Sport Standard + Standard Motorcycles
Sport Standard + Standard Motorcycles are, like cruisers, bikes that are stripped bare with no bodywork, which is why they are sometimes referred to as “naked” bikes, though included in reviews and road tests of this category are some bikes with small fairings and windshields. But unlike cruisers, sport standards and standards have a more upright riding position and styling that can range from basic to sporty. Motorcycle guides state that they’re lighter, have more cornering clearance and are more performance oriented than cruisers. The term “standard” is used because they are versatile, general purpose motorbikes. Included in this category are “streetfighters,” tough–looking street bikes that are essentially sportbikes without bodywork.
Quick, Lean & Low: A Fast Foursome of Easily Straddled Middleweights
Rider Magazine Staff
March 7, 2013
Whether you’re a novice rider who’s a bit unsteady at stops, or just a little vertically challenged, when you’re holding up a motorcycle at a standstill there’s nothing like having both feet firmly on the ground. Getting that stability means finding a bike that fulfills your desires and has a... Read more »
2013 Triumph Bonneville: Ridden & Rated
Greg Drevenstedt
March 7, 2013
When our Imperial Purple/Fusion White Triumph Bonneville was delivered, I was sure it was a mistake, certain that the bike was intended for the artist currently and formerly known as Prince. Other bold colors available for 2013 include Intense Orange/Phantom Black and Aurum Gold, or you can go with basic... Read more »
2013 Ducati Monster 696 ABS: Ridden & Rated
Greg Drevenstedt
March 7, 2013
All of these bikes have at least some claim to icon status, in terms of both styling and longevity. The first Triumph Bonneville dates back to 1959, the first Moto Guzzi V7 to 1967, and the first BMW GS to 1980. The Ducati Monster, which debuted in 1993, is the baby of the bunch. Ducati’s popular line... Read more »
2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone: Ridden & Rated
Mark Tuttle
March 7, 2013
The trio of V7s in Moto Guzzi’s 2013 lineup starts with the low-priced Stone, a gutsy name choice meant to convey the bike’s utter simplicity and strength, as in Stone Simple and Rock Solid. No argument there. Although its analog speedo and tach each have LCD readouts for the odometer, tripmeters,... Read more »
2013 Husqvarna TR650 Strada—First Ride
Greg Drevenstedt
February 28, 2013
A few months ago I attended the U.S. press launch for the all-new Husqvarna TR650 Terra and Strada, two street legal models powered by a more potent version of the liquid-cooled 652cc single from the BMW G 650 GS. We spent the day riding the 50/50 dual-purpose Terra on pavement and sandy tracks near... Read more »
2014 Honda CTX700 and CTX700N – First Look
Greg Drevenstedt
February 8, 2013
At the Chicago round of the International Motorcycle Show, Honda announced updated colors and pricing for the recently released NC700X and the introduction of two new models, the CTX700 and CTX700N, both powered by the same 670cc parallel twin as the NC. This announcement rounds out the largest crop... Read more »
Ridden & Rated: 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4 R APRC
Greg Drevenstedt
October 4, 2012
In the world of muscle-bound streetfighters, the Aprilia Tuono has a serious reputation. Debuting in 2002, it was an RSV Mille shorn of bodywork, using the same 60-degree 998cc V-twin, frame, suspension and brakes, but with an upright handlebar and a steering damper. It was, by all accounts, an exciting,... Read more »
Ridden & Rated: 2012 Triumph Speed Triple R
Mark Tuttle
October 4, 2012
Today’s Triumph Speed Triple is light years ahead of the original sport standard introduced in 1994, never mind the historic 1938 Triumph Speed Twin after which the Triple is named. The latest 2011-model styling revamp for the iconic streetfighter is sexy, too, except for the trademark bug-eye headlamps,... Read more »
Ridden & Rated: 2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
Mark Tuttle
October 4, 2012
At just 414 pounds with 3.6 gallons of fuel squeezed into its striped tank, the Ducati Monster 1100 EVO is the lightest liter-class bike we’ve tested in recent memory. For that matter, it only weighs two pounds more than the Monster 796, but engine updates like higher compression, refined cylinder... Read more »
Triumph Announces 2013 Street Triple and Street Triple R
Press Release
October 2, 2012
A new lighter-weight Triumph Street Triple and Street Triple R were revealed at the Intermot Show in Cologne, Germany, today. The 2013 motorcycles have been completely redesigned and are described below. STREET TRIPLE: Triumph’s Street Triple has been one of the success stories of recent years, collecting... Read more »
