2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS Review: First Ride

According to Suzuki, changes to the 2012 V-Strom 650 were implemented at the behest of European customer focus groups. Nothing radical was inflicted, rather a host of evolutionary upgrades. During our two-day stint riding among the colorful fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Parkway I found the majority of changes beneficial and/or useful to the V-Strom rider. If you disagree with the direction of the new Strom, blame current Euro V-Strom owners and their suggestions. Regarded as a well-balanced bike by the powersports media as well as motorcycle consumers, a notion supported by sales figures far in excess of its 1000cc counterpart, the V-Strom 650 continues its legacy with the 2012 iteration. Engine, suspension, aesthetics and accessories,...

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CRP Racing “Energica” Unveiled At EICMA 2011

Usually new technology seen in racing eventually trickles down to consumer vehicles after a few years of development and testing. What happens then when an entire motorcycle makes the transition from race bike to street bike? The answer is the $20,400 Energica, an all-electric sportbike from Italian manufacturer CRP Racing. If the CRP name sounds familiar that’s because the company campaigned the FIM e-Power and TTXGP circuits this year aboard the eCRP racebike, earning runner-up status and winning the European championship. Wanting to promote a green alternative to consumer transportation, the Energica is CRP Racing’s first concept of an electric streetbike using the lessons learned from the past two seasons racing electric motorcycles...

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2012 Yamaha YZF-R15 Review

Small-displacement sportbikes are getting more attention as the world economy continues to struggle. The 150cc Yamaha YZF-R15 was the first sportbike produced in India back in 2008, and the fuel-injected model now receives a host of upgrades and is offered to the Australian, New Zealand and Colombian markets. Read the below review and let us know if such a small sportbike could be successful in North America. Yamaha’s YZF-R15 has offered riders the ultimate sportbike in its 150cc segment, managing to retain the unadulterated feel of its legendary mentors, the supersports YZF-R6 and R1. Leaned over mid-corner, tires fiercely gripping the tarmac, its engine screaming out the high revs it craves, this Yamaha has treated aspiring...

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