Recently Reviewed Bikes
November/December 2003
Honda VTX1800C & Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic
Cruisers are getting bigger, longer, lower and heavier. A distinctly American style of riding, cruising is the manifestation of a major market both here and abroad. And two Japanese companies seem to have learned their lessons very well with the VTX1800 and Vulcan 1600 Classic proving they can convey and deliver that feeling of freedom and relaxed...
YAMAHA ROAD STAR
Looking out of the window I can only see a grey curtain hanging over Morro Bay, CA. There is only one bright spot on the horizon today – the prospect of riding one of the 15 brand-new 2004 Yamaha Road Stars that Brad Banister's Yamaha Team presents to the traveling press....
Honda VTX1800C and Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic
Cruisers are getting bigger, longer, lower and heavier. A distinctly American style of riding, cruising is the manifestation of a major market both here and abroad. And two Japanese companies seem to have learned their lessons very well with the VTX1800 and Vulcan 1600 Classic proving they can convey and deliver that feeling of freedom and relaxed...
September/October 2003
Suzuki SV650S & SV1000S
For 2003, Suzuki has sent some hot V2 irons into the fray for the sport crown. The S models of their SV line, available in 650 and 1000cc configurations, have the looks to win over a lot of happy customers. RR tried them out to see what more there is than meets the eye....
BMW R1150R Rockster
BMW's boxer models are quite popular, and the GS, GS Adventure, RS, RT, and R of the 1150cc range are highly regarded as great touring and all-round bikes. Each of them typifies BMW comfort. This year another thrilling theme was added to the Bavarian brand's boxer lineup. They call it the R1150R Rockster....
Aprilia Tuono & Kawasaki Z1000
For those who demand a comfortable riding position and still expect performance, Aprilia and Kawasaki offer two exciting sport bikes with high-mounted handlebars. We tested the new Tuono and the Z1000 on California back roads and freeways....
KTM 950
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wolfgang Puck, Wiener Schnitzel, Apfelstrudel and Red Bull are probably the most recognized Austrian ”products“ in the US. But there is another great Austrian creation – KTM – well known in the motocross world, but not as widely recognized for their street or dual sport bikes, including the LC 4, Adventure...
July/August 2003
Ducati SS 620/800/1000
The Supersport models are the most traditional motorcycles Ducati produces. Stepping back from machines primarily geared for serious racetrack use, Ducati turns out some handsome alternatives for completing sporty tasks on the public roads. For its 2003 presentations, Ducati focused on technical updates with three new engines: 620, 800, 1000cc....
Moto Guzzi
Those comfortable cruisers represent the most popular motorcycle category in the U.S., and Moto Guzzi has composed several variations on this easy-riding theme, each an Italian orchestration built around the same California chassis and engine. Two of them carried the tune like impresarios in a recently conducted test....
March/April 2003
BMW R1150RT, DUCATI ST4s
Motorcycle traveling has changed a lot in the last 20 years. Nowadays pure touring bikes compete with cruisers, standards, and sportbikes, which can be equipped with luggage racks and bags by the factory. In this comparison, the tourer BMW R1150RT met up with a sport-tourer, the Ducati ST4s....
