MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 989r (2008)-current

OVERALL VERDICT:
Don’t think of the Brutale 989R as a watered-down version of its 1078RR bigger brother; it’s a powerhouse of a bike in its own right. MV claim a massive 142bhp from the crank and a top speed of 165mph, which puts it right up there with the best in the super naked class. Compared to the Brutale 910, the 989R has new Brembo four-piston radial calipers, revised catalysers, revalved suspension and 4mm extra fork travel.

ENGINE:
The inline-four-cylinder 982cc Brutale 989R is a bored-out evolution of the old 909cc Brutale 910, not a sleeved-down version of the superbike-engined Brutale 1078RR, although it does use the same pistons with a reduced compression ratio. Make sense? It’s insanely fast when you’ve got the space to use it. It’s also loud, brash, aggressive and ready to bite the second you take your eye off the ball, like the finest Chav-bred Pit Bull Terrier. It maybe a smaller version of the superbike-engined 1078RR, but remember it’s still bigger than the original 750 and 910 Brutales, and we thought they were pretty quick in the first place. The 989R does suffer from a harsh throttle response, though, which spoils low-speed and motorway riding.

Ride and Handling:
This isn’t a bike for tall people, if you’re over six foot you’ll struggle to get your knees under the ‘wings’ on the 19-litre fuel tank. Its dinky dimensions make it cramped for most riders and it’s easy for feet to slip off smooth, rounded footpegs too. That aside, the Brutale handles like a superbike, with sharp steering and superb stability in the corners and in a straight line, although it is on the heavy side.

Equipment:
The 989R has typical Italian hand-built attention to detail and it’s loaded with expensive cycle parts like Brembo Monobloc calipers, a fully adjustable Sachs rear shock, 50mm Marzocchi forks and adjustable rearsets. You get a rasping, angry soundtrack to die for and a view over the clocks like you’re perched on the edge of a cliff.

Quality and Reliability:
Build-quality is superb and we haven’t heard of Brutales breaking down either. There’s now a new UK importer (http://www.motogb.co.uk/), which should give you piece of mind that parts and servicing won’t be an issue and now that MV Agusta is owned by Harley Davidson, the constant threat of MV’s closure has gone.

Value:
It may be hand-built, exclusive and lightning fast but twelve grand is way too much for the 989R. You can get equivalent performing exotic super nakeds for less, like the KTM Super Duke R and Ducati Streetfighter.

Model History:
2008 – Brutale 989R launched
Other Version

Specifications:
Top speed :155mph
1/4-mile :--
Power:142bhp
Torque:76.4ftlb
Weight:185kg
Seat height:820mm
Fuel capacity:19 litres
Average fuel consumption:---
Insurance group:17
Engine size:982cc
Engine specification:16-valve, in-line-four
Frame:Steel trellis
Front suspension adjustment:Fully-adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment:Fully-adjustable
Front brakes:2 x 310mm discs
Rear brake:210mm disc
Front tyre size
120/70 17 in
Rear tyre size
190/55 17 in

Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

OVERALL VERDICT:
The Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird is a useable, comfortable, tidy handling sports tourer but also a ballistic power-house that used to hold the record as the fastest production motorcycle. The Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird is sensible and utterly insane in one nicely presented Honda package. One of the best all-round motorcycles out there. Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird rivals are plentiful but none match this proven motorcycle.

Engine:
The Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird's in-line four is a conventional layout but it works well producing acceptable low down power, muscular midrange and a top end rush that gobbles up any straight in seconds. Twin balance shafts mean it’s so smooth it can be rigid mounted making the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird lighter and stiffer overall. Problems with the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird are almost non-existent even at huge mileages.

Ride and Handling:
Neutral and stable – but there’s no getting away from the fact the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird weighs 223kg. The latest sports bikes come in under 170kg so on tight roads the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird may get left behind a little. Front and rear brakes are linked – it’s an effective system that works well in the wet but experts may dislike it and overhauls are costly.

Equipment:
The Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird was a range topper in its day, meaning it’s reasonably well spec’d up. Comfort’s pretty good although the bars have to be quite low due to the high top speed. Some Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird owners boost low speed comfort with bar risers, lifting them about an inch. Many Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird owners add a double bubble screen too for increased wind protection.

Quality and Reliability:
The Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird's build quality is better than pretty much anything out there on two wheels. Some Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbirds get pressed into service as long distance, year round commuters and show few signs except tatty fork leg lowers. The Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird's reliability is superb too. Cam chain tensioners and regulator rectifiers can fail – like almost every Honda four.

Value:
Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbirds hold their value extremely well – whether that’s good or bad depends how old a model you’re thinking of buying. More glamorous rivals like the Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki zx-12r fetch little more – the Kawasaki ZZR1200 is cheaper year for year.Older models can still be priced very high and newer ones represent better value.

Insurance:
Insurance group: 16

Model History:
1997: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird launched.1998: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird gets modified cooling system.1999: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird gets major re-vamp, including fuel injection, bigger fuel tank, HISS and more.2001: Catalytic converted added to Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, new instrument panel, taller screen.
Other Versions
1997-99: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird had carbs, not fuel injection

Specifications:
Top speed: 176mph
1/4-mile acceleration :10.3 secs
Power:164bhp
Torque:88ftlb
Weight:223kg
Seat height:810mm
Fuel capacity:23 litres
Average fuel consumption:36mpg
Tank range :180 miles
Insurance group:16
Engine size:1137cc
Engine specification:16v in-line four, 6 gears
Frame:Aluminium beam
Front suspension adjustment:None
Rear suspension adjustment:Preload, rebound, compression
Front brakes:Twin 310mm discs
Rear brake:256mm disc
Front tyre size:120/60 x 17
Rear tyre size:180/55 x 17

DUCATI Desmocedici RR

overall:
There’s no other way to describe the Ducati Desmosedici RR than as a MotoGP bike with lights; it really is that close to the real thing. The 200bhp motorcycle is a replica of Ducati’s Desmosedici GP6 MotoGP machine, which Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau rode in the 2006 World Championship and features the same chassis layout, bodywork and ‘long bang’ 989cc V4 engine architecture. There has never been a road motorcycle like the Ducati Desmosedici RR and it’s so stiff, fast and focussed that it makes R1s seem soft and cuddly by comparison.

Engine:
Although devilishly powerful the Ducati Desmosedici’s V4 motor is far more docile and user-friendly than you’d imagine. It makes power smoothly from nothing all the way to 13,800rpm, although as the motor spins past 10,000rpm the power starts to get very intense. There’s bucketfuls of grunt on tap too, so much so that you can go a gear higher though corners and it’ll still pull hard. Like one of Ducati’s V-twin engines, the Desmosedici is deceptively fast, not like a screaming in-line-four superbike, which feels twice as fast as it’s really going.


Ride and Handling:
Unless you’re going to push the Ducati Desmosedici RR as hard as MotoGP rider can, you’re never going to get the best out of it. Such is the stiffness of the chassis that there’s very little feel from the Desmosedici RR even at fast racetrack speeds, although you get more feel as you start to push harder. On the road the Desmosedici is going to be a waste. Where a 1098 or R1 will flatter you with its user-friendly nature the Ducati is quick to tell you that you’re not good enough to ride it. It is the best handling road motorcycle ever built; you just need to be Casey Stoner to appreciate it.


Equipment:
The Ducati Desmosedici RR is built like a MotoGP bike so it’s dripping with exotic parts. The Desmodromic motor is packed with titanium, specially coated alloys and magnesium. The fairing, mudguard, heel guards, fairing bracket are all from carbon fibre and the exhaust heat shield is from a carbon/ceramic composite. The LCD display is the same as the GP7 MotoGP motorcycle and like the 1098 it comes with a datalogging facility. Marchesini wheels are forged magnesium and the rear is shod with a special 16-inch Bridgestone BT-01R tyre. The Brembo front brake set-up is the same as the wet set-up Ducati use in MotoGP and the front brake span adjuster is on the left handlebar for easy reach. The list goes on…

Quality and Reliability:
Like the MotoGP machine the Ducati Desmosedici RR is built to an exquisite level of quality; there’s simply nothing you can buy that comes close. Unlike the race bike the Desmosedici RR actually comes with a three-year warrantee and three-years free servicing, which is an astonishing feat from Ducati.


Value:
£40,000 is a lot of money for a motorcycle but the Ducati Desmosedici RR more than justifies its price tag; Ducati could sell it for a lot more and it would still be worth it. If you could imagine how much a car would cost that was this close to a racing machine? Probably millions, if it could ever happen, which it never would or could. Even if the Desmosedici didn’t run, the way it’s built alone would justify its price tag; the fact that it’s faster and better handling than any production sports bike ever built makes it the deal of the century.


Insurance:
Insurance group: 17

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Model History:
2007: Ducati Desmosedici RR launched.


Other Versions:
None.

Specifications :
Top speed 190mph
1/4-mile acceleration secs
Power 200bhp
Torque 85ftlb
Weight 171kg
Seat height mm
Fuel capacity 14.1 litres
Average fuel consumption 33mpg
Tank range 120 miles
Insurance group 17
Engine size 989cc
Engine specification 16-valve, V4, 6 gears
Frame Steel trellis
Front suspension adjustment Fully adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment Fully adjustable
Front brakes 2 x 330mm discs
Rear brake 240mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17 in
Rear tyre size 200/55 x 16 in

KAWASAKI ZX7R (1996-2003)

ZX7R:
The Kawasaki ZX-7R is proof that a motorcycle doesn’t have to be the latest, lightest and most powerful to be popular. The Kawasaki ZX-7R was no match for Suzuki’s GSX-R750 when launched in 1996 and was never updated significantly until it was deleted in 2003. But people love them and bought the Kawasaki ZX-7R because it looked great and they’re a decent road bike if not a match for the competition on the track.

Engine:
Kawasaki ZX-7R's liquid-cooled inline four is pretty unremarkable but a genuine 110bhp at the rear wheel means it’s still a rapid motorcycle. Carburettors on the Kawasaki ZX-7R equals three things. First a nice, smooth delivery, second, possible stalling as they can ice in cold, damp conditions and third, neglected or high mile Kawasaki ZX-7Rs may suffer problems which can be complex to fix.

Ride and Handling:
The Kawasaki ZX-7R is very heavy compared to its rivals, but it's stable and works nicely on the road. The Kawasaki ZX-7R's front end is incredibly precise and communicative – you wouldn’t know what the wheel was doing any better if you were gripping the spindle. Raising the rear ride height and fitting tyres with sharp profiles will speed up the Kawasaki ZX-7R's otherwise slow steering. Brakes strong unless neglected

Equipment:
No frills anywhere on the Kawasaki ZX-7R. The riding position’s pretty old-school sports – head down, arse up and a thin seat. Some people find the Kawasaki ZX-7R comfortable, most don’t. The pillion grab handles look generous but there’s little space of leg room for a passenger. Cluttered clocks, mediocre mirrors and the headlight doesn’t work as well as it looks.

Quality and Reliability:
Reliability is good – you’re not likely to get stuck at the side of the road with a stationary Kawasaki ZX-7R. But build quality’s less impressive. Down pipes rust, wheel and brake caliper paint drops off, chassis bearings fail as few were greased when the Kawasaki ZX-7R was sold and suspension wears fast.

Specifications:
Top speed: 165mph
1/4-mile acceleration: 11.2 secs
Power: 123bhp
Torque: 58ftlb
Weight: 203kg
Seat height: 790mm
Fuel capacity: 18 litres
Average fuel consumption :42mpg
Tank range :165 miles
Insurance group: 16
Engine size: 748cc
Engine specification: 16v in-line four, 6 gears
Frame: Aluminium twin spar
Front suspension: adjustment Preload, compression, rebound
Rear suspension: adjustment Preload, compression, rebound, ride height
Front brakes: Twin 320mm discs
Rear brake: 230mm disc
Front tyre size: 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size: 190/50 x 17

Value:
A mixed bag. There are some bargain Kawasaki ZX-7Rs out there but there’s also a few dealers asking massively OTT prices. Value your Kawasaki ZX-7R on condition, mileage and service history as well as age. Older Kawasaki ZX-7Rs can be bought cheap and barely depreciate these days. GSX-R750s are better if you fancy the odd track day, FireBlades if you’d like to tour

Insurance:
Insurance group: 16

Model History:
1996: Kawasaki ZX-7R launched.
2003: Kawasaki ZX-7R discontinued

Other Versions:
1996: Kawasaki ZX-7RR . Limited edition race homologation version of the Kawasaki ZX-7R. Stiffer frame, flatside carbs, close ratio gearbox, single seat.

HONDA CB125ss(1970's-1980's)

CB 125 ss: One of the kings of its time,The JAPAN made CB125 ss is one the most precious and collectible bike in all over asia and surely has its own demand in european countries. The bike has Old school looks with 2 circular analog clocks for (tacho,speedo) and a single round headlamp,and has a single cylinder 124cc ,2 valves,OHC engine and it has torque power delivery with wide ratio gearbox having 5 speeds, its 14hp, torquey engine is still capable to compete with some modern 125cc motorcycles. monthly maintenece is required for optimal performance and can easily be modified by using other honda motorcycle parts to ...it is similar to 1976 Cg125 but with some little differences.

HANDLING AND RELIABILITY:it handles well and can even be sports ridden by just replacing stock tyres with some wide sticky after market rubber.although it handles well, corners well and even runs well,on this bike ring wear happens ocassionly ,oil change is must after every 700 miles ,monthly tuning was required for TIMING CHAIN and the bike is just DAMN good in every angle ,a "simple commuter " for everyday use..build quality was Good and still is good if u still have HONDA GENUINE PARTS on it and braking is a bit helped by single DISC rather than drum and although its not very good but performs well when in straight braking.although the CB 125 s was the best bikes in its class.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 124.00 ccm (7.57 cubic inches)
Engine type: Single cylinder
Stroke: 4
Power: 14.00 HP (10.2 kW)) @ 10000 RPM
Compression: 9.4:1
Bore x stroke: 56.5 x 49.5 mm (2.2 x 1.9 inches)
Valves per cylinder: 2
Fuel control: OHC
Cooling system: Air
Gearbox: 5-speed
Transmission type
final drive: Chain
Weight incl. oil, gas, etc: 105.0 kg (231.5 pounds
Front tyre dimensions: 2.75-18
Rear tyre dimensions: 3.00-17
Front brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes: Expanding brake
Top speed: 116.0 km/h (72.1 mph)
Max speed: 140 km/h on straight roads after some little mods
Fuel capacity: 9.50 litres (2.51 gallons)