RiDE

‘NOW Is the right time to grab a bargain’ It might not feel like it but, in many ways, if you're thinking about buying a new bike, NOW is the time. As I write this, manufacturers are doing their best to keep prices down in the wake of inflation and cost rises. Combined with the traditional quiet time just before spring kicks in, it means there are some real bargains out there to be had. Our Buy Smart new-bike special is full of amazing bikes that either make good ownership sense or have great discounts attached. Right now, I'm fawning over the V4 excellence of a Honda VFR1200F for £4k used or trying to find a new bike that offers better value for money than a £9999 2023 KTM 790 Adventure all-rounder. In…

Galloway Forest, Scotland My friends and I decided to buy some enduro bikes to maintain bike fitness over winter. Here is a picture of the bikes, as we enjoy all that central Scotland has to offer in the lovely Galloway Forest. Paul Hughes Fort William, Scottish Highlands My best mate Chris celebrated a significant birthday this year (it begins with a six and ends in a zero…) and to celebrate, we took our Tigers on a tour around the Highlands and Islands. We covered 1500 miles of breathtaking scenery; here are the bikes on a quiet B-road just off of the A861 outside Fort William, where we had to stop and soak in the sheer wonder of it. Mike Rex Moss Landing, California My wife Sue and I rode on a hired Harley from LA to San…

ARRIVING AT WALKERS snack bar near Mildenhall, I don't have any trouble recognising Woody, as we've known each other for over 40 years. As a schoolboy racing cyclist I'd go to my teammate's house and we'd tinker with our bikes. His older brother Woody and his mates would be tinkering with their motorbikes. Inevitably I was drawn in; a mad dash to Snetterton on the back of Woody's Z1000 sealed the deal and my cycling career was over. So it's all his fault Now it's good that we've got that history, because I'm late – really late. But he's still there, he's still cheerful, and he's raring to get on the road, so off we go. The ride Out of Walkers, our first port of call is just up the road. Past…

Fancy a trip up this way? Woody'll set you right… Best time of day to ride “We're year-round riders, so pretty much any time of the day or of the year is a good time to do this ride.” Best section “On the CB, I like the bit before Walkers as it's twisty and technical. On a more powerful bike, I like the bit between Watton and the Desert Rats Memorial as it's fast, safe and relatively smooth with good visibility. Generally though, the roads and scenery from Thetford to Brettenham, then past Knettishall Heath and on to Stanton are my favourite.” Be careful at… “Between the A1066 and Knettishall Heath it's undulating with grass growing in the road.” Best place for a cuppa “Walkers Snacks, arguably the best bikers’ stop in the area and very welcoming, with…

THE WAY THE world views sustainability is changing rapidly. From the end of plastic straws to protestors on the Dartford Bridge, there have never been more public discussions about the health of our planet. Transport is no exception, with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announcing an expansion of London's UltraLow Emission Zone (ULEZ) to cover all boroughs from August 29, 2023, and the Government still aiming for all new motorcycles to be zero emissions by 2035. It is undeniable that the carbon footprint of bikes goes further than exhaust gasses, with every stage of the production process having a potential impact. Manufacturers are growing wise to this, with many now openly sharing ongoing development projects to improve the sustainability of bikes. And, before you flick over, it doesn't necessarily mean an all-electric…

SUSTAINABLE FUEL GOING FROM TRACK TO ROAD Not just Moto2; MotoGP series bosses Dorna will implement the E40 change across the classes, meaning other manufacturers like Ducati, Yamaha and Honda will also use the new fuel TRIUMPH'S CHIEF PRODUCT Officer, Steve Sargent, has spoken about how developing ethanol-rich E40 fuel for the Moto2 world championship for 2024 could influence the sustainability of future road bikes. “I think there's a consensus amongst the European manufacturers that electric can't be the only answer,” Sargent said. “Therefore, I think we are all seeing sustainable fuels as something we would like to be able to demonstrate to the European Commission and the UK Government; potentially it's a quicker win.” Triumph is the sole engine supplier to the Moto2 world championship and is working on E40 fuel for the…