EICMA 2010 Highlights

EICMA 2010, this year's Milan International Motorcycle show (yes they have bicycles too but who really cares), finishes tomorrow. There was a 25% increase in attendance and all of the big brands were present this year. All good signs, but some important and interesting brands were missing. No Bimota, no Vyrus, no Morini, no Buell (the last two in this list are sadly no longer with us).

There were plenty of new motorcycles on show, but not too many that were interesting to me. Among this year's main attractions: production versions of the CR&S DUU, the Brammo Empulse electric motorcycle and the MV Agusta F3.

I have already covered the CR&S DUU and will write more about it soon...

Brammo

At last year's show I was hoping for a showcase of electric motorcycle technology, and was disappointed. This year there was half a pavilion devoted to green technologies with some serious-looking electric scooters and one production electric motorcycle which stood out from all the rest: the Brammo Empulse.

Here is the first production electric motorcycle that can stand proudly next to almost any petrol-engined motorbike. It weighs just 160kg (with 'fuel'), is capable of 160km/h, strong and smooth acceleration, and has a range of 100, 130, or 160km (depending on battery configuration). It has serious running gear (frame, wheels, suspension and brakes) and it looks great.

A TTXGP racing version of the Brammo Empulse

Times are changing, motorcycles of the future will be cheap, clean, silent, low maintenance, reliable, easy to ride, powerful, fun and electric.

An inside look at the Brammo's other model, the Enertia

MV Agusta F3

I remember, years ago, passing a boutique shoe store on one of Milan's famous shopping streets. There was something special and unique about that store, it has stuck in my memory while everything else from that day has faded. In the display window stood a white pedestal before a white backdrop. On top of that pedestal was a single, elegant, lady's black shoe. There was no signage, no price tag, no flashing lights, just a single black shoe.

The MV Agusta stand at EICMA 2010 was a white illuminated cube with the MV logo on it. From the outside that was all you could see. Only a limited number of people were allowed to go in at a time and inside was a white pedestal carrying just a single MV Agusta F3. No flashing lights, no free brochures, no technical sheets, no loud music. Just one motorcycle... and, of course, the girls - this is Italy remember.

And what a bike it is. For me the F3 was the sensation of the show. It could well become the pinnacle of combustion-engined sports motorcycles. A marvel of mechanical engineering, refined design and beautiful styling. I just hope that MV Agusta can put it into production while petrol-engined motorcycles are still relevant. The MV Agusta F4 took years to move from showroom prototype to production, but there is a good chance that things will be different with the F3. Harley-Davidson poured a lot of money into MV Agusta and then gifted the company back into the passionate hands of the Castiglioni during the financial melt-down. Let's hope the combination of passion, and recent investment is enough to get things rolling at Varese.

Best of the Rest

Last year, Moto Guzzi showcased some wonderful prototypes, including the beautiful, retro-styled Le Mans concept. This year they had the production version on display. If I had a magic money tree I think this would definitely be one bike in my collection.

CR&S and Moto Guzzi Dealer in Germany,

Bernhard Peintner tries the new Moto Guzzi

Bernhard finds a sports bike which is even lighter than the VUN.

This scooter also caught my eye.

Can't remember what it was called though.

Ducati had an enormous stand. The star attraction this year was their new 'Diavel' cruiser. Last year's ugly duckling, the multi-strada, went on to become a commercial success, but I can't believe many people outside of Italy would seriously consider buying one of these.

Remember the last time Ducati tried to enter this market? Does the Ducati Indiana ring a bell? If you don't know what I mean, click here (but be prepared to behold a bike that received a fair whack from the ugly stick).

Glemseck 101

The DUU prototype is back in Germany this week and will be on display at this weekend's Glemseck 101 Motoshow from Friday 3rd until Sunday 5th of September.

This year CR&S dealer Oliver Thiel, of Thiel Motorsport, will be displaying the DUU plus four of the nicest VUNs you will find anywhere.

The Glemsek 101 show is held at the historic “Solitute” racetrack near Stuttgart. No longer in use, this track had a long and illustrious life from 1903 until 1965, typically hosting more than 400,000 spectators on a race weekend.

If you are in Germany and want to find out all about the VUN or if you've yet to see the DUU or maybe you just like the T-shirts and would like to buy one, this weekend is a good chance to do so.

Scenes from the Futa Festival

This weekend's Motohad Futa Festival had five VUN's on display and for the first time in the Bologna region the DUU prototype. Below are some scenes from the CR&S stand at the Futa Moto Festival...

The DUU

The VUN PPP (Pronto Per la Pista)

The VUN Polizia

The VUN Blue Flame

VUN & DUU at Futa Moto Festival

Today I rode up the Futa from Bologna to Loiano to prepare my bike for the CR&S stand at the Futa Motorcycle Festival in Loiano this weekend. Cavina Racing are running a stand and will have five CR&S VUNs plus the DUU prototype on display.

It was hot as I rode out of Bologna along Via Muri wearing just a casual T-shirt and Jeans. At the last traffic lights, as you exit Bologna, two bikes pulled alongside. A Suzuki streetfighter (I don't know what), and a new looking Aprilia RSV. The Aprilia rider, in his new Dainese race suit gave an "aww how cute" glance at my VUN then pulled a big wheelie as the lights turned green. I knew he was headed for the Futa...

I pulled in behind them keeping close as we took the long, straight bypass to Pianorro at the beginning of the Futa. The Aprilia rider was impatient to get to the twisting Futa pass as he slowed to pull wheelie after wheelie along the way. My adrenaline began to rise as I anticipated what I was going to do when we got there...

At last we reached the long steep ramp that plants you just past the base of the Futa. The Aprilia rider was stretching his leathers and swerving left to right to warm his tires, then pulled one last wheelie. I knew it would not help him...

The Suzuki took off first, with the Aprilia soon passing him. I followed closely to watch the riders in front and guage how hey might react when I come past. I took the Suzuki on a medium right-hander, round the outside pulling away up the hill and tucked in tight behind the Aprilia. After pulling alongside a few times I finally "showed him the hammer" (as Oliver likes to say). Three corners later and I never saw them again in my mirrors. This is my definition of fun!

If you are in the area (Emilia-Romagna) and want to see a collection of beautiful, hand crafted sporty singles that can hand out this kind of punnishment to an Aprilia superbike, then come along to the Futa Motorcycle Festival (aka Motohad) in Loiano this weekend.

More from CR&S at IMOT 2010

CR&S Tour Germany

CR&S VUN & DUU motorcycles have been touring Germany recently. Bernhard Peintner, of IWAN-BIKES Gmbh, reports February's IMOT show in Munich was a resounding success. The DUU, in particular, enjoyed an enthusiastic reception on its German premier.

DUU & VUN bikes at Munich's IMOT 2010 bike show in February

The bikes went on to feature at the Ilshofen bike fair near Stuttgart (see below) and are currently being exhibited in Dortmund.

CR&S at Verona Bike Show

If you live near Verona, Italy or happen to be passing through over the next few days then don't miss the chance to check out the CR&S stand at the Verona Motorbike Expo.

The show is open from 15th to 17th of Janary (that's now folks) and boasts 600 exhibitors, but most importantly, you will have the chance to check out CR&S VUN and DUU bikes at close range.

EICMA is Coming

The Milan International Motorcycle show (EICMA) kicks off in just over one month. This is going to be a big event for CR&S. November 10, 2009 at EICMA is the time and place where CR&S unveil their new DUU motorcycle to the public.

The show runs from Tuesday November 10th until Sunday November 15th. However the first two days are for press and trade visitors only.

If you have never seen a VUN in the flesh, then EICMA will be a great place to do it. CR&S will have some beautiful examples on display. Roberto Crepaldi and other expert CR&S staff and dealers will be on hand to answer any question.

Everybody is welcome :-)

I don't have much inside information but I'm fairly sure that there will be a few new things to see for VUN owners. In any case CR&S like to put on a nice show...

Let's hope it's not too cold at this year's show.

EICMA is one huge show, one of the biggest and most important motorcycle shows in the world. For Italian motorcycle manufactures it is definitely the most important show. There will be stands from every manufacturer, for example, Ducati are expected to unveil 10 new bikes for their 2010 lineup. There will be trade stands, prototypes, parts suppliers, specialists, live shows. Like is said, it is huge.

Getting There

The address is:
FIERA MILANO
SS. 33 del Sempione 28
20017 Rho (MI)

The Fiera Milano is not actually in Milan but in the satellite town of Rho, north-west of Milano.


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The EICMA 2009 website offers plenty of instructions on how to get there. It is nestled between two major highways and the Milano Tangenziale (ring road). It is also right next to a main rail line and the last stop of the Milan underground (red line).

There are nearby hotels where you can stay, but if you are traveling to Italy then you really want to stay in central Milan for the full experience. Just be aware that last time I went (in 2007) the police closed central Milan to all car traffic on Sunday (the last day of EICMA). It was only due to the discretion of a rather attractive young police woman that we were able to leave the city that day. They do this kind of thing from time to time and I have no idea when or how you can find out about it.

The best way to get to the showgrounds, from Milan, is probably by Metro (underground). Take the red line, direction RHO Fieramilano and get off at the last stop. This deposits you just outside the east gate of the exhibition grounds.

I probably won't be taking my bike since that would mean an alpine crossing above the snow line but if you are up to some winter riding then parking at the grounds is free for motorcycles.

Getting Around

The Fiera Milano is a huge place, 24 large halls in total. EICMA only occupies six of the large halls (pavilions 2, 4, 6, 10, 14 & 18). Get a map of the exhibition grounds. Last time we spent the whole day there and nearly missed seeing one of the large pavilions, the one exhibiting the Vyrus. It would have sucked to miss that.

Last time we made the mistake of going on Saturday. Despite the size of the place it was extremely crowded and it got worse as the day wore on. I would try going on a week day during working hours. By the way on the Friday entry is free for women (positive discrimination).

VUN Ace Café

Urban Motor Gmbh, IWAN-Bikes Gmbh, and CR&S, have colaborated to produce a special edition "Ace Café" VUN for the 2009 Ace Café Reunion in London in September.

I promised to bring you photos of this beautiful new VUN and here they are...

The base color is white with black & white race checkers. This is a style feature of both the Ace Café and CR&S. Ace Café logos, LSL clip ons and bar-end mirrors complete the picture for a lovely interpretation of a modern café racer.

The Ace Café VUN lines up well in front of the Rockers concert stage. This special VUN was a popular attraction among bikers at the Ace Café Reunion meeting.

Photos and information provided by Peter Dannenberg of Urban Motor Gmbh.

Meeting the DUU

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the CR&S factory in Milano, Italy. That's where I met the new DUU motorcycle currently under development there.

CR&S are busy building prototypes of the DUU for the 67th Milan International Motorcycle show (aka EICMA) in November.

The first prototype is a fully functional running motorcycle but without any bodywork. Just a bare skeleton of a bike. I guess that CR&S are using this to develop the handling and riding characteristics.

The second prototype is currently under construction and this is the bike that CR&S will be taking to their stand at EICMA. The photograph below shows a part of the second prototype.

Here you can see the large diameter backbone frame, which doubles as part of the fuel tank, and the massive S&S V-twin engine slung underneath. Wide diameter tubing, struts, swingarm, axles and so on are a feature of the DUU and give it a distinctive, masculine appearance. Much of the rear bodywork was prototyped and attached at the time. I was not allowed to photograph the bodywork but it looked great, as do the in-house developed wheels.

The running prototype uses an MV Augusta rear wheel attached to the single-sided swingarm but Roberto said that it was simply not strong enough to handle the massive torque delivered by the S&S engine.

Later we went for a ride to Kaos Design where VUNs receive their beautiful color schemes. I was on my VUN and Roberto took the bare bones DUU prototype. Roberto doesn't wait around and I can tell you that that thing really moves. Tearing around the outer streets of Milano on that bike with its bare steel frame, he looked and sounded like an escapee from the set of The Terminator. Cool!

VUNS at Loiano

The VUN PPP (Pronto Per la Pista) at the CR&S stand in Loiano.

Unfortunately day two of the "Motorhad Futa" show in Loiano was completely rained out, but the first day was really great.

My usual experience at motorcycle events is that it's just a bunch of guys who are into bikes. In Italy it was different. All kinds of people come along, guys & gals, young and old, knowledgeable bikers and curious newbies.

Me & my VUN being prepared for the show in Franco's workshop.

I was proud to have my VUN at the CR&S stand, watching crowds of enthusiastic Italians poring over it. Some celebrity VUN personalities were there too including CR&S owner Roberto Crepaldi and VUN Marathon rider, Claudio Zanoni.

Daboot Gang at Loiano

I never really paid much attention to freestyle motocross before, but after I saw the Italian Daboot Gang perform at the Loiano "Motorhad Futa" show the other week well all I can say is... respect.

Update: MotoBlog.it report that Daboot freestyle rider Alvaro Dal Farra has crashed heavily suffering a long list of serious injuries. The accident occurred while attempting a back flip during filming of a new video. For more information follow this link.

Take the Futa Pass to Loiano

Last weekend was the "Motorhad Futa" event in Loiano, south of Bologna, which was sponsored by CR&S.

The road from Bologna to Loiano is called the Futa Pass, aka highway S.P. 65. This road has a wonderful racing history. It was part of the legendary Mille Miglia (thousand mile) race event that was held in the first half of the 20th century.

More recently, until the late 1990's, the Futa Pass was home to a series 19km superbike sprint events. The start and finish lines are still marked on the road. Winner of one of these events is VUNIC member (and VUN dealer for the Bologna region) Franco Cavino.

Last week I had the pleasure of riding the Futa Pass with Franco. Two VUNs riding in anger on the ultimate "Mistostretto" (tight road), it was a wonderful feeling... well, at least I felt like I was riding in anger. Franco looked very relaxed and even had time to read and reply to a text message while taking a tight left-hander... only in Italy.

p.s. The photo (above) is a still from the video series Twist of the Throttle and, unfortunately, does not show any VUNs.

The CR&S Continental Run

URBAN MOTOR and IWAN-BIKES are sponsoring the CR&S Continental Run from Cafe Hubraum in Solingen, Germany to the 2009 Ace Café Reunion in London.

Taking place over three days, the annual Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend celebrates the unique history, culture and style of the Ace Cafe and what it represents. The event is a focus in the motorcycling calendar for all who are not only interested in the Ace Cafe but also for many others who enjoy a weekend full of motorbikes and fun! Visit the meeting place of the original Cafe Racers.

Over the years, Ace Cafe London has forged strong links to the global motorcycling community, which is reflected by the many visitors from overseas. One of the largest contingents is The Continental Run, which starts with a party at Cafe Hubraum in Solingen, Germany, before departing the next morning to cross Holland, Belgium and France, gathering numbers en route to the ferry, arriving at the cafe late afternoon, and culminating in an evening of rock 'n' roll!

Everybody is invited! The Continental Run starts in Solingen (Germany) September, 11 at 9.00 a.m. The evening before we will meet and party at the Cafe Hubraum in Solingen. From 11th-13th of September is the Party at Ace Cafe London. On the 13th is the Brighton Burn Up Run. In Brighton will be the Ace Day at the Madeira Drive. Later on the 13th is the ride back home...

Claudio Zanoni and the VUN Marathon at the Ace Cafe

For further information and booking please contact:
Hans-Peter Rütten
Ace Cafe London GmbH
Achterberg 6a
D-47906 Kempen
Germany
ph: +49-(0)2845 98616
Fax: +49-(0)2845 98618


Address and contact for Cafe Hubraum:
Café Hubraum
Richard Zöllner
Kohlfurther Str. 30
D-42651 Solingen
Germany
ph: +49 (0)212 53 08 93


Thanks to VUNIC member Peter Dannenberg (of URBAN MOTOR) for supplying details about this great event. Hope to see you there.

"Motorhad Futa" Festival

29-30 August Moto Festival

Loiano (BO), Italy

VUNIC member Franco Cavina reports that CR&S are sponsoring a weekend festival of all things motorcycling.

The programme includes: whole-day group rides in the lovely countryside of Emiglia Romagna, big screen viewing of the Indianapolis Moto GP, a freestyle motocross show, live music, D.J.s and reportadly, sexy girls.

Loiano is about 15km south of Bologna (check out the road from Bologna to Loiano). This could be a nice stopover on your way to the Moto GP in Misano on the following weekend. Throw in a visit to the Ducati Museum in Borgo Panigale (just outside Bologna) and you will soon realize that you have entered motorcycling nirvana.

For more information you can call: Manuel 3355212161, Fiorenzo 3382034096, Davide 3395494280 or Massimo 3471408208. Not sure about the required area codes before dialing these numbers.

Update: You can e-mail the following address in English for information about the festival and accommodation in the area.