Sports Bikes
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2014 Honda CB650F review
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£6399 | 86bhp @11,000rpm | 47lb-ft @8,000rpm | Liquid-cooled DOHC inline-4 Honda says this bike’s aimed at the ‘young at heart’. Focussing on 17-30 year old rider, the Japanese manufacturer claims the strong focus on youth makes good sense from a commercial perspective, and we’re certainly not going to argue – getting the younger…
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2014 Honda VFR800 review
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£10,499 | 105bhp@10,250rpm | 55lb-ft@8,500rpm | Liquid-cooled DOHC 90° V4 It’s estimated that more than 75,000 VFRs are actively ridden in Europe alone. Honda’s sixth generation of the popular sports-tourer is likely to see that figure rise again… For 2014, the VFR800’s been given a thorough working over, with a strong emphasis on improving…
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2014 Yamaha MT-07 review
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£5199 | 74bhp@9000rpm | 50lb-ft@6500rpm | liquid-cooled parallel-twin The MT-07 was designed with a very clear concept: big torque in an agile chassis; easy to ride by anyone; and very affordable. A machine that was adored by all of us on the World launch in Lanzarote, it could well be one of the most…
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2014 MV Agusta Brutale 800 review
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£10,990 | 125bhp@11,600rpm | 60lb-ft@8600rpm | liquid-cooled inline triple Labelled a ‘second bike, not your main bike’ by MV Agusta boss Giovanni Castiglione, the new Brutale 800 Dragster is built specifically for livening-up Sunday afternoons with its punchy inline triple, short wheelbase handling and distinctive looks. Just don’t take the Dragster near a drag…
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How to buy a Yamaha YZF R125
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Styled just like the Yamaha R6, the YZF R125 offers credible big bike looks and handling for learners or commuters alike. It was a long time coming. Yamaha’s last saucy 125 was the 1990’s TZR125, a machine which was lusted after by the then learners who’ll now be in their 40s. I know, I…
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2014 Ducati 899 Panigale review
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£12,496 | 898cc liquid-cooled V-twin | 148bhp | 73lb-ft The 899 Panigale looks almost identical to the 1199 that began the Panigale family two years ago, but it’s distinctly different — and not just in its engine capacity. Basically the 899 has been created to be a bit more of a practical streetbike than the…
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2014 Honda CBR250R review
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£4100 OTR I 249cc 4-stroke single I 26bhp I 17.6 lb-ft@ 7000rpm Honda introduced the CBR250R with the idea of fusing the handling and styling of their iconic, large capacity CBR range, with a smaller engine for riders after a first bike, better fuel economy, or just something nimble to chuck around town. With brand…
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2014 Kawasaki Z1000SX Review
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Subdeck: £9849 | 1043cc 4cylinder | 140bhp | 82lb-ft The traditional sports-tourer class is supposed to be in decline, as increasing numbers of riders decide that versatility in a motorbike doesn’t mean just sports and touring, but crossing rivers and trekking up mountain trails too. Presumably nobody told Kawasaki, whose Z1000SX has been a…
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How to buy a Yamaha TZR250 2MA (1986-1991)
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The iconic race-bred 250 two-stroke that beats the competition on real-world roads. The mid 80s was the last great era when new two stroke motorcycles appeared with gusto. Yamaha had been busy tinkering with their RD350YPVS but needed a bike to compete in the quarter litre sector. The TZR250 lined up against Kawasaki’s all…
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Rieju RS2 125 Pro
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Razzing around on a 125 is still great fun, no matter how old you are and it reminded me of just how much fun and freedom two wheels gave me as a teenager. Is it me or are our young bikers spoilt for choice these days? When I was on ‘L’ plates at the…
