MV Agusta revealed two new adventure bike “projects” at EICMA, the Lucky Explorer Project 9.5 shown here, and the smaller Lucky Explorer Project 5.5. Both models appear ready for production, but the “Project” in the name implies they are still prototypes, and it’s unclear whether they will eventually be sold with the Lucky Explorer name, or if they’ll actually be named for the bike that influenced their design: the Cagiva Elefant.

The Elefant’s influence is clear in the design of the 9.5 and 5.5, with the graphics drawing inspiration from the original Dakar Racer’s Lucky Explorer logo. The original Elefant was a Cagiva, the brand that eventually became MV Agusta, but it’s not the only company with ties to the bike. Ducati produced the Elefant’s engine, during a period where it was owned by MV, and it is coming out with its own Elefant-inspired adventure bike in the DesertX. That’s an automatic shoot-out in the making right there.

Just a few years after it was (re)introduced, Suzuki has announced an updated version of the Katana, which is based on the updated 2021 GSX-S1000. Suzuki says the new Euro5-compliant Katana now makes approximately 150 horsepower. Better still, the new engine makes a broader spread of torque across the entire rev range. This is done via new intake and exhaust camshafts, new valve springs, a new exhaust, and a new airbox.

Getting the power to the ground can be done in three different intensities thanks to Suzuki’s Drive Mode Selector. All three modes deliver the same peak power, but the further down the alphabet you go, the softer the initial power delivery becomes.

We saw a bunch of Honda X-ADV scooters on our pass through Rome a few weeks ago, and felt jealousy. When American Honda invited us to ride a new minimoto last week, we hoped against hope… alas, it was the Navi. For the new year, we can be even more covetous, as Honda Europe now has an ADV350 that’s bigger, badder, and cooler.

Who could forget MO‘s exclusive first test of the Kawasaki H2 SX SE way back yonder in 2018? Some of us would like to forget the first couple minutes of the video, but we maybe got carried away, and were forced to wax poetic by what a fantastic sport-touring conveyance that bike was. Is. The supercharger (just as we re-learned with the Z H2 in last week’s big nakeds comparison) imbued that bike with midrange torque far beyond what you’d expect from its 999 cc displacement – 89 lb-ft at the wheel – as well as truly nostril-flaring horsepower – 172 at just 10,300 rpm. Superb suspenders, electronic aids, long-days comfort, and outstanding Rivermark fit/finish put us over the top. It all made very short work of picking MO‘s Best Sport-Tourer of 2018.

We’ve loved the Kawasaki Versys 650 for a long time. Maybe too long? For 2022, the midsized Versatile System gets a bunch of upgrades to boost it into the modern era – electronic cruise control being not one of them. Perfect for all you who eschew modern comforts.

But you do get traction control, a new Bluetoothable TFT display, and an adjustable windshield – all for just $8,899. Kick in another $1100 for the Versys 650 LT, and you’ll also possess handguards and a 28-liter Kawasaki Quick Release hard saddlebag set that uses Kawasaki’s One Key System. Each bag will ingest a full face helmet.

What? You don’t know who Feng Chen Wang is? Well, She was born in Fujian, a province in southeastern China, and travelled to London. In just a few years, she’s established herself as a cutting-edge stylist. Her work pursues a style that is conceptual, distinct and functional, based on aesthetic values drawn from her Chinese roots. She keeps busy coming up with designs for brands like Nike, Converse, UGG, Levi’s – and now it’s Piaggio 1’s turn. Get with it why don’t you?

The Honda Fireblade celebrates its 30th anniversary of production with an updated model for 2022, and a limited edition livery for the CBR1000RR-R SP.

Aprilia unveiled a new Factory version of the Tuono 660, equipping it with improved suspension and a lightweight lithium-ion battery.

To celebrate its successful campaign in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup, Aprilia is releasing a new limited edition RS 660 in stars and stripes livery.

After teasing us with a preview of the new 2022 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello in September, the Piaggio Group released further details on the new sport-touring model at EICMA.

You really haven’t lived until you’ve been on back of a big-bore Vespa driven by a blissfully unaware person who just got her motorcycle license, pounding semi-floatingly over the expansion joints of an LA freeway at top speed on those tiny tires. Say, does the front end feel a bit light up there? No, that’s just our spirits, dear.

This news should come as a surprise to nobody, but it’s still equally as exciting to finally get the official confirmation: Yamaha is bringing an updated MT-10 to the US. Maybe more exciting is the announcement that Yamaha is also bringing an MT-10 SP here as well. We reported earlier this month that a new MT-10 was coming, but at the time, the report was only confirmed for Europe. Now the US can rest assured it’s coming here, too.

Jeez, people, have we really gotten this crusty? After I posted a pic of the new Honda Navi on my Facebook a couple days ago (cause that’s how crusty I am) at its SoCal coming-out party, my old pals pounced. “A face, body, and everything only a mother could love”, “another Honda styled by tupperware.” “Ugly. Looks like I picked a good time to retire,” said one recently retired Editor in Chief. “My Trail 90 looks really good today,” said another.

Welcome to Motorcycle.com’s 2021 Heavyweight Naked bike Shootout. If you haven’t noticed, 2021 has been the year of naked bike shootouts here at MO. We’re dubbing it Motorcycle.com’s Naked Summer, and it has all been building up to this moment – seven of the biggest, baddest naked bikes on the market today. We’ve teased the bikes on our Youtube channel for days now, and we’ll also assume you’ve already seen the specs for these seven monsters in our Spec Sheet Shootout, expertly crafted by Dennis Chung.

2021 Six-Way, 900(Ish)Cc Naked Bike Shootout!

2021 MO Middleweight Naked Bike Shootout – Six Bikes!

2021 Lightweight Naked Bike Shootout Smackdown Comparo Review

The players? Well, check them out for yourselves:

Ducati introduced the Multistrada 950 back in 2017 as a stepping stone into the Multistrada world. For 2022, Ducati wanted to make that move even easier, with a more accessible Multi V2, thanks to new and rider-friendly ergonomics, a thinner and lower seat, and a significant weight saving of 11 pounds. They also supply it in a 35kW (47 hp) format for A2 license holders in Europe.

Ducati haven’t tried to rewrite a proven recipe, but simply improved the existing model with small but significant changes like a lighter clutch, a roomier riding position (there is 0.4 inches more between pegs and seat), and a large saving on unsprung weight, thanks to 3.7 pounds-lighter wheels from the premium Multistrada V4.

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R is getting a new EVO variant for 2022, adding semi-active suspension to what was already a very potent package.

As we discussed in our 2021 Heavyweight Naked Bike Spec Shootout, the 1290 Super Duke R (along with the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS) is one of the few bikes in the comparison that does not offer some form of electronic suspension.

We’ve all been there. You want a new motorcycle, but you’re scared a Grom might be a little too much for you to handle. A man’s got to know his limitations, as Clint Eastwood famously said (but he also meant woman, child, and all other people however they identify).

Honda says its Navi is just the thing, then, nicely splitting the difference between the bigger, faster Grom and the smaller, less powerful Ruckus. Its 109.2 cc engine gives it plenty of pep, while its low seat, 236-pound weight, full-auto transmission, and built-in storage mean it couldn’t be simpler to operate, or more convenient for short hops.

The coolest part might be the kickstarter. Or, it might be the $1,807 bottom line. Like, that’s probably cheaper than catching the bus. And you almost couldn’t have a smaller carbon footprint than 110 mpg.

Anyway, the Navi seems like a great way to ease into motorcycling, if you’re just easing into it. Or, a great little runabout for when you don’t want to fire up the Gold Wing. It’s already been available in other parts of the world since 2016, but ironically, it’s now discontinued in India where it was first introduced only to resurface here.

Honda also announced the following 2022 models: Gold Wing, NC750X, Rebel 1100, Fury, and CBR600RR.

Honda Press Release:

The main beauty of Sardinia is the almost complete lack of Sardinians, which makes it hard to explain why the twisty roads that connect the villages on the Mediterranean’s second-biggest island are so perfectly maintained. The new Aprilia Tuareg 660 is up for all of them. There’s a lot of second and third gear work in there, which the optional quickshifter makes quick work of, and even the occasional first-gear corner when the fur is flying – also not a problem.

MO’s string of naked motorcycle shootouts continues, and this time we saved the best for last.

We started things off in June with the middleweight class, seeing the Triumph Trident 660 emerge from a six-bike shootout. In August, we moved up a weight class and saw the Yamaha MT-09 come out ahead in another six-motorcycle dog fight. For September, we witnessed KTM’s 390 Duke top a field of five lightweight nakeds.

As we approach the middle of November, it’s time to bring out the big guns. We’ve got a battle royale featuring seven heavyweight naked models. Our contenders: the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory, the BMW S1000R, the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S, the Kawasaki Z H2 SE, the KTM 1290 Super Duke R, the MV Agusta Brutale 1000RR, and the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS.

Ordinarily, we try to group motorcycles with a similar price point, but we had to forget about that for this grouping. You can blame MV Agusta for that, with its $33,800 MSRP for the Brutale 1000RR. That’s a $8,605 premium over the second most expensive bike, Ducati’s $25,195 Streetfighter V4 S.

Today, Ducati announced the creation of a new family of motorcycles by expanding the Streetfighter line to include two new members. The first is an all-new model the Streetfighter V2, which Ducati is describing as the gateway into the Streetfighter family. From the V2 moniker, it’s not much of a stretch to figure out where the engine came from, but we’ll get to that in a minute. The second entry into the line is the upscale Streetfighter V4 SP, which takes the V4 S and turns it up to 11 (much in the way that the modified V4 S we recently tested did). So, let’s take a look at the new Ducatis on the block.

Yamaha Motor Europe announced a redesigned MT-10 for 2022, updating the engine to meet Euro 5 and adding a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit. As of this writing, the 2022 MT-10 has not been confirmed for the U.S., but we expect that will happen soon.

Visually, Yamaha gave the MT-10 a styling refresh, giving it a new, less-angular face. The new MT-10 looks a bit less like a Transformer thanks to some rounder edges, but those who didn’t like the old styling probably still won’t be fans of the new look. Yamaha also removed some bodywork to expose more of the aluminum Deltabox chassis.

Triumph announced four new special edition models, each featuring a special livery that will only be offered for the 2022 model year.

The 2022 special edition models are the Street Twin EC1, Thruxton RS Ton Up and the 221 Edition Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT. Each SE model is mechanically the same as their respective regular versions, but featuring a unique livery.

The special edition models will arrive in U.S. dealerships in January 2022, each carrying a premium of $750-$900 over the MSRP for the regular models.

Dear Ryan Adams,

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say thanks that your vacation plans totally shat on your chance to compare Husqvarna‘s all-new entry into the Middleweight Adventure Touring category, the 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901. I know how you were looking forward to traveling to the Azores to sample what might be a game-changer for the Swedish-turned-Austrian brand, which has experienced a remarkable renaissance under the wing of PIERER Mobility AG.

Frankly, dude, other than not having to endure pissing-down rain on the first day, you missed out.

Pardon us for being a year early with this only-24-years ago piece by Mr. Schvetz. But when in Rome, as we are for an exciting press event, do as the Romans and bend the rules a little. Not just a review of Vespa’s new 1997 Vespa 125cc ET4 four-stroke, this was also the 50th birthday party of Italy’s own Model T, and therefore a good excuse for a quick stroll down Vespa history lane. Take it away, Yossef.

It’s all about the batteries, and Zero says its new tech makes a 20% increase in capacity possible, setting a new high-water mark for onboard battery capacity and delivering an industry-leading 227 miles of city range/ 113 miles at 70 mph. ZERO’s latest Cypher III+ operating system comes standard on 2022 SR/F, SR/S and the all-new 2022 SR models, and will allow owners of those bikes to access a bunch of range, performance, and feature upgrades with the tap of a finger on the app or at www.zeromotorcycles.com/cypherstore. Faster Charging, extended range, speed and performance boost, park mode (reverse!), heated grips, and on-dash navigation are all optional for 2022 SR/S, SR/F, and SRs, with more features and expanded model compatibility to come.

ZERO Press Release:

There’s no shortage of expensive, big-displacement, powerful Adventure-Touring motorcycles. Then there’s the mid-displacement segment that is oftentimes only marginally less expensive. Further down this segment, though, exists a sub-category of lightweight, affordable, small-displacement models that are oftentimes overshadowed by their aforementioned counterparts. It’s here where the 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan resides along with BMW’s G310GS and CSC’s RX4 Adventure among others.

Yamaha Motor Europe announced a new XSR900 model, giving the retro-styled roadster updates similar to the changes received by the MT-09 last year. That includes an 889cc inline Triple and new Deltabox-style frame. As of this writing, the new 2022 Yamaha XSR900 has not been announced for the U.S., but we expect to get news on that front soon.

Visually, the XSR900 received a makeover even more drastic than the one Yamaha gave the MT-09. When combining pictures for our image juxtaposition sliders like the one below, I try to find some common points to get the two scaled and lined up to form a good comparison. Usually, I rely on the crankcases, engine mounting points or frame as points of reference. In this case, the only common element I could reliably use was the 17-inch front wheel.

Indian announced new colors and other updates to the cruiser, bagger and touring models returning for 2022.

Two years after it debuted at EICMA as a concept model, the Husqvarna Norden 901 adventure-tourer is now ready for production, arriving in U.S. dealerships this month with a $13,999 base price.

The 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 shares much in common with its corporate cousin, the KTM 890 Adventure, including a similar chromium-molybdenum steel frame, steel trellis subframe, saddle-shaped fuel tank design and liquid-cooled 889cc DOHC Parallel-Twin.

Where the Norden differs is its rally-inspired bodywork compared to the KTM’s more dirtbike-inspired styling. The front fairing integrates the circular LED headlight and fog lights while keeping a slim profile for aerodynamic efficiency.

The Honda Helix came to the US in 1986 and ran `til 2007; MO gave it the old once-over 25 years ago. With its long wheelbase and massive 244 cc performance, the Helix achieved cult status in Japan, and weenie status here in the land of the free. Hey, it was 1996! With a nose that appears to have served as the model for Matt Groening’s Simpsons characters, the Honda Helix still looks every bit as weird today as it did then. You know you want one.

Motorcycles aren’t allowed to race the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb any more, and it’s been three years since the Multistrada last won it, but that hasn’t stopped Ducati from producing another new Pikes Peak model, this time based on the Multistrada V4.

The 2022 Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak comes equipped with 17-inch Marchesini forged aluminum wheels that Ducati claims are 6.0 pounds lighter than the Multistrada V4 S’ wheels. In typical Ducati sportbike fashion, the rear wheel is mounted to a singled-sided swingarm.

Reflecting its sportier disposition, the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak features a dedicated livery inspired by Ducati’s Desmosedici GP ’21 (though I don’t recall the MotoGP race bike bearing a #1 license plate…).

Instead of the Ducati Skyhook Suspension offered on the Multistrada V4 S, the Pikes Peak model comes equipped with Öhlins suspension, including the Smart EC 2.0 semi-active system. The same suspension as the Panigale V4 S and Streetfighter V4 S, Smart EC 2.0 automatically adjusts compression and rebound damping to suit the riding style, whereas the Skyhook system adapts to compensate for road conditions. Suspension travel is 6.7 inches for both wheels.

As we previously reported, BMW has updated its K1600 models for 2022, revising the six-cylinder engine to meet the Euro 5 emissions standard and adding a number of small but notable upgrades.

For 2022, the K1600 range will again consist of the sportier K1600GT, the more touring-focused K1600GTL and the streamlined K1600B bagger. The K1600 Grand America also returns as an optional package for the K1600B.

Visually, the 2022 models don’t look too different from the previous version. As illustrated in the juxtaposed images below, the windscreen has been reshaped and the headlight is a much smaller design than the previous model. The radio antenna is also missing, now fully integrated into the bodywork for a more streamlined look.

Following the introduction of the limited edition Street Twin Gold Line model, Triumph announced it is giving the rest of its modern classics the same treatment. Unlike the Street Twin, of which only 1,000 units were produced and promptly sold, the new Gold Line Edition models will be produced only for the 2022 model year and will not be limited to a specific number.

The eight models receiving a special edition Gold Line Edition are:

We were kicking candidates back and forth for this year’s MOTY awards, when somebody threw out as a possible Best Standard the Honda NC750X. Hey wait a minute, I’m the only guy around here who ever liked the NC! Maybe my stately mature influence is rubbing off on the kids at last? For me, it was love at first ride of the original NC700X, way back in 2012. By then, I guess I’d been subjected to enough compromising positions on exotic high-maintenance motorcycles to appreciate the NC’s practical advantages and comfort – and I wasn’t even doing any of the maintaining.

Honda Europe revealed the new 2022 NT1100, a street-focused tourer based on the CRF1100L adventure bike. As of this writing, the NT1100 has only been announced for Europe, but we hope to see it come to North America eventually.

Visually, the NT1100’s design resembles the NT700V (a.k.a. the Deauville), which was last offered in the U.S. in 2013. The fairing is designed for touring comfort, and stands in contrast to the recent industry trend of sport-tourers with adventure-inspired styling. The windscreen is five-way adjustable for height and angle, and it’s supplemented with wind deflectors on either side.

Cruise control and heated grips come standard, as are the integrated detachable panniers. The cases are designed to be slim, with a maximum width of 35.4 inches at their widest point. The left case holds 8.7 gallons while the right is slightly smaller at 8.4 gallons, to create more clearance from the exhaust. Honda claims the NT1100 will get 47 mpg which, combined with the 5.4-gallon fuel tank, would mean a range of about 253 miles.

At the beginning of this month, Kawasaki Heavy Industries officially spun off its motorcycle and engine business into a separate company. The move was supposed to give the newly formed Kawasaki Motors, Ltd., greater autonomy and flexibility in decision making. Well, it didn’t take long to demonstrate those benefits, as Kawasaki Motors held a presentation on the company’s future, including an ambitious plan to become carbon neutral, with a slate of new electric, hybrid and even hydrogen-powered models in the works.

Kawasaki says it will introduce at least 10 electric or hybrid electric motorcycles by 2025, with a goal of making all major models for developed markets battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) by 2035. And that’s just looking at motorcycles. Kawasaki has similar goals for its four-wheeled off-road vehicles, with five BEV or HEV side-by-sides and ATVs by 2025. The company also showed off a prototype motor based on the Ninja’s engine that is fueled by hydrogen.

Admit it. You’ve shopped for a motorcycle before and have probably thought to yourself, “what if I checked every option off the list and put it on this bike?” It would be something, wouldn’t it? To have the ultimate version of a motorcycle is the kind of thing dreams are made of. Imagine a world where you spared no expense on your bike and slapped on only the best parts money could buy. Some of us are lucky enough to see that dream become reality. Others, meanwhile, think more modestly and are just happy with the bike we have.

I make it a point to tell everyone who is willing to listen (and even some who aren’t) how much fun the new Yamaha R7 is. While most people get up in arms about the name of the bike, I’m over here having a blast actually riding the thing, preferably at a race track. I said as much during my First Ride Review of the R7 back in May, too. What the R7 brings to the table in terms of elevating the MT-07 platform for track duty – all for under $9000 – is truly impressive. 

Honda Europe released a teaser video across its social media channels for what is expected to be the NT1100, a sport-tourer based on the Africa Twin. According to the video, the 2022 Honda NT1100 will be revealed on Oct. 21. As of this writing, American Honda hasn’t take part in the teaser campaign, but we suspect there will be a separate launch window should the NT1100 be brought to the U.S.

Indian Motorcycle is preparing to launch a new touring model for 2022 powered by the same liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine introduced on the Challenger. The new model will be called the Pursuit and will be offered in Limited and Dark Horse variants, with an optional Premium Package.

We first broke the news when Indian filed a trademark application for the name Pursuit last year. The name was filed alongside another trademark application for “Guardian.” At the time, we mused that the Pursuit may use the 1768cc PowerPlus engine. We can now confirm this is the case, thanks to Vehicle Identification Number data Indian submitted to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The R18 Transcontinental and R18 Bagger have been getting a lot of attention lately, as BMW‘s foray into large-displacement cruiser touring segment. Getting somewhat lost, however, are BMW’s existing  K1600 range, which used to be the company’s representatives in the touring category. While still part of BMW’s lineup, the six-cylinder models have not been updated since the 2017 model year, not even receiving any changes to meet Euro 5 standards that came into effect last year.

BMW may be about to rectify the situation, as we expect a new K1600GTL, K1600GT and K1600B for 2022. The information comes to us via German certification data which confirms new, lower emissions numbers for the three models (the fate of the K1600 Grand America, however, remains to be determined.) According to the German certifications, the updated K1600 models produce the same claimed power output of 158 hp, but significantly lower carbon oxide and hydrocarbon emissions, as the current engine.

The German document doesn’t offer any clues about other changes, but we’d be surprised if BMW didn’t also give the updated K1600 models the latest technology, including radar-based cruise control and a 10.25-inch TFT display.

After giving us a glimpse of a pre-production prototype in August, Triumph officially revealed its new Tiger Sport 660. Sharing the same platform as the Trident 660 roadster, the 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a middleweight “adventure sports” model, claiming class-leading power and low cost of ownership.

By “adventure sports”, of course, we’re talking about sport-touring models that are styled after true ADVs rather than sportbikes. Like the Trident does for its roadster line, Triumph also sees the Tiger Sport 660 as an entry point for the larger and more adventure-ready Tiger models in its lineup. Triumph is thus positioning the Tiger Sport 660 against the likes of the Kawasaki Versys 650 and, in Europe, the Yamaha Tracer 7. Cross shoppers might also be considering the Suzuki V-Strom 650, which may be a bit more capable off-road, but the Tiger probably won’t compete as well in the dirt against the Yamaha Ténéré 700 or theupcoming Aprilia Tuareg 660.

What? Where was I ten years ago when the FZ8 got here? O, that’s right, Cycle World. No wonder I blocked it out. 

“In short, the mission was to create a versatile and economical bike that comes closer than ever to letting riders with sporting inclinations have their cake and eat it too. After sampling an FZ8 for nearly 130 miles, in conditions varying from highways to canyons to around town, we would say that this new machine could certainly fit the bill.”

That’s what we call “damning with faint praise,” I think. Just in the nick, Yamaha’s FZ-09 triple arrived in 2014.

Ducati updated its mid-sized adventure bike for 2022, reducing its weight, improving the ergonomics and updating the engine while renaming it from the Multistrada 950 to the Multistrada V2.

The new name reasserts its relationship to the Multistrada V4 as a difference in cylinder configuration rather than displacement, a pattern we’ve already seen Ducati adopt with its Panigale models and, eventually, the Streetfighter, which we expect to get a smaller displacement V-Twin version later this month.

The Buell Motorcycle Co.’s comeback is ready to begin, with the revived brand announcing production of the new 2022 Hammerhead 1190 superbike set to begin on Nov. 1. Based on the EBR 1190RX, the Hammerhead will be produced in Grand Rapids, Mich., and offered through an online reservation and delivery system called “Buellvana”, which the company will detail further on Oct. 21.

After a brief teaser campaign, Kawasaki has revealed the new Z650RS, its third “retro sport” model following the Z900RS and Z900RS Cafe. The 2022 Z650RS is based on the Z650 model but is styled to resemble the 1977 Z650-B1, a.k.a. the “Son of Z1”. At the moment, the Z650RS has not been confirmed for the U.S. market, but we expect it will be part of a larger launch event planned by Kawasaki Motor Corp. U.S.A. for Oct. 5.

The Z650RS makes use of Kawasaki’s tried and tested 650 Parallel-Twin engine that has powered a diverse range of models including the Z650, Ninja 650, Versys 650 and Vulcan S. Its claimed maximum output of 67.3 hp at 8000 rpm and 47.2 lb-ft. at 6700 rpm are identical to the Z650, as are the assist and slipper clutch and six-speed transmission.

You know what they say: It’s more fun to ride a slow motorcycle fast than a fast motorcycle slow. Yet another example of conventional wisdom baloney. It’s actually more fun to ride a fast bike fast, or even a medium-fast one. I’m pretty sure that’s why they keep building faster motorcycles all the time. Heck, you could argue faster bikes are also safer, because power can get you out of trouble just as easily as it can get you into it (once you’ve learned to ride, that is). And power can launch you out of corners, instead of incentivizing you to cling to every mph when you’re diving into them the way slow bikes do when ridden in packs of MOrons. Have you seen a Moto3 race? They’re faster mid-corner than the Moto2 or MotoGP bikes.

Battle Royale: 7-Way Heavyweight Naked Bike Shootout – Street

2021 Six-Way, 900(Ish)Cc Naked Bike Shootout!

2021 MO Middleweight Naked Bike Shootout – Six Bikes!

Then again, you can probably trust that front tire since all these bikes weigh well under 400 pounds. And you’re definitely not braking into those corners from triple-digit speeds, so how bad could it be? Well. It takes a certain lack of imagination, like the famous race car driver said, to ride these quickly on the street.

But these aren’t just motorcycles for sport riding. Little bikes are a blast in urban areas where space is at a premium, and with what you save in gas and tires, they probably pencil out not bad against public transportation.

Suzuki launched this cruise missile in 2006, right when the US housing market was experiencing a little froth, and every new three-car garage in the land needed a big custom cruiser. Can we get stucco? O how you can  get stucco! A liquid-cooled 1783cc V-twin (109 ci) in a 764-pound package was the recipe, and in 2011 this Limited Edition baby was even badder to the bone. Suzuki will still sell you a brand new one for $15,299. Take it away, Joshua Placa…

Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. announced on its official website that it will be revealing six new 2022 vehicles on Oct. 5, with another three motorcycles to be revealed Nov. 23 (which would fall during EICMA).

All nine vehicles (eight motorcycles and one Jet Ski) are pictured, each under a cover, with a countdown timer ticking away the minutes until the Oct. 5 reveal. It’s also worth noting that announcement is only for Kawasaki U.S.A., meaning some of the models may have already been revealed for other markets. The Nov. 23 reveals are more likely to be world premieres.

Though it is tempting to form hypotheses by analyzing the shapes of the covers, it’s important to note that they appear to be completely digital, Photoshopped onto profile shots of motorcycles. The pattern of folds on the bikes in the front row are far too similar to be a coincidence, with just a bit of tweaking to make them look a little different (the middle two on the front row in particular are nearly identical but for a bit of airbrushing around where the mirrors stick out).

The parts of the motorcycles we do see, however, are more telling of what to expect. Of the eight motorcycles, we can only see a portion of the front wheel on five of them, and part of an exhaust system and rear wheel of another. The two motorcycles next to the Jet Ski have wire spoke wheels, with the nearest one sporting knobby tires.

These small glimpses, plus a look at what Kawasaki has and has yet to reveal for 2022, plus some information from other sources, we can make a few educated guesses as to what they will be.

We expect one of the models to be confirmed Oct. 5 to be the Z650RS. Kawasaki has been teasing the retro version of the Z650 across its social media networks in international markets, with reveal set for Sept. 27. Kawasaki’s U.S. accounts, however, have not been taking part in the teaser campaign. As we’ve previously reported, Kawasaki has submitted emissions certification data with the California Air Resources Board, as well as with the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration for a motorcycle with the model code ER650M, which we believe to be for the Z650RS.

Ducati announced a slate of 2022 new model announcements that will run every two weeks starting Sept. 30 and running through to Dec. 9. Each Ducati World Première event will be presented online on Ducati.com, YouTube and on other official social networks.

While Ducati hasn’t explicitly said what will be revealed in each episode, it did make it clear that the sixth and final episode will feature the DesertX, a brand new off-road focused adventure bike.

When Suzuki introduced its new GSX-S1000 earlier this year, we figured it was a matter of time before we saw a faired version to replace the GSX-S1000F. Well, Suzuki didn’t disappoint us, announcing a new 2022 GSX-S1000GT sport-tourer.

The GT will be a welcome option for those looking for a sport-touring motorcycle that looks like a sportbike instead of the recent trend of pseudo-adventure bike styling. The GSX-S1000GT’s closest competitor would probably be the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX. U.S. pricing remains to be determined, but in the U.K., Suzuki priced the GSX-S1000GT at £11,599, which is close to the Ninja’s £11,299 price (£11,499 for the premium paint options). That means we should expect something close to the Ninja 1000SX’s $12,599 price tag, or a bit more if you opt for the GSX-S1000GT+ version that comes with color-matched luggage.

(UPDATE: Suzuki has announced an MSRP of $13,149 for the GSX-S1000GT and $13,799 for the GSX-S1000GT+.)

After a lengthy pandemic-caused delay, the 25th James Bond film, “No Time to Die” is finally going to premiere in a matter of weeks (Oct. 8 in the U.S.). Triumph was a partner for the film, supplying a Scrambler 1200 and a Tiger 900 for key action sequences in the movie.

Last year, despite the film getting delayed, Triumph announced a limited edition Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition which quickly sold out. Big budget productions, especially high-profile ones like a new Bond film, typically have a lot of moving parts, with various marketing and commercial tie-in deals each moving on their own pace. With the bikes already in production and, at the time, no clear timeline for the film’s premiere, Triumph made the decision to release the Bond Edition Scrambler last May. The decision seemed justified as all 30 units allotted to the U.S. were quickly claimed.

For anyone who was interested but missed out, you’ll get another chance, as Triumph announced another Bond Edition model, this time centered around the Tiger 900 Rally Pro.

The definition of a sport-touring motorcycle has gotten a bit blurred lately with adventure-touring bikes encroaching on the space. A good bike in either genre agrees that you need to be able to pound out miles and do it in relative comfort. The difference comes when one decides to pursue sport over adventure.

I actually didn’t mind being seen on this “custom cruiser” ten years ago. Yamaha’s answer to the Honda Fury had the chopper look and sound, but offset triple clamps and a revvable, oversquare 1312cc V-twin with four-valve heads made it also a functional, fun-to-ride motorcycle. America must’ve agreed; a quick run through Cycle Trader finds prices about twice what I would’ve expected for a ten-year old Japanese cruiser. Or maybe Yamaha’s marketing ploy worked? It’s a STAR, man!

This year has been full of firsts for this father. My oldest left home to start her adult life on a university campus, and my youngest told me that she wanted to learn how to ride motorcycles. Guess which of those I’m going to write about here? For a 13-year-old, there is really only one option for piloting their own bike, and seemingly within minutes of her statement, I had her signed up for an MSF-certified off-road training with proper riding gear ordered and on the way. I didn’t want to miss the window of interest. The class run at the Colton Rider Education Center  sealed the deal from the moment she first eased out the clutch successfully. The bike she was learning on? A Honda CRF125F. 

We’ve known for some time that Kawasaki is working on a hybrid motorcycle, but a recently published patent suggests it may be combined another Kawasaki technology, a supercharger. More specifically, the patent describes an electrically-powered supercharger, with a motor capable of driving both the motorcycle and the supercharger’s impeller.

While notable on its own, the concepts in a patent don’t always manifest in an actual product, but a trademark application Kawasaki filed earlier this year suggests that a hybrid motorcycle with an electric supercharger may have already moved past the conceptual stage. On March 29, Kawasaki filed to trademark “E-BOOST” in Japan for a number of uses, including for hybrid and electric motorcycles. While we initially assumed the “boost” referred to an electrically assisted hybrid mode, we now believe it may in fact refer to the electric supercharger.

Kawasaki’s had supercharged motorcycles in its lineup for several years now, with the H2, H2R, H2 SX and Z H2, but they all use a compressor driven by the engine’s crankshaft via a chain. Instead of using a mechanical connection to the engine, an electric supercharger uses an electric motor to spin the impeller. In theory, an electric supercharger would work instantaneously, avoiding any delay in waiting for the engine to get up to speed.

The downside is an electric supercharger requires more parts, with a motor and a battery large enough to provide a supercharged boost as needed. For a gas-powered motorcycle, that’s a lot of added weight for what may be a marginal gain. With a hybrid motorcycle, however, those parts are already in place. If a hybrid is going to be heavier, Kawasaki figures, it may as well give those additional parts a secondary use.

After a thankfully brief teaser campaign, Triumph revealed its new Speed Triple 1200 RR, a modern café racer based on the naked Speed Triple 1200 RS.

Triumph did a lot more than just slap a partial fairing on the RS. While it’s still not a fully-faired sportbike (hence why it’s still a Speed Triple and not a Daytona), the RR is a much more track-focused machine than the RS. And that’s saying something.

The Kawasaki KLR has been kicking around since its first 600cc iteration in 1984. Despite being a strong seller for Team Green and developing a cult following over the decades, Kawasaki announced in 2018 that the old workhorse was being put out to pasture. Likely due to tightening emissions standards and other modern regulations, the KLR was put to rest briefly, only to be resurrected for the 2022 model year. With more than a handful of updates and welcome changes, the KLR 650 is back like it never left and will still occupy the simple, affordable adventure niche it had dug out for itself over the years. 

If this were any normal year, Moto Guzzi would be holding a big party this week to celebrate its 100th birthday. Because of the pandemic, however, the Piaggio-owned brand had to postpone its Moto Guzzi World Days 2021 Festival to 2022, celebrating its centennial on what would actually be its 101st year.

Nevertheless, Moto Guzzi proceeded to announce what would have been the highlight of the festival: a new Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello model and plans to build a new futuristic factory on its historic home in Mandello del Lario, Italy.