Wind Burned Eyes

It Looks Like Yamaha Will Bring the Retro XSR900 GP to America

American sportbike enthusiasts can finally celebrate: Yamaha is officially bringing the highly anticipated XSR900 GP to the United States as a 2027 model.

Despite being available in European markets since 2024, the retro-inspired machine was long withheld from American shores, to the frustration of local riders. The official confirmation comes via newly published California Air Resources Board (CARB) executive order filings, which explicitly list the model alongside Yamaha’s updated U.S.-bound 890cc inline-triple lineup.

Best Half Helmets for 2026

Half helmets offer the most minimal coverage of any style of motorcycle helmet on the market, favored by cruiser riders who want the wind-in-your-hair feel. That doesn’t mean you should skip certification and build quality when choosing one. Every pick below is DOT-verified, with no recalled or questionable products included, and each links to a full third-party review.

Quick Answer: The Bell Pit Boss is the best half helmet overall for 2026. Bell has the trust factor that matters in a category full of questionable novelty helmets, and the Pit Boss backs it up with genuine build quality. For a budget option, the Daytona Skull Cap is a reliable, ultra-minimalist pick.

Is Suzuki’s GSX-R750Z 40th Anniversary Edition Proof That Legends Never Age?

When Suzuki dropped the original GSX-R750 back in 1985, it basically redefined what a middleweight sportbike could be: race-ready performance with a featherweight chassis. The bike dominated the track and inspired an entire category. Four decades on, Suzuki’s celebrating that legacy with the 2026 GSX-R750Z 40th Anniversary Edition.

The mechanical core is unchanged. You get the same 750cc four-stroke liquid-cooled DOHC inline-four with 12.5:1 compression and a lightweight, compact frame that still punches above its displacement. For 2026, the real story is the commemorative paint and styling cues that remind riders where this bike came from.

Custom Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC by Poulson Creative

The best custom motorcycles aren’t built from a catalogue. They start with a problem and an idea.

For Poulson Creative, an Essex workshop founded by Stuart Poulson in 2018, that meant taking Triumph’s Scrambler 1200 XC and asking what it could become. Their answer: The Jackal, a bespoke machine that blends off-road capability with long-distance comfort, all without losing the scrambler’s character.

Does Honda’s CB1000F Prove Retro Bikes Are Ready to Compete With Modern Sportbikes?

Honda just took the wraps off its newest retro, the CB1000F, with a hillclimb run at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s drawing direct inspiration from the legendary CB750F that Freddie Spencer piloted through the American AMA championships in the 1980s, but updated for 2026 riders who want style without sacrificing tech.

Under the skin sits a 1000cc inline-four engine borrowed from the Fireblade and re-worked for real-world punch. The result: 122 horsepower at 9000rpm and 76 lb-ft of torque at 8000 rpm.

Can Suzuki’s GSX-R1000R Finally Prove Less Power Doesn’t Mean Less Impact?

The 2026 Suzuki GSX-R1000R is back after a long absence from the superbike wars, and it arrives leaner but more calculated than ever. The new motor cranks out 192 horsepower at 13,200 rpm—a step down from Ducati’s current 210-plus bhp superbikes—but Suzuki isn’t playing the horsepower game anymore.

The 999.8cc inline-four has been fundamentally rebuilt. A new crankshaft, crankcases, pistons, connecting rods, and 13.8:1 compression ratio make this engine feel like a clean slate.

10 Best 50cc Scooters In America

These are the best 50cc scooters in America that you can buy right now.

I talk a lot about motorcycles on this website, but there is another two-wheeled machine that deserves serious credit: the 50cc scooter.

Plenty of motorcycle riders write off 50cc scooters, but they miss the point. These machines are simple to maintain, easy to maneuver, and cheap to run. They pull triple-digit fuel economy numbers, fit into tight parking spaces, and offer built-in storage space that most street motorcycles can only dream of.

Best Motorcycle Helmets Under $350

Spending a lot on a helmet does not automatically mean getting a better helmet. The sub-$300 range has matured significantly, with real safety certifications, quality shell construction, and useful features that used to cost twice as much. The helmets below prove that point clearly.

Every pick here carries DOT certification at minimum. Most carry ECE 22.06 as well, which is the more rigorous standard. None of them feel like compromises once you put them on.

Is Moto Guzzi Really Trading the V-Twin for the Trip 500 Parallel Twin?

Moto Guzzi is about to make a historic choice: abandoning its legendary V-twin heritage for an entry-level model powered by a parallel-twin engine shared with Aprilia. The upcoming “Trip 500” (or “Il Viaggio Cinquecento” in Italian) marks a significant departure for the Italian brand, and spy shots suggest it’s nearly ready for production.

The bike will use Aprilia’s proven 457cc parallel-twin with 48 horsepower, keeping it squarely in the A2-license category where the market is booming. It’s a practical move, but it raises questions: Can Moto Guzzi’s retro styling overcome the loss of the engine character that built its reputation?

Is Harley-Davidson’s Deadwood Cruiser the Bike That Will Save the Sturgis Soul?

Harley-Davidson is pulling the wraps off a brand-new model called the Deadwood—a cruiser inspired by the post-war history of Sturgis itself—at the 86th annual rally in August. It’s not often that a new bike gets its public debut at the world’s largest motorcycle rally, and the fact that Harley chose this one to unveil there says something about what the company thinks this machine represents.

The Motor Company seems intent on leaning hard into heritage during what has been a turbulent year for the brand. After laying off workers and facing dealer health concerns in the U.S. market, rolling out the Deadwood at Sturgis feels like a statement: Harley still builds the bikes that matter to the culture that made the rally what it is.