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05/10/2012 03:43 PM
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BMW C650GT (2012-current)
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A competent maxi scooter with a claimed 108mph top speed and armchair comfort. Well equipped, with ABS and electronically adjustable screen as standard, plus two glove boxes and a large under-seat compartment. Optional heated grips and seat available in a ‘Highline’ version for an extra £750. Not as nimble or fast as the C600 Sport model despite sharing the same ...
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04/30/2012 06:16 PM
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BMW C600 Sport (2012-current)
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Genuinely sporty for a scooter, with a claimed 108 top speed, sharp handling and aggressive styling. Well equipped, with ABS and a manually adjustable screen as standard, plus two glove boxes and a clever expandable under-seat compartment. Optional heated grips and seat available in a ‘Highline’ version for an extra £850. Much sportier than the C650 GT touring model despite ...
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04/23/2012 04:24 PM
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Aprilia SRV850 (2012-current)
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The world’s most powerful ever scooter is loads of fun but has an unfinished feel, with iffy suspension and a lack of attention to detail. If outrunning hot hatches on a step-thru is you’re thing, you’ll love it. If you buy it believing Aprilia’s claim that it corners like a sports bike, you’ll be disappointed. It’s essentially a tweaked and ...
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04/13/2012 11:51 AM
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Aprilia SR Max 125 (2011-current)
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The SR Max 125 is a nice little city scooter, with bags of weather protection and comfort for longer journeys. Struggles at speeds above 40mph, but at town speeds it's perfectly adequate. Handling is spot on. If you want an all year round scoot with good wether protection the SR Max 125 is a great choice.
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04/05/2012 11:35 AM
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Kawasaki ZZR1400 (2012-current)
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Simply put Kawasaki’s new ZZR is the new king of speed and power, beating the formidable Hayabusa hands down. It produces more power and torque, and accelerates quicker than any other road bike but unfortunately is still restricted to an agreed 186mph limit, but will get there in breathtaking time, hitting the limiter with ease, still with plenty in reserve. ...
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03/28/2012 03:30 PM
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BMW S1000RR Sport (2012-current)
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You might have to squint to tell the difference between the old and new one (the new tail unit and higher swingarm pivot is the clue), but the 2012 S1000RR is a giant leap forward. The first S1000RR was already leagues ahead of the competition, thanks to its huge power and cutting-edge electronics, but BMW has improved their fire-breathing superbike ...
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03/23/2012 10:46 AM
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MV Agusta F3 675 (2012-current)
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The new F3 has all the makings of a class-leading supersports machine. It’s much more powerful than its rivals, is lighter and has a host of electronic rider aids, from riding modes, to electronic engine braking control, variable power maps and traction control. It has a counter-rotating crankshaft, like the factory Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP racer, is one of the best ...
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03/14/2012 10:01 AM
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Ducati 1199 Panigale S ABS (2012-current)
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A mould-breaking motorcycle. Apart from the colour and the noise it makes, the Panigale has nothing in common with Ducati superbikes of old. The chassis is ‘frameless’, there’s a new-generation ‘superquadro’ L-twin engine and it comes with the very latest electronic rider aids, which work. Producing a claimed 195bhp and weighing 188kg, wet, it has a fearsome power-to-weight ratio, but ...
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03/09/2012 04:01 PM
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Harley-Davidson FLS Softail Slim (2012-current)
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The Slim is essentially a standard Softail (ie a big twin with hidden rear shocks for that ‘hardtail’ look) but given (as seems to be repeatedly fashionable with cruisers from all manufacturers at the moment) the minimalist, ‘50s ‘bobber’/hot rod look. The difference here, though, is the ‘Slim’ bit. Harley’s view was that its existing Softails had become ever bigger ...
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02/29/2012 03:08 PM
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Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer (2012-current)
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The surprise with the Crosstourer is two-fold: first that the 1200 V4 powertrain works so well in an adventure bike package (it already seems so familiar and ‘right’ to me it seems like it’s been around for years) and second that it genuinely brings a new and tempting dimension – namely V4 performance and sophisticated automatic transmission – to the ...
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