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Used Test: Kawasaki ZRX1100
By Chris Moss on 14/09/2010 13:33:34
The ZRX1100's retro styling absolutely rocks...And it's got a flexible and powerful motor, boasts sporty handling and is a bit of a bargain to boot
on test was listed for for £4495 - decent value in anyone's book.Despite being a pretty big and tall bike, the 1100 is actually easy to manage, and once underway sheds much of its weight. It's quite well balanced, and the dominant riding position
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First Ride: 2005 Ducati S2R
By Tim Dickson on 30/03/2008 22:24:27
Ducati's latest take on the Monster theme is a refreshing mix of old and new, with up-to-the-minute styling married to a simple, effective air-cooled motor. And it's bang on the money
is an altogether more user-friendly Monster. Not to mention cheaper.The heart of the package is an air-cooled 803cc motor. Monster-loving traditionalists' ears will prick up at this point, as many have never been comfortable with the appearance of liquid
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2010 BMW R1200RT launch test review
By Richard Hallett on 02/08/2010 09:36:46
BMW’s already excellent big tourer gets a new motor with more grunt and a host of comfort improving gadgets for 2010, not to mention a fruity exhaust note
. Instead, the RT gets a comprehensive refresh to go with the new twin cam boxer motor it shares with the 2010 GS and Adventure, further improving an already very good bike.The new motor is welcome, bringing as it does an extra helping of midrange torque, up
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First Ride: 2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod review
By Bertie Simmonds on 27/03/2008 21:03:21
Harley-Davidson unleash their most important model for 50 years. With a watercooled, 115bhp, 60¡ V-twin motor straight out of their VR1000 racebike, it marks the start of a new direction for the Milwaukee firm. This is big.
, 'cos the V-Rod is one horny Harley - half drag bike and half Terminator 2, with a look of liquid metal.The perimeter frame is hydroformed (formed under high pressure water) into those complex curves, lovingly cradling the motor. On top, is a powder
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First Ride: KTM 690 Enduro & SMC
By James Whitham on 10/04/2008 11:23:23
These two bikes have a lot more in common than just the motor and are a much nearer to being able to live up to their name than any other street-moto or street-enduro machines currently on the market
690 SMCThe SMC, or ‘supermoto competition’ is basically the same bike as the Enduro. The only major differences being the wheels, brakes, gearing and the forks. The wheels are 17 inch spoked and fitted with sports road tyres, the front brake matches
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Road Test: ZX-9R vs. VFR vs. 955i
By Warren Pole on 20/04/2008 22:06:20
On the face of it, this is a pretty odd bunch of motorcycles. Take the motors for instance - a 781cc V4, an 955cc inline triple, and an 899cc inline four. Hmm, not exactly the most comparable bunch on the planet.
But then these bikes are a bit of a mixed bag. There's the ZX-9R, whose normal habitat these days is being shot to pieces in a group test with the FireBlade, R1 and GSX-R1000, the VFR which can generally be found romping off with the sports touring
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Niall's Spin: Suzuki DL1000
By Niall Mackenzie on 30/09/2010 13:51:14
The DL1000 may do everything you may want it to but may lack in the excitement you want
-proof Japanese reliability. All good news but I've never found riding V-Stroms a particularly inspiring experience.The engine, which is a detuned TL1000 motor, gives good mid-range power between 4000 and 6000rpm allowing easy overtaking without constant gear
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Used Test: Yamaha Fazer 1000
By Bertie Simmonds on 16/08/2008 21:50:12
Eagerly anticipated but horrendously expensive on its launch, the Fazer needed a price cut before gaining the popularity it deserved. But what about a used one?
and the motor.The Fazer 1000's been popular and its success is something it may take the new poorly-fueled FZ1/Fazer a while to emulate because for much of 2006 buyers voted with their feet and the old Fazer was outselling the new model two to one
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Niall's Spin: Honda VFR800 (2002-2005)
By Niall Mackenzie on 11/10/2010 16:20:42
Arguably the original sports tourer and certainly the best - or at least that was the case before Honda monkeyed with the formula when it relaunched the VFR with VTEC in 2002..
of five years ago or so. But there's one thing spoiling the package for me: the VTEC motor. I can't get my head around it. Below 7000rpm only two valves per cylinder are working; above that all four kick in.The intention is to boost torque at low revs
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First Ride: 2006 Triumph Tiger 1050
By Jon Urry on 02/04/2008 18:53:05
Triumph's Tiger sheds the big trailie looks, sharpens its claws and goes for a more road-inspired image. Is this the right direction for Hinckley's big cat?
want motors that deliver smooth power and strong low-down torque, which is ideal for touring on all types of roads, one- or two-up and usually with luggage. Most manufacturers satisfy this need by using a big V-twin motor, but to avoid the twin
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