Between everything that has, or hasn’t happened in the crazy year of 2020, a lot is happening in the world of motorcycle development.
For most vehicle manufacturers, this has been an altogether forgettable year. Motorcycles on the other hand have sold rather well. This particular part of the automotive landscape is the very best answer to social distancing, everyone has their own idea of how best to do this, and congruently every motorcycle manufacturer has something that can fit those individual needs. From scooters to electric sports bikes, there is a lot to get excited about next year.
10 Honda ADV150
If you are new to two wheels and want something fun to start off with, or just want to get something to run around town on the ADV150 is a great way to go.
It gets the extremely efficient 150 scooter engine (that also happens to be bulletproof), with a more fun adventure bike look. It is easily the best-looking scooter around, and although its big brother, the ADV750 might seem more interesting it is also unbelievably expensive considering it is just a maxi-scooter with adv tires.
9 Aprilia Tuono 660
The 660’s are the most exciting bikes to have come from Aprilia in quite some time, the RS sports bike has already hit showroom floors in some parts of the world and has seen some real-world rider reviews.
As a middleweight sports bike, it is quite good-looking, but as a partially faired semi-naked bike it is downright sexy. It will have a slightly less powerful 95 horsepower version of the 660 engine but will have far superior ergonomics and will be far more accessible/useable as a daily rider.
8 KTM 450 SMR
The supermoto is making something of a surprise comeback, considering popularity has been on a downturn and even KTM as one of the leaders in this segment haven’t offered this 450 for going on seven years.
It is back though and better than ever, it gets tunable maps, traction control, and launch control. It is also riding on super moto slicks and Alpina rims as standard, not road legal but it sure makes for a lot of track fun.
7 Energica Eva Ribelle RS
As far as electric motorcycles go, one of the most battle-tested manufacturers has to be Energica. It is their bikes you will see performing in the MotoE series that is staking its claim at being the premier E-motorsports series.
So that is what makes the launch of their bikes rather exciting, the naked version is a little more affordable and seemingly just as fun as the sports bike version with the added bonus of comfort and usability.
6 Lightning Strike
In the Lightning, we have not only a full-blown electric sports bike, but an affordable electric motorcycle.
At just a shade under $13000 we won’t go all out and say it is cheap, but it is a huge step in the right direction. It won’t match the Zero when it comes to overall performance, but if you need more power and range then the top of the line Carbon edition will cover all your bases, including budget (and it certainly looks better too).
5 Ducati XDiavel Dark
To say the least it has the most controversial styling out there, especially when you look at the competition that has been pretty standard for decades now.
Standing out from the crowd is one thing, but delivering when it comes to performance is another. This is where the latest iteration of the “Ugly Ducati” comes into its own, blowing away all of the competition when it comes to ride comfort, features, power, and handling.
4 Yamaha Tenere 700 Rally Edition
If you looking at a capable adventure touring motorcycle most of the fraternity will point you towards the BMW GS series of motorcycles.
The Yamaha is able to do everything those BMW bikes do, just better. It is a remarkable bike because it somehow does everything, it has a tractable parallel twin that is suitable for long rides. It is lightweight and has long suspension travel suitable for serious off-roading too.
3 Yamaha YZ250F
For 2021 the best gets better, as far as off-road bikes go the YZ has been leading the pack for years, and now it gets a fairly comprehensive overhaul.
It gets a new intake system and muffler that help improve the mid-range and top end. It also gets the Yamaha Power Tuner App that can adjust the engine mapping anywhere, any time.
2 Kawasaki ZX-10R
After very few changes in the past 5 years or so, the Kawasaki superbike gets a significant update.
It gets completely new bodywork, revised suspension, and a more powerful engine thanks in no small part to the Kawasaki Racing Team that were more hands-on with the development of the latest iteration.
1 Bimota KB4
If you ever thought the Kawasaki literbikes were fantastic motorcycles, just a little ugly, Bimota addresses that issue. Until recently, we were unsure it would make it to production, but it will next year, some physical proof in the spy-shot above.
They take the heart of the Kawa and fit it into their own bespoke frame, then wrap it in the most beautiful heritage bodywork.