Motorcycles

We've put motorcycles as diverse as the Triumph Bonneville, Honda Gold Wing, and Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo to the long term test, and now it's time to find out how another bike performs over the long haul. Our next subject will hail from Kawasaki, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer whose parent company is responsible for heavy duty goods like bullet trains and container ships. And so, the big question: If you had to live with one of these four Kawasaki motorcycles for roughly half a year, which would it be? To read a review of each contender, simply click on the photo of the bike; once you're ready to vote, click the link below. You're only allowed one vote, so choose wisely and click here to see how the race is going. The Ninja 300's predecessor may have made its name as a stellar beginner bike, but that hasn't kept this sequel from winning over a slew of more experienced riders. >>Click Here to Vote for the Kawasaki Ninja 300 ABS Packing over 200 horsepower beneath its vented bodywork, few bikes are as brawny as the ZX-14R... but does that make it a good daily rider? >>Click Here to Vote for the Kawasaki ZX-14R ABS It doesn't get much more versatile than the Concours 14, a saddlebag-equipped sport tourer whose underpinnings can be traced to the fire-breathing ZX-14. >>Click Here to Vote for the Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS It may not be the most adaptable motorcycle for daily use, but the naked Z1000 delivers wheelie-popping power in an aggressively styled package. >>Click Here to Vote for the Kawasaki Z1000 >>Click Here to See the Poll Results Without Voting >>Find us on Facebook >>Follow us on Twitter Related: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Review Kawasaki Z1000 Review Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R ABS Review Kawasaki Concours 14 Review Vote for our Next Long Term Harley-Davidson Vote for our Next Long Term Triumph Vote for our Next Long Term Honda Photos © Kawasaki

Round 4 of the AMA pro Flat Track Championship will take place this weekend at the Springfield Mile.

Ryan Villopoto rolls into Lakewood, Colorado for Round 2 of the '13 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship on the heels of his season-opening sweep.

Transport Canada announced two separate transmission-related recalls for the 2012 and 2013 Triumph Speed Triple. At this time, the recall only affects Speed Triples in Canada though a separate recall should be expected for the U.S. market. The recall also only affects the base model Triumph Speed Triple but it’s not clear if the R version is also affected. According to Transport Canada, the transmission on some units may have been installed with an incorrect detent spring. As a result, the transmission may inadvertently shift out of gear while the Speed Triple is moving. This recall affects 24 units. The second recall is for an incorrect washer installed under the neutral switch. The washer may cause the neutral indicator light to remain lit even when a gear is selected. A rider may thus mistakenly believe the motorcycle is in neutral when it in fact is not. If the rider releases the clutch in such a situation, the motorcycle could surge forward unexpectedly. This recall affects 33 units. Transport Canada did not reveal any VIN numbers included in the recall. Some units may be affected by both recalls, some may be included in one or the other, and some other units may not be affected at all. Authorized Triumph dealers will contact owners of the recalled units. Depending on which recalls are in effect, dealers will replace the neutral switch washers and gearbox detent springs where required. As of yet, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not confirmed similar recalls for the U.S. market. Triumph North America however operates in both Canada and the U.S., so a similar recall for either of these two issues should be forthcoming. [Source: Transport Canada Recall #2013169 and #2013170] The post 2012-2013 Triumph Speed Triple in Two Transmission-Related Recalls in Canada appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

What had you accomplished by age seven? Most kids this age, myself included, were just getting through the second grade, learning simple math and playing Tee Ball with the other neighborhood kids. Dane Morales, of Aliso Viejo, California, isn’t like most kids. You see, at seven years old Dane already has himself two national championships in two different sports, BMX and motocross. Dane is the only racer of any age to currently hold national championships with the premier U.S. sanctioning bodies in BMX (USA-BMX) and motocross (AMA). He’s also a 2012 International Cycling Union (UCI) World BMX Champion and holds 13 national BMX titles. In short, the kid’s a stud. His motorized two-wheeler is a 50cc Cobra minicycle which he campaigns against other kids as young as four years old. Think that’s young? Morales started swimming and doing gymnastics at 10 months, rode a bicycle at two and a half years, and hopped on a minibike by age three. “I want to be the first kid to get national BMX, motocross and Supercross championships. Oh yeah, and also the first BMX Olympic Gold Medalist,” said the ambitious young’n. Morales’ career is already starting to mimic supercross legend Jeremy McGrath, who scored 72 stadium wins — before Morales was even born — and also started out on BMX bikes. “I don’t really know much about Jeremy,” Dane said. ”But he’s cool. I know that Christian Craig was also a BMX champion and is now a motocross pro. That’s really cool.” Morales will begin campaigning to defend his USA-BMX national title on May 31 at the Music City Nationals in Nashville, Tennessee,look to win another UCI world championshipand continue racing minibikes. The post Seven Year Old BMX And Motocross Champion, Dane Morales appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Transport Canada announced a recall for the 2012 Triumph Daytona 675 and 675R because certain units may be missing a throttle cable guide. Without the guide, the throttle cable may get stuck in the steering stop, preventing the throttle from opening or closing properly. Such a situation could result in a loss of propulsion or, if the throttle is stuck open, could make it difficult to slow or stop the motorcycle. Triumph dealers will inspected recalled units and if necessary install a throttle cable guide. In some cases, the throttle cables themselves may also be replaced. According to the Transport Canada, the recall affects 61 units in Canada. No recall has been announced yet for the U.S., but Triumph North America operates in both Canada and the U.S., so a similar recall is expected from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the next few weeks. We will provide an update if and when NHTSA announces a recall. [Source: Transport Canada] The post 2012 Triumph Daytona 675, 675R Recalled in Canada for Missing Throttle Cable Guide appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Two-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion Bob Carpenter is now selling his 240 rwhp Triumph Rocket III performance package. The Carpenter Racing engine kit boosts the stock 2300cc Triumph Rocket III Roadster from 146bhp to 240-plus rwhp and is fully streetable for daily commuting. It’s available now on new 2013 Triumph Rocket III motorcycles. This street performance package has proven itself at the race track. The “Carpenter Rocket” has turned in blistering quarter-mile times of 8.99 seconds and 155mph at New Jersey’s Atco Raceway Park. And, it’s set AMA and FIM world land-speed records with 175mph at Bonneville Salt Flats. The Rocket III performance package includes Carpenter’s Ram Air kit, proprietary CNC engine porting with a custom-ground camshaft and valve train, custom aluminum 11.4:1 stock displacement pistons, a higher volume fuel pump, and a Carpenter Megaphone exhaust. Custom clutch springs also are fitted to handle the extra power. Customers can purchase a new 2012 or 2013 Triumph Rocket III Roadster with the performance package installed and tested for $35,000. To learn more, go to www.CarpenterRacing.com. The post 240hp?!? Carpenter Racing’s Triumph Rocket III Roadster appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Unique headlamp has a removable miniature 90-degree flashlight with 3 power levels.

The Doobie Brothers have joined an already massive 2013 concert lineup at the Buffalo Chip during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The classic rock legends responsible for over four decades of hits and over 40 million albums sold will take the festival stage on Monday, August 5, opening for Kid Rock. The Doobie Brothers join a 9 day world class lineup during the Sturgis motorcycle rally that already includes The Cult, ZZ Top, Toby Keith, Rob Zombie, Brantley Gilbert, Halestorm, Mastodon, Machine Head, Queensrÿche, Sublime with Rome and many more. Fans can expect to hear a healthy slice of the American classic rock songbook, such as “Black Water,” “Long Train Running,” “What a Fool Believes,” “Listen to the Music” and more. Admission can be purchased individually or as part of the Legends Ride package. The charitable contribution made to join the Legends Ride allows free admission to the Doobie Brothers and Kid Rock shows that immediately follow conclusion of the Legends Ride and reception. Information and reservations for the Legends Ride are available at www.LegendsRide.com. The 32nd annual Sturgis Buffalo Chip motorcycle and music festival takes place July 29 through August 11 during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. More music festival and rally information is available at www.BuffaloChip.com and (605)347-9000. The post Doobie Brothers Added to Sturgis Buffalo Chip appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

The British contingent is preparing to defend its home turf this weekend as the Superbike World Championship descends on Donington Park.