One does not simply walk off the street and into Honda Racing Corporation’s office, or any other major manufacturer’s building for that matter, and request to fill out an application to become the next MotoGP racer. Throwing a leg over a $2 million-dollar, 240-hp engineering work of art is reserved for those select few who were twisting throttles before they graduated from drinking out of baby bottles.

Amongst a variety of other unveils at the 45th annual Tokyo Motor Show this week, Yamaha displayed its latest version of Motobot, Ver.2. If you’re not already familiar with the Motobot, it’s an endeavor that Yamaha and SRI International have put their heads together on to create “a humanoid robot capable of autonomously riding a motorcycle around a racetrack.” The project began in 2015 when the Motobot Ver.1’s first objective was to run a top speed of 100 kph (62 mph) as well as navigate a slalom course and turn through a corner. Check, check and check.

Triumph announced it will reveal new Tiger models Nov. 7 at EICMA, bringing updates to its adventure bike lineup. Like most manufacturers do these days, Triumph released a short video teasing the new Tiger, and if you pay attention, you can notice some clues suggesting both the Tiger 800 and Tiger Explorer models are being replaced for 2018

All too often we post videos of people doing stupid things. They are usually good for a laugh. Other times, we post examples of what not to do. So, we have to wonder: Shouldn’t we also post instances of a rider and an automobile driver both doing the right thing?

The Island Classic is an annual vintage motorcycle festival held at the iconic Phillip Island circuit in Australia, and its headlining event is the International Challenge teams competition for bikes manufactured between 1973 and 1984. In years past, the event has been dominated by British and Australian teams, as American efforts have been thus far only modestly supported.

What is there to say about the 2018 MV Agusta Dragster 800 RC? Well, for starters, it’s art in motion. No, wait. Scratch that. It’s a red, white and green blur singing a beautiful harmony of three cylinders setting fire to a compressed air/fuel mixture at an incredible rate.

UPDATE: We’ve added a couple of shots of the Yamaha Niken from the Tokyo Motor Show.

Honda announced new electric and hybrid versions of its PCX scooters at the Tokyo Motor Show. Both are scheduled to go on sale as 2018 models in Asia, including Japan. For now, the only PCX in North America remains the PCX 150.

UPDATE: We’ve added some more photos of the Honda Neo Sports Cafe concept straight from the Tokyo Show floor.

UPDATE: We’ve added photos of the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 from to Tokyo Motor Show where it debuted.

UPDATE: We’ve added some shots of the new Z900RS from Kawasaki’s display at the Tokyo Motor Show, including some customized versions including one with several carbon fiber components.

Have you ever dreamt of riding 100 mph on a 100-year-old motorcycle with no brakes, clutch, transmission or any suspension? Me neither, but it sure does sound like fun… if you’re into that kind of thing.

The California Air Resources Board has issued an executive order certifying a 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 with a 399cc engine. The certification confirms what we assumed earlier this year after a local television news program aired a story about Kawasaki filming a commercial in Milwaukee, revealing the Ninja 400 name.

The motorcycle industry is currently in a transitional phase where older generations of motorcyclists are starting to hang up their leathers while manufacturers do their best to entice younger prospective riders to take up and enjoy our dear sport of motorcycling. The small-displacement market has been on the rise for some time, with several successful models within the 250cc-400cc range that aim to get beginner riders started.

We’re approaching the fall motorcycle show season and while most of the industry is focused on next month’s EICMA show, we can’t overlook the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show which begins next week. Naturally, Tokyo is an important show for the Japanese manufacturers, and Yamaha, for one, looks to have a big presence with six models – either concepts or production models – set to make their world premieres in Tokyo.

Lane-Splitting. It’s the practice of riding a motorcycle between rows of stopped or slow-moving traffic. You probably know that it’s been legal in California for many years, but what you may not know is that it’s explicitly or implicitly illegal in every other U.S. state.

Lane-Splitting or Filtering, as the practice of riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow or stopped traffic is called, has received lots of national attention. There is still quite a bit of misinformation out there, so here are some facts that may clear up this controversial issue.

Lane-splitting, as the practice of riding a motorcycle between lanes of stopped or slow-moving vehicles is called, is technically legal in just one U.S. state. That means there is no speed limit for lane-splitting, as you can’t do it legally at any speed! But in California, where it is legal, are there actual rules about how you do it?

With Kawasaki about to reveal a third supercharged motorcycle, another Japanese manufacturer is working on its own forced induction bike. A couple of patent applications recently published by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office reveal Honda is working on a motorcycle with a supercharged V-Twin engine with direct injection.

Have you ever dreamt of being able to ride your motorcycle anywhere and everywhere? Of course you have, as that’s probably one of the main reasons why you bought one in the first place – to adventure with! Motorcycles, simply put, are adventure machines. They’re obviously designed to take you places, however, motorcycles each have their own capabilities and limitations on where they can go and what they can do. For instance, you wouldn’t take your R1 or Gixxer down a long, rutted, dirt road or trail would you? Well, maybe you might, but it wouldn’t be ideal. A dual-sport or adventure bike would be much better suited for such a task. But even these bikes have their limits. However, one type of bike can do all the above while not only putting a giant smile on your face, but also on any onlookers who happen to see you too! I’m talking about minibikes here, people.

By now, we’ve probably all seen hundreds of on track crashes thanks to MotoGP, WSBK, and GoPro videos. The videos are often mounted on the bike offering the straight-ahead view as the bike slides and tumbles. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, the bike will spin on its side, showing the rider and other bikes on the track. With this crash video from Thunderhill posted by  SuperSpicnspan, on YouTube, viewers have the option of rotating the screen to see the crash from different angles. Want to see the ground sliding under the Kawasaki? Go ahead. What about following the rider? Yep. How about following the front of the bike as it augers in, snapping off the windscreen? A must see. Perhaps our favorite view, though, is how the bike goes over the camera as it tumbles. You can rotate the view to see the bike overhead and the ground below! Very cool.

Motorcycle luminary Roland Sands has long dreamed about bringing motorcycle racing to the heart of mainstream suburban SoCal, and the culmination of his work goes off this Saturday in a unique collision of moto and surf culture at Bolsa Chica beach, just north of Huntington Beach and south of Long Beach. Its promoters promise “a wave-shredding, fuel burning, hard-rocking extravaganza.”

Perhaps no group of motorbike aficionados appreciates special-edition models like fans of Italian sportbikes, and MV Agusta is back at it again with its limited-edition 2018 F4 RC superbike. The RC stands for Reparto Corse, which translates to Racing Department, a nod to MV’s efforts in the World Superbike championship with rider Leon Camier.

So, you think you’ve got throttle control and can get your motorcycle to do your bidding? Think again, Sparky. Although this video has been around a while, it still demonstrates jaw-dropping bike control technique that just might give even GOAT Valentino Rossi pause. Gymkhana ain’t easy, and notching a good time takes tons of skill. Your resident MOrons have even partaken of the sport a few times, but jeepers creepers, seeing this rider toss a CBR600RR around like it’s a little 125 sends chills down our collective spines. If you’ve got some time to kill, we can’t think of a better way than to give this video a couple viewings.

Vespa is proud to introduce a new model to their scooter lineup, The Sei Giorni. The new release from the famed Italian scooter company is designed to pay homage to the 1951 Vespa Sport Squadra Corse that won a gold medal, not once, but nine individual times in that year’s International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) held in Varese. The ISDE is a grueling test of the limits of both man and machine in an off-road environment. The completion awards bronze for merely completing the event in the allotted time. The more elusive silver is awarded to riders that finish within 25% of the class-winning time and the gold is awarded only to those that finish within the top 10%.

Just like dinosaurs, two-stroke motorcycles once ruled the earth but are now mostly a thing of the past (save for alligators and crocodiles, you can’t tell me those things aren’t dinosaurs.) Over the past 20 years or so, two-strokes have practically vanished from the streets due to the obvious environmental consequences and strict government emissions regulations. They have been replaced by cleaner, more reliable four-strokes however many people miss the sound, smell and sensation of a two-stroke hitting its power band… what a rush! We are left to nostalgically reminisce about a simpler time when you had to mix oil with your gas and keep a spare spark plug handy. Test your knowledge and see how well you remember the good ol’ days by identifying these two-smokers!

Hitting the road (or trail) on a motorcycle can make you feel like a modern day cowboy chasing the sun into a horizon of new experiences and foreign places. I think just about every motorcyclist will agree with me in saying that there’s an air of adventure that is inherently built into every bike. Whether it’s on or off-road, motorcycles can take you places in a way other vehicles cannot.

There’s no denying that Supermoto is one of the most intriguing forms of motorcycling. It combines the best of motocross, flat track and road-racing. The light weight, speed and agility of a dirt bike paired with the glue-like traction of road-racing slicks can make any Average-Joe feel like a MotoGP superstar. Add professional skills into the mix and you’ve got yourself one helluva two-wheeled spectacle.

The big news from Kawasaki last week was the return of the KLX250 dual sport, now available with fuel injection. Along with the KLX250, Kawasaki announced several returning 2018 models with new colors.

Retired racer and Dorna‘s MotoGP race direction representative Loris Capirossi recently completed a private test of the Saroléa SP7 electric race bike to judge its candidacy for the spec bike for MotoGP’s upcoming electric class.

These days technology is developing faster than ever, and just when you’ve saved up enough hard-earned cash and purchased the latest and greatest gadget, a better, faster, sleeker model hits the market and renders yours a dinosaur. Damn it! On September 13th, Tokyo-based company Borderless Inc. launched a Kickstarter campaign for its newest design – the CrossHelmet X1, a smart helmet that features an integrated heads-up display (HUD) with claimed 360-degree field of view, ambient sound control and Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone. The crowd-funding campaign has since amounted over $277,000 – almost three times its goal – and continues to rise even as I write this.

This just in from the “I wish they had these when I was a kid” Department: The Stacyc Electric Balance Bike is almost too cool for words. In recent years, we’ve seen balance bikes gain in popularity among parents who want to introduce young children to bicycles in a safe, confidence-inspiring way. The low seat height allows kids as young as two years old to sit on the seat and propel the bike by walking. So, what’s a father looking for a way to involve his son in his love of motorcycles to do? If your name is Ryan Ragland, you combine the strengths of a balance bike with a battery-powered electric motor and create the Stacyc Electric Balance Bike.

As an editor, it often pains me to read for-sale motorcycle ads written by marginally literate owners who are incapable of spelling properly, let alone making an ad fun to read. That changed for me after seeing a recent Craigslist listing (thanks to loyal reader Old MOron for the lead!) for a used Honda Pacific Coast 800, which contains wit and humor strong enough for publication.

The Spanish city of Madrid hosted a celebration of the life of 12+1 World Champion, Angel Nieto. Nieto would always refer to his 13 world championship titles as 12+1 due to the superstition of 13 being an unlucky number.  Out of respect, fans around the world would do the same. 

As roadracing fans, we know that the top racers ride that ragged edge between control and total mayhem. Often, when they cross over the line, they can gather the bike back up seemingly by bending the laws of physics. Then on other occasions, everything goes horribly wrong. Tom Sykes’ fiery crash during the final practice of this weekend’s WSBK event in Portimao provides a perfect example. While the crash is brutal and seems to go on forever, Sykes escaped with only a broken and dislocated pinky finger, presumably from when his hand thrusts between the front tire and the fender as he tumbles on top of his ZX-10RR (shown above). While he was chomping at the bit to race after having his finger temporarily repaired, the medical staff declared him unfit to race for the weekend.

Motorcycle related video games are few and far-between, which is why MO tries to let its readers know whenever we see a new release on the horizon. So start exercising those thumbs and be sure to stock up on plenty of Mountain Dew because the good folks at THQ Nordic and Rainbow Studios are finalizing their newest game from the MX vs. ATV series that will be ready for release in early 2018. The game will be available for your PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC’s.

Motorcycling has always been more of a male dominated sport, and I think that’s the result of the obviously inherent dangers that come with the territory of swinging a leg over a bike. If you actually think about it, the idea of riding a motorcycle is pretty crazy. When you’re going down the road, assuming your tires are properly inflated, there’s only about a square inch of rubber on each tire that’s touching the ground at any given moment. Yet somehow, we are able to control the bike with great precision and steer it in any direction we choose. And then there’s the obvious risk of being completely out in the open with no sort of a cage around you, which is the main factor why people are hesitant to ride. Despite this being a fact of life, more and more girls are jumping on bikes and doing incredibly impressive things.

Reparto Veicoli Speciali #1, which was designed in coordination with the Castiglioni’s own C.R.C. (Castiglioni Research Centre), translates to, “Special Vehicles Department #1”. When a motorcycle manufacturer whose slogan is “Motorcycle Art” assigns a department to something special you can bet on the production of a unique, and extreme machine.

We’re now mid-way through September which means we’re well into the time of year that manufacturers announce their new models. By this point, America’s two heavyweight cruiser brands Harley-Davidson and Indian have already announced their 2018 lineups, but for the first time in nearly two decades, there were no Victory model announcements.

See that gaping hole above? That’s the exit wound from a thrown con-rod after a Kawasaki Ninja H2‘s engine blows on a drag strip. Fortunately, the rider was able to maintain control at such a high speed and coax the H2 to a stop.

Riders entering the ranks of motorcyclists often face a bewildering cascade of unique terms – and that’s before we consider the alphabet soup of motorcycle names. Perhaps no motorcycling descriptor confuses neophytes more than “friction zone.” However, new riders will never be able to smoothly pull away from a stop without a proper understanding of what the friction zone represents and how to use it correctly.

OK, boys and girls, repeat after me: “Do not engage with idiots. They can be dangerous…and possibly have even crazier friends who are armed.”

Triumph has released an update on the development of its Moto2 engine, showing for the first time a prototype undergoing tests at the Ciudad del Motor de Aragon circuit. Triumph is set to replace Honda as the sole engine supplier for the Moto2 World Championship in 2019, using a motor based on the 765cc Inline-Three powering the Street Triple RS.

All riders know that motorcycles are inherently less stable than automobiles. So, when we ride our shiny new bike away from the dealership, we begin the life-long task of attempting to keep our motorcycle from achieving its natural position. What is a motorcycle’s natural position, you ask? Why, that would be lying on its side. Our motorcycles depend on us to stay upright. It is our sacred task.

Riding a motorcycle all the way to the Arctic Ocean is a bucket list item for many motorcyclists. As one who has taken this trip, I can attest to its beauty and challenges, particularly the 800 mile round trip along the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay, AK (né Deadhorse). Since the road is largely made of compressed gravel and dirt, an ADV bike is ideal for this undertaking. I chose a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra for this four day endeavor. (You can read about my experience here. Scroll about halfway down the page.)

(UPDATE: Ducati has officially confirmed the new superbike will be called the Panigale V4)

Early 2018 Ducati models have begun to arrive at dealers across the U.S. While a few of the models listed below carry minor tweaks or different colorways, a couple sport more note-worthy updates such as the Multistrada 1200 Enduro Pro and 1299 Panigale R Final Edition. Expect to see these models arriving at dealers from now through December 2017.

Just imagine the panic of crashing into the back of another racer’s motorcycle at speed and flipping over the bars. Then imagine hitting the pavement and feeling your helmet squeeze itself off your head as you slide along at 100+ mph!

Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) touring models are the top-shelf factory customs of the Glide family (Street Glide, Road Glide, and Limited) offered by Motor Company to what they call their “alpha” customers. Alphas are the customers who want to attract attention to themselves. They want to have the very best and frequently use the CVO models as their leaping off point for their own accessorizing/customizing efforts. Given the top dog status of the CVO models, Harley’s designers always give the next model year’s offerings something to make them different from any previous Harley. Let’s take a tour of what makes the 2018 Harley-Davidson CVO line special.

When I was invited to the 2018 Suzuki GSX250R introduction I had mixed feelings. I have only owned one personal motorcycle under 995cc. Small bikes just aren’t really my thing. While I have plenty of reasons for my bias, I was willing to go into this bike launch with an open mind and I am glad I did. This lightweight bike was tons of fun.

Not everyone is blessed with the good fortune of having year round mild temperatures that are conducive to riding. Others simply do not have a choice and are forced to ride their motorcycle in rain, cold and snow. Which category would you put yourself in?

Confirming our earlier suspicions, Ducati announced it would present its new V-4 engine Sept. 7 at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli ahead of MotoGP round in Rimini, Italy.

For those who think a 1990 Honda RC30 isn’t cool enough, you could always buy this tasty example of one that has been dipped in the HRC catalog. For what the bike has installed, the $30,000 asking price doesn’t sound unreasonable.

Motorcyclists encounter many threats while riding on the street. We’re accustomed to dodging inattentive car drivers, and we’ve seen several instances of road rage erupting into vehicular violence. However, we shouldn’t have to be afraid of a car driver pulling a gun on us.

A little while ago, MO reported on BMW scoring First in Pied Piper’s 2017 Prospect Satisfaction Index U.S. Motorcycle Industry Benchmarking Study which measured treatment of shoppers who visited motorcycle dealerships.

We at MO test the full gamut of motorcycles from cruisers to sportbikes and everything in between. While we are sad to see any relatively long-standing motorcycle model line vanish from production, we think the backlash regarding Harley-Davidson ending the Dyna line has gotten a bit ridiculous, just like the video below. Take a break out of your busy day for a couple of laughs with the video below, but if you’re at work, put in some headphones and prepare for some choice words from one of the most hated men in history.

ISDE veteran Scott Bright plans to show the world just how versatile the KTM 1090 Adventure is, whether rallying through the desert or cruising the Baja Peninsula. Bright plans to do both. Colorado native Scott Bright has been competing in various forms of motorcycling racing for more than 20 years. Focusing his efforts on rally and enduro-style events over the past years, Bright has been a force to be reckoned with in the art of off-road racing. After winning the Baja Rally Championship in 2014, Bright took a nasty spill while filming an Icon Raiden promotional video a couple years later, suffering two broken arms among other injuries. That didn’t stop the determined racer, and months later after plenty of painful rehab, Scott competed in his first ever Dakar Rally, finishing 53rd overall.

Brazilian motorcycle cops rule the streets. We’re not cool with that whole innocent bystanders getting injured (or T-boned) thing, but we do have to admit that these guys make Ponch & John look like new students in an MSF course. This compilation contains the ends of some of the craziest and most intense police chases we’ve ever seen, and it’s all done on small displacement thumpers and two-strokes!

Last week, Yamaha released a video teasing a new product launch for Sept. 6, with the tantalizing title “Your Adventure Awaits.” Naturally, this led to assumptions it’s for the launch of the production version of the T7 concept Yamaha presented at EICMA.

Racing fans regularly compare genres of racing to one another, and at the top level of motorsport is F1 and MotoGP. Thankfully for us, Brembo supplies the entire current MotoGP paddock as well as many teams in F1 and has compiled some analytical data from the Red Bull Ring in Austria that may fascinate you.