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2009 BMW F800R first ride review
By Ben Cope on 09/04/2010 12:39:55
BMW continue their rapid expansion with the F800R. With a specification to rival Triumph’s mighty Street Triple, the twin-cylinder BM looks set to lead from the front
195 miles to a tank, which is on a par with an R1200GS, and I don’t doubt this. On my ride, after 80 miles the fuel gauge wasn’t even at half empty.The gearing is spot on for this kind of bike and the style of riding it’s designed for. First gear revs
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First Ride: Ducati 1199 Panigale S review
By Ben Cope on 11/02/2012 13:49:36
Take a successful formula that's worked for over two decades then throw it in the bin and start again, from scratch. Welcome to the Italian way of thinking.
on the right for proof). The bars are wide and are set in a more open position but Ducati's design makes them look light on switchgear, further enhancing the race-bike feel. That extra room makes all the difference and the riding position feels natural
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2010 Honda VFR1200F DCT first ride review
By Ben Cope on 28/06/2010 14:10:20
Face it – automatic bikes don’t have a great reputation. Has Dual Clutch Technology changed all that? Shall we find out?
, there was no excuse for any of them.Honda’s semi-automatic gearbox technology was designed for cars but introduced for bikes in 1976 with the CB750A and it was a disaster, paving the way for a universal loathing of automatic gearboxes that lasts to this day
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Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO first ride review
By Ben Cope on 15/06/2010 10:00:19
There are two simple, almost foolproof ways to make your bike more fun: make it lighter and give it more power. That’s exactly what Ducati has done with its update to the original Hypermotard 1100, the Hypermotard 1100 EVO.
’s kept the silouhette almost exactly identical to the model they first previewed in 2005 and released in 2007. It’s a strong design no-one else has copied. No big surprise then that Ducati hasn’t felt the need to gamble on a new look. However
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Triumph Speed Triple R review
By Ben Cope on 26/01/2012 02:05:38
Triumph call it the ultimate Speed Triple. We'll be the judge of that
, we've already established it wouldn’t be an ‘R’ without it.So what’s it like to ride?At first I was dubious when I heard the launch location was the MotoGP circuit Jerez. If it was host to GPs then I thought we'd spend most of our time flat
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First Ride: 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R review
By Ben Cope on 16/12/2012 19:25:19
Forget 250s. This is the best handling bike you can buy.
of their new model with looks that, 8 years ago, could have proved controversial.That’s the main reason the original Daytona 675 featured an underseat exhaust. Meanwhile, Triumph were already testing a model with an under-slung exhaust and knew it was the next
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Buell 1125CR - Road test review
By Ben Cope on 12/10/2009 17:00:50
If we bought motorbikes using our head alone, Buell would be out of business. Will the 1125CR help Buell onwards and upwards?
and ride it the moment you fire it up. It doesn’t tolerate being ridden from cold. Sat on the bike, you immediately feel the reach to the bars, low and long, the clutch bites when the lever is nearly fully out, which is off-putting at first, especially when
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Piaggio MP3 LT 400cc review
By Ben Cope on 19/06/2009 14:54:24
The scooter that can be ridden with no motorcycle licence? Does that make sense? No, but it's true.
mention that Piaggio don’t recommend you ride it without a lid and offer a training course as part of the cost! So what’s it like to ride? At first the MP3 feels like a very front-heavy scooter. It’s a bit odd to start with but as soon as you get moving
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First Ride: Triumph Tiger 800
By Ben Cope on 08/11/2010 16:29:23
Triumph's new Tiger 800 enters a competitive market. So, is it any good?
their focus sharp.The bike is very good, it has lots going for it. There you go, road test over. No, only kidding. The one thing that stands out the most about the Tiger 800 is it's engine characteristics; it's got a wealth of torque and immaculate fuelling
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First Ride: 2011 Honda CBR250R
By Ben Cope on 23/04/2011 07:37:37
Honda enters the 250 arena with the CBR250R. Should the Ninja 250R be scared?
of the sporting tree. However to me and most Westerners, it looks more like a baby VFR1200 and has only the thinnest of relationships with any bike that is designed to lap a racetrack. Shouldn't it be called a VFR250?With its 780mm seat height, it'll be perfect
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