It doesn’t have the Panigale V4’s engine, but the 2020 Ducati Panigale V2 doesn’t need it to deliver serious speed. Plus, it’s more affordable than the V4 model, which is a good thing for riders interested in setting lap times and carving up roads. As a result, Popular Mechanics called it the best superbike of …
After making its return to flat-track racing, Indian is expanding its motorsports participation even further. For example, it recently got back into hill climbing for the first time in 70 years. Seeing one of Indian’s cruisers and touring bikes, like the Challenger, racing is a fairly rare sight, though. However, that’s exactly what happened at …
If you are just starting to get into motorcycle riding, then you are most likely wondering which bike to get. While there are a great number of options currently in the market, you’ll have to first figure out which type of bike suits you best. And if you happen to like the cruiser bike category, …
While there are plenty of affordable off-road-capable motorcycles, only a select few of them are electric. Both KTM and Cake offer electric dirt bikes, and Zero’s lineup includes several dual-sports. And coming underneath them in price is the scooter-influenced Kuberg Ranger. However, a new Texas-based company has an even cheaper all-terrain alternative: the Volcon Grunt. …
Urban commuting isn’t the sole domain of motorcycles. Scooters and mopeds have traditionally been the compact 2-wheeled alternatives—but not anymore. Now city riders can get an e-bike instead; some don’t even require you to pedal. One brand that’s particularly captured social media attention is California-based Super73, with retro-styled models like the S1. However, for about …
You need quite a bit of gear to safely ride a motorcycle. And one of the most important safety devices is a sturdy motorcycle helmet. But just bikes themselves are gaining new features, safety and otherwise, so too are helmets. The Forcite MK1 is one of the latest smart motorcycle helmets to hit the market. …
While there are several celebrities who are into bikes, such as Ewan McGregor, very few have started their own motorcycle company. But that’s exactly what Keanu Reeves and buddy Gard Hollinger did with Arch Motorcycle. And the company has done more than just make its customers’ high-end motorcycles come to life. It’s also helped create …
When it comes to affordable sportbikes, the Kawasaki Ninja lineup tends to be a common choice. And if you want to ride on the racetrack more than the street, you go for the ZX models. But just like the higher-capacity models have competition, such as the Ducati Panigale V2, so do the medium-capacity ones. In …
The neo-vintage segment of motorcycles is extremely popular right now. Cafe racer-style bikes like the Triumph Thruxton and Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 are just two examples. There’s also the Moto Guzzi V7, as well as Honda’s selection of 125cc models: the Monkey, the Super Cub, and the Trail 125. But while the Japanese marque …
Despite their different designs, cars and motorcycles have the same basic mechanical components. They both have brake rotors, tires, as well as engines and/or electric motors. And helping send the engine/motor power to the wheels is a transmission. But at first glance, a motorcycle’s transmission doesn’t necessarily look like the one in a car. So, …
As bikes like the Harley-Davidson XLCR demonstrate, not every motorcycle experiment is a raging success. That’s something BMW is familiar with, too. Before the German marque created the new R18 cruiser, it tried to take on Harley with the R1200C. And while today it offers high-performance sportbikes like the S 1000 RR, its first attempts …
If you have ever ridden a motorcycle, then you know that balancing it when coming to or sitting at a stop is important. In fact, some have said around 99% of all new riders will end up dropping their bike at some point. And while that may or may not be true, there are manufacturers …
While new motorcycles offer some safety tech, the list of modern car safety features is a bit more extensive. Especially when it comes to ADAS features, such as blind-spot monitoring or adaptive cruise control. However, that’s slowly beginning to change. The upcoming Tarform Luna, for example, comes with a backup camera and a kind of …
Getting an off-road-capable motorcycle, even an adventure bike, doesn’t have to be ruinously expensive. There are several affordable models to choose from these days; the Royal Enfield Himalayan, for example, only costs about $5000. And for just under $10k, you can get the 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700. It doesn’t have all the fanciest ADV motorcycle …
Mention the term RV, and people often think of a pop-up camper, travel trailer, fifth-wheel, or motorhome. Most of those have one thing in common. All the RV units, but the motorhome, have to be towed. So, often people have, or borrow, a vehicle of some sort to do the pulling duties. But, did you …
Going off-road on a motorcycle is already intimidating enough for some. Doing it on an electric bike—a pre-production one at that—just seems like ratcheting the difficulty from Hard to Nightmare. But that’s exactly the premise behind the new series Long Way Up, starring known motorcycle fan Ewan McGregor. And after watching the first 4 episodes, …
Dual sports are some of the best motorcycles for off-roading. They combine the simplicity and capability of dirt bikes with just enough comfort for on-road travel. And one of the best and most iconic models is the Kawasaki KLR650. Unfortunately, it’s been off the market for several years now. But new rumors suggest the Japanese …
While Jay Leno may be one of the most prominent celebrities with a motorcycle collection, he’s not the only bike fan. Dax Shepard and Ryan Reynolds are both avid riders. Ludacris has an appreciation for Harley-Davidsons. Keanu Reeves loves motorcycles so much, he co-founded his own bike company. And if you’ve ever wanted to overland …
We haven’t seen a Motocross race in October since 1992. Additionally, this season will see the latest closing race since the October 13th conclusion at Unadilla in 1991. Then there was that time Tomac won a million dollars on October 13th in 2018 at the Monster Energy Cup. However, overall we rarely see a Motocross …
Although it makes some excellent cruisers, Harley-Davidson’s lineup outside the segment is basically just the electric LiveWire. However, as part of its plan under past-CEO Matt Levatich, Harley was working on several decidedly non-cruiser bikes. One of these planned models was the Harley-Davidson Pan America, an adventure bike meant to take on manufacturers like BMW. …
Although Long Way Up uses Rivian R1Ts as support vehicles, the main mechanical stars of the show are the Harley-Davidson LiveWires the hosts ride. Ewan McGregor and his co-host and friend Charley Boorman specifically chose electric motorcycles for their third journey together. But while the Harley-Davidson LiveWire is fast, it’s still a street bike at …
Overlanding is often done in trucks, vans, and SUVs. But since motorcycles can be used for camping and off-roading, why not overlanding, too? Like the other activities, traveling overland on 2 wheels isn’t necessarily easy. However, with a bit of preparation, there’s no reason it has to be overly intimidating. Overlanding vs. off-roading: motorcycle considerations …
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everything in our world. Personally and publicly, people across the globe feel COVID’s weight daily. Many businesses are also feeling the weight of it due to their reliance on people to visit their business. Manufacturing, restaurants, and all events have taken significant hits, which might have led some to believe …
While a beginning track racer might not take full advantage of the Panigale V4’s electronics, there’s a reason Ducati’s super sportbike has been compared to Ferraris. The Italian marque has already expanded its platform’s appeal with the two-cylinder Panigale V2. Now, it’s removed unnecessary accouterments to create the Ducati Streetfighter V4 naked bike. And in …
While cars may be BMW’s main focus today, after switching over from planes, the German marque started with motorcycles first. But while BMW Motorrad offers well-reviewed adventure bikes, touring bikes, and even a new cruiser, it’s still separate from the automotive business. As such, the motorcycles don’t really share anything with the cars. However, that’s …
With camping’s recent popularity explosion, it’s little wonder some want to pair it with another excellent social-distancing activity: riding motorcycles. But just like car camping, motorcycle camping requires a fair bit of prep work. However, as with off-roading on 2 wheels, with careful planning, it doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. What kind of …
With the release of the R18 cruiser, BMW’s motorcycle division has something to take Harley-Davidson head-on. But Harley-Davidson isn’t the only bike company with cruisers; it’s not even the only American one. Indian has a long and historic rivalry with Harley, and it similarly focuses on cruiser-style bikes. And for 2021, it might have something …
Usually, adventure bikes are the first things that come to mind when thinking about BMW motorcycles. But the German company also offers sportbikes and some scrambler look-alikes. And for a brief period, it had a cruiser, too. But despite starring in a James Bond movie, the R1200C wasn’t particularly popular. However, the company is taking …
Liter bikes like the Suzuki Hayabusa may thrill, but it’s the small-capacity motorcycles where a lot of the sales are. Honda offers a slew of them, from the Grom to the CB300R. And KTM is expanding its Duke lineup in the US with its new 200cc model. Now, though, there’s another name joining in: Peugeot …
Even before the Desmosedici RR came out, many of Ducati’s bikes had origins in racing. It’s partially why the Italian brand is called ‘the Ferrari of motorcycles.’ And it continues to this day. The Scrambler, for example, isn’t just about looks—it can actually go off-road. Some models, though, have evolved somewhat from their origins. Such …
When the phrase ‘cool Italian motorcycle’ comes to mind, many think ‘Ducati.’ But Italy has more bike brands than that to offer. There’s Moto Guzzi, for example, with its vintage V7 and V85TT adventure bike. And there’s also MV Agusta. When it was in production, its F4 Claudio was one of the most expensive motorcycles …
If you want a brand based on luxury and performance, BMW is one of the world’s leaders. It’s a coveted luxury carmaker with a full line of vehicles from roadsters to three-row SUVs. The company is also a big name in the motorcycle world. With an undeniable presence here in the states, some might wonder …
I have discussed before that autocycles have had a hard time gaining traction in the United States. Before they can become a huge success, they first have to prove to the consumer that a vehicle with three wheels is okay. Once that is achieved, then autocycles will move from niche markets and into the broader mass …
The Ducati lineup includes many exciting and desirable motorcycles. The Panigale, whether in V4 or V2 form, has plenty of performance and electronic aids. And the Ducati Scrambler is a genuine off-roader and a Mint 400 winner. Then there are the brand’s past models, like the still-stylish 916. However, a significant portion of the company’s …
Honda has something of a history when it comes to affordable motorcycles. Although the Vincent Black Shadow arguably beat it to the ‘superbike’ title, the CB750 offered genuine superbike tech at a reasonable price. And of course, there’s the famous Super Cub, which is quite possibly the best-selling motor vehicle ever. Today, one of Honda’s …
Whether you’re working on a car or a motorcycle, proper maintenance or repair work requires the right tools. However, even tasks like replacing a water pump or a clutch don’t require filling your toolbox with specialist equipment. Nevertheless, setting up your first toolbox can understandably be a little intimidating. But with the guide below, you’ll …
Believe it or not, the RV started for just $1,900 on Craigslist. With a bit of investment and a lot of TLC, the owner transformed it into a gorgeous home on wheels. A very tiny and beautiful home that’s basically a hipster’s pocket-sized paradise. This pretty RV renovation is the stuff of nomadic dreams. So …
With Royal Enfield’s classic-styled standard motorcycle and café racer each a resounding hit, the Indian company is starting to expand its offerings. It already offers one Triumph rival in the form of the Bonneville-esque Interceptor 650. And rumors claim it’s also working on a competitor for the Triumph Scrambler. The latest news, though, seems to …
If you’re looking for an inexpensive modern cruiser, the Indian Scout and Scout Sixty are a great place to start. The latter has been bobbed and even out-fitted for jungle expeditions. But like the Triumph Bonneville, the Indian Scout has an extensive back-story. And much like the Bonneville, the original Scouts are still regarded as …
If you look up video reviews for the Honda Grom and Monkey, you’ll likely see a few where the reviewer takes it on some light off-road trails. The mini-bikes always seem to ride just fine off the pavement, however, Honda just debuted a bike that is better suited for that kind of riding. Enter the …
Even amongst other affordable adventure bikes, the Royal Enfield Himalayan still strikes a bargain. True, it doesn’t have all the bells-and-whistles that pricier ADV motorcycles offer. But it’s an honest off-roader that can be had for less than the price of some used models. And for 20201, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is getting a few …
The current Rocket 3 isn’t Triumph’s only three-cylinder bike, though it does have the biggest engine. And soon, it will be joined by one more triple, bearing a familiar nameplate. The British motorcycle company has already successfully re-introduced the classically-styled Bonneville and Thruxton to a modern audience. Now, it’s the Triumph Trident’s turn. The history …
You don’t have to spend six figures on a motorcycle to want to keep it safe from thieves. But not everyone has access to a locked garage, which is a great first step in preventing thefts. Brake disc locks are extremely beneficial especially if you leave the bike outdoors. But if they’re not attached properly, …
Over the course of centuries, Japan earned a reputation for expertly blending modernity and tradition. Honda is a car company well known for producing a number of vehicles. Dirt bikes, ATVs, motorcycles, and automobiles––even power products like tillers and generators––from Honda Motor Company are made with a certain level of attention to detail. For this …
Generally speaking, it’s best for beginning riders to start with small-capacity motorcycles. Not just because they’re easier to control, but because of lower repair and replacement costs. But it’s not like getting a moped or a scooter is your only option. There are several affordable sport bikes and adventure bikes, just to name 2 categories, …
Mazda is a Japanese car company that has gained some serious traction here in the states. The production cars are zippy and affordable. Plus, they are comfortable and on the luxurious side for the price point. This year, the brand also won more Top Safety Pick+ awards than any other auto brand. A Mazda comes …
American motorcycling is about more than just cruisers. Indian and Harley-Davidson both have long histories with racing on dirt flat tracks and wooden board tracks. However, they’ve also competed in something a bit more obscure in the US: hill climb racing. But for the first time since WWII, Indian is rejoining the racing series with …
The town of Sturgis, in South Dakota, holds a motorcycle rally every year. It is known as one of the largest, if not the largest, motorcycle-based festival in the nation. Motorcycle enthusiasts from all backgrounds, socio-economic classes, and nationalities arrive in town for ten days of motorcycle culture appreciation. This year’s event just concluded, seeing …
Oil and coolant aren’t the only fluids involved in car and motorcycle maintenance. But even if you change your transmission fluid, if your vehicle isn’t electric, it’s not going to run without gasoline or diesel. Or rather, it won’t run unless the fuel makes its way into the combustion chamber. Which, in modern vehicles, is …
While there’s no shortage of vintage-style bikes on sale today, arguably the segment’s best example is the Triumph Bonneville. Although the Ducati Sport 1000 sort of got there first, the Bonneville, Thruxton café racer, and Scrambler have together inspired a whole host of neo-classic motorcycles. Some, though, maybe inspired to get their hands on a …
