Motorcycle Mojo Magazine

We bring you so much diversity with this April issue — everything from a naked Superbike to a small-displacement dual-sport play bike; a ride through the Yukon and part of Alaska to halfway around the world riding the coastline and deserts of Morocco; to hard-partying on the high seas to hard enduro in Alberta. And then there’s the legendary Harley-Davidson race bike called Lucifer’s Hammer that is incomparable to anything else. In addition to all of this, Costa Mouzouris is dreaming of his next bike in Mojo Garage. He’s narrowed it down to a handful but spring is just around the corner and his dilemma continues. We start off with BMW’s M1000R on page 18 as Alan Cathcart gives us his thoughts on the 2023 naked bike with direct ties to the…

Honda CT125 Available south of the border since 2021, Honda has finally made the cute, loveable CT125 available in Canada. Older farmers, outdoorsmen and riders will recognize its styling, as well as its CT call letters. While a few bikes have used the CT designation in the past, the 2023 Honda CT125 Trail shares lineage with the utilitarian, semi-step-through CT200 of 1964, a design that would eventually become a workhorse for farmers and hunters, and they could even be seen at construction sites. But don’t let the model designation fool you: its engine did not displace 200 cc; it was powered by an 87 cc four-stroke pushrod single, with its now recognizable cylinder laid almost horizontal. To make it a bit less confusing for consumers, in 1966 Honda renamed the small trail…

KAWASAKI ZX-4R Small displacement fours have come and gone a few times in the past. In the mid-1970s, Honda offered the CB400F Super Sport, then for a brief moment in 1989 the 399 cc CB-1 naked bike. Yamaha had the FZR400 sport bike in the early 1990s, and Suzuki had the Bandit 400 in the same period. These small inline fours offered relatively high performance in their category, with high-revving engines and low weight. Kawasaki never had a 400-cc inline four available in Canada — until now that is, with the 2023 Ninja ZX-4R. It’s safe to say that the new Kawasaki ZX-4R is the highest-performance 400-cc four ever made available in Canada. European power claims put the little four at 76 horsepower, though output in Canada will be lower due to…

THE PRAIRIES ARE NOT BORING What a treat this year’s calendar is! January caught my attention right away and reminded me of my childhood in the early ’70s, back in Northern Germany. Back then, “Ice Speed Way” was hugely popular with riders from all over Europe, particularly the northern countries. Bikes used were very often converted Jawa two-strokes with 125-250 cc engines. I very much enjoyed Jeff Davison’s article “The Prairies are Not Boring!” (Jan/Feb 2023). Residing in eastern Manitoba, it is the norm to ride long distances and sometimes long sweeping curves. And, no the Prairies are not totally flat. The Battlefords in Saskatchewan or the Qu’Appelle Valley Ride come to mind. Riding the Prairies sometimes leads to finding solitude. The Grasslands in Saskatchewan or riding through the Interlake Region of Manitoba,…

I recently wrote about how remarkable motorcycle riders can be, and how frequently they support charity rides and charitable events, often helping smash negative stereotypes. There are other ways that riders are changing the perception and availability of our sport. One way is by making it easier for non-riders to get involved and try riding without first having to invest in all the required gear. Another is to promote the benefits and joys of riding to the general public. That’s why I was thrilled to see my friend Carla Rae Carey, an avid dirt biker and a mother of five, receive the surprise of her life as part of the annual TD Canada Trust #TDThanksYou campaign, which recognizes those who give back to improve their communities. Carla believed she was going…

I heard two loud pops as both sides of the tire beaded to the rim. We were in Dawson City, Yukon, and one of the riders on our tour needed a new rear tire. Before shipping our bikes from Ontario to Whitehorse for the trip, tour manager Clint had asked everyone to make sure their bikes were equipped with new tires. But when I began unloading the bikes, I found that the rear tire on one of the bikes was worn out. I knew that I would be changing that tire soon; I always try to lend a hand, because many hands have helped me in the past. My mom called it karma. The roads in the Yukon are fantastic for adventure touring, but they can get a little too exciting…