Month: August 2020

Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2018 Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone

You’ve heard of Moto Guzzi, the quirky classic Italian brand from the Piaggio Group that doesn’t get enough fanfare with moto-fans.

Did you know, that the Guzzi offers its most affordable model to compete with the Street Twin, Scrambler Icon, W800, & R nine-T Pure? This is the V7 III Stone, the brand’s most affordable model!

Hailed from its deep root all the way from 1968, this 3rd-generation iteration of the storied V7 line has become a mainstay by keep giving incremental improvements as years go by!

Despite ever fierce competition with its rivals, it’s the ever-iconic longitudinal V-Twin engine and the only mainstream manufacturer that offers shaft-driven motorcycles. Will there be enough to sway hipsters, trendsetters, and heritage naked fans for this V7? I am here to find out!

 

Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2020 Triumph Bonneville 1200 Street Scrambler

Of all of its Triumph Modern Classic (ie. Bonneville) line: if you want a small, functional, a bit of ruggedness on the side without sacrificing style; look no further than this 900cc Street Scrambler!

While the Scrambler 1200 might be too much in size and price for some and the Street Twin may not be capable enough for the tougher stuff, this Bonneville 900 flagship is somewhat the goldilocks of the bunch.

With increasing heat with rivals such as the Ducati Scramblers, BMW R nine-Ts, and Moto Guzzi V9s; Triumph has to hold on to its crown as the king of Heritage Classic motorcycle.

I actually like the package that Triumph brought here, it shows that it’s not afraid of measly potholes, yet compact enough to be treated like a normal standard motorcycle.

I was impressed with the Speedmaster 1200 almost two years ago, will this smaller Bonnie continue the trend?

 

Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2019 Kawasaki Z400 ABS

The budget-middleweight naked motorcycle (300cc too low-500cc) market is really getting fiercer by the day!

It also comes on all fronts too! With Ducati Scrambler SixtyTwo 400, KTM 390 Duke, Harley’s Street 500, CF Moto 400NK, Honda’s CB400SF & CB500F, Bajaj Dominar 400, Loncin LX300-6 CR6, Zongshen’s Cyclone RE3 400, BMW 310 R, Voge YF300 300R, TVS Apache Bristol Classic 400i, Benelli’s TNT300, 302S, & Leoncino 500, & Husqvarna Vitpilen 401. It’s getting really crowded here!

I’ve been waiting to get an opportunity like this ever since I’ve ‘Taste Tested’ the Ninja 400! That Ninja-4 was impressive, I always imagined how will the Z400 ride like!? And it’s finally here! I simply can’t wait!!!

I even begged Kawasaki USA to take this last ride for the day! And here we are now! What would I think of it? Is it a squared-on rival to the KTM Duke 390? Much different is the riding experience compared to the Ninja 400? We’re about to find out!!

Aside from different skin colors, the 2020 model year Z400 ABS and this 2019 model are exactly the same.

 

2019 Kawasaki Z400 Prices:

US MSRP = US$4,999 (+taxes & fees)

PH SRP = PHP279,000 (+regs & fees)

 

Event:

– Long Beach International Motorcycle Show

https://www.motorcycleshows.com/longbeach

 

Host Manufacturer:

– Kawasaki Motors Inc. (North America)

https://www.kawasaki.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kawasaki/

 

Dealer / Distributor (PHI):

– Kawasaki Motors Philippines

https://www.kawasaki.ph/

https://www.kawasakileisurebikes.ph/

https://www.facebook.com/KawasakiMotorsPH/

 

Categories
Bite Tests

Bite Test: 2019 TVS Apache RTR 180

If you’re looking for a naked bike on the budget, yet you need battle-tested reliability; I think I might find an option for you.

The TVS Apache RTR 180 or 180 Xventure (in the Philippines) is one of the most affordable Budget Nakeds in the Philippine market as of late! Only a few Chinese-made naked bikes undercut this Indian-made motorcycle.

For only P70-74,000 (US$1,400-1,425) you can ride a normal-sized motorcycle without looking odd on a mini-moto.

For this ‘Bite Test,’ I took my little time I have to ride this Budget Naked bike! What do I think of it? Check it out!

Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2020 Indian Challenger Dark Horse

While rival Harley-Davidson just updated their cruiser line-up as of late, Polaris brought a smackdown! Indian just recently introduced it’s smaller 108 cubic-inch line-up of cruisers!

The Challenger brings the goods against Harley’s 107 line head-on, one of Indian’s offerings is the Challenger Dark Horse! The Dark Horse is the Challenger’s mid-level model along with the affordable base trim and the top-spec Limited trim.

Competing squarely against other V-Twin bagger cruisers with the likes of Yamaha’s Star Eluder, Kawasaki’s Vaquero, and most specifically Harley-Davidson’s FLHX Street Glide 107. How will the new kid stack up against the competition?

And most importantly, it has been almost two years since the last ‘Dark Horse’ I’ve ridden the previous-generation Chieftain, will this Challenger rises up to the ‘challenge!?’ Find out here!