Harley-Davidson Softail Rocker $15,895
One of the toughest challenges facing Harley-Davidson is maintaining its famous look while modernizing its bikes with contemporary style. The new Softail Rocker takes the custom-chopper concept and blends it into classic Softail architecture, creating a striking, head-turning machine infused with modern Harley functionality. The rear fender is fixed to the swingarm, so both tire and fender float over bumps together, which is pretty cool. The engine is Harley’s impressive Twin Cam 96B, which is counterbalanced for smoothness and solidly mounted in the frame for chassis rigidity. Adding to this ride’s widespread appeal is a six-speed transmission that makes high-speed cruising a breeze.
Buell 1125R $11,995
Erik Buell has been building singular motorcycles for decades, but it wasn’t until Harley-Davidson purchased most of his company a few years ago that he got a much needed influx of money and resources to help him realize his dreams. And while his unique chassis designs (including carrying the fuel in the frame and massive front disc brakes that run the perimeter of the wheel) have won accolades, the engines have been lacking in serious thrust. Unlike past Buells that used a reworked Harley Sportster air-cooled V-twin, the all-new 1125R has a raucous liquid-cooled V-twin by famed Austrian engine builder Rotax. The engine has improved not only due to the heat management that liquid cooling provides; it’s also smoother and considerably stronger than the twin it replaced. This innovative and ambitious Buell is graced with top-shelf suspension components, twin radiators with massive, funky shrouds, and a clean, low-maintenance belt final drive. Aggressive steering geometry and a light, 375-pound dry weight add razor-sharp handling to the new motor’s muscle, making the 1125R a serious competitor on street and track.
Aprilia SL 750 Shiver $9,000
The Italian manufacturer Aprilia is famous for taking the finest components and making potent, beautiful motorcycles out of them. This protocol has been successful on the street and in competition, but the company has always wanted to do more in-house manufacturing. The new naked Shiver features Aprilia’s own engine (unlike the Rotax-supplied mills of the past), a 749-cc 90-degree V-twin with liquid cooling and very sophisticated engine management, including “Ride by Wire� throttle control. The bike’s electronics run through an instrument panel that also functions as a diagnostic terminal, greatly simplifying the system and reducing weight. The engine’s power is a respectable 95 horsepower, thanks in part to a free-flow stainless-steel exhaust system. The chassis is a study in tasteful minimalism, with a rigid tubular steel trellis that is amazingly light and strong. As with all Aprilias, there are no sloppy welds or components that look bolted on as an afterthought. The Shiver is gloriously sculpted and wonderfully functional, a great new player from a company that values style and engineering in equal measure.
Piaggio MP3 $7,000
For as long as there have been motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters, there have been creative (and occasionally twisted) engineers who have done some wild things to improve the two-wheel breed. Piaggio has been building scooters ranging from mild to wild since 1946, and when you see its bizarre MP3, you might think you left your 3-D glasses on after viewing an IMAX flick. But there is a pair of wheels connected to the front handlebars, allowing the MP3 to deliver feet-up stability at stops while still steering like a two-wheeled scooter. The witchcraft is in the four aluminum arms and twin tubes of the front suspension, which allows the front wheels to tilt at speed. Push a button as you roll to a stop and the wheels lock into place, so the MP3 stays upright. It’s ingenious, and it improves steering stability on uneven surfaces. It also makes parking unusually easy because you don’t have to use the machine’s stand at all. Since you’ve got an upright three-wheeled vehicle, you can just jump off and walk away on just about any kind of terrain. The chassis is not just innovative in terms of the front wheels, either. Piaggio threw a fatter tire fitted to the rear. Braking, aided by the extra tire and its contact patch with the pavement, is excellent. Power comes from a 244-cc fuel-injected single-cylinder engine coupled to a clutchless, continuously variable transmission. A 3.2-gallon tank delivers excellent range, which is good because folks will pepper you with questions every time you stop for gas.
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