Ducati’s Monster 821 (MSRP $13,395 CDN) was a controversial pivot for the Bologna brand, as it moved the Monster line away from their iconic 2 valve-per-cylinder air cooled motors (the latest contingent were the 696, 796 and 1100 variants which were later brought back in the Scrambler and later, the Monster 797). So, what did Ducati achieve in creating a liquid cooled middleweight Monster and how does it stack up against its modern day middleweight competition?
We’ve been riding the FZ-09 (MT-09 in Europe) intermittently since 2014, throughout its 40,000 km life and have reached a verdict on just about every aspect of what’s good and bad about this budget-priced middleweight naked bike. We’ve also performed a long list of modifications that help get the most of of the platform and have included a complete guide within.
More and more bikes come equipped from the factory with quickshifters today, so it’s only natural that aftermarket solutions have matured to cater to the remaining market. This is the case for Annitori’s QS Pro Quickshifter which is the topic of this review.
Why is fueling in modern motorcycles such a prevalent issue? One would think that manufacturers such as Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Aprilia (…), with their deep technical knowledge, should be able to build a bike that has spot-on fueling from the factory. Alas, this is not the case and there a many reasons for it, few of which are the manufacturer’s fault. Fortunately, technology has come a long way since the introduction of fuel injection and Rapid Bike claims to have a “magic box” that can cure literally any modern bike’s fueling woes.
What makes a bike great? Fast on the track? Comfortable? Good for commuting? Brings out your inner-hooligan? After a year, 7,000kms and a few essential mods, we’re here to deliver our verdict on what kind of bike the latest Hypermotard SP is, in the real world.
“Naked bike” or sportbike? Superbike or “supernaked”? 10 years ago, the answer to this question was much more obvious -“supernakeds” didn’t exist, so it was more a matter of “how fast do you want to go”. For many, the answer was “real fast” and that fuelled the sportbike craze that carried well into the new millennia. Today’s reality looks a little different however.
We rode Ducati’s flagship superbike on the street to see if ordinary humans could live with one. The results may surprise you.
“The Beast” in one of 2 standard liveries (Special Edition livery also available for 2016)
The KTM 1290 Super Duke R has been the subject of much media attention since its launch in 2014, winning “Motorcycle of the Year” from multiple publications and earning praise across the globe. Does it deserve the hype? We spent an afternoon on one to find out and to see exactly where this bike stands among the current crop of exotic supernakeds.
FAST offers training for riders of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans.
Whether you want to be faster or safer as a motorcyclist, taking a sport riding course on a closed circuit can be a valuable lesson that will accelerate your learning and allow you get more enjoyment out of your street or track riding.
2015 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle at Cape Croker, Ontario, Canada
