Tag: adventure bike

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Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 [AUDIO ONLY]

Have you seen a motorcycle so highly anticipated, it took Yamaha 3 years to introduce its 3rd-generation of its smaller Tenere model since the T7 Concept!

While the rest of the world enjoyed their 1st-gen XTZ660 Tenere and the 2nd-gen XT660Z Tenere. Like Mitsubishi’s Evolution, Subaru’s WRX/STI, and Nissan’s GT-R, the North American and other folks waited for an eternity to get what they deserve!

The 3rd-generation XTZ690 Tenere is finally here! And this time, it will be a true Global motorcycle, and it’s about time!!!

I’ve been waiting for a while to get my paws to test one, it looks very promising, it looks nice in a techno modern way, would it be my favorite middleweight ADV motorcycle?

While I haven’t ridden any of the KTM’s 790/890 series just yet, will it be the king of ADV-Dirt bike for now? 

 

Host Manufacturer / Distributor:

– Yamaha Motor Corporation (USA)

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/motorcycle

https://www.facebook.com/yamahamotorusa  

 

Host Dealer:

– RideNow Powersports on Boulder (Las Vegas, NV, USA)

https://www.ridenowboulder.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RideNowBoulder/

 

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Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2020 Benelli TRK 502X

After talking about Benelli’s onslaught last week in three parts on YouTube, here I am reviewing A Benelli motorcycle!

Since I mentioned the upcoming next-generation TRK 502; I think this is the perfect time for me to present to you my latest episode of my ‘Test Test,” the 2020 Benelli TRK 502X!

The TRK 502X is currently Benelli’s flagship bike for the Global market (except in North America & China). There are two distinct models of the TRK, one is the base 502 (I call it the 502S), and this unit the 502X.

The base 502 (502S) is a more road-oriented bike with it’s lower seat height, sport-touring tires, & 17-inch cast-alloy front wheels (like the Versys, Tracer, & Crossrunner).

While this 502X has off-road trekking in mind: with its dirt-ready tires, cross-spoked wheels, higher-mounted exhaust pipe, increased ground clearance, 19-inch front wheels, & optional hard luggage round out the toys on the ‘X’ model.

As of this writing, there’s not much direct competition to the 502X, namely: the Voge (Loncin) 500DS, Bristol (Colove) Venturi 500, the upcoming Cyclone/CSC (Zongshen) RX500, & Honda’s venerable CB500X. How does the TRK 502X stand out in this bunch?

Also, did the North American market really missed out by not importing the TRK series?

 

Guest: Iñaki Jose of Ride N Tandem (https://www.facebook.com/rideandtandem) & Motourismo (https://www.motourismo.ph)

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Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 (Base)

Besides the Multistrada 950, the entry-point to the big Multistrada 1200-league is this ‘Base’ model. With stiff competition with KTM, BMW, & Aprilia; this base model receives its latest Testastretta 1262 DVT engine.

Being Ducati, like its Scrambler line; the Multistrada 1200 line of adventure bikes has a plethora of choices that may confuse the casual bike fan. Good thing that Ducati’s website explains their differences clearly.

So how does this compare to its direct rivals like the S1000 XR, 1290 Super Adventure S, Caponord 1200, or even the mild Versys 1000? Will this base model feel like a bargain or a rip-off!?

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Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2018 BMW R1200 GS Adventure

If there is one motorcycle within the BMW hemisphere, what would it be? Track Junkie may say the S1000 RR, Hipsters may say the R nineT Pure, Retirees may say the K1600 Grand America, but to many Adventure Fans will point out one bike, and that the ‘Ultimate Riding Machine:’ the R1200 GS Adventure!

As one of BMW’s trifecta flagships: S1000-K1600-R1200 (now R1250), this fully-loaded GS Adventure is Globally known as the ‘de facto’ ADV bike! One year before the debut of the R1250, here I take a look at this cream of the crop of ADV motorcycles!

I have ridden many flagship ADV bikes (Multistrada 1200/1260, CRF1000L Africa Twin, XT1200 Super Tenere, Tiger 1200, & 1290 Super Adventure), also I’ve ridden other R1200 models (check out my videos on the Base & Rallye model). My question is what makes the R1200 GS Adventure so special even for a short (less than 1-hour) ride?

Sure it looks very intimidating, huge, and seems to be unrideable. But for my love of Adventure bikes and of course my curiosity; I always look forward to riding this icon. How will I react? Will it be a terrifying experience?

 

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Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XRt

The Middleweight Adventure Bike category is growing as one of the fastest motorcycle genres right now!

One of the pioneers in this class is the Triumph Tiger 800 series! On its 3rd generation and accompanying the newbie for 2020, the Tiger 900. Along with the recently revamped Tiger 1200 & Scrambler 1200, Triumph continues the onslaught on this genre!

The Tiger-8 I had the opportunity to ‘Taste Test’ is their top-spec on its XR line, the XRt is their flagship Adventure-Touring (road-biased) bike. On the other end of the spectrum, Triumph also offers the Adventure-Dirt (offroad-biased) XC line.

By far, I still haven’t ridden a bad Triumph yet (675 Street Triple R, Bonneville Speedmaster 1200, & 1050 Speed Triple RS). Will this Tiger 800 XRt continue the streak? Here’s what I think of it.

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Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2020 Moto Guzzi V85TT Adventure

Destined to replace Guzzi’s only adventure-touring bike, the Stelvio 1200 NTX. The Italian cruiser brand downsizes and ventures into the very hot middle-weight adventure-touring class, hence the completely new V85 TT Series!

Smaller in every way compared to the Stelvio 1200, yet the V85 even more feature-packed compared to its predecessor! In this crowded segment, how will the V85 distinguish itself compare to the others in its class?

Will this Guzzi’s Italian charms find their way into my heart? Or it will remind me to have a pasta dish after the ride. Find out here!