2007 Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R

Since 1957 Harley Davidson have been produced a motorcycle titled the Sporster, yet it was not until 1986 that the first Harley 883 rolled off of their production line. For many people who would like to own a Harley Davidson then the 883 is the ideal choice as it is the most inexpensive of all the models that this motorcycle now produce.

Currently there are 8 different types of Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycles available and in this article we will be taking a close look at the 4 that come into the 883 category. As well as these four motorcycles there are 3 1200 Sportster Harley Davidson's and the XL50. This particular bike was introduced to the market this year as a celebration of the Sportster being in production for 50 years now.

Certainly the 883 Sportster is one of the most well recognized of all the custom motorcycles that people can purchase around the world today and below we take a look at the 4 models that Harley Davidson have to offer.

1. Sportster 883 XL - Of all these types of motorcycle that Harley Davidson produce this is the cheapest of the lot and will cost anything from $6,595 up to as much as $7,990. 2. Sportster 883 XL Low - Although this bike is actually slightly more expensive than the first model we have mentioned above you will still find it is reasonable in cost at the moment. You should expect to pay between $6,995 and $8,390 for one of these. 3. Sportster 883 XL Custom - Yet another great looking motorcycle which is part of the Harley 883 family and will set you back anywhere from $7,795 up to as much as $9,555. 4. Sportster 883R XL - The most recent model to be included into the Harley Davidson 883 family and although not the most expensive you can still expect to pay $7,795 up to $9,090 for this one.

However as well as Harley Davidson bringing out a number of different 883 models they have also spent time improving the way it feels when you ride it. Along with an enlarged rear axle which has improved these bikes stability, this motorcycle company has made improvements to the frame. Now all the engines are mounted on to rubber rather than directly on to the frame and this has helped to reduce the amount of vibration that the engine causes.

Along with the changes previously mentioned there are other changes which have been made to this particular custom motorcycle. Gone is the chain drive to be replaced with a belt drive on all models and it also comes with a helical cut transmission unit. This results in reduction in the amount of gear whine that all Harley Davidson motorcycles use to make. Then in 2007 they changed their bikes engines from being carburetted to them being fuel injected.

Ducati 848

The Ducati 848 is white as mint and awakens the senses just like chocolate. Sweet as it may be, the Ducati 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!

A bright November morning greets us in Almeria when the world press enters the bus just after eight. It’s going to be a great day onboard Ducati’s new downscaled superbike. Since I last tested a Ducati the Bologna firm have won MotoGP, added Marco Melandri to the 2008 MotoGP dream team and launched next years world superbike contender, the 1098R.

But still, it’s the Ducati 848 I have been most interested in. Every detail about it has promised a new superbike for the people. The 848 truly fills a big gap in the Ducati line-up now that the 749 is gone. There has been nothing but Monsters for customers interested in a mid-sized motorcycle.

Ducati Monster 696

Whether you’re new to motorcycling or to the Ducati brand, there is no better way to get into either than with its Monster 696. From the look, feel, and sound of its air-cooled 696cc L-Twin engine cradled in the company’s legendary steel-trellis frame to its bold, curvaceous shape bathed in Ferrari Red paint, there’s no mistaking this bike for anything else other than a Ducati.

Although the Ducati Monster lacks some of the top-shelf technology as used on the Shiver, the basics are all here. A fixed 43mm Showa inverted fork along with Sachs hydraulic shock absorber cushioning the load out back. Equivalent-sized radial-mount front brakes, a friendly hydraulically-actuated clutch and a sharp looking Digitek digital display.

Climbing aboard the Monster 696 isn’t much of a climb at all, as it features a short 30.3-inch seat height. Its low seating position combined with its narrow width make it feel like you’re riding a minibike—that is if you’re six-foot-plus inches tall. Yet even for a tall rider the cockpit isn’t as crowed as you’d expect. The reach to the steel handlebars is equally as diminutive, which in turn creates a sportier riding position than the Shiver’s.

Reach out and grab both the brake and clutch lever and you’ll notice just how ridiculously light clutch lever pull is. Conversely the reach to the brake lever is slightly stretched and it cannot be adjusted like the Shiver’s. Thumb the starter button and the Monster’s air-cooled engine fires right up settling into a lumpy idle. However, sometimes when cold, the engine would stall and require a bit of warm-up before it could idle on its own. Pump the throttle a couple times and the engine roars with that unmistakable Ducati “vroom”. Press down on the gear shift lever, and slip the clutch and you’re off and running.

Whereas the Aprilia’s liquid-cooled engine makes power literally everywhere, the Ducati’s air-cooled mill puts out a subdued spread of power. For a novice rider this translates into absolute confidence, but for an experienced rider it feels downright slow. As rpms slowly increase a decently snappy mid-range is exposed, but it’s cut-short almost as soon as it starts, necessitating an upshift.

Ducati Monster Black Gold

Ducati Monster Black Gold – I’ve actually been scared to write this article, and every time I think about what I want to say about the Ducati Monster, I end up giving up, afraid that I can’t match my emotions with the words…….the Ducati Monster is a love affair I’ve had since my friend introduced me to one in Florence Italy in 2008. I must admit, it wasn’t love at first site, I was intrigued, confused by what I saw.

Needless to say, my fascination became obsession and it gives me great happiness to know that in the end I have found something perfect. To me, the Ducati Monster is more than just another QN bike, it’s the physical representation of my view on life and what I want to get out of it, the Ducati Monster is not a bike for everybody, but to me, it’s THE dream, THE ideal, THE penultimate bike which I swear was carved especially for me by the Ducati team. I could not make it any more perfect if I wanted to and somehow, that scares the sh*t out of me.

To be so sure about what I want, somehow, gives me great confidence in my actions and THAT is what is so attractive about Ducati, they have never followed the herd, they just did what they wanted to do, and somehow, without trying to appease anybody they became insanely successful.

Let’s face it, Ducati is a brand, which goes above and beyond design in terms of “performance”. In fact, although they are so passionate about their technology and their racing, I think most of us would agree that the true beauty of Ducati is the way their bikes become alive with emotion and character, Ducati motorcycles aren’t machines, they are great big Fire-Breathing-Dragons that you want to tame and control…even though you know you never will.

Ducati Monster White

Throughout the years there have been some really great motorcycles that have been developed by BMW, Ducati, Honda, Indian, and other motorcycle manufacturers.

BMW motorcycles wear a blue-and-white logo designed to conjure up a spinning airplane propeller. Learn why that's an apt symbol by linking to the BMW motorcycle articles below. The 1994 BMW R1100RSL is among the classic motorcycles from the renowned German company. BMW motorcycles were born from precision-minded German aircraft builders, a legacy of engineering that continues today. These pivotal bikes that established BMW motorcycles as the definition of two-wheel refinement and balance such as the 1965 R-27, 1981 R65, 1990 K-1, and 1994 R1100RSL

Ducati motorcycles roared from the ashes of World War II to embody the highest principals of efficient motorcycle design and exotic looks. The 1994 Ducati 916 sport bike is just one of the classic motorcycles from Italy's foremostmotorcycle manufacturer. The Ducati story is one of a war-devastated Italian electronics firm that remade itself as builder of some of the world's most desirable motorcycles. The earliest Ducati motorcycles were basic transportation, but before long they were winning races and wowing the most discriminating riders. These great bikes that by the 1970s were certified works of motorcycle art such as the Scrambler 350, Model 900SS, Hailwood Replica, 750 F1 Montjuich, 851 Desmoquattro, Superlight, Model 916, Model 750 Monster, and the ST2.

Honda motorcycles changed the image of the motorcycle in the 1960s, and not a moment too soon. The 1990 Honda RC30 was a road rocket and one of the classic motorcycles from this respected Japanese company. Motorcycles in the early 1960s suffered an image problem. They were identified with society's outsiders, but thanks to friendly little bikes like the 1969 Honda Dream 305, motorcycles were suddenly welcome on suburbia's driveways. Not only did Honda domesticate the motorcycle, it raced to the other end of the spectrum to create some of the world's hottest power bikes, which helped instigate an entire motorcycle cult as maker of the remarkable Gold Wing series such as the CB750, Dream 305, CB400, GL1000 Gold Wing, CX500, CBX, MB-5, CX650T, Nighthawk 700S, GB500 Tourist Trophy, RC30, and the Valkyrie.

Ducati Monster Black

Riding a motorcycle is a pleasure that I really miss since I sold my Kawasaki Z750 two years ago for economic reasons. Now, I really dream to buy a new bike but I take my time to choose the right one. With a a budget limited to 8000 euros max, the choice is restricted but you can find nice machines like the Triumph Street triple or the Ducati Monster 696. I just took a look at the last one today and it really got my attention. The choice will be hard between this two bikes… No matter.

Ducati Diavel Carbon Black

For the past two weeks, Ducati has been taking feedback online and at motorcycle shows on the new 2011 Ducati Diavel power cruiser. The Bologna brand has clearly taken some of the constructive criticism to heart, as it’s begun tinkering with the design of the Diavel. Replacing the the white version of the Diavel, Ducati has released photos of the Ducati Diavel Diamond Black, an all-black version of the Diavel that has a black anodized headlamp and air intakes.

The Ducati Diavel Diamond Black features a glossy black tank, which stands out against the bike’s revised matte black air intakes. Making for a sinister approach to the Diavel, we can see why Ducati opted to add this bike into the line-up, and drop the not-so-attractive white variant. With the Diavel Carbon hitting the pocketbook for a cool $19,995, we expect the Diavel Diamond Black to be the Diavel Ducati converts want in their garage.

In addition to the Diamond Black, Ducati will also be dropping the red Diavel’s ugly as sin brushed metal looking air intakes for the matte black revisions, which should help bring that bike’s style into more appealing standards (we’d go with color-matched intakes, but hey that’s just us talking).