RiDEの February 2025 の目次

A reminder of how life-affirming a good, old-fashioned road trip is’ Let's be honest: this time of year isn't the best to be a biker. Britain is at its coldest and darkest and the roads are covered with an unedifying combination of salt and slime. If we're lucky we'll get one or two nice days, but many bikers just hunker down and wait for the good times. I can't say I blame ‘em. So, this issue is all about planning for the good times. We've assembled some amazing routes – both here and abroad – to help you make 2025 a wondrous year. All of them are personal recommendations from our team of writers and touring friends, and I can vouch for all the routes and destinations. Best of all,…

1 Decarbonisation The previous government's consultation into proposals to end the sales of petrol-powered bikes by 2035 (and sub-125cc machines by 2030) has been on hold since 2022, but we've yet to hear the new decision-makers’ plans. Labour is sure to return to the topic, but those original dates look increasingly unrealistic as the electric alternatives remain unconvincing for most riders. 2 Motorcycle licence reform From 2004-2012 motorcycle fatalities consistently dropped in the UK. But since the Third European Motorcycle Licence Directive came into force in 2013, bringing the complex and costly system of today, that improvement has flat-lined. Outside the EU we're free to set our own rules around testing and training – so reform is a hot topic. 3 E-scooter rules Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use…

Transport Scotland are proposing to cut speed limits on single carriageways, but increase them for good vehicles on the same roads. Under the National Speed Management Review, the national speed limit on single carriageways will drop to 50mph but rise to 50mph for goods vehicles heavier than 7.5 tonnes. The lorries would also be able to reach 60mph on dual carriageways. “Road safety in Scotland is at a critical time,” a document read. “National statistics indicate that collision on non-built-up roads (with a speed limit of 40mph or higher), account for over 40 per cent of the total number of reported casualties. They also account for 66 per cent of those killed and over 40 per cent of the total number of seriously injured.” A consultation is running at www.transport.gov.scot…

Email ride@ride.co.uk Write to us RiDE Lynchwood, Peterborough PE2 6EA LETTER OF THE MONTH Budget blinders I found the CFMoto 800NK and Kove 800X 24-hour test in the December issue really informative, with a different approach to testing, covering all scenarios. Well done to the team for their honesty and truthful views and putting themselves through the marathon to get us the answers. Fifteen pages of compelling reading, stats and figures leave only one possible question: how would these bikes stand up to being ridden through our four seasons? What mechanical or electrical issues would arise, and how would the overall build quality stand up? Or was that three questions? Steve Prime We can't answer how these two particular bikes would stand up to the rigours of winter and longer ownership.…

FIRST RIDE HONDA NT1100 DCT ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION THE HONDA NT1100 has always been a solid performer, but not an outstanding one. That's okay to an extent, as it's great value for a large-capacity tourer. But we couldn't help but wish for a few improvements. Honda are either mind readers, or RiDE readers, as the changes for 2025 match our desires almost perfectly. And as well as continuing with similarly revised six-speed manual and DCT gearbox bikes (£12,679 and £13,679, respectively) they have introduced this range-topper boasting Showa electronic suspension. Externally, you'd have to be a sharp-eyed NT1100 fan to spot the subtle restyle and new headlight (now with integrated indicators instead of separate blinkers), but poke around a little closer and you'll spot the functional improvements. From the saddle, you're…

FIRST RIDE KAWASAKI NINJA 1100SX 1 IT GETS A BIGGER ENGINE Kawasaki have reworked the SX's inline four-cylinder motor to meet Euro5+ regs and boost midrange grunt. Capacity rises from 1043cc to 1099cc, thanks to a 3mm longer stroke. It also gets milder cams, new intake port profiles and a heavier flywheel. It now makes less power – down from 140bhp @ 10,000rpm to 134bhp @ 9000rpm – but torque is up 1lb·ft. 2 NO BIG CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE Despite its engine mods, the SX performs largely the same as the previous model. You'd need to ride the old 1000 against the new 1100 to feel its extra grunt, or hoon around a racetrack to notice the missing 6bhp up top. But it's no bad thing because the SX never…

Starting at £17,295, the Tiger 1200 has a high spec list and is priced competitively. Rivals with semi-active suspension include the £21,495 Ducati Multistrada V4 S, £19,145 BMW R1300GS TE, £14,749 Honda Africa Twin ES, and the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S (price TBC at the time of writing, but the 1290 was £17,499). Aside from radar-assisted cruise control, the Tiger matches most of them in terms of spec and does so at a noticeable saving. But despite its updates the 2024 Tiger hasn't sold well – and deals are there to be had. Triumph offered free panniers worth £1090 as well as three years’ free servicing (expired 31/12/24) in an effort to stimulate sales, and additionally dealers are slashing up to £2000 off the RRP, making the Tiger seem…

I really didn't enjoy getting on the back of the Tiger, especially with the Active Preload Adjustment activated. The pillion seat is tall and stepped above the rider's seat, so you need to step on the pillion peg to help you climb aboard. To do this you need the security of the bike being on its sidestand to help the rider deal with the weight transfer. However, as the stand sits the bike so near vertical, I was worried my weight may tip the bike over the wrong side and the rider wouldn't be able to hold it up if I accidentally leaned too far. It's the most precarious bike I've ever got on the back of in this aspect and I'd be concerned about what it would be like…

DENMARK & SWEDEN I HAD NEVER THOUGHT of Denmark as a riding location, but after a few days taking in the best roads and sights it's obvious they're a great place to explore. The Suzuki GSX-S10000GX, my touring tool for the next few days, dutifully guides me during the crisp morning in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, and easily pulls through city streets as we look to escape the metropolis. Before long we're soaking up miles on the motorway, settling in our saddles and are keen to explore. The motorway skirts the coast, but as we turn off, the tough concrete barriers make way to single-track smoothness, gorgeous countryside and roads carved between towering trees. Our first stop, Vallø Castle, was originally a home for unmarried, widowed and divorced women of…

‘Beautiful daily rhythm of ride, unpack, hotel, repack, ride, repeat’ NEED TO KNOW How far 2889 miles/15 days Route Stamford, Calais, Strasbourg, Kempten, Cortina D'Ampezzo, Trento, Riccione, Florence, San Terenzo, Antibes, Grenoble, Troyes, Calais, Stamford Must-see sight Aside from the grottos of the Dolomites? Antibes It isn't as glitzy as Cannes or Monaco, but Antibes is just as beautiful and serves as the ideal base to explore the some of the best roads in Europe. EUROPE TO GET TO some of Europe's best roads, views and weather, you don't need to go as far as you might think. Just head to the south of France. That's exactly what my girlfriend Nina and I did on my KTM 1390 Super Duke Evo R at the end of summer. This sun-kissed part…

Getting there It's 1500 miles from Calais to Sicily and you could do it in two days, but we'd recommend four for five, to spend time in the Dolomites and optional stops in Rome and on the Med – the southern coast is wonderful, has its own unique atmosphere and is overlooked (by Brits at least). Fly-rides The two main options are Catania or Palermo, and both are serviced by London airports and budget airlines. Price varies according to the season, but spring and autumn offer great value flights while still allowing you to access good weather. Bike hire Lots of choice here. You can hire an A2 bike – like a Honda CB500X – for as little as £80 a day, and five-day deals are £400 with unlimited mileage…

£8000 THE SUN IS reaching its zenith, scorching down from the sky with such intensity it makes mountains wilt and the air in between wrinkle with haze. The vents of my jacket and trousers are wide open, but it's making me hotter. Scotland's not meant to be like this, even in July. It's mid-2016 and I'm on BMW's R1200GS Adventure, lapping the Great Northern Loop in the company of Ducati's 1200 Multistrada Enduro, KTM's 1290 Super Adventure and Triumph's Tiger 1200 Explorer. Nice. But the GS is romping off. In isolation the others excel at one or two things; the KTM is frolicking and funky, the Ducati is fast and throbby, and the Triumph is easily the best triple. But the GS is so good at doing everything they do…

LATEST KIT RATED Pirelli Scorpion Trail III £131 (100/90 V19 front) £165 (150/70 VR17 rear) www.twotyres.co.uk THE CLAIM “The sportiest Scorpion ever. Developed for adventure and cross-over bikes for a wide range of conditions, from twisty to gravel roads. New full silica compounds improve performance in wet and dry. Rears are bi-compound with a softer stripe on shoulders thanks to different plastifying resins that improve cornering grip, with high stability and wear resistance. The tread pattern is an evolution and upgrade of the Scorpion Trail II with greater control and stability. The asymmetric grooves increase efficiency and contact patch sturdiness for better performance at high speed.” THE REALITY More than 5000 miles of aggro from editor Matt had squared off the Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro's OE Metzeler Tourance Next…

Akrapovic carbon silencer 2-1 full system from £1,203 Saves 2.4kg and adds 4.1bhp. Loud at 103.7dB, so won't pass some track noise tests. Road system adds 2.4bhp, saves 0.4kg and includes catalyst – hence the high price. performanceparts-ltd.com R&G engine case protectors £243 Tough nylon covers bolt on easily and look pretty slick. Will help keep oil and coolant inside the motor after a crash, preventing a drama becoming a crisis. rg-racing.com SW-Motech Blaze soft panniers £346 The RS660 is comfier than you may think, so well up for longer runs. These Blaze panniers come with support arms, making them more secure than basic throw-over bags. Price includes brackets. sw-motech.co.uk…

UPDATE 02 VOGE DS900X |0|1|5|0|7| MILES THERE HAS BEEN much to learn about the Voge this month thanks to a couple of big trips, terrible weather and time in the garage. It all started with a bit of fettling. As standard, it seems that some DS900Xs come from the factory with the headlight set too high. Ours was one of those bikes – and the main beam was so high to be nigh-on useless, while dipped beam dazzled drivers. Time for some adjustment, but sorting it isn't simple. The main adjustment nut is hidden behind the cast front subframe, but there is a hole provided in the subframe that meets some teeth on the back the adjustment knob. The idea is to insert a cross-head screwdriver into the hole, mesh…

HUSQVARNA FE250 |0|0|0|5|2| MILES UPDATE 01 LAST YEAR I proclaimed my love for light, nimble, well-suspended off-road bikes – so for the next few months we have one of the lightest, nimblest on the market. Husqvarna's FE250 is a competition enduro bike at heart. High-spec, long-travel suspension and next to no weight: fully fuelled and just about road legal, it weighs about 115kg. That's potentially a game changer. I've only had the chance of a snatched Fen ride, but there is a lot to take in. The first thing to notice is the engine – it is so refined and well-developed. Happy to lug at low rpm, the power builds in a linear, predictable fashion and feels seriously quick when it gets going. The fuelling is also perfect – way…

Picos de Europa, Spain A recent trip to the Picos saw me and my Ducati Multistrada at the Mirador de Corzo (Roe Deer) on the N-621 between Potes and Riaño. A stunning viewpoint, fabulous roads and a must stop for every biker. Johan Mouton Long Mynd, Shropshire Riding the trails to the Long Mynd, on a solo day out around the Shropshire back roads to the Italian bike meet on the borders. I parked at the back. The German tractor is brilliant; one of the best bikes I've owned in 37 years of riding. Andy Edgerton Tamtattouchte, Morocco This is my BMW GS, and partner Sue in the background, high up in the Atlas Mountains having a coffee break after completing the Todra Gorge to reset for a rough road/track…

DUCATI HAVE REVEALED a new Multistrada V2 adventure bike range that will be powered by the firm's latest 890cc V-twin – doing away with desmodromic valves in the process. Gone is the larger-capacity 937cc Testastretta desmo twin, replaced by Ducati's new motor with electronic variable valve timing. It means the new Multi V2 packs slightly more punch, with claimed power jumping from a 111bhp at 9000rpm to 113bhp at a peakier 10,750rpm. Peak torque comes further up the dial too (8250rpm instead of 6750rpm), despite dropping from 72lb·ft to 68lb·ft. Ducati say it also has a heavier crankshaft and a different generator system – allowing the bike to cope with more plug-in electricals such as heated riding kit. Despite, this, the engine weighs a claimed 54.9kg, 4kg less than the…

‘I crashed when I hit leaves on the road – can I sue for damages?’ Q I WAS RIDING along a quiet country road. The tarmac was quite beaten up but my Triumph Tiger 800 is more than capable of managing this kind of road. What either I, my tyres, or my bike were not capable of managing was a slick of leaf mould I cornered on. Both wheels slid out from underneath me; I took a crunching tumble, and I sustained a pelvic fracture that looks to be on the mend without too much in the way of problems. However, this has caused me to lose a fair chunk of pay. I was off work for eight weeks and only got sick pay from week four onwards. My kit…

FIRST RIDE TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN 1200 RS TRIUMPH HAVE NEVER built an RS version of the Speed Twin 1200 – until now. The new retro comes with fully adjustable Öhlins rear shocks, upside-down Marzocchi forks, racy Metzeler Racetec K3 tyres, Brembo Stylema calipers, an up/down quickshifter, and a healthy 104bhp. Released in 2019, the Speed Twin 1200 was the softer, friendlier take on the now discontinued Thruxton – the RS is the Thruxton's spiritual successor. And thanks to a host of engine, styling and tech upgrades, as well as its shiny new chassis parts, Triumph have moved the Speed Twin 1200 story on. It may still wear retro clothes and has a name inspired by the 1937 original, but show it a set of corners and it's every inch the…

WE'VE BEEN FANS of the Triumph Tiger 1200 since its introduction in 2022. There has always been much to love about the bike, from its touring ability to superb comfort, to the sheer presence it has on the road. In fact, in early 2024 we pitched the previous GT Pro model against the new BMW R1300GS – and it came out on top. But it hasn't been a universal success. They haven't flown out of showrooms and not all punters have been in love, some citing problems of low-speed stalling. Triumph have now responded – and in spring last year the Tiger 1200 range was given small but significant modifications to alter engine feel and response. Active Preload Adjustment has also been introduced throughout the model range, and the GT…

BMW R1300GS From £16,640 143bhp 110lb·ft 237kg (claimed) The all-new R1300GS has continued where the R1250GS left off, dominating the class. Lighter and faster than before, it doesn't feel as rugged as the R1250GS but it is incredibly impressive. And expensive. Realistically you are looking at a TE model for £19,145. KTM 1390 Super Adventure S £TBC 170bhp 107lb·ft 250kg (claimed) Updated for 2025 with a larger-capacity 1350cc motor, reworked chassis, upgraded tech and refined WP semi-active suspension, the Super Adventure S is fruity with an eye firmly on performance. EVO model adds KTM's Automated Manual Transmission. Ducati Multistrada V4 S From £21,495 168bhp 92lb·ft 251kg (claimed) The S has a state-of-the-art electronics package (with radar-assisted cruise control as an option) plus Skyhook semi-active suspension at both ends. Despite its…

FRANCE OVERNIGHTER WE LIVE IN a time where life's busy, every day is fast-paced, giving little time or space to breathe. So, for me, nothing beats jumping on two wheels to head out for a solo trip. Sounds selfish, but I find it's good for the soul. A favourite destination is northern France. I try to make this trip once a year, to enjoy stunning roads, fantastic food and the odd glass of vin. My passion for French adventures started 20 years ago when my other half and I headed over for the weekend. I'd just passed my test and this was my first foreign riding adventure. Fast-forward 10 years, I'd been on various solo jaunts around the UK and finally plucked up courage to head over the Channel solo.…

THERE IS MAGIC in the air. Scented by countless warm, damp Sicilian pines, the low clouds drift in and out of the valleys around the Torrente Zamani river, funnelling their way between the trees and the red rock landscape. Below me, a dirt road threads a convoluted path back down to the dried, boulder-strewn river bed. Just a few days ago – just like the name suggests – it was a torrent; now it lies dormant, carving a swathe through the rock. Half an hour ago I was crossing its bed, trying to navigate the path of least resistance on a Multistrada V4 S. Now I'm almost at the top of a 3000ft peak and bracing myself for a rocky, unknown descent. All around is majestic, mystic beauty. As I…

IN 2024 WE covered more than 10,000 miles of fantastic touring trips, covering iconic riding routes on the continent and here at home – ranging from the top of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall and glorious forays into Europe. We rode them all on a variety of machinery – from unlikely tourers such as Triumph's Street Triple RS, through to your classic sports tourers like Yamaha's Tracer 9 GT+, to new adventure bikes like BMW's R1300GS – and every kind of weather, from snow on the Dalveen Pass in Scotland to sweltering sunshine in Snowdonia. Here's a rec that we put in the miles so that you can, too. THE BEST ROAD YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF There are some amazing stretches of blacktop in the Scottish Borders, but this…

THE ROUTE Best for getting from England to Snowdonia in style. Length 40 miles Route Llanfyllin, Pen-y-Bont-Fawr, Llangynog, Bala, Capel Celyn, Ffestiniog. Roads B6357, with a short stint on the A212. Love it because it's a day's ride in an hour. Take a picture at get yourself to the car park at Cwm Cynfal, get your drone in the air and shoot the waterfall while your mate rides the B4391 alongside. DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk Some great stretches of road are over too soon in a blink-and-you'll-miss it blizzard of bends. But some seem to stretch on, apex after apex, shifting gears and scenery in a long, steady cascade of corners and countryscapes. The B4391 is the latter – a compact 40 miles end-to-end, but delivering more than an hour's…

£7000 THE TRACER 9 GT was the best bike I rode in 2021 – I had one for the year as a RiDE long-term test bike and racked-up more than 6000 miles, taking it to Wales, the Borders (technically, and literally, Scotland), up to the Lakes, down to Dartmoor, across to Exmoor, up to the North Yorkshire Moors, even further to Northumberland, and back to Wales again, bach (can't stay away). In that distance the Tracer delivered nothing but intense, intoxicating memories, going the extra on motorways, A-roads and B-roads with equal vigour and enthusiasm whatever the tarmac. Even a midwinter sojourn to the Brecon Beacons, shrouded in salty frost, felt nothing but magnificent at a time of year when most of us are huddled round a fire burning old…

£6000 IF THE 2005 R1200RT marked a significant uptick in the intention of BMW Motorrad to shake off its staid, pipe and slippers reputation in favour of aligning the bike side of the business with automotive brand values of performance, technology, luxury and quality, then the second-generation RT in 2010 slammed the door on its plodding ancestors and heralded a brave new world of BMWs that worked like normal bikes, and had mass appeal (hooray – no more indicator button on the throttle side). For existing customers, the 2010 RT was preaching to the converted. For everyone else, it was a revelation. Through a process of black magic coupled with sound engineering principles, BMW streamlined a touring masterpiece; a bike so quietly accomplished at cruising across intercontinental space it would…

‘Each satisfies some – but not all – of the requirements’ The Keis G901 Extremes tick most boxes; they are a great fit and super-comfortable, with a gentle flood of warmth and superb protection. They have the shortest battery life but include a bike harness for indefinite power and heating. But their waterproofing needs improving to keep you warm and dry throughout winter. The Merlin Curboroughs were the only gloves to keep all water out during the dunk test. They are comfortable, fit very nice, and give excellent feel for the bike and good confidence. But they need greater heating power. On the basis that each satisfies most – but not all - of the requirements of a heated glove, we feel both are worthy of a Recommended triangle. RST's…

Yamaha R7 2022-on > 72bhp > 49lb·ft > 188kg Yamaha's middleweight sportsbike has sharp styling and a decent chassis. Down on power and heavier, with less trick kit, but also cheaper. Suzuki GSX-8R 2024-on > 82bhp > 60lb·ft > 205kg Suzuki's 776cc parallel twin has been a hit and makes the GSX-8R a decent, well-priced road sports machine. Triumph Daytona 660 2024-on > 89bhp > 48lb·ft > 201kg Handling is less sharp than the Aprilia, but it managed to pip the RS660 to the 2024 National Sportbike Championship. Cheaper, too.…

HONDA FORZA 350 |0|0|4|0|0| MILES UPDATE 02 SCOOTER LIFE IS bringing a smile to my face – I'm enjoying what the simple, easy-going Forza has to offer. These are the things I like… > Frugal fuelling Topping up the 11.7-litre fuel tank costs around £15 and will see me right for more than 200 miles. That's 80mpg and seven rides to work. With hybrid working, that's all my monthly commutes. > It's a great commuter Traffic on the A1 is a nightmare, so filtering is the only way to get to work on time – and I've been Forza-ful in my riding approach. Barrelling through rows of parked lorries and cars, without the need to worry about gear changes, and with the low-down weight of the scooter, it's balanced and…

‘It's a massively versatile machine’ Tony Easton's Honda CB500 is just what the doctor ordered but then didn't want after all – so he kept it as his commuter Name Tony Easton, 55 Bike 1996 Honda CB500 Total Miles 100,069 Miles per year 3600 SO, 100K MILES commuter on a Honda CB500 – how did that come about? “We bought it in 2005 with 12,200 miles on it for my better half to get to the University of York for her PhD studies. She used it a few times but stopped when she got her Doctorate. It ended up registered to me, sharing garage space over the years with three CBR600s, a couple of Fireblades and now an Aprilia RSV1000 R. “For over 20 years I was a part-time instructor,…

ANYONE WHO FOLLOWED the run-up to 2024's general election might have noticed Labour's manifesto wasn't heavy on transport policy and made zero mention of motorcycles – so we were entering the unknown when they stormed to a landslide victory. But the uncertainty has lingered. The weeks immediately after the election were taken up with the changeover process followed by Parliament's summer recess. MPs then dived into the party conference season in September and October. And as we enter 2025 we're still waiting for commitments or even outline ideas from the new Government when it comes to motorcycling. But behind the scenes it's a hive of activity. Motorcycling lobbyists have been engaging with civil servants and ministers to push the cause. The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), which acts as an umbrella…

CCM have confirmed they are moving into the retro adventure segment for 2025, teasing a ‘Project X’ prototype at Motorcycle Live powered by the brand's 600cc single-cylinder engine. We're told the finished item will arrive from May 2025, with orders taken throughout the nine-day show. It's set to cost £13,995 (plus OTR charges) and was inspired by a concept first seen at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival in 2022. “We've been listening to our customers, and they've been asking for a bike that truly captures our legacy,” said CCM managing director Jason Broome. “With Project X, we've created a machine that's lightweight, capable, and as fun to ride on the road as off the beaten path.” The bike features a minimalist front screen, bulbous endurance-style fuel tank, and number boards…

BSA have launched a B65 Scrambler single that's set to go on sale later this year. Now backed by Indian giants Mahindra, BSA reappeared in 2022 with a retro-styled Gold Star roadster powered by a 652cc single cylinder engine producing a claimed 44bhp at 6500rpm. The motor is retained for the B65 and housed in a version of the same tubular steel double cradle chassis. It's set apart with a more rugged look, 19in front wheel and chunkier Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres. Matching the 19in front is a 17in rear, with both alloy rims featuring 36 spokes. A raised front mudguard, single exit exhaust and number boards complete the look. The motor is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox and fed via a 12-litre fuel tank. BSA claim the…

‘What advice do you have to help me enjoy riding in winter?’ Q I AM THINKING of putting my motorcycle away for winter. I know some people claim to enjoy riding in rubbish weather, but I don't – it's boring because you must ride so slowly. Am I missing something? Any words of wisdom you're able to share before I dig out the OptiMate? Keith Greene, email A WITHOUT SEEING YOU ride, it's difficult to be sure. But from what you say, it sounds like there are several things you can do about your wet-weather riding. The first thing is to do with mindset: my guess is that you're riding very differently in the wet than in the dry, and this can create serious problems. What I see a lot…

FIRST RIDE ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 650 THE CLASSIC 650 Twin takes the Interceptor platform and apes the look of Royal Enfield's first twin-cylinder bike – the 1948 500 Twin. First impressions are good – it's a handsome machine indeed, with impressive finish and a design that pulls together well. The only blot is the big, brutal bracing bars to the front and rear mudguards. It has a comfy, relaxed riding position that's part-cruiser thanks to wide bars, and part roadster with low, mid-set footpegs. Performance is sedate but strangely satisfying, as with all the 650s. It's smooth with a pleasing power delivery, though no top-end rush. For pottering round town, or cruising along country lanes and through rural villages, it's spot on, but less comfortable on faster British roads –…

Much like the Tiger 900s, the small changes to the Tiger 1200's triple have significant improved how it feels and responds. The T-plane engine has a pleasing off-beat feel on the go – and the annoying vibration that previously accompanied it has gone. On a motorway you can sit at a steady 70mph (4200rpm in top gear) with no intrusive vibes at all (the mirrors remain clear) and watch the miles tick past. Should you require a burst of acceleration, roll-on drive is instant and plentiful with no need to shift down more than one gear. Not that this is much of a hardship – because once you get over the slight clunk going from first to second, the quickshifter is very slick in the remaining ratios. The only slight…

Yes. Not everyone hated the vibes of the previous model, but it bothered some. It's not an issue now, though. With its engine now smoother and lacking vibes, there is little to stop you covering serious mileages. The riding position is effortlessly relaxed and very spacious for both a rider and pillion (see pillion opinion on page 32), and the Tiger is rock solid at speed and surprisingly agile in bends, helped by its narrow-profile 150/70 R18 rear tyre. Recording 51mpg, the Tiger has a tank range of more than 220 miles, which is more than enough. But it isn't perfect. The main issues are the fact its heated grips are warm at best – certainly not hot – and the hand-adjustable screen is a touch too small and creates…

SPAIN RIDE THE BEST ROAD IN EUROPE The N-260 in Northern Spain has a dizzying level of fun and variety. It's our favourite Euro road, bar none THE PYRENEES IS packed with a frustrating number of utterly mind-bending rides, but this is the one I keep returning to. Partly because it has the convenience of one road name along its entire 311-mile length (although there are a few sections where it splits into two roads, the N-260 and the N-260a); partly because it conveniently leads west to east across the mountains to the shores of the Mediterranean; and partly because it has a real sense of variation – you get all sorts of riding and scenery in that 300 miles. It's no one-trick pony of a road. And for a…

The area around Salisbury Plain includes Stonehenge, two nature reserves, a live-fire artillery and tank arena, and an abundance of stunning roads – not just the encircling tarmac, but a criss-cross network of legal gravel byways. The route runs around the main test area, then circles inside to the north of Amesbury ending with a cross-plain flourish. It's stunning, and the off-road is easily doable. Begin at the A303 Amesbury services on the A345, north within a few miles into open countryside. The road floats along under a huge sky, passing the first tank crossing; a concrete apron either side of the road. Huge views echo across rolling fields; left at Upavon, the road stretches away for at least a mile. Jaw-dropping views are all around. Left at Rushall and…

£5000 WE DIDN'T KNOW it at the time, but Honda's 2008 FireBlade was the final ‘pure’ model before the advent of ABS and traction control – yet its fuelling and feel for grip is so finely calibrated it might as well have an electronic safety net. It feels so easy to tiptoe up to the naughty zone where traction becomes a philosophical argument between the ghosts of Johns Dunlop and McAdam. So, how do you test a litre sportsbike? Fit soft throwovers and spend 13 hours riding in mostly heavy rain from Peterborough to St Ives in Cornwall and back again, of course. But here's the thing – it was painless. Okay, maybe not so much at the time, but it feels like it was then, now. Admittedly it was…

AUGUST 2023 BEST THROWOVER PANNIERS Oxford P50R £199.99 www.oxfordproducts.com Throw-over panniers are useful luggage without spending vast money – and these are very good. They are expandable to a total 50-litre capacity, are very stable and secure in use, and come with waterproof inner bags so you can leave the outers on the bike and take the inners into your accommodation. NOVEMBER 2024 BEST TOURING BOOTS Eleveit Venom £199.99 www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk Superbly comfortable and a great fit on our tester, who has wide feet. They are plush and allow room for thicker socks when the temperature drops yet remain snug and close-fitting in normal items. Feel for the bike's controls is excellent, they are as comfy to walk in as they are on the bike, and in our testing they kept…

Rukka Kemi £749.99 (jacket), £599.99 (trousers) www.bikerheadz.co.uk ‘Impressive so far’ I did a thousand-mile trip in this suit when I first got it, and of that about 150 miles were dry. The rest was torrential – and it kept me bone dry throughout. It has no thermal properties – you need to get a separate mid-layer top and thick base-layer bottoms – but its windproofing is impressive. However, my ride home from Motorcycle Live through four hours of torrential rain ended with a damp butt, so I'll be looking into this more. Jim Blackstock Litelok X1 £149.99 www.litelok.com ‘Hefty and reassuring’ Sometimes, you need more than a disc lock – and this Sold Secure Diamond-rated D-lock is perfect for older or smaller bikes with drum brakes. We have been using…

2021-2024 | £6250-£10,000 | 140mph | 100bhp PARALLEL-TWIN ENGINES ARE everywhere these days – especially in the middleweight class. Some designs, like Honda's CB500 and Kawasaki's Z650, are a little anodyne; others like the Honda CB750 Hornet/Transalp and Suzuki GSX-8S/R are pretty lively. But one parallel twin has a real kick to its performance – Aprilia's RS660. Where the likes of Yamaha's 689cc MT-07 motor makes a little over 70bhp, the 659cc Aprilia lump has 99bhp (we remember when that was decent power for a 600cc four-cylinder supersports lump). Not content with making a hot rod of a motor, Aprilia went all in with the chassis as well. No cheap steel tubes or basic running gear here: the RS has a full-on supersports chassis, adjustable suspension, track-ready brakes and a…

Before your ride, have a good look around the bike for any crash damage, repairs to frame, suspension or wheels. New bodywork on a worn-looking bike could suggest it's an ex-trackday tool or race bike. See if the engine is warm when you arrive too, so you're getting a true picture of what it's like starting from cold. Listen out for any rattles from the engine, especially around the cam chain area, and check the oil dipstick for level and condition (the level is taken with the bike upright, not on the sidestand). Also look for any oil, coolant or fuel leaks (the tank cap gasket can fail, letting fuel leak out the overflow when the tank is full). On the road, you may hear some brake squealing, which is…

WE'VE HAD TRIUMPH'S top-spec mid-sized adventure bike for the past three months and racked up a variety of distances doing different jobs with different riders. Editor Matt has been at the helm for good chunk, wearing a groove in the road between his Cambridgeshire palace and RiDE HQ in Peterborough. Then the GT Pro took home the honours in our 19in adventure bike shoot-out, seeing off BMW's R1300GS and Honda's Africa Twin Adventure Sports. And now it's wearing another groove in the bumpy farm tracks to my Fenland hovel. Here's how the Tiger 900 GT Pro makes our riding lives just a bit more convenient. THE FACTS £15,775* > 107bhp > 222kg MILES THIS MONTH 230 MPG THIS MONTH 46.0 1 Practically perfect Bikes are a beautifully infuriating compromise of practicality and…