Suzuki GSXR 750 – Ride Review

As a child, I grew up thinking of only one thing – “If I could ever get to be on this fast, real fast motorcycle” that will do standstill to 100 in the first gear and 200 in the second gear. Yeah all those thoughts come true with time, desire, patience and passion. I just never knew when, how and where.

Now, as an adult I have reached that stage where I do have that childhood realization turn reality with time. I welcome you all to the ride review of the SUZUKI GSXR 750 – the real rocket which does as your imagination can make you think of it. This is for real that this motorcycle is FAST, FAAAST, really very FAAASST and can kill you if not handled with precise control and superb decision making process inside your brain. No, it is no brainer for all the speed freaks out there but this is at the same time a machine meant to take you into the higher level. There is nothing wrong about this bike but everything that is there is just right and light.

Let me introduce you to the SUZUKI GSXR 750, I am sure it needs no introduction – smooth as silk, fast as you can face, corners like a melting butter on hot tarmac – there are not enough synonyms to play with. It is fairly simple if you are a rider – you will adore, love and respect this machine. I have done 2100miles to date on this fairly 3year old Suzuki GSXR which has 18000miles on it when I got it. It now has over 20000miles and it leaves me no box un-ticked for its comparison. I can give an insider out review on it but let’s stick to the basics of what everyone wants to know of.

Acceleration: 0-60mph(0-100kmph) – is blistering fast. Real trait of this is known on the real tarmac or track. Considering you can easily clock 120mph(200kmph) in the second gear shift – it does give you an immense idea of what I am talking here. It is more than a beast considering the way it moves. 10/10

Braking: Well, I won’t have a distance figures but I always say nothing can stop you from killing yourself but yeah if you have got some road and really clean surface you can stop yourself before you kill yourself. Jokes apart, the braking is fairly decent and I would only give it 7/10 as there is plenty of room where this can be improved.

Handling: I, insist – this is going to be a top brass when it comes to handling. This is a superb piece of machinery designed well in line with contours to keep your adrenalin flowing to the fullest. No holds barred. The light weight makes it best contender in its class. You are looking at a 750cc with a handling of a 600cc which makes it one in its category. I call it unbeatable when it comes to the smooth handling of this beast. 10/10

Mileage: Big question, small answer – “Very good” considering I am doing an average of 66miles a day – using this bike same as my other very reliable Yamaha Fazer FZ6 600S2, there is seriously not a huge lot of difference. This will come to reserve or the reserve lights will come at about 135miles. The best I have had so far is 143miles before the reserve kicked in included couple of hours on the motorway. I would give it fairly high ratings of 8.5/10

Comfort: On the longest single ride that I had on it was 143miles without a stop and that was fair grounds to test this ride to its best potential. You can get cracking on with it opening the accelerator or be sensible riding it with constant motorway speed limits and get a wow sort of mileage and same time the comfort. Gxxr750 is kind on wrists, seating posture and your knees positioning. This bike has 3 step adjustable foot rest which can be adjusted depending on how tall or short you are and if you want a more relaxed posture. One shortfall is it does tend to strain the back after a period of time but hey this is not a touring bike which you can go on touring for hours but yes it is fairly good for motorways splash and dash rides. I would rate it 8/10

Nothing beats the beast inside. The Engine in itself is smooth power house that hides itself well behind the plastic shrouds and the sexy looking cowls on its either side – you can absolutely be happy with this machine and never complain about missing a beat. The only thing you can miss on it is – not getting seen by someone and getting over run (on the funny note). Do not underestimate the power of this 150bhp that can get you well over and beyond mental speeds of no coming back. I have called it off at xxxmph after which I did feel this is one helluva motorcycle that is lot more capable in its hidden form under its hood. It still had lot more room but I would leave that till I can head out on the Autobahn the next time.

Enjoy the video after I completed my first 1000miles and some real good insights too.

As for the beginners, this is not the first time bike if you are new on the scene. I am not trying to de-motivate you or stop you but just be kind on yourself and learn to handle the bike on a 600cc. I do see this to be an advanced level bike which has thrills, speed and all the things you want out of a litre bike. The best part is – it won’t leave you with much more to ask from it.

“A one refreshing motorcycle that is – “ Mani Babbar Reviews.

**If you would like to ask something more about the bike – feel free to ask. Happy to help you with the real first hand experience.

Suzuki Gladius – 650cc – Ride Review.

Motorcycles, I love them to the point that I can actual feel connected to them in one small ride. To know the good depth inside and outside you need to know what you are all about. I have been given a loan bike for a little while and I felt I had to share this because there is a small wonder in this world made for those who actually feel there is not enough for them. I feel this is one motorcycle which is made just for the right people and right crowd who love to have something under them and make them feel confident. It is particularly not my kind of bike as I am tall and love to have something more powerful than what this 650 offers.

Suzuki Gladius, 645cc fuel-injected DOHC 90-degree V-Twin engine that has the grunt feel but much smooth. V-twin power plant has smooth delivery but sudden drop of power when changing gears, if you ride long enough you would either love it or hate it. It is what v-twins does to you – make them love or hate. Well, that said – the world still is mad about the DUCATI’s twins but here is what makes this competition smooth. Gladius is smooth but equally well balanced, low and perfect for all those who wants to explore the power of v-twins. The bike seating could have done with bit more cushioning as I feel this is really too much on cost cutting. My bum is totally angry because the seat absolutely has not enough cushioning in it and I wonder how it wants to cope with the bigger riders. Other thing, I really felt annoyed is, I could touch my riding boots on corners – leaning the bike even at the slightest angles – it really is meant for small people. I guess this is the best bike for beginners, female riders looking to get started with and those looking for city riding only.

Pros :
Excellent mileage bike – The Best in its class or 600’s
Light – good for beginners
Control – feels good and rider feels well on top.

Cons:
Low seating – bad cushioning
No front wind deflector
Not for tall riders
Brakes feel very soft

As my dear friend Adi Moto Foto said “This bike should only come in one color – PINK”

some of my dear friends gave this bike a princess status

DUCATI Multistrada 1200 S – 2013 – Ride Review

20.04.13 – North London : DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200S – As the name DUCATI is good enough to know what this post is going to be all about. Yes, DUCATI – the ITALIAN ingenious has struck us again with their upgraded but much advanced, lighter and more powerful all in one kind of motorcycle. I suppose everyone who is into motorcycle knows what DUCATI stands for – their fast – super-fast – ultra fast racing Superbikes.

Multistrada also known as MTS1200 – is one of its own kinds  motorcycle. No wonder that Italians have broken the barrier of its limitations and went on crazy with providing us something that never feels same in all rounder two wheels. I got an opportunity do the photos for the dealer and their own in-house catalogue – so there I was. Just on the job and this was not just going to end there. I know I wanted to open the throttle on this “STILL THRILL” motorcycle.  Within a couple of hours, once the job was done – I knew where I was headed to now satisfy my real lust of this beautiful beast.

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It left me with not enough room to ask for more for what it is made to do. This is one motorcycle which is made for those who want to live life on the extreme and also be able to feel the torque through the gears. For a moment, it did take me first few minutes getting used to the height and the well balanced high seating. The CG of the bike is at very sweet spot which allows you to take it for a real open thrill on the cornering too. Daring to get one with the bike only took me about first five minutes and we were just going to gel together for the rest of the ride. First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth – Oh YESS… this was turning on to be crazy “Mentally” satisfying experience.

I opened the throttle to a pretty good 8k RPM in the sixth and it just marked its top notch just about what you would love to see from a bike like this. It is very very stable at high speeds, the wind screen adjusted to give you a full clear view of the open roads also letting the wind not strike you on the face but aerodynamically overflowing your seating comfort – you are just concentrated to feel this flow and fly with it. Braking is superb with inch inch perfection at all the speeds – you know you begin to feel the trust once you step on it. It took me literally first five minutes to mould myself to the bike and bike to my likings.

One wheel through the First, Second and Third – you can turn it to be even a wheelie monster if you are capably able to control the torque under you. This becomes an instant love after you could feel the beats of the pumping power. To test it out of the smooth roads, I ventured to the little small B roads leading to one of the off road path – it just goes smooth through the gravel and make you feel you are totally safe in its capabilities. Turning this into a monster on the gravel would need you to stand on the pegs and open it full but I did not manage to get it to that far status as I didn’t own the bike yet. It makes you feel that power and asks you to enjoy it.

By the end of this ride, I was ready to do the ride review for it. Out of breath and full on adrenalin – this is a super bike for anyone with a budget of £13,000 Base model (OTR) and £15,500 Fully loaded (OTR) models. On the downside, it does gulps the fuel like a full guzzler ready to drink you all empty at the fastest pace. So other than two items – MPG/£££££’s – this is a bike for one who wants to rise above the rest and sit at the top to enjoy the riding world.

Ride Review (Out of 5)
Handling  : 5/5
Braking     : 5/5
Cornering : 4.5/5
Off-road    : 4.5/5
Touring     : 5/5
Pricing      :  4/5 (It is not every day commuter bike)

My adrenalin charged – after the ride – quick round of review. I had to do this – it was just the moment of adrenalin charged ride.

Kawasaki ER6F – Ride Review

The Reason why it all has to be done is because my real ride has gone in for a full engine job which leaves me with this courtesy motorcycle from the workshop.

So the full story on my bike unfolds here in this video. It is a bit more of emotional meltdown to know that I had to get this done at this stage but I am not left with any other option before I get myself killed if it locks up while riding !!

As of now,  since you know the whole story about my ride – Here is the additional story of the courtesy ride. I have been on it for 550miles when I did this review but by the end I return it back it would already have gone well over a 800miles in a period of 8days and here is the real review.

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I do not write what people do because I do not get paid to do these things but I get the pleasure to share these real opinions in the real world.  So for the full details of the why you should and should not buy a “Kawasaki ER6F” or rather also known as “Ninja 650” watch the video.

In all honesty, it is a city bike.  No hidden reasons but if you are light and small person this is the way to go and if you are riding it mostly in the city through the traffic.

I am myself not a big lad and too tall. At 178cms, I cant really enjoy this bike on the open roads or on the motorways.

“-“ The maximum top end is 110mph, the brakes are shabby – even though they are with ABS, Suspension feels really not meant to do two up on it ever and to add more – it is a beginners bike in all honesty.

“+” The good points, its a small, light(178kgs), compact, traffic friendly,  easy to filter through traffic, good mileage, thumper, two cyclinder parallel twin and Nifty Fifty bike.

Don’t expect anything more out of this bike – It is good  “A to B” bike ONLY.

Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F – Ride Review

Extending my pleasure of riding with experience of years adds on to bring something only few can relate to. After a long day at work whether you commute on a bike or you ride on the weekends or you just do the touring there is everykind of bike for every moment of the occassion. Challenge is when you can fit all the modes of your riding style into one and you get a perfect blend of excitement.

“Escape the ordinary” as the promoted by YAMAHA for this XJ6 Diversion F ABS model. It is 600cc, liquid coolded 4 cyclinder engine that is guranteed to bring a joy to the rider as the braking is sharp coupled with a very well balanced weight distributed bike. I got a chance to ride on this new demo YAMAHA XJ6 DIVERSION F ABS model as mine Yamaha FAZER FZ6 S2 was in for its 30,000miles service. This new Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F is a bit too small in the feel if you are coming from a bigger bike.  In the first stance from the front it does give you a big feel of a bigger bike but then once you step on it just makes you feel you are the boss. Thats a very welcoming feel for anyone who is coming from a smaller bike or is looking to start for the first big bike. I personally was bit surprised to sit on the bike as it makes you feel you are riding a very light and flickable bike which I will mention in the later section of the blog.

First bit was to get used to clutch and power delivery. Not a problem at all, this bike proved itself a very smooth handling perfectly balanced and light even when you are enjoying the ride. For a change this does not feel like a 600cc at all. This bike gives you a feel of 250cc but actually is lot more under its tank. I had a full day to explore this bike to the limits which is exactly what I did. Plenty of time to observe notice and see how this bike felt. Amazingly, I only have positive feed back for a bike in a very very long time that satisfy all the boxes in the green section.

Riding on the smaller country side roads where you possibly are prone to some rough section of roads with patches of loose gravel you would enjoy the balance this motorcycle provides you. On the smoother section of the roads, this gets even more amazing since the power delivery kicks in and it invites you open the wrist of your right hand as far as you enjoy. Smoother it gets once you get a hang of it. Coming from a standpoint of an advance rider with over 100,000miles under my belt – it does makes me feel enjoy this bike but certainly not very attractive with the prices.

When you get off the bike after your first ride you may want to wonder what makes this so agile, enjoyable and sturdy bike. Some of your answers lie in hidden sections of dynamics and physics behind this bike. The more centralised weight distribution with smaller tyres compared to previous 600cc era, reduction in the size of the exhaust pipes and still you will be astonished to know that this weighs a good 222kgs. Dont be surprised but it does give me shock to feel that it just doesnt have that massive bulky feel to it all. 

I did not get a chance to empty the full tank but the fuel mileage given the consideration over the previous 600cc almost 98BHP bikes this only earns a 75BHP on the same engine which certainly gives all the credit to enhanced fuel mileage. You are looking at between 10-12miles per litre which I would say is very inviting given the fuel prices are only going rocketing high in years to come.

Speedometer is digital just as was in the previous FZ series although it does have a little reduction in its size as compared to previous bikes. The tachometer dial is well presented with extra dash of lines between each thousand RPM reading. I find it overly hard at times to get the figure but it could have been avoided. I think was aimed at the new riders so that does the justice for them. The Indicator and emergency light blinker is all merged into one green double arrowed light indicator. On the right lower side of the tachometer you will find few extra lights with orange, red and amber lights for extra information of ABS or low oil.

Not just Europe but this one bike that is set to rule the heart of Asians too. I would hope that this bike makes its mark in countries like India where 600cc battle is raging on and this bike will set the rest apart. In traffic or on open roads the bike is so flickable that you want to enjoy the feel of the  torque or speed at high revs.

I would personally rate this bike high given it is VFM and possibly very reliable 600.  Unlike its previous successor Fazer this would be a low scoring bike on the power but is good and aimed at same kind of high revs. Top speed is about 120mph where as Fazer FZ6 S2 marks a top of 146mph not to forget that engine is almost 25BHP extra power.

Verdict: Overall a good bike, VFM, good mileage, sleek, smart looks.
(-)ve: None to find but if you are coming from a bigger bike this is not a bike for you. You would rather want to go for older FZ series which are very good engines. Even the 10years old Yamaha FZS6 would give you good power range.

Price comparisons between the XJ series is included in the gallery with technical specs, although all the three models share same specs.

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Special thanks to Saunders Yamaha, Knebworth for providing the bike.
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All images are copyright content owned by Mani Babbar Photography.