RiDE October 2018

WHEN YOU LOOK at the toughest adventure event in the world, the Dakar Rallye, the bikes are all 450s now. They’re a far cry from the tribe of road-focused 1200cc road bikes that has evolved from the earlier generations of desert racers. So perhaps for everyday riders, a smaller capacity may offer the best balance of on-and-off-road ability. This month the road testers crossed hundreds of miles of tarmac to ride the British stretch of the Trans Euro Trail on the updated Honda Africa Twin and Triumph Tiger 800 XCX plus the all-new BMW F850GS (which still has a bigger capacity than the original Dakar-winning BMW R80G/S) — see p18. Meanwhile Chris Scott tests the BMW G310GS in the desert — see p44. Whatever you ride, and wherever you ride it, enjoy…

Martin Fitz-Gibbons Deputy editor Good riders don’t skimp on gloves. Hands are vulnerable (check any ex-racer’s mix of mangled stumps) yet have ultimate responsibility for translating signals between brain and bike. Treat them well: our summer glove test is a great place to start. PAGE 76 Kev Raymond Features writer On paper the new KTM 790 Duke ought to be right up my street— I love middleweights, I love twins and my idea of heaven is a twisty road. But in the real world I need long distance ability as well. Can the Duke deliver or is it a one-trick pony? PAGE 54 Caroline Barrett Editorial assistant I love riding — and though it was a year or two after passing my test before I had a go on track, it’s great. Our Jim didn’t…

YOUR EYES DO not deceive you: it’s an adventure bike with a Harley-Davidson badge. Called the Pan America 1250, it’s a glimpse into the broad-minded future of the American firm, whose range is about to expand dramatically. Along with this divisively styled dual-purpose machine, Harley also has a 975cc Streetfighter, a range of electric bikes and a sub-500cc model hiding up its sleeves. For a firm that’s spent 115 years focusing on large-capacity customs and cruisers, this is a seismic shift. Harley is keeping the Pan America’s details quiet for now (it’s not due until 2020) but it appears to use a new water-cooled, dohc, 60° V-twin. The frame is also new while modern parts include radial Brembo brakes, upside-down forks, tubeless spoked wheels and an adjustable screen. And it’s not alone.…

“I admire the initiative to mix it up a little looks-wise” David Johnson “If everyone hates it I’m getting one” Lawrence Scourfield “About time they started branching out” Matt Lowry “Like it. A lot” Antoine Commare “Love everything… but the headlight. Can’t wait to see it in production” Jon Ooten “I’m going to quietly put my hand up and say I like it. It’s different; looks like it might have a bit of character about it” Scott Bowman “Not sure I have ever seen anything so ugly” Marcus Marsh “Looks like it’s been built from parts found in a skip” John Dillon “Does it come with a plough?” Anthony Taylor “This isn’t April Fools’ Day, is it?” Mark Palmer “Vomitous” Paul Cave “The tree behind it is the ugly tree… and…

ONLINE RETAILER SPORTSBIKESHOP has opened a new store in the real world — which it boasts is “The second-best stocked store in the country” after its original shop outside Boston in Lincolnshire. The new store in Milton Keynes carries the top 20% of the gear SBS sells, with a vast range of kit from Alpinestars, Armr, Dainese, DXR, Furygan, Held, Rev’It, Richa, RST, Spada and many more. “The difference is that in Boston, we have a large number of every item in every colour and in every size,” explains Sportsbikeshop’s Chris Winters. “In Milton Keynes, we have one on display and less in stock, ready to restock immediately from Boston.” With a huge selection of ladies kit and crash helmets, anyone needing to try an item on before buying can now…

WELL, EVERYONE BUYING a brand-new Honda or a Piaggio Beverley 300/350 or Vespa GTS300. The Piaggio scheme sees TRACKER units fitted free of charge to the three big scooters, with the first year’s subscription also provided for free. A scooter with a tracker will also get a 10% discount from Lexham insurance. Mark Knight of Piaggio said the scheme should; “Offer greater peace of mind, while also helping reduce insurance costs.” Honda is offering to fit a Datatool TrakKING Adventure system to any new bike, though the owner will pay the monthly subscription. “This is a long-term Honda commitment to ensuring peace of mind for riders,” said Honda’s Neil Fletcher. RIDE says This is a good move and we hope more manufacturers follow suit. A tracker might not stop your bike being nicked but…