Melbourne Motorcycle Expo starts today

Three of the hottest new releases of 2010, the Kawasaki ZX-10R, Ducati Diavel and BMW K 1600 GTL, will all be unveiled to an Australian audience for the first time at the upcoming Melbourne Motorcycle Expo, starting on November 26.

And for motorcycle racing tragics, Italian Max Biaggi’s world superbike title-winning Aprilia RSV4 R will be on display, ahead of a test session at Phillip Island the following week.

Honda is also pushing a racing theme, with Dani Pedrosa’s RC212V, Bryan Staring’s 2010 Australian-Superbike Championship-winning CBR100RR, and the CRF450R that Chad Reed rode to victory in the opening round of the 2010 Super X title all set to command some attention.

The BMW Motorrad Vice President of Design, David Robb, will be at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre to take wraps of the new high-tech, top-spec six-cylinder K 1600 GTL, which will occur at 11.30am on November 27. Rob will also be making design presentations throughout the weekend of the show.

The K 1600 GT and BMW K 1600 GTL are the brand's first-ever six-cylinder production bikes and are due to launch internationally early next year.

Other feature bikes on the BMW stand will include a lovingly restored R 80 GS Paris Dakar together with the new R 1200 GS Adventure 30 Year edition and the S 1000 RR Superstock-spec bike which Craig Coxhell has campaigned in Australia this year.

Meanwhile, the V-twin Diavel muscle bike, set to spar against the likes of Yamaha’s V-Max, will be air-freighted in especially for the occasion, to be joined in Melbourne by stablemates including the Multistrada 1200 and 1200S; Streetfighter S; 848 EVO; 1198, 1198S and 1198R; the Monster 696, 796 and 1100 family, the Hypermotard 796, 1100 EVO, 1100 EVO SP; and finally the GT1000 Touring.

At Kawasaki, the all-new Ninja ZX-10R sports bike will be its showstopper, with world superbike rider Chris Vermeulen on location Friday morning to sing its praises.

Other Kawasakis on display will include the Ninja 1000 ABS, W800 and KX250F.  And Kawasaki-sponsored V8 Supercar driver Todd Kelly will be at the Kawasaki stand on Sunday between midday and 1.00pm.

BRP will be featuring both the Can-Am Spyder RS and Spyder RT models, as well as the RT-622 Trailer. As well as the Spyder, there will be Can-Am ATVs, Sea-Doo PWCs and a brand new product, the Can-Am Commander side-by-side vehicle.

At Husqvarna, the line-up will include a cluster of brand new tackle – the TE310, TE449, TE511, TC449 and CR50. The cast will be completed by the TE250, WR250, WR300, TE630 and SM630. The Bikesales Network will be attending the Australian launch of the TE449, TC449 and TE511 in the ACT on December 8-9.

Triumph’s heavily revised Speed Triple will be another showstopper, and the brand is also showcasing the new America and Speedmaster cruiser models. And for the first time in Melbourne, Triumph will also have a merchandise stand available for the public to purchase t-shirts, trinkets and other Triumph-branded products from.

At Harley-Davidson, the American powerhouse is running a competition to win a Softail standard signed by Willie G, drawn in June, 2011. There will also be 2011 standard and custom bikes on display, as well as a fit shop that will let customers change items on a bike.

As well as Biaggi’s race bike, the Aprilia stand will include the Dorsoduro 1200 and Norge GT ABS 8V, and Moto Guzzi will display the V7 Racer. The full range of bikes and scooters will also be on display for both brands.

Honda’s massive expanse will also witness the Australian unveiling of the CBR250R (click here for the Bikesales Network ride impression from Thailand), a customised VT750S, and a Repsol replica PCX125 scooter.

At KTM, the marque is highlighting its racing success this year, with a numbers of stars from its enduro and desert racing stables making appearances. They include Jarrod Bewley, Toby Price, Ben Grabham, Brad Williscroft, Todd Smith and Matt Fish.

KTM machinery includes the 2011 SX-F range, championship-winning race bikes, and KTM Power Parts bikes including a 350SX-F and 300EXC. These bikes have every part possible fitted from the catalogue and are real eye catchers.

Husaberg has its 2011 FE and TE range, the latter including the all new two-stroke range.

Visitors to the expo will also be treated to a special display of motorcycle history as Suzuki celebrates 50 years on the international racing scene and the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking GSX-R range.

Complementing the current product range, this year’s stand will host the GSX-R600 as ridden by 2010 Australian Supersport champion Troy Herfoss, and will also showcase the 1996 FIM-spec GSX-R750 as ridden by Peter Goddard in claiming the 1996 Australian Superbike Championship and 1996 Shell Superbike Series.

An original 1985 GSX-R750 will be on stand alongside the yet-to-be-released 2011 GSX-R750 making its Australian debut.

Team Suzuki riders Josh Waters, Troy Herfoss and Shawn Giles will also be appearing throughout the weekend for interviews and autograph sessions. The times will be 1.30-2.00pm and 3.00-3.30pm on Saturday, and 12.30-1.00pm and 2.30-3.00pm on Sunday.

Keep an eye out as further information comes to hand from other manufacturers about their Melbourne Motorcycle Expo plans.

Complementing the new machinery at the show will be a raft of motorcycle apparel, accessories and bike-related services, while a packed schedule of entertainment will keep the entire family smiling.

The Bikesales Network will be there, so please drop in and say hello -- and maybe even find your next bike purchase on one of our websites. And while you're there, you can also go in the draw to win a Kymco Venox 250cc road bike, complete with 12 months comprehensive insurance courtesy of Swann.

Other attractions will include freestyle and mini bike displays, the East Coast Custom Australian Custom Bike Championship, and visitors will also get the chance to enter the competition to win a $40,000 custom chopper.

Entry is $18 for adults, while concessions and kids (aged five to 15) are in for $13. Kids under five are free. A family ticket covers two adults and two kids, and costs $46.

The Australian Motorcycle Expo will be open from 10.00am to 8.00pm on the Friday, 9.00am to 7.00pm on the Saturday, and 9.00am to 5.00pm on the Sunday.