The 10 Most Anticipated Motorcycles of 2017

These days, it’s not at all uncommon to hear the roar of a motorcycle on American streets and highways, but this wasn’t always so. The now famous ride debuted during the 19th century as a more economical and convenient way to get from here to there. It was faster than traveling by foot or public transport, yet not as expensive as owning a full fledged car, so most in other countries people saw it as a neatly packaged compromise. When motorcycles came to the States, they were steam powered, just like early cars.

Some key innovations from industry veterans including Daimler-Maybach and Excelsior Motor Company not only improved the design of the motorcycle, but upgraded its style and flair as well. Post World War II the ride started gaining its rough and tough image, and Harley-Davidson was one of just two American manufacturers of motorcycles. The Harley is still an ever-popular favorite, but Japanese manufacturers dominate the market now and have brought new technology to motorcycle production and design. For the 2017 model year, some exciting additions will hit the scene.

Here are 10 of the most highly anticipated motorcycles coming out in 2017.

1. 2017 KTM Super Duke GT – $19,500

One of the most smartly designed motorcycles to premiere in 2017 is the KTM Super Duke GT. This sport touring bike packs plenty of speed, but it’s also fairly easy to ride. It definitely looks different from your typical sportbike, plus it has tons of features that make it a great buy including heated grips, a true handlebar rather than clip ons, cruise control, and a comfy passenger seat. In addition, the 2017 KTM Super Duke GT comes equipped with a quick shifter, traction control, and has an engine that produces 173 hp.

2. 2017 Honda CRF450R – $16,250

Honda’s latest iteration of the CRF450R comes with improved handling, greater power, and more standout features than ever. This is a fitting way to continue the line, which is entering its 15th year of production. Admirers of the model will be pleased to see how Honda has revamped it inside and out.

3. 2017 Kawasaki KX250F – $7,749

The Kawasaki KX250F is another ride that will come on the scene with a ton of changes, all of which make it a better ride. It’s not only lighter, but speedier and easy to handle. A better chassis and suspension, increased ergonomics, and superior power are just a few selling points of this model. The lime green gem will be equipped with a four-stroke single cylinder water cooled engine.

4. 2017 Yamaha FZ-10 – $12,999

This one of the most anticipated naked motorcycles of 2017, and will essentially be a tweaked version of the YZF-R1. If you wanted to, you could enjoy a relaxed ride on this bike. However, the FZ-10 is powerful and its look, feel, and racing heritage may tempt you to put it to the test. In addition to containing the latest cross-plane crankshaft engine from the brand, this bike will have an awesome slipper clutch, redesigned stainless steel exhaust, and titanium muffler.

5. 2017 Honda CRF450RX – $16,500

The Honda CRF450RX is a brand new bike, and the hype over it has been going strong since off-roading icon Johnny Campbell made a surprise appearance with it during the company’s media presentation to unveil another model. This is the bike to watch out for if you’re looking for an off-roader with powerful, performance geared features and a great design. It’s especially well suited for competitive riding.

6. 2017 Yamaha SCR950 – $8,699

One of the motorcycles that enthusiasts have been waiting for is the Yamaha SCR950. In addition to its attractive price, the street bike will have a four-stroke V-twin engine with four valves per cylinder. It will be available in two great looking color schemes: Rapid Red and Charcoal Silver. The hidden storage area, comfortable seat, and retro styling on this model are simply icing on the cake.

7. 2017 Suzuki SV650 – $6,999

Suzuki’s storied SV650 is back, this time with a style upgrade and some key updates that make it a good performer. Rather than go the way of flamboyance with this model in 2017, Suzuki has instead opted for a more classic design that will surely have wider appeal. The new SV650 is a V-twin that’s set to be a joy for just about any rider, and Suzuki is hoping to return the model to its former greatness.

8. 2017 BMW R1200GS Adventure Triple Black – $18,600/

There are motorcycles with smooth style, and then there’s BMW’s special edition Triple Black bike. This iteration of the R1200GS Adventure is cravable in every way, and the tech incorporated into its design is top notch. Of course, quality is a given with the BMW name, and this luxury ride is going to turn heads once it starts hitting the streets.

9. 2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro – $2,999

Among the most affordable motorcycles coming out in 2017 that still manages to maintain a big dose of style, performance, and quality is the Kawasaki Z125 Pro. The sub-$3,000 price point is one of the most notable things about the bike — you’ll be hard pressed to find a better deal if you’re fine with getting a smaller ride. Aside from its price tag, this mini-bike provides a ton of fun and has some nice features, such as its LCD dash with a slew of handy indicators. The engine runs smoothly, the clutch pull is light, and riders won’t be able to help but have a good time with it.

10. 2017 Moto Guzzi MGX-21 – $21,990

The new Moto Guzzi MGX-21 is a bold head turner, but don’t be fooled by its looks — it’s definitely a bagger, not a sport tourer. Whatever you want to label this bike, it performs like a dream and has engineering and style that are worth every penny of its price tag. From its Dunlop tires to its striking red premium calipers, there’s very little not to love about this upcoming model.

Read More

Jay Leno's Brough Superior: A Legendary British Bike

The Brough Superior motorcycle was a bike ahead of its time and a shining example of British workmanship. That's why Jay Leno owns six.

As much as I like motorcycles, I'm not about the black-leather, tough-guy, motorcycle-gang image that seems to have strong appeal here in America—you know, that "Yo, bro" kind of thing, riding into town and making noise. There's nothing wrong with that, but I've always admired the British and European version of motorcycling, which celebrates bikes as a superior and—certainly in the '20s and '30s—a faster form of transportation.

That's why I like the Brough (pronounced bruff) Superior, a legendary British motorcycle built from 1919 to 1940. During that time Broughs were the best bikes you could buy and were associated with wealthy, well-educated people. When George Brough split off from his father's motorcycle company, he called his bikes Brough Superior, so people would know they'd been improved. He was something of a P.T. Barnum, but he was also a successful motorcycle racer. He once won 51 consecutive races before a blown tire ended his streak and racing career. But you know what? The bike still crossed the finish line. George just wasn't on it.

George Brough had no inhibitions about seeing a good design and copying it. His machines had a level of fit and finish that was far better than anything else—certainly in Great Britain. Much like the early Rolls-Royce, the Brough was a triumph of workmanship over engineering. Many models had two of everything—magnetos, carburetors, oil pumps, exhausts, and mufflers. And at a time when the average British motorcycle was built for two people and could go only 60 to 70 mph, Broughs were built for a single rider, and the most powerful models could top 100 mph.

Visually, Broughs are stunning. When you look at one, it's like opening the back of a watch. They are a classic case of old-fashioned, with their exposed valve gear and oil lines. You see the rocker arms going up and down, and the Pilgrim oil pump even has a glass window where you can watch the oil pumping through. The Brough still has the best-looking gas tank in motorcycle history—stretched lozenge shape, chromed side panels, gold-leaf striping, and black lacquer top.

George Brough didn't like exposed cables; he liked a very clean look. So the throttle cable ran through the twist grip and the handlebars. The brake cables were routed under the tank. If you enjoy using a hand shift, you can feel the lever snick-snick into a gated slot the way you would on a Ferrari. When it clicks you know you're in that gear, and suddenly you're going 60 or 70 mph. It's not like bikes today, where speed is effortless. There's a bit of work and concentration involved in a Brough, and it's all quite linear.

With their large-displacement engines, Broughs were the fastest bikes of the 1920s and 1930s. George Brough designed his motorcycles around the tank, then he'd have the top engine manufacturers such as J.A. Prestwich (J.A.P.), Matchless, Motosacoche, and Barr & Stroud build engines to his specification. He tried inline fours, V-4s, and even an Austin Seven car engine. In this regard, G.B. was ahead of his time. Most small automotive manufacturers today are boutique operators. They search for the best brakes, like Brembo, and the best engines, like AMG. George Brough was doing that in the 1920s.

Brough built only about 3000 motorcycles. Back then a new Brough cost the equivalent of a small house in England, and owning a Brough was something to shoot for. They were rare bikes, and most people only ever got to see a black-and-white photo of a Brough Superior. If a Brough went through a village, motorcycle enthusiasts would talk about it for weeks.

Brough prices today have gone crazy. In 1982 or 1983, this one guy wanted $10,000 for a 1929 SS 100. I thought that was just ridiculous. Then they started to go up in value. In 1987, I said, "Okay, I'll buy it for 10 grand." The guy told me, "It's 30 grand now." I said, "I'm not paying 30 grand for that bike." Then the '90s came, and I called him again. "I'll give you 30 grand." Let's just say I finally ended up buying that bike for a lot more money than when we started.

The SS 100 is the greatest bike Brough built. It has a Bonniksen Isochronous speedometer with a very accurate watch-type movement and a trip-distance display. The speedometer has two needles that take turns indicating the speed. So while one needle rests at 50, which also serves as 0, the other sweeps around the dial, briefly pausing on the current speed. If you're going above 50 mph, the indicating needle does a full pass around the dial, and there's a bit of math involved. Then it's the second needle's turn.

I own six Broughs: a 1929 SS 100, a 1939 SS 100 (the most modern, and my favorite), a 1932 SS 80, two 1934 11-50s (they were police bikes), and a 1930 680. They are all great fun to ride. You can hear the valves ticking—CHIH! CHIH! CHIH!—and the Pilgrim oil pump pulsing. It's all very mechanical. People are astonished when I roll up on a Brough. Enthusiasts know about them and remember the 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia, but most people have never actually seen one. So it's fun telling them about the bike.

I think it's fair to say that T.E. Lawrence, whose life was the inspiration for the movie, embodied the Brough mystique. A British army officer and a huge figure during World War I, Lawrence liked fast motorcycles and owned seven Broughs. He died on May 19, 1935, after crashing his SS 100 when he swerved to avoid two bicyclists. The movie opens with his fatal accident.

Fine motorcycles in Britain are cherished; you take care of them. That's why so many Broughs have survived. They were advertised as "The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles." Rolls didn't like this one bit. The story goes that when G.B. got wind that Rolls was sending a representative over to his factory to tell him to stop, he had his men wear white coats and gloves. The Rolls inspector was so impressed with the attention to detail, he decided Brough had the same standards, and Rolls-Royce let him continue to use the slogan. That was the kind of showman George Brough was. Even if his bikes were the fastest, he would add 10 or 15 mph just to have that extra edge. And Brough Superior motorcycles still have it.

Read More