New Indian Chief on the Horizon
Indian Motorcycles have a storied past going back to 1901. Hard to believe it now, but Indian was once the largest motorbike manufacturer in the world up until the first World War, producing over 20,000 bikes per year. By 1911, Indian riders held every American speed and distance record. In 1914, over 3,000 workers supported [...]
2008 Kawasaki Z1000 “Naked” Fun Machine
In 2003, Kawasaki introduced the Z1000, with a heritage going all the way back to 1973 when the famous KZ 900 was introduced — a very powerful bike of that era. In 1977, the KZ900 became the KZ1000, which later became more famous as a police bike used all the way up into the 21st [...]
2008 Harley Davidson VRSCAW/A V-Rod
Introduced in 2001, the V-Rod family is manufactured for riders in tune to a different roadway rhythm, at least compared to Harley’s more traditional lineup of its internationally famous cruisers. Arguably the most unique offering from HD, this series of bikes is a statement that stakes a claim against Japanese muscle bikes that have dutifully [...]
KTM Supermoto 950: Ultimate Power-Playbike
QUESTION: What do you get when you cross a motocross bike and road racer? ANSWER: Supermoto (or Supermotard). These bikes were developed for supermoto racetracks that typically include about 2/3 tarmac and 1/3 dirt with small jumps. By adding headlights, taillights, horn, mirrors and street-legal tires, manufactures started selling these bikes in Europe in the [...]
Teach Your Dirtbike How to Ski
Snow bikes? How about converting your own dirt bike to a power sled or buying one ready for the white stuff? Both are ways to extend your riding entertainment all year around. 2moto, based in Idaho, gives you the choice of buying their ready-to-ride +$12K “Ultimate Snow bikes” or converting your dirt bike with their [...]
2008 Star Raider: Modern Performance Custom
What!? Yet another cruiser? And a chopped one right from the factory? We’ve come full circle with the terms “custom” and “chopper,” since those used to apply to what you did to your bike after it was completed by the factory. V-twins are still the most popular segment of motorbikes in America. Add all the [...]
MV Augusta F4CC: Most Expensive Production Motorcycle
What would you build for yourself and a few friends if you ran a motorcycle manufacturing facility? If you were Claudio Castiglioni, Managing Director of Italian manufacturer MV Augusta, think in terms of speed, exotic components, more speed, and lots and lots of carbon fiber. The end product? An MV Augusta F4CC — 90 percent [...]
Kawasaki KLR 650: Ultimate Utilitarian Beast of Burden
I’ve been a fan of the Kawasaki KLR 650 for a loooong time. The 2008 model boasts its most significant upgrades since first being introduced in 1987. The bike is uniquely famous as an all-around, reliable beast-of-burden for taking you and stuff along either pavement and/or off-road adventures. As is the norm for any dual-purpose [...]
Electric Motocross Bikes?
There were all kinds of new, custom, vintage, and historical motorcycles at the International Motorcycle Show this month in Long Beach, CA. One that struck me as particularly unique was an electric dirt bike made in Switzerland by Quantya (established in 2005). This Quantya FMX (Freestyle Motocross) weighs 195 pounds and with zero emissions, no [...]
Recommending a First Motorcycle
1) What would you recommend as a “first” motorcycle for a newbie? 2) With a gazillion bikes to choose from, how would you advise a friend, new to the world of motorcycling, on which bike to purchase? 3) Should it be a used bike or a new one? You and I will likely agree on [...]
First Bike: New or Used?
For most new riders, buying any used bike would be more practical than buying a brand-new motorcycle: Consider it as a training bike. Be willing to drop it – because you probably will while becoming acquainted with it. Be willing to damage a few levers or turn signals, scratch up some parts, and not care [...]
Kawasaki Concours14: Transcontinental Supersport Tourer
The first print ads are out for the brand new, 1400cc, Kawasaki Concours14. And…the bikes themsleves are finally in the dealerships as of the first week of July. (According to my local Kawasaki dealer, the launch date has been delayed numerous times). You can see the ads in the August 2007 issues of bike mags [...]
2006 U.S. Motorcycles Sales
In March of 2007, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) released their statistics for 2006 U.S. motorcycle sales. Here’s what they report: 2005 2006 % Change Scooter 56,899 54,268 – 4.6% Street 646,097 680,679 + 5.4% Dual Sport 29,610 35,245 + 19.0% Off-Road 276,982 252,140 – 9.0% Total 1,009,588 1,022,332 + 1.3% What you don’t [...]
Kawasaki ZX14 vs. Suzuki GSX1300 Hyabusa
Smooth. Introduced in March 2006, the Kawasaki ZX-14 Ninja is that and more. More power that is. Arguably the world’s fastest superbike, taking the title that Suzuki’s GSX1300 Hyabusa has held since 1999. Of course the original 1999 Busa was also faster than any of its later brethren, since ’99 preceded the Japanese manufacturer’s “Gentleman’s [...]
Modern Moto-Mother: Honda CB750 KO
Ride a street motorcycle? If it’s anything other than a cruiser, there’s a good chance you are piloting the offspring of this Honda CB750. The waves created in 1969 when Honda launched its CB750 KO are still splashing to this very day. With the introduction of its transverse, inline, 4-cylinder motorcycle engine (aka straight-four engine), [...]
Twisted Grip Personality Test
