VroomItAJ | Motorcycle News & First Impressions
EICMA MILAN 2026: NON-STOP MOTORCYCLE LAUNCHES — AND THERE IS MORE TO COME!
Royal Enfield, Honda, Hero, BSA, Moto Morini, KYMCO and SYM are making Milan the centre of the motorcycling universe. Here is what caught my attention — and what Malaysian riders should watch next.
There is something about the Milan Motorcycle Show that makes riders stop whatever they are doing and look at their phones. Every few minutes another machine appears online, another unveiling makes headlines, and another familiar badge announces a new direction. Even for those of us watching from Malaysia, the excitement is infectious.
EICMA 2026 takes place at Fiera Milano, with press and trade days on 3–4 November and public days from 5–8 November. At the time of writing, announcements are still arriving. This is a first-look report based on public unveilings and manufacturer information, not a hands-on test or a claim to be physically present at the show.
My questions are practical. How will these machines behave on Malaysian highways? Can they handle our heat, rain, potholes and occasional gravel roads? Are they comfortable for a full day in the saddle? What will they cost, and will spare parts and competent servicing be available?
1. Royal Enfield: Himalayan 750 Changes the Conversation
Royal Enfield's Himalayan 750 is arguably one of the most consequential motorcycles in this year's show. The new 743cc air/oil-cooled parallel twin produces a quoted 63 Nm at 5,000 rpm, with 90% of that torque available from 3,500 rpm. Five riding modes, a six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control and cruise control mark a substantial step up in sophistication.
It uses a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel arrangement, with cast or tubeless spoked-wheel options. The adjustable windscreen, separate rider and pillion seats and quoted 195kg payload all point toward a road-biased, long-distance adventure tourer. European introductory pricing starts at £6,999 in the UK or €7,390 in Italy for the cast-wheel model; these are not Malaysian prices.
AJ's first impression: This is not merely a Himalayan with a larger engine. Royal Enfield appears to be moving into a space where established middleweight touring motorcycles have traditionally dominated. I like the emphasis on accessible torque and long-distance usability. But at a reported 224kg kerb weight, it is not a featherweight trail machine. I would want to ride it through tight bends, loaded touring conditions and slow traffic before deciding how versatile it truly is.
Royal Enfield also showed the Continental GT 750, a sharper café racer using an uprated version of the 743cc engine; the Flying Flea S6 electric scrambler; and the limited-edition Shotgun 650 “Son of a Gun” collaboration with Deus Ex Machina. The brand is expanding both its traditional identity and its future mobility ambitions.
2. Honda: Engineering, Electronics and a Bold New Africa Twin
Africa Twin, Fireblade, V3R 900 E-Compressor and concept vehicles
Honda has made a major statement with the world premieres of the CRF1150L Africa Twin series and CBR1000RR-R Fireblade series. The new Africa Twin Adventure Sports introduces Honda SENSING RIDE, an advanced rider-assistance system. Also attracting attention is the V3R 900 E-Compressor, a planned production motorcycle using an electronically controlled compressor.
Honda's wider display includes the futuristic EV OUTLIER concept and its RN0 electric-assist mountain bike. That breadth matters: Honda is exploring combustion performance, electronic safety, electrification and different types of personal mobility at the same time.
AJ's first impression: Honda's strength has always been the integration of engineering, usability and reliability. What interests me most is not the headline technology but whether systems such as advanced rider assistance genuinely reduce fatigue and improve safety in real traffic. An adventure motorcycle must remain manageable when conditions deteriorate. The V3R's compressor concept is equally fascinating, but performance claims mean little without rideability, durability and maintenance-cost data.
3. Hero Xpulse 450: A New Challenge in Adventure Motorcycling
Xpulse 450, rally-inspired models and wider Hero line-up
The Hero Xpulse 450 is an important development for riders who want more power than a lightweight dual-sport motorcycle without stepping into the price and mass of a larger adventure tourer. Early reporting lists a 421cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine producing approximately 46.7 bhp and 38 Nm, paired with a six-speed gearbox.
Reported equipment includes a 43mm adjustable KYB inverted fork with 225mm of travel, a seven-inch TFT display, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. The motorcycle remains a newly unveiled model; pricing, final regional specifications and availability still require confirmation.
AJ's first impression: This could be one of the most relevant machines for riders in Asia. A useful adventure motorcycle does not have to be a giant. If Hero can deliver manageable weight, quality suspension, competitive pricing and dependable after-sales service, the Xpulse 450 could appeal to people who ride to work during the week and explore backroads on weekends. I would be especially interested in standing ergonomics, heat management and performance with luggage.
4. BSA: Three New Models, One Historic Name
The return of BSA continues to gain momentum. At EICMA 2026, the British heritage name is presenting three additions to its line-up: the Thunderbolt 350, Bobber 350 and Scrambler 350. An additional special 650cc scrambler project by Italian designer Rodolfo Frascoli adds another dimension to the stand.
BSA Thunderbolt 350
The adventure-oriented Thunderbolt brings an upright stance and rugged visual character to the smaller-capacity market. It is the practical, exploration-minded member of the group.
BSA Bobber 350
The Bobber is about relaxed cruising, low-slung styling and individual expression. Its success will depend on whether the seating position, suspension comfort and price work as well as its visual appeal.
BSA Scrambler 350
The Scrambler brings vintage-inspired proportions and everyday versatility. The key question is whether it offers meaningful rough-road ability or primarily the scrambler look.
AJ's first impression: BSA has understood that heritage alone will not sustain a motorcycle brand. Three different body styles create three reasons to enter the showroom. The real test, however, is product quality, dealer confidence, warranty support and parts supply. Riders buy the emotion of a badge, but they live with the ownership experience.
5. Moto Morini Camel: A Famous Adventure Name Returns
Photo search: compare show images and manufacturer-released photographs
Few names evoke the adventurous side of motorcycling quite like the Moto Morini Camel. Its return as the Camel 670 is one of the show announcements I find especially interesting. Reported early specifications include a 670cc parallel-twin engine, approximately 81.5hp, 70Nm of torque, a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel combination, and substantial suspension travel. These figures should be treated as provisional until checked against the final regional specification sheet.
The Camel's apparent emphasis is more off-road-focused than many road-oriented crossover motorcycles. That distinction matters. A genuine adventure motorcycle needs the correct wheel geometry, ground clearance, suspension performance and protection for its intended terrain.
AJ's first impression: The Camel has the sort of identity that can excite experienced adventure riders. It looks purposeful rather than decorative. But the real questions are weight distribution, low-speed balance, heat, vibration and durability when ridden hard. For Malaysia, dealer support and parts availability would be crucial before considering a long-distance ownership commitment.
6. KYMCO: The Scooter Becomes an Adventure Machine
Taiwan's KYMCO continues to challenge the idea that scooters are merely inexpensive urban transport. Its CV-X45 crossover concept and X-Town S 350 point toward an increasingly sophisticated scooter market, combining everyday convenience with touring-oriented equipment and electronic features.
AJ's first impression: For congested Malaysian cities, a well-designed scooter can be more useful than a larger motorcycle. The important features are weather protection, storage, stable handling, braking performance, fuel efficiency and comfort. Adventure styling attracts attention, but genuine functionality will keep customers satisfied.
7. SYM: Technology and Value in the Scooter Market
SYM has confirmed its EICMA participation and a programme of new models and technology. Its crossover and maxi-scooter direction, including the ADX family, deserves attention as manufacturers compete for riders who want more equipment and stronger design without sacrificing daily practicality.
AJ's first impression: SYM's opportunity is straightforward: deliver premium-feeling scooters at sensible prices, with a dependable service network. Malaysian buyers are becoming more knowledgeable. Attractive displays and fashionable bodywork help, but practical ownership costs matter more over five years.
Specific model claims circulating online should be checked against SYM's final press materials; a show display is not automatically a confirmed Malaysian-market launch.
8. What Is EICMA Telling the Industry?
Several trends are emerging. First, middleweight adventure motorcycles are becoming the industry's most fiercely contested territory. The attraction is easy to understand: many riders want one motorcycle capable of commuting, touring and occasional unpaved roads.
Second, technology is spreading down the price ladder. TFT instruments, traction control, selectable riding modes and phone connectivity are no longer confined to the most expensive machines. That is encouraging, provided these systems remain intuitive and reliable.
Third, heritage is being reinvented. BSA, Royal Enfield and Moto Morini show how historic names can inspire new motorcycles. But nostalgia cannot compensate for poor service, high running costs or weak engineering.
Fourth, scooters are becoming serious mobility products. Manufacturers are responding to changing lifestyles with better protection, comfort, storage and touring features. In dense Asian cities, this may be one of the most commercially significant trends.
Finally, electrification remains part of the story, but internal-combustion development has certainly not stopped. Honda's compressor technology and Royal Enfield's new twin-cylinder platform are reminders that manufacturers are pursuing multiple pathways rather than a single solution.
9. What Should Malaysian Riders Look For?
Before getting carried away by an impressive unveiling, I would ask six simple questions: What is the actual Malaysian on-the-road price? Is there an authorised dealer and service network? How readily available are consumables and spare parts? What is the real fuel consumption or operating range? Is the motorcycle comfortable in tropical traffic? And will it retain reasonable resale value?
As someone who enjoys touring, I also pay attention to luggage mounting, pillion comfort, wind protection, tyre availability and whether the motorcycle can be repaired without excessive dependence on proprietary electronics. A motorcycle that performs beautifully in a European press photograph may face very different conditions in Southeast Asia.
We should also resist comparing motorcycles purely by horsepower. A machine with accessible torque, sensible gearing, predictable suspension and good ergonomics can be far more satisfying than one that wins a specification contest.
10. My Early EICMA 2026 Watchlist
| Motorcycle | What interests me | What I still want to know |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Enfield Himalayan 750 | Long-distance twin-cylinder adventure touring | Real-world handling, heat and Malaysia price |
| Honda Africa Twin 1150 | Rider assistance and engineering | Practical benefits and service complexity |
| Hero Xpulse 450 | Potentially accessible lightweight adventure riding | Final weight, pricing and dealer coverage |
| BSA 350 trio | Heritage in three distinct styles | Quality, pricing and parts support |
| Moto Morini Camel 670 | Off-road-oriented adventure character | Final specifications and ownership support |
| KYMCO crossover scooters | Touring features in practical scooters | Local specification and value |
| SYM scooter range | Comfort and technology at attainable prices | Confirmed model and launch details |
11. And There Is Still More to Come!
These are only the early days of EICMA 2026. More announcements, detailed specifications, videos, photographs, concepts and market information will continue to emerge as the exhibition progresses.
We will be watching for further news from the major Japanese, European, Indian and Chinese manufacturers, and especially for developments relevant to Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Some machines may arrive quickly; others could take a year or more, and some concepts may never enter production.
My first impression of EICMA 2026? The motorcycle industry is alive with competition and ideas. What excites me most is not the number of new machines, but the increasing choice for different types of riders. The winner will not necessarily be the brand with the loudest unveiling. It will be the manufacturer that delivers the best real-world riding and ownership experience.
Keep following VroomItAJ. This is the beginning of our EICMA 2026 coverage — more launches, more photographs, more comparisons and more first impressions are still to come!
Official Links and Further Reading
- EICMA official exhibition website
- Royal Enfield official 2026 release
- Honda official 2026 release and gallery
- Hero official EICMA showcase
- BSA three-model report and video
- Moto Morini official website
- KYMCO official website
- SYM official EICMA announcement
Editorial note: Information reflects announcements available on 4 November 2026. Early figures and model timelines may change. First impressions are based on published materials, not personal test rides. Two externally hosted archive photographs are used as visual references and must be cleared for reuse with the respective rights holders before public publication. Linked official galleries provide further model images.
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