Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 Review - First Ride

The Himalayan you love, with a twist I’m a big fan of scramblers that can actually Scram, ya dig? When a production scrambler has the chops and capability to do what those customized rigs did back in the good ol’ days, well, that’s the real deal. Isn’t it?

Honda Announces Electric Motorcycle Plans

Carbon neutrality by 2040 Honda announced plans for a carbon neutral future and a goal of introducing 10 or more electric motorcycles by 2025 including three mid-range models and a youth model for North America. Until now, Honda has been very tentative when it comes to electrification, with its main focus being on developing swappable battery packs for electric two-wheelers. Its Japanese counterparts Yamaha and Kawasaki have outlined their own plans, while in North America, Harley-Davidson is days away from finalizing its LiveWire spin-off.

Ask MO Anything: Why Didn't the Ducati Supermono Just Use Normal Counterbalancers?

Doppia Bielletta for 100, Alex Following our recent Falloon File about the lovely and talented little Ducati Supermono, Commenter Bob wanted to know: “Why did Bordi use an extra connecting rod instead of the usual balance shafts? BMW had a parallel twin with a third con rod for the same reason. I would be interested in reading a technical analysis of those motors.” Dear Bob, Interesting.

2023 Honda Hornet Engine Details Confirmed

Honda provided an update on the development of its new 2023 Hornet streetfighter, releasing test footage and details about its new engine. The new Hornet will be powered by a 755cc Parallel-Twin 8-valve Unicam engine with a 270° crank. Honda claims an output of 90.5 hp at 9500 rpm, 55.3 lb-ft.

2023 Lucky Explorer 9.5 Prototype Test

First Time Lucky? Credit: Photos by Milagro/Gigi Soldano These days, any manufacturer with pretensions to being a global player at whatever level in the marketplace has to have a dual-purpose Adventure model in its range, and MV Agusta is no exception. Italy’s most historic trophy brand – the so-called Ferrari of motorcycles, with 270 Grand Prix road racing victories and 75 World Championship titles in its locker, including 17 successive 500GP crowns – actually has a notable off-road heritage, too.

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 and V-Strom 1050DE First Look

V-Strom 1050XT gets replaced by a more capable off-road variant Suzuki announced updates for the V-Strom 1050, as well as a new off-road oriented version for 2023. The new 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE replaces the 1050XT model, and adds new features to make it a more capable off-road machine such as a 21-inch front wheel, longer-stroke suspension, and a larger aluminum bash plate. Both models remain powered by a 1037cc V-Twin engine, but for 2023, Suzuki introduced new hollow sodium-filled exhaust valves, claiming reduced temperature in the combustion chamber, and thus improved efficiency and durability.

Yamaha's Coming Out With a Race-Spec R1 In 2023

But there's a catch: It's only available in Europe. At least for now. In a move further supporting my argument that R1s are purpose-built racebikes with lights and mirrors to make them legal on the roads, for 2023 Yamaha is introducing the R1 GYTR – an R1 prepared specifically for track duty, without any of the homologation pieces for roadworthiness (don’t worry, the standard R1 isn’t going anywhere).

Church of MO: 1997 Suzuki XF650 Freewind

What’s that? You want a simple, lightweight adventure bike with LCD instruments and no cruise control that won’t break the bank? Something Japanese, with a huge dealer network so you won’t be afraid to leave the neighborhood?

Aprilia Introduces The Most Extreme RSV4 Yet - The XTrenta

An RSV4 with MotoGP levels of aero, including the under wing. To celebrate 30 years since Aprilia won its first world championship title, Aprilia (or, more appropriately, the racing division) is introducing this, the RSV4 Xtrenta. Encompassing the same basic profile the RSV4 has carried since its birth over a decade ago, the Xtrenta is defined by the level of aerodynamic work the Noale factory has applied from its MotoGP program.

2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini First Look

Limited edition model priced at $68,000 As we expected earlier this week, Ducati kicked off its 2023 World Première series with a limited edition Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini model. This marks the second tie-in between the two Volkswagen Group brands, following the Diavel Lamborghini model in 2021. Ducati will produce 630 units of the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini in the Verde Citrea/Arancio Dac color scheme with matching Arancio Dac red brake calipers that matches one of the paint options for the Lamborghini Huracán STO.

Parallel-Twin Suzuki V-Strom and SV650 Successors Spied

We dare you, Suzuki: call it the P-Strom Credit: Photos by BMH-Images Spy photographers have snapped images of two new Suzuki prototypes powered by a new Parallel-Twin engine. The two motorcycles, an adventure bike and a naked model, appear to be the eventual successors to the V-Strom 650 and SV650, and the culmination of a long development path for Suzuki’s new middleweight twin-cylinder engine. The 645cc engine powering the V-Strom and SV650 has long been one of our favorites, but having only received updates to keep them compliant with emissions standards, the liquid-cooled V-Twin has been getting quite long in the tooth.

2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S – Mini Review

Does KTM's amazing mega adventure bike make for a good tourer? If there’s one thing KTM knows how to do, it’s how to get dirty. The company obviously has its long history of off-road competition, and victories, to its name, and that success has transferred nicely into the adventure bike market.

2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider El Diablo Joins Limited Edition Icons Collection

The devil you say! Harley-Davidson unveiled the latest member of its Icons Collection with a devilish take on the Low Rider ST. Limited to a production run of just 1,500 models, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider El Diablo introduces a custom red paint job and a factory-installed Rockford Fosgate audio system for a price of $27,999.

2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini Model to Be Announced Sept. 2

Special edition Lamborghini Huracán STO tie-in model Ducati released a teaser image ahead of its first World Première 2023 episode, with all signs pointing to a new Lamborghini tie-in model based on the Streetfighter V4. The image shows a green and red piece of carbon bodywork with the “STO” logo that matches that of the Lamborghini Huracán STO. The initials stand for “Super Trofeo Omologata“, indicating the street-legal version of Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo racecar.

Church of MO: 2002 Ducati 999 Comes To America

Looking back upon it through 20-year thick vino rosso-colored glasses, I remember really liking the 2002 Ducati 999. Probably because so many others did not; following that 916 shape was never going to be easy. But reading the old road test, the faint praise is palpable.

Showdown: 2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 Vs. Yamaha Tenere 700

Middleweight adventure bikes duke it out on a 2,000 mile tour Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield | Videos by Sean Matic As we motored slaunchways across Utah, the late daylight stretched our shadows and cast golden hues against the tall canyon walls, further accentuating the contrast between the rust colored ancient seabeds peppered with lush green juniper and muted sage. The lavender sky over Bryce faded as we continued westward on Hwy 12. Refusing to pack a second visor for my Shoei Hornet X2, I lifted the dark smoke shield as I led our crew into the dark dense forest, keeping my line of sight just above the Ténéré’s windscreen in an attempt to protect my peepers from the onslaught of kamikaze insects.

Showdown: 2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 Vs. Yamaha Tenere 700

Middleweight adventure bikes duke it out on a 2,000 mile tour Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield | Videos by Sean Matic As we motored slaunchways across Utah, the late daylight stretched our shadows and cast golden hues against the tall canyon walls, further accentuating the contrast between the rust colored ancient seabeds peppered with lush green juniper and muted sage. The lavender sky over Bryce faded as we continued westward on Hwy 12. Refusing to pack a second visor for my Shoei Hornet X2, I lifted the dark smoke shield as I led our crew into the dark dense forest, keeping my line of sight just above the Ténéré’s windscreen in an attempt to protect my peepers from the onslaught of kamikaze insects.

Falloon Files: 1993 Ducati Supermono

Doppio Bielletta is not a coffee Hey! I got to ride one of those once. My old 608cc Yamaha SRX-6 singles racer was built not quite to the hilt and made 52 horsepower.

Rumor Check: Honda's Mini-Africa Twin Will Be The XL750 Transalp

Trademark filings confirm the return of a familiar name. Back in May 2021, MO’s resident sleuth Dennis Chung took a dive into the rumor mill surrounding a possible mini-Africa Twin coming from Honda. Trademark filings for the name Transalp were filed in several markets around the world, including the U.S.

Church of MO: 2012 KTM RC8 R And RC8 R Race Spec Review First Ride

Tommyguns Roderick has left the building. Well, not like Elvis; he’s still alive and well. But he’s left the MO building.

2023 Ducati DesertX Review - First Ride

If looks could thrill Credit: Photos by Gregor Halenda and Scott Rounds When the DesertX prototype hit the scene at EICMA in 2019, it was portrayed as a Dakar-inspired Scrambler variant – that was the initial idea anyway. As you’re likely already aware, the production DesertX is anything but. Powered by the proven 937cc Testastretta 11° Desmo engine, the 2023 Ducati Desert X has been designed from the ground up as a purpose-built adventure machine.

2022 Yamaha MT-10 Review - First Ride

It's the King of the Masters of Torque Credit: Photos by Joe Augustin Heaping praise upon Yamaha’s naked bikes has become all too easy lately. Yes, the MT-07 did get dethroned in last year’s Middleweight Naked comparison, but not by much – and it took brand-new motorcycles from Aprilia and Triumph to do it. When it came time for the 900cc(ish) Nakeds last August, the newly revamped MT-09 surprised a couple people by taking the cake against KTM Duke 890 and five other very nice and mostly more expensive motorcycles.

Church of MO: 2002 Yamaha FJR1300

All we learn from history, goes the current cynical wisdom, is that we learn nothing from history. Then again, maybe we do? For instance, I just learned this morning that Yamaha is still stamping out the FJR1300ES 20 years after the original 2002 FJR1300 hit our shores.

Ducati World Premire 2023 to Include Monster SP, New Scrambler, Panigale V4 R, and More

Could a new Diavel or electric model be on the way? Last week, Ducati announced it would once again present its new product announcements in a series of online presentations. Just like in 2020 and 2021, the Ducati World Première 2023 series will take place over multiple episodes, with each part featuring a different product line.

2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Confirmed in VIN Submissions

399cc Inline-Four sportbike coming to the US A new Vehicle Identification Number decoder released by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms that Kawasaki will be introducing a 399cc Inline-Four Ninja ZX-4R model for 2023. While the VIN decoder does not provide any clue to what the ZX-4R will look like, we expect it will be styled similar to the 249cc Ninja ZX-25R (pictured above) currently offered in Japan and other Asian markets.

Two Electric Kawasaki Streetbikes Coming for 2023

Two models revealed in VIN decoder Earlier this year, Kawasaki revealed its first electric two-wheeler, but a lot of people were disappointed when they realized it was a kids’ balance bike called the Elektrode. Those hoping for an electric streetbike from Kawasaki won’t have to wait too much longer, as we can confirm two new models will be coming to the U.S. for the 2023 model year.

Church of MO: 2002 Suzuki SV-1000S

Oh, look what turned up in this morning’s search through the archives: a 2002 Suzuki SV-1000S review/Spanish travelogue by our dearly departed friend/former fearless leader Sean Alexander. Well, I mean, he’s not departed departed; he’s only moved to Hawaii with his lovely wife Natalie to live the good life – while we who must remain go on living just the same. We miss you buddy.

Harley-Davidson's Production Stoppage Was Caused by Non-compliant Brake Lines

Production ramps up to meet year-end targets Back in May, Harley-Davidson announced it would temporarily halt motorcycle production due to a “regulatory compliance matter” regarding an unspecified part from a third-party supplier. Harley-Davidson initially estimated the stoppage would last two weeks but it eventually lasted 19 days before production resumed on June 6. The actual cause for the delay remained unclear some speculating the issue was related to the powertrains, as the stoppage only affected Harley-Davidson’s gas engine-powered motorcycles and not the electric LiveWires.

Insider Stories From The Ducati Museum

Ducati folklore as told by the man who knows them best. As a general rule, I tend to listen to museum curators once they start talking. Having someone at your disposal who is so deeply vested, and intimately knowledgeable, in the subject matter is a treasure worth hanging on to.

MO Touring: Building A Lightweight Adventure Bike

Adventure touring in a small package? Witness the Kawasaki KLX300 ADV. Maybe I’ve been hanging out with Managing Editor Ryan Adams too much.