Tis spring and besides the budding greenery and start of riding season, the release of new motorcycles from the major manufacturers is at hand. 2017 promises to be a banner year for retro-flavored streetbikes with nearly all the OEM’s busting out with cafe-inspired models, new naked performance roadsters and machines that will fill the pages of upcoming issues of Cafe Racer. Just last weekend, we were in Los Angeles throwing a leg over the saddles of several new-for-2017 machines including Honda’s groovy Rebel 500, Triumph’s wicked-fast Bobber 1200 Bonneville (pictured above being ridden by comedian ace bike tester Alonzo Bodden) ) showing off it’s amazing handling and mind-blowing torque and the surprise find, Kawasaki’s Z650 . The parallel twin Z proved nimble, fun and far more powerful than expected, tearing through the So Cal canyons like a panther with an energy drink jag. Stay tuned for full road tests and exciting action images by the brilliantly talented Kevin Wing starting June 2.
