Tag: adventure touring bike

Categories
Snack Tests

Snack Test: 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 650

It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been wanting myself to be on a racetrack, whether if it’s from a car or a motorcycle, it has been one of my childhood dreams.

Seeing that, I’m a frustrated racer. It’s because I was never given a chance to push any machine or myself to absolute limits. Du to this, I used to street race during my youth no matter what racing discipline it is.

So my first-ever track day experience would be on an Adventure-Touring bike, the V-Strom 650! I call this THE jack of all trades, master of none motorcycle.

So will it also perform well on a racetrack? So given for what it is, also fresh from off-roading, how does the bike or even me handle on a proper racetrack like Clark International Speedway? Will I be out of place in a field of ‘proper’ sport and track bikes?

 

I will never forget this experience, ever!

 

There will be more Snack Tests in the future, stay tuned! 

 

Event:

– 6th Wheeltek Tack Day [PH]

https://wheeltek.com.ph/

https://www.facebook.com/Wheeltek

 

Categories
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)

Categories
Bite Tests

Bite Test: 2020 Voge 650DS / Loncin DS8

Another challenger from China trying to break the mold in the mainstage! Introducing Voge, the new motorcycle from the Chinese motorcycle conglomerate, Loncin.

Following the footsteps of Benelli Q.J. and CFMoto, Voge emphasizes premium feel and experience at very competitive prices! This Voge 650DS alongside with the rebadged Loncin DS8 (on certain markets) is their flagship motorcycle!

People will be familiar with its 650cc single-cylinder on this bike, remember the BMW G650, F650, and the lightweight Husqvarna TR650? Some of the Rotax-engineered 650 was built by Loncin under contract up until production halted. Now under Loncin (with license), that same engine is currently powering this Adventure-Touring motorcycle! I personally did not know that up until I edited this video!

I thought that this bike is like a spiritual successor to the now legendary Kawasaki KLR 650.

But will an ‘updated G650’ with modern toys be enough to be worthy of nostalgia? Or will this be a copy and paste affair? I have not ridden the G650, F650, nor the TR650. Maybe I will get a ‘taste’ of that, let’s see…

[NOT YET CONFIRMED FOR SALE IN THE PHILIPPINES]

[NOT AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA]