Motorcycle Rode Tests

Whether a casual rider relying on horsepower and torque, or intense rider adding in transmission, throttle, and handling features; this is a fun ride!

Many motorcycles today are marketed as the be all end all of motorcycles. Not all of them are. However the BMW R1200GS comes close. Its combination of power, technological features, agility, and weight makes this motorcycle ideal for almost any ride.

The fastest bike on the planet! according to BMW representatives. What a gem to ride! The bike rolls easily, accelerates easily, reaches high speeds easily, covers a lot of ground easily, slows easily, and stops on command. The S 1000 RR nearly pilots itself, but it is a thinking mans bike.

Old school motorcyclists will be the first to say: Who me? Never! At a recent Harley-Davidson sponsored demo ride, four trikes were in demand  sun up to sun down. What is the appeal? Why are potential consumers (including an ample portion of naysayers), fascinated with trikes?

When you get an opportunity, step up to an Indian motorcycle and enjoy the design elements and quality of the paint and chrome. The black and red Indian Chief Vintage with black leather bags and trim invites you to gaze long and hard. Before long, your imagination has you rolling down the roadway in fantasy, if not reality. That is what happened to me when I scheduled a recent test ride.

After a successful career as an engineer in the aerospace industry, Neal Saiki, founder of Zero Motorcycles, decided to start his own business designing full suspension mountain bikes and motorcycles. Along the way, Saikis passion and deep appreciation for the environment grew. His engineering experience on high altitude aircraft gave him a first-hand look at the destruction of the ozone layer. From an engineering standpoint, it became obvious that electric vehicles could be a practical solution to environmental preservation.

We traded our '04 Heritage Softail for a '07 Ultra Classic in December '06. Our justification was the desire for greater all-round utility, better protection from the elements, a bigger engine with six-speed transmission, ultimate riding comfort, relaxed rider/passenger communications and a greater selection of available add-ons. Along the way, we've experienced great satisfaction coupled with significant disappointment!

New features (including the Brembo triple-disc brake system, 6 gallon fuel tank, improved 6-speed cruise drive transmission, and isolated drive system) on the Harley-Davidson 2008 Road King influenced me to trade, a 2007 Road King with a 103 inch big bore, for a 2008 FLHR Road King. I made the decision in August and took delivery in September. Having nine years and 90,000 miles on Road King motorcycles, I was confident this Harley-Davidson Road King's new features would only enhance an already super ride.

The Concours 14 Supersport by Kawasaki is a motorcycle loaded with technical advances in design features and application including, but not limited to, individually adjustable headlights, Variable Valve Timing System, and electronically adjustable windscreen. Some of these features mean the motorcycle is constantly adjusting to roadway conditions and operator characteristics. The result is a finely tuned machine with a power to weight ratio (1,352cc to 606 lbs) that attacks the roadway.

It's big and it's powerful! Perhaps that is all that needs to be said about the BHC-3ZZ4 SS?! Broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip comes to mind also.