Road tests and reviews
Some fantastic road tests and first impressions from a diverse group of riders. We're interested to hear what you think about any bike, big or small, that you own or have road-tested.
BMW R1200RS – Maturing Like a Fine Wine
They say that time flies when you’re enjoying yourself. Well, this is certainly the case for me and my BMW R1200RS. Three years have now passed since it joined my fleet as ‘flagship’. One Busy BMW So, how has it performed over the last twelve months since I last updated you? Well, it has been Continue reading
A Two Triumph Twenty Mile Taster! Triple or Twin?
As part of the usual due diligence of contemplating a new bike I thought that I’d re-visit the Triumph brand again. Especially as they are the most local dealer to where I live. I’m not repeating the 80mile weekly round trip to the dealers to keep getting my brakes fixed as per my R1200GS owning Continue reading
KTM 1290 Super Adventure R or S? The Tale of Two Twins
Being an engineer is sometimes a curse. I can’t buy anything on a whim, I have to ponder my options, consider the pro’s and con’s, sample the market, take some advice. It’s applicable to the majority of all my purchases but especially true for motorbikes. How to Replace a Trusted Friend? Now, I was in Continue reading
Norton Commando 961SP – Class on Two Wheels
A couple of years I tagged along to a factory tour of the Norton facility at Castle Donnington with a bunch of proper bikers and whilst it was interesting, there was definitely a massive feeling of “cottage industry” going on. Whilst the other older gents on the tour were happily swallowing the “it’s all being Continue reading
Ducati 950 Multistrada – V Twin Virgin, Love or Hate?
Let’s get this out there, my biking preference has been for Yamaha’s offerings: FS1E, XT125, RD200, RD250, RD350LC, XJ650, a certain YZF600R, FZS600, FZ6 Fazer, FZ8 Fazer and most recently a MT09 Tracer. So how on earth did I end up on the 2021 Ducati 950s Multistrada? I Have Been Assimilated! Well the seed was Continue reading
Ducati 1260 Multistrada – is it a Better Bet Than the V4?
I developed a liking for V-twins when I test rode (on a whim) a 2019 KTM Superduke. I grinned and giggled during the test ride because the thing was mad. At the end of the test ride I had put a deposit down! I had that bike for a couple of years and mostly loved Continue reading
Yamaha Tracer 9GT – Love Story
I’m going to start this review of my 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT with this statement…I love this bike. I really do. It fits and flatters my riding style to a tee. When I get on it after a winter layup it feels like I’ve come home. That Yamaha CP3 engine is near perfection as Continue reading
Honda VF500FII – The Svelte Superbike
Editor Introduction: Back in mid 1980’s I rode a Yamaha RD350YPVS. At the time it was the weapon of choice for the young lunatic on budget. But there were alternatives. Most were air-cooled, 4-stroke 550s as typified by the Kawasaki GPz550. A good, swift bike, but no YPVS. Honda had tried to get in on Continue reading
Suzuki GSX8S – Top of the Twins?
Recently I found myself in the market for replacement steed and my category of choice was a new middleweight street bike. After months of research and looking at various models I settled on the new Honda CB750 Hornet. I’d had a test ride and absolutely loved it. Anyway, I visited my local dealer (C J Continue reading
Moto Guzzi V100 Mondello – A New Dawn for Guzzi?
Recently I was lucky enough to have an hour long test ride today on a base specification Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello. It looked great in white with gold wheels. It’s a handsome beast in my opinion For once this ‘summer’ the weather was playing ball: Dry and cool at 15c with a high overcast cloud Continue reading