Ducati today dropped a minor bombshell with the press release below, announcing testing for its prototype MotoE racer had already begun. For those unaware, Ducati is set to become the sole manufacturer for the MotoE World Cup starting in 2023, replacing Energica, whose contract as the sole – and so far only – manufacturer for MotoE expires at the end of the 2022 season.

This sweet Honda lost out to the Triumph Speed Triple ten years ago, mostly for a deficit of horsepower. But now that all ten-year old motorcycles are archaic compared to the current crop, we like it even better than we did then. The Honda CBR1000R was  light-handling, easy-riding and even nice to look at.

As I observed to my Ducati host just before we started up the mountain toward Idyllwild (elevation 5,800 feet) from Palm Desert, California (220 ft) – this is either going to be one of the greatest rides ever or one of the worst. Pity the poor new model launch planner: If it rains hard more than a few days a year around Palm Springs I’d be surprised. But logistics have to be laid out weeks ahead of time, and as the day for our ride drew nearer, the weather forecast for last Tuesday had evolved from 20% to 40% to 100% rain, to “atmospheric river.”

Harley-Davidson announced plans to take LiveWire public, making the brand the first publicly-traded electric motorcycle company in the U.S. The transaction is expected to raise net proceeds of $545 million which will be used to fund new product development.

When I got the call from Motorcycle.com asking if I’d be available to fly over to the Circuito de Jerez in Spain to test the new 2022 Ducati Panigale V4 S, not only did a certain grin return to my face, but also I was especially intrigued by two things: One, I had just finished participating in a seven bike heavyweight naked shootout with MO (see Battle Royale) with the 2021 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S finishing right up near the top of my personal list. But two, I got the opportunity a few years back to evaluate the 2019 Panigale V4 S Corse at both Laguna Seca and Pirelli’s test circuit, the Autodromo di Pergusa in Sicily. To ride Ducati’s latest Panigale V4 flagship once again, but some two and a half years later, might reveal a few of the special ingredients the Bologna factory has unearthed to help explain this seemingly magic formula they’ve cooked up in both MotoGP and World Superbike.

With all due respect to its Multistrada models, Ducati‘s current adventure bike offerings are better suited for paved streets with the occasional sojourn on fire roads. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. After all, we did just pick the Multistrada V4 S as our MOBO winner for the best sport-tourig motorcycle of 2021. If you were looking for a more off-road performance from Ducati, you now have a better option in the new 2022 Ducati DesertX. With long-travel suspension, a 21-inch front wheel and a large fuel tank (plus an optional second tank), the 2022 DesertX is Ducati’s new entry to the highly competitive middleweight adventure bike segment.

Triumph has finally spilled the beans on its thoroughly redesigned Tiger 1200. A substantial reduction in weight and an emphasis on power and handling is the name of the game for 2022. Bringing its big ADV into line with the 900s, the Tiger 1200 will be offered in five trims: GT, GT Pro, GT Explorer, Rally Pro, and Rally Explorer which follow the same naming scheme with the GT trims being more road-focused while the Rally versions offer off-road accoutrement such as larger wheels and more suspension travel. The Explorer models also hold 7.9 gallons of petrol with the other trims utilizing a 5.2 gallon tank.

In Triumph’s modern classic line it has the Thruxton, a contemporary interpretation of the classic cafe racer that mimics styling from the golden era of when those machines were quite literally raced from cafe to cafe in search of “the ton.” For 2020, the British manufacturer took that machine a step further with the Thruxton RS, sprinkling on top-shelf components to give the “modern classic” modern performance.

The 2021 EICMA show was a lot more subdued than previous iterations, without very many big surprises. Most of the bikes that were shown were expected to some degree, and many were evolutionary updates to motorcycles that have been around for a few years.

Ducati revealed new Panigale V4 and V4 S models for 2022, announcing updates to the aerodynamics, ergonomics, chassis, engine and electronics. These evolutionary changes represent the most significant update since the V4’s debut in 2018, and the result of input from Ducati’s racing program.

Twists. Turns. Suspense. Being the track portion of our mega 7-bike Heavyweight Naked Bike Shootout you’d think we’re talking about the sinuous nature of racetrack testing. No, sir. This is the plotline that would come to define this test! After conducting the street portion, some would say the outcome basically worked out as expected. Which would mean the track portion would follow suit, right? Well, as the late, great Nicky Hayden once said, “That’s why we line up on Sunday.” 

Just as Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri, and Massimo Tamburini started doing in Rimini in 1973, Bimota is still cranking out exotic motorcycles to make us swoon, clutch our pearls, and check our 401k balances. If it starts with “K,” then this one must contain an inline Kawasaki engine, and that the KB4 does. This 77 x 56mm, 1043 cc Four is lifted from the current Ninja 1000 SX, which churned out 124 rear-wheel ponies and 75 lb-ft of torque when we had the pleasure of testing one last year. These two, really, since, there’s a standard KB4 and a “Vintage-Inspired” KB4-RC (RaceCafe’).

The timing couldn’t have been better with the 2022 Ducati Streetfighter V2 introduction. As frequent Motorcycle.com readers know, we’ve just spent the last five months testing every class of the ultra-hot naked motorcycle market. What we’ve learned from those shootouts is that, no matter the displacement, naked bikes are more fun than humans should be allowed. However, for this tester, nothing compares to the combination of practicality and fun of the bikes in the 900(ish) cc category. With the torque to easily handle the everyday urban bump-and-grind, these bikes also have the power and handling to peg the Fun O Meter when the going gets twisty – on both the street and the track. And now Ducati has stepped in to reshuffle the class with a motorcycle that allows the Ducati Monster to be the roadster it always wanted to be, by giving it a sibling that takes a more bare-knuckled approach to the category thanks to the company’s “fight formula” first revealed with the Streetfighter V4. 

Fans of Moto Guzzi V85 TT who want to ride something special should take a look at the Moto Guzzi V85 TT Guardia d’Onore. Produced to honor the 75 year collaboration between Moto Guzzi and the Cuirassiers’ Regiment, the special Carabinieri unit responsible for the honor guard and security of the President of the Italian Republic, have worked together, the limited and numbered edition will be produced in a limited number of only 1,946 units. Although the modifications of this limited edition are small in number, they are distinctive. The black paint receives a decorative white stripe running from the front fender and across the tank to the side panel. The oversized touring windscreen also receives this striping – and an Italian flag displayed front and center. Other niceties include a center stand, engine guards, and auxiliary LED lights. Matching saddlebags are also available.

Fans of Royal Enfield’s Continental GT and Interceptor 650 owe it to themselves to take a long look at the SG650 Concept. This neoretro interpretation of the platform sure turned our heads. [UPDATE: Eicher Motors, which owns RE, had previously filed trademark applications in multiple markets for the name “Royal Enfield Shotgun”. We can surmise that may end up being the production name for the SG650 concept.]

Well the seat was a little high, at 34.6 inches, but that didn’t stop the Yamaha Ténéré 700 from doing very well in last summer’s blockbuster middleweight ADV comparison. Keeping it simple and keeping the weight down was a great recipe for success, and now Yamaha is fixin’ to take it to the next level with a Ténéré 700 Raid, for which this machine it showed at EICMA serves as prototype.

You already know Kawasaki’s lovable and affordable KLX230 dualsport/playbike. For 2022, the KLX230 SE – as in Special Edition – packs on popular accessories at the factory, saving you the heartache and trauma of having to deal with dangerous hand tools yourself. It also comes in non-green colors, and best of all the price barely budges: The 2022 KLX230 SE is available in Oriental Blue and Firecracker Red with an MSRP of $4,999. The 2022 KLX230 is available in Lime Green, with an MSRP of $4,799.

KTM isn’t officially at EICMA, but that didn’t stop the Austrian manufacturer from getting in on the fun, announcing an updated 1290 Super Duke GT for 2022.

Anybody who’s not playing in the ADV sandbox isn’t really playing in 2022, and that’s why MV Agusta is now dipping an exploratory toe. Two toes: Lucky Explorer 5.5 and Lucky Explorer 9.5. The 5.5, which at some point may inherit the Elefant monicker, is to be powered by a 554 cc DOHC parallel Twin to come from MV’s Chinese partner, QJ. “Despite being a mid-sized bike,” says MV, “its appearance is that of a higher displacement travel-oriented motorcycle, capable of seducing European riders looking for a sturdy and unstoppable companion.”

MV Agusta revealed two new adventure bike “projects” at EICMA, the Lucky Explorer Project 9.5 shown here, and the smaller Lucky Explorer Project 5.5. Both models appear ready for production, but the “Project” in the name implies they are still prototypes, and it’s unclear whether they will eventually be sold with the Lucky Explorer name, or if they’ll actually be named for the bike that influenced their design: the Cagiva Elefant.

Just a few years after it was (re)introduced, Suzuki has announced an updated version of the Katana, which is based on the updated 2021 GSX-S1000. Suzuki says the new Euro5-compliant Katana now makes approximately 150 horsepower. Better still, the new engine makes a broader spread of torque across the entire rev range. This is done via new intake and exhaust camshafts, new valve springs, a new exhaust, and a new airbox.

We saw a bunch of Honda X-ADV scooters on our pass through Rome a few weeks ago, and felt jealousy. When American Honda invited us to ride a new minimoto last week, we hoped against hope… alas, it was the Navi. For the new year, we can be even more covetous, as Honda Europe now has an ADV350 that’s bigger, badder, and cooler.

Who could forget MO‘s exclusive first test of the Kawasaki H2 SX SE way back yonder in 2018? Some of us would like to forget the first couple minutes of the video, but we maybe got carried away, and were forced to wax poetic by what a fantastic sport-touring conveyance that bike was. Is. The supercharger (just as we re-learned with the Z H2 in last week’s big nakeds comparison) imbued that bike with midrange torque far beyond what you’d expect from its 999 cc displacement – 89 lb-ft at the wheel – as well as truly nostril-flaring horsepower – 172 at just 10,300 rpm. Superb suspenders, electronic aids, long-days comfort, and outstanding Rivermark fit/finish put us over the top. It all made very short work of picking MO‘s Best Sport-Tourer of 2018.

We’ve loved the Kawasaki Versys 650 for a long time. Maybe too long? For 2022, the midsized Versatile System gets a bunch of upgrades to boost it into the modern era – electronic cruise control being not one of them. Perfect for all you who eschew modern comforts.

What? You don’t know who Feng Chen Wang is? Well, She was born in Fujian, a province in southeastern China, and travelled to London. In just a few years, she’s established herself as a cutting-edge stylist. Her work pursues a style that is conceptual, distinct and functional, based on aesthetic values drawn from her Chinese roots. She keeps busy coming up with designs for brands like Nike, Converse, UGG, Levi’s – and now it’s Piaggio 1’s turn. Get with it why don’t you?

The Honda Fireblade celebrates its 30th anniversary of production with an updated model for 2022, and a limited edition livery for the CBR1000RR-R SP.

Aprilia unveiled a new Factory version of the Tuono 660, equipping it with improved suspension and a lightweight lithium-ion battery.

To celebrate its successful campaign in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup, Aprilia is releasing a new limited edition RS 660 in stars and stripes livery.

After teasing us with a preview of the new 2022 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello in September, the Piaggio Group released further details on the new sport-touring model at EICMA.

You really haven’t lived until you’ve been on back of a big-bore Vespa driven by a blissfully unaware person who just got her motorcycle license, pounding semi-floatingly over the expansion joints of an LA freeway at top speed on those tiny tires. Say, does the front end feel a bit light up there? No, that’s just our spirits, dear.

This news should come as a surprise to nobody, but it’s still equally as exciting to finally get the official confirmation: Yamaha is bringing an updated MT-10 to the US. Maybe more exciting is the announcement that Yamaha is also bringing an MT-10 SP here as well. We reported earlier this month that a new MT-10 was coming, but at the time, the report was only confirmed for Europe. Now the US can rest assured it’s coming here, too.

Jeez, people, have we really gotten this crusty? After I posted a pic of the new Honda Navi on my Facebook a couple days ago (cause that’s how crusty I am) at its SoCal coming-out party, my old pals pounced. “A face, body, and everything only a mother could love”, “another Honda styled by tupperware.” “Ugly. Looks like I picked a good time to retire,” said one recently retired Editor in Chief. “My Trail 90 looks really good today,” said another.

Welcome to Motorcycle.com’s 2021 Heavyweight Naked bike Shootout. If you haven’t noticed, 2021 has been the year of naked bike shootouts here at MO. We’re dubbing it Motorcycle.com’s Naked Summer, and it has all been building up to this moment – seven of the biggest, baddest naked bikes on the market today. We’ve teased the bikes on our Youtube channel for days now, and we’ll also assume you’ve already seen the specs for these seven monsters in our Spec Sheet Shootout, expertly crafted by Dennis Chung.

Ducati introduced the Multistrada 950 back in 2017 as a stepping stone into the Multistrada world. For 2022, Ducati wanted to make that move even easier, with a more accessible Multi V2, thanks to new and rider-friendly ergonomics, a thinner and lower seat, and a significant weight saving of 11 pounds. They also supply it in a 35kW (47 hp) format for A2 license holders in Europe.

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R is getting a new EVO variant for 2022, adding semi-active suspension to what was already a very potent package.

We’ve all been there. You want a new motorcycle, but you’re scared a Grom might be a little too much for you to handle. A man’s got to know his limitations, as Clint Eastwood famously said (but he also meant woman, child, and all other people however they identify).

The main beauty of Sardinia is the almost complete lack of Sardinians, which makes it hard to explain why the twisty roads that connect the villages on the Mediterranean’s second-biggest island are so perfectly maintained. The new Aprilia Tuareg 660 is up for all of them. There’s a lot of second and third gear work in there, which the optional quickshifter makes quick work of, and even the occasional first-gear corner when the fur is flying – also not a problem.

Although 2006 was the last year the Ducati 999 model was produced, and the 1098, 1098S and 1098 Tri-Colore were launched for 2007, Ducati raced the 999 in World Superbike competition because rules dictated that V-Twin engines be equal in displacement (1000cc) to inline four-cylinder bikes. World Superbike rules were changed for the 2008 racing season allowing V-Twins a displacement increase of 200cc for a total of 1200cc.

MO’s string of naked motorcycle shootouts continues, and this time we saved the best for last.

Today, Ducati announced the creation of a new family of motorcycles by expanding the Streetfighter line to include two new members. The first is an all-new model the Streetfighter V2, which Ducati is describing as the gateway into the Streetfighter family. From the V2 moniker, it’s not much of a stretch to figure out where the engine came from, but we’ll get to that in a minute. The second entry into the line is the upscale Streetfighter V4 SP, which takes the V4 S and turns it up to 11 (much in the way that the modified V4 S we recently tested did). So, let’s take a look at the new Ducatis on the block.

Yamaha Motor Europe announced a redesigned MT-10 for 2022, updating the engine to meet Euro 5 and adding a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit. As of this writing, the 2022 MT-10 has not been confirmed for the U.S., but we expect that will happen soon.

Triumph announced four new special edition models, each featuring a special livery that will only be offered for the 2022 model year.

Dear Ryan Adams,

Pardon us for being a year early with this only-24-years ago piece by Mr. Schvetz. But when in Rome, as we are for an exciting press event, do as the Romans and bend the rules a little. Not just a review of Vespa’s new 1997 Vespa 125cc ET4 four-stroke, this was also the 50th birthday party of Italy’s own Model T, and therefore a good excuse for a quick stroll down Vespa history lane. Take it away, Yossef.

It’s all about the batteries, and Zero says its new tech makes a 20% increase in capacity possible, setting a new high-water mark for onboard battery capacity and delivering an industry-leading 227 miles of city range/ 113 miles at 70 mph. ZERO’s latest Cypher III+ operating system comes standard on 2022 SR/F, SR/S and the all-new 2022 SR models, and will allow owners of those bikes to access a bunch of range, performance, and feature upgrades with the tap of a finger on the app or at www.zeromotorcycles.com/cypherstore. Faster Charging, extended range, speed and performance boost, park mode (reverse!), heated grips, and on-dash navigation are all optional for 2022 SR/S, SR/F, and SRs, with more features and expanded model compatibility to come.

There’s no shortage of expensive, big-displacement, powerful Adventure-Touring motorcycles. Then there’s the mid-displacement segment that is oftentimes only marginally less expensive. Further down this segment, though, exists a sub-category of lightweight, affordable, small-displacement models that are oftentimes overshadowed by their aforementioned counterparts. It’s here where the 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan resides along with BMW’s G310GS and CSC’s RX4 Adventure among others.

Yamaha Motor Europe announced a new XSR900 model, giving the retro-styled roadster updates similar to the changes received by the MT-09 last year. That includes an 889cc inline Triple and new Deltabox-style frame. As of this writing, the new 2022 Yamaha XSR900 has not been announced for the U.S., but we expect to get news on that front soon.

Indian announced new colors and other updates to the cruiser, bagger and touring models returning for 2022.

Two years after it debuted at EICMA as a concept model, the Husqvarna Norden 901 adventure-tourer is now ready for production, arriving in U.S. dealerships this month with a $13,999 base price.

The Honda Helix came to the US in 1986 and ran `til 2007; MO gave it the old once-over 25 years ago. With its long wheelbase and massive 244 cc performance, the Helix achieved cult status in Japan, and weenie status here in the land of the free. Hey, it was 1996! With a nose that appears to have served as the model for Matt Groening’s Simpsons characters, the Honda Helix still looks every bit as weird today as it did then. You know you want one.

Motorcycles aren’t allowed to race the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb any more, and it’s been three years since the Multistrada last won it, but that hasn’t stopped Ducati from producing another new Pikes Peak model, this time based on the Multistrada V4.

As we previously reported, BMW has updated its K1600 models for 2022, revising the six-cylinder engine to meet the Euro 5 emissions standard and adding a number of small but notable upgrades.

Following the introduction of the limited edition Street Twin Gold Line model, Triumph announced it is giving the rest of its modern classics the same treatment. Unlike the Street Twin, of which only 1,000 units were produced and promptly sold, the new Gold Line Edition models will be produced only for the 2022 model year and will not be limited to a specific number.

We were kicking candidates back and forth for this year’s MOTY awards, when somebody threw out as a possible Best Standard the Honda NC750X. Hey wait a minute, I’m the only guy around here who ever liked the NC! Maybe my stately mature influence is rubbing off on the kids at last? For me, it was love at first ride of the original NC700X, way back in 2012. By then, I guess I’d been subjected to enough compromising positions on exotic high-maintenance motorcycles to appreciate the NC’s practical advantages and comfort – and I wasn’t even doing any of the maintaining.

Honda Europe revealed the new 2022 NT1100, a street-focused tourer based on the CRF1100L adventure bike. As of this writing, the NT1100 has only been announced for Europe, but we hope to see it come to North America eventually.

At the beginning of this month, Kawasaki Heavy Industries officially spun off its motorcycle and engine business into a separate company. The move was supposed to give the newly formed Kawasaki Motors, Ltd., greater autonomy and flexibility in decision making. Well, it didn’t take long to demonstrate those benefits, as Kawasaki Motors held a presentation on the company’s future, including an ambitious plan to become carbon neutral, with a slate of new electric, hybrid and even hydrogen-powered models in the works.

Admit it. You’ve shopped for a motorcycle before and have probably thought to yourself, “what if I checked every option off the list and put it on this bike?” It would be something, wouldn’t it? To have the ultimate version of a motorcycle is the kind of thing dreams are made of. Imagine a world where you spared no expense on your bike and slapped on only the best parts money could buy. Some of us are lucky enough to see that dream become reality. Others, meanwhile, think more modestly and are just happy with the bike we have.

I make it a point to tell everyone who is willing to listen (and even some who aren’t) how much fun the new Yamaha R7 is. While most people get up in arms about the name of the bike, I’m over here having a blast actually riding the thing, preferably at a race track. I said as much during my First Ride Review of the R7 back in May, too. What the R7 brings to the table in terms of elevating the MT-07 platform for track duty – all for under $9000 – is truly impressive. 

Honda Europe released a teaser video across its social media channels for what is expected to be the NT1100, a sport-tourer based on the Africa Twin. According to the video, the 2022 Honda NT1100 will be revealed on Oct. 21. As of this writing, American Honda hasn’t take part in the teaser campaign, but we suspect there will be a separate launch window should the NT1100 be brought to the U.S.

Indian Motorcycle is preparing to launch a new touring model for 2022 powered by the same liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine introduced on the Challenger. The new model will be called the Pursuit and will be offered in Limited and Dark Horse variants, with an optional Premium Package.