motorcycles with tft display brands

Every year, motorcycle manufacturers make various improvements to their lineup, everything from little internal details, to new paint, to full-on redesigns. Over the years we’ve watched these machines get better, faster, and safer. In the 2020 model year, though, the majority of motorcycle manufacturers seem to be hopping on the TFT wagon. What does that mean for us, the riders?

We are all familiar with the Thin Film Transistor, or TFT screen, on our smartphones, hand-held video game displays, computer monitors, and car “infotainment” systems. The technology has advanced rapidly in the last few years, and motorcycle manufacturers have suddenly determined that they are ready for the harsh environment a motorcycle display needs to endure. During an attentive walk around of the International Motorcycle Show in New York City this past weekend, we noticed that new bikeswithoutTFT screens are becoming the rare exception.

Some manufacturers began outfitting their newest bikes with TFT screens a couple of years ago, but the 2020 model year has seen a sudden industry-wide shift. Major manufacturers like BMW, Kawasaki, Honda, and Yamaha, and even smaller companies like Energica, outfit their bikes with a TFT.

All of us who have been riding for many years are used to analog dials and gauges. Some of us are concerned about the longevity of the TFT, and in my opinion, those concerns are valid. Certainly, we’ve all seen our smartphone screens give up the ghost after only a few years of use. Some of us have an affinity for older motorcycles and have repaired or restored those old analog speedometers and gauges. We know that they often work flawlessly for decades. When they need repair, it’s a question of fixing or replacing internal mechanical parts. Not so with the futuristic TFT screens.

Those of us who are not hopeless luddites tend to sing the praises of a screen that can and does change to show machine and engine speed, a navigation display, the state of the motorcycle’s electronic suspension, tire pressure, the traction control setting, and a whole host of other information. The versatility of a TFT over traditional analog gauges is unquestionable: we might soon be able to program them ourselves with our preferred screen settings, just like our smartphones.

From a manufacturing point of view, TFTs simplify the process. The same TFT can be used on every motorcycle in a manufacturer’s lineup, with only a change of software to make the screen bike-specific. Does that mean a TFT will eventually be extremely inexpensive and easy to replace, should it ever go bad? Right now they’re too new to know for sure, but manufacturers are installing them everywhere, so we will all find out soon enough!

Gauge cluster design is a dying art. Speedometers and tachometers used to sit at the front of motorcycles like single-handed mechanical watches, projecting only the most pertinent information to the rider: vehicle speed, engine speed and the odometer. Then, like most analog things, digital became the preference and, for the most part, still is the preferred way to display even more information to riders like time, temperature, ride modes, traction control and any other minute pieces data the manufacturer deems necessary.

No one is saying having access to all that data is unnecessary or overbearing — quite the opposite. The more you can know about what’s going on with your bike the better, but, on a modern bike, all that information is more than an analog gauge can handle. So digital displays are a necessary evil, but their principal downside is they lack style, character and they all seem to look the same. However, it seems like the motorcycle industry is at a crossroads and the opportunity for unique, yet modern design is on its way back.

Thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal — or full-color TFT displays — are gaining popularity in the motorcycle industry. TFT is merely a more refined version of the well-known liquid crystal display (LCD), whose potential is already on display in the Lexus LFAand Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. And now, motorcycle manufacturers like Ducati are bringing that technology to the two-wheeled universe to exploit the benefits of a TFT display even further.

Ducati Monster Line Product Manager Stephano Trabusi explained, “TFT is more visible during the day, even in direct sunlight, the resolution is much higher than normal LCD so that you can have much more information on a display.” Given that the cockpit of a motorcycle doesn’t have the benefit of shade from a roof, more common digital and LCDs fall victim to severe glare. The Bosch system Ducati runs even goes one step further with a night mode that can tell if it’s night time, if you’re in a tunnel or a low light environment and flips the display background to black and the font white, so it’s easier to read.

Night vision is just the tip of the TFT iceberg, though. The complex levels of traction control and ride modes that come along with the Bosch system mean the screen has to be able to cycle through numerous menus and pages and display the traction control, engine modes and ABS settings once programmed. “Given that the bikes are so much more complex nowadays, they have more and more functions and more electronics; we need that higher resolution to display all that information.” And not only that but Trabusi justifies Ducati’s use of the display in the most modern way possible, “you always see the display when you’re riding, and it has to have a premium feel for a premium ride. Today, we are so used to our smartphones with color displays — it has become just so familiar. And to have this level of resolution and color on our bikes — it was common sense.”

Therein lies the problem with the Bosch system. Because it’s from a third party electronics and software company, and because it’s so close to a complete plug-and-play package, a handful of other manufacturers — BMW, KTM, Aprilia — use similar if not identical systems. So we wind up with cookie cutter displays no better than the uninspired digital systems they replaced. But thumbing through, pages, levels, toggling ride modes and taking calls via Bluetooth, it’s undoubtedly intuitive, but there’s an overwhelming sense that no one is exploiting the display for all it can do. It’s the same as getting an iPhone X and only using it for dim-lit selfies and tri-color wallpaper.

There’s no reason Ducati couldn’t create its own version of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit — between the maps, different gauge cluster layouts and creative displays, it would be like nothing else on two wheels. The creative potential is there, but until someone unlocks it, we’re stuck in this dull purgatory of right angles and primary colors.

Motorcyclists expect their bike’s instrument panel to deliver all the necessary information in the clearest way possible. From analog speedos and tachometers to full-color TFT displays, users should be able to access the appropriate information without being distracted from the task at hand. However, riders of different disciplines value different metrics, and Continental’s MultiViu Sports display puts the user’s preferences at the forefront.

“Selecting a motorcycle is a lifestyle decision,” admits Continental’s product manager Patric Zimmermann. “The driver of a low rider motorbike is different in many ways from a motocross biker. However, both care a lot about how information is displayed to them. Both need a display that is as good as a smartphone and shows content in accordance with their particular preferences.”

Continental technicians have also future-proofed the display with Bluetooth smartphone connectivity. Suppliers can also customize the platform with external services such as weather information or music streaming capabilities. The brand is currently developing a MultiViu unit with a touchscreen feature for an even more user-friendly experience.

As of now, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and 1290 Super Duke R tout Continental’s MultiViu Sports 7-inch TFT display. With the level of customization and premium performance, we wouldn’t be surprised to see more models adopt the dash in the near future.

Many of us understand the importance of motorcycles in our life and some of us even treat them as a part of the family. As time goes by, every single aspect, from its design, performance, ease of riding, etc. keeps evolving and the only thing constant is the peace of mind one has while riding a bike on an open highway or carving corners. One such component that is affected by the evolution is the instrument clusters of our motorcycles and each manufacturer comes up with a new design every day. We have different types in them as well ranging from analogue-digital to completely digital clusters and the information they offer has increased by leaps and bounds. So, let’s take a look at 12 motorcycles with the best-looking instrument cluster in the sub-500cc category.

We start the list with the currently booming ADV segment and on top of the ADV category is undoubtedly the Royal Enfield Himalayan. If you do not have roads to the place you want to visit or sometimes you do not want to take the roads to the place you want to visit, then the Himalayan is the most hardcore off-roader in India that can literally go anywhere and wade its way through anything. And accordingly, Royal Enfield has equipped the Himalayan with everything you need and it has the most mixed variety of features in this list of the best-looking instrument cluster.

The entire layout is neatly designed and the only things analogue are the speedometer and the fuel gauge. In the digital department, it gets 2 trip meters, an odometer, gear shift indicator, direction indicator, temperature, clock and the recent addition of what Royal Enfield calls the Tripper Display. The Tripper Display shows only the turns and the distance to make the turn which is rather useful than mounting a phone on a holder in a bike that is meant to go off-road. There are telltale signs that sit between the speedometer and the tripper display for your high beam, neutral, ABS and other signs. The only disadvantages are, it does not come with a tachometer and while riding under direct sunlight, the digital part of the cluster is not easy to read as the font is rather small and not very legible.

This has to be the best looking all-digital instrument cluster on this list and that’s not just because of the high-resolution TFT LCD screen it has on offer. It displays everything that you will ever need and heck it even comes with Bluetooth connectivity that shows calls, messages and even the track that is currently playing. It has all the bells and whistles like a speedometer, tachometer, odometer, temperature gauge, gear position indicator, 2 trip meters, average fuel consumption, battery level, date, time, average speed, ABS modes, side stand indicator, and in each trip meter it shows individual fuel consumption, distance travelled and time of the trip. There are a number of settings that can be turned on\off, like the DRLs, changing ABS modes or turning it off, using the options displayed on the instrument cluster. It even has options to change the units of distance, temperature and fuel consumption which is very neat and helpful.

It gets the gear shift indicator which can be changed for different rider setups. The telltale lights are on either side of the display and can be easily seen in case any of them are lit up. On top of all this, one of the hidden features that we liked very much is that as you go faster, the font of the speedometer keeps increasing so that it is easily readable just at a short glance. It has ambient light sensors that detect low visibility and changes the display to night mode which makes it easy for the eyes to read in dim\no light. Even in day mode and under direct sunlight, the display is easy to read and pretty legible, at least things that are important.

Initially, the Apache RR 310 came with a vertical layout of the instrument cluster on the Apache RTR 200 which was good but with the latest update, they have introduced the TFT display and it looks so much better. The skeleton of the design looks like a smartphone itself but the design layout is pretty neat and quirky. Just like the one on the KTM, this also gets all the bells and whistles like speedometer, tachometer, odometer, temperature gauge, gear position indicator, 2 trip meters, time, average speed, side stand indicator and even the kill switch indicator.

The part where this gets extra since it was race-bred is, it comes with a lap timer, 0-60kmph timer and a top speed recorder. Since the bike gets different riding modes, the entire layout and colours change according to the mode which we feel gets you in the mood. The display resolution is precise and easy to read with legible fonts even under direct sunlight. The telltale lights are on the top and are easily visible in case there is something wrong or something that you need to attend to. It also gets Bluetooth connectivity and gives a summary of the rides and bikes status in the app on your smartphone.

You ever heard the saying, “Old is Gold”, the Kawasaki Ninja 300 is the living example in the motorcycle sector and everything about this bike is still amazing. Coming to its instrument cluster, even though it is in the market for ages, it still has one of the best-looking instrument clusters majorly because of the design layout and it displays most of the information we need. It has a big wide analogue tachometer that is smack dab at the centre of the design, below which you get the digital speedometer, odometer, trip meters, digital clock, and fuel gauge. The telltale signs are on either side of the tachometer and have a funky design to them. We feel the only important thing missing is the gear position indicator which would have been helpful in a bike that has 6 gears.

Who would have guessed that anybody could buy a Beemer for the price of around 3 lakh on-road? Thanks to a partnership with TVS, we have an affordable BMW bike and this bike is built in India at TVS’s plant in Hosur and exported to other countries as well. The instrument cluster on this one is all-digital, pretty basic and still has all the information that you need. This takes the function over form approach and even though it is not the best looker, it definitely is more functional and gives a lot of information. It displays a speedometer, tachometer, 2 trip meters, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, date and time, fuel range, engine temperature and has telltale signs on either side of the display. Unlike the other all-digital instrument consoles on this list, the one on the Beemer does not come with Bluetooth connectivity which is a bummer when you compare its competition and also when you look at the price you are paying.

This has to be the best-looking analogue-digital instrument console when it comes to its retro design and very clever use of digital clusters. The layout is pretty basic and definitely checks the box for retro looks with the twin-pod dials. The one on the left shows the analogue speedometer while the analogue tachometer is situated on the right and in between them lies the digital fuel gauge as well as the gear position indicator which is pretty neat and useful. The other digital display is on the left pod under the analogue speedometer and shows the odometer, 2 trip meters and the clock. The telltale signs are situated in the right pod below the analogue tachometer and are neatly laid out but might be difficult to read under direct sunlight. The console does not come with Bluetooth connectivity but it does show everything you need except for directions and for a bike that is meant to go majorly on the tarmac we believe a phone holder will do the job pretty well.

The Yamaha R15 V3 comes with a very functional display and has a very compact design. It shows the speedometer, tachometer, gear position indicator, average speed, fuel gauge, average fuel consumption, 2 trip meters, gear shift indicator which is customisable, clock and a welcome message. The Bluetooth connectivity feature is yet to be seen but Yamaha states that it will be upgrading the console on the recently released R15 V4. Apart from that, it has telltale signs on either side of the display and is very plain and simple. The console might not be fancy but is compact and the fonts are very legible for a display of this size. It has a white backlit display for the night mode that is easy on the eyes and comfortable to read.

The instrument console on the RC200 which was introduced on the KTM Duke 200 and Duke 390 was one of the first consoles to be feature loaded and it comes with a tachometer, speedometer, 3 trip meters, fuel gauge, real-time fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, service indicator, gear position indicator, distance-to-empty reading, clock and side-stand warning light. The gear shift indicator can be customised and sits in the middle of the telltale lights which are situated on the top of the console. The console comes with an ambient light sensor and automatically turns on the orange backlights when the visibility gets low. But one of the major drawbacks of this console is that the fonts are pretty small and hence are not legible to view while riding and makes it even tougher when viewed under direct sunlight.

The second and more affordable motorcycle that comes from the ADV world is the Xpulse 200 and it comes with an all-digital display that has Bluetooth connectivity features and hence benefits with navigation, call and SMS alerts. Apart from that, it has all the normal features like a speedometer, tachometer, gear position indicator, odometer, 2 trip meters, fuel gauge, date and time. The telltale lights are positioned on the top and give necessary information and alerts that include ABS, side stand warning, engine check warning, high beam, turn indicators and Neutral. The console is white backlit and most of the fonts are pretty legible and easy to read even under direct sunlight. The trip meters information and navigation is neatly provided on the right-hand side of the screen while the other information is on the left.

The Suzuki Gixxer 250 comes with an all-digital instrument console and has pretty much everything that its competitors have. It is one of the early birds of the all-digital game and even now has one of the best-looking instrument consoles. The telltale signs are on either side of the display and the customisable gear shift indicator sits on the top. The fonts are very legible and are easy to read at any point in time and the blue backlit display is easy on the eyes. The console shows a speedometer, tachometer, odometer, 2 trip meters, clock, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, and service interval. The USP of this console definitely has to be the fonts and legibility of the display which is easily readable even at a short glance and even under direct sunlight. The blue backlit display is easy on the eyes and does not affect the driver’s vision even when you look at it for a long time(which you are not supposed to do while riding).

If you are a simple man who looks simple and compact designs, then the instrument console of the Huskies will impress you very much. This is easily the most compact and the least intrusive to the rider when they look ahead. All the information that you need comes in just a circle and it displays a speedometer, tachometer, 2 trip meters, ABS modes, fuel range, average speed, average fuel consumption, fuel gauge and clock. The telltale signs are situated around the layout, along with the mode and set buttons that are used to toggle between information, change ABS modes and reset trip meters. It also gets the side stand and the kill switch warning on the display. Although small in size, we believe it still qualifies to be in the list of the best-looking instrument cluster.

Bajaj NS200 and RS200 – The layout is pretty good and looks very sophisticated but unfortunately does not get a gear position indicator while a lot of other bikes in the same segment and even in the lower segment are equipped with it.

TVS Apache RTR 180 – This bike also has an analogue-digital display which looks pretty neat but this design was introduced a really long time ago and it still continues to use the same.

These instrument consoles are definitely feature-loaded and are very helpful in understanding your motorcycle better at all times. On that note, we think the LCD displays should make way to all the bikes above 200cc and maybe even the Bluetooth options as well. But we like to hear from you and you let us know, apart from the LCD display and Bluetooth, what else do you want your instrument console to have and how does it help you while riding or maintaining a motorcycle.

And of course, if you feel we left out other motorcycles that have better instrument consoles than the ones mentioned above, please feel free to leave a comment and we will surely acknowledge them.

The very first gasoline internal combustion motorcycle was the Daimler Reitwagen, built in 1885. Robert Bosch created his namesake company a year later, in 1886. Coincidence? Probably, but it makes a nice segue into the advancements that Robert Bosch GmbH, better known simply as Bosch, has made in the motorcycle industry. As the company points out, “As a leading supplier of motorcycle safety systems, Bosch has sought for years to make motorcycles first and foremost safer, but also comfortable – without diminishing riding enjoyment.” As part of this commitment, the company just released their new line of five-inch TFT displays for motorcycles – the TFT Cluster 5” and the Connectivity Cluster 5”.

These displays were designed to be used by motorcycle manufacturers as original equipment dashboards, and as such, are completely customizable. With a compact footprint, the displays can be installed in a very confined space, something the engineers at Suzuki no doubt appreciated when the TFT Cluster 5” was selected for use in the 2023 V-STROM 1050 and V-STROM 1050DE.

The Connectivity Cluster 5” differs from the TFT Cluster 5”, in that, as you might have guessed, it has connectivity capabilities. Previously, adding GPS navigation to a motorcycle not already equipped required a separate aftermarket unit or smartphone mounted to the motorcycle in conjunction with the stock dashboard display. The Connectivity Cluster 5” allows the rider to wirelessly connect their smartphone to the dashboard, bringing smartphone functionality to the display, such as GPS, music, and messaging. At the same time, important information regarding the motorcycle operation, such as warnings or speedometer readout, is retained.

Bosch claims that the compact size and customizable nature of their new displays makes them suitable not only for conventional motorcycles, but also electric motorcycles, e-scooters, and ATVs. Expect to see Bosch’s new displays as original equipment on more motorcycles, as riders demand increased functionality, legibility, and connectivity from their bikes’ instrument clusters.

My MG V85TT has a TFT display. The multimedia module is an additional purchase that allows controlling music and displays a GPS navigation arrow. Still need to use a Moto Guzzi phone app to calculate the GPS route. If you want just arrows without a map, it might be OK. (I think it displays the upcoming turn as a big arrow and the turn after that as a small one. That"s my memory since I can"t find any photos of it. That"s how popular the module is.)

At first it was subtle, that’s how they get you… well at least motorcycles haven’t quite followed the four-wheel trend of slapping massive iPad type device on the handlebars to then wonder why drivers ‘might’ be a tad distracted while on the road. Just saying…

Remember the carbureted bikes of the 1980s and early ‘90s with their manual chokes, fuel taps and occasional carb-icing issues? Virtually all big bikes were successfully injected from the late 1990s-on but it’s pioneering use was mostly by Kawasaki, entering production with the 1980 Z1000H (KZ1000 in the US) when it was trying to keep its then ageing Z1000 ahead of newer rivals such as Suzuki’s GS1000 and Honda’s CB900F.

Although crude and heavy compared to modern systems it slowly paved the way for other manufacturers to follow suit. Honda first offered ABS on its 1992 ST1100A Pan European with Yamaha doing the same that year with the FJ1200.

A potentially debatable one, this, depending on definitions. Yamaha’s R1 of 1998 was the first production bike to have a dash which was significantly ‘digital’, introducing a display with an analogue tacho but digital LCD panel for the speedo and ancillaries, a format that became the norm for most of the next decade.

The 1992 NR750, meanwhile, had a substantial LED panel for speedo, temperature etc. But the most significant, surely (albeit very niche) in the 1991 Bimota Tesi 1D which had a completely digital ‘dash’ with an LCD strip tacho and separate LCD panels for temperature, speed, twin odos and fuel. And it was rubbish!

On October 31 2005 Yamaha released details of its all-new 2006 R6 which, along with a fuel-injected 599cc four cylinder engine with four titanium valves per cylinder and a boggling 17,500rpm redline, making maximum power of 133bhp at 14,500 rpm stood out most for being the first production motorcycle with a ride-by-wire throttle.

After launching its mould-breaking ‘Euro-tourer’, the ST1100 Pan European in 1990, Honda followed it up two years later with the ST1100A with both a rudimentary ABS system (see above) AND fairly crude (by modern standards) traction control system (TCS), too.

The modern system of TC, however, which works via the bike’s ECU cutting power according to sensors detecting differences between front and rear wheel speed and an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) calculating the bike’s lean angle, was developed by Bosch in the early Noughties and introduced with Ducati’s race-spec 1098R in 2007.

Other manufacturers have since followed. However, things get more complicated when you start talking about ‘self-adjusting’ ‘active’ suspension systems. BMW were again pioneers when, with its top-spec HP4 version of its S1000RR superbikes, it introduced its new Dynamic Damping Control system in 2013/14, which adjusted the rebound and compression damping of the shock automatically as you rode along.

Must be some kind of witchcraft. Actually, it was, again, all to do with IMUs and sophisticated computing and was so effective nearly all higher end bikes are now so equipped. But KTM (and Bosch) got there first.

Another first (we think) for Ducati – although if you know different please remind us, we’re not perfect! Today, TFT displays/screens/dashs have become the norm and seem to be getting bigger and more sophisticated (complicated) every year.

The first on a mainstream motorcycle, however, came, in 2015, on Ducati’s fully-updated Multistrada 1200 S (although, being monochrome, in reality looked similar to an LCD version) with the first colour version the following year with its Monster 1200R.

After that, the floodgates opened. ‘TFT’ of course, stands for ‘Thin Film Transistor’ and is basically a refined, more sophisticated version of LCD that allows sharper design, increased visibility, extra sophistication and features and more.

It goes without saying that TFT screens are becoming a more common feature on motorcycles these days. Even entry-level beginner-focused two-wheelers are starting to feature this fancy tech—heck, even some e-bikes come equipped with full-color TFT screens. That said, what exactly is a TFT display, and is it even any better than an analog instrument cluster? On top of that, why do more and more manufacturers seem to be slapping a TFT screen on all their models?

Well, for starters, a TFT, or Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display, is similar to what you find on your smartphone. Although not necessarily as fancy and capable of displaying millions of colors as your brand new iPhone, the TFT screens on most premium motorcycles are touted as full-color, and feature graphics and animations that really elevate the riding experience. As such, it’s no surprise that more and more manufacturers are outfitting their bikes with this tech. Indeed, three years ago, the notion of having a bike with a full-color display was exciting. These days, however, it’s pretty much a standard feature.

I’m sure you remember the days when an SD card with a 512MB memory would set you back thousands of pesos. Nowadays, you can pick up a 256GB microSD card for the same amount of money, and from a reputable brand. The same is true with TFT screens, and quite frankly, all facets of technology. That being said, it could be argued that fitting a motorcycle with a TFT display is in fact cheaper and more cost effective than opting for an analog instrument cluster, especially if you’re a manufacturer with economies of scale at your disposal.

Take, for example KTM, and its full color screens found across the board in its model range. The screen on the 390 series is pretty much the same as that of the 790 and 1290 models, albeit encased in a different housing. Underneath it all, however, it’s pretty much the same tech, and so it makes perfect sense for KTM to fit all its bikes with this technology—much to the delight of tech-hungry consumers like ourselves.

Indeed, well-crafted analog displays like that on the Triumph Thruxton could very well soon be a thing of the past, or something reserved for enthusiasts and collectors. Like a beautifully crafted watch, a high-quality analogue gauge cluster is truly something to behold, and something purists and classic aficionados hold near and dear to their hearts. As such, it could be argued that the mechanical instrument cluster could soon be considered a premium feature among high-end classic-style motorcycles.

At the end of the day, TFT displays have their benefits, and it can be argued that these benefits are strong enough to send analog gauge clusters the way of the dinosaurs. For starters, they’re adjustable, and easily configurable. They’re also a lot more visible with auto-contrast technology allowing them to adjust automatically to ambient light. Furthermore, they simply allow manufacturers to stuff in more data, keeping the rider informed about their bike. A TFT screen is pretty much like a tablet for your bike, allowing you to keep tabs on all the information it has to offer you.

Bosch has launched the world’s first fully integrated split screen for motorcycles. The 10.25-inch TFT display simultaneously displays both relevant vehicle information and riding content like navigation from smartphone apps without distracting the rider, something that used to only be available in premium cars. Additionally, the smartphone integration solution mySPIN brings the connected phone’s content to the motorcycle’s display.

Split screen on a 10.25-inch TFT display presenting both relevant vehicle information and riding content like navigation from smartphone apps without distracting the rider.

Yokohama, Japan – A freely programmable split screen that simultaneously displays vehicle information and app content from a smartphone was once reserved exclusively for premium cars. Bosch’s new integrated connectivity cluster is making this feature available for motorcycles in the form of a 10.25-inch TFT display. Additionally, the smartphone integration solution mySPIN brings the connected phone’s content to the motorcycle’s display. A representative Bosch survey among 2 600 motorcycle riders found that eight out of ten riders would welcome this function. “Our clusters in combination with mySPIN offer a new riding experience with more safety and convenience for motorcycle riders. For us, this is the next step in terms of connectivity for motorcycles”, says Geoff Liersch, President of the Two-Wheeler & Powersports unit at Bosch.

The new 10.25-inch TFT display debuts this year on BMW motorcycles. The display’s new dimensions show all relevant information at one glance without distracting the rider. Users decide on the content they wish to see on the screen, all of which can be controlled by the handlebar. The contents of a smartphone app, for example, are automatically adapted with mySPIN to show relevant information fitting the size of the motorcycle display. The split screen continues to show key indicators such as speed and warnings.

According to the Bosch survey nearly 90 percent of riders use their smartphone to prepare or follow-up on trips. One third puts themselves in great danger using their smartphone even while riding. Bosch has developed the smartphone integration solution mySPIN to make the usage of smartphone content safe and more comfortable. Available in the powersports segment since 2018 – this includes for example so-called all-terrain vehicles or personal watercrafts – in BRP vehicles, mySPIN now will be introduced in the motorcycle segment for the first time. Ducati will introduce it together with Bosch’s also new 6.5-inch connectivity display without the split-screen option.

“We want motorcyclists to be able to access smartphone content in an integrated and easy way while riding their bike. With the mySPIN platform and integrated connectivity cluster, we have found the right way to do it,” said Vincenzo De Silvio, Research and Development Director at Ducati.

The rider gets access to a rich service offering via various motorcycle-specific apps. With partners such as REVER to download, track and share exciting routes with a community of like-minded riders, Genius Maps and Sygic to find the way to a nearby hotel or restaurant and Dash Radio for free premium digital radio, mySPIN offers an enhanced riding experience. The app portfolio is continuously expanded on a global basis.

As the leading supplier of motorcycle safety systems Bosch’s top priority for years is to make motorcycle riding safer, but the company also wants to offer riders to a more convenient and exciting experience. Connectivity between the rider and motorcycle and its surroundings plays a crucial role. One example is Help Connect. The digitally connected emergency call system for motorcycles enhances road safety by enabling the fast, automatic dispatch of rescue services in the event of an accident. A further proof of how Bosch is making motorized two-wheelers fit for the requirements of tomorrow’s mobility.

MultiViu Sports is not only a new generation of displays for the motorcycle world,” says Patric Zimmermann, “it opens up new opportunities for the motorcycle industry. By having a joint back end and a front end that can be customized to a high degree, automotive display technology can be made available to motorcycles in a cost-efficient manner, even with small production runs.” The MultiViu Sports platform also shortens the time to market for manufacturers. Displays can go into production more quickly.

The developers at Continental have not only designed the platform to permit customization of image content. Suppliers can also integrate external services such as weather information or music streaming in cooperation with manufacturers. An app with an open design connects the rider’s smartphone with the motorcycle via Bluetooth Low Energy, taking customization another step further. Continental has also designed the platform to be ready for future technologies and types of user behavior. For example, forthcoming versions of the MultiViu Sports display will offer touchscreen functionality. A video of the display can be seen on the Continental Automotive YouTube channel.

Here, I’ve listed the very best naked bikes available for 2022 and beyond. I’ve included naked motorcycles from novice friendly up to the outright bonkers machines…. Enjoy.

They have a wide appeal attracting riders who love the retro UJM styling of the 70’s and 80’s to the ageing sports bike rider who’s tempted by the more comfortable riding position without giving up the race bike power.

Naked motorcycles almost came about by accident, as a result of European riders crashing their sportbikes and not having either the money to spend or the inclination to get them back up to showroom spec.

These DIY jobs were dubbed Streetfighters. They were nothing more than sportsbikes with the bodywork being stripped off and a pair of cheap handlebars replacing the sporty clip ons to promote a more upright riding position which were more suitable for around town riding.

It was the Italians that led the charge of the factory naked bike with the release of the Ducati Monster in 1993 closely followed by the original 1994 Triumph Speed Triple. After that the gloves were off and all manufacturers scrambled to create their own version.

Today naked bikes are in full force going from strength to strength, with most manufacturers now offering both a fully-faired and naked version of both the heavy and middleweight bikes, some even producing lightweight small capacity naked bikes too for novice riders.

When you take a motorcycle like the Yamaha R1 which is an awesome racing weapon with no question, and compare it with the Yamaha MT-10, arguably the R1’s naked sibling.

The MT-10 is a fantastic naked bike packed with torque in the low and mid-range and is a complete monster throughout the rev range, making wheelies the done thing instead of chasing the top speed.

Naked bikes offer an alternative to sportsbikes, with similar power and performance, but with an aggressive upright sitting position and a different approach to how riders can utilize them.

The Streetfighter V4 S comes in a Dark Stealth paint scheme with Ducati’s intention to make it as eye-catching and attention seeking as possible; it is also EU 5 compliant where applicable.

The Brutale is a crazy good-looking naked motorcycle, with all the edge, exotic materials, and ‘Brutal’ style that you would come to expect from MV Agusta.

Tamburini is often lauded as the greatest motorcycle designer of all times, having been credited with some truly iconic motorcycles such as the MV Agusta F4 750 and the Ducati 916.

The Brutale is stripped of everything except the basic necessities, displaying to the world in a ruthless fashion the inner workings of the Brutale motor.

The Porsche 911 inspired the Brutale’s headlights and there is no detail overlooked with this naked bike, it is visually stunning, aggressive and hostile, ready to challenge any who dare look it in the eyes.

The world-beating litre engine from the Ninja H2 which has redefined what ‘supercharged’ means is at the heart of the Z H2, and for many that makes it the ultimate in naked motorcycles.

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R is another bike that has implemented semi-active suspension technology, and every detail of the bike has been looked at and revised with each generation of the model.

Top of the Duke lineup, the Super Duke has been with us since 2007 and continues to improve year on year. Regarded as one of the best naked bikes by the Moto press and owners alike.

It weighs in at around 198kg, the weight kept down by the use of an aluminium twin spar frame with a bolt-on aluminium rear subframe and aluminium wheels.

The inline 3 cylinder engine provides plenty of power and the performance is definitely up there with the best naked motorcycles available. The triple cylinder harks back to the days of the original Triumph Trident.

It comes with fully adjustable Ohlins suspension front and back; Brembo brake calipers; Metzeler RACETEC RR tires and 5 riding modes controlled by the TFT instruments.

The Yamaha MT-10 is the first production motorcycle to be fitted with Ohlins next generation electronically controlled suspension, which means riders can choose between three semi-active damping modes and three manual modes.

A host of electronics are equipped on the model including: 6 IMU rider aids; Advanced Quick Shift; Four mode Yamaha Ride Control; TFT display; Electronic cruise control.

I am undoubtedly biased when it comes to Indian motorcycles, largely because for me they are simply the best and I love the way that they have been able to modernize while remaining aware of the past in the designs.

Suspension is street tuned and paired with Metzeler 17” wheels, the combination makes for confident cornering and all the agility needed for street riding, backroad jaunts and mountain pass fun.

Other tech features include lean-angle stability control, ABS with cornering pre-control and Wheelie control. All of which are controlled by the Ride Command display, which also pairs via bluetooth to your smartphone.

The latest XSR900 has been designed to be freer revving, with all components having been made stronger and lighter from the pistons to the crankcases.

For 2022 the XSR now comes with the Advanced Quick Shift System as standard, making up and down clutchless gear shifting smooth as anything, and as a result acceleration is improved with less disruption from engaging the clutch when shifting.

The engine is street tuned yet derived from the GSX-R so has all the punch you could possibly need, with decades of race researched development poured into it.

Another of my favorite naked machines is the Z900RS from Kawasaki. It is one of the best looking modern retro throwbacks to date but it is also loaded with performance features to match.

Kawasaki haven’t overloaded the bike with technical features like some of the other performance naked machines on the list, but they have updated it enough to be considered modern.

The instrument panel consists of a speedo and rev counter with a small LCD screen in the middle feeding back all the relevant information one might need.

The Kawasaki Z900RS is completely timeless, and is the most traditional ‘motorcycle’ design on the list, which makes it a firm favorite of mine. As true to the original Z1 as you can get with modern reliability and power.

In keeping with the styling of the bigger sibling the Z650RS is just as timeless in its design, and unapologetically throws back to the original Kawasaki Z650 of the 70’s with the utmost respect.

It has a unique balance of low-down torque matched with top end power, mating the best of both worlds together, when so often bikes lack in one or the other.

No expense has been spared, the RS comes with: Showa front forks and Ohlins rear suspension; Brembo brake calipers; aluminium alloy wheels; aluminium frame and swingarm; 6 speed transmission with Triumph Quick Shift.

The RS has an excellent power-weight ratio, it is the lightest in its class, with the latest model having improved mid-range, as a result the bike handles like a dream for all situations.

However, ask any SV650 owner about their bike and they will talk about it with a lot of pride, it is reliable, steadfast in its power delivery, non-threatening but not boring and quite capable of all road situations.

Husqvarna have stepped outside of their traditional dirt bike/off-road bread and butter to produce a series of naked bikes with the Svartpilen being one of them.

The bike is lighter than the bigger version, making it more suitable for newer riders and it is also more agile to throw around those bends with ease.

There are no cutbacks taken either. The LCD display is customisable for your rider info, Nissin radial mount calipers and Showa suspension are used, and the styling gives a big bike feel with sharp angular lines and impressive detailing.

It is less of a torque monster, with a focus on usability rather than hooliganism which is probably a good thing, as like the MT-125 the MT-03 is targeted at newer riders.

It is extremely well balanced with a compact chassis, which makes for easy navigation for new riders, and inspires confidence when maneuvering at slow speeds.

An upright seating position, low seat height and wide handlebars make the bike a nice place to be for active, sporty ergonomics, confident control and will allow new riders to quickly adapt to riding life, with scope for them to start testing their limits over time.

Specific. Compatible. Perfect. The AiM MXK10 is specific to the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Generation 4 and is completely compatible with the original wiring and is supplied with a mounting bracket...