Motorcycle Review and Tips

Monday, 28 December 2009

The Best Standard Motorcycle of the year 2009

Ducati Monster 1100

The new M1100 is the best-ever example of Ducati's popular Monster series, combining sexy Italian design with an excellent chassis and lusty, torquey V-Twin grunt that helped make Ducati famous the world over.

The new M1100 is the best-ever example of Ducati's popular Monster series, combining sexy Italian design with an excellent chassis and lusty, torquey V-Twin grunt that helped make Ducati famous the world over.
The Italians followed up the lively new Monster 696 with this 1100cc version of its revered air-cooled Desmo V-Twin, and it knocked our socks off with its all'-round versatility, rich character and a huge grin factor.

The big Monster has cozy ergos that welcome urbane commuter duties, as a proper standard should, but it also has the capable chassis and grunty power to terrorize repli-racer sportbikes on a twisty road. Low-rev neck-snapping performance combines with neck-snapping Italian good looks. Ducati's mondo Streetfighter model is much more powerful, but the M1100 is at least as much fun and is thousands cheaper.

Honorable Mention – Harley-Davidson XR1200

The XR1200 will rearrange your perception of Harley-Davidson performance. Here Pete imagines himself taking the checkered flag at the Springfield Mile.

The XR1200 will rearrange your perception of Harley-Davidson performance. Here Pete imagines himself taking the checkered flag at the Springfield Mile.
When Harley-Davidson announced in summer 2007 it had created a new model called the XR1200, but that it was a Euro-only unit, everyone here in the States asked why we were left out. Then, after listening to the loyal masses, the Motor Company conceded and made it available for the U.S. as an '09.

Ergonomically the XR1200 strikes a good compromise between aggressive canyon attacker and sensible, upright everyday ride. And the potent Nissin brake calipers are crazy powerful. The flat-tracker look-alike styling is a head-turner, and the reliable 1200cc Sporty Twin has been massaged to yield the most horsepower of any air-cooled mill ever to emerge from H-D. Our only criticism is limited lean angle on the exhaust side impeding super-aggressive cornering, but you have to be the fast guy in your crowd for that to be a concern.

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Saturday, 17 October 2009

Best Exotica Motorcycle of The year 2009

Ducati Desmosedici RR
If you'd like a street-legal MotoGP bike, you're looking at the only game in town. MotoGP is the pinnacle of two-wheel motorsports, with the best riders in the world piloting the most exotic sportbikes ever seen on earth. So when Ducati unleashed a street-legal version of its 990cc V-Four GP bike, we were as giddy as Casey Stoner after winning his world championship. Our time aboard the GP bike with lights was brief – just part of a day at the racetrack – but it was a scintillating experience we won't soon forget. Blisteringly fast, it blows past regular literbikes like they are 600s. Abrupt throttle response and a race-stiff suspension makes you realize you're not worthy of its stratospheric potential, and its $72.5K price tag will have you thinking twice about shaving off seconds from your lap time. But it's the most exotic and outrageous sportbike we've ever ridden, causing us to consider selling our homes or our mothers to put one in our garage. If we do, we'll make sure to invite fellow D16RR owners Jay Leno, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise over to the coffee shop to talk about how cool we are.

Yamaha/Star V-Max

Perhaps it seems a bit odd to label a Yamaha-built bike as an exotic, but consider its monstrous 200-horsepower V-Four engine stuffed in an aluminum frame, a ride-by-wire throttle, variable-length throttle intakes, bespoke radial master cylinders and hand-polished aluminum intake scoops. A lofty $17,990 MSRP keeps out the punters, helping to ensure its exotic and rare status. Mountains of power throughout the rev range is like engaging hyper-drive, and tire-smoking corner exits are delivered easier than anything else with two wheels. Yamaha has brought an icon back to life with the new Max, and it's crazier and more capable than ever. The V-Max isn't a cruiser and it's not a sportbike - it's both, and there's nothing else quite like it. It's an accessible exotic.

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The Best Event of the year 2009

U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca

The USGP is the event we most look forward to each year. Not only is it our chance to see the world's best motorcycle racers up close and personal, it's held in one of the best motorcycle race circuits in the world. Adding to this irresistible allure is the opportunity to string together some of the best roads California has to offer.
The USGP at Laguna Seca has an unbeatable atmosphere of the finest motorcycles and riders, top-quality vendors and exciting race action - all surrounded by some of the best roads in America.

Honorable Mention – AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Taking the reigns once again, the American Motorcycle Association has pumped new energy in to the annual Mid-Ohio event with Grand National titling in both on- and off-road racing and supplied the 20,000 attendees with the world’s largest swap meet. Despite this year's rainfall, the event sparked many imaginations and memories with the relived glory and hundreds of classic bikes on display and for sale.

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