Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

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.

Kawasaki to Release New KLR650S Variant for 2023 (UPDATED)

Variant appears in Australia certifications Kawasaki surprised us all a year ago when it brought back the KLR650, resurrecting the venerable adventure bike with fuel injection, updated styling, and a new one-piece frame. For the U.S., the third-generation KLR650 was available in a few different flavors, the base model, the Traveler model with a top case and the Adventure model with side cases, auxiliary lighting and engine guards, not to mention ABS versions of the base and Adventure models. Kawasaki Australia offered two versions for 2022, the KLR650 (model code KL650F) and the KLR650 Adventure (model code KL650H).

2023 Triumph Modern Classics Range Get New Colors, New Names

Speed Twin 900 and Scrambler 900 name changes are now official Triumph announced updated color options for its Bonneville “Modern Classics” range, as well as new names for the Street Scrambler and Street Twin. The 2023 paint schemes are generally more vibrant than the 2022 colors, a change brought about in part from the popularity of last year’s Gold Line edition models. Confirming the news we first reported in May, the Street Scrambler has been renamed the Scrambler 900, while the Street Twin will now be called the Speed Twin.

Evidence Suggests New Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Z650 for 2023

Updates expected to include traction control With the calendar flipping over to July, we are now officially in the second half of 2022. That also means motorcycle manufacturers are starting to make their model announcements for 2023. Around this time of year, we typically hear about updated models returning with the always-popular “Bold New Graphics,” such as last week’s news of 2023 BMW paint options.

Ducati 848

Ducati 848 In 2008, after a model year with no mid-displacement superbike, Ducati brought to market the Ducati 848. Like its predecessors, the Ducati 748 (1994-2003) and Ducati 749 (2003-2006), the new Ducati 848 is, more or less, a smaller-displacement-version of the 1098 introduced the previous year. The Ducati 848 shares its fuel tank, bodywork, frame, wheelbase and other components with 1098.

Showdown: 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster Vs Indian Scout Rogue

A classic rivalry has now gone in different directions. Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield. Video by Paisley Zerr, Nico De Prato, Sean Matic The Harley vs Indian rivalry is up there with some of the biggest rivalries in modern pop culture.

Showdown: 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster Vs Indian Scout Rogue

A classic rivalry has now gone in different directions. Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield. Video by Paisley Zerr, Nico De Prato, Sean Matic The Harley vs Indian rivalry is up there with some of the biggest rivalries in modern pop culture.

BMW Announces 2023 Colors and Model Updates

New colors and packages for returning models BMW released initial details on its 2023 model lineup, including new colors and minor updates. BMW also announced the base MSRP for most of its models, though that information is rather moot, as it also announced additional packages which will automatically be added on to all models in the U.S. Not all models are included in this announcement, however.

Official Triumph Owner's Manual Confirms Speed Twin and Scrambler Name Changes

Back in early May, MO broke the news that Triumph is giving the Street Twin and Street Scrambler models new names for 2023, renaming them the Speed Twin 900 and Scrambler 900, respectively. We have now uncovered further evidence of the name changes, plus confirmation that the models are otherwise identical to the 2022 versions. The cover for the 2022 manual for Triumph’s Modern Classics is on the left and the updated 2023 cover is on the right.

2022 BMW K1600 B Review First Ride

The best American bagger is the Bavarian one with the Inline-Six Have I at long last, no sense of decency? Road test after road test, I shamelessly fawn and toady over all these $30,000 motorcycles loaned to me by the masters of the universe who produce them… I do feel some guilt, but this is really the only job skill I’ve got. Thankfully, sometimes the motorcycle makes it really easy to gush, which is the case with BMW’s freshly overhauled K1600 line.

2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT Review - First Ride

A perennial favorite gets a few upgrades. Credit: Photos by Kevin Wing A few years ago, I took a break from my lovely MO family and decided to get a real job, complete with an actual commute. Without the pick of the litter to choose from anymore, I had to actually buy a bike to get to work on.

Is A New Yamaha R1 Coming for 2023?

FIM approves track-only YZF1000W model A recently updated list of FIM-approved competition vehicles indicates that a new track-only Yamaha YZF-R1 is on the way for the 2023 model year. And if this is true, then we may also expect a significantly updated street legal 2023 R1 too. The International Motorcycling Federation maintains a spreadsheet titled “FIM Recognized Competition Vehicles” that includes approved racing-only models.

Church of MO: 2002 Ducati 998 First Ride

Post-916 and pre-999, Ducati hit a sweet spot in the form of the 998. Still taking the form of Massimo Tamburini’s 1994 masterwork, but powered by the greatly evolved Testastretta V-twin that powered Troy Bayliss to the 2001 World Superbike championship, the 999 was the best of old and new, the apogee of the 916 curve. Well, now it’s just old.

2022 Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP First Ride Review - Video

See and hear Ducati's most track-focused Streetfighter yet, complete with a dry clutch! When a manufacturer stumbles upon a winning formula, it tends to milk it for all it’s worth. A perfect example can be found under the Ducati umbrella.

BMW is Working On An Electric Boxer Motorcycle

BMW's electric future may have a nod to its past BMW released its second electric scooter earlier this year in the CE 04, and has made clear it plans to produce more electric two-wheelers in the near future. Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management for BMW AG, recently went as far as to say BMW Motorrad will introduce a new electric two-wheeler every 18 to 24 months, with the next model coming in 2023. While the initial models will be scooters or “urban mobility vehicles,” BMW is expected to eventually add electric motorcycles to its lineup.

Church of MO: 2002 Aprilia Mille R

Photos by Robert Pandya Shut UP, no way was this 20 years ago! Maybe this 2002 Aprilia Mille R stands out in memory because the year after 911 was so uneventful? First we invaded Afghanistan, then Congress approved the Iraq War Resolution – and Dick Cheney was acting POTUS for a few glorious hours while George W.

2023 BMW G 310 RR Sportbike Confirmed

Entry-level sportbike based on the TVS Apache RR 310 BMW is adding a new small displacement sportbike to its lineup, with the company’s Indian subsidiary already accepting pre-orders for the new 2023 G 310 RR. Expected to be based on the TVS Apache RR 310, the G 310 RR should be formally announced shortly for international markets. We’ve been waiting for a G 310 RR sportbike ever since BMW introduced the G 310 R roadster and G 310 GS adventure bike in 2015.

2023 Kawasaki Elektrode First Look

Designed for kids ages 3 to 8 Kawasaki pulled the covers off its first ever electric vehicle, and as we expected, it is a new powered balance bike for young riders called the Elektrode. Designed for riders as young as three years of age, the Elektrode is positioned as an entry point for future motocross riders. The Elektrode is powered by a 250 W air-cooled, brushless motor mounted in the rear wheel.