Motorcycle

After passing my motorcycle safety course, I spent some time test-riding different bikes before eventually buying a used Triumph. Specifically, a 2012 Triumph Street Triple R naked bike, in-between a standard and a sportbike. And although I’ve enjoyed riding it overall, there are a few places where it could be improved. The turn signals This …

On the surface, Triumph and Harley-Davidson can seem somewhat similar. Both motorcycle companies offer bikes that lean on nostalgia and retro designs, after all. And both also derive quite a bit of revenue from apparel sales. However, while Triumph these days seems to be doing OK, Harley-Davidson is decidedly not. And, as YouTuber Different Spokes …

Harley-Davidson isn’t the only motorcycle company with cruisers. While Kawasaki may be better known for sportbikes and dual sports, it also offers café racers, touring bikes, and cruisers. In fact, the Kawasaki Vulcan is one of the quickest cruisers on sale today. But it may be getting even quicker. New rumors suggest Kawasaki may be …

The 60s and 70s saw some incredible feats of motorcycle engineering, and Honda’s bikes were no exception. Although this was the era of the café racer, the Super Cub dominated the entry-level segment. And Honda’s Grand Prix-winning RC166 showed just how far the Japanese company could push small engines’ performance. But despite these achievements, the …

While built-in navigation is quickly becoming common in cars, very few motorcycles offer it. Those that do are typically expensive long-distance touring bikes, which are designed to tackle extended rides. But even if you only stick to known roads, having a helpful guide home isn’t a bad idea. Plus, Rebelle Rally and similar situations aside, …

Ducati may hog the limelight, but Italy is home to quite a few storied motorcycle brands. Ducati itself wouldn’t be where it is without Cagiva’s help, for instance. Energica has cornered Italy’s electric bike scene. Then there’s Moto Guzzi, perhaps the oldest European motorcycle company still in business. The V7 III neo-classic bike may be …

James Bond’s usually seen behind the wheel of an Aston Martin. However, motorcycles have also featured in the fictional British spy’s adventures. Though the bad guys are usually the riders, Bond himself has taken to 2 wheels on occasion. Most recently, in the upcoming film No Time to Die, aka ‘Bond 25.’ To commemorate it, …

Even though it’s struggling now, Harley-Davidson is still the longest-lived American motorcycle company around. Indian was founded at about the same time, but it went out of business before being brought back. However, in the early days of the motorcycle, Indian and Harley were just 2 of many competing brands. And there was one in …

Over the last three seasons, we’ve watched Eli Tomac achieve a ton of wins and podium finishes aboard his Kawasaki KX450F motorcycle. Now, he’s won his first 450SX championship title. Obviously, he’s a fantastic rider with grit and determination. He also puts on a show every race with passes and crashes for the books. But …

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get an enjoyable motorcycle. Bikes like the Honda Super Cub and Yamaha MT-03 may not be fast, but they’re still fun to ride. That’s part of Royal Enfield’s appeal. The Interceptor and Continental GT 650 ape classic-styled bikes like the Triumph Bonneville and Thruxton at …

Little noise and ease of maintenance are just some of the benefits electric motorcycles provide. Kawasaki’s manual-equipped prototype aside, these bikes make riding very approachable even for newbies. And they’re genuinely quick—faster than some electric cars. However, there are only a few truly affordable electric motorcycles. The LiveWire, for instance, maybe an excellent bike, but …

Although other bikemakers make retro-styled motorcycles, Triumph has one of the most extensive lineups of such models. There’s the Thruxton café racer, the off-road-capable Scrambler, and perhaps most iconic, the Triumph Bonneville. Today, there are other brands, like Royal Enfield, which are starting to offer alternatives to the British bike. But back in the 60s …

The Honda Gold Wing is one of the most popular touring motorcycles in the world. It is known for its “bullet proof” reliability. There are Gold Wings on American roads today from decades ago, when they were still manufactured in on US soil in Ohio. However, the beloved Honda Gold Wing has run into a …

Today, there are plenty of motorcycles available that ape their classic ancestors. Janus Motorcycles even uses a frame design that originates in the 1950s. But vintage bikes are another story. The earliest motorcycles were literally bicycles with motors attached; that’s how Ducati got its start. Arguably, that makes modern e-bikes motorcycle throwbacks. However, if you’re …

When these Honda motorcycles first came out, it sent a ripple through the industry. This long distance freedom fighter is Japanese engineered, but it’s an American hero. As far as a true touring bike goes, it’s hard to find a better one. In fact, you probably won’t. This bike has won Cycle World’s top 10 …

That electric motorcycles are fast is not in doubt. The Harley-Davidson LiveWire, for instance, can out-drag a Tesla Model 3 Performance. And Zero Motorcycle’s FX is one of the fastest dual-sports on the market. But electric bikes can also match ICE ones in terms of intriguing design choices. True, no electric motorcycle right now has …

While the Bugatti Veyron isn’t exactly practical, as a feat of engineering, it’s extremely impressive. And while the list of motorcycles that can even approach 200 mph is extremely short, some at least match the Veyron’s engineering effort. Especially when it comes to massive engines. The Lazareth LM847, for instance, was a 4-wheeled motorcycle with …

Sometimes modern upgrades have their pros and cons. Blowing full steam ahead doesn’t always come without its set backs and hiccups. Some game changing innovations are difficult to get used to –– or even come around to at all. It’s the time old tale of change. It doesn’t typically come easy. As we move from …

Although the lack of extensive fast-chargers limits their long-distance capability, electric motorcycles can be excellent urban commuters. In addition, the lack of clutch makes them good for beginning riders, or those without manual experience. However, the EV conversion market shows that electric cars and trucks, at least, can still use manual transmissions. And now, Kawasaki …

For both new and veteran motorcycle shoppers looking for a ride without the need to shift, consider these eight automatic motorcycle models.