Back If you have a bike you'd like to see tested, send me an email and I'll see what I can do. Alternatively I can write an article based on your own experiences with your own near new bike.
The purpose behind these tests, is to present a balanced view of what the test bike is like. It is to be tested in the real world where most of us ride, not at a race track with unreal conditions. The tests will look at how the bike measures up to all riders interested in the bike, tall, short, heavy, light and what does the pillion think about it. The tests are based on a person being interested in the particular test bike, so for example there won't be any bias to tourers when a sports bike is tested. After all, we are varied in what we like, cruisers, sporty's, tourers etc.
There is one particular bugbear I have with most motorcycles (barring most of the BMW range), and that is the piss weak horns they fit. When I'm being crowded, cut off and dangerously treated on the road I want something to blast at the offending motorist to let him know of his traffic ignorance. I mean, there is no reason why a decent decibel horn can't be fitted to any two wheeler, it's not like they're blasting away constantly draining precious power from the system. I mentioned the BMW range before and that's the way to wake up an ignorant driver/rider, their horns are the same as their car range, f**king LOUD. So, come on you manufacturers, get your act together......
Road Tests -
Aprilia Ride Day--------Aprilia SR50 Scooter.--------Aprilia Mojito 150 Custom.
BMW K1200 RS------- BMW R 1150 RT-------BMW R 1200 RT & ST------ BMW R 1150 GS-------BMW R 1200 GS------- BMW R 1200 C--------BMW K1200 LT--------BMW F650 CS------- BMW R 1200 CL------- BMW K1200 GT------- MV Agusta F4 1000
1982 Honda CB750/900-------2001 Honda Super Blackbird--------2001 Ducati 750 Sport-------Honda CBR250RR Grey Imports-------- Frazers Harley Davidson Ride Day.---------Harley Davidson 2004 Sportster Launch.
Kawasaki Mean Streak--------Kawasaki ZX1200R
Royal Enfield Bullet & Lightning
Suzuki GSX1400--------Hyosung GV 250--------Suzuki Bandit GSF1200S--------Suzuki Intruder VL1500--------Suzuki SV1000S
Triumph Bonneville 2001.-------Triumph Tiger-------Triumph Sprint ST--------Triumph Bonneville America--------Triumph Speedmaster
Yamaha FJR1300--------Yamaha WR250 & 426--------Yamaha 100cc Scooter.--------Yamaha FZ1--------Yamaha V Star Series--------Yamaha XV Road Warrior---------Yamaha FZ6N (Fazer)
100cc Scooter Shootout.........Read below for some interesting information regarding scooter licensing.....
Mature age riders
Mature age riders are allowed to progress directly from a learner's rider licence to an unrestricted rider licence or provisional PI rider licence to an unrestricted rider licence without having to serve the full provisional period, provided they meet the RTA requirements. These requirements are:
• at the time of the application, the applicant must be 30 years of age or older
• hold, or be eligible to hold, a gold or magenta (five year) driver licence
• to have completed the pre-learner and pre-provisional rider training courses if they live in a declared area
• meet all other licensing requirements. Mature age riders do not have to hold a learner rider licence for 3 months before getting a provisional Pl. or unrestricted rider licence.
Mature age riders who got an unrestricted rider licence must hold that licence for 12 months before they can carry a pillion passenger.
Riders of automatic. motor bikes with an engine capacity not exceeding 126ml..........
As from 15 December 2000 the RTA has approved that customers can be issued with a conditional rider licence to ride an automatic motor bike with an engine capacity not exceeding 125ml. They must successfully complete a pre-learner rider training course and satisfy normal learner rider licensing requirements (proof of identity, knowledge and eyesight tests) and 3 month leaner tenure. They must pass a Motorcycle Operators Skills Test (MOST) to obtain a provisional licence. There is no need to pass a Pre Provisional rider training course. For the purpose of this policy a Small Motor Scooter is defined as an automatic motor bike, with an engine capacity not exceeding 125ml. The riders licence will be issued with the following licence condition. "May only ride an automatic motor bike with an engine capacity not exceeding 125ml_ Applicants who wish to obtain a provisional licence will be exempt from having to attend a pre provisional rider training course, but will be required to pass a Motorcycle Operators Skills Test (MOST). All subsequent licences issued after the Provisional licence will have the condition "May only ride an automatic motor bike with an engine capacity not exceeding 125ml" endorsed. To be eligible to have the condition removed from a provisional or other licence, applicants must satisfactorily complete a pre-provisional rider training course. After completion of the pre provisional rider training course, applicants will be required to attend a motor registry to have the condition removed from the licence.