Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson hasn’t had a good 2020 so far. The departure of its CEO had elements of boardroom drama, and the COVID-19 outbreak has stifled production. In addition, the much-anticipated LiveWire electric motorcycle hasn’t really taken off. And bikes like the $41,000 CVO Road-Glide aren’t exactly affordable. However, recently-uncovered documents hint at more Harley-Davidson bikes in …

Retro motorcycles are very ‘in’ right now. Triumph, Honda, Royal Enfield, and Moto Guzzi all make bikes that echo their classic forebearers, but with less oil leakage. Ural makes a sidecar-equipped bike that can take part in WWII re-enactments. And Honda’s even bringing back a beloved compact trail bike. But, although Ducati’s Scrambler is arguably …

There’s a lot of similarities between a car and a motorcycle, but obviously, there are many differences between them too. But, just like anyone who’s bought a car before, some motorcycle owners may regret their choice. Here’s what you should know before buying a motorcycle that you may regret. A motorcycle’s efficiency  Compared to a …

Although some scrambler motorcycles combine classic looks with genuine off-road capability, they can be rather expensive. They’re also somewhat heavy and can be unwieldy, especially for newer or smaller riders. Ditto the old-school, sidecar-equipped Ural. Dual sports and dirt bikes are more at home off-road but at the expense of some on-road comfort. And the …

Yamaha has quite a diverse motoring portfolio. The Japanese company makes ATVs, electric motors, and even briefly dabbled in cars. But in the US, the brand is perhaps best known for its wide range of motorcycles, which includes cruisers, dirt bikes, touring bikes, and dual sports. And there’s one more bike joining the stable: the …

Today, Triumph is perhaps best known for its retro-looking bikes like the Bonneville and the genuinely off-road-capable Scrambler. But the British bike company has a long history of impressive, if not always reliable, machines. Continuing the former tradition is the updated Triumph Rocket 3, a bike with an engine bigger than some cars have. But, …

Harley Davidson was in big trouble before the coronavirus hit China. The stock has been tanking badly. It’s new ebike called “Live Wire” had to be pulled from the market for a time in October. Once it was back nobody wanted it. Just a few weeks ago its CEO of five years and the Harley …

Choosing an off-road motorcycle is about balancing pavement manners with dirt performance. The Triumph Scrambler and modified Indian Scout Sixty can venture off-pavement, but they’re heavier and more expensive. Dual sports can freely transition between gravel and asphalt, but their designs skew more towards dirt bikes than street ones. And the Ural’s 2WD and old-school …

Before cars became affordable, motorcycles with sidecars were the most affordable way to transport goods and/or families. Some models, like BMWs, were even used on the battlefront. Now, though, while it’s possible to get modern bikes with classic looks, sidecars have all but died out. However, there’s still one company, Ural, keeping the off-roading sidecar …

It’s certainly possible to ride a classic bike every day. In fact, some people go off-roading with them. But, as with other classic motor vehicles, that comes with a certain amount of required wrenching. And most people, understandably, don’t want to deal with that hassle, which is why restomods exist. Luckily, if you want classic …

It’s not just classic trucks and SUVs that are gaining popularity. Classic motorcycles are also on the rise, especially café racers, scramblers, and bobbers. And classic bikes like the humble Vespa scooter can sometimes venture far outside their comfort zone. But does that mean you could, or should, use a classic motorcycle as a daily …

Going off-road doesn’t mean you always need a specialized machine, especially when it comes to motorcycles. In addition to dirt and dual sport bikes, people have taken Indian cruisers and Vespa scooters off the beaten path. This type of off-road modification was started decades ago with the first scrambler motorcycles. And today, as with other …

Cruisers aren’t generally built for off-roading. For that, riders usually turn to dual sports or adventure-touring bikes, which have skid plates, chunky tires, and more suspension travel. But, just because the Porsche 911, Mazda Miata, and Vespa scooter weren’t designed for off-roading, doesn’t mean people haven’t modified them for it. The same thing goes for …

The 2020 Honda Africa twin officially released on March 5 in India. The new model boasts a more robust engine and a few new features. This adventure bike is ready for action. Honda Africa Twin has amazing overland and off-roading capabilities. Stemming from the Enduro Concept in 2017, the new Africa Twin was not created …

Since its 2011 rebirth, Indian has consistently released excellent—and powerful—touring bikes and cruisers. But the company isn’t all about the high-end of the market. It also makes some entry-level bikes, in the form of the Scout lineup. And, adding to Harley-Davidson’s woes, Indian has now released an even more affordable version. It’s the Indian Scout …

Sometimes, the greatest fun in racing is running with unconventional machines. Instead of race-prepped SUVs and trucks, taking a Porsche 911, or a Mazda Miata. At this year’s Mexico 1000, one team is applying that logic to two wheels. But rather than using a rally-ready Honda dirt bike, or high-power dual-sport, Tutto Mondo Racing is …

Even today’s biggest names in motorcycling started small. Harley-Davidson made its reputation on simple, reliable machines for everyday people. Ducati’s first motorcycle was little more than a bicycle with a tiny engine. In the early days of the automobile, motorcycles represented an affordable way of getting around. But early bikes’ low weight meant that even …

Matt Levatich has been CEO of Harley-Davidson for just under five years. In that time sales have dropped every year. Here’s the problem; Harley’s customers are aging out. They’ve either got the Harley or Harleys they want and they’re through. That or they’re dying or dead. Sorry to be so blunt but that’s a lot …

As a general rule, motorcycles only have 2 wheels. True, there are some 3-wheeled exceptions. Morgan, for example, will sell you a 3-wheeled vehicle that’s legally considered a motorcycle in most US states; ditto Canadian company Campagna. But if you want an actual motorcycle with 3 wheels, the only real choices are Can-Am or Harley-Davidson. …

The same things that draw people to classic trucks and SUVs also draw them to classic motorcycles. Although modern bikes have gotten faster and more refined, they’ve also grown larger and more complicated. Not to mention expensive: the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide costs more than a new 5.0-liter Mustang GT. And it’s not like Harley …