All but extinct a decade ago, small displacement motorcycles are back in force with almost every major manufacturer now offering them. Prices range from a bit under five grand to about six, but what buyers get varies a lot. Everyone wants to pay as little as possible, but if there’s one category where a few more bucks may make a big difference, thi

Austrian bike maker KTM has a different idea of what a touring bike should be. The company’s logo is “Ready to Race,” so it’s no surprise that the 1290 Super Duke GT has a heavy emphasis on sport. Although near-freezing temperatures might not have been conducive to an enjoyable ride, the GT compensated by making it both fun and pleasurable.

Originally published on Canada Moto Guide: First Ride: 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Story by Dustin Woods. Photography by Dustin Woods and Viktor Radics. You’ve likely heard the old saying, “Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.” Well, the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R is somewhat akin to bringing a howitzer to a playground skirmish. It’s big,

In many ways, 2016 will be the Year of the Adventure Bike. With multiple adventure models being released – some by the same manufacturer – it’s clearly a segment of focus for the coming year. But it’s not all for the high-mileage, soft-road types. Ducati has a new iteration of their uber-successful Scrambler, plus an Italian take on the foot-forwar

Stuff just got real in the motorcycle industry. With INTERMOT in Cologne behind us and EICMA in Milan open to the public after a week of press activity we can now take a comprehensive look into 2015 – and the view is spectacular. A new breed of insane, hyper-powerful, hyper-capable race bikes that will see insurance company executives having conn

Spring can’t arrive soon enough for those who ride motorcycles. The Motorcycle Show in Toronto provides a great mid-winter reprieve to plan trips, invest in some updated gear, and buy, or enter to win a new motorcycle. It’s running February 15–17, at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Ontario’s only stop on the motorcycle manufac

Harley-Davidson has just announced its product plan for the next few years. On top of smaller bikes for foreign markets, and an electric model next year, Harley is launching its first adventure touring motorcycle, the Pan America. Harley showed pictures of the prototype for the new Pan America 1250. It's based on an all-new middleweight platform

Originally published on Canada Moto Guide: Test Ride: 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 You don’t have to be kinky to enjoy the sharp crack of a whip. It’s okay to be excited by the sharp bark of a big-bore single cracking open. It’s also okay to stare with adoration at a naked motorcycle. The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen takes its cues from every café

The pegs touch briefly, sending a smile through the toe of my boot, up my spine and exploding across my face inside my helmet. The little 313 cc single is singing and the sun is shining gloriously in the sky. The BMW G310R changes direction quickly and holds its line with confidence. The manicured pavement rises, twists and falls away under

The 2017 Ducati Multistrada 950 is somewhat of a walk-back for Ducati. The big, bold, and distinctly styled Multistrada’s most recent iteration before this was best-described as “over the top”. A commanding and confidence-inspiring riding position contributes to the Ducati’s long-distance comfort level and solid handling. The Multistrada 12

Photos by Kevin Wing and Brian J Nelson These days, lightweight sport bikes are serious business. This is a generational shift forward. There was a time when entry-level bikes were slow, dorky looking, and inherently less fun than their big-bike counterparts. But soaring insurance rates and high costs have driven more and more riders t

Originally published on Canada Moto Guide:   Test Ride: 2019 Yamaha R3, on road and track Photography by Ben Quinn There’s a gratification that comes with being able to get the most out of a motorcycle on a racetrack that’s hard to beat, and small bikes can make that happen. Being able to hold the throttle wide open until the very last mom

Originally published on Canada Moto Guide: 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special First Ride In the immortal words of Monty Python, “And now for something completely different.” That legendary British comedy troupe made its name out of entertaining and surprising audiences, with a penchant for non sequiturs that knew no bounds. Over t

Originally published on Canada Moto Guide: Test Ride: 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 Have you ever brought a new puppy home? The sort of bike that should cause all riders alike to laugh out loud at its playful nature. That new little bundle of energy bursts through the door and into your heart, with endless helpings of exuberance and play. Su

Originally published on Canada Moto Guide: First Ride: 2020 BMW R 1250 RS For years, Steam Whistle Brewing’s marketing efforts played on the fact that they only offered one kind of beer. By offering a single product, they reasoned that they were able to “Do one thing really, really well.” That’s all well and good, but what if you don’t like pi