RiDE June 2024의 목차

‘In 2024, size doesn't matter’ The wonderful array of mid-capacity bikes in this issue is proof you don't need to spend a fortune and plump for a massive capacity to have a brilliant machine. Over the years, the definition of a ‘middleweight’ has changed. When I started riding we thought 500cc bikes were massive; now manufacturers class anything under a litre as such – and with the monster capacities of some, it kind of makes sense. The variety is compelling and we've assembled 20 of our favourites to prove just this. There is such a range – from bargain £7000 wonders like Honda's CB750 Hornet to continent crushers like Husqvarna's Norden 901 Expedition and even retro sportsters like the Yamaha XSR900 GP. All are desirable – and if biking had…

It's no secret that sportsbike sales in the UK have been on the slide for a while, but this isn't a recent phenomenon – sales have been plummeting since 2000. At the turn of the century nearly 39,000 new sportsbikes were sold, making up about one in three of all new motorcycles. Leading the way was Yamaha's R6, which sold more than 4000 units alone. By 2010 sportsbike sales had more than halved to just 14,257, or one in six motorcycles, led by Honda's Fireblade (around 1300 sold). And by 2020 they'd almost halved again, with just 7746 new sales – one in 12 motorcycles – the most popular being BMW's S1000RR (around 800 bikes). Since 2020 ‘supersports’ sales have been merged with sports tourers by the MCIA, which collates…

Aero, everywhere MV Agusta has been hard at work creating a machine that's not only aerodynamically efficient, but also directs as much air away from the rider as possible – and it's effective. The screen is an ample size and is shaped well, offering only a small amount of buffeting at motorway speeds. Low ride Not only are the big MV's seat and chassis width relatively thin, but the standard seat can also be dropped easily from 870mm to 850mm if height is an issue. Old, and not gold Although the Sachs suspension is impressively capable (nope, you don't get Öhlins), a set of electronically adjustable suspension would go a long way in transforming the Enduro Veloce's manners at slow speeds and off-road.…

NEW BIKES ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN 450 WITH BIG ADVANCES in spec come big expectations – and Royal Enfield is heading into uncharted territory with the all-new Himalayan 450. It's the Indian firm's first bike with liquid cooling, riding modes, TFT dash and more – and it sets out to be the most versatile and off-road-capable Enfield yet. At its heart is that all-new liquid-cooled, four-valve single-cylinder engine that, on face value, has much in common with rival Triumph's new 400 – not least the same 40bhp peak power claim. It also comes with power modes – another Enfield ‘first’. The Himalayan's chassis is all-new too, and impressively boasts both quality Showa suspension and a ruggedness and potential off-road ability few rivals can match. And all of this is being offered…

OVER THE PAST few years there has been a quiet revolution in motorcycling – the middleweight class has become, for many, the best class in biking. Gone are the days when mid-capacity bikes (and and thanks to the way bikes are getting bigger and bigger, we're now talking under 1000cc) are built down to a price or an equipment level. Now, whether you want a street bike, a sports sportsbike or an adventure bike there are some amazing choices – and they're bikes that in many cases are easier to handle, more fun and just as useful as their big-cc brothers.…

MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONS FEW BIKES HAVE been as lusted after, commented on and desired as much over the past six months as Yamaha's XSR900 GP. A sports makeover of the standard XSR900 (itself a retro version of the much-loved MT-09), it seems all we needed for people to get excited about sporty bikes again was to look to the past. A tribute to Yamaha's 500GP machines of the early 90s, the GP takes the standar XSR platform, adds a YZR500-aping upper fairing, a different tail piece and lots of lovely details that make it feel a step away from most production bikes. Oh, and THAT paint job… We're confident it'll be a success – the standard XSR is one of our favourite nake bikes and this has a similar spec, so…

THERE'S AN ART to making a budget-conscious middleweight. Fancy spec and clean-sheet design are not on the table, so it's down to carefully mixing proven components with well-designed new elements that don't cost a packet to make. Think Bandit, Fazer, Street Triple and Tracer: simple bikes that are useful, easy for novices to get on, yet provide fun if you've been around the block more than once and want to get a wriggle on… The Tiger Sport 660 holds its head high in the company of these big-selling, much-loved wallet-friendly middleweights – and in any company, in fact. I'd take the keys to the Triumph over bikes costing twice as much. I'd own one with the Tiger 660 Pack (hard luggage and fittings, belly pan, handguards) plus heated grips and…

Best naked bike MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONS There is so much to love about Suzuki's ageing warhorse – and when you look at how cheap they are in the used market, it's an extremely tempting prospect. They may currently have a list price of £7399 new, but you can easily get a two-year-old bike with less than 3000 miles on its clocks for under £5000. A huge part of the SV's charm comes from its V-twin motor, which is an absolute beauty and was updated in 2016 with more than 60 new parts. Wonderfully smooth and with lots of usable midrange, it's a delightfully flexible motor – and thanks to a light clutch and Suzuki Low RPM Assists, is effortless in town. And it will record more than 70mpg, too. Matched to this…

Loop Experience Plus £39.95 www.loopearplugs.com After last month's initial trial, I've put a few hundred miles on these – and while I'm still impressed, I'm yet to find the perfect fit. I seem to be between two sizes – the smaller earpiece is not large enough and the larger gets a little uncomfortable after a few hours. I'm persevering though as they work well, quoting 18dB sound-pressure reduction and 23dB with the ‘mute’ section fitted. They are very good quality and come with a keyring case, but there is no storage for the ‘mute’ rings if removed for better hearing. Still impressive though. Jim Blackstock Michelin mini inflator £59 www.halfords.com I've been using February's product test winner since it won the Best Buy triangle and it's still impressive. It makes…

GARAGE LONG-TERM TEST BIKES IT IS WIDELY acknowledged that this has been one of the wettest springs on record, particularly in the south-west. Journeys have revealed farmers’ fields that look more like boating lakes, while here at the bottom of the English Riviera we had snow lying on cars two days before Easter and Dartmoor was blanketed with white stuff. Virtually unheard of… I say all this because although I've put a few hundred miles on the Tracer since getting home from collecting it (in the wet), almost every mile has also been in the wet. There was this month's Big Ride in the Blackdown Hills and – trusting in the Met Office app – I ventured from south to north Devon and back, taking in the delightful run from…

FRONT END MONTH IN BIKES THE UK GOVERNMENT has committed £8.3 billion to improving local transport networks by reallocating funding recovered from the HS2 project. Said to be the largest pot of cash ever available to heal our crumbling road network, it is said to represent the first tranche of several further planned instalments. Since announcing the preliminary plans last November, the Government has delivered £150 million. The full budget has now been firmed up, with an update from the Department for Transport revealing that 102 of the 119 authorities allocated funding have responded with plans outlining the work they intend to carry out. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Alongside this unprecedented funding, which is already being used to improve local roads, we're making sure local people can hold their…

Q I'M TEMPTED TO get some advanced training but a mate says it'll just be a lecture about speed limits by an old fella in high-vis clothing. Also, as I've been riding for 14 years and have only crashed once (a long time ago), do I really need training? Simon Larch, email A IT'S A GOOD question and a tricky one to answer, given that I work for a leading training company. But I'll try to stay neutral. The answer really depends on what you want from your motorcycling. If you don't scare yourself regularly and are content riding at your current level, then you probably don't need training. You would almost certainly get plenty from it, but you don't need it. However, if there are aspects of your riding…

NEW BIKES IT WOULD BE easy to be disappointed by Honda's relatively minor updates to the CBR650R. Besides a new colour dash with Bluetooth connectivity and a facelift, there have only been some very minor tweaks to the 649cc inline-four motor, chassis and suspension set-up. But there's one significant update: the 2024 CBR650R and its naked CB650R sibling are the first machines in Honda's line-up to offer the new E-Clutch system. It eradicates the need to use the clutch, allowing for a worry-free ride when stopping, pulling away or changing gear. No need to roll off when changing gear, either. Yep, from the moment the ignition button is clicked, the E-Clutch does all of the clutch work for you. It's a fairly slick operation, only let down by the abrupt…

MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONS THE FACTS Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition ❱ 215kg (dry) ❱ 875/895mm seat ❱ £14,599 ❱ 103bhp ❱ 74lb·ft ∧ Superb suspension, wonderful motor, high level of equipment ∨ It'39;s not cheap, plastic panels scratch easily Buy it if you'39;re… looking for a middleweight adventure bike that can do everything you want from it – right out of the box. Nothing has as broad a set of abilities. THE NORDEN BOUNDS and bounces beneath me, soaking up the ruts and rocks of a post-apocalyptic gravel road. Riding fast and loose, I'39;m revelling in the perfect riding position – it'39;s easy to guide the big Husky between the obstacles using bodyweight and peg pressure. Below me, high-quality WP suspension beavers away, working perfectly with the most balanced of chassis, while a…

I was fortunate enough to be asked to ride a Yamaha prototype at last year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. Naturally I said yes, then asked what it was. I wasn't told much more than its name: DB40, to mark 40 years of the ‘Deltabox’ frame concept. It was clearly a future production bike pretending to be a one-off concept – now we know it was an XSR900 GP. It even mimicked the black/gunmetal alternative colours of the XSR-GP. The hillclimb is just over a mile. I rode it twice – four miles (including the return from the top). Very little, but enough to sell me on the idea of a faired-in XSR with high clip-ons. All the positives of the XSR remain: flexible, friendly but perky triple-cylinder power, and handling…

MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONS Ducati Monster › £11,661 › 110bhp › 69lb·ft › 193kg › 820mm seat height ∧ Spirited V-twin, agile handling, great looks ∨ Difficult to justify that asking price Returning Ducati's naked bike to its core values of being lightweight and fun, the Monster comes loaded with tech and is enjoyable on B-roads. Handling is pin-sharp and that V-twin motor is just wonderful. It's a great bike that stirs your soul – but you pay handsomely for the privilege. Then there's the even dearer, sportier Monster SP with its Öhlins suspension, which costs £14,161. But it's less fun to ride as it's too unforgiving for the UK's roads – buy the standard model instead. Buy it if you're… happy to pay a ‘Ducati tax’. The Monster is undeniably pricey…

RATED BACK PROTECTOR The inflator housing includes a Level-2D3O back protector and the user-changeable gas canister. REPLACEMENTS The airbag can now be deployed five times before requiring a factory check. New gas canisters are about £90. Furygan Fury Airbag Evolution+ £379.99 www.furygan.com THE CLAIM “The Fury Airbag Evolution+ can be used under or over your motorbike clothing. This evolution of our abrasion-resistant airbag waistcoat, enhanced by a Level-2 D3O back protector, redefines market standards. Still powered by intelligent, self-learning In&Motion technology, its protective performance has been enhanced by a new inflation pocket.” THE REALITY I've been wearing the first-generation Furygan airbag vest since its launch and the latest version adds to its success. The back protector/airbag housing is 50mm shorter than the original, meaning it's much easier for jackets and trousers to…

GARAGE USED BIKES THE APPEAL OF this superb mid-sized sports tourer is multi-layered. As well as being great value – just over six grand new and now costing as little as £4000 – it's cheap to run, with owners claiming 70mpg when ridden gently and rarely lower than 50mpg when pressing on. Add to that the bike's brilliant CP2 parallel twin motor, predictable handling, comfortable ergonomics, and stoic reliability, and it's easy to see why the Tracer has been such a hit. Many owners highlight the budget suspension and standard screen as its main issues, but there's nothing that can't be improved – often massively – in a cost-effective way. Yamaha revised the 700 for 2020, refreshing its styling, bringing its motor in line with Euro5 emissions regs, improving the…

GARAGE LONG-TERM TEST BIKES FOR THE PAST few years, the middleweight GS has been the forgotten adventure bike. While the original F800GS was a great combination of rugged road ability, strong character and genuine off-road kudos, its successors have failed to live up to it. The F850GS introduced in 2018 was a case in point: it felt like neither a road nor an off-road adventurer and looked pretty staid compared to KTM's parallel twin offerings, for example. The new F900GS aims to change that. It's 14kg lighter than its predecessor, has 10bhp more at the top end, longer-travel suspension, and a minimalist look that means it seems like the most extreme in the class. This is what we've learned… THE FACTS £14,535 ❱103bhp❱219kg MILES THIS MONTH 751 MPG THIS MONTH…

WE'D BEEN REALLY impressed with the Hornet while it was with us for a short-term test last year, but wanted to see how it would tackle more miles and time. Having just read about just how much love the Hornet is getting from its RiDE reader owners in this issue (page 60), I was keen to try it out. The first impression I got when I hopped on the Hornet was that it was quite compact and feels fairly sporty. It's small and looks almost toy-like with a very low seat hight – 795mm. The most powerful light-middleweight, its parallel twin kicks out a genuine 90-odd bhp at the rear wheel – and to be honest, with a light bike like this, it's plenty enough. It has three pre-set riding…

HIGH-MILE HEROES Celebrating the people and bikes that go the distance ECONOMY “Average lifetime consumption is 57.3mpg, running on supermarket 95/E5. Approximate total spend on fuel is €14,000 (£11,956)!” PANNIERS “Need to be closed with care – never force them or slam them, otherwise the catches break. If you want to fit a helmet in there, you need the optional larger lids.” TYRES “I've tried most makes but the Michelin Pilot and Road series really transform the bike. 15k miles from a rear, 20k miles from a front.” OIL FILTER “The OE filter is quite short. Be careful buying an aftermarket one – if it's not the correct dimensions, retracting the centrestand will pierce it (not good!).” Name John Lavelle Bike 2010 Honda NT700V Deauville Total Miles 123,701 Miles per…

SPORTSBIKE FANS ARE getting mixed messages from 2024. Yamaha's R1 is being dropped as a road bike in the UK, yet Honda has launched a new Fireblade. Suzuki's GSX-R range is a distant memory, but Kawasaki has introduced five new Ninjas. Triumph's new Daytona 660 is completely different to the old 675, but Honda's new CBR600RR has strong links to the 2007 model. Confused? Us too. So, are sportsbikes in decline, or on the cusp of a comeback? Litre bike losses In February Yamaha confirmed the R1 will not be updated to meet the Euro5+ emissions standard. It'll still be built and sold elsewhere in the world, and its racing future is unaffected, but UK riders won't be able to buy a brand-new, road-legal R1 from next year. Yamaha UK's…

LETTER OF THE MONTH Backed to the future? Why aren't manufacturers looking to safeguard their and our futures by creating new types of alternatively fuelled bikes? It seems obvious that electric doesn't work for motorcycles – I thought the industry would work together on exchange batteries on forecourts or developing the correct infrastructure. After all, there's less than ten years to get something in place… This brings me to a second point – new riders. The cost of getting your licence, your bike and your gear – they're all expensive. Electric bikes are beyond most younger riders – and with their lack of range and poor charging times, why would you bother? Which takes me back to the start of my letter: what's the industry doing to safeguard its and…

NEW BIKES CHEAP, NOT CHEERFUL While MV hasn't released the price, we expect it'll cost more than £21k – so there's an expectation for some serious quality. Unfortunately, the switchgear isn't the nicest example, looking and feeling a bit cheap in both appearance and feel. TRACTION CONTROL, MULTIPLIED Alongside having eight settings of traction control (five for the road, two for off-road, one for rain), the software can be switched to run different algorithms for if the bike has been fitted with the more off-road-biased Bridgestone AX41 tyres – that's a total of 16 settings of traction control. IT HAS LAUNCH CONTROL… MV Agusta isn't shy to try something different, but launch control on an adventure bike with a 21in front wheel is a bit out there. The system works…

THE BIG RIDE THE FACTS The route What looks on paper like a chaotic swirl of roads through the area is actually a 90-mile romp up hill and down dale on every kind of road that the region offers. Why it's great The variety of roads is backed up with stunning scenery and views across this important area, which is never far from civilisation and is so easily accessible. When to go Midweek, as far away from school holidays as you can manage. The drier months will offer the best chance to enjoy the superb views across the valleys. Where to visit There is plenty to see and visit here, including former WWII airfields (there are three), castles, heritage sites, nature reserves and hill forts. Oh, and a banger-racing circuit.…

DOWNLOAD THE ROUTES ride.co.uk Best for stunning roads and views in a lovely part of the world. Length 89.5 miles. Route Honiton, Collington, Dunkeswell, Wellington, Culmhead, Smeartharpe, Honiton, Monkton, Upottery, Churchingford, Culmhead, Combe St Nicholas, Yarcombe, Axminster, Chard, Yarcombe, Honiton. Roads A373, Stafford Hill, Limers Lane, Cornhill, Combe Hill, Blackdown Hill, unnamed road, Come View, A30, unnamed road, Taunton Road, Blackdown Hill, Castlemain, unnamed road, A30, A303, Stockland Hill, A35, A358, A30, A303. Love it because every bit of tarmac is fun for different reasons. Scenic, too. Take a picture at Combe St Nicholas crossroads – there's a whole valley laid out in front of you. Stop for a cuppa at Brightside Diner, which has a massive range of food and drink that will have something for everyone, regardless of…

MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONS THE FACTS Honda CB750 Hornet ❱ £7299 ❱ 91bhp ❱ 55lb·ft ❱ 190kg ❱ 795mm seat ∧ Wonderful motor, fizzy character, great value ∨ Suspension a bit soft for heavier riders Buy it if you're… looking for a fun, affordable middleweight naked. It has class-leading power and a real, addictive since of fun. ‘Riding it makes you grin like a Cheshire cat’ “It took less than 10 minutes to walk into a dealer and walk out owning a Hornet. I fancied a fun weekend bike – a friend loaned me the old 600 Hornet for a while years ago, and I loved it. “When I saw the new parallel-twin Hornet, I knew it wouldn't feel quite the same, so it was a toss-up between a Triumph Trident 660 and…

MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONS THE SHEER POPULARITY of middleweights is great news for used bike buyers as it means there are lots of examples listed for sale – and the more bikes advertised, the tougher the competition to secure your cash and, therefore, the better deals that can be had. Also, unlike more expensive bigger-capacity bikes, because fairly new used middleweights tend to sell for around £5000-£6000, dipping into the private sales market to save a few more pounds is less of a financial risk. Overall, it's a win-win situation for used bike buyers – and armed with a fairly reasonable budget, you could well be riding a fantastic middleweight this year. But which middleweight? That's a tougher question to answer… We have picked out our favourite used sports tourer, adventure bike…

Best adventure bike Triumph's middleweight adventure bike has been a huge success story – and when you ride one it's easy to see why. A brilliant do-it-all machine, the original Tiger 800 is a charming middleweight – and the three-cylinder motor gives it a bit of spirit and soul that its rivals lack. Released in late 2010 as a 2011 model, the Tiger 800 arrived in two forms – the standard version ran cast ten-spoke alloy wheels with a 19in front, while the more rugged XC featured spoke wheels with a 21in front and slightly longer-travel suspension. Of the two variants, the standard bike is the pick as it handles better on the road due to its smaller front wheel and less pitch in its suspension. Also, the cast wheels…

RATED 4000-MILE TEST VISOR The mechanism could be slicker – removing the visor is more fiddly than on old-school Shoeis. INTEGRATED COMMS Comes ready-equipped with a built-in portal for a Sena comms unit and input pathways for speakers. Very neat. VENTING Chin vent is very impressive, while both vents are quiet and easy to operate. THE CLAIM “Now conforms to ECE 22.06. The newly designed visor has an added opening position that ensures fogging is eliminated and helps circulate air inside, and introduces a centre locking mechanism. Improved chin strap has a compact and lightweight micro ratchet design to help maintain strength.” THE REALITY There's no getting away with the fact the GT-Air 3 is a very good helmet. I've used it for the past six months – mainly on…

‘Some elements of this test are easy to call, but the end result is much harder’ While some elements of this test are easy to call, the end result is much harder. At the bottom of the scores, the Akaso is nowhere near the others in terms of performance, so keep your money even though it is so cheap. The Ghost is nicely made with a huge battery, but quality – video, audio and stabilisation - is not on par with the top three, neither. Which is when things start to get tricky… Ultimately, a question needs to be posed: do you want to be able to film full 360° videos and third-person shots? If so, then it's the Insta360 X3 – its ability to create decent traditional action camera…