With a history that dates all the way back to the famous Paris to Dakar rally of yesteryear, the Yamaha Super Ténéré is the ultimate machine for experiencing all facets motorcycling has to offer.
In terms of its design, the Super Tenere is more utility than it is specialty. The design of the bike is highlighted by the raised snout and narrow windscreen. There are also slab-sided aluminum panniers, a tubular handlebar, adjustable seats, tall mirror stalks, a multi-function carrier system on the back, and a 19" front wheel that completes the picture of a bike that can ride on just about road it travels on.
Where the Super Tenere lacks in design sizzle, it more than makes up for in performance. At the heart of the bike is an ultra-compact 1,200cc DOHC parallel twin engine mated to a six-speed wide-ratio transmission that features a very unique 270 degree crank whose close firing order gives the engine its unrivaled power characteristic. The bike also incorporates YCC-T fly by wire technology which is matched to an all-new traction control system, regulating ignition timing, and fuel injection volume based on rear wheel spin.
The Super Tenere features an all-new steel frame that is designed to reduce rider fatigue during long rides. The steel main frame allows the bike to enjoy balanced strength and flexibility, while the suspension set-up on the bike gives the Super Tenere the comfortable riding characteristics a bike of its name deserves. The suspension consists of 43mm forks on the front with 7.48" of travel and adjustable preload, compression, and rebound dampening, plus an adjustable pre-load suspension on the rear that allows the rider to adjust for varying loads or a passenger with the simple turn of a knob.
Get the full specs on the Yamaha Super Tenere after the jump.
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The 2012 Yamaha Raider SCL is being prepared as a limited edition model that will only carry 500 units, and with good reason. The bikes are made with the highest quality material, complete with special elements including specially developed wheels by Performance Machine, among other things.
So why would you take the time and effort to bruise your elbows just to get a piece of the Raider SCL? Because you’ll be only one of 500 that has a chance to own one.
To get you up to speed with what you’re in store for with the Raider SCL, each of the bikes will come with a six-layer paint finish with a high-metallic Blazing Orange paint and a numbered, limited edition aluminum tank badge. The bike’s seats are made from finely crafted genuine leather with an embossed SCL logo and orange color matched stitching. There’s also a chrome belt guard, stainless mesh throttle cables and clutch/brake lines, and custom 5-spoke chrome wheels co-developed by Star and Performance Machine. And just to remind everybody of the bike’s exclusivity, the SCL comes with an exclusive metal badge with a hologram that has been placed on top of the fuel tank as a constant reminder to its owner that only 500 of these unique machines exist.
At the heart of the beast is a powerful 1,854cc air-cooled, OHV with 4 valves per cylinder, pushrod 48-degree V-twin engine that pumps out max torque at just 2,500 rpm and max power at 4,500 rpm for powerful,
relaxed cruising. As far as handling goes, the bike carries an all-aluminum cast frame that’s light, rigid, and tuned for light, athletic handling.
All told, there’s a reason why the Yamaha Star Raider SCL is a special edition. Everything about it is more than just your average cruiser.
Get the full specs on the Yamaha Star Raider SCL after the jump.
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Class leading performance, a lightweight aluminum chassis, and today’s most popular quick detachable casual touring amenities. All that and more is what awaits you with the 2012 Yamaha Stratoliner S. With just about every bike manufacturer promising you these things, very few actually live up to it. The Stratoliner S does so with flying colors.
The Stratoliner S takes V-twin performance and character to the next level, setting the standards by which all casual touring machines are judged. The bike comes with all the necessary amenities, including a lockable quick release windshield, a passenger backrest, and lockable sidebags that have been covered in leather. The bike also gets plenty of chrome, highlighted by the switchgear, chrome master and clutch cylinders and levers, chrome wheels, chrome belt guard, chrome engine covers, and chrome front end. Yes, there’s a chrome overload with the Stratoliner S. Just the way we like it.
All that shiny chrome notwithstanding, the Stratoliner S is also a picture of aggression and superb handling. The bike is powered by a 1854cc air-cooled, pushrod 48-degree V-twin engine that produces great thrust at any speed. The bike’s twin-bore downdraft electronic fuel injection system provides optimum engine efficiency and throttle response in the widest possible range of conditions. At 3,300 rpm, the bike can hit 75 mph with maximum torque reached at only 2,500 rpm, giving us a clear idea of the bike’s unbridled power.
In terms of handling, the Stratoliner S also comes ready for action, thanks in large part to a long and low aluminum frame provides great looks and light handling unlike any other full-size cruiser. To go with the frame, the bike also carries 46mm fork tubes and a tucked-out-of-sight single shock with adjustable spring preload out back that provides a smooth ride under varying loads.
Find out more about the full specs of the Yamaha Stratoliner S after the jump.
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Take a look at the Kawasaki Concours 14 and it’ll only take a few seconds before you have to pick your jaws off of the floor. The bike’s all-new bodywork gives the new Concours 14 an even more aggressive demeanor, highlighted by an electric-adjustable windscreen that creates a bigger still-air pocket for the rider and passenger. New ducts above the instrument panel relieve the low pressure area behind the windscreen while standard grip heaters lets you keep your hands warm in cold conditions.
In terms of performance, the Concours 14 doesn’t lack in power, thanks to a 1,352cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine that produces the kind of power that riders weep over. A big part of the Concours 14’s wide powerband can be attributed to its variable valve timing (VVT) system that alters camshaft profiles to boost low-end and mid-range torque without sacrificing top-end power. The bike also has advanced fuel injection, sub-throttle valves, ram-air induction, and decades of experience building the world’s most potent motorcycle engines add up to an amazing powerplant, a huge force to be reckoned with in the performance sport-touring segment.
The bike also has a monocoque frame that provides massive structural integrity along with excellent handling characteristics. The compact structure of the frame allows optimum packaging of the bike’s vital systems. There’s also a Tetra-Lever shaft drive that sends all that power rearward through a four-link design to offset the lifting and squatting tendencies when the throttle is opened and closed, resulting in true sportbike handling that the Kawasaki Concours has made name on.
Find out more about the Kawasaki Concours 14’s specs after the jump.
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Kawasaki is no stranger to top-shelf touring bikes that can hit long-distance rides as easy as they cross the block. That’s why the new Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS is such a stand-out bike for the Japanese motorcycle company. It’s the classic tourer that is capable of whisking you and a passenger away in total comfort and classic style.
As the flagship of the Vulcan 1700 family, the 2011 Voyager boasts all the stuff you’ll need for such adventurous treks starting with a smooth and shockingly torquey 1,700cc V-twin powerplant and a large frame-mounted fairing. The Kawasaki throws in beautifully integrated luggage that stows a week’s worth of gear, a comfortable saddle, electronic cruise control, a high-fidelity sound system, and an optional K-ACT anti-lock/integrated braking system.
There’s no question in anyone’s mind the stature of Kawasaki in the industry. So when they release a full-fledged touring bike with all the bells and whistles, you know that you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.
Find out more about the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS after the jump.
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Anytime you find yourself looking at bike brochures with the intention of buying a custom-ready cruiser, the Yamaha Stryker should definitely be right on top of your list.
Looking the part of a modern-day custom "chopper," the Stryker is a clear choice for overall road-blasting bad-assery. The muscular, lunging design is only one of the things that makes this bike such a crowd-stopper. It’s chromed up to the hilt and delivers impressive performance capabilities in the form of a 1304cc, fuel-injected liquid-cooled V-Twin engine that riders will undoubtedly fall helmet over boots over.
Sure, there are plenty of other bikes on the market that offer the same - or right around the same - vicinity characteristics of the Yamaha Stryker. And while there are definitely choices to choose from, the only question is why you can pick something else when there’s one that’s clearly a can’t-miss wonderbike.
Find out more about the Yamaha Stryker after the jump.
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If power cruising is your thing, the Yamaha VMax will satisfy all your needs and more. We’re not even exaggerating with all the proclamations because this bike is the embodiment of vicious.
Bearing a package that comprises of just about every checklist you may have for a powerful cruiser, the VMax definitely takes no prisoners, an art Yamaha has perfected in all its years in the industry.
Unlike a lot of other motorcycles in the market today, the 2011 Yamaha VMax has a bite that’s as menacing as its bark. It combines a muscular design with sporty handling, and awesome power that’s unrivaled in the business. The forward-thinking style of the bike, coupled with the latest in sportbike technology, gives the VMax plenty of performance that riders can enjoy whenever their urge for some thrill-seeking adventures begins to kick in.
It’s not even a question anymore as far as the VMax is concerned. The only you need to worry about is saving up to own a piece of this monster on wheels.
Find out more about the Yamaha VMax after the jump.
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Yamaha wants to make you believe that the Raider S chopper is one of the can’t-miss bikes in its market. And knowing these people for as long as we have, there’s nothing about their proclamations that feels like they’re blowing smoke up our behinds.
This is the magic of Yamaha. They can build up their products to such ridiculous heights, more than living up to the lofty expectations set for them. The Raider S is another example, one that Yamaha built while combining "chopper"-inspired styling with a superior handling chassis, and all-around top-notch performance.
There are no compromises with the Raider S, only a generous helping of some of the world’s best bike builders putting their collective talents together to create something that’s really as mouth-watering as it looks.
Custom cruisers continue to push to the extreme ends, and that’s why there’s a Raider S. No ifs ands, or buts about it; this bike is as good as advertised - maybe even more.
Find out more about the Yamaha Raider S after the jump.
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It’s got a maverick name - the Raider XV1900 - and is made by one of the most popular brands on the planet: Yamaha.
The Yamaha Raider XV1900 is bad news for everybody else. But for the one that sits on it and rides the highways of the world, the Raider XV1900 is as menacing a machine as you can find in the industry today. The 2011 Raider not only looks good, it also offers an incredible riding experience that comes as a result of combining "chopper inspired" styling with a chassis that offers superior handling and a powerful engine.
The engineers at Yamaha responsible for the Raider XV1900 left little in the way of complaints for the bike. Quite simply, it’s the perfect bike for the hardcore rider looking for a new stallion to run the road roughshod.
Find out more about the Yamaha Raider XV1900 after the jump.
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The V Star 1300 Tourer exudes the kind of attitude that you’d want in a full-fledged tourer bike. It’s no wonder why Star Motorcycles went completely all-out in building a bike that you only need to take a good look at to fall in love with.
Built with careful attention and directed towards outstanding looks, powerful performance, and superb handling, the V Star 1300 Tourer brings modern-classic styling along for a lighter, sportier, hot-rod-inspired ride.
The 1304cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected V-twin engine produces excellent power across the board along with a highly stimulating exhaust note. Combine that to a modern-classic design and a steel chassis that makes for light handling and maneuverability, and you have a bike that’s every bit as good as advertised.
It’s no secret that the V Star 1300 Tourer is a bike directed for hardcore enthusiasts. It doesn’t play any games, nor does it overexcite its capabilities; it’s a full-fledged tourer that pulls no punches and offers everything you’ll want in a bike of its stature.
Find out more about the Star Motorcycle V Star 1300 Tourer after the jump.
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