Motorcycle news

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.

Post 30 years of a bodacious run, the Bar & Shield brand celebrated the iconic Fat Boy it with a limited run affair of a bold all-black livery, complete with gentle touches of bronze – The Fat Boy 30th Anniversary. Tuscany Motor Company, the Indiana based dealership that gives us enthusiasts Harley-Davidson special limited-edition trucks, has now the sent the Ford F-250 to the beauty shop to get a butch makeover based on the limited-ed Fat Boy.

Under the direction of the Milwaukee firm, notable and iconic features of the cruiser will get onto the 2020 model F-250 truck with over 65 proprietary components to dazzle the vibe and the character of the already striking pick-up. Just like what this partnership did with the Harley-Davidson GMC Sierra Truck

Bright, brash and power are what is oozing out when you have a look at this Roadmaster Elite. It has been the best money can buy, and it has pulled it off with all bells and whistles ever since it was launched a couple of years ago. It’s a nostalgic yet sumptuous take on the already blummin’ good Roadmaster dresser.

For 2020, the Elite gets a brand-new custom-inspired two-tone candy paint, requiring nearly 30 hours and hand finishing to complete, an upgraded Ride Command system with a 600-watt PowerBand Audio Plus set up, 19-inch precision-machined wheel. Powering this is Indian Motorcycle’s most powerful air-cooled engine - the Thunder Stroke 116.