IANNONE REVEALS ALL: “It’s a really special comeback for me… I’m really happy, it’s incredible”

Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) made his racing comeback in last month’s Australian Round, securing a front row start and a podium at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. It was a memorable return to racing and his MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship debut, stunning everyone with incredible performances during his first competitive weekend in four years. In Australia, ‘The Maniac’ sat down to discuss in-depth his return to racing, the WorldSBK paddock and his first weekend in World Superbike.

HOW THE COMEBACK CAME ABOUT: watching WorldSBK, speaking to Dall’Igna…

The Australian Round marked Iannone’s first race weekend in four years after his ban and, when WorldSBK went Down Under, the one-time MotoGP™ race winner explained how he felt during his ban and how the comeback came about, including a trip to Misano with his father and talks with Ducati Corse’s General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, which led to the #29 racing on the Panigale V4 R with Team GoEleven.

Having how he felt during his ban and the comeback process, Iannone said: “My four years without racing… in the beginning, it was dramatic. It’s difficult to understand and adapt because I lost my whole life. When you lose everything, you are a little bit disorientated. It’s like a big crash, but when you have a big crash, maybe you stop for a year. I stopped for four years. It’s tough to explain this situation. I felt a lot of support from my fans, my family, and my friends but it wasn’t easy. Especially in the first year, I was a little bit more closed in on myself but, step by step, I started to live a normal life a little bit.

“I stopped following MotoGP™ and started following WorldSBK. I don’t know why but this is the reality. When I followed some races, I felt like I wanted to be in the races and the battle, and this is why I started talking with Gigi Dall’Igna sometimes. One day, I went to Misano with my father and met him. We spoke a little bit and he said, ‘So, Andrea, you want this, and you think you’re ready?’. I told him I was. I’m back after a long time, I’m really excited for this comeback. I’m happy, I live this dream. I won’t recover what I lost; it’s impossible, but in part, I want to try to recover my happiness.”

THOUGHTS ON WORLD SUPERBIKE: “The level is really high… the first 10-12 riders are really fast!”

Iannone’s WorldSBK debut forms part of the new era in the production-based Championship, with rookies making their mark early on, Champions making massive moves to new manufacturers and more. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a debut win in Race 1, joined on the podium by Iannone, while Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) took a podium in the Tissot Superpole Race in his first weekend with the German manufacturer. Despite all the stories, the 34-year-old was able to write his own headlines and gave his thoughts on why he wanted to race in WorldSBK.

Detailing his attraction to World Superbike, Iannone said: “WorldSBK is really good, the atmosphere in this paddock is fantastic. I felt a lot of passion for the motorsport, for the bike, it’s a really good energy for me. All my career, I thought it was the best Championship. Now I’m here and want to enjoy it. The level is really high because every rider is fast. I think the first 10-12 riders are really fast.”

THE FIRST FEELINGS: “I was immediately fast… feeling with the bike was good”

Although Australia marked his first race in World Superbike, he began his testing programme in October at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto when the 2023 campaign concluded. Since then, the #29 has been quick at every circuit he’s tested or raced at, as he continues to get back up to speed on a race bike. He’s tested at Jerez, Portimao, Phillip Island and Barcelona and has been quick at all four circuits, boosting confidence and raising hopes in the team he’ll be quick all season.

Talking about his initial thoughts when he first jumped on the V4 R, Iannone said: “At Jerez in October, when I tried the bike, I was immediately fast. We finished the first test in fifth place with a lap time that wasn’t bad. The feeling with the bike was immediately good. In any case, I think I need more kilometres. We need to work a lot. We understand everything a little bit better, especially the bike and tyres. For the tyres, everything changed because the tyres are different compared to MotoGP™ tyres. I think we worked well during pre-season and it’s important we have support from Ducati.”

THE FIRST PODIUM: “Didn’t expect this result… I fought with the best riders in WorldSBK!”

Although Australia was his comeback weekend, everything about it made it look like Iannone hadn’t been away for any period, let alone four years. Second in the Tissot Superpole session was followed up with the holeshot in Race 1 and third place, behind Bulega and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha). He was 14th in the Tissot Superpole Race despite showing strong pace, and then fought for the rostrum in Race 2 but was narrowly beaten by Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) and came home fourth.

On securing a maiden podium, ‘The Maniac’ said: “I didn’t expect this result. When you achieve one podium, it’s a really great result. It’s a really special comeback for me and I’ll never forget this moment and this weekend. After a long time, I lived a beautiful moment one more time. I fought with the best riders in WorldSBK, in my first weekend and first race. What happens now? I’m in front, I’m first, I led the race. It’s incredible. I’m really happy, it’s beautiful. I won’t forget this first weekend.”

A NEW ERA HAS IGNITED: watch all the action from WorldSBK in 2024 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Melandri on Bassani-Kawasaki potential: “His motivation is very high… I see him like a sponge”

He won WorldSBK races for four different manufacturers, fought for titles regularly and is one of a handful of riders to have won multiple races in both the World Superbike paddock and the MotoGP™ one; Marco Melandri is widely regarded as one of the most versatile riders in the last 20 years of motorcycle racing. The 2011 WorldSBK runner-up, 2002 250cc World Champion and – as recent as 2018 – a WorldSBK Championship leader, was back in the paddock during the recent test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, providing a helping hand to Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), although nothing is confirmed whether it’s a full-time addition for the #47. We caught up with him to find out what he thought about his fellow countryman.

“IT’S LIKE A HOLIDAY TO ME” – Melandri returns to WorldSBK paddock

Speaking at the end of two days, Melandri stated just how nice it was to be back in the paddock: “It’s like a holiday to me! Axel asked me if I could come and see him on track and follow him a bit and it was also a good chance to come back. I like Axel and I know that for a young rider, it’s not easy to jump into a factory team. I have a lot of experience myself and it’s nice to be back here and for me to be back at a track.

“Everything came back so quick! To see them riding the bike, I feel like I am on the bike and every time Axel says a comment, I imagine myself on the bike! I know Marcel Duinker and Danilo Casonato from when I rode in MotoGP™ in 2009, so I helped a little bit. I know how difficult it is for a young rider to explain what he feels. Different riders can explain the same thing in different ways so I wanted to try and help him find the way but I think he’s a smart enough on his own!”

RACING VS TESTING: Bassani’s key strengths analysed

Assessing Bassani’s strengths right now, the ex-MotoGP™ and WorldSBK runner-up said: “His speed and talent are there; he has good potential He’s faster during the race than the test but I think they’ve done a great job. Every time he tested something, he could understand what was working and what wasn’t, so this is very important to improve day by day. He can achieve good results.

“Every bike is working in the same way; more or less, when you modify something, they’re the same and their characteristics are the same as each other. That’s why I think I have a lot of experience that I can transfer to help him. I see him like a sponge; every time I spotted something on track, he was taking it on board for the next run. It looks like he takes information well. His motivation is very high and this is a very good point; it’s not always easy so you have to keep it very high. His riding style is a good aspect too. He needs time to adapt as he comes from Ducati and it’s a different kind of bike. He’s working in a good way.”

“MANY RIDERS CAN WIN RACES” – is the #33 happy to be off the modern grid?

Finally, it was a look ahead to the bigger picture in WorldSBK and the competitive level right now: “I am glad to not race because I am old! Every year has crazy people and we were crazy too sometimes! I saw Nicolo Bulega riding well but then, once you’re in the race and in the middle of the group. You have to not only be fast but also smart. Many riders can win races which is very interesting.”

EVERY SECOND LIVE: watch all the action from the Catalunya Round with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

STATS GUIDE: 200th straight points-scoring race for Yamaha, new names to write history in Barcelona?

333.3kph – The top speed record in Barcelona for WorldSBK is by Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) from 2022 with 333.3kph. He set a top speed record for Phillip Island in WorldSBK this year with 335.4kph.

200 – A Yamaha in the points in Race 1 will extend their streak to 200, a goal reached so far only by Ducati and Kawasaki. The all-time record streak is 344 by Ducati: Brainerd 1991 to Valencia 2005.

117 – After equalling Noriyuki Haga on 116 podiums in Phillip Island’s Superpole Race, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) has the chance to move clearly into the top three of all-time with a 117th – it’d be BMW’s first in Barcelona.

60 – After missing out in Australia, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) can reach 60 wins in WorldSBK with one win this weekend.

54 – Ironically at Phillip Island, #54 of Razgatlioglu gave BMW their 54th podium place. They haven’t had a podium in back-to-back rounds since Donington Park, Most and Magny-Cours in 2022 with Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) when he was in Shaun Muir’s team.

17 – One more rostrum for Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) sees him match Ben Spies’ 17.

12 – 12 riders made it to the podium in Barcelona in 12 races run here: the record belongs to Alvaro Bautista, with seven (six wins), followed by Rea and Razgatlioglu at six.

10 – Bautista can become the 13th WorldSBK rider with ten poles; he took pole in Barcelona in 2023.

5 – The wins have always come from the first five grid spots in Barcelona, five from pole: Rea in Race 1, 2020, and Bautista in the last four races run.

4 – In Barcelona, we’ve had four polesitters so far for four different manufacturers: Rea (Kawasaki), Sykes (BMW), Lecuona (Honda) and Bautista (Ducati).

3 – Winner of the Superpole Race and Race 2 in Phillip Island, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is looking for a first hat-trick of wins. A Kawasaki rider hasn’t won three consecutive races since Jonathan Rea won the last two races of 2021 at Mandalika and the first race of 2022 at Aragon. Barcelona would also be the third circuit in which he achieves a WorldSBK win.

1 – For the first time since they raced together, none of the ‘Titanic Trio’ – Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) were able to win a race in the weekend. The last weekend without one of the Titanic Trio not on the podium is Jerez 2015. At the time, neither Razgatlioglu or Bautista had debuted in the series and there was no Superpole Race.

1 – Barcelona was the stage of a first WorldSBK podium for Axel Bassani, in 2021: second in Race 1. It was also the scene of Garrett Gerloff’s (Bonovo Action BMW) first podium in 2020 with P3 in Race 2 for Yamaha. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) also took his first and so far only pole in 2022.

THE NEW ERA HAS IGNITED: enjoy 2024’s WorldSBK season with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

PREVIEW: Montella’s rivals hope to end his winning run, new manufacturer joins WorldSSP grid

A few weeks on from the unforgettable Australian Round that opened the FIM Supersport World Championship in phenomenal fashion, the riders are ready to go again as the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosts Round 2 of 2024. There’s plenty to enjoy during the Pirelli Catalunya Round, with the WorldSSP Challenge riders starting their campaigns while it will also see the debut of a brand-new manufacturer, the seventh to compete this season.

MONTELLA LEADING THE WAY: can anyone stop the #55?

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was unbeatable in Australia, securing a majestic double to lead the way in the early stages of the season. He faces fierce competition from Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) as he looks to bounce back from crashes Down Under, while Barcelona is a circuit MV Agusta machines enjoyed last year: four podiums shared between Bahattin Sofuoglu and Marcel Schroetter, including a win for the #54, put the Italian manufacturer in good stead for 2024. Sofuoglu is the only previous WorldSSP winner at the circuit on the 2024 grid.

LOTS OF FAST RIDERS IN BARCELONA: it’s game on in Catalunya…

The Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team tasted victory here last year too in the hands of Nicolo Bulega, so will the team be on the top step with Adrian Huertas this year? Of course, at a track that often throws up surprises, don’t be too shocked if another name appears at the top. Perhaps Lorenzo Baldassarri (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) or someone else will fight for victory with Montella facing stiff competition for the top step.

A NEW MANUFACTURER: QJ Motor the seventh brand in 2024, ninth overall

QJ Motor’s highly anticipated debut will occur in Barcelona, with Raffaele De Rosa (QJ Motor Factory Racing) onboard the SRK 800 RR machine from the Chinese manufacturer. They join Ducati, Yamaha, Honda, Triumph, MV Agusta and Kawasaki on the grid to bring the total to seven for this season as they compete in the WorldSSP Challenge. They are also the first manufacturer from China to race in WorldSSP, making history as they go in search of success, utilising the skills of class veteran De Rosa.

WorldSSP CHALLENGE STARTS: six riders start their season

De Rosa’s first appearance of 2024 starts the WorldSSP Challenge campaign along with several other riders. Luke Power (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) gets his first race of the year on the F3 800 RR machine, as does Tom Edwards (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team) on the Panigale V2. Gabrielle Giannini (Team ProDina Kawasaki), Simone Corsi (Renzi Corse) and Federico Fuligni (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) are also in action to start their season.

WILDCARDS AND RIDER NEWS: two returning names to the Championship

Alongside the 32 riders on the full-time grid, there will be two wildcards who bring the total number to 34 for the Catalunya Round. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Altogo Racing Team) returns to WorldSSP after his half-season campaign last season, but he didn’t race in Barcelona after starting his season at Most. It’s also a return to WorldSSP for Eugene James McManus, who will ride a Panigale V2 machine for the ROKiT Haslam Racing. Previously, the Irish rider competed with three different manufacturers in his 10 races: Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Triumph, adding Ducati to an impressive list. Elsewhere, after missing the Australian Round through injury, Piotr Biesiekirski (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) will need to pass a medical check to race as he looks to finally make his WorldSSP debut.

EVERY SECOND LIVE: watch all the action from the Catalunya Round using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

FULL SCHEDULE: every time you need for the Catalunya Round!

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship bursts back into action at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and it’s going to be a thriller in Spain, plus WorldSSP300’s season starts in style. The Pirelli Catalunya Round is Round 2, with action starting from 09:40 Local Time (UTC+1) on Friday; WorldSBK FP1 is 10:20. Afternoon action kicks off at 14:10 with WorldSSP300 Superpole, followed by WorldSBK FP2 at 15:00 and WorldSSP Superpole at 16:00. On Saturday, WorldSBK FP3 starts the day at 09:00 followed by Superpole at 11:00. Then, it’s straight into racing: WorldSSP300 Race 1 at 12:45, WorldSBK Race 1 at 14:00 and WorldSSP Race 1 at 15:15. On Sunday, Warm Up sessions start from 09:00 before the WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race at 11:00, before the afternoon’s racing follows the same schedule as Saturday: WorldSSP300 Race 1 starts at 12:45, WorldSBK Race 1 at 14:00 and WorldSSP Race 1 at 15:15.

THE NEW ERA CONTINUES: watch every moment from Barcelona LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Friday, 22nd March (all times Local Time, UTC+1)
09:40-10:05 – WorldSSP300 Free Practice
10:20-11:05 – WorldSBK Free Practice 1
11:20-12:00 – WorldSSP Free Practice
14:10-14:35 – WorldSSP300 Tissot Superpole
15:00-15:45 – WorldSBK Free Practice 2
16:00-16:40 – WorldSSP Tissot Superpole

Saturday, 23rd March
09:00-09:20 – WorldSBK Free Practice 3
09:30-09:40 – WorldSSP300 Warm Up
09:50-10:00 – WorldSSP Warm Up
11:00-11:15 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole
12:45 – WorldSSP300 Race 1 (12 laps)
14:00 – WorldSBK Race 1 (20 laps)
15:15 – WorldSSP Race 1 (18 laps)

Sunday, 24th March
09:00-09:10 – WorldSBK Warm Up
09:20-09:30 – WorldSSP300 Warm Up
09:40-09:50 – WorldSSP Warm Up
11:00 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race (10 laps)
12:45 – WorldSSP300 Race 2 (12 laps)
14:00 – WorldSBK Race 2 (20 laps)
15:15 – WorldSSP Race 2 (18 laps)

Source: WorldSBK.com

PREVIEW: will the WorldSBK surprises continue in Barcelona, can Rea retaliate?

Europe welcomes the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the stage for the second round of the season. Down Under for the opener, it was a topsy-turvy start to the season as favourites fumbled and outsiders proved outstanding but will the order reset amidst a backdrop of stunning scenery, Gaudi architecture and beautiful beaches? The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya often throws up a surprise and 2024 shouldn’t be any different. 

THE SURPRISES FROM ROUND 1: can they keep up their form?

As far as debuts go, it was certainly emphatic for Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who won his first ever WorldSBK race, a flag-to-flag at that. He was also under the existing lap recording in the Barcelona test, underlining his strength over one lap once more. However, with no other podiums and him being beaten up in the opening laps in Australia, it’s Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) who leads the way to Barcelona thanks to a fine Sunday double in Australia. Leading the way and with just a single point between them, it looks like ‘Bulegas’ – on paper – should have the advantage over Lowes with the Ducati historically stronger in Barcelona than the Kawasaki, even if Lowes made race pace gains during the test. 

Then, there’s Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) who got a rostrum at the track last year and after a mega impressive opening round, he and new crew chief Tom O’Kane will be working in Barcelona together for the first time. Phillip Island was very much a rise of the ‘number two’ riders and after a strong test last week, it could be more of the same. With low grip always a factor and something he relished before, Andrea Iannone’s (Team GoEleven) thunderous start to his new WorldSBK adventure will continue at a circuit he knows well; a solid test a week ago, will ‘The Maniac’ feature once more? As for Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), a maiden BMW podium in Australia was a highlight but Race 2 engine issues were not. Competitive at the test last week and under the lap record, will BMW’s previously weakest track be kinder in 2024?

DISCOUNT BAUTISTA AT YOUR PERIL: no win in 2024, yet…

Barcelona and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati); they’ve made history for the last two years at the track and he was even competitive in his struggling years at Honda. This year is different – his own words after the test too; he didn’t clear off into the distance Down Under and couldn’t manage his tyres as usual, two things that have gone hand-in-hand in terms of Barcelona brilliance. Six dominant wins from the last six Catalan races, Bautista – now back to almost full fitness – may still be the favourite. Someone else who ended Phillip Island strongly and is always a force in Barcelona is Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) as he chases a first podium with Lorenzo Mauri’s team. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) has his second round at a circuit he’s familiar with, as Ducati’s strengths always come good in Barcelona. He was a star in the test, so watch out for #14.

TIME FOR REA-VENGE? The season starts here for #65

No points from his first three races in Yamaha, declared unfit after a huge Race 2 crash and leaving Australia downbeat: Jonathan Rea’s (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) debut in blue left him feeling exactly that and a bit bruised too. However, the six-time World Champion knows how to get stuck in and fight and after riding in Barcelona’s two-day test last week, he’s back to remind everyone of his pace. He’s won in Barcelona on two occasions before with Kawasaki whilst Yamaha have only one once in 2020. The persistent and relentless chatter problem have gone after the test last week so expect Rea to return to the fore for round two to get his season up and running. It’ll also be a first chance to see Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) back after being declared unfit in Australia; he was on pole in 2022 for Honda and was in the top four last year, a circuit where he and Xavi Vierge always feature well at. 

OTHERS IN THE TOP 10: Petrucci prowess and more

Sixth place overall in the Championship is Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) but he had a Barcelona to forget in 2023, one of his worst rounds of the season. After a podium last time out in Race 2, he’s in good form and found a soft tyre breakthrough in the test. He’s just ahead of Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), who was very impressive in round one considering he’d had no testing prior to touching down in Australia. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is just behind teammate Toprak in P9 and just ahead of Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) in P10, with three BMWs inside the top ten of the Championship standings for the first time ever. 

ELSEWHERE: Bassani, Gardner and Redding look for luck and a step

Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is still adapting to the inline four of the ZX-10RR and after further testing and steps forward in the test with the help of Marco Melandri, could be in the top ten battle in Barcelona – where he took a first podium in 2021. Remy Gardner’s (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) P15 overall in the standings isn’t representative of his pace, with him being taken out of Race 1 by Bassani before hitting Rea’s debris from his Race 2 crash, leaving him down field. Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) has never enjoyed Barcelona on a BMW but will hope to change that this year, having won at the track three years ago. 

Philipp Oettl (GMT94 Yamaha) and Brad Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) are the final riders who come into the round with points already on the board, with Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Petronas MIE Racing Honda duo Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin searching for their first of 2024 – along with the aforementioned Rea and Lecuona.

Get your FREE Official Programme here, catch-up on Round 1 highlights here and enjoy every moment in 2024 LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

2024 BMW F 900 GS Review | Video

2024 BMW F 900 GS Review First Ride

The updated 2024 BMW F 900 GS adventure bike seeks to reinvigorate BMW’s middleweight platform. Upgraded from the F 850 now with a larger 895cc parallel-Twin that delivers 105 hp, a ready-to-ride low weight of 483 lb, a lower and more svelte profile, and upgraded suspension, the 2024 BMW F 900 GS just might be the best parallel-Twin adventure bike ever offered from the German company.

To see how the 2024 BMW F 900 GS performs, we travel to Málaga, Spain, for a full day of on-road and off-road riding. Watch the video below to see the F 900 GS in action, and read our full review here.

2024 BMW F 900 GS Specs 

  • Base Price: $13,495   
  • Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles  
  • Website:BMWmotorcycles.com 

ENGINE  

  • Type: Liquid-cooled, parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.  
  • Displacement: 895cc  
  • Bore x Stroke: 86.0 x 77.0mm  
  • Horsepower: 105 hp @ 8,500 rpm (factory claim)   
  • Torque: 68.6 lb-ft @ 6,750 rpm (factory claim)  
  • Compression Ratio: 13.1:1  
  • Valve Insp. Interval: 12,000 miles  
  • Fuel Delivery: EFI w/ throttle-by-wire, 48mm throttle bodies  
  • Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch  
  • Final Drive: Chain 

CHASSIS 

  • Frame: Tubular-steel trellis frame & subframe, aluminum swingarm  
  • Wheelbase: 62.6 in.  
  • Rake/Trail: 28.0 degrees/4.7 in.  
  • Seat Height: 34.3 in.  
  • Suspension, Front: 43mm inverted fork, fully adj., 9.1 in. travel 
  • Rear: Single linkage shock, w/ adj. spring preload & rebound, 8.5 in. travel  
  • Brakes, Front: Dual 305mm discs w/ 2-piston axial calipers & cornering ABS  
  • Rear: Single 265mm disc w/ 1-piston caliper & cornering ABS  
  • Wheels, Front: Cross-spoke w/ aluminum rims, 2.15 x 21 
  • Rear: Cross-spoke w/ aluminum rims, 4.25 x 17  
  • Tires, Front: 90/90-21  
  • Rear: 150/70-17   
  • Wet Weight: 483 lb  
  • Fuel Capacity: 3.8 gal.  

Gear Up  

The post 2024 BMW F 900 GS Review | Video appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

2024 KTM 990 Duke Review | First Ride 

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
The 2024 KTM 990 Duke 96% new and replaces the 890 Duke R. We tested it in the mountains of southern Spain as part of KTM’s “30 Years of Duke” launch that included the 390 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R Evo. (Photos by Francesc Montero & Sebas Romero)

What’s the magic number? When the first Duke debuted 30 years ago, it was 602cc, which was packed into a single-cylinder engine that made 58 hp. These days (in the U.S. market), Dukes range in displacement from 249cc in the Duke 250 to 1,350cc in the 1390 Super Duke R Evo. In between, KTM offers the 390 Duke (399cc), 790 Duke (799cc), and 990 Duke (947cc). For this KTM 990 Duke review, we take one of the newest Dukes on a test ride in the mountains of southern Spain.

Related: 2024 KTM 390 Duke Review | First Ride

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
Evolution of the Duke. Front and center is the 1994 KTM 620 Duke. Behind it to the left is the 990 Duke, in the middle is the 1390 Super Duke R Evo, and behind it to the right is the 390 Duke. They are surrounded by other milestone Duke models from the past 30 years.

With its displacement approaching a liter, the new 990 Duke resides in the so-called “super middleweight” class. It replaces the 890 Duke R, but there’s more to it than just a 58cc bump in engine size. According to KTM reps at the global launch in Spain, the 990 Duke is 96% new and “more like a smaller Super Duke.”

Powering the 990 Duke is KTM’s liquid-cooled LC8c parallel-Twin with DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder – the same engine platform found across the 790/890/990 Adventure and Duke lines. Only the 990 Duke has the 947cc version that makes a claimed 123 hp at 9,500 rpm and 76 lb-ft of torque at 6,750 rpm (up from 121 hp and 73 lb-ft on the 890 Duke R). The intake mixture is fed through a 46mm throttle body and compressed at a ratio of 13.5:1, the Bosch engine management system uses throttle-by-wire, and the 6-speed transmission is mated to a PASC slip/assist wet clutch. Spent gasses exit through a new stainless-steel exhaust that’s Euro 5+ compliant.

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
The liquid-cooled LC8c parallel-Twin is a workhorse engine that powers all KTM 790/890/990 Adventure and Duke models. The frame, subframe, and swingarm are new.

Wrapped around the 990 Duke’s engine is a new frame, subframe, and swingarm. The chromoly steel frame, which uses the engine as a stressed member, is stiffer for added stability and wider at the back to pass outside rather than inside the swingarm. To compensate for the stiffer frame, the diecast aluminum subframe allows more flex, and it now houses the airbox. The swingarm, which is constructed using gravity diecast aluminum and uses a closed-lattice rather than the previous open-lattice design, is 3.3 lb lighter than the 890 Duke R’s. Curb weight with the 3.8-gallon tank fuel is a svelte 395 lb.

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
The KTM 990 Duke has a stiffer frame while its swingarm allows more flex. The net result is more responsive handling.

Gear Up | KTM 990 Duke Review

Like the 890 Duke R, the 990 Duke is equipped with adjustable WP Apex suspension, but it has a new 43mm inverted open-cartridge fork with 5.5 inches of travel and a single gas-assisted rear shock that’s mounted directly to the top of the swingarm and has 5.9 inches of travel. Convenient fork-top adjusters offer five-click adjustability for compression (left leg) and rebound (right leg). The shock also has a five-position adjuster for rebound that requires a flat-blade screwdriver, and preload is adjustable using a spanner (both tools are in a kit under the seat; compression cannot be adjusted).

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
The KTM 990 Duke’s front wheel is shared with the 1390 Super Duke R Evo, and a new rotor mount saves 2.2 lb of unsprung weight. The 4-piston calipers are made by J.Juan.

The 990 Duke rolls on 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels shod with Bridgestone Battlax S22 tires (the latest S23s weren’t yet available for homologation). The front wheel is the same as the 1390 Super Duke R Evo’s, but the rear is slightly different because the 990 has a two-sided swingarm and the 1390 has a single-sided swingarm. Slowing things down are the same 4-piston radial front calipers with 300mm discs and 2-piston rear calipers with a 240mm disc as on the 890 Duke R, but a lighter connection between the front rotors and the wheel saves roughly 2.2 lb of unsprung weight. Cornering ABS with a rear-off Supermoto mode is standard.

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
The 5-inch TFT display uses intuitive graphics that show how different settings affect the motorcycle’s behavior.

In terms of technology, the 990 Duke has a new 5-inch color TFT display with a scratch- and glare-resistant bonded-glass screen, redesigned menus, and optional KTMconnect for smartphone pairing to allow access to navigation, audio, and phone calls. All lighting is LED and there’s a USB-C charging port. Rider electronics include three standard ride modes (Sport, Street, and Rain) and two optional ride modes (Performance and Track) that adjust throttle response, lean-sensitive traction control, and wheelie control. Track mode enables a10-level rear-wheel slip adjuster that can be adjusted on the fly, launch control, a lap timer, and telemetry functions. Cruise control, Motor Slip Regulation, and an up/down quickshifter are optional.

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
The 2024 KTM 990 Duke is nicknamed “The Sniper” and is available in orange or black.

The 990 Duke has also been restyled, with a more muscular, hunched-forward stance like the 1390 Super Duke R Evo. Both share a unique headlight design with stacked low and high beams in the center that are framed by a pair of DRLs shaped like curved talons. Compared to the 890 Duke R, the 990 Duke’s seat is angled up more in the front to prevent the rider sliding forward, is flatter, has new foam, and sits at 32.4 inches, down from 32.8 on the 890. The pillion seat was moved up by 0.8 inch to give the passenger a better view and more legroom.

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
Spain is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe and it has fantastic twisty roads.

My test ride on the 990 Duke was a romp in mountains above Almería, Spain, on a cold, clear February morning that was part of the “30 Years of Duke” press launch that included the 390 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R Evo. When we did a comparison test of KTM’s full Duke lineup in 2021, the 890 Duke was a staff favorite, “a standout machine that encourages you to test its handling and your nerve, and it consistently rewards the rider with confidence-inspiring feel and agility or a gentle prod where lesser machines fall short.” We described it as “a mustang, wild at heart, straining at the bit, and embodies the essence of the Duke series: immediate power and razor-sharp cornering stripped down to the barest of essentials.”

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
The KTM 990 Duke has a unique headlight design that’s shared with the 1390 Super Duke R Evo.

Is the 990 Duke even better? Yes and no. It is an exciting machine that provides a thrilling rush of power and has a light and balanced feel, a responsive chassis, and an excellent electronics package. The Duke’s steady evolution from the 790 to the 890 to the 990 is obvious, but the 990 feels like it just turned 40, suddenly thrust into middle age. As a seven-tenths scale Super Duke (at least in terms of engine displacement; the 990’s 123 hp is 65% as much as the 1390’s 190 hp), it demands more respect and has lost a bit of its free-spiritedness.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just a shift in focus, and with the 790 Duke back in KTM’s lineup, it makes sense.

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
The KTM 990 Duke, all grown up and serious as a heart attack.

Our launch base camp was the Circuito de Almería, located in an arid region near the southern Spanish coast where many Spaghetti Westerns were filmed. From the track, we rode north into the mountains, climbing rapidly on a road with so many hairpins it felt like riding the Alps minus the tour buses. On such a tight, technical road, the 990 Duke felt like overkill. The 390 Duke we rode the previous day would have made more sense, or perhaps KTM’s 690 SMC R supermoto.

After we did our photo passes on a 1st-gear hairpin where I struggled to find my groove, we continued climbing to the top of the mountain. Down the other side, the curves opened up and the 990 Duke felt more in its element.

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
The KTM 990 Duke is light, powerful, and agile.

On a short ride on public roads, some of which were wet or lightly glazed with ice, I didn’t try out the Performance or Track modes, or the new launch control. The Street and Sport modes provided plenty of excitement, and the more I rode the 990 Duke, the more I fell under its spell. Allow me to reiterate two key specs: 123 hp and 395 lb. That power is delivered in a direct but very manageable way to the rear wheel, which is attached to a lightweight motorcycle with a retuned chassis that ensures steering inputs hit the bullseye. Admirable qualities, but also ones that encourage a high rate of speed.

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
Compared to the 890 Duke R, the KTM 990 Duke’s seat is flatter and 0.4 inch lower.

I’ve tested enough KTMs to become accustomed to its menus and appreciate the intuitive illustrated motorcycle graphics that show how different settings affect vehicle dynamics. The new switchgear on the 990 Duke is easy to use, but there are too many steps involved in changing modes and settings on the fly. A simple “mode” button that would allow a rider to quickly toggle between ride modes would simplify the process.

So 990 may be the magic number. Nearly 20 years ago, the KTM 990 Super Duke was the first big-bore streetbike made by a small Austrian company known for its dirtbikes. Since then, KTM has become Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, the Super Duke has gotten super-er, and the 990 Duke honors that legacy.

2024 KTM 990 Duke review
2024 KTM 990 Duke

2024 KTM 990 Duke Specs

  • Base Price: $12,500
  • Website: KTM.com
  • Warranty: 2 yrs., 24,000 miles
  • Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
  • Displacement: 947cc
  • Bore x Stroke: 92.5 x 70.4mm
  • Horsepower: 123 hp @ 9,500 rpm (factory claim)
  • Torque: 76 lb-ft @ 6,750 rpm (factory claim)
  • Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch
  • Final Drive: Chain
  • Wheelbase: 58.1 in.
  • Rake/Trail: 24.2 degrees/3.9 in.
  • Seat Height: 32.5 in.
  • Wet Weight: 395 lb (factory claim)
  • Fuel Capacity: 3.9 gal.
  • Fuel Consumption: 50 mpg (factory claim)

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

A Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride in Autumn

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran West Bluff
On the northern tip of Keweenaw Peninsula, West Bluff provides a sweeping view of Lake Superior and Copper Harbor, Michigan – a great spot to stop along this Michigan Upper Peninsula motorcycle ride. Photos by the author and Craig Moll.

As a resident of Minnesota with incurable wanderlust, I’ve visited Michigan’s Upper Peninsula a few times, including doing the 1,300‑mile Lake Superior Circle Tour twice. But one area of the Upper Peninsula – known locally as the “U.P.” – I had yet to explore is the Keweenaw Peninsula, a 150‑mile‑long wedge of land that looks like a long dorsal fin jutting into Lake Superior. Before Old Man Winter brought an end to the riding season, my friend Craig and I squeezed in a mid‑October ride, making a big loop around the U.P. where we enjoyed the area’s rich history, unparalleled scenery, and excellent motorcycling roads.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran REVER map

Scan QR code above or click here to view the route on REVER

We met up just east of Minneapolis in Hudson, Wisconsin, on a cool, clear autumn day. Craig was on his KTM 890 Adventure, and I was on my Harley‑Davidson Pan American, which I call “Dirt Glide.” With no rain in the forecast, we were excited to hit the road.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran Lake Superior
Lake Superior, which is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume, forms the northern shoreline of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

We crossed into Michigan on U.S. Route 2 and continued northeast on M‑28 to Lake Gogebic, the state’s largest inland lake. The long, finger‑shaped lake is a popular spot for outdoor activities year‑round. It has 13,380 acres of good fishing water, and there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, hunting, camping, and winter sports. Surrounded by vast hardwood forests, it’s a great place to see fall colors. It also gets an annual snowfall of nearly 300 inches and has an excellent snowmobile trail system.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Chuck Cochran and Craig Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Chuck and Craig at Sand Point on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

For motorcyclists, a loop around Lake Gogebic is an enjoyable scenic ride. M‑64 hugs the western shore, and East Shore Road hugs the other side, and there are parks, lodges, and dining options dotted along the nearly 40‑mile route. At the lake’s northern end at the junction of M‑28 and M‑64 is Bergland, which has places to eat, drink, and stay, as well as a museum highlighting the local history of mining, logging, and sports.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 runs the length of the Keneewaw Peninsula, from Baraga to Copper Harbor. In the fall, the changing leaves create a tunnel of color. Photo credit Danita Delimont / Adobe Stock.

After enjoying the scenery of the lake, we continued up M‑64 to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan’s largest state park and home of the Lake of the Clouds. Covering 60,000 acres with 35,000 acres of old‑growth forest, the park has waterfalls, rivers and streams, hiking trails, a campground, and miles of scenic Lake Superior shoreline.

Our ride up to the Lake of the Clouds scenic overlook was rewarded with a kaleidoscope of fall colors and scenery that lives up to the lake’s name. After a few photos, we were back on the bikes and followed M‑64 along the southern shore of Lake Superior to Ontonagon, where we turned inland on M‑38 to M‑26, which runs up the center of the Keweenaw Peninsula, also known as the Copper Country region.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran Lake of the Clouds
Located in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park along the shore of Lake Superior, Lake of the Clouds is idyllic.

At Houghton, we crossed the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and continued north on U.S. Route 41. With the sun fading, we rode to our overnight destination at the AmericInn in Calumet. The hotel is within walking distance of restaurants, stores, and the Keweenaw National Historic Park, which showcases the area’s 7,000‑year history of copper mining.

See all of Rider‘s Midwest U.S. motorcycle rides here.

We wandered through Calumet, a small town that was in the heart of Michigan’s copper mining industry. Its historic downtown has gift shops, galleries, coffee houses, saloons, and restaurants. We made our way to the Michigan House Cafe & Red Jacket Brewing Co., which is in the former Hotel Michigan that was opened by Bosch Brewing in 1905. Today, it’s a restaurant and brewpub, and the Oatmeal Express stout was the perfect choice for a fall evening.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran Eagle River
In the mid-1800s, Eagle River was a thriving mining town on the north shore of the Keneewaw Peninsula. We enjoyed a scenic shoreline ride on M-26 from there to Copper Harbor.

The next morning, we availed ourselves of the AmericInn’s complimentary breakfast and trudged out to our frost‑covered bikes. We continued riding on U.S. 41 in a northeasterly direction to Phoenix, where we turned due north on M‑26, which curves its way along the Lake Superior shore, offering amazing views and passing through nature and wildlife sanctuaries.

Before the town of Copper Harbor, we turned on to Brockway Mountain Drive, which gradually climbs up and over an eroded volcanic prominence that rises 720 feet above Lake Superior’s waterline. At West Bluff, we stopped to admire an unbelievable vista of the big lake to the north and the fall‑colored forest to the south. 

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran Cinder Pond Marina
Cinder Pond Marina is part of the charming waterfront in Marquette.

We cruised back downhill to Copper Harbor, Michigan’s northernmost town, which overlooks its namesake port near the outer tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Surrounded by Lake Superior, its microclimate is cool in the summer and relatively mild in the winter. Copper Harbor has a fascinating history, and the town is a great base camp for exploring the peninsula or a launching point for trips to Grand Isle National Park.

After gassing up, we headed south on U.S. 41 and then Gay Lac La Belle Road to the Bete Grise Wetlands Preserve and the southern shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula. We stopped for lunch in Houghton, which is located on the Keweenaw Waterway that cuts across the peninsula and was once at the epicenter of the region’s copper industry.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran Lower Harbor Ore Dock
The massive concrete-and-steel Lower Harbor Ore Dock is one of the most iconic landmarks in Marquette. Photo credit ehrlif / Adobe Stock.

We rode south on U.S. 41, which runs along the western shore of Portage Lake and then Keweenaw Bay to L’Anse, where we returned to the mainland of the U.P. We followed U.S. 41 east to Marquette, a Lake Superior port city known for shipping iron ore from the Marquette Iron Range. With a population of 20,000 and home to Northern Michigan University, Marquette is the largest city on the U.P. We pulled into the Hampton Inn Marquette/Waterfront, which lives up to its name with an amazing view of sailboats and other vessels carving up the bay. Being a lively college town, Marquette has numerous bars and restaurants to choose from. We had dinner at the historic Vierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor Brewery, named after Martin Vierling, who built the building in 1883 and ran a “gentlemen’s saloon” at the location until Prohibition. Renovated and reopened in the 1980s, the establishment has a historic wooden bar with large windows overlooking the harbor. 

Firing up the bikes the next morning, we rode east on M‑28 to Munising and then on H‑58 for a few miles to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We rode up to Sand Point, which has nice views across the water to Grand Island, a national recreation area.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran Whitefish Point
More ships have been lost in the vicinity of Whitefish Point, also known as the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes,” than anywhere else on Lake Superior.

The road to Munising and Sand Point was good, but the winding curves of H‑58 rivaled some of the best roads we’ve ever ridden, with extensive twists and turns carved through the forest and along the Lake Superior shore. We continued east to M‑123 to visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park, which covers 50,000 acres. The Upper Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River and is about 200 feet across and drops 50 feet. The Lower Falls are a series of smaller falls cascading in many directions.

East of the park, we made our way up to Whitefish Point, which is known as the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes” and home of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. There have been 550 known shipwrecks in the area, and at least 200 of them are off Whitefish Point, including the famous SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in 1975 and was memorialized in a popular song by Gordon Lightfoot.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran Fayette State Park
On the southern, Lake Michigan side of the Upper Peninsula, Fayette State Park is a restored 19th century iron-smelting village with 22 historic buildings, a museum, and a visitor center.

We made our way to the southern side of the U.P. on the northern shore of Lake Michigan, where we spent the night in Manistique, a recreational mecca for boating, fishing, camping, and snowmobiling. In the morning, we rode south on the Garden Peninsula to Fayette State Park, which overlooks Big Bay De Noc and was home to one of the U.P.’s most productive iron‑smelting operations during the 19th century. When the iron market declined, the Jackson Iron Company shuttered its operation in 1891.

Our return route west on U.S. 2 took us to Iron Mountain, home of the Pine Mountain Ski Jump and the annual Continental Cup, one of the world’s best ski jumping events.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Tahquamenon Falls State Park has 35-plus miles of trails and multiple viewpoints for the Upper and Lower falls.

Next we wanted to check out an interesting phenomenon called the Paulding Light, a mysterious light that appears at the end of a deadend road in a valley located between the towns of Pauling and Watersmeet off U.S. Route 45. The light has been reported since the 1960s, and various legends claim the light is the result of paranormal activity, the ghost of either a railroad brakeman who died in a train collision, a murdered mail courier, or a Native American dancing on powerlines.

Craig and I arrived at the location at dusk and waited for the light. At first we saw nothing, and then…wait…what’s that? Sure enough, a faint light appeared off in the distance above the tree line. Off and on it went, so we decided to pursue this mystery for ourselves. We rode down a steep, sandy, rock‑strewn powerline road to a narrow, rickety bridge that crossed a creek. As I hit the partially rotted bridge, I thought, Pan Am, don’t fail me now! Charging up the hill on the other side, we attempted to find the source of the light but to no avail. In 2010, students at Michigan Tech said they solved the mystery, claiming the Paulding Light is caused by headlights on a faraway highway. I like the ghost stories better.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Cochran
One of our favorite parts of touring around Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was the many roadside waterfalls, creeks, and overlooks where we could stop and take a few quiet moments to appreciate nature’s beauty.

The next day, we returned home. It’s always bittersweet when a fun motorcycle trip comes to an end, but the great thing about exploring a new area is knowing we can always come back for more. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offers seemingly endless opportunities for riding and recreation, with a rich vein of history that runs through the area like its deep deposits of copper and iron.

See all of Rider‘s motorcycle rides here.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride Resources

The post A Michigan Upper Peninsula Motorcycle Ride in Autumn appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Schuberth S3 Motorcycle Helmet Review | Gear

Schuberth S3 Motorcycle Helmet Review

Over the past couple years, German helmet maker Schuberth has completely redesigned its lineup of motorcycle helmets. In the past, we’ve reviewed Schuberth’s modular helmets: the C5 and ADV-style E2. The S3 is a full-face helmet based on the same architecture, its shell manufactured using directly processed fiberglass combined with a special resin that’s compressed in a vacuum at high pressure. Like the C5 and E2, the S3’s shell also has a basalt layer for added strength and impact absorption.

Schuberth S3 Motorcycle Helmet Review
Photo by Kevin Wing

Designed to meet Europe’s latest ECE 22.06 helmet safety standard, the S3 reaches high benchmarks for protection and has a large eyeport for better visibility (the S3 is also DOT approved). Inside the shell is a dual-density EPS liner, an intermediate-oval head shape, and a new comfort liner with customizable pads. Optional “sport” and “comfort” cheek pads and replaceable rear pads can make the interior more round or more oval. The S3 also has the Schuberth Rescue System, which allows first responders to extract the cheek pads to facilitate removal of the helmet.

Schuberth S3 Motorcycle Helmet Review

Other features include an optically correct faceshield with a Pinlock anti-fog insert, a repositioned chinstrap to reduce pressure near the throat, an anti-roll-off system, a double chin air intake with an exchangeable filter, a new rear spoiler with an air extractor, and a new V-lock sunshield mechanism.

Schuberth S3 Motorcycle Helmet Review

The S3 is also prewired for the optional SC2 Bluetooth 5.0 communicator (sold separately), which is made by Sena and based on the 50S with voice activation and mesh networking. HD speakers and an antenna are built into the helmet. A remote-control unit clicks into the left side of the helmet, and the SC2 main unit with a rechargeable battery plugs into the back of the helmet.

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here.

Fit and comfort are excellent, and weight is reasonable: The size Medium we tested is 3 lb, 14 ounces. While testing naked bikes for a comparison test, the S3’s slippery shape moved through the air with no buffeting, and during head checks to the side there was no unpleasant noise or wind pressure. Thanks to the aerodynamic shell and well-padded neck roll, the inside of the helmet remains reasonably quiet. The only issue I had with the S3, as well as the C5 and E2, is that it’s easy to inadvertently knock the vent on the chinbar closed when putting on the helmet or opening/closing the faceshield.

Schuberth S3 Motorcycle Helmet Review

The Schuberth S3 comes in Concrete Gray (shown), Matte Black, or Glossy White for $599, as well as the Storm graphic in three colorways (blue, silver, or orange) for $699. Available sizes are XS-3XL.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

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