Motorcycle Newsbriefs

Feb 2 2010 Harriet Ridley

Motorcycle Newsbriefs

Excel London Motorcycle Show

THE Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show is taking place between February 4-7 at London's Excel centre - right on cue to disperse those dreary winter blues.

This year's new bikes from Norton, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Derbi, Vespa, Piaggio and Gilera will all be on display.

Ducati will be present with its 2010 model range that includes the high-tech Multistrada 1200 Touring, the Hypermotard 1100 Evo, 848 Dark, 1198s Corse, Monster 696 ABS and Monster 1100 ABS. It will also be showing off its 2010 British Superbike championship race bikes and you'll be able to chat with Ducati riders Michael Rutter and Martin Jessop.

Not to be outdone, BMW Motorrad will be showcasing its groundbreaking S 1000 RR, as well as the updated R 1200 GS, R 1200 GS Adventure and R 1200 RT. BMW's up-rated touring and enduro models, including the R 1200 RT Tourer and the R 1200 GS and GS Adventure, have all been given the new double overhead camshaft (DOHC) version of the boxer twin engine with its additional torque across the rev range.

The R 1200 RT also gets a new fairing, new switches and controls, and features the latest version of BMW's unique Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA II) as an optional extra.

Clothing and accessory manufacturers from the biking world will also be displaying their 2010 ranges at the show, and there'll be plenty of motorcycling celebrities from the racing world and beyond milling around and being interviewed at the various stands.

For opening times and ticket prices go to www.londonmotorcycleshow.com.

Magnificent Seven for Suzuki

Suzuki GB is celebrating great results for 2009 despite the tough economic climate. The Japanese firm's motorcycle division was the best selling large capacity manufacturer (126cc and above) last year - and for the seventh year in succession.

Despite a drop in overall sales that affected the entire industry apart from - as we reported last week - Triumph, Suzuki continued to dominate the large capacity motorcycle market while maintaining a 15.1% market share in the category.

Suzuki GB's Paul de Lusignan said: "It's encouraging to finish such a difficult year in the top spot. We saw a drop in sales overall, but with a strong product range and our continued value-busting offers, we've maintained our market position for the seventh year in succession, with 9,767 Suzuki motorcycles sold in the 126cc and above sector."

In 2009, Suzuki's best-selling single model was the all-new GSX-R1000, although it was beaten to the top spot of best-selling 1000cc sports bike by Honda's CBR1000RR Fireblade. Suzuki's flagship superbike was closely followed in the manufacturer's sales chart by the Bandit 1250SA, with the GSX-R750 coming home in third place.

2010 is a landmark year for Suzuki. It's celebrating the GSX-R range's 25th birthday, as well as the brand's 50th anniversary of international racing. Special edition models have already been unveiled and expect special events.