Classic elegance and unforgettable performance.

Pronounced a "Greyhound" by Motorcycle Sport magazine, the release of the Ducati 750SS in 1973 ushered in a new era of sports bike handling and performance. In fact, it could be said this motorcycle was mor ethan a match against any comparable model from other manufacturers.

Italian motorcycle makers have always followed their own path in terms of style and design, and Ducati is no different. The 750SS was Ducati's first venture into the production of a large engine sports bike. It may have been a natural stepping stone in design from Ducati's own GT model, but some hold the opinion that Ducati designers may have collected parts from the famous Dell'Orto catalogue utilizing many fiber-glass odds and ends, even the fuel tank.

The Honda CB750 and Suzuki GT750 had already set the standard in terms of performance and handling when the SS was released. But, with a top speed of 124mph it could easily compete on the same level. What's really important, regardless of how it came to be, the 750SS showed itself to be a very worthy predecessor to the highly successful 900SS released two years later in 1975.

Pure Joy on Wheels

The 2010 Moto Guzzi V7 is a classic motorcycle design in a vastly updated package, and simply put, a joy to ride, according to product reviews.

The Italian manufacturer made its global reputation back in 1967 with the original Moto Guzzi V7, and the new model V7 Classic appears to have hit the same mark of excellence. The V7 Classic can be seen as a retro motorcycle whose appeal is cosmetic, but that would be a mistake, say reviewers. Instead, the V7 Classic's retro charm is as much about performances as it is about looks. This bike harks back to the days before today's highly fragmented niche markets made it difficult to select only one motorcycle to serve many functions – ride to work, do errands, and then enjoy weekend drives.

Puts Power Behind Attitude

Nostalgic Harley-Davidson fans sometimes wax nearly poetic about the late 1950s and 1960s when the aggressive XLCH models ruled the asphalt. While the most recent line of Sportsters has been a fine machine, some have felt they lacked the attitude of earlier Hogs. The new Sportster XR1200 has changed all that, say reviewers.

A descendant of the Harley-Davidson XR-750 racing bike, the XR1200 reflects that heritage in its engine and chassis, according to online product reviews. Where the XR-750 is a powerful track monster, and not for the faint-hearted, the XR1200 combines the best of its ancestor's power with the more refined traits of the newer Sportster line. The result is blend of ergonomic design with raw muscle.

Those motorcycle magazines in your mailbox often have readers panting for a trip to their nearest dealer. Odd as it may seem, though, the first thing to decide isn't which bike to buy, but what kind of motorcycle financing to line up.

For most people, buying a motorcycle is a big deal (unless you happen to have between $10,000 and $20,000 in cash just lying around). As with any other major purchase, getting a good motorcycle loan requires solid preparation. In fact, many motorcycle financing experts say that 75 percent of the preparation time around buying a bike should be spent in researching loan options.

That's why one of the key guidelines for buying a motorcycle is: Don't step into the dealership until you've shopped around for a loan. Without knowing how much you can afford to borrow, there's no way to know which of your motorcycle models is available to you. With an amount in mind before visiting the showroom, it's possible to resist the lure of gleaming bikes that are much too expensive for your bank account.

By Kat B.

It doesn't matter if you're tall or short, younger or older, if you want to ride your own motorcycle, YOU CAN! I thought I would never have my own ride. I thought I was too short, I wasn't strong enough, and I was too old. I WAS WRONG. Here's how I got started.

I had been riding behind my husband for probably 20 years off and on, never going anywhere in particular, and just seeing the country roads on the weekends. One day it struck me like a bolt out of the blue. I could see a whole lot more if his head wasn't in the way! I'd had my own bike once before, but I either had to stop at a curb or have someone taller on the back. What a joke that was, not to mention dangerous. That was 1984 and I never tried to learn again after that fiasco. I just thought I was stuck on the back forever. After my epiphany that day on the country road, I bought a 2003 Harley Superglide and just thought I could jump on and go. WRONG!! Riding responsibly and having a good time takes some preparation.

I strongly recommend a motorcycle safety course, available around the country, as opposed to learning from a friend, and here's why:

1. Everyone in the class is a new rider, so nobody laughs.
2. The instructors are experts.
3. It's a huge confidence builder before riding with friends or relatives.