Table of contents for November 2025 in RiDE

‘This CFMoto is a turning point – it’s ace, irrespective of price’ It’s been an interesting month for riding bikes, my highlight being a road trip to North Yorkshire on CFMoto’s new 800MT-X. China’s CFMoto have been making bikes and engines for KTM for years, and their influence is all over the MT-X – I think it’s better than the KTM 790 Adventure it shares its concept with. For me, the MT-X is a watershed moment – it’s one of the best non-premium middleweight adventure bikes on the market, and seriously undercuts its rivals on price. We’ve been watching the rise of Chinese manufacturers over the past few years – first as they focused on value, then bringing their engineering up to pace. And as 2025 draws to a close,…

THE PERCENTAGE AND outright number of road users who break speed limits in the UK have been dropping across almost all vehicle and road types for years. But the number being fined or sent on speed awareness courses continues to rocket as technology to catch and process speeders improves. While the fact remains you can always avoid becoming part of the statistics by religiously sticking to speed limits, contrasting directions of those two graphs means it’s increasingly easy to see speed cameras are used as revenue-raisers rather than safety aids. The latest available figures show that more than 2.5 million fixed penalty notices were issued for speeding in 2022, with 2.45 million of them detected by cameras. That’s more than a million more than in 2011, the earliest comparable figures,…

The Imps Motorcycle Display Team will close permanently after more than 50 years following a decision by trustees. Announced in early September, a statement confirmed: “The Trustees of The Imps announce, with deep sadness, that following a full review and formal vote, the charity will close permanently.” “The Trustees remain immensely grateful for the loyalty, passion and support shown by the children, parents, volunteers and wider community who made The Imps such a remarkable part of so many lives.” The Imps were founded in 1970 by Roy Pratt MBE. A charity organisation, it offered children as young as five the chance to learn stunts, teamwork, and discipline, and to perform worldwide. Mr Pratt died in May 2025, aged 86, and despite efforts to secure its future, trustees say “insurmountable challenges”…

Some tech, but not all… As standard the Rally has four-level traction control, three-level engine braking control, three engine maps, ABS (the rear can be disengaged), cruise control, and four rider modes. An up/down quickshifter is a £179 accessory, and so is a connectivity module (£184.99) to activate this feature in the dash. They should be standard on a £12,400 bike in 2025. It’s born for the trail When stood up the Rally is roomy, but its low tank makes gripping it with your knees tricky. The jerky throttle makes slow-speed work tricky, but once up to speed the motor has lots of easily accessible grunt. While initially firm, the suspension deals with harsh jolts well. It’s capable off-road, just lacking in finesse, and feels more suited to fast gravel…

THE FACTS The route Starting in Burnham Market, the ride heads east to Cromer then hugs the coast via Overstrand and Walcott before heading back inland to Stalham and Wroxham, before turning north-west to Buxton, Melton Constable and Fakenham then finally makes back for Burnham Market. Why it’s great It provides a perfect snapshot of a county rich in history and beauty, and is easily doable in a day at a gentle pace. When to go The coast is always better in the sun, so pick a bright, summer day. Avoid bank holidays though, because Norfolk is a magnet for caravan fanciers who generate long jams of frustrated motorists. Where to visit This is a route dripping in history and things to see, from Binham Priory and the glorious coastline…

DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk Best for A gentle meander through rural Norfolk, taking in the best parts of the county. Length 93 miles Route Burnham Market, North Creake, New Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Binham, Holt, Cromer, Overstrand, Mundesley, Bacton, Stalham, Wroxham, Coltishall, Buxton, Aylsham, Melton Constable, Thursford, Fakenham, South Creake, Burnham Market. Roads B1355, Wells Road, B1105, Burnt Street, Warham Road, Langham Road, B1156, A148, A149, Gimingham Road, B1159, A149, A1151, B1354, Coltishall Road, Buxton Road, Blickling Road, B1354, A148, B1355. Love it because There’s so much to see – architecture, monuments, natural beauty – you’ll want to go back repeatedly. Take a picture Along the coast road between Overstrand and Mundesley. The view of the North Sea is majestic. Stop for a cuppa at The Hoste Arms, Burnham Market. ALSO TRY……

When the price of the CB1000 Hornet SP was announced at the launch, it seemed too good to be true. And it was – the original £9999 price sent shock waves through the industry and had rival manufacturers checking their stock levels – and even when the SP’s price leapt up by a hundred quid to £10,099 a few months later, it still undercut not just everything in its category, but bikes of lower capacity, too. As well as being cheaper than machines like Yamaha’s much-less-powerful MT-09 SP by £1700, it also caused Yamaha and Suzuki to realign the prices of their 1000cc sports nakeds to stay competitive. Yamaha introduced a £2000 contribution for an MT-10, bringing the price down to £12,320, while Suzuki’s GSX-S1000, which is built to almost…

ADECENT RUCKSACK IS a must-have piece of equipment for any rider. They need to be quick and easy to throw on, and big enough to store the essentials for a day away or a trip to the office while also keeping what’s inside safe, secure and dry. And all while fitting the rider comfortably However, picking a rucksack is far from easy as there are so many on the market. Which is why we have whittled the selection down to our favourite six covering a price range of £21.99 to £239 and with capacities of around 30 litres. These middle to large-capacity rucksacks are designed to allow you to use them for a multitude of purposes, meaning you can have a single rucksack to cover every eventuality rather than having…

THE FACT THE MT-09 has been part of yamaha’s range for more than a decade speaks volumes about its strength of design and popularity. In that time the MT has undergone several updates – 2017’s overhaul and 2020’s engine upgrade from 847cc to 890cc being the most significant and pertinent to those looking to buy a used model. For those wanting to take in the occasional trackday, or keen to bag a slice more bling for their buck, there’s an SP model – launched in 2018 – that packs a saucy Öhlins shock, sportier front damping, a brushed finish aluminium swingarm, a quickshifter, and extra detailing as standard. Given the SP’s uprated shock cures the standard bike’s biggest issue, any potential MT-09 buyer would do well to have the flashier…

YAMAHA’S TÉNÉRÉ 700 has been one of the standout bikes of recent years. Offering decent value, a Dakar-racer aesthetic and genuine off-road ability, it sold by the bucketload and reinvigorated the middleweight adventure class. But that was six years ago, and time moves on. Luckily, the T7 has too: upgraded for 2025 with ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, better suspension and a flash dash, it offers proper dual-sport ability at a price that, when adjusted for inflation, is slightly less than it was in 2019. But is it enough? We’ve found out on trails, commutes and road trips… 1 The engine is still brilliant There are more powerful middleweight motors, but the CP2 lump in the Ténéré may be my favourite. With an earthy, granular nature, it’ll happily plod along at low…

Loch Ness, Scotland We Brazilians (Andre Perrucci, Jorge Mosquera and I) had a great time travelling across the UK during August. I obtained my full UK motorcycle licence while living here and trained for it with Andre, the guy with the silver BMW. Before I returned to Brazil in 2024, Andre and I agreed to take a trip around the UK in August 2025. Andre made the trip with his 2007 GS and lent me his other bike, the Kawasaki Versys 650. Jorge, a friend from Brazil, hired a Yamaha Tracer 7. The pictures are in the Highlands, mainly around Loch Ness. I think the A82 is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Felipe Puccioni Get your bike in RiDE & win a BikeTrac system Each month…

More than half the offences in Northamptonshire in 2024 were on the M1 – a total of 37,352. But only 518 were caught breaking the 70mph limit. Why? The cameras were set to trigger at 105mph when the national limit was in force. That contrasts with 10 per cent plus 2mph when variable speed limits are active. More remarkably, 432 (83 per cent) of cases that exceeded 105mph were cancelled. In comparison, 31 per cent of the 36,835 people caught in variable speed zones had their cases cancelled. Of the remaining 25,497, most (16,643) were within the threshold to be offered a speed awareness course rather than points and a fine (10 per cent plus 9mph). Northants police told us variable limit enforcement is prioritised to help keep the M1…

Q MY BIKE HAS terrible tank range. What can I do to eke out the miles? Simon Yeomans, Tring, Hertfordshire A THERE ARE A few ways you can attack this – and the first is with the way you ride. Like everything on a bike, smoothness is key. On twisty roads, anticipation and use of vision is everything. Read the road, be smooth on the gas, and avoid big throttle openings and loads of revs. Preserve momentum. Haring up to things and braking at the last minute won’t work. When it comes to how you use the motor, the key is to keep the bike running efficiently without letting it labour. Rolling around in top gear at ultra-low revs won’t save you fuel. Instead, keep the bike running, but shift…

BSA’S ORIGINAL GOLD Star was adapted for everything from trials to road racing, so it’s no surprise the Indian-revived firm is expanding the new Goldie family with different models. The Scrambler 650 is the second model after the conventional retro roadster, and looks the part with high, stocky mudguards and semi-knobbly tyres. It has more attitude and urban appeal than the standard Goldie, which may help it attract those of us who are no longer prepared or able to kick-start a Brit-built original… Unfortunately, they haven’t repeated the multi-use trick as well in the new bike. The riding position feels odd – the riser bars pull you forward rather than sit you upright, putting strain on wrists and the lumbar region. It doesn’t allow for a decent standing position either…

REMEMBER THE TRIUMPH advert with a black, muscular naked bike guarded by a Rottweiler, unsure whether to clamp its jaws around the front wheel or cock a leg on it? The original Speed Triple was launched 31 years ago, at the start of a model evolution that saw it pass through a streetfighter phase in the late ’90s into the super-naked class by the end of the 2000s. But whatever Trumph marketing people said, truth is none of the iterations were off-the-leash intimidating. The Speed Trip doggedly possessed a user-friendly side beloved by all styles and genders of rider. More of a Labrador retriever kinda bike. In 2021, the RS moved the Speed Triple into hyper-naked territory. However, its high performance engine, suspension set-up and committed riding position made it…

END OF YEAR is always the best time to buy a new bike, but there are even sweeter deals in 2025. New bikes sales in the first half of the year were down 30 per cent, dealers and manufacturers overstocked and undersold, and so most brands have a glut of 2025 bikes on their books that they’re keen to shift. Which gives us, the customers, more leverage when negotiating a deal. What are you waiting for? IT’S JUST SO CHEAP! 10 HONDA GB350S Ironically, one of the best-value new bikes of 2025 isn’t actually discounted. Demand for Honda’s GB350S has been strong since the start of the year and it’s not being updated for 2026, which means Honda dealers aren’t offering much in the way of deals because they don’t have…

NEW FOR 2025, the 800MT-X is based on KTM’s 790 Adventure, but with a spec hike and a price drop. And it’s good. Very, very good… It bounds through gentle beauty of the North York Moors, jumping for joy as we live the adventure bike dream. Ahead is us is one of Britain’s longest green lanes: a perfect gravel road that goes up hill and down dale, tracing the topography, cutting between the rocky outcrops and heather. I’m three hours and 160 miles into my time with the CFMoto, and to say it has been enlightening is an understatement. There have been moments of surprise and joy, but with every passing mile a growing respect and a realisation that as a performance-minded, highly critical motorcyclist, this is the first Chinese…

ARMR KUMAJI 3.0 £169.99 (JACKET) £129.99 (TROUSERS) www.oxfordproducts.com THE FACTS USED BY Simon Hargreaves USED FOR 5000 miles USED ON Adventure bikes TOTAL MILES 05000 THE CLAIM “The Kumaji 3.0 is the ultimate adventure companion, designed to take on whatever challenges come your way. Its DryGuard waterproof construction ensures a safe and dry ride, no matter the weather conditions. With a multitude of strategically placed vents, you can stay cool and comfortable during even the most intense riding. CE knee and hip protectors come as standard, complementing the garment’s CE AA rating.” THE REALITY At just £300 for the suit, Oxford Products’ Kumaji 3.0 jacket and trousers from their ARMR range are at the lower end of textile biker clothing. But as someone who has experienced occasional jibes from my…

‘Two nail basics and add features that appeal in their chosen fields’ The Klim Arsenal 30 and Oxford Atlas B-30 nail the basics and add features that appeal in their chosen fields. The Klim is aimed at adventure riders, and while its slim design means it feels less spacious than others, it’s much less intrusive if you’re riding on a trail. It’s also great to see details such as a tool bag, goggles cleaner and rain cover. It is, however, very focused on one biking genre – and would look a bit silly if you had, say, a sports-tourer. But it’s deserving of a recommended triangle. The Oxford outscores it, though, works on any bike, and the way it links up with Oxford’s other luggage is clever. We like that…

NORTON MOTORCYCLES HAVE officially announced they are ending production of all current models – including the 961 Commando and V4SV superbike – as they ready themselves for a new line-up that’s expected to arrive later this year. Although production of the V4SV and V4CR café racer variant has now ended, it is still possible to buy the Commando 961 for a limited time, with special ‘last-of-the-line’ examples yet to be built. The news came in an official announcement on September 2 and follows a lengthy teaser campaign from Norton about a new range of motorcycles said to consist of six new machines spanning three engine platforms. The announcement also confirms these new machines are already in production at their midlands facility and will be unveiled on November 4 at the…

LETTER OF THE MONTH Inspiration - at last! That’s it. I’ve (well, Suzuki have) cracked it. Look at the new GSX-R1000R! What a stunning bike. This is a poster bike. Controversially I’d probably pick the yellow one, but regardless, what an awesome looking bike. Perhaps this is what’s been missing from biking, and why new bikers are seemingly not there. A BMW GS may be good, a Yamaha Tracer 9 may be all you really need, and a Royal Enfield Himalayan may be stonking value, but I don’t think there’s much call for a wall poster of any of the aforementioned. I had an SRAD on my wall as a child. Unfortunately my wife won’t let me put posters up now! The new GSX-R1000 is an inspirational bike that would…

MIDDLEWEIGHT ADVENTURE BIKES are split into two camps – those with a tarmac focus, and those with genuine off-road ability. And for the off-roaders, race-winning credibility is playing an increasingly important role. All of which explains why Aprilia have released a hardcore version of their Tuareg 660. Based around the Tuareg race bike – which has chalked up wins in the Baja Aragón, Hellas Rally Raid, Africa Eco Race and Italian Motorally Championship – the Tuareg Rally 660 moves the focus towards trails. Featuring the same chassis and engine as the Tuareg (which has been tweaked for 2025), the Rally adds uprated suspension, a high mudguard, tougher crash protection, heavy-duty spoked wheels, taller bars, an SC-Project exhaust, and a very cool race-rep paint scheme for £1500 over the standard Tuareg.…

BEST FOR A DIP IN THE SEA Walcott Beach The B1159 runs up to Walcott sea wall and the village’s glorious, sandy beach. At high tide the sea is a short stroll away. Alternatively, grab a portion of fish and chips from shop over the road, take a seat on the sea wall, and admire the view. www.visitnorthnorfolk.com/see-and-do/walcott-beach-p1548251 BEST FOR A DAY ON THE RIVER Wroxham Boat Hire If you’re in no rush, or spreading the ride over two days, why not stop at Hoveton and hire a boat to cruise up the River Bure and explore the Broads? Boats – both diesel or electric, able to seat up to eight people – can be hired for up to four hours, from £40 for an hour. www.wroxhamboathire.co.uk BEST FOR HISTORICAL…

WE’VE BEEN AMAZED by the CB1000 Hornet SP’s performance, handling and level of equipment for the money. Nothing comes close – to the point where if the bike was 20 per cent more expensive we wouldn’t complain. But we’re glad it isn’t, as is the biking public. More than 1000 Hornets have been sold in the UK this year, with the lion’s share being the high-spec SP. This is why we think it rocks… THE ENGINE IS PURE GENIUS With a claimed 155bhp and costing £10,099, the Hornet 1000 SP (and less powerful but cheaper base model) give an unbeatable bang for your buck. The inline-four motor is a direct lift from the 2017 Fireblade, but retuned to boost midrange at the expense of outright peak power. The result is a…

KOVE 800X PRO A rugged, budget-friendly middleweight adventure bike built for real exploring ❱ £8499 ❱ 93bhp ❱ 59lb·ft ❱ 185kg (kerb) ❱ 850mm seat Built with rally-inspired design and proper adventure hardware, Kove’s 800X Pro is aimed at riders who want real dirt capability without breaking the bank. It features a grunty 799cc parallel twin engine – which looks very similar to KTM’s, even though there is no commercial link – and packs enough punch for rapid road work while remaining tractable enough for technical trails. Fuelling on early bikes was poor, and while this has improved, you may still benefit from an aftermarket fix. The fixes are out there and transform the bike, apparently. Poor fuelling is a common complaint on many Chinese bikes and we’d recommend a…

OCTOBER 2024 LEATHER JACKETS Spada Hanzo £319.99 A lovely jacket with top-line protection, great design touches and stacks of cooling airflow. Also a very nice price. RECOMMENDED Richa Charleston £389.99 Merlin Alton £299.99 NOVEMBER 2024 TOURING BOOTS Eleveit Venom £199.99 A lovely looking boot that is comfortable on and off the bike, fits really nicely, leaves room for thicker socks and kept all water out. RECOMMENDED Dainese Freeland 2 £259.99 JANUARY 2025 ON-BIKE TOOLKITS Oxford Tool Kit Pro £39.99 Decent value at full retail – even better if you can find it discounted online. Add some Torx bits and keep it under your seat for reassurance. Halfords Motorists Tool Kit £30 May be large and heavy but it’s an incredibly comprehensive travel toolkit that is worth making the room for.…

BMW WERE REALLY getting into their adventure bike stride by 2004 and the launch of the R1200GS. Original models were 40cc and 13bhp up on the old 1150 as well as – crucially – 30kg lighter. In 1200 form BMW also endowed its already accomplished all-rounder with second-generation ABS (introduced in 2007) and a whole host of useful electronic aids from 2008 – including Automatic Stability Control and Electronic Suspension Adjustment – all now staples of the GS range. The 1200 was not only the most sophisticated, polished and effective GS to date, it was also the blueprint for all modern adventure bikes – the one every other manufacturer looked to when designing their own. Few, if any, came close; the 1200’s 15-year model life is testament to the brilliance…