New Norton to debut at Toronto bike show
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The Norton 961 SE is an all-new sportbike that carries the revered name of the British marque, and is designed to resemble the Commandos of the 1970s.
The days are shorter, the nights are longer and it's getting cold, which means – it's showtime!
The Toronto Motorcycle Show returns next weekend to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre where motorcycle manufacturers will display their complete lineup of 2010 models in all their shining glory.
The retail extravaganza is in January, out near the airport, but this show is Toronto's only chance to talk to factory representatives and sit on the latest hardware.
BMW will have most of its 2010 lineup but the big news will be the new S1000RR four-cylinder superbike in street production trim, and the new F800R "naked" bike. I recently spent a couple of weeks with this new roadster so look for the report in Wheels soon.
BMW is looking to be one of the few remaining manufacturers, if not the only one, competing in the Canadian National Superbike Series next year with a race version of the S1000RR. Riders Francis Martin and Mike Ferriera will be on hand to chat and sign autographs.
Harley-Davidson is going with its "Kings of the Road" exhibit showcasing the Electra Glide Ultra limited-edition model – probably the finest touring motorcycle Harley has ever built.
New models include the Fat Boy "Lo" and the Sportster Iron 883 – a motorcycle that allows even the rawest novice to enjoy the Harley experience.
In addition to the full range of models, Harley is planning a number of special exhibits, including bike lifts for women, custom motorcycle displays, UFC video game challenges, "how to" giveaways and draws for prizes.
Honda will have the exciting, all-new technological showcase VFR1200 as well as the new CBF600, both of which we rode in October.
Honda hopes to have at least one of the new VT750 cruisers on display and, at press time, it was looking like the "Phantom" – a blacked-out, Bobber-style, minimalist cruiser – might make its Canadian debut.
Honda says if the new 2010 variations on the VT1300 platform (Fury, Interstate and Sabre) aren't available by showtime, they'll find a way to announce the new models to the public during the weekend.
Kawasaki is expecting the new Z1000 to make its debut at the show. A funky-styled naked bike that's all wedges and angles, a powerful, torquey motor and very odd mufflers, the new Z should be a head turner.
Suzuki is featuring the new Boulevard M50, a mid-displacement (805 cc) cruiser with styling similar to the company's flagship M109 mega cruiser.
The 1250 Bandit, one of my favourite bikes, gets a full fairing, hard bags and a topbox right from the factory in two levels of trim. For potato farmers, the RMX450Z is a dirt "playbike" based on the successful RM450 full-race motocrosser.
Yamaha continues the dirt theme and is confirming the new YZ450F with a unique, rearward-slanting cylinder, with the airbox and fuel injection at the front and exhaust exiting the rear of the engine. Also anticipated is the Valentino Rossi replica R1 with the revolutionary crossplane crankshaft that debuted last year. I'm looking forward to seeing the Stratoliner Deluxe, a full-dress touring bike based on the popular Stratoliner platform.
It comes with a stylized front cowl, windscreen, bags and integrated speakers wired for MP3-players.
E-Max will showcase one of the first electric scooters to be approved by Transport Canada as a Limited Speed Motorcycle (49 cc), making it a street-legal scooter with a top speed of 60 km/h and a range of 50 to 70 km on one charge.
With no factory presence, Ducati and Triumph's 2010 models will be displayed by GP Bikes. National Motorsports will have the Canadian debut of the Fischer MRX, an American-built sportbike with a cast aluminum frame, Ohlin's rear shock, Brembo brakes and a 650 cc Hyosung engine.
On a "what's old is new again" note, Norton is (once again) making a comeback. I know! Ohlins suspension front and rear, Brembo brakes and a 961 cc engine in a chassis closely resembling the Commandos that became extinct in the late 1970s.
And Royal Enfield is back with an expanded lineup of classic-looking motorcycles with modern unit-construction engines that meet tough Euro 3 emissions standards.
As for activities, Friday is "She Rides Night," with free admission for women after 5 p.m.
There's also the Extreme Globe "sphere of fear," with two riders zipping around a globular steel cage, and the popular Yamaha Riding School for kids, where those 6 to 12 can learn to ride on Yamaha TT-R off-road bikes.
For those more into the classic scene, the Vintage Road Racing Association and Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group will have extensive displays of classic and vintage motorcycles.
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