RiDE January 2019

Martin Fitz-Gibbons Deputy editor I had a love-hate relationship with Rockingham. Loved its Midlands convenience; hated visiting its gravel traps. But now the circuit is gone forever. At least RiDE was able to wave goodbye, as three of our 2018 Fleet headed there for one final blast. Jim Blackstock Production Editor Coming out of the summer and into the winter, I’m intrigued to find out how clothing manufacturers play at alchemy, by creating clothing that is warm and dry yet isn’t clammy or sweaty. As if by magic, Held has revealed all. Caroline Barrett Editorial assistant I’ve done plenty of touring on motorcycles, including in the UK and on the Continent. But I haven’t been as far south or as high as the Sierra Nevada in Spain. The roads, scenery and weather make me look forward to the…

R1250GS Adventure In the past, riders had to wait a year between a new GS and its taller Adventure version arriving — but not now. The 2019 GS Adventure gets the same 134bhp, 1254cc motor as the current GS and RT, and retains its towering stance and 30-litre tank. Kerb weight is up 5kg to 268kg. “Hello, Ewan…” R1250RS BMW’s superb sports-tourer also gets the new 1250 motor next year, in exactly the same state of tune as in the GS and RT. It also gets a new face, with a restyled pair of all-LED headlights. Weight is up from 236 to 243kg, however. Cue the ‘Does my RS look big?’ jokes… S1000RR Superbike sales may be lower than ever, but it seems nobody’s told BMW. For 2019 its already-awesome S1000RR gets a nose-to-tail redevelopment…

CB650R Honda’s ‘Neo Sports Café’ family gets a middleweight member. Sitting perfectly alongside the CB1000R, CB300R and CB125R launched earlier this year, is the new CB650R. It’s 6kg lighter and 4bhp more powerful than the CB650F it replaces and gets a new set of upside-down forks and radially mounted front brake calipers. Power is now up to 94bhp (which is what the Hornet 600 had 20 years ago, for those keeping score). Surprisingly, it now also has traction control too. A price of around £7000 is likely. CB500X The affordable all-rounder gets an adventure redesign. Longer-travel suspension and a new 19in (rather than 17in) front wheel give a taller stance, raising seat height by 20mm to 830mm. The 471cc parallel twin gets a smidge more shove in the low and midrange, though peak…

Versys 1000 Kawasaki’s best two-up tourer gets even better at knocking the miles out for 2019. The biggest change is its new ride-by-wire throttle — not especially interesting on its own, but this has let Kawasaki add cruise control as standard. Fingers crossed, it’ll only be a matter of time before the Z1000SX follows suit… Other changes include a new fanged fairing and LED lights, a screen that can now be adjusted from the saddle, radial front brake calipers and an IMU-informed cornering ABS system. There’s also a posher, more gadget-tastic Versys SE (pictured). This has semi-active suspension based on the ZX-10R SE’s kit, which should improve ride quality, plus three preload settings (rider / luggage / pillion). The SE also has a healthy list of extras including a two-way quickshifter, cornering lights…

Applecross, Scotland Enjoying the incredible roads of Scotland at the top of the amazing Bealach na Ba Pass on our Highlands and NC500 adventure. Robin Phillips Vosges, France At the Col du Wettstein national cemetery, where lie the remains of 3535 French mountain infantry, who died here in 1914/15. Phil Lowndes Windsor, Berks This is my Triumph Speed Triple and a Hurricane on a recent ride into Windsor. Darren Carey Alps, France Top of Col du Galibier with mates and random French and Italian bikers and my son’s four-wheel bike, which bikers love. Epic 4000-mile trip to Mallorca to marry off my daughter, where I was MC. John Reeves That place, Wales From left to right is me (Dan, VFR800), my father Rob (CB1300) and my father-in-law Pete (VN900 custom). We couldn’t resist a picture here. Dan Williams Aÿ-Champagne, France The…

IT’S EARLY-DOORS ON a glorious autumn morning and the sun is painting Buxton’s stonemasonry a deep, glowing orange. RiDE’s test team mills about outside the ivy-clad Old Hall Hotel in the centre of the spa town, fully breakfasted and ready to take three modern café racers – Kawasaki’s Z900RS Cafe, Triumph’s Thruxton R and BMW’s R nineT Racer – around the Peak District’s finest stone-wall chicanery and look damn good doing it. But the scene is so idyllic, with chrome metalwork and candy paint glinting in the sparkly sunlight, it almost seems a shame to spoil it by riding the bikes. Almost… Buxton to Bakewell What a difference a day makes. Yesterday, Sunday, the usually delightful hoon up to Buxton along the winding A515 from Ashbourne, through Fenny Bentley and along the…