Kawasaki has announced their 2004 new models, including a huge, 2,053cc v-twin cruiser known as the Vulcan 2000, the ZX-10R supersport, and, for Europe only, the Z750 Naked. These models are discussed below in press material obtained from Kawasaki in Europe. Note, also, that Kawasaki has revised the Vulcan Mean Streak by, among other things, increasing its displacement to 1552cc, and there are numerous changes to the ZX-6RR for 2004. These latter two models are not discussed below.

The MT-03 is, according to Yamaha a "Roadster Motard", "because it stands for sex appeal, a very determined and aggressive design combined with a high quality technical spec . . . [and] it says something about riding sensations, about the extreme agility when riding in low speed range."

Only one sportbike manufacturer designs motorcycles that can make enthusiasts dream. Welcome to a new Ducati family of concept [motorcycles] - The SportClassic - motorcycles that capture the essential beauty, timeless style and emotion of the original Ducati sportbikes of the 1970's. Even though they reflect the best of the past, they incorporate the latest Ducati technology and engineering, creating a thoroughly modern motorcycle that lives up to today's standards of road-going performance.

Honda is the only manufacturer to introduce a new open-class sportbike for 2004 without providing a claimed dry weight figure. Is it possible Honda took a "wait and see" approach here? Kawasaki has claimed its new ZX-10R weighs 365 pounds -- an incredible figure for an open-class machine. Honda could easily substitute a magnesium or titanium part, or parts, before announcing an official dry weight, as necessary, in order to be the lightest in the class.

Suzuki also introduces the brand new GSX-R600 for 2004. Claiming the "best power-to-weight ratio in its class", the GSX-R600 comes in at a claimed dry weight of just 355 pounds!

The styling is similar to the GSX-R1000 introduced last year, with a black anodized aluminum frame and swingarm.

Don't ask us why most cruisers don't come with tachometers. We think every motorcycle needs a tach. Perhaps the manufacturers think that, because cruisers aren't constantly trying to wring the last bit of performance out of a [motorcycle]'s engine (like those sportybike types), we don't care what the engine is up to. Or maybe they think we find clutter on the handlebar so distasteful we'd rather not be bothered with how quickly the engine is spinning.

The proposal is an amendment to Assembly Bill 1200. The original proposal would allow adults 18 and older to decide whether to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. The amended version states that those who chose not to wear a helmet "is deemed to have consented to the making of an anatomical gift under this act."

Here's a world I never knew existed. The world of Pocket Motorcycles !! PocketBikes are miniature, fully functioning, motorcycles!

These mini motorcycles have 25 cc, or even 50 cc engines and can reach speeds of around 20-30 miles per hour...