Older news 2011 

See it here.

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I've spent all day testing Metzeler's K3 Racetec, M5 Sportec and Z8 Roadtec tyres. I've done that by doing my first session on the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R, second session on the 2011 Suzuki GSX-R600, third session on the 2011 Triumph Daytona 675R and the final session on the 2011 BMW S 1000 RR splitting the session between the K3 Racetec and M5 Sportec tyres on the S1KRR. Following that we headed out onto the roads where I spent half the time on the 2011 Kawasaki Z1000SX and the rest on the 2011 Triumph Speed Triple. Needless to say it was a fun day but also very intensive with so much testing crammed into only one day. I've got onboard video of all bikes apart from the S 1000 RR when I had to save some space on my SD card for the roadtest. The Suzuki GSX-R600 onboard video is great with good sound and all but the most exciting is probably the Kawasaki Z1000SX onboard videos. Coming soon. By Tor Sagen

In the coming weeks I'll be a very busy man and it kicks off with a tyre launch with Metzeler at Cartagena racetrack in Spain. After this I'll head to Florence to ride Moto Guzzi's Norge 1200 GT8V and Stelvio NTX 4V in Tuscany. Immediately after the Moto Guzzi launch I'll fly to Sicily where I'll spend a day in the saddle of Ducati's Monster 1100 EVO. After this the plan is to fly to Milan and then head to the MV Agusta factory in Varese to roadtest the Brutale 920. Then I'll have to fly back to England again to pick up my leather suit to fly to Valencia for the Aprilia Tuono V4R launch. I suggest you add me on FB and follow me on twitter (by using the button above) for full live updates. As usual I'll do my best to produce the best videos from the events that I'll publish from my YouTube channel which now by the way is approaching 28 million views and 4.200 subscribers. I'd love to have you all interacting on twitter and FB as well because I'm not adding a forum here! Tor Sagen March 21st

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In this video you can really hear the new in-line six on full song along some gorgeous roads in South Africa. Wouldn't want to miss this one, chew an aspirin before watching as you may get a bit excited! Full K 1600 GT test Tor

After testing the K 1600 GT, BMW handed over the keys for the supreme ultimo luxury tourer, the K 1600 GTL. I take a seat and it’s more comfortable than the sofa at home. The GTL is even better for the passenger with full back support from the top-box. The GTL differs from something like the Honda GoldWing in the fact that it’s much narrower, more powerful and all the luggage boxes can be removed. There’s a stereo incorporated and you can sync with your iPhone. I paired my BlackBerry with the GPS system on the GTL and it would have enabled me to take phone calls whilst on the move but not to play my tunes on the stereo. Hopefully BlackBerry’s can get as good support in this area as iPhones in the future. What did happen though was that the GTL changed my language settings to German and started tweeting “GTL is the best bike”, hence now called the GTL virus. No, my phone didn’t actually tweet by itself but the German’s did invade my language settings.

The GTL handles pretty much as well as the GT despite the fact that the seat is lower and less forward biased than the GT. The GT is oh so close to also being a sports tourer and the GTL isn’t far from that either. The big 1.6 litre in-line six makes sure that you think you’re on a sportbike on full song whilst reverting back to being GoldWing class comfy and smooth when in sixth gear from as low as 1000rpm and up. With the lower seat height and the electric windscreen fully up there were hardly any buffeting to my helmet at all. This will be very welcome in colder countries than South Africa along with the electrically heated seat and handlebars.

My pillion passenger for the day was Julia from South Africa. She reported that the pillion seat was very comfortable and that this and the smooth engine response relaxed her straight away. It’s thumbs up for the big six!

It’s fair to say that us naughty bikers have something new to fear when the world’s police forces start using this as the K 1600 GTL is a very fast and well handling motorcycle despite its majestic dimensions. Let’s hope they can’t afford it eh? Full report forthcoming.

By Tor Sagen/Photography: Daniel Kraus

The all new BMW K 1600 GT is what BMW call a supreme tourer, a flagship model. The most capturing new development from BMW is of course the big six cylinder engine that is both smooth and lively depending on which rpm you use. The K 1600 GT midrange is smoothness itself and cruising along in sixth gear even at low speed is completely effortless. Kick down a few in the gearbox and the big six awakens with a distinctive roar and the engine changes character to something much more dynamic. The seat is comfortable and I hardly felt a ache after our 300 or so kilometres in the saddle. There’s heated grips and seat available, but in the sweltering South African sun I could read figures of up to 40 degrees so it would not have been a good idea for me to add to this. The ESA II is a great feature where I could change from a soft comfortable suspension setup to a dynamic harder setup whilst on the move. BMW’s traction control and ABS adds supreme safety to the package and what a comprehensive package the K 1600 GT is. Throughout the day I was impressed with the many features I could play with on the menu, the comfort and how the bike completely changes nature if you wish to ride actively through tight mountain passes. There’s a couple of niggles with the gearbox/clutch set-up but I’ll come back with a full report in my forthcoming article.

By Tor Sagen/Photography: Daniel Kraus.

Here's the review titled Sympathy for the Devil. Video review included. Tor Sagen

I'm currently in Marbella testing the exciting new Ducati Diavel. Shortly there'll be some updates, first impressions and videos from the launch. Not too long after I get back from Spain I'm off again to South Africa where I'll test the highly anticipated all new BMW K 1600 GT and GTL. That's not going to be an easy one to follow up, but there's more touring on the way in the 2011 Moto Guzzi Norge GT8V and Stelvio 8V. Another one we're looking forward to in March is the 2011 Aprilia Tuono V4R launch which should be something special. So stay tuned and make sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook for instant updates from wherever I may roam. Tor

In a press release Kawasaki states that engineers have worked over the Christmas and New Year period to solve and test the issue that led to the unprecedented Technical Hold issue. Here's what Kawasaki said: "Having suspended the public launch of the much anticipated 2011 Ninja ZX-10R to investigate a technical issue, Kawasaki Heavy Industries have now revealed the cause of concern and the countermeasure to solve the issue. It had been discovered that when some examples of the new 2011 Ninja ZX-10R were operated at high rpm under unique riding conditions - such as operating on a racetrack - the intake valve springs could surge. Should this rare incidence occur it could cause one or more intake valves to seat improperly, resulting in poor engine performance. Having examined the very small number of machines which exhibited this surge phenomenon, the Kawasaki factory engineers have designed and fully tested a countermeasure which solves the problem without affecting any facet of the new engine’s outstanding performance. On the limited number of machines produced so far, the camshaft, valve springs and spring retainers for intake valves are being replaced to prevent the valve spring from surging. The same design update is automatically being incorporated into the ongoing production run of the newest and most powerful Ninja yet produced. Speaking about the news, Sales and Marketing Manager for Kawasaki Motors UK, Michael Johnstone congratulated the KHI engineers for their work in advance of the anticipated start of sales in late January. “While we have been thinking about Christmas and the New Year at this festive time, a team of engineers in Japan have been exhaustively testing new high performance components for the stunning new Ninja ZX-10R. With the dealer launch of this and other incoming range models on 27 January across the UK, this news is the best possible start to 2011 for Kawasaki dealers and riders”.

Raptors & Rockets wishes all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Here's a video with some highlights of recent years accompanied by a proper Rock n' roll Xmas tune from the Backstreet Girls. Enjoy! Tor

Here's the full story so far on the Technical Hold issue.

I have something big on the way and whilst I decide just how much onboard footage to include in that you can enjoy this. Tor

In February the wait will be over, we fly to Spain to test the diabolical beast and we'll tell you all about it. Here's a video to shorten the wait.

Here's something to keep you warm on a cold day! Enjoy. More here.

243 photos here

BMW have just released information and images of two new bikes set to be launched at next weeks EICMA show. Good news is that the true 650 GS is back in single cylinder form. The F 650 GS that was replaced by the 800cc parallel twin used to be BMW’s entry level model. For such reasons BMW stuck to the name despite the 800cc capacity. The new 652cc single cylinder four stroke produces 48hp @6.500rpm and 60Nm @5.000rpm. The topspeed is a claimed 170km/h. A 14 litre fuel tank is in place and BMW promises good fuel economy.

The new 2011 R 1200 R and R 1200 R Classic gets the HP2 Sport 1.170cc Boxer engine of 110hp and 119Nm and other upgrades.

We've added the full review of the new Ducati 848 EVO and videos here

20/10/2010: I’m just back from Imola after a very looong day! But I have ridden on sacred ground so that’s given me some extra energy!

The bikes were pretty cool too!

Anyway, the new 1198 SP is Ducati’s 2011 top of the range superbike as the 1098R is no longer in serious production. So Ducati now offers the 848 EVO, 1198 and 1198 SP First impressions

First impressions here

BMW have just released pictures of a special edition model of the ever popular R 1200 GS. BMW claims that customers have asked for an all black version for quite a while, so here it is! The special model is available to order now. Black, black and black. Price will be €13.460 in Germany and similar in other European countries. Tor

The exciting new 2011 Hyosung ST 700i Chopper had us completely fooled at Intermot as we missed it countless times passing the stand. However, by chance I did manage to at least get the press kit with me and here is the ST 700. Despite a pre-launch in Germany this bike is news at least to the English speaking world. Features are a 680cc fuel injected V-twin engine of 63PS and 57Nm. A 17 litre fuel tank and a comfy seat both for rider and passenger. All this for €6.995 Tor Sagen