Motorcycle Tests

Dirt bikes can be a lot of fun, and this does not only start once you get your dirt bike. Buying dirt bikes can also be very exciting. Here are some tips to help you in buying dirt bikes:

Make sure that the dirt bike is fit for your height and weight.

When you set out to buy your dirt bike, select one that suits your height and weight. Ill-sized bikes can be dangerous as these need to be handled with more effort. At the same time, the degree of enjoyment that you can get from your dirt bikes is lessened.

Ask for a test drive before buying a dirt bike.

When you’ve found a dirt bike that you like, ask to test drive it first. This way, you can test its ease of handling, maneuverability, and size-fit. Dirt bikes are good and fun investments and should be worth the money you plunk down on them.

Check the specifications according to your needs and riding skills.

Certain dirt bike uses require specific kinds of bikes. Thus, be sure of what you’ll need first before buying a dirt bike. Check the kind of engine, wheel size, and other features that you prefer.

When my friend Paul dropped by my unit, riding a Ducati 749, I mumbled, "It must be my lucky day!" I've been lusting to test drive this hot new bike and even if Paul was reluctant at first, how could I let this rare opportunity pass me by? I'm a good damn rider but with a meager earning, I couldn't possibly afford this stylish shit! But hey, when you pray hard, you may get your wish right at your doorstep. So my journey with Ducati 749 began!

It's a mouth-watering treat just to look at this rare beauty. Ducati 749 did take my breath away! When I could no longer hold out to excitement, I decided to jump on it and rev up the power engine. When I tried to swerve off the road, I felt the light comfort and flexibility of this motorcycle. It zooms with enhanced reliablity, plus it has terrific modern designs, like that of a personal mobile phone. I'm sure, if Paul should tire of his Ducati 749, many will still be interested of its second-hand value. It's a classic!

Even if I was struck in awe and had instantly fallen for this elite motorcycle ride, I have to face the reality that Ducati 749 is much much more of stylish sports bike than a practical ride. With its exorbitant price and impractical touches, like the ridiculous mirror frames, it's not built for common everyday use. I had to admit that I fumbled for the lever. Hey, it can be uncomfortable at times. Maybe this dream bike isn't really meant for me and I'm better off with my old junk!

There are several things riders need on the road. A safety helmet, riding shoes, a motorbike, a protective jacket, and most of all, a license. But unlike the other items, the latter cannot be bought in stores or motor shops. Getting a license does not mean flashing your plastic and getting a receipt. It's not as easy as calling your resident gadget agent and asking for a license like in the high-tech science fiction movies. Applying for motorcycle license requires effort and responsibility on your part.

Book a riding course from the RTA for yourself and tell the operator to sign you up for the Automatic Scooter lesson rather than the manual motorcycle course. The course usually lasts for 3-4 hours for two consecutive days. Aside from riding lessons, safety guides and strategies will also be taught. At the end of the course, competency certificate will be given to you. After this, contact the RTA for the rider knowledge exam. Review everything from the riding course and basic traffic guidelines. Pass this test and you're one step away from your license. You'll have another exam if you passed the rider exam. Passing this will make you a holder of a provisional license which is valid for a year. If you managed to avoid getting into road trouble during this period, you'll be given full license status. As tedious as these steps might be, they are are for your own safety and the safety of the people around you.

Recently, Yamaha released the YZ450F which is almost completely different from the 2005 model. The YZ-F boasts of 300 newly designed and improved parts. Almost one-third of them belong to the motor alone.

The unique and main feature of the bike is its aluminum frame. Obviously, it is a big change from the usual trend of using light twin-spars. However, this does not mean that the new model does not run as good as the others. The metal frame is designed to stabilize vibration for the convenience of the rider. Moreover, the bike is also lighter compared to the older models.

Finally, another big change in YZ450F is located in the gearbox. Yamaha has used the 5-speed transmission which was last mounted in the 2002 model YZ426F.

The ZY450F indeed is good for racing and travel adventures.

This powerful, 1100 cc bike is sure to get noticed rumbling down the road. The 2006 Honda Shadow Sabre is a cruising bike that means business. With the 5-speed, shaft-driven power of this bike, you're sure to get a ride you won't soon forget.

Large, cast aluminum wheels leave a distinctive tire print and help give the 2006 Honda Shadow Sabre a custom look that is sought after by many motorcycle enthusiasts. The shaft-driven rear wheel makes the ride a smoother experience.

With an aggressive stance and a massive, powerful engine behind it, the 2006 Honda Shadow Sabre is a bike that is as cool as its name.

With the rebirth of the Indian brand of motorcycles coming soon, I think it's about time we've featured one of the brand's latest models, the 2003 Indian Spirit.

The 2003 Indian Spirit continues the traditional styling long associated with the Indian brand. Big, bad, beautiful and definitely American. This bike sports an 88 cubic inch engine and a 5.5 liter engine, perfect for those long drives and cruises. Make no mistake, this cruiser is a bruiser!

The 5-speed, belt-driven engine roars its presence, an announcement of its power, just like the king of the beasts. Riding the 2003 Indian Spirit, it's not hard to imagine that you're akin to a lion, master of all that he surveys.

This 50 cubic inch motorcycle is perfect for the beginner or reentry motorcyclist. Lower than usual seat height makes it great for younger or smaller riders, while the shaft-driven motor provides enough power to make you feel like a comet on the road.

This same shaft-driven, liquid-cooled motor makes it a low-maintenance, high performance bike perfect for cruising down the city street or down a highway. Designed in the classic style, the Suzuki Boulevard S50 comes in two shades, black and gray, and the frame is colored to match any of the two color options you choose.

The Suzuki Boulevard S50 is an excellent bike for the smaller-stature or beginner biker, and with its beautiful styling, you will be proud to ride it even if it’s been years since you bought it.

This 492cc, single cylinder bike really does live up to its name. The 2006 Buell Blast is, quite literally, a blast to ride. At 34 hp it provides enough power to mix it up in traffic and not embarrass you. The 4-stroke engine is air-cooled, and the bike comes with a 2.8 gallon fuel tank that gives the 2006 Buell Blast some 200 miles worth of cruising and travel.

This belt-driven, 5-speed beauty is a motorcycle that gives good value for the money. Though its name may not ring a bell for the majority of the riding public, considering 2006 Buell Blast for a purchase is a fine example of thinking beyond the box when it comes to motorcycle choices.

This 1,552 cc beast is a beauty as well, its head-turning styling and loud rumble getting the notice of even veteran bikers who thought they've seen (and heard) it all. Everything about this bike is mean...and in a good way. It has a powerful braking system to match its monstrous engine.

The Kawasaki Mean Streak is like a lovechild of a cruiser bike and a sport bike, inheriting the looks and comfort of a cruise bike and gaining the power and performance of a sport bike. Sitting in the Kawasaki Mean Streak is upright and comfortable, a trait it inherited from the best parts of the cruiser/sport bike mold from which this bastard child was spawned. And because it knows it's a bastard, it definitely has a Mean Streak 1,552cc long.

This update to the R6 improves on the original in many ways. It has a better suspension, using an inverted fork instead of the conventional forks we see so often on street bikes, and it also has taller tires to accommodate this suspension change. Its front brakes have also received an upgrade, becoming more responsive, and its frame stiffness overall has improved, enhancing control and responsiveness.

Yamaha has done a great job improving on the previous model, and with a refinement of the engine, it promises to provide a touch more horsepower (3hp) for that extra oomph on the road.

Despite all this the Yamaha YZF-R6 isn't that big an update from the previous model, and one should have to have ridden the last model before noticing the changes in this one. Still, it is one good bike, perhaps the best in its class.

This year's model of the Honda VTX1800F isn't too much of an improvement over the one last year, but what has been changed does matter. A better LCD instrument array, with a much welcomed tachometer now included, plus the new wheels, a clock, the LED backlight and a more streamlined headlight are the improvements seen on this model.

This bike continues Honda's "performance custom" concept in motorcycles and you can even modify and customize your motoecycle even before you ride it, so that you can say that this ride is yours right from the get-go, your cycle emblazoned with your own unique style.

As the flagship of Honda's cruise bikes the VTX1800F is absolutely worthy of its accolade.

This dual-sport bike is an excellent on-and-off road bike. It can handle asphalt very well (although it is no speed demon) and it can do a 180 degree turn and run in mud and dirt with authority.

Its 199cc, 4-stroke engine provides enough power (and then some) to ride you through the toughest trails and the roughest roads.The high ground clearance (10.2 in.) and light weight ( 249 lbs.) only add to its versatility. It will even make an excellent street bike!

Don't let its specs fool you into thinking that this is just a "beginner" bike. It's power, versatility and styling make for a great ride, no matter your skill level!