Motorcycles of 2016: A Roundtable Discussion of What's Hot + Video

Tom Roderick
by Tom Roderick

In the wake of autumn’s big motorcycle shows, we’ve got a clearer insight into what lies ahead in the moto world going into 2016. Using this year’s show season as the measuring stick, we think it’s safe to say that excitement has returned full-force to the motorcycle industry.

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During the financial ebb of the Great Recession, we were to lucky to have just a few truly exciting new models bound for U.S. shores on a given year. The amount of new 2016 models from only two OEMs, Ducati and Triumph, are nearly equal to the total number of all-new bikes in 2012. Yessir, between last year and this, we’re flush with so many new models it’s gonna be tough giving each one a proper shakedown. Take a look at the video below to hear our thoughts on the year ahead in motorcycling.

According to our IMS Show Report, On-Highway motorcycle sales in the U.S. are up 6.4% for 2015, and this year is the second consecutive year for positive motorcycle sales growth since the 2006 highwater mark of bike sales. Exciting new models are fueling sales while stronger sales numbers are prompting OEMs to unleash more exciting new models.

While jaded graybeards like us salivate over big power and high technology, it’s good to see the industry building models intended to recruit new riders to the moto world. Honda showed the way a few years ago with its 300cc/500cc series of CBs, while players that rarely cater to the newbie rider are now providing an abundance of variety to a wider swath of new and returning riders as well as experienced ones: the BMW G310R, Ducati Scrambler Sixty62, KTM RC and Duke 390s, and Harley-Davidson Street 500/750 are some great examples.

Our industry is changing too, evidenced by the expanding range of Adventure bikes that keep redefining what an ADV bike is and can be. The naked-bike category – shunned for years by North American riders – is also rounding out nicely, with models now available from every manufacturer. And we certainly can’t forget about technology, which is now tightly woven into the motorcycling experience, making our sport safer, more comfortable and faster than ever before.

Tom Roderick
Tom Roderick

A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.

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 18 comments
  • Erik Erik on Dec 01, 2015

    I'm only partially with you guys on the scrambler being just a trend. One major reason why it may not be a trend is the younger demo likes scramblers because it is very different than a Harley. Being in the younger demo myself, everything that is Harley is ulta-lame. Ridiculously and annoyingly loud bikes ridden by old dudes with criminal records. The bikes are stupidly heavy and have no focus on performance. The scrambler trend is a reactionary result to the loud behemoth cruiser bike market dying. Btw, I don't have a scrambler so not being biased here.

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    • Ian Parkes Ian Parkes on Jan 17, 2016

      Rebellion? Not for about 30 years. Buying an HD is about as rebellious as buying an iPhone. You are buying into comforting hype. Ridden by old dudes who would like you to think they have a criminal record but it's actually an investment portfolio.

  • TalonMech TalonMech on Dec 03, 2015


    I just wish the scrambler trend had bikes that would live up to the name "scrambler". All I see are retro nakeds with knobbies. Nothing wrong with that, but calling them scrambler is just marketing hyperbole.
    Oh yeah, I hate HD too.

    • Kenneth Kenneth on Dec 29, 2015

      "All I see are retro nakeds with knobbies." "...is just marketing hyperbole."
      It's not really just current marketing; that's all "scramblers" ever were (usually street bikes with high pipes), while somewhat more dirt-capable street bikes were called "trail bikes," back in the day.

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