| |
 |
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.
to be just as tough as kicking the shit out of a bag of sawdust for three miles, as we aim to test the cream of motorcycling twins - BMW's R1100S, Honda's VTR1000F FireStorm and the Aprilia SL1000 Falco.Alex reckons the Peak's roads will offer a stern testing
|
|
 |
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?
When it was launched back in 2001, the Fazer 1000 was being touted as a sports bike alternative. In reality it was very close to a sports bike, but mainly on price: a whopping £8100, or nearly £1900 dearer than the Bandit 1200! An R1 was only a
|
|
 |
Used Test: Suzuki GSX1400
By Bertie Simmonds on 13/09/2010 14:19:12
It looked like a pit-bull, even if it was more of a lap-dog to ride. Blessed with good looks and mucho torque, Suzuki's GSX1400 has proved to be a popular retro bruiser bike in used circles
/white, silver, black, blue, black/redPrice new: £6,349 (2005)Price now: £4,000-£5,500Comments: Mildest of updates including 4-2-1 pipes (instead of 4-2-2) revised fuel-injection, new SECM coating on the bores and imobilisor.Suzuki GSX1400 K6 Final Edition (2006-2007
|
|
 |
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
|
|
 |
Used Test: Kawasaki ZZ-R600
By Bertie Simmonds on 09/04/2008 23:13:49
Like Barbara Windsor, it hasn't been considered sexy for years. So what's kept the ZZ-R600 on Kawasaki's books all this time? It's the fastest, squashiest, flying sofa has ever seen, that's why...
seat, vast, protective fairing and a 14,000rpm redline equalled raised eyebrows and the ring of cash tills.Right up until its demise in 2006, the ZZ-R600 confounded bikin fashion pundits by remaining popular despite their guffaws at its antiquated
|
|
 |
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.
and the ugliest bodywork ever made.Engine: Still impressive. The 1,299cc fuel-injected, liquid-cooled motor produces 157bhp at the rear tyre. Torque is available from any revs - 3,000rpm and up. If you're brave enough, then hang on to the 11,000rpm redline
|
|
 |
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
|
|
 |
Used Test: Suzuki GSX-R1000
By Bertie Simmonds on 05/08/2008 22:31:27
Upon its launch in 2001, the Suzuki swept all before it. Six years later it is still arguably the best of the litre sports bike brood, but how does it handle in the fiercely fought second-hand sector?
It's funny how bulbous the original 2001 GSX-R1000 now looks next to the lithe and silky-smooth 2006 GSX-R, R1 and Blade. But half a decade or more ago this was the latest 'big thing', a machine which made the likes of the FireBlade and R1 also
|
|
 |
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
|
|
 |
Road Test: VFR800 VTEC vs. ZZ-R1200 vs. FAZER 600
By Bertie Simmonds, Gus Scott, Simon Bowen, Daryll Young on 21/04/2008 21:49:21
Three different bikes, three different prices and three different ways to sports, tour and commute. These bikes are living proof that in the world of motorcycling, you can indeed have your cake, take it to the South of France and eat it...
gives a performance kick in the pants at 7,000rpm. Sales figures show it's still a favourite too, with 1,250 finding their way out of dealers already this year.The ZZ-R has been around almost as long. The original 1100 was launched back in 1990
|
|
|
|
|
