Favourite Motorcycle Road Tests
Collected long-form road tests, video reviews and favourite machines from the Dave's Place archive.
Collected long-form road tests, video reviews and favourite machines from the Dave's Place archive.
Over the years I've ridden hundreds of motorcycles, but only a handful have stayed with me long after I handed the keys back.
These are the bikes that indelibly impressed.
A glorious fortnight with Triumph’s mighty 2.5 litre Rocket 3 GT. Huge torque, real polish and grin-inducing grunt.
The 2020 Harley-Davidson Road King proved that big touring bikes can still surprise, handle beautifully and feel just right.
'The HP2 Megamoto is an uncompromising street bike. At home in the urban jungle, tearing up country roads or a racetrack.' - Or so the brochure says.
An epic South Island tour aboard Honda's flagship Gold Wing revealed a luxury tourer that was anything but soft. Sweeping highways, mountain passes and back roads proved why the GL1800 has earned its legendary reputation.
Indian's Springfield blends classic heritage styling with surprisingly sharp handling. A week in the saddle proved it to be the sweetest, most refined and best-cornering Thunder Stroke model I'd ridden.
After nearly 500 kilometres on Harley-Davidson's Milwaukee-Eight Freewheeler, I finally understood why trikes have such a loyal following.
Harley-Davidson's flagship CVO Road Glide delivered one of the finest long-distance rides I've ever experienced. 
BMW's K 1600 B brings six-cylinder performance and cutting-edge technology to the luxury bagger market. Effortlessly fast, beautifully refined and packed with innovation, it's a genuine bahnstormer.
A comprehensive look at Harley's most controversial motorcycle ever. 
The Buell Ulysses looked unconventional from every angle, yet it tackled highways, gravel roads and adventure trails with surprising confidence. One of the most enjoyable and misunderstood motorcycles I've ever ridden. I bought one.
Triumph's Scrambler 1200 XE blends classic styling with genuine off-road ability. Great suspension, a brilliant engine and superb handling made this one of the most entertaining all-round motorcycles I've tested.
Harley-Davidson's first adventure bike arrived with plenty to prove. After several weeks exploring Queensland's highways, mountain roads and rough tracks, it exceeded every expectation I had.