Motorcycle Reviews, Motorcycle Gear, Videos & News

Top 5 Scramblers Of 2019

With major motorcycle brands fully committed to the genre, scramblers continue to flow into the mainstream. Here are our top five options.

What About Different Motorcycle Chassis Materials?

Aluminum is big now, but what about steel or carbon fiber?
2019 KTM 790 Adventure And 790 Adventure R First Ride

Rally DNA, adventure capability
Husqvarna’s Svartpilen 701 To Hit North America This Spring

Courtesy of Husqvarna Motorcycles
Change Awaits Dakar Over The Next Dune

After its 10th anniversary in South America, the Dakar Rally might be making a move to Saudi Arabia

Bikes

Riding Yamaha’s All-New Wabash Gravel eBike

Can skinny tires and an electric motor find common ground on gravel roads and rocky trails?

By Casey Cordeiro posted Mar 21st, 2019

Yamaha’s all-new Wabash gravel eBike is a multipurpose and adventure-driven electric-assist bicycle.
Bikes

Living In The Age Of Selective Breeding, Micro-Minis, Diet Supplements, And Management

“I want to thank myself. I built and tuned the bike, I drove it here in my van, and I rode it.”

By Kevin Cameron posted Mar 21st, 2019

“The worst problem of growing old,” Kevin Cameron writes, “is that the changing world gradually becomes unfamiliar, then becomes unrecognizable.” Anyone agree?
Gear and Products

MIPS Is Pulling No Punches With Motorcycle-Helmet Protection

Two Swedes figured out how to lessen the transfer of rotational energy to the brain in a fall, and helmet manufacturers are taking notice

By Matthew Miles posted Mar 20th, 2019

MIPS is becoming more commonplace in motorcycling, especially off-road. Will your next helmet be fitted with one of its rotational-energy-reducing inserts?
Racing

Thailand Races Highlight Change In World Superbike

Álvaro Bautista and Ducati pull away from Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki in championship point standings

By Kevin Cameron posted Mar 20th, 2019

Will Jonathan Rea’s pattern of second-place finishes be broken once World Superbike returns to Europe, beginning with round 3 of the series at MotorLand Aragón?

10 Best Motorcycles of 2018

Cycle World on Youtube

Ienatsch Tuesday

Drinking And Riding

How drinking affects your riding

By Nick Ienatsch posted Mar 19th, 2019

This week Nick Ienatsch discusses a test done in 1992 in which he got drunk and rode—on purpose.
Racing

Is MotoGP Just “Tire” Racing?

“Riders are in races to win, and they will do whatever it takes to do so”

By Kevin Cameron posted Mar 19th, 2019

Kevin Cameron responds to a reader question: “Why don’t riders save the tires by staying in the pits, then come out and really race for five laps?”…
Bikes

Top 5 Scramblers Of 2019

With major motorcycle brands fully committed to the genre, scramblers continue to flow into the mainstream. Here are our top five options.

By Andrew Cherney posted Mar 18th, 2019

The scrambler style is the visual embrace of fun and adventure, and motorcycle manufacturers are scrambling to cash in on their popularity.
Bikes

You Really Do Have To Test Everything—50 Ways To Get It Wrong

Number 10 in a series of motorcycle learning experiences

By Kevin Cameron posted Mar 18th, 2019

Have you checked all the boxes, dotted every “i,” and crossed every “t”? Are you sure? Kevin Cameron explains how even the simplest tasks can go horribly wrong.

Racing

Aprilia Racing CEO Explains Ducati Aero Protest Appeal

Massimo Rivola gives his position

By Maria Guidotti posted Mar 15th, 2019

Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing CEO, explains why the protest and subsequent appeal against Ducati was lodged.
Bikes

Looking Back At The Burly Kawasaki ZRX1100 And ZRX1200

A brief history of Kawasaki’s circa-2000s muscle standard that evoked the 1980s Kawasaki Eddie Lawson Replica

By Jack Baruth posted Mar 15th, 2019

The 1997–2005 Kawasaki ZRX1100 and ZRX1200 were fun, retro-muscle standards that make a great used buy today.
Bikes

Motorcyclists I’ve Known Who Have Been Practical Problem-Solvers

People I’ve met at the motorcycle races, part 2

By Kevin Cameron posted Mar 15th, 2019

Motorcycling is full of bright, interesting people. Kevin Cameron remembers Don Tilley, John Britten, and Ian Gunn, all of whom were delightful company.
Bikes

5 Best Bikes For Being Reckless

What are the best motorcycles to cut loose on?

By Justin Dawes posted Mar 14th, 2019

What five motorcycles would you want to get reckless on? We have our list.

Bikes

How Much Power Does The 2019 KTM 790 Duke Make?

Dyno numbers and video on KTM newest naked

By Justin Dawes posted Mar 14th, 2019

Cycle World dynos the 2019 KTM Duke 790 for peak horsepower and torque numbers.
Racing

That Little Scoop Under Ducati’s MotoGP Bike Has Created Much Controversy

A decision on the appeal from Aprilia, Honda, KTM, and Suzuki is expected prior to the second round of the series

By Kevin Cameron posted Mar 14th, 2019

Should Ducati’s swingarm “scoop” be accepted as readily as Yamaha’s Mu learning or Honda’s driveline torque meter and seamless gearbox were in their day?
Racing

American Flat Track Singles Class Rule Changes For The 2019 Season

Cory Texter breaks down some of the key rule changes and gives his take

By Cory Texter posted Mar 13th, 2019

American Flat Track Singles gets new rules for 2019; Cory Texter breaks down some of the key rules and offers his thoughts.
Bikes

A First Ride On Harley’s Stripped-Down Tourer, The 2019 Electra Glide Standard

Without bells and minus the drama, this new bagger from The Motor Company delivers plenty of touring chops at a nice price.

By Andrew Cherney posted Mar 13th, 2019

Harley-Davidson’s new 2019 Electra Glide Standard delivers a true base model with plenty of touring chops but also a raw canvas that’s priced right.
Racing

Complaints Lodged Against Ducati At Qatar

Night of long knives in the Qatar desert

By Manuel Pecino posted Mar 12th, 2019

Aprilia, Honda, KTM, and Suzuki lodged a formal complaint against Ducati’s attachment affixed to the swingarm, claiming it is an illegal aerodynamic part.

New Bikes

Browse first rides & news on new motorcycles.
SPORTBIKE
STANDARD / NAKED
CRUISER
DUAL-SPORT / ADVENTURE
TOURING / SPORT-TOURING
OFF-ROAD / MOTOCROSS
SCOOTERS / ELECTRIC

Ienatsch Tuesday

A Racer’s Trip To Daytona

Moto-poetry of racing’s challenges

By Nick Ienatsch posted Mar 12th, 2019

Nick Ienatsch pens poetry dedicated to the racers lining up this weekend at the Daytona 200.
Bikes

Creating Stable Camshaft Drives—50 Ways To Get It Wrong

Number nine in a series of motorcycle learning experiences

By Kevin Cameron posted Mar 12th, 2019

Have you dropped a cam-chain master-link safety clip down the tunnel and into the lower end of your motorcycle’s engine? Technical Editor Kevin Cameron has.

New Motorcycles

Buyer's Guide

2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon

Cleaner styling, fresh features, an LED headlight, and cornering ABS

posted Feb 27th, 2019

Just as Ducati’s original single-cylinder Scrambler series (1962–’74) evolved in size and performance, so too has the current range, which for 2019 comprises 10 models…
Buyer's Guide

2019 Honda CB1000R ABS

A sporting standard-style streetbike with superbike genetics

posted Feb 25th, 2019

Let’s get something straight right from the clutch drop: Despite similarities in model names, the 2019 Honda CB1000R is not a CBR1000RR relieved of its plastic bodywork,…
Buyer's Guide

2019 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin/Adventure Sports

For Honda riders, adventure comes in two liter-class flavors

posted Feb 25th, 2019

Got people to see, places to visit, a bucket list to check off? The 2019 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin will take you everywhere you want to go, on or off road, in comfort…
Buyer's Guide

2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory/RR

The lightest, most powerful, and fastest RSV4, which is saying something

posted Feb 21st, 2019

Aprilia and Ducati have long battled for superbike supremacy, the two Italian motorcycle makers butting fairings on both street and track.

Racing

2019 MotoGP World Championship Season Preview

Who will challenge Marc Márquez for this year’s premier-class title?

By Maria Guidotti posted Mar 7th, 2019

Andrea Dovizioso finished second to Marc Márquez the past two seasons. Who will be number one this year? Maria Guidotti previews the 2019 MotoGP world championship.
Bikes

Exhaust-Pipe Retaining Springs—50 Ways To Get It Wrong

Number eight in a series of motorcycle learning experiences

By Kevin Cameron posted Mar 7th, 2019

Exhaust-pipe springs break unless you make life easy for them, as Technical Editor Kevin Cameron understands from personal experience.
Ienatsch Tuesday

How To Tackle Long-Radius, Double-Apex Corners

Double-apex corners can be tricky

By Nick Ienatsch posted Mar 5th, 2019

Nick Ienatsch gives you the lowdown on how to get around trick double-apex corners at the track.