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The ride of their life
By Bertie Simmonds on 07/01/2011 12:00:01
What do the best of the best rate as their most cherished moment in the saddle? Racers recall their most rewarding, career-defining rides
NIALL MACKENZIE1986 HRC test, SuzukaOur own 'Spuds' Mackenzie had been riding an Armstrong 250 in GPs and ridden the Skoal Bandit RG500 in the last few 500cc races of the year. Then he got a call to go to Japan for a private test with the mighty HRC
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What's MotoGP ever done for us? Pt.2
By Bertie Simmonds on 05/05/2010 12:52:33
Following on from looking into how Grand Prix racing has revolutionised the very bikes we ride, here’s how the riding kit the fastest racers on the planet wear has shaped what we use today
-sled while testing ejector seats, detaching his retinas and permanently bursting blood vessels in his head in the process. Being the first at anything is always a slightly hit and miss affair.And it has been no different with motorcycle riding kit. The first
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First Ride: 2002 Yamaha TDM900
By Bertie Simmonds on 29/03/2008 14:03:53
Let me see now. Ten years ago British biking was on the verge of something big. Our bike buying trends were going to be challenged by a bug-eyed kid from Yamaha - the TDM850.
against a supersports machine, with the usefulness that would be super against a tourer. Add in the fact that it had wide bars, a comfy seat, roomy riding position and user-friendly practicality and it was a dead cert to be a hit with us no-nonsense Brits
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Road Test: Peak Practice
By Bertie Simmonds on 20/04/2008 21:24:25
Once a year, at Shrove-Tide, Ashbourne becomes the Wembley of the Peak District.
through the roads of the town, across fields and even along the bed of the local stream. The violence of this game is countered by some of the most beautiful scenery in Great Britain.It's here that we're heading to, to start our test and this promises
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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
It's been kind of hard to categorise for the last few years though, as it has moved along a bit from its original seventies raison d'etre of being just a cruiser version of the cafe racer V7 for the voracious US market.Guzzi now seems to want to make various versions of the Cali ...
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Honda DN-01 first ride review
By Bertie Simmonds on 26/04/2010 11:27:08
Is this what Judge Dredd will ride when he’s given up police work and gone utterly soft in his old age?
, with its organic, sweeping lines, pull back bars, single-sided swingarm, chunky rear hoop, and chilled-to-the-bone riding position.Another big plus is the automatic transmission, which works brilliantly and is extremely fuss-free, giving a nod to its use
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First Ride: 2007 Buell 1125R
By Bertie Simmonds on 02/04/2008 17:59:37
25 years in the making and Erik Buell finally makes the bike he always dreamed of: a liquid-cooled V-twin with plenty of poke and handling to die for. So has junking the Harley engines given Buell a new edge?
manufacturer." But truth be told, there were a few problems with the 1125R.Over the two day test, one machine had a clutch problem, on another machine a wire was melted by it's position near an exhaust pipe so it quit, a brake disc 'warped', all bikes had
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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
handle, pull the handle and the box will open. Nice.I had to meet Jason at Corely Services on the M6 and sadly found the morning's motorway riding had brought no difference to my hastily formed opinion on the LT. Twenty minutes late (as usual) and Critch
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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.
the bike float with amazing composure, while always keeping those extra light weight wheels in contact with the ground. If you wondered if it was worth the £2K-odd new list price over the base Mille model a test ride should convince you it was - and still
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First Ride: 2002 Triumph Speed Four
By Bertie Simmonds on 29/03/2008 19:11:57
Picture the scene if you will. It's 2006, we're in the middle of a recession and another Government still ignores the benefits of motorcycles to the detriment of UK road users everywhere.
Meanwhile, insurance premiums have soared for sportsbikes and Cliff Richard hits number one with a cover of Smack My Bitch Up. Scary. But it could happen and at the morning roll call of motorcycling in this apocalyptic horror, naked middleweights like the new Speed Four could be ...
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