7 things you need to know ahead of EICMA 2021

The Milan Motorcycle Show (EICMA) always produces a few surprises, but the COVID-19 pandemic means that things will be a little different in 2021. Still, there is plenty to be excited about. Here is everything you need to know ahead of EICMA 2021.

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The EICMA show in Milan has been running for well over 100 years. For many decades now it has, along with Germany’s Cologne-based Intermot – Europe’s other major international motorcycle expo – and the Tokyo Show in Japan, cemented itself as the stage on which all-new bikes and innovative concepts are unveiled to the world’s press ahead of the new model year. With COVID-19 drawing the curtains on the 2020 events before they even opened, motorcycle manufacturers were forced to find other ways to achieve the same outcome of global fanfare around their new and important models. And it means many manufacturers will now be looking at – and using – the four-day event quite differently.

Ducati is the perfect example of how COVID has changed the 2021 event. Being just over 200km from its Bologna base, the annual EICMA motorcycle expo has become an important event for Ducati in recent times. With the world watching on, EICMA has traditionally been the event where it has whipped the covers off many of its most important models. Even being awarded the event’s coveted Most Beautiful Motorcycle at EICMA, as voted by the attending public, in three of the last four years. But the Borgo Panigale brand is sticking to its 2020 guns this year, and will continue with its strategy of unveiling next year’s machinery via staggered online launches between now and into December.

Traditionally held in the first quarter of the year, the annual Tokyo Show was cancelled for the second year in a row in 2021. And while it’s better known as stage on which whacky and imaginative prototypes unlikely to see production in their concept form are unveiled, the Japanese brands usually have one or two new production bikes on show at their home event. This year, all four Japanese brands will have displays at what is still the world’s biggest motorcycle expo in Milan, though there’s still mystery around exactly what we can expect.

Yamaha’s strategy seems to be a mix of online and expo reveals. The recently unveiled MT-10 was expected to break cover in Milan, for example, and while the firm released that virtually instead, we do expect it has something up its sleeve for Milan – Valentino Rossi will be there. Kawasaki is likely to show the new Versys 650 and H2 SX, maybe a ZX-4R, and an electric or hybrid machine isn’t out of the question either. Suzuki hasn’t let any hints slip, while Honda’s biggest news is likely to be the revival of the Transalp adventure bike, as well as updates to current machinery like the Fireblade.

In Ducati’s absence, its rival Italian brands are likely to use the international event to launch some significant models and capitalise on the local exposure. The Piaggio Group, which consists of Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Vespa, Piaggio and Derbi, is likely to have a big presence at this year’s event. And given it coincides with Moto Guzzi’s 100-year anniversary, we can expect a song and dance from the Mandello del Lario-based factory, most likely in the form of the water-cooled 1000cc V100 sports-tourer it teased earlier this year. MV Agusta isn’t the sort of brand that will let EICMA come and go without some headline-grabbing unveils, possibly even a revival of the Elefant moniker, and given Benelli’s Italian headquarters is based less than four hours southeast of Milan, expect a decent showing from the Chinese-owned firm.

KTM, who’s Austrian base is marginally closer to the German-based Intermot show in Cologne, has opted for online launches for its 2022 line-up over a stand at EICMA. But the firm will still have a decent presence under its growing number of sub-brands and affiliates. Electric bikes are likely to grab a handful of headlines this year, and Husqvarna’s E-Pilen is one we’re expecting and don’t discount a GasGas-branded adventure style roadbike breaking cover, either.

And given the way the CFMoto range has matured since the affiliation with the Austrian firm, and the swathe of new larger-capacity models that have rolled out since, we’re expecting some decent news out of EICMA from the Chinese brand.

We’ve seen plenty of new model releases from Triumph over the last couple of months, but there’s a good chance there’s still a few surprises being held back for EICMA. The most obvious of those may be a prototype or two of its highly anticipated entry into the motocross and enduro segments. An electric-powered Triumph could certainly be on the cards and maybe even the expected new Tiger 1200. And while the British firm has been making noises about a range of smaller-capacity roadbikes, we’re not sure if the timing will be right to get a glimpse of the models which, at this stage, are expected to form part of the firm’s 2023 line-up.

In spite of, or maybe because of, its largest European rival KTM not attending, BMW is giving EICMA a miss, too. When the 2020 Intermot Show in Cologne was called off due to COVID last year, the organisers decided at the time it would also skip the 2021 event and set about planning the event for 2022. The German-based event has always been an important springboard for BMW to launch to new machinery ahead of the new model year, so many thought it would turn to the Italian show in 2021 but, like Ducati, it’s opting for virtual launches this year instead.