Victory High-Ball Review

Seizing a trend, if not leading it from the start, Victory Motorcycles now has more than one blacked-out motorcycle in its line-up. With the 8-Ball editions of its Vegas, Kingpin, Hammer and Vision, 2012 welcomes a white-walled wonder called the High-Ball. Touting the same matte-black paint scheme and night-crawler good looks as the other ’Balls, this model reaches for a different audience with its signature high-rise handlebars and whitewall tires.Stuffed inside the steel perimeter frame is the familiar air/oil-cooled Freedom 106-cubic-inch V-Twin, which in a recent test cranked out numbers that embarrass a Harley TC96. Measured at the rear...

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Honda CBR125R Review

Since its introduction to the Canadian market in 2007, Honda’s CBR125R has proven popular, both as a first ride among novice riders and as a second runabout machine among those with more experience. It was a machine that was long overdue, as market trends showed that aging baby boomers – a sector of society that had been heavily solicited by the motorcycle industry – began an exodus from the sport in recent years in pursuit of other, perhaps less exciting interests. The industry needed newer, younger blood, and the inexpensive, approachable CBR125R succeeded in drawing the attention of people who would not otherwise have considered a motorcycle....

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Motorcycle Beginner: 2011 Honda CBR250R Newbie Review

Before I get too far into this report on the 2011 Honda CBR250R, I want to apologize. To anyone who may have heard loud hooting and hollering coming from a flying black rocket on the Don Valley Parkway south of Queen St. this morning, I’m sorry. I’m pretty sure no one could hear the gleeful cheering through my helmet or above the wind noise, but if you did, I apologize.I was just having too much fun during my commute to downtown Toronto. With a wide open lane ahead of me and the throttle pinned wide open, I just couldn’t help but whoop it up as the number on the digital speedometer kept rising.I also want to apologize to all the other motorcyclists...

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Aprilia Dorosduro 1200 Review

“How much is my license worth?” That’s the question I’m continually asking myself when riding this bike. As the front wheel is involuntarily pawing the sky and the rear is begging to be kicked sideways, I can’t help but answer, “apparently not much.” But I don’t care, because riding the new Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 is worth it. Even though I know better than to ride like a moron (usually), certain machines are still able to entice me into riding for the pure joy of being silly. Models like the Ducati Hypermotard 1100 and 796 have been around for a few years now, begging to tempt its rider into acts of...

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