Motorcycle news

A handful of the major movers and shakers within the burgeoning electric-vehicle industry have come together in a move calculated to increase EV viability as a practical form of transportation. I’m talking about industry heavies such as the Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Piaggio & C SpA, KTM AG, and Yamaha Motor Co., plus subsidiaries thereof including, but not limited to, Vespa, Husqvarna, and Moto Guzzi. All four have some sort of complete vehicle such as street scooters and dirt bikes with the exception of Yamaha who has so far stuck to Power Assist Electric Bicycles and general electric motor production for use in other applications. These marques have all come together in the spirit of the Paris Climate Agreement to form the Swappable Batteries Consortium whose purpose is reaching a uniform power-pack design that, ostensibly, will make it easier and less expensive to buy and maintain electric bikes.

That’s right sports fans. This may be the most significant relationship thus far in the race to make electric propulsion a viable alternative to the current internal-combustion engines, specifically within the off-road and non-road sectors. Polaris Inc. and Zero Motorcycles launch a decade-long partnership as a major pillar of the “rEV’d up” campaign, and the first efforts are to produce battery-powered off-road vehicles and snowmobiles.

After a fruitions partnership with American motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson, Lego turned its attention to Italy and teamed up with Ducati for its latest Technic set. The result, just like the Fat Boy Creator set, is one that leaves us drooling and eager to tell you more about it.

The coronavirus shutdown may be in effect, but the electric-vehicle sector chives on with continued development and product releases. I have a whole handful of products to tell you about that range from scooter-like bikes to full-on, Energica-style superbikes with an extra dollop of “super.”

It hasn’t been too awful long ago when Harley-Davidson announced it would be generating 100 new models for public consumption. Admittedly, many of the machines thus far have been variations on existing platforms – the Softail Standard, Fat Boy 30th Anniversary, and electric LiveWire, for instance – but the factory has some net-new goodness on tap as well, and we have a sneak peak at the proposed Flat-Tracker and Café Racer.

BMW unveiled the R 18 Concept about a year ago, and now reveals the much anticipated production model. Slated for release later this year – though don’t be surprised if that is postponed – the R 18 comes packing the biggest and most powerful two-cylinder BMW boxer engine equipped in its bikes to date. We’re looking at 91 horsepower and 116 pound-feet of torque in classic rigid-frame-look cruiser styling.

KTM just released the Duke 890 R – their Super Scalpel – to the North American market. We wanted to know if it is just the Duke 790 with a bigger engine or if it’s really worth all the hype.

With much of the country shut down because of COVID-19 and most of us homebound, or at least restricted in our movements, we find ourselves with enforced free time on our hands. For some, this is an opportunity for self-improvement — you know, exercise, study, or whatever — but I submit to you, Dear Reader, that for motorheads, this is an excellent time to do that bike maintenance or custom work you’ve been putting off.

“Stay at home, shelter in place, self-quarantine, and practice social distancing.” These are the messages we are receiving from The Powers That Be during this stressful time, but these simple, bottom-line messages don’t tell the whole story. While the details of the public mandates vary from area to area, there is still an emphasis on solo activities and being mindful of mental health. Essential travel only, is the rule, so why not use your motorcycle, weather permitting.

The news is chilling and fears are heightened over the COVID-19 pandemic gripping the world, but as we evaluate our individual lives, our thoughts can’t help but turn to how this affects us and our activities. As motorcycle riders, we’re left to wonder, how is this affecting the motorcycle industry?

The new race-tastic S 1000 RR defines engineering limits known to current technology. Launched back in 2019, this current sports machine comes with a spruced-up inline-four plant, a more track-focused chassis architecture, wind-tunnel tested bodywork, and modern equipment lists like LEDs’ and IMU-based electronics. All of which makes this Beemer take on the competition with mighty force.

In its 10th year of production, the folks in Germany decided to equip this machine with the “M Performance Parts,” giving it an even higher level of riding dynamics and adjustments. Similar to the offer available for BMW M automobiles, these specialized functional components come with precision developed alongside the brand’s extensive racing experience.

After being revived by venture capital fund Ernest Lee Capital, the “Confederate Motorcycles LLC” will be manufacturing high end, extremely high-powered, big V-twin motorcycles in Birmingham, AL, all over again. The firm continues to sell the last remaining Confederate P-51 Combat Fighters and FA-13 Combat Bombers.

New information that first got traction back in 2018 was the production of a brand new Hellcat model. The brains at the Confederate shop were picked on to refurbish the all-new Harley-Davidson FXDR as the basis for the new Hellcat machine. Our friend Wade Thiel had the opportunity to sit across Ernest Lee, of Ernest Lee Capital, to give us the bigger picture.

The brainchild of a Swedish Stefan Ytterborn, “Cake” is a new player in the electric transportation business that intends “to speed up the journey towards a zero-emission society while enhancing excitement and fun.” Jumping into the category of light electric off-road motorbikes, the Kalk is the first one of a number of models to come and is walking the path that will change the future of riding. The focus here has been off-road performance and innovation in terms of weight and simplicity of riding on the Cake.

Adding another minimalistic enduro onto its lineup, the Kalk INK takes on the OR with the same powerful drivetrain with slightly heavier and stable wheels and a simplified and sturdier suspension derived from motocross machines. This is a black rendition of the KALK OR as a casual offroader for a thrilling backcountry exploration.

Micro, the Switzerland-based electric-mobility company, premiers a brand new concept for EV fans who prefer to have their fists in the wind – the Microletta. It’s an electric scooter that combines the fun of a tandem-seat two-wheeler with the safety and stability of a Delta trike, and is not entirely unlike Piaggio’s MP3 in its configuration.

Remember the 2019 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide, the special edition that had the stunning red and silver two-tone paint job with the “Number One” logo in red and blue on the fuel tank? The Milwaukee-Based company is repeating this glorious accent on its 2020 Road Glide Special model. The factory-installed paint will be limited to 750 models.

Indian Motorcycle and Workhorse Speed Shop announced their comeback at the Baikal Mile Ice Speed Festival at Lake Baikal, Siberia, with the Appaloosa v2.0. This time, it will be modded to run on the icy surface with tire studs, carbon-fiber nose cap, smaller cooling intakes, closed wheel bays, a new paint scheme, and an upgraded NOS system amongst a host of others.

ZERO Motorcycles has been at the epitome of electrically powered machines on two wheels. Showing the world how to do it right all this while, the folks upped their game for 2020 when they unveiled a brand new streetfighter, the SR/F. The bike features a new “Cypher III” operating system that brings in Bosch Motorcycle Stability Control and a multitude of data onto the TFT dash. USB charging ports, LED lighting, storage space, a fly screen, heated grips, and aluminum bar ends adds to the oomph factor.

Now, the same guys have taken that and slapped aerodynamic fairings, taller handlebar, lower footpegs, and a windscreen to create their exciting new entry into the sports-touring territory. This is the Zero Motorcycles SR/S, unveiled at an event in New York. And honestly, I love how it carries a hint of retro on it.

There is no apprehension about the fact that Indian Motorcycle doesn’t just make luxury yachts on two wheels. This American dream production house also makes racers, trackers and land-speed record breakers. Take the Spirit of Munro 50th anniversary, for example. A motorcycle that celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Burt Munro’s 1000cc class record of 183.59mph on his Indian Scout Streamliner at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

This time, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Indian Scout model that saw showroom floors in 1920, Brice Hennebert of Workhorse Speedshop, Belgium, etched the 2019 Indian x Workhorse Appaloosa v1.0. It was commissioned by Indian to compete in the Sultan of Sprint – a sprint-style drag racing event for everything customized on two-wheels.