Motorsports Racing News & Blog Articles

Motorcycle.com’s Best Of (MOBO) award season has finally rolled around again! While we typically roll out each year’s MOBOs before EICMA, this year we were so busy with the Heavyweight Naked Shootout that we decided to delay the MOBOs. Although the bulk of the 2022 motorcycle models have been announced, the 2021 model year isn’t officially over until all the accolades have been handed out. So, let’s get started!

As tradition dictates, the Motorcycle.com staff gathered to duke it out over personal favorite motorcycles. Where disagreements were encountered, we, in an example that should be followed by the folks in Washington, negotiated until the conflict was resolved. In the end, we’re all pretty happy with the results. 

Motorcycle.com Best Of 2020

Motorcycle.com Best Of 2019 

Motorcycle.com Best Of 2018 

After brick-and-mortar stores began introducing special sales on the Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, online retailers extended the concept into the following Monday with another day of deals, now known as Cyber Monday. For 2021, Cyber Monday falls on Nov. 29.

Here are some 2020 Cyber Monday deals on motorcycle gear available right now. UPDATED Nov. 29, 2021 with deals for Cyber Monday 2021. And don’t forget, many Black Friday deals are still going on.

If it’s Thanksgiving it must be time for the tryptophan to kick in, along with MO’s highly coveted Motorcycle of the Year awards. Why not take a moment, as we rush headfirst into 2022, to reflect on all the bikes that took home the trophies ten years ago, the class of 2011.

The 2021 EICMA show was a lot more subdued than previous iterations, without very many big surprises. Most of the bikes that were shown were expected to some degree, and many were evolutionary updates to motorcycles that have been around for a few years.

But there was one reveal that seemed to come out of nowhere, and left us with more questions than answers: the Honda Hornet concept. Honda’s display featured a space dedicated to the new Hornet, with a light show projecting onto a white sculpture in a darkened room.

Honda had only this to say about the new Hornet:

Honda is also pleased to confirm that the illustrious Hornet name will return to its line-up in the near future. The Hornet has been renowned for delivering exhilarating engine performance and agility matched to cutting edge street-fighter styling since the model was first introduced in Europe in 1998.

A sneak preview of the concept direction for the new incarnation of the Hornet will be available for visitors to EICMA. Showcased in a special area within the Honda stand, projection mapping is used to full effect in a vivid 3D display of light and sound that both looks back at previous Hornet generations, and forward to what is to come.

First available in October 2014, the Arai VX-Pro4 has been around for quite a while, but that doesn’t mean that the premium helmet, hand made by trained technicians, is any less effective than it was when it was introduced. After all, the basis for all of Arai’s helmets, the R75 Shape, has been around for much longer.

The reasoning behind Arai’s “egg-shaped” helmets is a simple one: the round shell shape allows the helmet to glance off objects rather than hit them solidly, thus reducing the rotational forces transferred to the rider’s head. Additionally, glancing blows transmit lower G-forces to the helmet itself, meaning that it will not need to absorb as much of the shock to protect the rider. It sounds like a win-win to me. The key to the round shape is keeping the radius of the shell 75mm, which Arai’s designers have determined to be the optimal curvature.

Arai: The Philosophy Behind The Helmets

Limiting the number and strength of the protrusions from that perfect radius is another key point of the Arai philosophy. All vent and aerodynamic structures are designed to break and tear away in the event of a crash. The same goes for an off-road helmet’s peak.

Ducati revealed new Panigale V4 and V4 S models for 2022, announcing updates to the aerodynamics, ergonomics, chassis, engine and electronics. These evolutionary changes represent the most significant update since the V4’s debut in 2018, and the result of input from Ducati’s racing program.

Visually, the 2022 Panigale V4 looks similar to its predecessor. The most obvious difference is in the aerodynamic winglets. The new double profile wing design is thinner and more compact than the previous design while offering the same vertical downforce of 37 kg at 300 kph (81.6 pounds at 186 mph). The lower fairing has also been updated with new vents to help improve the cooling system. There’s also a small extension to the bodywork just ahead of the exhaust.

The 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4 engine has been updated with a new oil pump and lubrication system. The silencer outlets are now larger in diameter, reducing exhaust back pressure and improving performance. For Euro 5 markets, these changes increase the power output to a claimed 215.5 hp at 13,000 rpm, a 1.5 hp gain over the 2021 model, while torque remains at the same 91.5 lb-ft. at 9,500 rpm. Unfortunately, performance numbers for the U.S.-spec Panigale V4 are slightly less impressive, with Ducati claiming 210 hp at 12,500 rpm and 91.2 lb-ft. at 9,500 rpm.

The transmission system also received some updates with more racing-oriented gear ratios. The first gear is 11.6% longer, with Ducati claiming greater engine braking and improved acceleration out of tight corners. Ducati increased the second gear by 5.6% accordingly to allow the recalibrated quick shifter to work more effectively with the longer first gear. The sixth gear is now 1.8% longer, which combines with the increased power of the Euro 5-spec engine to raise the top speed by a claimed 5 kph (3 mph).

Twists. Turns. Suspense. Being the track portion of our mega 7-bike Heavyweight Naked Bike Shootout you’d think we’re talking about the sinuous nature of racetrack testing. No, sir. This is the plotline that would come to define this test! After conducting the street portion, some would say the outcome basically worked out as expected. Which would mean the track portion would follow suit, right? Well, as the late, great Nicky Hayden once said, “That’s why we line up on Sunday.” 



If these tests were foregone conclusions, then we wouldn’t even bother showing up, and in our case, we would be lining up on a Monday and Tuesday. But that’s beside the point. What we have with the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory, BMW S1000R, Ducati Streetfighter V4S, Kawasaki Z H2 SE, KTM 1290 Super Duke R, MV Agusta Brutale 1000RR, and Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS are seven of the biggest dogs in the naked bike category. With more than 1100 horsepower on tap collectively, it’s only right to let these things stretch their legs on a track. Naturally, we were happy to oblige.

Battle Royale: 7-Way Heavyweight Naked Bike Shootout – Street

2021 Heavyweight Naked Bike Spec Shootout

Just as Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri, and Massimo Tamburini started doing in Rimini in 1973, Bimota is still cranking out exotic motorcycles to make us swoon, clutch our pearls, and check our 401k balances. If it starts with “K,” then this one must contain an inline Kawasaki engine, and that the KB4 does. This 77 x 56mm, 1043 cc Four is lifted from the current Ninja 1000 SX, which churned out 124 rear-wheel ponies and 75 lb-ft of torque when we had the pleasure of testing one last year. These two, really, since, there’s a standard KB4 and a “Vintage-Inspired” KB4-RC (RaceCafe’).

In the day, the engine was the only thing Bimota sourced from the donor, but things may have changed now that all the world’s OEMs have caught up to what was once exclusive Bimoto frame-making alchemy. The KB4 and KB4RC, they say, are  now “based off of an actual Kawasaki platform.” The spec chart does say the frame is “Front frame trellis made by Hi-resistance steel with Aluminum alloy plates billet machined,” though, and yes there are some proprietary steel tubes reaching forward to the steering head. Who knows how much Rimini trickery goes on beneath all that plastic?

Bimota and Kawasaki diverge most when it comes to weight: 517 lbs for our Ninja 1000 SX wet, and a claimed 412 for the KB4, dry. And in things like wheelbase: 56.7 inches for the Ninja and 54.7 for the Bimota. Also in terms of detailing: Kawasaki has come a looong way, but mass production has a hard time keeping up with hand craftsmanship.

“Powersports will always be a part of my life.”

Chances are if you’re reading this, you understand the sentiment – the feeling of power beneath you, whether you’re on asphalt, dirt or you’re carving your own path where no road exists – and that sense of freedom that comes with it. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Adam Sandoval, who has become a widely recognized personality in the motorcycle community over the last decade, feels the way he does about being on two wheels.

Having made a name for himself through his popular YouTube channel that followed his years-long road trip across the country, charitable work and hospitality as the owner of the KRiver Campground, Sandoval’s passion for powersports and its community runs deep, extending well beyond the spark he first felt as a kid when he got his mini-bike. “It’s a sense of camaraderie and friendship,” says Sandoval. “They’re always there to help one another when they need it and that’s what community is about in my eyes.”

And as someone often approached at rallies, rides and events across the US for a picture and a quick chat, what Adam loves most about being recognized are the stories. “My favorite part is when they start telling me their stories about how following my channel and traveling across the country has inspired them to take road trips they never thought they could do,” he states. It’s no wonder he’s done so much to foster that sense of community on his own, developing a space to create new memories at his campground in Oklahoma.

“I love seeing the people who take the long road trips,” Sandoval says of those flocking from all over the world to visit the 100-acre property. “To be part of that journey is special and it means something to me.” It’s why, over the years, as Adam’s own love has expanded beyond traditional street bikes to include dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs and even overlanding, he continues to build out new trails around the campground, attracting riders of all interests and experience levels to come enjoy the beauty and freedom of the great outdoors.

The timing couldn’t have been better with the 2022 Ducati Streetfighter V2 introduction. As frequent Motorcycle.com readers know, we’ve just spent the last five months testing every class of the ultra-hot naked motorcycle market. What we’ve learned from those shootouts is that, no matter the displacement, naked bikes are more fun than humans should be allowed. However, for this tester, nothing compares to the combination of practicality and fun of the bikes in the 900(ish) cc category. With the torque to easily handle the everyday urban bump-and-grind, these bikes also have the power and handling to peg the Fun O Meter when the going gets twisty – on both the street and the track. And now Ducati has stepped in to reshuffle the class with a motorcycle that allows the Ducati Monster to be the roadster it always wanted to be, by giving it a sibling that takes a more bare-knuckled approach to the category thanks to the company’s “fight formula” first revealed with the Streetfighter V4. 

2021 Lightweight Naked Bike Shootout Smackdown Comparo Review

2021 MO Middleweight Naked Bike Shootout – Six Bikes!

2021 Six-Way, 900(Ish)Cc Naked Bike Shootout!

Battle Royale: 7-Way Heavyweight Naked Bike Shootout – Street

Fans of Moto Guzzi V85 TT who want to ride something special should take a look at the Moto Guzzi V85 TT Guardia d’Onore. Produced to honor the 75 year collaboration between Moto Guzzi and the Cuirassiers’ Regiment, the special Carabinieri unit responsible for the honor guard and security of the President of the Italian Republic, have worked together, the limited and numbered edition will be produced in a limited number of only 1,946 units. Although the modifications of this limited edition are small in number, they are distinctive. The black paint receives a decorative white stripe running from the front fender and across the tank to the side panel. The oversized touring windscreen also receives this striping – and an Italian flag displayed front and center. Other niceties include a center stand, engine guards, and auxiliary LED lights. Matching saddlebags are also available.

Read on for the story behind the motorcycle.



Begin Press Release:

Fans of Royal Enfield’s Continental GT and Interceptor 650 owe it to themselves to take a long look at the SG650 Concept. This neoretro interpretation of the platform sure turned our heads. [UPDATE: Eicher Motors, which owns RE, had previously filed trademark applications in multiple markets for the name “Royal Enfield Shotgun”. We can surmise that may end up being the production name for the SG650 concept.]

For starters, the frame gets slammed with a bobbed rear fender with a solo seat cantilevered covering over it. The subframe rails look quite different from the one used on the Continental GT and Interceptor. The side panels covering the airbox are much more bulbous, too. The low-slung look is highlighted by beefy tires, front and rear, mounted to disc wheels that feature dual cutouts. To further accentuate the austere styling, the brake discs have color-matched carriers and a hole-free swept area.

Every curve, from the tank to the headlight nacelle that appears to be integrated into the triple clamps, has been sculpted to give the impression of speed. The top of the nacelle organically incorporates a LED tachometer/speedometer assembly on the left and the new Tripper navigation system (recently introduced on the 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan) on the right. A monochromatic paint scheme which fades from silver at the front to a black rear fender only utilizes occasional teal highlights.

Though we can’t comment on any performance modifications, the engine itself is part of the design with a blacked out cylinders above the cases which sport the same silver/black digital fade as the tank and front fender. The black dual peashooter exhausts continue the light and dark theme by utilizing bare aluminum muffler mounts. 

Well the seat was a little high, at 34.6 inches, but that didn’t stop the Yamaha Ténéré 700 from doing very well in last summer’s blockbuster middleweight ADV comparison. Keeping it simple and keeping the weight down was a great recipe for success, and now Yamaha is fixin’ to take it to the next level with a Ténéré 700 Raid, for which this machine it showed at EICMA serves as prototype.

Enlisting the aid of its top riders for advice, and borrowing freely from the GYT-R performance parts catalog results in a bike that looks like it’s ready for whatever you can muster; a Starbucks run should be no problem. We have a few snaps from Yamaha’s booth at EICMA below.

Yamaha Press Release:

Racing for the Next Horizon

You already know Kawasaki’s lovable and affordable KLX230 dualsport/playbike. For 2022, the KLX230 SE – as in Special Edition – packs on popular accessories at the factory, saving you the heartache and trauma of having to deal with dangerous hand tools yourself. It also comes in non-green colors, and best of all the price barely budges: The 2022 KLX230 SE is available in Oriental Blue and Firecracker Red with an MSRP of $4,999. The 2022 KLX230 is available in Lime Green, with an MSRP of $4,799.

Kawasaki Press Release:

2022 Kawasaki KLX230 SE Dual-Sport Motorcycle

GET OUT AND PLAY

KTM isn’t officially at EICMA, but that didn’t stop the Austrian manufacturer from getting in on the fun, announcing an updated 1290 Super Duke GT for 2022.

The GT receives a number of updates first introduced on the current Super Duke R, including its  Euro 5-rated 1301cc V-Twin engine that claims a peak output of 175 hp and 104 lb-ft.

The Super Duke GT also gets the naked bike’s CAD-designed five-spoke wheels that KTM claims weigh 2.2 pounds lighter than the previous GT’s wheels. The new wheels also come with new tires in the form of Continental’s ContiSportAttack 4.

WP’s semi-active WP APEX suspension returns with an anti-dive function now standard and preload adjustability set-up for four situations: Rider, Rider & Pillion, Rider & Luggage, and Rider, Pillion & Luggage.