Benda’s Napoleon 250. (Benda/) We got the first images of Benda’s BD250 back in March and now it’s been officially unveiled as the Napoleon 250. The bike’s specifications match the numbers from our original story, including the long 60.8-inch wheelbase, 25.5-hp output with 249cc capacity, but the official release adds more meat to those bones. The V-twin engine, which is liquid-cooled despite the finned cylinders, is a DOHC design that hits that power peak at 9,000 rpm and manages 18.4 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,500 rpm. But the real intrigue around the Napoleon 250 is its unusual front and rear ..read more

Troy Herfoss took the Race 1 win at COTA. King of the Baggers thrilled the MotoGP crowd—not an easy task with the machinery on hand. (Indian Motorcycle/) The Baggers are steadily becoming better racebikes. Lap times continue to fall. And therein lies a possible contradiction. Fans love the wild incongruity of the class: “touring” at 170 mph and lapping at truly impressive speeds. They love the rawness of the bikes—no electronics, weaving and wiggling as the men riding them visibly work very hard to keep them gathered up, despite big slides and slip-wiggles. The contradiction is that the teams ..read more

Yamaha continues development on its upcoming electric motocross bike. (Yamaha/) Last month we revealed that Yamaha is developing an electric motocross bike using lessons learned from its TY-E battery-powered trials bike project. Now, additional patents have been published showing further details of the machine and suggesting it’s getting close to completion. The original patent showed details of the bike’s transmission and how it differed from the TY-E. On the trials bike, Yamaha has retained a conventional clutch despite only needing a single-speed gearbox and combined it with a flywheel tha ..read more

The 2024 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer. (Triumph/) There’s this Scottish Gaelic word: cianalas. Often translated as “homesickness,” it conveys a sense of longing for place, particularly for the place of one’s ancestry. The touring motorcyclist, exposed to the elements and vulnerable to fate’s unseen meddling, can feel the discomfort and barrenness of not belonging. But on the right motorcycle, the type that lets you ride farther, with greater comfort and safety, and with the ability to explore beyond the end of the road, home can become wherever the front wheel takes you. “The Tiger 1200 is ..read more

The exclusive, limited-edition Vespa 140th of Piaggio will only be available from April 18–21, at the Vespa World Days rally. (Piaggio/) In most manufacturing industries, 140 years of existence is a rarity, and in the motor vehicle world, darn near unheard of. So when we first got this release we thought it was a typo, but nope, it’s true—Piaggio, established in 1884, turns 140 years old this year. To celebrate the milestone anniversary, one of the company’s best-known brands, Vespa, is pulling out the stops with the super-exclusive Vespa 140th of Piaggio scooter. The special-edition machine ..read more

Yamaha’s semi-automatic will use electronic actuators to shift the transmission. (Yamaha/) Honda’s E-Clutch system introduced on the 2024 CB650R and CBR650R models aims to provide a cheap and simple alternative to more complex semi-autos like its own DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission). Now it looks like Yamaha is developing its own rival setup to use on the MT-07 and its sister models. While Honda’s E-Clutch is a clever hybrid design, retaining a conventional clutch lever for when you want to use it and relying on the rider’s left foot to shift the ratios, Yamaha’s take is a more conventional sem ..read more

MV Agusta’s Enduro Veloce isn’t just a pretty face. (MV Agusta/) Middleweight adventure bikes are where outright engine performance and ultimate handling converge for the most well-rounded performance in the class. There are a ton of larger-displacement ADV motorcycles that produce big horsepower figures, and there are a bunch of lightweight models that are focused on off-road handling, but the middle ground really is the sweet spot. 2024 MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. (MV Agusta/) Therefore it’s no surprise that MV Agusta decided that its first foray into the ADV world would roughly fall into wha ..read more

Suzuki Previews MotoAmerica Superbike (Brian J. Nelson/) Suzuki Press Release: Suzuki Motor USA (Suzuki) and its two primary road race teams- Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki, and RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki both look to build on their current momentum this weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Team Hammer’s Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki will focus on the 2024 MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike series fielding two established riders, Richie Escalante (54) and Brandon Paasch (96) each racing the Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike. Roadrace veteran and 2020 Supersport champion Escalant ..read more

Indian Motorcycle has renewed its Scout lineup with five models built around a new frame and engine. The Scout Bobber (shown) comes into the new model year as the most popular Scout in recent years. (Garth Milan/) There is nothing simple about the 2025 Indian Scout lineup except for the way Indian describes the bikes. They are cruisers. Classic, American-made V-twins that are just as much about heritage and body lines as they are cornering clearance and technology. You can have your performance (and the new bikes do), but Indian refuses to have that be the Scouts’ personality. That laid-back ..read more

Equitea MV Agusta by MP13 Racing (MV Agusta/) MV Agusta Press Release: Melissa Paris has never been one to back down from a challenge, and this MotoAmerica season will be no different for the former professional road racer and married mother of two young children. Through her team, MP13 Racing, Paris is stepping up from Junior Cup and Twins Cup to contest arguably the most competitive class in the 10-round championship: Supersport. And the Southern California native is doing so with support from a new manufacturer, MV Agusta, as well as a new title sponsor, Equitea. Equitea MV Agusta by MP13 ..read more