Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2022 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special

Almost every mainstream bike manufacturer wants to take on the bestselling benchmark: the BMW R12xx GS series. Heck, at one point (2017-2019) Honda had TWO ‘Premium Full-Size Adventure Touring’ bikes!!! One was CRF1000L Africa Twin [https://youtu.be/nVTOezii9QA], and the forgotten VFR1200X Crosstourer [https://youtu.be/xXcbOC0rnqo].

Now, at its R1250 GS form; BMW did not expect this…A HARLEY-DAVIDSON ADVENTURE BIKE!!! Almost everyone went speechless when it debuted in concept form back in 2018. Now here we are!

This time I get to ride the fully-loaded, top-spec model 1250 Special. This spec has an adaptive suspension the lowers itself on standstill, crash bars, skid plate, and a center stand all standard in this trim!

Since I’ve ridden the Standard model [https://youtu.be/nVTOezii9QA] as a baseline, will the higher cost and added toys make a bit of a difference between the two PanAms? Either way, I am very excited I get to ride the PanAm!

 

Event:
– Pan America Demo Tour – Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
https://bit.ly/2VBYTxq

Host Manufacturer / Distributor:
– Harley-Davidson Motor Company (USA)
https://www.harley-davidson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/harley-davidson/
@harley-davidson

Host Dealer:
– Las Vegas Harley-Davidson (Las Vegas, NV, USA)
https://www.lasvegasharleydavidson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lasvegasharley
@lasvegasharley

Dealer / Distributor (PH):
– Harley-Davidson of Manila
https://harley-davidsonofmanila.com.ph/
https://www.facebook.com/HarleyDavidsonOfManila
@Harley-Davidson of Manila

 

Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Standard

Five years ago, nobody would even think that Harley-Davidson would showcase a bike like this. Then 2018 arrived, the whole world was shocked when the PanAm debut in concept form.

The Motor Company confirmed its production intent a few weeks later and now here we are! The Pan America 1250 is here, large and in charge!

The newest player in the hugely popular ‘Premium Full-Size Adventure Touring’ segment, the PanAm is ready to take on against the juggernauts from BMW, KTM, Honda, Ducati, Honda, & Triumph.

What I have here in this episode is the base ‘Standard’ model, which may not be available outside North America. But to get the true basis of the PanAm 1250, I’d like to test this model first.

For its first-ever attempt in the ADV biz, does Harley-Davidson did its homework? Will, it leapfrog other rivals? I simply just can’t wait anymore!!! I just wish Harley success on the Pan America!

 

Host Manufacturer / Distributor:

– Harley-Davidson Motor Company (USA)

https://www.harley-davidson.com/

https://www.facebook.com/harley-davidson/

 

Host Dealer:

– Las Vegas Harley-Davidson (Las Vegas, NV, USA)

https://www.lasvegasharleydavidson.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lasvegasharley

 

Dealer / Distributor (PH):

– Harley-Davidson of Manila

https://harley-davidsonofmanila.com.ph/

https://www.facebook.com/HarleyDavidsonOfManila

 

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
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]

 

Categories
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?

 

Categories
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!