Inhaltsverzeichnis für August 2018 in RiDE

AFTER AN ENDLESS winter and a spring that gave up and went back to bed, it finally feels like summer is here. Barbecues, bike racing, a cold beer after a run to the local bike meet… Perfect. We seized the opportunity to enjoy the early summer sun with both hands — inadvertently with a bit of a war-like theme. Martin followed in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, riding the modern descendent of the great man’s Brough Superior around the East Midlands (p44) while I headed to Normandy for a one-day ride taking in all of the D-Day Beaches (p52). If you’re looking for ideas for summer rides, we have extended UK rides for the longest day (p50) and a range of European trips (p56). Plus there are great ideas…

YAMAHA IN WSB The British round of the World Superbike Championship saw the first double victory for the new Yamaha R1, in the hands of Dutchman Michael van der Mark. With British Superbike stars Leon Haslam, Bradley Ray and Gino Rea taking wildcard entries and two days of racing, it should have been like the heyday of WSB — especially as the titleholder’s a Brit, Jonathan Rea. Sadly, attendances were low: not even 14,000 on Sunday and just over 11,000 on the Saturday. HARDCORE TRAVELLERS The Honda CRF250L has been the dark-horse round-the-world bike for a while: a road-legal but capable motocrosser that can handle anything. The catch is the small engine. Now Honda has announced that in 2019 it’ll be joined by a CRF450L. The 499cc single will be…

Each month the Star Picture will win a BikeTrac unit, plus a year’s subscription. As well as boosting security, it logs journeys and even gives live battery voltage information, too. How to send us your photos Email your most inspirational biking photos to us at ride@ride.co.uk with ‘Your Rides’ in the subject line. Please send us the original unedited photo file, ideally at least five megapixels in size. And don’t forget to include your full name, too.…

1 Great British North Coast RiDE Out Fletch Unwin fine-tuned his trip to Scotland’s North Coast 500 Start/finish Perth services Distance 824 miles Riding time Four days Checkpoints 13 (Wallace Monument, Green Welly, Commando Memorial, Eilean Donan, Applecross, Bridge Coffee Shop, Kylesku Bridge, Cocoa Mountain, Strathy Point Lighthouse, John o’Groats, Dunrobin Castle, The Lecht, Glenshee) Fletch Unwin’s hybrid Great British Ride Out/North Coast 500 route is a cracker - great riding with one or two extra stops, courtesy of the GBRO. Setting off from home in Salisbury (and ticking off some other waypoints on the way) he gave himself four days for the Scottish section, starting from Perth with stops at Fort William, Ullapool and Inverness before heading south. We’ve adapted his route to start and stop at Perth services.…

Q I’m looking to get from the South Coast to do Scotland’s North Coast 500. Can you recommend a decent non-motorway route north? A It’s all time-dependent and staying off the motorways will make for two long-ish days in the saddle but could easily be spread over three if you want a really relaxed trip. For two days, we’d recommend motorways (but not the M11/A14) to Peterborough, then the A15 north, across the Humber Bridge and cross to Helmsley or Stokesley. From there head up the A68 to Scotland, using main roads to dodge Edinburgh. Go cross-country to Crief and then Perth to take the A93/A939 to Inverness, the starting point for the NC500. Q I’ve never been camping before. How much time should I allow for setting up a…

SUSPENSION The big talking point is the twin front wheels, developing huge amounts of grip but with little or no front-end chatter BRAKES Almost impossible to trigger the front ABS due to the grip but the brakes could be stronger as a result ENGINE Fundamentally, it’s the same 847cc unit found in the MT-09 and the Tracer 900 albeit with some internal tweaks for a feeling of improved torque STOP! DON’T TURN the page after looking at the picture. Spotting that the Yamaha Niken has three wheels will inevitably make people think; “Some kind of scooter – not interested” or maybe, “Interesting, but I like proper bikes”. That was me. Then I rode it... But I’ll come to that in a minute. First, an explanation, starting with the name. It’s…

We always test a bike’s passenger comfort and luggage-carrying capacity as a key part of the RiDE Road Test. However, this particular Panigale V4 was set up in solo mode, so we couldn’t. Sorry about that. But if you want your V4 superbike for two, or to strap on a tailpack, the good news is that the Panigale has been developed and homologated with a pillion seat. Every buyer gets to choose whether they want their bike PDI’d with or without the pillion kit — and if they want it without (as the majority will), the customer can take the rear seat and footpegs away in a box. If you do fit the second seat, we can’t imagine that it’ll be comfortable on the back, nor that fitting luggage will…

Engine 1215cc dohc inline triple, l/c Power 139bhp @ 9350 rpm Torque 90lb·ft @ 7600 rpm Transmission 6-speed, shaft Chassis steel tubed trellis Front suspension 48mm forks, 190mm travel, fully electronically adjustable Rear suspension monoshock, 193mm travel, fully electronically adjustable Front brake 305mm discs, 4-piston calipers Rear brake 282mm disc, 2-piston caliper Front tyre 120/80 R19 Rear tyre 170/60 R17 Wheelbase 1520mm Rake/trail 23.2°/99.9mm Seat height 835/855mm Kerb weight 263kg (est) Fuel tank 20 litres…

WHEN BMW DROPPED the single-cylinder F650GS for 2008 it seemed determined to confuse buyers with its replacements. The new F800 range got a 798cc parallel-twin engine, while the equally new F650GS got, hang on, the same 798cc parallel-twin engine but in a lower state of tune. Perhaps BMW realised how daft this was because when it revamped the F650 for 2013, it got a new name — the F700GS. Oh well, if the naming was silly, the bike was anything but - it’s a definition of the word ‘sensible’. For a start, despite power up by 4bhp on the F650 version, the engine makes around 10bhp less than the F800, due mainly to softer cam timing and more-conservative fuel mapping. So you’ve got a claimed 75bhp, which is still enough…

Q I ride 5000 miles a year on a Kawasaki Versys 1000 but I’m finding it a bit bulky. I’m considering changing to a Honda VFR800 but no dealer near me has a demo bike. How do they compare? A The VFR is lower and slimmer, so may feel easier to handle — though at 242kg it’s only 8kg lighter than your Versys. A bigger difference is the riding position: from upright-and-relaxed on the Kawasaki to a bit more knees-up-head-down-and-sporty on the Honda. That’s also reflected in the way the engine colours the riding experience, as while the VFR makes a bit less power (105bhp rather than 118bhp), the way the V4 engine, with its VTEC boost, develops it tends to encourage chasing the revs… which can be great fun…

1 CONSTRUCTION Carbon fibre produces strong, light helmets. Composite-fibre helmets are just as stong but usually a bit heavier. Polycarbonate (thermoplastic) helmets are almost as tough but are heavier still. Note some flip-fronts boasting carbon or fibre use it for the helmet but plastic for the chin piece. Some can be locked in the up position. 2 SHELL SIZES If a helmet has one shell size, the liner is padded for small fitments or less padding for large ones. Using more than one shell size suggests fewer compromises. 3 HOMOLOGATION Check the helmet strap: if a helmet has a P homologation, it should only be ridden with the chin bar down; if P/J homologated, it can be worn with the flip up or down; helmets which are only J-homologated (none…

Q After your polish tests, perhaps you can help. I have a Suzuki GSX-R1000 in Stealth Black — a matt finish. Is there a product for that? A One product is the SDoc100 Matt Paint Wax, designed for matt finishes. Though most dealerships we know simply use household polish — but never on any hot surfaces. QI’m not being pessimistic, but what’s the state of the art in Gore-Tex summer gloves? A Sounds pessimistic to us… And actually they’re not the most common items. Held produces our preferred all-round gloves, the Air n Dry (£175.99, www.held.de). They’re two-chamber gloves with well-vented palm halves to use when summer is being summery, or Gore-Tex halves to put your hands in when it rains. They could be the only gloves you’ll ever need…

Conversion factor The A32 into Gosport sucks. The road condition is fine, just too many cars, each with one person in. Six years ago, I was one... until I took my bike test. Immediately I flowed through the traffic like champagne through a sieve, grinning a champion’s smile as I left everyone on four wheels behind. I carried my smile into work with me, where of the eight people I work with, I was the only one on a bike. Six years on and my bike is parked next to five others. Three to go... Greg North Clutching at straws I have just returned from a five-day trip to France and Belgium, my first time on a bike, on a Ducati Multistrada 1000DS. It was fantastic - I can’t get…

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Martin Fitz-Gibbons Deputy editor Thinking back to my 22-year-old self makes me cringe. Zero life experience but thought I knew it all, I had the self-sufficiency of a wet paper bag. I am in awe of RiDE’s new columnist Henry Crew – just 22 and currently riding around the world for charity. PAGE 37 Kev Raymond Features writer When Yamaha announced the Niken I couldn’t see the point - three is not the correct number of wheels for any powered vehicle, in my book. But if it really offers loads of extra front grip, am I going to have to eat my words? We’ll see… PAGE 58 Caroline Barrett Editorial assistant I love naked bikes with a bit of personality and some fire in their bellies, so the Yamaha MT-09…

SHAKEY Defending multiple British Superbike champion Shane Byrne had a massive crash on a test day at Snetterton on May 17 that left him with a broken neck, four broken vertebrae, multiple other back fractures (not to mention fracturing all his ribs, breaking his nose and collarbone, as well as bruising his lungs). We wish him a speedy recovery. DRAG RACING After 45 years, it looks like drag racing at Warwickshire’s Shakespeare Country Raceway could be at an end. Large chunks of the Long Marston airfield site are being developed for housing and though the strip saw some action in May, that seems to be the end of it. Thank goodness for Santa Pod……

YOUR NEXT GREAT RIDE THE FIVE PASSES, SWITZERLAND 46.550832, 8.563687 IT’S ONE OF the most iconic Alpine motorcycling routes — Switzerland’s five passes. Nestled in the high alps between the Grindelwald Massif and the Italian border, near the source of the Rhône, is a riding paradise of excellence that’s been drawing riders for years. The only question is, if you haven’t been there yet, what’s stopping you? The riding is out of this world. You can base yourself in a couple of places to ride the five passes — many riders use Andermatt or Meiringen, though some will ride up from nearby Interlaken or Thun. The passes themselves are all different: Grimsel is wide and smooth, climbing gently then dropping sharply down to the Rhône valley. Furka has longer straights…

Our test route took in a 140-mile loop of north Devon on the edge of, then through, the Exmoor National Park, starting as we left the M5 at Bridgwater and ending as we rejoined at Taunton. We used the A14, M6, M42 and M5 to get there from Peterborough but if you have more time, a cross-country route taking in the Cheddar Gorge is a nice way to do it. The test route started with the A39 to Minehead, then went over the top of Exmoor into Lynmouth, across country to Barnstaple and Bideford (if you’ve time, the A39 then becomes the Atlantic Highway into Cornwall). At Bideford, we took the A386 south to Great Torrington, then the B3227 east to South Molton, following the signs for North Molton and…

Moto Fizz Camping Seat Bag £159 www.nippynormans.com This moohassive seat bag has a capacity of up to 75 litres when fully expanded, or 42 litres when the ends are zipped in. It has loads of D rings and straps and mounting points to secure extra stuff on top, as well as to hold it securely on the bike. There’s a built-in cargo net on top as well and it comes with a removable rain cover and a padded carrying handle. Should be able to carry all you need for a weekend’s camping - in fact if it was any bigger, you wouldn’t actually need to take a tent at all, just unzip one end and climb in... EZ-GO helmet carrying strap £12.90 www.ezgo-strap.com This is one of those products where…

British Superbikes June 15-17, Snetterton 300 July 6-8, Knockhill July 20-22, Brands Hatch GP August 3-5, Thruxton August 17-19, Cadwell World Superbikes June 22-24, Laguna Seca, USA July 6-8, Misano, Italy Sept 14-16, Portimão, Portugal MotoGP June 15-17, Catalunya, Spain June 29 - July 01, Assen, Netherlands July 13-15, Sachsenring, Germany August 3-5, Brno, Czech Republic August 10-12, Red Bull Ring, Austria August 24-26, Silverstone, England Sept 9, Misano, San Marino Sept 23, Aragon, Spain…

Price £59,999 Engine 997cc 8v dohc 88° V-twin, l/c Power 102bhp @ 8800rpm (tested) Torque 68lb·ft @ 7400rpm (tested) Transmission 6-speed, chain Chassis machined titanium plates Front suspension monoshock, 120mm travel, adjustable preload and rebound Rear suspension monoshock, 130mm travel, adjustable preload and rebound Front brakes 4 x 230mm discs, 4-piston calipers Rear brake 230mm disc, 2-piston caliper Front tyre 120/70 ZR18 Rear tyre 160/60 ZR18 Wheelbase 1540mm Rake/trail 23.4°/94mm Seat height 820mm Kerb weight 216kg (measured) Fuel capacity 16 litres…

Price £13,642 Engine 847cc 12v dohc inline triple, l/c Power 113bhp @ 10,000rpm Torque 65lb·ft @ 8500rpm Transmission 6-speed, chain Chassis hybrid steel/ aluminium diamond Front suspension twin 43mm/41mm forks, 110mm travel, fully adjustable Rear suspension monoshock, 125mm travel, remote-adjustable preload and rebound Front brakes 266mm discs, 4-piston calipers Rear brake 298mm disc, 2-piston caliper Front tyres 2 x 120/70 R15 Rear tyre 190/55 R17 Wheel track 410mm Wheelbase 1510mm Rake/trail 20°/74mm Seat height 820mm Fuel capacity 18 litres Kerb weight 263kg…

Price £8999 Engine 896cc 8v dohc 90° V-twin, l/c Power 94bhp @ 8750rpm Torque 66lb·ft @ 6500rpm Transmission 6-speed, chain Chassis steel trellis and aluminium side plates Front suspension 41mm forks, 160mm travel, adjustable preload and rebound Rear suspension monoshock, 160mm travel, adjustable preload and rebound Front brakes 320mm discs, 4-piston calipers Rear brake 240mm disc, 1-piston caliper Front tyre 120/70 ZR17 Rear tyre 180/55 ZR17 Wheelbase 1515mm Rake/trail 26°/108mm Seat height 870mm Kerb weight 212kg Fuel capacity 11.5 litres…

Engine 1215cc dohc inline triple, l/c Power 135bhp @ 9300 rpm Torque 89lb·ft @ 6400 rpm Transmission 6-speed, shaft Chassis steel tubed trellis Front suspension 46mm forks, 190mm travel, adjustable preload Rear suspension monoshock, 194mm travel, remotely adjustable preload and rebound Front brake 305mm discs, 4-piston calipers Rear brake 282mm disc, 2-piston caliper Front tyre 110/80-19 Rear tyre 150/70-17 Wheelbase 1530mm Rake/trail 23.9°/105mm Seat height 837/857mm Kerb weight 267kg Fuel tank 20 litres…

Service schedule Nice and simple, based on 6000-mile intervals for oil and filter and general tyre-kicking, then 12,000 for a major service including an almost-certainly-pointless valve clearance check. It’s annoying, since the valves rarely go out of spec until over 40,000 miles, so you’re paying a lot of labour just for a quick check. If checking them yourself, be aware that the rocker cover gasket is a sod to get to seal properly if you’re re-using the old one and new ones are about 65 quid... Home servicing is easy enough but beware of damaging the stick coils when removing them for spark-plug checks — best done with the proper tool. And it’s easy to damage the ABS sensors when removing and refitting wheels — you need to remove the…

2010-2011 Honda VFR1200 £4250-£6500 170bhp 157mph 267kg 1237cc 76° V-four “Posh, powerful and practical” Let’s get it over with: the VFR1200 is longer than The Lord of the Rings, heavier than Thor’s hammer and looks like a disappointed cow. But more importantly it’s a belting road bike, nicely put together, unfairly overlooked and now great value too. Its 1237cc V-four flings you across the land on a tireless tidal wave of rumbling grunt. Don’t dwell on that artificially restricted 157mph top-speed figure — the VFR1200’s power and torque curves both tower above Honda’s beloved Blackbird. The V-four is a technical treat too, from its peculiar layout (the outer cylinders point forwards, inner pair point back, keeping its waist slim) to its compact 76° V-angle, neat motocross-derived Unicam heads and a…

Can Diamondbrite be used on used bikes? Yes, if the bike is clean and it’s applied by an approved dealer. If you apply Diamondbrite to a dirty bike, you seal in the dirt. What’s the best way of prepping your bike? Clean it with Diamondbrite Waterless Detailer, dry it and it’s ready. How often will I need to polish my bike? You won’t need to polish your bike. Just use Diamondbrite Waterless Detailer again (or another cleaner if you already have it; it won’t invalidate the guarantee - but not a de-greaser or detergent like washing-up liquid), rinse with water, apply Pro Preserve and rinse again. Dry the bike and it will be like new. How long is the guarantee? Three years (when applied by authorised dealer).…

Nobody ever actually needs a sat nav… but they make life so much easier than staring at maps or directions taped to a tank. Have to work out how to get somewhere unfamiliar in a hurry? Easy. Need to store a complex touring route? Done. The other features enhance the usefulness, but ultimately a sat nav is all about getting you to great roads and great places. A sat nav really helps enjoy the Great British Ride Out. Use our online map to plan great rides to our destinations, load them into your nav and off you go - then share your route with us afterwards. See www.ride.co.uk/gbro…

Our office, like yours, is just outside the Peterborough Showground and the bike traffic leading up to and during the MCN Festival reminded me how much I enjoy hanging out with other motorcyclists and how a small number of idiots can spoil it for everyone. I love motorcycling. I want others to love it too. But some of the thoughtless and selfish riding I witnessed last weekend makes this less likely and prompted me to write this plea to the majority of bikers. We (motorcyclists) are vulnerable and we can help our cause by setting a good example. Sadly, people won’t remember all the well-ridden bikes leaving the showground. They’ll remember idiots, so stereotypes are reinforced, sides taken and prejudices fuelled. I know the minority spoiling motorcycling won’t pay attention…

Today the Street Triple is not a model but a family — three bikes sharing a bigger 765cc inline triple motor but with differing power outputs and chassis parts. The base model is the S, with 111bhp and basic suspension; the R has 116bhp, more-adjustable suspension and a slipper clutch; while the range-topping RS (p16) has Öhlins suspension, radial Brembo brakes and a thumping 121bhp on tap. There’s also a special Street Triple S A2 edition, with a 660cc, 47bhp engine for riders who are on an A2 licence.…

CAROLE NASH MCN FESTIVAL Sun shines on MCN Festival THE SUMMER’S BIKING season got off to a flying start, when bikers flocked to Peterborough for the Carole Nash MCN Festival of Motorcycling. The two-day event basked in sunshine and saw more than 20,000 people pass through the turnstiles. There was plenty to see and do, with manufacturers offering test rides – 550 over the weekend. There was flat-track racing, stunt shows, club and trade stands and celebrity appearances – including three-time GP champion Freddie Spencer. There were live bands and plenty of entertainment in the evening for the hundreds camping on site. The format is set to hit the road for Scotland, with the next festival scheduled to take place at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh on the weekend…

Passport Must be valid for six months past entry date. No visas needed. UK Driving Licence and International Driving Permit Take UK licence plus an International Driving Permit, from the RAC, AA or the Post Office. V5C Vehicle Registration You’ll need the original for customs / borders. Bike Insurance For your own bike, buy local SOAT insurance in Peru. Rental bikes should come with minimum SOAT insurance.UK insurers won’t cover. Personal Travel / Medical Insurance Policy Strongly recommended to have this in place and check it covers you for medical treatment and repatriation (if necessary) in case of any injury incurred while riding a large-capacity motorcycle.…

TE Lawrence was a British army officer who earned the nickname ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ for the key part he played in the Arab Revolt during the First World War. By 1918 he was so renowned that the enemy Turks placed a bounty on him worth more than £1 million in today’s money. After the war, Lawrence wished to retreat from his fame. In 1922 he attempted to enlist in the Royal Air Force as an aircraftman — the lowest RAF rank, despite having been a colonel in the army. He applied under a false name, but was found out during an interview. He changed his name again, reapplied and successfully enlisted in 1925, serving at RAF Cranwell until the end of 1926. Two months after his RAF service ended in…

Brough Superior was a British motorcycle firm founded by George Brough that ran from 1919 to 1940. It produced the world’s fastest, most-expensive motorcycles, most famously the SS100 (see page 90). Then in 2008, the Brough name was bought by British businessman Mark Upham. Over the next five years he met French designer Thierry Henriette and a prototype for an all-new Brough Superior SS100 was unveiled at the 2013 Milan Show. Production began in 2016 at Brough’s Superior factory near Toulouse, France. Today they’re being built at a rate of roughly one a day, with Euro4 versions and new variants due later this year. Prices start at £59,999 and the UK importer is Moto Corsa (www.motocorsa.co.uk) in Dorset.…

The Niken has twin KYB forks on each side: a fully adjustable 43mm unit at the back for suspension; and a 41mm unit in front to stabilise the steering. Leaning and steering forces are separated by the parallelogram in front of the headstock. As the bike leans, the tie-rods linking the sets of forks move them together, while a dog-legged ‘knuckle’ on the lowest tie rod adjusts the steering angle of each wheel so the inner turns more than the outer. The 15in wheels are a compromise: each offers less grip than a conventional 17in front but Yamaha claims 80% more outright grip. Crucially, they’re big enough to work at speed but there’s less weight and rotational inertia than a brace of 17in wheels. The forks are steep - 20°…

Price £24,035 Engine 1103cc dohc 90° V-four, 4v per cyl, l/c Power 211bhp @ 13,000rpm Torque 92lb·ft @ 10,000rpm Transmission 6-speed, chain Chassis aluminium casting Front suspension 43mm forks, 120mm travel, adjustable preload and semi-active damping Rear suspension monoshock, 130mm travel, adjustable preload and semi-active damping Front brakes 330mm discs, 4-piston calipers Rear brake 245mm disc, 2-piston caliper Front tyre 120/70 ZR17 Rear tyre 200/60 ZR17 Wheelbase 1464mm Rake/trail 24.5°/100mm Seat height 830mm Kerb weight 195kg Fuel capacity 16 litres…

Early 2012 Tigers suffered from several problems, most notably serious top-end rattles due to a poor cylinder-head design. All were recalled for a replacement head. Check the service history and also look for evidence of problems with stands, exhausts and the ECU being dealt with correctly. Sorted bikes, or ones made after 2013, have a good history for reliability but 20,000-mile valve checks are pricey, so make sure it’s either been done or factor in the cost on bikes nearing the interval. It’s an involved and awkward job that’s best left to a dealer. Spokes on the XC wheels can either come loose or snap and XC models should be checked for any damage caused from use away from the road. As it’s a big and heavy bike, low-speed topples…

Modifications are usually useful and sensible. Taller screens, luggage, crash bars, heated grips and hand guards are popular fitments. Bar risers and lower footrests can make an already comfortable bike even more so. Lowering the rear suspension with replacement linkages and pulling the forks through the yokes will make life a lot more manageable for those shorter in the leg but Triumph now offers a ‘Low’ version. The harshness of the fork action can be improved by reworking its internals. If you plan to sample a bit of off-road riding, be warned. The Explorer’s size and weight can quickly make it hard to control unless you’re experienced. You will soon reduce the Triumph’s condition and value if you topple off a few times. Fit some appropriate dual-purpose rubber like Continental…

Avon Trailrider £194 a pair 90% road-biassed replacement for the older Distanzia is a big step on. Good grip, very stable and pretty hard-wearing. At a good price too. Metzeler Tourance Next £221 a pair Pure road version of the Tourance offers combination of good grip and great wear — at a price. The original Tourance is still available, usually a little cheaper. Bridgestone Battle Wing 501G/502G £203 a pair Original equipment on many F700s (Michelin Anakee on the rest) and many owners are happy to stick with them. Up to 10,000 miles from a rear. Prices are mail order. Add £6 per pair for P&P. Source SMD Tyres: 01942 604511…

Engine 798cc 8v dohc parallel twin, l/c Power 75bhp @ 7000rpm Torque 57lb·ft @ 5500rpm Transmission 6-speed, chain Chassis steel trellis Front suspension 41mm forks, 170mm travel, no adjustment, ESA option Rear suspension monoshock, 170mm travel, adjustable preload and rebound, ESA option Front brakes 300mm discs, 4-piston calipers Rear brake 265mm disc, 2-piston caliper Front tyre110/80-19 Rear tyre 140/80-17 Wheelbase 1557mm Rake/trail 26°/95mm Seat height 820mm Fuel tank 16 litres Kerb weight 212kg…

Each of the helmets was ridden for a minimum of 300 miles on the road (most more than 500), on a mix of bikes and in rain as well as shine. All visors were removed for Pinlock fitting (where there was one), removable liners were removed and refitted, and all helmets were weighed in XL size. The final stage of the testing was a trip to the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire, where back-to-back laps allowed for a final direct comparison to determine relative levels of noise, stability and vision. We then scored the helmets on the following criteria: Vision How deep is the field of view? How much peripheral view is there? If there’s a Pinlock, does its edge get in the way? Sun visor Is it easy to…

Dane Nimbus jacket £874.99 https://daneclothing.uk New for 2018, this is the most comprehensively impressive textile jacket I’ve worn in almost 20 years of riding. It feels reassuringly solid and substantial, with large panels of tough Armacor fabric over the shoulders and forearms, plus Level-2 back, shoulder and elbow armour. All that, yet it’s not stiff or heavy either. The Nimbus has a Gore-Tex Pro laminated outer shell, which means rain runs straight off rather than soaking into the fabric before meeting the waterproof barrier, as in kit with the regular Gore-Tex membrane. Not only do I stay totally dry, but also the jacket never gets heavy, never saps warmth from me and it dries out quickly. There’s loads to adjust: a zip-off rain collar; elasticated bicep and forearm adjusters; internal…