Table of contents for July 2025 in RiDE

The shining light for the future of the combustion engine is e-fuel – a synthetic alternative to fossil fuel that can be burned in today’s engines to instantly eliminate their carbon footprint. Fully synthetic e-fuel is made using carbon monoxide, hydrogen and a catalyst (known as the Fischer-Tropsch process) and can be brewed as a drop-in replacement for petrol. Other alternatives include plant-based biofuels, which extract as much CO2 from the atmosphere as they emit for a net-zero footprint. Some of these are already reality. HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) is used by some businesses as an alternative to diesel, and SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) is part-synthetic, part-biofuel, and gradually being blended into fossil fuel to cut airline emissions. In the long term, the need to make aviation carbon neutral will…

Bimota are looking to increase their presence in the UK market with five new dealerships under Kawasaki command set to open their doors soon. Until now, the only UK outlet for Bimota was Norwich based Signature Moto, but Kawasaki – now sole owner of the Italian marque – are expanding their reach with dedicated sub-showrooms inside existing dealerships. The new dealerships include Cobb and Jagger in Leeds; M&P Motorcycles in Cardiff; Hyside Motorcycles in Chelmsford; Chris Walker Motorcycles in Grantham; and Signature Moto.…

No sixth gear, no issue Online forums have been full of people spitting feathers about the continued lack of a sixth gear. Yes, you do search for that expected top gear that isn’t there. But it’s happy at 60mph, fine at 70mph. Does a trail bike need more? Not really. It would be nice, but equally we feel the overall gearing is low – first is largely useless. A smaller rear sprocket is probably all it needs. The chassis makes it CRF300L owners may wonder where the estimated extra £2000 goes. Everywhere, is the short answer, but both ride quality and handling are far superior to the Honda. It’ll be far harder for your skills to outgrow it, or to get caught short by limitations on the trails. It inspires…

1 IT’S A BEAST OFF-ROAD The Ténéré 700 Rally is a serious weapon off-road. It’s where the Rally comes into its own over the standard model thanks to extra ground clearance, higher-spec suspension in the form of the 230mm-travel KYB forks first seen on the World Raid in 2022, and more travel and a better shock at the rear. All this pays dividends when it comes to harder terrain – it’s up there with the very best of the middleweight adventure bikes off-road, with a riding position and balance made for tackling roads less travelled. 2 THE ENGINE IS GOOD, BUT NOT PERFECT Yamaha’s CP2 motor’s torquey punch is fun on tighter, twistier roads while still feeling feisty and interesting off-road. Upgraded to hit Euro5+ regulations and now boasting a ride-by-wire throttle,…

Antlers Coffee House, Abbots Bromley The perfect spot for pre-ride refreshment, situated a stone’s throw from the route’s Blithfield Reservoir starting point. Fresh coffee and tea, homemade cakes and from-scratch breakfast and lunch bites a specialty. Right in the village centre with outside parking. www.antlerscoffeehouse.co.uk Beresford Tea Rooms, Hartington Around the midpoint on the route, Hartington is a beautiful Peaks village. The perfect spot to sit outside and enjoy the freshly made grub served up by the Tea Room’s friendly staff. Offers both a breakfast and main menu – baps, paninis and jacket spuds highly recommended. www.facebook.com/pages/Beresford-Tea-Rooms/224362254428037 The Tuck Inn, Whaley Bridge Perfectly positioned on the route (Taxal lay-by, Longhill, A5004), with plenty of parking space, biker-friendly staff and a wholesome breakfast and lunch menu (vegetarian options, too). Open 8am…

JUST A FEW years ago, theft was the scourge of the motorcycle world. Virtually every rider knew someone who had experienced the gut-wrenching feeling of discovering their bike had been stolen – and we’ve all seen online videos of balaclava-wearing scrotes cutting chains off bikes with no one batting an eyelid. So, how much of a problem is motorcycle theft nowadays really? Well, the news is good. According to figures issued by the Motorcycle Industry Association, motorcycle thefts across the UK decreased by 7.9 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023. A couple of areas saw increases – thefts were up in London by 3.5 per cent and in Sussex by 14.8 per cent; in contrast, Thames Valley was down 25 per cent and West Yorkshire, 29.3 per cent. England…

Lightweight Milenco Coleraine 12, 1.4m £119.99 www.milencomoto.com When we tested locks and chains in 2019, the Milenco Coleraine – in 12mm link specification – was an impressive performer that was also light enough to carry in a top box or tailpack. The 1m version weighs just 3.8kg – well under any pannier or top box weight limit – and is rated Sold Secure Gold. This 1.4m example gives greater reach to wrap around something solid yet weighs just 4.8kg. It put up the best resistance against angle-grinder attack in our testing to claim a Best Buy in the under-5kg category. Portable Oxford Nemesis 16, 1.5m £214.99 oxfordproducts.com Oxford’s Nemesis lock and 16mm chain was another Best Buy winner in the lock and chain test, this time in the up to…

We asked Bikesure to quote on comprehensive cover for a 2023 KTM 790 Adventure, garaged overnight in a south Devon postcode, ridden by a 59-year-old copywriter with one year’s bike no-claims discount, ridden for social, domestic and pleasure use, for a range of security devices fitted. Standard bike, without security £212.01 Datatag fitted £206.21 (-2.7%) Sold Secure lock £202.40 (-4.5%) Tracker £188.76 (-11%) The figures here appear lower than quoted earlier but this is a relatively low-risk situation. Expect greater savings – although likely as part of higher premiums – for increased risk profiles.…

MESH JACKETS ARE designed for the height of summer and deliver the most extreme ventilation possible while also conforming to stringent safety regulations. They may look a bit flimsy, but each one boasts CE-approval as well as CE-approved armour. Compared to a traditional textile jacket, the level of airflow allowed to penetrate a mesh jacket is superior as, rather than being channelled through specific vents, the mesh parts of their construction in non-critical areas is effectively one big vent. But this design has downfalls should the weather turn – which is why we have selected mesh jackets that all come with a removable waterproof membrane for this test. The perfect accompaniment for a summer’s ride, the removable layer on each one of these jackets means even if it isn’t raining,…

Most owners choose the V85 TT for its distance ability, so if you can, go for a long test ride – at least an hour. If this isn’t possible, find a dealer with a demo bike to at least get a flavour of its character. Performance is best described as adequate. It’s unlikely to overwork your adrenal gland, but there should be enough oomph for most situations. If you ride a lot with a pillion, take them along to see if there’s enough poke with you both on board. Fuelling will depend on the age of the bike or if it’s been treated to a fruity pipe and an ECU update. Standard bikes from 2021 onwards are the most likely to present jerky fuelling. Buying one that has an aftermarket…

THE R1300 GS Adventure TE is an extreme machine in every respect; its very presence is an emphatic statement of excess. The Trophy colours of Racing Blue Metallic, Racing Red and Light White draws what I like to think are admiring glances down every high street, and that men of a certain vintage can’t help but appreciate it out loud. “That’s nice,” they say as they load the shopping into their disapproving wife’s Audi. What can I reply, as I wedge my loaf of bread and four-pack of baked beans into a pannier? “Thank you, yes, it is.” But at the end of the day, like all bikes the GSA has good bits and not-so-good bits. And after 2500 miles we’ve been able to put our analytical finger on exactly…

TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN 1200 UPDATE 03 IT’S BEEN A different kind of month for me and I’ve not ridden as much as usual. Two reasons: I’ve been sunning myself on far-flung shores well away from RiDE HQ and motorbikes; and while I was away the Speed Twin developed a minor fault that made it unrideable for a few days. With the bike on loan to RiDE’s news writer Dan, it got a pasting around the Lincolnshire Wolds and some more sedate trips with Dan’s girlfriend Sarah loving the pillion perch. But on his commute he catches sight of a red glow on the grille of the van behind him. The brake light is permanently ablaze – time for a visit to local dealer Webbs to investigate. Turns out the front…

Tenerife, Canaries I passed my test in February 2025 and, using the cash from a redundancy, bought a Triumph Speed Twin 900. I took a one-on-one day tour alongside a girlie week in Tenerife in March. The hairpins and twisties were incredible - along with breathtaking views. I’d recommend Tenerife, a great RiDE guide and living life. Natalie Zouch Caldbeck Common, Cumbria I enjoyed some stunning views from Caldbeck Common on a Sunday-morning February ride out to northern Cumbria. Phil Grundy Mull of Kintyre, Scotland I made good use of the recent blue sky bonanza with a run to the Mull of Kintyre. Fantastic roads to Campbeltown though not best suited to the Road King, especially the final seven miles of single track. Strangely, the mist wasn’t rolling in from…

Voge are bringing the DS625X adventure bike to the UK market – with a price tag of £5999 (plus otr). Available this summer, its 581cc parallel-twin engine produces a claimed 63bhp at 9000rpm and 42lb·ft of torque at 6500rpm. An improved slipper clutch is thrown in for good measure. The motor is protected by external engine bars, a sump guard and radiator shroud, while its KYB suspension set-up features adjustable preload and rebound front and rear. It also gets a 12v charger and 1080p forward-facing camera that can record rides to a memory card. An extra £699 gets you three-piece aluminium luggage.…

A BIG, BRAND-NEW adventure bike for £8199 seems too good to be true. Especially one with pretty much every bell and whistle you could want. Yet that’s exactly what Morbidelli have delivered with the T1002V. The VX version (as tested) includes brighter stickers and wire-spoked wheels for an extra £200, and fully lined aluminium luggage adds just £499 more – but that’s still a grand total of just £8698. So, what’s the catch? Well, the 80° 997cc V-twin motor – borrowed from the firm’s cruiser – makes its 89bhp in much the same way as its feet-forward stablemate. Keeping revs low and riding the 66lb·ft peak torque gives it just enough punch for easy smiles through the corners, and it feels like it’ll swallow motorway miles with ease. But there’s…

With the latest R1 and R6 models available for track-only use, just four R-series sportsbikes are left in the line-up for the road. The stylish 124cc, single-pot, 15bhp R125 is a great introduction to the world of sportsbikes for £5451. At £6652, the nippy twin-cylinder, 321cc, 41bhp R3 sits on the next rung on the ladder. Lifting you to the next level is R7. Its 689cc, 72bhp, MT-07-derived parallel twin engine provides useful, friendly, bigger bike-type performance with sweet handling to suit. It bridges the gap to the R9 and costs £8920.…

BEST FOR VICTORIAN HISTORY Ashbourne Tunnel Built in 1899 to connect Ashbourne to Parsley Hay, with up to six passenger trains a day. The tunnel remained in use until the line closed to passengers in 1954 and freight in 1963. Now a monument to Victorian engineering and still impressive in its scale. Café and parking on site. www.discoverashbourne.com BEST FOR ANCIENT HISTORY Arbor Low Stone Circle and Gib Hill Barrow Neolithic henge considered the most important prehistoric site in the east midlands, made up of 50 limestone slabs and positioned high on moorland with outstanding views. Parking nearby; £1 charge to walk to the henge across private land. www.english-heritage.org.uk BEST FOR WOW FACTOR Winnats Pass Viewpoint Spectacular limestone gorge. A 206m elevation gives the pass an average gradient of 10.9…

Sold Secure is run by the Master Locksmiths Association and assesses mechanical security devices for attack resistance. Products are given one of four ratings – Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond. These show resistance to attack using different categories of tools – Diamond is the highest resistance against tools that may include angle grinders. Look for ratings relevant to Powered Cycles – formerly Motorcycles. Thatcham Research has been carrying out research in the automotive sector since the 1990s. This includes certifying electronic anti-theft devices, including alarms, immobilisers and tracking systems. The most relevant to the motorcycle industry are S5 and S7 certifications for tracking systems. Products certified to S5 or S7 may attract insurance discounts, but the individual manufacturer must arrange this with insurance companies. Secured by Design is a police…

SECURITY LIGHTING Illuminating Defender Max Ultra Solar security light £39.95 www.defendersecurityproducts.co.uk Thieves hate light – and this one from Defender is a monster. Three separate and directional LED panels case a huge amount of light once the sensor is tripped. It is solar powered, so you don’t need power – great for sheds, for example – and charges with just a little daylight. It is adjustable for sensitivity and duration so you don’t upset the neighbours when you let the cat out, and is great value. ALARM SYSTEMS Piercing Yale wireless alarm £15.99 www.amazon.co.uk Light isn’t the only thing thieves hate. They don’t like noise either – and this wireless alarm from Yale makes a lot of that. It’s a battery-powered unit – the LED will signal when they need…

KRIEGA TRAIL18 RUCKSACK £205 www.kriega.com THE FACTS USED BY Richard Newland USED FOR 13 months… so far USED ON BMW THE CLAIM “All-weather adventure touring demands robust, reliable equipment. The Trail18 utilises Kriega’s groundbreaking Quadloc-Lite harness, combined with high-tech construction materials to meet the needs of the adventure rider. Composed of three sections including a heavy-duty, zip-access, seven-litre rear compartment, a small internal waterproof pocket, and the main roll-top body providing 100 per cent waterproof storage.” THE REALITY There are rucksacks, then there are Kriega rucksacks. Constructed from the company’s usual mix of super-tough 420D Cordura Lite Plus and Hypalon, Kriega luggage always has a rugged feel, and shrugs off the effects of all-weather riding like ducks repel water. The sack is comprised of three main sections: a zipped compartment…

‘Quirky, charismatic and temperamental’ Alan Milburn 2020 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Mileage 11,400 “I’ve previously owned three Guzzis. They’re quirky, charismatic and occasionally temperamental. “As an 800 there’s only just enough performance; in a perfect world it’d be an 1100. Apart from a CBR600 I once owned, the TT is the next best handling. On a slippery potholed surface it inspires confidence. “The weak points would be temperamental electrics, the standard screen is too small, and the controls are fiddly and unorthodox. “Buy one with all the options already on it, as parts are expensive to buy as upgrades. Ensure it fuels properly if it is not standard as aftermarket parts can mess up the fuelling if not done right.”…

Powerbronze Touring Screen £98 Made from 4mm acrylic and 510mm tall (OE is 480mm), this screen offers better protection and cuts down on wind blast, particularly at speed. www.powerbronze.co.uk Mistral Stainless Exagon silencer £580 Unleashes the Guzzi’s exhaust note, boosts power and lighter. Gutsibits also offer an air filter, link pipe and ECU plug-in to maximise performance. www.gutsibits.co.uk W27 Heated Grips £225 A must-have extra, particularly for touring or commuting. These genuine Guzzi heated grips fit V85s from 2019 onwards and will keep your hands and digits warm in all weathers. www.jim-allan-com…

SUZUKI KATANA UPDATE 02 A ROUND TRIP from Norfolk to Kent was this month’s long-haul for me and the Katana. Several things circled my brain on both legs of the journey. Firstly, why Suzuki didn’t equip the Kat with a bigger tank – an issue that made itself known last month on a trip to Derbyshire to capture this month’s Big Ride (page 40). Just 12 litres? Really? Trekking down the M11 and M25 then back, I was acutely aware the large gaps between services could be problematic. Planning ahead is essential. Even with a relatively respectable consumption of 43.1mpg (for a litre bike) the Kat can drain the tank dangerously near to dry in around 100 miles… For the second time in as many weeks, I’d also made the…

TRIUMPH’S SPEED TRIPLE RX is a mildly up-specced, slightly more performance-focused version of the already new-and-better-for-2025 Speed Triple RS. It has above-the-yoke mid-rise clip-ons instead of a flat handlebar, more rearset footpegs, an Akrapovic silencer (700g lighter, if you’re bothered) and an electronically controlled Öhlins steering damper in place of the RS’s off-brand, manually adjustable device. It’s also painted bright yellow, with a capital F… What does that mean to the rider? Not a great deal, to be blunt. The change in riding position helps if you’re a seriously handy rider engaging attack mode on a circuit, though the bars aren’t low enough to make a serious difference, and rider protection is still minimal, leaving the wind to make you feel like a sail in a force-ten. For average track…

Pillion Harry Moore, 16, extensive experience of riding pillion on many different sizes and style of bikes “There’s enough wiggle room on the seat to adjust your position and, unlike some other naked street bikes I’ve been on the back of, the pillion seat is set at a slight angle – sloping up towards the rear – which helps you maintain position rather than slide back under acceleration. That meant I wasn’t having to grip too tightly with my legs, which can wear you out really quickly. “While the MT-07 doesn’t come with a quickshifter, the gear changes felt crisp and smooth. That allowed me to stay stable under acceleration and ensured I wasn’t banging helmets with my dad as he changed up and down through the gearbox. I didn’t…

Speedway GP, Manchester What Rounds 4 and 5 of the FIM World Speedway Championship. Local interest is high with Brits Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley eyeing a victory. Top-notch action in a great venue. When 13-14 June Where National Speedway Stadium, Manchester Contact www.fimspeedway.com, www.sgpmanchester.com British MX Championship, Preston Docks What Fourth round of the British Motocross Championship, featuring MX1 (four-stroke 450s and two-stroke 250s), MX2 (four-stroke 250s and two-stroke 125s) and 125cc classes. Watch the country’s finest MX riders bang bars and clear table tops around the 1.5-mile track. If you haven’t watched MX before, you’re in for a treat. When 20 July Where Preston Docks, Lancs Contact www.mxgb.co.uk Classic Racing Motorcycle Club, Donington Park What: The UK’s biggest classic racing club takes to Donington’s National Circuit for a…

Rukka Outlast base layers £74.99 (top & pants, each) www.bikerheadz.co.uk ‘Don’t know I’m wearing them’ I’ve tried many base layers over the years but few – if any – have felt as genuinely inconspicuous as these. They’re not cheap, but Rukka gear is exceptional quality. They are temperature-regulating rather than winter or summer, so you can use them year-round – I have worn them in -2°C and 18°C and with vents shut and open, and they feel lovely. The fit is excellent – snug rather than full muscle-supporting – and they feel lovely against the skin. I honestly forget I’m wearing them after a couple of minutes. Jim Blackstock Merlin Mason 2 jeans £179.99 www.merlinbikegear.shop ‘Protective and great value’ I’ve worn these almost constantly since the beginning of spring and…

2019-present BMW F850GS Adventure ❱ 94bhp ❱ 68lb·ft ❱ 244kg Head and shoulders above the Guzzi in terms of oomph and kit (if you buy one that’s loaded). But if you want something a bit different, it’s no V85. 2023-present Suzuki V-Strom 800DE ❱ 83bhp ❱ 58lb·ft ❱ 230kg Uses Suzuki’s excellent 800cc parallel twin and delivers a touch more than the Guzzi in terms of performance, but can’t match it for charisma. 2010-2020 Triumph Tiger 800 ❱ 94bhp ❱ 58lb·ft ❱ 215kg Excellent middleweight adventure bike is more powerful and lighter, and characterful to boot. A great all-rounder and distance bike.…

HONDA BLEW THE middleweight street class wide open in 2023 with the CB750 Hornet. It was immense fun to ride, had the perfect mix of practical and sporting DNA, and packed the most powerfull motor in its category by some margin. The clincher, however, was price. At £6999 it was £500 less than Yamaha’s ageing MT-07 and Kawasaki’s Z650, and £895 less than Triumph’s Trident 660. Suzuki’s GSX-8S soon joined the party, offering stronger midrange drive plus a touch more class to its overall finish. But it was still £1000 more than the Hornet. Triumph’s Trident posed a threat. Although down on capacity and outright power, the Trident’s triple is a fabulous road engine – flexible, smooth, bursting with character – putting the Triumph in the sights of potential Hornet…