March 16, 2017 | Car And Bike SA

Harley-Davidson swaps out chrome for black in 2017 Road King Special

March 16, 2017March 16, 2017 Car and Bike SA

BOB WEBER SUPPLIED The 2017 Harley-Davidson Road King Special. Harley-Davidson has gone to black with the 2017 Road King Special. Swapping out chrome for black on its most popular model, the new Road King Special motorcycle moves Harley-Davidson’s touring line in a new styling direction, with a more contemporary look. “By exchanging chrome surfaces for black and lowering the bike’s profile, we’ve moved the traditional Road King into a new space that’s very current in the custom bagger scene,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson vice president of styling and design. SUPPLIED…

Triumph Thruxton R is a better way to race to the cafe

March 16, 2017 Car and Bike SA

TRIUMPH THRUXTON R Engine: 1200cc liquid-cooled eight-valve fuel-injected parallel twin, 72kW (96bhp) at 6750rpm and 112Nm at 4950rpm Transmission: Six-speed sequential gearbox, chain final drive. Frame: Steel-tube twin cradle frame and oval-section aluminium rear swingarm; 43mm Showa fully-adjustable BPF front forks with 120mm of travel, Twin fully-adjustable Ohlins rear shocks with 120mm of travel. Hot: The heritage-sportsbike comes of age with the Thruxton R, and never has history, performance, quality, ease-of-use, and design been so skilfully combined. Not: Pseudo-carburettors and pretend pre-unit crankcases will offend purists; brake set-up could have unleashed further stopping power; pillion accommodation optional. For most of last year,…

Five fine lightweight motorcycle tourers you can buy in South Africa

March 16, 2017March 16, 2017 Car and Bike SA

BY PAUL OWEN While riding the leviathan Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited the other day recently, I began to mentally compile a list of the five bikes that are today’s finest lightweight tourers. Now, the 400kg Ultra is quite possibly the greatest American touring bike ever made (review pending), but I’d find all that mass hard to live with over the long term. I prefer bikes that are easier to park up (and easier to pick up again if you have to). Getting to the digs du noir is awesome on bikes…