Inhoudsopgave van March 2019 - RiDE

The most important and influential bike in Triumph’s history, the 1938 Speed Twin was the brainchild of genius engineer Edward Turner. Triumph had gambled that investing in Turner’s clean-sheet engine design would pull it out of its financial troubles. It was right. Turner created a 498cc twin with a 360° crank – not just more powerful (with a whopping 28bhp) but lighter and better-balanced than Triumph’s singles. The Speed Twin cost £75 (around £5000 in today’s money), was smooth, flexible and could top 90mph. It would go on to become the best-selling bike in Britain and remained a part of Triumph’s range until 1966.…

Launched in 2016, the MT-10 is the stripped-down supernaked sibling to the 2015 R1. Yamaha updated it 12 months later, with revised engine mapping, renamed throttle modes and an up-only quickshifter. The crossplane-crank motor is detuned from the R1’s 197bhp to a still-outrageous 158bhp. It sits in a twin-spar aluminium frame with superbike-spec forks and brakes. Somewhat surprisingly, cruise control and a 12-volt power socket come as standard. The regular MT-10 costs £11,642 on the road. There are two higher-spec versions: the MT-10 SP, with Öhlins semi-active suspension and a TFT dash (£14,442); and the MT-10 Tourer Edition, with handguards, flyscreen, semi-hard panniers and a comfort seat (£12,492). SPEC Price £11,642 Engine 998cc inline four, 4v per cyl, l/c Power 158bhp @ 11,500rpm Torque 82lb·ft @ 9000rpm Transmission 6-speed, chain…

For two bikes built along similar blueprints (retuned superbike motors, upright ergonomics, a smattering of gadgets, similar prices), the Honda CB1000R and Yamaha MT-10 feel worlds apart to ride. If we were in the middle of summer, blessed with hot sticky roads and answering the question “Which supernaked is more super?” then the answer would be clear. The MT-10 is a frenetic riot of a thing, a madcap, intense, pulse-raising, mind-warping, all-action adrenaline factory. It rewards a skilled, experienced hand prepared to ride the way it wants. But winter sun highlights less-extreme attributes. The Honda is more surefooted on slimy roads. You feel in safer hands, with a more vivid sense of the grip available. It’s still fast, just without the frantic side. We disagree about its looks but today,…

The vast swathe of countryside between London and the south coast could easily be seen as just linking ports and seaside towns with the big smoke. But while the majority of transport and tourist routes do indeed radiate in such a way, there’s a network of local roads that make it the ideal region to explore by motorcycle. Our day’s ride starts off by traversing the forests and fields of the High Weald Area of National Beauty, threading its way south through the Garden of England and into East Sussex. It kicks back inland before sweeping across the Pevensey Levels and over the South Downs to trace the full length of Brighton’s iconic seafront. A loop into West Sussex to discover a different view of the Downs is followed by…

THE ATACAMA DESERT is vast and varied; constantly evolving and morphing into something new. I’m always surprised at how different the deserts I’ve seen have been from one another. And though they appear barren at first, each has been captivating. I landed in Chile and, honestly, I felt pretty low. I was sad to leave Australia with its familiarity and friendship. I felt quite isolated in Santiago, not speaking Spanish and being stuck in the cheapest hostel rooms with no windows for natural light. Getting the bike out of customs at the airport was a nightmare, simply because of the language barrier. I went back after the weekend with Francisco from Ducati and we got it done in a couple of hours. Stopping at a petrol station five minutes later,…

2016 MT-09 TRACER Owned by RiDE reader Mark, this Tracer benefits from a bunch of clever tweaks to enable it to go the distance 2018 TRACER 900GT Upgraded for 2018, new Tracer has smoother, classier bodywork, upgraded suspension and in GT form, loads of touring toys IT’S FAIR TO say that Yamaha’s MT-09 Tracer was a huge hit. Introduced in 2015, it combined the rorty exuberance of the MT-09 triple with the practicality and comfort of a touring bike. At just over £8000 on the road it’s not surprising it flew out of showrooms – more than 35,000 bikes have been sold in the last four years. But it has not been without problems. Any user group shows a multitude of gripes: poor wind protection, dodgy fuelling and a ditch-finding,…

Better forks New linear fork springs and heavier oil give improved control, especially when combined with a set-up session by an expert such as MCT. • £260 • www.mZtsuspension.Zo.uk Better shock Great-value Nitron NTR R1 shock is the go-to starting point modification for Tracers, with great quality, decent adjustment range and a spring for your weight and use. • £438 • www.nitron.co.uk Better breathing Stainless and carbon Black Widow exhaust system is less than half the price of an Akrapovic, loses 2.3kg and the catalytic converter and gains noise. Time on a dyno could see more power too, though there is a notiZeXYle effeZt without. • £379 • www.YlXZkwidowexhXusts.Zo.uk Better comfort Aftermarket seats are popular, but Mark simply got a gelastic insert added to his stock seat — it’s a…

It’s a modern BMW, so you get a lot of electronics and gadgetry including switchable, semi-linked ABS as standard, CAN-bus wiring and a sophisticated engine management system (Central Vehicle Electronics — CVE), built-in immobiliser, LED rear lights and new switchgear called Moulded Interconnect Devices (MID) — though the exact amount of extra acronyms will depend on how enthusiastically the original owner delved through the optional extras catalogue. Let’s assume he or she dived in head first… You might have Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA II — this is the second-generation system with spring-rate adjustment), Anti-Spin Control (ASC — traction control, switchable), HP instruments (from the HP2 Sport), Tyre Pressure Control monitors (TPC), on-board computer, HP Gearshift Assistant (quickshifter), heated grips, adjustable footrests, Akrapovic silencer and much more. A lot of that…

Where did it come from? The F4 was developed at the Castiglioni Research Centre in San Marino and built in the old seaplane factory on the shores of Lago di Varese. But it was born on the drawing board of Massimo Tamburini, the self-taught genius responsible for, amongst other landmark motorcycles, the Bimota Tesi and DB1 (the ‘ta’ in Bimota stands for Tamburini — one of the founders of the firm). He was responsible also, of course, for the most influential of them all, the Ducati 916. When the Castiglionis sold Ducati in the late 90s, Tamburini stayed with Cagiva to help relaunch the MV Agusta brand and the original F4 750 was the first fruit of the reborn company. What changed? “Born on the drawing board of the genius…

IT’S 4AM AS the Stena ferry glides smoothly into Rosslare harbour, County Wexford. It’s also just a couple of days short of the summer solstice and behind me, the dawn is already dimming the stars ahead of what promises to be a fantastic day’s riding. I’d just spent the weekend near the Brecons at the Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting (see separate box) and looking at the map, there seemed a much more interesting route back home to the north-west Highlands. Instead of skirting the UK’s northern conurbations, why not nip over to Ireland, shoot up to Belfast and then hop over to Galloway before hooking up with CalMac’s ferry network and skimming like a pebble via the Outer Hebrides and back to Ullapool. All up, that was over 900 miles,…

For over 20 years, Canadian round-the-worlders Grant and Susan Johnson have hosted the HUBB website (www.horizonsunlimited.com), the best overland travel forum, as well as travel meetings across the globe. The HUBB UK event near Hay is the biggest, a weekend of presentations from seasoned vets and enthusiastic first-timers on how, what and where, as well as ride-outs, competitions and vendors. It’s particularly well-suited to those curious about this ‘adventure motorcycling’ lark. See the website for the next event near you.…

1 N-621 — Unquera to Leon (118 miles) Everyone knows this road: from the moment it leaves the coast-hugging A8 motorway until it reaches Leon 115 miles later, it combines being a superbly useful route with stunning riding. It can get frustrating if you’re stuck behind a truck in the tight La Hermida gorge, but the run over the San Glorio pass is simply astonishing. 2 AS-14 — AS-15 to Grandas de Salime (36 miles) From the moment it turns off the AS-15 until it rolls into the small town of Grandas de Salime, this is a rollercoaster of a road clambering along steep valley sides before climbing over the Del Palo pass. From that high point, there’s a drawn-out descent to the Salime dam delivering thrills and views in…

1 Spectacular scenery If we’re honest, we all love riding in the mountains because it’s a beautiful environment. The Vercors Massif isn’t the highest part of the Alps but it’s one of the most stunning, with steep green slopes and sudden rocky cliffs creating dramatic views across the countryside. The D76 to the Col de la Machine hugs Combe Laval, a deep glacial valley with staggering views. But let’s be clear about this: you need a good head for heights to ride this road — especially coming from the centre of the mountains and heading north, towards Saint-Jeanen-Royans. Many of the views are pretty much straight down. Col de la Machine isn’t an especially high pass (only 1011m) but it’s a balcony road, cut in the side of a cliff…

THE WAY YOUR bike looks, rides and performs is the direct result of how it’s maintained and even a bike boasting a full service history can be improved with time spent on the details. If you have chosen not to ride through the gloomy winter months, use the winter downtime to carry out these ten easy-to-do tasks to ensure your bike emerges into spring in the best possible condition. We took dep ed Martin’s tidy 2011 BMW F800GS to show that even relatively modern bikes in good condition can by improved with time and effort spent on them. 1 Have perfectly-adjusted cables Cost £0 Stuff needed Pliers, spanners Why you need to do it Over time, your bike’s throttle and clutch cables will stretch — not by much but a…

The police tactic of ramming moped riders in the name of ‘protecting’ the public should be of concern to all fellow motorcyclists. Having spent 12 years as a Met Police officer, I’m familiar with the challenges faced by my former colleagues and have nothing but respect for them. In my day, any vehicle pursuit of young hoodlums on mopeds would quickly be called off by the control room, the risks deemed too great. It was incredibly frustrating to see criminals flee with scant regard for their own safety or that of the public. While some may applaud the robust response, I believe this new tactic represents a worrying trend and further alienates motorcyclists as ‘outlaws’ to the other 97% of road users. In no way do I seek to diminish…

Bike 2006 Suzuki GS500F Total miles 31,400 Rider Cameron Southery Age 22 Miles per year 10,000 I BOUGHT MY SUZUKI GS500F in January 2016 with 6000 miles on it for £1500 and the first thing I did was go to Europe. It was meant to be a two-week trip exploring France, but I returned 11,500 miles and four months later, after my money eventually ran out in Norway! Before I gave the bike a complete service — brake pads, chain and sprockets, valve clearances — which is pretty easy if you are mechanically-minded. Nothing broke on the trip, though I went through three rear tyres and a few oil changes. “After returning from Europe, I was planning on riding across America and around the world, but that fell apart and…

App-enabled luggage “Hey topbox, pop open”… said no-one. Yet. Givi recently debuted a smartphone app that controls its luggage though, opening and closing compartments remotely. While a long way from the market, it’s an interesting system that uses the phone as a key in a similar way to keyless ignition. www.givi.co.uk Clutching at plates Riders wishing to change from a cable clutch to hydraulic operation (better feel, lighter lever, for example) can do so now with products from the Frando range, through Venhill. A variety of master and slave cylinders, with differing throws, can be matched with custom-made hoses. Slave-cylinder prices start at £105.12. www.venhill.co.uk Get SportSmart A new sports tyre aimed at the ‘road rider with occasional track use’, the SportSmart Mk3 claims to warm up faster and give…

YOUR NEXT GREAT RIDE A149, CROMER TO HUNSTANTON 52.947472, 1.104028 RIDING IN WINTER is all about taking your chances and making the most of the good weather while you’ve got it — and this means short, sharp, condensed bouts of riding pleasure rather than day-long schleps. When it comes to this kind of riding, few places are better than the A149 between Cromer and Hunstanton. Hugging the North Sea, it rises and falls, twists and turns, cutting through salt-marshes and quaint fishing villages before soaring (in Norfolk terms at least) into the rolling hills of rural coastal Norfolk. Stuck in its own micro-climate and warmed by the presence of the sea, it’s a choice destination for a winter escape. During the summer, it’s clogged with middle-class tourists in their Audi…

The 2018 CB1000R is a dramatic redesign of its 2008 namesake. That bike brought together a retuned 2006 Fireblade engine, a cast-aluminium backbone frame, single-sided swingarm and sharp, angular styling. The new model swaps the frame for a lighter steel item, releases a further 20bhp from the motor (bigger throttle bodies; new pistons; more valve lift), and adds a ride-by-wire throttle, traction control and rider modes. It also has new forks, a fatter rear tyre, a shorter swingarm, a higher and wider handlebar and, most obviously, a completely different look — traditional naked with a modern twist. The CB1000R costs £11,229, though we’re riding the CB1000R+, which adds heated grips, aluminium trim, radiator cover and a two-way quickshifter, for a £1000 premium. SPEC Price £12,299 Engine 998cc inline four, 4v…

Over the sea to Skye? You’ve got it — Uig is a small village on Bonnie Prince Charlie’s fave holiday/exile island. Though these days he wouldn’t have needed a boat to get there — he could have sped like a (cross-dressing) bird on the wing over the bridge instead. He’d have needed a few groats in his sporran for the tolls then. No — it’s been toll-free since being bought back from the developers in 2004. That’s good news! Well, it is and it isn’t. It’s good news if you’re a local and need to commute to the mainland but it also means it’s easier and cheaper for tourists to get there. Skye was already popular but in peak season it’s now heaving with tourists, cars and campers. What’s the…

Culture shock All home comforts are here and on the whole, Americans are very open and welcoming, and love our accent! Remember that tipping is mandatory — 20% in restaurants is the norm, as is tipping bar staff when they serve you a drink. Not tipping is considered a serious faux pas. Food portions are massive, so think about ordering to share and fresh vegetables are a rarity. Road conditions Cities can be big with traffic and rush hours to match while filtering (lane-splitting) is a no-no, normally enraging locals. You can (mostly) turn right on a red light though. Speed limits vary as they are set on a State-by-State basis, as are helmet laws, so check before you go. Watch for livestock and wildlife on rural roads at dusk…

Price from £14,415 (TE as tested £17,550) Engine 1254cc flat twin, 4v per cyl, l/c Power 134bhp @ 7600rpm Torque 105lb·ft @ 6300rpm Transmission 6-speed, shaft Frame steel tube Front suspension monoshock, 210mm travel, semi-active damping Rear suspension monoshock, 220mm travel, automatic preload and semi-active damping Front brakes 305mm discs, 4-piston calipers Rear brake 276mm disc, 2-piston caliper Front tyre 120/70 ZR19 Rear tyre 170/60 ZR17 Wheelbase 1504mm Rake/trail 24.9°/94.5mm Seat height 890/910mm Kerb weight 282kg (measured) Fuel capacity 30 litres…

STYLING The Scrambler 1200’s state-of-the-art technology is cleverly hidden beneath its stunning old-school aesthetic SUSPENSION Fully adjustable Öhlins twin shocks on both models. XC touches its pegs down on fast roads, while XE sits higher with 50mm extra travel ENGINE The Bonneville T120’s 1200cc parallel twin, with an extra 10bhp and masses of low and midrange urge ELECTRONICS Spec includes TFT dash, cruise control and keyless ignition. There’s even the option to display turn-by-turn directions on the clocks, too THERE ARE ADVENTURE bikes and there are scramblers, but there are no adventure scramblers. Until now, that is. Under normal circumstances, a Triumph bearing the Scrambler name – anything resembling a scrambler, in fact – is really a road bike with crossover tyres, fork gaiters, a high-level exhaust and wire-spoked wheels.…

STYLING Minimalist doesn’t even begin to describe the skeletal Spitfire. But it looks stunning CHASSIS The Spitfire is based on a conventional steel trellis frame with numerous parts added ENGINE Performs well on the throttle, but our test bike had stalling problems during fast downchanges TWO YEARS AGO, over a bacon buttie in the corner of CCM’s Bolton factory, a handful of staff were chatting about the trend for hand-built café racers. At the time CCM was only producing the GP450 adventure bike and the conversation soon turned to what the staff would create to appeal to this new audience. Shortly after, designer Chris Ratcliffe made a few sketches. Today this pipedream has become a real-life range of motorcycles, headlined by the Spitfire. Its hand-welded steel trellis frame and swingarm…

A DECENT SET OF base layers has several jobs and an equal number of benefits. Most motorcyclists (as well as cyclists, walkers, runners and climbers) know this but with so many versions available on the market and in different specifications, we decided it was time to have a proper look at what is around, to see what gives a warm feeling or leaves you out in the cold.…

Kawasaki ZZR1400 2006-2011 • £4000–£6900 • 1352ZZ inline four • 190Yhp • 261kg More of an old-school sledgehammer but just as effective at eating the miles. Superbly reliable, well finished and usually well looked after. Suspension a bit choppy on earlier bikes — forks can be modified for a plusher ride but rear shock needs binning for a better replacement. Early (06/07) models had less low to midrange but there are ways to get it back. 2012-on models got 1441cc, a claimed 197bhp, traction control and switchable modes. Suzuki GSX-R1300 Hayabusa 2008-2018 • £4000–£11,000 • 1340ZZ inline four • 194Yhp • 266kg The second incarnation of the flagship Suzuki was no prettier than the original, but just as aerodynamically slippery. Reliable, with massive power when you want it, yet completely…

WE KNOW RIDE readers realise there’s more to Scotland than Glen Coe, Applecross and John o’Groats. That the North Coast 500 isn’t the only route worth riding. But with so many great roads, where do you start? We began with the experts: Motorcycle Scotland. “So many people think of Scotland as something that happens north of the central belt — Edinburgh, Glasgow and all the urbanisation between them,” explains Dave Smith, the man behind Motorcycle Scotland. “But there’s so much more to see than simply the Highlands and Islands.” As the proprietor of the famously bike-friendly Buccleuch Arms Hotel in Moffat in the Borders, Smith is keen to champion the biking attractions of other areas – which was why he set up Motorcycle Scotland, to be a complete resource for…

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for the ultimate Alpine road, you’ve come to the right place. Forget Stelvio. Don’t bother about La Bonnette. The tourists can keep the Grossglockner. This is the real deal. Just look at it: this was the setting for the final bus-crash scene in the 1969 film The Italian Job and it has just about every kind of bend in glorious profusion and the traffic… there isn’t any. You’d have to go a long way to find a mountain road that’s anywhere near as good as the SP50 to the Colle del Nivolet. But then, you have to go a long way just to get to the Colle del Nivolet. I’d set off three days earlier just to get here. And while I could, perhaps, have got here…

EARLY MORNING, AUSTRIA. The countryside looks like a film set. Picture the scene: idealised Alpine perfection. There’s a broad panorama of green meadows dotted with low wooden barns, flanked by towering wooded slopes. Low mist hovers above the grass. Pan round to see the bikes; track them as they tiptoe past wood-fronted chalets framed by window boxes red with geraniums, then out of the village and the speed rises. Cows lazily raise their heads to watch them pass… I know a few pages ago I was trying to persuade you that the ultimate mountain road is in Italy. The trouble is, so often the best pass is the one you’re riding at the time… And the Austrian Alps are home to some of the acknowledged ‘great passes’. Photographer Weeble and…

SOUTH OF FRANCE Loopy in the Gorges du Loup Phil Miners, Yamaha XJR1300 Miles 2900 Days 14 Cost £1500 What makes it great My wife, Paula, on her VFR1200 and I rode the Route Napoleon and didn’t fancy getting stuck in Nice’s rush hour. So we turned off, got lost and ended up on the Gorges-du-Loup road. And it was absolutely amazing. We rode 40 miles through the gorges and the only other road users were a couple of Porsches. It’s insane that nobody uses it. The main roads around it are good, so people tend to forget about this abandoned and beautiful stretch. The road flies you up and through the gorges with 1000-foot drops on one side and sheer cliffs on the other. The technical route is full…

QHow should I keep my battery in good condition? A bike’s battery can suffer when it’s in storage. The solution is to have the battery connected to a conditioner while the bike’s not being used. This will detect any drop in voltage and top up the charge as and when it’s needed, meaning your battery will be in perfect condition for the start of the new riding season. QWhat can I do to stop my bike rotting? Keeping your bike dry and making sure it doesn’t attract moisture is key here. So in the first instance make sure it is clean and dry and then apply a protector like ACF-50. Where you store it is also important; it needs to be well insulated and damp-free. To help counter the damp,…

Can I claim if I slid on a muddy road? QI WAS RIDING my bike on what I thought was a pleasant, dry day, and as I approached a building site for a development of houses, my bike slid out from underneath me on what I now realise was a slick of slimy mud. I was uninjured but my bike had about £900-worth of plastics damage. I took photos on my smartphone showing the developer’s conspicuous sign and emailed the head office, politely asking for confirmation that they would meet the cost of repair. The photos show a spread of mud panning out from the site entrance. However, the developer responded and said that mud had been generated by an electricity contractor and they were responsible. This looks incredible as…

FORMER 500GP CHAMPION Wayne Gardner is set to return to two-wheeled action at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show this February. The Wollongong Whiz will be part of the Michelin Thunderdrome, a live-action show inspired by boardtrack racing and run on an oval circuit with 45-degree banking. Gardner will be lining up against a grid of talent including 2003 World Superbike champ Neil Hodgson. Other attractions include stands from all the top bike manufacturers, plus the UK debut of Triumph’s Speed Twin. With dedicated zones for classic, adventure and custom bikes, plus a chance to hang out with TT legend John McGuinness in his own bar, there’s something for all. The show runs from February 15-17 at ExCel London.…

Minehead, Somerset Just returned from doing the RiDErecommended A39 from Minehead to Barnstaple. Wow. The weather was spectacular for November. Mark Steer Eilean Donan, Scotland My wife Lisa and I at Eilean Donan castle on our 1114-mile trip from Cumbria up and around the NC500 and back. This was Lisa’s first big trip and she loved it. Steve Wilkinson Malaga, Spain My rented R1200GS in Malaga. I rode route 77 from the RiDE Guide to Spain and Portugal and this was at Puerto de Las Palomas. Alan Thompson Katse Dam, South Africa A highlight of a 12-day Garden Route tour was a ride to the Katse Dam in Lesotho - makes the Grossglockner look like a shopping trip. (I did the Austrian classic in the summer.) Julian Jenkins Dunoon ferry,…

WHEN AN ANIMAL is faced with an imminent threat, it has two options: fight or flight. Stand your ground and tackle the foe head-on, or flee to shelter for survival. And when the peculiar beast known as the British Motorcyclist (velocitus hilarious) is forced to confront winter, they make a similar decision: hide or ride. Neither is necessarily wrong, but the name of this magazine tells you our response. And while there are all sorts of theories and beliefs about what makes a good winter bike, the truth is it’s probably the one that’s in your garage. A little more preparation beforehand, a bit of extra care after the fact, and most modern machines are more than capable of shrugging off a winter ride without much bother. Admittedly, you probably…

When daylight, warmth and grip are all in short supply, it’s time to make the most of what’s on your doorstep. And what’s on RiDE’s doorstep is the Midlands. Despite an absence of mountain vistas or seaside scenery, there’s plenty of great riding to be found between the sprawling cities, tedious dual carriageways and grey out-of-town shopping megaplexes. From Peterborough we’ve taken the twisting B660 down to Bedford, then a quick blast to the Super Sausage Café near Towcester. After lunch it’s a meandering run of quiet backroads, before the A508 north to Market Harborough - gateway to the hugely entertaining B664. Coffee (and cake) in Medbourne, petrol in Uppingham, then home before sunset. Hardly a tour of the Alps, but so much better than leaving the bike in the…

THE TRADITIONAL VIEW of winter riding is, for most of us, that no-one wants to do it and no-one wants to read about it. But the traditional British winter isn’t what it used to be 20 years ago, and neither is traditional cold-weather motorcycle clothing. The times, as they say, are a-changin’. Which is good news for bikers (if not for polar bears). And so, as we inch closer to genuine all-season riding in the UK, here are five winter-riding experts to explain how, and why, they do it. HEATED KIT Suffering for the sake of it is a young person’s game. Dick Fenton, keeper of an immaculate Suzuki GSX750, thinks so: “When you’re younger you don’t feel the cold as much. You just get on with it,” he says.…

THE BLACK FOREST is the flagship of established Californian electric bike firm Zero. In a sentence, it’s their DSR dual-purpose machine decked out with a load of bolt-ons. These include a big screen, handguards, headlight grille, huge crash bars, spotlights and a trio of Givi aluminium cases (two 36-litre panniers and a 46-litre top box). And camouflage stickers. In case a silent, matt-black bike isn’t stealthy enough… All this is £17,340 — and that’s after a £1500 grant. But if you’re in for a penny, you might as well be in for a further £2300 and get the Charge Tank. This lets you plug into some (but not all) public charging stations. While the regular three-pin plug needs 10 hours to charge from flat to full, the Charge Tank can…

It accelerates hard and relentlessly but not with the instant snap of a sportsbike — it has a lot more mass to get moving, at just over a quarter of a ton fully fuelled. So it’s less frantic but still effective especially as, unlike its competitors, it’s not geared for an enormous theoretical top speed, so the ratios are more useable. It’s eerily stable at speed, largely thanks to the Duolever front suspension, which separates steering, braking and suspension forces, allied to a long wheelbase and lazy steering geometry. It’s stable in longer corners too, though you might find it a bit ponderous in tight hairpins. Raising the rear helps but it’s not easy on ESAequipped models. Under braking, too, stability is the outstanding feature. The ABS is excellent, and…

1 ENGINE Mostly good news but watch out for top-end rattles on early models, which were prone to slappy camchains. There’s a BMW special part which stops the chain jumping a tooth on the sprocket (for example, on a very harsh over-run), which was optional on early bikes but standard from 2012 — worth having if not already fitted. Otherwise, mechanically they seem to be tough enough. Some owners reported erratic running and rough idling, blaming it on over-lean fuelling (which it has, especially low down). Before running off for a re-map though, try some different fuel – the K1300 has a very high compression ratio and despite the sophisticated anti-knock software, which should allow use of cheaper standard unleaded, most owners agree that they run better (and give better…

THERE’S AN AWFUL lot to like here. Enough power and handling to keep you grinning, enough braking to keep you safe, enough comfort and carrying capacity to keep you happy on your holidays. It really is a superb solo sports tourer. For two-up distance work, though, you’ll maybe want to give it a miss unless your pillion is particularly small and stoic… Despite the complexity, running costs aren’t that high – they’re even pretty good on tyres, which is a surprise (talk to Hayabusa owners if you want to know what it feels like to have a close personal relationship with your tyre fitter.) The more recent the bike is, the more we’d recommend going for something with a decent service history, ideally with a main dealer. It’ll help if…

IT’S ONE OF the great rides – 500 miles through the wild, untamed landscape of the very north of Scotland. Yet five years ago, nobody had heard of the North Coast 500. It didn’t exist. Oh, bikers have been exploring the Scottish coast for as long as there have been motorcycles… but there wasn’t a formal route until recently. That was launched in 2015 to attract visitors to the region – and it worked, drawing tourists not only from all over the UK but also, from all over Europe. Success is a double-edged sword, though. More visitors means more traffic and fewer vacant hotel rooms. It’s all relative, of course, and even at its busiest the North Coast 500 is practically empty compared with busy biking roads in the South…

GREECE • 1200 miles • 7 dXys • £800 “Greece is awesome and cheaper than you’d think. I flew to Athens for £250 and rented a 2018 Honda CB500X from Motorent (£300 for seven days). You can blast along dirt tracks, spot out-of-this-world monasteries and uncover mesmerising archaeology. Hot weather, cheap food and hotels, excellent value for money.” DICK UNDERDOWN FRANCE • 1400 miles • 4 dXys • £400 “Normandy is perfect for a weekend tour, to Mont-Saint-Michel, up the coast to Pegasus Bridge, war memorials and landing beaches. The roads are fantastic, well-maintained and with very little traffic, especially in the interior. The place is flooded with history, great food, excellent cider and delicious wine.” DUNCAN COSTIN PORTUGAL • 4200 miles • 6 dXys • £700 “The beautiful Serra…

I live in the South Island of New Zealand. I read your recent road test on the Ducati Scrambler 1100 and agree that it’s a fun bike for curvy backroads. I also bought a new Ducati Monster 1200 R at the same time and find it great fun at higher speeds. But, to be honest, if I’m riding the Scrambler one-up on twisty roads, I don’t actually miss the Monster’s extra power. Still, I consider myself a very lucky man to have both bikes!…

Thanks for a really good article comparing BMW’s R1250GS and R1200GS last month and exploring the question of whether the new bike is worth trading-in for. I’ve just purchased a 2018 R1200GS Rallye with a full titanium exhaust system and a remapped ECU from Hilltop Motorcycles. The claimed torque and power increases don’t sound far off the R1250GS. Perhaps that’s an alternative worth considering for some riders? A de-cat exhaust and ECU re-flash will probably make a decent difference, though we’d be both impressed and surprised if it added a true 10bhp and 14lb·ft of torque at the back wheel (the measured advantage of an R1250GS). Any readers care to share their tested dyno results for a modified GS? Let us know! MFG…

I’ve been waiting for Yamaha to release an MT-07-powered Ténéré since it showed the concept in 2016. I was happy to wait a year… but then it just showed ANOTHER concept bike! So I’ve already missed the summer of 2017, then the summer of 2018… and now I read that the new 700 isn’t arriving until late 2019! If I don’t get a price and release date soon, I’m either going with the orange brand or buying a two-year-old F800GS for my Trans European Trail trip next year! We sympathise, Phil - it’s certainly been a long tease. All Yamaha is saying for now is there won’t be an official price announced until spring, and availability is set for some time from July to September. MFG…