RiDE -julkaisun September 2015 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

WE HAD SOME really interesting mail from readers who’d been exploring our new-look August issue. Thank you to everyone who responded to my request for feedback. The positives were very encouraging and quite flattering – we’re only human, after all. But some of the (few) negatives were also very illuminating – too many routes, too many blokes sitting around outside cafés, they said. Fair enough, RiDE can’t hope to be the magazine for everyone. Buoyed by the overwhelmingly good reception, we’re really enjoying producing this lively mix of new and used bikes, destinations, routes, kit and care advice. I hope you enjoy it too.…

ALL THREE OF these bikes share old-fashioned (ish) air-cooled motors and modern (ish) café racer ideals. But that’s largely where the similarities end. It’s fitting that the Thruxton, being the oldest of the bunch, should be the most honest and least contrived. What you see is what you get: a simple, straightforward, novice-friendly sporting twin with a classic badge and a few styling touches to go with it. For a nudge under £8000 it’s decent value, a doddle to ride, easily accessorised and possibly the best of the whole Bonneville family. On the downside, despite its great handling, the performance and base spec is a little underwhelming. It’s too dinky for most riders over 5ft 10in tall. And it’s more than a tad long in the tooth - roll on…

BMW Function 4 Rucksack £115 BMW’s latest version of their motorcycle rucksack is very good. It comes with waist and chest belts to help spread the load, a rigid back board and a large waterproof main compartment, its roll-top seal concealed beneath a zipped top that contains two pockets. There are a further two pockets on the outside, plus two on the waist belt. There are two carrying handles plus four clip-on lash straps that can convert it to a tailpack. The lower section unzips, expanding and opening so a crash helmet can fit inside. It’s a big bag - with a big price tag - but it’s also very good indeed. www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk SwissTool Spirit Plus £140 Multitools are a bit like watches: you can get a cheap one, or…

1 OWNERS Generally, tourer owners are straight-up folk, and you’ll be unlucky to come across someone dodgy selling a Goldwing. Owners tend to get very attached to touring bikes, holding on to them for many years. 2 COSTS Touring bikes’ large-capacity engines can lead to steep insurance premiums, but if you shop around you should be able to find someone who’ll look at all the other factors. These older engines are all a bit thirstier than modern motors too, so don’t expect fantastic economy. They’re heavy and fairly powerful, so tyres and brakes have plenty to do. These bikes are all shaft drive, though, so no chains and sprockets to replace. 3 TOYS Check with the seller that you’re both clear about what’s included in the deal. Are the panniers,…

Not much in the way of gadgets and extras, as you might expect from a budget middleweight. But what you do get is good quality. Well, with the possible exception of the rear shock, which is a definite budget item, adjustable for preload only (the forks don’t even get preload adjustment). Early FZ6s get basic two-piston sliding brake calipers, and while they work fine, the monobloc ‘silver spot’ calipers on the S2 from 2007 onwards are far superior - in fact, upgrade to more aggressive pads and you’ve got as much braking power as you’re likely to need (and probably more than the standard forks can cope with). The underseat exhaust was a classy touch in 2004, although it looks a bit old hat these days - some owners complain…

2004-2006 FZ6 Naked commuter based on detuned R6 engine. Aluminium frame, fuel injection, two-pot calipers. £1750-£3000 2004-2006 FZ6 Fazer Mechanically identical to the naked version, but with a half fairing, taller bars and a centrestand. ABS became an option from 2006. £1750-£3000 2007-2009 FZ6/Fazer S2 Updated with aluminium swingarm, black frame, monobloc four-piston calipers, new alloy pillion peg hangers, textured seat material and a new instrument panel with analogue rev counter. Improved fuel-injection mapping. ABS option. Fazer gets same updates as the FZ6 S2. Immobiliser an option from 2008 (don’t lose the red master key). Silver frame for blue and bronze models in 2009. Quite a few of both models were late registered – don’t pay extra just for a more recent registration plate. £2000-£4200 2007-2008 FZ6/Fazer A more basic…

Replacement shock Shock fitted to David’s bike was beyond hope, so he got this nearly new component from eBay. It has proven to be up to the task. 23 years of dirt This looks suspiciously like the original air filter, complete with all the filth it has ever filtered out. Work in progress Hopes that a quick once-over would do the trick were soon dashed. Everything was there, but it had suffered from minimal maintenance and standing too long. “I stripped it right down to the engine and frame, and replaced all the fuel and vacuum lines.”…

THIS IS THE 19.21 MCS (Multiple Click System), a patented radial brake master cylinder from Brembo that allows the rider to adjust the reach and feel of a lever separately. The length of your fingers doesn’t dictate whether your front brake operation is aggressive or progressive, thus eliminating a degree of compromise. And like so much produced by Brembo, it looks beautiful too. MCS, based closely on the system used in MotoGP and WSB, was introduced for the road on the 2014 Ducati Superleggera and is becoming available on other bikes. You don’t need tools to adjust the distance and mechanical ratio. Brembo have been closely involved in racing for decades, and it remains an important part of their development process. They also employ 10 development riders, and have some…

Fuelling issues I’d love to know what fuel consumption other Kawasaki ER-6n riders are getting from their bikes. A biking buddy and I have the same 2011 model, and he calculated that he got about eight miles per litre, or 36mpg, through town. The fuel light on my bike has come on while on the motorway after only about 120 miles, which means I’m getting about eight miles per litre as well. As I remember in your excellent fuel range calculations a few years back, you concluded that the ER-6 returns about 56 miles per gallon. This is also what we are hearing from Kawasaki, but my friend and I are only getting 36mpg. Also, it freaks me out that the fuel warning light comes on so early. A few…

WELCOME TO THE RiDE Guide to Italy - 60 pages packed with astonishing routes in Europe’s most motorcycle-friendly country. Italy is a fantastic place for a riding holiday, with spectacular mountains, golden beaches, rolling hills and fascinating towns. When it comes to sights to see, this is a country loaded with heritage - from the Romans to the Renaissance, history has enriched the landscape of Italy like no other country in Europe. Better still, that landscape - mostly hilly, largely rural - is criss-crossed by some utterly amazing roads. True, the surface quality is variable, but that’s where this guide comes in, helping you avoid the rough roads and find the best ones -and the best roads in Italy make a good case for being the best roads in Europe.…

Generally, we’ve seen fewer police patrols or checkpoints/speed traps in Italy than in France or Spain in the past few years. What we have seen instead is a steadily increasing number of speed cameras; nearly to British levels in some areas, especially in the north, though they are mostly in towns or villages. The police do still use speed guns. They can impose on-the-spot fines and also impound bikes if the offence is serious enough (or if you can’t pay the fine on the spot). While it’s illegal in Italy - as in most of Europe - to use a radar detector to warn you of speed cameras, it’s fine to use sat-navs that have camera locations marked. One curious law: you’re not allowed to accelerate while overtaking. In the…

WE’VE STRUCTURED THIS as a three-day tour, to allow three days to get to the start from the UK and three days to get back again - so the whole trip fits in with a week off work (and the two weekends). However, if you have more time, the tour can be easily extended as it stops at towns where we’ve based our daytrip routes. The tour starts impressively and builds up fast. From Vitipeno it heads to the heart of the Dolomites, covering so many great passes - Passo di Giau, Falzarego, Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, Fedaia… It’s hard to imagine a better day on a bike. From Cortina the roads get higher and narrower, over the Sella Ciampigotto, Passo Pramollo and Monte Zoncolan, on the way to Maniago. The…

IT SEEMS A shame to limit a trip to Italy to just one area, though cramming the whole country into one trip is a challenge. It’s too large to do in a single week, but with a fortnight off work, you can take in all the amazing riding this fascinating country has to offer. We have not one but two complete 12-day tours. We’ve structured them both to start from Borgo San Dalmazzo, so they’re easy to do if you freight the bike to Nice. The mainland tour loops south as far as Potenza, before swinging out to the fabulous Gargano peninsula – the spur on Italy’s boot. From there it heads north, through the Dolomites, taking in all the big-name passes as well as the lakes. With only two…

So many brilliant roads, especially in the Dolomites. I still love Stelvio and the even more extreme Colle dei Morti, but the best road on this trip – perhaps the best I’ve ever ridden – was the Colle del Nivolet (p24). SIMON WEIR No question about it: the road over Passo Rolle (p32). Just as brilliant as the big-name passes (and better than some) but without the crowds. Absolutely stunning scenery as well. I’d go back there in a heartbeat. MARK MANNING…

Matt Hull technical editor It was a real eye-opener carrying out the research and evaluation for our adventure helmet test. Some are much better suited to on-road or off-road, but very few excel at both. PAGE 98 Simon Weir deputy editor Having ridden the S1000XR at the launch for our August issue, I was fascinated by Martin Fitz-Gibbons’ detailed assessment of how the BMW fared in our tough test on British roads. PAGE 54 Kev Raymond features writer I do like a good café, but since I spend most of my time in France I’m a bit out of touch with what’s hot among Britain’s bike-friendly eateries. This month’s 5 of the Best put me right. PAGE 14…

BEALACH NA BA, the Pass of the Cattle, the road to Applecross… call it what you will, it’s one of the most famous and brilliant biking roads in Scotland. But ‘brilliant’ doesn’t mean wide, well surfaced or easy to ride. It’s none of those things. It scampers up hill with spectacular sea views before entering a steep-sided gorge and climbing up the sheer face of it in a series of bumpy hairpins. It’s demanding, challenging and rewarding. What makes the Pass of the Cattle so good is the fact that it’s just a part of the ride in an area of Scotland where every road is amazing. Making Applecross the destination means putting together a tour on stunning roads – some wide, some smooth, some twisty, some sweeping. But none…

“I’m going to...” MATT HULL The Adventure Travel Film Festival: great travel films, fascinating speakers, and all in a wonderful atmosphere. ONE MONTH AHEAD... Dirt Quake July 17-18, King’s Lynn The world’s oddest race series returns to the Norfolk speedway track, with Guy Martin the star attraction. He’ll be racing a Harley chopper - and he won’ be the oddest thing there. sideburn.bigcartel.com Classic Motorcycle Festival August 7-9, Donington Park The emphasis here is on serious classic racing - including sidecars and grasstrack - but there’ll be a good amount of club and trade stands too. www.donington-park.co.uk Spa 6 Hours August 9, Belgium One of the world’s greatest racetracks makes an atmospheric setting for a big gathering of Europe’s race fans. The race itself involves mostly Frenchmen you’ve never heard…

QI’ve been through four rucksacks in the past five months – always cheap ones, but the cost is mounting. If I spend real money on an expensive bike-specific rucksack, will it last? Are they really worth the money? A The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that quality bike-specific rucksacks justify their bigger price tags by being made of tough materials to withstand life on the road, so they’ll last a long time. The better ones are properly waterproof, too. More importantly, bike bags will have harnesses designed to spread the load properly, without getting in the way when you ride, so they’ll be more comfortable to use as well. We’d recommend the Kriega R30 (£139, www.kriega.com), the Bags Connection Barracuda (£69, www.motohaus.com) or the Lomo 30L Drybag…

FZ6 OWNERS ARE split between relative novices, for whom the Yam is their first big bike, and more experienced riders downsizing to a practical all-rounder. What they have in common is they tend to be everyday riders. Philip Badcock commutes down the M4 corridor on his: “With a taller screen it works well on the commute, and I can get more than 56mpg. The peaky power delivery can be tiresome, but it’s also fun when required. I like it really, it let me relearn my skills at legal speeds and then use the power when I got more confident.” Steve Thomas bought his 2005 Fazer just after passing his test in 2008: “The best £3000 I ever spent! The handling and brakes will look after you when you’re gaining experience…

2002-2003 Yamaha YZF-R1 “Japan’s best-looking sportsbike” £2500-£4000 152bhp 169mph 174kg (dry) 998cc inline four Easily the best-looking litre bike of the time, the 5PW - to borrow a bit of R1 geek speak - was slimmed and trimmed from its predecessor, revealing the classy superbike underneath. Large sections of the fairing were cut away. The tail was thinned, with an LED strip replacing big red blob taillights. A more sculpted nose made the R1’s twin headlights look sharper than ever. And solid blocks of colour instead of shell-suit schemes made the bike appear so much smarter. Being an R1, it has more power than you’ll know what to do with - certainly more than the smaller-engined 954 FireBlade. And the fuel injection’s vacuum-operated slides mean it’s all delivered smoothly, something…

BEING A JAMMY git, I get to ride all kind of bikes. Some I like, some aren’t my cup of tea, but they all add to the rich tapestry that is motorcycling. What they also give me is a gauge for my KTM 1050 Adventure – am I glad to get back on it, or does it feel a little dull? After 3744 miles the good news is that it still feels great. Every ride is exciting, engaging and just enough. A ride down to Christchurch is swiftly dealt with comfortably and frugally, while on the way back I found myself meandering down some easy green lanes for a little bit of fun. Although the ground was fairly dry the Metzeler Tourance Next tyres struggled, and they are rapidly wearing…

VENTS You can open or close these front vents – they’re kept shut by zips, then open diagonally, held in place by a popper. OUTLAST Outlast technology claims to be able to absorb excess heat and store it away from you, preventing you getting sweaty. POCKETS Four external pockets – though the two higher ones are on the small side. The larger, lower ones also have ‘hand warmer’ style side pockets. Weise Outlast Baltimore £319.99 www.thekeycollection.co.uk THINK THIS LOOKS familiar? You may be thinking of the Rev’It Poseidon GTX, a high-spec Gore-Tex jacket that costs £579.99. This is not quite so high spec, and doesn’t employ Gore-Tex, but the styling of this red, black and off-white version makes it look very similar to the brilliant year-round Dutch jacket, and some…

Q In your jeans test in the August issue, you mentioned that you could strap armour on to your knees, rather than insert it into pockets in the jeans. Isn’t that just skateboard armour? Is it really suitable for riding? A The short answers are yes and yes. Not all skateboard/BMX armour is made to the same standard as the best motorcycle gear, but it is broadly the same stuff. To be sure it’s suitable for motorcycles, the relevant CE standard is EN1621-1:1997. Serious off-roaders (people who expect to fall off a lot, in other words) have used strap-on armour for years, not least because it allows them to wear loose, light outer layers that keep them cool. Forcefield do a good variety of strap-on armour, including a choice of…

I feel I must agree with Colin Overland’s comments in the Welcome page of July’s edition, in which he said he was feeling “uneasy with the sheer quantity of software involved” with modern motorcycles. In my case it’s for the following reasons: I really appreciate that my input on the bike can affect its behaviour. I like the challenge - I guess that’s the reason most motorcyclists ride a bike. I like to be able to set up my own machine and half-understand what I’m doing. I can see, feel and appreciate what I’ve changed. Should a mechanical component fail, we can usually find a specialist to repair or rebuild it, or supply a new unit of the same or better quality than the original. Can we say this for…

THE JOY OF Piedmont and Liguria is that they’re so accessible - if you can ride to the South of France, you can ride there, too. Indeed, many riders might choose to do France’s Route Napoleon or the Route des Grandes Alpes on the way down. Alternatively, you could ship your bike to Nice and fly out… it’s an easy afternoon’s ride from Nice to our tour’s start in Borgo San Dalmazzo. This three-day trip links Borgo San Dalmazzo with Bardonecchia, Varazze and Imperia so can be easily extended by adding any of our routes based in those towns. Or you could take three days to reach the start, ride these three days, then have a leisurely three days to get home - and it can still be done with…

CENTAL ITALY IS simply beautiful – not just Tuscany, which many regard as the prettiest sister. Every area you visit is stunning – and best appreciated on a bike. From the hills of Emilia-Romagna to the lakes of Lazio and the mountains of Umbria, there is terrific riding to be found on quiet roads everywhere you turn. Our three-day trip starts from Borgo San Lorenzo, zig-zagging across Italy’s Apennine spine down to Terni in Umbria. Looping out across the Gran Sasso mountains, the next destination is Monte Argentario on the Tuscan coast. The final day heads back inland, devouring amazing riding on the way to historic Siena. To fit this tour in with taking just one week off work, you could freight the bike to/from Nice, which is one motorway…

ROSSI AT GOODWOOD He’s not the Messiah… actually, he is the Messiah VALENTINO ROSSI HADN’T finished his champagne following his gravel-surfing victory at the Dutch TT in Assen before he was flown, by private jet, direct to Goodwood Aerodrome to attend his first Goodwood Festival of Speed. After spending the evening at Lord March’s VIP ball, the MotoGP championship leader stole the show on the Sunday of the four-day event, captivating bike and car fans. Riding a Yamaha M1 painted in the firm’s classic yellow speedblock design to celebrate 60 years of Yamaha racing, Rossi did a couple of runs up the hillclimb course. He never seemed to tire of signing autographs and posing for photos, and even rode into Goodwood House to be interviewed on the balcony. For the…

SQUIRES CAFÉ NEWTHORPE, WEST YORKSHIRE ON THE outskirts of Leeds, Squires Café is one of the biggest bike meeting places in the north of England. There’s a thriving calendar of rallies, ride-outs, charity events and more. The food is solid, well-priced stuff: burgers, chips, jacket potatoes and proper meals too. BEST ROADS TO GET THERE Head east, past Selby and Beverley, and you hit the North Sea at Hornsea, for a ride along the coast. WHAT TO EAT A giant Yorkshire pudding. GREAT FORÉ Picking through the tat at the monthly autojumble. www.squires-cafe.co.uk GREEN WELLY STOP A82, TYNDRUM TYNDRUM IS about 60 miles north of Glasgow on the well-worn A82 to Fort William. Fill up with petrol as a matter of course, then fill up with the excellent food: venison…

Antoni Oborny 24, service engineer, rides an F800GS This is my second GS Trophy, which I’ve been practising and practising for. I was 51st last year and seventh on the first day this year, so I’ve improved. I’ve been riding since I was 17, and I got the F800GS after watching Long Way Round. This was the third time I’ve met Charley Boorman. Top bloke. My girlfriend has a Ducati Monster but she might be swapping it for a BMW and taking part next year. You don’t have to do the harder off-road challenges if you don’t want to, and I do think this year was much better for novices. Charley Boorman 48, TV presenter, rides an R1200 GS Adventure This is my first GS Trophy. I didn’t know what…

2001-2005 BMW R1150RT For £3500 you might just about get an early R1200RT, or more likely a decent late R1150RT. Either is well capable of serious country crossing in sumptuous luxury, BMW’s boxer engine being a solid, well-developed unit by the middle of the 2000s Spec: 1130cc flat twin, 95bhp, 72lb.ft, 125mph, 279kg Expect to pay: £1800-£3800 1989-2002 Honda Pan European Your money is right on the cusp between a slightly tired 2002-on ST1300 Pan European, or an ST1100 in better nick. The engine is grunty and reliable, there’s plenty of comfort and weather protection, and the chassis can be hustled well too. Spec: 1084cc 90° V4, 100bhp, 82lb.ft, 130mph, 317kg Expect to pay: £1800-£3800 2003- 2005 BMW K1200GT The first K1200GT is a solid beastie, very much an ‘old’…

What mood are you in? If you want to carve apexes, pull hard out of bends and generally behave badly, just dial up anything over 8000rpm and listen to it howl. If you just want to relax and enjoy the view, then that’s fine too - you can shortshift and keep the revs low, and although you won’t get anywhere fast, you’ll get there smoothly and comfortably. Somewhere in the middle, though, there’s a big flatspot waiting to catch you out, and it tends to do so when you’re tired, not concentrating properly, and whack the throttle open to get out of trouble only to find nothing noticeable happens. Fortunately the rest of the bike is really such a good package that you quickly learn to ride round the lack…

Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact £205 a pair Rounded profiles seem to suit the smooth-steering FZ6, and owners report reasonable wear with about 6000-7000 miles from a pair. www.metzeler.com Michelin Pilot Road 4 £223 a pair Quick warm-up, excellent grip in cold and wet conditions, good in the dry, and last fairly well too at 6000 miles (or more) for a rear tyre. moto.michelin.co.uk Avon Storm 2 Ultra £158 a pair Good wet grip, decent wear (up to 8000 miles from a front), and a great price, but some owners have reported problems with sidewalls cracking. www.avon-tyres.co.uk What will it cost me? Insurance With a good record, insuring an FZ6 or Fazer won’t break the bank. For a 45-year-old with five years’ no-claims and no recent convictions, with the bike garaged,…

DAVID GOODENOUGH IS director of music at Fettes College in Edinburgh, and a top freelance organist. He bought his Triumph Trophy 900 last year, and spent the winter returning it to former glories to use for some serious riding. Why a Trophy? “I fell in love with the old 900 triple engine from Hinckley when I had a Sprint 900, the original version. The first bike I had when I got back into bikes a few years ago was a Kawasaki Zephyr 750. I only had it a few months. “I was out on it one day, and stopped for a coffee, and an old bloke approached and asked if I fancied swapping with his Sprint. I had a look, and that’s when my love affair with the Hinckley Triumphs…

Klim Traverse Pants | Price £289 | Info www.adventure-spec.com POCKET Outer pocket, sealed with a zip and a flap over the top, is well placed, convenient to use and has so far proved to be waterprooof. PROTECTION Superficial scuffs are the result of a low-speed fall off a Yamaha T-Max. Boots (and leg) beneath unmarked, and trousers still OK to keep using BELT No connecting zip, but this simple, adjustable belt proves more than good enough to keep the trousers in place. TROUSERS ARE THE great neglected area of bike kit. Even some of the best manufacturers and distributors of bike gear seem to take a Ôthat’ll do’ attitude to trousers, typically offering one style of trousers for every three or more jackets. They’ll tell you that customers just want…

PLUS » Supernaked skirmish Stripped and up for it: new Suzuki GSX-S1000 and Aprilia Tuono 1100 try it on with Kawasaki’s Z1000 and BMW’s class-leading S1000R » World’s fastest woman On the road with BSB racer and TT lap record holder, Jenny Tinmouth » Rossi’s crash helmets The stories of his amazing helmet designs from 20 years in Grand Prix racing Huge fact packed section KNOW HOW Riding clobber, technique tips, buying advice, legal wisdom and more…

WE HAVE ROUTES radiating out from 25 locations - from the very north of Italy to Sicily in the south. As Italy is a fair ride from the UK, we have weighted our coverage to the northern areas, most easily reached from Britain. Rather than just one circular ride in each location, we’ve planned two, three or sometimes four different daytrip routes in most locations. This gives you the option of riding to a base destination and then enjoying a couple of days’ riding, cloverleafing out from your hotel each day, rather than having to keep moving. However, if you want to see more of the country, we have also planned a series of three-day tours across popular riding areas. Why three-day tours? To allow you to take a relaxed…

THIS THREE-DAY TOUR takes in some of the most astonishing high-mountain riding in Europe - as well as the elegant sophistication of the Italian Lakes. Our starting point of Aosta is easily reached from the UK in a comfortable two-day ride from Calais (see p10) or even one long motorway day if you’re short of time… but it’s meant to be a holiday - take two days and enjoy the ride. From Aosta, the first day heads over the Gran San Bernardino Pass into Switzerland. Those prepared to buy a Swiss motorway vignette at the border can save about an hour on the day’s ride, but we’ve plotted both motorway and non-motorway routes to the Simplon Pass. This leads to Lake Lugano and we hug the shore to return to…

Held Air n Dry gloves £160 www.held-uk.co.uk Summer gloves with loads of feel and vents, but with a properly waterproof section, too so I only need to take one pair of gloves. MM HJC RPHA Tech £360 www.oxprod.com After 23,000 miles, this helmet still impresses: comfortable, quiet, well-made, great flip mechanism, drop-down visor. MM Oakley Fuel Cell £90 www.oakley.com They look stylish and grip my head, so don’t fall off. They have a large lens area and are robust – even I can’t break them. MM Ortlieb 89L Rack Pack £83.70 www.ortlieb.co.uk With the topbox full of camera kit, this superbly tough, flexible, watertight, easy to handle bag carried my kit. Brilliant bag. SW Kriega R3 £55 www.kriega.com Keeps wallet, passport and phone dry and secure in all weathers. Also…