Nik J Miles

Posts Tagged ‘Motorcycle’

“Kawasaki’s 2012 Ninja 650: Stellar and more rider friendly”

My very first experience aboard a Kawasaki Ninja 650 (it’s been so long ago, it could well have been a 600) at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA , which I still think of as Sears Point Raceway). It was during a Kawasaki track day that followed a weekend of riding Kawasaki iron, where I stuck primarily to cruisers, and of enjoying the Superbike road races also sponsored by Kawasaki. The track day was conducted by Keith Code’s Superbike School in Zen-like fashion. I tried the bike on for size and the fit wasn’t even close. My elbows and knees interfered with one another in disturbing fashion and I pointed out to the instructor that I didn’t feel at all comfortable on the bike and felt that I would not be in control. He insisted that I give it a try in the paddock anyway. I complied, and he agreed that it didn’t make for a pretty sight and rounded up a Z1000 for me to ride instead, which worked out much better.

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“All Roads Lead to Pikes Peak”

 A Ducati Challenge

Big news for Ducati fans and riders, Ducati is returning to Pikes Peak in 2012 for the 90th running of the “Race to the Clouds.” Defending champion and Pikes Peak motorcycle record holder, Carlin Dunne, will join six-time Pikes Peak winner,Greg Tracy, in an effort to defend the title for Ducati.

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“Honda’s ST1300 ABS: An Ideal Sport Tourer”

Honda’s 2012 ST1300 Sport Tourer hits the sweet spot when hitting the open road. If like myself, you find that laying over the tank of an all-out sport bike with your upper body weight pressing on your wrists and holding your head up to see where you’re headed isn’t as much fun as it used to be, then you probably ought to start shopping for a multi-purpose Sport Touring bike. There are lots available in today’s motorcycle marketplace to choose from, but after riding the Honda ST 1300, you may not feel the need to look any further.

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2012 Harley-Davidson FLTRX Road Glide Custom”

One Slick Custom Bagger

By Arv Voss

If you’ve never ridden a Harley-Davidson Road Glide before, or if it’s been a while, do yourself a favor – swing a leg over and go for a test ride. The streamlined bagger benefited from a host of enhancements for the 2009 model year, and the big tourer continues to progressively evolve. There are some who seem to feel that both the Road Glide and Electra Glide are nothing more than Road Kings outfitted with a fairing. Not so….even though the mechanical architecture may share similarities, there are several worthwhile differences that exist. Take the fairing for example – the Road Glide’s fairing is a Sharknose affair featuring dual headlamps and a fixed “shorty” windscreen, fixed to the frame rather than being mounted on the front fork assembly – in other words, it doesn’t turn with the handlebars, which is the case with the Electra glide models.

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“Honda’s 2012 Rebel CMX250C: A Rebel with a Cause”

The Rebel delivers stellar fuel economy at 84 mpg

If you suddenly have the desire to embrace the romance of the open road (or street for that matter) via two-wheeled transport, but lack the confidence and/or ability or, if you’re already a motorcycle rider and would like to introduce someone close to you to the freedom offered by the sport, have I got a bike for you.

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“Garmin’s zumo 665 Motorcycle Navigator”

Be Lost no More

It’s a well-known fact that real men – especially bikers, don’t stop and ask for directions, and there are just as likely female riders who fall into the same category. I myself, subscribe to the philosophy that I’m never really lost, since I always know where I am – I just don’t always know how to get to where I want or need to be.

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“BMW intros their first inline six-cylinder motorcycle application”

BMW has long powered many of their 4-wheeled vehicles with an inline six-cylinder engine, particularly roadsters, so it seemed only prudent that the smoothness provided by such an engine configuration would be a natural application for a luxury touring motorcycle, since both share open air motoring experiences.

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“Suzuki’s GSX1250FA: Sport or Sport Touring?”

Wouldn’t it be great if each of us were able to collect as many bikes as we would like? How about one for each purpose and riding scenario? Unfortunately, for most of us, that’s not an option due to the recent downturn in our nation’s economy and progressively rising fuel costs that seems to have impacted the majority of the country’s population.

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“Honda’s CBR250R: An excellent entry sportbike”

So, you’re thinking about taking up the sport of motorcycling, or perhaps you’re already a rider and would like to get a bike for a family member, so that they can share the enjoyment of the open road on two wheels. Where do you start your search for that just right ride?

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“Triumph’s  T-bird Storm delivers more power and attitude”

There are many different types of motorcycles, each designed with a definitive purpose or riding style in mind, obviously intended to suit varied types of riders. Triumph offers a lineup of models in several categories including: Adventure and Touring; Roadsters and Supersport; Cruisers; and Classics. Many years ago, I used to ride a Triumph Bonneville – I don’t recall the specific model designation because it wasn’t my bike, but I do remember that in its day, it was both stylish and quick – definitely a bike to aspire to. It still is today and it’s available in three trim levels.

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