Motorcycle Types

Native American
As the oldest brand of American-made motorcycles, born in 1901, Indians have always carried a special cachet. Although production grounded to a halt in the Springfield, Mass., plant in 1953, the Indian name and mystique lives on among passionate enthusiasts, who keep more than 25,000 pre-1953 bikes registered and running on American roads.

Champagne Supernova

For whatever reasons you choose to believe, the Japanese cannot (or will not) compete with Harley-Davidson when it comes to building a cruiser. If you demand the raw experience of an air-cooled Harley, you will forever be disappointed in metric cruisers.

312 KPH Chariot

In ancient Rome, the Cathedrals of Racing were not just Circus Maximus and the Coliseum; there was also the Hippodrome of Milan. As many as twelve chariots, drawn by four horses apiece, would careen around the immense stadium for the pleasure of both Caesar and the local citizenship tifose. It was a dangerous sport and arguably the origin of the Italians' great passion for all things racing.

Ducati Power

Tucked in behind the windscreen of the NCR Millona One Shot, rapidly reeling in blurring pavement on the steep banking of Fontana's California Speedway, my peripheral vision caught the flashing red shift indicator light. Having not counted the shifts and traveling at this speed, I assumed all the available gears had been exhausted. Out of curiosity, I chopped the throttle for a millisecond and tapped the shifter. My inquisitiveness revealed that sixth gear was still virgin territory.

There's no doubt that there was symbolism in the air. We were at the Handlebars Bar and Saloon in Silverton, Colo., enjoying an authentic western lunch, celebrating the 25th anniversary of our first ride together. Of course, this time, rather than two-up on a 1981 Yamaha 550 Seca in Southern California, we arrived on a Ducati ST3 S ABS and a Moto Guzzi Breva V 1100.

Bobbed and Slammed

The Harley-Davidson Sportster hit the Big Five-O this year, and the senior-most Harley nameplate is showing its age. Graying and sedate compared to the big Twin-Cam 96 powered studs roaring out of Milwaukee these days, the middle-aged Sporty has been in need of a wardrobe consultant and a handful of Viagra for some time. Fortunately, the brooding, black-clad Nightster has swaggered into the Sportster's Golden Jubilee, fashionably late and looking for trouble.

Leiber brings the perfect match.

On another level with Vuitton.

Hot Rod Coupe

The custom motorcycle builder might reshape John Stuart Mill's declaration of personal freedom “Over one's mind and over one's motorcycle the individual is sovereign.” The creative team at Redneck Engineering Liberty, S.C., takes that freedom to heart. Iconoclasts wry slogan is “We don't care how they do it on the Coast,” this custom crew is winning awards and converts notable interpretations, such as their recent re-look at a Vincent Black Shadow.

Nostalgia That Works

I can admit it without apology--I love the look of the Harley-Davidson springer front suspension. When it comes to establishing a retro styling for a motorcycle, a pair of external springs in the vicinity of the steering stem is tough to beat. Never mind that Harley rediscovered the springer in 1988 after a 40-year hiatus; the exploitatively mechanical front suspension has tremendous nostalgia-invoking power.

Miguel DuHamel will ride the Gresini Honda at the Laguna Seca MotoGP!

HONDA'S ACCESSORY DEPARTMENT CREATES A BAGGER

When presented with the Honda Genuine Accessories bagger version of the new-for-'07 Shadow Spirit 750 C2, I will admit I wasn't all that excited. Every time I've gotten on a touring bike it seemed too big, too heavy, and a bit unwieldy. At the same time, this mini-bagger didn't seem too big when I sat on it, and I certainly wasn't concerned about it being too powerful, so I wasn't sure what to expect. As it turned out, my rides on the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom reminded me that an open mind is a good thing.

The Honda Rider's Club of America (HRCA) announced today that tickets for its special hospitality area at the 2007 Red Bull USGP at Laguna Seca are going fast. Only current card-carrying HRCA Members are eligible to purchase the exclusive Turn 5 Chalet tickets.

Naked SportBike, All Dressed Up

Does it surprise one for a moment that the champion of streetfighters comes from the country that originated hooliganism? That English heritage dates back to the 19th century, and is both a mark and a badge. While we decidedly pass on the destructive behavior, getting a little rowdy with the throttle inevitably seems to come with the territory when riding this particular high-performance motorcycle.

Custom Hayabusa

Google "Hayabusa custom", and 12,000 hits will be your reward. Given the well-tilled condition of that particular soil, how would you craft a revolutionary take on the Suzuki racer that would blow the mind and scorch the eyeballs of even the most jaded Custom Sportbike fiend? If you were McCoy Motorsports of Pikeville, Ky., you'd take six months, spend a quarter-of-a-million dollars and hand-build this mandible melting Suzuki Hayabusa Twin-Turbo Phoenix. (Click image to enlarge)