New Motorcycles for 2014 from BMW, Suzuki, Honda, Moto Guzzi, and Yamaha

“Different and new” seems to be the mantra for the motorcycles announced so far for model year 2014. From the curious-looking Honda Grom to the 3-cylinder Yamaha FZ-09, check out what will roll onto showroom floors in the coming months.

The R 1200 GS Adventure is one of BMW’s most popular motorcycles for adventure touring riders (those who like to explore out-of-the-way places on-road and off-road). For 2014 BMW is offering a midsize version of that model called the F 800 GS Adventure (GS stands for “gelände/strasse,” which translates to “off-road/street”).

Seat height on the 505-pound F 800 GS Adventure is 35 inches, although a lower seat option is available that brings the height down to 33.9 inches. Retail price starts at $13,550.

Building on the success of its 2013 Suzuki Boulevard B.O.S.S. C90T, Suzuki is turning the spotlight on three additional blacked-out Suzuki Boulevard cruisers for model year 2014: the Boulevard C50 B.O.S.S., the Boulevard C90 B.O.S.S., and the Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S.

The expanded family of Suzuki Boulevard B.O.S.S. cruisers will roll into Suzuki dealerships across the United States in late July, at which time prices will be announced.

Honda, a longtime player in the entry-level motorcycle market, is adding yet another small-displacement motorcycle aimed at new riders to its stable. It’s called the Grom.

The Grom’s design sports a bit of attitude to attract Gen Y buyers. (We looked up the word “grom,” which according to UrbanDictionary.com is used to describe “someone who tries super hard to be cool but really is just a fake wannabe that totally annoys you. Hmm.) Nevertheless, older and more experienced riders who want a fun kick-around bike will appreciate the Grom’s unique styling. Seat height on the 225-pound lightweight is a manageable 30.1 inches, and the compact bike can even carry a passenger.

Price for the Grom, which comes in black in addition to the red pictured, is $2,999. It will be available in August.

Moto Guzziis unveiling what is perhaps one of the most stylish touring motorcycles on the market, the 2014 California 1400 Custom and Touring. According to the Italian manufacturer, the California has the largest twin-cylinder engine ever made in Europe. The 90-degree, 1380cc V-twin engine is able to produce 88.5 ft lbs of torque at just 2,750 rpm.

The California 1400s feature Tri-Map Ride-by-Wire technology, allowing the rider to flip a swip to change the character of the bike to one of three different power output curves: Turismo (Touring), Veloce (Sport) and Pioggia (Rain). The bike is also outfitted with electronic cruise control.

The price for the 2014 California 1400 Custom ABS, available in Basalt Black or Mercury Gray, is $14,990. The California 1400 Touring ABS, offered in Ambassador Black or Eldorado White, sells for $17,990.

The FZ-09 is a new sporty motorcycle from Yamaha for 2014 that features a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, 847cc 3-cylinder engine. The model was first revealed as an engine-only concept at the 2012 Intermot Motorcycle Showwith this announcement: “With its clean torque output, this advanced new light, slim, and compact 3-cylinder engine will shape Yamaha’s future motorcycle lineup.” Indeed, the 2014 FZ-09 is a bold new model with a unique engine and aggressive look.

The 2014 Yamaha FZ-09 replaces the FZ-08 and boasts several new performance components, including the ride-by-wire Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) system that senses rider input and adjusts accordingly to provide a smooth, linear and torquey ride. The new bike also produces more horsepower, has more torque and weighs less than the FZ-08. At $7,990, the FZ-09 is also priced $800 less than its predecessor. Keep an eye out for the new model at Yamaha dealerships starting in September.

For more information about the models featured in this article, visit the manufacturers’ websites at:

MotoGuzzi.com