Motorcycle news

No doubt about it, electric bikes are becoming more viable all the time, and even the Harley-Davidson Motor Company is getting in on the action. Milwaukee has teased us, literally for years, with tantalizing tidbits from its Project: LiveWire initiative. It finally announced a 2020 release for its streetwise spark-o-matic not long ago, and immediately went about the business of teasing us with two more EV bikes. Well, now we have the skinny on them. The MoCo was at the 2019 X-Games in Aspen, Colorado, and it brought the two new rides for the crowd’s consumption. They’re still in the concept phase, and as such are not necessarily what the production models will look like, but ya’ gotta’ start somewhere.

Triumph inducted two models into the Triumph Factory Custom (TFC) line and takes what were already iconic bikes into legend. The TFC offerings for 2019 are the Thruxton and the Rocket III with 750 numbered editions of each model in new custom designs.

Janus Motorcycles offers three models in their 250-series line that all come with healthy doses of what is certainly quintessential “vintage” styling. You hear it all the time; “they just don’t build them like they used to.” Usually, that’s a good thing since we’re safer and more comfortable on the road than ever before, but I’d argue that motoring has all but lost one very important quality: charm. That’s right, I said it, and I can back it up.

Harley-Davidson reveals the price on their new LiveWire electric bike, slated to be the first bike in a portfolio of EV rides, but at $30k, we have to wonder if the folks in the corner office have lost their minds.

Ducati Paris unveiled the new Diavel 1260 S today ahead of the March release and Topspeed was there to get the scoop. For a three-day oogle-fest, the Paris showroom invites you to come take a look at Ducati’s new addition to its power/sport-cruiser range.

KTM hits 2019 with a new platform for adventure fans; the 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R. The factory credits its own customer base with the design of this new adventuresome duo, as they’re both based on direct feedback from same. As a result, they come off the showroom floor with a definite head start in the comfort and rideability departments; or at least they will after the Spring ’19 U.S. launch, that is. Today I aim to discover what all KTM has in store for us, and to build the anticipation for this long-awaited pair that will cover both the on- and off-road subgenres.

As much fun as it is to see all the new bikes that are already slated for production and release, it’s the [concept bikes-

The EICMA bike show is in full swing, and so far, fans of the burgeoning EV sector have a lot to be excited about. Besides its limited range, one of the biggest challenges for the EV bike builders is the lack of diversity, but this year at the Milan show, it’s clear that issue has been addressed. I’ve picked out six interesting models that cover three genres, so let’s get to it.

Continue reading for my picks among the electric bikes at 2018 EICMA.

Oh boy sports fans, the new show season is in full swing and KTM is taking advantage of the 2018 EICMA show in Milan to gain some exposure for some exciting new stuff that’s headed down the pipe.

Continue reading for more on the new KTM models.

Kawasaki has been busy ahead of MY19, and it hit the 2018 EICMA show in Milan with a handful of exciting new machines that are headed for our shores sooner rather than later.

Continue reading for more on Kawasaki at EICMA.

Peugeot Motocycles and Honda hit the 2018 Paris Motor Show with new models from France’s premier scooter manufacturer and a much anticipated CB for the Red Riders.

Continue reading for more on the show.

The 2018 calendar year may have a bit yet to go before its last gasp, but the 2019 model year is in full bloom with the beginning of the show season and the INTERMOT show in Cologne, Germany. So far, we’ve seen the genuine article for a number of previously-teased machines, as well as a few pleasant surprises from unexpected sources along with some much-needed updates. Today I want to take a look at this show, so buckle up as we head across the pond and check out some of my favorites.

Continue reading for more of my look at 2018 INTERMOT.

Taking design elements from both the the championship-winning FTR750 race bike that took the flat-track world by storm at the hands of Indian’s Wrecking Crew and the Scout FTR 1200 Custom unveiled last year, the FTR 1200 and FTR 1200 S feature nimble handling with a new 1,203 cc V-twin engine in what Indian hopes will put their mark on the global stage and appeal to new riders.

Continue for more on the FTR 1200 and FTR 1200 S announcement.

We’ve all been there. Have huge miles to cover through blistering hot weather and the humid air is not making things any better. Sweat is trickling down our neck, and that itchy scalp makes us wish we could rip it off our head. Feeling fresh arriving at the destination only means feeling liberated when the helmet comes off the head. Well, thanks to an American manufacturer Feher, not anymore.

Using what they call as the “Mr.Cool” technology, the ACH-1 is the world’s first self-contained air-conditioned helmet. Invented and designed by Steve Feher, it is a $ 599 DOT certifies helmet fitted with an integrated A/C unit at the rear of the construction. Instead of using heavy standalone battery packs, it connects to the bike’s battery unit.

Two Italian brands, MV Agusta and Pirelli have become permanent partners where the latter was selected as the sole tire supplier for the Schiranna brand a year ago, and to celebrate this agreement, MV Agusta had made a limited edition version of the Brutale 800 RR called the “Brutale 800 RR PIRELLI”.

Now, the same two companies have released another limited edition collaboration, but this time, it will be the newly updated Dragster 800 RR that will receive the Pirelli touch. In a pure exclusive visual treat by the folks who make “Motorcycle Art”, the Dragster 800 RR PIRELLI gets new paint schemes that showcase the partnership with the decals and new wheels that stick to new tires.

Unveiling the brand’s all-new FTR1200 custom street tracker at the 2017 EICMA, Indian has begun the onslaught of looking elsewhere for their inspirations other than just making vintage charmers and majestic cruising machines.

After a year of teasing us, the Springfield firm will be finally launching the production version for the streets at the Intermot show on October 2nd. And still more than a week to go for this big launch, the web has been flooded with the design patents of the motorcycle including the fuel tank, frame, motor and the suspension.

Conceived as a tribute to the birth of the Royal Enfield WD/RE series of motorcycles and Royal Enfield’s military heritage, Royal Enfield launched a special limited run version of the Classic 500 called the “Pegasus” edition back in August this year. Not even a month later, the Indian brand launched another machine highlighting its association with the military.

Called the “Classic Signals”, this special edition motorcycles is based on the brand’s Classic 350 and pays homage to its close association and partnership with the Indian Armed Forces. It gets new colors and cosmetic updates and is also Royal Enfield’s first offering to get ABS in the Indian market where the Signals edition will be launched for.

Last year, BMW Motorrad showcased its Vision Next 100, a motorcycle that is an entirely radical concept of the traditional machine on two wheels today. It is a self-balancing motorcycle that makes the side stand become mundane and mute. It promises to enhance the stability of the motorcycle when on the move and also balances the bike when in stationery.

Now, the German chaps have made a motorcycle that starts its engine on its own, recognizes bends, accelerate and brake all on its own. After more than a couple of years of research, development and testing, graduate engineer Stefan Hans and his team revealed their autonomous BMW R 1200 GS at the BMW Motorrad Techday 2018.

Suzuki is handing out $100 Prepaid Visa Cards to eligible owners of 2004-2013 GSX-R600/750 and 2005-2013 GSX-R1000 to bring in the bikes to have recall work performed in the front brakes.

Continue reading for more on the recall incentive program.

Remember that special GSX-R 1000R with carbon-fiber fairing, top-spec exhaust, race-styled screen and lever guards we spoke about last week? Well, we thought that this was a limited edition affair to showcase Yoshimura’s involvement as the former’s official partner for the upcoming MotoGP season.

At least we were right about the limited edition part. What it is, is the Suzuki GSX-R1000R Ryuyo. It is a not so cheap, nor can be ridden on the street version of the “King of Sportsbike” that gets a bump in power to a crazy 212 hp while losing out a huge 77 pounds, courtesy - so much carbon-fiber.

The Bavarian motorcycle manufacturer has been the market leader in the adventure scene with their promising GS motorcycles running the show for more than 35 years. Topping this chart is their flagship workhorse, the R 1200 GS series and its flat-twin boxer engine that is undoubtedly the best companion for exploring the unexplored. Then there is the R1200RT, a sport touring motorcycle which has many at times been the bestselling model for BMW.

Currently, both these machines run on a 1170cc flat-twin boxer engine and are all set to receive some major updates for the 2019 year along with some high-tech features coming in as standard. The new mill is going to make them specked to Euro-V norms and also make more power without losing on any fuel efficiency. What’s the trick? It’s called the BMW ShiftCam technology.