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Coming next from Spain... Gallery and text here

From Cannes... Gallery and text here

From IoM... Gallery and text here

Coming next from Italy... Gallery and text here

Coming next from UK... Gallery and text here

Coming next from UK... Gallery and text here

Coming next from Misano... Gallery and text here

Coming next from Varese... Gallery and text here

From Rome. Gallery and text here

From Morocco. Gallery and text here

From Valencia. Gallery and text here

From Barcelona... Gallery and text here

2008 KTM RC8 1190 launch Road – Orange torpedo!

Ronda, Spain February 25^th 2008– KTM firmly places itself into the history books with its first ever superbike! It’s orange, its fast and its right straight out of the crate. KTM really managed to impress both Jeremy McWilliams and myself both on Ascari and on the road. The 1148cc V-twin from Mattighofen takes on the world!

Words: Tor Sagen & Jeremy McWilliams /Photography: Peuker/Buenos Dias

From Ascari... Gallery and text here

Coming next from England... Gallery and text here

Coming next from Pesaro. Gallery and text here

Coming next from San Marino. Gallery and text here

From Seville... Gallery and text here

2008 BMW F 800 GS launch – Africa Twin!

“There’s a stray African dog that looks dead (but only resting) just metres in front of me on my trail. I lift the front slightly using the throttle and change to the right hand trail avoiding the dog. I noticed a lazy yawn just as I passed. Better watch out doggie, there’s more GS coming from behind.” BMW F 800 GS is the new Africa Twin!

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Arnold Debus & Daniel Kraus

From South Africa... Gallery and text here

Coming next from England. Gallery and text here

Coming next from somewhere... Gallery and text here

2008 Ducati 1098R test-Ducati launches the R of R’s!

Ducati have waited one full year to be allowed to present us with this R of R’s. That’s the time it took to get the World Superbike regulations changed from litre twins to a full 1200cc. The Ducati 1098R is in fact a 1200 and to control all that mammoth torque Ducati have treated us to the world’s first production adjustable traction control.

Words: Jeremy McWilliams & Tor Sagen (bold)/Photography: Milagro

From Jerez with Jezza... Gallery and text here

Coming next from Italy... Gallery and text here

2008 BMW F 650 GS launch – The softer option

The old F 650 GS have been successful for BMW. In 2008 it has been replaced by an 800cc parallel twin, but the name is still the same. We went all the way to South Africa to try it.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Arnold Debus

From South Africa... Gallery and text here

Coming next from UK... Gallery and text here

Coming next from France... Gallery and text here

Coming next from Barcelona... Gallery and text here

2008 Ducati 848 test-848 after eight

The 848 is white as mint and awakens the senses just like chocolate. Sweet as it may be, the 848 is as sharp as they get. Slicing through the technical corners on the Almeria circuit in Spain with the confidence inspiring chassis the 749 was known for; -But now 20 kilos lighter and with a hell of a lot more horsepower!

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Milagro/Weimer/Sagen

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2008 Buell 1125R world launch Laguna Seca-Hellfire from Helicon 1125R!

When Buell’s XB series are called Thunderbolt and Firebolt, the 1125R is pure Hellfire! The 1125R is Buell’s first true missile created for superbike hungry riders.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Double Red

Erik Buell has wanted to build a Buell sportsbike from scratch for a number of years. When starting the 1125R project Erik first went to the Motor Company to get a brand new engine built for a new sportsbike. In the last few years Buell has managed to get Harley-Davidsons full and whole support and funding is not a problem.

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2008 Triumph Street Triple-Kick me in the gut!

Triumph has simply followed the successful recipe from the latest Speed Triple, Daytona 675 and Tiger 1050 and created another “must have” product. The Street Triple hits me in the gut in the same places as a much bigger capacity motorcycle.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Martin Leyfield & Tor Sagen

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008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 & 1100S-Hypercool!

Since Ducati showed us the Hypermotard concept in Milan 2005 we have been very eager for a ride. Early May in Sardinia and we are finally in the seat of the latest motard designed fun-bike to enter the market. In hyper mode we rode the Hypermotard both on the road and on track. Is this the perfect motorcycle?

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Stefano Taglioni & Marco Campelli

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2007 Honda CBR600RR- 20 years later, put the R in R

1987 saw the very first CBR years before Fireblades and Firestorms. Honda started the CBR series with a 600 and already in 1991 it boasted 100bhp. In 2003 the 600RR was launched and in 2007 an all new version of the CBR600RR, 20 years later.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Martin Leyfield & Tor Sagen

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2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring world launch-Rocket alert in Texas!

Rocket calling Houston; 207Nm about to rip up the tarmac! Not too far from Houston, in San Antonio, Texas we ride in the footsteps of Davy Crockett. –Past the Alamo, we head out into the Texas hill country on a 200 mile ride on the all new Triumph Rocket III Touring. The message is clear, don’t mess with the Rocket!

Words: Tor “Crockett” Sagen/Photography by: Riles & Nelson

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2008 Harley-Davidson CVO 105^th Anniversary FLHTCUSE³ Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide-Long name for Harleys first ABS assisted Tourer for consumers

Only Harley-Davidson can produce a motorcycle named by 84 characters! The 2008 Harley CVO Ultra in the 105^th Anniversary paint scheme is something very special. We tested the saddle of the flagship tourer on US motorways.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Paul Barshon

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2008 Victory Vision Tour and Street launch-Cruisin’ with the alien

In 1998 Polaris launched Victory motorcycles and 6 years ago work started on the Vision luxury tourers. Six years and 20 million dollars later the Vision Tour and Street is a finished product. We were granted 450 miles in the seat of the Vision touring bike in Minnesota, USA.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Tor Sagen/Wayne Davies

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2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000-“ABC-easy as 1-2-3”

“ABC-easy as 1-2-3” is what Michael Jackson sings in the old Jackson 5 classic. We’re wondering whether the Suzuki engineers took some inspiration from Never Neverland on this one. ABC-Easy as 1-2-3, then you’ve got 4-5-6 oh so fast.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Martin Leyfield & Tor Sagen

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2008 Harley-Davidson FXDF Dyna Fat Bob-Fat Bob returns

In 1978 Harley-Davidson launched the short-lived FXE/F Fat Bob. The first Fat Bob was dropped from production already in 1981. In 2008 a lot has changed in the Motor Company and the new FXDF Dyna Fat Bob has taken inspiration from the European custom scene with a set of double headlights and a fat 130mm front tyre.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Paul Barshon

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2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Rocker launch NYC-I’m a Rocker!

 I’m a rocker, I’m a roller-I’m a right out of controller (Bon Scott-1976)! Harley-Davidson has pulled out all the stops to create a highly customised standard Softail model. Meet the Rocker!

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Paul Barshon

How do you take the range of Softail models further Harley-Davidson asked? In a world of increasingly cruiser custom perfection the Rocker frankly stands out as something special.

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2007 Triumph Bonneville America-Engine boost to Triumph’s America

One of Triumph’s best kept secrets may just be the Bonnie America. Very rarely do we hear about it, but in 2007 the America got Triumph’s latest 865cc parallel twin engine.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Martin Leyfield & Tor Sagen

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2007 Buell XB12STT Lightning Super TT-American XL supermoto

Buell keeps refining its range of exciting motorcycles and the Super TT is the most exciting of them all so far. Tweak the suspension a bit, add a mixture of adventure and streetfighter styling and you have the Buell Super TT.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Benedict Campbell

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2007 Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster-Nightster is the new Sporty!

In the 50^th Anniversary for the Harley-Davidson Sportster family a very special Sporty has been launched. The XL1200N Nightster is a bobbed Sportster with some new and unique features. Standing on its side stand with the Evolution engine running it looks like a small fierce but still muscular Bulldog eager to go.

Words: Tor Sagen/Pictures: Benedict Campbell

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2007 Aprilia SL750 Shiver launch- Shiver in the morning!

At a 2000 year old Castle in Italy the sound of horse’s hooves is replaced by a throaty rumble from a V-twin. The old horse wagons stand ready for a different type of transport. Knights in armour are replaced by men in leather and it makes the peasants shiver. We’re ready to ride, Shiver in the morning!

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Milagro

The front wheel lifts slightly as I descend from the mountain where Castle Brando sits. The new SL750 makes all the right noises that escape through a beautifully designed underseat exhaust. Should even make old Count Brandolini’s haunted ghost’s timbers shiver!

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2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250SA-Solid as a rock!

The name Bandit will forever be associated with Suzuki. For a moment we thought that Suzuki would sacrifice the popular name for the GSR. But that was before Suzuki re-launched the whole Bandit range with upgrades and new engines.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Martin Leyfield & Tor Sagen

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Yamaha was in so much trouble just after the world launch of the new FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer in South Africa last year. The fuel injection was criticised and one Italian journalist got killed doing a wheelie on the wrong side of the road. The launch was aborted after that tragic event. This is our take on the Yamaha FZ1 Fazer, but in full sports touring trim. Read the test here.

We literally rode through a hurricane to ride the new BMW K 1200 R Sport. Hurricane Kyrill had killed 11 people in Germany by the time we landed for our mission in Munich. The K 1200 R Sport is BMW’s latest addition to the sports tourer segment and with 163hp the emphasis is on Sport.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Gary Freeman/Redeye

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Coming next... Gallery and text here.

2007 Harley-Davidson CVO FXSTSSE Screamin’ Eagle Softail Springer-Rolling gold from Harley-Davidson

Last year the most noteworthy CVO model from Harley was the CVO Fat Boy. In 2007 the Softail Springer has received the factory custom treatment. Can’t be bothered to customise your own Harley and have cash to spare? Then a Harley CVO is for you!

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Benedict Campbell

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2007 Honda CB600F Hornet launch-Hornet is back, armed to the teeth!

The Hornet has been around for a few years now-First with 16 inch front wheel and last generation CBR600 engine. In 2007 Honda have launched a brand new CB600F Hornet with the latest CBR600RR engine. Never mind the engine; it’s the chassis and handling that really impress.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Double Red-James Wright/Tim Keeton

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2007 Yamaha YZF R1 road test-Yankee Zulu Foxtrot Romeo 1 calling earth!

The 1000 info’s per second throttle lift the front wheel at less than a half revolution. It interacts with new for Yamaha 4 valve technology and variable length intake to build an out of this world hectic acceleration above 10K’s. So hectic that even in stealthy black the R1 attracts more unwanted attention from the law than bloodsuckers by Lake Victoria.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Tor Sagen & Martin Leyfield

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CCM FT35 Flat Track

Coming next... Gallery and text here  

Coming next... Gallery and text here  

2007/08 Aprilia RXV4.5/5.5 launch-The lion has been tamed (only a little…)

When Paul Walker from Aprilia called me to see if I was interested in a rendezvous with the brutal V-twin RXV’s I had to say yes. I rode the bikes at the world launch in Sicily earlier in 2006. Already at the end of 2006 the 2007/08 models are ready with improvements. I rode the new models around a castle in the English countryside.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Ian Jubb/MCN, Tor Sagen & Milagro (06 shots)

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2007 Triumph Tiger 1050-The white Tiger strikes!

The Tiger have been long overdue an upgrade. It was one of the last models to still feature the 955 engine and now Triumph have launched a new Tiger with the 1050 triple engine, new chassis and brand new styling. We politely asked specifically for the albino Tiger, Triumph replied; Fusion white, its Fusion white!

Words: Tor Sagen/Photo: Gary Freeman/Redeye & Tor Sagen

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Coming next... Gallery and text here  

2007 Victory Hammer S-Sport as in muscle

Victory launched the original Hammer as a power cruiser with a fat rear tyre for the 2005 season. This year Victory has gone all mean and moody with a blacked out sports version. New handlebars allowed us to develop some muscle too.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Kevin Wing

From the Palm Springs world launch... Gallery and text here  

Launch: 2007 Victory Kingpin & Kingpin Tour-Classy American tourer that handles!

Victory launched the Kingpin in 2004 with USD fork, outrageous retro mudguards and a big 92 cubic Inch V-twin engine. Since then the Kingpin have been recognised as Victory’s most versatile motorcycle and it is only natural that it now becomes available as a full-on touring model with the latest 100 Cubic Inch engine.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Kevin Wing

From the Palm Springs world launch... Gallery and text here  

Launch: Benelli Tre-K-More versatile TNT

Mention Benelli and Italian exotica are the first words that come to mind. The “TREK” is meant to be a more versatile TNT, but it still features the same 1130cc triple engine and a tubular frame that you can stare at for hours. Benelli’s are fantastic to look at and ride, when they work…

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Benelli

From the world launch in Italy... Gallery and text here  

From the Misano world launch... Gallery and text here  

2007 Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster- Fuel injected Sportster

The good old Sportster model turned 50 this year. Harley-Davidson celebrated with a limited edition 50^th anniversary model and added fuel injection to the whole Sportster range. We sampled the new XL1200R in Austria and later in the UK.

Words: Tor Sagen/Pictures: Jürgen Mainx/Olivia Turley

From the MY 2007 Austria launch & UK ride... Gallery and text here  

2007 Harley-Davidson FXSTC Softail Custom

With high rising ape-hangers over the Fat Bob fuel tank and a big 21-inch front wheel the new Softail Custom carries quite an appearance cruising past. The styling is chopper-like with the raked out FX forks. Above the new 200mm rear tyre is a traditional bobtail fender and a pillion seat with what looks like a very comfy backrest.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography Jürgen Mainx

From the MY07 Austria launch... Gallery and text here  

Coming next... Gallery and text here    

2007 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Softail Fat Boy- Harley-Davidson brings fat back into the Fat Boy

“We brought fat back to the Fat Boy”, Bill Davidson said during the press conference. In 2007 Harley-Davidson’s objectives is to preserve and enhance the air cooled big twin’s look, sound and feel. Did they manage to do so with the new Fat Boy?

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography Jürgen Mainx

From the Euro launch in Austria... Gallery and text here  

2007 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special-Black as night, mean as hell!

Harley-Davidson continues to develop its V-rod Revolution range and the latest addition is the Night Rod Special. It’s longer, lower and meaner looking than anything else out there. It’s the closest thing to a road legal drag bike without the wheelie bar fitted.

Words: Tor Sagen/Pictures: Jürgen Mainx

From the Euro launch in Austria... Gallery and text here  

Coming next from the Euro launch in Austria... Gallery and text here  

2007 Triumph Bonneville T100

For every modern Bonneville sold from the Hinckley factory, Triumph sell four Bonneville T100s. T100 is the most popular Bonneville model and there are now five modern classics to chose from-Scrambler 900, Thruxton 900 and three versions of the Bonneville in the T100 shape. In 2007 the 865cc engine from T100 also benefits the lowest spec Bonneville.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Claire McHugh

2007 Bonneville, all Bonneville models get 865cc engine. Gallery and text here  

Thruxton 900 with loud pipes. Gallery and text coming here  

2007 Buell XB12X Ulysses-Buell adventure

Buell Ulysses is the most radical news from Buell since oil and fuel was poured into the frame and swing arm. With a few clever touches Buell has made a big adventure touring bike from one of the world’s smallest bikes! We rode the 2007 version both on and off the road in southern Spain.

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Jürgen Mainx

True to the Adventure segment the Ulysses also features a tall seat, but for the 07 model year the XB12X features a lower seat than in 2006. The standard seat has been lowered by 33mm making it easier for more riders to enjoy the adventure. The seat height is now 808mm.

Gallery and text here  

Harley-Davidson Street Bob-Public enemy number one

“Fuck you!” the vandals had scribbled with blue spray-paint on the tarmac next to the parked Street Bob. I found it to be a metaphor to the styling of the all-black matt Harley. No nonsense!

Words: Tor Sagen/Pictures: Claire McHugh 

Homo sapiens we are and once we were apes. Street Bob with its ape-hangers immediately makes me feel like one too. Arms up in the air, which is just as well as it prevented me from banging my chest to the slow rhythm of the big twin whilst riding. I had parked up in the middle of nowhere, still the tarmac had been vandalised. I lit up a cigarette whilst leaving the Bob on idle for a bit so that I could watch the big V-twin heart beat in a slow soothing manner. Gallery and text coming here  

2007 BMW R1200R-Real world technology bearer

We have known for some time that the old R 1150 R would be the next and last of the big Boxers to benefit from the new 1200 engine. What we did not know was that it would be the first BMW to feature some ground braking roadbike technology; ASC, TPC, evolved ABS, ESA and EVO Paralever. In plain English this means that the bike can be delivered from the Berlin factory ready fitted with traction control, new and better ABS, tyre pressure control and electronic suspension adjustment. Is this man beating nature or is it all too much?

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Arnold E.A. Debus

From the Munich world launch... Gallery and text here