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Used Test: Aprilia RSV-R
By Bertie Simmonds on 10/04/2008 19:28:42
The original Ducati spoiler is more practical and arguably more exotic too. Plus the spec'd up 'R' version can be had on the used market for as little as £3,000. But beware, she has a few issues up her skirt.
on in 1999, but they got it right first time. The RSV-R appeared a year later. It was capable of giving anything a run for its money on a race track but it's comfy on the road and doesn't have any major reliability issues either. The 1,000cc RSV-R is the mid
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First Ride: Buell XB9S
By Bertie Simmonds on 13/09/2010 11:49:56
Buell's naked, promises big kicks from its punchy motor but with a wheelbase smaller than a gnat's wheelbarrow, sharp handling too
of deflecting up-to 90mph windblast.Under that number board (Erik Buell still wanted the road-biased Lightning to have the odd hints of his racing past) are a set of clocks that are much clearer and neater than the Bolt's. Buell say they listened to press
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Used Review: Honda VTR Firestorm
By Bertie Simmonds on 05/04/2008 13:42:06
In the mid-90s, V-twins were red, temperamental and raced by Carl Fogarty. Until Honda brought out the Firestorm, that is. We examine Honda's first big-twin sportsbike
-pivotless connection between the swingarm, motor and mainframe. Suspension was 'normal', so where the Suzuki TL1000S used a separate spring and a rotary damper, the Honda had a tried-and-tested rising-rate Showa shock at the rear with Showa forks at the front
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First Ride: Buell XB9S (2002-03)
By Bertie Simmonds on 29/03/2008 23:55:41
"So, gentlemen, as you can see, the new XB9S Lightning is the latest generation in the street-inspired Buell family and a different take on the Buell XB series."
of deflecting up-to 90mph windblast. Under that number board (Erik Buell still wanted the road-biased Lightning to have the odd hints of his racing past) are a set of clocks that are much clearer and neater than the Bolt's. Buell say they listened to press
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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
to follow. Beautiful flowing roads, charming little villages and some nice planned stops. Even on my tod and very late, this is turning out to be a brilliant weekend!Love BertieDear TWO,I make up some time by hitting the Autoroutes into Belgium. I thought
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Used Review: Yamaha TDM 850-900
By Bertie Simmonds on 05/04/2008 22:28:24
Always a massive seller in Europe but an underrated under-achiever in the UK. Nevertheless, the TDM in all its forms is a secret waiting to be discovered by the second-hand buyer.
YAMAHA'S TDM850 FIRST raised its bug-eyed head in 1991. The mix of goggle-eyed looks, Delatbox frame, tall, town friendly stance and punchy parallel twin motor seemed perfect for the city and Britain's back roads.The TDM850 was Europe's second
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Used Review: Honda VTR1000 SP-1 & SP-2
By Bertie Simmonds on 05/08/2008 22:16:35
Designed to take on and beat the Ducatis in WSB, the SP-1 and SP-2 did just that. But how does it fare in the more cut-throat world of used sales? Bertie Simmonds finds out.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. So said Honda at the end of 1999 when it unveiled the VTR1000 SP-1.Back in the day, World Superbikes was a race series between 750cc fours (made by the Japs) and the 1000cc V-twins favoured by the Italians.With only
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Used Test: Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
By Bertie Simmonds on 10/04/2008 19:17:39
Half elephant, half cyclops, but all-conquering when it came to the title of King of Speed in the late 1990s, the Hayabusa is still the yardstick for sheer velocity and a fantastic cult motorcycle.
adjusters for £455 and the NTR Race for £475 which also incorporates high and low-speed compression damping for the ultimate in fine-tuning.Handling: Not too bad for a machine of this class. The bike was launched at Catalunya in Spain and it impressed
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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.
, nothing could prepare me for the bike I saw. This is the boldest move for Harley-Davidson in recent history and this is the VRSCA V-Rod.V is for V-twin, R is for racing, S is for street, C is for custom and A means this is the first of a new breed
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Used Review: Aprilia Tuono
By Bertie Simmonds on 08/04/2008 22:00:52
For sheer naked fun, nothing short of a frolic with Lucy Pinder can beat the Aprilia Tuono. Launched in 2003, it immediately won an army of fans
V-twin motor were a little exposed.Launched at the end of 2002, the Tuono ('Thunder' in Italian) was joined by a 'Racing' version for 2003, effectively a Mille R with the same high bars and missing bodywork. With the launch of the 'new' Mille
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