Naked/Standard

A collection of 39 posts

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2022 Honda NC750X DCT

Honda first introduced its automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in 2010 on the VFR1200F. In a continuing evolution and application of its automatic transmission technology, Honda has since adapted it to the Africa Twin and the Gold Wing. The other model in Honda’s line-up that offers a DCT transmission is

Nov/Dec '22

Review: 2022 Yamaha MT-10

Getting Randy with Torque In the popular mind, southern California is the home of the motorcycle industry. Sure, there’s BMW Motorrad headquartered in New Jersey, Triumph in Atlanta, and the American brands up by the lakes, but most other OEMs all called southern California home. Without a doubt, the

News

2023 BMW R 1250 R

BMW has announced changes for 2023 to its popular roadster, the R 1250 R. The versatile naked sportbike/commuter/daily rider receives cosmetic updates and modest—but enticingly relevant—performance-enhancing changes for the new year. The MSRP of $14,995 remains unchanged from 2022. Naturally, the bike retains BMW’s

Sep/Oct '21

Review: 2020 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE

> Leaning over, throttling down, I sling the bike under me, light up the rear wheel, and carry a drift through the grass. When it bites, I’m full throttle. My cheeks are surged back as I rip through my half-acre backyard toward the end of the property line. I give

Mar/Apr '21

Comparison: BMW R 1250 RS vs. Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX

> The sport-touring class of motorcycles was once robust, with manufacturers offering a variety of touring bikes that were faster and more agile than yachts like the Gold Wing and Road Glide. But then the adventure-bike segment flourished when long-haul riders learned to appreciate the sporting chops and comfort of ADVs,

Jan/Feb '21

Review: 2020 KTM 890 Duke R

> The newest Duke is pointed up an enticingly twisty road, tugging at its leash. It begs to scamper and effortlessly lunges up the hill, its motor’s bark rising briskly before being interrupted momentarily with a pop from its quickshifter. A corner looms, and hitting hard on the brakes, you

Jul/Aug '20

Review: 2020 BMW F 900 R/XR

Not-So-Identical Twins > Since the introduction of its first motorbike, the R32 in 1923, BMW has been known for designing and manufacturing quality machines. With the extremely popular GS being its core business, in November the brand unveiled a pair of new middleweight street machines, the F 900 R and the

Jul/Aug '20

Review: 2020 Husqvarna Svartpilen 701

Elemental Sports Roadster Gold > The Svartpilen 701 reminds me of a childhood friend. Jimmy was a likable boy who always pushed the limits of what was typically deemed reasonable. He had a circle of friends who admired his carefree and adventurous attitude, even if he was pretty rough around the

Jan/Feb '20

2020 Yamaha MT-03

Yamaha has released a stylish new naked sports motorcycle to appeal to junior riders. The MT-03 takes the bones of the YZF-R3 sportbike and repackages them into this sassy new model. Its aggressive, mass-forward appearance gives the MT-03 a leg up over some of its mundane-looking competition. A centrally located

Jan/Feb '20

Review: 2019 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Hipsters Rejoice! > Motorcycles have improved by leaps and bounds in the last 50-plus years, with electronic fuel injection, anti-lock braking systems, adjustable suspension, disk brakes, and more. Technology doesn’t come cheap, however. Fast-forward to the present and every coffee-sniffing, pant-rolling, pipe-smoking hipster is scouring Craigslist for a used twin

Sep/Oct '19

Review: 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+

Since Kawasaki first brought the Versys 1000 to market in 2012, the bike has seen a few changes. With the 2019 SE LT+ model, the Japanese manufacturer is upping the ante across the board, offering improved performance, new suspension, more aggressive styling, and loads of high-tech wizardry. What’s New

May/Jun '19

Review: 2019 Ducati Scrambler

Uncomplicated > No other motorcycle manufacturer has invested itself in the retro market quite like Ducati. When the Italian company reintroduced its iconic Scrambler in 2015, it crafted an effective campaign selling the lifestyle as much as the machine. The campaign blossomed by capturing the sentimentality of older riders, while appealing

Jul/Aug '18

2019 Honda CB300R

Is it retro modern or streamlined steam-punk? No matter. Whatever the inspirations for its design, the naked 2019 CB300R is a pretty machine. And beginners, short-hop commuters, and many others with an abiding appreciation of small-displacement, user-friendly models will be visiting their local Honda showroom to check it out in

Jan/Feb '18

Review: 2018 Aprilia Shiver 900 and Dorsoduro 900

> You (or your grandad) may have had a UJM—Universal Japanese Motorcycle—in the ’70s or ’80s. It could do it all, and there are plenty of good standard models out there today, but what if you want something with a dollop of Italian panache? Aprilia has offered a middleweight

Nov/Dec '17

Review: 2017 Suzuki V-Strom 650 & 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000

> It’s not every day that a motorcycle manufacturer holds a press launch for two motorcycles of different model years. Yet, that’s exactly what Suzuki did recently, high up in California’s lovely San Bernardino Mountains. Both 650 V-Stroms—the standard and XT versions—are listed as 2017 models,

Sep/Oct '17

2017 BMW R nineT Pure and Racer: Sibling Rivalry

> The Racer has a half-fairing with a small windshield, clip-on handlebar, and a solo saddle. It is intended to recall the superbike era of the 1970s and ‘80s, which featured models such as the R90S, and its engine is reminiscent of the powerplants used in the BMW Motorrad Boxer Cup.

Nov/Dec '16

Review: 2016 Yamaha XSR900

> With its latest XSR900 model, Yamaha has spawned an exciting sibling from the FZ-09, one with a neo-retro look that’ll make you nostalgic for the ‘70s. Two Wheels, Three Cylinders, High Fives! The reason for the XSR900’s styling is to appeal to young—and young at heart—riders

Nov/Dec '15

Review: 2014 Royal Enfield Continental GT

> The 2014 Royal Enfield Continental is slow, terrible on the highway, and completely and utterly impractical. Not only that, but it vibrates excessively at any speed above 10 mph, doesn’t have ABS or traction control, and lacks engine mapping modes and other technological advances. And I love it. Powertrain

Sep/Oct '15

Review: 2015 Suzuki GSX-S 750

> Suzuki has a long history of 750cc, four-stroke motorcycles starting with the GS750 in 1977. In the mid-1980s, the “X” was added for the gen four iteration, which ushered in liquid cooling. Over the years, they evolved leading us to the current generation 10, GSX-S750, making it one of the

Mar/Apr '15

Review: 2013 Honda CB1100

Classic Styling with Modern Performance Honda’s retro-styled CB1100 was introduced to the Japanese market in 2010, but there was some doubt whether we would ever see it here in America. Good news! The CB1100 
finally came to our shores in 2013, and I was chomping at the bit to

Sep/Oct '13

2013 Honda CBR500R and CB500F: Budget Bikes with Gusto

> Honda’s new entry-level 500s, the CBR500R and the CB500F, are budget bikes with gusto. With fuel-injected parallel twins that are as smooth as four cylinder bikes, the newest micro racer and sport standard are impressive world-market machines. Since February of this year, Honda has introduced six new models to

Mar/Apr '13

2013 Honda Lineup

> At a time when consumers are pinching every penny, some companies respond by doing the same, a few focus on bringing in repeat business, and others ramp up advertising. A brave handful will put all their chips on the table by offering a variety of original products. Honda has not

Jan/Feb '13

2012 Honda NC700X and NC700XD: Affordable Fun

> One of Honda’s latest offspring, the NC700X, was designed to appeal to new and re-entry riders as well as folks who want a lot of bang for their buck. You can choose one of two NC700 iterations. There’s the base model, NC700X, with a regular six-speed transmission at

Jan/Feb '11

Three New Harley-Davidson® Models for 2011

> For 2011, The Motor Company has introduced three exciting new models: the Road Glide® Ultra, plus a pair of Sportsters®, the SuperLow™, and XR1200X™. Harley's lineup now boasts 32 models, including long-haul touring machines, urban brawlers, contemporary customs, retro-style bobbers, sport roadsters, and standards. As mentioned in the October issue,

Jul/Aug '09

2009 Kawasaki Versys & Suzuki Gladius

Up until the latest bubble burst, nearly everyone was extolling the virtues of behemoth motorcycles, often to the near exclusion of smaller machines. Back then, with some form of "size matters" splattered on nearly every bike magazine cover, it seemed like everybody was taking out equity loans on their houses