Count on Fuel Motorcycles to deliver that old-school moto look and feel in everything they do. This time, it’s a flat tracker based on an 1970s Ossa Pioneer 250. The quick Spanish bike received heavy…
Now that summer is almost upon us, the temptation to go riding in jeans and a T-shirt rises with the temperature. But doing so risks serious injury; as the old adage goes, “Dress for the fall, not for the ride.”
Yet while it’s in your best interest to keep your skin off the pavement, dressing for the elements is essential too; if temps are in the upper 80-degree range and humidity is reaching Turkish bath levels, keeping layers to a minimum without sacrificing safety (or style) is key. In that case, you need to consider summer motorcycle jackets.
Leather jackets, regardless of the number of vents and the amount of perforation, will always be a slightly heavier option, but they tend to have the most style. Synthetic textile jackets tend to be the exact opposite, running much lighter but sporting a technical look to leather’s timeless one. But it’s entirely possible to balance safety and style — all while staying cool. Consider this list a great place to start.
The V2 is the improved version of the Alpinestars Viper, with with a little more style and added subtlety to its more technical aspects. CE Level 2-rated armor at the shoulders and elbows is less noticeable than the old version but still has you covered in the event of an impact. The massive mesh panels on the chest and back also allow for more airflow to keep you cool.
Should the temperatures take a dip and you don’t need maximum cooling, the Viper comes with a removable windbreaker liner. Luckily, the V2 comes with a zippered pocket on the lower back on the outside of the jacket, so you can store the liner when you don’t need it. And as a bonus, the Alpinestars Viper V2 is the most affordable option on the list.
Belstaff is known for its leather and waxed canvas jackets, but you’ll be sweating gallons if you try to stick out the summer in your Tourist Trophy. For the warmer months, Belstaff has the Temple Jacket, a lightweight nylon shell with mesh section along the arms for airflow.
Although it’s made from nylon, Belstaff still managed to translate its classic two-pocket, vintage moto jacket style to the technical construction — an achievement in its own right.
Aether held off on creating a mesh motorcycle jacket for a long time, mainly because the material naturally lends itself to more tactical looks, which isn’t the brand’s M.O at all. As the company’s first mesh jacket, the Draft keeps with the minimalist, understated style Aether is known for, while still providing the full airflow benefits of the porous material.
The Draft also comes with a water and wind-resistant outer shell that stores in a zippered pouch in the back — the better to deal with the porous downsides of mesh jackets in inclement weather. The Draft isn’t canvas or leather as we’ve come to expect from them, but it’s undeniably Aether.
(Note: Use code STAYATHOME at checkout to save 25%.)
Rev’It’s overall style leans more to the tactical, high-performance side of the spectrum; the company is loud and proud about the capabilities of their jackets, and the Convex Jacket is no exception. The Convex takes inspiration from Rev’It’s race suits, but dials back the intensity for everyday use.
Perforations in the leather along the torso, chest and back, combined with the PWR stretch panels, provide the airflow you need to keep cool on a hot day’s ride, but there’s still plenty of abrasion protection thanks to the Monaco Performance cowhide construction.
As a traditional, relatively heavy leather jacket, the Bardo should, in theory, have the toughest job of all the picks on this list keeping a rider cool. But Dainese used perforations throughout nearly the entire front and back of the jacket to maximize airflow; there are even extra perforated panels on the underside of the arms for increased circulation.
If you’re looking for classic Italian style but don’t want to sweat to death before you reach your destination, the Dainese Bardo Perforated Jacket is the way to go this summer.
Harley-Davidson may be one of the best-known brands in the motorcycle world — hell, one of the best-known brands in the world, period — but that brand recognition hasn’t been translating to growing sales. 2019 saw the brand’s units moved drop for the fifth straight year in a row, a consequence of its difficulties in pulling in fresh customers as their current ones grow older.
Still, the company is at least taking a few good swings at innovation. The all-electric LiveWire may not have brought in customers in droves, but it still managed to help redefine what an EV motorcycle can be, and the upcoming Bronx and Pan American models show how Harley plans on pushing into other categories buyers certainly don’t associate with the brand today.
Continuing that trend: it seems the motorheads from Milwaukee are planning on releasing a cafe racer and a flat track-inspired bike onto the streets.
That’s the word discovered by Motorcycle.com, which dug up European patent drawings for such a pair of bikes powered by the same new liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine found in the Bronx and Pan American. Those drawings pair almost perfectly with a pair of concept bikes spotted in Harley-Davidson’s investor presentation from September of last year — the blue and black bikes seen above.
The flat tracker, it seems, is likely targeted at the Indian FTR 1200 — which makes sense, given how that bike has opened Indian up to a younger audience less interested in massive cruisers, and that’s exactly what Harley is looking to do. The patent illustrations reveal much of the apparent design: there’s a single oval headlight up front, foot pegs mounted back behind the pivot for the tubular swingarm, an inverted fork front suspension, and a three-slot flyscreen that brings to mind a Jeep grille turned on its side.
The cafe racer seems to share the flat tracker’s front suspension setup, but as the patent drawings reveal, it differs in quite a few other ways. The foot pegs sit higher and further back, the handlebars sit low, and there’s a traditional swingarm with dual shocks in back instead. A headlight fairing and small windshield complete the cafe racer look.
While the style of the concepts is a bit of a matter of taste — we can’t help but think they look like a Harley designer went to Radwood and got the wrong ideas about what people want — the idea of H-D pushing into new categories certainly seems exciting. Sadly, there’s no word on when we’ll see them, but given how far along they look, we wouldn’t be surprised to see them revealed sometime in 2020 and hit the streets in 2021.
And while Harley-Davidson’s new CEO has reportedly played around with the company’s forthcoming model launches in a bid to play things a bit more conservatively — the so-called “Rewire” strategy moved the debuts of the Bronx and Pan American back to 2021 — we’re still hopeful that these exciting bikes will make it to market sooner or later.
The muscular, futuristic outline of the Finnish Verge TS electric motorcycle highlights its advanced design from the angular aluminum frame to its impressively torquey power delivery: 0-62 mph sub 4 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph. And right back to its Tron-like, hubless rear wheel, which, with its integrated motor provides power & braking to the rear end. The Verge also offers an impressive range, up to 186 miles in the city & 124 on the open freeway.
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There are plenty of places to buy motorcycle riding apparel and plenty of brands to choose from, but only a few companies make gear that truly ranks among the best you can find — and Aether is unquestionably among them. The adventure-minded, California-based company makes all sorts of apparel meant for Getting Out There and Seeing The World…which, admittedly, can seem like a bit of a dream these days, after months of social distancing guidelines and work-from-home order have kept many of us isolated and cooped up.
Not surprisingly, given their status, Aether rarely offer their items for less than retail. But right now, you can snap up all of Aether’s motorcycle gear — in fact, everything on their website — for 25 percent off the usual price. All you have to do is enter the code STAYATHOME at checkout. (They’ll even throw in free shipping.) Consider it a balm to ease the pain of being stuck in the house.
We’ve chosen a few of our favorites from Aether’s motorcycling collection below, but hit up the company’s website to see all the options.
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These Boots were Made for Riding (and Everything Else)
The second you go to search ‘motorcycle boots,’ you realize how broad of a spectrum the category truly is. There are boots for every style rider, for every category of bike — and nearly every situation imaginable. However, the main problem with a good portion of road-worth motorcycle boots is they look like, well, motorcycle boots. Some have chunky plastic buckles; others are more akin to old-school cowboy boots, while others tend to look like they’re made for walking on the moon.
The point is, most motorcycle boots not stylish and suitable for everyday use; they only look appropriate when you’re on the bike, riding. And since you can’t ride your bike through the front door of the restaurant and park it at your table, qualified boots that look just as good on the bike as they do off are always good to have in your gear arsenal.
These motorcycle boots, however, will have you protected and looking good in any scenario, be it on the road or in the restaurant.
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Whether you’re one of the brave humans who layer up and ride through the winter or choose to hibernate during the cold months with your bike safely hooked up to a trickle charger, the longer, toastier days of summer are always welcomed. Still, while you’re stuck inside incessantly checking the weather for incoming warm fronts, you might as well get ready — and see if you need any new or improved riding gear
Warm weather riding gear can make the difference between a mediocre first ride of the season and a truly great one. Here’s some of the best gear you can grab now ahead of the nice days that are about to come.
The vintage helmet style has been done to death at this point, but Bell has added a new twist: the Eliminator dips into Bell’s rich history of auto racing for inspiration.
Its old-school always-open venting is great for hot days — though if you get caught in the rain, you’ll definitely get wet. However, it’s hard to beat the Bell Eliminator’s bang for buck factor as it’s still a highly rated lid. Most importantly, it’s both DOT- and ECE-rated.
Textile motorcycle jackets, while incredibly breathable, are an acquired taste. Leather jackets, on the other hand, ooze style — but aren’t exactly the first choice on a hot day’s ride. That is, unless, you pick up a perforated leather jacket like the Dainese Bardo, which provides protection, subtle style and airflow in abundance.
The key to a good summer riding glove is a balance of protection and airflow. Rev’It employs the perfect amount of leather, mesh and neoprene in the right places to ensure comfort never encroaches on style — or vice versa.
Aether’s reputation of designing products at the intersection of minimalism, functionality and style is top-notch –and exemplified by these pants. It’s not very often you find pants that can seamlessly transition from a commute through morning traffic to sitting in an office meeting.
You see a lot of motorcycle-style boots out there that broadcast timeless design…but back it up with absolutely no utility. Hand-made in Portugal, the Rokker Urban Racer Boots are real motorcycle boots; ankle, heel, and toe protection are expertly hidden under well-styled, water-repellant cow hide.
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there’s a “Thor 2” joke here somewhere
There are plenty of places to buy motorcycle riding apparel and plenty of brands to choose from, but only a few companies make gear that truly ranks among the best you can find — and Aether is certainly among them. The adventure-minded, California-based company makes all sorts of apparel meant for Getting Out There and Seeing The World…which, admittedly, can seem like a bit of a dream these days.
Not surprisingly, given their status, they don’t often offer their items for less than retail. But right now, you can snap up all of Aether’s motorcycle gear — in fact, everything on their website — for 25 percent off the usual price. All you have to do is enter the code STAYATHOME at checkout. (They’ll even throw in free shipping.) Consider it a balm to ease the pain of being stuck in the house for now.
We’ve chosen a few of our favorites from Aether’s motorcycling collection below, but hit up the company’s website to see all the options. Don’t wait too long to snag this gear, though; the deal ends on Friday.
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The cool, rainy city of Portland — and the surrounding tangle of curled mountain roads — might not be the first place that comes to mind when it comes to places you’d want to first ride a bike from a traditional American motorcycle company like Indian. Domestic motorcycle manufacturing, after all, tends to be known for big V-twins and thumping down desert highways. But the last few years have revealed a whole new side of Indian; the release of the FTR 750 and FTR 1200 marked a hard shift from the highway monsters to scrappy, sporty bikes that proudly shine a light on Indian’s badass flat-tracking past.
Now, the 2020 Indian FTR Rally — a new iteration of the FTR 1200 — shows that Indian is digging into not only their racing history, but also their future.
The 2020 FTR Rally isn’t all that different from the FTR 1200, but it isn’t meant to be. The FTR works well for Indian; the Rally is only meant to give riders some altered aesthetics and a few new features. Indian made the decision to hire Ola Stenegard — the fella whose impeccable taste was proven forever by designing one of the coolest bikes in recent memory, the BMW R nineT — as the company’s new head designer, and it’s paid off.
Doubling down on the flat-track vibe, they based the Rally on the base-model 1200, which results in a charmingly mechanical speedometer, a tiny digital screen with fuel gauge and gear selection, no tachometer, and a cleverly hidden USB port, leaving the handlebars simple and clean.
The FTR Rally does have a few eye-catching changes. The color palette has moved from the FTR 1200’s very raceday-esque red-frame-and-splash-of-white-on-the-tank to more of a bad-guy vibe. The Rally comes in a leather-jacket-cool combo of black and matte gray, with a few tasty pops of red pinstriping around the classic chief’s-head logo, windscreen and wheels. In a more retro vein, Indian added what they call a brown “aviator seat” — which is also lowered slightly to provide a better riding position, on conjunction with the new handle bars that sit two inches higher than the FTR 1200.
One change that’s a matter of taste: the semi-knobby Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires. Although the tires (and the bike’s name) give the impression the Rally is meant for off-road riding, it really isn’t; these tires have the aggressive look of a dirt track racer, but after nearly 150 miles of wet, twisty roads, I can say these tires never gave me the impression that they were intended for anything other than tarmac.
Speaking of performance: the Rally’s more upright riding position, high foot pegs and snappy torque make this bike a back road killer. The Rally is built around the same 1203cc V-twin motor as the FTR 1200, making 123 horsepower and 87 pound-feet of torque. Due to the power and torque, it almost didn’t matter which gear I was in; the torque would snap the bike into shape coming out of a corner whether I was in third gear or fifth.
The galloping of the V-twin was as lovely to hear (although I do wish it were a touch louder) as it was exciting to rip open on the occasional straight bit of road we found. Although the base model doesn’t come with the riding modes and traction control, it thankfully does come with ABS — which I employed often while leaning on the dual-disc Brembo brakes up front and the single disc out back.
As cool as the V-Twin is, it is a thirsty power plant. I was shocked to find I was down to a quarter of a tank after about 75 miles. The fuel tank holds 3.4 gallons of juice, but the Rally just can’t help but guzzle it like light beer at a frat house.
With range limited to about 100 miles per tank, the gas situation could be cripplingly limiting, unless you only plan to use this bike for a local commuter. Problem is, if this is just an around-town commuter bike, then $13,499 and up is awfully damn pricy.
And speaking of pricy: I dig how simple the handlebar situation is, but again, for more than $13K, I feel like grip warmers should be included. It’s 2020; cold hands should be a memory of the past.
Ducati Scrambler Pro 1100 ($13,495+); Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled ($11,995+)
The FTR Rally isn’t massively different from the FTR 1200, but there’s nothing wrong with that — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The FTR has not only proven to be a rad re-entry for Indian into the racing world, but it has also brought in a massive new group of motorists to the marque: millennials. Young people want to see something fresh and cool, even if that’s actually just a retro-inspired bike.
The Rally didn’t need to be anything beyond a minor, largely cosmetic update to bring them (and me) in. Sure, it’s not cheap, and some of the details aren’t perfect. But it is a great bike from a company that motorcycle nerds have been wanting to see do well for a long time.
Indian hosted us and provided this product for review.
It’s not just the stripped-down & low-slung styling that make Indian Motorcycles’ 2020 Scout Bobber Sixty such a standout. Available only in 2 different shades of blacked-out, this clean cruiser is almost 25-pounds lighter than its predecessor yet powered by the same 999cc V-twin. And weight isn’t the only thing that’s lighter. The price tag is slimmed down, too.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again–the Indian Scout motorcycle is one of the most iconic, recognizable and influential bikes ever produced. It was originally introduced a century ago in 1920 and, while…
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california love
Riding a motorcycle is one of the best ways to experience the open road, but it also usually limits you to a fairly small radius around your home base. Knocking out a 1,000-mile road trip in a car is so easy, you don’t even need to think about it; a 1,000-mile journey on a motorcycle, in contrast, requires the sort of physical endurance and preparation usually reserved for military operations. Far better, then, to take alternate transportation to go where you want to ride, then grab a bike once you get there…but that involves finding a place to rent a motorcycle from, and that’s not nearly as easy as doing the same with a car.
Luckily, though, renting a motorcycle and riding some of America’s best roads just got that much easier. Hertz — yes, the people you’ve been renting cars from for years — is launching a motorcycle rental location in the Los Angeles area that better opens up all of Southern California’s amazing roads to riders from far away.
The Long Beach, CA location of Hertz Ride is actually the third one to pop up in the United States in recent years (the other two are in Las Vegas and Riverside, CA), but its close proximity to Los Angeles International Airport makes it far easier for visitors to pop over and grab a bike. And what a selection they offer: the Hertz crew has a wide variety of 2020 model year BMW motorcycles up for grabs,including the R nineT Scrambler seen above, the K 1600 B and K 1600 GA, the R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT and the F 750 GS.
Better yet: if you book your trip now for any dates until April 30th, you can save 15 percent at any of the three locations. As if you needed another reason to get away from everything right now.
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Sweden’s Cake builds rad electric motorcycles. Their latest is called the Kalk INK. Sharing the same off-road-proven platform as the brand’s original OR dirtbike, the INK is built as a lighter, freeriding and trail bike. With a design inspired by downhill mountain bikes and modern motocrossers, the Kalk Inc hits a top speed of 50+ mph and boasts a ride time of up to three hours.
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Peter Fonda would be intrigued
Once upon a time, Spanish manufacturer Bultaco built an iconic motocross bike called the Pursang, which went on to find fame thanks in part to a notable appearance in the film Easy Rider. The company went out of business for good in the mid-1980s…but the legend of the Pursang endured.
Now, a new Spanish manufacturer calling itself Pursang plans to revive the name with a new line of electric motorcycles. They will bring two versions to the market starting this year.
The first, the carbon fiber-bodied E-Track, will arrive in September 2020, and be available in a limited run of 72 bikes at first. The E-Track will use an 11-kW Bosch motor to achieve a top speed of 75 mph and a range of 99 miles. It will sell for €13,700 — a little over $15,000 at current exchange rates.
The second will be a cheaper offering called the E-Street, which will be perfect for the electric motorcycle enthusiast who also happens to be a Bruce Springsteen fan. It will use a 6-kW Bosch motor for a top speed of 62 mph and a 62-mile range. Pursang will sell it for €9,700, currently a little north of $10,000. The website does not provide a date as to when that bike will be available for purchase, however.
Competition in the electric motorcycle space is heating up, with major manufacturers like Harley Davidson competing with independents like Zero. If you’re looking for an EV bike to add to your garage, check out some of our favorite electric motorcycles here.
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potatopotatopotatopotato
The Harley-Davidson Motor Company of 2020 has come a long way from where it stood a couple of decades ago — this is a company that sells one of the best electric motorcycles on the market, for God’s sake — but the Milwaukee-based bike maker hasn’t forgotten where it came from. Bikes like the Fat Boy, after all, have been the brand’s bread and butter for ages.
So in honor of that ride reaching the three-decade mark on this planet, Harley-Davidson is rolling out a new special edition: the appropriately-named Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 30th Anniversary motorcycle.
The 30th Anniversary is based on the 114-cubic-inch version of the Fat Boy, and comes decorated with a wide variety of cosmetic tweaks, to a) pay tribute to the past and b) add some general badassitude. The Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine has been blacked out, as have the side pipes and other chrome accouterments. Bronze highlights add subtle pizzazz, and a number plate next to the fuel tank tells the world which one of the 2,500 examples of this bike you own.
As you might expect from a limited-edition model, there’s an added price for going 30th Anniversary. This Fat Boy carries a $1,350 premium over the rest of the 2020 Fat Boy 114 lineup, bringing the MSRP to $21,949. Sure, you could buy a pretty damn nice Toyota Corolla Hatchback for that…but that won’t look nearly as cool parked in front of Newcomb’s Ranch.
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The much-anticipated reveal of Zero Motorcycles’ first full-fairing street bike, the SR/S came a few weeks early by way of an internet leak. What sets this new bike apart from the brand’s SR/F model, aside from the plastics, is totally re-engineered geometry. A more relaxed & upright seat position, higher handlebars and lower footpegs put riders right in the sweet spot to enjoy all 110 horsepower as well as the 200-mile range and a top-speed of 124 MPH.
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Consider this list your introductory guide to commuter motorcycles. No, it’s not an official motorcycles segment per se, but it’s worth looking at; after all, if you’re zipping into, out of and around an urban environment, a motorcycle is just about the best way to get from A to B.
The five motorcycles we discuss here vary in size, style and price, but they all have one thing in common: they’re all perfect for dealing with busy streets, angry traffic and tight spaces.
Surviving the forces that make up city traffic on a motorcycle requires patience, quick reflexes and steel nerves — and it’s crucial that the motorcycle can keep up. A compact, slender bike is a good place to start. Dodging potholes and traffic and shooting for narrow gaps between cars is the norm when cruising down a crowded street; a good city motorcycle needs to be lightweight and flickable, two qualities delivered well by smaller bikes.
Power is important, but only if it’s usable. There’s no use having chart-topping power and torque if you have to be flirt with the redline to see it. The motorcycles that work best on city streets have accessible power when you’re pulling away from a stoplight or puttering around at low speeds.
When dipping and diving and weaving your way through town, your attention needs to be on the road ahead, not how uncomfortable you are — so good ergonomics are key. That’s not just about the seating position; though it’s important that you’re not stuffing yourself onto the bike, riding comfort also comes from a good suspension setup. A super-stiff suspension that relays every rut, rock and crack can not only be bone-shatteringly uncomfortable, but can lead to a nervous, twitchy and unsettled bike.
It’s a tall order to build a bike that’s versatile enough to handle city streets and still have the capabilities to hop on the highway. But when manufacturers nail the formula, they create motorcycles that can be an incredible asset for fighting back the daily grind.
The 821 risked falling into obscurity as the middle child of the Ducati Monster lineup. The 797 is prized as the approachable, entry-level Ducati; the 1200 might look almost identical to the little 797, but if you look closer, it’s a tech-laden superbike with no fairings and serious power. The 821, however borrows supersport-level tech from the 1200 and brings it down to an approachable level. It’s the best of both worlds — the controllable and lightweight nature of the 797, and the extra shove the top-of-the-line tech and control systems from the 1200.
Our very own Steve Mazzucchi has been riding a Bonneville around New York City for some time, so he’s able to vouch firsthand for its capability as a city bike. The combination of reasonable seat height and the placement of the pegs right under your feet give it great ergonomics and visibility, he says. The latest models add ABS and heated handgrips for added livability, without losing the classic looks. “The fact you can pretend to be Steve McQueen racing away from Nazis is just a bonus, really,” Mazzucchi adds.
With their instantaneous torque and lack of a clutch or gears, electric motorcycles are practically tailor-made for city riding. (Also, unlike internal-combustion machines, they get better mileage around town than on the highway.) Zero’s SR/F — one of our most notable vehicles to go on sale last year — goes 161 miles on a charge in the city (or 200, with the optional Power Tank) and recharges in as little as an hour, yet still rips off a 0-60 mph run of well under three seconds. It’ll top out at 124 mph, too…should you find a city street that allows it.
Hope you like matte blue, because that’s the only color Honda’s delightful little bike that lands between a naked standard and a sportbike comes in for 2020. (We do, for what it’s worth.) But if not, a can of Krylon is all that’ll be between you and one of the most delightful city motorcycles out there. Its compact size means even its small motor provides plenty of pep for around-town riding, while features like ABS and a 31.5-inch riding position make it friendlier for around-riding. Plus: it’s cheap, and it’s a Honda, so you know it’s built well.
In the middle-weight naked category, the bikes are so closely matched, any scrutiny requires a microscope. But the Kawasaki is one of the more affordable options compared to its Japanese rivals (even on the ABS model that starts at $7,649), and edges out the competition on styling. The Z650 really shines in mid-range power, though, delivering it right where you need it for passing traffic.
The northern portions of the Pacific Northwest spoil road-trippers when it comes to winding asphalt and inspiring backdrops. If you take the time to poke around, they also boast an impressive array of destinations for foodies on the prowl for new bites. Which also played a large part in my wife insisting she be included my most recent motorcycle adventure. Well, plus the fact we’d be doing it all in a Ural.
I’m a firm believer in the personal connection between man and machine. On every long haul I’ve ridden thus far, I’ve made it a point to suss out a deserving handle for my steed. This time, Carolyn, my wife, was with me. And while she understands my addictions, vehicles, for her, are mainly appliances. That’s why she stunned me a little when she christened our ride before I’d even fired it up. The Moscow Mule would be our home for the next couple of days. Moniker: nailed.
Urals are slow and stubborn but incredibly sure-footed, and can schlep more gear than you (and your significant other) can possibly pack. Thanks to its sidecar, the Siberian-built sleds also buck and yaw with every throttle modulation, which makes it a bit of a workout to keep one reined in.
Of course, the sidecar is what truly endears the Ural to traveling couples, and Carolyn was immediately smitten with its combination of moto-level freedom and car-level comfort. Five minutes in, she chimed in to inform me that the odds of her riding pillion in the future were sinking with each relaxed and comfortable mile.
The first leg of our journey had us heading to Mukilteo to catch a short ferry to Whidbey Island. There’s always something about a water crossing that adds to a journey’s excitement, so I pointed our front wheel towards the Interstate to catch the next ship. Speed and motorcycles typically go hand in hand, but there’s nothing typical about one that weighs 740 pounds, has three wheels and boasts only 41 horses of puff. Mirrors full, we tucked as best we could and chugged our way up to 70 mph. A train of other bikes quickly overtook us the first chance they got, but instead of a series of angry gestures and frowns, we were greeted by a parade of passers all looking our way, noticeably happier in the presence of our Mule.
This proved to be the theme of our journey. Motorcycle riders skipped the customary two-finger-salute for a full thumbs up, so we did the same. Cyclists had similar reactions, and almost every motorist, barring a Prius or two (clearly in a hurry to hug a Western White Pine), looked on longingly. We were chatted up at every stop sign and red light, with most of the questions heading Carolyn’s way.
“How comfortable are you in that thing?”
“Very.”
“Do you think my wife would prefer riding in that over this?”
“Definitely.”
“How much legroom do you have?”
“A ton.”
Each time, Carolyn was thanked for her opinion, and the people would proceed to pull alongside us to take one more look and smile before waving goodbye. It really was quite magical. Never in 20 years of riding motorcycles have I experienced so much cordiality. Hell, nobody even raised a fuss when we skirted around a two-hour-long line of cars to board the ferry.
On Whidbey Island, we pulled into the Bayview Farmers Market, nudging the Mule between a VW Camper Van that smelled of fryer oil and a Toyota Corolla clad in “THINGS GO BETTER WITH KALE” bumper stickers. We stuck out a touch. We were headed towards Deception Pass and needed a quick bite and fresh supplies for the journey. Some locally prepared jerky, strawberries that were picked that morning and a few other essentials were packed into the trunk, and we sat down to a delicious plate of Filipino street food. Pancit noodles and lumpia from Julie’s Lumpia Hut are second to none. If you find yourself at the market, wait in the line. It’s worth it.
After passing through Deception Pass and Fidalgo Island, the plan was to do a scouting run for the next day’s activities before dinner and drinks somewhere near Mount Vernon. We had planned stops in both Edison and Samish, but the weather was exceptional, the views epic and the road just too good leave. A quick chat confirmed that our moods aligned, so we left those highlights for the next day and continued on into Bellingham. We arrived at the Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen and were promptly greeted by a chilled growler of award-winning Kolsch, some delicious heirloom tomato gazpacho and a plate full of spicy tuna poke — a perfect late-afternoon snack for two warriors still hungry for road.
And so it continued. Our following day, instead of sleeping in, we made early tracks to ride high into the mountains. The pleasant on-road encounters continued, and we were even chased into Edison by a gentleman on a fully restored vintage Moto Guzzi V7, just so he could say, “Nice bike.” We gorged on bounties at Slough Food and Tweets before a stop in Samish for fresh oysters — shucked on the beach, no less.
I’ve been blessed to ride two wheels through some truly exceptional places. And although I’m always traveling with a group, those journeys are always very much on my own. With a third wheel, proper seating and Carolyn by my side, this ride instantly became a road trip. Communication, even without headsets, was easy. We didn’t need to clunk helmets and fight over sight lines; in a Ural, moments can be shared. And at no point is the fun of a moto adventure watered down; if anything, the quirks and the looks of these bikes brighten the day for you, your passenger and everyone else on the road.
Jacket: Aether Apparel Arrow $995
Pants: Saint CC Women’s Mid Rise Technical Moto Jeans $295
Helmet: Icon Alliance Dark $150
Boots: TCX X-Boulevard Waterproof Boots $150
Gloves: Belstaff Esses Gloves $81
Filson makes gear and apparel that is tough and timeless, built for abuse. Features that transfer nicely over to a new category: motorcycle gear. Purpose-built for 2-wheel adventure, their forthcoming Alcan Collection brings Filson’s legacy to the open road. The collection includes pants and a jacket, made of waxed canvas with tough cordura overlays gloves, a tool backpack, a tool roll, and a rebranded Bell helmet. All of it available: July 24, 2020.
Reviewing cars, trucks and motorcycles is a big part of our job here at Gear Patrol. After all, we’re here to tell you about the best products out there, and in order to do that, we need to know ourselves what’s worth considering and what doesn’t deserve a second glance. That means a lot of seat time — both on saddles and in climate-controlled interiors.
Last year, we had the chance to hop in and out of an incredible variety of machines, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled alike. On the former front, the biggest news was the appearance of truly mainstream electric motorcycles, with Zero Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson’s new models fighting it out for EV supremacy. But 2019 also saw the arrival of plenty of other cool bikes, stretching from ADVs to cruisers to a genre-breaking muscle bike from Italy.
Here, we’ve pulled together a list of the best motorcycles we rode last year, to give you a chance to remember the great bikes that 2019 brought in. And expect to see plenty more such reviews here in 2020.
“When an electric bike promises cost savings, environmental friendliness and one-of-a-kind thrills, you pay attention. Zero Motorcycles has been at this game for 13 years, outlasting fly-by-night competitors and even impacting Harley-Davidson. The Zero SR/F flies contrary to the hallmarks of classic motorcycling: there’s no engine to purr, no gears to shift, no neutral to pop it into at a light. But any doubts whoosh away the moment you twist the throttle; try going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than two seconds. Green means go, baby.” —Steve Mazzucchi
“The first EV from the Motor Company delivers something few, if any, other manufacturers have managed: a well-rounded, battery-driven two-wheeler that comes with a distinctly formed sense of identity. Thanks to well-executed user interface details and an engaging riding experience, the LiveWire delivers more than you might expect, especially given Harley’s predictable propensity for V-twin-powered thump-a-lump. Say what you will about the hefty MSRP or the charging limitations — the LiveWire manages to surprise and delight enough to make Harley-Davidson’s future look very bright, indeed.” —Basem Wasef
“Scrambler-style motorcycle are jacks-of-all-trades, and like any such compromised proposition, concessions must be made. But in that category, there’s no doubt the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE raises the bar to a new level. It’s not the best on the road — but going in and out of corners, it still inspires more confidence than most other road bikes. It’s not the last word in off-road performance — but it’s more sure-footed than some bikes built specifically for the dirt. The only mistake here is that the company undersold this bike by calling it a “scrambler” when it’s something far greater: a naked ADV.” —Bryan Campbell
“The FTR 1200 will almost certainly succeed in its goals of opening up new markets for Indian. Sure, it’s a looker, which is imperative when going against the Ducatis and Triumphs of the world. But more importantly, its engine, smooth power delivery, and spectacular balance should tick all boxes with demanding European and Japanese buyers — especially those looking for an American bike that delivers on its promises.” —Nicolas Stetcher
“The Hypermotard manages to be more focused than ever on comfort and user-friendliness, without sacrificing any of the engaging personality that made it so groundbreaking when it first debuted. It’s a delicate balance, especially considering how motorcycles can easily tip into becoming annoying or anodyne when their winning formula is messed with. The latest Hypermotard isn’t everything to everybody, especially if you’re looking for a long-distance bike that carries saddlebags. But for an undeniably fun bike to ride that’s more than just an urban runabout, Ducati’s latest iteration of the Hyper is just about ideal.” —Basem Wasef
“From a pure performance standpoint, the Chieftain is a dream on the highway. I took it on a 500-mile weekend roundtrip to central Pennsylvania, and it devoured the distance, even negotiating an unexpected stretch of climbing up a gravel off-road path. The bike feels super-stable, even when surrounded by wind-shearing semis. And the V-twin engine paired with a six-speed transmission is smooth and responsive — to the point where you can easily hit 90 miles per hour without noticing just how fast you’re going.” —Steve Mazzucchi
“The Ducati Diavel 1260S does so much more than raise eyebrows when parked. It’s comfortable enough to handle extended touring trips, nimble enough to hang with supersports in the twisty bits and isn’t fazed by the confines of city life. The new Diavel 1260S is a unique motorcycle that offers a visceral, athletic riding experience — one that, quite simply, needs to be sampled to be understood.” —Matt Neundorf
