70 AUGUST 2019
Dream Machines | WHEELSMotor-
cycle
Matrix
Bikers today have a
litany of choices when
it comes to a potential
new steed. Never have
our two-wheelers been
more technologically
advanced, easy to han-
dle or representative of
so many different sub-
cultures of enthusiasts.
Here are four brilliant
examples—ranked for
design and sound on a
scale from 1 to 10—from
diverse sectors of the
market, all devised to
get you revved for the
road, track or trail.
Peter JacksonSport Touring Adventure Scooters Superbike8/10 Provides a near-
perfect synergy of
athleticism and touring
prowess. The BMW M5 of
motorcycles.7/10 Not as throaty as the
S 1000 RR, from which
it is derived, but still a
powerful four-cylinder roar
on acceleration.Superbike power plant;
comfortable, rangy chassis.Buzzy motor leaves hands
and feet tingling on long
rides.$16,895Sport touring with a firm
emphasis on “sport”; capa-
ble of solid lap times.9/10 Developed for huge miles
and the ability to cross any ter-
rain, the Honda Africa Twin fills
the design brief of an adventure
motorcycle perfectly.6/10 Parallel-twin motor
leaves a little to be
desired when it comes to
feeling inspired.Rock-solid Honda reliability
means one less worry
when far from home.Very few, if any. The
value for the money is
excellent.$13,599It’s in the name. Intracon-
tinental motorcycle travel
can be easily undertaken
with the Africa Twin.10/10 Very few 20th-century
transportation designs have
stood the test of time as well
as the 51-year-old Vespa
Primavera.4/10 The change from a two-
stroke motor to four-stroke a
few years ago took away some
of the aural flair the Vespa was
universally known for.Comfort, class, charisma.
It’s easy to love a Vespa.Highway riding is a
distinct no-no.$5,349Nothing less than an
Italian style icon.9/10 The last Ducati superbike
with a V-twin motor—the power
plant that built the brand. This
edition is a superb send-off in
appearance and performance.9/10 With the race
exhaust, the roar will
make the hair on the back
of your neck stand at
attention.The ultimate evolution of the
four-valve Desmodromic V-twin
and, being the last of its kind, a
sound investment.You really, really don’t
want to drop this gallery-
worthy two-wheeler.$39,900It’s a rolling work of art
and signals the end of an
era for Ducati.BMW
S 1000 XRHONDA AFRICA
TWIN SPORTSVESPA
PRIMAVERA 150DUCATI 1299 PANIGALE R
FINAL EDITIONCATEGORYDESIGNSOUNDPROSCONSBASE PRICEBOTTOM LINERide Like a Pro:
Downshifting
Want safe turns without sacrific-
ing speed? It’s all about the down-
shift. The gearbox links a motor-
cycle’s throttle and rear tire, so
it’s important that each gear ratio
is selected swiftly and smoothlywhen slowing for a corner.
“I keep things simple,” says
professional riding coach and
MotoAmerica racer Michael
Gilbert. “As soon as the throttle
is closed, I’m clicking down on
the shift lever and modulating
the clutch, eliminating the need
for blipping the throttle [brief hits
of the throttle while the clutch isengaged to match engine revs to
roll speed].”
And you don’t have to be racing
to reap the benefits. Completing
the downshift at the earliest part
of the braking process allows the
chassis time to settle and the rider
to focus on the upcoming turn,
whether on the track or just tool-
ing around your neighborhood. P. J.70 AUGUST 2019
Dream Machines | WHEELSMotor-
cycle
Matrix
Bikers today have a
litany of choices when
it comes to a potential
new steed. Never have
our two-wheelers been
more technologically
advanced, easy to han-
dle or representative of
so many different sub-
cultures of enthusiasts.
Here are four brilliant
examples—ranked for
design and sound on a
scale from 1 to 10—from
diverse sectors of the
market, all devised to
get you revved for the
road, track or trail.
Peter JacksonSport Touring Adventure Scooters Superbike8/10 Provides a near-
perfect synergy of
athleticism and touring
prowess. The BMW M5 of
motorcycles.7/10 Not as throaty as the
S 1000 RR, from which
it is derived, but still a
powerful four-cylinder roar
on acceleration.Superbike power plant;
comfortable, rangy chassis.Buzzy motor leaves hands
and feet tingling on long
rides.$16,895Sport touring with a firm
emphasis on “sport”; capa-
ble of solid lap times.9/10 Developed for huge miles
and the ability to cross any ter-
rain, the Honda Africa Twin fills
the design brief of an adventure
motorcycle perfectly.6/10 Parallel-twin motor
leaves a little to be
desired when it comes to
feeling inspired.Rock-solid Honda reliability
means one less worry
when far from home.Very few, if any. The
value for the money is
excellent.$13,599It’s in the name. Intracon-
tinental motorcycle travel
can be easily undertaken
with the Africa Twin.10/10 Very few 20th-century
transportation designs have
stood the test of time as well
as the 51-year-old Vespa
Primavera.4/10 The change from a two-
stroke motor to four-stroke a
few years ago took away some
of the aural flair the Vespa was
universally known for.Comfort, class, charisma.
It’s easy to love a Vespa.Highway riding is a
distinct no-no.$5,349Nothing less than an
Italian style icon.9/10 The last Ducati superbike
with a V-twin motor—the power
plant that built the brand. This
edition is a superb send-off in
appearance and performance.9/10 With the race
exhaust, the roar will
make the hair on the back
of your neck stand at
attention.The ultimate evolution of the
four-valve Desmodromic V-twin
and, being the last of its kind, a
sound investment.You really, really don’t
want to drop this gallery-
worthy two-wheeler.$39,900It’s a rolling work of art
and signals the end of an
era for Ducati.BMW
S 1000 XRHONDA AFRICA
TWIN SPORTSVESPA
PRIMAVERA 150DUCATI 1299 PANIGALE R
FINAL EDITIONCATEGORYDESIGNSOUNDPROSCONSBASE PRICEBOTTOM LINERide Like a Pro:
Downshifting
Want safe turns without sacrific-
ing speed? It’s all about the down-
shift. The gearbox links a motor-
cycle’s throttle and rear tire, so
it’s important that each gear ratio
is selected swiftly and smoothlywhen slowing for a corner.
“I keep things simple,” says
professional riding coach and
MotoAmerica racer Michael
Gilbert. “As soon as the throttle
is closed, I’m clicking down on
the shift lever and modulating
the clutch, eliminating the need
for blipping the throttle [brief hits
of the throttle while the clutch isengaged to match engine revs to
roll speed].”
And you don’t have to be racing
to reap the benefits. Completing
the downshift at the earliest part
of the braking process allows the
chassis time to settle and the rider
to focus on the upcoming turn,
whether on the track or just tool-
ing around your neighborhood. P. J.