Tabla de contenidos para September 2023 en RiDE

‘Head out on a trip and let's make the most of the summer’ Right here, right now is the best time of the year to ride. I'm an all-weather biker but there is something magical about riding a bike in summer. The warmth, the grip and the sense of freedom from not having to spend ten minutes layering up before you head out makes biking a total pleasure. But time is running out. With August in full swing, we've really only got a few months of good weather in the UK to exploit. This issue of RiDE is designed to help maximise that time. The big deal this month is our 32-page supplement (for UK readers) showcasing the best circular routes in Britain. The North Coast 500, the South West…

A Yamaha middleweight sportsbike looks a far more likely proposition after the Japanese giant showcased an XSR900 DB40 prototype at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. Essentially, it's a Yamaha XSR900 dressed up with a fairing and a different exhaust – but take a closer look and there are clues to more serious intent. First, the DB40 is built from a bare frame and engine, both of which have low-series pre-production serial numbers. There's no need for a customised, one-off XSR to use such parts. Secondly, manufacturers in Yamaha's league rarely create something like this in an official factory capacity, instead promoting custom builds via their ‘Yard Built’ programme.…

‘I got knocked off. How do I build confidence to return to riding?’ Q I WAS INVOLVED in a crash that wasn't my fault and I'd like some advice on how I can make a confident return to biking. The situation was that, as I drew alongside a car I was overtaking, it suddenly pulled out to overtake the car in front and knocked me off. The driver didn't stop and left the scene (the police caught him later and are prosecuting). I'm wondering if I should step down in size and power from my BMW R1250GS Adventure? Andy Colgan A From your full description [the above is edited for brevity – Ed] it sounds like you ticked all the boxes in terms of reading the road and planning, and…

FIRST RIDE CFMOTO 800NK SPORT 1 IT'S CHEAP, BUT NOT CHEAP ENOUGH The current, wallet-friendly, middleweight naked sector is bursting with incredible machinery, and the Chinese-built CFMoto does undercut a lot of the competition. It's cheaper than Suzuki's GSX-8S, Yamaha's MT-07 and even KTM's 790 Duke (which shares the same platform). But Honda's CB750 Hornet is the same price: can you really look past a brilliant bike from a more proven, credible brand? 2 THE MOTOR IS GREAT FUN, BUT ISN'T PERFECT The 799cc parallel twin engine (mildly tweaked from 2023 790 Duke spec) lives to be thrashed. Not only does it offer a bucketload of torque from the very bottom of the rev range, it's more than happy to be revved right up to the redline too. It sounds…

Start slowly The key to developing road reading skills is to start slow and go for detail. Knock 10% off your usual speed and use the extra time you've given yourself to focus on how early you see new information and how much detail you gather. Don't forget that this is a continuous process (rolling road vision) and you need to get into a habit of doing it, so make sure you keep practising. Talk to yourself Once you're confident you're beginning to see more detail, focus on interpreting it by adding the ‘so what?’ test. This is where adding a commentary can help – by verbalising the question and answering it yourself, you're forcing your brain to shift information into the conscious part of the brain. Doing it can…

RATED THE RiDE PRODUCT TEST ‘Either set would suit a home workshop’ Teng and Gedore both impressed from the off and were in the end separated by just a single point, thanks to the Gedore's higher torquefailure point. They were neck and neck for everything else apart from price. But shop around – you can find the Teng set for less than half price if you do. Either set would do you well in a home workshop. That said, all the sets here had something going for them – the Laser one contained the highest number of spanners so covered a massive variety of fasteners, and the Siegen set included a massive 32mm spanner – good for headstock bearings, for example. The Drapers showed good strength, and the Sealeys were…

This touring screen offers a maximum height of 53mm, 12mm of extension and 40mm in width to increase longdistance comfort, especially for taller riders. Usual Givi quality. givi.co.uk Breathable, waterproof, sumptuous for rider and pillion – much improved over standard. This German made perch is also 2cm deeper than standard. touratech-uk.co.uk Standard shocks aren't great, so a quality replacement like this-with 30 clicks of compression damping and 50 clicks of rebound damping will transform the handling. spengineering.co.uk An excellent value, slightly underrated alternative to BMW's ubiquitous GS. It's top-heavy, and the handling is no match for the BM when the going is twisty – but as an overall package it's an accomplished, uncomplicated continent-crosser. WHAT'S GOOD? Torqu rich engine, long-distance comfort, reliability, build quality, value NOT SO GOOD… Snatchy throttle,…

THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY is undergoing a technological revolution, as governments around the world strive for a greener future and less reliance on fossil fuels. The internal combustion engine (ICE) has found itself under increasing scrutiny, with manufacturers now busy exploring alternative options – such as battery electric – for the next generation of bikes. “Transport is one of the most important sectors for achieving net zero by 2050,” Transport secretary Mark Harper said in March. “We must accelerate our efforts to decarbonise how people get from A to B while growing our economy and supporting thousands of green jobs.” Current plans are set to see the smallest-capacity bikes (L3e-A1; 125cc-sized petrol bikes) disappear from showrooms in 2030, with all other petrol motorcycles being banned by 2035. ‘They simply don't think…

FIRST RIDE FANTIC CABALLERO 700 WE LOVE LIGHT and middleweight retroscramblers – they're the perfect antidote to everbigger, heavier and more complicated machinery in other categories. These bikes offer a simple, old-fashioned sense of fun and plenty of charm, together with modern usability and sophisticated tech in a manner that doesn't detract from the characterful side of their make-up. Fantic are very good at this: the Caballero 500 is one of the best scramblers, not just in class but full-stop. A chunky-thumpy single with poke and a bit of verve matches with a lightweight chassis to make a bike that'll bop around town, along nadgerynoodly backroads or even a light trail in a manner that'll make you smile from the moment you thumb the starter to when you rock the…

THIS YEAR, KTM have made the slightly surprising decision to reintroduce the 790 motor in the Adventure and Duke ranges. The first reason is simple: the 790's lower power output allows it to be restricted to A2-legal – unlike the 105bhp 890 – adding newer riders to its potential audience. But there's also reason for full-licence holders to consider buying it. All 790 models will be built by CFMoto in China, whereas the 890 is built by KTM in Mattighofen, Austria (as was the previous 790). This has allowed KTM to lower the 790's price so it can compete directly with Japanese rivals, yet they claim quality won't suffer because KTM and CFMoto have worked together for more than a decade. They say production in China will ‘be supervised by…

FOR MANY, THE idea of pitching a tent at the end of a long day's ride fills them with dread. But for others, editor Matt and me included, the concept of sleeping outdoors with little between us and the elements invokes a freedom that is a perfect foil to modern, connected life. We've both enjoyed a lifetime of camping adventures. One of the reasons adventure bikes have become so popular is their built-in carrying ability – passengers, luggage or camping gear. And with two such machines on the long-term-test fleet – the high-end BMW R1250GS and the budget-friendly KTM 790 Adventure – what better way to get out and about. With this in mind, we assembled two specifications of camping gear: high-end for – you guessed it, Matt – and…

SUMMER RIDING MASTERCLASS: PART 4 ONCE YOU'VE GOT your lines, steering and throttle control up to a reasonable standard (see previous Masterclass episodes), it's time to hone the one skill that could completely transform your riding: vision. Accomplished riders can see and interpret far more detail much earlier than novices, and at far higher speeds, which allows them much more time and space to react and effortlessly handle whatever comes their way. It may look like a freakish talent when you're trying to keep up with a faster rider, but it's most definitely not – these visual skills can be learned. But, like any other skill, your ability to read the road will develop in proportion to the amount of focused practice you dedicate to it. Riding experience alone can…

RiDE staffers on kit they've been using recently RST Pro Series Ranger suit £399.99 (jacket) £299 (pants) rst-moto.com This suit is a hefty beast – the jacket alone weighs 4.5kg – but it's stacked with well thought-out features. It's all AA-rated, with lots of Level-2 armour, and external TPU pads on shoulders and knees. Fit is interesting – it's snug on the torso but the sleeves are long and, for me, needs the vertical hem zips opening when seated to stop it sitting up above the shoulders. Stood up, it tends to hang its weight on the neck as well as the shoulders, which can irritate a little. But overall, it's superbly comfy and reassuring. Jim Blackstock Forcefield Tech 3 base layers £72.99 (top) £52.99 (pants) forcefieldbodyarmour.com The third generation…

YAMAHA'S MT-10 IS one of today's most smile-inducing machines. That glorious cross-plane crank motor offers heaps of usable torque, the chassis gives great feedback and, best of all, it has a soundtrack so addictive, it should become the anthem of motorcycling. Yet it's never been a refined machine; the brakes weren't great, the electronics were incredibly basic and the tank range was abysmal. But Yamaha have given the MT-10 an improved electronics suite, an upgraded braking system and, most importantly, a revised fuel injection strategy – which Yamaha claim gives a 15% improvement. But is that enough to make the utterly wild MT-10 a serious all-rounder? 1 You don't need 200bhp to have fun In a world where the serious hypernakeds are pumping out more than 200bhp, the MT-10 can look…

‘Parts are still cheap, and average mechanical skills keep it moving’ We're used to talking about seriously big miles on this page, but Ken and Carol Duval's air-cooled BMW sets a new record Name Ken Duval, 70 Bike 1982 BMW R80G/S Total Miles 590,281 Miles per year 14,397 14,000 MILES A year doesn't sound like a lot, but when you consider that's an average mileage over more than 40 years, it mounts up! Actually, Ken and his wife Carol have “only” had their BMW R80 G/S since 1988, when it had already done 94,000 miles. “Our choice for our first round-theworld ride was limited,” says Ken. “Comfort was a priority, and shaft drive too – I'd had enough of chains.” Prior to the BMW, they'd had another shaft-driven twin –…

RiDE READER SAM BEECH Sam, 41, lives in south London but travels worldwide, creating and staging events (he's just back from a big set-up at the National Opera House in Budapest). He's been riding since his mid-20s, first on a Harley Fat Bob (‘I loved that bike…’) and latterly on his cherished 2016 Triumph Thruxton R. THE FACTS Roads A25, back roads, B2126, A29, A281, A29, A272, A285, A29 Distance 45 miles Best suited to Whatever you've got Nearest big town Guildford Famous for Some of the most spectacular Monday-morning traffic jams in the whole country NEWLANDS CORNER CAFE in Albury near Guildford, on a baking hot Sunday afternoon. Lots of bikes around when I arrive (late, after a 100-mile filtering marathon), but only one Triumph Thruxton R and only…

Comfort? Not much… Wind protection taps out at 70mph, straining your body against your grip on the bars. The slim seat also had us shuffling around within the hour. There's good legroom, and it's narrow enough that it should be fine for those noticeably shorter than our 6ft tester. Can I stop you there? One disc may seem sub-par, but it's a 330mm dinner-plate with a radial four-piston Brembo clamping down on it. It's not ferocious but has good feel. Squeeze the lever a bit harder, and it'll make the front tyre howl and trigger intervention from the ABS. Quality is everywhere It's stunning to behold; no stylistic detail is out of place. Quality finishes and machined-alloy chassis parts are a cut above. Even small items, eg the rear numberplate…

THE SERPENTINE BLACKTOP of the N239 in the Serra da Estrela mountains stretches out in front of me, winding its way into a distant, hazy vanishing point. It's truly magnificent. From my vantage point, the road cuts back on itself through countless twists and turns, bridging chasms and smashing through the granite, testament to mankind's road-building passion and the delusion of power that we have over nature. Just looking at it brings on an urge to fire a motorcycle down its tarmac, warmed by a bright, white sun in a cloudless sky. It's a call that's almost too much to bear and I can't resist. ‘Sod it. Let's do another pass.’ A few minutes ago, I was guiding my NT1100 through the numberless twists and turns, revelling in the grip…

The route was part of a Honda test of their 1100cc parallel twin platform and we tried an Africa Twin, an NT1100 and the new CMX1100T – the bagger version of their cruiser. There were some standouts to come from our time on the bikes. The very good Africa Twin and the NT1100 were known quantities, but the bike I enjoyed most was, bizarrely, the CMX1100T. With a retuned Africa Twin-derived lump, there was huge amount of grunt out of any hairpin, while the precise, direct chassis felt superb in the sweepers. With improved wind protection and carrying capacity over a stock CMX, it actually makes genuine sense as a fun, short-distance tourer.…

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 1 standard and can adapt the course to suit all levels and experience. You can enter the competition at rapidtraining.co.uk/ride-rapid-competition…

EVERY HOME MECHANIC needs a decent set of spanners in their toolbox; without them, you're not going to be able to do very much at all. It's a fair bet that most DIY-ers will have several sets, since there will inevitably be a time when you need two spanners to access some fasteners, perhaps due to space restrictions meaning you can't get a socket on one end. Personally, I have quite a collection of them: double-openended spanners, double-ended ring spanners and, perhaps the most versatile, the combination spanner. These feature one set of openended jaws for fast access to already-loosened fasteners, and one ring-end for developing greater grip (and hence, torque) for loosening nuts or bolts. If you are in the market for just a single set of spanners, we…

HONDA'S FULL TOURMG VFR1200F was a flop – poorly specified, pricey and a huge leap away from previous V4 models. But its mechanicals helped form the basis of a much more successful bike – the VFR1200X Crosstourer. Similarities to BMW's all-conquering R1200/1250GS are far from coincidental. The Crosstourer was after Bavarian blood from the start. Indeed, many owners switched from BMW to this Japanese V4 and never went back. Crosstourer owners rave about their bikes, and rightly so. In this package its retuned VFR12 engine is all about juicy lowdown and midrange stomp. At 275kg wet it's a sizable beast; it can feel a tad top-heavy when fully juiced, but on smooth, flowing roads and long motorway stints it's a masterclass in stability and composure. It's roomy too, with more…

GARAGE THE DIRT THE DEFINITIVE SMALL-BORE American cruiser? Sort of. The 883 Sportsters are the most affordable and manageable for newbies; the bigger-bore (but otherwise identical) 70bhp 1200 versions are more responsive. But you need to know what ownership brings. 1 It shakes and vibrates The air-cooled V-twin is a ‘proper’ Harley, a junior version of its bigger sibling's 45-degree, pushrod motor – and as such vibey and not that powerful. But 55-60mph cruising is pleasant enough. The five-speed gearbox is also clunky, but reliability is rock-solid, and drive belts can last 40,000 miles (but check for stone damage). How common? They all do that, sir. But reliability is commendable. 2 Ground clearance isn't great Old-school tubular steel double cradle with telescopic forks and twin shocks has barely changed since 2004…

UPDATE 02 I'VE ALREADY SAID how excited I was about the KTM 790 Adventure's arrival. However, I was even more excited about our first big adventure together, a weekend at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. The prospect of 250 miles of motorway, 65 miles of A-roads and perhaps another 60 or so off-road meant I should get to know the mini-adventurer fairly well. First things first – I needed some way of carrying my camping gear (see page 52) and clothes. We chose a set of Touring boxes from KTM's PowerParts range, comprising a pair of enormous panniers and a cavernous top box. That results in a massive carrying capacity but the downside is the width – the panniers are 107cm wide at the back,…