Inhaltsverzeichnis für February 2026 in RiDE

'There's still so much to explore in the UK - and I cannot wait' I’m not going to lie: I detest winter. I hate the nights drawing in, the salt, the slime, and the constant cleaning. But I’ve ridden through most winters since 1996 because, personally, it’s still worth the hassle. We’re now over the hump and things are winding up, not down. Every evening is a little lighter, every day we get a bit closer to spring. That means now is the time to plan for the good times – because they’ll be here before you know it. Each year I plan for some big foreign trips, and those days researching destinations or furtively perusing Google Maps keep me going. This year I’m planning another, but my first priority…

Essex technician Liam Coffey has been crowned the best in the business after winning the Yamaha World Sports Technician title at the manufacturer’s 2025 World Technician Grand Prix in Japan on 19 November. Representing QBS Powersports and Yamaha Motor UK, Coffey first clinched the British title before heading to the Netherlands to face the brand’s top technicians from across Europe. The three strongest performers – from the UK, Turkey, and Spain – were then flown to the firm’s headquarters in Hamamatsu for an intensive practical and theory showdown to decide the global champion. He emerged victorious in the Sports Model class.…

KTM’S OLD 390 Adventure never quite hit the mark. Introduced in 2020 and based on the 390 Duke, it failed to live up to its ‘Adventure’ moniker, feeling more like a street bike adapted for a dual-purpose role than a genuine go-anywhere machine. Despite working well on road (hardly a surprise, given it shared a frame with the sweet-handling Duke), the Adventure felt out of its depth on the dirt, particularly on anything gnarlier than a forest fire track or gentle green lane – a trait compounded by 19/17in wheels, even in spoked SW guise. The all-new 390 Adventure R looks to address the shortcomings while building on its on-road strengths. As before, the 390 comes in two specs: a road-orientated X option with cast wheels; or a pukka dual-purpose…

BRIDGESTONE Battlax T33 performance, with 47% more mileage. That’s what really matters. Get yours. THE FACTS The route A 68-mile romp through the best of Northants and Bedfordshire, it’s fast, flowing and fun. And normally really quiet… Why it’s great There’s little in the way of traffic, there is always something to keep your interest up and it’s easy to build a wonderful rhythm that rasies your spirits and slaps a smile on your chops. When to go. Any time of the year is just fine: the East Midlands is generally mild enough in winter, but some might say it’s best tackled on a summer’s eve. Sod it, do both! Where to visit. Why not combine it with a canter around Bedford Autodrome? There are trackdays there all through 2026.…

DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk Best for Works well with any bike, of any capacity Length 68 miles Route Oundle, Polebrook, Great Gidding, Kimbolton, Bolnhurst, Thurleigh, Chelveston, Raunds, Brigstock, Benefield, Oundle Love it because It’s a flowing, fun-packed route that gives you the opportunity to enjoy your bike and not get stuck in traffic Take a picture at the pull-in on the bend after Glatton. Thanks to the UK’s car and bike media, it’s one of the most photographed bends in the UK. Stop for a cuppa at It’s worth seeing if the café at Bedford Autodrome is open. ALSO TRY… Cambs and go Best for Sunsets and cornfields Length 73 miles Route Buckden, via Kimbolton, Abbots Ripton, Somersham, Chatteris, Manea, Ely Roads B661, B660, B1090, B1050, B1098, B1100, A1101, A10…

IMAGINE IF YOU could buy an affordable, thrilling, game-changing motorcycle that not only tugs at your heart strings every time you open the garage door but also increases in value the longer you keep it. That’d be the perfect second bike, right? Well, you can. The modern classics world is brimming with brilliant bikes of all shapes, makes, sizes and function. From razor-sharp race rep 400s and meaty first-wave retros to continent-crushing tourers, legendary adventure bikes, and analogue superbikes that excite with a purity of performance unmatched by even the latest World Superbike clones. Bikes like Ducati’s magnificent M900 Monster, Honda’s sublime XRV750 Africa Twin, and Yamaha’s legendary YZF-R1. And at this time of year, it is the perfect way to pick up a second bike for peanuts. BEST FOR…

PORTUGUESE PERFECTION Riding from Lisbon to Porto the twisty way is about as good as European biking gets Portugal’s mountainous interior is a place of wonder: rugged, charming and full of discovery. Most of my initial touring experiences were in Spain, but Portugal brings it up a level: the roads are more challenging, the food more rustic and you’re without the everyone-speaks-English safety net. Ride in Portugal and you’re really travelling. Back in 2023 I travelled from the capital, Lisbon, to beautiful, atmospheric Porto and those snatched days still live with me. The variety of the scenery makes our own sceptred isle seem dull, from the 10.5-mile viaduct over the River Tagus as you leave Lisbon, to the climbs and twists of the N244 that approaches Centro Geodésico de Portugal…

YOUR TESTER Bike mechanic and journalist Alan has ridden through umpteen winters but feels the cold more acutely than a shaven cat. He’s perfectly placed to find the best thermals. IF IT’S CHILLY out, it’s even colder on a bike. Once you get moving, even mild winter temperatures take a sinister turn for the worse. If the mercury is registering 5°C standing still and the wind isn’t blowing, that translates to -4°C when you hit 70mph on the motorway. You wouldn’t have to ride for long before the cold starts to take its toll. More than mere discomfort, which is distracting in itself, concentration starts to wander, reflexes slow, and danger rises exponentially. Many simply park their bikes up for the winter months and count the days until spring like…

2020-2024 | £10,000-£14,000 | 175mph | 155bhp DUCATI DESIGNATE THE Panigale V2 their ‘entry level sportsbike’. All things are relative, of course, and the 155bhp (claimed) 2020-2024 version might not be the most sensible choice for a new rider with a freshly signed test pass certificate. As a gateway to the Panigale V4 and its ilk, the V2 is an excellent proposition. But if you never make that leap, the Panigale V2 can be all the sportsbike you ever need, particularly if most of your riding is done on the road. Our guide looks at the 2020-2024 model, which was superseded in 2025 with a less powerful but lighter and more sophisticated (in terms of rider aids) Panigale V2, which Ducati claim to be every bit as capable as this…

Once you’ve finally managed to stop ogling the fine lines of the Panigale V2, the next thing you’ll want to do is hunt down some corners. This is where the Ducati excels. Even if you are less than masterful in the bends, the V2 will flatter you and make you better. Yet man cannot live on B-roads alone, so some assessment of practical considerations is a necessary part of the test ride. The big question for many of us will be whether we fit the Panigale, or indeed any sportsbike. The ergonomics of the Panigale are not the most extreme in sports motorcycling, but your weight will definitely be biased towards your wrists and the only respite from that is to ride where you can go that little bit quicker.…

2025 SUZUKI DR-Z4S IT’S BEEN THE best part of a year between Suzuki unveiling the DR-Z4S and it becoming available to buy, and much of that has been filled with conjecture, speculation and keyboard experts casting their wisdom. You see, the DR-Z4S is the bike that replaces the iconic (if you’re a dirt-loving trail rider) DR-Z400S. Introduced in 2000, the original DR-Z was known for its value, simplicity and toughness. Euro3 killed it off in the UK in 2009, but it’s still a top seller in the United States. The new bike is far more sophisticated to get it through the latest regs and claims better road and off-road ability. But is it enough 25 years later? THE FACTS £7999 > 37bhp > 151kg MILES THIS MONTH 348 MPG THIS…

A NAKED STREET bike with serious attitude and a nose for mischief: that’s KTM’s 990 Super Duke. This a bike built for fun, frolics and blowing away Sunday morning cobwebs; not the sort you’d take home to your mother, but definitely one you’d show off to your mates. Powered by KTM’s muscular 990cc LC8 V-twin, punching out 120bhp and a healthy 74lb·ft – at 9000rpm and 7000rpm respectively – the Super Duke’s performance is all the more vivid thanks its relatively modest 186kg dry weight. Add high-quality WP suspension (the 990R got thicker forks and updated damping for 2007, so if you can find one, go R) and superbike-sized Brembo brakes to the package – all held in place by a typically stiff KTM steel trellis chassis – and it’s…

TRIUMPH ARE AGAIN expanding their popular single-cylinder line-up with a £5745 Tracker 400 naked and £5995 Thruxton 400 café racer. The spring arrivals bring the marque’s range to five models, with both additions featuring a lightly adjusted version of the brand’s 398cc TR-Series engine – with slightly more top end thanks to a higher rev limit. A new camshaft profile and fresh engine tune also feature, and both models are fed by a 13-litre fuel tank. Triumph say the changes have resulted in a 5% increase in peak power on both machines – taking the TR-Series unit to 41bhp at 9000rpm. They further claim that a handy 80% of the 28lb·ft of torque is accessible from just 3000rpm. Away from the engine, the Thruxton 400 features a bikini half-fairing and…

‘I don’t really know how I should use the rear brake. Can you help?’ Q I RIDE A Triumph Speed Triple and don’t have a clue what to do with my rear brake. Some say use it; others say never. What’s right, and if I should use it, when? Kate Jenkins, email A LIKE MY APRILIA Tuono V4, your Speed Triple has a sporty chassis, excellent front brakes and an average rear brake. As a result, the short answer is that the rear brake doesn’t have the same amount of applications as it would on an adventure bike or a sports-tourer. There are some decent uses for the rear brake, though. It is good for helping to keep things smooth when filtering or at slow speed, and a gentle touch…

FIRST RIDE KTM 1390 SUPER ADVENTURE S EVO KTM SEEM TO be back on track thanks to a buyout by Bajaj, and it means we can finally get our mitts on the models they unveiled at EICMA 2024. First there was the sublime 990 RC R, and now we have the 1390 Super Adventure S Evo, which is brimming with electronic trickery and a raft of upgrades over the old 1290. Fundamental to the Evo is the Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT), though the off-road R model and the lower-spec S continue with shifting. Auto change sounds complicated, but in principle is relatively simple. Instead of a mechanical foot-operated linkage for gear selection, the boffins at KTM have installed an electronic ‘finger’ to do that bit for you. It uses quickshifter…

An adventure bike should be capable of going anywhere, regardless of the terrain. The new 390 Adventure R is that machine. It’s as happy and competent clicking off autoroute miles as it is slewing along forest fire tracks or attacking the twists and turns of ancient rock and mud-strewn byways. If anything, it’s a perfect blend of rally raid and adventure – light, well balanced and manageable yet capable of everything from a dirty day out on the trails to long-range continental touring. KTM’s switch to 21/18in wheels in place of the old model’s 19/17in set-up has been key in transforming the Adventure from what felt like a street bike on lightly knobbled tyres (fine on tarmac but never truly comfortable off it) into a proper dual-purpose package. Larger dimensions…

All in all, 2025 was a good year for motorcycling – the best since the dark days of Covid. The weather was great and the warmth of summer meant miles and smiles. You might have enjoyed it, but there is always room for improvement - and this guide will help you with just that. Packed with great places to ride and tips to get the most from both you and your bike, we hope it’ll make 2026 an even better year. All we need now is the sun……

‘Proper clean is a cathartic experience’ WINTER IS THE toughest season for the motorcyclist. Whether you ride through it because of want or necessity, or are forced to sit it out, it’s a long old haul from the coldest November days to the hopeful warmth of March. But you can do several things to make your biking life better – and making your bike work as well as it can is one of the most satisfying. These things, which aren’t in most service schedules but are easy tasks for a home mechanic, will make the a real difference to your bike – whether you’re riding it next week or waiting until the first shoots of spring. LOVE YOUR CHAIN Difficulty A dirty, badly adjusted chain is destructive and ruins your…

Keis G201 Heated Inner Gloves £80 (plus £30 for batteries) www.keisapparel.com THE CLAIM “The Keis G201 Heated Inner Gloves are a sleek, ultra-thin upgrade to inner liners, finely wrapping each finger with carbon fibre wire for uniform warmth. Designed to slide under motorcycle or leisure gloves, they feature a discreet cuff battery pocket – perfect for winter rides, delivering powerful heat without bulk.” THE REALITY Keis is my go-to brand for heated kit, but I’m sceptical about battery-powered glove inners: batteries run out, it’s extra faff, and aren’t glove liners delicate? During a cold snap I did 240 miles in five hours or so in the G201s, running on the USB-C rechargeable 3000mAh batteries (they’re a £30 extra; the gloves don’t come with them). On full power, one glove lasted…

‘Even the cheapest base layers make a difference’ Whatever your budget, there’s no need to freeze if you want or need to ride through winter. The biggest surprise for us is how much difference even the cheapest base layers make to the inclement weather motorcycle riding experience. None of these base layers disappoint. The cheapest is the Oxford Advanced at £44.98; the most expensive is the Halvarssons layers at £179.98 – four times more than the Oxfords. When we add up the points, we can’t argue that they are four times better. Indeed, the scores are so high and close across the board that the decision as to which to buy is largely down to personal preference as to material and even brand. The top two performers, Alpinestars and Halvarssons,…

The base Tiger Sport 800 comes with a good spec list: cruise, quickshifter, six-axis IMU traction control and cornering ABS. Our bike rocked up with sapphire paint (£150), a full set of colour-coded panniers (£625), top box, rack and plate (£514), colour panels (£210), heated grips (£240) and fog lamps (£305). Added to the cost of the base bike – £10,995 – that’s a total of £13,039. But Triumph have announced a Tour version, which keeps the colour-coded panniers, top box and heated grips but adds tyre pressure sensors, comfort seat, centrestand and handguards for £12,895. Add the £305 fogs it’s only £161 more than our bike – and it comes with an extremely pretty blue or red paint job with gold coachlines.…

KTM’S FALL FROM grace stunned the motorcycling world – three decades as a poster child of success and growth ended when the Austrian brand applied for bankruptcy protection in November 2024 amid billions of Euros of debt. The boom in bike sales after the pandemic tempted KTM into rapid expansion, but that boom proved short-lived and left KTM with huge debts, declining sales and a year’s worth of unsold stock. Entering self-administration and halting production in November 2024, KTM avoided liquidation when creditors approved a restructure that would see them recoup just 30% of their money. Part-owner Bajaj stepped in with an €800 million (£705 million) cash injection to make that possible. Who owns KTM now? Before Bajaj’s intervention KTM was owned by Pierer Mobility AG, 74.9% of which was…

Racers Taylor Mackenzie and Danny Webb have launched an online platform designed to get fresh talent working in both British and global racing championships. The Paddock Network is aiming to attract talent for a variety of roles – from mechanics to truck drivers, and media staff to riders – and help to break down barriers for those wanting to get involved in the sport who don’t already have links. “Everyone in racing knows how chaotic this process can be,” said Mackenzie, a former National Superstock champion and website co-founder. Job adverts can be listed for all levels of racing, with interested workers also able to create personal profiles and upload CVs. It’s hoped that riders themselves will also be able to showcase themselves to interested teams – rather than relying…

Email letters@ride.co.uk Write to us RiDE, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough PE2 6EA LETTER OF THE MONTH A room with a vroom view I have always wanted to display one of my motorcycles in a house. So recently, while my girlfriend was out Christmas shopping, I seized the moment and wheeled my bike in! Fortunately her reaction was positive and I have been allowed to keep the bike inside until our new dining table arrives. It’s the only motorcycle I’ve ever bought new. I fell in love with the colour scheme of this 2010 Triumph Daytona 675 SE, in that gorgeous pear white paint and blue frame. I held off registering it until March 2011, so it might be the only 2011 SE? It’s now covered 10,000 miles, including a trip…

FIRST RIDE DUCATI MULTISTRADA V4 RALLY DUCATI’S NEW MULTISTRADA V4 Rally is about as indulgent as adventure bikes get. At £25,271 it costs more money than most of us can afford, has more power than any of us can use on the road, and has more off-road potential than most of us would know what to do with. But we’re glad it exists, because if you’re lucky enough to have pockets deep enough, it’s the ultimate in go-anywhere, high-performance luxury and tech. It shares its V4 engine, semi-active suspension, chassis, brakes and electronic rider aids with the latest all-singing Multistrada V4 S, and is sprinkled with goodies for extra globe-trotting chops, including a 30-litre tank (eight litres bigger than the standard Multi), with a theoretical 284-mile range. We couldn’t check…

Significantly. The previous model felt like an awkward compromise, too heavily focused towards road miles. Running 19/17in cast wheels and limited suspension travel was never going to pay dividends on the dirt, and as a result, the previous 390 never convinced as an off-road tool, even on easy trails or gravel. But where the old bike felt nervous on the dirt with a front wheel all too ready to fold, the new bike – with 21/18in wheels and more generous suspension travel and damping adjustment options – simply glides over ruts and bumps in search of the next challenge. Despite its vastly improved off-road capability the new 390 Adventure R impresses on road, too. Its tarmac handling and manners match those displayed on the dirt, plus the riding position is…

Q How much does it actually weigh? KTM claim the 390 Adventure R weighs 165kg dry and 176kg fuelled. On our scales, fully juiced, it showed 177.5kg – 1.5kg up on KTM’s wet claim, with a 51/49 front/rear weight distribution. 1 Engine The new engine is lighter, larger (in capacity), fruitier, and slicker than the old 373cc unit. The optional quickshifter adds another level of finesse to a punchy, refined powerplant. Outwardly the finish looks good; the sturdy bashplate should keep it that way, even during tough off-roading. 2 Finish and details KTM have achieved a pleasing blend of robustness and refinement. All plastics appear thick enough to shake off an inevitable spill on the dirt while the light, crisp-feeling controls suggest a quality worthy of a mile-munching adventure bike. LED lights…

For minor servicing jobs (oil and filter change) everything’s in easy reach once the bash plate has been removed. Major servicing (valve clearance check, air filter refresh, spark plug change) requires bodywork removal, so expect that to reflect in servicing costs. Most owners will have their 390s dealer serviced so as not to invalidate the warranty. Chain adjustment is simple, but you will require more tools than you get supplied in the under-seat toolkit. That kit consists of a double open-ended spanner (14mm and 17mm), three Allen keys (4mm, 5mm, 6mm), and a double-ended screwdriver with flat and Phillips heads. The one-piece seat comes off with a twist of the key – there’s a lock under the left side panel that, handily, has a plug cover to prevent moisture and…

JANUARY ENGLAND'S MOST ICONIC COASTLINE Few routes pack in this much drama per mile: on your left, the English Channel sparkles; on your right, the legendary Seven Sisters chalk cliffs tumble towards the sea. Begin at Cuckmere Haven, winding towards the famous hairpin at Birling Gap. As you crest the rise, you’ll spot Beachy Head climbing into view, and suddenly the road opens up: smooth, well-sighted, and often gloriously empty, especially out of peak traffic. There’s room here to let the bike sing, all the way past the Belle Tout Lighthouse – now a one-off Airbnb – until you hit the next set of corners. After the open run, you’re treated to a more technical, twisty section hugged by grassy banks, where concentration is rewarded with grin-inducing sweeps. Top it…

ONE OF THE joys of motorcycling is that no matter how old, young, fast or slow we are, we can always improve our skills. If we pick a few key areas to work on each year, we can keep progressing and getting more from our time in the saddle Who are Rapid Training? Rapid Training was founded more than 25 years ago by a band of racers who were also bike cops. That blend of racing and professional road riding continues today – the coaching team includes TT racers, Police Class 1 riders, and their own British Superbike squad. If you want to up your game fast, you can find them at www.rapidtraining.co.uk or by scanning this QR code. 1 'Make vision the most the important aspect of riding' If you…

DAINESE HEKLA ABSOLUTESHELL PRO 20K JACKET £799.95 TROUSERS £449.95 www.dainese.com THE FACTS USED BY Jim Moore USED FOR Commutes, tours, rideouts, on- and off-roading USED ON Tourers, sports-tourers, roadsters, adventure bikes TOTAL MILES THE CLAIM “Premium AA-rated all-season touring jacket and trousers with waterproof, breathable membrane and magnetic connection system. “Designed for long trips on- and off-road. Extremely comfortable and functional due to many large and completely waterproof pockets, all functions can be accessed and used with one hand. “Constructed from QuickDry fabric, Ripstop weaved fabric, and an Absoluteshell Pro 20K laminated membrane. Maximum protection and safety are guaranteed through anti-cut and anti-abrasion areas, and Pro-Armor Level 2 protectors on shoulders and elbows. Designed to accommodate type G back and chest protectors.” THE REALITY I’ve had this Dainese Hekla combo…