Bikers Reunion 2011

“Good afternoon Mr. Woods, welcome to the New Liskeard Holiday Inn Express, we understand that you’ll be covering the Bikers Reunion event for Motorcycle.com.” There are people in my own office who don’t know my name or what I do and yet Don here at the front desk seems to know exactly who I am and what I am doing here. Welcome to small town Northern Ontario, where complete strangers treat you like family, or neighbours at the very least. This kind of hospitality was not limited to our hosts at the hotel, but pretty much everywhere we went while we were in town for the Bikers Reunion. Now in its 13th year, the Bikers Reunion is a unique event that attracts a different kind of rider. For starters, it takes place in New Liskeard which...

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2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Review: First Ride [Video]

A few weeks ago Editor Duke introduced MO readers to Kawasaki’s new bludgeon for the Hayabusa, the incredibly potent 2012 ZX-14R. Just a couple of weeks later we’re bringing you another revamped sportbike from Team Green, the 2012 Ninja 650. Note to the recession from Kawasaki: Screw You! In the process of overhauling the two machines, the Ninja 650’s “R” of the previous model was given to its big brother as designations have flip-flopped: from Ninja 650R to Ninja 650 and from ZX-14 to ZX-14R. The loss of the “R” nomenclature, though, hasn’t diminished the credentials of the more diminutive Ninja. In fact, Kawasaki claims to have improved the 650’s performance while maintaining its user-friendliness.  Unlike the bigger Ninja’s...

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KBC V Zero Helmet Review

In the world of budget helmets there are a myriad of choices on the market today, but many are from fly-by-night companies with no reputation for safety, quality control or name recognition. It’s a tough decision for new riders looking at this price category, as they likely haven’t heard any of the brand names the salesman is mentioning, which makes the distinction between a bargain and a safety hazard that much more difficult to distinguish. KBC, the Korean helmet manufacturer with a long-standing history in the U.S. market for producing both higher-end and budget helmets, has just released its newest lid — the V Zero — aimed directly at the rider looking to pinch pennies. The most attractive feature about the V Zero is its price....

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2012 KTM 200 Duke Review

Austrian company KTM is an acknowledged champion when talking off-road motorcycles, as the Austrian firm has made it a habit of dominating off-road motorsports events. The KTM 200 Duke is the first streetbike to be jointly developed between them and Indian motorcycle maker Bajaj Auto, whose stake in the European firm has now crossed 39%. The single-cylinder 125 Duke was introduced about a year ago in select European markets, where it’s charged into the lead and become a segment leader, which makes it no surprise the 200cc variant has been so eagerly anticipated.Butch, lean and aggressive all at once, the striking 200 Duke proudly shows off its KTM genes. Black and trademark orange are the predominant colors, while sharp angles and...

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Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart II Review

When Dunlop launched the Sportmax Roadsmart in early 2008 the venerable tire company stressed the wet-weather performance of its all-new sport-touring-oriented rubber. Dunlop got more than it bargained for during the launch of the Roadsmart: it rained nearly all day during the press ride. We couldn’t have asked for more ideal conditions to put to the test Dunlop’s claims of the tire’s ability to handle the wet; I came away content the Roadsmart was a capable wet-weather tire. Unfortunately for the Roadsmart, that day’s deluge left no real opportunity for getting a sense of the tire’s dry grip performance.Now we’ve come full circle, from a rain-soaked tire evaluation ride nearly four years ago, to a rain-free (albeit brisk!) day of...

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2012 Honda CBR1000RR Review [Video]

If it weren’t for the reshaped, more angular front end, you probably wouldn’t have known that the HondaCBR1000RR you see here is new for 2012. The truth is, you’re half right. While a few of its competitors have forged ahead with new versions of their flagship literbikes, including traction-control systems and other assorted electronics, Honda has forged ahead with the tried and true CBR1000RR that’s remained relatively unchanged since 2008. So what’s different on the 2012 model? The most noticeable difference is its front end. Instead of the stub-nose front fairing, criticized for looking like someone who got punched in the face, the new model has a comparatively pointed front section which needs to be seen in person to fully appreciate....

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2012 BMW G650GS Sertao Review

BMW has a well-deserved reputation as a maker of rugged, all-terrain-conquering motorcycles that also serve as capable, good-mannered street machines. These days the bike that fills that image in most motorcyclists’ minds is the R1200GS. And for good reason: the big GS (and up-spec Adventure model) is a sales volume leader for the venerable German motorcycle manufacturer. But the success of BMW’s two-wheeled adventuring ways doesn’t result solely from the glory-grabbing 1200GS or even the successful F800GS. There’s a humbler member of the Beemer family that’s contributed substantially to raising the profile of the GS lineup of motorcycles. The 650GS Sertão: Even More GS in the Littlest GS Modestly appointed by comparison to...

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