National News

MILWAUKEE – In an end of year move that really isn’t that shocking, Eicher Motors Ltd. is making a €50 million investment in Spain-based electric motorcycle builder Stark Future SL. Eicher is the parent company of Royal Enfield. Stark Future makes middleweight models (the equivalent of 250cc to 750cc). Eicher …

The dates and locations for Ducati’s annual “Ready 4 Red” winter tour are out. The Italian brand will bring its 2023 models to 18 cities between Jan. 17 and March 18, including two in the Northeast. A “Ready 4 Red” tour stop in New York City is scheduled for Feb. …

Time for another edition of Oil Drippings, the catch-all column of news items that perhaps don’t justify a standalone post or somehow got overlooked along the way. Here goes: New 2023 Models From H-D Coming Next Month If you’re curious about Harley-Davidson’s 2023 lineup and are available at 11 a.m. …

TORRANCE, CA – Honda’s ongoing shift to an “all-electric future” for its products gets some high-profile exposure next month with its “Forever Determined” float entry in the 134th Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. The float will showcase electric-powered Honda products, including a private jet, a Honda S.U.V., an Acura race …

Some products and brands just naturally go together. Captain Morgan spiced rum and Coca-Cola come immediately to mind (although at this time of the year Southern Comfort-branded eggnog should perhaps be substituted for Coke). But what about an athletic shoe manufacturer from Germany and a motorcycle maker from Japan teaming …

BOSTON – There’s now proof that the term “donorcycle” has validity. Results of a study by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital released Monday reveal “the number of organ donations and organ transplants goes up markedly during large motorcycle rallies.” The research examined areas where the seven …

It’s been well over a month since the last installment of Oil Drippings. That’s the catch-all column of news items from near and far that maybe don’t warrant a full post or somehow fell through the cracks. Here goes: Two More Electric Models To Consider The growth of the electric …

MILAN, ITALY – It was inevitable that Royal Enfield would find more ways to use the mid-sized motor found in its INT 650 and Continental GT models, and today the company from India revealed a Super Meteor cruiser entry at the EICMA show. Two versions of the model are reportedly …

MILAN, ITALY – Suzuki is out today with two new mid-sized models; the V-Strom 800DE adventure entry and the GSX-8S naked bike, the reveals coming at the EICMA show. Both are powered by an all-new 776cc parallel twin engine with six-speed transmission and will be in dealerships in the spring. …

Nearly half of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur at night and a new study has found that “a reimagined lighting configuration” in front could help improve other motorists’ abilities to see riders. The study suggests that “six running lights from the top to the bottom of the motorcycle rather than …

It’s a long overdue fresh edition of Oil Drippings. It’s the catch-all column of recent news items from near and far that maybe don’t warrant a full post or somehow fell through the cracks. Here goes: Lower “S” Version of Kawasaki’s KLR650 The model has been around for 35 years …

MILWAUKEE – LiveWire became “the first publicly traded EV motorcycle company in the U.S.” today and marked the occasion announcing that it’s now taking orders for a production version of its urban-oriented, dirt track-inspired S2 Del Mar electric model. The “Launch Edition” of the model sold out in a 18 …

VARESE, ITALY – Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta is getting a higher profile in North America. Under a commercial agreement announced today, Austrian manufacturer KTM will distribute, promote and service MV Agusta models in the United States, Canada and Mexico. MV Agusta primarily builds high-end sport bikes that are as …

TORRANCE, CA – Honda has announced plans to “accelerate electrification of its motorcycle models” and will introduce 10 or more battery-powered models globally by 2025. Honda’s goal announced earlier this week is to “increase annual sales of electric models to 1 million units within the next five years, and 3.5 …

SANTA CRUZ, CA – Styling-wise, it’s not unlike other models in the adventure category. It has loads of clearance under the power plant and a requisite (if abbreviated) beak. At first glance, the new Zero DSR/X model unveiled today looks like it will fit right in. That is, until a …