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We can’t argue the convenience of having saddle bags, a tank bag or a top box is great. The only problem is that it affects the look of your bike. Some bikes come with bags as part of their DNA and they tend to be very stylish, aerodynamic, color matched and look great on the bike. But what do you do with a naked bike?

I have fought this battle all of my motorcycling life. I want my bike to look cool but want to have the ability to easily carry stuff. It is so nice when just riding around town that when you stop you can store your things in a bag on your bike and not have to carry them around, not to mention the ability to carry lots of stuff when you are touring.

Cyndy and I just removed our big top boxes from our Triumph Tiger 900s in favor of a small soft bag that attaches to the rear seat and rack. We had the large metal top bags that were big enough for two full face helmets and although extremely convenient they just spoiled the lines and made the bike look odd and top heavy. If I were touring two up, I would definitely have the big top bag as it also works as a rear seat rest for your passenger.

The selection of saddlebags is huge! They come in metal, leather, fabric, throw over or permanently mounted. I absolutely love the Triumph waxed cotton saddlebags I put on my Bonneville, and I think they make it look even more classic. They are not too wide and can easily hold a ton of stuff. 

I did not put saddlebags on my Tiger because the metal bags that are available are just too wide for my liking and to me it spoils the looks. The fabric seat tail bag I always keep on it is fine for most times. When I tour I install my tank bag and use a waterproof Triumph roll bag that I tie down on the back seat. 

A tank bag is a good idea as it can hold lots of your goodies and it can look decent on your bike too. I have one for both of my bikes and they go on and off easily. I remember when I used to tour on sport bikes that I would actually lay forward on my tank bag and it made long rides more comfortable. Also I would put on a set of fabric throw over saddle bags and off I went!

At the end of the day bags are just about convenience. You can always find a way to strap or tie down all kinds of things on your bike but having bags just makes it so much easier. And as far as aesthetics go each of us has different opinions. These are just mine.

2024 Triumph Daytona 660 Racer Test

We race Triumph’s factory-built and customer-available Daytona at Cadwell Park.

Triumph has done something a little bit special in producing a race version of its new road-going Daytona 660. Yes, manufacturers have produced race versions of production streetbikes before but the Triumph project differs from most because all the race components necessary to transform it into a razor-sharp track tool are available to the public via Triumph’s website or project-development partner, PHR Performance. This is a factory racebike or trackday bike you can buy, configure, and build yourself, or allow the experts to build it to your spec here.

I couldn’t wait to see what a full-on race-spec Daytona 660 triple would be like. On the street, it’s a sweetly balanced and punchy middleweight sportbike, ideal for newer riders who are happy to trade premium components and the absolute best in adjustability and electronic rider aids for a sub-$10,000 price point. Lavish it with a raft of well-chosen and developed track goodies and, instinctively, you feel it will become something special.

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Testing Ducati’s Panigale V4 S in the Pouring Rain

How good are modern-day electronics? Here’s the answer.

Today’s superbikes are awash with sophisticated electronics and rider aids, and none showcases the most advanced and fiendishly cunning systems better than Ducati’s new 2025 Panigale V4 S. The rider aids and electronics on this, let’s not forget, road-going machine have been developed, tested, and proven in MotoGP and World Superbikes. It embraces technologies used by Stoner, Rossi, Dovizioso, Bagnaia in MotoGP, not forgetting the likes of Bautista in WSBK.

It’s easy to be dismissive and write off this direct connection with racing as marketing hyperbole, but ask Ducati’s highly regarded and straight-talking lead development rider, Alessandro Valia, how advanced the Panigale V4 S systems really are, and he says: “If we are talking about the DAVC (optional Race Pro software) suite (DTC, DWC, DSC), then we are at a level much higher than in MotoGP 10 years ago.”

Ducati isn’t messing about here. The Bologna factory recently launched the 2025 V4 S at the Autodromo di Vallelunga circuit north of Rome, with every intention of confirming Valia’s claim. We had a full day in the saddle to test every key rider aid installed on the machine and, back in our box, assess the benefit it was delivering to the rider via data analysis with Ducati’s top technicians.

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