcycles
From the resurgence of old motorcycle models by Kawasaki, to Apple CarPlay integration on the flagship tourer Honda Gold Wing, as well as some class-A concepts with the most advanced technologies and innovations from Yamaha and others, here is our list of the most exciting motorcycles to be shown at the Tokyo Motor Show 2017:
Kawasaki Ninja 400Kawasaki caused a flutter with the unveiling of the Ninja 400 at the Tokyo Motor Show 2017. The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 is set to replace the Kawasaki Ninja 300 in international markets including India. When it is launched here, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 with its larger 399cc parallel twin engine, looks set to take on the KTM RC390, the Yamaha YZF-R3, BMW G 310 R, Benelli 302R and others. The Ninja 400 is 6kg lighter than the Kawasaki Ninja 300, at 168kg (wet). The 399cc parallel twin motor produces 45.6PS / 38Nm, a significant upgrade from the Ninja 300. On the styling front, the 400 features large-volume bodywork inspired from the flagship Ninja H2, giving it a substantially larger, wider look than its predecessor.
Kawasaki Ninja 250
The brand-new Kawasaki Ninja 250 showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show 2017 was a bit of surprise. While the Ninja 400 replaces the aging Ninja 300, the new Ninja 250 will add more zing to the lower end of the entry-level sportsbike segment. The new for 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 has a 249cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin cylinder engine, mated to a six-speed gearbox. What€™s new is the power output. The new Ninja 250 will offer a whopping 39PS of power, equal to what the Ninja 300 offers currently, along with 23.5Nm of torque. On the design front, the Ninja 250 looks similar to the larger Ninja 400 from the front but does not get any graphics like it.We€™re not sure if Kawasaki will launch the new generation Ninja 250 in India though.
2018 Honda Gold Wing
Honda showcased its new generation 'super cruiser', the 2018 Honda Gold Wing, at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. The all-new 2018 Honda Gold Wing is more compact than its predecessor while also weighs about 40kg less. Two versions of the motorcycle will be on offer, a standard Gold Wing and a more tech and feature-rich Gold Wing Tour. Both motorcycles still come powered by Honda's horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that now displaces 1,833cc. From the tech point of view, a major update is that the 2018 Honda Gold Wing is the first motorcycle to feature Apple CarPlay integration.
Honda Neo Sports Cafe
Honda has finally revealed the Neo Sports Cafe at the Tokyo Motor Show 2017. The Honda Neo Sports Cafe bears a strong resemblance to the CB1000R naked motorcycle of yore, as well as to CB4 concept superbike the Japanese bike maker had showcased two years ago at EICMA.Earlier known as Project N.S.C, it appears to be a neo-retro cafe racer with a round LED headlamp, clean body styling and a simplified instrument cluster. The Neo Sports Cafe is an indication of the direction in which the new Honda CB1000R€™s design could be headed and we like what we see. The Honda Neo Sports Cafe will makes it debut in production-ready guise next month at the 75th Worldwide Motorcycle Exhibition, aka EICMA 2017 in Milan, Italy.
Honda Riding Assist e
Honda also showcased its Riding Assist e concept motorcycle at the Tokyo Motor Show 2017. The Riding Assist e can balance itself without the need for any external support and also mitigate the risk of a fall when manoeuvring the motorcycle at low speeds or when coming to a full stop. Honda says it has used its proprietary balance control technologies to develop the concept, basis its research in robotics over the years. Honda has not given out any technical details whatsoever at the moment, though judging by the small €˜e€™ suffix the Riding Assist e clearly is a fully-electric motorcycle, powered by a rechargeable battery pack The self-steering system is a bigger highlight though, as the Riding Assist e is capable of moving around even without a rider onboard.
Yamaha Motoroid Concept
The Yamaha Motoroid Concept showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show 2017 boasts Artificial Intelligence and cannot only communicate but also interact with its rider. AI in fact seems to be the newest buzzword in the automobile industry, and manufacturers seem to be in a hurry to offer automobiles that will do a lot more than merely transporting humans from point A to point B. The Motoroid Concept€™s design is as radical as it gets, and in fact looks like something Neo would ride in the next Matrix sequel. Come to think of it the Motoroid Concept barely looks like a motorcycle except for the seat and the handlebars that will call for some serious stretching to reach out to.
2018 Kawasaki Z900RS
If you are a motorcycle enthusiast and have a fascination for retro styling, the Kawasaki Z series is a motorcycle that will feature atop your list. At the ongoing Tokyo Motor Show 2017, Kawasaki has unveiled the new generation Z900RS, retro-styled roadster that is an answer to the likes of the Triumph Bonneville range. The 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS, as the name suggests, is powered by the 900cc motor that does duty in the Z900. However, Kawasaki mentions that they have worked on this motor to make it produce more power at lower engine speeds. This one makes 111PS instead of the 125PS that the naked Z900 makes. The overall styling of the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS takes a lot of inspiration from the Z1.
Yamaha Niken three-wheeled concept
The Yamaha Niken, hands-down, was among the weirdest motorcycles showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show 2017. Yamaha refers to the Niken as a Large Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW), since it features two wheels up front and one at the rear. While three-wheelers are not a new concept, it is the lean function that makes the Yamaha Niken stand out. The Niken features two 15-inch wheels at the front, each sprung by two tandem upside down forks. It has a wide front face that is part sportsbike and part quad fender. The Yamaha Niken comes powered by a water-cooled inline three-cylinder engine with four valves.