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As the motorcycle industry continues to grow, so does the number of exciting innovations and new motorbike technology. Everything from the way motorcycles are built and powered, to how they look and even the gear that riders wear continues to evolve every year.
New trends and developments are an exciting part of motorcycle culture, often being showcased at famous rallies around the country. In this post, we’ll highlight some of the most exciting new motorcycle trends for 2024.
Trending motorcycles
These brands aren’t new to the game, but they’ve been stealing the spotlight lately for their unique contributions to the world of motorcycles.
Indian Motorcycle
One of America’s oldest and most revered motorcycle makers, Indian Motorcycle has garnered a passionate following for its iconic designs and rich history. Indian has excelled at combining vintage designs with cutting-edge technology, making it one of the most desirable motorcycle brands in the U.S.
Kawasaki Ninja
For decades, the Kawasaki Ninja has been known for its performance and accessibility. The extensive lineup of Ninja motorcycles includes sport, supersport and hypersport options for varying price ranges and power. The latest addition fueling interest in the Kawasaki Ninja is the Ninja e-1 ABS—Kawasaki’s first fully electric sportbike.
Honda Powersports
Honda’s powersports category is vast, including touring bikes, minimotos, sportbikes, scooters and more. The brand’s wide selection, plus its proven reliability, has created a large community of loyal enthusiasts. Because of this, 2024 looks to be another big year for Honda’s presence in the powersports and motorcycle market.
Adventure touring bikes
One specific powersport vehicle picking up steam this year is the adventure touring bike. If you’ve never heard of an adventure touring bike, you can think of it as the SUV of motorcycles. These large, comfortable bikes are packed with modern technology and amenities, making them easy and enjoyable to ride for long distances.
But that’s not all—they’re also built to handle off-road trails and unpaved terrain (hence the “adventure” part of their name). The combination of versatility, comfort and tech has carved out a growing market of riders looking to tackle the great outdoors in style. Whether they’re gearing up for a scenic road trip or camping out under the stars, we predict adventure touring bikes will keep picking up speed with outdoorsy bikers in 2024 and beyond.
Electric motorcycles
Not surprisingly, electric motorcycles are featured on the list of trends and innovations. The advantages of electric motorcycles are well documented, but what you might not know is that the concept of electric bikes dates back to the invention of the motorcycle over 100 years ago. Up until this point they’ve largely been produced by smaller manufacturers and electric-only startups, but now major manufacturers are getting on board.
Harley Davidson’s fully electric LiveWire bike quickly became the best-selling electric motorcycle in the U.S. Not to be outdone, other major manufacturers like Kawasaki, Honda and BMW entered the hybrid and fully electric motorcycle space with their own offerings.
Classic and retro motorcycle designs
Vintage motorcycle designs fueled by nostalgia have been coming back in a big way, and the trend is set to continue through 2024. Modern manufacturers are looking to the past for design inspiration and equipping these machines with the latest and greatest in engine, safety and ergonomics technology.
Riders can enjoy vintage looks with all the amenities of modern-day motorcycles. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic design that reminds you of your very first bike, or you just like the style of previous generations’ designs, the retro motorcycle trend resonates with many modern-day riders.
Do you have an authentic vintage bike that you need to move cross-country? Or did you find the motorcycle of your dreams from a seller in a different state? Read these tips on how to ship a vintage motorcycle.
Motorcycle helmet technology
Modular helmets
Modular helmets are gaining popularity because of their comfort, convenience and greater field of vision. Though modular helmets aren’t a new invention, more riders have taken an interest in them recently and popular retailers are offering wider selections.
There’s debate among motorcycle enthusiasts about whether modular helmets are as safe as normal full-face helmets, and most answers point to yes. As long as the wearer is riding with the chin bar attached and closed, a modular helmet will mostly offer the same protection as a full-face motorcycle helmet.
Smart helmets
Modern motorcycle helmets don’t just keep you safe from accidents and injuries, they’re also able to keep you informed and alert while on the road. From audio instructions to visual queues and information displayed in your field of vision, smart helmets seamlessly deliver the information you need so you can focus on enjoying your ride.
Smart helmets integrate features like Bluetooth connectivity and AI voice commands to receive GPS directions and traffic alerts, plus noise-suppression technology and high-quality audio for listening to music and taking phone calls. Some smart helmets are even equipped with 4K cameras similar to a dashcam in a car.
Safety gear
Keeping your bike safe is one thing, but keeping yourself safe while riding is even more important. Riding a motorcycle is dangerous if you’re not equipped with the right safety gear—especially at high speeds, on treacherous terrain and around other moving vehicles. That’s why it’s critical to know about the safety features of bikes and to have the right gear to protect yourself in case an accident occurs.
From jackets and helmets to gloves and boots, motorcycle gear manufacturers have started to develop new motorcycle safety technology to increase rider protection. New safety gear like airbag jackets and vests have been shown to reduce forward momentum in a crash by roughly 60 percent and head trauma by approximately 80 percent.
Motorcycle security systems
For many riders, their motorcycle is their prized possession. Leaving a bike unattended can be concerning for bikers, especially since they lack the traditional security features other vehicles have, leaving them more susceptible to theft or vandalism. Fortunately, motorcycle security has come a long way, and now the market is full of new tools and systems to keep your motorcycle safe—one of the leaders in the space being the Scorpio security system for motorcycles.
The more straightforward alarm systems will lock your bike and act as a noise-maker if someone tries to tamper with it. These have been around for years and do a good job of scaring off potential thieves. More recent advancements in motorcycle security are now offering hidden alarm systems, GPS tracking with notifications on your phone and even the ability to remotely kill the ignition if somebody manages to get away with your bike. As technology continues to advance, so do the ways to keep yourself and your motorcycle out of harm’s way.
Liquid cooling
While not a new technology in itself, liquid-cooled bikes have been gaining popularity compared to their air-cooled counterparts. Liquid cooling offers a quieter ride and fewer components to maintain, which is appealing to new riders who want an easy introduction to motorcycles, and to more experienced riders who just want a more simplified riding experience. In addition to being more durable, liquid-cooled bikes transfer heat to the front of the motorcycle, making them more comfortable on long, scenic rides or when you’re just stuck in traffic.
Air-cooled bikes aren’t going anywhere (Harley Davidson bikes are almost entirely air-cooled), but liquid cooling is growing out of its niche where it was once typically used for racing motorcycles.
Safe and easy motorcycle transport services
Need to ship your motorcycle? Montway arranges transport for motorcycles, powersports and other vehicles in all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska. Speak with one of Montway’s motorcycle shipping advisors at 888-989-8526. Learn more about motorcycle shipping.
