Bill Roberson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Please reach out to <a href="mailto:nswanner@digitaltrends.com">The Manual editorial staff </a>with any questions or comments about Bill’s work.
What kind of motorcycle should I get? A guide to the best motorcycle types
Looking to get a motorcycle? This comprehensive guide walks you through all of the available types of motorcycles on the market, from baggers to sportbikes.
Get up to speed with our comprehensive dictionary of motorcycle slang
Motorcycling has its own vocabulary and language. This ever-expanding cheat sheet of motorcycle slang will help newbies sound like veteran riders in no time.
Can the Zero DSR Electric Motorcycle Compete with Gas-Powered Bikes?
Can the Zero DSR Electric Motorcycle Compete with Gas-Powered Bikes?
After several weeks onboard the Zero DSR dual-sport electric motorcycle, we think we've found the true sweet spot for traffic warriors who like to get around on two wheels. But how does it hold up to the gas-powered competition?
Ducati Unveils New Panigale V4 Models and Scrambler 1100
Ducati Unveils New Panigale V4 Models and Scrambler 1100
Ducati has pulled back the curtain on its 2018 motorcycle lineup to reveal two variations of an all new Scrambler 1100, three unique Panigale models, and a refreshing skin for the XDiavel S. We got a sneak peek at the offerings during an exclusive event in Portland, Oregon.
Throttle Jockey: 2017 Harley Street Rod, Specs and More
Throttle Jockey: 2017 Harley Street Rod, Specs and More
The Harley Street Rod looks much like its Street 750 brother, but it's actually a very different animal in many important ways.
Throttle Jockey: Harley Rolled out New V-Twin Engine, so We Asked Bill Davidson all about it
Throttle Jockey: Harley Rolled out New V-Twin Engine, so We Asked Bill Davidson all about it
It's not every day that Harley debuts a clean-sheet redesign of their primary power plant, so we talked to Bill Davidson about the new V Twin Engine.
Throttle Jockey: relax post-ride with a new book on Indian Motorcycle’s History
Throttle Jockey: relax post-ride with a new book on Indian Motorcycle’s History
Perhaps no American motorcycle brand has as much of a story behind it as Indian. Now, Motorbooks has released a new tome about Indian Motorcycle's history.
Throttle Jockey: the Suzuki SV650 do-it-all fun machine is just right
Throttle Jockey: the Suzuki SV650 do-it-all fun machine is just right
In the category of Motorcycle That Does Pretty Much Everything Well, the long-running Suzuki SV650 is a perennial winner. For 2017, it's even better.
Throttle Jockey: Motorcycling to the power of three
Throttle Jockey: Motorcycling to the power of three
Think riding a trike is for 5-year-olds? Think again: three-wheelers are packing tech, power, style and improved safety into hard-charging road machines.
Throttle Jockey: Ural still makes ’em like they used to
Throttle Jockey: Ural still makes ’em like they used to
You love three things: sidecar motorcycles, classic looks and tough-as-Russian-nails performance. Fortunately, Ural motorcycles is here to serve your needs.
Throttle Jockey: The utterly classic (and new) motorcycles of Royal Enfield
Throttle Jockey: The utterly classic (and new) motorcycles of Royal Enfield
Looking for a motorcycle that's capable, simple, affordable, and classy at the same time? Royal Enfield of India has just what you're looking for.
Throttle Jockey: Harley’s CVO Pro Street Breakout is low – but not slow
Throttle Jockey: Harley’s CVO Pro Street Breakout is low – but not slow
Harley-Davidson is solidly embracing the power-cruiser segment and one of the new entries is the 2016 CVO Pro Street Breakout.
Throttle Jockey: Yell YAHOO in your helmet with Harley’s hotrod Low Rider S
Throttle Jockey: Yell YAHOO in your helmet with Harley’s hotrod Low Rider S
Recently, the folks at the Bar and Shield generously invited me to take a two-day spin on their "new" Low Rider, the sinister and simplified Low Rider S.
Throttle Jockey: Scared of the shifter? Honda’s DCT has you covered
Throttle Jockey: Scared of the shifter? Honda’s DCT has you covered
Learning to ride a motorcycle can be like learning to fly a helicopter: every limb and sense is involved in the process. Now, there's a shortcut.
Throttle Jockey: Tour in high style on the new Indian Springfield
Throttle Jockey: Tour in high style on the new Indian Springfield
Indian has apparently taken all my advice (or just totally read my mind) and released the Indian Springfield, a full-on vintage touring bike. Let's go!
Throttle Jockey: Motofocus on the go-anywhere Kawasaki KLR 650
Throttle Jockey: Motofocus on the go-anywhere Kawasaki KLR 650
Set up with legal knobbie tires and additional carrying capacity, riders around the world have circled the planet on their trusty Kawasaki KLR 650s.
Throttle Jockey: BMW’s new Scrambler mingles with customs at The One Show
Throttle Jockey: BMW’s new Scrambler mingles with customs at The One Show
BMW brought a new bike - the R nineT Scrambler - the Portland's One Motorcycle Show, but against this kind of eye candy, it was a wallflower.
Throttle Jockey: Harley’s classic XLCR lives on in the new Low Rider S hotrod
Throttle Jockey: Harley’s classic XLCR lives on in the new Low Rider S hotrod
At long last, Harley-Davidson has resurrected - for the most part - the iconic XLCR "Cafe Racer", but now it's called the Low Rider S.
Throttle Jockey: Filling that need for speed
Throttle Jockey: Filling that need for speed
Spring, while not really "in the air" just yet, is approaching, so I'm starting to get that itch that can only be scratched with serious velocity.
Throttle Jockey: Mind the (Darien) Gap
Throttle Jockey: Mind the (Darien) Gap
The Darien Gap is one of the few places on Earth with no roads through it. Now, a group of ADV riders will try to cross it - along with two continents.
Throttle Jockey: Bone up on BMW’s bikes with two new books
Throttle Jockey: Bone up on BMW’s bikes with two new books
Two new books detail BMWs offerings over the years, causing many a show to pile up in my DVR while I soaked in the details of BMW's storied machines.
Throttle Jockey: Get hip with Triumph’s stable of cool new retro Britbikes
Throttle Jockey: Get hip with Triumph’s stable of cool new retro Britbikes
Some up-close inspections and seat-of-the-pants impressions indicate that Triumph has likely taken retro to the next level - the performance level.
Throttle Jockey: BMW gets small – and gets dirty
Throttle Jockey: BMW gets small – and gets dirty
There are two new BMWs headed to showrooms that should pique your interests, no matter what kind of riding history you have.
Throttle Jockey: Triumph pumps up the Bonneville, Thruxton models
Throttle Jockey: Triumph pumps up the Bonneville, Thruxton models
Since the re-booted Bonneville and Thruxton arrived in 2001, fans have been asking for more power. Their prayers have now been answered - big time.
Throttle Jockey: Single-cylinder motorbikes simplify a complex world
Throttle Jockey: Single-cylinder motorbikes simplify a complex world
With rare exception, early motorcycle engines were one-cylinder machines, also known as singles, thumpers. Why are they are still around today?
Throttle Jockey: Little Big Bikes pack some serious fun
Throttle Jockey: Little Big Bikes pack some serious fun
Motorcycle makers used to offer small-displacement bikes that were also big enough for adults. Now, the trend is back. Let's call them Little Big Bikes.
Throttle Jockey: Gilding the lily on a Harley-Davidson CVO bagger
Throttle Jockey: Gilding the lily on a Harley-Davidson CVO bagger
Despite the cost, complexity, and general overkill the 2016 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide provides, I was grinning the whole time I was aboard.
Throttle Jockey: That special bond between man and Low Rider
Throttle Jockey: That special bond between man and Low Rider
Everyone has their Goldilocks bike, a machine that satisfies your lust but adds in something more, something that makes you right with the world.
Throttle Jockey: Hit the streets in style on Harley’s fierce Forty-Eight
Throttle Jockey: Hit the streets in style on Harley’s fierce Forty-Eight
Harley-Davidson's sporty line up of middle-weight "Forty-Eight" cruisers are cool, capable and fun to ride.
Throttle Jockey: Honda finally brings the big Africa Twin to the USA
Throttle Jockey: Honda finally brings the big Africa Twin to the USA
The long wait for a modern dual-sport from Honda is finally over. The Africa Twin arrives early next year.
Throttle Jockey: 5 tips for a great motorcycle tour
Throttle Jockey: 5 tips for a great motorcycle tour
There is no better way to see the world than on two wheels. Here are some tips to making your motorcycle tour fun, safe and memorable.
Throttle Jockey: Rise, Fall and Rise of the 300
Throttle Jockey: Rise, Fall and Rise of the 300
250cc too small and 600cc too big? Check out the new crop of 300cc (or so) motorcycles that are just right.
Throttle Jockey: New-think ‘UJM’ Hondas that do it all
Throttle Jockey: New-think ‘UJM’ Hondas that do it all
Honda is working hard to get new riders on bikes, so they've come up with some novel two-wheelers.
Throttle Jockey: Stuart Parr’s collection of dream bikes
Throttle Jockey: Stuart Parr’s collection of dream bikes
Stuart Parr is a film and music producer, and he’s got a thing for vintage motorcycles. Now, part of his collection is on display in New York City.
Throttle Jockey: Riding in honor of those who served and died
Throttle Jockey: Riding in honor of those who served and died
In 2005, a small group of motorcyclists formed the Patriot Guard Riders, or PGR. Here's why - and how - they honor veterans and others.
Throttle Jockey: Desert dirtbike getaway, Part 2
Throttle Jockey: Desert dirtbike getaway, Part 2
It's time again for a journey to the far reaches of Oregon's desolate southern corner for some time away from cell phones, work emails and, yes, family.
Throttle Jockey: High desert getaway
Throttle Jockey: High desert getaway
Riding in the Southeast Oregon badlands, you can get very and possibly fatally lost unless you have a knowledgeable guide along on the ride.
Throttle Jockey: Triumph Bonneville, the practical modern classic
Throttle Jockey: Triumph Bonneville, the practical modern classic
Technology, when properly married to a classic form factor, can be a wonderful, capable and stylish thing.
Throttle Jockey: Singles therapy on Yamaha’s SR400 retrobike
Throttle Jockey: Singles therapy on Yamaha’s SR400 retrobike
The retro Yamaha SR400 isn't a lot things. It’s not fast. It’s not loaded with tech. It’s not modern. But all of those things work in its favor.
Throttle Jockey: Italian beauties on parade
Throttle Jockey: Italian beauties on parade
Modern tech and the demands of riders today mean that bikes like these are likely to remain artifacts of glory years gone by. Appreciate them while you can.
Throttle Jockey: Just one bike? Yamaha’s FJ-09 triple does it all
Throttle Jockey: Just one bike? Yamaha’s FJ-09 triple does it all
One trend I’m happy to see is the return of the “standard” motorcycle, a do-everything bike that can work and play. Yamaha's FJ-09 caught my eye.
Throttle Jockey: Legacy of the original speed demon
Throttle Jockey: Legacy of the original speed demon
It would not be a stretch to say the original Suzuki GSX-R750 had nearly as much of an impact on motorcycling as the 1969 Honda CB750.
Throttle Jockey: Brassy, classy Blacksquare CB550 bobber
Throttle Jockey: Brassy, classy Blacksquare CB550 bobber
There's no shortage of custom bike builders these days, but every now and then, you find something special - really special.
Throttle Jockey: Rites (and rides) of Spring
Throttle Jockey: Rites (and rides) of Spring
Need an excuse to get your gear on and check the tires? Find a "spring opener," a ride organized by you, your buddies or a local club.
Throttle Jockey: Spring return-to-riding pro tips
Throttle Jockey: Spring return-to-riding pro tips
If you're like most fair-weather riders, you're probably pretty amped to get back in gear and get back out on the road. But hold on a minute...
Throttle Jockey: Indian’s blacked-out Dark Horse cruiser is a bargain
Throttle Jockey: Indian’s blacked-out Dark Horse cruiser is a bargain
Indian has introduced the Chief Dark Horse, a stripped-down, murdered-out version of their basic bike, the Indian Chief Classic.
Throttle Jockey: Can Polaris bring some cool to electric motorcycles?
Throttle Jockey: Can Polaris bring some cool to electric motorcycles?
What will it take to get motorcycle riders to really consider buying an electric bike? With Polaris' recent acquisition of Brammo, we could soon find out.
Throttle Jockey: Custom cool, Portland flavor at The One Motorcycle Show
Throttle Jockey: Custom cool, Portland flavor at The One Motorcycle Show
Show goers were treated to a palette of bikes spread across 22,000 square feet of floor space, a wide selection of beverage choices and multiple bands.
Throttle Jockey: New-think scooters will blow away your preconceptions
Throttle Jockey: New-think scooters will blow away your preconceptions
Don’t tell the bros down at the clubhouse, but I have a soft spot for scooters, especially the new ones.