Motorcycle Reviews | Rider Magazine https://ridermagazine.com Rider Magazine features the latest motorcycle reviews, news, and videos. This is Motorcycling at its Best. Tue, 18 Apr 2023 18:17:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S | First Ride Review https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/14/2023-suzuki-gsx-8s-first-ride-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/14/2023-suzuki-gsx-8s-first-ride-review/#comments Fri, 14 Apr 2023 23:09:44 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72521 I’m the kind of shopper who likes to have it all in one package if I can. I love a bike that excels in its category, but for the day-to-day, you can’t beat a motorcycle that ticks all the boxes without feeling like any of those boxes are being compromised. The new Suzuki GSX-8S middleweight […]

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2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The new Suzuki GSX-8S combines versatility, style, and performance into a strong value equation for its sub-$9,000 MSRP. 

I’m the kind of shopper who likes to have it all in one package if I can. I love a bike that excels in its category, but for the day-to-day, you can’t beat a motorcycle that ticks all the boxes without feeling like any of those boxes are being compromised. The new Suzuki GSX-8S middleweight streetfighter comes pretty darn close to checking all the right boxes for me. It’s a harmonic blend of power, price, stability, comfort, and fun. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The GSX-8S’ 445 lb curb weight was manageable in both slow riding in the city and on twisty mountain roads.

At the Suzuki GSX-8S press launch in Antibes, France, I got to test this new model out on both the city streets and the mountainous, curvy roads through the Maritime Alps. Before getting into my review of the 8S, I’d like to give southern France two enthusiastic thumbs up. It was the perfect location for a first ride of the 8S and provided a full day of exquisite roads and sights. Don’t even get me started on the seafood. 

The GSX-8S is a new model for Suzuki, with an all-new 776cc 4-stroke DOHC parallel-Twin engine and a new chassis. The engine can also be found in the V-Strom 800DE, which is also new for 2023. 

Related: 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE | First Ride Review 

Suzuki says the new engine performs similarly to the V-Twin in the SV650 models but provides more power for riders looking for a little more excitement. It features Suzuki’s patented Cross Balancer system, which allows the engine to be slimmer and more compact while reducing vibrations. Bore and stroke are 84mm and 70mm. The new engine makes a claimed 82 hp peaking at 8,500 rpm and a claimed 57.5 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The wide, tapered handlebar and upright riding position lent to all-day comfort.

Starting out from the hotel in Antibes and navigating the busy city streets on our way toward the mountains, what I noticed almost immediately was how much grunt was available at low revs. Power delivery was immediate and became very smooth once I switched into the gentler “B” ride mode. I could put this bike in 2nd gear and roll through the stop-and-go, then give it a twist when the traffic opened up, all without really needing to change gears. That low-to-mid range torque, coupled with the smooth throttle response, made this bike stress-free to ride through the city streets. 

Once we were out of the city and picking up speed, I noticed that the engine didn’t have the same get-up-and-go at higher rpms. However, that initial pull after bumping up a gear was pure pleasure, and it made passing slower-moving traffic a breeze.  

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The 8S has great balance, but Suzuki missed an opportunity by not offering a lower seat for shorter riders such as myself.

Related: Suzuki Announces 2023 Lineup of Sport, Street, and Adventure Bikes

The 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S Bits 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S comes in Pearl Cosmic Blue (shown), Pearl Tech White, and Metallic Matte Black No. 2 / Glass Sparkle Black.

Along with the new engine, the 8S also features a new chassis with a compact design. It has a steel frame, an aluminum swingarm, a 3.7-gal. fuel tank, and a wide, tapered aluminum handlebar. The KYB inverted fork and monoshock KYB rear suspension both have 5.1 inches of travel, and the shock is preload-adjustable with a tool. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
I may have wished for a little grippier of tires than the Dunlop RoadSports, but they still got me around the corners.

The seat was comfortable and provided plenty of room to move around, and it was slim enough that a light hug with my knees kept me securely in place. The wide handlebar offered plenty of leverage, and the upright seating position kept me comfortable for a whole day of riding without feeling fatigued at the end of the day. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
I was perfectly content with the traction control set to level 3 for most of my ride.

GEAR UP

The 31.9-inch seat height of the 8S was a stretch for my 5-foot-1-inch frame. I could graze the pavement with the tips of my toes when the bike was completely upright, but I needed to lean it over to get enough contact between pavement and boot to support myself when stopped. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The GSX-8S’ up/down quickshifter, three ride modes, and four traction-control settings make for great riding in any conditions.

This leads me to one of my favorite aspects of the 8S: its balance. Even when rolling through very slow traffic, I rarely needed to put a foot down at all, and when I did, the bike’s weight is carried low enough that it was easy to hold up at a lean. Its curb weight of 445 lb was manageable in both slow riding in the city and out on the twisty mountain roads. 

The 8S comes equipped with ABS brakes, and stopping power comes from dual Nissin radial-mounted 4-piston calipers and floating rotors in the front and a 1-piston caliper and a single disc in the rear. I never braked hard enough to engage the ABS during our test ride, but it was nice to know it was there if I needed it. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The all-new 776cc 4-stroke DOHC parallel-Twin engine in the GSX-8S can also be found in the new 2023 V-Strom 800DE.

If I could make one change to the 8S, it would be the tires. The Dunlop RoadSport 2 radial tires on the 8S were alright but not awe-inspiring by any means. I didn’t feel much feedback from the tires, making it unclear to me if I still had enough grip for greater lean angles or not. For everyday commuting, the RoadSports are fine, but if you want to experience all what the 8S has to offer, a grippier set of tires might provide more confidence. 

Related: 2022 Motorcycle of the Year – Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

Ready to Roll 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The 8S’ chief designer said Suzuki “aimed to satisfy all riders” with the GSX-8S. I won’t speak for everyone else, but I’d say it was mission accomplished for me.

“We did not aim for the highest powered or lightest weight motorcycle,” said the 8S’ chief designer during the technical presentation the night before our test ride. “We aimed to satisfy all riders.” The other designers and engineers present also drove home the point that they listened to customers’ needs and requests when building the 8S to create an all-around motorcycle that satisfies a wide range of riders. 

They demonstrated that desire to please all riders during our test ride as well. Any time we stopped for a coffee break or lunch, the Suzuki designers and engineers were eager to listen to our feedback and ask questions about our first impressions. Several of them came to me directly, saying they were interested in the perspective of a younger, smaller woman. I appreciated that level of dedication to their product and the desire to continue to improve and meet riders’ needs. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The 41mm KYB inverted fork and monoshock KYB rear suspension both provide 5.1 inches of travel.

To that end, the GSX-8S includes a full suite of rider aids as standard. Along with ABS, it comes with a 5-inch TFT display with day/night modes, an up/down quickshifter, three ride modes, and four traction-control settings. 

I enjoyed the layout of the TFT display. It was easy to see, and it showed all the information I needed without making any of it difficult to find. Another consideration that made the bike user-friendly is how easy it is to switch ride modes and the TC levels and that both modes are always visible on the display. The ride mode switch on the left side of the handlebar has obvious buttons and a simple design. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The 5-inch TFT display has day and night modes and showed everything on the home screen that I wanted to see.

The three ride modes really did contribute to a different style of riding. The throttle response in Ride Mode A was a bit too aggressive for me, especially in town. Ride Mode B smoothed out that jumpiness without compromising the low-rpm torque that I enjoyed so much. I didn’t spend much time in Ride Mode C because B hit the spot so well for me. 

I had the traction control set to level 3 for most of the ride. Perhaps with grippier tires, I would’ve felt more confident with less TC, but since I was in a new environment, on a new bike, and with less experience than the other journalists along for the ride, I appreciated the extra help. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The Suzuki GSX-8S has dual Nissin radial-mounted 4-piston calipers and 310mm floating rotors in the front and a 1-piston caliper and a 240mm single disc in the rear.

With my preferred settings dialed in, even on a new bike on alpine roads that were much tighter and steeper than what I’m used to back home in Tennessee, I really started to enjoy the 8S and the beautiful scenery and roads. The 8S offered enough to keep things exciting for the more experienced riders, but it was also tamable for someone like me who couldn’t push the bike to its limits in the same way. 

One for All 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
With my ride mode and traction settings dialed in, I could appreciate both the bike and the beautiful scenery.

Suzuki wanted the 8S to be a well-rounded bike that pleases both experienced and beginner riders. If I were a couple inches taller, I’d agree completely. Riding taller bikes is something I’m still trying to get comfortable with, and a tall seat height is a factor that can add some intimidation and apprehension for shorter riders. 

Suzuki offers a range of useful and stylish accessories for the 8S, such as soft side cases, a flyscreen, cowls for the passenger seat and lower engine, billet brake and clutch levers, lever guards, frame sliders, fuel tank protectors, and a USB socket, but it missed an opportunity to make the 8S more accessible by not offering a lower seat. Aside from having a longer reach to the pavement than I’d like, the 8S’s balance, maneuverability, and fun factor truly do make it an approachable ride. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S has angular stacked LED headlights and and strips of position lights.

After a full day of riding the 8S through the city and the mountains of Southern France, I have a couple of pieces of advice to impart: 1) If you’re looking for a bike that is greater than the sum of its parts and performs well for a wide range of situations and riding levels, the new Suzuki GSX-8S should be one of the bikes on your list. 2) If you find yourself in Antibes with an empty belly, you’re doing something wrong. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S
The GSX-8S performs well for a wide range of situations and riding levels.

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S Specs

  • Base Price: $8,849 
  • Website: SuzukiCycles.com 
  • Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles 
  • Engine Type: Liquid-cooled parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. 
  • Displacement: 776cc 
  • Bore x Stroke: 84.0 x 70.0mm 
  • Horsepower: 82.0 @ 8,500 rpm (factory claim) 
  • Torque: 57.5 lb-ft @ 6,800 rpm (factory claim) 
  • Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch 
  • Final Drive: Chain 
  • Wheelbase: 57.7 in. 
  • Rake/Trail: 25.0 degrees/4.1 in. 
  • Seat Height: 31.9 in. 
  • Wet Weight: 445 lb (factory claim) 
  • Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gal. 

See all of Rider‘s Suzuki coverage here.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/14/2023-suzuki-gsx-8s-first-ride-review/feed/ 3 a:0:{} 1 1 We test the 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S, a recent addition to the Suzuki lineup that features the same all-new 776cc 4-stroke DOHC parallel-Twin engine as Suzuki's other new bike this year, the V-Strom 800DE. Pricing starts at $8,849.
2023 Indian Pursuit Elite and Chieftain Elite | First Look Review https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/11/2023-indian-pursuit-elite-and-chieftain-elite-first-look-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/11/2023-indian-pursuit-elite-and-chieftain-elite-first-look-review/#respond Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:01:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72431 Following the announcement last November of the 2023 Challenger Elite, Indian Motorcycle recently announced the release of the new Indian Pursuit Elite and the return of the Chieftain Elite. Like other bikes in the Elite lineup, both bikes will be limited in production and feature premium options. These new bikes in the 2023 Indian Motorcycle […]

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2023 Indian Pursuit Elite Chieftain Elite Indian Motorcycle

Following the announcement last November of the 2023 Challenger Elite, Indian Motorcycle recently announced the release of the new Indian Pursuit Elite and the return of the Chieftain Elite. Like other bikes in the Elite lineup, both bikes will be limited in production and feature premium options. These new bikes in the 2023 Indian Motorcycle lineup will begin shipping to dealers in spring 2023. 

Related: 2023 Indian Motorcycle Lineup | First Look Review

The Chieftain Elite was the first bike in Indian’s Elite program, introduced for the 2018 model year. Aaron Jax, vice president of Indian Motorcycle, said the idea was to create an offering that was “not just limited in quantity, but exclusive in nature with custom details straight from the factory.”

“Today, with jewel-like finishes, our Elite line of baggers and touring models truly represent the best-of-the-best and deliver a statement like nothing else on the road,” Jax said.   

Related: 2023 Indian Sport Chief | First Ride Review

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite  

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite Indian Motorcycle

There will be only 150 units available worldwide of the Indian Pursuit Elite, a touring bike that Indian says is “designed for riders who value the journey as much as the destination.”  

The Indian Pursuit Elite has electronically adjustable rear suspension preload from Fox that is managed from the bike’s infotainment system. Braking comes from radially mounted Brembo 4-piston calipers biting dual semi-floating 320mm discs up front and a 2-piston caliper and floating 298mm disc in the rear.

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite Indian Motorcycle

The bike rides on 5-spoke precision-cut wheels (19 inches in the front, 16 in the rear) with tire pressure monitoring and wrapped in Metzeler Cruisetec tires. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled 108ci PowerPlus V-Twin making a claimed 122 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm and mated to a 6-speed gearbox and slip/assist clutch.

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite Indian Motorcycle

Related: 2022 Indian Pursuit Limited | Road Test Review

The Indian Pursuit Elite offers Smart Lean Technology using a Bosch IMU to manage traction control, ABS, and torque. Backlit switch cubes improve the rider’s ability to see the bike’s controls at night, and the Pathfinder Adaptive LED headlight combined with Pathfinder S LED driving lights and saddlebag lights deliver improved visibility. Both rider and passenger get a heated seat with adjustable controls on the seat and infotainment system.  

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite Indian Motorcycle

The Indian Pursuit Elite is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen powered by Ride Command and offers Apple CarPlay integration, turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, one year of Ride Command+ connected features, and more. The bike’s Powerband Audio includes built-in amplifiers, a nine-band equalizer, and 16 speakers.

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite Indian Motorcycle

Offering more than 35 gallons of remote-locking storage, riders can keep all cargo protected inside weatherproof saddlebags and trunk, and for those looking to achieve further customization, a quick-release low-profile trunk is available as a color-matched accessory. 

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite Indian Motorcycle

The 2023 Indian Pursuit Elite comes in premium Super Graphite Metallic and Black Metallic paint with Shadow Bronze Chrome accents. Color-matched Elite badging and premium components complete the bike’s design. Pricing starts at $39,999.

Story continues below 2023 Indian Pursuit Elite photo gallery.

2023 Indian Chieftain Elite

2023 Indian Chieftain Elite Indian Motorcycle

Limited to only 175 units globally, the 2023 Indian Chieftain Elite features what the company says is “meaner and more aggressive styling with custom-inspired details straight from the factory.”

2023 Indian Chieftain Elite Indian Motorcycle

The Chieftain Elite bagger features Indian’s most powerful air-cooled engine, the Thunderstroke 116, which delivers a claimed 126 lb-ft of torque. While this is the same mill as the 2022 Chieftain Elite, the standard Chieftain is powered by a 111ci engine making a claimed 119 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 Chieftain Elite’s open fender showcases a new 10-spoke precision machined front wheel. Similar to the Indian Pursuit Elite, the wheels are 19-inches in the front and 16-inches in the rear with tire pressure monitoring and shod in Metzeler Cruisetec tires.

2023 Indian Chieftain Elite Indian Motorcycle

Like other Chieftain models, rear cylinder deactivation improves rider comfort when riding through slower traffic, while three selectable ride modes – Tour, Standard, and Sport – allow riders to adjust the bike’s throttle response to match their riding style.  

2023 Indian Chieftain Elite Indian Motorcycle

Related: 2023 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse

The 2023 Chieftain Elite has a 46mm inverted fork and air-adjustable single rear shock. Stopping power comes from dual 4-piston calipers and 300mm floating discs up front, with a 2-piston caliper and 300mm floating disc in the rear. ABS is standard.

2023 Indian Chieftain Elite Indian Motorcycle

From a style perspective, the Adaptive Pathfinder LED headlight and rear saddlebag LED lights on the 2023 Chieftain Elite provide good visibility at night, as well as some head turns. An adjustable tinted flare windscreen raises or lowers to the rider’s preferred position with the push of a handlebar-mounted button.  

2023 Indian Chieftain Elite Indian Motorcycle

Like the Indian Pursuit Elite, the 2023 Indian Chieftain Elite features the 7-inch touchscreen display powered by Ride Command with Apple CarPlay, GPS with navigation, and Ride Command+ features, like live traffic and weather overlays, and a vehicle locator feature. The bike has backlit switch cubes, an integrated PowerBand audio system, keyless ignition, and weatherproof and remote-locking saddlebags with more than 18 gallons of storage. For riders looking to personalize their ride, color matched accessories are available, including a quick-release low-profile trunk, as well as lower fairings.  

2023 Indian Chieftain Elite Indian Motorcycle

The new Chieftain Elite’s paint scheme features Super Graphite Smoke complemented by premium Shadow Bronze chrome finishes and Indian Motorcycle headdress floorboards. Pricing starts at $35,499.

For more information, visit the Indian Motorcycle website.

See all of Rider‘s Indian coverage here.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/11/2023-indian-pursuit-elite-and-chieftain-elite-first-look-review/feed/ 0 a:0:{} Rider Magazine Staff Joining the Challenger Elite, Indian Motorcycle has added two more premium Elite models to its 2023 lineup, the new Indian Pursuit Elite and the returning Indian Chieftain Elite. 1 {"id":"d168d022-15fe-487f-83e5-357844b75962","recipients":0,"external_id":"18a25d6e-1bd9-2126-64c2-79ce40057675"} 200
BMW iFace: The World’s First Motorcycle Face and Eye Recognition Security System https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/08/bmw-iface-the-worlds-first-motorcycle-face-and-eye-recognition-security-system/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/08/bmw-iface-the-worlds-first-motorcycle-face-and-eye-recognition-security-system/#comments Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72400 BMW Motorrad is taking riders into the future of motorcycle anti-theft devices with the introduction of BMW iFace, the world’s first face and eye recognition system for motorcycles. Set to initially be released on BMW R-series Boxer models, iFace uses the latest 3D and infrared technology and allows riders the choice to do a full […]

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BMW Motorrad is taking riders into the future of motorcycle anti-theft devices with the introduction of BMW iFace, the world’s first face and eye recognition system for motorcycles. Set to initially be released on BMW R-series Boxer models, iFace uses the latest 3D and infrared technology and allows riders the choice to do a full 3D scan without a helmet on or just an iris-cornea scan, even through visors, glasses, or contacts. For more information, read the press release from BMW Motorrad below.


BMW iFace BMW Motorrad

BMW Motorrad Boxer models are among the most popular and sought-after motorcycles in the world – unfortunately also among thieves. BMW Motorrad is now the first motorcycle manufacturer in the world to meet this challenge with BMW iFace, a face recognition system that makes the previous ignition key superfluous and perfectly complements the existing Keyless Go technology.

BMW iFace was developed in cooperation with Professor Dr. Dr. Gerhard Lesjöh, head of the world’s leading institute for ophthalmology at the University of Munich. The system offers facial recognition of the rider’s face and an iris-cornea comparison of the eyes for definite identification on the other.

Related: 2023 BMW R nineT and R 18 100 Years Heritage Editions

BMW iFace: 3D Scan and Infrared Scanning Technology

Face recognition uses the latest 3D technology integrated into the ultra-modern BMW Motorrad TFT display, which is not visible from the outside. This is carried out by means of stripe projection, a technology that has been used for many years, for example in reverse engineering. With the helmet removed, the face is scanned three-dimensionally and biometrically.

This three-dimensional image is compared with a data record stored in the system. If the calibration is positive, the ignition, steering lock, and other locking functions are released, and the rider can start the motorcycle. Since the 3D scan works with infrared scanning, this type of face recognition also works in the dark.

BMW iFace Iris Cornea Matching

BMW iFace operates as a dual system to achieve the highest-level of comfort and safety. The rider can be authenticated either using face recognition (without a helmet) or by iris-cornea scanning of the eyes. This type of authentication enables the system to identify the rider even with the helmet on, as only the iris and cornea are scanned and compared with the data stored in the system.

As with the 3D scan, infrared technology ensures functional reliability even in absolute darkness. In addition, a special polarization filter enables the scanning process even through heavily tinted and even mirrored visors, different types of glasses, and contact lenses. The rider enters the type of visor and visual aid he is currently using in the display prior to the scanning process using the corresponding menu functions.

Related: 2023 BMW S 1000 RR and M 1000 R | First Ride Review

Worldwide Networking Enables Identification of Thieves

In case of an attempted theft, BMW iFace communicates with the eCall electronic emergency service. Not only does the BMW Motorrad Call Centre receive a corresponding message about the attempted theft via a special code, but the scan data (face or eye scan) and the current geographical position data are transmitted in parallel to the international central database of the Federal Police authorities.

If corresponding data material is found there, the search for the person concerned can be initiated immediately. If no suitable data is available, the transmitted scan data will be stored in this database for possible use at a later date.

Related: BMW Motorrad Days Taking Place in Berlin, July 7-9

BMW iFace Field Trials

BMW iFace has been developed and tested in field trials over a period of more than three years.

“Our special thanks go not only to the Bavarian State Office of Criminal Investigation, but especially to Giovanni Häberle,” said Dr. Burkhard Hund, head of Theft Protection at BMW Motorrad. “Today a respected owner of a consulting firm for theft and burglary protection in the Stuttgart-Stammheim area, the Swabian was an invaluable help to us in developing this system thanks to his decades of expertise as a professional vehicle thief.”

BMW iFace will be presented at one of the autumn motorshows in 2023 and will initially be used on the BMW Motorrad Boxer models.

Ed. Note: This press release from BMW Motorrad came in on Saturday, April 1, and perhaps it was the festivities of Friday, March 31, or the fact that we were checking our email after logging into our phone with our fingerprint or ruminating on how Facebook chose to end their face recognition system at the end of 2021, but this new tech from BMW sounded pretty awesome and like something from Blade Runner (which was supposed to take place in the far-future of 2019, if you recall; we’re still waiting for our flying car…or maybe motorcycle). Anyway, whatever the reasons, we got suckered in hook, line, and sinker by this April Fools’ joke. It’s not often we see this kind of humor from the German motorcycle manufacturer, but for another good one that snared us, check out this post from 2017.

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

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2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 R and RS | Video Review https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/07/2024-triumph-street-triple-765-r-and-rs-video-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/07/2024-triumph-street-triple-765-r-and-rs-video-review/#respond Fri, 07 Apr 2023 21:44:28 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72419 We review the updated and upgraded Triumph Street Triple 765 R and Street Triple 765 RS, which hit a sweet spot in the sporty motorcycle market. They’re comfortable enough for commuting and light-duty touring, cool enough to hold its head high at bike nights, and fast enough for scorching trackdays. With prices starting at $9,995 […]

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2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 RS
The 2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 RS on the Jerez MotoGP track in Spain. (Photo by Kingdom Creative)

We review the updated and upgraded Triumph Street Triple 765 R and Street Triple 765 RS, which hit a sweet spot in the sporty motorcycle market. They’re comfortable enough for commuting and light-duty touring, cool enough to hold its head high at bike nights, and fast enough for scorching trackdays. With prices starting at $9,995 for the R, the Street Triple 765 offers undeniable value for a sporting naked streetbike.

We traveled to Jerez, Spain, where we spent two days flogging the Street Triple 765 R and Street Triple 765 RS on the street and track. From their torquey midrange and soulful wailing Triple to their chassis, components, tech, and styling, there’s a lot to love about this pair of middleweight streetfighters. Watch the video below to see the Street Triple R and RS in action and get our impressions. For more details, you can also read our First Ride Review.

2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 R / RS Specs

  • Base Price: $9,995 / $12,595 
  • Website:TriumphMotorcycles.com 
  • Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles 
  • Engine Type: Liquid-cooled inline-Triple, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.  
  • Displacement: 765cc 
  • Bore x Stroke:  78.0 x 53.4mm 
  • Horsepower: 118 hp @ 11,500 rpm / 128 hp @ 12,000 rpm (factory claim) 
  • Torque: 59 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm (factory claim) 
  • Transmission: 6-speed,  
  • Final Drive: Chain 
  • Wheelbase: 55.1 in. 
  • Rake/Trail: 23.7 degrees/3.9 in. / 23.2 degrees/3.8 in. 
  • Seat Height: 32.5 in. / 32.9 in. 
  • Wet Weight: 417 lb / 414 lb 
  • Fuel Capacity: 4.0 gal. 
  • Fuel Consumption: 38.8 mpg (EPA) 
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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/07/2024-triumph-street-triple-765-r-and-rs-video-review/feed/ 0 1 a:0:{} Rider Magazine Staff Check out our video review of the updated Triumph Street Triple 765 R and Street Triple 765 RS, which hit a sweet spot in the sporty motorcycle market.
Prototype Yamaha Stability Assist System Focuses on Starting and Low Speeds https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/07/prototype-yamaha-stability-assist-system-focuses-on-starting-and-low-speeds/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/07/prototype-yamaha-stability-assist-system-focuses-on-starting-and-low-speeds/#comments Fri, 07 Apr 2023 16:49:09 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72401 As part of Yamaha Motor’s goal of reaching zero motorcycle fatalities by 2050, using a three-pillared approach of technology, skills, and connectivity, the company is working on a prototype of the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System – or AMSAS. The Yamaha stability assist system, which is specifically designed to address instability when starting or at […]

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As part of Yamaha Motor’s goal of reaching zero motorcycle fatalities by 2050, using a three-pillared approach of technology, skills, and connectivity, the company is working on a prototype of the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System – or AMSAS. The Yamaha stability assist system, which is specifically designed to address instability when starting or at low speeds, is being tested on a Yamaha YZF-R25 equipped with a 6-axis IMU and drive and steering actuators. The dynamics of the process at the drive actuator has been compared with holding a broom upside down on your palm, combined with the idea of the minute steering adjustments required to keep a bicycle upright when standing still without pedaling. For more information, read the press release from Yamaha Motor below.


AMSAS Yamaha Stability Assist System

Last year, Yamaha Motor announced its Jin-Ki Kanno x Jin-Ki Anzen Safety Vision, which aims to create a world free of accidents together with our customers. The three pillars of the approach are: 1) “Technology” that assists with rider recognition, judgment, operation, and damage mitigation, 2) “Skills,” in which we encourage improvement of users’ riding skills, and 3) “Connectivity,” where the Cloud is used to provide feedback for safety initiatives. To highlight the Technology pillar, we spoke with the developers of the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS). As it is naturally linked to Jin-Ki Anzen, we asked about its aims and the value it offers.

Related: Yamaha Announces 2023 Updated and Returning Models

A Rider Aid to Enhance Stability with Starts and at Low Speeds

AMSAS Yamaha Stability Assist System
Jun Sakamoto (left) handles safety strategy at the Yamaha Motor technical development section, and Akitoshi Suzuki (right) serves as the project leader for AMSAS.

Accidents involving motorcycles have been attributed primarily to recognition errors (10%), decision errors (17%), and operation errors (5%) on the part of the rider. Data also indicates that approximately 70% of motorcycle accidents occur within two seconds of the trigger leading to the accident. Based on these analyses of accident causes, Yamaha Motor’s development of rider aids is underway according to four vectors: assisted danger prediction, damage prevention and assisted defensive riding, assisted evasive riding maneuvers, and damage mitigation.

Unveiled last year, AMSAS stabilizes a vehicle’s attitude at low speeds by controlling drive forces and steering forces.

“[Its most distinctive feature is] its approach to use an arrangement highly applicable to existing vehicles since it does not require any modifications to the frame,” says Project Leader Akitoshi Suzuki. The prototype system under development uses a production YZF-R25 for its platform and is equipped with a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) along with drive and steering actuators.

AMSAS Yamaha Stability Assist System

AMSAS is a rider aid that focuses on the instability a motorcycle experiences when starting off or when riding at low speeds, and it works to enhance the stability of the vehicle during these moments. “When starting or stopping, the drive actuator fitted to the front wheel aids with stability, and from there up to about 5 km/h (3 mph), the steering actuator attached to the handlebars takes over,” explains Suzuki. Through the coordination of the two, the mid-development AMSAS prototype vehicle can move at walking speeds without falling over, regardless of the skill level of the rider aboard.

Related: 2023 Yamaha MT-10 | Tour Test Review

Yamaha Stability Assist System is Adaptable to Various Applications

Yamaha Motor once made headlines when it unveiled the MOTOBOT—an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot—and MOTOROiD, a proof-of-concept experimental motorcycle equipped with AI and self-balancing technology. “The R&D for AMSAS began with the idea of bringing the technologies and know-how acquired through developing these two models to customers around the world,” says Suzuki.

AMSAS Yamaha Stability Assist System

Jun Sakamoto, who handles safety strategy at Yamaha, explains the value AMSAS aims to offer: “It’s to create conditions where the rider can focus more on operating their bike, so that everyone can enjoy that sense of being one with your machine. By providing an assist when the bike is more unstable and requires skill to operate, we want to deliver fun rooted in peace of mind to a wide range of riders.”

Yamaha has set a target of reducing the number of fatal motorcycle accidents to zero by 2050 and is ramping up efforts according to the three aforementioned pillars of Technology, Skills, and Connectivity. AMSAS is one technology with the potential to become a pivotal rider aid if used in conjunction with other technologies, like the radar-linked Unified Brake System – the first of its kind in the world – already deployed on the TRACER 9 GT+.

Related: 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT | Long-Term Review

“With the base technologies in place now, we’re halfway to our goal of bringing AMSAS’ value to customers,” asserts Suzuki. He and the team have high aspirations for the technology. “From here on, we’ll be working to downscale the sizes of the various components and so on, as we want to develop it into a platform not just for motorcycles, but one also adaptable to a wide range of other personal mobility applications, like bicycles.”

See all of Rider‘s Yamaha coverage here.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/07/prototype-yamaha-stability-assist-system-focuses-on-starting-and-low-speeds/feed/ 1 a:0:{} 1 1 Rider Magazine Staff The prototype AMSAS Yamaha stability assist system is being tested on the Yamaha YZF-R25 and addresses stability issues when starting or riding at low speeds.
2023 CFMOTO 450SS | First Look Review https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/06/2023-cfmoto-450ss-first-look-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/06/2023-cfmoto-450ss-first-look-review/#comments Thu, 06 Apr 2023 21:30:24 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72383 CFMOTO USA has announced the newest addition to its 2023 lineup: the CFMOTO 450SS. The company says the light-midweight sportbike is “poised to be a flagship in one of the most popular and fast-growing modern motorcycle segments.” Related: 2022 CFMOTO 700CL-X | Road Test Review The 2023 CFMOTO 450SS is powered by a liquid-cooled DOHC […]

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2023 CFMOTO 450SS

CFMOTO USA has announced the newest addition to its 2023 lineup: the CFMOTO 450SS. The company says the light-midweight sportbike is “poised to be a flagship in one of the most popular and fast-growing modern motorcycle segments.”

Related: 2022 CFMOTO 700CL-X | Road Test Review

2023 CFMOTO 450SS

The 2023 CFMOTO 450SS is powered by a liquid-cooled DOHC 450cc parallel-Twin with a 270-degree crankshaft making a claimed 50 hp at 9,500 rpm and 28.8 lb-ft of torque at 7,600 rpm. The engine, which has an 11.5:1 compression ratio and Bosch EFI, is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a slip/assist clutch.

CFMOTO says the 450SS is suited to city and canyon riding but is especially suited to the track as a result of several of the bike’s features. Optional reverse shifting is possible with a “quick change” in position of the connecting rod on the gear shifter. The “performance-tuned” suspension comes in the form of a nonadjustable 37mm inverted fork and a preload-adjustable multi-link rear shock. Stopping power comes from a single radially-mounted Brembo M40 4-piston caliper biting a single 320mm disc up front and a single-piston floating caliper pinching a 270mm disc in the rear, and Continental ABS is standard.

The 450SS rolls on 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 110/70-R17 front and 150/60-R17 tires.

2023 CFMOTO 450SS

Related: Chris Peterman, CFMOTO USA | Ep. 40 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

As far as design, the 450SS was put through “extensive aerodynamic wind tunnel testing,” and GP racing-derived winglets enhance stability by providing a claimed 1.6 times downforce at higher speeds. A chromoly steel frame, aluminum alloy wheels, and 3.8-gal fuel tank contribute to a trim 370-lb wet weight. The bike has a 53.5-inch wheelbase and a 31-inch seat height.

2023 CFMOTO 450SS
2023 CFMOTO 450SS in Zircon Black.
2023 CFMOTO 450SS
2023 CFMOTO 450SS in Nebula Black.

The 450SS has full LED lighting and a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and CFMOTO Ride App connectivity.

The 2023 CFMOTO 450SS comes in Nebula Black or Zircon Black starting at $5,499. For more information, visit the CFMOTO website.

See all of Rider‘s CFMOTO coverage here.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/06/2023-cfmoto-450ss-first-look-review/feed/ 4 a:0:{} 1 1 Rider Magazine Staff The 2023 CFMOTO 450SS is a light-midweight sportbike powered by a liquid-cooled DOHC 450cc parallel-Twin with a 270-degree crankshaft making a claimed 50 hp at 9,500 rpm and 28.8 lb-ft of torque at 7,600 rpm. Pricing starts at $5,499.
KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/04/ktm-north-america-and-pierer-mobility-open-new-north-american-headquarters/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/04/ktm-north-america-and-pierer-mobility-open-new-north-american-headquarters/#comments Tue, 04 Apr 2023 22:36:29 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72358 On March 28, just 15 months after breaking ground on the development, KTM North America and parent company Pierer Mobility celebrated the grand opening of their new North American headquarters in Murrieta, California. In attendance at the event were Stefan Pierer, CEO of Pierer Mobility AG; members of Pierer Mobility AG’s global board of directors; […]

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KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters
Inside the new North American headquarters for KTM North America and Pierer Mobility, which includes the KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, MV Agusta, WP Suspension, and Felt bicycles brands. (Photo by Casey Davis)

On March 28, just 15 months after breaking ground on the development, KTM North America and parent company Pierer Mobility celebrated the grand opening of their new North American headquarters in Murrieta, California.

In attendance at the event were Stefan Pierer, CEO of Pierer Mobility AG; members of Pierer Mobility AG’s global board of directors; employees of KTM North America, including members of the KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas factory race teams; local politicians and dignitaries; and numerous invited guests.

Related: 2023 KTM 890 Adventure | First Ride Review

KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters
Stefan Pierer, CEO of Pierer Mobility AG, speaking at the grand opening event. (Photo by Jean Turner)

“This is an emotional day for me,” said Pierer. “Exactly 30 years ago, I started in the USA with only a dozen employees. Today, we are Europe’s leading powered two-wheeler group, and we’re selling approximately 100,000 units annually in the U.S. market – so, more than $1 billion in sales. The most important success factor for us is racing; that is the driving force that pushed us over the years. Building our new North American headquarters in Murrieta was the biggest single investment we’ve ever made. We set a new standard for the whole U.S. market.”

KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters
Pierer Mobility’s new North American headquarters in Murrieta, California, houses facilities for the KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, MV Agusta, WP, and Felt brands. (Photo by Greg Drevenstedt)

Pierer stated that North America is Pierer Mobility’s most important market, which warranted the $53 million investment in the new headquarters campus.

Pierer Mobility AG purchased KTM out of bankruptcy in 1992, and at the time it had just 160 employees and sold only 6,300 motorcycles that year. Under Pierer’s stewardship, KTM grew slowly but steadily, but in the past decade its growth has accelerated.

KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters
In the front lobby of the new Motorsports building, which houses the KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas factory race departments, are two championship-winning motorcycles and an impressive display of championship trophies. (Photo by Casey Davis)

In 2013, Pierer expanded its brand footprint by purchasing the legendary Swedish off-road brand Husqvarna from BMW, and in 2019, it acquired the Spanish off-road brand GasGas. Pierer Mobility AG also owns WP Suspension and the Felt and R Raymon bicycle brands.

Related: 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | First Ride Review

In 2022, three decades after Pierer acquired KTM, the KTM Group produced 375,492 motorcycles, an increase of 13% over 2021. Of those, 268,575 (71.5%) were KTMs, 75,266 (20%) were Husqvarnas, and 31,651 (8.5%) were GasGas motorcycles. During the same year, Pierer also produced 118,465 pedal and electric-assist bicycles for its Husqvarna, GasGas, Felt, and R Raymon brands.

KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters
Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta is the newest brand to join the Pierer Mobility family. Above is the new MV Agusta Super Veloce. (Photo by Casey Davis)

Last year, Pierer also acquired a 25% stake in Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta, and it will provide distribution and marketing support in North America and other markets.

Pierer Mobility AG is very much on the gas, generating revenues of 2.437 billion euros in 2022, a 19% increase compared to 2021. It currently employs 6,000 workers around the globe, including 360 in North America – more than 200 of which are based in Murrieta, California.

KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters
John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America and CEO of Pierer Mobility North America, speaks at the grand opening event. (Photo by Jean Turner)

John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America, Inc. and Pierer Mobility North America, Inc. was also in attendance at the grand opening, and he called the event a “massive milestone in our company’s history.”

KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters
Supervisor Chuck Washington (7th from right), representing the Third District for the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, presents Stefan Pierer and John Hinz with a certificate of appreciation for making such a large investment in the local community. (Photo by Greg Drevenstedt)

“The campus and our facilities, this represents the single biggest investment by our company,” Hinz said, “so thank you to Mr. Pierer. We designed these buildings for our employees, race teams, athletes, and truly for our dealers across North America to help support our brands and help support sales. This new campus showcases not only the facilities as a tool for our employees and dealers, but it’s our commitment, our dedication, and our investment into the motorcycle and bicycle industry here in North America.”

KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters
Inside the new Redbull KTM factory Supercross race shop. (Photo by Casey Davis)

The new headquarters occupies a 20-acre site that includes three buildings comprising a total of 130,000 square feet. The two-story administrative building includes office and conference space, facilities for dealer and technical training, space for media fleets, and Kiska’s North American design center. The powersports building houses the KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas factory race teams, WP Suspension, and R&D facilities. A third building serves as a warehouse.

KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters
In the Motorsports building’s engine shop, dozens of prepped engines await their next race. (Photo by Greg Drevenstedt)

Pierer Mobility also acquired 12 additional acres located adjacent to the new headquarters that have been set aside for future development. The group’s purpose-built private motorsports facility – RD Field – sits one block south of the corporate campus. It includes two supercross test tracks, a hard enduro test track, and a trials competition section for product testing and athlete training.

For more information, visit PiererMobility.com, KTM.com, Husqvarna-Motorcycles.com, or GasGas.com.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/04/ktm-north-america-and-pierer-mobility-open-new-north-american-headquarters/feed/ 3 a:0:{} 1 Greg Drevenstedt KTM North America and parent company Pierer Mobility recently celebrated the grand opening of their new North American headquarters in Murrieta, California. The $53 million spent on the facility represents CEO Stefan Pierer's largest investment ever.
2023 Yamaha MT-10 | Tour Test Review https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/04/2023-yamaha-mt-10-tour-test-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/04/2023-yamaha-mt-10-tour-test-review/#comments Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:11:14 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72312 Some rides are more challenging than others. Sometimes we seek out the challenge, and sometimes the challenge finds us. It was a little of both when I found myself stopped on the side of the road, trying to stay upright on a Yamaha MT-10 while being battered by 60-mph winds and sandblasted by a dust […]

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2023 Yamaha MT-10
The MT-10 accessorized for sport-touring. (Photos by Kevin Wing and the author.)

Some rides are more challenging than others. Sometimes we seek out the challenge, and sometimes the challenge finds us. It was a little of both when I found myself stopped on the side of the road, trying to stay upright on a Yamaha MT-10 while being battered by 60-mph winds and sandblasted by a dust storm.

It was Valentine’s Day, and I was headed for Las Vegas to attend the AIMExpo dealer show while a winter storm was sending a freight train of frigid air down from the Sierra Nevada mountains. South of me on Interstate 15 in the Mojave Desert, tractor-trailers were being overturned by the wind. I had avoided that route because I’ve ridden it a million times and find it boring, so I was taking a longer, more scenic ride along part of the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway (U.S. Route 395) and through Death Valley.

Related: 2023 AIMExpo Highlights

While I expected it to be a cold, windy day – and was warmly cocooned in my Zerofit HeatRub baselayers, Gerbing’s 12V heated jacket liner and gloves, and traffic-cone-orange Aerostich R-3 suit – I didn’t anticipate it would be quite this bad. My arms and neck were sore from leaning into the wind for the past couple of hours, and things went from bad to worse after I filled up in Olancha and turned east on California Route 190 across the Owens Valley. The snowcapped Sierras were partly obscured by dusty haze, and soon I became engulfed in a beige cloud and got blitzed by stinging sand.

2023 Yamaha MT-10
This photo doesn’t do the dust storm justice, but the video does. Check it out here or below.

After a few gusts nearly knocked me off the road, I slowed way down and turned on my hazard flashers. At one point, I stopped on the side of the road to get my bearings near the Olancha Dunes OHV area, with my legs splayed like outriggers and my feet planted firmly on the ground. I didn’t dare get off the bike or it would have toppled over, but I managed to dig my phone out of my pocket to capture a video of the blasting sand starting to cover the road and slamming into me and the bike like millions of miniature BBs.

Once you’re in it, you’re in it. You can either wait it out or proceed with caution.

Sport-Touring on the 2023 Yamaha MT-10

In calmer days last fall, I traveled to North Carolina to attend the press launch for the Yamaha MT-10, a naked sportbike based on the YZF-R1 that was updated with engine refinements, R1-sourced electronics, new styling, and revised ergonomics.

2023 Yamaha MT-10
Yamaha’s accessory top case comes in three sizes: 30L, 39L (shown), and 50L. It not only provides lockable storage, it also provides a backrest for a passenger. Soft side cases (20L each) are also available.

The MT-10’s suck-squeeze-bang-blow comes courtesy of a 998cc inline-Four with a crossplane crankshaft that produces sound and feel like a V-Four, and its aural symphony is amplified by acoustic sound grilles atop the air intakes on either side of the tank.

Related: 2023 Yamaha MT-10 SP | First Ride Review

At the launch, we rode stock MT-10s in the Cyan Storm colorway, which has a mix of gloss black and gray bodywork with bright blue wheels. One of the Yamaha guys rode a Matte Raven MT-10 fitted with factory accessories: Windscreen ($249.99), GYTR Frame Sliders ($209.99), Comfort Seat ($299.99), Rear Rack/Top Case Mount ($250.99), 39L Top Case ($241.99), and Universal Mount ($24.99). After the launch, Yamaha agreed to let us borrow the accessorized bike for an extended test.

2023 Yamaha MT-10
Compact, light, and agile, the MT-10 is like a cat with catnip in the corners.

The first thing we did was take the MT-10 down to Jett Tuning for a dyno run. Measured where the rubber meets the road, the MT-10’s quartet of 249.5cc cylinders chuffed out 138.5 hp at 10,200 rpm and 76.5 lb-ft of torque at 9,000 rpm. Yes, that’ll do nicely.

2023 Yamaha MT-10 Spec chart

Then we flogged it around town and up and down the canyon roads that make Southern California such a land of milk and honey for motorcyclists. The balance and smoothness of an inline-Four is always a delight, but the MT-10’s particular blend of herbs and spices is truly mouth-watering. Twist the throttle hard, and the bike leaps forward, emits a joyful noise, and flashes an amber light as the wheelie control keeps the front wheel close to the ground.

2023 Yamaha MT-10

GEAR UP

Have Trunk, Will Travel

Flash forward to my trip in February. The temperatures had been in the 40s all morning, and after making it through the dust storm and climbing out of the Owens Valley, it dropped into the 30s by the time I stopped for a photo in front of the Death Valley National Park sign. It was a Tuesday, and there were few cars on the road – just the way I like it.

2023 Yamaha MT-10 Death Valley National Park
A gritted-teeth smile and a powdered MT-10 after the first dust storm.

No matter how many times I visit Death Valley, I never get tired of it. Covering nearly 5,271 square miles, you could fit Rhode Island and Delaware within its borders and still have 1,237 square miles left over. It’s a place of extremes, contrasts, and wonders. And with nearly 1,000 miles of paved and unpaved roads ranging from tame to intense, it’s a two-wheeled playground.

I savored the long, winding descent into Panamint Valley, enjoyed the sweeping curves up to 4,956-foot Towne Pass, and cruised the 17 miles back down to sea level at Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley. After passing Mesquite Dunes, I was engulfed in another dust storm near the Devil’s Cornfield, where clumps of arrowweed resemble corn stalks. Even though wind was battering me, dust was obscuring the wide-open views that make Death Valley such a unique place, and hours of being cold were beginning to take their toll, it felt good to be hundreds of miles away from my desk.

2023 Yamaha MT-10 Death Valley National Park
Deep in Death Valley. Nelson-Rigg’s Commuter Tank Bag and Hurricane 2.0 Waterproof Backpack/Tail Pack came in handy.

Related: Nelson-Rigg Commuter Tank Bags | Gear Review

The windscreen provided more protection than the MT-10’s stock flyscreen but not by much. The comfort seat, however, was a huge improvement over the stock seat. It has a flatter shape, more supportive foam, and a suede-like finish. The top case provides 39 liters of lockable storage, and I used it as a solid anchor point for my Nelson-Rigg Hurricane 2.0 Waterproof Backpack/Tail Pack that sat on the passenger seat. For those who want more storage, Yamaha sells a 50L Top Case ($298.99), Side Case Brackets ($249.99), and MT Soft ABS Side Cases ($484.99).

2023 Yamaha MT-10
The MT-10’s stock tinted flyscreen’s height is just above the black mesh screen seen above, so the accessory clear windscreen adds 4-5 inches of height. It send airflow into the top of the chest/shoulder area.

By the time I made it to Las Vegas, the MT-10 no longer looked Matte Raven but a light gray because it was so powdered with dust and grit. In my hotel room, I poured handfuls of sand out of the pockets of my Aerostich suit.

Related: Yamaha Announces 2023 Updated and Returning Models

Cold and Flat

2023 Yamaha MT-10
Rolling on the throttle through a smooth corner on the MT-10 delivers a visceral sound and feel.

As I wrote about in First Gear last month, it wasn’t just me at AIMExpo. Our dispersed editorial team also came together in Las Vegas, and we enjoyed a group ride to Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire State Park. In the hotel parking garage after the ride, my colleague Kevin Duke pointed out the center of the MT-10’s rear tire was getting thin on tread. Admittedly, of the 2,000 miles on the bike’s odometer, most of them had been ridden with little to no lean angle, but I figured the tire had enough life left to get me home.

From Vegas, I rode north on I-15 to St. George, Utah, where I spent the weekend with my father and stepmother. Wanting to avoid the interstate for the long ride home, Dad helped me plot out a route west through the sparsely inhabited interior of Nevada.

2023 Yamaha MT-10 Snow Canyon State Park Utah
Sunrise at Snow Canyon just north of St. George, Utah. It stayed below freezing for the next two hours.

On Presidents Day, I suited up, plugged in my heated apparel, and set off north from St. George on State Route 18, which passes by Snow Canyon on its way to Enterprise. Dawn was just breaking, and it was below freezing – and it stayed that way for the next two hours, mostly down in the 20s. My heated gear did its best to keep up; my core was warm, but my hands, even with the heated, insulated gloves turned to the highest setting, were still cold. The accessory I most wished the MT-10 had was heated grips (Yamaha doesn’t offer them).

2023 Yamaha MT-10 Cathedral Gorge State Park
Cathedral Gorge State Park.

After crossing into Nevada, my teeth chattered as I rode over 6,718-foot Panaca Summit, and then I made a brief stop at Cathedral Gorge State Park, which has walls of eroded bentonite clay that look like intricate sandcastles. Continuing southwest on U.S. Route 93, I went from cold to colder over 6,243-foot Oak Springs Summit. At Crystal Springs, I turned onto Nevada Route 375, known as the Extraterrestrial Highway because it passes near Area 51, the infamous secret government facility where there have been reports of UFO sightings.

2023 Yamaha MT-10 Extraterrestrial Highway Nevada Route 375
Nevada Route 375 is known as the Extraterrestrial Highway. With its beady headlights, the MT-10 looks a bit extraterrestrial itself.

Nevada is known for its “basin and range” topography, with abrupt changes in elevation as you travel over steep mountains and across wide, flat valleys. I passed over two more of Nevada’s summits – Hancock and Coyote, both around 5,500 feet – before reaching the rundown town of Rachel, home to the Little A’le’inn bar/restaurant/motel, the Alien Cowpoke gas station, and scattered mobile homes.

2023 Yamaha MT-10 Area 51
This is the only UFO I saw in the vicinity of Area 51.

Other than a few overpriced souvenirs, Rachel didn’t have much to offer. Route 375 passes through vast emptiness, but there was no evidence of Area 51 or anything otherworldly.

2023 Yamaha MT-10
These guys kept a bug eye on me while I gassed up at Alien Cowpoke in Rachel.

My dogleg westward route eventually brought me to the old mining town of Tonopah for gas. I entered California by way of Nevada Route 266, which took me over 7,420-foot Lida Summit, the highest pass of the day.

2023 Yamaha MT-10 Westgard Pass
It was cold and windy for 1,600 miles.

After crossing the state line, I stopped at a ranch that straddles both sides of California Route 168. Nearly 15 years ago, on a moonless night at that very spot, I crashed a Ducati GT1000. I had no business riding through an open range area after dark, but I had left home late and was on my way to meet my father at the Bonneville Salt Flats. I suddenly came upon a herd of black cows on the road, grabbed a handful of brake lever, locked up the front wheel, and went down.

All things considered, I was lucky. It could have been much worse that night. My apparel was thrashed, but I wasn’t hurt and the bike was rideable. The Swiss Army knife that I carry in my pocket to this day still bears scratch marks from sliding along the pavement during that crash. Had I not stopped this time around to preserve the memory with a photo, I wouldn’t have noticed that the MT-10’s rear tire, with just 2,600 miles on it, was worn down to the cords. Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires are marvelously grippy, but they’re not much for longevity.

2023 Yamaha MT-10
Luckily these are the only scars from my crash 15 years ago.

I rode slowly and gingerly for the next 50 miles, which, regrettably, also happened to be the curviest section of my entire trip. I made it over 6,373-foot Gilbert Pass and 7,271-foot Westgard Pass on my way to Big Pine, a small town that sits in the shadow of the Sierras on U.S. 395. I was safe and sound, but I was 250 miles from home.

2023 Yamaha MT-10
Cords showing after just 2,600 miles. No burnouts, I promise!

Unwilling to risk a catastrophic blowout, I got a motel room and hunkered down. The next day, my dear wife drove up to Big Pine in our 4Runner with a motorcycle trailer and rescued me. It’s not how I wanted the trip to end, but once again, it could have been much worse. Maybe my guardian angel lives at that ranch out on Route 168.

2023 Yamaha MT-10
A stunning view of the Sierras during what turned out to be the last few miles of my ride.

How about a Tracer 10 GT?

The MT-10’s performance, handling, and ergonomics make it a great streetbike, and with some accessories, it makes for a very sporty sport-tourer. In fact, we’d love to see a Tracer 10 GT version with an even taller windscreen, a lower fairing, heated grips, wind-blocking handguards, hard saddlebags, and higher-mileage sport-touring tires. Hey Yamaha, whaddaya think?

2023 Yamaha MT-10

See all of Rider‘s Yamaha coverage here.

2023 Yamaha MT-10 Specs

  • Base Price: $14,199 
  • Price as Tested: $15,477 
  • Website: YamahaMotorsports.com 
  • Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-Four, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. 
  • Displacement: 998cc 
  • Bore x Stroke: 79.0 x 50.9mm 
  • Horsepower: 138.5 hp at 10,200 rpm (rear-wheel dyno) 
  • Torque: 76.5 lb-ft at 9,000 rpm (rear-wheel dyno) 
  • Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch 
  • Final Drive: Chain 
  • Wheelbase: 55.3 in. 
  • Rake/Trail: 24 degrees/4.0 in. 
  • Seat Height: 32.9 in. 
  • Wet Weight: 467 lb 
  • Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gal. 
  • Fuel Consumption: 36 mpg 
The post 2023 Yamaha MT-10 | Tour Test Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/04/2023-yamaha-mt-10-tour-test-review/feed/ 15 1 a:0:{} Greg Drevenstedt EIC Greg Drevenstedt takes the 2023 Yamaha MT-10, a naked sportbike based on the company’s YZF-R1 and featuring a 998cc inline-Four with a crossplane crankshaft, on a tour test through California, Nevada, and Utah in a variety of challenging conditions. a:1:{s:11:"td_subtitle";s:22:"Riding the Desert Wind";}
Triumph Unveils 2024 Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/04/triumph-unveils-2024-bonneville-t120-black-distinguished-gentlemans-ride-limited-edition/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/04/triumph-unveils-2024-bonneville-t120-black-distinguished-gentlemans-ride-limited-edition/#comments Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72313 For 10 years, Triumph Motorcycles has partnered with the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, an event that unites hundreds of thousands of classic and vintage style motorcycle fans all over the world to raise funds and awareness for men’s health. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, Triumph has created 250 new Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited […]

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2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

For 10 years, Triumph Motorcycles has partnered with the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, an event that unites hundreds of thousands of classic and vintage style motorcycle fans all over the world to raise funds and awareness for men’s health. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, Triumph has created 250 new Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition motorcycles.

Founded in 2012 in Sydney, Australia, the DGR was created by Mark Hawwa as a way to bring together motorcycle enthusiasts focused on a common cause for good. Today the DGR spans the world with more than 90,000 riders taking to the streets in more than 800 cities. The event has raised more than $37 million for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. Triumph became the official motorcycle partner of the DGR in 2014, bringing a commitment to increase awareness, grow participation, and ultimately increase fundraising in support of this worthy cause.

Related: 2023 Triumph Rocket 3 R | Road Test Review

During the unveiling of the Bonneville T120 Black, Miles Perkins, Triumph’s head of brand management, called the DGR “the world’s largest road-riding charity event.”

2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

“The numbers are important,” Perkins said, “but the impact is even greater than the money – phenomenal from the perspective of what this means to everyone involved and the joy of riding and the joy of being in the company of people united by passion for the motorcycling, for riding together, and contributing what they can to make lives better.”

One of Triumph’s most significant contributions has been in growing awareness and motivating fundraisers around the world by providing motorcycles from Triumph’s Modern Classic range as rewards for the top fundraisers.

2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

“To me, this was a real match made in heaven,” Perkins said.

Triumph Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud called it “a perfect fit …. something that is much more than sponsorship.”

“Everyone involved over the last decade of the DGR, from the Triumph and DGR teams, to our dealers, the army of DGR organizers and ride hosts, and the legions of riders who passionately support this wonderful event and cause should be justifiably proud of the impact their efforts have had,” Stroud said.

2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

In previous years, the motorcycles provided by Triumph have included a one-of-a-kind Triumph Thruxton RS DGR Edition and a custom ‘1959 Legends’ Triumph Bonneville T120 and matching Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar, awarded to the 2022 ride’s highest fundraiser as part of a collaboration between Triumph and Gibson.

Related: Triumph Announces New Colors, Names for Select 2023 Models

This year’s bike, the Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition, features a custom DGR look. The monochrome metallic Phantom Black and Crystal White two-tone paint scheme follows a distinctive ‘dress suit’ inspired design, drawing inspiration from ‘dressing dapper’ for dinner—which is also how most riders dress for the DGR itself.

2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

Gold fuel tank stripe detailing and hand-painted gold pinstriping on the side panels are also inspired by the DGR’s dapper clothing and accessory style, such as the classic gold pocket watch or tie-pin. The custom DGR 2023 gold script logo is featured on the fuel tank and side panels, and a brown stitched bench seat with pillion strap enhances the vintage custom look.

2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

Each bike comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity featuring the motorcycle’s VIN and DGR edition number, hand-signed by the DGR’s Mark Hawwa and Triumph CEO Nick Bloor. There will be 250 bikes built, but only 249 will be available for purchase (for $13,495 in the U.S.), since edition number #001 will be presented to the highest fundraised for the 2023 DGR.

2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

Related: Triumph Unveils Speed Triple 1200 RR Bond Edition

But of course, the DGR Limited Edition wouldn’t exist without the Triumph T120 Black. In 2022, the classically styled Bonneville T120 received a few updates to its 1,200cc liquid-cooled parallel-Twin, which makes a claimed 79 hp at 6,550 rpm and 77.4 lb-ft of torque. It has a 6-speed transmission with a slip/assist clutch and chain final drive. Other features include two ride modes (Road and Rain) and switchable traction control and cruise control.

The 2022 Bonneville T120 also shaved 15 lb off the previous generation and features new aluminum wheels (18-by-2.75 inches on the front and 17-by-4.25 inches on the rear). Stopping power comes from Brembo front brakes with a twin disc set-up and 2-piston calipers, and ABS is standard.

2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

At the bike’s unveiling, Mark Hawwa, founder of the DGR, said that 10 years ago, they were “trying to find our feet and learn how to grow this event and really partner up with the brand that we felt had the same synergy as us.”

“I don’t think any of us ever realized that this would become such an important relationship, one that has touched even the guys that work at Triumph,” Hawwa said. “Obviously, times change, people move on, but each of those people that have been a part of the Triumph journey and DGR journey are still with us—riding motorcycles, taking part, getting dressed up and looking the part as well. It’s been an incredible 10 years, and I still pinch myself.”

2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

Hawwa said the DGR is more than just the ride or the bike.

“For us, it’s the fact that we’ve been able to really create meaningful relationships. We’ve been able to connect a lot of people together. We’ve been able to really teach guys that it’s okay to be vulnerable and that it’s okay to talk about their health and also to educate them along the path as well.”

The Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition is considered a 2024 model year bike. There will be 50 units available in the U.S., and dealers will start taking deposits on April 14.

2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Limited Edition

For more information, visit the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride website or the Triumph Motorcycles website.

See all of Rider‘s Triumph coverage here.

The post Triumph Unveils 2024 Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/04/triumph-unveils-2024-bonneville-t120-black-distinguished-gentlemans-ride-limited-edition/feed/ 1 1 a:0:{} Rider Magazine Staff Triumph has created 250 new Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition motorcycles in celebration of 10 years of partnering with the DGR, an event that raises funds and awareness for men's health issues.
New Polaris Xchange Offers Online Shopping for Indian Motorcycles and More https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/29/new-polaris-xchange-offers-online-shopping-for-indian-motorcycles-and-more/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/29/new-polaris-xchange-offers-online-shopping-for-indian-motorcycles-and-more/#comments Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:01:41 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72248 Riders shopping for new or used Indian motorcycles will now be able to view, research, and purchase them at Polaris Xchange, a new online shopping and selling platform. Other new and used products from Polaris will also be served, including the Slingshot three-wheeler, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles, as well as Polaris accessories and protection products. […]

The post New Polaris Xchange Offers Online Shopping for Indian Motorcycles and More first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
Riders shopping for new or used Indian motorcycles will now be able to view, research, and purchase them at Polaris Xchange, a new online shopping and selling platform. Other new and used products from Polaris will also be served, including the Slingshot three-wheeler, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles, as well as Polaris accessories and protection products. Once the purchase has been made, customers can pick up the vehicle from a participating dealer or have it delivered. For more information, read the press release below from Polaris Industries.


2023 Indian FTR R Carbon

MINNEAPOLIS – Polaris Inc., the global leader in powersports, is putting customers in the driver’s seat as they shop for their first or next powersports vehicle with the introduction of Polaris Xchange. Built from the ground up with the needs of the powersports customer in-mind, this one-stop online marketplace provides customers the ability to shop, research, and start the buying process on thousands of off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles, side-by-sides, auto-cycles, and ATVs from participating Polaris dealers nationwide.

Related: 2023 Indian Sport Chief | First Ride Review

“We are constantly infusing new ways of thinking and using our knowledge of the powersports customer to help advance our industry, introduce new people to powersports and enhance the experience for our owners and riders, and Polaris Xchange is another example of that industry leadership,” said Vic Koelsch, senior vice president, chief digital and information officer at Polaris. “Polaris Xchange simplifies the shopping process for customers, allowing them do most of the process online before visiting their local dealership to sign the paperwork.”

Polaris XChange

Consumer shopping habits have evolved in recent years with more consumers leveraging online resources for discovery, research, and learning as they start the buying process prior to visiting a physical retail location, and powersports consumers are no different.

Polaris Xchange offers consumers the tools they need to feel confident as well as conveniently start the buying process from the comfort of their homes, including: finding the vehicle, viewing used vehicle history and condition reports, shopping for accessories, indicating interest in protection products, determining trade-in value, and prequalifying for a loan. From there, the customer simply needs to complete the purchase and pick up the vehicle from a dealer or have it delivered.

Related: 2022 Slingshot Signature LE | First Look Review

Polaris Xchange also provides value to Polaris dealers who can publish their new and used inventory online, increasing visibility, reach, and awareness to shoppers.

Polaris XChange

“We set out to streamline the shopping process and provide consumers with even more confidence as they look to purchase,” said Koelsch. “Through Polaris Xchange, we are offering a one-stop, credible resource that makes it easier to not only find new Polaris vehicles but search through available used powersports inventory at our trusted network of dealers.”

See all of Rider’s Indian coverage here.

With JoyDrive as a technology partner, Polaris Xchange will showcase used powersports inventory from all powersports manufacturers as well as available inventory of new Polaris vehicles at participating dealers.

Shop for your next ride and learn more at the Polaris Xchange website.

The post New Polaris Xchange Offers Online Shopping for Indian Motorcycles and More first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/29/new-polaris-xchange-offers-online-shopping-for-indian-motorcycles-and-more/feed/ 1 a:0:{} 1 Rider Magazine Staff Riders shopping for new or used Indian motorcycles – or other Polaris vehicles, accessories, or protection products – will now be able to view, research, and purchase them at Polaris Xchange, a new online shopping and selling platform.