Manufacturers hate to terminate dealerships. It’s a real hassle for all parties concerned and it raises questions about the brands involved. Prior to terminating an authorized dealer, a manufacturer will almost always try to help the dealer resolve its problems so they can remain a dealer for the brand. In …
Read More »Suzuki Adds VanVan 200
It looks like a pint-sized scrambler and now Suzuki is bringing the VanVan 200 to the U.S. for 2017. With a 199cc, one-cylinder engine and a weight of only 282 pounds, the VanVan 200 is
Read More »Time To Sell The V-Strom
Pardon this self-serving post but… After four years of fun and reliable service, it’s time to sell the V-Strom. It’s not that the 2008 Suzuki DL650 lacks in any way. It doesn’t. It’s peppy, sure-footed and a joy to ride on back roads. It’s fine on highways, too. It’s just …
Read More »Suzuki Recall Of V-Strom, SFV650, Burgman
Suzuki is recalling more than 8,500 motorcycles and scooters, with the 2014-2015 DL1000 V-Strom, 2012-2014 DL650A V-Strom, 2013-2014 SFV650 and 2013-2014 AN650A Burgman models affected. It’s an electrical issue that could potentially afflict as many as
Read More »Motorcycle Thefts Down, Honda Most Stolen
DES PLAINES, IL – Motorcycle thefts in the United States decreased six percent in 2014 with Honda the brand with the most bikes thefts, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. California ranked No. 1 as the state with the most thefts. Las Vegas the No. …
Read More »Yamaha/Star Judged Most Reliable Brand
Japanese manufacturers build motorcycles that are “significantly more reliable” than those made by companies in the U.S. and Europe, according to a just-released “Consumer Reports” survey of subscribers. They provided their experiences on more than 12,300 bikes built between 2008 and 2014. Yamaha/Star was judged to be the most reliable …
Read More »Suzuki Recall For 23,000 GSX-Rs
Suzuki is recalling more than 23,000 of its GSX-R750 (model years 2011-2014) and GSX-R1000 (model years 2009-2014) motorcycles due to a drive chain adjuster issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “If a gear is missed while up-shifting, the strain applied to the drive chain after the next …
Read More »Suzuki TU250X For 2015 Unveiled
The entry-level Suzuki TU250X for 2015 was unveiled today, with the company declaring
Read More »A Motorcycle Really Needs To Feel Right…
A neighbor recently thinned her bookshelves and deposited a plastic bag filled with paperbacks on my doorstep. Included in the discards that she thought I might enjoy was Robert Fulghum’s “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” In reading it, having missed its gentle wisdom when it was …
Read More »Honda Unveils More New Models For 2014
Honda is out with some more new models for 2014, including the CBR650F, the Interceptor (pictured above) and an updated version of the CB1100. Here are some details: – CBR650F is a new middleweight sport bike with an inline four engine that, Honda says, “strikes a terrific balance between full-on …
Read More »So Many Motorcycle Models That You Can’t Get Here…
Kawasaki W80 It was at the end of last year that I was griping about the fact that Moto Guzzi doesn’t sell its Bellagio mid-sized cruiser here in the U.S. and that got me thinking about other models that never see our shores. While Honda withheld its CB1100 for a …
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