| |
 |
Used Review: Suzuki GSX-R750
By Bertie Simmonds on 28/09/2008 16:25:56
A classic headbanger's bike, the SRAD and 750Y models of the legendary GSX-R were once giant killers. But how do they stand the ravages of time?
Suzuki's seminal GSX-R range has always offered two things: value and performance. Oh, and reliability and kudos, too. So that's four things.Either way, how else have so many bikers been offered so much performance and pose for so little outlay? The SRAD and 750Y versions of the ...
|
|
 |
Used Test: Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom
By Bertie Simmonds on 09/04/2008 23:01:00
Handsome is as handsome does. And if that's the case, many owners reckon the V-Strom is drop-dead gorgeous and offers plenty of smiles for the miles.
for second-hand learner bike money.Released in 2002, the V-Strom saddled the classic TL1000S motor in a decent chassis with super-soft forks and below-par brakes. It was a worthy challenger to Aprilia's more involving CapoNord and Honda's stoic and thirsty
|
|
 |
Used Review: Suzuki Bandit 600
By Bertie Simmonds on 05/04/2008 17:25:36
In 1995 Suzuki built the naked middleweight Bandit. Compared to Yamaha's Diversion it was a revelation: sure it was cheap, cheerful and built to a price, but it was also a hell of a lot of fun to ride.
-wobbly and super-soft you could still wind up the wick and really enjoy twisty roads. It seemed as if all these budget parts seemed to add up to so much more. The name was cool and the look was classical. Here was a nice-looking, modern and cheap naked bike
|
|
 |
First Ride: 2001 Moto Guzzi California Special review
By Bertie Simmonds on 20/09/2010 12:30:24
For 30 years the Moto Guzzi California has always been the cornerstone of the Guzzi range. The 'Cali' has survived by doing what it does best: laid-back, cruising in the finest American tradition
, by ordering a plethora of shiny bits and pieces that would make any self-respecting motorcycling magpie go mad.Nice thinking Guzzi.Look at the Cali and you know what you're gonna get. Pull-back bars, classic looks and those two huge cylinders which insult
|
|
 |
Used Review: Triumph Daytona T595-955i
By Bertie Simmonds on 05/04/2008 17:59:57
A revelation when it first appeared: here was a proper British effort at a big sportsbike. Over the years while the competition has got wilder, the Daytona has stayed milder which makes the mature Daytona a very solid road bike
the bike and ironing out the early bugs until it could stand alone as a machine which would become a modern classic and foster its own passionate band of owners and admirers.If you want to try and pigeon-hole the 955i, you could simply look at it as a rarer
|
|
 |
Road Test: I am not a number
By Bertie Simmonds on 19/04/2008 22:21:20
If only bikes were available on prescription to combat the misery of the Great British Winter
1800 GoldWing and the Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Ultra Classic.As I slithered home up the wet and uninviting M25 and M1 on the BMW, I was a little alarmed. The front end of just felt so vague. Hit raised white lines, overbanding or the odd rut
|
|
 |
Patriot Games - The British Grand Prix
By Bertie Simmonds on 16/06/2010 14:34:51
From the Isle of Man to Silverstone via Donington Park, the story and the thrilling races that make up the history of the British Grand Prix
regulars.Silverstone in Northamptonshire was the venue for the race for the decade between 1977 and 1987 and it proved to be an exciting backdrop to a number of classic races. At the first race in 1977, Steve Parrish led the race after mate and pole
|
|
 |
The Honda VFR Story
By Bertie Simmonds on 30/04/2006 14:05:42
Honda's VFR has stood for two decades as a machine which owners and press alike have claimed to be the world's most perfect motorcycle. Surprising, then, that the VFR story was almost over before it had begun
. We knew at once that it was good, although we were perplexed by the plain looks, and why wasn't it a race rep like the GSX-R or FZ? After the first road tests we knew it was very good. A year later we knew it was a classic. The '88 VFR with the 17
|
|
 |
Living with a 2004 Honda CB1300
By Bertie Simmonds on 12/09/2004 15:56:49
Finally a bike that doesn't look like a Bertie's riding a mini moto. Yes it's the mighty CB1300 review
In a bid to bond with his new Honda CB1300 longtermer, Bertie books up on a Brettour and heads for the Ardennes. These postcards turned up a few days laterDear TWO,Things haven't started well. I bent the key to the CB in the helmet lock when I
|
|
