Table of contents for January 2016 in RiDE

THESE ARE AMAZING times. A year ago, we were – quite rightly – getting very excited about the new wave of post-adventure bikes: the Tracer, XR, Crossrunner and so on. Now there’s another bunch of newcomers that seem equally exciting, starting with the Yamaha XSR700 and new Triumph Bonnevilles, with some interesting new singles imminent from KTM and Husqvarna. And that’s just the beginning. Starting with this issue, for the next three months we’ll be putting the spotlight on 2016’s most intriguing prospects – while never losing sight of the fine qualities and good value represented by the bikes we’re already riding. Enjoy your bike. Enjoy the prospect of your next bike. Enjoy the issue.…

Launched a few months ago, the Speed 94R (like the Öhlins-less Speed 94) is a commemorative version of the Speed Triple R, celebrating 21 years since the debut of what was, arguably, the first modern naked sportsbike, the Speed Triple. The Speed 94 and Speed 94R have exactly the same inline triple 1050cc engine and aluminium frame as the latest Speed Triple, but come in yellow or black with various minor styling alterations, such as the Speed Triple logo in the original 1994 typeface, colour-matched seat cowl and bellypan, and a tank-mounted plaque. The Speed 94R comes with Öhlins forks and rear shock, and Brembo one-piece calipers for an extra level of sportiness. SPEC Price £10,999 Engine 1050cc dohc inline triple, 4v per cyl, l/c Power 133bhp @ 94000rpm Torque…

New in 2015 but, arguably, 10 years too late, Suzuki’s naked roadster uses a detuned engine from the GSX-R1000 K5-K8 sportsbike, wrapped in a completely bespoke aluminium frame, but with a 2014 GSX-R1000 swingarm, plus ABS and traction control. Does that sound a bit parts-bin? It’s the second Suzuki with TC - the other being the V-Strom 1000 - which means the GSX-R1000 could be Suzuki’s last big bike without it. The GSX-S motor runs different cam timing, pistons, combustion chamber shape, exhaust system and engine management to the old GSX-R1000 K5 motor, but is identical to its fully faired sibling, the Suzuki GSX-S1000FA. SPEC Price £9635 Engine 999cc dohc inline four, 4v per cyl, l/c Power 143bhp @ 10,000rpm Torque 78lb.ft @ 9500rpm Transmission 6-speed, chain Chassis aluminium twin-spar…

Shinya Kimura Custom builder “Before I began the Faster Sons project I rode the MT-07 and I was impressed. It was really fun to ride, it had good power and a short wheelbase. I decided to make something interesting and exciting using MT-07 components. I tried to make a ‘timeless beauty’ bike, so not too retro and not too futuristic. Kind of my style. “I usually make a motorcycle for one particular person, but this time I didn’t have a customer. I imagined that Yamaha made a motorcycle for me, so it’s very personal. “I didn’t count how many hours I spent but it took four months. Normally I make two bikes at one time - for example now I’m working on an MV Agusta F4 and a Kawasaki Z1.…

Pillion More EasyJet than BA business class, comfort is still good enough for a pillion – even over longer runs. Sufficiently roomy, and without a very strong motor or sharp brakes to constantly pitch the passenger fore and aft, passenger life can be calm and composed. The pillion’s weight doesn’t seem to upset or weaken the motor, which still delivers the goods effectively, and stopping distances are not lengthened too much. Access to the shock’s preload adjustment is tricky, but as long as the pillion’s not too weighty, stability won’t be too compromised by leaving it in a solo setting. At times the ballast can generate more feel from the tyres. Don’t ride too aggressively and all will be well. The rear seat is spacious, grab rails add security, as…

MOST OF US ride pretty standard bikes. A few of us ride bikes that we’ve heavily modified, which is fine if you have the skill and time to customise your ride. But there is a third way: get someone else to do it for you (and pay them a hefty sum of money in return for their efforts). Whether it’s unique from the ground up or a regular bike that’s been tweaked to your liking, there are plenty of experts out there. IDP Moto at Silverstone do some neat – and highly rideable – specials. Krazy Horse in Suffolk sell all manner of curiosities. Shaw in Sussex work wonders with Harleys. And Pure Triumph in Wellingborough have developed an interesting sideline in creating Triumphs that the factory daren’t… with the…

1 INSURANCE You’re unlikely to find a great deal on comparethemarket.com with these unusual beasties. Expect some negotiation: a specialist broker may be the route to go down. Try Adrian Flux. 2 AFTERSALES You’re not buying a mainstream motorcycle, so you shouldn’t expect a mainstream aftersales service. Parts may not be immediately available on next-day order, and warranty may be more limited than on ‘normal’ bikes. Check before buying. 3 STORAGE/SECURITY Casual thieves may not bother with something that looks like a mad old classic racer. And there’s not much of a market for used Ariel Ace bellypans down the dodgy autojumble. But a custom Harley-Davidson or a nice Norton Commando will almost certainly attract the wrong type of attention, so decent secure storage is a must. 4 USABILITY Nobody…

Assuming you can find someone to take your money in the first place (owners tend to hold on to their Tuonos), then what you get is a no-nonsense, finely-balanced V-twin superbike with a race-proven alloy frame and decent suspension and brakes. Find a Factory version (which may not cost much more than a base bike) and you’re into light wheels, brick-wall brakes and very tasty Öhlins bouncy bits. You also get carbonfibre bodywork, a close-ratio gearbox and, on later Factorys, more power. What you don’t get is a raft of gadgets and rider aids – there’s a lap timer (with 40-lap memory) built into the clocks and triggered from the left bar, and a very basic pneumatically actuated slipper clutch to avoid locking up on downshifts, but that’s about it…

Q Your recent preview of the Bol d’Or got me nostalgic for the golden age of endurance racers – mostly Japanese fours with big twin-headlamp fairings. How can I get something like that? Wasn’t there a Suzuki special edition recently? AYou’re thinking of the Japan-only GS1200SS from the early 2000s, a lovely retro-styled bike built on the old GSX-R1100. You’ll have to be patient and keen to bag one they only come up for sale in the UK very rarely and command big money. The CB1300S – which left Honda’s new-bike line-up about four years ago – doesn’t quite have the look but it does have the feel. Ditto the Kawasaki ZRX1200. There’s also the current Yamaha XJR1300 Racer, which is half way there, and the Kawasaki ZZR1400, which is…

“A helmet that feels great anywhere on the planet” Shoei Neotec | Price from £469.99 | Info www.shoeiassured.co.ukI’VE WORN FLIP-UP lids for more than 10 years. They’re so convenient for travelling: military checkpoints, border crossings and police stops all require you to show your face, and it saves a lot of hassle if you don’t have to pull your helmet on and off every time. My Shoei Neotec got a baptism of fire on our Delhi to Bangkok Expedition – across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand – and the more recent Garden Route Tour expedition in South Africa. It fitted well straight away, with no uncomfortable pressure points. The lining feels luxurious and like it’ll last. Even after that 7000-mile first expedition, it was still like new and hadn’t…

SUZUKI V-STROM 650XT The XT is a more adventurey version of Suzuki’s long-running and much-admired middleweight, with tubeless spoked wheels, handguards, a sumpguard, engine bars and a beak. ON PAPER, THE Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Kawasaki Versys 650 are very similar. Power, weight, dimensions – pretty much the same. The Suzuki is a little more expensive; the gap narrows to £150 if you go for the non-XT version of the V-Strom, which is closer spec-wise to the Versys. But out on the road they feel worlds apart. The parallel-twin engine in the Kawasaki is higher revving, and wants you to use those revs. That’s the only way to access the peak torque advantage – otherwise, the softer, thuddier V-twin in the Suzuki feels stronger. The Suzuki also feels heavier –…

KTM 1050 ADVENTURE A more wallet-friendly version of the superb 1190 Adventure, with a smaller, less powerful engine, cast wheels, and simpler suspension and electronics. WITH 8700 MILES on its clocks already, it’s clear our 1050 Adventure gets used. But almost all those miles have been for a purpose – commuting, testing tyres, airport runs, off-roading and lugging myself and my gear around the country. A day riding it isn’t unusual, but a day riding it just for fun – like Stu on the Crossrunner – is unheard of. So when friend and recent Triumph Tiger 800 convert Dan rang me up to tempt me with a day’s riding, I couldn’t turn him down. The last 20 miles of the journey down from Norwich to Witney gave me a taste…

Simon Weir Deputy editor There’s only one way to test a sat nav: challenge it to get you somewhere, without getting lost. When you have two of them telling you different things, it suddenly becomes clear which one is right for you. PAGE 76 Kev Raymond Features writer I had a great time riding the MT-07 when Yamaha first launched it, so I’m curious to see whether it’s still so good having gone through a Ducati Scrambler-style makeover to become the XSR. PAGE 42 Matt Hull Technical editor I’m happy to spend hours in the workshop fiddling with my bikes, which occasionally results in something quite neat like the CBR on page 90. But professional specials builders are in another league. PAGE 62…

IT’S NO SURPRISE that the Brecon Beacons are a honeypot for riders. They have quiet roads crammed with epic corners, set in magnificent mountainous scenery – what’s not to like? The thing is, it’s not the only area of South Wales packed with brilliant roads. Most visitors miss some of the best bits, sticking to the Beacons. Yet venture south of the A465 and there are epic roads in the Afan Valley and Ogmore Vale. There are also more villages and towns (so more speed limits) in Glamorgan, with some quite suburban stretches, but there are more hairpins too. Our one-day route – conveniently reached from the M4 for visitors – sweeps out of Bridgend in a series of loops, so it’s easily shortened if you’re short of time. It…

The S1000R was launched at the end of 2013. Broadly a naked S1000RR, the R engine shares cases, crank, rods, pistons and valve train with the RR. Exhaust valves are steel instead of the RR’s titanium, cam timing is altered to reduce valve overlap, the rev ceiling is lowered by 2000rpm to 12,000rpm, and the RR’s variable-length intake trumpets have been ditched. The result is 158bhp instead of 200-odd, with a slight rise in midrange. The R chassis is similar to the RR - same frame and swingarm, with extra wheelbase and a longer chain. A lower swingarm pivot, shorter shock and revised linkage all lower seat height and increase rake, while less fork offset gives more trail - all for more stability. SPEC Price £11,750 Engine 999cc dohc inline…

ONE MONTH AHEAD... Motorcycle Live November 28-December 6, NEC Birmingham The closest of the big European shows is a good mix of things to do, stars to meet, bikes to gawp at and kit to buy. New for 2015 is FMX Live Ð a flips-and-tricks spectacular with some of the worldÕs best freestyle motocross riders. www.motorcyclelive.co.uk TWO MONTHS AHEAD... Arenacross January 2-February 27, around the UK Cracking indoor family entertainment. Stunt-based off-roading at stadiums in Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield and London. Some incredible talent on display, plus lots of explosions and shouting. www.arenacrossuk.com Dakar Rally January 3-16, South America The continent-shifting rally raid this year confines itself to Argentina and Bolivia. Unless you can afford to take a month off work and follow the competitors for 6000 miles,…

By Chris Moss Photographs by Llewelyn Pavey SCREEN Simply not big enough to offer much protection, especially at speed or in the rain. If you do lots of motorway miles, then the taller and wider aftermarket Honda version (£125) is worth having. SWITCHGEAR Gearchanging and DCT mode selection buttons are easy to use on the move. Reversed horn and indicator switches are less intuitively placed. SUSPENSION The bike’s weakest point. Most of the time, both ends offer comfort and compliance. Ask more and they feel choppy, or make the tyres feel vague. DCT The gearbox uses two clutches, one pre-selecting the next gear for smooth changes. There are two automatic modes and a manual option, with shifts selected by two buttons on the left switchgear. There’s no clutch or gear…

The NC750X comes in two guises: the £6499 standard manual version and the £6899 DCT model we’re testing here. There’s a range of accessories to boost both comfort and practicality, though buying either the Adventure, Touring, or DCT Ready-To-Go Packs offers better value than buying the accessories individually (see their separate prices in brackets). The £1965 Adventure Pack has LED foglights and mounting kit (£410), heated grips (£263), a 45-litre top box (£260), rear rack (£80), 29-litre panniers (£325) pannier support and stay kit (£275), a taller screen (£125), centrestand (£145), leg and foot deflectors (£85 each) and decorative aluminium pannier kit set (£75). The £1215 Touring Pack buys you all the luggage and fittings, heated grips and the centrestand. For £420 you can have the DCT pack, consisting of…

Leftfield Hondas Honda showed three concepts at Tokyo. The black sportsbike is the Light Weight Super Sports Concept. The three-wheeler is the Neowing, with a boxer-four engine and electric motors. The scooter is the EV-Cub Concept, a short-distance electric commuter. Yamaha trike The three-wheeler is the LMW MWT-9, which translates as the Leaning Multi-Wheel version of the MT-09. Yamaha also showed a retro two-wheeler, the Resonator 125 aimed at new riders. Its traditional styling is nicely offset by the digital instrument panel and steampunk gaming console switchgear. Yamaha also have a robot that can ride a bike, sort of. No idea where that’s going. Kawasaki Spirit Charger Shown as a sketch at the recent Tokyo car show, the significance of the Spirit Charger is twofold: it shows that Kawasaki are…

Ariel Ace Built by the same folk behind the Ariel Atom sports car, the Ace is a hand-built British bike with an edge. The chassis tips its hat to the Atom, with similar lines in the machined aluminium frame and optional girder front end. The engine is from Honda’s VFR1200, so you get reliable power, plus traction control, and can even chose a DCT auto version. Stacks of options - different front ends, brakes, bars, seat and bodywork. Spec: 1237cc 76° V4, 170bhp Expect to pay: £20,000 Metisse Mk5 Café Racer Tracing their roots to the ’50s, the Metisse team are keeping the traditional British twin alive and kicking. They can craft you all sorts of street scramblers and café racers, including this. It has a unique 997cc twin motor,…

WHAT IS IT? An RSV superbike with flat bars and no fairing. It has a 60° V-twin with fuel injection, cams driven by a mix of gears and chains, dual balancer shafts and four valves per cylinder. The exact spec of engine and chassis depends on the model. There’s usually a cooking version with about 115bhp, and a posher (often ‘Factory’) version with Öhlins suspension. WHAT TO PAY £2800-£4000 Should find you a very nice first-generation Tuono, probably with a posh exhaust can and maybe some other extras. £4500-£7000 Should get you anything from an early Factory to a later base model – just beware of crashed and abused examples. IT WAS NO surprise when Aprilia launched the Tuono at the year-end bike shows in 2002. Naked and semi-naked bikes…

MOST OWNERS SEEM to be in their 40s and 50s, with plenty of experience of sportsbikes behind them. US-based owner Frank Murtagh is a little older, and can add desert racing and flying a helicopter in combat in Vietnam to his CV. He’s put 18,000 miles on his 2006 Tuono Factory despite having at least a dozen other bikes in the garage: “When I hit 60 I decided to slow down. Then my wife gave me the Aprilia for my birthday, so slowing down wasn’t on the cards… Light weight, great brakes, a stonking engine, intuitive handling at any speed, no vibration at any revs, and a very comfortable handlebar position for street riding. The bike is totally reliable, and has never left me stranded. With an aftermarket seat, a…

2002 Tuono R Limited Just 200 numbered examples. Lots of carbon, plus Öhlins. Price? Whatever the seller wants. 2003 Tuono Fighter Showa/Boge suspension, less power, red or grey with bronze frame/swingarm. £2000-£3000 2004-2005 Tuono R Base model now called the R. Same spec, but now has black frame/swingarm. £2500-£4500 2004-2005 Tuono Factory Extra power, Öhlins, radial calipers and OZ wheels. Rare on the used market. £3000-£5000 2006-2011 Tuono 1000R New frame and swingarm, uprated engine, new styling and twin exhausts. £4000-£6000 2007-2011 Tuono Factory As the 2006 Tuono R, but with Öhlins, OZ wheels and a gold-look frame. £4200-£7000…

2003–2006 Ducati 999 £4000-£6000 122bhp 170mph 215kg 998cc 90° V-twin The thing about the SP-2 is that it’s the closest Honda ever got to building a Ducati. But the clue is in the word ‘closest’. It’s good, but it’s not the genuine article. However, Ducati’s 999 doesn’t rely on brand loyalty to be more desirable than an SP-2. It’s also a better bike. It’s simply gorgeous, with quality engineering lurking in every nook and cranny. Terblanche’s controversial art deco design, inspired by American locomotives (we won’t tell if you don’t), has gone from being widely loathed in 2003 - as would any successor to Tamburini’s 916 - to a modern classic today. The 999 would grace any garage. It also has a lovely balance of power and handling. The engine…

“We’re more capable than we first think” PART OF THE adventure biking dream is coping when something goes wrong in the middle of nowhere. Less dramatically, a crucial element of adventure riding is carrying out routine maintenance on the road, without the benefit of a modern workshop – or even a roof. Given the workout adventure bikes can be subjected to, it makes sense to prepare yourself before a big trip with certain skills. That’s now on offer at the superb Off Road Skills school in Wales. Aimed at providing basic mechanical tips and techniques that apply to any bike, the Adventure Bike Maintenance course is a great starting point for anyone. Neither too complex nor worded too technically, the course uses BMW R1200GSs and F800GSs as tuition dummies –…

BMW R1200R EXCLUSIVE Appears to be a simple, stripped-back roadster, but actually combines a liquid-cooled boxer with semi-active suspension and plenty of gadgets. A CURIOUS COUPLE of days on the R1200R. On Tuesday I rode into London. It was dry, congestion no worse than usual, and I found where I was going in the warren of Hackney’s back streets without difficulty. Then while I was busy indoors it started raining. I rode across town to the Ace Café in hard rain and heavy traffic. I tried all the modes, but my default of Dynamic was fine. The R is so controllable you can just focus on getting through the traffic. Leaking trousers and a heavy cold made the return ride up the M1 pretty grim, but the bike was all…

YAMAHA MT-09 TRACER One of 2015’s biggest successes, and it’s clear why. Same torquey three-cylinder engine and agile chassis as the MT-09, with added half-faired practicality. I LOVE THE TRACER. It’s very comfortable, has a great engine, and if the screen could be more effective… well, what’s a bit of wind? It handles every job I throw at it. Except for one: loading kit into its panniers. Every time I try to do a trip, I find myself unpacking to leave stuff behind because the Yamaha accessory panniers – semi-rigid but not waterproof, sealed with a zip – hold next to nothing. I moaned about this after going camping with the bike, and reader David Roe got in touch to say he’d fitted a set of Kappa panniers to his…

Two decades strong Is it really 20 years since RiDE was first published!? I rushed to my long-term storage facility and, yes, there it was - the first edition: “October 1995, £2.20 - First to see will buy.” And I did. I signed up straight away for an annual subscription, and 20 years later I have clearly secreted away some 240 copies, all stored in their green hardback folders. All those years ago I could have bought a new Honda CBR600F for £7025, or a new Kawasaki ZZR600 for £6840. If I’d had deep pockets, a BMW R1100RT could have been mine for a mere £10,900. A sneak preview of the forthcoming Yamaha TDM850 was also available, and if I’d entered the competition I could have won a Yamaha Diversion…

The Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles Author: Ian Falloon Price: £35 www.motorbooks.com Complete? It certainly looks that way. There are more bikes than you’d want to count in here, dating back to 1923. With almost 300 pages to play with, this nicely produced hardback is big enough to fit them all in, and with a decent level of detail. There are some wonderful period photos, adverts and diagrams, and some intriguing photos of short-lived models from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. It’s fascinating to see that BMW’s biggest successes have often been their riskiest moves. When they get it right they really get it right, and the public are receptive enough to take a punt on breakthrough bikes such as the R75/5, R90S and R80G/S. This is a reference work,…

NEW SCHUBERTH Is this the ultimate adventure helmet? THE SCHUBERTH E1 is a new adventure touring helmet that combines a flip-up front, a drop-down sun visor and a peak. It’s twinned with the new Aventuro Mod from German compatriots Touratech. It’s not the first flip-front adventure helmet – we tested the Caberg Tourmax in our September issue – but it does promise to be a classy bit of kit. The aim is to combine the best qualities of a touring helmet like the Schuberth C3 and the benefits of an off-road-inspired adventure helmet. It should be quiet and comfy enough to wear all day, with the friendliness of being able to chat without taking your lid off, but with a more prominent jaw that lets in extra air, and a…

The Tuono has been around since 2002, first as a V-twin and then, from 2012, as a V4. The Tuono has grown in engine size over the RSV4’s 1000cc, inflating to 1077cc thanks to wider bores. The extra capacity means, in the Tuono’s case, more torque and stronger low-down engine response than the previous Tuono. Despite the extra capacity, for the most part the new Tuono spec is identical to the new RSV4: same cases, same crank, similar valvetrain, fuel system and Aprilia’s own APRC engine management electronics. The chassis is the same too; same frame, swingarm etc. The Tuono Factory is the higher-spec version of the 1100 RR, and comes with Öhlins suspension, a sharper tail unit and a trick paint scheme, for £14,635. SPEC Price £13,135 Engine 1077cc…

The C650 Sport is renamed (from C600 Sport) and restyled with new bodywork designed to make it look sharper. The C650GT gets new rear-end bodywork and rear light but is otherwise visually unchanged apart from colour. Both scooters come in white or black; the Sport also comes in metallic orange, and the GT in bronze. The C650GT’s main innovation is its optional Side View Assist, comprising warning lights on the mirror stalks which alert the rider that there’s something in the mirror’s blind spot. Both scooters keep the same 647cc parallel twin, still making 59bhp, but an updated CVT transmission gives a slight boost to acceleration and top speed. Both gain traction control, plus modified injection and new exhaust systems designed to improve sound and get through Euro 4 emissions…

Steve Willis runs Shaw Speed and Custom, and he knows about building one-off bikes. Here’s how he deals with the development process: “Understanding the customer is key. Do they want to be noticed, or are they all about detail? Are they athletic? Are they family people? What is the bike going to be used for? The list goes on and on - it’s the most important part of the custom process. “It’s really a case of getting your customer to almost overload you with information, and images of things that really excite them, from Harley-Davidson custom bike examples out there to other makes of bikes that they dig. From this it’s possible to understand the basics, from knowing if it’s dressy and chrome, or more dark and understated. Then, with…

Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact £199 a pair Not the stickiest tyres out there but a good balance of grip and life for road use. Up to 5000 miles for a rear. Replaced by the very impressive M7 RR. Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V2 £250 a pair Sticky enough for trackdays but pretty good on the road as well. Seems to suit the Tuono’s suspension. Pricey and don’t last that long, however. Bridgestone BT-023 £173 a pair A good all-round tyre with enough life for longer touring trips. For more sporty riding you might find the outright grip a bit lacking though. Prices are mail order from www.blackcircles.com  – add £11.50 per pair for P+P…

“It does it all and it does it well. It could quite easily be the only suit you own” Alpinestars Valparaiso jacket and jeans £349/£229 www.alpinestars.com THE VALPARAISO IS Alpinestars’ mid-range offering, from their Tech Touring range. It comes in a choice of three colours: this white one with red bits; grey with tan bits; or black with black bits. Build quality and construction is good. It’s made from a combination of materials with tough abrasion-resistant reinforcements on the vulnerable areas and a few reflective patches on the front and back. There’s a DryStar waterproof membrane to keep you dry, and a thermal liner that keeps you warm. And it’s very comfy. There are so many pockets and compartments it’s almost comical. You have six on the front (two of…

Having the right attitude to motorcycle maintenance and repairs is essential. Try to be patient and methodical. Take as long as the job takes. You might have the potential to be the world’s best bike mechanic, but that won’t happen overnight, or by rushing it. Develop a working practice. Take pictures, write stuff down, and mark parts to help you do the job properly. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. All the information you need is out there. Consult forums, call retailers, and speak with riders you meet. Be confident and have a go - that way you’ll learn. People are generally a lot more capable than they first think, but accept that fixing ECUs or changing cranks is probably a little way off. Everything that is taught in…

1997 Honda CBR600FV Frame straightened and lightened Every bearing replaced Every spacer replaced with aluminium, to save weight Engine rebuilt with ported head and a higher compression ratio Thermostat removed, for a better cooling flow Factory Pro 4-degree ignition advance rotor (increases engine pick-up, but no power increase) Factory Pro shift modification to gearbox selector drum, for more accurate changes Pipercross air filter Electric fuel pump for higher pressure (www.fuelpumps-uk.com) Carburettors rejetted and modified by Stevo at Seastar Superbikes (www.seastarsuperbikes.co.uk) Home-made carbon/Kevlar engine case covers Racegadgets adjustable quickshifter (full-throttle seamless upshifts) Rebuilt brake calipers with dust seals removed. Rebuilt front brake master cylinder. EBC ProLite XC brake discs and EPFA pads. Hel Performance and Venhill brake lines Motul engine oil Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tyres…

HONDA VFR800X CROSSRUNNER Hybrid of adventure and sports-touring machines, combining the VFR800’s chassis and V4 engine with a taller, upright riding position. WHEN WAS THE last time you jumped on your bike with no particular plan and just went for a ride for the sheer pleasure of it? Don’t think about it, don’t plan it, just suit up and burn some petrol. Sometimes we can spend too much time planning and organising rides, booking time off work and sorting ferries and hotels, we forget how much joy there can be in just riding a motorcycle for the sake of it. Short, sharp blasts to clear the head. Sling a leg over your bike, take control of 100-odd horsepower, and for the next couple of hours you’re master and commander of…

SUZUKI BANDIT 1250S Reliable, practical, big-bore fun courtesy of the reborn big Bandit. Simplicity and great value were the bywords for the previous model – and they still are. AT FIRST GLANCE, the Bandit is not the bike for me. It’s a simple, no-frills, no-fuss motorcycle. I want insane power, adjustable stuff, loads of gizmos, sticky tyres good for only 100 miles and a throttle response that’s like being shotgunned in the back from pointblank range. The Bandit doesn’t offer any of that. As a result, I’ve struggled to fall in love with it. Using it only for commuting hasn’t helped. Well, that all changed when I was running late for a dental appointment. Riding it on empty twisty roads at “making up some time” pace has completely transformed my…

#2 Cleaning your textiles Most winter riding gear can be cleaned in a washing machine. Cleaning not only makes it less stinky and greasy, but it should also enable waterproof/windproof/breathable membranes to return to peak performance; the tiny pores in a membrane need to be unclogged to work properly. Every item is different, and every item should have washing and drying instructions on a label inside. Broadly speaking, leather and washing machines don’t mix. However, the leather reinforcements you find on some textile jackets and trousers seem to be unharmed by careful machine washing. Remove anything that can be removed: armour, thermal linings (which should have their own washing instructions), buckles etc. Also loosen arm and waist adjusters to allow the entire garment to be cleaned. It’s best to wash…

Grand job with the recent changes to RiDE. But I’d like to make a suggestion to improve your magazine even more. How about more reviews/comparison tests of bikes that tend to get forgotten about, what with so much written about how good the Triumph Street Triple, BMW R1200GS and Yamaha MT-09 all are. Can we read more about the Honda CB1000R, Suzuki GSR750, Yamaha XJ6 and WK 650i? Maybe also a revisit of Suzuki’s GSR600, Honda’s CB600F, the Kawasaki Z750 and KTM’s RC8? Bike choice is as varied and expansive as anything else, so why not stray from the well-trodden path of what the masses buy? Let’s encourage people to make an independent decision, one that means you don’t need to follow the flock like lost sheep. Break out and…