Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

2023 Vespa GTS300 Review - First Ride

Riding an urban icon in Rome Credit: Photos by Vespa Although the word “iconic” is tossed around in marketing materials far too frequently, very few means of motorized transport find themselves deserving of the term. Vespa is one of those marques. Much like Xerox was, at one point, what all means of photocopying were called, there was an era in which all scooters were generically referred to as Vespas.

Church of MO: 2012 Triumph Scrambler Review

Now it’s the Triumph Street Scrambler, but 10 years ago it was the Triumph only Scrambler, and it was time to open fire with the Steve McQueen marketing machine. Seems to have worked, really, and Triumph has seen fit since then to update the base Scrambler with a bigger new liquid-cooled Twin that still looks vintage. And its pair of bigger Scrambler 1200s, XE and XC, are truly sublime motorcycles we’d ride anywhere.

The Final Front Tire: Which is Better for Your ADV Bike? 19 or 17-inch?

Ducati Multistrada V4S vs. Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak It all began when our old friend Ken Vreeke returned from a six-day ride in Spain, name-dropping and in love with the BMW S1000XR he’d ridden there. Actually, he rented a GS1250, but also got some time on the XR: Problem is with the ADV bikes, Vreeke complains, even with good tires you run off the edges long before you get any real lean angle.

2023 BMW R 1250 RS First Look

Two weeks ago, BMW announced updates to its R 1250 R roadster. It’s not a big surprise, then, that many of those same updates are coming to the R 1250 RS. And just like the roadster, the updated 2023 R 1250 RS remains at the same MSRP as 2022: $15,695.

MV Agusta 921 S First Look

Retro-cool, with an all-new engine. Drawing off a company’s past success is a popular starting point when it comes to future models, and MV Agusta is drawing off its success 50 years ago to guide a new category of motorcycle it hopes to bring to market in the coming years. What you see here is the 921 S concept.

MV Agusta Reveals Superveloce 1000 Serie Oro

A neo-retro stunner. MV is leaning hard into its heritage with this, the Superveloce 1000 Serie Oro, the latest – and arguably most stunning – addition to the neo-retro family that started with the Superveloce 800. In typical MV fashion, the Superveloce 1000 lives up to the brand’s “Motorcycle Art” mantra, but does so with functional technical and stylistic solutions.

2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 First Look

Mid-sized cruiser also offered in a Grand Tourer variant Credit: Photos by Ryan Adams and Royal Enfield Royal Enfield announced a new cruiser model featuring the 648cc Parallel-Twin engine that also powers the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. The new Super Meteor 650, and the Super Meteor 650 Grand Tourer variant, The air-cooled engine claims an output of 46.4 hp at 7,250 rpm and 38.6 lb-ft. at 5,650 rpm, which are about the same peak figures claimed by the other 650 models, but the Super Meteor gets there a little higher on rev range.

2023 Indian Challenger Elite First Look

For Indian fans who want the ultimate Challenger You know who you are: You love the Indian Challenger, but it just quite isn’t enough for you. You want something super exclusive. Well, Indian’s got good news for you.

2023 MV Agusta Ampelio First Look

An e-scooter with a foot planted in both the future and the past While many riders think of MV Agusta as solely being focused on high performance motorcycles, a quick look through the internet time machine will reveal MV scooters in the 1950s. A closer inspection will reveal a family resemblance to the 2023 MV Agusta Ampelio unveiled today in Milan. Drawing on inspiration from the CGT and Ovunque scooters of the past, MV had Russian designer Maksim Ponomarev interpret the 70 year old models with a modern flair, and once viewed by MV Agusta CEO Timur Sardarov, the project was undertaken.

2023 Honda EM1 E: Electric Scooter First Look

Stylish with a removable battery, but only for Europe Honda is one of several manufacturers showing off shiny e-scooters slated for 2023 release, and the 2023 Honda EM1 e: looks pretty nice. Destined for Europe (at least initially, we hope), the EM1 e: is one of the 10 motorcycle models that the manufacturer has pledged to release by 2025, with the company’s other stated goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 hanging in the balance. The e-scooter’s name is derived from Electric Moped, and it is aimed at younger potential riders looking for stylish, fun urban transportation (which explains the Euro release).

2023 Indian FTR Sport First Look

FTR Sport replaces the FTR S Indian Motorcycle revealed a new FTR Sport model that replaces the FTR S in its 2023 lineup. The FTR Sport slots in under the FTR R Carbon but above the FTR Rally and the base FTR. The FTR Sport comes with a number plate above the headlight, a chin fairing, and a passenger seat cover.

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE/V-Strom 800DE Adventure First Look

No longer with a V-Twin, but the Strom heritage is still strong The Suzuki V-Strom line is a storied one that most riders are quite familiar with, but today in Milan, Suzuki opened the next chapter: the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE. While the entire bike is worthy of attention, the showstopper for the new Storms is the 766cc parallel-Twin engine. The V-Twin that gives the Strom part of its name has been assigned to the history books.

Kawasaki Reveals Electric, Hybrid and Hydrogen-Powered Prototypes

Electrics coming in 2023, hybrid Ninja to follow in 2024 After presenting an electric prototype last month at Intermot, Kawasaki revealed a range of electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered prototypes at EICMA. The alternative energy models are part of Kawasaki’s efforts to reach carbon neutrality, with production models expected to launch in the next two to three years. Most of the prototypes used Kawasaki’s new Go with Green Power logo which will be used on its carbon neutrality efforts.

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S First Look

Suzuki's all-new platform is a sign of things to come. At long last, the spiritual successor to Suzuki’s wildly popular SV650 (but not the actual successor, the SV is still staying in the Suzuki lineup) is finally here. Say hello to the GSX-8S, a motorcycle Suzuki says was “engineered from the ground up as an innovative path for future Suzuki sportbikes…” While we all process what that means for Suzuki’s future, let’s delve into the present day and take a closer look at Suzuki’s new middleweight naked bike.

2023 Honda CL500 First Look

Street scrambler joins Honda's 500 family Honda is adding a new model to its 500 platform, introducing a retro-inspired CL500 street scrambler. The new CL brings back a nameplate Honda used in the ’60s and ’70s for lightweight off-road capable motorcycles. The modern interpretation draws on that heritage with the upswept muffler with stainless steel heat shield, round tank with tank pads, and gaitered forks.

2023 Vespa GTV First Look

A Vespa icon gets a makeover With its distinctive “faro basso” (low headlight), the Vespa GTV has been turning traditionalist heads since 2006. Today, in Milan, the 2023 Vespa GTV was unveiled. While retaining the profile that put the vintage into the GTV, it has clearly been updated to modern standards.

2023 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Special Edition First Look

Factory accessories make this a unique bobber Bobber fans should take note of the 2023 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Special Edition. For the new model year, Moto Guzzi has decided to dress the popular bike up with some special finishing touches. The most obvious addition is the blacked out look of all of the rolling gear.

2023 Piaggio 1 E-Scooter Range First Look

The Piaggio 1 now comes in three versions Urban riders understand the utility of e-scooters, and the Piaggio 1 is a prime example of the genre. Today, Piaggio announced the 2023 Piaggio 1 line of e-scooters, with three members for a variety of uses. The first two, the Piaggio 1 and 1+ are considered mopeds and are speed-limited to 28 mph with a range of 34 miles and 60 miles, respectively.

2023 Aprilia RS660 Extrema First Look

The RS660 goes on a diet thanks to SC Project and some carbon fiber. Aprilia is celebrating the success of the RS660 worldwide (and claiming it’s the best-selling sportbike in Europe) with this – the RS660 Extrema, the sportiest version of the RS660 family. The name is modeled after that of the Aprilia 125 Extrema, one of the highest-performing and fastest eighth-liter bikes ever, manufactured from 1992 to 1994.

Aprilia Looks To The Future With The ELECTRICa Project

This supermoto-ish-looking thing is Aprilia‘s “vision of mobility for the youngest riders of the near future.” So, forget Millenials or even Gen Z, this Aprilia ELECTRICa project is aimed at Generation Alpha – a cohort of kids who, at the oldest end of the spectrum, are currently in junior high school. The Aprilia ELECTRICa project at EICMA 2022. Photo by Ryan Adams Aprilia envisions the future as a space of freedom, where remote working is the norm, yet digital interconnectivity remains at an all-time high.

2023 Honda XL750 Transalp First Look

Middleweight ADV with the Hornet's 755cc engine Honda has brought back the Transalp name with the new XL750 Transalp, a middleweight adventure-tourer powered by the Parallel-Twin engine introduced on the Hornet CB750. Join the Honda Transalp Forum The Transalp name was first introduced on a 583cc V-Twin model in 1986, before gaining larger 647cc and 680cc versions. The new 2023 Honda XL750 Transalp fills the mid-sized adventure bike slot in Honda’s lineup, sliding in below the CRF1100L Africa Twin and providing more off-road capability than the NC750X and CB500X.

2023 Yamaha Tracer 7 and Tracer 7 GT First Look

A 5-inch TFT, bigger brakes, revised forks, 20-liter saddlebags, and comfort items highlight the changes. This just in from Yamaha Europe, whether this applies Stateside remains to be seen: The Yamaha Tracer 7 at the Yamaha booth during EICMA 2022. Photo by Ryan Adams Accompanying the revised Tracer 9 and Tracer 9 GT+ is its updated little brother – the Tracer 7 and Tracer 7 GT.

2023 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT and Tracer 9 GT+ First Look

For 2023, Yamaha has gone crazy with the tech on the new Tracer 9 GT+. For 2023, Yamaha has gone crazy with the new Tracer 9 GT+ and thrown every bit of technology it could think of at the bike. Now sitting atop Yamaha’s sport-touring mountain as the flagship for the brand – taking the place of the dearly departed FJR1300, which has been out of production for a few years – the Tracer 9 GT+, with its multitude of electronic rider aids, will help make the sport-touring experience as stress-free as possible.

2023 Yamaha Niken GT First Look

Bigger engine, new saddlebags, and updated electronics This just in from Yamaha Europe, whether this applies Stateside remains to be seen: For 2023, Yamaha has updated the Niken in just about every area of the bike. The high points include the engine, TFT functionality, and suspension. Since the company considers the Niken to be “one of Yamaha’s most sophisticated Sport Tourers,” the emphasis on improving the quality of the rider’s experience should come as no surprise.

2023 Honda Rebel 1100T First Look

Fork-mounted fairing and hard cases but same 3.6-gallon tank As we reported last month, Honda is introducing a new bagger version of the Rebel 1100. The 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T adds a fork-mounted fairing and color-matched hard panniers. For the U.S., the bagger model will only be offered with DCT, while some markets may offer a manual transmission option.

Next-Gen 2023 Ducati Scrambler First Look

Ducati revealed its new “Next-Gen” 803cc Scrambler lineup, featuring new styling, a new ride-by-wire throttle, a 4.3-inch TFT display, and an updated chassis. For 2023, Ducati will offer three 803cc Scramblers: the Icon, the Full Throttle, and the Nightshift. The 1100 Scrambler range will also return, unchanged, with three models: the Scrambler 1100 Dark Pro, Tribute Pro, and Sport Pro.

Showdown: Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX Vs Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

A clash between two sport-touring heavyweights Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield It seems like all the splash lately has been about the ADV category and all the wonderful things they can do and destinations they can reach. We’re not going to deny adventure bikes their time in the sun, either. They’re definitely fun and capable bikes worthy of all the bandwagoning.

Showdown: Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX Vs Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

A clash between two sport-touring heavyweights Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield It seems like all the splash lately has been about the ADV category and all the wonderful things they can do and destinations they can reach. We’re not going to deny adventure bikes their time in the sun, either. They’re definitely fun and capable bikes worthy of all the bandwagoning.

Triumph Announce New Street Triple Lineup For 2023

Limited Edition Street Triple Moto2 Edition Headlines The Show Triumph has announced a shakeup to its ever-popular Street Triple range today, introducing not one, but three evolutions to the family, creating what it says is “the most powerful Street Triple range ever.” Building off the success it has forged by being the sole engine supplier for the Moto2 racing category, Triumph now introduces the Street Triple R, Street Triple RS, and the Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition – the latter of which will be relegated to just 765 units worldwide. Unlike Honda, whose CBR600RR engine was the basis of the Moto2 category during its birth, Triumph has used the racing category to advance the 765cc three-cylinder engine shared between the race bikes and production bikes. The latest Street Triple range is the beneficiary of those advancements.

2023 Yamaha Tenere 700 First Look

Minor updates announced for Europe Yamaha Motor Europe announced updates to the Ténéré 700, giving the middleweight ADV bike a TFT display, smartphone connectivity, a new ABS mode and other small updates. As of this writing, the 2023 Ténéré 700 has not been announced for the U.S., though we expect to receive official news soon. The Ténéré 700 Rally Edition variant offered in Europe (pictured below with the Heritage White livery) also received the same updates, but we don’t expect that it will be offered on these shores.