Indian Reviews | Rider Magazine

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite and Chieftain Elite | First Look Review

Rider Magazine Staff — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:01:00 +0000

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.

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.

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The post 2023 Indian Pursuit Elite and Chieftain Elite | First Look Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.

New Polaris Xchange Offers Online Shopping for Indian Motorcycles and More

Rider Magazine Staff — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:01:41 +0000

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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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

“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.

Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights 30-30.9 Inches

Rider Magazine Staff — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:38:59 +0000

2022 Honda Navi. Photo by Drew Ruiz.

Walking into a dealership as a shorter rider, or as someone who just wants a smaller ride, can feel a little limiting. You stroll by impressive and imposing machines that you might admire but don’t want to fight with as your main bike. You might find one or two models off in the back that are a comfortable fit, but you’re disappointed that there aren’t any more options to choose from. Luckily, options for smaller motorcycles are growing, and we’ve compiled those options into two Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders list.

In our first Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders post, we focused on bikes with seat heights under 30 inches. That seat height limit meant almost all the models on that list were cruisers, and while we certainly enjoy cruisin’, we like a little variety too. With this second Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders post, we’re excited to include some sportbikes, minimotos, and an ADV. And while the seat heights may be taller than on the first list, many of the models on this list weigh and cost less than the shorter-seated cruisers.

This list consists of motorcycles with a seat height between 30.0 and 30.9 inches. When possible, we’ve included a link to our test ride review, so you can get a sense of how each bike performs in action. We’ve also included the 2022/23 model year’s U.S. base MSRP (as of publication), claimed wet weight, and seat height. On models with options to lower the seat height or suspension, we’ve listed the standard and lowered seat heights. You can also click on a model’s name to go to the manufacturer’s webpage for a full list of specifications and details.

The models in this list are arranged by seat height, with the first model having the shortest seat height and the last model having the tallest seat height in the list.

Honda Grom

$3,499

30.0-inch seat

223 lb

Read our 2022 Honda Grom First Ride Review

Honda Navi

$1,807

30.0-inch seat

234 lb

Read our 2022 Honda Navi First Ride Review

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

$4,899

30.1-inch seat

421 lb

Read our 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Road Test Review

Triumph Speed Twin 900

$9,895

30.1-inch seat

476 lb

Read our 2019 Triumph Street Twin (former name) First Ride Review

BMW G 310 R

$4,995

30.9-inch seat (optional lower seat to 30.3 inches)

362 lb

Read our 2018 BMW G 310 R First Ride Review

BMW F 900 R

$8,995

32-inch seat (optional lower seat to 31.1 inches and lower suspension to 30.3 inches)

465 lb

Read our 2020 BMW F 900 R and F 900 XR Road Test Review

BMW F 750 GS

$9,995

32.1-inch seat (optional lower seat to 31.1 inches and lower suspension to 30.3 inches)

493 lb

Read our 2019 BMW F 850 GS and F 750 GS Road Test Review

CFMOTO Papio

$2,999

30.5-inch seat

251 lb

Read our 2022 CFMOTO Lineup First Ride Review

Ducati Monster Plus

$12,995

32.3-inch seat (optional lower seat to 31.5 inches and lower suspension to 30.5 inches)

366 lb dry

Read our 2021 Ducati Monster First Ride Review

Honda Monkey

$4,249

30.5-inch seat

231 lb

Read our 2019 Honda Monkey First Ride Review

Benelli TNT 135

$2,699

30.7-inch seat height

266 lb

CFMOTO 300SS

$4,499

30.7-inch seat

364 lb

Read our 2022 CFMOTO Lineup First Ride Review

CFMOTO 650NK

$6,499

30.7-inch seat

454 lb

Read our 2022 CFMOTO Lineup First Ride Review

Ducati Scrambler Icon

$10,995

31.3-inch seat (optional lower seat to 30.7 inches)

408 lb

Read our 2023 Ducati Scrambler Range First Look Review

Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle

$12,195

31.3-inch seat (optional lower seat to 30.7 inches)

408 lb

Read our 2023 Ducati Scrambler Range First Look Review

Ducati Scrambler Nightshift

$12,195

31.3-inch seat (optional lower seat to 30.7 inches)

421 lb

Read our 2023 Ducati Scrambler Range First Look Review

Honda CBR300R

$4,899

30.7-inch seat

354 lb

Read our 2023 Honda Returning Models First Look Review

Honda Super Cub C125

$3,849

30.7-inch seat

238 lb

Read our 2019 Honda Super Cub 125 ABS First Ride Review

Indian FTR

$13,499

30.7-inch seat

514 lb

Read our 2022 Indian FTR S First Ride Review

Indian FTR Sport

$15,749

30.7-inch seat

522 lb

Read our 2023 FTR Sport First Look Review

Moto Guzzi V7 Stone

$9,190

30.7-inch seat

492 lb

Read our 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone First Ride Review

Moto Guzzi V7 Special

$9,590

30.7-inch seat

492 lb

Read our 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Special First look Review

Moto Guzzi V7 Special Edition

$9,990

30.7-inch seat

480 lb

Read our New and Updated 2023 Moto Guzzi First Look Review

Yamaha YZF-R3

$5,499

30.7-inch seat

375 lb

Read our 2019 Yamaha YZF-R3 First Ride Review

Yamaha MT-03

$4,999

30.7-inch seat

373 lb

Read our 2020 Yamaha MT-03 First Ride Review

Kawasaki Ninja 400

$5,299

30.9-inch seat

362 lb

Read our 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS First Ride Review

Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT Edition

$5,499

30.9-inch seat

362 lb

Read our 2023 Kawasaki Returning Models First Look Review

Kawasaki Z400 ABS

$5,399

30.9-inch seat

364 lb

Read our 2019 Kawasaki Z400 ABS First Ride Review

Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber

$10,490

30.9-inch seat

463 lb

Read our 2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber First Ride Review

Suzuki SV650

$7,399

30.9-inch seat

432 lb

Watch our 2017 Suzuki SV50 Video Review

The post Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights 30-30.9 Inches first appeared on Rider Magazine.

Indian Challenger RR – 2022 King Of The Baggers Race Replica

Rider Magazine Staff — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 18:00:00 +0000

The Indian Challenger RR will be built to the same specifications as Tyler O’Hara’s King Of The Baggers championship-winning Challenger.

When you’ve got to have the baddest bagger on the block, Indian Motorcycle is now offering the Indian Challenger RR to the public. It’s built to the same specifications and by the same hands as the bike Tyler O’Hara raced to the 2022 King Of The Baggers championship.

Just 29 will be built, a nod to O’Hara’s #29 championship-winning bike, and they’re a near duplicate of the bike O’Hara rode during the 2022 season, including a hot-rodded V-Twin that likely produces in excess of 170 hp.

“Originally, the thought of roadracing baggers was perplexing to many, and even downright offensive to some road racing purists,” said Gary Gray, Vice President of Racing, Technology, and Service for Indian. “But in just three short years, King Of The Baggers has emerged as the hottest thing in motorcycle racing as these bikes have rapidly evolved in their sophistication, and we thought it would be awesome to give people the opportunity to own the bike that holds the crown.”

As you might expect with a race-tuned bagger, this motorcycle is not street legal, but it is a true racebike that will get your blood pumping on the track. As Gary Gray said, “Put in the right hands, it will reach the podium in MotoAmerica’s Mission King Of The Baggers race series.”

Those courageous enough to own one will have to fork up $92,229, which sounds like a lot until you take a look at the extensive list of components and R&D that have gone into making the Challenger the class of the KOTB field.

Indian Challenger RR Specifications

S&S 2-1 race exhaust
17-inch race rims
Dunlop race tires
S&S billet adjustable triple clamps
Ohlins FGR250 forks
TTX Ohlins rear shock
S&S chain drive conversion
Carbon fiber saddlebags
Fiberglass rear fender
Saddlemen raised race seat
S&S adjustable fairing mount
Aero headlight insert
Aero windshield
S&S belly pan
S&S rear set foot controls
S&S camshafts
112 CID big bore cylinder/piston kit
S&S air intake system with 78mm throttle body
CNC ported cylinder heads
S&S Billet adjustable rockerarms
Hayes rear caliper, EBC rear rotor, and SBS pads
Brembo M4 front calipers, 330mm rotors, and SBS pads
S&S automatic chain tensioner
Maxx full adjustable ECM
AIM DL2 data logger/dash
Quickshifter kit
S&S billet clutch cover
S&S adjustable handlebars
S&S race modified swingarm

To learn more about the Indian Challenger RR, visit Indian’s website.

The post Indian Challenger RR – 2022 King Of The Baggers Race Replica first appeared on Rider Magazine.

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

Rider Magazine Staff — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Indian Motorcycle and Jack Daniel’s have partnered up to create a special Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse. Limited to only 177 units, this hand-painted motorcycle takes inspiration from Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey and was co-developed with Klock Werks Kustom Cycles.

A key feature that makes this motorcycle unique is the paint, which is Super Graphite Metallic with real Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey mixed in. The iconic whiskey brand further touches this bike in the Jack Daniel’s design elements throughout, such as Jack Daniel’s branding on the front and rear fenders, on the solo seat, and on a Montana Silversmiths Badge with each bike’s serial number. The Jack Daniel’s signature can also be found etched into the exhaust and on the rear fender.

“The Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse is yet another powerful and dynamic representation of the quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail that is core to both of our brands,” said Aaron Jax, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle. “This time, we decided to pay homage to Jack Daniel’s iconic Old No. 7 – the most iconic of Jack Daniel’s whiskeys – pairing it with the Chief Bobber Dark Horse. Both products are timeless American originals that share a combination of no-nonsense simplicity and premium quality.”

The whiskey-inspired styling is paired with the Indian “I” painted on the tank, and the Thunderstroke 116 engine features non-machined highlighted cylinders and heads and Cloud Silver-painted rockers and pushrod tubes for a vintage raw metal appearance. The bike is also equipped with white center rims, a tinted Klock Werks flared deflector, and a Pathfinder adaptive LED headlight, which monitors the bike’s lean angle to optimize nighttime illumination when cornering. The bike comes with three ride modes, a 4-inch TFT display with Ride Command, turn-by-turn navigation, ABS, cruise control, keyless ignition, and other premium features.

“At Jack Daniel’s we live by the motto, ‘Every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can’,” said Greg Luehrs, Director of Sponsorships and Partnerships for Jack Daniel’s. “Indian Motorcycle shares that philosophy, which is why this partnership has been such a success.”

The 2023 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse retails for $24,499. Visit Indian’s website or your local dealer for more information.

The post 2023 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse first appeared on Rider Magazine.

2023 Indian Sport Chief | First Ride Review

Paul Dail — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:35:31 +0000

The 2023 Indian Sport Chief is the first derivative of the new Chief platform and features the air-cooled Thunderstroke 116. (Photos by Garth Milan)

Racing up to the blind rise on the 2023 Indian Sport Chief, I roll off the throttle slightly, and the pleasing roar of the engine lowers to more of a threatening growl. As I crest the hill, there’s a moment of weightlessness, and I see a line of about a dozen other riders, all on the same performance cruisers, gliding down the roller coaster-like drop and blasting back up the sweeping left on the other side. It looks almost as if they are defying gravity – or getting ready to launch into the air. It’s a quick flash of a scene, a rush of exhilaration that makes me feel younger than my years, and I roll on the throttle again. The big Thunderstroke 116 responds without hesitation, pulling me forward as if it can read my mind and knows that, in that moment, all I want to do is catch up and take off into the sky with them.

The 2023 Indian Sport Chief: A New Take on a Familiar Favorite

The 2023 Indian Sport Chief was definitely a head-turner when we rolled through the city streets of Austin.

The first Indian Chief, offering 61 inches of displacement, was released a little over 100 years ago. At the February launch for the Sport Chief, Brandon Kraemer, Indian’s VP of product and motorcycle electrification, said that Charles Franklin, who also designed the Scout, had a goal in mind when he developed the Chief.

“His goal was to take what was great about the Scout and basically make it a little bigger and a little more capable, a little more powerful,” he said, “and ultimately they did that.”

Kraemer continued to say that 100 years later, Indian “rebirthed that, with what you see here as the basis of the new Chief platform.”

The accessory 10-inch Moto Handlebar Risers contribute to what Indian calls a “meaner and badder” look.

He said that the Chief bridges the gap between the Scout and the heavier, more expensive Chieftain or Challenger ranges. Kraemer called it “a great canvas.”

In 2021, we tested the new 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited, an up-spec, touring-ready version of the new Chief platform that included the standard Chief, the Chief Bobber, and the Super Chief, all of which feature the air-cooled Thunderstroke 111 49-degree V-Twin. The Dark Horse versions of the Chief and Chief Bobber and the Limited version of the Super Chief boast the Thunderstroke 116, which makes a claimed 120 lb-ft of torque at the crank compared to the 108 lb-ft of the 111 engine.

The Dark Horse/Limited models also have a 4-inch round touchscreen TFT instrument panel as an upgrade from the traditional analog gauge on the regular models, as well as standard ABS, an $800 option on the base models.

“We wanted to focus on a really flexible design that we could take to many different places,” Kraemer said of the Chief base, adding that the Sport Chief was the “first derivative coming out of the all-new platform.”

Taking It Up a Notch

Kraemer said that while the 2022 Chiefs were largely targeted after the bobber segment, “we always knew we were going to go after the performance segment second.” Enter the 2023 Indian Sport Chief.

I didn’t take full advantage of the extra 1 degree of lean angle with the 2023 Indian Sport Chief, but it was nice knowing I could if needed.

“Going back to what we originally set the Chief architecture up for, we definitely have it in our wheelhouse,” Kraemer said and mentioned the obvious rival in this category, the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S. “That’s what we’re going after.”

In our review of the 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited, we said that the new “Chief lineup is more stripped-down and elemental, reflecting contemporary tastes. Like their ancestor, the new Chiefs draw inspiration from the modern-day Scout, with a shortened wheelbase and exposed twin laydown rear shocks rather than a single shock hidden behind bodywork. They’re also much lighter.”

We appreciated that the new rear dual shocks reduced the wheelbase and added agility but felt the 3 inches of resulting rear travel (down from 4.5) was a design compromise – “overall the ride is much firmer and less forgiving.”

Like the Dark Horses and Super Chief Limited, the 2023 Sport Chief is an up-spec model with the Thunderstroke 116 engine, the 4-inch touchscreen TFT display, and standard ABS. Its suspension and brakes get a major upgrade over previous Chief iterations, including the same front end as used on the Challenger bagger, with a 43mm KYB inverted fork offering 5.1 inches of travel and a pair of Brembo 4-piston calipers biting 320mm rotors.

The 2023 Sport Chief features the air-cooled Thunder 116, making a claimed 120 lb-ft of torque … which also makes for a whole lot of fun.

When it comes to rear suspension, Kraemer said when they created the new Chief models, one thing they focused heavily on is what Indian calls the “Signature Line,” which runs from the steering stem all the way down through the axle.

“The rear shocks are a big part of that, having that continuation of that consistent line.” Much like the cross-pollination evident in the front end, Kraemer cited the Scout as inspiration for the rear suspension, but he also said the company recognized that on a heavyweight cruiser, customers are going to want to customize.

“And we are too,” he said. “Having outboard rear shocks makes it really easy to jack the bike up and change the suspension, or you can lower it as well if you want to go that route. Obviously we’re going higher with the Sport Chief.”

The 2023 Indian Sport Chief will come in four colors, including the Ruby Smoke (left) and Black Smoke (right).

Along these lines, the Sport Chief has new piggyback Fox shocks with adjustable preload that bump travel up by an inch (to 4 inches) and lean angle up by 1 degree (to 29.5 degrees).

From a visual standpoint, a new quarter-fairing also sets the Sport Chief apart from the other models, combined with a new moto-style bar with a machined triple clamp and 6-inch machined riser. A solo gunfighter seat with 2 more inches of bolster than the standard Chief is complemented by mid-mount foot controls.

The solo gunfighter seat with the higher bolster offered a comfortable ride, although the mid-mount foot controls sometimes made things feel a little cramped.

GEAR UP

Helmet: Arai Contour-X
Jacket: Highway 21 Motordrome
Gloves: Highway 21 Hook Glove
Pants: Highway 21 Blockhouse Jeans
Boots: Highway 21 Low Primary Engineer

The bike features cast wheels (19 inches in the front, 16 in the rear) wrapped in Pirelli Night Dragon tires, a 4-gallon fuel tank, a bobbed rear fender, dual exhausts, LED lighting, keyless ignition, cruise control, and three selectable ride modes: Sport, Standard, and Tour.

Where the Rubber Meets the Texas Roads

We tested the 2023 Indian Sport Chief on a 120-mile mix of Austin city streets, interstate, and winding Texas Hill Country roads. The pace was brisk where traffic would allow, and except for some patchy spots of construction around town, the conditions were perfect for trying out this new performance cruiser, especially rolling through Hill Country and the short side jaunt we took on a narrow road with some nice twisties.

The first thing I noticed when firing up the Sport Chief was the pleasing rumbling of that blacked-out Thunderstroke 116. We started our ride with some laps around the city, but it wasn’t until we hit the interstate that I really got a taste of what this bike wanted to do. Not to anthropomorphize too much, but I daresay the Sport Chief was just as eager as I was to open it up a little more than permitted by the stop-and-go of city driving.

Despite the stop-and-go of riding in and around Austin, which ramped up the feeling of heat from the exhaust, it’s a cool town where you feel even cooler riding a bike like the Sport Chief.

The second thing I noticed was that round touchscreen TFT. Although it’s not new – at least to the lower-spec versions of the Chief – it’s still pretty to look at, much cooler than a rectangular display. Kraemer said it is important at Indian to keep adding tech without taking away from style, which he called “critical” to the company’s customers. “And it’s not easy, by the way, to find a round touchscreen.”

Previously only available on the Dark Horse versions of the Chief and Chief Bobber and the Super Chief Limited, the 4-inch round touchscreen TFT instrument panel is standard on the Sport Chief.

Riders can use the display to cycle through multiple interfaces, including two different gauge configurations, bike and ride information, and turn-by-turn navigation with connected features like weather and traffic overlays. Riders can also pair their smartphones to the panel via Bluetooth or USB and access music and phone information through the Ride Command system.

Once we got rolling, some of the unavoidable potholes and bumps of city riding were a little more jarring than I would’ve expected given the new suspension, and even with rear-cylinder deactivation, there was still some serious heat coming off the exhaust. But once we got outside of town and off the interstate into Hill Country, the Sport Chief really shone. And in this case, some of the positive response I experienced from the bike was directly related to that new rear suspension.

This was my first time traveling the Texas Hill Country on a bike, and the 2023 Indian Sport Chief made me want to do it again.

Changes to suspension subsequently alter the bike’s geometry. The new taller shocks not only give more lean angle but also pivot the front end and result in a slightly tighter rake of 28 degrees (from 29) and shorter 4.4 inches of trail (from 5.2). Kyle Goede, product manager for the Super Chief, said the reason they did this was for “flickability.”

“[It’s] a little bit easier to maneuver,” he said, adding that it was important when developing the bike to think about its performance aspect.

And Indian nailed it with that one. For a bike with a wet weight of 685 lb, it handled in the corners like a much lighter motorcycle. It was almost effortless. I can admit that I’m probably in the category of “most riders” and didn’t take advantage of the full increased lean angle, but it didn’t take much more than a bit of countersteering or shifting of my upper body to carve out a nice apex.

New piggyback Fox shocks bump travel up by an inch and lean angle up by 1 degree over the previous Chief models. Up-spec 24-click adjustable versions are available as an accessory.

Speaking of those apexes, although I might’ve been more conservative in my cornering, when I came out of them and wanted to catch up, a twist of the throttle brought an immediate but steady and strong response. And as the speedometer climbed, the engine purred with a surprising smoothness, likely the result of the V-Twin’s counterbalancers.

One area where the ride felt a little rougher was at the top end of some of these speeds, but that had more to do with the accessories on the bike I was riding than the engine. There are several accessories for the Sport Chief that are also compatible with other bikes in the Chief lineup, including the Fox piggyback rear shocks (and an up-spec 24-click adjustable version), 10-inch risers, the quarter-fairing with a low (4 inch) or tall (9 inch) forward windscreen, an extended reach or reduced reach seat, the Chief Syndicate Seat and Syndicate Low Profile Passenger Backrest for two-up riding, and the Chief Pathfinder 5 3/4-inch adaptive LED headlight.

The solo gunfighter seat on the 2023 Indian Sport Chief has two more inches of bolster than the standard Chief model, which Indian reps said would “keep you from falling off the back, because you’re going to want to ride this fast.”

The bike I was riding had the 10-inch riser and the matching taller windscreen. While this riser indeed contributes to a look that Dan Peterson, PGA lead, called “meaner and badder,” it also led to a little less control than the 6-inch riser offers and less wind protection at higher speeds, even with the taller windscreen. However, even Peterson said the windscreens are “as much about style as they are protection,” so this was to be expected.

And from a comfort standpoint, I was happier to have the 10-inch riser. With my 32-inch inseam and the mid-mount foot controls, I felt a little cramped at times along the ride, even with the more open ergonomics.

The 2023 Indian Sport Chief features a new quarter-fairing (seen here with the low windscreen) that is also compatible with others models in the Chief platform.

When it came time to slow it down, the dual Brembo components up front put the “sport” into the Sport Chief with very little convincing required. And the standard ABS was definitely appreciated, especially when I came around a corner on that narrow, twisty side road and encountered a short stretch where the road surface went from asphalt to a patch of concrete that had been smoothed over by obvious years of seasonal high water. Fortunately, there was a sign warning of the upcoming slick crossing and I had already applied some braking, but I have a feeling if it weren’t for the ABS, I might’ve locked it up and dumped the bike off the short drop-off into the rocky riverbed … and felt like an idiot.

The upgrade in braking power from the single-disc setup of the previous Chiefs to the pair of Brembo 4-piston calipers biting 320mm rotors was noticeable and appreciated.

But once again, the Sport Chief did what a performance cruiser is meant to do: It performed. And as we wound our way back to the hotel at the end of the day, even after we had to plunge back into the stop-and-go for the last stretch, it was a performance that I didn’t want to end. I may not be the 25-40 age bracket West Coast customizer this bike is primarily geared toward, but that day, I sure felt like it.

The 2023 Indian Sport Chief comes in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, Spirit Blue Smoke, and Stealth Gray starting at $18,999.

2023 Indian Sport Chief Specs

Base Price: $18,999
Price as Tested: $19,929
Website: IndianMotorcycle.com
Warranty: 2 yrs, unltd. miles 
Engine Type: Air-cooled, transverse 49-degree V-twin, OHV w/ 2 valves per cyl.  
Displacement: 116 ci (1,890 cc)
Bore x Stroke: 103.2 x 113.0mm  
Horsepower: 76 hp @ 4,200 rpm (rear-wheel dyno, 2021 Thunder Stroke 116)
Torque: 106 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm (rear-wheel dyno, 2021 Thunder Stroke 116)
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet assist clutch 
Final Drive: Belt  
Wheelbase: 64.6 in.
Rake/Trail: 28 degrees/4.4 in. 
Seat Height: 27 in. 
Wet Weight: 685 lb
Fuel Capacity: 4.0 gal.

The post 2023 Indian Sport Chief | First Ride Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.

2023 Indian Sport Chief | First Look Review

Rider Magazine Staff — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 18:36:20 +0000

Indian Motorcycle has announced details of the 2023 Indian Sport Chief, a bike the company says is its most aggressive iteration of the legendary Chief.

From a visual standpoint, a new quarter-fairing sets the Sport Chief apart, combined with a new moto-style bar with a machined triple clamp and 6-inch riser. Indian says this new bar, mid-mount foot controls, and a solo gunfighter seat put riders in a “commanding yet comfortable” riding position.

The suspension and brakes of the Sport Chief get a major upgrade over previous Chief iterations. Indian bolted on the same front end as used on the Challenger bagger, including its 43mm KYB inverted fork and pair of Brembo 4-piston calipers biting 320mm rotors, which replace the Chief’s underwhelming single-disc setup.

Indian must’ve been listening when we said the 2022 Chief’s chassis was so solid and stable that it made us wish for more than just 28.5 degrees of lean angle and 3 inches of rear travel, because the new piggyback FOX shocks bump travel by an inch and lean angle by 1 degree.

Ola Stenegärd, director of Industrial Design for Indian Motorcycle, said that with the Sport Chief, the company wanted to maintain “the same care-free attitude and American muscle but elevate it even further with componentry that not only delivers a style and attitude that exudes performance but raises the bar entirely for performance cruisers.”

The Sport Chief features cast wheels (19 inches in the front, 16 in the rear) wrapped in Pirelli Night Dragon tires, a 4-gallon fuel tank, a bobbed rear fender, dual exhausts, LED lighting, keyless ignition, and three selectable ride modes: Sport, Standard, and Tour.

The new Sport Chief will boast the same blacked-out Thunderstroke 116 motor of the Dark Horse versions of the Chief, Chief Bobber, and Super Chief Limited, making a claimed 120 lb-ft of torque. When we tested the various iterations of the Chief in May 2021, the Thunderstroke 111 on the standard models offered ample power, but the 116 on the Dark Horses was even more satisfying.

As with the Dark Horse models, the Sport Chief offers a customizable 4-inch touchscreen powered by Ride Command that can also be accessed via handlebar controls. Riders can cycle through multiple interfaces, including two different gauge configurations, bike and ride information, and turn-by-turn navigation with optional connected features like weather and traffic overlays. Riders can also link up to a smartphone via Bluetooth or USB to access music and phone information, and incoming calls will appear and can be accepted or declined directly through the Ride Command system.

The Sport Chief is available in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, Stealth Gray, and Spirit Blue Smoke starting at $18,999. We’ll soon be taking it for a ride, so stay tuned for its road test report.

Read our 2023 Indian Sport Chief First Ride Review

Visit Indian’s website for more information.

The post 2023 Indian Sport Chief | First Look Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.

Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights Under 30 Inches

Rider Magazine Staff — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 22:35:04 +0000

Choices for smaller, affordable motorcycles are growing, and that’s good news for riders looking for a fun bike that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re new to riding and want something easy to handle or an experienced rider looking for a lighter or shorter bike, you have more options now than ever when it comes to finding the best motorcycles for smaller riders!

Below is Rider’s 2022-2023 list of best motorcycles for smaller riders, an update of the popular post from 2019. This new list includes motorcycles with seat heights up to 30 inches with an MSRP of $17,000 or less.

We’ve also curated lists of the best motorcycles with seat heights between 30.0 and 30.9 inches, as well as a list of bikes with seat heights between 31.0 and 31.9 inches. We’ll include links to those lists soon.

When possible, we’ve included a link to our test ride reviews so you can get a sense of how each bike performs in action. We’ve also included the 2022-2023 model year’s U.S. base MSRP (as of publication), seat height, and claimed wet or dry weight. On models with options to lower the seat height or suspension, we’ve listed the standard and lowered seat heights. You can also click on a model’s name to go to the manufacturer’s webpage for a full list of specifications and details.

The models in this list are arranged by seat height, with the first model having the shortest seat height and the last model having the tallest seat height in the list.

Can-Am Ryker

$8,999

23.6-inch seat height

594 lb dry

Read our 2019 Can-Am Ryker First Ride Review

Indian Scout Bobber Sixty

$10,749

25.6-inch seat height

548 lb

Indian Scout Rogue Sixty

$11,249

25.6-inch seat height

540 lb

Read our 2022 Indian Scout Rogue First Ride Review

Indian Scout Sixty

$11,749

25.6-inch seat height

543 lb

Read our 2016 Indian Scout Sixty Road Test Review

Indian Scout Bobber

$12,249

25.6-inch seat height

553 lb

Read our 2018 Indian Scout Bobber First Ride Review

Indian Scout

$13,249

25.6-inch seat height

561 lb

Read our 2019 Indian Scout Tour Test Review

Indian Scout Bobber Twenty

$13,249

25.6-inch seat height

563 lb

Harley-Davidson Iron 883

(2022 is the final year for this model)

$11,249

25.7-inch seat height

564 lb

Harley-Davidson Softail Standard

$14,399

25.8-inch seat height

655 lb

Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114

$16,599

25.8-inch seat height

631 lb

Honda Shadow Phantom

$7,999

25.8-inch seat height

549 lb

Read our 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom 750 Road Test Review

Honda Shadow Aero

$7,799

25.9-inch seat height

560 lb

Read our 2013 Honda Shadow Aero Review

Indian Chief

$14,999

26-inch seat height

670 lb

Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight

(2022 is the final year for this model)

$12,299

26.2-inch seat height

556 lb

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic

$8,999

26.8-inch seat height

620 lb

Read our 2013 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic Review

Honda Fury

$11,449

26.9-inch seat height

663 lb

Read our 2010 Honda VT13VX Fury Road Test Review

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom

$9,499

27-inch seat height

611 lb

Yamaha V Star 250

$4,699

27-inch seat height

324 lb

Harley-Davidson Nightster

$13,499

27.1-inch seat height

481 lb

Read our 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster First Ride Review

BMW R 18

$14,995

27.2-inch seat height

761 lb

Read our 2021 BMW R 18 First Edition Road Test Review

Honda Rebel 500

$6,449

27.2-inch seat height

408 lb

Read our 2020 Honda Rebel 500 ABS Road Test Review

Honda Rebel 300

$4,749

27.2-inch seat height

364 lb

Triumph Bonneville Bobber

$13,495

27.6-inch seat height (optional lower seat of 27.2 inches)

553 lb

Read our 2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber First Ride Review

Yamaha Bolt R-Spec

$8,899

27.2-inch seat height

542 lb

Honda Rebel 1100T DCT

$11,299

27.5-inch seat height

524 lb

Read our 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT First Look Review

Honda Rebel 1100

$9,499

27.5-inch seat height

487 lb

Read our 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 First Ride Review

Suzuki Boulevard C50

$8,609

27.6-inch seat height

611 lb

Suzuki Boulevard C50T

$10,059

27.6-inch seat height

644 lb

Read our 2007 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Road Test Review

Kawasaki Vulcan S

$7,349

27.8-inch seat height

492 lb

Read our 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S Road Test Review

Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe

$8,099

27.8-inch seat height

496 lb

Read our 2016 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe Road Test Review

Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster

$13,495

27.8-inch seat height

580 lb

Read our 2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster First Ride Review

Harley-Davidson Sportster S

$16,399

28.9-inch seat height

502 lb

Read our 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S First Ride Review

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

$7,269 (estimated)

29.1-inch seat height

531.3 lb

Read our 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 First Ride Review

Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low

$14,995

29.9-30.7-inch seat height (dual-height seat)

425 lb dry

Read our 2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Road Test Review

The post Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights Under 30 Inches first appeared on Rider Magazine.

2023 Indian Motorcycle Lineup | First Look Review

Rider Magazine Staff — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 18:15:15 +0000

The new 2023 FTR Sport will replace the FTR S. Available in Black Metallic with Indy Red accents for $15,749 and White Lightning with Indy Red and Black Metallic accents (shown) for $15,999.

Indian Motorcycles has announced updates to its 2023 lineup, including a new FTR model and other FTR revisions, plus details about the premium Challenger Elite model, and other upgrades across the board. Here’s a first look at the 2023 Indian models and new upgrades.

See all of Rider’s Indian coverage here.

2023 Indian FTR Lineup

New for 2023 is the FTR Sport, a model that replaces the FTR S. This FTR sits just below the premium FTR R Carbon but above the FTR and FTR Rally. The FTR Sport features a new tank-panel design, a sporty chin fairing, and a seat cowl. It will be available in Black Metallic with Indy Red accents for $15,749 and White Lightning with Indy Red and Black Metallic accents for $15,999.

The FTR Sport will share a new 4-inch round touchscreen display with the FTR R Carbon model, offering navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. Both bikes will come standard with three ride modes (Sport, Standard, and Rain), lean-angle-sensitive ABS, stability control, traction control, wheelie and rear-lift mitigation, a USB charge port, and cruise control. The FTR and FTR Rally come standard with ABS and cruise control.

The 4-inch touchscreen display on the FTR Sport and FTR R Carbon includes navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.

The FTR R Carbon separates itself from the rest of the FTR lineup with carbon fiber components, a premium seat, fully adjustable Öhlins gold front forks, and a gold piggyback shock. It is also the only model with the Indian script logo tank panels and finished with Cloud Silver and Championship Gold pinstriping.

All four FTR models will feature a sportier muffler and a retuned front braking system. The speedometer has been moved up on all FTRs for easier viewing, and a new clutch has been implemented, which Indian says provides improved feel and performance. The Indian FTR lineup starts at $13,499.

2023 Indian Challenger Elite

The 2023 Challenger Elite in Sapphire Blue Smoke Paint with Black Smoke and Titanium Metallic Smoke accents will be limited to 150 units with an MSRP of $35,999.

Indian began its Elite program in 2017 with the Chieftain Elite. Since then, Indian’s Elite motorcycles, limited to 150-200 units for each bike, feature all the premium options available along with a unique look. In 2022, we saw the first Challenger Elite, limited to 200 units. The 2022 Challenger Elite featured Stealth Gray and Black Metallic paint with Indy Red accents, inspired by American muscle cars.

For 2023, Indian has announced it will be offering 150 units of the 2023 Challenger Elite in Sapphire Blue Smoke Paint with Black Smoke and Titanium Metallic Smoke accents. For this premium bike with a unique look, you’re looking at $35,999.

The Challenger Elite will have the same PowerPlus 108ci engine with 122 hp and 128 ft-lb of torque that you’ll find in other Challengers, but the Elite is packed with all the top-notch options and extras. Those extras include three ride modes, Fox adjustable rear suspension, smart lean technology, an LED headlight and driving lights, an adjustable flare windscreen, select footboards, heated grips, a new precision-cut five-spoke wheel, and Powerband audio with saddlebag speakers.

At $10,000 over the price of a regular Challenger, the 2023 Challenger Elite is packed to the gills with premium features, a marketing strategy similar to Harley-Davidson’s CVO line.

The Powerband saddlebag speakers on the Challenger Elite produce quality audio.

Other Updates Across the Board

The 2023 lineup will feature a host of upgrades and paint colors across the board.

All Thunderstroke and PowerPlus models will receive a new clutch, said the reduce engine drag and provide a smoother down shift. The new clutch has a larger friction zone and decreased lever effort for reduced clutch fatigue.

The PowerPlus models will get integrated buttons on the heated seats, and Thunderstroke models will feature haptics, allowing riders to feel the button’s response when wearing gloves. The Springfield, Chieftain, Challenger, Roadmaster, and Pursuit models will get a redesigned LED headlight with a larger reach and spread.

All models with the 4-inch round touchscreen display will now be able to tie their Ride Command account from the Indian Motorcycle app or website to their bike. This will give riders access to features like vehicle health, vehicle locator, and ride tracking.

For more information, visit Indian’s website.

The post 2023 Indian Motorcycle Lineup | First Look Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.

2022 Motorcycle of the Year

Rider Magazine Staff — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 17:29:00 +0000

For the past 32 years, Rider has selected a Motorcycle of the Year. With the exception of two years when we made a People’s Choice selection by popular vote among readers (the Honda F6B in 2013 and the BMW R 1200 RT in 2014), it has been up to the Rider editorial team to choose a winner based on our collective experience with the year’s eligible contenders.

We ride as many of the new or significantly updated motorcycles released over the past year as possible, and we evaluate them within the context of their intended use.

Since we announced last year’s winner, we’ve tested cruisers, baggers, sportbikes, adventure bikes, naked bikes, minibikes, sport-tourers, luxury-tourers, cafe racers, standards, dual-sports, and even an electric dirtbike for kids.

Narrowing down such a diverse range of motorcycles into a single “best” isn’t easy. Our goal is to identify the one that best fulfills its intended purpose and advances the state of motorcycle design, performance, and function.

We haven’t always hit the mark. The BMW K1 we selected as our first MOTY in 1990 proved to be a flop, and the forkless Yamaha GTS1000 we selected in 1993 was the answer to a question no one asked.

Even if some of the selections we’ve made don’t stand the test of time, we stand by them because they were impressive motorcycles within the context of their eras. Others are easier to defend, like the 2001 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing, the 2002 Suzuki V-Strom 1000, the 2005 BMW R 1200 GS, and the 2017 Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight Touring lineup.

For 2022, there were more than 60 eligible contenders. We narrowed them down to 10 finalists and one ultimate winner.

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Finalists

1. BMW K 1600 GTL

2022 BMW K 1600 GTL. Photo by Kevin Wing.

Winner of Rider’s 2012 MOTY award, BMW’s top-of-the-line luxury-tourer got its most significant update yet for 2022. Its ultra-smooth 1,649cc inline-Six makes 160 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque, its full suite of electronic rider aids was upgraded, and it has a huge 10.25-inch TFT, an air-conditioned smartphone compartment, and other new comfort and convenience features.

2. CFMOTO 650 ADVentura

2022 CFMOTO 650 ADVentura. Photo by Gary Walton.

Competing head-to-head with the Kawasaki Versys 650LT, the all-new 650 ADVentura is powered by a 649cc parallel-Twin that makes 60 hp and 41 lb-ft of torque. It has an adjustable windscreen, a TFT display, LED lighting, a slip/assist clutch, standard ABS, Pirelli Angel GT sport-touring tires, and hard-shell saddlebags. At $6,799, it undercuts the Kawasaki by $3,200.

3. Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak

2022 Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. Photo by David Schelske.

The range-topping Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak’s 1,158cc Grandturismo V4 cranks out 170 hp and 92 lb-ft of torque, and its apex-strafing game gets elevated with a new Race mode and revised quickshifter. It’s equipped with a full electronics package (including adaptive cruise control and blind-spot detection), Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers, and more.

4. Harley-Davidson Nightster

2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster. Photo by Kevin Wing.

The spiritual successor to the air-cooled Evo-powered Sportster, the all-new Nightster is a performance cruiser built on Harley’s modular liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine platform, in this case with a 975cc V-Twin with variable valve timing that produces 90 hp. Classic styling cues include a peanut “tank” (actually an airbox cover), a round air intake cover, and exposed rear shocks.

5. Honda Navi

2022 Honda Navi. Photo by Drew Ruiz.

Toeing the line between a twist-and-go scooter and a step-over motorcycle, the all-new Honda Navi borrows the fan-cooled 109cc Single and CVT transmission from the Activa 6G scooter and the Grom’s popular design language. The 8-hp Navi weighs just 236 lb, has a 30-inch seat height, and is priced at just $1,807, making it an ideal gateway to the world of motorcycling.

6. Indian Pursuit Limited

2022 Indian Pursuit Limited. Photo by Kevin Wing.

Indian’s Challenger bagger, powered by the liquid-cooled PowerPlus 108 V-Twin that makes 108 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel, was Rider’s 2020 MOTY. Touring capability gets a boost on the Pursuit Limited (or Dark Horse), which adds fairing lowers, a tall adjustable windscreen, a Touring Comfort seat, heated grips, and a trunk with an integrated passenger backrest.

7. KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo

2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke Evo. Photo by Kevin Wing.

Known as “The Beast,” the 1290 Super Duke R added “Evo” to its name and was updated with WP Semi-Active Technology (SAT) suspension available with six modes and automatic preload adjustment, a revised throttle-by-wire system, and more. Its 1,301cc V-Twin cranks out 180 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque, and its electronics allow riders to tame or unleash The Beast as they see fit.

8. Royal Enfield Classic 350

2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350. Photo by Brandon Bunch.

The Classic 350 brings back the styling that made the Royal Enfield Bullet – built from 1931-2020 – such an iconic bike and pairs it with a 349cc air-/oil-cooled, SOHC, 2-valve, fuel-injected Single with a 5-speed gearbox. Available in nine color-style combinations and priced as low as $4,599, the Classic 350 is the embodiment of simple, fun, affordable motorcycling.

9. Triumph Tiger 1200

2023 Triumph Tiger 1200. Photo by Kingdom Creative.

Triumph completely revamped its Tiger 1200 adventure bike platform for the 2023 model year, shaving off 55 lb of weight, bolting in a 147-hp Triple from the Speed Triple, and equipping it with a new chassis and upgraded electronics. Five variants are available: the street-focused GT, GT Pro, and GT Explorer and the off-road-ready Rally Pro and Rally Explorer.

10. Yamaha MT-10

2022 Yamaha MT-10. Photo by Joseph Agustin.

At the top of Yamaha’s Hyper Naked pecking order is the MT-10, a descendent of the FZ1 that was Rider’s 2006 MOTY. This “Master of Torque” is powered by a 160-hp crossplane inline-Four derived from the YZF-R1. It was updated for 2022 with new R1-derived electronics, upgraded brakes, revised styling and ergonomics, a new TFT display, and more.