The storied Indian Motorcycles brand will enter a new era this August at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with the debut of the 2014 Indian Chief. Powered by the  all-new Thunder Stroke 111 engine, the new Chief will be the first new Indian motorcycle introduced after the company was acquired by Polaris Industries in 2011.

To prepare for the launch, Polaris has released a new image and video of the new Chief, and announced it will be available in North American dealerships later this year with prices starting at $18,999.

The teaser images offer up some details, though nothing not entirely unexpected. We already knew about the Thunder Stroke 111 engine and the Indian head fender light has been a long-time feature on Indian motorcycles. We can also see the silhouette of the headlight with smaller, auxiliary driving lights. The studs on the rider and pillion seat stand out clearly in the teaser image, as does the long, straight exhaust pipe. Continue Reading »

New documents released by the California Air Resources Board reveal the existence of a new model from Triumph to be called the America Horizon for the 2014 model year.

As its name implies, the 2014 Triumph America Horizon will likely be based on the existing Triumph America (the 2012 America is pictured above with touring accessories as an illustration.) The CARB documents confirm it will use the same 865cc parallel-Twin engine as the America as well as the Bonneville, Scrambler, Thruxton and the Speedmaster. We predict a claimed output of 60hp at 6800rpm and 53 ft-lb. at 3300 rpm as found on the Triumph America.

The documents reveal little other details about the new Triumph America Horizon though we can make some conjectures based on how it will likely fit into Triumph’s lineup. Continue Reading »

In a rare move, Harley-Davidson has unveiled a base version of its Breakout months after first launching the exclusive Custom Vehicle Operations version. Presented at the 2013 Daytona Bike Week, the 2013 Harley-Davidson Breakout offers a similar low and muscular profile as the CVO version but at prices starting at $17,899 compared to the premium model’s $26,999 price point.

Tom Roderick reviewed the 2013 Harley-Davidson CVO Breakout last August, saying it “continues the tradition of exclusivity, performance and style customers have come to expect from Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations.” But take away the premium CVO features and what do you have? We’ll find out soon after our resident Hipster-baiter Jon Langston completes his upcoming review.

In the meantime, here’s what we do know. The Breakout is powered by Harley-Davidson‘s Twin Cam 103B engine rather than the CVO model’s larger Twin Cam 110B engine. As with the CVO, a slender 130mm wide cast aluminum spoked wheel leads the way while the rear sports a thick 240mm tire. A chopped front fender contrasts against the Breakout’s thick fork while the drag-style handlebar and shaved fuel tank console help provide a low profile. Continue Reading »

Yamaha will reveal a new Star cruiser on March 9 during Daytona Bike Week. To promote the upcoming launch, Yamaha released a teaser video revealing a few fleeting glimpses of the new model along with the tag line “less is more”.

The video reveals some details such as dual rear shocks, a solo seat and a new single exhaust design. The key however is the “less is more” slogan which likely refers to the engine displacement. Most Star models have engines larger than 1000cc with the V Star models offering smaller engines in displacements of 942cc, 649cc and 249cc. Perhaps we can expect an engine in the 800cc range to compete against Harley-Davidson‘s 883cc Sportsters or Honda‘s 749cc Shadows.

Continue Reading »

Triumph has updated its Rocket III cruiser for 2013, adding more blacked-out components and a new seat, but perhaps the most significant change is what Triumph took away: the electronic torque limiter.

Previous versions of the Triumph Rocket III and the Rocket III Touring variant had its power and torque neutered in the first three gears. The reins are off for 2013 however, with the Rocket III’s 2294cc engine delivering full power in all gears. According to Triumph, the 2013 Rocket III offers 146 hp at 5750 rpm and 163 ft-lb. at 2750 rpm, the same specifications as the 2012 model, but without the restrictions in lower gears.

Previously, power was reduced by 2 hp in the first three gears while torque was reduced by a more dramatic 15.5 ft-lb.

Continue Reading »

We’ve seen a lot of teaser images in the motorcycle industry, but this might be the first time we’ve seen a teaser campaign for a helmet. But that’s what landed in our inbox, a grainy photo of an all-new helmet from Bell Powersports. The photo was also posted on Bell’s Facebook page with the caption “Something wicked this way comes—from Bell in 2013″.

The picture shows a helmet with a vented mask and what appears to be an attachment mount, perhaps suggesting the mask and chin bar is removable. A spokesperson from Bell’s PR agency says the new helmet  is for cruisers and is “like nothing else on the market today”.

Bell will release more information during the second week of January, and we’re curious to see what Bell has in store. We’re also curious about that small pencil eraser-shaped object not-so-subtly placed in front of the helmet. Check back at this space in the next few weeks for more details. Continue Reading »

Last week, we got a peak at the new touring version of the Moto Guzzi California 1400, the new flagship cruiser from the Italian brand. Piaggio has now presented the new California 1400 at the 2012 EICMA Show in both its touring trim and the custom version pictured above.

The new Moto Guzzi California 1400 is powered by a 1380cc V-Twin engine, which Piaggio claims is the largest V-Twin produced by an European manufacturer. The redesigned four-valve engine has the same stroke as the previous California’s 1151cc engine but with a larger 104mm bore. According to Piaggio, the engine produces 95 hp at 6500 rpm and 88.5 ft-lb. at 2750 rpm. Despite the larger engine displacement, Piaggio still claims a 15-20% improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous version. Continue Reading »

Photographs of the final production touring version of the Moto Guzzi California 1400 have emerged, just days before the bagger’s impending debut at the 2012 EICMA show.

The 2013 Moto Guzzi California 1400 will come equipped with ride-by-wire throttle, switchable maps, ABS, traction control and cruise control, making it perhaps the most technologically-advanced Moto Guzzi ever developed.

Powering the California 1400 is an air/oil-cooled 1380cc V-Twin engine mounted longitudinally in Moto Guzzi fashion. The engine is based on the previous California’s engine, but with a larger bore and the same stroke. The engine has a claimed output of 95 hp at 6500 rpm and 88.5 ft-lb. at 2750 rpm. Power is delivered through a six-speed transmission along a shaft drive to the rear wheel. Continue Reading »

Back in March, Piaggio Vice President of design Miguel Galluzzi revealed the Italian firm would release several versions of the new Moto Guzzi California 1400 including a full touring version. We’ve seen photographs of the new California in prototype form from Piaggio‘s North American dealer meeting, but we’ve now come across a picture of what looks like the final production version in full touring trim.

The picture,  appears to have been leaked from an official catalog photoshoot, shows the new Moto Guzzi California 1400 with hard bags, engine bars, extra lighting and windscreen. Unlike the prototype we saw in March, the one in this photograph has a slightly larger front fender, passenger grab handle, blacked-out engine, two-tone seat and longer pipes. Continue Reading »

Victory released a video teasing a new model for 2013, set to be unveiled at the end of the month.

The video only offers the briefest glimpse of the new model, the 2013 Victory Boardwalk. What we can see is the white paint color, a Kingpin-style rear fender and a similar fuel tank design as the Judge with its hard edges.

We’ll have more when the 2013 Victory Boardwalk is unveiled on July 30. Continue Reading »