An "over the top" walk at Eicma 2016

Let me start by saying that I don't know anything about music at all. I like listening to it, maybe while I'm traveling in the car, while I'm at work, but don't ask me for lyrics, a title or the name of a singer.
I just don't know them.

I therefore had to "google" Carmen Consoli's song entitled "Confusa e happy" which, in 1997, made its debut on the market. Why this premise?
Because, fortunately, after this last Eicma this is how I feel.
Let me explain. Eicma 2016 is now a "past" fair, the lights have gone out, the stands have been dismantled and the huge crowd has left room for parking lots.
And then, after all the press kits, photos, smiles and greetings, I started thinking about my walk around the fair again.

In fact, for a few years now, thanks to the press pass (which allows access on less crowded days and at extended times), I like to take a walk, lasting about a couple of hours, around the Eicma fair with my hands in pocket and music in your ears.

I don't want to be distracted by background noises, I try to isolate myself as much as possible, so as to simulate a walk on a sidewalk in front of many dealers or parked motorbikes, and let "my gut" say how I really think.

So off we go, let's begin this Eicma 2016 walk.

Entering from pavilion 2 I immediately "bumped" into the Yamahas. The new version of the T-Max, now a "must" from the Iwata house, no longer surprises as it did on its debut. We're used to it. The R1 has already fired its cartridges and the updates do not (rightly) scream miracles. There is. But then there's her. Oh yes, there it is, this year's Yamaha highlight.

If last year it was Honda with its new Africa Twin that dominated the "tough enduro" scene with a road version, this year it is Yamaha that pulls a bike out of the hat (two in this case) that "counters" the excessive power that the new AT is making money.

The new "T7", a concept with a 700 engine (the same, excellent one as the MT07 and Beautiful, beautiful, I want it!

With the T7 in my eyes (and in my heart) I continue my walk towards the "two" and find myself at the HD Yankees. The new 107 engine has already been revealed and their lines are still classic. What can I say, to see a Harley that can really attract me I have to take a ride to a specific rally. For them, Eicma is just a bright showcase. I am sorry.

With my smile off, as I'm about to move on to the "four", here comes a forehand, backhand and uppercut that knock me out. Stand of the Swedish Ohlins (raise your hand if you don't know them) and what do I find there? Kocinski's Cagiva 500, Haga's R7 and a flat track HD that's beautiful as hell! Yes Yes Yes!

The heart beats like a thousand, crazy, the passion pumps in the veins, my goodness what a means!

I enter Hall 4 walking at half a meter height and I can't help but "fall" into the "supermegagiga" Honda stand.

My goodness, the Egyptians were children compared to the designers at the Honda stand. Huge! Ok, it may be "always the same" but guys, a real Japanese battleship!

And what do I see from them? The “cool” brother of the Integra. While I would have been happy to see the Integra 750 in my father's garage (even though he is undoubtedly a technically advanced scooter), I can't say I had much desire to ride it. But then, here comes the X-ADV, what last year was a concept and this year is the scooter I would like for the home - work - home journey. Handsome!

I quickly dribble SH, various CB, AT and similar and I get to her: the new CBR. What can I say, I can hardly hold back the tears when I read the acronyms “SP” and “SP-2”, which accompany the new Hypersportiva from the Ala manufacturer. I can't help but think of the Superbike VTR and this new CBR, which has the "old series" that preceded it behind it, seems to want to bring the SBK category back to an "adequate" technical level. I missed you! (Did I mention it looks like the Panigale?).

I move away from the stand, but I take the wrong exit, I find myself in a tunnel and then SBOOM!

I slam into her. Honda CB1100 “concept”. I mean, no, come on, guys, the word "concept" already makes me excited and ok, it fits, but then if you combine it with a damn "mixed" design from the 70s - 2000s, what can I say, I'm moved! I (I swear!) moved the model in front of the motorbike to be able to look at her better (the motorbike, not the model!!) and I stayed there for about 20 minutes.

Slick, killer fork, radials, truncated tail, LED camera and headlight, "infinitely" wide handlebars, Joe Bar stuff from the ring road in the morning! Do it, do it now!

I have tears in my eyes when I arrive at Suzuki, that Honda screwed me! I wander dazed among the colors of the new Burgman 400, beautiful and comfortable but still the same, the various naked Gsx, beautiful, but already seen and then the video.
Maxisupermegascreen and off you go, I find myself sixteen years old.

A video from those "90s" shows the return of the King. Gsx-R 1000 with inertial platform, variable valve timing, monster line, LED lights, compact, rabidly sharp, UAO UAO UAO!! Do you see "this one" fighting with "that one" (CBR new) in the series derivative championship? Or rather, in Superstock? Of course I can see it! Suzuki, damn, you made us wait, we missed you!

Adrenaline like never before I go out for a breath of fresh air.

I bring my heart rate back to normal levels, regular breathing, dried sweat. Ok, I'll come in at six/eight.
Fewer official houses here, more "side" stands, but then you realize that the "holy mother" Kawa is still there. Green-black are there, mean and sharp as ever. Two SBK titles aren't peanuts so ode to the queen

Zx-10RR. But the H2R, even if it is now "already seen", always steals the show. But let me take a closer look. Damn, look at these guys, they've "reamed" the Ninjas! The Zeta becomes 900 and here the Ninja hooliganism becomes big, well done!
I look around after being struck by the "greens" and I realize that they are the only "big" house in this stand. I wander around without much news and then move on.

Ah, here they are, those of the “Piaggio Group”. Let me look. And what is this shiny Vespa here? Come on, did they forget to fit the exhaust? As? What? Electric? The Electric Vespa? After you! A move that demonstrates how Piaggio, with the Vespa brand, wants to stay on the crest of the wave! But sorry, “confused and happy” I said at the beginning, but let me understand. I have the electric Vespa and then, around the corner, I find myself, in order: Aprilia Dorsoduro and Shiver brought to 900cc (because before they didn't already wheelie well enough, right?) and then I hear about GP RSVs with pneumatic valves, 250hp and low price! Come on!!!

And I, who was starting to smell the air to understand how far away the Superleggera was, found myself a "surface-to-surface" missile marked Aprilia! And then, there is also an RSV4-RF that I have to remember to write next to the names from before, the CBR, the Zx-10 and the new Suzu. Epic battle! But Jappo-Italy? A sort of "world war" between engines without the Germans? Never!!!

And so I rushed to the BMW stand to see an "untouchable" prototype (I swear, it said "don't touch"!) complete with a carbon frame. In CARBON!! The HP4 Race is an S1000RR that couldn't be more aggressive! Are you all on amphetamines? That is, let me understand, there are electric scooters in every corner, bicycles with pedal assistance and then, like this, you turn around and find petrol-burning beasts with over 200 hp! Pure delirium, wonderful!

At this point I'm really "freaking out" and stumbling in Ducati.

Come on, let me see it, let me "touch" this Superleggera, this 1408, this lady in red that, when I see her, I can barely hold back my drool. I mean wait, serious moment.
The HP4 Race before was something incredible but, poor thing, it was there, the same height, even less, than the others. The 310cc Gs was placed higher. Poor thing, she went unnoticed.

This one, however, all haughty from its platform complete with (baby) bodyguard that keeps the paws of those who, like me, would like to run their hand over that opaque red livery. On those ultra-light circles, on that pure "pornography", on a mechanical level, of which she is composed.

I later discovered that the Supersport was voted the most beautiful bike at the show but, no offense, when I arrived at Ducati I didn't see much else. The Monster 797 needs to be done, and it's excellent, the Multistrada 950 is a truly intelligent and versatile bike, but the Super takes your eyes off it!
Friends will later tell me that there was a Scrambler "different from the others". I will answer without shame that “I couldn't see it”. Too crowded? No, no, I was simply, damn attracted to the Super. Point.
Pure lust.

From then on it's all a scattered wandering, but with unexpected twists.

The Husqvarna stand takes me out of line with a Vitpilen (what kind of name is that???) 400.
A 375cc “supermono” set in a low-and-long frame that wants to be roughed up on the roads of the lakeside, or of the Ligurian coast. Or on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. In short, a bike to ride fast, to slide through corners, to enjoy on Sundays. What a show!

But then next door, just one step away, there is the exact opposite.
An engine that alone is worth a couple of years in prison.

The Austrians have done something else. They bring out a prototype Superduke, half prototype, it will be real (well, go figure), which is extremely evil. Short, angry, mean, “pointy” (can you say about a motorbike?) that you would like to open a bank branch on the spot so you can rob it and take the beast away. KTM, do you want to hurt my coronary arteries?

Luckily there are the little “NIU” ones that make me look goggle-eyed. Less than 1500 euros for an electric scooter with 100 km of autonomy. Oh boy, this here is the new Booster! You control it with an “APP” and it is the means that “two-point-zero” fourteen-year-olds will probably use to get from one part of the city to another. In Yamaha (see beginning) there was the (identical) remake of the Booster, but those who worked around it were at least thirty years old. This instead is a stand full of pimply boys and girls with cell phones for selfies, who enjoy climbing on it. A hyperpositive signal, these people want to ditch public transport! Going back to being free in 60s style with the Vespa, as done with the Ciao, the Fifty, Booster and Malaguti F10 (Rip!)!.

And then, for dads who are still active, look here. The Fantic Caballero “reloaded”. You struggle to "really" love it, because the Caballero is THE Caballero (there's no story), but as with the Ducati Scrambler, you can't help but love it.
Then next to it there is the Track version, low and long, motard knobby wheels, something without red & yellow. Can you give me one? Now, to go home. Devastated.

I haven't seen so many new "things" all at once for years.
I haven't had such a strong desire for motorbikes, in all different sectors, for years.
I haven't been like this, "confused & happy" in years.
The show is finished, the lights are off and the parking lots are empty. But this is just the calm before the storm.
The bike is coming back.