New price £5,500
Engine size 599cc
Power 76bhp
Top speed 140mph
Insurance group 11

Sporting a new, detuned version of the current CBR600RR engine and a new cast aluminium chassis, bodywork and suspension (now adjustable for preload) the updated Honda CBF600 is practical, easy to ride, fairly swift, comfortable and thanks to ABS brakes as standard, safe too. The Honda CBF600 is aimed at new and ‘born again’ riders and it does everything it sets out to do, but it is on the bland side - more work-horse than plaything.

Engine: Sporting a new, detuned version of the current CBR600RR engine and a new cast aluminium chassis, bodywork and suspension (now adjustable for preload) the updated Honda CBF600 is practical, easy to ride, fairly swift, comfortable and thanks to ABS brakes as standard, safe too. The Honda CBF600 is aimed at new and ‘born again’ riders and it does everything it sets out to do, but it is on the bland side - more work-horse than plaything.

Ride And Handling: You could almost ride the Honda CBF600 with your eyes closed, it’s that simple. Thanks to plush suspension, which offers up a superb compromise between ride quality and handling, the Honda glides over bumps and keeps all but the nastiest pot-holes isolated from the rider. The riding position is very natural with an easy reach to the high bars, there’s lots of legroom and the seat is three-way height adjustable too. Ground clearance is more than enough for this type of machine and even when pushed hard the CBF600 won’t get itself into a wobbly mess. Honda has opted to fit the old-generation Michelin Pilot Road tyres, which don’t have the grip, especially in the wet, of the newer generation Pilot Road 2.

Equipment: For your five and half grand, the Honda CBF600 gets ABS brakes as standard, a centre stand and decent underseat storage, but if you want things like a top box and panniers you’ll have to start ticking boxes in the optional extras lists.

Quality And Reliability: Honda is a by-word for bombproof build-quality and reliability and the CBF600 doesn’t disappoint in this department. Bikes like this with exposed engines are always going to vulnerable, but you can see the CBF600 riding through the salt-encrusted depths of winter and back again without tarnishing its excellent finish. Cycle parts are robust and the CBR600RR engine is so detuned it should easily outlast the rest of the bike.

Value: For the type of rider Honda is targeting there are far cheaper bikes out there that do the same job and are more fun to ride, too, like the £4599 Suzuki SV650S and £4895 Kawasaki ER-6F. For just a few hundred quid more you could go for the simply excellent Triumph Street Triple, which will look after you when you’re learning to ride and thrill you months down the line when you’ve got the hang of it. The Honda is just too grey in every respect.

Insurance: Insurance group: 11

Model History: 2007 – Model introduced.

Other Versions: CBF600N (naked model without ABS).

This srticle was taken from: Motorcycle News

New price £8,345
Engine size 999cc
Power 120bhp
Top speed 151mph
Insurance group 15

If all of life were like a KTM Super Duke it would be a short, barely glimpsed blur of action-packed vignettes. There is surely nothing more frenetic on two-wheels than the KTM 990 Super Duke short of sticking a nitrous kit, a jet turbine and a flame-thrower into the frame of a fold-up bicycle.

Engine: To call the KTM Super Duke’s 999cc, DOHC V-twin a mere ‘motor’ is a bit like saying atomic warfare is bad for the flowers. Twisting the throttle unleashes such incredible accelerative forces on the KTM 990 Super Duke it’s possible to give yourself wrinkles over your body. The fuel economy is laughable, often 80 miles to reserve, but frankly you’ll be enjoying yourself too much to care.

Ride And Handling: Staggeringly responsive. You just need to glance at a corner on the KTM 990 Super Duke and BANG! you’re there. The WP suspension is spot-on, with plenty of feedback through the wide bars. The four-piston Brembo brakes are superb and never seem to lose their ferocious bite. Even the little nose fairing on the Super Duke works well over distances. Forget pillions, though, and bigger riders might struggle to fit the KTM Super Duke.

Equipment: The KTM ‘Hard Parts’ catalogue is packed with extras for the KTM 990 Super Duke like Akrapovic race exhausts, crash bobbins, luggage and carbon-fibre bodywork.

Quality And Reliability: KTM built their reputation on well-engineered, high-specification off-road machines and those enduring qualities shine through on the KTM 990 Super Duke. It will run and run.

Value: Expensive when new, secondhand prices on the KTM 990 Super Duke reflect a large initial hit of depreciation that stabilises after a year or so, making a used Super Duke an excellent buy. Bear in mind that tthe KTM Super Duke is not a machine bought to tickle about on, so check it carefully for crash damage and knackered head bearings from landed wheelies.

Insurance: Insurance group: 15

Model History: 2005: KTM 990 Super Duke model introduced.

This article was taken from: Motorcycle News

MCN has exclusively witnessed the next step in the story of Aprilia’s awesome new RSV4 superbike.

The full race version, which is due to be campaigned by Max Biaggi in World Superbikes next year, was given its full ‘No. 3 Max’ livery for the first time, in advance of the Italian star’s second test aboard the machine next week.

MCN Senior Writer Andy Downes was given exclusive access to the Aprilia factory and race team for a series of special reports coming in Motorcycle News in the November 26th issue.

This article was taken from: Motorcycle News

Honda has ridden away with the title of Britain’s favorite motorcycle according to a poll taken by a popular riding magazine in the United kingdom.

The latest model of Honda’s legendary Fireblade supersports machine has been voted Britain’s favorite motorcycle, in RiDE Magazine’s annual ‘RiDER Power’ survey.

RiDER Power 2008 is the UK’s largest biking survey and asks motorcycle owners a variety of questions about their machines and riding kit. According to the RiDER Power survey results, the new-for-2008 CBR1000RR Fireblade has become Britain’s favorite bike and scored an impressive 92.19% satisfaction rating, showing that the people who bought it are delighted with its accessible power, sharp handling, outstanding build quality and overall usability. Honda’s ST1300 Pan European also featured in the top five, with a satisfaction rating of 88.53% overall.

RiDE Magazine’s Editor, Colin Overland explained: More than 7,000 people voted in the survey, which gets owners to rate their bike on everything from its engine and handling to its mirrors and pillion comfort. The survey is traditionally topped by tourers and sports tourers, but this year, the all-round brilliance of Honda’s Fireblade knocked BMW off the top spot. Honda’s ST1300 Pan European also claimed a coveted spot in the top five.

As RiDE Magazine states, the Fireblade delivers that most elusive of all things: rider satisfaction. But unlike other bikes in RiDER Power that score highly on that front, it isn’t let down by the important stuff - like reliability and build quality. And commenting on the Pan European, RiDE said, The Pan is a rider’s bike - that’s why even six year’s after release, it’s still a RiDER Power favorite.

The company should be used to such awards for it’s 2008 Honda Fireblade. It won Fast Bikes’ Sports Bike of the Year award as well as Motor Cycle News’ liter-bike sports shootout. A near-to-stock version of the machine has also won this year’s British Superstock 1000 Championship in the hands of HM Plant Honda rider, Steve Brogan, with just 100 limited edition ‘winning yellow’ Fireblades now available in commemoration of the Honda rider’s British Superstock Championship title victory.

Honda Motorcycles’ General Manager, Steve Martindale, commented, The new-for-2008 Fireblade has had a fantastic year, not only in terms of sales but also in how highly it has been acclaimed by the industry, media and riders of all abilities, both for its looks and performance. With a vast number of motorcycle models out there, we feel very proud to know that the public have voted the Honda Fireblade as Britain’s favourite bike and also the ST1300 Pan European in the top five, but we’re also pleased to know that Honda is making motorcycles that fulfil what our customers want and desire as well.

Not surprisingly, the latest CBR1000RR Fireblade is the UK’s best selling motorcycle of 2008. The full results of the RiDER Power survey 2008 can be seen in the November issue of RiDE magazine, on sale now in Britain.

This article was taken from: Clutch & Chrome

Ducati has revealed the Ducati Streetfighter at the Milan show, a new super naked bike based on the 1098.

The engine and chassis of the Ducati Streetfighter is almost identical to the 1098 superbike - peak power is only slightly less at 155bhp (compared to 160bhp for the 1098) and torque is down to 85lb-ft, compared to 90lb-ft on the 1098. But the rest is identical - the steel trellis frame, Showa suspension (Ohlins on the more expensive Ducati Streetfighter S), Brembo monobloc calipers and even most of the bodywork is taken straight from the 1098.

The Ducati Streetfighter is also the first Ducati ever to come with traction control fitted and active straight out of the box - even the £24,000 1098R requires a race ECU and exhaust cans for its traction control to function.

The system has seven levels of intrusion - the lowest setting is for fast trackday riders who want to get the power down as hard as possible, ranging to a more restrictive setting which cuts in early for less experienced riders or in slippery conditions.

The Ducati Streetfighter S also retains the 1098’s datalogging system - owners just need to plug a USB memory stick in to a socket under the seat to download up to 3.5 hours of riding data from the bike’s memory.

Price is expected to be slightly less than the 1098 at around £11,000 with the first bikes arriving in the early part of 2009.

This article was taken from: Motorcycle News

New Crescent Suzuki British Superbike signing, Sylvain Guintoli, completed a successful first test on the 2008 GSX-R1000 at Brands Hatch today, declaring Suzuki’s Superbike an ‘impressive package’, having finished racing in MotoGP only last month.

The 26-year-old Frenchman, completed 88 laps around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit, getting used to the GSX-R1000 Superbike that took outgoing team rider Tom Sykes, to multiple race wins earlier this year.

Talking about his first Superbike outing, Guintoli commented, “Today has been a very positive first ride for me. It was not about setting lap times, but more about getting used to the characteristics of a Superbike. Having not raced at Brands Hatch before there was quite alot to take in, but I still managed to end the day feeling very comfortable. The GSX-R1000 is an impressive package and I’m now very eager to start the new season with Crescent Suzuki.”

With the team currently developing the all-new 2009 GSX-R1000, Guintoli’s next test will be on-board the new bike in Spain early next year.

Crescent Suzuki Team Manager, Jack Valentine added, “We’ve all been impressed by Sylvain’s attitude and ability to switch so easily to the Superbike today. While he’s had to ride the 2008 model, it gives us all a good base to start with, before we commence track tests on the 2009 bike.”

This article was taken from: superbike-news.co.uk

Suzuki unveiled a new Bandit 650 range at the Milan Show this week, with both the 650 and 650SA models receiving styling and practical updates, that bring a new sharp and dynamic look to the 2009 middleweight class.

With new edgy styling, the naked Bandit 650 is headlined by sleeker modern headlights, changing the face of the iconic Bandit. With newly styled mirrors, a slimmer tail light, new instrumentation, a black engine finish and newly shaped muffler ends, the Bandit 650 mixes proven reliability with great style.

For those that want added weather protection, the Bandit 650SA offers stylish practicality thanks to a newly designed fairing. Aerodynamically efficient, the new half fairing incorporates stacked high and low beam multi-reflector headlights, in a cowl that offers new storage bays on both sides, along with the styling updates of the naked 650.

Talking about the new models, Suzuki GB’s George Cheeseman commented, “The Bandit 650 range is very popular for us in the UK and so we welcome the news of updated versions for 2009. At the same time, I’m pleased to confirm that these models will make their UK debut at the NEC Motorcycle Show later this month.”

For more information on the new Bandit 650 range, visit suzuki.co.uk

This article was taken from: easier.com