Honda’s Much Awaited CB1000R
This Friday (4 July) marks the much-awaited release of Honda’s applauded CB1000R performance naked motorcycle, from Honda dealerships across the UK.
This all-new performance naked will finally be unleashed on to the open roads in a choice of four distinctive colours to include Dragon Green, Pearl Nightstar Black, Sword Silver or Pearl Cool White and, comes in two model options. The standard machine will be priced at £6950, with the combined ABS-equipped bike at £7450, showing that this stunning new machine is exceptional value for money with its stylish looks, stunning performance and Honda’s enviable build quality.
Yamaha XT660Z Tenere
The Yamaha XT660Z Tenere is a great value, superbly capable adventure bke with real off road capability. Global treks aren’t really on the cards as the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere’s vibey single cylinder engine makes hard work of pulling its 185kg dry weight. Useful touches such as the durable crash panels and front towing hoop put it in a class of it’s own.
Engine: The Yamaha XT660Z Tenere’s engine is used in a number of other machines (including the Aprilia Pagaso, MT-03, Derbi Mulhacen as well as the XT660 X and R models) complaints of a jerky throttle, stalling and mid rev hunting have been fixed on the Tenere. The engine accelerates cleanly from a closed throttle and pulls well (for a single) up to 70mph. Intrusive Vibes begin at 5000rpm.
Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
The original Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa is still one seriously quick motorcycle, possessed of enormous acceleration and breathtaking top speed. True, the GSX1300R Hayabusa doesn’t quite handle all that power (and weight) too brilliantly sometimes, but it remains a supremely comfortably long range missile, that always delivers a shot of raw adrenaline. Latest version is better yet.
Engine: The original Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa is very simple, yet brutally effective four cylinder monster, the 1299cc engine is bulletproof, doesn’t chin fuel too badly at semi-sane speeds and the fuel injection works very efficiently too. The amount of midrange torque that the GSX1300R Hayabusa produces is especially impressive and makes fast road riding ridiculously easy. New version is better though.
Ducati 696 Monster
The new 696 Monster is Ducati’s most important bike, this is the bike that brings in the money and the sales, and thankfully it seems Ducati have got it spot on with the all new Monster. Thankfully they’ve not played around with the styling too much, and just improved the old bike as a package, in terms of engine performance and handling.
Engine: The cylinder head of the new Ducati 696 Monster is now very similar to the two valve 1100 Multistrada’s. Bore and stroke remain the same but Ducati have managed to squeeze out and extra 9% of power. Thankfully it’s not lost any of its character, and still sounds and feels like a Monster
Yamaha YZF-R125
New price £2,999
Engine size 124cc
Power 14.6bhp
Top speed 75mph
Insurance group 6
Since 2004, Honda has had the learner sports bike market sewn up – the CBR125R flew out of showrooms faster than its larger capacity counterparts. Yamaha’s range had a gap for a 125 sport motorcycle, and the YZF-R125 fills that gap by combining the Honda’s easy-going ride with a little bit more poke and grown up looks – it’s actually slightly bigger than the YZF-R6 that inspired its styling!
Yamaha Race Academy - 2008
After the massive success of the 2007 Yamaha Race Academy, Yamaha decided to do it all again in 2008 to mark the 10th anniversary of the launch of Yamaha’s iconic YZF-R1. Yamaha dealers in countries all around Europe celebrated the occasion with a special day dedicated to the R-Series rangeof motorcycles and the release of the new YZF-R6.
In addition to being able to see and test ride the latest incarnations of the legendary R1 and R6 motorcycles at their local dealer, customers were also given the opportunity to enter a special competition to win a place on an ultra exclusive riding experience at the Ascari Race Resort with the Yamaha Race Academy along with a VIP trip to the MotoGP at Catalunya as guests of Team Fiat Yamaha. A prize that money simply can’t buy!
