For decades, the implacable march of technology and improved performance has driven motorcycles to incredible heights. Even our dyno and GPS-based timing equipment are so shocked by what they’re recording that they’ve started putting exclamation points after some of the horsepower and quarter-mile numbers. But as awesome as all this performance, economy, reliability, comfort and convenience is, it hasn’t necessarily made motorcycling any more fun than it was in the past.
To explore this phenomenon, we decided to forget the specs (mostly) and go in search of the strange and wonderful, the exotic and the just plain odd, to come up with a group of new motorcycles that exhibit that hard-to-define quality: character. So, what follows are 10 models that make a compelling argument for the immeasurable, machines that, through their distinct spirits, connect us to the fundamental essence of riding.
For the week of June 18-22, we’ll be introducing two bikes on a daily basis. Be sure to come back every day to check ‘em out…
Confederate X132 Hellcat
The Wild One.
It’s probably difficult to mass-produce a motorcycle with true character these days. Luckily, Confederates are not mass-produced.
Moto Guzzi V7 Racer
Life in the past lane.
The greatest success of the retro-flavor Moto Guzzi V7 Racer? It makes you want to wear exactly the right riding gear.
Ural M70 Anniversary Edition
The most fun you can have on three wheels, and sometimes two.
If a motorcycle could be judged solely by its ability to attract attention, then the Ural M70 Anniversary Edition is one of the coolest and most captivating rides on the road.
Ducati Diavel Carbon
Idle stoplights are the Diavel’s playthings.
The Diavel is a hot-chili-oil gel-cap suppository up the rectum of all that is sedentary and conventional.
Triumph Scrambler
Looking for a great escape?
Styling right out of one of the great Golden Ages of motorcycle design.
KTM RC8 R
Orange bang.
A world-class sportbike with a concentration of cool characteristics that hit your senses with all the force of an avalanche.
Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight
The real deal since 1957.
It’s not fast, it doesn’t rail corners, it doesn’t bristle with the latest technology. It just feels good to ride.
Royal Enfield Classic 500
The sun never sets on the Enfield empire.
The simple soul of a Single with a “beat” all its own.
Cleveland CycleWerks Misfit
Character doesn’t have to cost.
A lightweight bike with tons of character.
Honda Ruckus
All ruck and no sack.
Soul power! Well, lots of soul, but it’s a 50cc four-stroke, so the power is in its personality.
