Renamed the 955i in 1999 after the confusing introduction as the T595, Triumph’s big triple had Lotus engineering under the bodywork. A re-design in 2002 ( the 100th year of Triumph motorcycles ) resulted in 149 hp and a less generic fairing design. The Daytona maintained the strong dual-tube perimeter frame and re-introduced the alloy…
Quite rare stateside, the Yamaha 400-four powered Bimota YB7 might be the exotic you feel safe sending your girlfriend out on. While most of the 321 production models went to Japan ( due to insurance regulations ), a handful has found there way here. Though you can wind it out in every gear, the feather…
Following the final Le Mans model in 1993, Moto Guzzi introduced a similarly-styled model with an 1100cc engine. Guzzi had tested the waters for a 1000cc 4-valve overhead cam Daytona model in 1992-93 and decided there were still a couple of good years in a carburetted pushrod machine. With a revised frame and rear suspension,…
Update 8.8.2018: This bike is available on eBay. Good luck to buyers and seller! -dc Halfway between the RSV and the Futura on Aprilia’s 2003 dealer card, you’ll find the Falco 1000R. Neither race replica nor sport-tourer, the Falco is a able performer with room for two and the feasibility of soft bags. This Falco…
These days, it’s longer to tell what’s not onboard the RZ-350 than what is. One of the last two-strokes in the U.S. market, there is no ECU, no 3-way adjustable dampers, no anti-dive, no traction control, no speed shifter, no fuel injection, no anti-lock brakes, etc., etc. Just 375 lbs., 50 ponies, and maybe you.…
Almost 20 years on since the introduction of the V7 and the big V-twin was still the basis for the Moto-Guzzi range. Alejandro De Tomaso took a personal interest in the machine, displacement was increased from 850 to 1000cc, and the front wheel size reduced to 16 inches in the interest of quicker handling. In…
As the 1990’s wound down Bimota ventured into powerplant development, and produced a race-derived 500cc two-stroke mill for their 1997 V-Due. Not for the meek however, fuel injection difficulties forced a recall and Bimota re-fit the entire production with carburettors, leaving them mostly outside emissions regulations for street machines, and ultimately forcing the partners to…
Produced in 1988-93 at a rate of just over 1000 per year, BMW’s 90’s flagship was sporty though quirky. They have a cult following of BMW die-hards and engineers, enchanted by the aerodynamics and 100 hp. Also offered in red with yellow graphics ( ketchup and mustard ) and basic black, the blue metallic with…