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Red 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 LTD in a parking lot
Motorcycles

The Kawasaki KZ900 LTD Was the First Power Cruiser

Even before the supercharged 200-hp Ninja H2, Kawasaki offered some pretty powerful motorcycles. And that includes cruisers. Today, the idea of a ‘power’ or ‘muscle cruiser’ isn’t that unusual. Harley-Davidson, Ducati, and (arguably) Triumph offer bikes that fall into those categories. But the 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 LTD was the first. How the Kawasaki Z1 led …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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Black-and-gold 1989 Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy in a studio space
Motorcycles

The Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy Scooped the Cafe Racer Trend

The modern café racer trend arguably got its start with the Ducati Sport 1000. But Honda actually beat the Italian motorcycle company to it by a few decades. And the Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy didn’t just ape the styling of the 50s and 60s racers. In some ways, it’s arguably a more-accurate throwback than anything …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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Ducati Scrambler Desert Sleds racing in the Mint 400
Motorcycles

The Ducati Scrambler Is the Mint 400’s First Hooligan Winner

Quite a few so-called scrambler motorcycles have the style, but not a lot of off-road substance. The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled, though, isn’t one of them. And just like Triumph did with its Scrambler, the Italian company has shown that through racing. In fact, in this year’s Mint 400, a Ducati Scrambler won its inaugural …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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a red BMW leaning deep into a chicane
Motorcycles

2020 Motorcycles: The Leading Liter Bike

When it comes to 2020 motorcycles, liter bikes are the most exciting. Each of these superbikes boasts a powerful 1 liter-displacing engine and trickle-down race technology. But we already know all of these sportbikes are fast. Which ones are the fastest and baddest of all? Here are the leading liter bikes of 2020. Everyone has …
by Jordan Almond
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Red 2020 Ducati Panigale V2 against a black background
Motorcycles

Even Without the V4, the Ducati Panigale V2 Is Plenty Fast

Before the Panigale V4, Ducati’s sportiest bikes all used the Italian brand’s 90° V-twin, aka ‘L-twin,’ engine. And, to be fair, it’s not like the company abandoned that engine completely. The rest of its lineup, from the Scrambler to the Diavel cruiser, all use L-twin engines. And you can still get a Panigale with it. …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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White 1983 Yamaha XJ650 Seca Turbo in front of a fence
Motorcycles

Yamaha Is Getting Back Into Turbocharged Bikes

High-RPM redlines and more cylinders are usually how motorcycle companies increase performance. But Yamaha is going to use something that, while common in cars, isn’t really seen in bikes: forced-induction. Not a supercharger, like on the Kawasaki Ninja H2, though. Instead, Yamaha is re-introducing turbocharging to its motorcycle lineup. The Yamaha turbocharged bike news Performance …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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White-and-yellow Greyp G6 electric mountain bike on top of a snowy mountain facing the sunrise
2 Wheels

The Electric Mountain Bike Developed By a Supercar Maker

Just like Jeep has done, there’s another automaker introducing bicycles. Though admittedly, Jeep’s electric mountain bike is based on an existing design. The electric mountain bike released by Croatian firm Greyp, though, is entirely its own design. One that was created in part with the help of another Croatian company: electric supercar maker Rimac. How …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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2 2020 BMW S1000RRs, one red and one red-white-and-blue, race side-by-side
Motorcycles

BMW S1000RR: Did the Germans Win the Japanese War?

When it comes to fast and famous sportbikes, the Japanese big four are often the first liter bike manufacturers that come to mind. But in 2011 everything changed. The Supertest World Association awarded ‘Bike of the Year’ to the German BMW S1000RR after its first year of production––on Japanese soil––and European motorcycle fans were validated, …
by Jordan Almond
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Used 2013 BMW F 800 GS motorcycle with saddle bags
Motorcycles

The Best Used Off-Road Motorcycles Under $10,000

There are a number of excellent affordable motorcycles that you can take off-road. However, some may be nervous about bringing a brand-new bike to get banged up off-pavement. However, as is the case for most beginner bikes, the simple solution is to get a used motorcycle. It’s likely already been beat-up a bit. Plus, buying …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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2020 KTM 390 Adventure motorcycle sliding through the desert
Motorcycles

The Best New Off-Road Motorcycles Under $10,000

Off-roading on 2 wheels can be tricky—but it doesn’t have to be expensive. There’s a wide selection of modern affordable motorcycles with a degree of off-road prowess. But the best-suited are adventure motorcycles and dual sports. And, if you thought off-road adventures were outside your budget, the bikes described below sticker for under $10,000. Best …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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2020 BMW F 850 GS Adventure with white, red, and blue livery parked in hangar
Motorcycles

What Do You Need to Go Off-Road on a Motorcycle?

Preparation is key for off-roading a truck or SUV. And it’s even more important if you’re going off-road on a motorcycle. However, getting ready for an off-pavement motorcycle adventure doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here’s what you’ll need. Picking an off-road motorcycle The first step is figuring out what kind of off-road motorcycle you’ll need. …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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Green Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R motorcycle
Motorcycles

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R: 250cc, 4 Cylinders, 17,000 RPM

Though it makes a motorcycle with a 200-hp supercharged engine, Kawasaki also offers bikes with engines better-suited to newer riders. Bikes like the Z125 Pro, and the Ninja 400 sportbike. And as bikes like Honda’s RC166 show, sometimes the smallest engines are the most impressive ones. That’s a sentiment the upcoming Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R clearly …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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Red 2012 Triumph Street Triple R from the rider's right side
Motorcycles

Is the Triumph Street Triple R a Good First Motorcycle?

Buying a motorcycle is often as much about style as it is about performance or practicality. In terms of looks, Triumph does well on the retro front, with bikes like the Thruxton café racer. But the company also has sportier offerings, like the Triumph Street Triple R. I recently bought a 2012 model to serve …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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Diagram showing Harley-Davidson's self-driving motorcycle patent
Motorcycles

Is Harley-Davidson Working on a Self-Balancing Motorcycle?

Most recommended beginner bikes are fairly small so newer riders aren’t intimidated at balancing on and handling them. That’s in contrast to some of Harley-Davidson’s bikes. Even its cheapest bike, the Street 750, is about 100 pounds heavier than my Triumph Street Triple R. But Harley may have a solution that could attract new customers …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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a sparkly green ninja zx-14r raging down the road at high speed
Motorcycles

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R: New vs. Used

The 2020 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is a top performer among others in its class. The ZX-14R motorcycle enjoys a loyal and loving fan base––and for good reason. This Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle is a powerful machine and buying it new is all too tempting. But if you want to save some money, you are probably already …
by Jordan Almond
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Red 2012 Triumph Street Triple R from the rider's right side
Motorcycles

5 Things I Enjoy About My Triumph Street Triple R

Despite a few minor annoyances, I’m enjoying riding my Triumph Street Triple R. It doesn’t have the classic styling of the Bonneville or Thruxton. Nor is it off-road-capable like the Scrambler. However, the naked motorcycle does have its own positive points. Shifting and throttling the 2012 Triumph Street Triple R One key take-away from taking …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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Red 2012 Triumph Street Triple R
Motorcycles

5 Things That Annoy Me About My Triumph Street Triple R

After passing my motorcycle safety course, I spent some time test-riding different bikes before eventually buying a used Triumph. Specifically, a 2012 Triumph Street Triple R naked bike, in-between a standard and a sportbike. And although I’ve enjoyed riding it overall, there are a few places where it could be improved. The turn signals This …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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Gray 2020 Triumph Street Twin parked in front of a brick wall
Motorcycles

Triumph Is Doing What Harley-Davidson Should’ve Done Years Ago

On the surface, Triumph and Harley-Davidson can seem somewhat similar. Both motorcycle companies offer bikes that lean on nostalgia and retro designs, after all. And both also derive quite a bit of revenue from apparel sales. However, while Triumph these days seems to be doing OK, Harley-Davidson is decidedly not. And, as YouTuber Different Spokes …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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