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2021 Motorcycle Buyers Guide: New Street Models

August 17, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

This 2021 motorcycle buyers guide includes new or significantly updated street-legal models available in the U.S. It includes bikes in many categories, including adventure, cafe racer, cruiser, sport, sport-touring, retro, touring, and others.

Organized in alphabetical order by manufacturer, it includes photos and links to details or, when available, first rides and road test reviews of each motorcycle. Due to the pandemic and supply chain disruptions, some manufacturers skipped the 2021 model year. Stay tuned for our 2022 Motorcycle Buyers Guide.

2021 Aprilia RS 660

Aprilia‘s RS 660 is the first of three models — the RS 660 sportbike, the Tuono 660 naked bike (below), and the not-yet-released Tuareg 660 adventure bike — built on a new engine platform, a liquid-cooled 659cc parallel-Twin with a 270-degree firing order that makes a claimed 100 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 49.4 lb-ft of torque at 8,500 rpm. The RS 660 is equipped with the IMU-enabled APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) electronics package with five ride modes, 3-level cornering ABS, 3-level traction control, wheelie control, cruise control, and engine braking management. Pricing starts at $11,299.

Read our 2021 Aprilia RS 660 First Ride Review

Watch our 2021 Aprilia RS 660 Video Review

2021 Aprilia RSV4 / RSV4 Factory

Aprilia is an Italian brand known for performance, and the RSV4 and RSV4 Factory are at the pointy end of the company’s go-fast spear. Both are powered by a 1,099cc, 65-degree V-4 that Aprilia says cranks out an eye-watering 217 horsepower at 13,000 rpm and 92 lb-ft of torque at 10,500 rpm, even while meeting strict Euro 5 emissions regulations. And both are equipped with a 6-axis IMU and the APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) suite of rider aids. Whereas the standard RSV4 features fully adjustable Sachs suspension, the RSV4 Factory is equipped with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension, with a 43mm NIX upside-down fork, a TTX rear shock, and an electronic steering damper. The RSV4 has cast wheels and the RSV4 Factory has lighter and stronger forged wheels. MSRP for the RSV4 is $18,999 and MSRP for the RSV4 Factory is $25,999.

Read our 2021 Aprilia RSV4 Factory First Ride Review

2021 Aprilia Tuono 660

Based on the RS 660 (above), the Aprilia Tuono 660 is a semi-naked sportbike with a more upright seating position, and more street-oriented steering geometry. Its base price is $10,499.

Read our 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 First Ride Review

Watch our 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 Video Review

2021 Aprilia Tuono V4 / Tuono V4 Factory

The Tuono name has always been associated with top-of-the-line street performance, and the Aprilia Tuono V4 and Tuono V4 Factory carry the cred with a 1,077cc V-4 that produces 175 horsepower and 89 lb-ft of torque at the crank (claimed). The Tuono V4 is the more street-focused of the two, with a taller windscreen, a higher handlebar, and optional saddlebags (as shown above), and it is equipped with fully adjustable Sachs suspension. The Tuono V4 Factory is equipped with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension. Both models feature a six-axis IMU that supports the APRC electronics suite. MSRP for the Tuono V4 is $15,999 and MSRP for the Tuono V4 Factory is $19,499.

Read our 2021 Aprilia Tuono V4 / Factory First Ride Review

2021 Benelli Leoncino / Leoncino Trail

The Benelli Leoncino (“little lion”) is an Italian-designed, Chinese-manufactured roadster powered by a liquid-cooled 500cc parallel-Twin also found in the TRK502X adventure bike (below). In the U.S., the Leoncino is part of a two-bike lineup, which includes the standard street-biased roadster model (shown above) and the Leoncino Trail, a scrambler variant with more suspension travel and spoked wheels with a 19-inch front and 90/10 adventure tires. The Leoncino comes with standard ABS and is priced at $6,199, while the Leoncino Trail is $7,199.

Read our 2021 Benelli Leoncino Road Test Review

Watch our 2021 Benelli Leoncino Video Review

2021 Benelli TRK502X

Like the Leoncino above, the Benelli TRK502X is an Italian-designed, Chinese-manufactured adventure bike powered by a liquid-cooled 500cc parallel-Twin. It has a comfortable and upright seating position, a good windscreen, 90/10 adventure tires with a 19-inch front, spoked wheels, ABS, hand and engine guards, and enough luggage capacity to go the distance (aluminum panniers and top box are standard). MSRP is $7,398.

Read our 2021 Benelli TRK502X Road Test Review

2021 BMW R 18 / R 18 First Edition

The BMW R 18 is a cruiser powered by a massive 1,802cc OHV air/oil-cooled 4-valve opposed Twin that’s the largest “boxer” engine the German company has ever produced. Part of BMW’s Heritage line, the R 18 has styling inspired by the 1930s-era R 5. Despite its classic looks, the long, low cruiser is equipped with fully modern electronics, brakes, suspension, and other features. Base price is $17,495. BMW recently announced two touring versions for the 2022 model year, the R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental, both with a fairing, hard saddlebags, and an infotainment system; the Transcontinental adds a trunk with an integrated passenger backrest.

Read our 2021 BMW R 18 First Edition Road Test Review

2021 Ducati Monster

The Ducati Monster is one of the Italian manufacturer’s most iconic and best-selling models. Gone is the trademark tubular-steel trellis frame, replaced with a front-frame design that uses the engine as a structural member of the chassis, as on the Panigale and Streetfighter V4 models. Compared to the previous Monster 821, the new model weighs 40 pounds less and is equipped with a more powerful 937cc Testastretta 11-degree L-Twin engine and top-shelf electronics. New styling and more make this an all-new Monster. Pricing starts at $11,895 for the Monster and $12,195 for the Monster+, which adds a flyscreen and passenger seat cover.

Read our 2021 Ducati Monster First Ride Review

2021 Ducati Multistrada V4

Another top-selling Ducati is the Multistrada adventure bike. For 2021, it is now the Multistrada V4 and it is powered by the 1,158cc 90-degree V4 Grandturismo engine that makes 170 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and stomping 92 lb-ft torque at 8,750 rpm (claimed). Ducati Skyhook semi-active suspension and a full suite of IMU-supported electronics are standard, and S models are equipped with a radar system that enables Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection. New for 2021 is a 19-inch front wheel. Pricing starts at $19,995 for the Multistrada V4 and $24,095 for the Multistrada V4 S.

Read our 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 S First Ride Review

Watch our 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 S Video Review

2021 Ducati SuperSport 950

Updates to the Ducati SuperSport 950 include new styling inspired by the Panigale V4, an IMU-enabled electronics package, and improved comfort. The seat is flatter and has more padding, the handlebar is higher, and the footpegs are lower. The SuperSport 950 is powered by a 937cc Testastretta L-Twin that makes 110 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 68.6 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm (claimed, at the crank). The SuperSport 950 is available in Ducati Red for $13,995. The SuperSport 950 S, which is equipped with fully adjustable Öhlins suspension and a passenger seat cover, is available in Ducati Red and Arctic White Silk starting at $16,195.

2021 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Revival

Earlier this year Harley-Davidson announced its new Icons Collection. The first model in the collection is the stunning Electra Glide Revival, which is inspired by the 1969 Electra Glide, the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle available with an accessory “batwing” fairing. Though retro in style, the Electra Glide Revival is powered by a Milwaukee Eight 114 V-twin and is equipped with RDRS Safety Enhancements and a Boom! Box infotainment system. Global production of the Electra Glide Revival is limited to a one-time build of 1,500 serialized examples, with an MSRP of $29,199.

Read our 2021 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Revival First Look Review

2021 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114

2021 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy 114

With its iconic solid aluminum 18-inch Lakester wheels, for 2021 Harley-Davidson gave the Fat Boy 114 a new look with lots of chrome and bright work. Powering the Fat Boy is none other than the torquey Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin engine, equipped with a 6-speed gearbox and putting down a claimed 119 ft-lb of torque at just 3,000 rpm. Pricing starts at $19,999.

Read our 2021 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 First Look Review

2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 / Pan America 1250 Special

A competitive, state-of-the-art, 150-horsepower adventure bike built by Harley-Davidson? Yea, right, when pigs fly! Well, the Motor Company came out swinging with its Pan America 1250 and Pan America 1250 Special. Powered by the all-new Revolution Max 1250, a liquid-cooled, 1,252cc, 60-degree V-Twin with DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, and variable valve timing. The killer app is the optional Adaptive Ride Height, which lowers the higher-spec Pan America 1250 Special (which is equipped with semi-active Showa suspension) by 1 to 2 inches when the bike comes to a stop. Pricing starts at $17,319 for the Pan America 1250 and $19,999 for the Pan America 1250 Special.

Read our 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special First Ride Review

Watch our 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special Video Review

2021 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special

For Harley-Davidson Touring models like the Road Glide, Road King, and Street Glide, there are Special models that offer a slammed look and 119 lb-ft of torque from the Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin. The 2021 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special is available with new two-tone paint options, and with a choice of a blacked-out or bright chrome styling treatments. All Special models are now equipped with the high-performance Ventilator air cleaner with a washable filter element, and a new low-profile engine guard. Pricing starts at $26,699.

2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S

The (air-cooled) Sportster is dead, long live the (liquid-cooled) Sportster! Visually similar to the 1250 Custom teased several years ago, the 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S represents a new era for the legendary Sportster line. Since the introduction of the XL model family in 1957, Sportsters have always been stripped-down motorcycles powered by air-cooled V-Twins. Harley calls the new Sportster S a “sport custom motorcycle,” and at the heart of the machine is a 121-horsepower Revolution Max 1250T V-Twin, a lightweight chassis, and premium suspension. Pricing starts at $14,999.

Read our 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S First Look Review

2021 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114

The Street Bob, with its mini-ape handlebar, mid-mount controls, and bobber-style fenders, has become a fan favorite among those looking for a minimalist American V-twin to customize. The 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114 packs more punch, thanks to the larger, torque-rich Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. Pricing starts at $14,999.

Read our 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114 First Look Review

2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special

With a slammed look and 119 lb-ft of torque from the Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin, the 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special is available with new two-tone paint options, and with a choice of a blacked-out or bright chrome styling treatments. All Special models are now equipped with the high-performance Ventilator air cleaner with a washable filter element, and a new low-profile engine guard. Pricing starts at $27,099.

Harley-Davidson Unveils Arctic Blast Limited Edition Street Glide Special

2021 Honda ADV150

The 2021 Honda ADV150 is an ADV-styled scooter, essentially a Honda PCX150 with longer travel Showa suspension (5.1/4.7 inches front/rear) and a larger ABS-equipped 240mm disc brake at the bow and a drum brake without ABS in the stern. Its powered by a liquid-cooled 149cc Single and has an automatic V-matic transmission. Pricing starts at $4,199.

Read our 2021 Honda ADV150 First Ride Review

2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

Well-mannered motorcycles seldom make racing history, and the 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP was developed with one uncompromising goal — win superbike races at all costs. It’s powered by an inline-Four that we dyno tested at 175 horsepower at the rear wheel, and it’s equipped with Öhlins semi-active suspension, IMU-enabled electronics, and top-shelf braking hardware. And it’s street legal and available for purchase from your local Honda dealer. MSRP is $28,500.

Read our 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Road Test Review

Watch our 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Video Review

2021 Honda CRF300L

The 2021 Honda CRF300L (above) and CRF300L Rally (below) dual-sports share the same powerplant, a liquid-cooled 286cc Single which boasts 15% more displacement, power, and torque than its 250cc predecessor. They have a new slip/assist clutch, revised steering geometry, less weight, and a new LCD meter. The CRF300L has a base price of $5,249 (add $300 for ABS), weighs 309 pounds, has a 2.1-gallon tank, and has a 34.7-inch seat height.

Read our 2021 Honda CRF300L and CRF300L Rally First Ride Review

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally

The 2021 Honda CRF300L and CRF300L Rally (above) dual-sports share the same powerplant, a liquid-cooled 286cc Single which boasts 15% more displacement, power, and torque than its 250cc predecessor. They have a new slip/assist clutch, revised steering geometry, less weight, and a new LCD meter. The CRF300L Rally, which has a windscreen, handlebar weights, rubber footpeg inserts, a larger front brake rotor, more seat padding, and a larger fuel tank (3.4 gallons vs. 2.1) than the CRF300L, has a base price of $5,999 (add $300 for ABS), weighs 333 pounds, and has a 35.2-inch seat height.

Read our 2021 Honda CRF300L and CRF300L Rally First Ride Review

2021 Honda CRF450RL

The Honda CRF450L debuted for 2019, bringing CRF450R motocross performance to a street-legal dual-sport. Its lightweight, compact, liquid-cooled 449cc single has a 12:1 compression ratio and a Unicam SOHC valve train with titanium valves. For 2021, Honda added an “R” to the model name (CRF450RL), lowered the price to $9,999 (from $10,399), revised the ECU and fuel-injection settings for better throttle response, and added new hand guards and fresh graphics.

Read our 2021 Honda CRF450RL Review

2021 Honda Gold Wing / Gold Wing DCT

The Gold Wing has been Honda‘s flagship touring model for more than 40 years. It entered its sixth generation for the 2018 model year, with a complete overhaul to the GL1800 platform that made it lighter, sportier, and more technologically advanced. The standard Gold Wing (above) and trunk-equipped Gold Wing Tour (below) won Rider‘s 2018 Motorcycle of the Year award. Gold Wing updates for 2021 include a suede-like seat cover, colored seat piping, audio improvements, and red rear turnsignals. Pricing starts at $23,800 for the Gold Wing and $25,100 for the Gold Wing DCT (with 7-speed automatic Dual Clutch Transmission).

Read our 2021 Honda Gold Wing First Look Review

2021 Honda Gold Wing Tour / Gold Wing Tour DCT

Updates for the Honda Gold Wing Tour include the same ones listed above for the standard Gold Wing: a suede-like seat cover, colored seat piping, audio improvements, and red rear turnsignals. But the Tour also got a larger top trunk (61 liters, up from 50) that now easily accepts two full-face helmets; total storage capacity is now 121 liters. The passenger seat’s backrest features a more relaxed angle, thicker foam, and a taller profile. Pricing starts at $23,800 for the Gold Wing and $25,100 for the Gold Wing DCT (with 7-speed automatic Dual Clutch Transmission).

Read our 2021 Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT First Ride Review

2021 Honda Rebel 1100 / Rebel 1100 DCT

Joining the Rebel 300 and Rebel 500 in Honda‘s cruiser lineup for 2021 is the all-new Rebel 1100, which is powered by powered by a version of the liquid-cooled 1,084cc parallel-twin used in the 2020 Africa Twin, which uses a Unicam SOHC valve train and is available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic Dual Clutch Transmission. Standard equipment includes four ride modes (Standard, Sport, Rain and User, which is customizable), Honda Selectable Torque Control (aka traction control, which has integrated wheelie control), engine brake control, and cruise control. Pricing starts at $9,299 for the Rebel 1100 and $9,999 for the Rebel 1100 DCT.

Read our 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT First Ride Review

2021 Honda Trail 125 ABS

The latest addition to Honda‘s miniMOTO lineup is the Trail 125 ABS, which is powered by the same air-cooled 125cc Single found in the Grom, Monkey, and Super Cub C125. Like the Monkey and Super Cub, the Trail plays the retro card, pulling at heartstrings for a bike beloved by many decades ago. Just like its forefathers, the 2021 Honda Trail 125 proudly carries on the tradition of being a quaint and understated dual-sport, with a steel backbone frame, upright handlebar, square turnsignals, upswept exhaust, high-mount snorkel, and luggage rack. MSRP is $3,899.

Read our 2021 Honda Trail 125 ABS First Ride Review

2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited

For 2021, the Indian Roadmaster Limited gets the larger 116ci Thunder Stroke V-Twin versus the original 111, and it has a modern streamlined fairing, open front fender, and slammed saddlebags. As a premium touring model, the Roadmaster Limited also gets Indian’s heated and cooled ClimaCommand seats and other upgrades. Pricing starts at $30,749.

Read our 2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited Tour Test Review

2021 Kawasaki KLX300

Like the Honda CRF300L above, Kawasaki‘s entry-level dual-sport got a displacement boost, which warranted a name change from KLX250 to KLX300. The 2021 KLX300 makes more thanks to a larger 292cc Single, which is liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, and has DOHC with four valves. It also uses more aggressive cam profiles, making it livelier than its predecessor. All of that is paired to a 6-speed gearbox and 14/40 final drive. Pricing starts at $5,599. And joining the KLX300 is a supermoto version, the KLX300SM (below).

Read our 2021 Kawasaki KLX300 First Ride Review

Watch our 2021 Kawasaki KLX300 and KLX300SM Video Review

2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM

Joining the KLX300 dual-sport (above) in Kawasaki‘s 2021 lineup is an all-new supermoto version, the KLX300SM. It has street-oriented 17-inch wire-spoke wheels and IRC Road Winner RX-01 rubber, and the suspension is stiffer with slightly abbreviated travel. The KLX300SM also has taller final-drive gearing and a larger front brake rotor. Pricing starts at $5,599.

Read our 2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM First Ride Review

Watch our 2021 Kawasaki KLX300 and KLX300SM Video Review

2021 KTM 450 SMR

Speaking of supermoto, KTM‘s track-only, race-ready 450 SMR is back for 2021. Using the 450 SX-F motocross racer as its foundation, the SMR shares its 63-horsepower 450cc single-cylinder SOHC engine, lightweight steel frame, and cast-aluminum swingarm. To suit its supermoto purpose, wider triple clamps with a 16mm offset accommodate tubeless Alpina wheels (16.5-inch front and 17-inch rear) fitted with ultra-sticky Bridgestone Battlax Supermoto slicks. The WP Xact suspension is updated, reducing suspension travel to an ample 11.2 inches in the front and 10.5 inches in the rear, lowering the bike’s center of gravity and improving handling. A radially mounted Brembo M50 front caliper squeezes a 310mm Galfer floating rotor to deliver all the braking power you’ll ever need on a bike that weighs just 232 pounds wet. MSRP is $11,299.

Read our 2021 KTM 450 SMR First Ride Review

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R

We selected the KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R as Rider‘s 2019 Motorcycle of the Year. Just two years later, KTM has updated the platform. Adapted from the 890 Duke R, the engine now has more displacement, a higher compression ratio, and other improvements. And like the 890 Duke R, the Adventure R has better throttle-by-wire response, a beefed-up clutch and a shortened shift lever stroke and lighter shift-detent spring for faster shifting. Chassis updates include an aluminum head tube, a lighter swingarm, revised suspension settings, and refinements to the braking system. Pricing starts at $14,199.

Read our 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R (Off) Road Test Review

Watch our 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R Video Review

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R Rally

The limited-edition KTM 890 Adventure R Rally received the same updates as the 890 Adventure R (above), but is loaded with race-spec inspired components. Its development utilized feedback from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team riders, Toby Price, and Sam Sunderland. Only 700 units of the 890 Adventure R Rally will be produced worldwide, with 200 slated for the North American market. Pricing starKTM 8ts at $19,999.

Read our 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R and 890 Adventure R Rally First Look Review

2021 KTM 890 Duke

Powering the 2021 KTM 890 Duke is the same punchy, rip-roaring 889cc parallel-Twin producing a claimed 115 horsepower and 67.9 lb-ft of torque that’s also found in the 890 Duke R and 890 Adventure (above). Shared amongst the middleweight Duke family is a chromoly-steel frame, lightweight one-piece aluminum subframe and cast aluminum swingarm. By using the 889cc engine as a stressed member, the 890 Duke flaunts a mere 372-pound dry weight. We recently completed a comparison test of the 2021 KTM Duke lineup (200, 390, 890, and 1290), which will be posted soon.

Read our 2021 KTM 890 Duke First Look Review

2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone

On March 15, 2021, Moto Guzzi celebrated its 100th anniversary of continuous production at its headquarters in Mandello del Lario, Italy. One of Moto Guzzi’s most iconic models, the V7, was updated for 2021, and is available in more modern V7 Stone and classic V7 Special versions. Both have a larger 853cc V-Twin derived from engine, variations of which are found in the V9 and V85 TT. They also get reduced effort from the single-disc dry clutch, a stiffer frame, a bigger swingarm with a new bevel gear for the cardan shaft drive, revised damping and a longer stroke for the preload-adjustable rear shocks, an updated ABS module, a wider rear tire, vibration-damping footpegs, and a thicker passenger seat. MSRP for the V7 Stone is $8,990, or $9,190 for the Centenario edition (shown above).

Read our 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone First Ride Review

Watch our 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Video Review

2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Special

The 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Special gets the same updates as the V7 Stone above. Whereas the V7 Stone has matte finishes, a single all-digital gauge, black exhausts, cast wheels, and an eagle-shaped LED set into the headlight, the V7 Special is classically styled, with spoked wheels, chrome finishes, dual analog gauges, and a traditional headlight. MSRP is $9,490.

Read our 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Special and V7 Stone First Look Review

2021 Moto Guzzi V85 TT

For 2021, the Moto Guzzi V85 TT gets some updates to its air-cooled 853cc 90-degree V-Twin. The revised powerplant offers more torque at low to midrange rpm thanks to optimized lift of the pushrod-and-rockers timing cams and tweaks to the engine control electronics. New spoked rims now mount tubeless tires, reducing unsprung weight by 3.3 pounds for better handling and facilitating plug-and-go flat repairs. Two new riding modes—Sport and Custom—join the existing three (Street, Rain, Off-road) to provide more flexibility in managing throttle response, traction control and ABS to suit rider preferences. Cruise control and the color TFT instrument panel also come standard. The 2021 V85 TT Adventure ($12,990) has standard saddlebags. The 2021 V85 TT Travel ($13,390) includes a Touring windscreen, side panniers from the Urban series, auxiliary LED lights, heated hand grips, and the Moto Guzzi MIA multimedia platform.

Read our 2021 Moto Guzzi V85 TT First Look Review

2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan

For 2021, the Royal Enfield Himalayan adventure bike, which is powered by an air-cooled 411cc Single, get several updates, including switchable ABS to help riders when riding off-road, a revised rear brake that is said to improve braking performance, a redesigned sidestand, and a new hazard light switch. MSRP is $4,999.

Read our 2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan First Look Review

2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350

For 2021, the Royal Enfield family gets a new addition — the Meteor 350, a light, affordable cruiser powered by an all-new air-cooled 349cc single with SOHC actuating two valves. Available in three budget-friendly trim packages, variants include the base-model Fireball ($4,399) with a black exhaust system; the Stellar ($4,499), with a chrome exhaust and a passenger backrest; and the Supernova ($4,599), which adds a windshield and a two-tone paint scheme.

Read our 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Road Test Review

Watch our 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Video Review

2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS

Triumph‘s Speed Triple is one of the original hooligan bikes. It has evolved over the years since its introduction in 1994, and for 2021 the Speed Triple 1200 RS is the lightest, most powerful, highest-spec version yet. Its all-new 1,160cc Triple (up from 1,050cc) makes 165 horsepower at the rear wheel, and the RS is equipped with state-of-the-art electronics, fully adjustable Öhlins suspension, Brembo Stylema front calipers, and much more. Pricing starts at $18,300.

Read our 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Road Test Review

2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport

The 2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport, a street-focused adventure bike powered by the same liquid-cooled 888cc in-line triple as the Tiger 900 models, but it has been detuned to 82 horsepower at 8,400 rpm and 58 lb-ft of torque at 6,700 rpm at the rear wheel, as measured on Jett Tuning‘s dyno, which is about 10 horsepower lower. To keep the price down, Triumph also reduced the number of ride modes to two (Road and Rain) and limited suspension adjustability to rear preload. But this is no bargain-bin special. It has Marzocchi suspension front and rear, and it has Brembo brakes, with Stylema front calipers and a radial front master cylinder. ABS is standard but not switchable, and traction control is also standard but is switchable.

Watch our 2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport Video Review

2021 Triumph Trident 660

The 2021 Triumph Trident 660 is a triple-cylinder-powered roadster in the the twin-cylinder-dominated middleweight class. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 660cc inline-Triple making a claimed 79.9 horsepower at 10,250 rpm and 47 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm, and it is equipped with ABS, switchable traction control, and selectable ride modes. MSRP is $7,995.

Read our 2021 Triumph Trident 660 First Look Review

2021 Yamaha MT-07

Updates for 2021 to the Yamaha MT-07, its best-selling middleweight naked sportbike, include revisions to the 689cc liquid-cooled CP2 (Cross Plane 2-cylinder) parallel-Twin engine to meet Euro 5 regulations and to improve low-rpm throttle response. The MT-07 has a new 2-into-1 exhaust, revisions to the 6-speed gearbox to improve shifting feel, LED lighting all around, new instrumentation, revised ergonomics, and new styling that brings it closer in appearance to the larger MT-09 (below). Base price is $7,699, and three color choices are available: Storm Fluo, Matte Raven Black, and Team Yamaha Blue.

Read our 2021 Yamaha MT-07 Road Test Review

2021 Yamaha MT-09

Now in its third generation, fully 90% of the Yamaha MT-09 naked sportbike is new for 2021. Its has an entirely new 890cc CP3 (Cross Plane 3-cylinder) inline-Triple engine, a thoroughly updated and significantly stiffer chassis, state-of-the-art electronics, and a fresh look that results in the most refined MT-09 yet. The base price increased by $400 to $9,399, but the four extra Benjamins are worth it. The MT-09 is available in Storm Fluo (shown above), Matte Raven Black, and Team Yamaha Blue. There’s also an MT-09 SP ($10,999) with exclusive special-edition coloring, premium KYB and Öhlins suspension, and cruise control.

Read our 2021 Yamaha MT-09 First Ride Review

Watch our 2021 Yamaha MT-09 Video Review

2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700

After being teased for several years, Yamaha‘s highly anticipated Ténéré 700 adventure bike made its U.S. debut in the summer of 2021, bringing some excitement during a challenging pandemic year. It’s powered by the versatile 689cc liquid-cooled CP2 (Cross Plane 2-cylinder) parallel-Twin engine from the MT-07 (above), modified for adventure duty with a new airbox with a higher snorkel, a revised cooling system, an upswept exhaust, and a final gear ratio of 46/15 vs. 43/16. The rest of the bike is all-new, including the narrow double-cradle tubular-steel frame, triangulated (welded-on) subframe, double braced steering head and aluminum swingarm, adjustable long-travel suspension, switchable ABS, and more. Base price is $9,999 and its available in Ceramic Ice, Intensity White (shown above), and Matte Black.

Read our 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 First Ride Review

Read our 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 Tour Test Review

Watch our 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 Video Review

2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT

Now in its third generation, Yamaha’s middleweight sport-tourer — now called the Tracer 9 GT — is new from the ground up for 2021. It has a larger, more powerful engine, a new frame, and a state-of-the-art electronics package that includes semi-active suspension. With these updates comes a higher price, and MSRP is now $14,899. It’s available in Liquid Metal (shown above) and Redline.

Read our 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT First Look Review

2021 Zero FXE

New for 2021, Zero has taken the existing frame from the FX and added a redesigned body. The starkly modern, supermoto styling is very similar in appearance to the FXS – tall, slim and sporting a raised front mudguard. However, the FXE is capable of a claimed 100-mile range on a full battery charge and costs $11,795, which can be bought down to around $10,000 depending upon available EV rebates and credits.

Compared to many of its heavier, more expensive competitors the FXE is a lightweight and thrilling runabout, and what it gives up in range it makes up for in accessibility and potential for fun. The FXE makes for a credible commuter bike, capable of taking to the highway but ideal to zip around town on.

The post 2021 Motorcycle Buyers Guide: New Street Models first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

Indian Chief Custom Program Announced

April 16, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

2022 Indian Chief Bobber Chief Custom Program — 2022 Indian Chief Bobber

Indian Motorcycle has announced plans for three customization projects based on its recently unveiled 2022 Indian Chief platform, which includes the Chief, Chief Bobber and Super Chief. To showcase the range of possibilities inherent to the new Chief platform, three well-known V-twin customizers will create unique interpretations: the former Indian Larry team of Paul Cox and Keino Sasaki, freestyle motocross legend Carey Hart and the creator of Bratstyle, Go Takamine.

Read our 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited first ride review

Paul Cox Indian Larry Indian Chief Custom Program — Paul Cox

Cox and Sasaki are teaming up for the first time in nearly 15 years, having parted ways in the early 2000s after the untimely passing of legendary customizer and friend, Indian Larry.

“Keino and I have stayed in touch over the years, continuing to work in our own individual styles, but when Indian Motorcycle approached us about this collaboration, the timing seemed right. We both bring unique skills to this project, and it will be interesting to collaborate again,” said Cox. “Initially, I found the new Chief platform to be beautifully designed and thoughtfully engineered in its stock form. It’s tough and clean but possesses a modern elegance at the same time. These are all qualities that I try to combine in my own work, for a well-balanced custom.”

Keino Sasaki Indian Larry Indian Chief Custom Program — Keino Sasaki

Completely overhauled for 2022, the new Chief platform has a tubular-steel frame wrapped tightly around Indian’s air-cooled Thunderstroke V-twin motor and exposed dual rear shocks. It’s more stripped down and elemental, the perfect canvas for customization.

“This bike is as much about history and heritage, as it is about modern design sophistication, and that’s why we were intentional in choosing builders that represented both old and new styles,” said Ola Stenegard, Director of Design for Indian Motorcycle. “With Go, we have a builder who honors and takes inspiration from the post-war bobber scene. On the other hand, Carey will push forward with modern, performance-oriented design elements, while Paul and Keino bridge the gap between past and future.”

Over the past five years, Hart has customized various Indian models, and he unveiled the first-ever custom 2022 Indian Chief — a modern club-style take on the new bike — soon after the model’s debut in early February.

Carey Hart Indian Chief Custom Program — Carey Hart

“With the new Chief, Indian Motorcycle has done an incredible job of capturing the strength and timeless lines of what we all have come to expect from a true American V-twin, and in doing so, they’ve served up the ultimate platform for customization,” said Hart. “I’m proud to be amongst this incredible group of builders, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what each of us comes up with.”

Well-known for his Bratstyle brand, a design aesthetic and lifestyle that has inspired followers and copycats across the globe, Takamine has focused much of his work on restoring and customizing vintage Chiefs and Scouts. This project will be the first time that Takamine will bring Bratstyle to a modern Indian.

Go Takamine Bratstyle Indian Chief Custom Program — Go Takamine

“Indian Motorcycle has been at the heart of my work for many years, and I have great admiration for the company. It’s an honor to be included in this elite group of builders,” said Takamine. “The new Indian Chief is ideal for customization with its classic steel tube frame and air-cooled motor, and I’m excited by the possibilities of what I can do with it.”

To inspire personalization, Indian Motorcycle has curated three Authentic Accessory collections that dramatically change style, enhance comfort and increase power and performance. Each piece within the collections are sold individually and can pair with any Chief model — allowing riders to mix and match parts to fit their style and riding preference. Riders can design and build their own Chief on Indian Motorcycle’s accessory configurator.

Rogue Collection: Providing a stripped-down riding experience where power and minimalism lead the way, Indian Motorcycle curated the Rogue Collection to enhance performance and deliver aggressive attitude for the Indian Chief and Indian Chief Dark Horse. With the all-new Thunderstroke Forward Stage 1 Intake, Stage 1 Slip-On Exhaust and Thunderstroke Stage 2 Performance Kit, the Rogue Collection delivers 17% more horsepower than a stock Thunderstroke 116 engine. Indian Motorcycle’s Slash Cut Exhaust Tips personalize style, while a passenger seat, backrest and pegs provide two-up riding capabilities.

Authentic Collection: With bulky tires wrapped around spoke wheels, a muscled-up front end and a solo bobber seat, the Chief Bobber and Chief Bobber Dark Horse pay stylistic homage to the classic post-war era V-twins. Riders looking to personalize their ride can outfit it with premium accessories from Indian Motorcycle’s Authentic Collection. Featuring a floating solo seat, luggage rack, Mini Ape Handlebars, and various performance accessories, this collection pays tribute to the original 1922 Indian Chief.

Tour Collection: Featuring soft saddlebags and a windshield, the Super Chief and Super Chief Limited begs riders for longer miles and an even bolder escape. For those looking to take the capable day tripper to the next level, Indian Motorcycle assembled its Tour Collection. Heated grips, a passenger backrest, highway bar lower closeouts and highway pegs take the Super Chief’s comfort to an entirely new level for both the rider and passenger going the extra mile.

Riders can learn more about the Chief Customs program on the Indian Motorcycle Custom Garage webpage.

The post Indian Chief Custom Program Announced first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited | Tour Test Review

December 29, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Since the last time we put a Roadmaster through it paces (Rider, April 2018), Indian’s Touring family has grown to five models. At the top of the heap are the Roadmaster Elite and limited-edition Jack Daniel’s Roadmaster Dark Horse, flashy Harley CVO competitors adorned with premium finishes, accessories and hardware to go with their nearly $40,000 price tags. Riders with simpler tastes have a choice of three Roadmaster models all priced within $750 of one another, the Roadmaster and Roadmaster Dark Horse at $29,999, and the Roadmaster Limited at $30,749. For 2021 all offer the plush, stable Roadmaster highway experience, now with a little more rumble and snort thanks to getting a larger 116ci Thunder Stroke engine versus the original 111ci air-cooled V-twin. Like the Roadmaster Elite, the base Roadmaster still wears the bike’s original swoopy fork-mounted fairing and skirted front fender like Indians of old, while the Limited and Dark Horse models have a more modern streamlined fairing, open front fender and slammed saddlebags.

The “new” Indian Motorcycle company did it right when it launched its first lineup for 2014, delivering three cruiser and bagger models with signature Indian styling like those fully valanced fenders and finned flathead-like cylinder heads with downward-firing exhaust headers on the new Thunder Stroke 111 engine. The Roadmaster full dresser followed shortly after with a complete complement of touring equipment, including an electric windscreen, removable fairing lowers, plush air adjustable single-shock rear suspension and a large top trunk. We were mightily impressed by its comfort, convenience and performance, but had concerns about the bike’s massive weight and engine heat output. As time marched on and the supply of nostalgia buffs interested in their historic styling began to wane, Indian added lighter versions of the Chieftain bagger and Roadmaster with crisper, more modern lines, as well as the all-new Challenger bagger with its liquid-cooled Power Plus 108 V-twin and frame-mounted fairing (a bike we deemed worthy of Rider’s 2020 Motorcycle of the Year award).

As a great touring motorcycle in its own right, with less weight and no engine heat to complain about, the Challenger’s introduction created a dilemma. Since you can add the Roadmaster top trunk to it as an accessory and end up with a cooler, lighter, fully dressed touring machine that handles better and makes more power, is there still a place in the lineup for the hot and heavy Roadmaster? Let’s find out.

Fascinated as we are by shiny things, for this refresher we focused on the Roadmaster Limited, which gets beautiful deep gloss Crimson Metallic or Thunder Black Azure Crystal paint and a V-twin engine swathed in chrome rather than the Dark Horse’s matte paint and black engine. For 2021 both the Limited and Dark Horse come with Indian’s recently released heated and cooled ClimaCommand seats, with controls conveniently integrated into the Ride Command infotainment system’s touchscreen. The seats also have separate temperature button controls for rider and passenger. Their 19-inch Contrast Cut front wheels vs. the 17-incher on the base model further distinguish these two bikes.

Some other nice changes for 2021 include the replacement of the fairing-mounted starter button with a 12-volt, 5-amp accessory socket under a flip cover (the starter button lives on the right handlebar now). That wouldn’t be notable except that the socket is an SAE type, the first we’ve seen integrated from the factory in such a way. It can be used to charge the bike’s battery, and to plug in other accessories with SAE connectors and power draws of five amps or less. The bike also has two 12-volt, 5-amp cigarette outlets, one in the trunk and one in the right saddlebag, so you can charge or power devices from all three sockets while riding. Apple CarPlay is integrated into the Ride Command System now, and there’s a USB port in the small pocket in the top of the fairing for plugging in a thumb drive or your iPhone (required to enable CarPlay, as is a Bluetooth headset).

Of course the major change since we last tested a Roadmaster is the bump in the Thunder Stroke’s displacement from 111ci (1,811cc) to 116ci (1,890cc), a move meant to keep power levels up in the face of more restrictive emissions requirements and counter Harley’s jump to 114ci on some of its models. Cylinder bore in the air-cooled, 49-degree OHV V-twin with two valves per cylinder was increased 2.2mm to 103.2mm to get the extra cubes. On the Jett Tuning dyno this roughly 5-percent increase in volume has resulted in slightly more power at the rear wheel, to the tune of 75.9 horsepower at 4,200 rpm and 105.8 lb-ft of torque at an astoundingly low 2,000 rpm — talk about a stump puller. From its peak, torque output stays above 90 lb-ft up to about 4,000 rpm, but most of us will have shifted long before that. Ridden solo the Thunder Stroke 116 gives the Roadmaster plenty of power with great pulse feel and an enormously satisfying rumble, and even fully loaded for touring and two-up the bike can still be coaxed into making a brisk pass with a single downshift. Shifting the 6-speed transmission is clean and positive, with a decisive “thunk” going into gear that big V-twin riders seem to like, and power gets to the rear via clean and quiet belt final drive.

ABS brakes and suspension are unchanged since our last Roadmaster review, fitting since the bike’s ride remains plush and well controlled, it stops as quickly and easily as desired and has good feel at the front adjustable lever and rear pedal (though the reach to the latter is a bit far for my 29-inch inseam). Handling on such a big, heavy motorcycle with a long wheelbase is a bit like dancing with an elephant — perfectly doable as long as you watch your feet and don’t try any sudden moves, which will just annoy the elephant and run you out of ground clearance right quick. Let’s just say that the Roadmaster’s handling rewards smoothness, more now with the stylish increase in front wheel size to 19 inches that seems to make the bike handle even more slowly. You need to keep your wits about you on a winding road, though steering effort is low and it does hold a line well unless a strong crosswind jostles the fork-mounted fairing.

Wind protection and comfort on the Roadmaster are excellent, with a very functional pushbutton electric windscreen, adjustable vents in the fairing lowers (that with practice you can open with your feet), a low seat and longish floorboards that allow you to move your boots forth and back. Excess engine heat can still be a problem in ambient temperatures of more than 70-75 degrees or so — at the end of long, hot ride in the sun on backroads or the Interstate you will definitely feel pretty baked. Bring the Mitchum. The cooling function of the unique ClimaCommand seat (explained in detail on our website here) helps a little, but on our test bike it mostly made the seat feel less hot, not cold or even especially cool, and only on a strip in the center. Personally I’d rather have more padding instead, since the seat’s thermoelectric module can be felt just below the surface, and it adds several pounds to an already heavy bike. On the other hand, with its substantial wind protection, adjustable heating in the seat and grips and all of that engine warmth, it takes a Blue Norther to get cold on the Roadmaster!

With 142 liters total of storage in the central locking saddlebags, trunk and fairing lower pockets plus its luggage rack you should never run out of room for stuff, and the trunk will hold two full-face helmets. Keyless ignition, throttle-by-wire, cruise control and three ride modes (Tour, Standard, Sport) are all included, though I never felt the need to ride in anything except Standard mode, which provides great throttle response. We’ve written reams about Indian’s highly functional Ride Command infotainment system with its 7-inch glove-friendly touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth and gigawatt audio with four speakers, and it only seems to get better with each passing year. For 2020 Indian added a new quad-core processor to speed up the experience, more intuitive destination search capabilities, improved customizable ride screens and Connected Services, which include traffic and weather overlays so riders can avoid traffic and poor weather conditions. Combine it all with hands-free Apple CarPlay functionality and you just won’t find a more comprehensive system.

Which brings us back to that dilemma. Now that Indian has the Challenger, is there still a place for the Roadmaster? For me it comes down to a matter of style and tradition—though it adds a lot of electronic and performance advantages to the features found on the Roadmaster, the liquid-cooled Challenger’s looks aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Both versions of the traditional air-cooled Roadmaster, on the other hand, are and will remain classic beauties for the foreseeable future. And to many riders that’s the most important aspect of a full dresser.

Mark’s Gear:
Helmet: Shoei Neotec II
Jacket: Highway 21 Motordrome
Pants: Olympia X Moto II
Boots: Dianese Long Range

2021 Indian Loadmaster Limited Specs:

Base Price: $30,749
Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles
Website: indianmotorcycle.com

Engine
Type: Air-cooled, transverse 49-degree V-twin
Displacement: 1,890cc (116ci)
Bore x Stroke: 103.2 x 113.0mm
Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
Valve Train: OHV, 2 valves per cyl.
Valve Insp. Interval: NA (self-adjusting)
Fuel Delivery: Closed loop EFI w/ 54mm throttle body
Lubrication System: Semi-wet sump, 6.0-qt. cap.
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet assist clutch
Final Drive: Belt

Electrical
Ignition: Electronic
Charging Output: 710 watts @ 3,500 rpm
Battery: 12V 18AH

Chassis
Frame: Modular, aluminum backbone w/ cast aluminum swingarm
Wheelbase: 65.7 in.
Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/5.9 in.
Seat Height: 26.5 in.
Suspension, Front: 46mm stanchions, no adj.,
4.7-in. travel
Rear: Single shock, air-adj. preload, 4.5-in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual 300mm discs w/ 4-piston opposed calipers & ABS
Rear: Single 300mm disc w/ 2-piston pin-slide caliper & ABS
Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 19 in.
Rear: Cast, 5.00 x 16 in.
Tires, Front: 130/60-BH19
Rear: 180/60-RH16
Wet Weight: 895 lbs.
Load Capacity: 490 lbs.
GVWR: 1,385 lbs.

Performance
Horsepower: 75.9 horsepower at 4,200 rpm
Torque: 105.8 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm
Fuel Capacity: 5.5 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on
MPG: 91 PON min. (high/avg/low) 41.3/39.9/38.8
Estimated Range: 219 miles
Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 2,250

2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited Photo Gallery:

The post 2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited | Tour Test Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Rider Magazine’s 2020 Motorcycle of the Year

October 6, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

No doubt the year 2020 is primarily going to be remembered for a nasty pandemic, civil unrest and a tumultuous election (and to think it’s only August!). With all of that on our minds, finding a silver lining to fall back on can be tough, but there are actually several in motorcycle land this year. No one expected, for example, that the need for social distancing would inspire people to buy dirt bikes — as I write this, 50% more new off-highway bikes were sold in the first half of 2020 than in the same time period last year. New on-highway motorcycle sales are still in the doldrums, but many dealers can’t keep entry-level dual-sports and used road bikes in stock. Turns out motorcycles can satisfy the need to distance ourselves in a fun and thrilling way, yet another silver lining in a year a lot of us would like to see in the rearview mirror.

Before 2020 enters the history books, there’s the important and exciting matter of selecting Rider’s Motorcycle of the Year. Despite temporary factory shutdowns and press introductions going virtual, the manufacturers still found a way to bring more than 75 all-new or significantly changed motorcycles to their lineups, and the preponderance of great bikes made our decision pretty difficult. Turns out our winner was actually introduced in 2019 as a 2020 model and was among the first 2020s we tested last year. Other notable contenders for the title are on the facing page, and that list could go on and on, what with machines like Harley’s new electric LiveWire, the Suzuki Katana and Moto Guzzi V85TT Travel also in dealerships as 2020 models. Manufacturer production timing varying as it often does, we didn’t get the opportunity to ride every 2020 model before we had to settle in and pick one as the MOTY in time for this issue. And though we may have actually ridden several early release 2021 models that might be available at your dealer before it was time to select the MOTY—the Yamaha Ténéré 700, for example—since they’re not 2020 models they’re not eligible for this year’s award, though we will include them in next year’s considerations.

So it’s never easy, but one machine did stand out above the rest as our pick for the 2020 Motorcycle of the Year, because it’s capable of so much and represents a solid improvement in a very popular category. Our choice, as always, goes to a machine that succeeds best at its intent and could be considered a game-changer. We celebrate all new motorcycles, as they each represent the opportunity to get more people on two wheels, experiencing this great adventure we know and love…even while staying 6 feet apart. Congratulations to all of the manufacturers, and thank you for keeping our passion alive in a year in which it might be tempting to run away and hide….

The contenders…

BMW F 900 R

BMW F 900 R/XR | Road Test Review

The successor to BMW’s popular F 800 R naked bike gets a smoother, larger and more powerful parallel twin with great character thanks to a new imbalanced firing interval. An all-new chassis and suspension and relaxed seating help it carve corners in comfort, and you can pay just $8,995 or boost the price with a slew of the latest electronic enhancements as accessories.

Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited

2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited | First Ride Review

Powered by the Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114, the Road Glide Limited has premium suspension, linked Brembo brakes with ABS and a Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with color touchscreen. Premium features such as painted pinstriping, a gloss-finish inner fairing and Slicer II Contrast Bright wheels are icing on the cake.

Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L Adventure Sports ES

2020 Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L Adventure Sports ES | Road Test Review

For 2020 both Africa Twins offer more power and better handling, with a larger parallel twin-cylinder engine carried in a lighter, stiffer chassis. The Adventure Sports ES adds a barrel-full of adventure-touring features such as electronic semi-dynamic suspension, spoked tubeless wheels and tires, cruise control, a larger 6.5-gallon tank and more.

KTM 390 Adventure

2020 KTM 390 Adventure | Road Test Review

With a base price of just $6,199, the new single-cylinder 390 Adventure is a lot of KTM for the money, with adjustable front and rear WP suspension, a full-color TFT display, lean-angle sensitive traction control and Bosch 2-channel cornering ABS, with a quickshifter offered as an option. A smaller bike for big adventures on or off the road.

Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT

2020 Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT | Tour Test Review

When it launched the DL1000 V-Strom, Suzuki became the first Japanese manufacturer to offer a big adventure bike in the U.S. For 2020 engine displacement is unchanged but its 1,037cc V-twin makes more power, and the bike gets throttle-by-wire, an updated traction control system, new instrumentation and LED lighting, all wrapped in attractive new retro styling.

Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

2020 Triumph Tiger 900 GT and Rally Pro | First Ride Review

Triumph has updated its middleweight ADV platform with a larger engine, a new chassis, technology, styling and more. The engine gets a unique firing interval for great sound, and a lighter new tubular-steel chassis give both the street-oriented GT and more dirt-worthy Rally great handling. Pro versions of each add creature comforts and high-end electronics.

Yamaha MT-03

2020 Yamaha MT-03 | First Ride Review

Essentially a naked version of the YZF-R3 sportbike, the MT-03 shares the aggressive, mass-forward styling of the larger MTs in Yamaha’s Hyper Naked family, but powered by the same smooth, 321cc parallel twin with 180-degree firing order as the YZF-R3. Priced at just $4,599 and weighing less than 375 pounds, the MT-03 is a scrappy little bike with a big heart.

And the winner is…

Indian Challenger

Rider Magazine's 2020 Motorcycle of the Year Award — 2020 Indian Challenger (Photo by Barry Hathaway)

2020 Indian Challenger | Road Test Review

In just a few short years Indian has forged a complete lineup of American V-twin cruisers, baggers, touring bikes and street trackers that have both taken on the competition and established Indian as a well-rounded manufacturer of both contemporary and traditional motorcycles. The name of one of its new motorcycles for 2020 makes its intentions very clear: Challenger. Aimed squarely at Harley-Davidson’s popular Road Glide line, at the heart of the daringly styled Challenger with its frame-mounted fairing is Indian’s new liquid-cooled Powerplus 108 V-twin. Though its 1,768cc displacement is 122cc smaller than that of the 1,890cc Thunder Stroke 116 found in most of Indian’s heavyweight lineup, the PowerPlus revs higher and makes more torque. On the Jett Tuning dyno it also out-pulled all of the competition by cranking out an impressive 113.3 lb-ft of torque and 107.6 horsepower when we ran it for the December 2019 issue. So the bike not only delivers right-now power for rapid acceleration, its liquid-cooled design also means much less heat radiates into the cockpit, eliminating our biggest complaint about the air-cooled Thunder Stroke.

Rather than implement partial liquid-cooling, Indian gave the Challenger full conventional liquid cooling, wrapping the front frame downtubes around the blacked-out radiator to help downplay its presence. Throttle-by-wire enables three riding modes and cruise control, and hydraulic valves and cam chain tensioners reduce maintenance for a thoroughly modern engine with classic style.

Outside of the engine bay, the Challenger is designed not only for style and performance but also touring, with a fairing and electric windscreen that provide good wind protection, a seat and riding position that are all-day comfortable and generous luggage capacity of 68 liters. The Ride Command infotainment system with its large 7-inch touchscreen and 100-watt audio keeps the riders informed and entertained, and even the base Challenger model has conveniences such as keyless ignition. The Challenger Dark Horse adds navigation, a customizable route builder, connected weather and traffic services and contrast-cut wheels with tire-pressure monitoring. The Challenger Limited comes in several metallic colors and adds color-matched fender closeouts and highway bars.

Even at 848 pounds wet for the Limited version, the Challenger’s frame-mounted fairing, strong aluminum chassis, compliant suspension and decent cornering clearance help it hustle through corners with ease. On the Dark Horse, Indian’s Smart Lean Technology uses a Bosch IMU to enable cornering ABS, traction control and Drag Torque Control.

The PowerPlus 108 is most likely the engine that will take Indian’s heavyweight models into the future, so its debut in the Challenger is only the beginning. It offers the performance, comfort and lower emissions that only liquid cooling can provide, and delivers impressive grunt and smoothness with the rumbling character that makes V-twins so popular. That plus muscular, modern style, an excellent chassis, a full range of available technology, generous wind protection and luggage capacity and plenty of long-haul comfort make the Challenger a really great bagger.

Congratulations to Indian for the Challenger, Rider’s 2020 Motorcycle of the Year!

Rider Magazine’s 2020 Motorcycle of the Year Photo Gallery:

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special vs. Indian Challenger Limited | Comparison Test Review

March 13, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Road Glide vs Challenger — This comparo is a fixed-fairing fistfight between an icon — Harley-Davidson’s Road Glide Special — and an upstart — Indian’s all-new Challenger Limited. These are premium V-twin touring cruisers that deliver big-time torque, style and functionality. We put them to the test to find out which is the better bagger. Photos by Kevin Wing.

V-twin baggers are as American as baseball and apple pie. Big, stylish and built for our wide-open highways, they embody the self-expression and freedom that make motorcycles objects of obsession rather than just vehicles. America’s two major bagger manufacturers — Harley-Davidson and Indian — are well-known brands from coast to coast, even among folks who’ve never ridden one, and their histories and rivalries stretch back more than a century. Being so steeped in tradition, Harley and Indian take great pains to satisfy their base, building motorcycles that conform to the expectations of loyal cruiser riders.

Read our First Look Review of the 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard here.

Modern baggers must strike a delicate balance. On the outside they need to look a certain way — a big V-twin front and center, a long, low profile and muscular styling with bodywork covered in rich paint. But on the inside they need to meet increasingly stringent emissions, sound and safety standards, provide modern levels of comfort and reliability and deliver an engaging riding experience in terms of performance, technology and features.

These two 2020 baggers, Harley-Davidson’s Road Glide Special and Indian’s Challenger Limited, strike that balance remarkably well. Being the latest incarnation of a model family that’s been in Harley’s lineup for 40 years — starting with the 1980 FLT, then known as the Tour Glide — the Road Glide is the seasoned veteran in this comparison, and its signature feature is a frame-mounted sharknose fairing with dual headlights. Powering the Road Glide Special is the air-cooled, 114ci (1,868cc) version of Harley’s Milwaukee-Eight 45-degree V-twin with pushrod-actuated overhead valves. The Challenger is Indian’s newest model platform and the first to be powered by the PowerPlus 108 (1,768cc), a liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-twin with valves actuated by single overhead cams. Like the Road Glide, the Challenger has a frame-mounted fairing, a first for Indian.

Check out our 2020 Guide to New Street Motorcycles here.

Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special — Compared to motorcycles with handlebar-mounted fairings, those with frame-mounted fairings like the Road Glide and Challenger have lighter steering.

As head-to-head competitors, the Road Glide Special and Challenger Limited are similar in many ways. Their fixed fairings have bright LED headlights and large vents that bring fresh air into the cockpit, and both have long floorboards and protective highway bars. Their rumbling V-twins have hydraulic valve adjusters, throttle-by-wire and rear-cylinder deactivation, and both send power to their rear wheels through 6-speed transmissions with assist clutches and belt final drive. Both have cruise control, electronic rider aids (cornering ABS, cornering traction control and drag torque slip control — standard on the Indian, optional on the Harley), keyless ignition and touchscreen infotainment systems with audio, navigation, Bluetooth and USB ports. They have low seat heights, 6-gallon fuel tanks, cast wheels with tire pressure monitoring, top-loading lockable saddlebags and a pair of non-locking fairing pockets. Even their as-tested prices are separated by just $45 and their curb weights differ by a single pound—the Road Glide Special costs $28,794 and weighs 847 pounds; the Challenger Limited costs $28,749 and weighs 848 pounds.

Indian Challenger Limited — With about 31 degrees of cornering clearance on each side, both baggers can be leaned over quite a ways before their floorboards start to drag.

Despite so many similarities, these bikes are anything but clones. Specs and features are one thing, style and personality are quite another. With nearly every component bathed in black, a tinted shorty windscreen, minimal badging and foregoing traditional metal flake and gloss in favor of matte Barracuda Silver Denim paint, the Road Glide Special is dark and brooding. (The FLTRXS is available in five other colors, all with gloss finishes.) The Challenger Limited, on the other hand, grabs your attention with Ruby Metallic paint, plenty of chrome and multiple Indian logos visible from every angle. (It’s also available in two other gloss colors, while the Challenger Dark Horse comes in three matte colors.)

More differences between the Harley and Indian emerged after logging hundreds of miles in their saddles. Cruisers are tuned for low-end torque, helping heavy bikes — especially those loaded two-up with full saddlebags — pull away quickly from stops and make brisk passes. These baggers deliver ample torque, sending more than 100 lb-ft to the rear wheel, but they go about it in different ways. The Road Glide has great engine feel, with crisp throttle response, right-now thrust and a deeply satisfying V-twin pulse. The impressive refinement that went into the Milwaukee-Eight V-twin — more power and torque, less heat, less vibration at idle and smoother operation — is why we selected the entire M8-equipped Touring family as our 2017 Motorcycle of the Year. On Jett Tuning’s dyno, the Harley generated smooth power curves with nary a dip or blip, torque rising to 104.5 lb-ft at 2,900 rpm and dropping off thereafter while horsepower increases linearly to 78.5 at 4,800 rpm. Due to its low rev ceiling (5,100 rpm) and narrow torque spread, short shifting the Harley helps it stay in its meaty midrange.

With its liquid cooling, oversquare bore/stroke and SOHC valve layout, Indian’s PowerPlus generates more output with less displacement and revs higher than the M8. Starting at 2,400 rpm, the Indian’s advantage over the Harley increases steadily, the gap widening to 28 lb-ft of torque and 27 horsepower by the time the Harley’s rev limiter kicks in. The Indian keeps going, hitting a peak of 108 horsepower at 5,600 rpm before finally signing off at 6,300 rpm. With a broader spread of torque — more than 100 lb-ft are on tap from 2,400-5,600 rpm, reaching 113.3 lb-ft at 3,300 rpm — and much higher peak power than the Harley, the Indian likes to be revved. The Challenger has three ride modes that adjust throttle response, with Standard mode being fairly soft (Rain mode is even softer) and Sport mode delivering the goods immediately without abruptness.

These heavy machines can be a handful when pushing them around the garage or negotiating parking lots, but they feel well balanced and easy to maneuver at speed. With much of their weight carried low they roll in and out of curves gracefully, and their generous torque propels them out of corners with authority. About 31 degrees of cornering clearance on either side means they can be heeled way over before anything starts to scrape, especially with some extra preload dialed into the rear suspension. Despite having “race-spec” radial-mount Brembo calipers up front, the Indian’s front brake lever feels vague and requires a firm pull to generate full stopping power. In contrast, the Harley’s front brakes have the perfect amount of initial bite and better response at the lever.

If you’re ready to lay down some serious miles, these baggers have nearly everything you need (except heated grips — a curious omission for premium models costing nearly $29,000). But they’re not created equal when it comes to touring comfort. With a lower laden seat height (25.9 inches vs. 26.5 inches on the Indian), you sit deeper in the Harley’s cockpit, with hips rolled back in the dished seat. Because the seat is U-shaped front to back and has a slick finish, it’s difficult to sit farther back; hit one bump and you slide back down.

Greg’s Gear
Helmet: HJC RPHA 90
Jacket: Aether Divide
Pants: Aether Divide
Boots: Sidi Gavia

And bumps can be a problem on the Harley. Most of the time the Road Glide Special provides a comfortable, compliant ride, but its rear shock, which is firmly damped and allows only 2.1 inches of travel, responds harshly to pavement ripples, cracks and seams. Big bumps and potholes send shock waves right up the spine and can bounce a rider out of the seat. Also, the Harley’s fairing sits much farther forward (it’s a long reach to the infotainment screen), its windscreen offers no adjustment and the two large vents flanking the headlights cannot be closed so a high volume of air always flows into the cockpit. This comparison took place in December, and testers always felt colder and more buffeted by the wind on the Harley than on the Indian.

The Challenger Limited provides a more comfortable and enjoyable riding experience. Its seat is flatter and has more grip and support, its long tank is narrower between the knees and its fairing provides more wind protection. The Indian’s fairing is closer to the rider and its windscreen is electrically adjustable over a 3-inch range — raising the screen all the way up and closing the fairing vents creates a calm, quiet space for the rider. With 5.1 inches of suspension travel in the front and 4.5 inches in the rear — 0.5 inch and 2.4 inches more than the Harley, respectively — and more compliant damping, the Indian is much better at insulating the rider and passenger from rough roads. Even at a sporting pace with riders well over 200 pounds in the saddle, the Indian never bottomed out nor reacted harshly.

Ken’s Gear
Helmet: Shoei RF-1200
Jacket: Tourmaster Transition
Pants: Aerostich Darien
Boots: TCX Evo

The Road Glide Special was clearly Indian’s benchmark for the Challenger Limited. At the press launch last October, Indian provided a side-by-side comparison of their performance and features as well as a Road Glide Special for us to ride. With Indian’s sales being about one-tenth of Harley’s, one way to improve its market share is to offer more bang for the buck on competing models. Indian has done so in terms of performance with an all-new, liquid-cooled engine that makes more power and torque and offers the flexibility of throttle-response modes. It has done so in terms of convenience with a more modern and user-friendly infotainment system with higher audio output (100W vs. 50W on the Harley) as well as extra features like central saddlebag locks and a keyless locking fuel cap. And it has done so in terms of comfort with a more supportive seat, better wind protection and superior ride quality, all in a package that costs and weighs nearly the same.

Healthy competition is good for the industry and good for riders because it provides us with better motorcycles. Since the launch of Project Rushmore for 2014, Harley-Davidson has continuously raised the bar with improvements to its engines, chassis, comfort, convenience and other features. The 2014 model year also happens to be when Indian launched its all-new Thunder Stroke V-twin and Chief lineup, reigniting an old rivalry and spurring a feverish pace of innovation from both companies. The 2020 Road Glide Special is better than ever, but the Challenger Limited surpasses it.

Keep scrolling for more detailed photos after the spec charts….

2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special Specs

Base Price: $27,299
Price as Tested: $28,794 (RDRS, color)
Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles
Website: harley-davidson.com

Engine

Type: Air-cooled, transverse 45-degree V-twin
Displacement: 1,868cc (114ci)
Bore x Stroke: 102.0 x 114.0mm
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Valve Train: OHV, 4 valves per cyl.
Valve Insp. Interval: NA (self-adjusting)
Fuel Delivery: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection
Lubrication System: Dry sump, 5.2-qt. cap.
Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated wet assist-and-slipper clutch
Final Drive: Belt

Electrical

Ignition: Electronic
Charging Output: 625 watts max.
Battery: 12V 28AH

Chassis

Frame: Tubular-steel double cradle w/ two-piece backbone & steel swingarm
Wheelbase: 64.0 in.
Rake/Trail: 26 degrees/6.8 in.
Seat Height: 25.9 in. (laden)
Suspension, Front: 49mm stanchions, no adj., 4.6-in. travel
Rear: Dual shocks, adj. preload w/ remote knob, 2.1-in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual 300mm floating discs w/ opposed 4-piston calipers, fully linked & ABS
Rear: Single 300mm fixed disc w/ opposed 4-piston caliper, fully linked & ABS
Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 19 in.
Rear: Cast, 5.00 x 18 in.
Tires, Front: 130/60-B19
Rear: 180/55-B18
Wet Weight: 847 lbs. (as tested)
Load Capacity: 513 lbs. (as tested)
GVWR: 1,360 lbs.

Performance

Fuel Capacity: 6.0 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on
MPG: 91 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 39.3/40.4/42.3
Estimated Range: 242 miles
Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 2,200

2020 Indian Challenger Limited Specs

Base Price: $27,999
Price as Tested: $28,749 (color)
Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles
Website: indianmotorcycle.com

Engine

Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse 60-degree V-twin
Displacement: 1,768cc (108ci)
Bore x Stroke: 108.0 x 96.5mm
Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
Valve Train: SOHC, 4 valves per cyl.
Valve Insp. Interval: NA (self-adjusting)
Fuel Delivery: EFI, 52mm dual bore throttle body x 2
Lubrication System: Semi-wet sump, 5-qt. cap.
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet assist clutch
Final Drive: Belt

Electrical

Ignition: Electronic
Charging Output: 803 watts max.
Battery: 12V 18AH

Chassis

Frame: Modular cast aluminum w/ engine as stressed member & cast aluminum swingarm
Wheelbase: 65.7 in.
Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/5.9 in.
Seat Height: 26.5 in. (laden)
Suspension, Front: 43mm USD fork, no adj., 5.1-in. travel
Rear: Single shock, remote adj. for spring preload, 4.5-in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual 320mm floating discs w/ opposed 4-piston radial calipers & ABS
Rear: Single 298mm floating disc w/ 2-piston pin-slide caliper & ABS
Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 19 in.
Rear: Cast, 5.00 x 16 in.
Tires, Front: 130/60-B19
Rear: 180/60-R16
Wet Weight: 848 lbs.
Load Capacity: 537 lbs.
GVWR: 1,385 lbs.

Performance

Fuel Capacity: 6.0 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on
MPG: 91 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 37.7/38.1/38.6
Estimated Range: 228 miles
Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 2,500

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

2020 Indian Scout Bobber Scout Sixty | First Look Review

March 5, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

2020 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty ABS in Thunder Black Smoke. Images courtesy of Indian Motorcycle.

After announcing two new Scouts in its 2020 lineup back in September, Indian Motorcycle has dropped yet another new model, the 2020 Scout Bobber Sixty. Powered by the same 78 horsepower, 999cc, liquid cooled twin as that used in the Scout Sixty, but with the Scout Bobber’s stripped-down, blacked-out stying, the new Scout Bobber Sixty is a claimed 24 pounds lighter than the regular Scout Bobber and is priced starting at just $8,999.

Read our Comparison Test Review of the Indian Scout Bobber, Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber and Triumph Bonneville Bobber here.

The Scout Bobber Sixty maintains the stripped-down styling of the Scout Bobber, including chopped fenders and a confident riding position, while adding several cues that give the model a look of its own.

2020 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty ABS in Thunder Black.

It features a blacked-out engine, a modern tank badge, perch mount mirrors, a stripped down headlight, an all-black seat and all new five-spoke all black wheels. Riders looking to customize their Scout Bobber Sixty can do so by selecting from more than 140 authentic Indian Motorcycle accessories.

Read our Tour Test Review of the 2019 Indian Scout here.

The 2020 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty is available in glossy Thunder Black and matte Thunder Black Smoke, in both ABS and non-ABS versions, starting at $8,999.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

2020 Indian FTR Rally | First Look Review

February 8, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan last November, Indian
has announced that the FTR Rally, a scrambler-inspired version of the FTR 1200
street tracker that was introduced last year, is now available.

Read our 2019 Indian FTR 1200 S First Ride Review

Like the rest of the FTR lineup, the Rally is powered by a 1,203cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC V-twin that makes 123 horsepower and 87 lb-ft of torque (claimed) and is held within a lightweight tubular-steel trellis frame. The chassis is equipped with Brembo brakes (including M4.32 monoblock front calipers), a fully adjustable upside down fork, a preload- and rebound-adjustable rear shock and spoked wheels shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires (19-inch front, 18-inch rear, tubes required).

“We’re excited to offer North American riders a new take on
the FTR 1200 that combines the unmistakable look and stance of the FTR with the
more classic, rugged elements that have made scramblers so beloved to city
riders,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle. “The FTR 1200
is as much about style and self-expression as it is about street-oriented
performance, and the FTR Rally delivers that combination in a totally unique
way.”

The FTR Rally features Titanium Smoke paint with the Indian Motorcycle headdress graphic, a brown aviator seat and a rally flyscreen. It’s also equipped with cruise control, a USB fast charge port and a new ProTaper handlebar that is 2 inches higher than that of the standard FTR 1200. The FTR Rally has a 3.4-gallon fuel tank, a 33.6-inch seat height and a 511-pound dry weight (claimed).

Pricing for the 2020 Indian FTR Rally starts at $13,499, and it’s compatible with the entire range of 40+ accessories specifically developed for the FTR platform.

Check out Rider’s Guide to New 2020 Street Motorcycles

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite | First Look Review

February 4, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

With a limited production run of just 225 motorcycles, Indian’s
Roadmaster Elite returns for 2020 with a larger Thunder Stroke 116 air-cooled
V-twin, a full list of touring amenities and an all-new custom paint scheme.

Each Roadmaster Elite undergoes a meticulous paint process
that takes more than 30 hours to complete and is finished by hand. The new
Thunder Black Vivid Crystal over Gunmetal Flake paint with off-set red
pinstripes and exclusive red Elite badging with matching push-rod tubes
delivers a new, meaner and sportier look. The 19-inch precision machined wheel
under the valanced front fender adds to this look, while still maintaining a
classic aesthetic.

New for 2020 is an upgraded 600-watt PowerBand Audio Plus
system that is said to deliver exceptional sound and clarity from high-output
fairing, trunk, and saddlebag speakers. The PowerBand Audio Plus system
features an enhanced nine-band dynamic equalizer that auto-adjusts specific
frequencies to the optimal level at different vehicle speeds to compensate for
road, wind and engine noise.

“The Roadmaster itself delivers the ultimate touring
experience, but the Roadmaster Elite takes that experience to an even higher
level, designed specifically for riders who pay attention to each and every
detail,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle. “Whether
riding around town or across the country, the Roadmaster Elite is a statement
maker – packed with all the modern touring amenities riders would ever need or
want, with an aesthetic that is captivating.”

As Indian Motorcycle’s most powerful air-cooled engine, the
Thunder Stroke 116 features a new high-flow cylinder head that makes a claimed 126
lb-ft of torque. Three selectable ride modes (Tour, Standard and Sport) allow
riders to adjust the bike’s throttle response to fit their riding preferences.

The Roadmaster Elite also features Indian’s Ride Command
system, said to be the largest, fastest, most customizable infotainment system
on two wheels. The seven-inch, glove-compatible touchscreen features
turn-by-turn navigation, customizable rider information screens, Bluetooth
compatibility, and pairs with the Ride Command mobile app for remote
accessibility to key vehicle information. New 2020 connected features include
traffic and weather overlays, so riders can plan their ride to avoid traffic
and poor weather conditions. Riders can also plan a ride route with up to 100
points on the Ride Command website and wirelessly transfer it to the bike via
Bluetooth.

Premium touring amenities include tank-mounted analog fuel
and volt meters, rear cylinder deactivation and full Pathfinder LED lighting
with driving lights. Comfort is enhanced by a genuine leather two-up touring
seat with individual heating for both the rider and passenger, passenger
armrests, heated handgrips, backlit switchgear and a power-adjustable flare
windscreen. Also standard are ABS, keyless ignition, weatherproof and
remote-locking saddlebags, a spacious trunk that fits two full face helmets and
more than 37 gallons of storage space.

Pricing for the 2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite starts at
$38,999.

Check out Rider’s Guide to New 2020 Street Motorcycles

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

2020 Indian Challenger Limited | Road Test Review

October 29, 2019 mcnews Leave a comment

Since its relaunch for 2014, Indian has struck a balance between honoring the past and looking to the future. Its first few models — the Chief Classic, Chief Vintage and Chieftain — had skirted fenders and an air-cooled V-twin with downward-firing exhausts that evoked nostalgia for Indians your father or grandfather used to ride. But when it brought back the Scout for 2015, it broke from cruiser tradition and gave it a high-revving, liquid-cooled V-twin. And last year Indian introduced the FTR 1200 street tracker with a high-performance engine and optional rider-assistance electronics.

Indian has also renewed its head-to-head competition with Harley-Davidson,
reigniting a fierce rivalry waged on racetracks, at factories and in
dealerships during the first half of the 20th century. Indian ended Harley’s
decades-long dominance of flat track with consecutive AFT Twins championships
in 2017-2019, and no doubt a sizable portion of Indian’s sales over the past
few years have come at Harley’s expense.

Indian PowerPlus 108 V-twin — Although the PowerPlus 108 V-twin is thoroughly modern with liquid cooling, single overhead camshafts and four hydraulically adjusted valves per cylinder, it takes its name from an engine Indian introduced in 1916. The name was also used by the Gilroy and Kings Mountain revivals of Indian.

Now Indian has introduced a new model for 2020 whose name
makes its intentions clear: Challenger. Its big, beating heart is the all-new
liquid-cooled PowerPlus 108, a 1,768cc (108ci) V-twin that makes a claimed 128
lb-ft of torque and 122 horsepower. Indian’s air-cooled Thunder Stroke 111/116
V-twin has powered all of its heavyweight baggers and tourers. Rather than
implement partial liquid cooling like Harley-Davidson did with its Twin-Cooled
Milwaukee-Eight V-twin and BMW did with its R-series boxer twin, Indian decided
to go all-in with liquid cooling for the PowerPlus. It didn’t have to go far
for inspiration. Indian’s middleweight Scouts are powered by a liquid-cooled,
60-degree V-twin with DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder, and the PowerPlus has the
same engine configuration and number of valves but uses a SOHC head.

Indian says the PowerPlus “was developed with a big-piston, big-torque mindset with an end game of maximum power delivery across the entire curve.” When we put the Challenger on Jett Tuning’s dyno, its belt-driven rear wheel cranked out 113.3 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm and 107.6 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, with redline at 6,500 rpm (see chart below). That unseats the previous king of torque among V-twin tourers we’ve tested, the Yamaha Star Venture (110.9 lb-ft of torque, 75.9 horsepower), as well as the top-of-the-line Harley-Davidson CVO Limited (110.0 lb-ft of torque, 96.0 horsepower). The Challenger’s broad mountain of rear-wheel torque tops 100 lb-ft from 2,400 to 5,600 rpm, and its horsepower curve increases steadily from 2,000 rpm to its peak.

2020 Indian Challenger Limited Dyno Chart (tested at Jett Tuning in Camarillo, California)

The PowerPlus 108 gets the job done with an oversquare bore
and stroke of 108.0 x 96.5mm, an 11.0:1 compression ratio and dual-bore 52mm
throttle bodies that take big gulps of fuel and air. It has a unit crankcase with
a semi-dry oil sump, overhead camshafts with hydraulic chain tensioners and
valves with hydraulic lash adjusters. Power is sent to the rear wheel through a
6-speed constant-mesh transmission with an overdrive top gear and a
cable-actuated wet assist clutch.

In the world of baggers and
tourers, there are two distinct camps: those with fork-mounted fairings, like
Indian’s Chieftain and Harley-Davidson’s Street Glide, and those with fixed or
frame-mounted fairings, like Indian’s Challenger and Harley-Davidson’s Road
Glide. By taking weight off the handlebar and fork, motorcycles with
frame-mounted fairings require less steering effort than those with fork-mounted
fairings. Our road test of the Challenger, which included hundreds of miles and
countless tight, technical corners along California’s Big Sur coast,
demonstrated just how agile and well balanced an 848-pound bagger can be.

Hidden beneath the Challenger’s 6-gallon tank is a modular aluminum backbone frame similar to the one on the Chieftain (they share the same wheelbase and rake/trail figures), but rather than straight downtubes the Challenger’s flare out and are sculpted to wrap around the radiator like they are on the Scout’s frame. Indian’s stout aluminum chassis, which share a significant amount of DNA with the frames that contributed to the impressive handling of Victory’s big touring models, feel rock solid.

Pushing hard on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, a 25-mile twisting goat path that climbs over the Santa Lucia Range and puts any motorcycle’s handling to the test, the Challenger never lost its cool. With a non-adjustable 43mm upside-down fork with 5.1 inches of travel, a preload-adjustable hydraulic Fox rear shock with 4.5 inches of travel and 31 degrees of cornering clearance, the footboards rarely touched down and the ride was responsive, taut and comfortable. The Challenger rolls on 19-/16-inch cast wheels shod with Metzeler Cruisetec tires, and a pair of big 320mm front rotors clamped by 4-piston Brembo monoblock radial provide ample stopping power, though they could use more initial bite. New for 2020 is what Indian calls Smart Lean Technology, which uses a Bosch IMU to enable cornering ABS and traction control (TC can be turned off but ABS cannot) as well as Drag Torque Control.

2020 Indian Challenger Limited seat — The supportive seat has a height of just 26.5 inches, yet the Challenger still provides 4.5 inches of rear suspension travel. A wrench in the toolkit makes it easy to adjust preload on the hydraulic Fox rear shock.

A big bagger like the Challenger
will spend most of its time cruising at a more modest pace on less taxing
roads, and it excels in such an environment. The PowerPlus 108 not only
delivers right-now torque for rapid acceleration, its liquid-cooled design also
means much less heat radiates into the cockpit, eliminating our biggest
complaint about the air-cooled Thunder Stroke. Even with liquid cooling, though,
the PowerPlus offers rear cylinder deactivation at stops to further reduce heat
from the exhaust header beneath the rider’s right thigh. Throttle-by-wire
enables electronic cruise control as well as three riding modes—Sport, Standard
and Rain—that adjust throttle response.

As much as we appreciate the Challenger’s performance and handling, what delivers the mail in this segment is style, sound and comfort. The Challenger’s snout-forward, wide-mouth fairing was clearly inspired by the Road Glide’s sharknose fairing — both even have closable vents on either side of the headlight that bring fresh air into the cockpit — but the Indian sets itself apart with LED running lights/turn signals that bracket the headlight, an electrically adjustable windscreen with a 3-inch range and a dashboard that’s much closer to the rider. The Challenger offers good wind protection, a supportive seat with a high rear bolster, rubber-mounted footboards and enormous top-loading saddlebags with remote locking (total storage capacity, including two small fairing pockets, is 18 gallons, or 68 liters).

There are three versions of the
Challenger. Standard equipment on the base model ($21,999), which is available in
Titanium Metallic only, includes ABS, keyless ignition with remote saddlebag
locks and the Ride Command infotainment system with a 7-inch customizable color
touchscreen and a 100-watt audio system. The Challenger Dark Horse ($27,499-$28,249),
which is available in several matte colors with blacked-out finishes, adds
Smart Lean Technology, navigation, a customizable route builder, connected weather
and traffic services and contrast-cut wheels with tire-pressure monitoring. The
Challenger Limited ($27,999-$28,749) we tested is available in several metallic
colors and adds color-matched fender closeouts and highway bars.

Even though the larger air-cooled Thunder
Stroke 116 was also introduced for 2020, satisfying customer demands for more
torque while also edging out Harley’s Milwaukee-Eight 114 by a couple of cubic
inches, the PowerPlus 108 is the engine that will take Indian’s heavyweight
models into the future. It offers the performance, comfort and lower emissions
that only liquid cooling can provide, and in the Challenger it delivers impressive
grunt and smoothness without giving up the rumbling character that makes a
V-twin the most popular type of engine among American motorcyclists. That plus
muscular, modern style, an excellent chassis, a full range of available
technology, generous wind protection and luggage capacity and plenty of
long-haul comfort make the Challenger one heckuva bagger. We look forward to
seeing how it stacks up against the competition.

2020 Indian Challenger Limited Specs

Base Price: $27,999
Price as Tested: $28,749 (Ruby Metallic color)
Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles
Website: indianmotorcycle.com

Engine

Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse 60-degree V-twin
Displacement: 1,768cc (108ci)
Bore x Stroke: 108.0 x 96.5mm
Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
Valve Train: SOHC, 4 valves per cyl.
Valve Insp. Interval: NA (self-adjusting)
Fuel Delivery: EFI, 52mm dual bore throttle body x 2
Lubrication System: Semi-wet sump, 5-qt. cap.
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet assist clutch
Final Drive: Belt

Electrical

Ignition: Electronic
Charging Output: 803 watts max.
Battery: 12V 18AH

Chassis

Frame: Modular cast aluminum w/ engine as stressed member & cast aluminum swingarm
Wheelbase: 65.7 in.
Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/5.9 in.
Seat Height: 26.5 in.
Suspension, Front: 43mm USD fork, no adj., 5.1-in. travel
Rear: Single shock, remote adj. for spring preload, 4.5-in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual 320mm floating discs w/ opposed 4-piston radial monoblock calipers & ABS
Rear: Single 298mm floating disc w/ 2-piston pin-slide caliper & ABS
Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 19 in.
Rear: Cast, 5.00 x 16 in.
Tires, Front: 130/60-B19
Rear: 180/60-R16
Wet Weight: 848 lbs.
Load Capacity: 537 lbs.
GVWR: 1,385 lbs.

Performance

Fuel Capacity: 6 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on
MPG: 91 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 35.7/37.8/39.7
Estimated Range: 227 miles
Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 2,500

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

Indian Unveils Liquid-Cooled PowerPlus 108 V-twin

October 22, 2019 mcnews Leave a comment

Indian has unveiled the all-new liquid-cooled PowerPlus 108,
a 1,768cc (108ci) V-twin that makes a claimed 128 lb-ft of torque and 122
horsepower and will be the beating heart of a new fixed-fairing bagger called
the Challenger.

Rider got a chance
to see and experience the PowerPlus 108 during a multi-day, hush-hush ride on
the Challenger, and we’ll post a full review when the embargo lifts on Tuesday,
October 29. For now, we can only reveal details about the new engine.

With ever-tightening emissions regulations, the era of
air-cooled engines is drawing to a close. Euro 5 standards, which go into
effect on January 1, 2020, further reduce limits for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons
and nitrogen oxides, and adapting air-cooled engines to meet these standards
will become increasingly difficult.

Indian’s air-cooled Thunder Stroke 111/116 V-twin has powered
all of its heavyweight baggers and tourers since it debuted for 2014. Rather
than implement partial liquid cooling like Harley-Davidson did with its
Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight V-twin and BMW did with its R-series boxer twin,
Indian decided to go all-in with liquid cooling for the PowerPlus 108. And it
didn’t have to go far for inspiration. Indian’s middleweight Scout lineup is
powered by a liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-twin with DOHC and 4 valves per
cylinder, and the PowerPlus has the same engine and valve configuration.

Interestingly, PowerPlus revives the name given both to an 18-horsepower 1,000cc V-twin and the motorcycle it powered, which Indian produced from 1916 to 1924. The U.S. War Department ordered 20,000 PowerPlus motorcycles for service during World War I, and the PowerPlus helped Erwin “Cannonball” Baker set several endurance records. According to motorcycle historian Tod Rafferty, when the 600cc Scout was introduced in 1920, it “was basically a downsized Powerplus.” Today’s PowerPlus, on the other hand, is basically an upsized Scout.

READ: 2019 Indian FTR 1200 S First Ride Review

Indian says the PowerPlus “was developed with a big-piston,
big-torque mindset with an end game of maximum power delivery across the entire
curve.” With an oversquare bore and stroke of 108.0 x 96.5mm, the PowerPlus
108’s 1,768cc displacement is 122cc smaller than that of the 1,890cc Thunder
Stroke 116 found in most of Indian’s heavyweight lineup for 2020, but the
PowerPlus makes more claimed torque: 128 lb-ft at 3,800 rpm versus 126 lb-ft at
2,900 rpm. The PowerPlus also revs higher, redlining at 6,500 rpm versus 5,300
rpm on the Thunder Stroke.

Dual-bore 52mm throttle bodies take big gulps of fuel and
air, which is compressed at a ratio of 11.0:1. With throttle-by-wire actuation,
the PowerPlus offers three riding modes with different throttle response
settings. The unit crankcase has a semi-dry oil sump that holds five quarts. To
reduce maintenance and improve reliability, the overhead camshafts have
hydraulic chain tensioners and the valves have hydraulic lash adjusters. The
6-speed constant mesh transmission has an overdrive top gear and a cable-actuated
wet assist clutch.

Indian says the “PowerPlus was tested, refined and proven by
one of the industry’s most rigorous development and testing programs,
accumulating over one million miles of simulated testing, including
state-of-the-art dyno testing, and more than 300,000 on-road miles.” Designing
and developing an entirely new engine is a major investment, and Indian clearly
sees the PowerPlus as worth the effort.

Unfortunately, we are prohibited from providing any riding impressions about the PowerPlus or the Challenger or other information at this time. Check back on October 29 for the full story.

Check out Rider‘s 2020 Guide to New Street Motorcycles

Source: RiderMagazine.com

2021 Aprilia RS 660

2021 Aprilia RSV4 / RSV4 Factory

2021 Aprilia Tuono 660

2021 Aprilia Tuono V4 / Tuono V4 Factory

2021 Benelli Leoncino / Leoncino Trail

2021 Benelli TRK502X

2021 BMW R 18 / R 18 First Edition

2021 Ducati Monster

2021 Ducati Multistrada V4

2021 Ducati SuperSport 950

2021 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Revival

2021 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114

2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 / Pan America 1250 Special

2021 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special

2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S

2021 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114

2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special

2021 Honda ADV150

2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

2021 Honda CRF300L

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally

2021 Honda CRF450RL

2021 Honda Gold Wing / Gold Wing DCT

2021 Honda Gold Wing Tour / Gold Wing Tour DCT

2021 Honda Rebel 1100 / Rebel 1100 DCT

2021 Honda Trail 125 ABS

2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited

2021 Kawasaki KLX300

2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM

2021 KTM 450 SMR

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R Rally

2021 KTM 890 Duke

2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone

2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Special

2021 Moto Guzzi V85 TT

2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan

2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350

2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS

2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport

2021 Triumph Trident 660

2021 Yamaha MT-07

2021 Yamaha MT-09

2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700

2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT

2021 Zero FXE

2021 Indian Loadmaster Limited Specs:

2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited Photo Gallery:

The contenders…

BMW F 900 R

Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited

Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L Adventure Sports ES

KTM 390 Adventure

Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT

Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

Yamaha MT-03

And the winner is…

Indian Challenger

Rider Magazine’s 2020 Motorcycle of the Year Photo Gallery:

2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special Specs

2020 Indian Challenger Limited Specs

2020 Indian Challenger Limited Specs

Engine

Electrical

Chassis

Performance

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