Future Husqvarna Motorcycles to Include 501 Models, Retro Bikes and Electric Scooters
UPDATE: We’ve discovered a similar presentation from August for the prior fiscal quarter that had an even larger list of future Husqvarna models including 901 and 1301 (!) versions of the Norden adventure bike and for the naked category.
GasGas to Produce Naked Streetbikes and Adventure-Tourer
A management presentation prepared by KTM‘s parent company Pierer Mobility reveals GasGas will introduce at least three streetbikes, including two 800-class models, a naked bike and an adventure-tourer, plus a 250-class naked bike.
Testing a MotoE Racer: The Energica Ego Corsa
As we come to the end of 2019 and the conclusion of the first MotoE season, I think it’s fair to say the debut of Energica’s Ego Corsa MotoE electric racer was a success. Each race produced close battles (usually for the lead), the bikes go plenty quick, and though the sound of internal combustion is missing, it’s replaced with a soundtrack all its own. I like to think of it as the racing soundtrack of the future.
Church of MO: 2009 Star VMax VIDEO!!
And in those days when the MOites traversed the digital divide after Ashley parted the waters, many fantastic road tests made it into the modern age, but some without their accompanying stunning photography. This review for instance, written by His Dukeness on the occasion of the amazing new Star VMax a decade ago. But fear ye not, as by that time we’d also begun making stunning videos, which may last on Youtube long after we’ve all departed this mortal coil. Actually the vid shows what the mighty Max was capable of beyond what words can convey anyway, not to mention Kev in all his youthful glory.
2020 Arch KRGT-1 Review
Let’s just get this out of the way right up front: If you can’t immediately dismiss the $85k price tag, you’re not the target customer. So far Arch has only produced 45 motorcycles, and there are plenty of potential customers around the globe who could purchase all 44 without blinking an eye. The KRGT-1 is motorcycle as designer watch or collectible artwork, and if the whole point isn’t exclusivity, a huge chunk of it probably is. I wouldn’t know, since I can’t get past the price tag.
Church of MO: 2009 Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE Review
When I was 49, it was a very good year for long-legged bikes of independent means who lived under the stairs, with all those perfumed valves. We’d ride through the night, and the tank was green. Now I think of this Guzzi as vintage wine from fine old kegs, from the shaft drive to the dregs. I’m sure it still runs sweet and clear, it was a very good year.
10 Things You Need To Know About The 2020 Triumph Tiger 900
Triumph sprang a 3500-word manifesto re: its new Tiger 900 on us just before the press introduction of the new bike last Tuesday in St. Louis, which we ran in its entirety. Now that we’ve had a few days to digest all the newness of the thing (five things really: Tiger 900, Tiger 900 GT and GT Pro, Tiger 900 Rally and Rally Pro) here are our main take-aways.
Riding, And Racing, The Lightfighter LFR19 Electric Motorcycle - Part 2
There’s a lot to unpack in the Lightfighter story. This is why Part 1 was dedicated to the concept and build of the electric sportbike. As a quick refresher, the Lightfighter was born because Brian Wismann and Ely Schless wanted to prove an electric racing motorcycle could exist – and thrive – with a geometry-first design. They did just that, building an electric motorcycle around a Yamaha YZF-R1 swingarm, not a big battery. Knowing Wismann and Schless though, simply building the bike wasn’t enough. It had to be good. Hence why they equipped it with Öhlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and OZ Racing magnesium wheels. Further technical support came from Parker Hannifin, in the form of the GVM 210 motor, Kramer Motorcycles and their svelte bodywork, and Pirelli tires, who made sure the bike had the stickiest Diablo Superbike slicks available.
2020 Triumph Tiger 900, 900 GT, 900 Rally First Look
Well what did you expect? Faster, lighter, torquier, more technologically advanced and cleaner, that’s what you get – and in five different flavors: Your regular Tiger 900 is the new “road-focussed” Tiger, with a major step forward in capability beginning with a heavily revised 888 cc inline triple complete with new firing order.
Church of MO: 2009 BMW F800GS First Ride Review
“The GS for the rest of us” was a good subhead, because by 2009 very few of us weren’t already riding one or another version of the pre-existing boxer-powered GS, leaving the new parallel-Twin only to fill in the gaps. Aboard it, the Apostle Pete was able to traverse territory where even action photographers feared to tread. Ten years on, the F850GS and F850GS Adventure soldier on for BMW, and Moab is still in Utah. Whirled without end, amen.
BMW Releases Details on "Big Boxer" R18 Engine
We were expecting BMW to debut its new “Big Boxer” cruisers at EICMA but were left disappointed with yet another concept model. We don’t have anything against concepts, really, but the R18/2 shown at EICMA was already the fourth to incorporate the new engine, and despite the spy photos that have popped up, it seems like BMW’s new cruisers just aren’t quite ready for full production yet.
5 Things You Need To Know About The Ducati Supersport
There are lots of motorcycles trying to get your sport-touring attention. Somewhere in that space Ducati is fighting to grab some attention, drawing upon a name from its past in hopes to lure those who may recognize it. The name, of course, is the Ducati Supersport, and though we’ve featured the bike on the MO pages before – most recently during our staff trip to Laguna Seca – we’ve only ever tested the S model Supersport, complete with Öhlins suspension and the quickshift up and down feature.
Church of MO: 2009 Victory Models Review - Vegas Jackpot, Hammer, Hammer Sport
Verily, we said unto you, “If Victory stays its current course of producing high-quality products, and is willing to flex and adapt to a market that will likely shift and morph, there’s no foreseeable reason why we shouldn’t anticipate Victory’s 20th anniversary.” I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep. MO proposes, God disposes. Pass the giblets, amen.
2020 Polaris Slingshot Getting New Engine, Automatic Transmission
Polaris is preparing to update its Slingshot three-wheeler with a new engine design and an automatic transmission. The new engine will be designed by Polaris itself, unlike the General Motors 2.4L Ecotec engine that’s been powering the Slingshot since its introduction in 2015.
2020 Triumph Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT Review – First Ride
Well, you always want more, don’t you? That’s how Triumph Chief Engineer Stuart Wood justifies the world’s biggest-engined production motorcycle, and that’s what the new Rocket 3 wants to deliver. From the 2294 cubic centimeters of the original Rocket to 2458 cc, now there are three 4.3-inch pistons producing a claimed 163 lb-ft. of torque and 167 horses at 6000 rpm, and that’s what it’s all about.
2020 Ducati Panigale V2 Review - First Ride
For the past few years, the collective motorcycling world has lost its minds with the Ducati Panigale V4. Understandable, considering how much of a departure it is for Ducati to abandon the V-Twin for its flagship sportbike, but also because the Panigale V4 and V4R are absolute knockouts in the engine department. Lost in the hoopla of the Ducati V4 engine sat the lowly 959 Panigale, a pleasant and capable machine, it serves as a gentle reminder to everyone that Ducati hadn’t completely abandoned the V-Twin. A part of the “Super-Mid” category of sportbikes (“Standard-Mid” being something in the 750cc-ish category, we assume?), it’s a little funny to think Ducati’s lower-displacement sportbike, at 955cc, is now larger than it’s former legendary flagship, the 916 family.
2020 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally and GT Launching on Dec. 3
EICMA has come and gone, but at least one manufacturer still has a major model announcement to come.
Kawasaki Releases Details on Electric Motorcycle Concept
Last week, Kawasaki presented an electric motorcycle concept at EICMA, but did no reveal many details about it during the show. Today, Kawasaki finally released more information, confirming that the company has been researching electric vehicles for quite some time, including testing both on a race track and in urban environments. Unfortunately, Kawasaki says it remains purely a research project with no plans of releasing an electric motorcycle in the near future.
Church of MO: 2009 Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 NTX ABS Review
Stelvio, Stelvio, wherefore art thou, Stelvio? Tis but thy name that is my enemy, and what’s in a name? That which we call a big adventure bike by any other name would smell as sweet; so Stelvio would, were he not Stelvio call’d, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Sorry, but Tor riding around in Italy brings out the Shakespeare in us. The Stelvio was ten years, ago: Now there’s a brand new and even more fair Moto Guzzi adv bike, the V85TT. Swoon. Take all myself, and let God sort them out.
Honda CB4X Sport-Touring Concept
Honda unveiled its major EICMA models, led by the new CBR1000RR-R, a day before the show, but it did have something new to show visitors at the Milano Rho Fiera. In what’s now an annual tradition, Honda presented a concept bike produced by its Rome R&D Centre called the CB4X.
Ducati Motard and DesertX Scrambler Concepts
Ducati usually makes a big splash at EICMA, Italy being its home market, of course, but in recent years, Ducati has been moving its product reveals farther and farther ahead of the show, with this year’s launch taking place two weeks ahead of the Milan show.
MO Tested: WP Apex Pro 6500 Cartridges And 6746 Shock For KTM 790 Duke
News flash: OEM suspensions are designed to a price point. So, unless you’re riding a flagship literbike, those suspenders are full of compromises. The stock suspension on the vast majority of bikes out there is designed for an average rider, going an average pace, over an average road. Get outside of those parameters, and the suspension’s performance is compromised.
Kawasaki Buys Share of Bimota, Collaborate on Supercharged Bimota Tesi H2
Kawasaki is acquiring a stake in Bimota, breathing new life into the Italian brand best known for its hub-steering motorcycle designs. Once the deal is completed and passes regulatory approval, Kawasaki Motors Europe, through its subsidiary Italian Motorcycle Investment, will purchase a 49.9% share in Bimota, with the controlling 50.1% being retained by its current owners (formerly Bimota S.A. but officially renamed B and Motion S.A.).
The 2020 MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR Gets A Serie Oro Makeover
It’s safe to say the collective motorcycling world gasped when they first caught a glimpse of the 2019 MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro. We sure did. Boasting 208 horses (212 hp with a pipe!) and some drop-dead gorgeous styling, MV threw a grenade on the streetfighter category a year before Ducati officially unveiled the new Streetfighter V4. And let’s not forget, the Brutale Serie Oro put wings on a naked bike before that other Italian brand, too. But the Serie Oro was limited to just 300 units, all of which were snapped up quickly. Thankfully, like it did with the Superveloce 800, much of the Brutale 1000 Serie Oro is trickling down to its mass-produced sibling, the Brutale 1000 RR.
MV Agusta Rosso Range - The Most Affordable MVs Yet
MV Agusta has decided to streamline three key models – the Brutale 800, Dragster 800, and Turismo Veloce 800 – in order to bring costs down and provide consumers more affordable options into the MV family. The trio of models are part of the MV Agusta Rosso Range and will come in any color you want as long as it’s…red.
MV Agusta's Stunning Superveloce 800 Is Going Into Mass Production
In July, MV Agusta announced the Superveloce 800 Serie Oro was going to be made in extremely limited quantities – 300 units to be exact. Those units sold immediately. We can only imagine feedback for that gorgeous piece of motorcycle art went through the roof; enough so that MV Agusta announced at EICMA 2019 the mass production of the Superveloce 800, minus the Serie Oro accoutrement.
2020 Piaggio Beverly 350 Tourer First-a Look-a
The Beverly’s been around the block more than once, starting way back in 2001, but it retains its place at the head of the world’s largest scooter manufacturer’s table. Piaggio showed three versions of the latest Beverly at EICMA – Beverly, Beverly S and Beverly 350 Tourer – but only the Tourer will be coming to America, complete with a sporty smoked windshield and a capacious 36-liter top box. And make no mistake: With its 30-horsepower 330 cc single and 16/14-inch tires, these scooters can scoot.
BMW Presents The Concept R18/2 - A Custom Performance Cruiser
Earlier this year, BMW unveiled the Concept R18. Centered around the 1800cc air/oil-cooled boxer Twin, the surrounding bodywork was very historically-inspired, producing a themed motorcycle that would look right at home in the 1930s as it does today. Fast forward to EICMA 2019 and BMW has followed that up with its second concept – the R18/2. Stylistically opposite from the Concept R18, the big 1800cc boxer is still in the middle, but everything around it is BMW’s interpretation of performance cruiser.
Aprilia Is Teasing Us With The RS 660-Based Tuono 660 Concept
The hot news coming from the Aprilia camp at EICMA 2019 was clearly the official debut of the RS 660. Aprilia’s middleweight Twin is sure to be a firecracker, but much like the RSV4 also gave us the brilliant Tuono V4, Aprilia has wasted no time teasing the world with this baby Tuono powered by, you guessed it, the RS 660 Twin. Officially Aprilia is calling this a concept bike, but let’s be real – it’s coming here sooner or later.
Husqvarna Norden 901 Adventure Bike Concept
Husqvarna revealed an adventure bike concept called the Norden 901. If that alone wasn’t enough to get our juices flowing, there’s the fact the Norden is based around our Motorcycle-of-the-Year winner, the KTM 790 Adventure R.
Vespa Elettrica 70 KM/H Makes Its Debut At EICMA 2019
When Ryan Adams finished riding the 2019 Vespa Elettrica, he came back with one glaring complaint: it’s too slow. Vespa must have taken his words to heart, because at EICMA 2019 there’s a new version – the Vespa Elettrica 70 km/h – upping the top speed to, you guessed it, 70 km/h (or 44 mph for the US crowd). Vespa says this new top speed is the result of optimizing the current components already on the Elettrica and not through any change of hardware. Speaking of hardware, here’s a refresher. It can deliver a continuous 3.6 kW of power, with a peak at 4 kW, putting it roughly on par with 50cc scooters. Where it far surpasses a little scooter is with its 200 Nm of torque. And it’s all completely silent. Maximum range is roughly 100 km, and full recharge can be done in four hours (with 220v).
2020 KTM 890 Duke R First Look
What happens when you take the already potent KTM 790 Duke, bump its displacement to 890cc, add in fully-adjustable suspension components, and add top-notch brakes? You get the KTM 890Duke R! First the bad news, though: The KTM 890 Duke R will not come to the United States until the fall of 2020 as a 2021 model. Deal with it. Now, onto the cool stuff.
2020 Kawasaki Z650 ABS First Look
We’re fans of just about any motorcycle Kawasaki’s venerable 649 cc parallel Twin comes in contact with, including the heavily revised but still Sugomi-styled Z650 for 2020 – now available with ABS.
2020 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel First Look
Announced at EICMA 2020, Moto Guzzi has unveiled the V85 TT, a touring-oriented version of the popular V85 adventure bike made up of items plucked from the Moto Guzzi parts catalog – not that that’s a bad thing. Up front, a higher touring windscreen offers greater protection from the wind, thanks to a surface area 60% larger than the standard V85 screen. Out back you’ve got two panniers, capable of holding a ton of stuff – 37 liters for the right case (big enough for a full-face helmet) and 27.5 liters for the left – both lockable with the same key. The panniers were designed along with the overall bike, so there are no unsightly brackets exposed when the bags are off the motorcycle, allowing the V85’s lines to remain true and consistent with or without luggage. Clever.
2020 Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone S And V7 III Racer First Look
Moto Guzzi debuted a special, limited edition version of the V7 III Stone – named the V7 III Stone S – at EICMA 2020, paying homage to sporty Moto Guzzis from the 1970s like the 1974 750 S and 1971 V7 Sport. Being a limited edition, only 750 units of the V7 III Stone S will be made, in honor of the 750cc engine displacement. Each unit will have its serial number engraved on the handlebar riser.
2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America and Bronx With Revolution Max Engine First Look
Harley-Davidson announced the Pan America adventure bike and Bronx streetfighter are nearing production, both powered by the company’s new Revolution Max engine. The Pan America 1250 and Bronx 975 will be arriving in late 2020 as 2021 models.
Aprilia RS 660 Revealed
Sporting parallel-Twin fans rejoice! Another new engine platform is soon to be available from Aprilia. While it is clearly heading to the RS 660 sportbike first, we expect it to become the basis for a family of motorcycles. Let’s take a look, shall we?
KTM 390 Adventure First Look
Well, we love the RC390 and the 390 Duke even more, and the 790 Adventure is our 2019 Motorcycle of the Year, so what won’t be to love about KTM’s all-new 390 Adventure? KTM says it’s harnessed the attributes and DNA from the KTM 790 Adventure as well as the information gathered from nearly two decades of Dakar Rally success, to create a light, agile, ideal entry model.
2020 BMW F900XR and F900R First Look
BMW revealed two new middleweight twins, the F900XR sport-tourer and the naked F900R. We’ve seen design filings for both the F900XR and F900R as well as the earlier 9Cento concept, but now we can finally see them in full production trim.
2020 Suzuki Burgman 400 First Look
Once again, the 2020 Suzuki Burgman 400 is available from Suzuki in the U.S. market. Price and availability not released at press time.
Energica Announces New Model And A Bigger Battery For 2020
Big news for 2020 from the Energica camp, as the Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer has announced not only a new model – the Eva Ribelle – but also longer range, thanks to the largest battery pack offered on a production electric motorcycle so far. On top of this news, Energica is also reporting revenue growth of 57% over this same time period last year. Energica CEO, Livia Cevolini, credits this to the significant investments the company has made, including participation in the all-electric MotoE racing series, in which Energica is the sole motorcycle supplier with its Ego Corsa model.
2020 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 First Look
The only thing better than a new Suzuki V-Strom 1050 is a V-Strom family with three members based on the same 1037cc V-Twin engine. This updated mill retains the strong bottom end of its forebear while meeting the new, stricter Euro 5 emissions standards. Suzuki also claims that fuel economy will also be good, which means you can squeeze out more miles in the saddle per tankful. Let us introduce you to the Stroms.
2020 Suzuki GSX-S1000 Models First Look
The 2020 Suzuki GSX-S1000 line returns with its popular long-stroke GSX-R1000 engine. Not much has changed other than colors. Read on to find out. Price and availability not released at press time.
2020 BMW S1000XR First Look
As we expected from CARB filings, BMW is updating the S1000XR for 2020, giving it an updated engine, a brand new chassis and an 11-pound weight savings compared to the 2019 model.
2020 Triumph Thruxton RS First Look
More power, less weight, upgraded everything and an orgiastic 1600-word press release for Triumph’s original cafe racer.
2020 MV Agusta Rush 1000 Revealed
How does 208 hp strike you? Well, if you add the non-homologated exhaust and updated ECU, you can bump that to 212 hp. That’s what the MV Agusta Rush 1000 is about. Excessive power delivered in the quarter-mile bursts of the drag racing scene. Don’t believe us? Take a gander at the enclosed rear wheel and its in forged aluminum construction concealed by a carbon fiber cover, designed to obtain the best aerodynamic performance. The spoked front wheel adds to the purposeful look.
2020 Triumph Bud Ekins Bonneville T120 and T100 Special Editions
Stop us if you’ve heard the story about ’60s hearthrob Steve McQueen and his friendship with Hollywood Triumph dealer/racer Bud Ekins, who went on to be a great stunt rider/driver in a slew of McQueen moving pictures. Stop us even if you haven’t heard it, because it’s in Triumph’s press release below. These cool Bonnevilles are Bud’s payback.
2020 Triumph Bobber TFC First Look
Triumph has announced three new classics. Why not? The Bobber Triumph Factory Custom leads the way. Only 750 of these will be produced, Triumph’s third high-end Factory Custom.
2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX First Look
The Ninja 1000 has been a great sport tourer ever since it appeared on scene in 2011. In recent years, though, it’s been let down by a lack of what are now considered sport-touring must-have amenities. Not anymore. The price is right too, Bob. This one will be a great do-everything motorcycle for a lot of enlightened people.
2020 Honda Rebel 500 and 300 First Look
Honda‘s entry-level Rebel cruisers are getting updates for 2020, including a new assist-and-slipper clutch, updated suspension and LED lighting. Both 500 and 300 versions of the Rebel are getting the same updates, while Honda is also introducing an S version of the Rebel 500 for Europe which comes standard with several factory-fitted accessories.
2020 Yamaha TMax First Look
The Yamaha TMax is getitng a displacement bump up to 560cc, and a new Tech Max variant. Unfortunately, the new TMax does not appear to be coming to the U.S., which isn’t entirely as surprise as it has only made sporadic appearances here since it first debuted in 2001. In Europe, however, the TMax has been immensely popular, with Yamaha selling more than 275,000 units in total.
2020 Yamaha Tracer 700 First Look
Yamaha unveiled an updated Tracer 700, giving the MT-07-based sport-tourer a new look, improved suspension and Euro 5 compliance. Like the previous version, unfortunately, it does not appear that the 2020 Yamaha Tracer 700 will be offered in the U.S.
Yamaha Announces 2020 Carryover Models
Not every model needs a complete makeover every year, and today, Yamaha released the information about its 2020 carryover models. Here, you’ll find three classes of motorcycles. First, the Touring models of adventure and sport persuasions. Then we get Yamaha’s Hypernakeds. Finally, the Sports Heritage models for you Faster Sons (and Daughters) out there.
Church of MO: 2009 BMW K1300S Review
Before there was S1000RR or R, before anyone thought BMW would ever compete in World Superbike, before the six-cylinders and at the dawn of ESA and a thousand other acronyms, there was this 560-pound beast. From Flying Brick to HP4 trick, this powerful sport-tourer bridged the gap. Cue Ride of the Valkyries. Amen.
Honda's Next Superbike Will Be Called the CBR1000RR-R
How do you make a sportbike go faster? Just add another R to it’s name.
2020 Aprilia RS 660 Confirmed for EICMA
Aprilia confirmed it will present the RS 660 at EICMA, releasing an image of the sportbike cloaked in shadow over its social media channels. The production model 2020 Aprilia RS 660 has the potential to shake up the moribund supersport class that in recent years has consisted mostly of small updates like the Kawasaki ZX-6R and limited edition models like the Triumph Daytona 765.
2020 Indian Challenger Review – First Ride
What exactly the hell is the meaning of this, letting a 30-year old kid be the Powertrain Project Engineer for an all-new bagger? What could a callow youth who roadraces a 15-year old GSX-R600 and rides a Tuono on the street, possibly know about the bagger mentality? When they’re not tearing around on sportbikes (and Indians!) because the snow’s too deep up in Minnesota, that 30-year old engineer (who only spoke to us on condition of anonymity) and Product Director Josh Katt are plotting mostly legal routes to get to work on Polaris snowmobiles. If that’s not heretical enough, Indian put a Swedish guy who designed BMW motorcycles for 15 years in charge of design – Ola Stenegard.
Riding, And Racing, The Lightfighter LFR19 Electric Motorcycle - Part 1
The history book (or Wikipedia page, if that’s your thing) on electric motorcycles is rather slim, especially compared to its internal combustion counterparts, but what you’ll find is a myriad of ideas and concepts. Such is the beauty of a technology in its infancy. The section on electric racing motorcycles is even thinner. If you discount the inaugural MotoE championship running alongside MotoGP this year, the biggest stage for electric racing motorcycles has been the Isle of Man TT Zero race, wherein each entry tries to complete one full lap around the 37-mile course as fast as possible. Well, it was until the event was put on hold for at least two years. The machines you would have found at the TT Zero are full of ideas and concepts to win the race, but the one constant is the fact the batteries dominate the vehicle’s overall design. It’s understandable, considering you need a lot of battery to travel nearly 40 miles at 150-plus miles per hour.
CARB Filings Confirm New 2020 Triumph Models
The California Air Resources Board has published executive orders certifying a number of unannounced 2020 Triumph models. These include the Thruxton RS, which Triumph has already started teasing, a couple of Bud Ekins tribute Bonnevilles and two new versions of the Tiger 1200.