#RyanAdams

After inhaling what must have been a metric shit ton of dust during the first half of our stifling ride day, all I can do is breathe in the heavy, briny air and relax for a second. Laying in a rattan hammock looking up at the palm trees swaying in the wind after stuffing my face with rice and curry was a welcome moment of relaxation after dealing with the day’s sweltering temps. A moment in time which doesn’t seem to come very often these days. If you get far enough away, jettisoned to the furthest corner of the world, well, maybe that’s what it takes to find a sliver of silence. Of unadulterated enjoyment and reflection. The Ibex 450 carried me here. A worthy travel companion, humble in its specification, but steadfast in its resolution.

Astars brings off-road airbag protection to the masses

Not having children of my own, nor many in my close circle for that matter, I forget how seeing the unadulterated enthusiasm and joy from a child can brighten up one’s entire day. Of course, when it’s due to a group of motorcycles roaring through their small town in the desert outside Marrakech, that joy makes an incredible experience that much more memorable. High fiving kids through small villages as their parents grow weary of motorcycles passing through town (even respectfully) is a memory I’ll never forget and, as it happens time and time again for us motorcyclists, two wheels are what tied these moments in time together in such a unique way. Specifically, in this case, the 2024 Ducati DesertX Rally.

Ducati found it fitting to have the global press launch of its latest up-spec adventure bike in the north African country of Morocco – an amazing place to ride motorcycles, based on my previous experience. While riding impressions are embargoed for at least a few days, I wanted to take our readers along on a sort of “behind the scenes” journey to get a taste of the sights and adventures experienced abroad.

Minor revisions for the XE with a big step forward in approachability for the X

A tech-laden, long-legged addition to the K5 family

It’s been yet another fantastic year in motorcycling. But, of course, isn’t motorcycling always fantastic? Each year we see varying levels of innovation from BNGs (bold new graphics) to evolutions, and inevitably entirely new machines gracing the motorcycle market. As enthusiasts, we are in a golden era of motorcycling, rife for choices backed with technology that makes it so much easier to own and ride.

Naked motorcycles of varying sizes have come out in force to the value category of our MOBOs for the past decade. Last year, an adventure bike stirred up the pot of naked domination. This year, we’re seeing Suzuki come in with a solid competitor from each class with its new 800 platform in the V-Strom 800 DE and GSX-8S. At $9k for the 8S and $11,600 for the Strom DE, both motorcycles represent an excellent value in their specific categories.

The Himalayan continues to trailblaze for Royal Enfield

Smaller, faster, more complex

Indian Motorcycle has announced a collaboration with the well-known American motocross brand 100%. They have also unveiled their complete 2024 model year lineup, which include a copious amount of rich color options in approximately one bazillion different models/trims. Most noteworthy is the spicy limited-edition FTR x 100% R Carbon. Additionally, the 2024 lineup introduces a new Indian Challenger Elite and a redesigned PowerBand Audio system, along with minortweaks throughout the entire Indian Motorcycle range.

The more I ride the Ducati DesertX, the more I like it. There are so many excellent choices in the middleweight adventure bike segment these days that any ADV-curious motorcyclist should be able to find themselves a compatible match. The DesertX is like that one friend you know is always down for some sort of mischief – more partner-in-crime than just a partner. It’s rowdy, loud (with the Termi pipe seen above), and raucous, and it coerces you into having a good time. Since we’ve been able to pass Ducati’s latest adventure machine around amongst the staff, it’s become a crowd favorite.

Originally sleuthed by our man DC back in April, Kawasaki has finally pulled the wraps off of its all-new… light-to-middleweight standard? Whatever you want to call it is fine, Kawi calls it the Eliminator. Specially crafted to cater to the demands of the everyday with its rider-friendly approach in mind, this machine features a new 451cc Parallel Twin engine derived from the Ninja, a lightweight chassis with an upright riding position and a 28.9-inch seat height with styling that Kawasaki says harkens back to its power cruisers of the ’80s.

The Route Napoleon is considered one of the best drives across France. It starts near the French Riviera and runs up to the southern tip of the Alps. The route earns its namesake by following the path that the one-time French emperor used to covertly make his way north after escaping his first exile. Despite wet conditions with gravelly sections enroute and frost at higher elevations, it was a most excellent place to have our first dance with Suzuki’s new naked, the 2023 GSX-8S. The second of two 776cc Parallel-Twin-powered models from Suzuki, the GSX-8S proved its mettle over just a single day’s ride in terms of being a contender in the middleweight naked category. Let’s get to it.