2008 Motorcycle Guide

2008 is an exciting year for motorcycle enthusiasts, and this is written as a definitive motorcycle buying guide for 2008 models. Brand new models from all the major manufacturers, updates on most existing models and the introduction of some new monster bikes. Harley Davidson have completely revised the ride quality on their Electra Glide with the introduction of a new Isolated Drive System and introduced a new range of factory custom bikes; the Suzuki Hayabusa is even hotter than the original; Honda have turned their flagship CBR1000RR into a MotoGP replica and Ducati have introduced the 848 Superbike, which promises to be in a class of it’s own alongside the stunning new Monster Limited Edition.

Two brand new 600 cc Supersport bikes from Yamaha and Suzuki promise to keep interest high in next year’s AMA Supersport championship and Honda's dual purpose Transalp gets a major revamp. All four Japanese manufacturers have intoduced completely new off-road ranges.

World Superbike will get a whole lot more interesting in 2008 since the capacity changes. The FIM have finally given in to Ducati's demands for an increase in twin cylinder capacity - up to1200 ccs - and the Ducati 1098S will get to play ball. Ducati's threat to pull out of WSB completely seems to have paid off. Good news for WSB fans.

Here’s a motorcycle buyers guide to the changes and model ranges in each class for 2008.

MotoGP and World Superbike competition are the crucible that fuels the changes and developments that make their way a few years later to the Sportbikes you or I can buy. Changes over recent years regarding fuel consumption and emissions means that the 2008 sport bikes are leaner, meaner and more environmentally friendly than ever before. Honda's CBR100RR is basically a MotoGP bike for the road. Both Kawasaki and Suzuki have done the same with their liter bikes.

Ducati pushed hard to have the WSB capacities increased for twins and the result is the nothing less than stunning 1098R, an 1198cc version of their top-of-the-range 1098S. Possibly the sexiest bike on the planet. Further down the capacity range, their new 848 is wowing riders and journalists all over the World.

Suzuki’s all new GSX-R 600 is definitely worth a look if you’re in the market for a new 600, but Yamaha’s brand new YZF-6R is perhaps the most exiting supersports bike this year. The Honda CBR600 remains the same as last year’s model, with the exception of a brand new paint scheme. Honda’s philosophy this year – if it aint broke, don’t fix it.

Buell have announced an all-new BRP-Rotax powered 1125R for 2008 with a 6 speed, straight cut gearbox and wet slipper clutch - it even gets it’s own mini website.

It is impossible to write a motorcycle buying guide without including Harley Davidson’s Flagship tourer, the Ultra Classic Electra Glide, gets a whole new look; a new, longer range 6 gallon fuel tank, new brembos with optional ABS, new drive train and a chromed, 6 speed Twin Cam 96 engine and the “sinister,” VRSCDZ Night Rod Special still manages to impress – 125 horses from a standard Harley.

Suzuki’s top-of-the-line 2008 Boulevard M109R Limited Edition somehow manages to blend race proven technology with cruiser styling and still look like the King of the road. A massive 109 cubic inch V-twin produces huge amounts of torque making it the most powerful cruiser Suzuki have ever produced. The same engine powers the C109R tourer. Honda have released the brand new VTX 1300T – a full dresser, powered by Honda’s legendary 1312cc V-twin engine and the insanely well fitted VTX 1800 range have all had minor upgrades. But Kawasaki’s 2008 Vulcan 2000 remains the big dog with a whopping 2,053 cc engine.

Harley deserve their own part in this section. Despite many attempts by the Japanese manufacturers to muscle in on the American cruiser market, Harley remain at the forefront of this class. With no less than 30 different models this year, ranging from the budget Sportster range up to the Porsche-designed V-ROD, Harley have fought back at the invasion and this year brings a host of updates, modifications and improvements to the range as Harley continue their process of refinement rather than massive, drastic model changes. Unlike the competition, Harley make much of their motorcycling history and are proud to be a genuine American company with roots firmly embedded in the bike culture. Brand new models for 2008 include the Dyna Fat Bob, Rocker and Rocker C - all factory custom designs. ABS is now an option for all Harley Touring and VRSC models.

The Kawasaki Z1000 – the classic naked street bike, gets a minor facelift this year, ( 3 new paint jobs - metallic black, lime green and pearl white ) but as arguably THE street bike, that’s no surprise. The 953cc 4-cylinder engine remains as bullet proof as ever and the triple petal brake discs provide the usual eye-popping braking we have come to expect from this classic. Honda’s 919 never quite matched up to the Z1000 and there are no updates this year. Suzuki’s SV 650 is also unchanged from 2007. Yamaha’s 2008 FZ-1 on the other hand, is a serious contender. Yamaha have dropped the R1’s 998cc fuel-injected power plant into a no-frills, aggressive looking street bike. Bikini fairing and sharp profile with a removable subframe - the subframe, along with the passenger footpeg mounts just drop out as needed. No passengers means much lighter. The rumored Yamaha V-Max has yet to materialise. Triumph have dubbed their latest Speed Triple, “hard as nails,” and this year’s version gets a brand new sub frame, brakes and forks.

But Ducati steal the show in 2008 with their latest addition to the Monster range – A special edition Monster S4R S in the Italian flag “Tricolore,” color scheme – a 998 Testretta L-Twin engine, ultra light weight carbon fiber silencer cover, exhaust heat guard, radiator covers and cam belt covers manage to keep the weight down to 390 lbs. And if you thought you were bad ass, take a look at this French Motorcycle group’s antics. They are called “tiretracks kfc,” and the interstate they are on is the Paris “Periphique,” a massively busy road that circles Paris.

Honda’s Interceptor (or VFR 800 in Europe) gets a new color scheme for 2008. The fuel injected 781cc V-4 has gone through a series of refinements since Freddie Spencer and Kevin Schwantz’s trips across the Atlantic to compete in the transatlantic series, but it’s roots remain firmly in the race track. Designed to be ridden all day at high speeds, the Interceptor just keeps getting better. The Kawasaki Concours 14 is serious competition in 2008 with improved aerodynamics and minor improvements to the already impressive 1,352cc engine. Yamaha's FJR1300AS this year comes fitted with YCC-S, Yamaha's Chip Controlled Shift, a clutchless gear shifting system. BMW's K1200RS has also gone through some major changes. The Sport version, the K1200S set the World land speed record for a production motorcycle back in 2006 - 175.57 mph.

Honda’s Transalp went through a major re-haul for 2008. This years model has a longer wheelbase, and front wheel size has been reduced from 21 inches to 19 and uses a 130/80 tyre instead of the 120/90 hopefully giving more stability. The styling has also been revamped - new bodywork, smaller frontal area, and a bikini windscreen. 2008 colors are Barley Yellow Metallic, Carnelian Red Metallic; Anchor Grey Metallic; and Moody Blue Metallic. The Suzuki DRZ 400SM (Motorcyclist magazine awarded this model the “Best Bang for the Buck Award.”)

The most exiting addition to this class though, is the brand new Yamaha WR250X, and if I was taking a road bike off-road, this would be my pick of 2008, although the Kawasaki KLR 650 has also gone through some major upgrades for 2008 and is probably the best all rounder out there. Too heavy for genuine off-roading, but a great bike nonetheless. Another heavyweight, the BMW R1200GS has been revamped for 2008 with a reworked transmission, more dynamic drive and new frame desiign meaning greater long distance comfort. BWM have also introduced the brand new F650GS, which its well in the middle of their dual purpose/enduro range.

Yamaha’s range of Motor Cross Motorcycles includes no less than six brand new models for 2008. The legendary Supercross-winning YZ250 two stroke gets a lighter front end, making the already nimble motocrosser even faster into the corners. Major updates also for the YZ125, YZ450F and YZ250F. Suzuki also introduced an entirely new range for 2008. The popular RMZ450 is all-new with fuel injection technology developed on the GSX-R road bike range and chassis, brakes and suspension copied directly from Ricky Carmichaels’ championship- winning bike.

Kawasaki aren’t about to be left behind in this highly competitive class and have also reworked their entire range – the 2008 KX250F gets a new crankcase, new shift lever and new engine mounts. Honda’s CRF450R gets all new works-style brakes, a new frame setup and the new Honda Progressive Steering Damper.

Motorcycles are not just for fun, they also serve a useful transport function. With the rising cost of fuel, not only in the United States but elsewhere around the world, motorcycles are a fun practical day-to-day form of transport. They take up far less room than automobiles helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. Suzuki’s new commuter range for 2008 includes the massively practical and maneuverable GZ250, updated and improved for 2008. Kawasaki have updated their ever practical, fuel efficient baby Ninja, the 250R. The Ninja 250 has been a strong seller in this category for some time now – offering great handling, stability and low running costs. Honda’s Nighthawk offers similar value for money and low running costs – once again, completely redone for 2008. Korean manufacturer, Hyosung is making a serious attempt at this market with their 2008 GT250, but missing the taget badly. Generally these bikes run around $3,000 and offer cheap sensible commuting capabilities.

Despite the practical bikes available, at the other end of the scale are the new “monster bikes” such as the Suzuki Hayabusa, which rewrote the idea of a motorcycle and the Kawasaki ZX-14. The 2008 models are even faster, more powerful and generally not sensible commuter bikes. In fact, the Hayabusa is a sensible way to get to work in exactly the same way a jet fighter is. Suzuki launched the 2008, 194 horse power Hayabusa at the Salzburgring in Germany and invited journalists from around the World to take it for a spin. Here’s the result.

Moto Guzzi have introduced two new models for 2008. The Griso 1100 and the Stelvio 1200 8v. Guzzi’s 1200cc , eight valve V-twin has been dropped into a dual purpose frame, although God help you if you get this one stuck in the mud – the dry weight is nearly 500 lbs, so with a full fuel tank, you’re going to need some help picking the thing up. The Aprilia RSV 100R factory V-twin still vies with the Ducati 1098R for the sexiest bike of the year award and gets a couple of new paint jobs for 2008. Now if they would just lose the gold wheels, I could be tempted. Top of the exotic heap and costing a staggering $120,000 is the limited edition MV Augusta F4CC – 200 Bhp, hand made titanium exhaust system and a host of hand made internal engine parts keep this one at the top of the exotica list for 2008.

The range of motorcycles available in 2008 is staggering. Even the individual manufacturers have trouble keeping track of their complete range. Honda, for instance, offers over 50 different models in 2008 and that doesn’t include the models that do not get officially imported to the USA, ATVs, scooters and watercraft. Choosing the correct bike for you is important and there are some links above that may help to make a decision. Many dealers offer test rides and I would heartily recommend taking several before making a choice. And if you have enjoyed this guide, please hit the "thumbs up," button at the bottom, submit me to your favorite social bookmarking site and leave me a comment. I'm sure I have missed a few unmissables, that aught to be in any motorcycle buying guide, but there's an awful lot of bikes out there this year. Just remember - shiny side up.