10 years, more than 2,500 blog posts and more than 16 million visitors. Yes, Faster and Faster has had a good run. But all good things must come to and end someday. And now, today, it’s time for me to say goodbye. I still want to ride (still want that ZX-14R so much…), but don’t want to write about motorcycles anymore. The story archives are all still there, in case you want to browse. But I won’t be updating the site anymore. Will I ever be back? Maybe. Maybe not. So, it’s goodbye for now. Take care, and all the best to you! đ -Sameer
The new Honda Rebel 500 isn't particularly stylish, sporty, powerful or high-tech. But we suppose it could still have the potential to bring a lot of happiness to newer, younger riders
Honda recently unveiled their new US-market-only Rebel 500, a bobber-style cruiser fitted with a rather basic steel tube chassis, 8-valve 471cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected parallel-twin, and relaxed, laid-back ergonomics. Available in black, silver and red, the bike was first shown last week at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show in California.
The new Honda Rebelâs 471cc (borrowed from the CBR500R) produces 45Nm of torque and 45bhp. The engine's crankshaft pins are phased at 180-degrees and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bikeâs centre of gravity. The primary and balancer gears use scissor gears, reducing noise. The gearbox is a 6-speed unit and Honda claim that the shotgun-style 2-1 exhaust produces 'heavy-duty pulsing sound that fits the bike's torque delivery.' Suspension comprises a 41mm fork up front, preload-adjustable twin shocks at the back and a tubular steel swingarm. The bike rides on 16-inch cast aluminium wheels, shod with 130/90 (front) and 150/80 (rear) rubber, while stopping duties are handled by a single 264mm brake disc up front, with 2-piston caliper. Two-channel ABS is standard. The bike has an 11-litre fuel tank, 190-kilo kerb weight, and delivers 26kpl in terms of fuel economy.
While not particularly stylish, powerful or high-tech, we're sure the Honda Rebel still has the potential to make a lot of newer, younger riders very happy indeed. Read more »
The 2017 Kawasaki Z1000R gets Ohlins rear suspension, Brembo brakes and a new paintjob
For 2017, Kawasaki have unveiled a higher-performance Z1000 – the new, Euro 4-compliant Z1000R, which gets revised ECU settings for smoother, more consistent power delivery, and revisions to the main and pre-catalysers for reduced emissions. Braking performance has been improved in a big way, with a pair of new 310mm Brembo brake discs at front, with grooved stainless steel rotors, stainless-steel braided lines and Brembo M50 cast-aluminium monobloc radial-mount 4-piston calipers.
The 2017 Kawasaki Z1000R also gets uprated rear suspension – the new Ăhlins S46DR1S rear shock features an aluminium body with single-tube construction, large Ï46 mm piston, and internal air and gas chambers separated by a floating piston. This fancy spring is said to offer a more supple ride, improved stability and better high speed handling. Also, its remote preload adjuster makes it easy to adjust settings without tools, when carrying a passenger.
Revisions to the Z1000R's styling include a special black/gray paintjob with yellow-green graphics, tank pads with R edition graphics, frame pads and a seat embossed with the 'Z' mark. Output remains the same at 142bhp and 111Nm of torque, which provide highly entertaining performance in a package that weighs about 221 kilos. Read more »
With cafe racer styling from the 1960s/1970s, a modern three-cylinder engine, and bits like ABS and traction control, the Yamaha XSR900 Abarth is one cool custom
While the Yamaha XSR Abarth's styling is inspired by the 1960s, the technology is very much from 2016 – there's ABS, traction control and a slipper clutch, and the bike rides on modern 17-inch wheels shod with 120/70 (front) and 180/55 (rear) tyres. Stopping duties are handled by twin 298mm brake discs at the front and a single 245mm disc at the back. The bike weighs 195 kilos and the fuel economy, at 19kpl, isn't too bad for an 850cc triple. More information on www.xsr900-abarth.eu Read more »
It seems that Suzuki didn't take the Honda CBR250RR into account while designing the 2017 GSX250R, which looks about 5-6 years old already. It's just not exciting enough
Finally staking their claim in the quarter-litre sportsbike class, Suzuki recently unveiled the 2017 GSX250R at the EICMA, in Milan. The bike is powered by a Euro 4-compliant 248cc parallel-twin that produces 25bhp and 23Nm of torque, while the bike itself weighs xx kilos. According to Suzuki, the engine has been optimised for low- and mid-range torque and delivers a class-leading 32.5kpl in terms of fuel economy, which means the baby-GSX-R can be ridden for up to 480km on one full tank of fuel.
The Suzuki GSX250R delivers its best performance between 20-90kph, which Suzuki claim is the range that's used most often by most riders. The bike's lightweight two-into-one exhaust system has been designed for maximum efficiency and reduced emissions, while still producing "a pleasing sound." The GSX250R gets a multi-function LCD instrument panel, LED taillamp, Bosch ABS, KYB suspension components, 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, clip-on handlebars and a riding position that's sporty, without being too extreme or track-oriented.
When it reaches Suzuki showrooms next year, the GSX250R will be available in white, black and blue colours. We think the bike looks a bit ordinary, though. If Suzuki took so much time entering the hotly-contested 250cc sportsbike segment, they should have produced a stunning, cutting-edge machine that blew everyone away. There's competition like Honda's mind-blowing CBR250RR, Yamaha R3, TVS Akula 310 and KTM RC200/390, all of which make the GSX250R look a bit dated and boring. Sorry, Suzuki, this one just doesn't work for us… Read more »
Existing mid-size adventure bikes are too soft for you? An all-new off-road machine from Yamaha, based on the T7 and to be launched in 2018, should take care of that
While the Yamaha T7 isn't a production-spec machine, it's a fully functioning prototype and, according to the company, has been developed to "achieve a perfect balance between road and off road capability." It's powered by Yamaha's 700cc parallel-twin and gets an all-new off-road-oriented chassis, along with an aluminium fuel tank, 4-projector LED headlight, carbonfibre fairing and skid plate, custom-made AkrapoviÄ exhaust and high-spec, long-travel KYB suspension. Read more »
The 2017 Suzuki V-Strom 250 has a small… motor. Power output is very modest. But then, it's not the size of the boat, it's the motion of the ocean…
Suzuki recently uveiled the pint-sized Suzukiâs V-Strom 250, at the EICMA in Milan. The V-Strom 250 joins its bigger brothers, the V-Strom 1000 (launched way back in 2002) and the V-Strom 650 (launched in 2004), and looks like a machine that could be fun to ride despite its smaller engine capacity and lower power output. The 'Strom 250's Euro 4-compliant 248cc SOHC parallel-twin produces 25 horsepower and 23Nm of torque, which sounds a bit miserly but should feel okay on the road, in the real world. And given its sport-touring mission in life, the baby Strom is fitted with an all-new windscreen for optimum weather protection, side case mounts, a 12V DC power outlet, large aluminum rear carrier (8.5kg capacity), reverse-lit full-LCD instrument panel, LED tail lights and 10-spoke alloy wheels. Bosch ABS is standard fitment.
The V-Strom 250's engine has been optimised to deliver peak efficiency in the 20-90kph range, which is where most riders are likely to spend most of their time when riding this machine. Suzuki have worked hard to reduce NVH and deliver a smooth, pleasant ride. Colours include black, yellow and red, and the bike is expected to be in Suzuki showrooms early next year. Pricing will be announced by Suzuki closer to the bike's launch. Read more »
The production-spec Norton V4 RR is simply stunning
Norton have finally unveiled the production-spec V4 RR and its looks fabulous. As it should, because itâs priced at all of ÂŁ28,000 (US$35,000). For all that money, you get a motorcycle thatâs powered by a DOHC 16-valve 1200cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected V4, which produces more than 200 horsepower at 12,500rpm and 130Nm of torque at 10,000rpm. Yes, the engine is Euro 4-compliant if you were really worried about that. And the bikeâs been developed at the Isle of Man, so the handling is likely to be brilliant.
If you can look away from its beautiful bodywork and peer under its skin for a minute, youâll see that the Norton V4 RR is a very high-tech machine â thereâs things like full ride-by-wire throttle management, constantly variable inlet tracts and 8-fuel injectors, 7-inch full-colour HD display for the digital instrument panel, three riding modes (road, track and pro-race), electronic quickshifter, auto blipper, fully adjustable traction control with 6-axis IMU, wheelie control, launch control, cruise control and full data-logging capability including lap times, max lean angle, max speed, max throttle and max braking force.
If that wasnât enough already, thereâs also a keyless ignition system, full LED lighting and an aluminium twin tube âshotgunâ chassis that uses the V4 engine as a stressed member. The chassis is, in fact, fully adjustable, including the swingarm pivot and front fork rake angle. The braced underslung single-sided cast-alloy swingarm has been developed in conjunction with Nortonâs SG5 TT racebike, so you know it probably works very well indeed. The bike weighs 179 kilos, which gives it a better than 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. Brilliant! Read more »
By Kawasaki's own admission, the 2017 Versys-X 300 isn't a serious off-roader. However, it should be able to handle a bit of the rough stuff and potholed tarmac shouldn't be a problem
Kawasaki already have the Ninja 300 in their line-up, so the next logical step had to be to put that 296cc parallel-twin into a dual-purpose 'adventure' type bike and that's exactly what they've done – lo and behold the 2017 Kawasaki Versyx-X 300, which was recently unveiled at the EICMA, in Milan. With an estimated 32-35bhp from its DOHC 8-valve liquid-cooled engine, the Versys-X 300 isn't exactly a high-performance motorcycle, but with its basic steel-tube chassis (which uses the engine as a stressed member), upright riding position, fairly substantial windshield and 19-inch (front) and 17-inch (rear) wire-spoked wheels, it should certainly be suitable for a bit of mild off-road use. Hard panniers, LED fog lamps, a DC outlet, hand guards and centre stand are available as optional accessories for those who're really serious about their riding adventures.
Notable bits on the new Versys-X 300 include a wide, comfortable saddle that's designed for two regular-sized persons, a multi-function LCD instrument panel, assist & slipper clutch, 41mm telescopic fork at the front, bottom-link Uni-Trak gas-charged monoshock at the back, 290mm (front) and 220mm (rear) brake discs and Bosch ABS. Fuel tank capacity is 17 litres, which should be adequate for extended romps into the unknown. Looks interesting. Hopefully we'll have more details about this machine, from Kawasaki, soon. Read more »
The Honda X-ADV, a scooter that wants to be a dirtbike. With its 750cc engine and high-tech DCT, it should also provide large doses of fun on the street though
Honda recently unveiled the production-spec X-ADV, a machine that doesn't know whether it's a scooter or an adventure-touring motorcycle but looks pretty good all the same. Designed at Honda's R&D centre in Rome, the Honda X-ADV is powered by a liquid-cooled SOHC 8-valve 745cc parallel-twin that produces 54bhp and 68Nm of torque, while delivery 28kpl in terms of fuel efficiency. The engine is mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), which also has a 'Sports' mode.
"We wanted to create a motorcycle that comes with an adventurous spirit as standard fitment. We also knew we needed the X-ADV to be truly usable as a tool to move around the city, and be full of utility and user-friendly features. And come the weekend it can be used to escape all of the daily routine," says Kenichi Misaki, Large Project Leader for the Honda X-ADV. And indeed, the scooter features useful bits like 21-litre underseat storage (that can take a full-face helmet), 5-way adjustable windscreen, all-LED lighting, CRF450 Rally-style instrument display, a 'smart' key for daily convenience and even a centrestand. The bike rides on 17-inch (front) and 15-inch (rear) wire-spoked wheels shod with 120/70 and 160/60 rubber, and given its dual-purpose intent, the X-ADV comes fitted with Africa Twin-style plastic hand guards and an aluminium bash plate that guards the machine's underbelly.
The X-ADV gets a tubular steel chassis and has a wheelbase of 1590mm, 162mm of ground clearance and 820mm seat height. Wet weight is 238kg. Suspension comprises of a 41mm cartridge-type inverted fork up front, which is adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping, and a preload-adjustable Pro-Link rear shock that operates an aluminium swingarm. Twin 310mm brake discs at front, with 4-piston radial-mount calipers, provide stopping power and ABS is standard. The DCT can also be operated in manual mode and 3-level sports mode optimises performance for even the most demanding of riders. With its 13.1-litre fuel tank, the X-ADV has a range of about 300km. This adventure scooter will be in Honda showrooms early next year and pricing will be announced closer to the launch. Read more »
