Touring motorcycles are a special breed. They need to be strong and reliable, and able to accelerate to highway speeds...
Cruisers
Cruisers large and small are becoming one of the top road-going motorcycle categories. They offer riders comfort, touring capacity, power and performance. The cruiser market is dominated by Harley-Davidson, but the four Japanese manufacturers and other companies such as Triumph, Moto Guzzi and even Ducati make cruisers. We preview coming models, attend new product launches around the world and road test cruisers for performance, handling, comfort, style, economy and more.
Cruisers are some of the most iconic motorcycles ever made. They’re instantly recognizable thanks to their relaxed riding position, wide...
“A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step,” is quite a famous saying. Considering the appropriate learning curve of a new rider, we say that getting a motorcycle is probably around step 3, after step 1, taking a training course, and step 2, getting all your personal protective...
Over the years, American motorcycle manufacturers have produced some of the most exciting and iconic models in the industry. Few...
Putting together a list of the best sportbikes ever made is no easy feat. By their nature, sportbikes are about...
Yamaha Motor Australia has slashed $2000 from the price of its learner-approved V-Star 650 cruiser to compete with other learner cruisers in the market. The XVS650A Classic was $11,299 and is now $9299 while the XVS650 Custom was $10,799 and is now $8799. (All prices in this article are retail...
India is launching its first chopper motorcycles company, Avantura Choppers, with an American frame designer and premium bolt-on parts. Avantura...
The Indian Scout has quickly become the company’s biggest-selling motorcycle and now they have added the Scout Sixty with a...
I felt a bit like Captain America riding around on the military-painted Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S with its massive 110-cube Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam. There is a strange mixture of modern, fuel-injected power and old, stripped-down Panhead aesthetics about this bike. SEE ALL THE PHOTOS I especially love the way you...
For the first time Harley-Davidson has squeezed its 110-cube Twin Cam, normally reserved for CVO models, into a Fat Boy...
I used to joke that the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 came with iron suspension, but a new rear shock softens...
A suspension tweak, new colours and a more comfortable seat make the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight much more than just a cafe cruiser. If it weren’t for the puny 8-litre peanut tank, it would be a comfortable cruiser for some inter-city travels. The key to the 2016 update is the...
I’ve now ridden the Indian Scout mid-weight cruiser in three countries and my impressions of this bike have hardly changed...
Australian Moto Guzzi fans now have five California cruisers to choose from with the introduction of the Audace ($23,500 ride...
Harley-Davidson has shoehorned the High Output 103 Twin Cam engine into its fleet of Softail and Dynas, but some countries, such as Australia, will have to wait for the more powerful Dyna. READ ABOUT THE 2016 HARLEYS The High Output engine has extra bottom-end torque thanks to bigger cams, but...
For the first time, Harley-Davidson has shoehorned the Twin Cam 110B (1800cc) Screamin’ Eagle engine into “standard” bikes for more...
Apart from the first electric motorcycles from Victory Motorcycles, the Empulse TT, the only changes in the 2016 model line-up...
The 2016 Indian Motorcycle range is wearing some new paint, including a “pearl white” Chief Classic, a “blue diamond” Roadmaster, “wildfire red” Scout and a silver and black Chieftain. There are no new models added to the line-up, although there had been unconfirmed rumours about a smaller capacity Scout. In...
When too much power is not enough, the Triumph Thunderbird Storm is just the muscle cruiser for you. It’s basically...
The Harley-Davidson Low Rider has been around – on and off – since 1977 and in 2014 it was revived...
BMW looks set to return to cruisers – or at least cruiser-style baggers – with the release of the Concept 101 built in a joint venture with Roland Sands Design. The last time the Bavarian manufacturer and LA custom builder got together they produced the Concept Ninety which became the...
The Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special is a rare treat with power and spirit that are addictive. Test riders should...
https://youtu.be/CPPWATnnw18 The mean-looking blacked-out Indian Chief Dark Horse arrives in Australia in May 2015 at $26,995 ride away. Indian Motorcycle...
Suzuki is staking a claim for the lead in the cruiser market in Australia with a LAMS Boulevard S40. Current top seller is the Yamaha XVS650 which starts at $10,499 (plus on-road costs), but the little 652cc Boulevard S40 will arrive in January for just $7990. The classic-styled cruisers will...
American exotic motorcycle manufacturer Confederate has enlisted the help of a former Ducati designer to create a very special and...
Sometimes the planets align and all your ducks are in a row. That was today when I got to ride...
The Harley-Davidson SuperLow XL1200T is not made for me, yet somehow I like it. The SuperLow is, as its name suggests, super low with a 663mm seat height. It’s built for smaller people than my 185cm frame. Short people, women and maybe novice riders will enjoy the easy reach to...
Korean motorcycle company Hyosung needs an injection of new blood and, thankfully, it looks like it is about to...
The Victory Cross Roads Classic is a soft bagger that is made for the long haul. I reviewed the...
(UPDATE JULY 21: Harley has just confirmed the Road Glide will return for 2015.) I’d like odds on Harley-Davidson reintroducing the bull-nosed Road Glide in September for the 2015 model year. The Road Glide is like a Street Glide, but with the fairing mounted to the chassis rather than the...
The new Yamaha Stryker is the second in the comprehensive Star cruiser line-up to feature a modern, minimalist style, following...
Getting to the annual HOG Rally is half the fun. This year, a contingent of motorcycle media rode Harley-Davidson...
A 1500km road test over three days on some treacherously bumpy and slippery roads in steaming heat and cold rain has confirmed that the Indian Chieftain is a competent long hauler. It’s comfortable, powerful, refined, a real head-turner and, at $35,995 ride away, it’s also great value for money,...
The Harley-Davidson Street 500 and 750 have launched in India and the indications are that the prices will be very...
Victory Motorcycles has unveiled its first new bike in two years – a cut-down, solo-seat bobber named after a character...
I won’t start singing Under the Boardwalk, but I will sing the praises of the Victory Boardwalk, a cruiser that turns heads and turns corners, too. There is no doubting the retro styling with the swooping tank, deep valanced fenders with their Saxon-axe-shaped ends, the 60-spoke wire wheels, white-wall tyres...
Remember that famous Harley-Davidson Fat Boy jump in Terminator 2: Judgement Day? Next to The Great Escape jump, it’s probably...
Harley-Davidson’s big frame-mounted tourer, the Road Glide, is making a comeback. The bike was axed for 2014 and, as I...
I get tired of defending cruisers from critics who’ve never ridden one or don’t know how. Instead, I should just throw them the keys to a Victory Vegas 8-Ball. Here is a cruiser that looks like a work of art that should be hanging in an art gallery somewhere not...
As Harley-Davidson is about to release its 2013 earnings figures, there have also been leaks of the power figures for...
The Harley-Davidson Street 750 motorcycle will make its motorsport debut on ice well before it hits the streets. Australia...
Victory has added the word “Tour” to its Victory Vision and made it one of the best options for those who want to tour the country. The Vision Tour now has cruise control, heated seats and grips, ABS and adjustable floorboards, all for $30,495 ride away. That’s cheaper than many...
Now that’s what I call service – the technicians from Victory and Indian Motorcycles in Brisbane travelled 526km to Walcha...
The Victory High-Ball is a badass machine full of aggression and attitude. SEE ALL THE PHOTOS HERE With its...
Victory Motorcycles is clearing its stock of 2013 with a range of incentives to make way for the 2014 line-up. If you buy a 2013 Victory Vision, Cross Country or Cross Roads this month you will get $1500 worth of victory accessories or apparel. If you buy any of the...
While this year will be remembered as the year of hi-tech, my pick for bike of the year is more...
Despite the numerous changes to the 2014 Harley-Davidson Street Glide, there are two that stand out the most. Well,...
2013 has undoubtedly been the year of the Indian Chief. Thanks to Polaris profits and industrial acumen, the iconic American brand was reborn at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August and has this month finally hit Australian shores. It’s a bold statement and a classic ride, but with modern technology...
Victory Motorcycles just keep getting more and more attractive – in looks and price. For 2014 they have optional factory...
The Valkyrie is riding back! The trimmed-down Honda GoldWing was a big hit back in Australia until it was phased...
Honda doesn’t seem content following the herd. Consequently the CTX1300 was unveiled at the Milan motorcycle show. It’s a cross between a tourer and cruiser. There’s also a little bit of scooter in there and even some F6B GoldWing. The CTX1300 is powered by the VFR1200 V4 engine with 62kW...
Usually I review new bikes, but recently I was offered a 2012 model Victory Jackpot that rolled out of their...
The Suzuki C50T is an aptly named cruiser. The C stands for classic, referring to its traditional big fenders, two-tone...
The Victory Judge was Number 10 in my top 10 sexiest bikes, so I thought I’d take another look at this gorgeous muscle cruiser. For 2014, the Victory Judge has become less aggressive with the bars moved back 10cm, the pegs moved forward 10cm, a two-piece seat and modern side panels...
A day riding the Indian Chief Vintage with brown leather saddle and bags leaves you feeling a bit like an...
Riders in hot climates should appreciate the cool, new Indian Chief. Indian Motorcycles product manager Gary Gray from the USA...
Yamaha XV1300: Most cruisers are air cooled and low revving, but the Yamaha XV1300A and T (touring model) are delightful exceptions. And now Yamaha Motors Australia has increased the appeal with a new industry leading five-year warranty with unlimited kilometres. It covers all nine Yammie cruisers from the entry level...
There may have been a revolution in the Harley-Davidson Touring line-up, but the rest of the 2014 fleet has only...
It took some time, but Harley-Davidson has suddenly come thundering into the 21st century, thanks to its Project Rushmore. The...
Harley-Davidson has solved a raft of “first-world problems” with its new Touring range. It’s not as if they have discovered a cure for cancer or how to feed the poor, but they have solved some very important problems that, for me at least, were deal breakers. I have loved the...