Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300 SM

One of the latest crazes in motorcycles today are not just Adventure Bikes, but a sub-genre of the Dual-Sport category called ‘SuperMotos!’

Unfortunately, in its early days back in the early 2010s; most of these bikes are on the pricier side of the spectrum. Bikes like the iconic Aprilia SXV 550 and the KTM 690 SMC-R basically kickstarted the genre.

Lately, the Suzuki DRZ400SM and others opened the floodgates on the budget side of SuperMoto. And thanks to Suzuki (here in the US), in 2021 Kawasaki showcased the new KLX300 SM!!

Based on the venerable KLX300 dual-sport, this SM has a lower, stiffer suspension, spoked 17-inch wheels front & back, blue-ish light gauge, and sportbike-spec tires.

Since I rarely get a chance to ride any SuperMoto bikes, I am still not familiar with the genre. But it’s an exciting time to explore this new genre especially bikes like this, what a time to be alive!

 

[NOT YET AVAILABLE IN THE PHILIPPINES]

 

Event:

– Get On! Moto Fest (Texas Motor Speedway, Texas, USA)

https://www.revzilla.com/events

https://www.facebook.com/revzilla

@RevZilla

 

Host Manufacturer:

– Kawasaki Motors Inc. (North America)

https://www.kawasaki.com/

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

@Kawasaki Motors 

 

Dealer / Distributor (PHI):

– Kawasaki Motors Philippines

https://www.kawasaki.ph/

https://www.kawasakileisurebikes.ph/

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

 

Categories
Bite Tests

Bite Test: 2020 Bristol BR 250

There are not many choices when it comes to hipster-ready small 250cc cafe racer type motorcycles out there.

Sure, you might opt for the real deal British-made Norton, but you lack the cash. While some shady Chinese-made bikes may scare you. And the Japanese big-4 aren’t ‘pure’ enough, then why not give this brand a try!?

Bristol is a Philippine-based brand on which sells custom-ordered motorcycles from the Taiwanese firm Herald Motorcycles on which is now known in countries like the UK and in Australia.

This BR 250 along with the Classic 250 are the entry-level models from the Caloocan City Dealer-Distributor company Bristol Group. This BR 250 is their ‘cafe racer’ model, on which it has a clip-on-style handlebar plus other mods that differentiate it from its standard-style brother.

I’m just curious about how does it ride, hows the features, the balance, and does the price justifies its overall quality?

[NOT AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA]

Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2018 Suzuki SV650 (ABS)

Suzuki has many motorcycles that have a cult following:

– For ‘squids’ = The GSX-R series

– For speed fanatics = The Hayabusa (esp. Twin-Turbo installed)

– For Dual-Sport = The DR/DR-Z series

– For ADV Riders = The V-Strom series

– And for ‘the kamote kings’ = The Raider 150

But over the years, none has a more distinct following than the SV650.

The SV650 has been around since 1999 as a low-budget alternative to the British Street Triples and Ducati Monsters of the day! For its combination of low price-high value with a dash of fun to toss along, this 3rd generation marks the return to its Sport-Naked glory!

A staple of Suzuki’s V/L-Twin line of motorcycles (along with the V-Strom) makes the SV (and its SFV650 Gladius predecessor) a definite icon and loved by riders all over the world!

But as a cousin to one of my favorite motorcycles, the V-Strom 650. Will, a different riding experience to hold its name? Especially with a very-crowded 650-750cc Sport Naked Class, how will it stand out compared to the much popular and lovable Yamaha MT-07?

(Video made in 2018, edited & uploaded in 2020)

 

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/