EICMA is the world’s largest motorcycle exposition, held yearly in Milan, Italy. The 2024 event hosted 2036 brands with more than 700 contributors from 45 countries. This year 560,000 people attended to see what is coming next in the world of motorcycles, accessories, and gear. Unable to cover the entire show, we’ve chosen a few new products of interest to adventure touring riders.
Leatt Helmets
Leatt’s big news at EICMA was their inaugural ADV helmet line, comprising two models. Their 9.5 Carbon lid features a six-layer carbon matrix shell, while the 8.5 model’s exterior is three layers of composite material. Both helmets have ECE 22.06 and DOT certifications. The 8.5 helmets will be available in Hi-Viz and Royal (shown), plus Stealth, and White. The Carbon model shows off it’s fibrous construction.
What’s also new is how Leatt will be selling their new helmets—as a kit. Their novel approach provides the adventurer the ability to tailor the helmet to conditions on the trails with just one purchase. Kits will include two shields, a Pinlock visor, and a set of their 4.5 Velocity goggles. We expect these helmets to be as high in quality and performance as Leatt’s other protective gear.
Leatt helmets will in the U.S. by mid-December. We’ll have more information on them then, including pricing.
KTM 390 Adventure R
Welcome to the “The next era in hardcore adventure travel,” per KTM. Their EICMA showstopper was a new, more capable version of their 390 Adventure. It is now known as the KTM Adventure R, a moniker that notes its ascendancy to the highest level of KTM adventure bikes.
While past 390 models were capable motorcycles, many deemed them limited by their wheel sizes and suspension. A set of 18- and 21-inch rims, up from 17- and 19-inchers, will improve the KTM’s off-pavement cred. The Adventure R also has a new frame and swingarm plus updated and fully adjustable suspension at both ends. A rally-style tower up front to hold the TFT display and new plastic all around set it apart visually from past versions. The R’s larger fuel tank will provide extended range.
This should be a very tempting motorcycle for those looking for a mid-range adventure machine. If the 390 Adventure R works as good as it looks, limits will be a thing of the past, except maybe for that low-hanging exhaust.
BMW F 450 GS at EICMA
BMW had their own surprise moto in the same class to show off, the Concept F 450 GS. Heed that word, “concept,” as BMW has yet to finalize this as a new model, although the bike in their video looks pretty close. In BMW-speak, “The BMW Concept F 450 GS provides a preview of the future standard version of an uncompromising GS that combines complete control & agility with power and athleticism.”
As currently conceived, the F 450 will be propelled by a new 450cc twin-cylinder engine making 48 horsepower. That should be plenty of ponies to get this ADV machine down the road and up the hills if BMW can meet their promised weight of 385 pounds in a production model.
We’ll let them conclude: “At the heart of it all: An engine with character that drives the lightweight bike to achieve top performance. Be it in the urban jungle, on winding country roads, or off the beaten path – the BMW Concept F 450 GS is right at home, wherever you take it.” Nuff said?
Kawasaki KLE: EICMA Mystery Machine
What’s in that big box? Kawasaki chose to tease the EICMA crowd with a partial reveal of what could be a new 650cc adventure bike. The KLE designation is their European code for our KLR models. Kawasaki sold an adventure-ish KLE500 in Europe from 1991 through 2007. They followed the 500 with the KLE650, our Versys 650.
The visible parts of the new machine, notably the 21-inch front wheel shod with semi-knobbies, indicate that a new adventurer is on the way. The twin headers deep in the shadows suggest that it’s likely a 650, or something built on that engine.
Finally, the slogan on side of the box, “Life’s a Rally, Ride It,” hopefully means that Kawasaki is bringing us a new mid-sized adventure bike. It could be another Versys, or a twin KLR. Time will tell.
Read More: KTM 690 Adventure
Photo credits: Leatt, EICMA, KTM Sportmotorcycle, BMW
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