Tabla de contenidos para July 2023 en RiDE

‘Transalp deserves respect, even against bikes twice its price’ As I write this, I’m still calming down after the most intense day and night of road-testing I’ve ever encountered. Starting on page 42, you can read the results of the first 24 Heures du RiDE, a 24-hour test where we sought to test every aspect of two of the most talked-about adventure bikes. From our base in Peterborough, we rode the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally and the Honda Transalp to Wales, Scotland, the Peak District and the North Yorks Moors, as well as heading though London to Brighton and even doing a spot of off-roading on the Honda. The idea was that if we placed the bikes in the hands of a variety riders in a variety of situations, we’d…

RIDE READER PETER GENET Peter Genet, 55, is an all-weather rider and RoSPA instructor who rides all over the UK and Europe on his 2015 BMW R1200GSA, usually with wife Sally as pillion. As well as bikes, they’re both into hiking and good pubs, and often try to combine the three pursuits WE’VE DONE QUITE a few Favourite Rides features in the Cotswolds and every time, I think surely we’ve already seen, and been, everywhere worth looking at. Every time I’m proved wrong, and hopefully today I’m about to be proved wrong once more. Pete Genet’s promised me what he describes as, “A bimble in the countryside, through quaint Cotswolds villages, with roads that are sublime in terms of rideability, right down to narrow lanes with grass along the centre.…

Since its creation, the Trail Riders Fellowship has not just led the way but near alone in the battle to keep green roads open to motorcycling. In the last decade, it has been the only motorcycling organisation that has taken cases to court, at every level, from magistrates to the supreme court. The TRF features as a party to the leading cases on traffic regulation, that set the law for all roads whether tarmac or green. This is at a cost and CEO Collins reports that the TRF’s spend on legal cases has ranged from £110,000 to £230,000 per annum in the last five years. Its litigation activity is not just confined to green roads either as the TRF has seen more TROs on regular tarmac’d roads - and these…

KTM is preparing to jump onto the semiautomatic gearbox bandwagon with an automatic version of its 1301cc LC8 V-twin. While the Honda Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) system is complex and heavy, the KTM design is far more straightforward. Like the SCS (Smart Clutch System) offered by MV Agusta, it uses a centrifugal clutch to connect the engine and transmission together, engaging when revs rise above idle. When moving, an up-anddown quickshifter allows gearshifts to be performed without disengaging the clutch. KTM’s interest in the technology was discovered following the submission of a patent for a gearboxlocking system to prevent bikes rolling off their stands.…

In your article on How To Be a Great Biking Couple, two of the three couples stated how owning a Harley would be a no-no. Jo said: “If I came home with a Harley, there’d be a divorce”. Janette from the other couple wanted to date a biker but, if they had a Harley: “Piss off, that’s a lawnmower”. I’ve owned most styles of bikes over the years, including a Harley Road King Special. It was fabulous in its own laid-back way and I’m pleased I had the experience. Over on mainland Europe, they embrace all forms of two wheels like maxi scoots, yet here they are derided. What a shame. Martin Gaudion I’m sorry that you feel that way. Their views don’t reflect those of the magazine but I…

TRACTION CONTROL SCEPTICS beware: the 14.6bhp 2023 Yamaha R125 becomes the least-powerful machine to gain anti-spin technology. Which is absurd on the face of it: today’s A1compiiant four-stroke novice machines are almost incapable of breaking traction under power. Yamaha is also fitting Michelin Pilot Street tyres for this year and the 140-section rear is specified for the sake of appearance as much as grip. It’s part of the ‘big bike’ feel and image that makes it a top-seller. However… it’s not totally daft. Youngsters straight off their CBT often hop on to their new ‘sportsbike’, and get stuck into riding flat-out, everywhere, regardless of their own skill, weather conditions or traffic. We said it’s almost incapable of breaking traction, but not completely. Deliberate provocation on a poor surface can invoke…

NEW BIKES SUZUKI GSX-8S BIG QUESTIONS ANSWERED JUST WHEN YOU thought Honda’s CB750 Hornet had affirmed itself as 2023’s best naked middleweight roadster, Suzuki launches the all new GSX-8S. But Suzuki appears to have missed the standards set by the Hornet on paper, at least. It’s 8bhp down, despite a 21cc advantage, and 12 kilos heavier once brimmed with fuel. Furthermore, the GSX-8S is £1000 more expensive than its rival. So is Suzuki’s great parallel-twin hope too little, too late? Maybe not. Spec sheet figures only ever tell part of the story and there are more important wins in this class than outright power. So, instead of attempting to match or beat Honda in terms of cold, hard numbers, Suzuki has instead focused on feel and dynamics with the GSX-8S, in…

24 HEURES DU RIDE IT’S NOT A COMPETITION, says editor Matt. And, as the Multistrada V4 Rally elegantly hoofs it away from RiDE’s car park with Martin Fitz-Gibbons on Honda’s Transalp reeling in the opposite direction like a spooked kitten, Matt is right. The Multi towers over the ‘Alp physically, spiritually, mechanically, technically, ergonomically, dynamically, financially and choose any adverb because the V4 is in a different league. So yes, not a competition. The Ducati is a flagship-spec adventure bike you can push around at standstill, get both feet on the floor, punch the radar cruise control, hit escape velocity, and ride to the ends of the earth. Or England. Because the Multistrada’s real challenge is to erase 500 miles from Peterborough to Jedburgh just across the Scottish border and…

24 HEURES DU RIDE I’D BEEN LOOKING forward to this for a while. I’ve always loved the slightly masochistic side of motorcycling and the idea of waking up at 4am and smashing out a few hundred miles before breakfast was so tantalising that it was hard to sleep the night before. Since we first saw it last year, the new Transalp has fascinated me. The idea of a sub-£10,000 bike that could be an efficient tourer, an effective B-road scratcher and an effusive off-roader is something no manufacturer has nailed. Yamaha’s Ténéré comes pretty close but the Honda promises more tech and power and better road manners. It undercuts the Yamaha by £600 too. The first few metres bode well - a mini jump over a sleeping policeman showing off…

Bering Freeway suit £789.99 www.bikerheadz.co.uk THE CLAIM “The Bering Freeway motorcycle suit is an exceptional option for riders who demand a high-quality, all-weather riding suit that offers both performance and sustainability. With advanced features, cutting-edge design, and eco-friendly materials, this suit is the ultimate choice for environmentally conscious riders.” THE REALITY There is lots to admire about Bering’s new Freeway suit - and the first is its environmental credentials. Constructed using a synthetic material called Repreve, which is made from recycled plastic bottles taken from the ocean, it’s like nothing we’ve worn before. It might sound like a recipe for a plasticky feel and lots of sweating but it isn’t - the fabric feels soft, supple and tough and quite unlike Cordura. Straight away you have confidence in it, too.…

THE TRIUMPH SPRINT 1050 ST is an old-school sports tourer - no fancy frills or clever tech, just a brawny motor, comfy seat and an eagerness to pile on the miles. It’s been out of production for more than a decade now but there are still plenty of low-mileage examples about for sensible money. I’ve covered 40,000 miles on my 2010 model since buying it in 2018 for £4200 - we’ve travelled the length and breadth of the UK and it’s been (mostly) a joy. With 124bhp (ish) on tap, the 210 kg Sprint has enough to shout about. Power delivery is unerringly linear and maximum torque of 77lb.ft at just 5,000rpm makes it all about the mid-range -just perfect for flowing through the bends. Fuelling is spot on, even…

TYRES “Bridgestone S22s — I get about 3000 miles from a rear. Grip is the most important thing. It’s cheaper to buy good tyres than repair a crashed bike.” SERVICING “I change the oil and filter every 5000 miles or so - no particular oil, just decent synthetic.” SEAT “I had to make a lower seat for my short legs.” ALTERNATOR “They give up between 45-50,000 miles. This bike’s on its third.” Name John Bennett, 72 Bike 2002 CBR900RR Total Miles 125,000 Miles per year 6000 THERE’S A THEME that runs through most of these articles - big miles and sensible riding on long touring trips, without too much stress on bike or rider. Not this one… “I bought this Blade with 10,000 miles on the clock in 2004 and…

Kielder Forest Drive, Northumberland Further to the recent article that included the Kielder Forest Drive, and your comments about any bikes being able to ride it. I enclose a photograph of my good friend Derek Innes Esquire’s (he thinks he’s posh) bike, who stupidly listened to me and followed me on his Yamaha FJR1300 Final Edition. I was on an Aprilia Pegaso on RS11 tyres, proving either any bike can do it, or we are both very silly for our age! Alan Brown Dartmoor, Devon This is mid-April, on a ride from Cardiff to Plymouth to see friends. I took the route over Dartmoor. This was a moment when the rain relented, although the Tiger 900 GT has reasonable protection from the elements. It was a good opportunity to do…

THEY COULD BE ANYWHERE… UNMARKED POLICE VEHICLES are nothing new but this is the first time a stealth camera van has been used to catch road users. Normally camera vans are highly visible to act as a deterrent. “I can tell you that, in the last 12 months, 44 people have died on our roads,” Head of Operations at Northamptonshire Police, Superintendent Jen Helm, said. “There are those who chose to deliberately drive or ride irresponsibly or illegally when they think they can get away with it. This is what the unmarked enforcement van is designed to tackle.” The response from the motorcycling community, however, was less than enthusiastic. Many questioned its use and potential unfairness in targeting riders. “It’s not a deterrent if they are hidden, it’s punishment,” said…

I purchased a new BMW R1250GS in September 2022, which was supplied with a halogen headlamp in lieu of the LED light due to semi-conductor shortages. Now, eight months later, I and many other owners are still waiting for upgrades. I’ve contacted BMW GB many times and it’s the same every time: no info available or speak to your dealer. Richard Reeve We asked BMW for a statement: “BMW Motorrad is working closely with relevant suppliers to fulfil all outstanding halogento-LED light replacements. It is envisaged all customers affected will have received their invite for the dealer-fit update by the end of this year. All bikes supplied with a halogen light were discounted by the value of the option to ensure any customer who purchased a bike hasn’t paid for…

NO SEMI-ACTIVE SUSPENSION The KTM has manually-adjusted suspension at both ends, so no flicking between Sport and Comfort. But the key adjusters don’t need tools and are easy to access, and there’s a sticker under the seat with Sport/Comfort recommendations, as well as the standard setting NO BAGGAGE 990 SMT owners will gripe at the lack of soft panniers as standard. Integrated fittings would have been nice though LOSING IT KTM has chopped four litres out of the bottom of the 890 Adventure’s fuel tank and it helps with handling. 50mpg will see it cover 173 miles from full to empty, though MOST SPORTS TOURERS lean towards the mile-munching side of their brief: comfortable, practical and easy-going. That suits many - but not KTM. Love or hate them, it’s hard…

Twelve kilos is a lot to give away in this class but that’s the gulf between a fully juiced GSX-8S and an equally brimmed Hornet. Not a pretty sight on the spec sheet but in reality, the Suzuki’s extra poundage is not an issue. In fact, on most roads it’s actually an advantage. The GSX-8S feels more planted than the Honda, especially on bumpy roads; instability is never an issue. Indeed, there’s a solidity to the Suzuki that works beautifully with the midrange-rich motor - quite unlike the revhungry, sometimes flighty Honda. Handling is not compromised by the more generous overall weight but the built-to-a-budget suspension can feel overworked when forced to earn its keep on fast but poorly surfaced roads. And the turning circle, while good, isn’t as sharp…

BOTH DUCATI’S NEW V4 Multistrada Rally and Honda’s new XL750 Transalp are going to be on the buying list for many in 2023. And while we pride ourselves on having the best, most-authoritative tests in the bike-magazine world, this time they both deserved something special and even tougher. So, we devised a plan for them to cover as much distance as possible in 24 hours, aiming for at least 1000 miles on each machine. Piloted by a variety of bikers, by the end of the test we’d know everything we’d need to know, from fuel consumption and comfort to wetweather performance, twisty road ability and even a bit of off-roading. We also thought it sounded like fun. Starting at midday on a Thursday, wq used RiDE’s Peterborough base as the…

Honda Transalp IT’S 20:54 and the Transalp decides day’s become night, the TFT dash switching from a crisp white background to black. I’ve been on the road for half an hour and a long night ride lays ahead. I’m riding through the night and through London with my old riding buddy Justin. I’ve been riding for nearly 20 years but this is my first experience of an adventure bike - just like it will be for many Transalp buyers. There’s nothing to fear for adventure novices, though. The seat is low, the gear changes smooth and the engine responsive. Entering London, speed drops to 20mph and I need to keep my wits about me as streets are littered with speed cameras. We aim for Chelsea Bridge; roads are busy with…

ALL AROUND ME are the signs that summer is here. I’m parked up on the B1123 that straddles the Norfolk/Suffolk border, a good 80 miles into what may turn out to be 2023’s best ride, basking in the warmth of a perfect evening. Next to me are hedgerows so verdant they’re almost fluorescent and the dark green of maturing wheat stretches into the middle-distance, waving in the breeze. Ahead stretches the perfect English B-road: well-surfaced, meandering and with unknown pleasures just beyond each vanishing point. On an island that’s blessed with some of the best riding in the world, it’s easy to discount Norfolk and Suffolk. Look beyond the holiday honeypots though and there’s a compelling network of B-roads with myriad challenges and rise and fall with the gentle countryside.…

DOWNLOAD THE ROUTES www.ride.co.uk Best for Brilliant riding, fish and chips. Length 93 miles. Route Hunstanton, Fakenham, Dereham, Wymondham, Hempnall, Harleston, Halesworth, Southwold. Roads A149, B1454, B1146, B1135M B1527, unclassified roads, A143, B1123, A1095 Love it because There ere great roads, great views and something for everyone. Some ace places to stop for food, too. Take pictures at Southwold Pier - it’s as authentic as they come. Stop for a cuppa at The Suffolk Jungle Room. Perfect if a bit pricey. ALSO TRY… The full Nelson Best for Birdwatching, Kiss-Me-Quick hats. Length 68 miles. Route Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Happisburgh, Cromer, Sheringham, Blakeney, Hunstanton. Roads A149, unclassified roads, B1159, unclassified roads, A47 Love it because It gives the full experience of the East Anglian seaside towns, from the traditional resorts of…

‘A seriously well-specified helmet package’ There’s a very clear winner in this test - the LS2 Vector II. It is a seriously well-specified helmet package that fits very well and is comfortable in use. It may look and feel large but it doesn’t feel it and it recorded the lowest noise readings of the test. Venting is excellent and it comes with an impressive array of accessories. And with a price starting at £180 - £20 under the price cap - it is well deserving of a RiDE Best Buy triangle. Further back, things get a little less cut-and-dried. Just two points separate the HJC, Scorpion and Shark examples. The HJC is comfortable and fits well, though it is both noisier than expected and draughty with the vents closed. The…

TOUGH IN STANCE and bristling with go-anywhere attitude, the XT660Z Ténéré is the noughties iteration of Yamaha’s dualpurpose/enduro lineage, traceable right back to the 1980s. Whether your riding ambitions are a commute, light greenlaning or a more ambitious back-road adventure, the XT660Z has you covered. The 660cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve single in the XT660Z also found use in Yamaha’s more road-biased XT660 X and R models and MT-03 naked, as well as the Aprilia Pegaso and Derbi Mulhacen. So the unit was well-proven and, by the time it found a home in the XT660Z, prior complaints of erratic fuelling and stalling had been addressed by a more-refined injection set-up. Being a slimline single, the XT660Z makes for a traffic-carving commuter while also being relatively easy to handle off-road. However, if road…

A big single demands a battery in good shape to get things going. Any signs of the starter motor struggling to get the engine turning over points to a tired battery, which can also take its toll on the starter gear. Once astride the XT660Z, the first thing you will notice is the high seat, a necessary consequence of the bike’s off-road aspirations. It’s no lightweight either but it carries its kilos well, and wide handlebars and good balance help mask the mass. That weight only really becomes apparent with only 47bhp on tap to punt the XT along. Push too hard and vibration rears its shaky head. The vibes make their presence felt at 5000rpm, 1000rpm short of peak power, capping comfortable performance. You’ll also be constantly searching for…

UPDATE 02 IT’S BEEN A busy second month for RiDE’s R1250GS, seeing 1000 miles of action, mostly in the hands of RiDE’s intrepid snapper Chippy Wood. Chippy used the GS to shadow the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally, used in our 24-hour test, to the Scottish Borders with Simon Hargreaves, then Buttertubs Pass to shoot Chris for the final leg of our 2300-mile epic. “I’m really impressed,” says adventure-bike lover Chip. “There so many things that it does well - it’s devastatingly fast, comfortable, handies well and, on the ride up on the A1, was really secure in the rain. Which was a good job because the conditions were terrible - the worst rain I’ve seen in decades. Set in Rain mode for the power delivery and traction control, and Road…

County Mayo, Ireland This photo was taken in County Mayo on part of the Wild Atlantic Way as I was out and about around Mayo and Sligo to explore a few out-of-the-way places and I came across this spot. The CRF250 Rally is more than suited for this type of terrain and definitely did not disappoint me on road or trail. It’s certainly not a rocket ship but has excellent performance that kept a grin on my face all day, like a Cheshire Cat. Glynn Cutcliffe Get your bike in RiDE & win a BikeTrace system Each month the Star Picture will win a BikeTrac security tracker with a year’s BikeTrac subscription. As well as helping recover your bike if it is nicked, it logs journeys and gives live battery…

TRAIL RIDING is as old as motorcycles themselves; we must only look at the 100+ year history of the Lands End Trial to see that. However, in recent decades, legislation has vastly diminished the green-road network on which trail riding relies. In May 2018, the Government asked for an independent review into whether the protections for National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are still fit for purpose. In particular, what might be done better, what changes will help and whether the definitions and systems in place are still valid. Called the Landscapes Review, while it made no reference to motor vehicles, the Government’s response (made by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) included a section on ‘managing visitor pressures’. This included an invitation to the public…

Husqvarna has released a competition-ready FS450 supermoto, finished in typically Husky grey, white, and yellow and powered by a SOHC 449.9cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine weighing just 26.8kg. Costing £11,249, the competition-only FS450 is not cheap but comes equipped with multiple throttle maps, launch and traction control, and a quickshifter. A new onepiece grey seat provides added grip under hard acceleration. Elsewhere the Husky features 16.5in front and 17in rear spoked Alpina wheels, Brembo brakes and WP suspension - 48mm XACT forks and an XACT monoshock with 266mm of travel at the rear.…

Fizzy motor with grunt The KTM will gleefully rev to its redline if you want but it’s at its best between 4000-7500rpm or so, riding the midrange. The low weight means it makes the most of seemingly unexceptional peak figures too. Sharper than an Adventure Reduced suspension travel, 17in wheels and sharper front-end geometry compared to the 890 Adventure give the SMT much keener steering and better feel. Ride quality isn’t quite as floaty but KTM is aiming for a rider who’ll stay on the road and push that little bit harder. Brilliant electronics… at a price We tested the bike with everything enabled - and customer bikes will be delivered like this… for 1500km/900 miles. Then the new ‘Demo’ mode will disengage and you’ll be deprived of the more…

There’s enough tech on the GSX-8S for it to stand toe-to-toe with its rivals. There are three modes: A (Active), B (Basic) and C (Comfort) which, in layman’s terms, equate to Sport, Road and Rain. The first two provide full power, although B gets there at a more sedate pace, while Comfort mode softens everything off for a much gentler delivery. There’s also three-stage traction control which can also be turned off altogether. The bi-directional quickshifter comes as standard, as does the 5in TFT instrument panel that’s both clear and easy to use LED headlamps are also part of the package but if you want more gadgets - heated grips, a USB socket or LED indicators - you’ll need to dip into the accessories catalogue.…

NEW BIKES SUZUKI GSX-8S 1 Engine The GSX-8S’s engine delivers its best below 8000rpm, so there’s little need to rev to the 9750rpm redline. Valve clearance inspection isn’t required until 15,000 miles and the slipper clutch and quickshifter-assisted gearbox are as smooth as butter. The only issue is externally - with so many angles and recesses, particularly around the front of the engine, it’s a pig to keep clean. 2 Details Touches like the aluminium swingarm set the GSX-8S apart from the Hornet. The TFT dash is decent too, as is the easy-to-use switchgear and excellent mirrors. The one-lump exhaust is a bit of a stylistic afterthought though; so too the tail-light bracket (useless at keeping road spray away). The styling is a matter of taste but that didn’t stop the MT-07…

You’re buying new, so servicing will be a dealer job. For maintenance, there’s a sight glass for oil level checks and a filler just above, but you’ll need a funnel to avoid spillages. The ‘tool kit’ is just two Allen keys clipped to the underside of the pillion seat. You’ll need your own tools to adjust the chain, plus a C-spanner to adjust rear-shock preload. There’s no centrestand, or option for one, so a paddock stand is your friend when it comes to deep cleaning. Luckily the swingarm comes with threads already in place to screw in bobbins. Keeping the front of the engine spotless, with its myriad piping and casting indents, will be a regular chore for any prospective GSX-8S owner though.…

24 HEURES DU RIDE IT’S A SIGN. After 150 miles of persistent distance devouring aboard Honda’s new Transalp, “Croeso i Gymru” flashes past from the side of the A40. Two and a half hours ago turned left out of RiDE’s Peterborough HQ, just as Ducati-mounted Simon Hargreaves turned right. Both of us had borders on our brain: I headed west for Wales, while he steered his luxurious limoncello-palace north for Scotland. I’ve surely escaped England first but give Simon a 30-litre fuel tank feeding a 170bhp V-four and anything’s possible… Welcome to the opening salvo of RiDE’s gruelling 24-hour test. Since noon, the Transalp and I have gobbled up the A14, M6, a congealed M42, a moist M5 and an empty M50. Two of the fuel gauge’s six bars remain…

WIN A DAY OF EXPERT COACHING! RiDE has teamed up with Rapid Training to give you the chance to win a full day of training with an expert riding coach. The training - worth £495 will identify habits that may be holding you back, along with those elements of your riding style that can take you forward. You’ll learn how to consistently carve late-apex lines, plus how to see and interpret detail at speed, how to develop an intuitive response to whatever comes your way and how to handle your bike with precision and ease. All Rapid’s coaches are trained to police class-one standard and can adapt the course to suit all levels and experience. You can enter the competition at www.rapidtraining.co.uk/ride-rapid-competition WELCOME TO THE second episode of RiDE’s summer…

RATED THE RiDE PRODUCT TEST AS WE HAVE seen in the past, it is possible to get a reasonable crash helmet, which is comfortable and safe, for less than £100. But we also know that you can easily pay closer to £1000 than £500 if you want to. All do the same job - protecting your head in an impact but the extra money buys lower weight and more features. However, we can’t all afford to spend what could be bike money on a crash helmet. So if you have a limited budget, what is available? Well, to start with, these helmets from six of the major manufacturers on the market. All are approved to the newfor-2024 ECE22.06 standard and all are for sale from less than £200. It may well…

THE ODD-LOOKING, FOUR-CYLINDER Versys ‘adventure’ initially divided opinion but quickly proved, as a tallroader, to be a comfortable, smooth and great-value two-up tourer. Solid mechanicals added appeal and later models got improved looks and spec but the original remains the best value - but you must know what ownership brings. 1 It’s pretty dated 1064cc transverse-four dates back to the 1998 ZX-9R C1, is a detuned version of that in the long-proven Z1000SX and is generally described as bulletproof. A few owners grumble the gearbox is clunky but as long as it fires up easily, idles happily and displays no warning codes, all should be well. How common? No Versys feels cutting-edge but its reliability more than makes up for it. 2 It’ll have been dropped… … and probably at 2mph. The…

UPDATE 10 ALL GOOD THINGS must come to an end, they say, and so it is with our GSX-S1000 GT. It’s time to bid farewell so I decided on one last trip from deepest, darkest Devon to the garden spot that is Peterborough for the MCN Festival of Motorcycling as well as a quick blast to Nottingham to visit my daughter at uni. The trip up to the Midlands was the usual Friday afternoon traffic bun-fight with a sat-nav route to the south of Birmingham avoiding the worst of the M6/M42. The GSX-S devoured the motorway and once off on to smaller dual-carriageways and A-roads, shook its head and extended its stride. Even fully loaded, it’s a proper weapon. Empty, the run from Peterborough to Nottingham was dispatched quickly and…