The 2024 Honda CB650R (seen here in Pearl Smoky Gray) and Honda CBR650R have been upgraded with the addition of the Honda E-Clutch system for clutchless shifting.
Previously introduced in Europe, Honda E-Clutch will become available in the U.S. on the 2024 CB650R and CBR650R. This new system removes the need to use the clutch lever at all and eliminates the possibility of stalling, among other operational conveniences. In the same announcement, Honda released information about the upgraded 2025 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, as well as four returning street models for 2025. All models in this announcement will be available at dealers in the U.S. starting in September 2024.
Honda E-Clutch
The new Honda E-Clutch system is something in between Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission and a quickshifter. While using the E-Clutch, the rider won’t need to operate the clutch lever, whether shifting up or down, coming to a stop, or pulling away after a stop. The rider need only switch gears using the foot control. A clutch lever remains operational, so riders can choose to use it if they prefer.
If the rider uses the clutch lever, the Honda E-Clutch system will reactive after less than a second at higher engine rpm or after five seconds at lower engine speeds. For even more control, the rider can select Manual mode from the switch cluster on the left side of the handlebar to eliminate any E-Clutch functionality.
E-Clutch also allows riders to select from three operational feel settings: Hard, Medium, or Soft. These settings can be chosen independently for upshifting and downshifting, and they affect the strength of force required on the shift pedal to make a gear change.
The Honda E-Clutch system weighs less than 4.5 lb, and the clutch and transmission hardware are the same as on a conventional motorcycle. The system works by reading parameters like vehicle speed, throttle-opening angle, engine rpm, pressure on the shift pedal, clutch-motor reduction-gear angle, engine countershaft speed, and gear position. Using these readings, the system manages clutch engagement and disengagement, as well as ignition timing and fuel injection for smooth responses.
For 2024 in the U.S., the Honda E-Clutch system will be offered only on the CB650R and CBR650R, both of which receive other updates as well.
2024 Honda CB650R and CBR650R
2024 Honda CBR650R in Grand Prix Red
Honda’s middleweight naked and its fully faired sibling are upgraded for 2024. The most notable update is the addition of the E-Clutch, detailed in the section above. Other updates to both models include a new 5-inch TFT instrument display, LED lighting throughout, and updated styling, with the CB650R dressed in Honda’s Neo Sports Café style and the CBR650R carrying a sportier look.
2024 Honda CB650R
Both bikes feature a 649cc inline-Four with DOHC and four valves per cylinder. Suspension comes from a 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork and a Showa shock. Dual 310mm discs with radial-mounted 4-piston calipers slow things down up front. The CB650R naked has a claimed wet weight of 456 lb, while the CBR650R is 10 lb heavier.
The 2024 Honda CB650R will be available in Pearl Smoky Gray with an MSRP of $9,399. The 2024 Honda CBR650R will be available in Grand Prix Red with an MSRP of $9,899.
2025 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in Grand Prix Red
A proven winner in MotoAmerica’s Stock 1000 class, the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP returns for 2025 with several significant upgrades. Honda claims the updated Fireblade SP now makes more power in the midrange and has a more responsive engine thanks to reduced crankshaft mass. All gear ratios have been shortened for 2025, and the Akrapovič muffler is larger for adequate flow while meeting noise-emissions standards.
The riding position is more humane for street use, with taller handlebar grips and lower footpegs. The bike also includes a new two-motor throttle-by-wire system, nine-level traction control, three riding modes, a revised aluminum frame with new rigidity balance, a suspension with third-generation Öhlins Smart Electronic Control, new Brembo Stylema R radial-mount 4-piston calipers, a new winglet shape, a 5-inch color TFT screen, and a slight increase in fuel capacity to 4.4 gallons.
The Fireblade is powered by a 1,000cc inline-Four with DOHC with a bore and stroke of 81mm x 48.5mm. Valve timing has been revised for 2025, and the compression ratio was raised from 13.4:1 to 13.6:1.
The 2025 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP will be available in Grand Prix Red with an MSRP of $28,999.
The CBR1000RR returns unchanged for 2025. The bike’s 1,000cc inline-Four features magnesium engine, covers, DLC-coated finger-follower rocker arms, a compression ratio of 13.0:1, and a redline of 13,000 rpm. The bike also features a slipper clutch, Honda Selectable Torque Control, wheelie control, three levels of engine braking, a TFT screen with three selectable display options, and a five-level Power Selector. Suspension is provided by a 43mm Showa BPF fork and a Balance Free Rear Cushion shock, and braking is provided by Tokico 4-piston radial-mounted calipers up front. All lighting is LED.
The 2025 Honda CBR1000RR will be available in Pearl White with an MSRP of $16,999 without ABS and $17,299 with ABS.
2025 Honda CBR600RR
2025 Honda CBR600RR in Deep Pearl Gray
Designed to “deliver racetrack-level performance at an accessible price,” the CBR600RR returns for 2025 unchanged. It’s powered by a 599cc inline-Four with a bore and stroke of 67.0mm x 42.5mm and a compression ratio of 12.2:1. The 41mm Showa BPF is adjustable for spring preload and compression and rebound damping, and in the rear is a Pro-Link shock with spring preload, rebound, and compression damping adjustability.
The 2025 Honda CBR600RR will be available in Deep Pearl Gray with an MSRP of $12,199 without ABS and $13,199 with ABS.
2025 Honda CB300R
2025 Honda CB300R in Pearl Dusk Yellow
The smallest of the CB models, the CB300R naked returns for 2025 as Honda’s entry-level bike. It features fully blacked-out hardware, styling cues taken from the larger-displacement CB bikes, aluminum wheels, and ABS. It has an LCD instrument display and full LED lighting. It’s powered by a 286cc Single with DOHC and four valves. Wet weight is a claimed 317 lb, wheelbase is 53.3 inches, and the seat height is 31.5 inches.
2025 Honda CB300R in Matte Black Metallic
The 2025 Honda CB300R will be available in Pearl Dusk Yellow or Matte Black Metallic with an MSRP of $5,149.
The quirky and fun-loving Honda Monkey returns for 2025. The retro-styled mini is powered by a 124cc air-cooled Single with a 5-speed transmission, and its wet weight is only 231 lb with its 1.5-gallon tank full. Its seat is reasonably low at 30.5 inches, and its wheelbase is just 45.0 inches. The Monkey is equipped with LCD instrumentation and LED lighting.
Underneath that techy styling is a supercharged H2 engine that burns hydrogen.
As the motoring world is gradually shifting toward electric propulsion, Kawasaki is putting a new spin on internal combustion with its hydrogen-fueled motorcycle based on the supercharged Ninja H2 – yep, an H2 powered by H2!
Most hydrogen-fueled cars on the market or in development use the compressed gas in a fuel cell that produces electricity, which then feeds an electric motor for propulsion. But this new Kawi internally combusts hydrogen like gasoline-fueled engines.
This groundbreaking machine was paraded a few days ago in front of the audience at the Suzuka 8 Hours FIM World Endurance race. It marked the world’s first public demonstration run of a hydrogen ICE (internal combustion engine) motorcycle, at least one created by a mass-production manufacturer.
Kawasaki is boldly looking ahead to a future that includes burning hydrogen.
“Hydrogen engines produce power like conventional gasoline engines,” said the bike’s project leader, Satoaki Ichi. “Hydrogen burns more quickly and under a wider range of conditions than gasoline, making it possible to create a more responsive feeling than ever.”
Kawasaki began development of this bike in March 2023, using the supercharged 998cc inline-Four found in Kawasaki’s Ninja H2 but with modifications to allow direct injection of hydrogen fuel into the cylinders. It operates on hydrogen combustion, so it retains familiar internal-combustion sensations when twisting the throttle, as you’ll hear when viewing the video above.
Baby’s got back! The enormous saddlebags contain hydrogen fuel canisters.
The results of hydrogen’s combustion are water vapor and virtually no carbon dioxide, making this system largely carbon-neutral. Kawasaki Motors Ltd., a member of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, is conducting R&D with the aim of producing a hydrogen ICE motorcycle in the early 2030s.
Kawasaki is a member of HySE (Hydrogen Small-mobility & Engine technology), an association focused on researching hydrogen-combustion technology, from engines to filling and fuel-supply systems. The membership includes the Japanese Big Four motorcycle companies and Toyota.
The hydrogen-powered Kawasaki boasts futuristic edgy styling.
Using hydrogen for fuel has clear advantages in terms of exhaust emissions, but its widespread adoption will be hindered by the extremely limited infrastructure for its delivery into motor vehicles. Hydrogen’s transportation and storage require special facilities that are expensive to set up.
“Timing and availability,” notes Kawasaki, “may vary depending on the hydrogen fuel supply infrastructure and the status of legal regulations in each country.”
The dawn of a new era of internal-combustion motorcycles.
Kawasaki is clearly committed to alternatives to traditional gas-powered internal-combustion engines. In 2023, Kawasaki announced two all-electric motorcycles, the Ninja e-1 ABS and Z e-1 ABS. And in January, Kawasaki unveiled two hybrid motorcycles, the Ninja 7 Hybrid ABS and Z7 Hybrid ABS, which combine an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor, and they can run on either power source independently or on both at the same time.
Now in its fourth generation in 10 years, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 has received a long list of updates and is better than ever. (Photos by Joseph Agustin)
The traditional gift for a 10th anniversary is tin or aluminum, neither of which is particularly fancy, but the latter certainly makes sense for the 2024 Yamaha MT-09. The 890cc inline-Triple-powered naked bike is built around a controlled-fill die-cast aluminum frame, its subframe and swingarm are likewise made from aluminum, and so are its lightweight spinforged wheels and other components.
A decade ago, I attended the U.S. press launch for the all-new Yamaha FZ-09 (as it was originally called) in San Francisco. Blasting around the steep, obstacle-course streets of the Golden Gate City on the fast and frisky FZ was a rollicking good time. The bike was fresh, exciting, and unique, and it felt like Yamaha had a hit on its hands.
The 2014 Yamaha FZ-09 was a bold, unique entry into the middleweight naked segment. (Photo by Tom Riles)
The FZ-09 was the first model powered by Yamaha’s new “Crossplane Concept” inline-Triple, which was inspired by the YZF-R1’s distinctive crossplane inline-Four. The R1’s engine offsets each crankpin 90 degrees from the next, which creates a cross rather than the flat plane of a 180-degree crank, and it uses an uneven firing interval for smoother throttle response, better rear-wheel traction, and unique character. With one less cylinder, the FZ-09’s CP3 has each crankpin offset 120 degrees from the next, and they fire sequentially (1-2-3) in even 240-degree intervals, and the result is much the same as with the R1’s engine.
The original 847cc CP3 inline-Triple that powered the first-generation Yamaha FZ-09.
The lively motor cranked out about 110 hp, and it was bolted into a compact bike that weighed just 414 lb soaking wet. Duly impressed, in my review I claimed that “the FZ-09 looks, sounds, and feels different from any other bike on the road. It’s part sportbike, part supermoto, and part streetfighter.” That first iteration had some teething issues, including abrupt throttle response and a brick-like seat, but it was a blast on two wheels and a steal at just $7,990. So many deposits were put down before bikes started arriving at dealerships that Yamaha doubled production.
The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 has fresh styling, revised ergonomics, updated electronics, and upgrades to its chassis and suspension. This colorway is called Midnight Cyan. Other color options are Matte Raven Black and Team Yamaha Blue.
Ten years later, we’re now on the fourth generation of the platform known in America since 2018 as the MT-09 to match its global nomenclature. Updates every few years have been fueled by the bike’s popularity – more than 30,000 have been sold in the U.S. and nearly 200,000 have been sold worldwide.
The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 has sportier ergonomics, but comfort isn’t compromised and the new riding position makes sense for the bike’s intended purpose.
As the MT-09 has grown up, it has become more refined and more sophisticated. But, unlike most teen rebels who become tax-paying adults, the MT hasn’t lost its edgy side. The biggest overhaul was in 2021, when it got a larger 890cc (up from 847cc) engine, an updated chassis, and an IMU-supported electronics package adapted from the R1.
The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 has new LED headlights and position lights, plus a whole lot more.
2024 Yamaha MT-09 Review | What’s New
Updates for 2024 are mostly enhancements. Starting with the drivetrain, the transmission has new drive dogs and gears that improve shifting engagement and reduce backlash. Yamaha’s third-generation quickshifter now works at speeds as low as 9 mph and allows downshifts during acceleration as well as upshifts during deceleration. To improve intake sound, there are now two tuned intake ducts instead of three, a new intake opening in the airbox, and, like those introduced on the 2022 Yamaha MT-10, Acoustic Amplifier Grilles atop the fuel tank that project intake sound directly into the cockpit.
Atop the redesigned fuel tank are Acoutic Amplifier Grilles, which project intake sound into the cockpit.
The MT-09’s updated styling and revised ergonomics begin at the front, with new LED headlights and position lights fitted into a stubby, Predator-esque facemask. The fuel tank was reshaped and repositioned for a more aggressive look and sportier ergonomics. Compared to the previous model, the tank is wider, lower, and has deeper knee cut-outs. The handlebar is now 1.4 inches lower, is a tad closer to the rider, and has more sweep and a sharper rise, but it also has two position settings and an additional four degrees of steering sweep on either side (32 degrees, up from 28). The net result of these changes is more weight on the front tire and a smaller turning radius, both of which make the bike easier to maneuver.
The 2024 Yamaha MT-09’s new Predator-eqsue facemask includes high/low beams in the center and postion lights that look like menacing squinted eyes.
Ergonomic changes also extend to the saddle, with the former single-piece seat replaced by separate rider and passenger saddles. Seat height for the rider remains 32.5 inches, but the seat is flatter and 0.5 inch narrower near the front to make it easier to reach the ground. The rider’s footpegs have been moved rearward and like the handlebar are adjustable with two positions. Yamaha further sweated the details by making the clutch lever adjustable over 14 positions spanning a 0.4-inch range, making the mirrors larger, and replacing the cast brake pedal with a stronger forged unit.
The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 has a new two-piece seat, and the rider’s portion is flatter and narrower in front.
Having altered the front/rear weight distribution and always on the hunt for better handling, Yamaha also made changes to the MT-09’s chassis and suspension. The CP3 Triple is a stressed member of the chassis, and the right and left side engine brackets were made thicker for more rigidity in the middle. The headstock bracket, on the other hand, was changed to allow more compliance up front.
Engine internals are unchanged, but the transmission has been updated and the engine mounts have been revised.
The MT-09 still uses a fully adjustable 41mm inverted fork made by KYB, but it has a higher spring rate and firmer damping. The KYB shock, which is adjustable for preload and rebound, uses a new linkage ratio with a flatter curve as well as firmer damping. The main brake components – dual 298mm floating front discs with 4-piston radial calipers, a single 245mm rear disc with a 1-piston caliper – are unchanged, but the front master cylinder has been upgraded to a premium Brembo radial setup.
2024 Yamaha MT-09 Review | Riding Impressions
Yamaha returned to the Bay Area for the U.S. press launch of the 2024 MT-09, but this time around we were farther south in the heart of Silicon Valley. That’s fitting since the latest MT is the most tech heavy yet. It has a larger, 5-inch (up from 3.5) TFT instrument panel with four display modes. Using the Yamaha Y-Connect app, a smartphone can be paired with the bike, allowing use of the free Garmin StreetCross app for on-screen turn-by-turn navigation.
A larger 5-inch TFT instrument panel has four display modes and rich graphics that show how different Yamaha Ride Control electronics alter riding characteristics.
Connecting the Garmin StreetCross app enables on-screen navigation.
The Yamaha Ride Control electronics suite has been simplified into three standard ride modes (Sport, Street, and Rain) as well as two customizable modes that allow all rider aids to be tailored to the rider’s preferences via the TFT menu or Y-Connect app. Parameters can be adjusted for throttle response, lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, slide control, wheelie control, back-slip regulation, and the quickshifter. The handlebar switches have been redesigned to be more user-friendly and intuitive, and cruise control is now standard.
Cruising around town, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The MT-09’s engine alights with a familiar growl. Following the model-year 2021 update, there has been no typical exhaust pipe to speak of, just a metal box under the bike with an exit hole on the bottom. With the engines warmed up, we began our test ride on the city streets of Cupertino, where Apple is headquartered. It was a Thursday morning, and folks were driving their Teslas to Starbucks, driving their Teslas to work, or driving their Teslas to drop kids off at school. Our gang of gas-powered motorcycles might as well have been a group of Hell’s Angels.
As a slender, light, compact machine, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 would make an ideal commuter.
At modest around-town speeds, the MT-09 is well-mannered. It’s easy to maneuver, its controls and functions make sense, and its exhaust burbles politely. As a lightweight, compact machine, it would be an ideal commuter, even more so when fitted with one of Yamaha’s accessory top trunks, available in 34-liter and 45-liter sizes.
The MT-09’s happy place.
But a sporty naked bike lives its best life in the curves. Leaving the flat suburban grid behind, we climbed into the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains, which are covered with towering redwoods and crisscrossed with fantastic roads, such as Skyline Boulevard and Big Basin Way. With its wheels wearing the latest Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tires, the MT-09 clung to the road like a cat climbing a tree, and it handled the dozens of tight transitions with confident ease.
The MT-09’s spinforged wheels are shod with new Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport 23 radials.
When riding at speed while leaned over, whether giving it throttle or applying the brakes, the changes to the MT-09’s ergonomics, weight distribution, and chassis clicked. The more committed riding position improves the rider’s sense of control, providing a more reassuring connection to the bike. Grippier tires with more weight on the front and firmer suspension damping help the MT-09 feel more planted. The bike does more of what it is supposed to do – what you want it to do – freeing up brain space for scanning ahead, judging corner speed, or admiring the blurred view out of the corner of your eye.
The Yamaha MT-09 keeps a cool head under the pressure of aggressive sport riding.
While the Acoustic Amplifier Grilles might sound like a gimmick, they actually work. They aren’t electronic; they’re not like tiny guitar amplifiers with a knob that goes up to 11. They are simply tunnels that allow intake sound to be projected directly toward the rider, kind of like those ear trumpets old folks used a long time ago, and the effect is greatest at mid to high rpm. The auditory boost adds to the visceral, spine-tingling feelings that make sport riding so addictive.
2024 Yamaha MT-09 Review | The Long Ride Home
The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 accessorized with a 34-liter top trunk, comfort seats, and a radiator guard. (Photo by the author)
Wanting to spend more time with the new MT-09 than our one-day test ride would allow, I opted to ride one home from the launch. Yamaha set me up with several accessories, including a 34-liter top case, comfort seats, and a radiator guard (see accessory pricing below spec chart). With gear stuffed into the top case and more in a duffel bag Rok-strapped to the passenger seat, I headed south for a greatest-hits tour of Central California roads.
The accessory radiator guard keeps rocks and other debris from damaging the radiator. It’s also one heckuva bug catcher!
The accessory rider and passenger comfort seats (sold separately) use special foam for additional support and they feature unique styling and white stitching.
First I had to slog through 50 miles of traffic-clogged freeway, which required a lot of lane changes. One of the upgrades on the new MT-09 is self-cancelling turnsignals. Once activated, they turn off after 15 seconds if the bike has moved more than 150 meters (492 feet). Also new is a dual-function turnsignal rocker switch. A short tap on either the left or right side of the rocker gives a short three-pulse signal for a quick lane change, while a full press gives a continuous pulse (another full press turns off the signal, or you can wait until it auto-cancels). All well and good, except that with my big gorilla thumbs I didn’t have enough finesse to do the short tap. And rather than the more common central button that you push to cancel, I’d often hit the wrong side of the rocker and mistakenly activate the other turnsignal, which meant I was giving mixed signals – literally – to those behind me. While I’m all for self-cancelling turnsignals, the dual-function rocker switch complicates what has long been a no-look, second-nature operation.
The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 has new switchgear that includes a joystick and for navigating menus and a rocker switch for the dual-function, self-cancelling turnsignals. Cruise control is a new standard feature too.
Now that I’ve covered that nitpick, let me get back to praising the MT-09, because there isn’t much else to complain about. South of Hollister is a 60-mile stretch of California Route 25 that runs parallel to the San Andreas Fault and hugs the western side of a valley between the Diablo and Gabilan mountain ranges. It was early May, and thanks to above-average winter rainfall, my ride on SR-25 was between green hillsides, lush pastures, and fields covered in wildflowers. SR-25 passes by the eastern entrance to Pinnacles National Park, and from there until its end at State Route 198, it is a playground of curves, dips, and dales. It was a Friday morning, and the road was all but empty. Bliss.
One of the wide-open curves on California’s Hudson Ranch Road. (Photo by the author)
Crossing SR-198, I continued south on Indian Valley Road, a 40-mile roughly paved farm road that’s little more than a lane wide. Farther south, I wound through wine country on State Route 41, sliced my way through the tightly banked curves of the short but sweet State Route 229 (aka Rossi’s Driveway), and then enjoyed 65 gloriously curved and fast-paced miles on State Route 58 to the edge of the Central Valley. South of Maricopa, I climbed back into the mountains on State Route 166, rode around grassland hills and along ridgelines on Hudson Ranch Road, carved through canyons on Lockwood Valley Road, and snaked over mountains and through valleys on State Route 33.
California Route 33 emerges from the fog as it climbs the mountains in Los Padres National Forest. (Photo by the author)
It was a fantastic, 425-mile day in perfect conditions with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s. The only downside was being a human bug catcher, splattering hundreds of flying insects as I hit them at speed. After returning home, I logged another 600-plus miles on the MT-09 over the next few weeks.
Got bugs? My helmet was even worse, as you can see in the video review above. (Photo by the author)
What did I learn? The MT-09 still has the untamed spirit of the original FZ-09, but it now feels less like an unbroken bronco and more like a hot-blooded thoroughbred. It’s a more self-assured machine, ready to give the rider what he or she wants when they want it. It’s more versatile too, better equipped to perform over a wider range of uses, from trackdays to sport-touring to weekend canyon carving to daily commuting. The riding position is more committed than before, but it makes sense for the MT-09’s core mission of sport performance.
All grown up but still ready to party.
Yes, the base price of the MT-09 seems much higher than it was in 2014, but not when you take inflation into account. The $7,990 MSRP from a decade ago would be $10,532 in today’s dollars. The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is priced at $10,599 – just $67 more, yet the current model is a much better motorcycle with many more standard features, particularly its state-of-the-art electronics package. The original FZ-09 was a steal, but the new MT-09 is an even better deal.
Even though the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is more powerful, is more feature-packed, and performs better in every way, it costs only $67 more than the original 2014 FZ-09 when adjusted for inflation. Few bikes offer as much bang for the hard-earned buck.
2024 Yamaha MT-09 Specs
Base Price: $10,599
Price as Tested: $11,634 (see accessory pricing below)
The new 2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is a modern roadster powered by a variant of the liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine also found in the updated Royal Enfield Himalayan.
The Guerrilla 450 will be available in India and Europe as early as August 2024, but the North American market will have to wait until next year to see these bikes in Royal Enfield dealerships.
The Guerrilla 450, a competitor of the new 2024 Triumph Speed 400, shares the Himalayan’s liquid-cooled 452cc Sherpa single-cylinder engine but with different tuning. The engine makes a claimed 39 hp at 8,000 rpm and 30 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm, and Royal Enfield claims that 85% of torque is available starting at 3,000 rpm. It also has a 6-speed gearbox and a slip/assist clutch.
The Guerrilla’s twin-spar tubular steel frame uses the engine as a stressed member. Suspension is provided by Showa, with a nonadjustable 43mm fork with 5.5 inches of travel and a preload-adjsutable linkage-type monoshock with 5.9 inches of travel. The brakes come from Bybre, with a 310mm disc and a 2-piston caliper up front and a 270mm disc with a 1-piston caliper in the rear. The Guerrilla also comes with dual-channel ABS as standard.
The bike has a relatively short seat height at 30.7 inches, and claimed wet weight is 405 lb with 90% of fuel in the 2.9-gallon tank. The seating position is upright with mid-set footpegs. Two ride modes change throttle response, with Performance mode offering a more aggressive ride compared to Eco mode.
The Guerrilla 450 will be available in three variants: Analogue, Dash, and Flash. Analogue is the only of the three with an analog speedometer with inset LCD paired to a Tripper navigation pod. On the Dash and Flash variants, a 4-inch TFT instrument cluster connects to the rider’s smartphone via the RE App to display navigation, music control, weather forecasts, and vehicle info. The dash also has a route-recording feature, and riders can export their recorded routes as GPX files.
The Dash and Flash variants will feature a round 4-inch TFT display.
Styling is stripped down, with paint limited to the fenders, tank, and small side panels. Block-tread tubeless tires (120/70-R17 front, 160/60-R17 rear) wrap around cast wheels, and the fork tubes have accordion-style boots. The Guerrilla has a round headlight, a stubby exhaust on the right side, and a well-padded two-up seat.
The Analogue variant gets a round analog speedometer with an inset LCD screen paired with a Tripper navigation pod.
The Analogue variant will be available in Smoke Silver in North America. The Dash variant will be available in Playa Black with red and yellow accents or Gold Dip with the tank split between red and gold. The Flash option will be available in Yellow Ribbon – a colorway with yellow and black on the tank with purple dots – or Brava Blue with blue and white.
2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Dash in Playa Black
Royal Enfield has also developed a line of accessories for the new Guerrilla, including engine and sump guards, a comfort seat, tinted flyscreen, blacked-out mirrors, bar-end mirrors, and luggage options. The Guerrilla 450 also gets its own apparel range, including T-shirts, caps, and more, like the new Crossroader riding jacket with titanium sliders.
2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Flash in Brava Blue
Pricing for the U.S. has not yet been announced, but we’ll update this page when that information is available.
Harley-Davidson is now the sponsor of the BUILD Moto program, a nonprofit that teaches high school teams how to build motorcycles and other related skills.
Harley-Davidson has announced its official sponsorship of the BUILD Moto program starting with the 2025 season. Through this sponsorship, signed for the next three years, Harley-Davidson will donate items like motorcycles, parts, and accessories to the program, as well as provide access to manufacturing experts and additional support.
The BUILD program, founded in 2011, is a 501(c)3 organization that allows high school students to learn valuable skills by building a motorcycle to AMA flat-track racing standards and then entering their builds to be judged. Students, guided by a faculty advisor and up to three mentors, learn design, welding, fabrication, repair, machining, media, and more as they work on their bikes.
Each team organizes fundraising events to support their project, and they must document their progress with photos and videos posted to social media. They’re judged on design, execution, and completion of milestones throughout the season, culminating in a bike reveal and awards event at the end.
“Our involvement with BUILD Moto represents our commitment to STEAM learning and helping to teach the next generation of designers, engineers, and trades experts,” said Shanna Beanan, STEAM Program Manager at Harley-Davidson. “Working with high schoolers who are empowered to create a bike that is race-ready is really rewarding. It’s a thrill to see their confidence grow during the build and showcase what they’ve learned as the pit crew on race day.”
The 2024 season participants received an invitation to show their motorcycles at the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival at the newly opened Davidson Park in Milwaukee on July 25, 2024, at 11 a.m.
Those interested in becoming involved with the BUILD Moto program can do so in several ways. Becoming a mentor allows you to work directly with students to build the motorcycles. Working a booth at BUILD Moto events helps to spread the word about the program. Volunteering at an event to help with parking, selling merchandise, or set up/tear down can help keep the event running smoothly. If you’re a subject matter expert, you can also lend one-time assistance to teams on your specific skill, in-person or virtually.
Visit the BUILD Moto website to learn more, donate, or find ways to become involved.
Let’s find your center in this Motor School installment. There is nothing more sublime than the moment you discover perfect balance on your motorcycle. (Photos by Kevin Wing)
In an earlier column, I mentioned that my background was primarily in off-road riding and racing before I got into the police motorcycle thing. So it was inevitable that some of my lifelong dirty habits would bleed over into my techniques for riding heavy streetbikes. Hey, I was an old dog when I became a motor cop, and I had lots of old tricks. Of all the off-road skills that transferred into my urban traffic enforcement program, today’s class covers one of the best.
Let’s kick it off with some game show trivia. I’ll go with “Motorcycles” for $200, please. How do you hold on to a motorcycle when you ride? “With my hands on the handlebar.” Sorry, that’s incorrect. The answer our judges were looking for? We control the bike (push, pull, twist, and squeeze the controls) with our hands; we hold on to the motorcycle with our legs. Thanks for playing, pick up your free copy of Green Smoothies for Life on your way out the door.
Okay, that was the bell, please have a seat so we can begin. For today’s lesson, it’s important to understand that there is an optimal position within the rider cockpit that keeps the rider’s mass always balanced, minimizing the negative effects it has on the motorcycle when we experience weight transfer while riding on the street.
Let me explain: When we ride around on our motorcycles, we encounter forces of acceleration and deceleration. Do you ever find yourself holding on to the bars like a water skier under hard acceleration or performing an involuntary push-up against the bars under heavy braking? That’s weight transfer, and the less we can include our own mass in the exchange, the less it unsettles our suspension or impacts our traction, braking, steering geometry, and more. In short, the less we throw our weight around, the better. And maintaining a consistent center of balance within the cockpit is key.
Now, to put this lesson into practice, let’s go to the land of make believe (or the garage) and do a visualization exercise while perched atop our motorcycles. With your bike standing straight up (either on the centerstand or balanced with both feet on the ground), pretend the motorcycle is one of those big exercise balls you see people balancing on at the gym.
Counteracting weight transfer under acceleration with only one hand on the bar.
Now play along, and in your mind, with your eyes closed and your hands off the handlebar, shift your body to the precise location on the ball (your seat) that puts you in the center of it. Pay attention to how far forward or back you are and imagine the ball moving around in all directions. Are you still balanced? If the answer is yes, this final position is ground zero. Bullseye. Home plate. From this point forward, this will be the spot you operate from when you encounter forces of acceleration and deceleration (weight transfer) that push and pull you as you go and stop. Oh yeah, you can open your eyes now.
Let’s go ahead and gear up. I’m going to put you through an exercise that will force proper body position during weight transfer and help you develop a better sensitivity for when you get it wrong. This will allow you to self-diagnose and make the necessary corrections, because I can’t always be there to wave my pom-poms and get your special lemon drink.
The Tank Drill: This is a 1st-gear, straight-line, less-than-20-mph exercise. Pick a safe, uncongested strip of roadway or parking lot that will allow you to ride 300 feet or more in a straight line without dealing with pedestrians, cross traffic, or road hazards. Start by pulling away from a complete stop and accelerating to 15-20 mph. Then use your brakes to smoothly and comfortably slow down to approximately 5-10 mph, but don’t make a full stop. Fantastic. Now, while still in motion, accelerate back up to 15-20 mph again. At some point in the process, you will need to turn around, so go ahead and do that in whatever safe manner you choose. That’s all there is to it. Great work, you’re a ringer. Oh, I forgot to mention…
We are going to do this drill with your right hand on the bar and your left (clutch) hand resting on the tank. That’s correct: Only your throttle hand is allowed to grip the bar except during take-off and turnaround. Other than those two exceptions, your clutch hand must rest on the gas tank where I can see it. No cheating.
Shifting your weight back counteracts braking forces, and the Tank Drill helps you learn to get it just right.
You will immediately notice that to avoid pulling on the bar during acceleration (and generating an uncomfortable turning movement), you will be forced to move your upper body forward. Same goes for the braking portion, but you will need to shift your upper body weight back to remain balanced and generate no additional force on the handlebar.
Take it slow, breathe, and concentrate on getting to a balanced centered position like you’re floating on top of the bike throughout the exercise. That’s how you’ll know you got it right. Rinse and repeat, look to the sky, and proclaim “Hallelujah!”
Work this drill until you can comfortably maintain a place of perfect balance when encountering forces that occur while accelerating or braking without feeling the need to grab the handlebar with your left hand to offset any weight transfer. Keep in mind, the harder you accelerate and brake, the greater the weight transfer, which means your range of motion will need to increase within the cockpit to keep the magic carpet ride going.
In time, the pushing and pulling pressure you exert through your hands will decrease as you gain sensitivity to weight transfer. And don’t be surprised when you have more comfort and dexterity at the controls too. Most important, now that you’ve quit upsetting the physics equation with your body weight, your bike will perform better and safer beneath you. That’s huge.
If you want to watch a live-action version of this lesson, go to Police Motor Training with Quinn Redeker on YouTube and find “Perfect Balance On A Motorcycle – Balance Ball 2.0.” The Tank Drill is one of a few exercises I cover in the video, so feel free to fast forward – you won’t hurt my feelings.
Quinn wears Lee Parks Design gloves exclusively. Find Quinn at Police Motor Training.
Crossing Anthony Creek near Blue Bend, West Virginia, as we make our way toward the Virginia border on this Virginia-West Virginia Motorcycle Ride. (Photos by the author)
Riding challenging curves through beautiful mountain scenery spikes my happy gauge, and the border region of eastern West Virginia and western Virginia is ripe with options. Great roads curve along rivers, wind through national forests, and roll through small towns, with interesting sights along the way.
The historic small city of Lewisburg, West Virginia, offers good restaurants and lodgings, providing a convenient base of operations. I connected there with my long-time riding partner Steve Efthyvoulou for two day-ride loops that took us over (and over) the border between the Virginias.
Day 1: Into the Alleghany Highlands
After breakfast, we pointed our bikes north on U.S. Route 219 to Anthony Road, where a right turn put us on an entertaining and frequently narrow road that parallels Anthony Creek. Recent deer strikes on this road involving riders we know had us on heightened alert for creatures aptly named Odocoileus virginianus. We continued deer-free through the village of Anthony and past Blue Bend. A right onto State Route 92 (Pocahontas Trail) took us south through Alvon and to the outskirts of White Sulphur Springs.
Scan QR codes above or click Day 1 or Day 2 to view routes on REVER
A one-exit run on Interstate 64 east delivered us to State Route 311 (Kanawha Trail). We crossed into Virginia and entered George Washington National Forest. A few miles on, we encountered a curious double tunnel under a railroad. The original passageway was built of stone; the metal culvert must have come later.
SR-311 hugs Tygers Creek southeast toward Crows, where we went right to follow Dunlap Creek. We crossed back into West Virginia, and south of Sweet Springs, SR-311 continues left as Peters Mountain Road, curving in spectacular fashion to a ridge. There it returns to Virginia and cuts through a patchwork of green including wilderness and recreation areas, campgrounds, and trails for hikers and off-roaders.
On the outskirts of Paint Bank, where SR-311 crosses Potts Creek, the Lemon Hotel proudly flaunts its vivid yellow exterior. This historic mountain home, dating from 1909 and now operating as a bed-and-breakfast, continues the yellow theme to the garage, chicken coop, deck chairs, guest bicycles, and likely other accoutrements. Green trim mimics the leaves of a lemon tree. I’d wager the yellow lodgings are fabulous, but I was more interested in following yellow lines painted on smooth, black asphalt.
The very yellow Lemon Hotel is in Paint Bank, Virginia, along State Route 311 in the Jefferson National Forest.
Paint Bank Road continues switching back and forth down Potts Mountain, with several scenic views signposted. At New Castle, we turned left onto State Route 615 (Craig Creek Road). The road meanders less than its namesake waterway, but it’s still engaging. To our right, we noticed suspension-style bridges across the creek that look like scaled-down Golden Gate Bridges. Where Craig Creek makes its final sweep right to join the James River, we turned left onto State Route 621 (Roaring Run Road), which slices along Karnes Creek.
At Low Moor, we turned left onto U.S. Route 220, cut north through Covington, and continued on Hot Springs Road, gaining elevation through curves into the Alleghany Highlands. Beyond the junction with State Route 684, we stopped at Falling Spring Falls.
In his 1781 book, Notes on the State of Virginia, native son and future U.S. President Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The only remarkable cascade in this country is that of the Falling Spring in Augusta. It falls over a rock about 200 feet to the valley below.” These days the drop is just 80 feet because mining operations from 1927 to 1941 rerouted the stream to the current falls. It’s still beautiful, but I wonder how the original 200-foot cascade looked.
Passing through the village of Anthony, West Virginia.
Continuing on U.S. 220, we encountered arcs and hairpins climbing to a ridge, then curved down to the center of Clifton Forge, which offers multiple choices for lunch. Steve selected 42 Deli, where we ordered BLT subs overflowing with bacon. (There’s no such thing as too much bacon.)
After lunch, we continued north on Douthat Road to State Route 39 then turned left for more curves to the West Virginia border. Down in Marlinton, we turned left onto U.S. 219 through Buckeye and Hillsboro. In Pocahontas, we visited Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, site of an 1863 Civil War battle that ended organized Southern resistance in the still-new state of West Virginia. A walk up the observation tower rewarded us with a panoramic view of the Greenbrier River Valley. Continuing south on U.S. 219, a combination of sweepers and twisties returned us to Lewisburg to complete the day’s loop.
Day 2: West Virginia High
The next morning, our second loop started east from Lewisburg on U.S. Route 60 then turned south at Cadwell onto State Route 63 (Monroe Draft). At Organ Cave, this road joins U.S. 219 (Seneca Trail), and at Pickaway we turned right onto State Route 3 toward Sinks Grove and Wolf Creek. At Alderson, SR-3 crosses the Greenbrier River and bends gently west and south for a relaxed run along this scenic river.
Twin peaks reflect off the New River in Sandstone, West Virginia.
At Bellepoint, the Greenbrier and New Rivers converge, and just past Hinton we encountered a fantastic section of State Route 20. With tight turns and elevation changes, it moves along Gwinn Ridge with practically perfect pavement. At Sandstone we parked at the general store and walked around back for a close-up look at the New River. It’s among the oldest rivers on Earth, flowing northward through West Virginia valleys and canyons. On a perfect June morning, it couldn’t be prettier.
Reversing course, we enjoyed SR-20’s curves in the opposite direction. At Hinton, SR-3 presents a curvy stretch of two-lane to Shady Spring. There, U.S. Route 19 south got us down to Odd Road, which given its continual curves, is anything but odd for West Virginia. In the village of Odd, we turned right. Then at Coal City Road, we turned left for more twisties. At Amigo we picked up State Route 16 and wound through Stephenson and Corinne to Mullens.
Riding north out of Mullens on State Route 54 led us to a succession of twisty backroads including State Routes 97 and 3, Mattsville Road, Lower Sandick Road, and Clear Creek Crossing Road. In the village of Clear Creek Crossing, the riding got even better when we turned right onto Clear Fork Road. The tight curves border on perilous, but wow, it was fun!
East of Bellepoint, West Virginia, SR-3 curves gently along the Greenbrier River.
Clear Fork Road ends (sigh) at Maple Fork Road, then we went left on State Route 16, right on 61, and left on 41. Farther on, we reached a highlight of the day, Babcock State Park, featuring Glade Creek Grist Mill and a series of streaming waterfalls.
Returning to SR-41, we continued to U.S. 60 and got exactly what we’ve come to expect from a great West Virginia road: smooth tar with elevation changes and thrilling curves. What a way to finish this ride. At the intersection of U.S. 219, we were back in Lewisburg.
Morning presented a 664-mile highway jaunt to get home. That’s a long way in a day but a small price to enjoy border hopping the Virginias.
Scott “Bones” Williams engages readers on motorcycle touring, gear, and culture. His writing conveys his love of speed and motion, preference for roads less taken, and role as goodwill ambassador.
The Highway 21 Women’s Pearl Motorcycle Jacket and Black Ivy Gloves are comfortable and styling leather motorcycle apparel for women. (Photo by Kevin Wing)
Black leather motorcycle apparel can often be understated, which many shoppers might enjoy about their gear. The Highway 21 leather apparel I’ve been testing has a bit more pizzaz, combining a cool look with comfortable and protective materials.
The Highway 21 Women’s Pearl Motorcycle Jacket is one of the most eye-catching black leather motorcycle jackets I’ve seen. From the brass-colored snap buttons on the flared collar to the buckled belt, it oozes more old-school cool than anything else in my closet.
The jacket is made of premium full-grain leather and is comfortable to wear. The leather is soft and flexible, unlike some stiffer and more constricting leather jackets I’ve worn. It comes with armor pockets in the back, shoulders, and elbows, although you’ll need to purchase the armor separately.
For adjustability, the jacket includes buckles at the cuffs and waist, along with the leather belt around the hips. The cuffs also have zippered vents that can be opened for some airflow, although that’s the sum of the ventilation options on this jacket, so I avoid wearing this one in hot weather. It also includes a comfort inner lining, two handwarmer pockets, and an internal pocket with a stretchable strap inside to secure any items you want to stow there.
The part of this jacket that most gives it its distinct look is the asymmetrical zipper and collar. With the zipper about halfway up, the collar can be snapped back into place for an open collar without the rider having to worry about loose parts flapping in the wind. If you want to zip it up all the way, simply unsnap the buttons and zip it up. I think the unsnapped buttons distract from the cool factor, so I usually leave the collar snapped back.
Whenever I’m wearing the Pearl jacket, I also wear my Highway 21 Women’s Black Ivy Gloves, which are made of supple goat leather and feature dual-density memory foam for comfort and less vibration, pre-curved fingers, accordion expansion panels on the fingers, hard knuckle protection, and a hook-and-loop adjustable wrist. They also feature a laser-etched Highway 21 design on the back of the hand.
The gloves work well with the jacket, but they also feature a more versatile look that isn’t quite as distinct. They’re easy to slip on and off, and if you purchase the right fit, they don’t slide around while riding. Like the jacket, they don’t offer much ventilation, so I wear them more often in spring and fall.
This Highway 21 leather apparel might not fit every look, but it certainly has personality. Both the Pearl Jacket and the Black Ivy Gloves are great spring and fall pieces of gear that are comfortable and protective. The jacket is available in sizes S-3XL for $249.95, and the gloves are available in sizes S-2XL for $54.95.
While the majority of visitors to Joshua Tree National Park stick to the pavement, there are several dirt roads that finger into the beautiful desert landscape, perfect for this Joshua Tree National Park motorcycle ride. (Photos by the author and Cheryl Kessel)
“It’s the Joshua tree’s struggle that gives it its beauty,” writes Jeannette Walls in her 2005 memoir The Glass Castle. She further contends that such struggle leads to growth and resilience. We motorcyclists know all about struggle, especially in the depths of winter. We struggle to find ways to assuage our overwhelming desire to ride as snow blankets roads and freezing winds cut like knives. For us, the Joshua tree can also represent escape and relief.
My wife and I sat in the morning sun in the courtyard of the beautiful Dive Palm Springs, a downtown boutique hotel in the vibrant California desert city (see sidebar below). As we ate croissants and fresh fruit, we discussed our January therapy session: riding our BMW G 650 XCountry through Joshua Tree National Park.
The ride out of Palm Springs was easy. The city has embraced and preserved its mid-century heritage and charm. Buildings, landscaping, and signage harken back to the city’s heyday as a mecca for L.A.’s rich and famous. We rode alongside expansive golf courses and tennis courts. Once out of the city, we continued east on Interstate 10 through the muted hues of the Mojave Desert.
Joshua Tree National Park has three entrances, and our route took us to the southernmost entrance near I-10. There was no wait at this lesser-used access, and our National Parks Annual Pass granted us entry.
Our ride north into the park started as a nicely paved roll through the sparse desert landscape on Pinto Basin Road. Mountains rose on the horizon, but no Joshua trees. A full palate of cacti, including chollas and ocotillos, defined our early impressions of the national park. Long sweeping corners and smooth straight stretches marked the climb in elevation. The road became more curvaceous, and the park’s namesake trees started to appear sporadically, foreshadowing what was to come.
The author’s wife, Cheryl, stands in front of the park’s entry signage.
Pinto Basin Road terminates at Park Boulevard. A right turn would lead us north to Twentynine Palms, the city immortalized in a great Robert Plant song of the same name. Instead, we turned left into the heart of the park and the center of the Joshua tree universe.
The roads through Joshua Tree offer up starkly beautiful visual backdrops. The rock vistas, desert sand, and unique trees combine for a remarkable riding experience.
Almost immediately, the stands of Joshua trees became denser, the trees larger. Joshua trees are fantastical, whimsical, and majestic all at once. It is as if each one has a personality of its own. Some are simple and understated, but many are over-the-top in their stylized poses. Arms emanate in every direction and at rakish angles that seem almost comical, like attention-seeking adolescents with limbs akimbo and wild haircuts.
Our first pedestrian foray was at the fantastic erosion-sculpted Skull Rock. My diminutive riding companion could easily fit within one of the cranial cavities in the impressive monolith, one of many sculpture-esque outcroppings of granite in this portion of the park.
Cheryl stands in front of one of the park’s most recognizable features, Skull Rock. The rock morphs in appearance with the changing shadows throughout the day.
After a few more miles on our northwestern route through the park, we sampled one of the established dirt roads that wind through Joshua trees. Vehicles must stay on approved roads, and there are several dirt roads that offer off-pavement possibilities for dirt-worthy mounts. Our midsized BMW proved perfect for a little sandy exploration.
Back on tarmac, we motored past climbers scaling the vertical walls of beautiful rock formations. We also cut through the part of the park that features the most spectacular Joshua trees, which cast long shadows in the late afternoon light, adding an otherworldly quality to the ride.
After leaving the park, we rolled back to Palm Springs on Twentynine Palms Highway (State Route 62). We motored west and then south past Desert Hot Springs and beside a different forest – one of towering wind turbines. Back in Palm Springs, we showered off the day’s ride and headed downtown to enjoy the Palm Springs Village Fest, an event hosted every Thursday that features art, food, music, and lots of smiling attendees.
With our therapy session complete, we felt much better. This ride would be oppressively hot during the summer, but it’s the perfect escape in fall, winter, and spring months.
Dive Palm Springs is a quaint and beautiful 11-room boutique hotel on the fringe of downtown Palm Springs. The petite, Euro-inspired property is meticulously maintained, with a restored historic pool as its centerpiece. A welcoming glass of rosé greets new guests, and an individually prepared organic breakfast is delivered to your room or beside the pool each morning. This hidden gem is the perfect place to recline in luxury after a long ride.
Joshua Tree National Park Motorcycle Ride Resources
With 50 years of motorcycling and 30 years of teaching English under his belt, Tim Kessel has melded those two passions into a gig as a motojournalist. Maybe that’s why there is always a permanent, satisfied smile under his full-face helmet.
Bringing you the Best Motorcycle News from Around the Web!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
