Honda XR650R Off-Road Motorcycle

An airbag for motorcyles

Honda's new motorcycle airbag system, unveiled Sept. 8, 2005, includes crash sensors that monitor acceleration changes and an electronic control unit that calculates when a collision is occuring. The system will be installed in Honda's new Gold Wing motorcycles and is scheduled for release in the U.S. in the late spring of 2006.

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The New Super Traveller: MZ 1000 ST

The features of the new Super Traveller have been designed for comfortable journeys:

A different handle bar and low foot rests ensure that the seating position is absolutely perfect for long distances.
The screen is 30 mm higher compared to the MZ 1000S to grant more wind protection with an upright seating position.
A new rear seat cushion provides more comfort for the pillion
Optimised clutch springs reduce the hand-force to operate the clutch by 20%.
The German motorcycle manufacturer MZ offers individually designed motorcycles - ex factory.
All MZ 1000cc models can be ordered in any colour and design

2006 GSX-R750

For 2006, the latest version of the legendary GSX-R7SO continues to relentlessly advance high-performance technology. Combining the responsive torque and broad, smooth powerband of a heavyweight with the compact size and easier handling of a middleweight. Now more compact . More powerful. More aerodynamic.

HONDA VFR 800 INTERCEPTOR

After I sold the Tiger, I bought a 1999 Honda VFR 800FI, the Interceptor - awarded 'best all-round motorcycle' by several magazines in 1998 and 1999, as well as 'motorcycle of the year' awards from several motorcycle publications during the past 7-8 years. It was red, fast, powerful, smooth, fuel-injected and it cut corners quickly and easily. Did I also mention red? It's a reasonably comfortable sport-touring bike, a touch too quiet, but technically superb and confidence-inspiring to ride. And a whole lot more bike than I really needed for my in-town riding - where I seldom reach above 4,000 rpm. I did put in a seven-hour trip to Ottawa (six hours return) on it. Plus I rode it in the Ride For Sight in 2000.

Buell Lightning Super TT XB12STT

The latest model from Erik Buell's creative design team is the Lighting Super TT, which takes the basic Lightning streetfighter and adds supermoto-inspired styling and features to create an aggressive urban assault machine. Because it shares it's basic architecture with the rest of the Lightning range, the XB12STT possesses all the same Buell "Trilogy of Tech" design features as its parent model - to learn more about the Trilogy of Tech, check out the full write-up in my first ride of the Lightning XB12S.

Anyone who comes from a motocross or off-road back ground (which includes the author) will feel immediately at home swinging a leg over the XB12STT and settling down onto the comfortable but aggressive-looking single seat unit. The riding position is very similar to most motocross bikes, with the rider sitting almost perfectly upright and controlling the bike through wide, dirt-bike style handlebars mounted to the top of the triple clamp. The Super TT is quite narrow, far slimmer than any inline-four sportbike.