THE recent EICMA, the motorcycle industry’s showcase of its best new models held annually in Milan, Italy, this year provided notable concept bikes like the Honda CB4 Interceptor, Moto Guzzi V85 and the Indian Scout FTR1200 Custom — a near-production prototype tracker. But what the show also indicated was the continued rise in popularity of café racers, with manufacturers introducing their varied interpretations of what a café racer is. The consensus among them, however, is that such bikes are “modern classics.”
Expectedly, not to be outdone on its home turf was Ducati, which unveiled the all-new Scrambler 1100. Ducati’s newest take on its wildly successful retro model — which, incidentally, was first available (and still is) in 803cc and 400cc cuts — boasts a new frame and a retuned version of the 1079cc L-twin motor found in the brand’s equally iconic Monster 1100.
Along with these come three riding modes, traction control and cornering ABS, all of which offered on the model’s three variants that are marked by each one’s different handlebar, saddle and paint job. Despite the larger power plant, the Scrambler 1100 tips the scales at 205 kilograms due to extensive use of aluminum.
The big Japanese brands came in full force as well. Kawasaki, which ahead of EICMA introduced at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show its decidedly nostalgic Z900RS, an homage to the brand’s legendary Z1, raised the retro factor further by releasing in Milan the Z900RS Café. Based wholly on the “regular” Z900RS, the Café gains a sexy bikini fairing, drop-style handlebar and a humped saddle.
Propulsion is delivered by a water-cooled, 948cc inline-four engine that makes 110 hp. The bike uses an adjustable 41-millimeter inverted fork and a mono shock in the rear. Its frame, according to Kawasaki, was designed to enhance the bike’s retro styling. Of course, the Z900RS Café’s lime-green-and-white palette ties it quite neatly with its illustrious Z1 forebear.
For its part, Honda brought out a more contemporary-looking, but still retro-inspired, bike. Leaning more toward the street fighter genre, the new CB1000R packs a potent 143 hp inline-four that has been fitted with three throttle maps and a ride-by-wire system. The engine is cradled within a new frame that’s propped by a fully adjustable Showa suspension. With all the components together, the bike weighs in at 212 kilograms.
The company that builds nothing but retro bikes, if not outright vintage bikes, pulled out a surprise in Milan by launching two new models. Royal Enfield unveiled its Interceptor 650 and Continental GT, which are powered by a new 650cc, parallel-twin, air-cooled engine developed in the UK. With a 270-degree crank, the engine is unsurprisingly similar to British-made Triumphs. But no scorcher, this: it spins out a mere 47 hp and 52 Nm.
True to tradition, it’s the Continental GT that’s more of a café racer between the pair. Kitted with a single saddle and clip-on handlebar, the bike had the distinction of being the sole café racer in EICMA that came rolling in genuine wire wheels. Matched with the vintage touches though are items like fuel injection and ABS-equipped disc brakes.
Modern bike classics live on.
