RiDE October 2017

WE DO GET a bit of stick periodically at RiDE for talking about the BMW R1200GS. Britain’s favourite large-capacity motorbike is hugely popular and really can do it all (see page 104)… but it’s far from being the only great adventure bike. In this issue we’re also looking at some of the alternatives – the Yamaha Super Ténéré, Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and the great-value used dual-sport machines you can get if you’re looking for a big bike that is, as so many people often point out, “not another GS”. Mind you, even BMW make an alternative to the GS: the new R nineT Urban G/S. We’ve taken it on an adventurous ride with the equally left-field Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled and the popular Triumph Street Scrambler. Can these retro-styled alternative adventure…

Martin Fitz-Gibbons Deputy editor “When I rode the Ducati Desert Sled earlier in the year, it felt like an authentic scrambler – the bike the first Scrambler should have been. I’m keen to see how it compares with other similar retro off-roaders.” PAGE 14 Kev Raymond Features writer “As I’m not based in the office, I’m keen to keep up with what the rest of the team is doing in the soap opera of the long-term test updates. I’m particularly curious to hear more about Martin’s 2000-mile week.” PAGE 96 Caroline Barrett Editorial assistant “I know Martin wants to know about how the scramblers compared but I’m more interested in how the tents performed, as I’m going camping in a week or so. Luckily there’s a camping guide to give me some tips.” PAGE 24…

BMW HAS ANNOUNCED the key updates, facelifts and new technology that will form the core of next year’s range. The biggest news is the new choice of optional extras for the 2018 R1200GS and GS Adventure. Both can now be fitted with a 6.5-inch colour TFT dash, replacing the current twin dials and LCD panel. Known as a ‘Connectivity option’, the new dash can link to your smartphone and crash helmet via Bluetooth to let you make or answer phone calls using the bike’s switchgear, control music and even display turn-by-turn arrows from a phone navigation app. The dash is a £595 extra on new GSs only. BMW’s ‘Intelligent Emergency Call’ feature, seen previously on the K1600GT tourer, will now be offered on both R1200GSs and the R1200RT. In case of…

MOST FIRMS CLAIM to have invented a new class of bike but Suzuki’s boast of building the first big-bore super-scoot seems legitimate. It was 1998 when the Burgman 400 hit the street, bringing extra grunt to the step-thru world. With 150cc more than the competitors, it expanded the scooter remit into longer commutes and became a hit with riders in Europe. Now Suzuki has given it a makeover, turning the slightly lardy old 400 into a sharper beastie. The basics are simple: a new 15in front wheel for more stability, a 7kg weight loss (now 215kg), LED lighting and a retuned Euro4 motor, which loses some peak power (now 31bhp) but gains low-down grunt. Price is £6395 on the road. Riding the new bike in Turin, the chassis mods have indeed paid…

AFTER A TOUGH return to racing in 2017, Guy Martin’s future plans appear uncertain. Speculation was rife after Honda Racing confirmed that he would not compete at this year’s Ulster Grand Prix. When asked about his intentions in an interview with Motorcycle News, Guy answered, “I think I’m done.” But on the same day as the interview was published, he made a statement on his Facebook page, claiming; “I’ve not given up on racing or road racing.” However, in the post Guy also admitted; “I’ve got no plans to do any more road racing on the Hondas this year.” He has also said he wants to continue racing classics, having recently ridden Team Classic Suzuki’s Katana in a four-hour endurance race at Spa.…

ACE TOURISTS After 12 weeks, 13 ,000 miles and no less than 19 countries, a group of 15 hardy riders led by GlobeBusters has successfully arrived at the Ace Café in Beijing, having set off from the original London venue back in April. Their route took them through Turkey and Azerbaijan, across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan and via the Everest Base Camp in Tibet. But China isn’t the finish line for trip organiser Kevin Sanders, who will be continuing on to Japan via Korea. KAWASAKI FREEBIES Any new Kawasaki Versys 1000 bought until the end of August will be upgraded to the Tourer model for free. That means official panniers, handguards and a tankpad are all thrown in, saving the £700 difference in list price. Kawasaki is also offering a free Akrapovic…