The Best Motorcycles for Navigating City Streets in 2020

Consider this list your introductory guide to commuter motorcycles. No, it’s not an official motorcycles segment per se, but it’s worth looking at; after all, if you’re zipping into, out of and around an urban environment, a motorcycle is just about the best way to get from A to B.

The five motorcycles we discuss here vary in size, style and price, but they all have one thing in common: they’re all perfect for dealing with busy streets, angry traffic and tight spaces.

What Makes a Great City Motorcycle?

Surviving the forces that make up city traffic on a motorcycle requires patience, quick reflexes and steel nerves — and it’s crucial that the motorcycle can keep up. A compact, slender bike is a good place to start. Dodging potholes and traffic and shooting for narrow gaps between cars is the norm when cruising down a crowded street; a good city motorcycle needs to be lightweight and flickable, two qualities delivered well by smaller bikes.

Power is important, but only if it’s usable. There’s no use having chart-topping power and torque if you have to be flirt with the redline to see it. The motorcycles that work best on city streets have accessible power when you’re pulling away from a stoplight or puttering around at low speeds.

When dipping and diving and weaving your way through town, your attention needs to be on the road ahead, not how uncomfortable you are — so good ergonomics are key. That’s not just about the seating position; though it’s important that you’re not stuffing yourself onto the bike, riding comfort also comes from a good suspension setup. A super-stiff suspension that relays every rut, rock and crack can not only be bone-shatteringly uncomfortable, but can lead to a nervous, twitchy and unsettled bike.

It’s a tall order to build a bike that’s versatile enough to handle city streets and still have the capabilities to hop on the highway. But when manufacturers nail the formula, they create motorcycles that can be an incredible asset for fighting back the daily grind.

The Best Motorcycles for City Riding

Ducati Monster 821

The 821 risked falling into obscurity as the middle child of the Ducati Monster lineup. The 797 is prized as the approachable, entry-level Ducati; the 1200 might look almost identical to the little 797, but if you look closer, it’s a tech-laden superbike with no fairings and serious power. The 821, however borrows supersport-level tech from the 1200 and brings it down to an approachable level. It’s the best of both worlds — the controllable and lightweight nature of the 797, and the extra shove the top-of-the-line tech and control systems from the 1200.

Engine: 821cc V-twin
Horsepower: 109
Torque: 63 lb-ft
Price: $11,995+

Triumph Bonneville T100

Our very own Steve Mazzucchi has been riding a Bonneville around New York City for some time, so he’s able to vouch firsthand for its capability as a city bike. The combination of reasonable seat height and the placement of the pegs right under your feet give it great ergonomics and visibility, he says. The latest models add ABS and heated handgrips for added livability, without losing the classic looks. “The fact you can pretend to be Steve McQueen racing away from Nazis is just a bonus, really,” Mazzucchi adds.

Engine: 900cc parallel twin
Horsepower: 55
Torque: 59 lb-ft
Price: $10,450+

Zero Motorcycles SR/F

With their instantaneous torque and lack of a clutch or gears, electric motorcycles are practically tailor-made for city riding. (Also, unlike internal-combustion machines, they get better mileage around town than on the highway.) Zero’s SR/F — one of our most notable vehicles to go on sale last year — goes 161 miles on a charge in the city (or 200, with the optional Power Tank) and recharges in as little as an hour, yet still rips off a 0-60 mph run of well under three seconds. It’ll top out at 124 mph, too…should you find a city street that allows it.

Engine: 14.4-kWh lithium-ion battery and permanent magnet AC motor
Horsepower: 110
Torque: 140 lb-ft
Price: $19,495+

Honda CB300R

Hope you like matte blue, because that’s the only color Honda’s delightful little bike that lands between a naked standard and a sportbike comes in for 2020. (We do, for what it’s worth.) But if not, a can of Krylon is all that’ll be between you and one of the most delightful city motorcycles out there. Its compact size means even its small motor provides plenty of pep for around-town riding, while features like ABS and a 31.5-inch riding position make it friendlier for around-riding. Plus: it’s cheap, and it’s a Honda, so you know it’s built well.

Engine: 286cc single-cylinder
Horsepower: 31
Torque: 20 lb-ft
Price: $4,949+

Kawasaki Z650 ABS

In the middle-weight naked category, the bikes are so closely matched, any scrutiny requires a microscope. But the Kawasaki is one of the more affordable options compared to its Japanese rivals (even on the ABS model that starts at $7,649), and edges out the competition on styling. The Z650 really shines in mid-range power, though, delivering it right where you need it for passing traffic.

Engine: 649cc parallel-twin
Horsepower: 67
Torque: 49 lb-ft
Price: $7,649+

A Man, His Wife and a Sidecar Adventure

The northern portions of the Pacific Northwest spoil road-trippers when it comes to winding asphalt and inspiring backdrops. If you take the time to poke around, they also boast an impressive array of destinations for foodies on the prowl for new bites. Which also played a large part in my wife insisting she be included my most recent motorcycle adventure. Well, plus the fact we’d be doing it all in a Ural.

I’m a firm believer in the personal connection between man and machine. On every long haul I’ve ridden thus far, I’ve made it a point to suss out a deserving handle for my steed. This time, Carolyn, my wife, was with me. And while she understands my addictions, vehicles, for her, are mainly appliances. That’s why she stunned me a little when she christened our ride before I’d even fired it up. The Moscow Mule would be our home for the next couple of days. Moniker: nailed.

Urals are slow and stubborn but incredibly sure-footed, and can schlep more gear than you (and your significant other) can possibly pack. Thanks to its sidecar, the Siberian-built sleds also buck and yaw with every throttle modulation, which makes it a bit of a workout to keep one reined in.

Of course, the sidecar is what truly endears the Ural to traveling couples, and Carolyn was immediately smitten with its combination of moto-level freedom and car-level comfort. Five minutes in, she chimed in to inform me that the odds of her riding pillion in the future were sinking with each relaxed and comfortable mile.

The first leg of our journey had us heading to Mukilteo to catch a short ferry to Whidbey Island. There’s always something about a water crossing that adds to a journey’s excitement, so I pointed our front wheel towards the Interstate to catch the next ship. Speed and motorcycles typically go hand in hand, but there’s nothing typical about one that weighs 740 pounds, has three wheels and boasts only 41 horses of puff. Mirrors full, we tucked as best we could and chugged our way up to 70 mph. A train of other bikes quickly overtook us the first chance they got, but instead of a series of angry gestures and frowns, we were greeted by a parade of passers all looking our way, noticeably happier in the presence of our Mule.

This proved to be the theme of our journey. Motorcycle riders skipped the customary two-finger-salute for a full thumbs up, so we did the same. Cyclists had similar reactions, and almost every motorist, barring a Prius or two (clearly in a hurry to hug a Western White Pine), looked on longingly. We were chatted up at every stop sign and red light, with most of the questions heading Carolyn’s way.

“How comfortable are you in that thing?”

“Very.”

“Do you think my wife would prefer riding in that over this?”

“Definitely.”

“How much legroom do you have?”

“A ton.”

Each time, Carolyn was thanked for her opinion, and the people would proceed to pull alongside us to take one more look and smile before waving goodbye. It really was quite magical. Never in 20 years of riding motorcycles have I experienced so much cordiality. Hell, nobody even raised a fuss when we skirted around a two-hour-long line of cars to board the ferry.

On Whidbey Island, we pulled into the Bayview Farmers Market, nudging the Mule between a VW Camper Van that smelled of fryer oil and a Toyota Corolla clad in “THINGS GO BETTER WITH KALE” bumper stickers. We stuck out a touch. We were headed towards Deception Pass and needed a quick bite and fresh supplies for the journey. Some locally prepared jerky, strawberries that were picked that morning and a few other essentials were packed into the trunk, and we sat down to a delicious plate of Filipino street food. Pancit noodles and lumpia from Julie’s Lumpia Hut are second to none. If you find yourself at the market, wait in the line. It’s worth it.

After passing through Deception Pass and Fidalgo Island, the plan was to do a scouting run for the next day’s activities before dinner and drinks somewhere near Mount Vernon. We had planned stops in both Edison and Samish, but the weather was exceptional, the views epic and the road just too good leave. A quick chat confirmed that our moods aligned, so we left those highlights for the next day and continued on into Bellingham. We arrived at the Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen and were promptly greeted by a chilled growler of award-winning Kolsch, some delicious heirloom tomato gazpacho and a plate full of spicy tuna poke — a perfect late-afternoon snack for two warriors still hungry for road.

And so it continued. Our following day, instead of sleeping in, we made early tracks to ride high into the mountains. The pleasant on-road encounters continued, and we were even chased into Edison by a gentleman on a fully restored vintage Moto Guzzi V7, just so he could say, “Nice bike.” We gorged on bounties at Slough Food and Tweets before a stop in Samish for fresh oysters — shucked on the beach, no less.

I’ve been blessed to ride two wheels through some truly exceptional places. And although I’m always traveling with a group, those journeys are always very much on my own. With a third wheel, proper seating and Carolyn by my side, this ride instantly became a road trip. Communication, even without headsets, was easy. We didn’t need to clunk helmets and fight over sight lines; in a Ural, moments can be shared. And at no point is the fun of a moto adventure watered down; if anything, the quirks and the looks of these bikes brighten the day for you, your passenger and everyone else on the road.

Having a sidecar-equipped Ural at your disposal will go a long way to convincing your significant other to come ride with you, but it’s certainly not the only way. Spoiling your lady with some expertly crafted, women’s-only moto gear will help her feel not just safe, but, thanks to some flattering cuts, sexy too.

Jacket: Aether Apparel Arrow $995
Pants: Saint CC Women’s Mid Rise Technical Moto Jeans $295
Helmet: Icon Alliance Dark $150
Boots: TCX X-Boulevard Waterproof Boots $150
Gloves: Belstaff Esses Gloves $81

These Are the Best Motorcycles We Rode in 2019

Reviewing cars, trucks and motorcycles is a big part of our job here at Gear Patrol. After all, we’re here to tell you about the best products out there, and in order to do that, we need to know ourselves what’s worth considering and what doesn’t deserve a second glance. That means a lot of seat time — both on saddles and in climate-controlled interiors.

Last year, we had the chance to hop in and out of an incredible variety of machines, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled alike. On the former front, the biggest news was the appearance of truly mainstream electric motorcycles, with Zero Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson’s new models fighting it out for EV supremacy. But 2019 also saw the arrival of plenty of other cool bikes, stretching from ADVs to cruisers to a genre-breaking muscle bike from Italy.

Here, we’ve pulled together a list of the best motorcycles we rode last year, to give you a chance to remember the great bikes that 2019 brought in. And expect to see plenty more such reviews here in 2020.

2019 Zero Motorcycles SR/F

“When an electric bike promises cost savings, environmental friendliness and one-of-a-kind thrills, you pay attention. Zero Motorcycles has been at this game for 13 years, outlasting fly-by-night competitors and even impacting Harley-Davidson. The Zero SR/F flies contrary to the hallmarks of classic motorcycling: there’s no engine to purr, no gears to shift, no neutral to pop it into at a light. But any doubts whoosh away the moment you twist the throttle; try going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than two seconds. Green means go, baby.” —Steve Mazzucchi

2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire

“The first EV from the Motor Company delivers something few, if any, other manufacturers have managed: a well-rounded, battery-driven two-wheeler that comes with a distinctly formed sense of identity. Thanks to well-executed user interface details and an engaging riding experience, the LiveWire delivers more than you might expect, especially given Harley’s predictable propensity for V-twin-powered thump-a-lump. Say what you will about the hefty MSRP or the charging limitations — the LiveWire manages to surprise and delight enough to make Harley-Davidson’s future look very bright, indeed.” —Basem Wasef

2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE

Photo: Sam Bendall

“Scrambler-style motorcycle are jacks-of-all-trades, and like any such compromised proposition, concessions must be made. But in that category, there’s no doubt the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE raises the bar to a new level. It’s not the best on the road — but going in and out of corners, it still inspires more confidence than most other road bikes. It’s not the last word in off-road performance — but it’s more sure-footed than some bikes built specifically for the dirt. The only mistake here is that the company undersold this bike by calling it a “scrambler” when it’s something far greater: a naked ADV.” —Bryan Campbell

2019 Indian FTR 1200

“The FTR 1200 will almost certainly succeed in its goals of opening up new markets for Indian. Sure, it’s a looker, which is imperative when going against the Ducatis and Triumphs of the world. But more importantly, its engine, smooth power delivery, and spectacular balance should tick all boxes with demanding European and Japanese buyers — especially those looking for an American bike that delivers on its promises.” —Nicolas Stetcher

2019 Ducati Hypermotard 950 SP

“The Hypermotard manages to be more focused than ever on comfort and user-friendliness, without sacrificing any of the engaging personality that made it so groundbreaking when it first debuted. It’s a delicate balance, especially considering how motorcycles can easily tip into becoming annoying or anodyne when their winning formula is messed with. The latest Hypermotard isn’t everything to everybody, especially if you’re looking for a long-distance bike that carries saddlebags. But for an undeniably fun bike to ride that’s more than just an urban runabout, Ducati’s latest iteration of the Hyper is just about ideal.” —Basem Wasef

2019 Indian Chieftain Limited

“From a pure performance standpoint, the Chieftain is a dream on the highway. I took it on a 500-mile weekend roundtrip to central Pennsylvania, and it devoured the distance, even negotiating an unexpected stretch of climbing up a gravel off-road path. The bike feels super-stable, even when surrounded by wind-shearing semis. And the V-twin engine paired with a six-speed transmission is smooth and responsive — to the point where you can easily hit 90 miles per hour without noticing just how fast you’re going.” —Steve Mazzucchi

2019 Ducati Diavel 1260S Review

Photo: M. Neundorf & C. Merey

“The Ducati Diavel 1260S does so much more than raise eyebrows when parked. It’s comfortable enough to handle extended touring trips, nimble enough to hang with supersports in the twisty bits and isn’t fazed by the confines of city life. The new Diavel 1260S is a unique motorcycle that offers a visceral, athletic riding experience — one that, quite simply, needs to be sampled to be understood.” —Matt Neundorf

The Motorcycle Helmet You Deserve Is $280 Off, But You Need to Act Fast

There are plenty of purchases in life where you can justify settling for “good enough,” but a motorcycle helmet shouldn’t be one of them. After all, this is a piece of gear that’s designed to protect the single most valuable part of your body from the potentially-lethal impacts and forces that can occur when your simple, mortal body goes flying off a bike at highway speeds and into a solid object: it’s not a place to cheap out.

Which is why you deserve a great lid like Bell’s Star MIPS Torsion Helmet. This low-profile motorcycle helmet meets or does better than Snell M2015 and DOT safety certifications, thanks to features like its Aramid, carbon fiber and fiberglass construction. Yet it’s also surprisingly comfortable and usable, with a Panovision viewport for good visibility, eyewear arm pockets in the liner that let you wear glasses with it more easily, and built-in speaker pockets for pairing it with your radio or smartphone.

Best of all, this Bell is a steal right now. Normally, this helmet would cost you more than $500, but thanks to RevZilla’s sale pricing right now, you can grab it for 53 percent off the usual price. These sales don’t last forever, though, so snap up this lid while you can.

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