English news outlet The Guardian published a story this week about the coming revival of an iconic British motorcycle brand, BSA. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mankind Group conglomerate, announced his plan to “resurrect the British motorcycle industry” by relaunching BSA Motorcycles Company, not in India, but in the UK.
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Harley-Davidson has always been a brand associated with racing, in many forms. Whether road or dirt, drag strip or hill climb, and everything in between, at some time in their long history, Harley has raced it all. Over the years, the Motor Company has sponsored and supported official factory race teams, partnering with AMA, NHRA, AFT among others. In recent years, that scope has narrowed to NHRA and American Flat Track (AFT), yet with great success- the Harley team partnered with Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines, and has won 107 races and 10 championships in NHRA Motorcycle Drag Racing, and their factory Harley-Davidson flat track teams have won numerous AFT races and even the 2020 Production Twins championship this season.
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The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, the annual world wide motorcycle event that attracts hundreds of thousands of riders every year, made a major announcement regarding their 10-year anniversary in 2021. The ride, which raises awareness and funds for prostate cancer and men’s mental health, was first launched in 2012, and has been grown into a world motorcycle ride encompassing every continent on the planet with the exception of Antarctica. Since it’s inception in Sydney, Australia, the ride had always been held on the last Sunday in September, officially going “kick stands up” at 10:00 AM in Sydney, then across the globe as rides roll out when their time zones hit that mark. The ride has spread to include over 316,000 riders, in 104 countries, and has raised nearly $25 million in USD in its first nine years.
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After rolling into a gas station while out on a day ride, a young lady across the pump from me quipped, “That looks like fun. What kind of motorcycle is it?” I shared it was a Royal Enfield Himalayan, to which she jokingly replied, “Himalayan! It’s a long way from home!” When I told her a bit more about the bike, including what they sell for here in the States, she exclaimed, “Wow, now that’s a bike I would ride!” She thanked me then drove off in her SUV as I reflected on our brief conversation. It was living proof of what I think Royal Enfield is up to with this bike- a small, lightweight, simple, affordable, do-everything motorcycle for the masses. Could the Himalayan really be the best value ADV for the money? Maybe the best value motorcycle for the money?
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In a worldwide web premier, Triumph Motorcycles unveiled the all-new Trident 660 Triple, the roadster they’ve been hinting at since August. With a spectacular online introduction, Triumph rolled out the 2021 model, the newest entry into the brand’s lineup, and their smallest in the fleet. Targeted squarely at the middleweight “street fighter,” naked sport bike category currently populated with the likes of the Honda CB650R, Kawasaki Z650, and the Yamaha MT-07, Triumph just lit a stick of Trident dynamite and tossed it middle of the fray. Price-wise, the Trident should fall right in the middle of these, with MSRP looking to be around $7995-8120, depending on configuration, of which there are four at the moment on their website.
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The titles were pretty much sealed up in each race class before the final MotoAmerica round of the 2020 season was even upon us, but that fact didn’t detract from a thrilling weekend of racing on the fabled Laguna Seca in Monterrey, California. The reigning champions in each class finished the season in dominating fashion, taking every one of their respective races, the only exception being 2020 Supersport champ Richie Escalante, who retired with tech problems from race one, then battled with Sean Dylan Kelly for a 2nd place finish in race two.
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We rolled into the parking lot of Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, anticipating an enjoyable walk back through the annals of American motorcycle history. As with everywhere we rode the Yamaha Nikens, a gathering of gawkers closed in, slack jawed and cameras snapping. An old curmudgeon in a “brand specific” shirt shuffled up to Ted, who was still removing his helmet, and loudly asked in a deep Southern drawl, “Whut da hail is ‘at??” Ted smiled and replied, “It’s a Yamaha Niken.” Before he could offer any details, the old codger declared, “Ha, more like a Yamaha nuthin!” There was a brief moment of stunned silence on our part, as he ambled around the bike, chuckling. Did this clown really just insult the motorcycle of a total stranger??
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Nestled among the ancient, sublime Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina, down a winding, narrow road through a verdant valley, lies a secluded, 40+ acre motorcycle resort that attracts riders from across the continent and even the world. Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge & Resort, first established in 2003 “by riders for riders”, resides along a meandering, burbling creek fed by chilly mountain waters, and serves as the perfect base camp for some of the best motorcycle riding in North America.
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But the Superbike star for the weekend would have to be Bobby Fong of M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. After snatching the lead in race one on Saturday after Beaubier crashed out, Fong fought off Beaubier’s Attack Yamaha teammate Jake Gagne for the win. Then the Suzuki rider claimed the 2nd step in race two, and dominated race three after teammate Toni Elias crashed out in front of him, as did Jake Gagne behind him.
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