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2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special | First Ride Review

June 17, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

Whether picking your way along a technical off-road trail or wearing down your chicken strips on a twisty paved road, the Pan America 1250 is well-balanced and highly capable. (Photos by Kevin Wing & Brian J. Nelson)

When you step up to the plate, when you’re facing fierce competitors and all eyes are on you, sometimes you have to swing for the fences. That’s what Harley-Davidson — a 118-year-old American motorcycle manufacturer known primarily for cruisers and baggers — has done with its new Pan America 1250 and Pan America 1250 Special adventure tourers.

Harley is a new player in the adventure touring segment, which has grown in breadth and depth over the past several decades. BMW recently introduced a 40th anniversary edition of its highly popular — and very capable — R 1250 GS. And there are big-league adventure bikes made by Ducati, Honda, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha, many of which are best-selling models with years of development and evolution under their belts.

Styling has tie-ins to the Fat Bob and Road Glide; side-laced wheels are optional.

During more than a decade of largely stagnant motorcycle sales since the Great Recession, large-displacement adventure and dual-sport models have been a rare source of growth. Harley wants a cut of that action. As it demonstrated with the release of the LiveWire electric motorcycle, Harley wants to expand its customer base. Two ways it can do that are to sell new models to its existing customers, and sell new models to new customers. Some existing customers own a variety of motorcycles, like Rider contributor Bruce Gillies, who owns a Road Glide Ultra, a Triumph Tiger 800XC and a KTM 690 Enduro R. Bruce is retired from the U.S. Navy and buys American-made products whenever he can. He’s also a highly skilled rider who demands a lot from his motorcycles. He’d consider buying a Pan America, but only if it meets his high expectations.

Rest assured, Bruce. The Motor Company knocked this one out of the park.

[Editor’s Note: After this story was published, Bruce traded in his Triumph for a Pan America 1250 Special with ARH, and he loves it.]

Harley designed and built an exciting, capable and innovative adventure bike in its first attempt. Given the high profile of the Pan America and the eagerness of naysayers to pounce on any weakness, Harley knew it couldn’t release an odd-duck motorcycle. It learned that lesson with the Buell Ulysses. Belt drive is out, chain drive is in, not only because a chain is light, durable in off-road situations and can be repaired in the field, but also because that’s what many adventure riders demand. A V-twin engine stays true to the brand, but it has to be liquid-cooled and offer the power and sophistication necessary to compete in this segment. The new Revolution Max 1250 V-twin makes a claimed 150 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque, and ride modes change output and throttle response at the touch of a button.

Commanding cockpit has an adjustable windscreen and hand guards. Touchscreen display is bright and easy to use.

Harley also knew it needed a hook — a killer app, if you will. And that’s Adaptive Ride Height (ARH), a $1,000 factory-installed option on the Pan America 1250 Special that automatically lowers ride height, and therefore the pilot’s seat, by 1 to 2 inches as the bike comes to a stop. The Special’s semi-active suspension automatically adjusts preload to 30% sag regardless of load, which is what accounts for the range of height adjustment. The system works seamlessly and virtually undetectably, and makes a huge difference in effective seat height. ARH is a real game-changer because seat height is one of the biggest obstacles for some riders to overcome when considering an adventure bike. Furthermore, it brings seat height within reach of more riders without compromising suspension travel or cornering clearance. (Click here to read our technical deep dive into the Pan America 1250’s Revolution Max engine and ARH.)

After years of development and benchmarking, not to mention teasing at shows and speculation by the media, the first public test of the Pan America was at its press launch. I have to hand it to the folks who planned the event — this was no bunny slope test ride. Hosted at RawHyde Adventures’ Zakar training facility a couple hours north of Los Angeles, we spent two full days flogging Pan America 1250 Specials on- and off-road in the Sierra Nevada mountains and Mojave Desert. We rode nearly 400 miles on highways, twisting mountain roads and off-road trails that included gravel, sand, rocks, tricky climbs and descents — even a few jumps.

Top-shelf semi-active Showa suspension made for a plush landing. Damping rates can be set to Sport, Balanced, Comfort, Off-Road Soft and Off-Road Firm.

Greg’s Gear
Helmet: Fly Racing Odyssey Adventure Modular
Jacket: Fly Racing Terra Trek
Gloves: Fly Racing Coolpro Force
Pants: Fly Racing Terra Trek
Boots: Fly Racing FR5

As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. After tip-toeing down the sand-and-gravel access road from Zakar to the pavement and falling into formation on Route 58 with the dozen riders in our group, I began taking mental notes. As with many full-sized adventure bikes, the Pan America was comfortable and accommodating, with plenty of legroom, an upright seating position and a relaxed reach to a wide handlebar. Before the ride began, Harley’s tech staff helped us adjust the dual-height stock seat (33.4/34.4 inches), install either the accessory low or high seat (which reduce or increase the dual heights by 1 inch, respectively) or install accessory 2-inch handlebar risers.

The whole business of seat heights becomes a little fuzzy because we were on Pan America 1250 Specials with ARH installed. At a stop, the unladen height of the stock seat in the low position is 32.7 inches rather than 33.4 inches without ARH. In its specs Harley also provides laden seat height with a 180-pound rider, which is 31.1 inches on the Special without ARH and 30.4 inches with ARH. Install the $249.95 Reach Solo Seat on an ARH-equipped Special and laden seat height can be as low as 29.4 inches. In other words, Harley went to great lengths to make sure seat height is not a barrier to owning a Pan America, though getting exactly what you want may require an investment.

Thanks to its powerful Revolution Max 1250 V-twin and excellent chassis, the Pan America is one of the sportiest motorcycles ever to come out of Milwaukee.

After humming along the freeway for a half hour with the cruise control on and the on-the-fly adjustable windscreen parting the air smoothly, we turned onto Caliente-Bodfish Road, one of the gnarliest paved roads in the Sierra foothills, and began to wick it up. The Pan America offers eight ride modes — Sport, Road, Rain, Off-Road, Off-Road Plus and three custom modes — which adjust power output, throttle response, engine braking, traction control, ABS and suspension damping. The Revolution Max 1250 is ripper, with a sportbike-like sound, feel and responsiveness, and, thanks to variable valve timing, it delivers generous low-end torque as well as a screaming top end.

As has become increasingly common, rather than bolting the engine to the frame, the engine serves as the main structural element of the chassis. Attached directly to the engine are a front frame that incorporates the steering head, a forged aluminum mid frame that’s the attachment point for the cast aluminum swingarm and a tubular-steel trellis subframe. Overall the chassis is stiff and robust, contributing to the Pan America 1250 Special’s neutral, stable handling. And Harley used tried-and-trusted component suppliers, with a steering damper made by Öhlins, radial-mount monoblock 4-piston front calipers made by Brembo and suspension made by Showa — a 47mm USD Balance Free Fork and a Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite shock, both with 7.5 inches of travel. Everything performed to a high level in a wide range of conditions.

The  Pan America 1250 Special is available in four color options: Deadwood Green (shown here), Baja Orange/Stone Washed White Pearl, Gauntlet Gray Metallic, and Vivid Black.

Standard on the Pan America are cast aluminum wheels (19-inch front, 17-inch rear) shod with specially designed Michelin Scorcher Adventure 90/10 tires, which offered good grip and handling on pavement and during light off-roading. Bikes we tested were equipped with the optional side-laced tubeless wheels (which cost $500 and weigh 14 pounds more than the cast wheels). On the second day, our bikes were fitted with accessory Michelin Anakee Wild 50/50 tires ($449.90), which give up some confidence and grip on pavement but are excellent off-road tires, even at the higher street temperatures we were running. Harley’s RDRS Safety Enhancements package includes IMU-enabled “cornering enhanced” linked ABS and traction control, with settings determined by ride mode (the cornering function and rear ABS are disabled in certain off-road modes). Drag-Torque Slip Control, which is like traction control for the engine to manage rear-wheel traction during aggressive riding, as well as cruise control and hill hold control are also part of the package.

Reactions to the Pan America’s styling have been mixed. Lacking the prominent beak or high front fender that is popular on many ADV bikes, it stands apart from the crowd, with a headlight design influenced by the Fat Bob and front bodywork inspired by the Road Glide’s sharknose fairing. Above the Daymaker Signature LED headlight, which uses 30 LED elements behind a diffuser lens, the Special has a Daymaker Adaptive LED headlight that illuminates a series of three lights as lean angle reaches 8, 15 and 23 degrees.

Trona Pinnacles, which served as a backdrop in “Star Trek V” and “Planet of the Apes” among other films, was an ideal off-road test site. Michelin Anakee Wild tires added grip.

Harley offers a standard version of the Pan America 1250 that starts at $17,319, but many buyers will probably opt for the Pan America 1250 Special we tested. Starting at $19,999, the Special adds semi-active suspension with automatic preload adjustment (and the availability of ARH as a factory option), the adaptive headlight, the steering damper, a tire-pressure monitoring system, a centerstand, an aluminum skid plate, engine protection bars, hand guards, heated grips and a dual-height rear brake pedal.

In one shot, Harley-Davidson not only built its first adventure bike, it also built its first sportbike and sport-touring bike. We hammered the Pan Americas for two days, and they never gave up or reacted in an unexpected way or felt out of their depth. Whatever the metric — power, performance, handling, durability, technology, weight, price — the Pan America 1250 Special can compete head-to-head with well-established players in the ADV segment. Is it the best overall, or in any particular category? Well, that remains to be seen — two days and 400 miles, none of which were ridden back-to-back with competitors in the class, is not enough to draw firm conclusions. But this is one rookie that shows great promise.

Adventure touring, sport touring, on-road, off-road, tall or short rider, solo or with a passenger, with options, luggage and accessories or bone stock — whatever you’re into, the Pan America can be spec’d to satisfy your needs.

2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special Specs

Base Price: $19,999
Price as Tested: $22,299 (ARH, side-laced wheels, Anakee Wild tires, skid plate)
Website: harley-davidson.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse 60-degree V-twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,252cc
Bore x Stroke: 105 x 72mm
Horsepower: 150 @ 9,000 rpm (claimed, at the crank)
Torque: 94 lb-ft @ 6,750 rpm (claimed, at the crank)
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated assist-and-slipper wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain
Wheelbase: 62.2 in.
Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/4.3 in.
Seat Height: 32.7/33.7 in. (unladen w/ ARH)
Wet Weight: 559 lbs. (claimed, stock)
Fuel Capacity: 5.6 gals.

The post 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special | First Ride Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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2022 Suzuki Hayabusa | First Ride Review

June 8, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

2022 Suzuki Hayabusa review — The Suzuki Hayabusa has received its first major update since 2008. We put it to the test on the track and the street. (Photos by Kevin Wing)

Rewind the clock to 1999. We were approaching the end of the millennium, and it felt like the science-fiction future was just around the corner. The carefree among us were ready to party like Prince, while worrywarts feared a Y2K-induced doomsday for the world’s computers.

That’s the same year that Suzuki introduced a big, bulbous sportbike called the GSX1300R. Appended to its alphanumeric model designation was an unfamiliar name — Hayabusa — the Japanese word for the peregrine falcon, a bird renowned for its ability to exceed 200 mph. Was Suzuki’s 173-horsepower bird of prey capable of the same feat?

Not officially.

The top-speed wars of the late ’90s, with the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 defeated by the Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird, and the Blackbird defeated by the Hayabusa, caught the attention of European bureaucrats. To avoid regulation or an outright ban on powerful sportbikes, motorcycle manufacturers voluntarily agreed to a top-speed limit of 186 mph (300 kph).

With its slippery bodywork and long wheelbase, the big ’Busa wasn’t designed for roadracing. But that didn’t stop us — back in the day I was part of a team that raced two Hayabusas in a WERA 24-hour endurance event at Willow Springs. Meanwhile, it was the hottest bike on the dragstrips.

Fast forward two decades, and I’m riding the third-generation Hayabusa on the track at Utah Motorsports Campus, pushing the limit to the point of being uncomfortable. Was I tempting fate?

Near the end of UMC’s long front straight, my speed approaches 175 mph. Pop up out of the bubble, get on the binders, set up for Turn 1. Adrenaline is flowing, everything’s happening really fast. Is it possible to have a blast and shit yourself at the same time?

Yes, yes it is.

2022 Suzuki Hayabusa review engine disassembled — Some assembly required.

Suzuki’s design brief for the new Hayabusa was “The Refined Beast.” In other words, make the bike better without reinventing the wheel. The Hayabusa’s last major update was back in 2008, when it got a larger engine, a new frame, and other upgrades. Architecture and displacement of the 1,340cc inline four haven’t unchanged, but the engine was thoroughly revised to meet Euro 5 and deliver more low- and midrange power.

Compared to the previous model, peak horsepower and torque are lower — 188 horsepower at 9,700 rpm (down from 194) and 111 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm (down from 114) — but there are sizable gains in the heart of the rev range. Suzuki claims the new Hayabusa goes 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, a couple of tenths faster than its predecessor.

2022 Suzuki Hayabusa review engine cutaway — The Hayabusa’s 1340cc inline four was thoroughly reworked. New or updated parts are shown in yellow.

Most of the engine’s internals were lightened, strengthened, or refined — cylinder head, valve springs, pistons and piston pins, connecting rods, and crankshaft. Less internal friction helps the engine run quieter and smoother, and critical components are now more durable. Cam profiles were revised to reduce valve lift overlap, redesigned dual injectors for the throttle bodies improve combustion, and revised intake ducts increase pressure flowing into the higher-capacity airbox. A revised radiator improves cooling and a new exhaust system saves 4.5 pounds.

Wrapped in panels of wind-tunnel-tested aerodynamic bodywork and weighing 582 pounds, the Hayabusa is a big bike, almost intimidating at first. With its swooping lines and aggressive curves, it looks as fast as it goes. A 50/50 weight distribution and a low center of gravity help the Hayabusa feel agile. The tight, sporty rider triangle and 31.5-inch seat height suit my 5-foot, 9-inch frame. I was able to move around the cockpit freely and use the controls easily.

Suzuki hosted a two-day launch, and we spent the first day plying canyon roads in the Wasatch Mountains east of Salt Lake City. On the road, the ’Busa was in its element and exhibited confident, stable handling. Negotiating tight sections required some effort, but I had no problem picking a line, turning in, and making midcorner adjustments as needed. The fully adjustable KYB suspension provided a comfortable, compliant ride, and it just floated over rough pavement.

Throttle response was spot-on, with no hesitation or flat spots, and there’s a ridiculous amount of velvety-smooth power available at all times. All it took was a small amount of throttle to make the scenery blur, and gear choice was irrelevant. On the freeway, the Hayabusa never felt stressed, there was a ton of roll-on power for quick passes, and the new cruise control was really well sorted.

2022 Suzuki Hayabusa review wheel brake — A big bike needs big brakes. Brembo Stylema radial-mount 4-piston front calipers squeeze 320mm rotors, and linked cornering ABS is standard.

On a bike this big and fast, strong brakes are essential, and the new Brembo Stylema front calipers and 10mm-larger 320mm rotors did an excellent job of slowing the beast down. The new linked ABS system, which distributes braking force between the front and rear, worked well on the street. Trail braking into corners, I could feel the system engage the rear brake to settle the chassis.

2022 Suzuki Hayabusa review gauges — Classic analog gauges are joined by modern full-color TFT display.

As expected, the new Hayabusa gets a full IMU-based electronics package called the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System. Six riding modes (three presets, three customizable) adjust power, engine braking, traction control, and quickshifter mode. SIRS also includes linked cornering ABS, a speed limiter, launch control, slope-descent control, hill-hold control, and cruise control. Everything is adjusted via buttons on the switch clusters, with menus and info displayed on the TFT display centered between the analog speedo and tach.

For both street and track riding, the electronic riding aids allowed me to tailor the Hayabusa’s performance and behavior to the conditions. On public roads, I selected mode B (Basic), which softened throttle response but still allowed full power and put traction control and anti-lift (LF) control in the middle of the range. Mode C (Comfort) reduces power and maximizes TC and LF intervention. On the track, I opted for Mode A (Active), which provides more aggressive throttle response, max power, and minimal intervention. Suzuki’s linked ABS, which uses the IMU to adjust intervention based on lean angle, can’t be turned off. It was helpful on the street, but I found it to be somewhat of a hindrance on the track.

A closed course is the only suitable place to explore the Hayabusa’s limits. There’s more than enough power, so the challenge comes with managing chassis dynamics. There’s no getting around the ’Busa’s size and weight, but its stout twin-spar aluminum frame communicates the desired feel and feedback for attacking corners at a sane pace. As my laps accumulated, my speed and comfort level both increased.

The bike was well-balanced and responsive to inputs, allowing me to confidently throw it from side to side to the point of scraping the peg feelers and the exhaust. After a few sessions we made some suspension adjustments — less rebound, more compression — that reduced the Hayabusa’s tendency to pitch front to back on corner exits. Then it really came alive, making corner entry and exit much more predictable.

New Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires provided good grip, and the limits of their adhesion were kept in check by the lean-angle-sensitive traction control. Late in the day when the bike was sorted, I was having a great time. I had found my rhythm, and the TC light was flashing out of every corner while I was leaving black marks in my wake. The onboard computer tracks all sorts of cool data — max lean angle, braking pressure front and rear, rates of acceleration and deceleration, etc. — which made for some fun bench racing between sessions.

All in all, the new Hayabusa is an impressive bike. Looks fast, goes fast, and has all the modern bells and whistles. Maybe it’s time to repeat the comparison test we did back in 2008, when we strapped tank bags and tail bags to a Hayabusa and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R and hit the road for a couple days of hypersport touring.

2022 Suzuki Hayabusa Specs

Base Price: $18,599
Website: suzukicycles.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse in-line four, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,340cc
Bore x Stroke: 81.0 x 65.0mm
Horsepower: 187.8 hp @ 9,700 rpm (claimed, at the crank)
Torque: 110.6 lb-ft @ 7,000 rpm (claimed, at the crank)
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated assist-and-slipper wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain
Wheelbase: 58.3 in.
Rake/Trail: 23 degrees/3.5 in.
Seat Height: 31.5 in.
Wet Weight: 582 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gals.

The post 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa | First Ride Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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2021 Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT | First Ride Review

June 2, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

2021 Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT review — How well does this 2021 model hold up to more than 40 years of Honda Gold Wing testing and scrutiny? I love it all. Except for one thing… (Photos by Drew Ruiz)

EIC Drevenstedt asked me a simple question: “How many Honda Gold Wings have you ridden?” My answer required lots of mental calculations: maybe 75 or 80 total? “Okay,” he said. “Then you go ride the 2021 Gold Wing Tour DCT and tell me how it fits in with all those past Wings.”

Back in the late 1970s, I worked at Cycle magazine, and we rode the living snot out of every test bike, including the big ones. So full disclosure: I’m an outlier regarding performance standards. I’ve always pushed motorcycles far beyond the typical pace, and I prize light and lively handling above all else. Since 2000 I’ve ridden over 40 different fifth-gen Wings (2001-2017 GL1800s), but I had yet to ride the sixth-gen GL1800 that was introduced in 2018 and updated in 2020.

Ken’s Gear:	Katie’s Gear:
Helmet: Schuberth R2 Carbon	Helmet: HJC IS-Max ST
Jacket/Pants: Aerostich Darien	Suit: Aerostich Roadcrafter R-3
Boots: Tourmaster Response WP	Boots: Tourmaster Trinity

The mechanicals, measurements, electronics, and such of the sixth-gen GL1800 have been thoroughly covered in previous Rider tests (September 2020, November 2019, May 2018, and January 2018). But there are several updates baked into this 2021 iteration:

Revised passenger accommodations: The passenger seat backrest reclines more and has thicker foam and a taller profile. Both my wife and daughter prefer this setup compared to the previous-generation GL1800s we ride (2003 and 2008; see “SIDEBAR: A Tale of Two Gold Wings” below). They especially like the longer armrests but regret the loss of the two rear storage compartments.

Larger trunk: The top trunk now holds 61 liters (up 11 from before; total luggage capacity is 121 liters) and can now stow a pair of full-face helmets. The low back lip facilitates easy loading, but care must be taken to tuck in the cargo’s stray straps, sleeves, etc. so the lid latches securely.

New seat cover and rear turn signals: The seat’s new suede-like material has a premium look and feel to it, and the colored seat piping is a nice touch. The rear turn signals are now all red for a cleaner look.

Updated audio: Improvements include upgraded, 45-watt speakers with richer sound, optimized automatic volume-adjustment level, a standard XM radio antenna and new Android Auto integration in addition to the previous Apple CarPlay integration.

My other impressions of the sixth-gen Wing? Awesome brakes. Truly awesome, much like sportbike binders. I never felt the brakes on my 2008 Wing were lacking, until now. Equally important, rider ergonomics are vastly improved. I’m a big guy, and I’ve always felt cramped and confined by the previous-gen GL1800’s seat/bar/peg configuration. The latest iteration offers much more natural and comfortable ergonomics.

The Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) is also impressive and relieves some of the rider task load, especially while riding around town and dealing with traffic. Its shift points in Tour mode are accurate, if a bit relaxed, while Sport mode’s power delivery feels much crisper and even a bit abrupt. Sport mode holds shift points so much longer you really need to be totally sport focused, not even a little bit lazy in your planning. And that’s not a complaint; Sport is my preferred setting on tight back roads. The DCT can be a little tricky during ultra-low-speed maneuvering, but I adapted fairly quickly. I do, however, miss being able to slow-roll a tight turn using the clutch during gas station maneuvers and such.

As for styling, the new machine looks stunningly sleek and remarkably athletic parked beside my 2008 GL1800. However, I am not much swayed by a machine’s cosmetics; it’s what she’ll do that counts. And Gold Wings have long been unfairly maligned for their size and looks without proper respect for their high level of full-throttle performance.

It’s hilariously revealing when anybody bad-mouths the Honda Gold Wing as an “old man’s bike,” especially if their opinion isn’t based on actual riding experience. When I wrote the test for the then-new GL1200 for the February 1984 issue of Cycle, my conclusion was: “This year the Honda engineers have pulled off an unbelievable trick — they’ve taken a 790-pound machine and made it nimble and manageable. The choice is clear. Why put up with a big-feeling touring mount when you can have something as close to magic as we’ve seen in a long time?”

Cycle magazine 1984 cover Honda Gold Wing GL1200

Whew! Lofty praise indeed. But it reflects how much Honda engineers have always invested in the basic bones — the chassis and engine — of every generation of the Gold Wing to create a good-handling package.

Things got bigger and better with the gen-four GL1500. I didn’t spend much time on full-dresser 1500s, but I fell deeply in love with the stripped-down 1,520cc Valkyrie muscle bike — unvarnished, rowdy fun! Do you have your October 1996 issue of Rider handy? That’s my story, “The Great Escape,” with our daughter Kristen joining me on the new Valkyrie in Montana. After completing that trip I had more Valkyrie miles logged than any non-Honda employee. And I loved it.

Rider’s 2018 Motorcycle of the Year: Honda Gold Wing Tour

Within the realm of big tourers, I am especially enamored with the fifth-gen Wing for both its handling and power. When I dove into the first corner aboard the GL1800 back in 2000 during the bike’s press intro, that previously beloved Valky instantly turned to toast; the GL1800 simply smoked it on handling alone, not to mention the big boost in power. For riders with a serious sporting bent, it was a real revelation thanks to its delightfully agile handling and precise steering. (We have former Large Project Leader Masanori Aoki, who was responsible for several CBR sportbike models before heading up the GL1800 project, to thank for that.) It felt nothing short of wondrous at the time and it remains a wonder and a mystery even today, which is why many uninitiated “experts” still foolishly look down their noses at Wings.

Fact is, I’ve personally schooled more than a few leather-clad sportbike riders by treating them to a sudden appearance of a Wing in their mirrors — followed by polite passes, of course. I’ve logged thousands of miles on dozens of different GL1800s and I know exactly how well they get down a road, twisty or straight. Until you’ve ground down a GL1800’s footpegs to half-length smoldering stubs, you’ve got nothing to say about how a Gold Wing supposedly cannot perform.

Honda Gold Wing footpegs ground down — A well-used set of Honda Gold Wing footpegs, courtesy of the author.

That brings us to this 2021 Gold Wing Tour DCT, which is an impressively sporting, fun, and stylish package. It’s so good in so many ways it really outshines the early fifth-gen GL1800, a bike I love dearly. In my book, the sixth-gen’s main shortcoming is that its Hassock-style front end that lacks the delightful steering agility of its predecessor. And that nimble feel is what originally set the GL1800 apart from other big rigs. The 2021 may be 80 pounds lighter, but that benefit is largely offset by heavier steering and muted front-end feel and feedback.

Honda Gold Wing model timeline — After rolling up thousands of serious test miles on all of these models and more, which is my favorite? It’s probably just me, but the nimble steering of fifth-gen Gold Wings still holds sway in my heart.

I regret that loss, but then I’m a nut for steering agility. In the real world, for every rider with a sport orientation like mine, dozens more will line up for all of the comfort, convenience and technology features that make the latest Gold Wing Tour DCT such a sweet touring machine.

2021 Honda Gold Wing Tour Specs

Base Price: $28,300
Price as Tested: $29,300 (DCT model)
Website: powersports.honda.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, longitudinal opposed flat six, Unicam SOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,833cc
Bore x Stroke: 73.0 x 73.0mm
Transmission: 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission automatic (as tested)
Final Drive: Shaft
Wheelbase: 66.7 in.
Rake/Trail: 30.5 degrees/4.3 in.
Seat Height: 29.3 in.
Wet Weight: 838 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 5.6 gals.
Fuel Consumption: 40 mpg

SIDEBAR: A Tale of Two Gold Wings

2003 2008 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 — The author with his son-in-law Gregg and daughter Kristen, and their two fifth-gen Gold Wing GL1800s.

Motorcycle industry gurus talk about expanding the touring market with younger riders. But nobody seems to do anything about it. So I did.

Back in 2019, I had one motorcycle — my trusty Honda 919. My wife Katie had basically quit riding with me even though a pair of artificial hips let her hop on a backseat freely again. A GL1800 seemed a nonstarter. Yet next thing I knew, I owned not one but two Gold Wings.

How’s that? Well, we had invited the entire family to vacation with us in Tuscany last June, including motorcycle rides with a private guide. Sweet, huh? That commitment meant Katie needed seat time prior to Italy and a Wing in the garage would supply necessary incentive.

In November of 2019, I found a used 2003 GL1800 showing 29,000 miles. It was a cream puff, and for $5,500 it was a steal. Katie and I mounted up and she fell in love with riding all over again. Life was grand. And then COVID-19 hit. Even worse, serious health issues sidelined me for nearly all of that cursed year.

So I told my son-in-law Gregg (not Drevenstedt!) to come and take the Wing so my daughter Kristen could enjoy a break from the pillion of their Yamaha R6. Kristen had logged thousands of miles with me on Wings and Valkyries from her teen years onward, so she’d surely dig it. But to my surprise, Gregg immediately fell in love with the whole Wing thing and they headed out riding most weekends, having a blast. Months later, I’d feel like a heel by repossessing it. So I bought another GL1800, this time a 2008 for $7,800. And I gave them the ’03. Growing the touring segment one young couple at a time … for less money than that trip to Italy would’ve cost us! — KL

The post 2021 Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT | First Ride Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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2022 Triumph Speed Twin | First Look Review

June 1, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

2022 Triumph Speed Twin review Red Hopper — 2022 Triumph Speed Twin in Red Hopper

Triumph’s entire lineup of Bonneville-based models has been updated for 2022, including the T120, T120 Black, T100, Street Twin, Streetmaster, Bobber, Street Scrambler, and Scrambler 1200. Last but not least, the Speed Twin has also gotten some useful upgrades.

Introduced for 2019, the Speed Twin offers engine performance and handling comparable to the Thruxton café racer but with an upright riding position, less weight, and a lower price. For 2022, the Speed Twin’s updated “High Power” version of Triumph’s liquid-cooled, 1,200cc parallel-twin makes 98.6 horsepower at 7,250 rpm and 83 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm (claimed, at the crank). Wet weight is 476 pounds, and pricing starts at $12,500.

Compared to the previous Speed Twin’s engine, the updated powerplant now meets Euro 5 emissions standards and offers more peak horsepower, more midrange horsepower and torque, a lower torque peak, and 17% less inertia for better response. Power is sent to the rear wheel through a 6-speed transmission, a torque-assist clutch, and chain final drive.

To improve handling, the Speed Twin gets a higher-spec Marzocchi USD cartridge fork, Brembo M50 monoblock calipers, lighter cast aluminum 12-spoke wheels, and Metzeler Racetec RR tires.

2022 Triumph Speed Twin review Matt Storm Grey — 2022 Triumph Speed Twin in Matte Storm Grey

Three riding modes — Sport, Road, and Rain — have been revised, and they adjust throttle response and intervention from the switchable traction control. Other standard equipment includes ABS, LED lighting with a DRL, an underseat USB charging port, and an ignition immobilizer. Sorry folks, still no cruise control.

The Speed Twin’s styling has been refreshed with new brushed stainless-steel upswept silencers, new anodized headlight and mudguard mounts, and new tank graphics.

2022 Triumph Speed Twin review Jet Black — 2022 Triumph Speed Twin in Jet Black

The 2022 Triumph Speed Twin is available in Red Hopper, Matte Storm Grey, and Jet Black, and it will be in dealerships in August.

2022 Triumph Speed Twin Specs

Base Price: $12,500
Website: triumphmotorcycles.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel twin, SOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,200cc
Bore x Stroke: 97.6 x 80mm
Horsepower: 98.6 @ 7,250 rpm (claimed, at the crank)
Torque: 83 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm (claimed, at the crank)
Fuel Delivery: Electronic fuel injection & throttle-by-wire
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated torque-assist wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain
Frame: Tubular steel w/ aluminum cradles, cast aluminum swingarm
Wheelbase: 55.6 in.
Rake/Trail: 22.3 degrees/3.6 in.
Seat Height: 31.9 in.
Suspension, Front: 43mm USD fork, no adj., 4.7 in. travel
Rear: Dual shocks, adj. for spring preload, 4.7 in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual 320mm discs w/ radial-mount opposed 4-piston monoblock calipers & ABS
Rear: Single 220mm disc w/ 2-piston floating caliper & ABS
Wheels, Front: Cast aluminum, 3.5 x 17 in.
Rear: Cast aluminum, 5.0 x 17 in.
Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17
Rear: 160/60-ZR17
Wet Weight: 476 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 3.8 gals.
Fuel Consumption: 41.8 mpg (EPA)

2022 Triumph Speed Twin review headlight

2022 Triumph Speed Twin review fuel tank

2022 Triumph Speed Twin review Brembo brake

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2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 | First Ride Review

May 26, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 supersport sportbike review — The 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 is an all-new supersport based on the MT-07 platform. (Photos by Drew Ruiz)

What’s a rider to do if they want a supersport bike, but they don’t have the funds for a true race replica like the Yamaha YZF-R6 ($12,199) or YZF-R1 ($17,399)? Some will buy used, but doing so confidently can be a challenge, and financing may not be an option if buying from a private seller.

Yamaha’s solution is to take a proven platform — in this case, the MT-07 naked bike — and adapt it to supersport duty. Then price it within reach at $8,999.

Since the new middleweight supersport will be part of the R-series family and slot between the YZF-R3 and YZF-R1 (there’s no YZF-R6 for 2021, and the 2022 model has yet to be announced), it’s only natural to call the new bike YZF-R7. Those with a long memory may recall the 1999 YZF-R7 (aka OW-02), a 500-unit race homologation special built to compete in World Superbike. That sort of unobtainium machine is exactly what Yamaha wanted to avoid with the MT-07-based R7.

To create the YZF-R7, Yamaha made key changes to the MT-07 platform, such as new bodywork and revisions to the chassis. The 689cc CP2 parallel-twin, which has a crossplane-style 270-degree crankshaft and an uneven firing order, is a versatile motor also found in Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 adventure bike and MT-07 flat-track racer. It has usable power but not so much that it will overwhelm new or less experienced riders. For the R7, Yamaha fitted an assist-and-slipper assist clutch and a optional quick shifter, and a gearing change adds a little more acceleration and thrill into the mix.

Chassis-wise the R7 features a steeper rake (23.7 degrees vs. 24.8), slightly less trail and a shorter wheelbase (54.9 inches vs. 55.1) than the MT-07. A revised radiator improves cooling and accommodates a new fully adjustable 41mm inverted KYB fork with spring rates similar to those on the R6. The R7 also uses a smaller, lighter (by 2.4 pounds) battery like the R6. Wider triple clamps accommodate four-piston brake calipers, and offset is now 37mm compared to 40mm on the MT-07. At the rear, revised shock linkage raises rear ride height, and a new KYB shock offers adjustable spring preload and rebound damping. A rigid-mount aluminum center brace is bolted to the steel frame at the swingarm pivot for increased torsional rigidity.

With a seat that’s higher than the MT-07’s (32.9 inches vs. 31.7), clip-on handlebars, and a rider triangle inspired by the R6, the riding position is aggressive without being extreme. Compared to the MT-07, changes to the chassis and ergonomics enhance the handling capabilities of the R7, and overall it’s a comfortable, nimble motorcycle. Fresh bodywork wrapped around a compact engine and chassis make the bike every narrow and aerodynamic, like a cross between the R6 and R1, and it very much looks the part.

It’s always fun to go to a track you’ve never seen before, and it’s even better on a bike you never ridden before. Yamaha hosted the R7 launch at Atlanta Motorsports Park, a tight, hilly track with a few fast sections thrown in to make things interesting. We needed several laps to familiarize ourselves with the layout, especially with the blind corners and elevation changes. The R7’s easygoing nature was a boon for navigating the unfamiliar territory — never threatening or overwhelming, which is the point. Accessible for any level of rider.

As I rounded the track on my first few outings, I was impressed with how well the R7 worked. The riding position felt a bit high at first, but within a few laps it felt spot-on. I was able to tuck in behind the windscreen and still crawl around the cockpit easily. The R6-like front-end was excellent when entering the corners, and the chassis held steady with only a slight pitching out of the rear wheel on entry. I bottomed out a few times hitting some serious bumps, but the R7’s KTB fork took the beating in stride. That split-second thought of “Oh no!” was replaced with a “Wow, this thing is very forgiving.” Fast or slow it felt solid with exceptional feel, and the slipper clutch proved invaluable when down shifting at speed.

The new Brembo radial front master cylinder combined with Advics radial-mount 4-piston calipers and 298mm rotors allowed for some serious braking force. Out back, a Brembo master cylinder controls a Nissin caliper and a 245mm rotor. Too bad the ABS cannot be turned off. Even though ABS interference was minimal, under extreme braking I encountered more of a freewheeling sensation than I’d prefer. When I did overcook a corner, the user-friendly nature of the R7 allowed me to reel it back in.

In terms of steering, I thought the narrow position of the clip-ons might be a issue with leverage, but I was wrong. The R7 turns on dime and was effortless to maneuver in slow and fast sections of the track. Every time I pushed, it reacted like a proper sportbike. Transitioning back and forth at speed was relatively easy as the narrow chassis responds very well to input with minimal force. There are limitations, however. Even with the beefed-up chassis, the R7 felt challenged at race pace. The frame started to twist up when leaned over hard on the gas through long corners, resulting in a slight decrease in stability. The front-end started to chatter a bit off throttle mid-corner as the pace increased.

Still, none of this hampered the fun and the R7 always felt predictable. The 689cc CP2 twin was a blast on the track. I wrung its neck all day and never felt worn out. Throttle response was smooth and efficient, so I never had to worry about upsetting the chassis. The initial hit down low is good with some usable torque, but it flattens out at the upper end of the rev range. Just grab a gear via the quickshifter and you’ll have plenty more to play with.

A new LCD high-contrast instrument panel provides all the pertinent info, and the bar-graph tachometer and gear indicator, which I watch most, are easy to read. What I loved about the dash and switchgear was the lack of details and buttons for electronic riding aids. No need to fuss about which button does what. Just get on with it, and that’s exactly what we did all day long.

The 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 is a supersport bike for the masses. More performance than an R3, but more accessible than an R1 on all fronts. The R7 could be the perfect bike for someone who wants to sharpen their skills on back roads or try their hand at club racing. Less money spent on the bike means more money available for tires — and a sticky set will last a lot longer! Yamaha has done a fine job producing a motorcycle that’s the perfect blend of accessibility and capability.

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Specs

Base Price: $8,999
Price as Tested: $9,199 (quickshifter)
Website: yamahamotorsports.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 689cc
Bore x Stroke: 80.0 x 68.6mm
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated assist-and-slipper wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain
Wheelbase: 54.9 in.
Rake/Trail: 23.4 degrees/3.5 in.
Seat Height: 32.9 in.
Wet Weight: 414 lbs. (claimed)
Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gals.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

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A Short Trip Back in Time: SFO Museum Hosts an Exhibition of 14 Vintage Motorcycles

May 25, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1912 Flying Merkel Twin-Cylinder Racer — 1912 Flying Merkel Twin-Cylinder Racer (Photos courtesy of SFO Museum)

When you make your way to an airport, most times you’re traveling to another place. But right now through the close of summer, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a worthwhile destination in its own right. The SFO Museum offers an opportunity to travel back in time, through a jewel of an exhibition surrounding 14 vintage motorcycles built before 1916. This amazing display includes a rare collection of old-time engines, photographs, and local SF Bay Area motorcycling history artfully blended together into a not-to-be-missed opportunity for riders and gearheads of all types.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles — Located in the International Terminal, Departures – Level 3, the “Early American Motorcycles” exhibit is open to the public 24 hours a day (no security screening required).

To give you the inside scoop on this gorgeous exhibit, we asked Daniel Calderon, Curator of Exhibitions at SFO Museum, to fill us in on some of the backstory.

Rider: As Curator of Exhibitions, does your job entail?

Daniel Calderon: I am one of two curators of non-aviation exhibitions at SFO Museum, which means I am responsible for developing exhibitions that draw from outside our permanent aviation collection of more than 250,000 items. These general exhibitions are based on a wide variety of subjects that are both interesting and educational, and we borrow objects from private collectors and from other museums for display. Working with these lenders and our exhibition designer, I source and select objects and accompanying images for exhibition, and then research and write the text and IDs that you see in the gallery. I also develop the content for each exhibit that we produce in a brochure, on our website and in educational programs and catalogs.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1912 Excelsior Auto-Cycle Model 4B — 1912 Excelsior Auto-Cycle Model 4B

Rider: What are some of the more notable exhibitions SFO has offered in the past?

DC: SFO Museum has programmed a remarkable array of general, aviation and photographic exhibitions. In regard to motorcycles, we featured “Moto Bellissima: Italian Motorcycles from the 1950s and 1960s” back in 2011. More recently we have featured exhibitions on subjects as diverse as Japanese toys, African barbershop signs, California studio craft, psychedelic rock posters and custom surfboards made from rare woods. Currently, we have a fantastic exhibition on the history of women’s hairstyles, and another on instrumental rock ‘n’ roll and surf music. All of these exhibitions feature their own printed brochure and page on our website, sfomuseum.org.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1914 Jefferson Twin-Cylinder Racer — 1914 Jefferson Twin-Cylinder Racer

Rider: What prompted you to arrange an exhibition of motorcycles?

DC: A lender visit prompted the “Early American Motorcycles” project. I was on a visit to History San Jose to look at typewriters in their collection and was struck by an early Harley-Davidson twin and an Excelsior single in their storage. Being a gearhead, that certainly stuck in my mind. On another visit to look for typewriters, this time to the Museum of American History in Palo Alto, I met board member Chris Carter, who was our second contact for motorcycles. After Chris generously offered his motorcycles for loan and connected us with Wes Allen and his collection, I knew we had the necessary momentum and asked that the motorcycle exhibition be approved by my colleagues.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1915 Harley-Davidson Model 11-F Effie — 1915 Harley-Davidson Model 11-F Effie

Rider: Do you have any personal experience with riding motorcycles?

DC: I have surprisingly little experience riding motorcycles, just a friend’s knock-around 1980s Honda street bike, another buddy’s Suzuki 125 dirt bike and my sister’s old Trail 90, which was a really fun machine. I’ve been building and working on classic cars, racing airplanes and vintage aircraft for years, so a classic motorcycle is definitely in the works at some point.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1911 Pierce Four Cylinder — 1911 Pierce Four Cylinder

Rider: How many motorcycles do you have on display, and how did you source them?

DC: We have 14 motorcycles made prior to 1916 on display, along with three early engines and a selection of rare photographs. Half of the exhibit was sourced from Chris Carter and Wes Allen. Then I found Dave Scoffone through the George Wyman Memorial Project website, and Dave generously opened up his collection as well. Looking for images, I discovered Cris Sommer-Simmons and her book “The American Motorcycle Girls.” Cris graciously lent images and her 1915 Harley-Davidson 11–F Cannonball racer “Effie,” along with an outstanding 1915 Iver Johnson twin owned by Cris and her husband Pat.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1915 Iver Johnson Model 15-7 — 1915 Iver Johnson Model 15-7

Rider: What other displays and materials are you offering in addition to the motorcycles?

DC: Racer and author Don Emde and the San Francisco Motorcycle Club (SFMC) lent numerous photo images to the exhibition, some of which are truly remarkable. The backdrop for each of the two galleries was created from two rare panoramas from the SFMC and are quite dramatic in person. Twelve of the motorcycles are featured on our website, and everything is documented in an online catalog that showcases some wonderful images taken by our photographer. In fact, everything that you see in the exhibit and online was created in-house by staff at SFO Museum.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1903 Indian Motocycle — 1903 Indian Motocycle

Rider: You have created a comprehensive self-guided tour and impressive supplemental teaching materials aimed at parents and teachers of students in grades K-12. Tell us about the educational focus you build into this exhibition and others.

DC: Each year we select at least two exhibitions for our educational programs, which are designed to be led by either parents or teachers in the galleries. We also try to design the educational program as a standalone source of information that parents and children can access while at home. Given the current COVID–19 pandemic, the ability for the public to access our exhibits from home is even more important. Once things get back to normal, we hope to start offering our aviation-based education programs again in the Aviation Museum and Library at the International Terminal.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1914 The Flying Merkel Model 470 — 1914 The Flying Merkel Model 470

Rider: What kind of reactions have you gathered from people who have taken in your exhibit?

DC: Many people have been surprised to see these machines at the airport given their rarity, and we have heard great things from the public so far, which is always rewarding. I hope that as flights and passenger traffic increase, more people will take the time to view the exhibition and offer their feedback.

Listen to the Rider Magazine Insider podcast interview with Daniel Calderon

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1912 Marsh-Metz Magneto Twin — c. 1912 Marsh-Metz Magneto Twin

When Daniel mentioned Chris Carter’s name, it gave me the perfect excuse to call up a longtime friend. We first met back in the 1960s at the Yamaha dealership A&A Motors in Redwood City, long before he went on to do a few things like earning a Gold Medal at the 1976 International Six Day Trials (ISDT) and founding Motion Pro, supplier of trick tools to nearly everybody.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1912 Indian 8-Valve Racer — 1912 Indian 8-Valve Racer

“Working on this airport project with Daniel has been a fun time,” Carter told me. “We both love motorcycles and we wanted to share the experience and awareness that these vintage bikes bring. Over the years, vintage bikes such as these have become more and more hidden as they’re acquired and stored away out of sight by their new owners. However, it’s a real commitment to offer up a bike for loan; between the organization and actual display time, the bike will be tied up for about a year. For me, the best part was seeing how many of these bikes on display came right out of collections in the Bay Area and Northern California. I’ve been focusing on finding vintage bikes with a pedigree, trying to preserve some of the history surrounding old racers and other bikes of note. And that’s exactly what we see right here in this exhibition.”

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1907 Curtiss Double Cylinder — 1907 Curtiss Double Cylinder

In addition, SFO Museum’s exhibition and educational materials do an excellent job of sharing the long history of women in the motorcycling scene, from intrepid travelers Augusta and Adeline Van Buren, who rode from New York to Tijuana, Mexico, and back in 1916, to modern-day Motorcycle Cannonball competitor Cris Sommer-Simmons, who not only rode the Cannonball three times, but also happens to be an author, antique motorcycle collector and AMA Hall of Fame member.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1902 California Motor Bicycle — 1902 California Motor Bicycle

All educators and parents should take advantage of the free, downloadable educational materials provided in PDF format on the SFO Museum website. They are outstanding in quality and will open up young minds to the adventures of motorcycling! These materials interpret the display in a friendly and engaging manner that makes this one topic in history class an A+ experience.

“Early American Motorcycles” will be on view at SFO Museum in the International Terminal, Departures Level, until September 19, 2021. For more info, visit sfomuseum.org.

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1910 Yale Single — 1910 Yale Single

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles Curtiss V-twin

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1910 Harley-Davidson Model 6

SFO Museum Early American Motorcycles 1903 Indian Motocycle detail

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

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2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special | Video Review

May 19, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

Check out our video review of the 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special, an all-new adventure bike powered by the 150-horsepower Revolution Max V-twin. We hammered the Pan America 1250 Special for two days in the mountains and desert, on- and off-road, and it never gave up or reacted in an unexpected way or felt out of its depth. And its Adaptive Ride Height option is a game-changer, lowering ride/seat height by 1 to 2 inches when the bike comes to a stop. Whatever the metric — power, performance, handling, durability, technology, weight, price — the Pan America 1250 Special can compete head-to-head with well-established players in the ADV segment.

To find a Harley-Davidson dealer near you, visit harley-davidson.com.

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2021 Ducati Monster | First Ride Review

May 19, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

2021 Ducati Monster review price red wheelie — Testing the wheelie control on the 2021 Ducati Monster. (Photos by Gregor Halenda and Mike Levin)

Over the years Ducati has produced several iconic motorcycles which have withstood the test of time. Many enthusiasts credit Ducati’s 916 as the one that stands above the rest in it’s revolutionary design and styling. But there’s another Ducati that has made its own mark in similar fashion — the Monster — which established the “naked bike” style.

Unveiled at the Cologne show in 1992, designer Miguel Galluzzi said, “All you need is: a saddle, tank, engine, two wheels and handlebars.” Though designated the M900, it became known by its nickname, “Monster.” Like Frankenstein’s monster, the M900 stitched together the steel trellis frame from the 851 Superbike, the air-cooled, 904cc L-twin from the Supersport Desmodue, a “bison-back” gas tank, a low handlebar and a round headlight.

2021 Ducati Monster review price red — Is something missing? The Monster’s iconic steel trellis frame has been replaced with a Panigale-style modular frame that uses the engine as a structural member.

Over nearly three decades of production and more than 350,000 units sold, the Ducati Monster has seen multiple evolutions in terms of styling and technology, and it has been offered in a range of displacements, from 600cc to 1,200cc. The commitment made by Ducati to enhance and keep the Monster relevant is evident from the latest version of this iconic motorcycle, which brings together a Superbike-inspired chassis, a road-going engine and the latest in electronic riding aids.

It’s fitting that the 2021 Ducati Monster was launched in San Francisco because the bike has been a huge hit among urban enthusiasts. The design brief for the latest version was to deliver the best of both worlds — to be “more thrilling for experienced riders” as well as “more accessible for new riders.” The new 2021 Monster maintains the model’s signature minimalist styling and aggressive attitude while delivering increased power, comfort, and maneuverability. Couple this with a new, comprehensive electronics package, and the latest generation is likely to ensure the Ducati Monster remains as popular as ever.

First impressions of the 2021 Ducati Monster can be deceiving. Sure it looks like a Monster with its bison-back tank and round headlight, but there’s something missing. The classic steel trellis frame has been replaced with a new Panigale-style aluminum upper section frame that saves 9.9 pounds and uses the engine as a structural member of the chassis. They didn’t stop there. Updates including a new swingarm and fiberglass-reinforced polymer subframe shave off 10 pounds, and the Testastretta engine and lighter wheels save another 10 pounds. All this tinkering, Ducati says, has reduced the Monster’s curb weight to a lean 414 pounds, a full 40 pounds less than last year’s model.

Firing up the Monster produced a familiar sound that resonated in my ears. Powering the Monster is a version of the liquid-cooled, 937cc Testastretta 11-degree L-twin also found in the Hypermotard, Multistrada 950 and SuperSport 950. Claimed output is 111 horsepower at 9,250 rpm (up 2 from the Monster 821) and 69 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm (up 1.5). Updates to the engine include new cylinder heads, pistons and rods, intake and exhaust system, geardrum, stick coils, alternator and belt covers. A new clutch has 20% lighter pull, and an up/down quickshifter is standard. The new Monster has a 9,000-mile oil service interval and an 18,000-mile desmodromic valve service interval.

The Monster’s new electronics package includes three fully customizable riding modes (Sport, Touring and Urban), IMU-based cornering ABS, cornering traction control, as well as wheelie and launch control. Starting off in Urban mode, which reduces engine output to 75 horsepower, the softer throttle response and increased level of intervention for ABS and TC make the Monster highly manageable. The tamed throttle response is sufficient enough to get the job done when negotiating lane changes or avoiding sketchy situations, but after a few miles of exploring the busy streets of San Francisco, Urban mode felt too corked up and I was eager for more.

Tapping a button on the left switch cluster allowed me to sample Touring and Sport modes, both of which offer full power, more direct throttle response and less electronic intervention, with Sport mode being the most aggressive. An up/down toggle scrolls through the various settings within each mode; just push the button, close the throttle and the change takes effect. Changes to default settings can only be done while stopped. Everything is displayed on a new 4.3-inch, high-resolution TFT instrument panel.

As our test ride continued, I came to appreciate the Monster’s agreeable riding position and agile handling. The Panigale-style frame, new bodywork and a new seat make the Monster narrower between the legs. Height of the stock seat is 32.3 inches, but the accessory low seat ($160) reduces seat height to 31.5 inches and the low seat plus the accessory low suspension kit ($300) reduces seat height further to 30.5 inches. Ducati also changed the bar/seat/peg configuration, with the handlebar moved 2.6 inches closer to the rider and the footpegs moved back 1.4 inches and down 0.4 inch compared to the Monster 821. Not only are the ergonomics more comfortable, but a 7% tighter steering angle reduces the turning radius by 3.75 feet, simplifying U-turns and slow-speed maneuvering.

Riding around town, the Monster hits all the marks, but how will the changes translate out in the twisties, while giving it the berries? On the handling front, Ducati kept it simple. Suspension is made by KYB, with a non-adjustable 43mm USD fork with 5.1 inches of travel and a preload-adjustable rear shock with 5.5 inches of travel. The basic setup worked quite well, with good bump compliance and exceptional midcorner stability. Compared to the Monster 821, the wheelbase is slightly shorter thanks to a tighter rake (24 degrees, down 0.3) but trail is unchanged at 3.7 inches. Revised chassis geometry, less weight and a narrower 180/55 rear tire make for a more maneuverable platform. While lighter wheels, reduced unsprung weight, and grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires combined to give a planted feeling during quick transitions.

The highway separating me and the new Monster from the sublimely twisty roads of the Santa Cruz Mountains, south of San Francisco, provided an opportunity to feel out its cruising abilities, and in 6th gear, at around 75 to 80 mph at 5,500 rpm, there was plenty of roll-on power in reserve. As soon as I exited the highway, and headed into the mountains, I really started to flog it. I thought for sure the suspension would give it up, but the Monster handled pretty much everything I threw at it. Tight switchbacks, long sweepers, decreasing-radius corners, uneven pavement and even those mystery bumps hidden in the shade of redwoods were all kept in check. The effort Ducati put into designing a more compact, agile, and friendlier riding position has really paid off. Transitioning back and forth was fairly easy in the fast stuff, but needed some increased effort in the tighter sections. The front-end feel at corner entry and mid-corner was reasonably good, allowing me to feel the road adjust to the conditions with confidence.

The Monster also has good front-to-rear balance and minimizes weight transfer on exits. I did some experimenting with the TC and ABS settings to gauge their effects at full tilt. There is definitely some intervention in the upper ranges of the 8-level TC, especially when traction is questionable. I found that peculiar sensation like a rev limiter kicking in several times on hard corner exits. In the lower levels of the TC the Monster’s response is more measured and precise. You’ll feel like a real pro, barely noticing that it’s working.

Braking wise, the Monster is equipped with Brembo’s latest M4.32 monoblock front calipers and 320mm rotors, along with a Brembo radial master cylinder. Together they offered a superb braking feel with plenty of stopping power. The ABS is well sorted and even though I’m not usually a fan, it stepped in to save the day a few times.

2021 Ducati Monster review price red Alice's Restaurant

Everybody sampled the 4-level wheelie control and launch control at nearly every stop light. Where it counted for me was on low-speed corner exits. In Level 4 it’s very apparent as the motor starts to cut out in order to keep the front wheel on the ground. Level 1 and 2 seemed most agreeable with minimal intervention. The good thing is the wheelie control can be independently adjusted from the other control systems or turned off. Ducati’s quickshifter worked well in both up and down directions, adding to the fun, but felt clunky at lower speeds.

Overall, the 2021 Ducati Monster performed exceptionally well. It’s the friendliest Monster yet and should satisfy a wide range of riders (and abilities) attracted not only to its performance and style, but also its accessibility. The many updates ensure that Monster legacy will be carried forward by this worthy successor.

The Monster comes in three color options: Ducati Red ($11,895), Aviator Gray (+$200) and Dark Stealth (+$200). And the Monster+ ($12,095) adds a flyscreen and passenger seat cover. An extensive range of accessories allow you to personalize the Monster, from a Termignoni racing exhaust to an EPA/CARB-compliant slip-on, tank cover kits and more.

021 Ducati Monster review price red Golden Gate Bridge

2021 Ducati Monster Specs

Base Price: $11,895
Price as Tested: $12,095 (Monster+ w/ flyscreen, passenger seat cover)
Website: ducati.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse 90-degree V-twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 937cc
Bore x Stroke: 94.0 x 67.5mm
Horsepower: 111 hp @ 9,250 rpm
Torque: 69 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain
Wheelbase: 58.0 in.
Rake/Trail: 24 degrees/3.7 in.
Seat Height: 32.3 in.
Wet Weight: 414 lbs. (claimed)
Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gals.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

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2021 Honda CRF300L and CRF300L Rally | First Ride Review

May 19, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally review action — The 2021 Honda 2021 CRF300L (above) and CRF300L Rally get more power and torque, a new assist-and-slipper clutch, less weight, and other improvements. (Photos by Drew Ruiz)

When Honda set out to improve its top-selling dual-sport models, the CRF250L and CRF250L Rally, it didn’t take half measures. The overhaul was executed as a package deal, integrating the modifications to improve the entire machine, and the 2021 Honda CRF300L and CRF300L Rally offer more power and more all-around capability. Having previously tested both 250 versions, I can assure you that Big Red has elevated the game for its CRF300L lineup.

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally review MSRP — Built on the same platform, the Honda CRF300L Rally (left) adds a windscreen, more seat padding, and a larger for tank, making it a great lightweight adventure bike.

The upgrades proved themselves at Honda’s press launch for the new bikes, where the assembled moto-scribes sampled both the CRF300L (MSRP $5,249) and CRF300L Rally ($5,999). From carving apexes on twisty pavement to negotiating rocky dirt roads and challenging single-track, we tackled nearly every kind of terrain a dual-sport rider might expect to encounter.

Arden’s Gear
Helmet: Fly Racing Formula Carbon
Jersey/Gloves/Pants: Fly Racing Kinetic K121 Racewear
Boots: Fly Racing FR5

The CRF300L and CRF300L Rally share the same powerplant, a liquid-cooled 286cc four-stroke single which boasts 15% more displacement, power, and torque than its 250cc predecessor, thanks to an 8mm stroke increase. Honda says the extra 36cc, paired with cam lift and timing mods, pumped up the four-valve single’s low- and mid-range power, and it wasn’t kidding. With 2.5 more horses (27.3) and nearly 3 lb-ft more torque (19), the 300s are quicker, with noticeably more low-end grunt than their predecessors.

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally review engine — A 36cc bump in displacement (to 286cc) and other updates to the CRF300L’s liquid-cooled single yielded a useful increase in power and torque.

The added power and torque, and reduced ratios in the lower gears, kept me from needing to slip the clutch to climb out of the gullies on the last single-track section of our test ride. The motor/tranny combo put enough tractable power to the ground in 1st gear to effortlessly climb the steep, curved trail. The EFI fueling through the 38mm throttle body was spot-on as well, instilling confidence the bike wouldn’t stall at lower revs. Even so, I hedged my bets by covering the clutch lever, the easy pull of Honda’s new assist-and-slipper clutch requiring just a single finger. The slipper function worked equally as well as the assist, preventing skids on a few too-hot corner entries on the pavement.

On the street, the 300s are a kick to flick from corner to corner, doing their best work on tight roads. And though they aren’t rockets, once at speed they have the chops to stay there if you observe the cardinal rule of small moto riding: never back off. But when you do have to slow down, the CRFs are ready with two-piston calipers up front squeezing a 260mm rotor on the standard and a 298mm plate on the heavier Rally. Both use a single-piston caliper and 220mm rear rotor. The front stoppers are the stars of the show, generating easy-to-modulate stopping power, while the back brakes are suitable assistants, capable of locking up the rear wheel on any surface. ABS is a $300 option on both models, but was not fitted to the test bikes.

The CRFs’ basic suspension package — 43mm inverted fork, Pro-Link single rear shock, both with 10.2 inches of travel but no adjustments except rear preload — turned in a solid performance throughout the day. Rake and trail have been reduced, which helped in the tight singletrack corners, but the bikes remain quite stable on road or off. The new cast aluminum swingarm, said to improve lateral flexibility and feedback, no doubt played its part, though too subtly for me to isolate as I plowed through ruts, slammed rocks, choosing some dodgy lines without the bikes pitching me off.

The lighter standard CRF300L excels here, soaking up nearly everything in its path, or at least not getting badly out of shape. Yes, it will literally kick your butt with rear-end bounce on major hits, and there could be more rebound damping at times, but it stayed on course, letting me survive to choose the next bad line. Having almost 11 inches of ground clearance to play with didn’t hurt, either.

Honda lightened both bikes, making them easier to toss around. Nine pounds came off the Rally (now 333), a notable achievement while adding 4 pounds of fuel (0.7 gallons, now 3.4) and fitting long-ride comfort items like handlebar weights and rubber footpeg inserts. The standard model lost 11 pounds (now 309) making it even easier to flick into corners or pick up, should the need arise. The new LCD instrument panels even lost a couple ounces while presenting more information. Speed, rpm, and gear position were easy enough to see at most times, the smaller text for the odometer and fuel mileage being difficult to read off the pavement.

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally review instrument panel

Speaking of mileage, using Honda’s claim of a 250+ mile range for the Rally, the 300s are capable of almost 74 mpg. We couldn’t track fuel consumption during the press launch, but the mileage readout on the bikes I rode hovered near 60. If ridden with a lighter hand, 74 mpg may well be possible. Sixth gear is an overdrive that should help highway mileage and comfort, though downshifts are necessary for any hills.

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally review fuel capacity

Only a half inch separates the tall-ish seat heights for the 300s, 34.7 and 35.2 inches for the standard and Rally, respectively. The extra padding for longer rides on the Rally was noticeable, but we spent so much time on the pegs for the 300L’s dirt-centric test loop that I can’t comment on its seat. However, the standing position was comfortable for my 68-inch frame and I could stretch my 31-inch inseam enough to touch two feet on the ground from the taller Rally. Despite their counterbalancers, both machines are a bit buzzy; I’ve yet to meet a single that didn’t tingle.

2021 Honda CRF300L review — 2021 Honda CRF300L

The new 300s have the potential for reaching a very large audience of two-wheel enthusiasts. They are small enough to hang on the back of a car or RV, lively enough to generate grins all day long on most any surface, easy enough to ride that newcomers can quickly feel at home, and the Rally has range enough to travel. The tough part is choosing between them. My choice is the standard model, for its off-road ability, though I would not hesitate to take the Rally on an extended back-roads tour.

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally review — 2021 Honda CRF300L Rally

2021 Honda CRF300L / CRF300L Rally Specs

Base Price: $5,249 / $5,999 (add $300 for ABS)
Website: powersports.honda.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single, DOHC w/ 4 valves
Displacement: 286cc
Bore x Stroke: 76 x 63mm
Horsepower: 27.3 hp @ 8,500 rpm (claimed, at crank)
Torque: 19 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (claimed, at crank)
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain
Wheelbase: 57.2 in.
Rake/Trail: 27.3 degrees/4.3 in.
Seat Height: 34.7 in. / 35.2 in.
Wet Weight: 309 lbs. / 333 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 2.1 gals. / 3.4 gals.

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally review wheel brake

2021 Honda CRF300L Rally review headlight

The post 2021 Honda CRF300L and CRF300L Rally | First Ride Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 | First Look Review

May 18, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 review action track — 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 in Team Yamaha Blue

When Yamaha launched the MT-07 for 2015, it was hoping to build on the success of its MT-09, a rowdy sport standard powered by an 847cc in-line triple with a crossplane crankshaft that was introduced the previous year.

The smaller, more affordable MT-07 had an all-new liquid-cooled, 689cc parallel-twin with a crossplane-style 270-degree crankshaft and an uneven firing order, giving it a lively feel and good low-end torque. That 689cc CP2 engine proved to be a versatile platform that not only powers flat-track race bikes but also Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 adventure bike.

Now it will power a new fully-faired sportbike, the 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7. Although the R7 takes its name from the 1999 YZF-R7 (aka OW-02), a 500-unit race homologation special built to compete in World Superbike and other series, the new R7 is built for mass consumption. Its MSRP is $8,999.

With no YZF-R6 in Yamaha’s lineup for 2021 and its fate for 2022 uncertain, the new R7 will fit into Yamaha’s supersport R-Series between the entry-level YZF-R3 and the top-of-the-line YZF-R1 and R1M.

Yamaha’s CP2 engine is a compact, versatile powerplant. Forged aluminum pistons with direct-plated cylinders integrated with the crankcase are light, strong and able to withstand high temperatures and high rpm. An optimized secondary gear ratio is said to provide an exhilarating ride and a sporty feel, and a 6-speed transmission is mated to an assist-and-slipper clutch.

The new YZF-R7 has an all-new chassis, with a narrow, high-strength steel frame that has aluminum center braces near the swingarm pivot for added torsional rigidity. Compared to the MT-07, the R7 has a shorter wheelbase (54.9 inches vs. 55.1) and less rake (23.4 degrees vs. 24.5; trail is the same at 3.7 inches), which should give it even sharper handling. Claimed wet weight, however, is slightly heavier at 414 pounds vs. 406 on the MT-07, even though the R7 has less fuel capacity (3.4 gals. vs. 3.7).

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 review performance black — 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 in Performance Black

Up front, the YZF-R7 has a fully adjustable KYB 41mm USD fork that’s mounted to the steering tube via a forged aluminum lower triple clamp and a gravity-cast aluminum upper triple clamp. Out back, a linked-type Monocross shock is adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping. The shock is mounted horizontally, bolted directly to the crankcase to reduce weight and keep mass centralized. Suspension travel is 5.1 inches front and rear.

Dual radial-mount 4-piston front brake calipers squeeze 298mm discs, and a Brembo radial master cylinder should provide good feel at the lever. A single rear caliper squeezes a 245mm rotor. The YZF-R7 has 17-inch cast wheels shod with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires (120/70-ZR17 front, 180/55-ZR17 rear).

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 review team yamaha blue

To enhance its sporty feel, the YZF-R7 has a racing-inspired cockpit that Yamaha says has a comfortable and confidence-inspiring riding position. Seat material and foam from the YZF-R1 and new low-profile fuel tank covers with deep knee pockets are designed to provide freedom of movement as well as a planted feel when leaned over or braking. Clip-on handlebars allow for an aggressive riding position, especially when tucked in behind the windscreen.

An LCD instrument panel has a high-contrast negative display, and new handlebar switches make it easy to scroll through the meter’s various functions. The R7 features Yamaha’s R-Series M-shaped intake duct and twin-eye front design, and LED lighting is used all around.

The 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 will be available in Team Yamaha Blue and Performance Black for $8,999. It will be in dealerships in June.

We’re getting a first ride on the new R7 soon, so stay tuned for our review.

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Specs
Base Price: $8,999
Website: yamahamotorsports.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Bore x Stroke: 80.0 x 68.6mm
Displacement: 689cc
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated assist-and-slipper wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain
Wheelbase: 54.9 in.
Rake/Trail: 23.4 degrees/3.5 in.
Seat Height: 31.7 in.
Wet Weight: 414 lbs. (claimed)
Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gals.

The post 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 | First Look Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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