2011 Sydney motorcycle show

The veil has been lifted on a number of new models at the 2012 Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show, which kicked off this morning and continues right through to Sunday evening.

Ducati’s groundbreaking new Superbike, the 1199 Panigale, has already created a huge amount of interest with its impressive ‘KPIs’ and technological prowess, but even that’s been usurped for brute horsepower by the updated Kawasaki ZX-14R, which is claimed to be the world’s most powerful production motorcycle.

A couple of other Kawasakis also made their public debut in the shape of the Versys 1000 all-rounder, which uses the same 1043cc four-cylinder mill as the Ninja 1000 and Z1000; and the Vulcan Vaquero bagger, based on the same platform as the Voyager and Nomad – and it will be priced somewhere between those two (around e $24-25K mark) when it goes on sale in February, 2012.

The completely reworked WR450F ($12,999) was the big ticket item at Yamaha, Suzuki (GSX-R1000L2) and Honda (CBR1000RR) introduced their 2012 sports bike tackle, and other new tackle included the Victory new Cross Country Tour and Husqvarna Nuda. The Bikesales Network will be riding the Cross Country Tour in early December in our huge tourer comparo.

Honda displayed its new Dio 110 scooter for the first time, as well as the EV-neo electric scooter – the latter not yet a production model. Piaggio also announced two new scooters in the shape of the Typhoon and Liberty 150ie.

And another new commuter came from Aprilia – the sharp-looking RS125 four-stroke, which should hold a sharp line around the twistiest of roads – much like the RS125 two-stroke. It will sell for $6500 – and add another $500 for world Superbike replica livery.

Dean Benstead’s 02 Pursuit, a university design project, was launched to crowds fascinated by its use of a chamber of compressed air, similar to a scuba tank, as an alternative energy source to fuel and electricity.

“It’s about what the bike represents; it’s not about performance engineering but about stretching my capabilities as a designer and imagining what the future might hold for sustainable motorcycle design,” said Benstead, a 21-year-old student.

“The years I spent as a child riding dirt bikes inspired this design, a motocross bike based around the Engineair engine.

“Developing the working prototype involved balancing many design elements to get the bike functional and show-ready, but also meet budget, functionality, tight timelines and skill requirements.”

The 02 Pursuit is just one of over 1000 motorcycles that fill the 15,000sqm floor space at the show, including many express freighted from their release in Milan just a fortnight ago.

A total of 120 exhibitors are showcasing the latest bike products and accessories to suit riders of all ages. For the full list of exhibitors visit www.motorcycleexpo.com.au.

A family-friendly show of freestyle motocross, street bike stunts and trials riding is included in ticket prices.

A number of special guests will visit the show throughout the weekend, including Australian Superbike champions Shawn Giles and Glenn Allerton, supercross and motocross star Jay Marmont, and off-road gurus Toby Price and Ben Grabham.

And if you make it to Darling Harbour, drop into the Bikesales Network stand to enter our competition to win a Kawasaki KX250F or Ninja 650R. If you can’t make it, you can still enter the competition online.

Entry to the show is $20 for adults, seniors $14, children 5-15 years $14, children under five free, family (two adults and two children) $48.

The show will remain open to 8.00pm today, followed by 9.00am-6.00pm on Saturday, and 9.00am-5.00pm on Sunday.