Wind Burned Eyes

The Real Cost of Owning a Motorcycle

Few people buy a motorcycle and think carefully about what it’s actually going to cost them per year. They think about the purchase price, maybe the insurance, and that’s usually it.

The rest, things like maintenance, tires, registration, gear replacement, depreciation, show up later, one expense at a time, in a way that never quite adds up to a number you anticipated.

The cost of owning a motorcycle in 2026 is real, manageable, and significantly lower than owning a car, but it’s also higher than most new riders budget for when they’re standing in a dealership parking lot trying to justify the purchase.

Video Analysis: 2026 Ducati Hypermotard V2 Review

The fine folks at Motorcycle.com traveled to Modena, Italy, to test the 2026 Ducati Hypermotard V2 SP. The below video review focuses on the high-performance “SP” variant of the newly redesigned Hypermotard.

It’s a special bike, and in the post below I’ll outline what Sylvia says in the video as well as provide my own take on this unique Ducati.

Custom Triumph Street Twin by Crafton Atelier

The TYPE 110 by Bangkok-based Crafton Atelier is a sophisticated reinterpretation of the classic Triumph Street Twin, designed to channel the spirit and athletic stance of the early 1960s Triumph Tiger 110.

Rather than a traditional “chopped” custom, the build utilizes a high-end, plug-and-play kit that corrects the Street Twin’s stock, rear-heavy silhouette without any permanent modifications to the frame.

Skid Lids Original Lucky Lady Helmet Review – Everything You Need to Know

The Skid Lids Original Lucky Lady helmet is a classic half helmet designed for cruiser and custom bike riders who want minimal coverage with old-school styling. It’s one of the more accessible DOT-certified helmets on the market.

The Lucky Lady keeps it simple: a low-profile shell, D-ring retention, and DOT certification at a price that’s hard to argue with. Here’s what you get.

Why Motorcycle Riders Have Always Had a Thing for Roadside Diners

Pull into any small-town diner on a Saturday morning and odds are good you’ll see a few motorcycles out front.

Maybe a couple of touring rigs, a naked standard, possibly some guy on a vintage Honda who looks like he’s been riding since before the interstate system existed. It’s a pattern that shows up everywhere, and it’s not an accident.

Riders and roadside diners have been doing this dance for decades. The relationship makes total sense once you think about it.

LS2 Rapid III Crypt Helmet Review – Everything You Need to Know

The LS2 Rapid III Crypt helmet is a full-face street helmet that punches well above its budget price tag.

DOT and ECE 22.06 certified, it checks both safety standards at a budget price point. Here’s what you’re actually getting for the money.

The E-Clutch Transition: Why Experienced Riders Are Struggling With Honda’s New Tech (And How to Fix Your Muscle Memory)

For twenty years, my left hand has had a singular job: pull, click, release. It’s a dance so deeply ingrained in my subconscious that I don’t think about it anymore. That changes with some of Honda’s new bikes.

Honda’s new E-Clutch is brilliant. It’s lighter than a DCT and more versatile than a standard quickshifter. But for those of us with a few hundred thousand miles in our “manual” memory banks, it creates a strange psychological friction. If you’ve found yourself “ghost-pulling” the lever or feeling like the bike is stalled when it isn’t, you aren’t alone.

Here is the truth about the E-Clutch transition and how to master it without losing your mind.

Video Analysis: KTM 990 Duke vs Yamaha MT-09 SP

The fine gents across the pond at Motorcycle News (MCN) recently pit the reigning middleweight champion, the Yamaha MT-09 SP, against the long-awaited challenger, the KTM 990 Duke R.

This video (included below) is a great comparison piece that’s worth a watch. I’ll also provide my own opinion on these two awesome bikes below.

Custom Speedway Bike by Purpose Built Moto

The fully custom “Speedway Commission” by Australian workshop Purpose Built Moto (PBM) is a radical, street-legal reimagining of a professional speedway racer.

Built for a client named Jake, the project ditches the traditional “donor bike” approach in favor of a completely custom-fabricated chromoly frame designed around a specialized 500cc GM (Giuseppe Marzotto) engine.

Alpinestars Stated Flair Shoes Review – Everything You Need to Know

The Alpinestars Stated Flair shoes are a pair of street riding shoes built for riders who want protection they can actually wear off the bike. Heritage racing aesthetics, a leather upper, and real ankle protection make this pair of shoes a legit commuter and leisure riding option.

The Stated Flair is built around a leather upper with real ankle protection underneath, in a silhouette that reads as casual footwear off the bike. Here’s what to know before you buy.