March 29, 2017

Bangkok Motor Show 2017

This year's Motor Show in Bangkok left me with mixed feelings.
I'm always elated to be around bikes and having the opportunity to visit the show on the day before the official opening, makes the experience a little more special.

On the other hand, I'm a bit disappointed by the new bikes on display. Few very new ones and many revamped/ recycled models. As usual, I won't comment much on super sport or dual purpose bikes as I don't have much interest in those. Sorry, my blog my rules...






The Ducati Desert Sled is a nicely made bike and one of the few I would love to take out for an extensive test. At 450.000Baht quite pricey, but hey, it's a Ducati, right?





 BMW has expanded the beautiful RnineT base model (1.110k Baht), including the new Scrambler (950k Baht), the Pure (880k Baht) and the Racer (975k Baht).





Absolutely stunning engine covers! 





Triumph also has beautifully made retro bikes. I'm not biased at all, I swear :-)
The Bobber is quite comfortable I have to say, at least for the 2 minutes I sat on it.




Very nice details and very little plastic...2 big pluses in my book.


The Scrambler, also a great looking bike. I know, I repeat myself, but I can be bothered looking up all the synonyms for GORGEOUS






 

This Street Cup tank would look perfect on my Street Twin...


Scomadi, Lambretta-like scooters



With the advent of the Yamaha M-Slaz, which is selling like hot pancakes on a cold winter day, could this be the end of the mini bikes like the Honda Grom/MSX, Kawasaki Z125 and all the lesser known minis like the GPX Demon (pictured)?
No worries, knowing Honda, they will come up with a valid copy of the M-Slaz in no time. ;-)




GPX "Gentleman"



GPX "Legend"



This is a very cool interpretation of the Gentleman, build by one of my favourite custom builders in Thailand: The Sports












My favourite Kawasaki, of course the W800.



A custom take on the Vulcan



The funny facts of life...iconic bikes like the W800 are being discontinued, but monstrosities like the Hayabusa just keep on going


What to say about this rear end? Yamaha Fino? Honda Scoopyi?


Another "great" Honda creation...the Rebel. They tried their best to make it look interesting, but you know how the saying goes...the purse...the pig etc etc


Some nice touches on this one though






 Honda did it right in the design department....once upon a time


Guzzi is very new on the Thai market. Sadly it's being bogged down by ridiculously high import taxes, that increase it's normal price by almost one third.
A shame





Presenting the "new" Moto Guzzi Anniversario

 

One more Monster





Piaggio's new electric Vespa..not bad looking at all




 I can't believe I'm doing it, but here it is: Harley Davidson Street Rod (aren't there enough bikes with the word 'street' in this world??)
Apart from the horrible exhaust and the gargantuan radiator it looks like a half decent bike.




 The BMW RnineT Street Racer...oh sorry, I mean 'Racer'. The seating position on this one is indeed quite raceresque, if that's even a word, which I doubt.



 The 'Pure'





 Small but OHOOOO, the Ducati Superleggera



Dude, are you really going to let your girlfriend ride you around?? Grow some Brembos man...



Nice new bike the SuperSport, but if you gave me the choice between the 900SS from the 90s and the new SS, well I'd go with the old one in a heartbeat!





Honda came out with the X-ADV, a mix of a scooter (even if they don't want to say the "S" word) and an "off road" bike. Well, as much as a SCOOTER can go off road, that is...



Interesting solution for the spokes though



This year's concept bike, next year's M-Slaz competition...