RiDE March 2019

THERE ARE TWO ways to tackle winter: attack it head-on, ride through the worst of it and celebrate when the weather turns; or take shelter and use the cold days and dark nights to sort your bike and make serious plans for summer. You’ll find great examples of both in this issue. We met up with a bunch of RiDE readers (p24) who ride through winter whatever the weather. Their argument is compelling but sub-zero temperatures aren’t for everyone. If you prefer your biking warm, there is plenty of inspiration for road-trips in our Tour 2019 special feature, starting on page 73. The hints, tips and pictures of amazing roads should be enough inspiration to get you through the worst that Jack Frost has to throw as us. Now’s the time to make…

Martin Fitz-Gibbons Deputy editor After spending a fair chunk of 2018 riding the Yamaha Tracer 900GT, I thought I knew it inside-out. Then I met Mark Coningsby, who’s done 45,000 miles on his Tracers in the past four years. What will he make of the GT? I can’t wait to read his verdict… PAGE 56 Jim Blackstock Production editor One of the key elements that make riding through winter both possible and enjoyable is wearing the right kit. This month, we’ve got a dozen winter and all-season base layers together to test, both on the bike and with thermal camera. Cool! PAGE 48 Caroline Barrett Editorial assistant I seem to have become a bit of a fair-weather rider, so I’m hoping to get some tips and inspiration from the five brave souls in our winter rider feature. They…

YOU’D THINK TRIUMPH had already harvested every iconic model name from its 116-year heritage – including the Bonneville, Daytona, Tiger, Thruxton, Thunderbird and more. But for 2019 another legend rejoins their lineup: the Speed Twin. If it helps to navigate Triumph’s now 15-strong Modern Classic lineup, think of this one as sitting somewhere between a faster Street Twin and an upright Thruxton — a comfortable, usable, easy-going and welcoming retro, but infused with a capable chassis, modern performance and an exciting, rewarding sporty side. The 1200cc twin comes from the Thruxton R, which means a quick-revving character, a generous 83lb·ft of torque and a claimed 96bhp top-end. Its frame is evolved from the Thruxton, but now combines tubular steel with an aluminium cradle (much like the new Scrambler 1200, p42) to…

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.…

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 more outright grip than the…

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.…