RiDEの July 2024 の目次

'This issue is a celebration of fast, glorious motorcycles' It’s been a very busy, very fast month and we’ve indulged in some seriously quick motorcycles – starting with Kawasaki’s H2 SX. It’s a stunning bike – and the supercharged whoosh has to be felt to be believed. After my ride on the stunning B4391 in Wales, the next few days were spent working out how I could afford one – and while a £27,000 sports tourer is out of most people’s reach, a second-hand one isn’t. Provided you know what you’re getting into when it comes to servicing costs… But RiDE’s readers have three of the more cost-effective ways to go far and fast. This month they reveal what it’s like to own the still-scintillating Suzuki Hayabusa, Kawasaki ZZR1400 and…

For a more long-term view, how do today’s prices compare with those of 20 years ago? In 2004, median weekly pay was £423. Adjusted for inflation that would be £722 now. Real average earnings have risen from £423 to £682 per week in that period, equivalent to 61%, while inflation over the same time works out at just over 70%. At the time, the then-new BMW R1200GS cost £9215. Taking inflation into account, that’s the equivalent of just under £16,000 now. And what does a brand-new BMW R1300GS cost? Yep, £15,990. So, the price has risen in line with inflation – but because earnings haven’t kept up, it’s about £1000 more expensive in real 2024 terms when compared with average incomes. In 2004, a litre of unleaded averaged 80.25p so…

BEST FOR ALTERNATIVES Woodhenge, Durrington Built around the same time as Stonehenge, Woodhenge is an arrangement of six rings of wooden posts which, like its stone cousin, aligns with sunrise on the summer solstice. Concrete pillars now mark the location of the wooden posts. Free entry, too. www.english-heritage.org.uk BEST FOR FREE-FALLING Netheravon Airfield Initially created as a base for the Royal Flying Corps in 1912, Netheravon is now the base for the Parachute Regiment’s display team, the Red Devils. In addition to amazing displays, you can do a tandem skydive… if you’re happy jumping out of a perfectly serviceable aircraft. Price: £300. www.reddevilsonline.com BEST FOR HISTORY Bratton Camp, Bratton Built over 2000 years ago, Bratton Camp is an Iron Age fort remains atop a hill to the south of the…

The supercharger flutters and whines as revs fall and rise, the motor changing pitch as it maps the twists, turns and topography of a perfect British B-road. The unique, gloriously over-engineered Kawasaki H2 SX SE drives forward with inexorable urge, firing out burned hydrocarbons and emanating sophistication with every combustive event. It’s an exciting, intoxicating experience: you can’t help but be giddy at the quality, blown away by a true sense of occasion. It’ll be such a shame when this type of thing is outlawed. The H2 SX SE is fast – seriously fast – but there is far more to the bike than that. The most sophisticated, tech-packed machine to ever come from Japan could mark a full stop in motorcycle development – the rise of the tall-rounder and…

"I’ve had this Blackbird 14 years, but I had one before. I was at a bike show in 1996 and as soon as I saw the Blackbird I wanted it. Next year I bought one – it had a full race exhaust and sounded awesome. My wife would be in the garden and she’d hear it coming from miles away. Wasn’t well set-up though, and drank fuel. “I didn’t buy it because it was the fastest – you’ll never get to top speed on roads round here! It probably made me a bit slower and more sensible – you’re not revving it to get speed out of it. It pulls from 3000rpm up to the redline; it’s easy speed. And it’s incredibly smooth – you get offa Blackbird like you…

THE SUB-LITRE NAKED sector is utterly incredible, with a flavour for every palate. Want something sporty? Triumph’s Street Triple RS fits the bill. Something playful? Well, it has to be Yamaha’s MT-09. Something aggressive? KTM has you covered with the 990 Duke. Something a little more exotic? Enter, Ducati’s Streetfighter V2. The list goes on and on, with different pulls and price points for each machine. Yet there’s one gem that’s often overlooked – the BMW F900R. It’s overlooked for a number of reasons – it’s the not most glamorous in its appearance, nor is it the fastest or the best handling. But what it does deliver is an impressive mixture of sportiness and comfort, in a refined, well-equipped and cost-effective package. For a start, it looks like a premium…

RATED Beeline Moto II £179.99 www.beeline.co THE CLAIM “Easily plan, navigate and track fantastic motorcycling routes with a device that fits seamlessly on to your bike’s cockpit. Experience the road ahead with clarity, whether you’re exploring winding country lanes or navigating bustling city streets. Say goodbye to missed turns and hello to seamless navigation for the twists and turns of every ride. The perfect companion for riders who value design without compromising on performance.” THE REALITY Building on the success of the original, the second-generation Beeline Moto comprises a smartphone app that sends information to a tiny, circular unit mounted on your bike. It’s just 52mm in diameter yet the screen has twice the area of the original, allowing for much clearer and expansive turn-by-turn directions with your route shown…

THE ADVENTURE BIKE has become the market leader in motorcycling in recent years. There are numerous reasons for this, not least of which is the roomy and comfortable riding position and its ability to devour miles, making it a superb long-distance tourer. Add in the fact many are capable of tackling a little easy‑going off‑road action and it’s easy to see how they pick up the ‘Adventure’ tag line. But we also know most riders will never venture far from sealed roads and asphalt, if at all. So, while it’s straightforward to equip an adventure bike with the necessary tyres for a proper adventure if you have the skills to do so, getting the right tyre for the kind of work most heavyweight adventure bikes do is more of a…

TRIUMPH’S TIGER 900 replaced the much-loved 800, which won a large and loyal following from 2010-2019 on account of its manageable size and ability to smash through day-to-day commutes, big adventure tours and the odd dirt trip. The 900 is everything the 800 delivered and more – lighter, more powerful, more agile and comfortable, while easier on the pocket over long ownership with simpler (ie, cheaper) servicing. The 900 comes in two guises, both focused on a particular riding discipline but still offering what’s needed to cross over into each other’s patch. The GT is aimed at riders who do most, if not all, of their riding on roads. Cast wheels (19in front) are the obvious giveaway, as is an 810-830mm adjustable seat. The Rally, as the name suggests, is…

THE 2024 CB750 Hornet comes with self-inflicted Honda baggage: it’s named after not one, but two classic, revered Hondas. The 1969 CB750 arguably kicked off Japanese superbike domination that lasted four decades, while the 1998 Hornet 600 sparked a new breed of high-performance naked middleweights. So the 2024 Hornet has a lot to live up to, if you pay attention to naming conventions (some folk get very animated about such things). It’s a very good bike – as RiDE art editor Damian discovered last month. The parallel twin is healthy, feisty and surprisingly rapid, and sounds fruity courtesy of induction tweaks designed to make it sound like a flock of honking geese at full chat. And the handling is compact, neat and blisteringly agile. But, as I discovered when I…

Tarras, New Zealand I loved a recent trip to New Zealand. We rode a great route around the South Island, taking in the most stunning scenery. Perfect, quiet roads; amazing food; and warm, welcoming people. A fantastic experience. I rode a Honda Rebel 500. Karen Gibbon Suffolk Bikes are for riding – and a 46-year-old airhead is no exception. Sun and spring have been notable by their absence, so a sudden burst of nature’s heat lamp and dry asphalt at short notice meant a 233-mile day trip around Suffolk and Norfolk. Jonathan Harman Yesa Reservoir, Spain This ride has to be the best that all on the trip has been on. Our route took us from Santander through the Spanish Pyrenees and then the French Alps before heading home. It…

FRONT END MONTH IN BIKES END OF THE ELECTRIC DREAM? The wholesale ban on sales of brand-new petrol-powered bikes is set to be pushed back from 2035 to 2040 – meaning many current UK bikers may be able to get through their biking career without having to go electric. Revealed in The Daily Telegraph last month, it’s one of several government row-backs on environmental policy in recent years. It is a lifeline for the motorcycle industry, which is struggling to make electric bikes that work anywhere near as well as their petrol equivalents. After this date, petrol bikes will still be legal to use on UK roads. It does seem, however, that 50cc bikes will be banned from sale by 2030. The announcement, if it happens, is expected before the…

Q I’VE FINALLY BITTEN the bullet and I’m taking my Suzuki V-Strom 800DE for a week’s touring around France and Belgium in August. It’s my first bike trip abroad and I’m keen not to make any novice errors. Any advice from a riding skills point of view? Tony Hindmarch A GOOD FOR YOU – touring on the continent is a joy and you’re all but guaranteed to have a fantastic time. Belgium’s a good choice too, particularly the Ardennes region. Most of my advice is around avoiding fatigue, which can cause no end of problems touring abroad. Whatever your standard of riding, fatigue dramatically increases the chances of making a mistake on unknown roads. First of all, don’t over-plan. By all means aim for a region or even a specific…

DESPITE ITS AGGRESSIVE looks and fruity power, Husqvarna’s Svartpilen 801 is surprisingly mellow. With 103bhp to play with, the 801 isn’t slow – especially with just 181kg (wet, no fuel) to push along. But despite its playful performance the Husky doesn’t jump out of your hands like a supermoto when you twist the throttle; instead it gallops along with a smooth spread of power. A 75° firing order means the parallel twin growls deeply, but few vibes reach the rider thanks to twin balance shafts. It’s a superb engine, although not the most inspiring. Husqvarna has created a brilliant chassis that lets the 801 rail confidently through corners, the Pirellis grip superbly, wet or dry, and the twin J.Juan radial brake/300mm disc combination are strong with plenty of feel. With…

THE FACTS The route From the A303, head north to Rushall then west across the top of the plain. Turn left at Wedhampton, onto Market Lavington and across the A360 towards Westbury, then south towards Warminster. Turn left at Heytesbury and head for Chitterne, follow the road to Tilshead then to Shrewton, and across to the Stonehenge Visitor Centre. Head into Larkhill, through the housing estate and onto the gravel tracks. Head north to Casterly Camp, west towards Gore Cross, then to Tilshead and into the plain again, heading roughly north to end near Urchfont. Why it’s great The roads around two of the three main areas in the military ranges are superb; they flow with the countryside. The gravel trails across the plain are great fun yet rideable on…

DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk Best for Adventure bikes and tall-rounders; something adaptable and flexible. Length 115 miles. Route Amesbury, Rushall, Wedhampton, Market Lavington, Westbury, Warminster, Heytesbury, Chitterne, Tilshead, Shrewton, Larkhill, Casterly Camp, Gore Cross, Tilshead, Bustard Inn, Wedhampton. Roads A345, A342, B3098, A350, B3414, A36, B390, Townsend, A360, B3086, The Packway, Alexander Road, gravel trails, A360, unnamed road. Love it because Every centimetre of this route is amazing: smooth, flowing tarmac; and easy-going gravel trails that are rideable on pretty much any bike. Take a picture at The northern section of the trails offers incredible views. Stop for a cuppa at Mipo makes a great spot to end your ride. ALSO TRY… Best for An alternative route ending up at the stone circles. Length 49 miles. Route Head south out…

"I’ve had this bike a year and a half. I had a Mk1 ZZR1400 years ago, then a Blackbird, but I wanted to go adventure touring and bought a Tiger 1200. But it was too top heavy, so I was wandering around a dealer when I nearly fell over this ZZR1400. I don’t know what I was in there looking for – maybe I was actually looking for a Super Dream! I wondered, are these really as insane as people say they are? And they are. “A lot of people with the Mk1 ZZR – the one with the 1352cc motor – say there isn’t much difference, but the Mk2 – with 1441cc – has much more torque. I find it an easier engine to use and I think it…

RATED 1900-MILE TEST THE CLAIM “The Pro Series Ranger is the ultimate go-anywhere jacket. It is three jackets in one – with a removable destination inner coat, the Ranger main outer jacket and a SinAqua Waterproof outer shell which gives you the flexibility to keep riding whatever the conditions.” THE REALITY I rarely enjoy clothing ‘systems’ but this one really works. The main jacket is CE AA-rated and holds Level-2 armour at the shoulders, elbows, back and chest. The detachable inner is surprisingly warm, too. The trousers come with a zip-in thermal liner and are AA-rated, with Level-2 armour at the knees and hips and matching waterproof over-trousers. The jacket and trousers are not designed to be waterproof, as I found when I tested this. However, the waterproofs do work;…

RATED THE RiDE PRODUCT TEST ‘It’s interesting to see how our testers rated the tyres’ qualities’ It is interesting to see how our two – very different – testers rated the tyres and their respective qualities. Both agreed the Bridgestone Battlax A41 didn’t really suit the R1300GS. You may well be better with the GS-specific model, but this wasn’t supplied to us. Both agreed the Pirelli Scorpion Trail II rewarded the rider for pushing on a little harder, particularly once warmed up. The Michelin Anakee Road is also good out of the box but benefits from being used. Both felt the Metzeler Tourance Next 2 was a capable, middle-of-the-road tyre that should suit the widest spread of riders; what presumably led to it being selected as OE fitment on the R1300GS.…

UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN living under a rock for the past few years, you don't need us to tell you there's a cost of living crisis. Rampant inflation has outpaced wage growth, meaning most people in the UK are experiencing diminishing incomes. Comparing figures for 2019 to 2023 equivalents using the Office of National Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI), inflation has averaged 5.2% per year. It means something that cost £100 in 2019 had risen to £122 in 2023 – a 22% rise. Meanwhile, median weekly full-time pay rose from £585 in 2019 (about £30,500 per year) to £682 (£35,500) in 2023, which is a 16.6% increase – not enough to keep up. But you’ll also have spotted that price hikes aren’t consistent: some of your bills will have rocketed while…

LETTER OF THE MONTH Dream trip Following a heart attack last October, I had the realisation that life is too short and it was time to do something about the adventure I’d talked about for years but always found a reason not to do. So, I jumped on the internet, planned my route and booked six hotels to do the loop of Spain I had always dreamed of. The trip was eight days - Santander, Madrid, Alhambra, Motril, Valencia, and a one-day coast-to-coast ride from Valencia to San Sebastian and back to Santander. My son Jay wanted to come as pillion, and at the end of April 2024 we went. It was amazing – fantastic scenery and a wonderful adventure I will never forget. This is my 2014 Triumph Tiger…

NEW BIKES THE TIGER 1200 is a favourite of ours – and of many of you too, thanks to its unique triplecylinder take on the big adventure bike concept. It’s versatile, and increasingly good value: while rivals impose four-figure increases every year, prices of the Tiger family (GT and Rally Pro, and big-tank Explorer derivatives) have barely risen. There have been gripes – from road testers and owners alike – and the 2024 update addresses these successfully. We’ll start with the motor. The T-plane engine has an unusual firing order – two pistons phased at 180° from each other, with the other at 90° (imagine one at top-dead centre, one at bottom-dead centre and one halfway through its stroke). It’s intended to give a lumpier delivery for a dose of…

YOU ONLY NEED to look around a bike meet to see that British riders are still very much into sportsbikes. But as the average age of riders inevitably increases, many are choosing to swap clip-ons for upright bars in an effort to appease aching joints. And while it’s true that many adventure bikes – or crossover machines – impress with their performance and comfort, they can’t quite deliver the same seat-of-the-pants thrills as a sportsbike. And naked bikes are left lacking in terms of long-distance practicality. Could BMW now have the answer? Described as a ‘long-distance sportsbike’, the M1000XR (M XR) is designed to be the ultimate do-it-all that’s as happy on country roads as it is a racetrack. Taking the firm’s crossover S1000XR (S XR) as a base, the…

I had a gen-two Hayabusa a few years ago. I was actually looking for a ZZR1400 – I nipped into a bike shop when I was out shopping for a new phone, just to have a look if they had gen-one or gen-two ZZRs, and I said to the bloke: ‘If you get one in, can you give me a call?’ He said: ‘Well, what about that behind you?’ I turned round and there was a gen-two Hayabusa, 800 miles on it, in a candy red and silver. I thought ‘oh yeah, that’s nice…’ and had that instead. “It was one of the first faired bikes I had – I’d usually had naked bikes before that. My first thoughts when I rode it was that it was a big old…

EVEN IF YOU have no interest in going round in circles as fast as possible, I urge you to read on. Going racing isn’t a willy-waving activity, but about the raw feeling of like-minded mates coming together and participating in adrenaline-fuelled fun for everyone. That’s exactly what the F900R Cup series feels like, built as a community that’s usually found in a motorcycle meet or club racing paddock as it’s packed with people who are happy to help out fellow riders – which turned out to be a godsend for us and our one-event entry as Team RiDE Magazine. While the F900R is an impressive workhorse, it’s never had a reputation for being the most exciting or sportiest naked – which is why BMW UK grasped the chance to run…

Nexx X.Wed3 helmet From £329.99 www.nexx-helmet.co.uk 'Round head in oval hole?' I used the X.Wed3 for two adventure weekends and was initially impressed. Originally it felt slightly loose front-to-back, despite being the right fit side-to-side and putting it on and off. But this has got worse, so when I try to open the latched visor it lifts the helmet off my forehead. I will investigate improving this with different-thickness pads (if available) but it may be that my head is the wrong shape for the X.Wed3, which would be a shame. Jim Blackstock T.Ur G-Three gloves £29.16 www.t-ur.com 'Great feel, little padding' When I first tried these, I thought they may be a little too lightweight for off-road use. But on a simple gravel trail like on this month’s Big…

AS I WRITE this in RiDE’s summer office/workshop, the Norden is sitting just out of my peripheral vision, dirt-streaked and with the corpses of countless dead insects mashed into every vertical surface. It really deserves some love after some faithful service this month as the magazine workhorse. Aside from all the general running about, a month of hard use started with a trip to Oulton Park and back to help RiDE’s road tester Carl Stevens race in the BMW F900R Cup (page 72). As well as being an expert in adventure bikes and budget nakeds, Carl is a former national-level racer – and I went along to help run him as a one-off wildcard entry. The Norden proved its worth on the journey, smashing the distance to Cheshire with ease…

HIGH-MILE HEROES Celebrating the people and bikes that go the distance Name Phil Stubbs, 61 Bike 2001 Yamaha FZS1000 Total Miles 108,885 Miles per year 6000-8000 A SURPRISING PROPORTION of our High-Mile Heroes don’t keep any records – they’re too busy riding. But Phil used to work in computer-aided design, so it’s fair to say he likes data. He bought his FZS in 2008 with about 9000 miles on it, and added 100,000 miles (“I commuted into London all year round – 76 miles a day for seven years…”) and logged every detail of fuel consumption (average 53mpg), maintenance and repair. Not that it’s needed much major work. “Nothing’s really gone wrong, just wear and tear as you’d expect. A couple of clutch cables, the throttle cables at 102,000 miles,…