NEW YEARS RIDING RESOLUTION: MOTORCYCLES ARE BETTER THAN DIETS & DENTAL FLOSS

Dieting and saving money might sound like good new year’s resolutions. But, really, the best resolution you could make is: ride more motorcycles.

Since we’re rolling into a new year and making resolutions comes with the territory, instead of committing to some unattainable goal, how about we all just set our sights on riding more? Now, that sounds way more fun than promising to floss every day and eating nothing but organic apples.

So, here is my New Year’s Resolution Riding List of the motorcycles I hope to hit the trail on in 2021, sorted by ascending engine displacement. I’ve never ridden any of them before and I’ll follow up in twelve months and let you know if I kept my promises… and how much fun I had in the process! Happy new year everyone! 

Honda Trail 125

Of all the motorcycles I’ve owned (which is not nearly enough motorcycles because of the N+1 rule) my 1976 Honda CT90 is one of my all-time favorites. So obviously, the 2021 Honda Trail 125 ABS is absolutely on my new year’s riding resolutions list. Adorable and sturdy, it is begging to hit the trail with its four-speed semi-automatic transmission. 

READ MORE: HONDA CT125

Royal Enfield Himalayan

I’ve been itching to get my boots on the pegs of a small-but-mighty 411cc adventure rig. Designed with off-roading in mind, the Himalayan is tough, versatile, and adaptable to all sorts of terrain. Royal Enfield added ABS to the Himalayan starting in 2020 and with a 21-inch front wheel and a price tag under five grand, what’s not to love?

READ MORE: ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN

KTM 890 Adventure

After taking a quick spin on a hot-off-the-presses KTM 790 Adventure earlier this year, it’s a good thing I had my helmet on. No, I didn’t crash it, but I was riding around gaping at what an awesome machine it was. Needless to say, I’m jonesing for a rip on the new 890, with its ramped up horsepower and featherweight handling. 

READ MORE: KTM 890 ADVENTURE

Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT

To maintain journalistic integrity, I must state that I have, in fact, ridden the Africa Twin. That one, much like all of the other motorcycles I’ve ridden (with the exception of the CT90, see above), had a clutch. That said, Honda has been honing the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) for a whole darn decade and I think it’s a fine time to take the DCT for a spin.

READ MORE: HONDA AFRICA TWIN

Harley-Davidson Pan America

You’ll notice that the Electra Glide is not on my 2021 riding resolution list, but the Harley Davidson Pan America certainly is. I don’t know much about it (nobody does because Harley’s keeping their pipes muffled on this one until January 2021), but I won’t pass up a chance for a spin in the desert on Harley’s first adventure bike.

READ MORE: HARLEY PAN AMERICA

Happy New Year everyone! Look forward to running into all of you out on the dusty trail in 2021!

Motorcycle Industry News by Eva Rupert. Follow Eva @augusteva.