2008 Long Beach International Motorcycle Show
WHAT’S BETTER THAN A HUGE MOTORCYCLE SHOW RIGHT ON THE OCEAN? Cycle World Magazine’s International Motorcycle Show (IMS) wrapped up its 28th expo this weekend (Dec 5-7, 08), just outside of Los Angeles, and as usual, right on the ocean, in the Long Beach Convention Center. This year’s annual show started its United States tour [...]
Kawasaki Concours14: “Motorcycle of the Year”
It’s been about a year since the completely new Kawasaki Concours14 (4 cylinder, 1400cc) was released to the public for the first time — if it seems to you it’s been longer than that, it’s because it was “announced” in 2006. So how has this Concours14 been received in its first year? To be concise: [...]
2008 Kawasaki Z1000 “Naked” Fun Machine
In 2003, Kawasaki introduced the Z1000, with a heritage going all the way back to 1973 when the famous KZ 900 was introduced — a very powerful bike of that era. In 1977, the KZ900 became the KZ1000, which later became more famous as a police bike used all the way up into the 21st [...]
Kawasaki KLR 650: Ultimate Utilitarian Beast of Burden
I’ve been a fan of the Kawasaki KLR 650 for a loooong time. The 2008 model boasts its most significant upgrades since first being introduced in 1987. The bike is uniquely famous as an all-around, reliable beast-of-burden for taking you and stuff along either pavement and/or off-road adventures. As is the norm for any dual-purpose [...]
Kawasaki Concours14: Transcontinental Supersport Tourer
The first print ads are out for the brand new, 1400cc, Kawasaki Concours14. And…the bikes themsleves are finally in the dealerships as of the first week of July. (According to my local Kawasaki dealer, the launch date has been delayed numerous times). You can see the ads in the August 2007 issues of bike mags [...]
Kawasaki ZX14 vs. Suzuki GSX1300 Hyabusa
Smooth. Introduced in March 2006, the Kawasaki ZX-14 Ninja is that and more. More power that is. Arguably the world’s fastest superbike, taking the title that Suzuki’s GSX1300 Hyabusa has held since 1999. Of course the original 1999 Busa was also faster than any of its later brethren, since ’99 preceded the Japanese manufacturer’s “Gentleman’s [...]
Honda XR650L, Kawasaki KLR650 or Suzuki DR650S?
Sooooo, considering a dual-purpose motorcycle, are you? They sure aren’t for everyone. See the earlier post on the good and bad for this category. If you remain undaunted by the inherent compromise between street and dirt that these bikes offer, then which would best serve your future? You probably won’t go wrong with either of [...]
Twisted Grip Personality Test
