In just four years, Canadians have doubled the money spent on motorbikes, forking out close to $1-billion last year, according to industry figures.
Clearly, up in the Great White North, our relationship with two-wheeled road machines is getting downright serious. We're buying in record numbers -- despite the seasonal riding restraints.
Easily the most popular models are "street bikes," with engines 951 cc and up in size, that account for at least half of the entire market.
We seem to like them king-size. Kawasaki, for example, recently introduced the Vulcan 2000, which, with a liquid-cooled, two-litre V-twin engine, is the biggest model of its kind. The Vulcan 2000 is also responsible for a new, unofficial category of motorcycle: the Mega-cruiser. And what's really intriguing about the Vulcan 2000 is that the engine has pushrods -- technology that's at least 100 years old.
But Kawasaki's Mega-cruiser isn't the biggest bike out there. British manufacturer Triumph will be unleashing the Rocket III later in the season. It has an in-line, three-cylinder engine that displaces 2.3 litres and develops a reputed 140 horsepower. When the rubber hits the pavement, it will be the fastest cruiser out there.
But it's still not the biggest. That title will go to the Honda Rune. With a 1,750 mm wheelbase and a dry weight just less than 362 kilograms, the Rune is a beast. Power is provided by a flat-six engine developing more than 100 hp, and styling can only be described as gothic. If Gandalf rode a motorcycle, it'd be the Rune. And you'll need the conjuring magic of a wizard to get your hands on one, because the Rune, which will be manufactured in very limited numbers, is virtually sold out in Canada.
Victory, the new guy on the block from the U.S. maker of recreational vehicles Polaris, meanwhile, has managed to survive its first five years, and after releasing its Vegas cruiser to almost unanimous acclaim last year, has a gussied-up version in the form of the Kingpin waiting in the wings. The Kingpin joins the Touring Cruiser to bring Victory's model lineup to a total of three. All are powered by the same 1,507 cc overhead camshaft twin Freedom engine.
And what about the company that basically invented the concept of the Mega-cruiser? Harley-Davidson, which keeps posting impressive financial results -- a 13-per-cent increase in revenue in 2003, the 18th year in a row for record revenue and net income -- well, its biggest news for 2004 is found in its smallest model: the Sportster. For the first time in its 47-year history, Harley's entry-level model now has a rubber-mounted engine. No more sciatica-inflaming vibration and a much more civilized ride. There are new styling cues too. Also new for '04 is the stylish Road King Custom. Except for the Sportster, all Harleys are now available with fuel injection.
If something a little more agile turns your crank, the selection is dizzying.
Suzuki has no less than a dozen sport bike models available, including the GSX series, which is offered in three engine sizes. The GSX, or "gixxer," is one of the most successful bikes in the company's history and has a trophy case full of awards to prove it. For example, the R750, not even the most powerful model in this lineup, weighs a scant 163 kg and delivers a purported 120 hp at the rear wheel. Do the math -- this is a hellishly quick motorcycle.
And so are its rivals, which include the Yamaha YZF series, Kawasaki Ninja (five engine sizes) and Honda CBR models. The CBR 1000RR, one of the fastest motorcycles on the road, is essentially a race bike in street livery and is matched only by Honda's RC51 in terms of raw, eyeball-watering acceleration and handling. To realize the true performance of these kinds of machines, one should really have access to a race track.
But you won't need anything quite so exotic to enjoy one of the quirkiest models ever rolled onto a showroom floor: the Suzuki Burgman. With its art-deco bodywork and a 650 cc power plant/automatic transmission, the Burgman is just about perfect for the "damn-this-traffic-where-can-I-park-my-car?" hurly-burly of city driving.
A few other quick highlights for 2004: Italian bike maker Aprilia is back in business in Canada; Moto Guzzi has a couple of new "naked" bikes on the market, including the V11 Sport; Paris-Dakar winner KTM has an on-road street bike called the 990 Duke; Triumph will debut its retro-styled café-racer redo Bonneville Thruxton 900 this year; BMW's R1150 will be offered in a stylish version called the Rockster, with dual headlights and a larger rear wheel.
Finally, Indian Motorcycles failed last fall -- rumoured buyers include Harley-Davidson and General Motors. General Motors?
