We have a brace of bikes to put through the test of real-world ownership. Will they stack up? Let’s meet the newest members of the Road Rider crew …
So, a reader (that’s you, for the confused among us) rightly wants to know what a bike is like. The pressure is on for us to get it right. After all, you may well be using some of the opinions you read twixt these glossy covers to decide just what mount is worthy of floor space in your shed. That’s a big responsibility, right there, and one that we take pretty seriously. If we give you dud advice, well, you are probably coming after us. Possibly armed, and no one is happy with that.
It’s not an easy task to fully evaluate a bike over a two-week loan period and damned near impossible at a launch test. I like to refer to them as “lunch” tests, but that has got more than one manufacturer sending me angry emails over the years. We are not about to change that. If you are getting full-on evaluations from launch tests, you are being done over, hard style, simple as that.
So, what’s all this waffle leading to? Glad you asked. Kinda forgot myself for a minute. Oh yes … we are taking a couple of bikes on as long-term testers. Please welcome Triumph’s Street Cup in Racing Yellow/Silver Ice and the Suzuki SV650, happily glowing in Pearl Mira Red bodywork.
This story is from the May 2017 edition of Australian Road Rider.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2017 edition of Australian Road Rider.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Chip Off The Old Block
ARR’s roving reporter, Ian Neubauer, heads to India to test the new Himalayan, Royal Enfield’s long-anticipated mid-size adventure tourer.
Winter Wonderland
As the weather cools, the tourists and surfers dwindle on the Sunshine Coast and the motorcycle riders move in
Taking It To The Street
Riders converge in Sydney’s Inner West for the 2017 Throttle Roll Street Party
Ride Like Hell
Anyone who hasn’t discovered the literary offerings of Paul Carter is missing a real treat.
Genre Bender
When Ducati produces a whole new bike, we sit up and take notice. When it creates a new category, well, the motorcycle world stands to attention. Leechy reports on the newest thing from Ducati, on the spot in Spain
Elite Fleet
BMW wheels out its very biggest guns to the Aussie press in an epic trip to take on Tassie’s challenging tarmac
Kriega Tail Packs
When it comes to bike luggage, my preference is usually a set of soft saddle bags; you can throw them on and off easily, and they make sense whether you’re packing for a day trip or a months-long adventure.
Pipe Dreams
We’re going hunting for noise after some urban exploration
Riding Me Crazy
Today’s 149km leg took us to 4200m above sea level on wild, rocky, slippery mountain passes with drop off s you just don’t want to think about.
Keeping Girls On Motorcycles
On any given weekend at your local motorcycle club, you will see throngs of kids blasting around on dirt bikes having a great time. More often than not, it’s at these local club tracks where kids are introduced to motorbikes. Boys and girls (under 10 years old) get out there and simply enjoy riding their bike without too much competition. Not many of the kids or parents care where they finish in the pack — it’s just about having fun.