For My Money - Streetfighter Comparo
Adam Waheed
Associate Editor, MotorcycleUSA.com
Kawasaki Z1000
"If I had to throw down my hard earned cash I would choose the Z1000. In an ever increasingly trend with Kawasaki, the bike is easy enough for a novice to ride yet it provides a high level of grin factor even for an experienced rider. It brakes, accelerates and handles well on everything from the slow-and-go of city streets to the upped sport case of the track. It sports a comfortable seating position and good ergonomics that allow you to log in a full-day. All while being the lowest priced machine."
Our wheelie king, Brian Steeves, felt the Kawasaki Z1000 was the bike he'd tap out if it were his money on the line.
Kawasaki Z1000
"Biggest bang for the buck. You as the reader can sit here and listen to me mumble on about how it's good here, ok there, but the bottom line is: All these bikes are so good as far as brakes, power, and chassis, that you're splitting hairs at the end of the day. I use to sell new bikes for four years and I'll tell you this, I have never sold a guy a bike based on the brakes working 5% better. Bikes are sold on the basis that overall fitment and looks for the individual are satisfied. Not to say there isn't noticeable differences in the bikes, because there is. But I found myself getting adjusted quite easily to each one as Ii swapped from one to another like an old '70's sex party with Ken Hutchison... Well, you get the point. You chose a bike because your buddies approve of the looks and it doesn't cost you a fortune to own right? In this case, the Kawi is my pick."
With his For My Money selection, Brian Chamberlain felt the British Triumph Speed Triple was his cup of tea.
Triumph Speed Triple
"Aprilia is easily the best bike in the test but is financially out of my reach. Triumph is a great mix of style, motor and handling. A fun bike to ride on the street as well as the track."
Jimmy Filice
3-time AMA 250GP Champion, current Moto-ST rider, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee
Aprilia Tuono Factory
It's no surprise that the professional racer in our entourage opted for the Tuono Factory. Jimmy said it all when after his first session on the Tuono the 250GP champion and current MOTO-ST competitor hopped off and said "That is a race bike!" After the test, Jimmy summed up his For-My-Money thoughts on the pricey Tuono with a concise sentence: "I would save my money to buy it."
Ken Hutchison
Editorial Director, MotorcycleUSA.com
Aprilia Tuono Factory
"Aprilia, again. This bike does everything good, except the rear brake. I know it's the most expensive, but even 'standard' version is great too."
Bart Madson was the lone test rider to select the Yamaha, with MCUSA's Managing Editor citing the FZ1's standard riding position and versitility as his reasons.
Yamaha FZ1
"I was torn between the Yamaha and Triumph. On the one hand I'm enamored by the Speed Triple and can't get enough of its sweet sound. On the other hand, I felt the Yamaha was the best fit for me. It may not have lit this comparo on fire, but it ain't no stick in the mud either. I loved the standard riding position and felt it was the easiest to ride on the street, plus its motor was smooth yet powerful. As a practical commuter/play bike, I felt like it was the one I could put the most miles on."
Back to the
2007 Streetfighter Comparo II.
