AIMExpo Opening Day Highlights

The first day of the AIMExpo has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting year ahead for sport touring riders.  AIMExpo, the premier annual event that connects Powersports Industry brands, distributors, and dealers, did not disappoint, including in the sport touring segment.

Also read highlights from Day 2 and Day 3

Focus on New Motorcycles

Suzuki introduced the 8R, a sport bike with sport touring potential. It leans more sport than the GSX S1000 GT but offers another choice. Speaking of the GSX S1000 GT, we’re happy to report it’s alive and well, sporting a new color this year, Candy Daring Red, atop the same performance platform.

Moto Guzzi was on hand with the V100 Mandello.  This bike is made for sport touring – plenty of power, liquid cooled, shaft drive and optional side cases.  The high end V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale, a limited-edition series that began in 2023, will finish its run as 2024 models.

Suzuki continued to grab attention with the 25th anniversary Hayabusa featuring eye-catching orange and black paint enhanced graphics and a 25^th anniversary commemorative badge on the tank, all riding on the same Pro Stock Championship winning platform.

KTM is celebrating 30 years of Duke with 4 new Duke models featuring a new 1390cc, 190hp, model heading up the family.  KTM added shift cam technology to improve torque across the entire RPM range. The electronics package on the top Duke offers five levels of wheelie control – you decide how high is high enough.

MV Augusta is celebrating their 98th year with a special edition 800cc Super Veloce in deep red paint accented by vertical stripping on the front fairing and a leather belt across the tank.  A commemorative decal on the tail adds a final embellishment. We heard that a new 1000cc Super Veloce, dubbed Series Oro, is coming later this year.

Have you heard of Moto Morini? They’ve been around for years and now they are bringing new bikes to North America.  All are dressed in Italian flair. The X Cape adventure models look promising for sport tourers, while sport riders will love the Corsaro sportbike.

A Good Year Ahead

Bottom line? It looks like 2024 is going to be a good year! Riders of all persuasion will find a lot to get excited about at their local motorcycle dealer in the year ahead.