Inhaltsverzeichnis für May 2024 in RiDE

‘2024 is the year for brilliant and affordable bikes’ It's a great year for new bikes, but for me – among the big-money, big-power bikes like the BMW R1300GS or Suzuki's GSX-S1000GX – the highlights are at the more affordable end of the market. There is no getting away from the fact our money doesn't go as far as it used to, but there are a great array of bikes for under £10,000 – even for half that. Triumph's new Speed 400 is a great example. At £4995 it puts new bike purchase in the realms of many, sips fuel, costs peanuts to run – and thanks to current demand, I reckon you could ride one for six months and sell it for what you bought it for. There's little…

FRONT END MONTH IN BIKES TRIUMPH HAS UPDATED its Tiger 1200 adventure range, with a road-orientated GT Pro alongside a more rugged Rally Pro derivative. Both options also come in a beefed-up Explorer trim that increases the fuel capacity from 20 to 30 litres. As before, it's powered by a 1160cc T-plane triple with almost 150bhp, housed in the same tubular steel frame and delivering its power via the same shaft drive. Triumph says the bikes have improved slow speed control, thanks to a longer clutch lever and alterations to the crankshaft, alternator rotor and balancer shaft that aim to increase engine inertia to smooth power delivery. The Hinckley firm has also gone to great lengths to ensure the riding experience feels extra-plush – something Triumph says will boost comfort…

NEW BIKES FIRST RIDE KTM 990 DUKE YOU NEED TO bring your A-game to the middleweight naked class, given the depth of competition in the 750-900cc multi-cylinder segment. And KTM has definitely brought its best with the 990 Duke, which replaces the 890 Duke/Duke R (though we've heard that a sportier 990R with Carlos Fandango suspension is coming next year) with a bigger motor, a better chassis and an overall package that looks and feels proper premium. The overall formula is similar, but the only bits not changed to some extent are the brake master cylinders and calipers. Part of the reasoning is meeting the Euro 5+ homologation requirements (the 990 makes the same power and has more torque than the old 890R despite the more stringent standard), but KTM…

FIRST RIDE MOTO GUZZI STELVIO THE STELVIO IS the non-identical twin of last year's V100 Mandello – created side by side, but with differing chassis and bodywork to satisfy the needs of both sports and adventure touring. So, it's not surprise that the two bikes have a similar feel. But the Stelvio has a clearly defined adventure nature from the 19-inch front wheel and blocky rubber, raised handlebar position, and the protection from its improved electric screen – it's not just a tall sports tourer, like, say, a Versys. It's a likeable bike, with a keen and distinct feel to the engine, the handling is capable and reassuring, and it's extremely comfortable. At £14,700 it's in a very competitive part of the market. Honda's updated Africa Twin has a more…

Our first big stop is at the Lochnagar Crater, a vast scar on the landscape created at the beginning of the Battle of the Somme. The scale of the hole in the ground is almost incomprehensible, but then so is the scale of everything that happened around here. We move on, cutting across country towards Thiepval and the Monument to the Missing of the Somme, with the names of 72,000 soldiers with no known resting place. The road climbs and falls in a lazy rhythm, with straights and flowing corners to match. The topography means you can usually see the next few bends and we encounter virtually no traffic whatsoever – one advantage of visiting in France's summer holidays. We see evidence of agriculture though – muddy tracks leading from…

BMW M1000XR RIDDEN & RATED 2024 SPECIAL TALL-ROUNDERS ARE ALL very well when it comes to comfort and practicality, but their sensible nature could leave the performance-minded cold. Not the new £22,580 BMW M1000XR. It's a performance bike in every sense and there's nothing like it on the road right now – even Ducati's Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. The wow factor starts with its S1000RR-derived engine, complete with its clever variable valve ShiftCam system. BMW has chopped a bit off the top to get through noise regulations, but it still makes 199bhp. That's a lot, especially when you consider BMWs make almost the same power on a dyno as it claims in the brochure. THE FACTS BMW M1000XR £22,580 199bhp 83lb·ft 223kg 850mm seat Eye-watering performance meets all-day comfort The…

TRIUMPH HAS ALWAYS been forward-thinking when it comes to its middleweight adventure bike range – something that has reaped rewards through impressive sales. The Tiger 800 was a big success for the firm (selling over 85,000 units in its 10‑year life span) as buyers looking for a characterful lightweight adventurer snapped them up. And by evolving the bike not only in its performance but also its tech level, Triumph maintained this upward trend. But the significantly updated 2020 Tiger 900 models hit a sticky wicket… Despite selling 45,000 units to date, this new generation of Tiger splits opinions as its T-plane engine isn't to everyone's tastes. Triumph claims its off-beat firing order not only gives the bike extra spirit, it also has smoother torque characteristics than the 120° crank layout…

There's always an argument for extra tech, but it's hard to see what Triumph could add that would benefit riders rather than being added for the sake of it. The lack of a keyless ignition does seem an oversight, but other than this you're looking at items such as semi-active suspension, radar-assisted cruise control or blind spot detection. Most riders probably won't be fussed about these not being there. As well as adding bulk, the radar units are ugly and would detract from the GT's clean lines, while the shock is easy to alter via the dash. The tech Triumph has included is well-integrated and intuitive. The revised dash menu is a case in point – everything is where you would expect it to be.…

THE FACTS BMW R1300GS £18,465 (£23,270 as tested) 143bhp 110lb·ft 237kg 850mm seat height Phenomenal roadholding and ride quality; plentiful performance; supreme technology; luxurious finish Seat comfort could be a bit better; large phone won't fit in new mobile cubby VERDICT A stunning technological accomplishment, BMW's evolution of the GS takes it unexpectedly sportsward, further refining the bike to be sharper and stronger. It's the surest sign yet that adventure bikes have taken over from sports tourers. RIDDEN & RATED 2024 SPECIAL THE REVAMPED BMW R1300GS is a big deal. It's way more than an overhaul of the most successful motorcycle of the past 20 years, it's a reinvention. New engine, frame, styling – there's a lot riding on it. There's a lot riding on it literally as, after a…

2012-2020 | £3500 | 140mph | 116bhp KAWASAKI'S VERSYS 1000 is an accomplished jack of all trades. The clue's in the name – Versys being short for ‘Versatile System’. The inline-four ticks every box – whether you're a commuter, a weekend fun-seeker, a continental adventurer or a lover of two-up touring. The fact it's been a staple of Kawasaki's range for over a decade speaks volumes for its effectiveness and popularity. Owners rate the Versys 1000 highly because its blend of proven mechanicals, comfort, modest running costs and ample luggage capacity is so effective. Introduced in 2012 as a Z1000-derived tall-rounder package, the Versys has gone through several updates – first in 2015, then in 2019 and 2021. It's also appeared in various guises – from entry-level and Touring to…

Ride quality is critical, because most Versys are bought for long-haul trips. If you're looking at a bike that's still on its standard shock (non-SE) and you're planning a lot of two-up rides, or carrying luggage, you would be advised to upgrade the rear damper. The shock lacks support when new; if it's on its last legs the rear end will feel wallowy and the steering lazy. If all is well the steering should be light and accurate, and the handling easy and neutral. Preload adjustment is via a remote adjuster, so firming up the rear end is a simple process. A late, low-mileage example may suffer from front brake judder, but it's an easy fix – sportier pads sort the issue, so don't worry if you feel a vibration.…

HUSQVARNA NORDEN 901 EXPEDITION |0|0|7|6|2| MILES UPDATE 01 VERY FEW THINGS in life require the level of compromises and conflicting requirements as the design brief of a ‘proper’, do-anything adventure bike. It needs to able to cross continents with 200-plus-mile chunks between fill-ups. It needs a motor that's as happy mud-plugging as it is heading up the M6. It needs supple, versatile suspension to handle anything from crossing rock gardens to touring the Garden of England. It needs to be narrow and accommodating while standing on the pegs, but also needs comfort for a day in the saddle. And it also needs to be light enough to pick up when you're on your own or to wrestle over an obstacle. Husqvarna's Norden 901 Expedition aims to tick all these boxes.…

‘A solid bike for 5-10k miles per year’ The mid-sized GS was always a capable mile-muncher, but Mark Calpin's turned his into a proper go-anywhere adventure tourer Name Mark Calpin, 47 Bike 2008 BMW F800GS Total Miles 103,332 Miles per year 5000-10,000 “MOTORCYCLES HAVE ALWAYS been my main mode of transport – I don't own a car. I ride my bike for commuting but also for camping holidays, sometimes travelling for extended periods. I did a three-month camping trip to Europe in the middle of winter in 2013-14.” Blimey, that sounds a bit nippy… “Cold, yes but so much fun! I've also done an Iron Butt ride – 1000 miles in 24 hours to raise money for the Royal British Legion. I probably clock up 5-10k miles a year. I'm…

Donegal, Ireland Winter trips are possible; with the forecast giving two reasonably dry days and no sub-zero temperatures, I set off for a trip around the Donegal section of the Wild Atlantic Way. It was fantastic scenery; 450 miles over two days. Damian McAfee Killarney, Ireland A lovely sunny Sunday spin up the Kerry mountains to Ladies View, overlooking the Lakes of Killarney. Morgan Kavanagh Pyrenees, France Here's a picture of my Yamaha Thundercat somewhere in the Pyrenees. The bike had previously been unused for 13 years and I repaired it to get it road-ready. After a few shakedown runs, two of us rode to a mate's place in France. I did a total of 3000 miles on that trip and had a right blast. Ronnie Calvert STAR PICTURE Pamir…

FRONT END RiDE INVESTIGATES WHETHER IT'S GOVERNMENTS imposing draconian licence laws or the challenge of shifting to net zero, there's always a scare story to tell us that motorcycling's days as a pastime are numbered. But a bigger problem for motorcycling is it's our days that are numbered, and that for years the average age of riders has crept upwards. Statistics are often misleading, but the National Travel Survey hints at some worrying trends. For example, in 2002, people aged 17-20 covered an average of 66 miles per year on two wheels. A decade later it was 48 miles and by 2022 it had dropped to 28 miles. In comparison, the mileage covered by riders aged 50-59 was the same in 2022 as it was in 2002. Moped sales accounted for…

Ducati has launched a one-of-a-kind finance offer on its Scrambler 800 range. The deal will give customers access to a new bike interest free and with no monthly repayments after they've paid a 50 per cent upfront deposit. After two years, owners can choose to pay the remaining half of the bike's retail value or give the keys back and call it quits owing nothing. The Scrambler 800 comes in three variants – the £9995 Icon, and the £10,995 Full Throttle and Nightshift. All three are fundamentally similar, and sharing the same trellis chassis and 803cc, 72bhp, four-valve Desmodromic air-cooled V-twin.…

A bike stolen in Edinburgh five years ago has been reunited with its owner. Mario Hellwig's Triumph Street Triple was stolen in 2019 while he was on a motorcycle tour of Scotland and he had to make his own way back to Germany. Greater Manchester Police's Stolen Vehicle Examination Unit (SVEU) managed to identify the bike after it was recovered in September 2023 – but with no registration or details on the Police National Computer, an investigation was started to find the owner. The Manchester team worked with police in Europe, who identified it as being registered in Germany. Interpol then contacted the German authorities to speak with Mario, who provided the correct details to prevent the Triumph from being crushed.…

‘Why do I get aches and pains riding on twisty, fun roads?’ Q I HAVE NOTICED that I seem to get aches and pains in my neck and shoulders after riding on twisty roads, but not when I'm cruising along the motorway. Is this normal? If not, what can I do about it? I ride a BMW R1200GS, so I don't imagine it's the bike's fault. Norman Kelner, email A FIRSTLY, NO, IT'S definitely not the bike. Secondly, what you describe is normal for a lot of riders, and it can be a serious problem that holds back a lot of people. But you can crack it. Before we get to that, it's worth explaining why tension can be such a nightmare on a bike. Those aches and pains are…

Café des Sports, Hébuterne An archetypal French café that serves exceptional coffee either inside alongside pinball machines or at tables on the pavement. If you're lucky, you'll end up in conversation with a local enjoying a pre-lunch beer. We did. Friterie Loossoise, Loos-en-Gohelle This really is chips (frites) with everything, but they are excellent – as is whatever you have with them. Hot dogs, burgers, steaks… Really friendly staff, too. www.facebook.com/people/La-Loossoise/100082990519495 II Gusto d'Italia. Ypres It may seem odd to get a Belgian waffle in somewhere called ‘The Taste of Italy’ but the waffles here are superb; thick, crispy, cooked to order, and as is our preference, smothered in syrup with vanilla ice cream. They're virtually a meal in themselves… www.ilgustoditalia.be…

HONDA AFRICA TWIN ADVENTURE SPORTS RIDDEN & RATED 2024 SPECIAL THE 2018 AFRICA Twin Adventure Sports never quite made sense: a 24.8-litre tank, 21in front wheel, tall suspension and colossal 900mm seat. Was it an adventure tourer for tall people or a giant off-road bike? Its 2020 revamp introduced a lower seat, shorter suspension and some tech to make it more user-friendly – but now 2024 sees a full transition to almost pure road bike, with a 19in front wheel, an even lower seat, shorter, semi-active-only suspension, a broader spread of power, wider fairing and other detail changes to suit road use. The biggest change is swapping the 21in 90/90 front wheel/tyre combo for a 19in (still wire-spoked) 110/80, on shorter suspension with road-biased damping and a lower centre of…

THE FACTS TRIUMPH DAYTONA 660 £8595 94bhp 51lb·ft 201kg 810mm seat Great looks, wonderful motor, keen value Suspension and riding position aren't ideal for super-fast riding VERDICT Triumph's softer take on a sportsbike is a good package for those who don't take ‘sport’ too seriously – and it's built to an impressive price point, too. A comfortable sportsbike for all‑day riding? Check IT'S 2024, SO the supersport sector is dead, right? Wrong. A new era of middleweight sportsbikes are not only here with a vengeance, but better suited as road bikes than ever. Gone are the days of back-breaking riding positions, single-minded screaming motors and rock-hard chassis – the new wave of sporty middles offer a softer, calmer and more rounded approach – and Triumph's Daytona 660 is the latest…

Yes, it is. When you first sit on the Tiger the new seat does initially feel a bit oddly flat, but you quickly get used to it and after a few miles you don't think about it again. And you certainly don't become distracted by vibrations as the rubber-mounted bars and engine modifications have all but eliminated this irritating trait. At a constant speed the Tiger eats miles, and the fact it comes with lots of creature comforts – brush guards, heated seats and bars, and an adjustable screen – help time in the saddle fly past. The two-stage heated seats and three-stage heated grips could pump out more heat, but that's a personal-taste issue – and if they aren't hot enough for you there's a 12V output for heated…

RIDDEN & RATED 2024 SPECIAL While the Tiger is undeniably sensible and practical, it's also great fun when presented with a dry and twisty B-road. Triumph has done a great job with the Tiger's chassis (which remains basically unaltered in the update), and thanks to quality Metzeler tyres and responsive suspension you can really throw it about and push on. Swapping to sportier power modes automatically firms up the damping on electronically-adjustable shock (the forks are manually-adjustable for rebound and compression), but for most of the time there's no need to go as far as the ‘Sport’ mode unless the tarmac is smooth. ‘Road’ delivers a much nicer balance between firm and compliance. Despite their sportsbike origins, the Brembo Stylema calipers never feel like overkill on an adventure bike –…

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 £5750 40bhp 30lb·ft 196kg 825/845mm seat Simple to ride, charming off-roader with far more power than before It's not as cheap or as ‘roadside-fixable’ as before VERDICT Modern-day Himmy is set for adventure with more tech, better suspension and a usable amount of grunt. The new water-cooled single boosts power by 16bhp and it now has more torque than anything in its class, too. Where the old bike struggled above 50mph, the new bike can hold motorway speeds all day, but when you hit the trails the new Showa suspension has much more control and feel. A 17-litre fuel tank promises 200-mile range and Google Maps navigation from your phone is compatible with the dash. It offers so much for the cash. This could well could…

RATED THE RiDE PRODUCT TEST ‘For ease of use and a massive range of accessories, the Quad Lock comes out on top’ This was a difficult test to call four years ago, but advances in technology – as well as reductions in price – mean it is now easy to establish a result. For ease of use and a huge range of accessories – including wireless charging, waterproofing covers (if you don't want to trust Apple's claim of waterproofing, for example) and a host of car and desk stands, the Quad Lock comes out on top. The products are made with exceptional quality and it is so easy to use. The cases are super-slim and barely larger than a ‘normal’ case. The Quad Lock is deserving of a RiDE Best…

YOUR RIDES MY FAVOURITE RIDE WEST COUNTRY WONDER SHOW US YOUR ROUTE GET A GREAT PRIZE! Email ride@ride.co.uk and tell us about your favourite ride and if published, you'll get a great prize to say thanks. The Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE, winner of RiDE's 2023 touring-tyre test, is a great tyre that works in all conditions – as you will find out! metzeler.co.uk I thought I knew this bit of the Dorset coast fairly well, but as I roll down a tiny lane to the beach at Charmouth to meet Zoe I realise I've never been right down to the sea here before. It's lovely, in a bleak, windswept sort of way. This is the Jurassic Coast, where you can't walk along the shore without tripping over a dinosaur, but I'm…

Harley-Davidson has unveiled the Hydra-Glide Revival – the latest addition to its Icons Motorcycle Collection, which draws inspiration from the 1950s. Limited to 1750 units worldwide, the £29,495 Revival features the 1868cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin with 115lb·ft of torque at 3250rpm and is capable of a claimed 51.4mpg. It's fitted to a blacked-out chassis derived from Harley's Softail cruiser range, with the bike holding the closest resemblance to the £23,445 Heritage Classic. Each 332kg bike features a numbered plaque as well as a deep glossy red paint job with white panels on the tank to match designs featured on the original 1956 machine. It also has a single 685mm seat and classically-styled, 43-litre saddlebags. Bikes are in dealers now.…

Email ride@ride.co.uk Write to us RiDE, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough PE2 6EA LETTER OF THE MONTH A great cause Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has just announced its line-up for the iconic Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival and I thought I would drop you a line to let you know what's happening. The annual event, organised by Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, is one of the biggest ride-outs in the country, attracting more than 6000 people every year. A 26-mile convoy will depart Meole Brace in Shrewsbury on Sunday April 28 and arrive at Weston Park, Shifnal. A host of celebrity bikers have announced their attendance at this year's event, including Carl Fogarty, James Whitham, Steve Parrish, Ollie Ollerton, Allen Millyard and Elspeth Beard. For more information, check out bike4lifefest.com. Becky Kroon…

FIRST RIDE YAMAHA MT-09 WITH 100,000 SALES in Europe alone, it's fair to say the MT-09 has been a big success for Yamaha since its release in 2013. But it wasn't for everyone, with a supermoto-esque stance and geometry set-up that meant it lacked in the handling department compared to rivals. An overhaul in 2021 – including a new chassis and engine – fixed a lot of the issues. But it retained a more civilised riding position and stance – especially compared to its razor-sharp rivals in KTM's 890 (now 990) Duke and Triumph's Street Triple R. Now, Yamaha has been back to the drawing board to make the MT-09 the sharpest it has ever been, without losing the fun it delivers in an abundance. The looks won't be to…

FIRST RIDE TRIUMPH DAYTONA 660 THE TRIUMPH DAYTONA 660 is no hardcore supersport machine. It's built for the sub-100bhp, softer-sport class that's booming, with a huge array of machinery on offer including Aprilia's RS660, Yamaha's R7, Suzuki's GSX-8R, Honda's CBR650R, and Kawasaki's Ninja 650 alongside its screaming ZX-4RR. All these machines cost less than £10,000, boast less than 100bhp and offer varying levels of sportiness, comfort and technology. But the Daytona 660 brings a new flavour to the sector thanks to a mighty, triple motor based on the Trident 660. Heavily reworked, among the changes are new pistons, crank and revised gear ratios. The new lump boasts 17% more power and rolling on the throttle is a joy thanks to a throaty midrange and urgent drive to its 12,650rpm redline.…

THE BIG RIDE THE FACTS The route From Amiens, our route heads east, tracing the River Somme and the supply route to the front. At roughly the area of the Battle of the Somme, we turn northwards to follow the route of the Western Front, as it was in 1916-17, save for passing Arras to the west rather than the east. We end in Ypres, Belgium, at the Menin Gate memorial to more than 54,000 fallen with no known resting place. Why it's great It's a lovely ride in part of France overlooked by most tourists. When to go Bizarrely, August is lovely as most of France is on holiday and the roads are pretty much at their quietest. Where to visit So many places, but the French and British…

Kawasaki ZX-4RR £8806 76bhp 29lb·ft 189kg Packs a mighty punch with a 16,000rpm redline and whopping (for a 400) 76bhp. Looks crazy, but comes with a slightly softer, and more comfortable approach in terms of its riding position and suspension set-up. VERDICT An extreme engine that nods to legendary old-school machinery. Suzuki GSX-8R £8899 82bhp 60lb·ft 205kg Essentially a GSX-8S with stiffer suspension and a set of fairings (it uses the same chassis, geometry, electronics and parallel-twin motor). The suspension changes have made enough difference to give it a sharper, sportier nature. VERDICT An impressively capable and comfortable machine. Honda CBR600RR £10,499 119bhp 46lb·ft 193kg If you want a ‘proper’ supersport bike, Honda have you covered with its returning CBR600RR. It will be the fastest of the middleweights – but…

WHEN EDITOR MATT asked me if I fancied riding the Honda NC750X through winter, I jumped at the chance. Winter riding isn't always fun, with the ever-changing weather and dark nights to contend with, but if a bike can give you the confidence you need in these conditions you know it has been developed well. The biggest question we've needed to answer is whether a bike with such a sensible image can actually be fun. Over the past couple of months I've answered that question with commuting, road trips and two-up riding. Here's what I've learned over one of the wettest winters I've had the pleasure of riding through. THE FACTS £8799 58bhp 224kg TOTAL MILES 3152 MPG THIS MONTH 60 1 You'll either love or hate the DCT box Honda's…

SUZUKI V-STROM 800DE TOUR |0|5|3|6|0| MILES UPDATE 04 THE V-STROM IS the most useful motorcycle I've ever had in my garage and I don't want it to go back to Suzuki. I love its comfort, practicality and un-faze-ability. And its capacity to turn commute-style riding – however inconvenient, wet, miserable or cold – into an absolute blast is remarkable. I'm not entirely sure it doesn't do anything a 16-year-old BMW F800GS couldn't do, apart from come with traction control, a quickshifter and a USB port – and in much more comfort thanks to what is, I think, the most comfortable seat in modern motorcycling. I love it. So there I am, pounding along a straight fen road at an unspecified velocity late at night, returning fully loaded from a trip…

YAMAHA TRACER 9 GT+ |0|0|6|7|6| MILES UPDATE 01 FOR THE PAST year or so, I have enjoyed a sub-£10k middleweight adventure bike; all soft and compliant. But for 2024 I am running Yamaha's Tracer 9 GT+, a technological and performance powerhouse and widely acclaimed as one of the best – if not the best – sports tourer out there. Collecting the bike from Yamaha in Woking, I threw a leg over with anticipation and everything felt good; I pulled away in Street mode, starting the 190-mile run home through the aftermath of torrential rain. I instantly noticed now much tighter the Tracer is than what I'm used to. Responses to inputs were instant, and the suspension picked up and communicated every detail of the road. The throttle response felt almost…