#anniversary

Piaggio is celebrating its 140th birthday with the release of a special edition Vespa that may prove to be the one of its most exclusive models ever. Based on the Vespa GTV, the Vespa 140th of Piaggio is limited to a maximum of 140 units, and will only be available for sale for four days, and only in select markets (those of us in North America are unfortunately out of luck).

Ducati is preparing a special edition Panigale V4 SP2 to recognize the anniversary of one of its most historically significant superbikes, the 916. The confirmation comes to us via an executive order from the California Air Resources Board that certifies a 2024 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 30° Anniversario 916.

In September of 2023, Kawasaki Motors celebrates its 70th anniversary of making motorcycles, first making its forays into the motorcycle business in 1953. After the end of World War II, Kawasaki produced motorcycle engines under the name of “Kawasaki Machine Works.” Since then, Kawasaki has continued to Let the Good Times Roll and has strived to share “Fun to Ride” motorcycles with our customers around the world. Today, Kawasaki motorcycles are sold in more than 90 countries and regions.

Marking the brand's 100th anniversary, 2023 was already shaping up to be a momentous year for BMW Motorrad, but today, the company reached another big milestone: the production of the 1 millionth Boxer-engined GS. The landmark model, an R 1250 GS in Triple Black, continues a tradition that began in 1980 with the R 80 G/S, and for the first time, BMW officially confirmed that tradition will continue with the R 1300 GS.

Harley-Davidson turns 120 this year, and to celebrate model year 2023, The Motor Company has turned to its once-every-five-year playbook and unveiled seven limited-edition models to commemorate the occasion. Say hello to the:

We’re just a few days into the new year, and Harley-Davidson has already started shipping 2023 models to dealerships. These are mainly carry-over models, returning for 2023 with new colors, which should prepare dealers ahead of Harley-Davidson’s launch event on Jan. 18.

In celebration of 60 years of James Bond flicks, Triumph – which was featured in the 2021 hit No Time To Die – has released the ultra-limited edition Speed Triple RR Bond Edition. How limited? Only 60 units will be made, to commemorate the anniversary.

Add Moto Guzzi to the very short list of manufacturers able to say they’ve been in existence for 100 years. Today – March 15, 2021 – marks the 100-year mark for one of Italy’s famed motorcycle brands, which can also lay claim to having every single one of its models since the beginning roll out from the same door in Mandello del Lario.

A new executive order published by the California Air Resources Board confirms two new 2020 models celebrating the 100 years of the Indian Scout. The CARB document certifies a new Indian Scout 100th Anniversary model as well as a new Indian Scout Bobber Twenty.

Right, when BMW told us they were done with R nineT models a year or so ago, they never said they were done with R nineT SLASH FIVES! Upon homing in on the /5 at the end of the press release this morning, I thought oh cool, a new small boxer… but that is not the case. The original /5 bikes of 1969 were available in 500, 600 and 750 sizes (R50/5, R60/5 and R75/5), but this one’s powered by the same 1170cc boxer twin all the other R nineTs use. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. This one’s more a styling homage to the old /5.

The year 2016 marks BMW’s 100th year of existence, and part of its centenary celebrations is unveiling what it believes the future will hold for its library of brands. We’ve previously seen concepts from BMW and its automotive relatives Rolls Royce and Mini as part of what the German company terms its Vision vehicles.

Zero Motorcycles turns 10 years old in 2016, and anyone who has followed the company’s progress, even from the periphery, can’t deny the progress Zero has made in advancing electric motorcycles. Giving his take on the electric motorcycle movement, and the role Zero Motorcycles has played in it, is company CTO Abe Askenazi. In his statement below, Abe argues the benefits of electric propulsion (though range and charge times are curiously absent from his statment). Clearly he has a stake in the electric game, but for those unfamiliar with Askenazi you should know that he spent a significant portion of his career in a similar role working alongside Erik Buell at Buell Motorcycles. A company, if you’ll remember, whose name was built on building a sportbike out of the unmistakable, gasoline-burning Harley-Davidson V-Twin. -TS

On March 1, 2016 Kawasaki celebrated 50 successful years of operation in the USA . To commemorate the anniversary, KMC sent the following press release, and will continue sending occasional press releases showcasing its history. This first edition showcases KMC’s humble beginnings not in California, but in old-town Chicago.

Suzuki’s GSX-R750 is arguably the most influential sportbike of all time, and 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of when the original GSX-R750 debuted on American soil. The Gixxer 750 is now bookended by 600cc and 1000cc versions, but the 750 remains one of the best-balanced sportbikes on the market. Our Australian correspondent, Jeff Ware, has loads of experience with the GSX-R750, being a longtime motojourno and the restorer of the 1985 Gixxer used in the article below. Ware outlines the history of the GSX-R750 and compares his original GSX-R with its contemporary brother to illustrate the evolution of the sportbike over the past three decades. Enjoy! —Kevin Duke, Editor-in-Chief

To celebrate 70 years of Vespa, for 2016 the company is offering the Primavera, GTS and PX in an exclusive color scheme: the Azzurro 70. This unique paintwork  include a dark brown saddle, finished with contrasting beige piping and a Vespa Settantesimo logo placed on the passenger seat. The three Settantesimo models are also characterized by a dedicated graphic on the side fairings and an identification plate on the door of the front glove compartment. Lastly, the wheels are painted are painted in a non-standard color.