Suzuki Bandit 1250S And BMW K1200R Sport - Cross Dressing

Trying to find that perfect companion is difficult for many motorcyclists. Quite a few don’t want anything to do with the increasingly narrow-focus offerings that are sitting on showroom floors. They’re looking for a big-bore, four-cylinder bike that can fill multiple roles with some sportbike influence, without the pretension of racy full fairings-but they don’t want their ride to be bare naked, either.

BMW is looking to chop up its four-cylinder K-bike market segment yet again, with the K1200R Sport. Essentially the same as the K1200R naked bike we tested back in Dec. ‘05 (”Exhibitionist’s Delight”), the K12R Sport adds a frame-mounted half-fairing utilizing the headlight assembly from the R1200S. The rest of the bike-from its 1157cc four tilted forward at a radical 55 degrees to its innovative Duolever front/Paralever rear suspension-is basically identical.

Honda head-turner will make you grin

It doesn’t take long before you’re twisting the grip and just waiting for its turbo-like boost in power.

Some days are good enough to live up to the memories you make of them — like on a crisp morning when the time and temperature are perfect, the gas tank swishes cool between your thighs, you flip down your helmet visor, turn the key, twist the grip, feel the roar and you just ride.

Where does the line between sport and touring begin to blur?

Probably with the Honda VFR800A.

Special Edition Triumph Speed Triple 1050

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is pleased to announce the creation of the ultimate Street-Fighting Machine, the Special Edition Speed Triple 1050.

Triumph has equipped the mean and nasty Jet Black Speed Triple 1050 with a special package of must-have accessories to create the ultimate street-fighter at a very special price. The Special Edition Speed Triple 1050 comes complete with the race-styled Arrow 3 into 1 Exhaust System, 5 different carbon fiber accessories, black seat cowl and belly pan and anodized axle covers.

Priced at only $11,999, the Special Edition Speed Triple 1050 is an amazing value representing savings of almost $1,000 compared to the price of the separate components.

TRIUMPH’S DAYTONA 675 SCOOPS SUPERTEST AND MASTERBIKE AWARDS…AGAIN!

Triumph’s ground breaking Daytona 675 continues to collect awards as it scooped both the Supertest and Masterbike awards for the second year running. This is a true testament to the motorcycle as it trumped the competition even though it remains unchanged since its launch in 2006.

The last week in March saw the Daytona 675 retain the Supertest crown as the King of the Supersports. The Supertest competition, held at the Almeria track in Spain, was judged by 15 journalists from publications around the globe. The competition runs back-to-back tests for sports bikes from all the major motorcycle manufacturers. The Triumph Daytona 675 stormed into the top place in the engine flexibility, throttle response, chassis handling, chassis brakes, equipment and price categories, making it the overall winner for the second year in a row.

Honda’s motorcycle network goes solus

HONDA’S network of motorcycle dealerships is now solus rather than shared with other makes.

This is part of Honda’s plan to better control its brand and strengthen its sales effort. Honda has been ruthless in their approach, upsetting a few long-term dealers who refused to drop their other franchises in order to fit in with Honda’s solus strategy.

Suzuki crossover SUV is a new and improved family vehicle

The company that brought us the crude and much-maligned Samurai sport utility vehicle is fielding a new entry this year, the XL7, that’s about as far removed from its predecessor as beef bourguignonne is from a hamburger.

The Suzuki XL7 is one of a growing breed of “crossover” SUVs that either share basics with a car or are constructed in a carlike manner, with a unitized body rather than a traditional truck’s body-on-frame configuration.

‘Busa gets official ‘pimp’ colour scheme

Suzuki surprises with a new colour scheme to their Halabusa range. For years, potentials clients had a choice of dark colours, but now the special edition GSX1300R Hayabusa is available also in “pearl glass white”.

Regarding it’s recommended price of the standard model at £8649 and only 120 of the models available, Suzuki GB marketing manager, Paul de Lusignan is sure that the bike will sell well: “With only 120 of these models available, and retailing with the same recommended price of the standard model at £8649, this bike is expected to sell fast.”