2017 Moto-Guzzi Shaft Drive Motorcycle Line-Up

There is only one remaining motorcycle manufacturer 100% comitted to the shaft drive paradigm, and that is the Italian marque Moto-Guzzi.

Moto-Guzzi V7 Stornello

Their 2017 lineup features every kind of chain-free motorcycle imaginable, from adventure bike to sports cruiser with most things inbetween. Models are based around the same engine configuration, a 90 degree V-Twin mounted accross the frame, with displacements between 750cc and 1400cc.

BMW R Nine T - a practical Hipster dream machine

BMW have stepped off their high tech high horse and thrown a bone towards the section of motorcycle buyers looking for a more retro, trendy people might say pure, machine.
Drawing on 90 years of engineering experience, and a considerable parts bin, the R 90 R nineT takes its inspiration and styling cues from various R-Bikes of old, as well as recent retro attempts from other manufacturesrs like Guzzi or Ducati.

2017 BMW R nineT Pure

2017 Honda Shaft Drive Motorcycle Line-Up

For the upcoming 2017 model year, Honda Motor Co remain the undisputed kings of shaft drive bikes by retaining more than a dozen shaft drive models in their lineup, based upon five distinct drive train configurations.

2017 Honda ST1300

In the touring segment, venerable GoldWing leads the charge in the guise of the GL1800 and F6C six cylinder models, while the Pan European model line offers the ST1300 and CTX1300 four cylinders.

The shaft drive UJM isn't dead, it just retired to Italy

In the glory days of the mid 1970s through to later 1980s, every single one of the "Big Four" Japanese manufacturers had at least a couple of UJM's in their line-up.
If you never heard the expression, UJM stands for "Universal Japanese Motorcycle" - a no bullshit, unpretentious, basic street bike that's just as good at getting you work every day, as it is for a coast to coast adventure trip. Such bikes came in many configurations - 2, 3 or 4 cylinders, air or water cooled, engine size varying from "medium" to "massive" - but most had one thing in common: they were available with a reliable, easy to maintain shaft drive option.

official Moto-Guzzi V7 promo image

2015 Kawasaki Shaft Drive Motorcycle Lineup

Shame on you, Kawasaki Heavy Industries!

With a history of legendary shaft drive models like the Drifter 1500, KZ1300 and KZ1100 Spectre, the 2015 lineup contains but a single such machine, the Kawasaki Concourse 1400.

Are motorcycle enthusiasts really on course for a purely belt- and chain-driven future?