Motorcycle

In an article posted yesterday, I discussed what an autocycle is. I also mentioned some of the realities autocycle manufacturers are facing. Those included the changing regulations recognizing them as a separate vehicle class from a motorcycle, a growing shift to, and acceptance of, electric motivation, and the psychological barriers for consumers who want to …

Whether you ride on pavement or go off-road, proper motorcycle safety gear is a necessity. And that doesn’t just stop at a quality helmet, either. Gloves, boots, jackets, and pants are all part of the ensemble. And besides helmets, few things are as closely tied to the biker image than the leather motorcycle jacket. But …

Autocycles are a mode of transportation that has struggled to gain popularity. While motorcycles with sidecars and trikes have their place, an autocycle for daily use is even less popular. Part of that is that there is a lack of knowledge about what an autocycle is and how it fits in our automotive culture. Today, …

Aston Martin and Brough Superior’s upcoming superbike’s price tag isn’t the only thing that will make the motorcycle exclusive. It’s a track-only bike, so it doesn’t have to conform to any emissions or other regulations. And as the Ferrari F50 demonstrated, turning a racing machine into a road vehicle isn’t exactly easy. But as Ducati …

Typically, many recommended beginner motorcycles are small-capacity machines. Bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja 400, or the Honda Grom and its 125cc cousins, the Super Cub and Monkey. However, there’s another bike, with a noticeably larger engine, that’s also often recommended to newer riders: the Suzuki SV650. But is it actually suitable for beginners? The Suzuki …

Long before the Hayabusa, riders turned to British motorcycles for speed and new technology. In the 20s, the Brough-Superior SS100 went faster than many cars. And in the 60s, café racers roamed the streets trying to do ‘the ton.’ The 70s, though, saw the rise of Japanese bikes, beginning with the Honda CB750, often considered …

Electric vehicles, whether trucks or motorcycles aren’t typically the steeds of choice for off-road adventures. Especially not ones like the Harley-Davidson LiveWire which, despite offering genuinely impressive performance, isn’t exactly an ADV bike. But if an Indian Scout Sixty can tackle Amazonian jungles, then an electric Harley should be able to as well. And movie …

Engine swaps and new exhausts aren’t the only modifications that can increase performance. True, handling mods like performance tires, stiffer sway bars, and new engine mounts aren’t as flashy as a turbo. But they can sharpen your vehicle’s reflexes. However, if you drive a manual, there’s one more thing you might want to consider getting: …

In the US, Husqvarna is arguably best-known for its dual-sport motorcycles. But the Swedish company also has a café racer, the Husqvarna Vitpilen. However, rather like Harley-Davidson once provided engines to Buell, many of Husqvarna’s bikes are built around KTM powertrains. In the Husqvarna Vitpilen’s case, it’s based on the KTM Duke naked bikes. But …

Those who want classic motorcycle looks without the hassle are a bit spoiled for choice right now. Almost every manufacturer offers a vintage-looking bike. Honda has the Monkey and Super Cub, Triumph the Thruxton café racer and Bonneville, and Royal Enfield’s developing a scrambler. There’s one retro motorcycle, though, which deserves some more attention: the …

If you live in a crowded urban area where slow speeds and limited parking is the norm, then the Honda Monkey could be a great mode of transportation for you. Honda has always been known for its sportbikes, like the CBR lineup, and scooters, like the Super Cub and Ruckus, but the Monkey is a …

The new 2021 Honda Fireblade CBR1000 RR-R SP was originally set to release this summer. But this sport bike is delayed until at least this fall, now. Those who are waiting to get in the saddle of a new Honda Fireblade will have to wait. Will the first time this bike sees US soil be …

In the US, Indian and Harley-Davidson understandably dominate motorcycle culture. But even today, as the Hayabusa’s situation demonstrates, the industry is strongly linked to Europe. And just like in the States, not every European nameplate enjoys widespread recognition. For every Ducati and BMW, there’s a Soriano and a Condor. Though, as Royal Enfield has shown, …

The Ducati Panigale and the iconic Honda Fireblade are each some of the fastest race-inspired bikes in production. The 2021 Fireblade (which should hit showrooms this fall) is one of the most exciting bikes on today’s market and a pretty parallel competitor with the popular Ducati Panigale. But is there one of these motorcycles that …

Though Japanese brands make some of the most affordable cruiser motorcycles, both Indian and Harley-Davidson offer bikes at reasonable prices. For Indian, that’s the Scout Sixty, now available in Bobber form. And for Harley-Davidson, it’s the Iron 883, heir to the Sportster name. But which entry-level American cruiser is best? 2020 Indian Scout Sixty vs. …

It’s very possible to spend six figures on a motorcycle these days. Not just on a new bike, but on classic, vintage, and antique models, too. Especially when it comes to motorcycles that offered high-performance or cutting-edge technology in their day. And the 1911 Pierce-Arrow Four that recently sold for almost a quarter-million dollars has …

Whether you own a car or a motorcycle, one of the most important maintenance items is changing your oil. Compared to replacing a clutch or a timing belt, changing your engine oil is relatively straight-forward. However, not only does modern motor oil come in many different varieties, there are a lot of oil grades available. …

While some early-20th-century motorcycles could handle triple-digit speeds, the first superbike coined as such was the 1969 Honda CB750. It wasn’t the first four-cylinder bike, or even the fastest bike at the time. However, it offered features never-before-seen on production bikes, let alone ones at that price point. But by the late 70s, it was …

Both of these incredibly fast motorcycles are fan favorites. The Suzuki Hayabusa GSX 1300 R motorcycle is a bit dated now, however, and the BMW S1000RR motorcycle has just been redesigned. While the ‘Busa remains a faithful steed for high-speed riding, the BMW has received numerous updates that give it more modern agility. Though there …

The fear of losing your balance is just one reason many stay away from motorcycles. Another is that, as on a bicycle, there aren’t any airbags or crash structures between you and oncoming traffic. Polaris, the company behind several UTVs and the reborn Indian brand, has something which seemingly addresses both issues: the Slingshot. But …