Models & design
The stories behind motorcycles, their engineering, changing generations and the ideas that make each model distinctive.
Motorcycles, stories and perspectives from around the world.
Discover motorcycle design, riding experiences, model comparisons and stories from around the world.
See what's inside ↓The stories behind motorcycles, their engineering, changing generations and the ideas that make each model distinctive.
Real-world experiences, riding impressions and differences between motorcycles, including manual and automatic transmissions.
Local riding culture, expert viewpoints and original motorcycle videos from creators in different countries.
Unusual machines, clever engineering and motorcycle designs that make you stop scrolling.
Why does the Bimota Tesi H2 have such a strange-looking front end? The engineering is even more interesting than the styling.
Take a closer look →The Ducati Diavel V4 combines muscle-bike presence with modern V4 engineering. Let's take a look at what makes it so distinctive.
See the Diavel story →Honda once made a motorcycle that looked like it had arrived from a science-fiction film. Meet the NM4 Vultus.
Check this one out →Discover motorcycle technology and model comparisons, drawing on published manufacturer information.
BMW's Automated Shift Assistant can operate the clutch and change gears automatically on equipped bikes. Unlike a conventional manual, riders need not work a clutch lever when setting off or stopping; gear selection can still be controlled by the rider. The choice matters most for slow-speed manoeuvres, commuting and extended travel.
The supercharged 998cc inline-four sets this machine apart from naturally aspirated sport tourers. Kawasaki pairs performance with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection and electronically controlled suspension. Its appeal is the combination of strong acceleration and long-distance equipment rather than track-focused minimalism.
The Ducati Panigale V4 and Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE each pursue serious performance differently. Ducati's Panigale development focuses on aerodynamics, cornering control and track ergonomics; Kawasaki adds touring comfort and rider-assistance equipment to a supercharged engine. Comparing them meaningfully means looking beyond horsepower to riding position, equipment and intended journeys.
Technology changes more than speed. Modern motorcycles are using active electronics, automated transmissions and highly developed aerodynamics in very different ways.
Ducati's latest-generation Panigale V4 integrates its aerodynamic surfaces into the overall shape of the motorcycle. Revised contact points and chassis design aim to help riders move naturally on the bike and control it through demanding corners. Here, styling and engineering are closely connected.
See Ducati's design notes ↗Its 30-litre fuel tank, optional Automated Shift Assistant and adaptive vehicle height control illustrate a different approach to innovation. Rather than chasing outright top speed, BMW uses electronics and packaging to make a large adventure bike more adaptable to its rider and surroundings.
See BMW's model details ↗A mechanical supercharger distinguishes Kawasaki's engine from most production motorcycles. On the H2 SX SE, that powertrain sits alongside radar-assisted riding features and electronically adjusted suspension—an unusual mixture of high performance and touring technology.
See Kawasaki's technology ↗Specifications and equipment can vary by year, market and variant. Manufacturer links are provided so readers can check the relevant version.
Four different countries, four different motorcycle stories. Discover manufacturer history and motorcycle culture from different regions.
Launched in 1958, the Super Cub was designed around ease of use and practical everyday transport rather than outright performance. Its step-through layout, semi-automatic transmission and approachable proportions helped it find roles in commuting, delivery work and family transport worldwide.
Honda announced cumulative production of 100 million Super Cub motorcycles in 2017, illustrating how widely a simple design can travel.
Royal Enfield's roots stretch back to Britain in 1901, but its continuing story is deeply connected to India. Bullet production developed in Chennai after the 1950s partnership with Madras Motors. The later Himalayan shifted attention towards an adventure motorcycle intended for varied road surfaces and longer journeys.
It's an example of how a manufacturer's history and the riding environment of a country can influence its motorcycles.
The original Vespa emerged in 1946 as Italy looked for accessible post-war transport. Its protective legshield, step-through form and distinctive bodywork made it instantly recognisable. Across generations, the scooter has retained a strong visual identity even as its engines, brakes and electronics have changed.
The Vespa story shows that motorcycle and scooter design can be about convenience and culture as much as raw performance.
A lightweight commuter may be someone's daily work vehicle, while the same class of motorcycle may be a leisure purchase elsewhere. Road conditions, passenger needs, fuel availability, servicing networks and local licensing rules shape what riders value.
Honda's account of the Super Cub's international development illustrates why manufacturers adapt models to local needs. This also explains why international comparisons should avoid assuming that every market wants the same specification.
Explore individual features on engineering, everyday motorcycling and new technology.
Why Yamaha developed a leaning three-wheeler, and how its front-end engineering changes the way we think about motorcycle design.
Take a look →How a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission fits the Gold Wing's emphasis on touring comfort and smooth control.
Check it out →Two different approaches to electric motorcycling, and why charging, conditions and riding purpose matter.
View the story →A look at how India's long-running Pulsar family balanced sporty character with practical everyday riding.
See why it matters →From Indian mountain routes to Japanese high-speed design—there's always something interesting behind a motorcycle.
Why Royal Enfield's Himalayan is so different from the big adventure bikes. Look at the generations, riding position and mountain-inspired design.
Take a look at the Himalayan →The Suzuki Hayabusa has a shape you'll recognise instantly. Find out why the styling, aerodynamics and unusual name matter.
Check out the Hayabusa story →Discover independent motorcycle writers, publications and creators. These are external resources for readers to explore; none is affiliated with AnyBike or currently a contributor to AnyBike Global.
Road tests, motorcycle news, racing coverage and industry reporting from Australia.
Visit MCNews ↗Noraly's solo motorcycle travel stories, routes and videos from countries around the world.
Visit Itchy Boots ↗Independent adventure motorcycle reviews, riding stories, equipment and travel perspectives.
Visit ADVMoto ↗Custom motorcycles, builders, design stories and photography from the motorcycle scene.
Visit Bike EXIF ↗South African motorcycle launches, reviews, dealership developments and riding stories.
Read ZA Bikers ↗Road tests, model comparisons, motorcycle market information and owner perspectives from India.
Read BikeWale ↗New Zealand motorcycle reporting, new model news, riding and motorsport stories.
Visit Bike Rider ↗Canadian riding stories, motorcycle tests, technical features and international travel writing.
Read Motorcycle Mojo ↗External links open their owners' websites. Articles, images and videos remain the property of their respective creators.
The right motorcycle depends on how and where it will be ridden. Explore the design, technology and riding choices that shape motorcycling.
A sports motorcycle places greater emphasis on aerodynamic bodywork, strong braking and a committed riding position. Touring machines generally prioritise long-distance comfort, wind protection and carrying capacity. Engine layout, chassis geometry and weight distribution all contribute to how a bike behaves.
Most conventional motorcycles use a rider-operated clutch and gear lever. Scooters often use continuously variable transmissions, while some motorcycles offer dual-clutch or automated-shift systems. These technologies differ in how they change gear and how much control the rider retains.
A motorcycle suited to open-road touring in one country may be used for city commuting or rural travel elsewhere. Climate, road surfaces, infrastructure, licensing rules and parts availability shape how people choose and use motorcycles around the world.
Engine capacity alone rarely tells the whole story. An informative comparison considers the correct production years and variants, riding position, fuel capacity, weight measured on a consistent basis, available electronic equipment, transmission choices and the jobs each motorcycle is designed to do.
Where real riders and reviewers disagree, their impressions should be credited as opinions rather than presented as technical facts. Different riding impressions should be attributed to their original reviewers.
AnyBike helps international motorcycle dealers source motorcycles from the UK. Read manufacturer information and independent motorcycle perspectives alongside our UK sourcing services.
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