Now motorcycle companies are following the auto industry’s lead, sprinkling the market with midsize, beginner-friendly models that evoke the 1970s.

Harley-Davidson, Triumph and Moto Guzzi are among the makers pushing retro bikes. Moto Guzzi’s V7 Classic has clean, delicate styling typical of bikes from 35 years ago. Matte-black paint and an aggressive rumble give Harley’s Iron 883 an old-school outlaw feel. Triumph’s Scrambler has the wheel spokes and off-road styling of a ‘70s trail bike.

The bikes all have two-cylinder engines between 700 and 900 cubic centimeters in size–midsize by modern standards. Indeed, some riders would consider them small. But each looks and sounds faster than it is and has enough style and attitude to mask the fact that they are mildly powered machines meant for green riders.

They all cost less than $9,000. Yes, it is a lot of money for two wheels, and yes, you could buy at least three nice used motorcycles for the same amount. But in today’s market, bikes under $10,000 get stamped with the “affordable” label.

Here’s the slide show.

Tags: HarleyDavidson, Triumph, MotoGuzziV7Classic

Not that it really matters, but I’ve come by those miles . . .

• Toddling around town.
• Running up along the Hood canal
• Two different rides along what I call the Skagit loop (Seattle to Arlington, Up Hwy 9 to Sedro Woolley, and from there along the Skagit and Sauk and back to Arlington via Darrington). It’s DH-56 for Destination Highway fans.
• Wandering around the countryside, mostly west of Olympia, WA.

Destination Highways Washington

Brian Bosworth. 2002, Spiral-bound, 536 pages, $49.00

The most recent (January) Skagit run was instructive as the best part of it, the part where there is nearly no traffic and good twisties, runs between trees and a mountains and is in the shade nearly the entire day.  For the record, riding a $20,000 600 lb bike on black ice is less than fun.

While it’s still too soon to have definitive impressions, here’s what I think so far.  Keep in mind that my most recent relevant point of reference is my old and loved FJR.

Power:  There are measurable differences in power and performance between the K, the FJR, and the Concours.  None of this matters.  They are all capable of hyper speeds and can out accelerate anything you need to.  The power delivery is different bike to bike, but again, who cares?  You get used to what you have under your throttle and ride accordingly.  And yes, the K delivers in buckets.

Handling:  Moto-scribes famously winge about the so-called lack of feeling in the BMW front end.  I guess I don’t have the first clue what the problem is.  If the issue is that they’re used to front fork dive, then yes, it’s not there (and I agree front fork dive can be put to good use by riders who know how to work with changing rake and trail on the fly).  I would describe myself as a better than average street rider, and I don’t find myself leaned over wondering if the front end has decided to step out for coffee or chat with a close friend.  Quite the contrary, I find the bike hugely stable and composed at all angles.  And importantly for the average rider, it won’t stand up if you decide to grab for some brakes in mid turn.  In that same way, trailing the brakes to the apex is a breeze.

Controls:  Another favorite peeve of the scribbling-set.  Whatever.  You get used to anything and I quite like the two-handed turn-toggles.  And I wouldn’t necessarily miss them if they weren’t there. 

Saddle:  I’m still undecided on this one.  It’s a different shape than the FJR, and much different than the custom job I had.  Ask me again in 3000 miles.

The Little Things: None of these things matter in the great arc or “real men kick start their bikes” sort of thing, but the K-bike majors in details.  I still reach for the throttle lock that isn’t there (was on my FJR), but the cruise control that is, is aces.  Having a fully sorted place to put the GPS is nice indeed.  Heated grips are well integrated and well done.  Heated seat is silly, but whatever.  Love the Xenon light.  The fit and finish all around is stunning.

ESA:  A great idea, but hopeless in execution.  I can’t discern a useful difference in any of the damping settings.  Comfort is too harsh.  The balance between front and rear rebound damping was worked out by an iquana.  I had Hyperpro on my FJR and it was leagues better.  I will get Ohlins at some point.

So yes, a great ride.  I’m telling myself I won’t buy another bike for a hundred years.  Or course that’s not true, but right now, it seems a really flash ride.

Tags: DestinationHighways, BMW K1200GT, ESA, Hyperpro

Emergency

Neil Strauss. It Books 2009, Paperback, 432 pages, $7.68

I know, I know.  But it’s an entertaining read in a paranoid sort of way, and ends up in a place you might not expect.

Along the way, he lists what those in the know regard as the three best rides for bugging out.

The Rokon Trail-Breaker . . .

Trail-Breaker. The name synonymous with off road transportation for 50 years has proven its worth as an American classic. Years and years of unforgettable trips to the out back have given Rokon riders a lifetime of memories. Trail-Breakers have climbed up high peaks including the Chilean Andes, gone through mud bogs where 4-wheelers never leave, traversed slippery snow fields and even provided safe passage for explorers through the treacherous Darien Gap. Users include the US Special Forces in Desert Storm, the US Forest Service, some 25 states Fish and Game officers, countless big game hunters, and even treasure seekers. They count on Trail-Breakers because they go anywhere and do it with unparalleled ROKON reliability.

Why? Each Trail-Breaker has patented dual wheel drive, a high ground clearance (15 in.) lightweight (208 lbs.) and wide tractor type tires (5.9×15).

Versatile? You bet. Mount pumps, generators, sidecars, gun boots and 50 other accessories. You can turn your Trail-Breaker into a plow horse or mountain goat. And they even float by virtue of hollow 15-inch aluminum drum wheels. Drum like in you can store up to 4.5 gallons of fuel or water in each wheel. Narrow enough to fit down a row crop or tight tree stands. Tough enough to climb over rocks, fallen trees or other obstacles.

How? Operate for up to 9 hours on one fill up of the almost 3 gallon tank and run its classic work horse four stroke Kohler engine where ever you need to Trail-Breaker is automatic and is operated by hands only. No shifting necessary with your feet. It’s balanced enough to climb steep slopes at speeds of only 0.5 mph. It will also carry two people aboard.

Reliable? Most Trail-Breakers ever built are still running. And the ones built today are even better because they have solid state ignition, sealed gear cases, improved frame design, better comfort and get this, they are now even quiet. The Trail-Breaker uses the Kohler 6 hp Command Engine assembled by Yamaha.  ROKON has learned from a rich history of riding and listening to owners. This lead us to incorporate changes that will make Trail-Breakers last even longer. Easy to repair and maintain. A simple thing like the same bearing appears 18 times on the machine. Standard American nuts, bolts and chain make repairs a cinch and easy for you to do the work. Parts are widely available and manuals easy to follow. After all, if you start simple and rugged, it should be easy to maintain.

Trail-Breaker is a trusted and long serving name in off road transportation. We remain dedicated to quality so you can count on a successful trip wherever you go. And now with the latest  Kohler engine, ROKONS have incredible power and performance to go with quiet running operations.

The Suzuki DR-Z400SM

Based on the renowned DR-Z400 off-road bike, the DR-Z400SM offers outstanding acceleration in every gear. But the dirt-ready knobbies are replaced with pavement-gripping street tires mounted on 17-inch wheels. The SM delivers all the thrill of a SuperMoto competition in a road-friendly package.

Here’s a review.

And finally, the Ural.  Any Ural.  But just to stay with the theme, why not the Gear Up?

Want to stand out in a crowd and be able to disappear in the woods or desert? Try the Ural Gear-Up. Just like its cousin, the Patrol, with its on-demand sidecar drive, Gear-Up’s origins trace back to the military past of the Ural motorcycle family. The Gear-Up combination is as tough as a Russian AK-47!

Despite its clearly military upbringing, the Gear-Up is equally fit for more peaceful missions, such as fishing or hunting trips. If fishing or hunting is not your forte, you can still amaze your friends with the motorcycle’s ability to blaze through mud, sand and snow… Did we mention its irresistible camo paint schemes?

To which I would add, having thought about this for about twelve seconds . . .

The Kawasaki KLR 650.

Not that anyone would buy a new one for these purposes.

And the list wouldn’t be complete with out the might GS.  Let’s make it the 1150 GS Adventure just to keep things slightly simpler.

Not sure what the list means, but there it is.

Tags: RokonTrail-Breaker, Suzuki DR-Z400SM, 1150 GS Adventure, Ural, KLR 650

Tags: 1934BMW R7

Forrest North first dreamed of building an electric motorcycle when leading the Stanford University Solar Car Team in 1998. Seven years later, he joined Tesla Motors working with many of his old Solar Car teammates. Tesla had a simple vision: build an electric sports car without compromised performance. By using lithium-ion batteries that were lighter and cheaper, the Tesla Roadster changed the meaning of electric cars. Tesla’s vision for electric cars paralleled Forrest’s dream of making an electric motorcycle that rivaled the best gasoline bikes in the world.

Forrest enlisted the help of friends Edward West and Mason Cabot. Edward was a friend from the Yale College Solar Racing team, and was finishing his MBA in Sustainable Management at the Presidio School of Management. Mason was an electronics guru with 10 years of experience at Intel, and had recently taken up motorcycling on Forrest’s recommendation. Together, the three founders began building the vision for a new type of motorcycle company.

For more about Mission One [clicky]

Tags: Ridethe Mission, Mission One, Electric Motorcycle, Forrest North, Edward West, Mason Cabot

Watch the rider manhandle his 990 like it was a 250.

Tags: KTM, 990 Adventure S

Tags: KTM, 690 Supermotot

Tags: KTM, RC8