The "best nine" of an intense 2018 for road tests!
A record year, which deserves the selection of some of the best and most important tests
2018 was a record year for us at Motorionline, never before had we carried out so many road tests, including preview tests and a good number of comparatives and double tests. Making a choice, summarizing the most important ones, was therefore difficult. In just a few seconds and without having to "comb through" the complete list of road tests (that you find at this link), more than those we then selected came to mind, but there were many others that in one way or another deserve to be remembered. Many absolute previews, with some vehicles that we tried first in Italy, but also important new features off the screen. Let's try to do some order, starting from the one who is the queen of the media, even if super sports cars no longer sell like they used to, but she is always discussed.
We are obviously talking about her, the bike that marks the historic transition from V2 to V4, with the adoption of MotoGP solutions and technology never seen before. At Eicma we then saw the "R" version, which is the basis for the 2019 SBK which promises (finally) to annoy the multi-victorious Kawasaki in recent years. For "mere mortals", beyond the economic aspect, the V4R remains more to be admired than exploited on or off the track. The Panigale V4S we tested has in fact technical solutions such as electronic suspensions or the larger engine which offers a more full-bodied low-end output, which also allows it to be usable on the road, as we were able to tell you during our detailed test on the track. and on the San Marco Pass.
It is impossible not to include in this best of the queen of the market, which is renewed in some details, but above all which gains a completely new heart, the 1250 ShiftCam, with variable timing, which offers better performance (136 hp, + 11), but above all a delivery of 10 with praise along its entire curve. In addition to the detailed article, you can see the video too, but we had the opportunity to test it later adventure version.
Remaining on the home of Elica, 2018 saw another important novelty, perhaps the only motorcycle that was completely new from the first bolt to the last: the new F750 and F850 GS range. An engine that gains character and has practically nothing in common with the old 800, but also a chassis that takes an important step forward. We also tried it in one double test with its direct rival, the Triumph Tiger 800.
4.Triupmh Tiger 800 XC and XR
In fact, at the beginning of 2018 we flew to Morocco to see first-hand the many innovations of the English medium-sized engine, which without revolutionizing itself, is updated in an important way, putting more difference between its two variants, XC for off-road and more road-going.
5.Ducati Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak
In an expanding team, the rookie (for Motorionline, certainly not for his long career as a tester) Aldo Ballerini had the opportunity to try the new Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak in an absolute preview. A new heart and many updates for the sportier set-up of the successful model from the Borgo Panigale company.
6.Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L Adventure Sports
2018 was then the 30th anniversary of the legendary Africa Twin, which on this occasion gained important innovations and an Adventure Sports version with a larger tank and a more off-road configuration. Our Gianluca Cuttitta also told you about it in one video test.
7.Scooter comparison: Yamaha X-MAX400, Suzuki Burgman 400 and MaxSym 400
Not just motorbikes obviously, given that scooters always dominate the charts. So we decided to compare three of the most interesting 400s, medium-sized ones dedicated to comfort and all-round use, not just city riding. Our conclusions are far from obvious, so much so that we have made one subsequent analysis, a few weeks after the first published test.
Fans of the most famous American manufacturer (and not only) have something to be happy about in recent years. After the new Softail range, 2018 saw the debut of a new model, the aggressive FXDR, which we were the first to try upon its arrival in Italy. It is one of the 100 new models seen in the last few years and up to 2027. A style clearly inspired by drag racing, with a huge 240 rear tire, but also a surprising propensity to be driven in a sporty way. A record also for Harley, because we tested 4 models in 2018! You can find them, along with lots of news, at this link.
Yamaha surprised the world of motorcyclists in 2018, perhaps more than anyone else, with something decidedly out of the box. The first 3-wheel motorbike (not scooter), which amazed us especially when riding, as we told ourselves also on video. A front end with grip never seen before, but also a lot of agility and fun for a concept that we will probably have the opportunity to see again in the future.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
We make an off-the-list quote for the Royal Enfield Himalayan, an all-round motorcycle that brings motorcycling back to a more human context, in terms of costs and performance, without losing anything, indeed, in terms of the desire for adventure and that spirit that motorcyclists should eat.
Still outside the best nine, because these are two bikes not approved for road use, we find two track-ready super sports bikes, which will make the most "geek" readers and, why not, even some dreamers happy.
The RYUYO project is developed directly by Suzuki Italia and 212 horsepower for 168 kg dry are just two clues to understand how high-performance it is. It derives from the more well-known GSX-R1000R, developed for a very demanding public and with high-quality components (around 20 thousand euros of modifications). For the lucky few, its price is 29.990 euros
In 2018, Aprilia RSV4 RF Factory Works gained wings, thanks to the innovative winglets aerodynamic kit just like the MotoGP, but this very special RSV4 RF is set up for enthusiasts who demand pure performance and technology, designed for riders with a fine palate. . At Eicma we will then discover that this version formed the basis for the 2019 model, which rises to 1100 cc and which we hope to soon have the opportunity to test. But this is another chapter, a page of a 2019 which, we hope, will be even better than the excellent 2018 that we have just finished telling you about!
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