Sommaire pour April 2018 de RiDE

I’M OF AN age where, if I’m asked “What’s the best bike in the world?”, the words “Honda VFR750” are halfway out of my mouth before I remember what year it is. Honda more or less invented what we recognise as the modern sports tourer with that bike — it was one of the machines that inspired me to ride. But, great as it was in its day, the world has moved on. So what does it take to make a great sports tourer in 2018? There’s no single formula but lots of still-great versions of the sporty, comfortable machine that can cover huge distances and nail apexes with equal ease. We’ve dedicated a chunk of this issue to celebrating these brilliant, versatile motorcycles — and there’s one for all…

AFFORDABLE ADVENTURE Want to take your adventure bike on an unforgettable trip but without an unforgettable cost? Insurance firm Bennetts is offering its customers discounted places on two accompanied tours later this year: the Welsh Safari (three-day on-and-off-road, £175); and the Coastal Adventure in Cornwall (three days, on-road only, £99). Accommodation is camping on both trips, keeping costs down. Both events are being led by veteran two-wheeled traveller and RiDE contributor, Nathan Millward. MUCKY AUSTRIANS After two weeks, 5500 miles and 14 fiercely fought stages through Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, the 2018 Dakar Rally was won by Matthias Walkner. It marks the first Dakar win by an Austrian rider and the 17th consecutive victory for KTM. Last year’s winner and top British hope Sam Sunderland (not from Sunderland) retired on…

I WOKE AT 5am to the sound of beautiful singing. It was clearly tribal and I could tell that something was going down in Archers Post. I lay in bed listening for half an hour before dragging myself into the cold shower to wash the weariness of another mosquito-torture session off. I had left Nairobi and was heading north towards the border with Ethiopia. The road was long and straight but devoid of traffic — a stark contrast to the aggressive city throng. The taxis and mini-buses were replaced with lazy donkeys and camels with attitude. It seemed the entire livestock population was on a mission to derail me. I had arrived at the dusty little town of Archers Post in the evening, planning to rest up and check out…

Q Please could you tell me what the rules are with the toll roads in France? I’ve heard about something called a ‘vignette’. Do I need one? A French toll roads are just motorways. No special rules apply, apart from the speeds: 130kph in the dry; 110kph when it rains. The tolls are simply paid at the barriers. A vignette is a prepaid ticket — compulsory in Switzerland, Austria and some other countries, but is optional in France so it’s cheaper to pay as you go. Don’t go into a lane marked with a “t” – that’s for cars with electronic tags. Go for one indicated by a coin/card symbol (automatic machine) or the graphic of a man leaning out to take money (a rare manned booth). Our top tip…

BODYWORK R1200RS’s sporty styling is influenced by the S1000RR, particularly in the shape of its twin headlights CHASSIS A pair of tubular-steel subframes and 17in wheels front and rear give the RS a lower, sportier profile SUSPENSION The R1200RS ditches BMW’s Telelever front end and instead opts for forks. Sport SE model adds semi-active damping DRIVETRAIN The RS uses the same engine, gearbox and Paralever shaftdrive as its bigger — and more popular — brother, the GS AS A BREED, journalists in general and bike journalists in particular tend to be a bit fashion conscious. It’s not that we’re shallow, but we do like a nice trend. On a good day, we’ll spot one coming and get out in front of it, riding the wave of someone else’s popularity and…

TOO MUCH SPEED and power never goes completely out of fashion. When the 1990s arms race culminated in the legendary Blackbird/Hayabusa shootout, followed by a gentlemen’s agreement to limit top speeds to ‘only’ 186mph, it looked as though the emerging trend for modestly endowed adventure bikes was kicking hyperbikes further into irrelevance. But Kawasaki couldn’t let it lie, so in 2006 it came back with the ZZR1400. With a genuine 170bhp at the rear wheel, slippery bodywork and surprisingly sporty handling, it was a useable hyperbike. It was more nimble on the road than Suzuki’s Hayabusa, just as fast (in standard form) and easier to ride at legal speeds. A mild update in 2008 added a welcome extra dollop of low and midrange as well as ensuring the ZZR complied…

Dane Sealand jacket £749 Dane Lyngby trousers £460 https://daneclothing.uk THIS IS TOP-END riding gear, using the most rugged and expensive Gore-Tex Pro laminate material, where the waterproofing is applied to the outside layer. I’ve done a lot of miles in this suit in the past year and the short version of the review is that it’s very, very good — as it should be at this price. Jacket first. It doesn’t leak, even in day-long downpours — but as it’s a laminate item, it dries really quickly when you get out of the rain. The external pockets have never shipped any water, either. It’s reasonably warm with its quilted liner in, but remove that and open the long vents for sunny days and it’s cool and non-sweaty, noticeably lighter than…

Head-off display Never mind the price of the Nuviz head-up display (March), it’s a gimmick of the modern age. Bike designers should put the digital speedo and rev counter where they are visible to a rider in any light condition, including glare from the sun. I’ve had a few Honda Blackbirds, with analogue and digital displays — and analogue wins every time: even a slight glimpse of the hands on the dials and you knew instantly your speed, engine revs and gear. They call it progress... I’m a bit sceptical. Dave Clark Another reverse I can’t believe how similar my experience was to Garry’s (Letter of the Month, March). In May last year I was following an unmarked white van down a small country lane on my new S1000XR. Suddenly…

Martin Fitz-Gibbons Deputy editor This is the bleak mid-winter of my discontent. I’m tired of gritted roads and gritted teeth, of anti-rust potions, thermal linings and endless darkness. Reading about a ride through the Pyrenees warms my heart, my mind and my spirit. Summer’s coming. PAGE 36 Kev Raymond Features writer Like a lot of you, I imagine, I’m feeling green. With envy. The Kawasaki H2 SX looks like an interesting and, more to the point, hilarious bike — a supercharged sports tourer. But I’m not riding it. The editor kept that job (swine). At least I get to read about it. PAGE 80 Caroline Barrett Editorial assistant Two years ago I had a cruiser as a long-term test bike and, to be honest, I was surprised how much I…

ROBOT DRIVERS A motorcyclist is suing General Motors following a collision with a self-driving car. Photographer Oscar Nilsson was involved in the crash with the Chevrolet Bolt in San Francisco on December 7 and has since started legal proceedings. It’s understood the Bolt was returning to its lane after aborting a lane-change, while Nilsson was filtering through traffic on his Honda S90, struck the side of the car and fell off. RESPONSIBILITY London mayor Sadiq Khan ruffled feathers online after tweeting that motorcycle manufacturers needed to “step up” to reduce bike theft. Following a meeting with the mayor, Motorcycle Industry Association CEO Tony Campbell said, “We know the mayor would like to hear there is a ‘magic bullet’ which can be fitted to all bikes to stop them from being…

Why you should go Morocco offers possibly the biggest culture shock for the least distance travelled, so it’s great for those who want the experience but have limited time and budget. It has something for everyone: stunning views in the High Atlas and Rif mountains; rugged Atlantic coastline; spectacular waterfalls, caves and forests; and the bustle of Marrakesh, Essaouira and Fes. What’s it like to ride there? In cities the traffic is chaotic. You will be competing for space with lorries, pedestrians, taxis, hawkers and donkeys pulling carts, as well as small scooters. Outside built-up areas, look out for camels ambling slowly across the road; shiny and rutted surfaces left by heavy traffic and hot temperatures; rocks on the road and potholes on minor routes. Diesel spillages are an issue…

British Superbikes March 31-April 2, Donington April 13-15, Brands Hatch May 5-7, Oulton Park World Superbikes Feb 23-25, Philip Island, Australia March 23-25, Chang, Thailand April 13-15, Aragon, Spain April 20-22, Assen, Netherlands May 11-13, Imola, Italy May 25-27, Donington, England MotoGP March 16-18, Losail, Qatar April 6-8, Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina April 20-22, COTA, USA May 4-6, Jerez, Spain May 18-20, Le Mans, France Other April 19-22, Le Mans 24hr Moto, Le Mans, France May 10-12, 8hrs of Slovakia Ring, Slovakia…

COCKPIT Black handlebars and levers and white-on-black display set the SP version aside from the regular MT-09 ENGINE The 847cc triple remains unchanged for 2018, maintaining its impressive performance and delivery SUSPENSION MT-09 SP’s higher-spec forks and Öhlins shock are a huge improvement over the standard model’s suspension WELL, THAT’S THE MT-09 sorted. I’ve just flicked the new SP version through the sun-kissed bends of Portugal’s Algarve and the realisation has suddenly dawned: its suspension felt superb. That’s the first time the cornering ability of Yamaha’s feisty naked triple has impressed since the original that led the firm’s comeback in 2013. Few bikes have arrived to such devastating effect as that first MT, with its enthusiastic 847cc three-pot engine, light weight and abundance of character. It’s failings were easily overlooked;…

Q I’m looking at a used Honda Crossrunner for commuting and touring. My £6500 budget stretches to either a lightly used first-gen bike or a higher-mileage example of the 2015-on version. Is there much to choose between them? A Yes. The later bike has more power (up from 100bhp to 105bhp), plus longer-travel suspension, LED headlights and traction control. All 2015 UK bikes came with heated grips, topbox, centrestand, TomTom sat-nav and an Akrapovic silencer as standard — so make sure they’re all present. For us, these are worth paying for. Q My son has just got his A2 licence and wants a used KTM 390 Duke. Will it need to be restricted? A If it’s a pre-2017 bike, it will. While the 390’s engine makes less than 47bhp, the…

2006-2007 ZZR1400 All-new hyperbike intended to compete with Suzuki’s Hayabusa. 1352cc, huge power, fully adjustable suspension and slippery bodywork. £3750-£5000 2008-2011 ZZR1400 Updated to comply with Euro3 emissions rules. An extra catalyser in the exhaust, revised silencers, modified fuel injection system with closed-loop oxygen sensor, reduced engine noise and different piston profiles. More low-down torque. The frame is slightly modified (die cast rather than gravity cast) and slightly lighter. £4250-£6750 2012-on ZZR1400 Major update, with beefier styling, a stronger frame with a longer swingarm, stiffer suspension settings and lighter wheels. The engine’s taken out to 1441cc and electronics include traction control and switchable power modes. Claimed power is now over 200bhp. £6750-£10,250 2011-on ZZR1400 Performance Edition/Sport Fitted with Akrapovic titanium silencers, a double-bubble screen and a tank pad. Sport version…

Q Can you recommend an intercom that will work with my sat nav, phone and for bike-to-bike comms with a mate for our riding trip this summer? A If your mate has a headset already, you may need the matching brand: many headsets won’t pair to those of different brands. If you’re both looking for a new headset, it becomes easier. When we tested Bluetooth headsets in 2016, the Best Buy was an Interphone unit. The latest version of it is the Tour (£230 for one, £400 for a twin pack, www.nevis.uk.com). It’s easy to use, has a superb battery life and comes with all the bells and whistles. A less-expensive option is the Sena SMH5 (£115 for one, £220 for a twin pack, www.motohaus.com) though battery life is shorter…

Prices of new bikes seem to have gone ballistic this past few years. Based on what I paid for my Triumph Speed Triple in 2011 I reckon the average is around a 20% increase over that period. Considering inflation and wages have risen less than half that, it’s hard to see the justification. One reason the industry is getting away with it is PCP. It seems most of us are no longer interested in the total cost of the bike, just how much a month we’ll have to pay. Unfortunately, for those of us not interested in PCP, it means cashing in the pension or the ISA for that next new bike. Or in my case, making do with what I’ve got for a while longer. With bike sales down…

Suzuki SV650S £950-£4250 1999-2016 > 645cc V-twin > 70bhp > 189kg THE ORIGINAL AND, without doubt, still one of the best sporty 650s. The SV650S was launched back in the last millennium but its core specs — a lively 70bhp motor, svelte 189kg kerb weight and impressive 130mph top speed — all pip those of today’s Ninja 650. There’s plenty to choose from too, with nearly 6500 SV650Ss still taxed in the UK — that’s a bigger pool of bikes than any other model listed on these pages. Around a third of them are the original ‘curvy’ carb’d model, while the rest are the 2003-on fuel-injected model with pointier bodywork and a redesigned frame. Technically and dynamically there’s not really much to pick between the two — both have the…

“Parked next to its predecessor, the new Wing looks more modern” CONTROLS Advances in electronics mean a much more intuitive and refined control system including Apple CarPlay BODYWORK The Wing has been on a diet, slimming by 16kg to improve handling. Smaller tank and less luggage capacity are the result ENGINE The Wing’s famous flat six has been completely resigned, making it more compact, more powerful and more fuel efficient than before FRONT END Honda designed a totally new double-wishbone front end, bringing the wheel nearer the engine and improving ride quality THE HONDA GOLD Wing is one of motorcycling’s most distinctive machines. From the original naked 999cc flat four unveiled in 1975, it rapidly became a byword for luxurious touring. By 2001 it had evolved to become a fully…

Service schedule Sensible owners ignore the pointless interim 4000-mile services and consolidate the only useful bit (air filter change at 12k miles) into one of the ‘proper’ 7500-mile services. These include oil-and-filter change, new spark plugs, throttles balanced plus a general chassis check, bearing adjustment and regreasing where necessary. The valve-check interval is 26,000 miles but can be a faff. Throttle balancing can be tricky but it makes a big difference to low-down feel. There’s no need to remove bodywork to change the oil and filter but access to spark plugs is tight — the original tool kit spanner is the best bet. Be VERY careful removing the stick coils as the rubber grommets stick in the heads and it’s easy to break the coils. Don’t fancy servicing it yourself?…

Shoei Neotech II £520-£600 www.shoeiassured.co.uk THIS IS SHOEI’S new range-topping flip-front helmet, replacing the Neotech that was launched at the end of 2011. While it looks pricey, in 2012 a plain white Neotech was £470… which would be £535 in today’s money: £15 more than a plain white Neotech II actually costs. Matt-finish colours like this blue one are £550, while patterns give a penny change from £600. I did a lot of miles in the original Neotech and this helmet is a definite improvement in several areas. For a start, it’s dual-homologated so — unlike the old Neotech — is approved for riding with the flip in the raised position. The revised liner feels slightly plusher, my initial impression is that it’s a whisker quieter and — my main…