After a brief introductory press conference, in the room set up for the occasion at the 3D cinema, we had the chance, one day in advance, to visit the stands being set up of the most important Italian brands. In hall 3, with its 92 years of experience, Moto Guzzi presents the new California 1400 Touring. Despite its 337 kg and the largest engine ever made by the manufacturer, the California is an extremely comfortable motorcycle suited to long journeys. Passionemoto, importer of the brand for Switzerland, is moreover the right name for a company that devotes itself body and soul to the world of two wheels, offering a high-quality service to motorcyclists. A small curiosity: if you are stopped in the near future by the police in Ticino, it will not necessarily be an entirely negative experience, since the officers will most likely be riding the new NORGE GT8V, adapted to the role of the official police motorcycle.
In the centre of the same hall, with a blazing multimedia stand, Ducati presents “21 new models”, as CEO Marco Biondi calls them in an exclusive interview. Besides the most famous models presented with a new design, the real novelties are the Multistrada, intelligent motorcycles, and the three Hypermotard models, two of them lowered, ideal for girls who feel like getting started. It is precisely for this reason that the new Ducati Switzerland testimonial is a woman, Christa Rigozzi (Miss Switzerland 2006), whom the CEO chose personally “after hearing on the radio that she had just got her motorcycle licence”. The former Miss will be present at the Ducati stand for an autograph session on Saturday 23 February, devoting herself to the Ducatisti and her supporters, with a special aperitif from 12.00 to 15.00. “Another novelty”, Biondi continues, “is the Ducati Caffè, a franchise formula that combines Ducati Moto and, currently in Switzerland, Segafredo Zanetti, creating a unique place where you can treat yourself to a little break inside the exhibition. The Ducati Caffè is a work in progress, Biondi reiterates, we would like to open at least three of them throughout Switzerland, also attracting those who have not yet got on a two-wheeler. This reality already exists in Italy, he stresses, and it stands out from other cafés and bars for the motorcycles on the walls, the giant screens, the chairs and small tables in carbon fibre or in the shape of a frame, an excellent coffee and highly qualified staff.” It is enough for us to notice the red chairs that recall the distinctive frame of Ducati motorcycles to already start believing in the success of this new initiative worthy of a great brand.
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Continuing to walk, we come across the importer OFRAG, which brings together the brands Aprilia, Piaggio, Vespa and Gilera. We immediately notice the much-awaited Aprilia CAPO NORD 1200 of 128 hp, “total black”, with a few red details and the new front-end style. In bright yellow, it is then impossible not to note the new Vespa 946, a tribute to the year the Vespa adventure began, which shows features that are new to our eyes but faithful to the model's origins. With the “Vespa Kult” exhibition in hall 2, organised by Vespaclub.ch, which gathers unique vintage or artistically reinterpreted examples, the Vespa is surely one of the undisputed queens of this year's fair. Another motorcycle that deserves to be put in the spotlight is the new Rivale 800 by MV Agusta. We exchange a few words with the area manager for Switzerland, Carlo Preda, who tells us: “MV Agusta, after significantly lowering its prices, was the only motorcycle manufacturer to close the past year truly positively. The new Rivale 800 too does not come at a high cost and is a unique motorcycle, with an eccentric look, created for those who want to stand out.” In view of the increase in female customers, MV Agusta also exhibits a model with compact dimensions, the Brutale 675. “The highlight of the collection we are presenting is, however,” Preda adds, “the motorcycle of the limited ‘italian’ series, a unique design with only 200 examples. We have already sold 8 of them and we are sure to meet here in Zurich the next people who will have the pleasure of owning and riding it. It is the right object,” he concludes. And we think so too. Walking through the next hall, we come across the Pirelli stand. So if you do not know which tyres are suitable for spring, come by here and you will be able to get your hands on the new Diablo, Diablo Rosso and Diablo Rosso II. Let yourself be advised by the best staff in the field.
Then an Italian brand new to Switzerland surprises us, Borile, whose motorcycles have a distant history that starts from an artisan workshop near Padua. Excellent products, cared for down to the detail, which you can find at Motorenwerk in Weiningen. On the top floor we find the only Italian four-wheeler of the event, the Alfa Romeo MITO SBK, Safety Car of the Superbike. In a video we see it in action and, on opening the door, we are immediately struck by the sporty look and the characteristic seats of the only car extremely appreciated by motorcyclists too. Here you can take part in the competition to drive it for a whole weekend and, by putting an “I Like” on Facebook on the spot (on the Alfa Romeo page), you can end your visit to the Swiss-Moto by enjoying a coffee offered by Lavazza, a very nice idea.
Opening hours:
Thursday 10.00 - 21.00
Friday 10.00 - 22.00
Saturday 9.00 - 19.00
Sunday 9.00 - 18.00
For more information visit: www.swiss-moto.ch
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see the photos of Swiss-Moto 2012
