“If there is one thing we have learned during the pandemic, it is that motorcycling positively contributes to mental health,” he says in a report from Motorcycle.com. 

“It is a way to escape, a vehicle that helps you disconnect and enter a state of contemplation and tranquility — alone or with like-minded spirits.”

Expect a hefty 67 new products, spread out through the gear genres with a total of “19 jackets, 14 boots, 10 jeans, 10 pants, nine gloves, two overshirts, and two SEESMART protectors, plus a one-piece leather suit.”

“In recent months,” continues van Bilsen, “we have seen many turn to motorcycling for their daily travels, rediscovering the fun and freedom that commuting on two wheels provides.” “Rational arguments about saving money and parking issues aside, we think this shift is here to stay.”

Be sure to head over to REV’IT’s official webpage to check them out, stay tuned for other gear-related updates as we here at wBW shift into our shiny new webpage format, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

*Media sourced from Motorcycle.com*

The post REV’IT Spring / Summer Collection appeared first on webBikeWorld.

This is an interesting turn of events, especially given the slowing performance figures in sales for the ONE. Why is Harley guesstimating such sky-high figures when their ONE-and-only faces limbo-low sales specs for the recent year?

VisorDown states that H-D definitely anticipated a tough market when they decided to release a top-shelf electric motorcycle into a burgeoning EV space whose technology has been developing almost faster than brands (and regulations) can keep up. 

Still, those numbers have to come from SOMEWHERE – and the answer may very well lie in the new Arrow platform that will soon be launched. 

Keep in mind, the ONE is a luxury machine – a unit designed to sell to the populace that H-D knows what they’re doing when it comes to creating clean emission motorcycles. With the launch of the Arrow platform, we are not only looking at several bikes that will be compatible with a (hopefully durable) system, but they will also sport budget-friendly price tags. 

Ideally, cheaper bikes from a luxury (EV) brand mean more bike sales, hence the six-digit bar on H-D’s docket. 

Above all else, Harley-Davidson is an iconic brand determined to stay in the motorcycle community despite the lower emission compliance and higher gas prices. The figures seem in line with Harley’s plans to phase out of fossil fuel in the next fifteen years, though everything will hinge on the success of the Arrow platform (made easier by a few partnerships made along the way). 

What do you think?  Drop a comment below letting us know what you think, and be sure to subscribe if you’re needing a quick gander and glimpse into a curated list hand-delivered twice a week to your inbox.

Stay posted on that investor presentation for both H-D and LiveWire that is slotted for May, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

*media sourced from Motorcycle.com, InsideHook, The Motley Fool, Fox News, and CycleWorld*

The post LiveWire: Bike Sale Predictions Shoot to 101,000 Despite Limbo-Low 2021 Figures appeared first on webBikeWorld.

That’s not all – the report from Motorcycle.com tells us that an eye-watering $16,000 USD will be up for grabs to any team that can boast the fastest pit stop, with the antics taking place 4:45pm on Friday, March 11th – a scant day before the conclusion of the Daytona 200. 

“I think the Pit Lane Challenge will be a lot of fun to watch,” says MotoAmerica’s COO, Chuck Aksland. 

“Pit stops in the Daytona 200 are an integral part of the race and can certainly determine the outcome. It’s definitely a pressure situation at the highest level. The Pit Stop Challenge adds another element to the weekend.”

“We appreciate the support from the companies that are providing the purse for this event, and we look forward to finding out who claims the honor of Pit Stop Challenge Champion for 2022.”

Stay tuned for updates, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so the best of the latest gets hand-delivered twice a week to your inbox, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

*Media sourced from RRW, Motorcycle.com, and CycleNews*

The post MotoAmerica: 2022 Pit Lane Challenge to Include $16,000 Purse appeared first on webBikeWorld.

That brand was none other than Yamaha Motors – and despite the major motorcycle manufacturer having become a separate entity since 1995, I believe there have been occasional crossovers deliberately placed in an effort to respect the original roots of musicmotorcycles.

We covered one of the crossovers here at wBW when we discovered Project AH AH MAY (‘Yamaha’ spelled backward) – a unique collaboration between the two brands that didn’t go very far but involved a motorcycle “designed with the landscape in mind – an effort to get the rider as close to the surrounding scenery as possible.”

Well, we’ve just found another (more general, but still cool) Moto X Music crossover – and this one boasts a stripped-down, tuned-up, high-performance guitar inspired by Café Racers from our own community.

“The original Revstar concept was inspired by Café Racer motorcycles – high-performance racing machines that showcased the personality of the riders,” says Dave Miner, Product Marketing Manager for Electric Guitars at the Yamaha Guitar Group in a report from GuitarWorld.

“The new Revstar series fine-tunes that concept with enhanced playability, versatility, and tone, for players interested in classic style with modern upgrades.”

Originally unveiled back in 2015 as the first electric guitar available from Yamaha Corporation in more than a decade, the Revstar guitar of today features “visual elements of its Yamaha Motor Co. motorcycle division” via vintage tones and a beautiful swooping body shape that make the darned thing almost as comfy to stare at, as it is to play.

Add a new chambered body, lighter weight, and the fact that this unit comes in three variants (Element, Standard and Japanese-made Professional), and I almost feel like I’m chatting about a new moto lineup.

“Hand-selected premium parts and materials combined with an ingenuity and know-how that reflects Japan’s detail-oriented engineering ethic ensure that this guitar is true to the ethos of the Café Racer – function, character and style to burn,” adds Yamaha’s website on the Revstar fleet.

What do you think? Drop a comment below letting us know what you think, be sure to also subscribe to our newsletter if you’d rather catch up later, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

*Media sourced from GearNews, Silodrome and ROCR*

The post Cafe Racer-Inspired Yamaha Revstar Guitars Revamped for 2022 appeared first on webBikeWorld.

Apparently, Triumph is catering to the cry for more locally-produced motorcycles (yay). The plan is to increase the Hinckley Headquarter‘s figures to an annual output of 20,000 UK-produced bikes (from 15,000) for this year. That’s a far cry from the 7,000 – and further reduced 4,500 – motorcycles reported two years ago, when the brand announced that manufacturing of most of their bikes would be moved to Thailand. 

“According to Triumph, there are several other reasons for increasing production, including the success of the Trident 660, as well as the Tiger 900 range, and overall growth in the global dealer network and a bigger global footprint of the brand,” comments CarAndBike. 

“The Tiger 900 and Tiger 1200 will continue to be built in Thailand, but Triumph is also looking at producing these models in the UK factory, to sell to local markets.”

With the Hinckley headquarters expected to be working at full capacity in a scant nine months, (with the Tiger 1200, Tiger 900, Speed Triple and Rocket 3 to be manufactured locally before the end of 2022), we’re looking forward to the end result – as well as the 100 new jobs to be created in the process. 

Drop a comment below letting us know what you think, subscribe to our newsletter if you’d prefer we curate a list of the latest for you twice a week, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

*Media sourced from Hinckley, Leicester Mercury, DriveMAG Riders, Rider Magazine and CycleWorld*

The post Triumph: UK Bike Production to Expand for 2022 appeared first on webBikeWorld.

Only 60 units of each bike will be available across Europe, and VisorDown reports that 11 Interceptor 650s and 11 Continental GT650s have been “specially allocated” for the UK market. A lot of 120 similar bikes were made available for the manufacturer’s home market in India back in December, and they were all booked in a staggering 120 seconds.

While a similar level of enthusiasm is unlikely when it goes on sale in the European market, we’re sure these bikes will sell out rather quickly. The Interceptor 650 is priced at £8,150, and the Continental GT650 will set you back £8,350. Both bikes have a unique black chrome color scheme and handcrafted brass tank badges.

Royal Enfield mentions on its website that the “die-cast brass badge on the motorcycle’s tank is handcrafted in collaboration with the ‘Sirpi’ (sculptor) Senthil family from the temple town of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. A family of artisans who for centuries and over multiple generations have dedicated their lives to create exemplary brass effigies exclusively for the most revered temples of India.”

Each motorcycle will also feature “its own unique serial number indicating that it is one of 60 unique motorcycles in Europe.”

If you’re interested in getting your hands on one of these unique motorcycles, your first step is to fill out a form on the Royal Enfield website. The bikes will then be available in a flash sale that will go live at 17:30 GMT on March 7th. Good luck!

The post Royal Enfield Reveals 120th Anniversary 650 Twins for Europe appeared first on webBikeWorld.

We don’t want to reword too much, so this will be a quote-heavy article for the reader – to keep his words as accurate as they are poignant.

“Dear colleagues,” Sardarov writes. 

“I would like to address you in these difficult times as I’m sure you are aware that there is a war inflaming between Russia and Ukraine. For me, as a Russian, it is the biggest tragedy of my 40 years of existence. I have never thought that I would feel so betrayed by the action of my own country.”

“I have a lot of friends in Ukraine and a lot of friends and family in Russia. During my upbringing and the upbringing of my parents, we always considered each other as closest brother nations.”

“We had free movement between our cities; we never considered each other different. We supported each other, we fell in love with each other – before these horrific atrocities were conducted by the Russian regime.”

“All my family is shocked, all the people that I know are shocked, angry, and feel betrayed.

The repercussions for Europe and the whole world are very unpredictable.

The rhetoric that is coming out from the Russian and Western media is so polarised that it is making me sick. I believe that most of Russians also feel the same. Russians are a very proud nation and in our history no one has ever betrayed us more than this regime led by Putin.”

“My thoughts and prayers are going to all the Ukrainian people and the poor Russian soldiers, young boys that have been thrown into this brother-killing conflict.”

“Sorry for emotions, but I don’t have many people to express them to and I consider all of you my family. Sincerely, Timur Sardarov.”

When Sardarov met the previous CEO of MV Agusta back in 2016, the CEO Magazine tells us that he fell in love with the brand and injected it with the capital needed to launch the label to what it is today, taking over as CEO in 2018 and stating that “motorcycles are the new symbol of freedom.”

In a world where anyone can be anything, what a massive perk to be able to swing a leg over, then, and ride – and our very best to those fighting for their right to that same freedom. 

Drop a comment below letting us know what you think.  Be sure to also subscribe to our newsletter, Behind the Visor, in the off chance that our curated lists of the latest are more convenient for your daily gander, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

*Media sourced from Magzter, MCN, Ruetir, the CEO magazine, and Motorcycles news*

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What has been a driving force for manufacturers of late is getting the best balance of price to performance, and as such, major brands have been cutting prices to make their sportbikes more attractive. This has led to some bikes that were previously not in the right price range for this list now being widely available, albeit at the very upper edge towards the budget cap

Keep in mind, this list is just one opinion. Your bike lists may be slightly or wildly different, and if you do not like a choice on this list, there is no intent to offend. We collectively here at WebBikeWorld put our minds together to find the best that we could agree on, and we honestly expect differences in opinion to shape any such list. With that said, on to our favorites!

New Or Newly Updated Sportbikes For 2022

Overall Winner: 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7

When the Yamaha R6 was discontinued, there was much whispering and muttering between all of us here at wBW about what bike would fill the void. The R6 was the ultimate balancing act, being both a 600cc supersport on the track and a rideable daily motorcycle for the street. It was, however, not new rider friendly at all, and required an experienced hand on the throttle to not lift its front wheel unexpectedly.

So when the YZF-R7 was announced, priced competitively at $8,999, and then almost immediately went on sale in mid-2021, imagine our surprise in that not only did it borrow the excellent engine from the MT-07, the 689cc crossplane CP2 parallel twin, it also brought a much more linear power curve and easier to ride handling characteristics. It’s still a bike that will devour the track as if born for it, as it was designed to compete in the MotoAmerica Super Twins championship, yet it is much more new rider friendly for those looking for a sportbike for the street that won’t throw them off the first chance it gets.

While it is nicer to new riders, however, we still feel around the wBW staff that this is a bike to graduate up to from a 650cc sport-tourer or a 300 to 500cc sportbike after a couple of seasons. It handles superbly, has more than enough power to get the grin fully charged up, and has rider aids aplenty, but it’s still got that Yamaha edge that makes it just a tiny bit scary (which is a good thing!).

Best Sportbike For New Riders: 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400

In “ye olde days” of sportbikes, anything under 500cc’s was often scoffed at as “not a real sportbike.” Now, in 2022, Kawasaki Motorcycle’s newly redesigned Ninja 400 is both a great mid-life refresh of a great starter bike, and also more than capable enough of bringing seasons of fun to a new rider. The biggest change since its introduction in 2018 has been the implementation, which has happened almost across the range of Kawasaki’s bikes, of the newer, easier to read TFT screen in both day and night lighting conditions, as well as the upgraded ABS and introduction of Ergo-Fit personalization options.

Powered by a 399cc parallel twin, the Ninja 400 puts out “just” 50 HP and 28 lb-ft of torque, but compared to the Ninja 300 it replaced, it went on a crash diet and comes in at a wet weight of only 370 lbs. This gives it a mighty 0.135 hp-to-lbs ratio, something a lot of high performance and even supercars can’t manage. It’s also enough, and not too much, to let a new rider get used to how a sportbike carves corners, loves canyon runs, and let them build the confidence they need to enjoy decades in the saddle.

Priced at $5,599 for under 500cc’s, it is also positioned favorably for a lower insurance tier than a 600cc supersport would be, is one of the best bikes you can get for that kind of money, and with Kawasaki’s nearly bulletproof parallel twins, as long as you keep it oiled and maintained, you’ll get tens of thousands of miles out of the bike without issue.

Best All-New Bike: 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS

Take a popular naked motorcycle, the Z650. Take off all the modern, angular bodywork. Give it a slightly more robust rear spring, rework the front forks to give better road feel, and slap some 1960’s era Cafe-inspired bodywork and gauges on it. You get the 2022 Z650 RS, the newest member of Kawasaki’s retro class along with the Z900RS and the W800.

This is not to say, however, that this bike rides or goes like a retro bike. The engine, with a mild tweak over the standard Z650, produces almost right on 70 HP, and produces a healthy 48 lbs-ft of torque from its 649cc parallel twin. What really impresses, however, is how, despite using almost the same frame and the same engine from its naked cousin, the bike feels a lot more raw and connected. We put that down to the work on the forks and suspension, letting more of the road travel to your hands and to your butt in the saddle, without feeling the slight numbness that the Z650 has with its softer rear springs (in factory spec, at least).

As with 95% of Kawasaki’s model range, it is also priced perfectly at $8,999 with a whole range of goodies thrown in as standard. ABS is standard, it has two-stage dual throttle valves, an assist and slipper clutch, less aggressive footpeg position, and LED lights everywhere. They’ve even managed to put an LCD information screen between the tachometer and speedometer, giving you all the info you need, but not distracting you from enjoying the ride.

Best Continuing Production & Non-New Sportbikes For 2022

Best Value Sportbike: 2022 Suzuki SV650 ABS

If you ask any sport touring, sportbike, or supersport rider what the best bike to get that will get you the most value for your money, and also be a great new rider and experienced rider bike, the Suzuki SV650, in any of its forms, is almost always the number one recommendation. We ever put our heads together here and we all agreed that the SV650 is just that good.

It also helps that it is one of the few V-Twin sportbikes that doesn’t count as a supersport, meaning that the unique feel of two cylinders thundering away in a V, and the throaty roar that results, can be yours for just $7,749. Powered by the long-proven and kind-of-hard-to-destroy 645cc V-twin that has been around through multiple evolutions, you get a grunty 72 HP and 47 lb-ft of torque at the control of your right wrist.

As those same enthusiasts mentioned in the intro will also attest to, the SV650 ABS is ridiculously easy to ride, either as a commuter bike in traffic, or out carving the twisties on the weekend. As well, unlike the sympathetic vibrations two pistons riding up and down beside each other causes in parallel twin bikes, the V-twin gives the bike a gentle shake now and then when stopped at a light, letting you know it’s ready for more fun whenever you want to dial it up on the right handle.

Best European Sportbike: 2022 Aprilia RS660

There has rarely been a sportbike in modern history that was as anticipated and actually lived up to all the hype around it than the 2022 Aprilia RS660. A pure expression of sportbike design, race-derived electronics and suspension, an Italian flair about the whole thing, and being the most affordable of Aprilia’s stable of sportbikes and superbikes.

While it does come in at $11,299, what you get for that is, without argument, one of the best all-around bikes in the sportbike category. 100 HP at 10,500 RPM from a 659cc parallel twin that has been fettled and tuned to produce not only that power, but also a noise that is unmistakable as anything other than Italian. Add to that the rider aids that come packaged with the bike, including traction control, wheelie control, electronic cruise control, up-and-down quickshifter, intelligent variable engine braking control, multiple engine maps, and a full suite of ABS systems including cornering ABS.

Superb handling, grunty torque, a surprisingly comfortable riding position, and that low, long, lean look make this a sportbike that anyone considering both some track and street time should definitely look at. While the first batch in 2021 did have a couple of gremlins, those have been fixed in the 2022 model and it is now as reliable as any bike you could buy.

Honorable Mentions

These sportbikes may not be the best in their class or be the best value, but they still deserve a look if you’re shopping around for a new sportbike that doesn’t match up with any of our choices above.

2022 Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS

Kawasaki are the kings of value for money with their aggressive pricing and full-meal-deal packages you can get that include everything, and the kitchen sink, in their standard models. For the taller and heavier rider that doesn’t quite squeeze onto a Ninja 400, or a rider that is looking for a more relaxed position more akin to standard instead of sport, the 650 ABS is your answer.

Still classified as a sportbike, the Ninja 650 ABS is more properly a sport-tourer, a bike that is designed to eat up the miles while also giving you a thrill a minute. At $8,499, it’s also immensely affordable for the new or intermediate rider, and happily rides as both a comfortable commuter and a corner-carving weekend rocket. Its 649cc parallel twin has quickly become the stuff of legends, with an accessible 70 HP and 50 lb-ft of torque giving it plenty of get up and go. It is also a great first bike for the taller or heavier rider, as the torque is very linear and the clutch is full of feel combined with a very easy pull.

2022 Honda CBR600RR

With the Yamaha R6 now discontinued, those looking for a pure supersport bike with pedigree and an engine that screams into the tens of thousands of RPM have a new champion, the venerated and long-lived Honda CBR600RR. Make no mistake, this is a thoroughbred with mirrors, a bike designed to annihilate a track and is most definitely not the most comfortable thing to ride on the streets.

At $11,999, it’s also priced fairly high, but what you get is Honda’s entire racing history distilled into a motorcycle. Four pistons, 599cc’s, a 15,000 RPM redline, and 118 HP with an aggressively close-ratio six-speed transmission will fire this road rocket down any front straightway at pace, and easily get you well into illegal speeds in first gear on the road. However, if you’re looking for a proper 600cc supersport and the Kawasaki ZX-6R or Suzuki GSX-R600 don’t tickle your fancy, then Honda has the answer for your needs.

2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT

An all-new offering from Suzuki, the GSX-S1000GT is one of those weird experiments that shouldn’t really work, but do. Taking the 999cc inline-four from the GSX-R1000R and taming it down a little, putting it into a chassis that has been modified to have a much more standard seating position, mid-mounted pegs, and a raised set of handlebars, and then slapping a windscreen in front and giving it all the newest electronics results in what can only be described as one of the most powerful naturally aspirated sport-tourers available on the market.

Priced at $13,149, you still get all the power you really need at 150 HP at 11,000 RPM, and a gutsy 78 lb-ft of torque at 9,250 RPM, yet you can hang a pair of side cases off the back, and set the electronic cruise control so you can give your wrist a rest as you ride between cities. The bike will carve any canyon you point it towards with aplomb, yet it will smooth out the bumps and lumps of a long interstate ride so you arrive without feeling fatigued. It’s one of those bikes, as stated, that really shouldn’t be as good as it is, yet it is very good at what it was designed to do.

The post Our Favorite 2022 Model Year Sportbikes Under $15,000 appeared first on webBikeWorld.

“The world’s premier motorcycle lifestyle event will feature three-anniversary classes, a specialty class of four-wheeled machines, a selection of food and beverage offerings, bike and gear demonstrations, and a brand-new customization award presented in honor of the late Arlen Ness,” states the relevant press release. 

Celebrating twelve years of success, the Quail Motorcycle Gathering is a motorcycle rally and Concours d’Elegance held in homage to the evolution of the motorcycle, with special attention given to the world’s pre and post-war finest. 

The docket for this year includes the Harley-Davidson XR-750 (presented as “the most dominant production race bike ever built and raced by greats such as Mert Lawwill and Jay Springsteen”), as well as an iconic two-stroke ‘braap’ display showing off Motocross bikes like the Yamaha YZ490 and MotoGP Two-Stroke 500cc race bikes. 

The Quail rounds up the front of the line with the stunning BMW /5 series; a fleet of motorcycles that were “made entirely in Berlin from 1970 to 1973 and featured electric starting and telescopic forks.”

“The Peninsula Signature Events team is thrilled for the return of The Quail Motorcycle Gathering featuring one of the finest and rarest vintage and modern motorcycle collections in the world,” says Kai Lermen, General Manager of Quail Lodge & Golf Club. 

“Additionally, our 12th annual celebration introduces an entirely new class of hot rods and classic cars to appeal to a more diverse crowd of motoring enthusiasts offering something for everyone. We expect the 2022 event to be one of the best gatherings to date.”

For the first time, General Public Admission Only tickets are being made available at $55 – that includes two-wheeled parking and gear valet service, after which point attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the local food trucks in the new concessions pavilion. 

If you’re looking into General Public Admission + Hospitality tickets, those are clipping the wallet at $90 and “include a lunch in a private seating area, including a buffet of culinary delights and non-alcoholic beverages.”

Stay tuned for updates, let us know what you think by dropping a comment below, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

*Media sourced from RideApart, UM, Pipeburn, the Kick Start Cafe, Robb Report, and Asphalt & Rubber*

The post 2022 Quail Motorcycle Gathering to Present Five Features Classes appeared first on webBikeWorld.

The report from VisorDown states that other bike brands present will include BMW, as well as specialty brand Langen and upcoming electric bike brand Maeving – the last of which made quite the recent splash with the reveal of their RM1, an electric machine with a swappable-battery system.

“Motorcycle Mancunia showcases the very best of UK custom motorcycles alongside major manufacturers served with the finest local coffee, beer, and killer BBQ,” states their website. 

“There will be an opportunity to ‘ride before you buy’ new 2022 models, an indoor electric zone for electric bike test rides, loads of apparel, accessory and parts stands to meet and discuss their products alongside a host of stunning bike displays from the best custom builders.”

“If that wasn’t enough, a beer festival provides the refreshment showcasing local and regional brews complete with a ‘no and low’ bar if you’re riding and some of the best coffee in Manchester,” it adds. 

On top of the obligatory fun time, Will Evans, the show’s co-promoter, has stated his own passion on the topic: 

“We really want to bring something fresh to Manchester. We want to bring together lovers of not just bikes but music, fashion, and food.” 

“We can’t wait to share this mix of brews, blades, and barbeque with Manchester.”

https://www.visordown.com/news/general/new-motorcycle-show-mancunia-motorcycle-festival-set-launch-may

Stick around for the early bird ticket offer – we’re told it will be revealed shortly, so check out their website to stay tuned. 

Be sure to also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any of the week’s to-do, and as always – stay safe on the twisties. 

*Media sourced from Proper Manchester, Visordown, MCN and Mancunia Motorcycle*

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