RiDEの April 2025 の目次

‘Spring is finally here – and the riding is going to be brilliant’ It's spring at last – and I can prove it after a sunny 14°C ride on a dry, unsalted road… Of course, at this time of year it can still flick between sun and snow in an instant, but it's getting better all the time and there is now the potential to enjoy your bike without the chills and risk of corrosion that put many off. If you're getting back into riding after a winter largely laid off, this issue is for you. Our touring expert and tester of roads, Simon Hargreaves’ guide to the ten best 100-mile spring rides is a tantalising proposition. Just one of them is perfect for getting back into the swing of…

THIS IS THE time! With spring at the bottom of its boing upwards, more warmth and longer days, being a biker is going to get a lot better. After a winter of paddling around in the salt, or seeing a bike laid up in the garage, there is now real excitement. Grip is back, the amount of layers you need keeps reducing, and six months of warmth and riding pleasure stretch out in front of us. At least that's the plan, anyway. This issue is dedicated to helping make the most of this time, with great routes, riding skills brush-ups and some perfect places to ride. See you out there……

Wales is packed with awesome rides but the best is a 100-mile loop from Newtown, starting by dropping down the A483 to Crossgates. It's a fab piece of flowing tarmac with relatively light traffic and good overtaking. The bends are fairly benign – some have the remainder of Shellgrip – and the road, lined with Armco in places, is in good condition. It's the kind of road to warm up on. At the roundabout at Crossgates, take a quick stop at the Ascona Café, then head towards Rhayader then down to the Elan Valley for a mosey around the famous reservoirs and hillsides. It's fantastic riding, combining narrow, gnarly roads with scenic thrills. The road eventually meets the B4574 to Devil's Bridge, down valleys, through woodland and up over bare…

THE FACTS Start Langwathby Bridge, Cumbria End Brough, Cumbria Distance 97 miles Riding time 2hrs 46mins Good for Countersteering and changes of direction Roads A686, B6277, various unclassified, A698, various unclassified, B6295, various unclassified, B6306, B6278, various unclassified, B6276 The Pennines make a perfect playground to trim a bit of off-season sloth – but kicking off at the A686 outside Penrith, at the bridge over the River Eden at Langwathby, is a heck of a start. After crossing the iron bridge (built 50 years ago after the old one was washed away in a flood, it was supposed to be temporary) and stalking through the village, the road opens into fields with the Pennines looming in the distance. The Alston road runs fast and true under big skies, diving briefly into shaded corners around Melmerby…

Your expert Stewart Mackie Stewart is the IAM RoadSmart regional road safety manager for Scotland and the north of England. A retired police officer, Stewart worked in all areas of the force and finished his career as superintendent for Road Policing in Scotland. He holds a Class 1 motorcycle qualification and has been riding bikes for 25 years. He owns a Tiger 900 GT Pro. ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE will get their bike out whatever the weather, not everyone wants to ride through winter, which is understandable. Winter salt, horrible road conditions, the cold… there isn't much to like about riding in winter when compared to summer. But the problem with spending time away from two wheels is that your bike skills get rusty and you can lack a bit of…

YOUR HEART'S PUMPING fast, you're breathing hard, and your thighs are burning from supporting your bodyweight as you slide from side to side across the seat. Your abs are aching from holding your core in place under heavy braking and acceleration – and you didn't even know you had any abs. Anyone who's ever enjoyed what we'll euphemistically term a ‘spirited’ ride will agree it sure feels like a full-body workout. NHS guidelines suggest adults should do “at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week”, but wouldn't it be great if we could account for it all with a single Sunday ride? “I think that riding bikes can improve your fitness,” reckons Jane Omorogbe, a strength and nutrition coach. Jane speaks from a place of unique authority, having…

Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX ❯134bhp ❯83lb·ft ❯235kg ❯835mm seat The Ninja 1000SX – and its Z1000SX predecessor – had always been a strong seller for Kawasaki due to the fact it packs lots of handy tech in a very affordable package with practicality forefront in its design. But for 2025 it has been upgraded through some small yet significant refinements – and has been joined by a higher-spec sibling. £142.40 A MONTH THE DEAL PCP x 36 months Cash price £12,421 Deposit £3100 Mileage 4000pa Rate 9.9% APR Optional final payment £6511 Now called the Ninja 1100SX, the Kawasaki's inline four has grown in capacity from 1043cc to 1099cc. Mainly done to ensure it meets more stringent Euro5+ emission regulations, the peak power is actually reduced by 6bhp; however, torque is…

Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS ❯ 104bhp ❯ 83lb·ft ❯ 216kg ❯ 810mm seat Triumph have significantly updated the Speed Twin 1200 for 2025, giving their soulful retro roadster a welcome injection of new spirit. Not only that, but in response to the many owners who modify and enhance their Speed Twins to make them perform better, Triumph have also released a higher-spec RS version. £127.60 A MONTH THE DEAL PCP x 36 months Cash price £14,495 Deposit £3600 Mileage 4000pa Rate 7.9% APR Optional final payment £8597.50 The standard model gains 5bhp through a revised engine as well as cornering ABS and TC and uprated Marzocchi suspension. But the RS adds a sportier attitude through repositioned bars and footpegs, a Sport power mode and upgraded suspension. Running fully adjustable…

WHEN WE'RE OUT and about, we know that to ensure our bikes are as safe as possible we should chain them to something immovable – a lamp post, a railing, building support, or whatever you can find that is at least as strong as the chain you are using to secure your bike. But what about at home? If you're lucky enough to have a garage – whether timber, brick or concrete block – you still need something to chain the bike to. A massive toolbox or workbench may work well but not everyone has something large and immovable in their garage. Alternatively, you may not have a garage or shed to keep your bike in at all – so it may have to live outside. In either case, securing…

Wunderlich Sport Screen £149.90 A good option to help deflect some airflow to ease buffeting for motorway miles. Easy to fit yourself at home, and it doesn't look out of place when fitted. www.nippynormans.com Wunderlich Comfort Seat £299.90 The standard seat can be a bit numbing when doing long distances, which many will do on a naked bike. Swap the OEM seat for the Wunderlich Comfort Seat. www.nippynormans.com BMW Akrapovic Sports Silencer £968.77 Improve the tone and save weight with the Akrapovic silencer, which is OEM fitment through BMW Motorrad. The baffle is non-removable but it seems a popular choice for many owners. www.bmw.europe-moto.com A striking balance of performance and usability – you can't go far wrong with the S1000R and its many attributes. There are plenty of good ones…

Celebrating the people and bikes that go the distance COMFORT “I had the seat re-upholstered by Elite Comfort Seats, and I fitted heavy bar end weights to dampen out the vibration to an acceptable level.” REAR SHOCK “The ESA rear shock has been replaced four times under warranty. The current one has a different part number and has been fine.” UPGRADES “I fitted a front fender extender and radiator guards, and a Shad expandable 58X top case. ACF-50 from a cheap spray gun kept it looking good.” TYRES “Metzeler Roadtec 01 SEs are the best – neutral handling, roll evenly into corners, superb grip wet or dry. They cost £295 a set and I got about 5000-6000 miles.” Name Chris Hall, 64 Bike 2017 BMW S1000XR Sport SE Total miles…

LETTER OF THE MONTH Where are the new riders? A good, albeit depressing, article in the March issue about the number of motorcycle dealers closing. Obviously, customer service is massively important but I believe the issue goes far deeper than this – and I think a whole generation of potential bikers has disappeared. Just look at the ‘Your Rides’ section – it's nearly all blokes older than 50. The reason for the missing generation is not clear but I'm convinced the high cost of training, a perception of bikes being ‘dangerous’, not wanting to be cold or wet and maybe bikes just not being ‘cool’ anymore play a part. What has happened? Tim Smith R There are many reasons bikers are getting older and fewer ‘new’ riders being noticeable. The points…

LONGER RANGE The tank size is 18.6 litres – that's 1.4 litres larger than the 660. I achieved a measured 50mpg on the very twisty, throttle-heavy launch ride – it should easily hit mid-50s mpg/over 200-mile range, if not more, in regular use. MID-SPEC CHASSIS No electronic shocks or Brembo stoppers here, but the Showa fully adjustable forks and part-adjustable shock plus the radial four-pot calipers are well-developed and a cut above the 660's. ALL-NEW ENGINE The 798cc engine shares basic design with the 660/765 triples, but few parts. Triumph were hell-bent on making the 800 no bigger than the 660, so had to start again. THE TIGER SPORT 660 is a RiDE favourite – great value, practical and adaptable, and plenty of fun despite its simple spec. The 800…

IT'S MOSTLY BEEN a mild winter for biking – a few cold snaps, but in between we've had spells of relatively dry, calm weather ideal for keeping our collective hands in. But now the sap is rising along with the thermometer, and even if we jump the gun a few times and it's not always as sunny or as leafy yet as we thought it would be, it's still an energising tonic to be back out there. So, here are ten ideas for where to get up and go for that early Sunday 100-mile ride, gathered from around the country – these aren't the most scenic rides or the most famous tarmac, but they're easy routes designed to break us in gently and get us back to speed in time…

Crossing Exmoor is only a fraction of the Express, because there's plenty of riding either side from Bridgwater in the east to Hartland Quay overlooking the Atlantic. After Minehead it narrows and picks up pace, spooling down into Porlock. A couple of steep hairpins out of the village are a giggle – but when the A39 blossoms out of the trees and onto Exmoor, it's all been worth the wait. The next few miles are ace, and the drop down Countisbury Hill into Lynmouth is epic. The run out to Blackmoor Gate is leafy lane stuff but just as fun – then the A339 pulls you through a tunnel of hedges into Combe Martin and down to the beach. Then loop though Ilfracombe, Braunton and Barnstaple, pick up the A39…

BEST FOR HAGGIS The Chippy, Ullapool THE FACTS Set the satnav for IV26 2UE Search www.theseaforth.com/the-chippy Price of haddock and chips £12.95 Why it's worth the trip It's a decent chippy at the end of an amazing road. With the Seaforth seafood restaurant next door run by the same owners, The Chippy is perfectly timed two-thirds of the way round the North Coast 500 (anti-clockwise) when you're feeling peak peckish. Grab a biodegradable box of gluten-free haddock and chips (battered haggis an option), wander down to the quayside and dangle your size 10s over edge as you fend off the seagulls. With a similar menu as the restaurant and the same freshly caught seafood, the nosh, in my experience, has always been welcome (although maybe I've been lucky; some of the online…

Dr Lindley believes biking brings other perks instead. “You can almost say if you're getting that heart rate increase while riding, it's indicating psychological benefits,” he explains. “As well as that heart rate response you'll get a blood pressure response, you'll get endorphins released from the brain; your brain chemistry will change slightly during the ride. And you'll end up in a state of happiness.” The fuzzy warm glow you get from being on a bike shouldn't be underestimated. “We are a bio-social being, and separating the physiological from the psychological and the social is really difficult,” he continues. “Meeting up with your pals, the anticipation of a ride, going for a bacon butty – these are all feel-good factors from a social perspective. And there is a real biological…

Honda CB1000 Hornet SP ❯ 155bhp ❯ 79lb·ft ❯ 212kg ❯ 809mm seat Looking like the bargain of 2025, Honda's new CB1000 Hornet SP could be the naked litre bike we've all been waiting for the firm to build following the disappointing CB1000R models. At the SP's heart is a motor based on the 2017 Fireblade that makes a claimed 155bhp with 79lb·ft of torque, which represents a small increase in performance over the stock CB1000 Hornet. Aligned to this is an electronics package with five rider modes, a quickshifter, traction control, ABS, wheelie control and variable power and engine braking. Although none of them are angle-responsive, which is a bit of a shame. At least the 5in TFT dash has connectivity as standard. £139 A MONTH THE DEAL PCP…

JOINING ZIPS There is a long and short zip on the jacket to join the two. The long is the better option but it is tricky, with so many layers, and it can get caught on the short zip, too. FIT With all three layers installed, the fit is lovely. With both removed, it does get a little baggy; but it can be pulled in with adjusters. Rebelhorn Cubby V textiles £299.95 (jkt), £249.95 (trsrs) www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk THE CLAIM “A three-layer touring [suit] designed for riders who travel in various conditions. Thanks to the advanced HydraShield Pro membrane [in&out on the jacket] and innovative features, the suit ensures both safety and riding comfort. Extensive ventilation and removable thermal [layers] make it ready for any adventure, regardless of the weather.” THE REALITY…

‘For attack resistance, the Artago is the best by a long way’ How do we decide which is the best ground anchor? Is it the example that puts up the best attack resistance or the one that allows the largest chain to be used? If we consider attack resistance, it's the Artago 61 by a long way. It's well made, has protective caps for the bolt heads and steel collars for the bolts, and by far the best resistance to attack by hammers and angle grinder. And while it would not allow the largest of our test chains, it did accommodate a 20mm chain. We feel it deserves a Best Buy triangle. Running it a very close second is the Oxford Beast. While this didn't put up as much resistance…

Yamaha MT-10 2016-2021 ❯ 158bhp ❯ 82lb·ft ❯ 210kg Characterful cross-plane inline four creates an addictive noise. Fully adjustable KYB suspension as standard. Brilliant package excites all the time. KTM 1290 Super Duke R 2020-on ❯ 178bhp ❯ 103lb·ft ❯ 189kg An incredible engine with low-end and midrange grunt to satisfy all. Superb to ride with a decent chassis, and more refined than previous models. Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 2021-on ❯ 173bhp ❯ 89lb·ft ❯ 209kg The Tuono packs great fun with a very well-loved character. Italian passion flares through when riding and the build quality is good.…

UPDATE 04 ALL THE MAJOR cities in Europe are awash with maxi-scooters but they're not so popular in the UK. So, I took a spin into our nation's capital on the Honda Forza 350 to see how easy it is to navigate the city streets. It's 6.30am as I leave home, with frost on the roads, but the Tucano Urbano blanket I've fitted is keeping knees toasty. It's an hour's ride to South Mimms, where I have a quick coffee stop and fuel up. I notice the fuel consumption isn't as good as I'm used to, but then I've sat at motorway speeds for 65 miles. Heading towards Westminster, there are so many 20mph speed restrictions, which feel a little excessive. But being able to nip through bus lanes and…

BACK IN NOVEMBER KTM entered a self-administration insolvency process in a spectacular reversal of fortune for a company that's seen impressive growth over the past 30 years and become Europe's largest motorcycle manufacturer. Having boosted production to meet pent-up demand after the Covid pandemic, rocketing inflation and interest rates meant demand rapidly dropped off – leading to an oversupply of bikes. New figures from KTM's parent company Pierer Mobility Group show that production was slashed by 26 per cent to 230,000 in 2024, while retail sales remained consistent with 2023 at 268,000. Inventory was reduced by 40,000 bikes, but that was only an 18 per cent drop. Sales to importers and dealers dropped 21 per cent in 2024, but at 292,497 still outstripped retail sales, and revenue declined from €2.7…

Moving on from our investigation about Euro bike firms (pages 10-11), KTM's parent company Pierer Mobility Group has confirmed it has sold its 50.1 per cent majority stake in MV Agusta - returning control to former chief executive Timur Sardarov. The MV Agusta sale comes as part of KTM's ongoing financial difficulties, which have resulted in a 90-day ‘self-administration’ process. Their share of the business has been sold to minority shareholder Art of Mobility SA – a company controlled by the Sardarov family. According to a statement, the transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025 – with the value of the purchase said to be in the ‘mid double-digit million range.’…

WHEN IT WAS released in 2022, the Honda NT1100 seemed like it had all the right ingredients to become the pick of the do-it-alls. Panniers as standard, an easy-going parallel twin, TFT dash with CarPlay, adjustable screen and an emphasis on rider comfort and practicality – but all was not quite as it seemed… Despite selling well in Europe, for many the NT1100 failed to live up to its promise. It surged on the throttle at low speed and was hampered by not only a terrible clutter of buttons on its switchgear but also a horrible screen adjustment system. Factor into this a safety assist package that lacked angle-sensitivity and soggy suspension, and while the NT cost a reasonable £11,999 it felt a generation behind the competition. For 2025 Honda…

THE FACTS Start Horncastle, Lincolnshire End Horncastle again (it's a loop) Distance 101 miles Riding time 2hrs 20mins Good for Sharpening up your road-reading skills and hazard observation Roads A158, B1225, A1084, B1434, B1205, B1398, A15, A46, B1202, B1399, A158, B1202, B1190 A THOUSAND SOLID REASONS to stay at home and keep the Tiger 900 in the garage this morning – as I stumble from the front door, head to toe in layers, misty air condenses on my visor like liquid enthusiasm leaking from my soul. But no worries – when Triumph's raspy T-plane triple fires up it triggers all the appropriate brain chemicals to put me in my happy place. Heated seats and grips on, climb up side-saddle style (left foot first, it's an age thing), click into gear, rock off the centrestand. Then…

THE FACTS Start Wisbech, Cambridgeshire End Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Distance 100 miles Riding time 3hrs Good for dealing with traffic, increasing observation and shortening reaction times Roads A47, A149, B1159, A149 MOTORCYCLING SHOULD BE as easy as breathing – a subconscious act that frees up brain space for navigating our surroundings, and enjoying the sensations. If it isn't like that, we need to get out and ride more often. That's why navigating a long line of rush-hour traffic on the notoriously busy stretch of A47 outside Wisbech is actually a total blast – the Honda NT1100 (once DCT has decided which gear it wants me to use) guns past traffic in short, staccato bursts, every overtake timed to slot the bike forward into gaps in a giant, real-time cross-stitch pattern. The harmony of blending a…

THE FACTS Start Biddenden, Kent End Beachy Head, East Sussex Distance 90 miles Riding time 2hrs 54mins Good for low-speed control, road reading and hazard perception, all-round awareness Roads A262, A28, multiple unclassified roads, A259, B2071, multiple unclassified roads, A259, B2089, A21, A2100, A271, multiple unclassified roads, B2104, A22, A2270, multiple unclassified roads ANY LIST OF great places to ride in the UK usually finds Scotland, Wales and the north of England over-represented, and rarely includes much in the south-east. With good reason – large swathes of Kent and home counties roads are choked with traffic, speed limits, double-white lines and cameras. It's enough to make you move somewhere less restrictive – I did. But it wasn't always like this. The Kent of 35 years ago had room for an errant teenager on an unreliable…

BMW R1300GS Adventure ❯ 143bhp ❯ 110lb·ft ❯ 269kg ❯ 870/890mm seat After the R1300GS was released at the end of 2023, it came as no surprise that the tail end of 2024 saw the launch of an Adventure version. And just like with the R1300GS, the Adventure is sure to split opinions – especially with its styling… £200.34 A MONTH THE DEAL PCP x 36 months Cash price £18,780 Deposit £4700 Mileage 4000pa Rate 8.9% APR Optional final payment £10,065.78 Featuring all the same technical updates as the R1300GS, the Adventure moves the GS model more towards hardcore adventure riding. As such, it comes with spoked wheels, extended suspension travel (210mm at the front, 220mm at the rear) and extra crash and weather protection. Not only that, in keeping…

2021-2024 | £8300-£15,000 | 165mph | 164bhp BMW'S S1000R HAS been a well-praised, very usable and incredible performance tool since its first release in 2014. Use it to pop down to the shops, take it on a tour, book a trackday while you are on that tour, and then ride it back home – the S1000R is a motorcycle that really can do it all. The first and second generations were both a hit, but the current generation (2021-on) brings much more refinement and ease of use with a silky-smooth 999cc inline four that may lack the bells and whistles of the ShiftCam system found on stablemates, but still turns wild up high in the revs when you need it to. The chassis was a good set-up for the road;…

A correctly optioned S1000R comes with a sophisticated suite of electronics, so make sure to change through different modes and feel the response of the bike change, especially with the DDC (Dynamic Damping Control) suspension adjustment. Damping changes should be noticeable – so if you don't feel a change, walk away. Check for correct operation of the gearbox, even though these are very well engineered. Many of these have been ridden hard and quite a few will have seen a trackday. If you experience a slight jolt from the throttle input, check the cush drive rubbers as these wear rapidly (see ‘Rubbered’ on the previous page) – and even with the correct chain tension, you can still feel a jerk. It's nothing terrible, but dampens the experience. Check the Shift…

PERFECT HARMONY The ideal suspension set-up should ride the bumps well, be controlled on the brakes, be balanced and tactile mid-corner, and give loads of confidence on the way out. Much suspension set-up talk is overly complicated. We don't have to be a MotoGP technician to understand it or a racer to appreciate it – simply twiddle adjusters and see if our bike feels better. And if we can't tell, who cares if high-speed compression damping is on 3 instead of 4? Because most modern suspension – even ‘budget’ stuff – is fine for most riding scenarios. Besides, many bikes have limited adjustment or none at all. Or, in the case of semi-active suspension, the bike does it for us (although we still have electronic options to choose). But in…