Milan: New From Italy
MILAN: NEW FROM ITALY
ROUNDUP
SEPTEMBER’S MILAN SHOW found the Italian motorcycle industry wading through one of its transitional periods. These cyclical times are unavoidable; there are too many small makers, many of whom, despite craftsmen who possess great ingenuity and technical skill, suffer from an inherent inability to lay down solid longterm plans.
This time around, the scenario is somewhat different. Piaggio, Europe’s largest bike-builder, is out to improve its standing within the industry-and around the world. Roberto Colaninno will soon have full control of the company, and will head what is expected to be a stronger, more
determined management team.
The once-blossoming smallbore scooter market has finally hit bottom, affecting not just Piaggio (and in-house makes Derbi, Gilera and Vespa), but Aprilia and Malaguti, among others. Now, the race is on with the Japanese to produce the hottest-performing scooter, with much of the commuter-friendly practicality associated with the smaller models forgotten.
On the big-bike front, Claudio Castiglioni has every right to be cheerful. The Cagiva Group is afloat again, having closed buyout talks with Piaggio and been granted massive bank loans. Look for more new products from its MV Agusta and Husqvarna holdings. Moto Guzzi, meanwhile, is still living on borrowed time, basing many of its models on what was left over when Aprilia bought the company. Speaking of the Ivano Beggio-owned, multi-make firm, Laverda has settled into the role of boutique bike-maker, robing Aprilia engines in nostalgic colors and themes.
Other items: Bimota was not at Milan, and its future may be in doubt once more. Ducati will make a serious return to World Supersport with its new 749R, which may be the Bologna
factory’s most refined and technologically advanced motorcycle ever. And where next will we find the three-valve Desmotre V-Twin that powers
the newr ST3? Supersport? Multistrada?
These and other questions aside, the Milan Show confirmed Italy is no longer cutting corners. The new models unveiled there were intelligently conceived and, most importantly, aimed at a world market.
Bruno de Prato
