Hottest New Motorcycles

There's no better feeling than the freedom of the open road. And there's no better way of having that experience than jumping on a motorcycle and heading for the horizon. Like automakers, bike builders are just starting to bounce back from the effects of the global recession and Japanese natural disasters that sent both industries into a tailspin. Consequently, many of the new 2-wheelers reflect an effort to adapt to a new economic reality, tap into nostalgia or simply reach new customers that otherwise wouldn't ride.

Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two

Price: Starts at $10,499
The Seventy-Two is a nod to the chopper motorcycles of the 1970s. A Sportster 2.1-gallon fuel tank, narrow whitewall tires, chrome-laced wheels and high "ape-hanger" handlebars are styling elements that predate the disco era. Metal-flake paint is back, too; that is, if you order the optional Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint ($700), which includes period-correct pinstriping. A solo seat and a side-mounted license plate leave much of the chopped rear fender and that paint exposed. An air-cooled 1200cc V-twin engine provides the distinctive, and timeless, Harley rumble.

BMW C 650 GT Maxi-Scooter

Price: Approximately $10,000
BMW is betting that increasing traffic density and rising fuel costs will make a scooter the vehicle of choice for future urban dwellers. Its new German-built C 650 GT offers much of the technical sophistication of its motorcycles, from a low-emissions 647cc twin-cylinder engine to a standard anti-lock brake system and an electrically adjustable windshield. The 60-liter, underseat Flex-Case storage compartment expands to hold two helmets when the scooter is parked. Options include a heated seat and hand grips and an alarm system. This new BMW brings unprecedented style and performance to the scooter category. It will be available in late 2012 as a 2013 model.

Victory Judge

Price: Starts at $13,999
A new stripped-down-and-sporty version of the Victory Vegas platform, the Judge evokes 1960s muscle-car styling, from the available Suede Nuclear Sunset paint to its 5-spoke cast wheels and chunky, white-letter tires. The oval side covers look a little like vintage racing-number plates, and the taillight is faired into a chopped rear fender. A scooped seat, flat handlebars and midmount foot controls put the rider in a more aggressive position than on other Victory cruiser models. Power is provided by a 106-cubic-inch Freedom V-twin rated at 113 lb-ft of tire-smoking torque. This is made-in-Minnesota muscle.

Honda NC700X

Price: Starts at $6,999
This is the profile of the modern standard motorcycle: an affordable, versatile machine intended for sport riding, commuting and light touring, but not for off-road use despite its "adventure" styling. Its new 670cc parallel-twin engine is laid down in the frame so the cylinders are almost horizontal, creating room for a helmet-size storage compartment where a traditional fuel tank would be found. Fuel goes in a 3.7-gallon tank below the seat. Side cases and a top trunk are available for riders seeking more capacity, as are heated grips and a taller windscreen. The NC700X will be offered with a standard 6-speed transmission, or with anti-lock brakes and the Honda dual-clutch transmission capable of full-auto shifting.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

Price: $14,899
The mission of the Ninja ZX-14R is simple: to be the fastest, hardest-accelerating production bike in the world. Mission accomplished. The new 1,441cc engine makes 192 horsepower at the rear wheel. At the quarter-mile drag strip, the Ninja can take its rider to 149 mph in just 9.71 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 185 mph. Three levels of traction control, Full Power and Low Power modes, and outstanding brakes give the rider the tools required to keep it all under control. At speed, this big bike is smooth, stable and perfectly composed. Used with discretion, the Ninja 14R offers a mind-blowing ride. Abuse the privilege at your peril.

Triumph Speed Triple R

Price: Starts at $15,999
This is wheelie-popping mischief. Triumph has released an upgraded "R" version of its urban-hooligan bike that's lighter, quicker and, of course, $4,000 more expensive than the standard Street Triple. The higher-spec components include fine-tuned Ohlins suspension front and rear, Brembo front brakes with ABS, and lightweight, forged-aluminum Fuchs wheels. Combining the power and quick handling of a sport bike with the upright riding position of a standard motorcycle, the Street Triple offers an outstanding combination of comfort and performance, plus the stirring tone of the 1050cc Triumph triple-cylinder engine.

Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

Price: Starts at $9,790
This limited-production machine will appeal to the rider who appreciates vintage style but who doesn't want the hassle of owning a vintage motorcycle. It's finished with incredible detail in the custom of a 1960s English café racer. From the leather strap over the fuel tank to the front number plate and fly screen, the Italian builder has not missed a period cue. The throttle bodies are even designed to look like old carburetors. A blood-red frame, swing-arm and wheel hubs glow against the bike's black paint. The signature 744cc Guzzi transverse V-twin engine makes a modest 38 horsepower, but its exposed cylinders and inviting rumble are old-school perfect.

Ducati 1199 Panigale S

Price: Starts at $22,995
This all-new superbike personifies Italian moto-passion. A 195-horsepower 1198cc V-twin engine is part of a monocoque chassis that replaces the traditional Ducati steel trellis frame and contributes to a dry weight of just 362 pounds, 22 pounds less than the 1198 model it replaces. Power peaks at 10,750 rpm, but this electronically controlled engine operates smoothly at sane street speeds, too. Three power modes — Race, Sport and Wet — and an 8-level traction control let you tailor performance to your skill and conditions. The S model adds electrically adjustable, premium Ohlins suspension. Class-leading power, handling and design are wrapped in a beautiful, blood-red package.

Aprilia Tuono V4 R APRC

Price: Starts at $14,999
Aprilia has stripped the bodywork from its track-ready RSV4 superbike to create this second-generation Tuono "naked" sport motorcycle. Higher, wide handlebars put the rider in an upright position and provide light steering and flickable handling. The 1000cc V4 engine makes 167 horsepower and is tuned to deliver more torque than the superbike to help the Tuono squirt from corner to corner and rip through urban traffic. The exhaust tone is simply soulful. Track, Sport and Road modes electronically adjust power output and response, while Aprilia Performance Ride Control electronics combine traction control, launch control, clutchless upshifts and even wheelie control that will keep you from flipping this bad boy right over.

Zero S

Price: Starts at $13,995
The evolution of the electric motorcycle is picking up pace. Zero says a new-generation ZF9 9-kilowatt-hour power pack gives its S model a range of 114 miles on the Environmental Protection Agency range test (or 63 miles at 70 mph), and lasts 3,000 charge-discharge cycles before hitting 80 percent capacity, yielding as much as 308,000 miles on the original power pack. Top speed is 88 mph, so freeway travel is an option. The aluminum frame has been updated to improve handling, new cast-aluminum wheels reduce unsprung weight, and new stainless-steel brake lines improve braking performance. The same high-efficiency powertrain is also offered in dual-sport, enduro and motocross models for those looking to ride, silently, in the dirt.