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Motorcycle Type


VELOCETTE KTT BACKGROUND Velocette built the KTT expressly for racing, hence the “KTT” designation. “K” for Kammer, which is German for ‘cam’, which indicated an Overhead Cam (OHC) in Velocette’s parlance. The “TT” differentiated it from the other Velos in the K-series, TT denoting its purely racing intent. They were essentially factor racers which were …

ABOVE: This 1965 Triumph Bonneville represented Triumph and the Bonneville at its peak, and was one of the fastest bikes on the road in 1965. The Japanese hadn’t started building fast bikes yet, but they were coming. BONNEVILLE BACK-STORY While the first Bonneville hit the streets in 1959, the story hardly begins there. Triumph motorcycles …

VINCENT COMET BACKGROUND Vincent was a very low-volume producer of premium motorcycles. During the entire span of the company’s existence (1928-1955) they barely made 11,000 bikes. The big V-twin Rapides and Black Shadows may have been the stars of the show, but the 499cc single-cylinder Comet was their biggest seller, by a wide margin. So …

BACKGROUND OF TRIUMPH 350 TWINS Triumph rocked the world with the introduction of their seminal 1938 5T Speed Twin. Designed by the legendary Edward Turner, the first ‘modern’ parallel twin was copied by nearly every other British motorcycle manufacturer, but World War II intervened before any reached production. But when civilian production resumed in 1946, …

At the root of every good marriage is a strong partnership – and the bond between Keith Hale and his 1974 Ducati 750 Super Sport is nothing short of heart-warming.  According to a report from MotorcyclistOnline, San Francisco-based artist Keith Hale purchased the Ducati from Jack’s Motorcycles in Fresno, California, at the green age of …

1955 BSA A7 Pre-Unit 500 Twin 1955 BSA A7 BACKGROUND The 500cc A7 was BSA’s first vertical twin and marked its entry into that very lucrative market, started by the Triumph Speed Twin just prior to the war. At war’s end, virtually every British motorcycle manufacturer fielded their own vertical twin, usually starting out at …

1952 Ariel Square Four 1952 ARIEL SQUARE FOUR BACKGROUND The original Ariel Square Four was created by legendary engine designer, Edward Turner in 1930. In its original form, it displaced 500cc and had four cylinders arranged in a ‘square’. It was unusual in that it had two crankshafts, one behind the other, each with two …

1964 Norton Atlas 1964 NORTON ATLAS BACKSTORY The story starts not with a Norton at all, but with the 1938 Triumph 500 Speed Twin, the world’s first “modern” vertical twin. The rest of the British motorcycle industry went nuts and rushed to field their own 500 twins. But WWII got in the way, putting things …

As one of the Big Four Japanese manufacturers, Kawasaki has had a storied history in the world of motorcycling. From their classic UJM W1 to their nearly indestructible KL series of dirt and off-road bikes, they have always been there to ruffle the feathers of the other three of the Big Four and always in …

With the days officially opening up into summer and the heat hitting harder than a cicada on a windy day, it’s only natural to look for some recreational fun in the shade. Enter Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources. The DNR is an association that has approved the use of their off-highway motorcycle trails by non-residents …

1953 Vincent Rapide Series C 1953 VINCENT RAPIDE BACKGROUND Vincent built its reputation on it’s robust 499cc Comet single. Prior to the war, they figured out that if they doubled it, they could create a 998cc V-twin and the series A Vincent Rapide was born. Few were built prior to World War 2, which curtailed …

1926 BROUGH SUPERIOR SS80 WAS AN EARLY BIKE Brough Superior was established by George Brough in Nottingham, England in 1924. He bucked convention and rather than mass-producing huge volumes of identical machines, he designed every bike to meet the exact specifications of the customers. The bikes were literally ‘fit’ to the riders’ size, weight, needs …

2002 Royal Enfield Bullet 2002 ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET BACKGROUND Royal Enfield had been building sturdy, reliable motorcycles since the turn of the century. They produced military motorcycles for the British army in both world wars. They struggled at the edge of insolvency throughout most of the 1930s but managed to hang on until the the …

1966 Triumph Mountain Cub 1966 TRIUMPH MOUNTAIN CUB BACKGROUND The 200cc T20 Tiger Cub was produced from 1956 through 1968 and sold quite well for Triumph. The original Cub was introduced in 1953 at the Earls Court Motorcycle Show in London England as a 150cc commuter, at a time when there was a very big …

The Big V-Strom: Suzuki’s V-Strom 1050 Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The Suzuki V-Strom 1050 is one of the most versatile models in the 2021 Suzuki line-up. In the US, it’s the same model as the one from 2020. However, across the border in Canada, it’s a 2021 model. Now, if you’re …

The Range-Topping Adventurer: The Suzuki V-Strom 1050 XT Adventure Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The top of the range adventure motorcycle in the 2021 Suzuki line-up is the formidable V-Strom 1050XT Adventure. Now, it’s not a 2021 model for residents of the USA, however, for those in Canada, it’s being sold with …

Adventure-Ready: The 2021 Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The V-Strom 1050XT joins the 2021 Suzuki line-up, depending on what side of the border you’re sitting on. In the US, it remains the same as the previous 2020 model. However, in Canada, it’s a new model for 2021. Though, it’s …

The last week of March 2021 saw Triumph Hinckley announce ‘phase 2’ of their hush hush, cloak and dagger, top secret electric bike project. And unlike some other manufacturers who will remain nameless, it doesn’t seem to be all blue sky, smoke and mirrors. So should you get all excited and start selling your hard-mined …

KTM has officially unveiled its latest super naked weapon in the form of a lighter and more precise, 2021 1290 Super Duke RR. The build-up to the release for the new Super Duke RR wasn’t exactly a surprise. Many of KTM’s patent filings and leaks were sprinkled in the news over the past few months …

The Tuono Unleashed: The 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links Celebrated Italian motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia has seriously outdone itself lately. It recently announced that the new Tuono 660 would be available as part of the 2021 Aprilia line-up in North America. It’s a mid-sized sportbike that takes its DNA …

The 2021 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe: Retro cafe vibes, modern cafe technology Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links Kawasaki’s 2021 Z900RS Cafe is a throwback to the lightweight, four-cylinder road rockets that raced between cafe stops in the 1960s and 1970s. A lowered seat height, raked back clip ons, and the aerodynamic headlight cowling …

More Adventure, More Action, More V-Strom: The 2021 V-Strom 650 XT / XT Adventure Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links As usual, the 2021 Suzuki line-up includes a couple of adventure-focused variants of the already impressive V-Strom 650 model. These variants include the V-Strom 650 XT and XT Adventure models: two Japanese motorcycles …

Famously Versatile, Incredibly Reliable: The 2021 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The updated V-Strom 650 is one of the stars of the 2021 Suzuki line-up. For years, the venerable V-Strom 650 has gained a cult following as a solid commuting machine with adventure and sports touring capabilities. It’s such …

Sports Performance In A Street Package: The 2021 GSX-S750Z / ABS Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The GSX-S750Z joins the 2021 Suzuki line-up with a few nice upgrades over the last model. It’s a powerful and muscular naked sportsbike that borrows a lot of its DNA from other Suzuki motorcycles, such as …

Suzuki’s Compact Racer: The 2021 Suzuki GSX250R ABS Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The smallest GSX model, the GSX250R, returns as part of the 2021 Suzuki line-up with a few new additions for the new model year. Borrowing most of its DNA from the GSX-R line—arguably the most famous Suzuki motorcycles in …

The King of Sportsbikes: The 2021 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The Suzuki GSX-R1000 is one of the most famous Suzuki motorcycles ever made, and one of the most famous motorcycles of all time! It’s a powerful and recognizable sportsbike with a long and illustrious history. The 2021 Suzuki line-up …

The Hayabusa Returns: The 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The Hayabusa is back! Though it’s badged up as a 2022 model, it’s very much a part of the 2021 Suzuki line-up. Over the years, the Hayabusa has become one of the most recognizable Suzuki motorcycles ever made, featuring advanced …

The 2021 Aprilia RS 660: High technology and Stunning Looks at a Middleweight Price Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links Aprilia Motorcycles says “If you want to go unnoticed, this is not the bike for you,” and as far as the 600cc sport bike segment goes, they could well be right. With its …

The 2021 Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1100 Goes from the Dealer to the Track in One Easy Step Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The 2021 RSV4 Factory 1100 is Aprilia’s top-of-the-line superbike, as close to a race bike as a consumer can buy. A new double-fairing design eliminates the need for external winglets …

The 2021 Aprilia RSV4 Brings the MotoGP Experience to the Streets Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The 2021 RSV4 is the less expensive version of the RSV4 Factory, and nearly the same as the Factory to boot. The new double-fairing design shared by the RSV4 bikes eliminates the need for external winglets …

Middleweight Adventurer: The 2022 Kawasaki KLR 650 Adventure Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The KLR 650 Adventure is the top-spec KLR model in the 2021 Kawasaki line-up. It’s an impressive motorcycle that takes everything that we already love about the newly revived KLR 650 but fuses it with a shopping list of …

The 2022 Kawasaki KLR 650 Traveler: A US Exclusive Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The KLR 650 Traveler variant is exclusive to the US 2021 Kawasaki line-up. It’s not available in Canada, sadly. This model is almost identical to the base model KLR 650, though it features a number of accessories that …

The Dual-Sport King Returns: The 2022 Kawasaki KLR 650 Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links Despite being a part of the 2021 Kawasaki line-up, the famously green Japanese manufacturer has decided to badge up the new KLR 650 as a 2022 model. Don’t worry though, it’s very much available in 2021! The arrival …

Rugged, Economical, and Fun: The 2021 Yamaha Zuma 125 / BWs 125 Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links Japanese motorcycle manufacturers really know how to make practical and economical small-capacity scooters, and Yamaha has outdone itself with the Zuma 125—A.K.A the BWs 125 in Canada. This small commuting machine returns as part of …

Yamaha’s Smart City Slicker: The 2021 XMAX Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The compact and practical Yamaha XMAX returns for the new year with a number of exciting updates. Along with the Zuma 125, the XMAX is one of the most economical commuting options in the 2021 Yamaha line-up. When it comes …

Updated For 2021: The Suzuki DR650S Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The DR650S is a formidable dual-sport motorcycle that many riders will agree is one of the best dual-sport machines on the market. It joins the 2021 Suzuki line-up with a handful of new updates, though nothing terribly drastic. But for real …

The Classic Suzuki Metric Cruiser: The Boulevard C50 and C50T Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links “Classic rumble, modern comfort” – that’s the tagline that goes with the latest Boulevard model from the 2021 Suzuki line-up. For fans of metric cruisers, the Boulevard line is one of the most respected. For years, these …

Suzuki’s Big Boy Performance Cruiser: The 2021 Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The venerable Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S is the heavyweight cruiser option from Suzuki Motorcycles. It returns for the new year as part of the 2021 Suzuki line-up with a few updates to keep things fresh. Like other …

Anything But Standard: The 2021 Suzuki SV650 ABS Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links Commonly labelled as a “standard motorcycle” the Suzuki SV650 is more like a naked sportbike in reality. It’s a Japanese motorcycle with a potent V-twin engine, minimalist styling, and utilitarian nature that hides a sporty wild-side. The SV650 returns …

The 2021 Honda Rebel 500: The Middle Child of the Rebel Family Contents Model Overview Specifications Features Photos Videos Links The 2021 Honda Rebel 500 features a low seat giving a comfortable seating position. However, this Honda motorcycle is not “boring”. Much like the Rebel 300, the Rebel 500’s design is classic with a modern …