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--- transportation:motorcycles [2026/08/02 23:02] – [Kawasaki] timb
+++ transportation:motorcycles [2026/11/05 01:40] (current) – [Yamaha RW700] timb
@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
+===== CFMoto =====
+== The Best-Looking Entry-Level Retro Cruiser Gets Even More Affordable ==
+CFMoto’s stunning, super-approachable 450CL-C returns for the 2027 model year while somehow shaving $500 off the sticker price.
+Steve Mazzucchi - August 12, 2026 / Updated August 13, 2026
+As it continues to raise its US profile, CFMoto is offering more and more wallet-friendly bikes stateside, covering everything from sport to street to adventure and beyond.
+Yet it’s a seemingly quintessential American form, ironically, that the Chinese brand does arguably better than anyone.
+I’m talking about the retro-styled cruiser, which CFMoto has absolutely nailed, in an exceedingly rider-friendly and head-turning fashion, with the 450CL-C.
+The bike gets even more tempting for the 2027 model year, as the brand has shaved $500 off the starting price, down to just $5,299.
+https://www.gearpatrol.com/motorcycles/2027-cfmoto-450cl-c/
 ===== Gaokin =====
@@ Line 150: / Line 168: @@
 https://www.topspeed.com/best-cruiser-for-riding-80-mph-all-day/
+==== Sprint 440 ====
+== Harley-Davidson’s Cheap Motorcycle Is Finally Here, And It’s A Stunner For Only $5,999 ==
+Mercedes Streeter - November 2, 2026 12:37 pm
+Harley-Davidson is on another path of reinvention. The Motor Company has once again realized that selling only expensive motorcycles isn’t a great long-term strategy. Like many bike makers, it has decided to bring a truly affordable motorcycle to market. This is the 2027 Harley-Davidson Sprint 440, and it’s quite the stunner despite its attainable $5,999 price tag.
+Younger buyers have been gravitating towards smaller, more affordable machines. Electric dirt bikes are practically flying out of distributors, and those people who aren’t buying one of those might be found riding a Royal Enfield or a smaller Honda. We’ve seen the likes of Triumph, Kawasaki, KTM, and LiveWire respond to this shift by going smaller, while Royal Enfield doubled down on its existing strategy. But one brand has largely stayed out of this segment, and it’s Harley-Davidson. For a while, the cheapest Harley has been the $9,999 Nightster, which is only cheap by Harley standards. But now, Harley-Davidson finally has the answer to what an affordable bike from the Bar and Shield looks like.
+https://www.theautopian.com/harley-davidsons-cheap-motorcycle-is-finally-here-and-its-a-stunner-for-only-5999/
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 https://www.rideapart.com/features/798401/hero-hf-deluxe-splendor-flex-fuel-specs-features-price/
+===== Honda =====
+==== CB500 ====
+== Could the Honda CB500 be Royal Enfield's Kryptonite? ==
+Utkarsh Sood - July 30, 2026
+This one came out of nowhere. Honda recently took the stage in India to reveal not one, not two, not three, but a total of 10 new motorcycles for the country. I don’t remember the last time I saw a bikemaker come out swinging as strongly as this.
+And although there are a couple of model year updates in there, we were treated to some very interesting new bikes in there as well. One of them in particular caught my eye: the range-topping CB500.
+For those of you who are not that familiar with the CB lineup, it's known as the GB in Europe. The single-cylinder CB350 is what is sold as the GB350 in Europe. You might remember the CB350 Special Edition we covered last year – boasting a retro motif with vintage styling and a very charming red colorway.
+Now, Honda has just launched what will essentially be the big brother to the CB/GB350… the CB500. And it looks like it might not just be limited to India, with Honda already trademarking the GB500S product name in a handful of markets, including Europe.
+https://newatlas.com/motorcycles/honda-cb500/
+==== Shadow Aero ====
+== The $8K Honda Cruiser That Tours Cross-Country For Half A Harley's Price ==
+Tijo Tenson - Aug 5, 2026, 9:31 AM EDT
+When we think of cross-country trips, Harley-Davidson instantly pops into mind. This is because of its legacy of building laid-back and low-slung cruiser bikes designed for effortless highway runs. Even the most affordable Harley Softail can be a formidable highway companion. However, you need to spend a notable amount of money on touring-ready features like a detachable windscreen and soft saddlebags to make it ready for a cross-country trip.
+While convenience improves, the price shoots up to nearly $20,000. Metric cruisers have been doing the same things for much less. A particular Honda cruiser stands out, proving that, despite its discontinuation, it remains competitive with 2026 Harley models.
+https://www.topspeed.com/8k-honda-cruiser-tours-cross-country-half-harleys-price/
@@ Line 365: / Line 435: @@
 ===== Royal Enfield =====
+==== Royal Enfield Diesel  ====
+== The First Production Diesel Motorcycle In The World Got A Whopping 202 MPG, Then Everyone Forgot About It ==
+Mercedes Streeter - October 15, 2026 2:08 pm
+One of the seemingly perpetually cursed projects is the diesel motorcycle. There have been many attempts to make diesel power mainstream on two wheels, and most ventures have failed. If any country has come the closest to making diesel motorcycles go mainstream, it’s India. The Royal Enfield Diesel was the world’s only true mass-market diesel motorcycle, but it wasn’t the nation’s only effort. This is the Sooraj 325 Diesel, the motorcycle that, so far as I can tell, is likely the world’s first production diesel motorcycle. It got a whopping 202 mpg, then eventually, everyone forgot about it.
+I have spent a substantial portion of my time as an auto writer studying production diesel motorcycles. As a diesel nut, I find the premise fascinating. The common diesel engine is heavy and bulky, on top of revving slowly with a low redline. In theory, these are all of the traits that you don’t want to have in a motorcycle engine. Generally, the primary benefit of going diesel is fuel economy, but small gasoline engines can score well over 100 mpg quite easily.
+https://www.theautopian.com/the-first-production-diesel-motorcycle-in-the-world-got-a-whopping-202-mpg-then-everyone-forgot-about-it/
 ==== Royal Enfield Himalayan 450  ====
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 https://www.rideapart.com/features/800776/yamaha-pg1-japan-abs-why-not-bring-it-to-the-us/
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 https://newatlas.com/motorcycles/2026-yamaha-yzf-r7-review/
+==== Yamaha RW700 ====
+== [EICMA2026] Yamaha's new "RW700" unveiled for the first time in the world! An "adventure scooter" with the MT-07 series 689cc engine and Y-AMT, plus electric "NMAX E" and "XENTER E" ==
+Editor's Recommendation - 3 November 2026
+Yamaha Motor Europe, the European subsidiary of Yamaha Motor, held a press premiere titled "Redefine the Standard" in Milan, Italy, on the eve of EICMA 2026 (Milan Show) on November 2, 2026 (local time), where it unveiled the new "RW700" and its higher-spec version, the "RW700 Explore," for the first time in the world. It is an "adventure scooter" that combines the 689cc parallel-twin "CP2" engine found in the MT-07 and other models with the "Y-AMT" automated transmission system, which Yamaha touts as "the world's most high-performance and powerful adventure scooter." The maximum output is 51kW (69.3PS), and the curb weight is 221kg. The electric scooters "NMAX E" and "XENTER E" were also announced, with both priced at 7,799 euros (approx. 1.38 million yen) in Germany. The price of the RW700 series has not been announced.
+https://japan.webike.net/moto_news/eicma2026-yamahas-new-rw700-unveiled-for-the-first-time-in-the-world-an-adventure-scooter-with-the-mt-07-series-689cc-engine-and-y-amt-plus-electric-nmax-e-and-xenter-e/
+===== Zero =====
+==== Project Zero ====
+== Zero Motorcycles unveils $8K electric motorcycle, street-legal dirt bike, and much more ==
+Micah Toll - Nov 3 2026 7:30 am PT
+Zero Motorcycles is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a major wave of announcements at EICMA 2026, unveiling several new electric two-wheelers alongside some important technology upgrades that could make its existing motorcycles even more appealing.
+The biggest news is an entirely new lightweight electric street motorcycle known as Project Ventura, designed to bridge the gap between the increasingly popular world of electric bikes plus lightweight e-motos and the full-size electric motorcycle market. But that’s far from the only news coming out of Zero’s booth in Milan.
+The electric motorcycle maker is also announcing a new street-legal version of its XE electric dirt bike that was previously only street-legal in Europe, introducing its LS3 electric scooter to Europe, introducing a redesigned smartphone app, and sharing more details about its upcoming DC fast-charging system.
+There’s quite a bit to unpack here, so let’s get into it.
+https://electrek.co/2026/11/03/zero-motorcycles-unveils-8k-electric-motorcycle-street-legal-dirt-bike-and-much-more/
@@ Line 980: / Line 1101: @@
 https://www.topspeed.com/cruiser-riders-recommend-again-and-again/
+== The Cruiser That Combines Muscle-Bike Power With Touring Comfort ==
+Tijo Tenson - Jul 31, 2026, 6:31 PM EDT
+Today's muscle cruisers are essentially sportbikes disguised as cruisers. Examples include the Ducati Diavel V4 RS (engine derived from the Ducati Panigale V4) and the new Buell Super Cruiser (sharing its engine with the Buell Hammerhead 1190). While the performance is eye-popping, it doesn't quite evoke a cruiser-bike feel, as the underpinnings and engine character have remnants of the quick-revving donor sport bikes.
+This is also why the touring comfort of the most powerful 2026 power cruisers is not as relaxed as one would expect, since the stretched-out, laid-back ergonomics are replaced by a more upright, neutral rider triangle. However, there is one exception from Triumph that manages to cover both bases: be frighteningly fast and offer touring-grade comfort and ergonomics. It also packs an engine larger than most bread-and-butter cars today.
+https://www.topspeed.com/cruiser-combines-muscle-bike-power-with-touring-comfort/
+== The Cruiser That Nails Comfort Without Sacrificing Style ==
+Tijo Tenson - Aug 1, 2026, 6:31 PM EDT
+Cruiser bikes have been an integral part of American motorcycling culture, and their styling is a primary factor in this. Equally important is their comfort quotient, which often goes hand in hand with styling. However, there are instances in which visual sacrifices have been made to enhance comfort.
+Examples include quick-release windscreens and leather-clad saddlebags that look okay but take away from the effortless silhouette of an otherwise minimal cruiser bike design. But there is a reliable, refined Honda metric cruiser bike that offers top-tier comfort without compromising on style. In fact, it gives custom Harley vibes but without the premium price tag.
+https://www.topspeed.com/cruiser-nails-comfort-without-sacrificing-style/
+==  V-twin cruiser with automatic transmission slides under $6,000 ==
+Utkarsh Sood - August 09, 2026
+Typically, if you’re in the market for a cruiser with an automatic transmission, you’d have precious few options. The closest mainstream offering is Honda's Rebel 1100 DCT, which starts at around US$10,400 – and even that swaps the traditional V-twin for a parallel-twin engine. If you insist on a genuine V-twin and an automatic gearbox, you're effectively out of luck.
+Step in the Coaster 407: a genuine V-twin cruiser with an automatic transmission (AMT) from Spanish motorcycle manufacturer Rieju, based in Figueres, Catalonia. And it only requires you to spend about half as much, too.
+I have to point out that the motorcycle appears to be entirely Chinese-made, including its design. Rieju has simply stuck its badge on the tank, and voila, you have a brand new motorcycle “born” in the West. Do I like that practice? Not really. But do I get it? Absolutely.
+Rieju is hardly the first bikemaker to hop on this trend. Brands like Brixton, AJS, Mash, and Benelli (which is actually Chinese-owned) have either embraced Chinese OEMs as manufacturing partners or simply rebadged existing platforms.
+https://newatlas.com/motorcycles/rieju-coaster-407/
+== The Cruiser With Honda Reliability And Harley-Level Road Presence ==
+Sidd Dhimaan & Charles Pennefather - Updated Aug 14, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT
+Finding a cruiser that genuinely delivers on two fronts — soul-stirring style and long-term dependability — has always been the holy grail for riders who refuse to compromise. Harley-Davidson owns the road-presence conversation, and Honda sets the gold standard for reliability, but rarely do those two qualities live under the same tank. So what happens when a British manufacturer decides to build the biggest, most torque-rich production engine on the planet and wrap it in a cruiser that turns heads like a custom show bike? You get something worth talking about.
+That something is the Triumph Rocket 3 GT — a power cruiser that sidesteps the usual trade-off entirely. It has been on the market long enough to build a genuine reliability record, and it carries enough visual muscle to stand toe-to-toe with anything Milwaukee has to offer. Here's why it deserves your attention.
+https://www.topspeed.com/cruiser-honda-reliability-harley-level-road-presence/
+== The Honda Cruiser That Quietly Gets Better With Age ==
+Tijo Tenson - Aug 14, 2026, 7:31 AM EDT
+When it comes to timeless visual appeal, nothing beats classic-vibing American big-twin cruiser bikes. Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle have perfected the art of making cruisers age like fine wine. However, things get tricky when we introduce the mechanicals into the mix. Sure, American V-twin cruisers offer a dramatic riding experience, but it comes at the cost of reliability and refinement. Hence, whether they improve with age is hit or miss. But that's not the case with metric cruisers, especially old-school Japanese options.
+Not only do they have timeless visual appeal, but they also have superior refinement and reliability levels. Couple this with minimal technology, relaxed ergonomics, and low-stress performance, and we have Japanese cruisers that can be certified lifelong motorcycles that get better with age. A prime example of this is a Honda cruiser bike that has been around for over 40 years.
+https://www.topspeed.com/honda-cruiser-gets-better-with-age/
+== The Cruiser Owners Keep Riding Long After Everyone Else Trades In ==
+Luke Zietsman - Aug 17, 2026, 8:31 AM EDT
+Over the years, the cruiser market has become more diverse than ever. While American brands continue to dominate this space, and lean heavily on tradition for sales, they have been joined by manufacturers from all over the world, all offering something different. European brands generally offer more luxury in this space, and more recently China and India have also joined the fray with some really affordable options. But when it comes to getting more bang for your buck, it is pretty hard to look past the Japanese brands.
+https://www.topspeed.com/cruiser-owners-keep-after-everyone-else-trades-in/
+== This 175-HP American Cruiser Is Coming For Every Harley-Davidson On The Road ==
+Oliver Stallwood - Updated Sep 8, 2026, 9:23 AM EDT
+Read update
+    This article has been updated to reflect the start of retail Super Cruiser deliveries following EPA and CARB approval, making the 175-hp motorcycle available across all 50 states.
+Harley-Davidsons are more than just Motorcycles . They are a culture, a tight-knit community, a feeling, and a dream (for those of us who don't have one). The company goes back almost 125 years and in that time they have come to represent expression and rebellion in America, whether it is a new model straight out of the showroom, or a customized chopper that has changed, evolved and been improved over the years. Few bikes have such presence and heritage quite like a Harley. But there is a new American bike in town, or rather it is new compared to Harley, that wants a slice of the two-wheeled apple pie. But it's doing things its own way...
+https://www.hotcars.com/175-hp-american-cruiser-coming-for-every-harley-davidson/
+== Cheap Chinese V-twin cruiser gets adaptive air suspension ==
+Utkarsh Sood - September 21, 2026
+Cruisers are probably the first motorcycle most people get to know early on their riding journeys. Think back to the old-school Harley-Davidsons and Indians from decades past, and you’ll recall relatively simple machines built around a big engine, a low seat, a long wheelbase, and not much else getting in the way of the ride. That simplicity was part of the appeal.
+Cruisers were never really about chasing lap times or packing in as much technology as possible. They were about kicking back, stretching your legs out, listening to a big V-twin thump away beneath you, and pretending you had nowhere else to be.
+Which is why I find it slightly amusing that Benda has decided its latest V-twin cruiser needs adaptive air suspension. The word "adaptive" in there is perhaps more important than anything else, because we’ve seen the likes of Harley-Davidson and Indian cruisers come with conventional air-suspension hardware. To have an electronically controlled, load/ride-height-adjusting system puts it in a very selective class.
+The bike’s called Rock 707, and in design terms, it is a fairly conventional-looking cruiser at first glance. That familiar low-slung stance, a V-twin engine, and enough chrome and blacked-out hardware to satisfy the traditionalists.
+https://newatlas.com/motorcycles/benda-rock-707/
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+===== Thumper =====
+== Why Motorcycles With Single-Cylinder Engines Are Called 'Thumpers' (It's Not Because Of Bambi) ==
+Michael Frank - Sept. 12, 2026 11:05 am EST
+You can be forgiven if you have no clue what or who the Thumper character was from the original "Bambi" Disney film from 1942. TLDR: Thumper was a bunny rabbit and Bambi's pal. The thumpers in question for this story, however, are single-cylinder motorcycles. That vernacular is based on the term's onomatopoeic quality. Just saying thump-thump-thump echoes the noise that a single-cylinder engine makes. The bikes are often beloved for that sound — although some dislike single cylinders for that same reason, as well as because thumpers tend to vibrate more than multi-cylinder bikes. And there are a few reasons for this that we'll dig into further below.
+However, there are also various advantages to singles. For one, they tend to be affordable. Caveat: If they're the world's most powerful single-cylinder engine made by Ducati, they won't necessarily be cheap.
+But, in general, thumpers are cheaper because they require fewer parts on the initial build — and, therefore, there fewer parts to maintain and replace. Singles have one cylinder, a single valve train, one exhaust system, and a single carburetor (if they're fuel-injected, that's only a single injector). They also tend to be smaller in displacement and lighter, which makes singles ideal for off-roading, when balancing a heavier bike is harder.
+Read More: https://www.jalopnik.com/2254175/why-single-cylinder-engine-motorcycles-nickname-thumpers/
+===== Touring =====
+== The Best Touring Motorcycle For Riding 80 MPH All Day ==
+Aayush Rathod - Updated Aug 4, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT
+**Read update** - This article has been updated with more context about the bike's positioning in the segment and its rivals.
+Any half-decent touring bike worth its salt can sit at 80 miles per hour all day, but how it feels at that speed is what makes a difference. Some bikes feel strained and not relaxed, while others feel too boring because they have all the juice but not a sharp riding experience. However, there’s a touring anomaly that offers both high levels of sharp performance and touring-friendly comfort. Here’s all you need to know about this awesome anomaly.
+** Riding 80 MPH All Day Doesn’t Have To Be Boring **
+What do you really need for cruising at 80 miles per hour all day? Honestly, even a decent street bike with enough power can hold those speeds, but you’ll be exhausted by the end of the ride. Instead, you need something that is not only powerful but offers plenty of wind shielding and comfort. So, when you reach your destination, you arrive fresh, not beaten by the weather or tired because you had to squeeze out every bit of performance from your bike. Finally, you also need storage to carry your gear and luggage.
+https://www.topspeed.com/best-touring-motorcycle-riding-80-mph-all-day/
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 Read More: https://www.jalopnik.com/1922177/motorcycle-boot-buyers-guide/
+===== Helmet =====
+== This AR motorcycle helmet could make your GPS obsolete ==
+Utkarsh Sood - November 02, 2026
+I’ve covered a few AR helmets here before. And almost every time, I’ve seen someone comment: "Do we really need any more distractions on a motorcycle?" Swiss company Aegis Rider certainly doesn’t seem to think that way.
+It’s just launched the Vision helmet, which combines the features of a head-up display. But instead of it being incorporated in the visor of the helmet as was the case with the Shoei x Eyelights AR helmet, it comes via a pair of drop-down glasses behind the visor.
+Aegis Rider’s problem statement is something we’ve heard before, and that is motorcyclists having to look down to see any information, taking their eyes off the road. "Every glance down is a fraction of a second without the road," says the company. "Speedometer, navigation, the phone on the bars: each one takes your eyes off the road for a moment, and on a motorcycle those moments matter more than in a car."
+https://newatlas.com/motorcycles/aegis-rider-ar-helmet/