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On this first episode of Throttle Out Commute, Zack Courts rides Indian’s Scout Bobber across Los Angeles to the MotorTrend office. Is this stripped down version of the Scout better than the original? Maybe more importantly, is it better than a comparable Harley?
Retro is the rage these days, and this Z900RS CAFE fits right in. But where exactly does it fit in and how does it stack up to the competition? On this episode of Throttle Out Commute, Zack Courts answers these questions from the saddle—and your queries from social media—on his ride across SoCal from the Throttle Out Garage to MotorTrend HQ.
The NIKEN from Yamaha is far from your average motorcycle. With two wheels up front and a standard rear section, the obvious question is: “What on earth does it feel like to ride?” Throttle Out host Zack Courts takes it for a ride across Los Angeles to explain, on this episode of Throttle Out Commute.
The Duke is one of the first models KTM released for the street, and now, 25-or-so years later, Team Orange is known far and wide for its line of Duke models—390, 690, and the mighty 1290 Super Duke R. For 2019, the Austrians have released the all-new 790 Duke. Zack Courts breaks down all of your questions, and his, in this Throttle Out Commute.
This isn’t just any Honda Monkey, this is THE Honda Monkey that Ari Henning rode in the series premiere of Throttle Out, when he and Zack Courts rode 1,000 miles of Baja. Courts commutes across Los Angeles (avoiding freeways) and talks about how the Monkey works around town and how this one has held up. Check it out on this episode of Throttle Out Commute!
Sportbikes usually don’t make great commuter machines, but for many years now Kawasaki’s ZX-6R has been aimed more at the street and less at the track. The 2019 model received a few updates and a price drop, so Zack Courts put it to the Throttle Out Commute test.
Honda’s CB1000R has been around for many years and finally got a major update for 2019. Upgrades to the engine, chassis, and a whole new look make it an immediate competitor in the naked-bike class. But where does it fit in? Take a ride with Throttle Out host Zack Courts to find out on this episode of Throttle Out Commute.
The original “travel enduro” gets an update in 2019, the biggest news being variable valve timing and a bump in displacement. It’s the gold standard in the ADV segment, so what’s good and what’s bad about the newest iteration? Take a ride with Throttle Out host Zack Courts to find out on this episode of Throttle Out Commute.
Aprilia’s beastly RSV4 has been World Superbike champion twice in the past decade, but that didn’t stop the 2019 1100 Factory version from getting a larger engine with even more power. And to help harness those ponies, winglets for downforce. Ride along on this special Throttle Out Commute with Zack Courts as he chases Ari Henning toward the 200-mph mark at one of the most famous circuits in Europe.
Small sportbikes offer some of the best bang for the buck in the motorcycling world, and the Yamaha R3 is near the top of the heap. It received updated suspension, bodywork, and dashboard components for 2019. This time on Throttle Out Commute, Zack Courts rides it to the MotorTrend office to see how it all fits together.
The famous English brand from Hinckley in England is known for its wide range of “modern classic” machines. The Speed Twin combines the high-output 1200cc engine from the racy Thruxton R with more relaxed handling and a simpler aesthetic. As usual, Zack Courts burns across Los Angeles on this Throttle Out Commute to see how it all adds up.
How would you like to go for a spin on the most popular motorcycle of all time? Honda’s 2019 Super Cub is an homage to all of the famous Cub models that have sold more than 100 million units worldwide since the late 1950s. Zack Court’s ride across Los Angeles is just another notch in its belt on this episode of Throttle Out Commute.
Historically, the Tiger 800 has been a little too soft around the edges to keep up with the likes of BMW and KTM, but this third generation is upgraded all over and looks to give the rest of the Europeans a hard time. To test it, Zack Courts takes it on a typical Throttle Out Commute.
Ducati revived its decades-old Scrambler moniker in 2015 with an 800cc version, which still makes up for most models sold. After introducing the 400cc Sixty2, Ducati recently released an all-new 1100cc iteration of the Sport. Ride along on this Throttle Out Commute with Zack Courts as he learns all about this flagship model.
Since 2008, the F800GS has been a stalwart option for a midsized adventure-touring machine, but over the past few years its age has been showing. Now, BMW has introduced the F 850, with an all-new design, to take on the competition from Honda and Triumph. Zack Courts takes it for a ride across LA on this Throttle Out Commute to explore this latest GS iteration.
Indian has taken American Flat Track racing by storm, and to commemorate the company’s success it has finally given American riders a standard bike to be proud of—a 1200cc engine (taken in part from the Scout cruiser) wrapped up in a steel-trellis frame and AFT paint. In this Throttle Out Commute, Zack Courts takes to the streets to see if the FTR 1200 lives up to all the hype.
Honda’s Africa Twin has been a huge hit since it burst onto the ADV scene in 2016, with Dakar looks and a thumping parallel twin engine. Honda has since updated the dash and added ride modes (as well as updating the price), so it seemed like the perfect machine to tackle some fire roads overlooking the famous Big Sur coastline of California. Check it out on this episode of Throttle Out Commute.
Triumph reinvented the modern classic motorcycle with the first of the “new” Bonnevilles that were launched in 2001 and it has now grown to nearly a dozen different models. This Scrambler 1200 XC is the latest version of what is perennially one of Triumph’s most popular machines. On this episode of Throttle Out Commute, Zack Courts takes it across LA to see how it stacks up.
In the early 1970s, Kawasaki came out with a 750cc, three-cylinder, two-stroke machine called the H2—it was famously fast. So much so that Kawasaki revived the moniker in 2015 with the new Ninja H2. The 2019 version is a $30,000, supercharged, 998cc machine, with 190 horsepower at the rear wheel and paint made with precious metal. Zack Courts takes this beast across L.A. to see how it handles a Throttle Out Commute.
The SV650 is a living legend, from its baby-Ducati engine to the agile chassis, there aren’t many budget-focused machines that match the iconic charm of an SV650. And now there’s a new one, with clip-on handlebars and a cafe-race look. Zack Courts goes on a ride on this Throttle Out Commute with this old friend to see how it stands the test of time.
Ride along with Zack Courts as he takes Ducati’s latest sportbike around a MotoGP and World Superbike circuit in Spain. Learn what makes the Panigale V2 special as you scream through 110-mph turns and see the grandstands fly by on this episode of Throttle Out Commute.
