Despite our full-frontal coverage of the EICMA show last week, we didn’t list all the bikes available at the Italian show—we tried to stick to motorcycles that were presumably coming to Canada, or that we hoped would come to Canada.
That rules out a lot of the machinery at the show in Milan, because so many of the bikes intended for overseas markets don’t make it here.
Some of them just don’t have a Canadian importer, some don’t have a market because supersized North Americans deem them too small, and some are priced wayyyyyy out of the reach of average Joe. But they’re fun to see anyway, so read on:
Sym NH-Trazer
Mini adventure bikes are a thing now, with Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and BMW all producing machines in this segment, and KTM allegedly about to announce something along these lines.
Of course, one of the machines that started this fad was the made-in-China Zongshen RX3, sold in Canada by CSC. Now, there’s also a Taiwanese option, the SYM NH-Trazer.
What’s that name supposed to mean? Who knows? What we do know is that it’s powered by a four-valve, single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, making about 19 hp and 12 ft-lb of torque. Hardly numbers to compete with the big-bore Beemer ADV bikes, but likely sufficient for the developing markets it’s intended for. It has a 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear.
We’d assume that the panniers are likely made of plastic, and probably come with the bike. We’d also assume that SYM likely won’t sell it in Canada because our market would poo-poo such a bike as too small. Too bad–SYM seems to make a good product, and this machine could be quite handy for the budget-minded world adventurer.
Arch 1S, Method 143
Arch Motorcycles is a marque founded by Canadian actor Keanu Reeves and his friend Gard Hollinger (read more about that here). The company’s bikes are high-end machines built around powerful V-twins, commanding a high price tag. We have never heard about one being imported to Canada, although it’s possible they are sold here.
Arch unveiled a couple new bikes at EICMA, the 1S and the Method 143. The Method 143 is built around an air-cooled 2032 cc V-twin,The bodywork is CNC’d aluminum, the front fork is a proprietary unit made by Ohlins (FGRT series), the exhaust is made of titanium and carbon-fibre, and the wheels are also carbon fibre. No price tag has been released yet, but obviously, all this attention to detail will come at a significant price.
The 1S also has no listed price tag or availability yet, but is sure to be pricey, with the frame’s backbone and the sub-frame made from CNC-machined aluminum. The fuel tank is also CNC’d aluminum with some carbon fibre bits. The wheels are carbon-fibre as well, and this machine is ABS-optional, enabling Arch to sell it in Europe. It’s powered by the same 2032 cc V-twin.
Benelli 752S
You’ve got to give Benelli’s employees credit. Although the company’s focus has changed to include more budget-minded bikes since it came under Chinese ownership, Benelli still strives to make good-looking motorcycles, and this new naked bike is a good example of that.
Powered by a new 750 cc parallel-twin with liquid cooling, the Benelli 752S supposedly has a peak output of 81.6 hp and just under 50 lb-ft of torque. There’s 50 mm USD forks up front, and 320 mm dual discs with four-piston calipers.
With Benelli trying to make a comeback in the US market, there’s a good chance some readers will see these bikes on the street, perhaps during a trip to the States. We would be highly surprised if Benelli ever returned to Canada, though.
Moto Morini Milano
A sweet, sweet neo-retro cafe built around a liquid-cooled V-twin, the Moto Morini Milano is a lot prettier than most of the customs that are allegedly inspired by the Mods-vs.-Rockers scene. It features that serpentine exhaust that might not do a lot for gas flow, but sure looks cool (a trademark of such naked bikes as the Benelli TnT, for those who remember that far back).
We’re not sure of horsepower, but with a liquid-cooled 1187 cc motor, it shouldn’t bore its riders too badly. You’ll have to be very inventive (and rich!) if you ever hope to ride one on Canadian streets, though.
I would love to see a trike version even in a composit picture my name is John fisher from Alberta Canada and thanks for all your movies and joy to all you give
I would like to have the option to buy a CSC. However the cost of importing one to Vancouver Island came to $6000! For that, I could buy a KTM 390! Yikes!
Sym looks nice but the issues is the importer in canada doesnt’ stock SYM parts and you end up waiting for month for some parts. You can order from usa and get them but what a drag. Also the problem with SYM is they are build to a price point resulting again in problems with parts. Want to repair that front disk brake ? You have to order a new caber instead of just getting a repair kit. Fuel injection issue that 400 bucks usa for a citycom 300i unit. No way to get the part needed to repair it. Wiring loom issues on your citycom 300i ? thats due to sym using the thinest gage wire they can get away with. SYM great when they work but it’s not worth investing your cash in. 5 grand down the drain for me.