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
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]

 

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: 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.