Tabla de contenidos para November 2023 en RiDE

‘This issue of RiDE is a celebration of people power’ The big story for us this month is our People's Bike of the Year feature, where the bike-buying public decides the year's best new metal. Our panel of reader-testers, who represent a cross-section of bikers, rode 2023's top six machines – and it's their verdict and scoring that determines the winner. It's a wonderful thing to be part of – their feedback is always very interesting. We're the only mag where the readers decide the best bike – and that makes the award very special. In fact, there are so many readers involved in this issue that it's hard to list them all – and it is their (and your) wisdom that helps make the mag what it is. For…

NEW FOR 2024 BMW HAS UNVEILED the all-new R1300GS, which will replace the best-selling R1250GS as the firm's adventure forerunner. Starting at £15,990 – and climbing to £18,465 for the TE version – it is powered by a 1300cc engine that will be the most powerful boxer twin BMW has ever produced. Add to this a 12kg weight saving, plus sharper looks and a host of sophisticated tech, and it could well take the class crown in 2024. The virtually all-new engine features a larger bore, but shorter stroke for higher revs. This – combined with an extra 46cc than the outgoing R1250GS, updated variable valve timing and raised compression – results in a claimed peak power of 143bhp at an unchanged 7750rpm, plus 110lb·ft of torque at 6500rpm. With…

‘I was in a collision abroad – how do I claim for damage to my bike?’ Q WHILE RIDING IN Belgium, I was involved in a collision when a car driver simply failed to see me and pulled out from a minor road into a major road. Helpfully for me, her junction was governed by a stop sign – and my understanding is that the driver was fined. She's a Romanian national but her car is registered and insured in Germany, where she lives. She immediately apologised to me, confirmed to police (who were really helpful) that she was at fault, and gave them all her documents. I had a minor injury but a fairly damaged bike. I've approached some solicitors but none of them will touch the case because…

No more keys (kinda) A keyless ignition, but a manual fuel cap, is an irritating combination, demanding you fumble around trying to find the key in your pocket every time you stop – and negating any convenience the system is intended to provide. Now the matching optional keyless fuel cap is standard, but you'll still need to retrieve the flick-out key for the panniers or seat lock… just like on a GS. Toasted buns Heated rider and pillion seats now come as standard, too. They're an acquired taste, but if you're of a mind to use the bike in deepest winter – or head for the Arctic Circle on your touring holiday – extra warmth emanating through your core may be welcome and offset the odd sensation that's somewhat akin…

YOU'RE GONNA go to all the cost and trouble of bringing out a new bike in 2023, you'd better make sure it's either more powerful, more affordable or more sophisticated than the established class leader. Honda's Transalp is all three. Play spec-sheet Top Trumps against Yamaha's Ténéré 700 and you'll win whichever category is picked. Motor? The Transalp's is bigger, makes more torque and boasts almost 20bhp more at the top end. Price? The Honda costs £600 less than the (effectively) four-year-old Yamaha. Gadgets? It's a generation ahead. In many ways the Transalp has raised the standard for mid-sized adventurers, especially when you bring value into the equation. Earlier this year a team of RiDE testers piled 1000 miles on a Transalp in just 24 hours (RiDE, July 2023), concluding…

Shoei Neotec3 £589.99-£679.99 www.shoeiassured.co.uk THE CLAIM “The most versatile model in the Shoei range, the Neotec3 is equally at home during long-distance touring, sport riding, or city commuting. New seamless design improves airflow over the shell for enhanced performance and redesigned cheek pads reduce noise.” THE REALITY Both editor Matt and I were huge fans of the Neotec2 so we're keen to see how the all-new Neotec3 stacks up. Obviously it's ECE22.06 approved, and it fits just as nicely as its predecessor – or any other Shoei for that matter. It has no tight or loose spots and the lining feels lovely against the skin. The chin-bar secures with a push instead of a ‘slam’, and it's straightforward to release and lock open by pushing it farther back, resulting in…

LS2 Vector II £179.99-199.99 uk.ls2helmets.com I've been using the Vector II since it won our sub-£200 helmet test in the July issue and I remain impressed. It is still comfortable, but you do become aware of its presence the more you wear it. It's not heavy or ungainly, just a bit more ‘there’ than some others. Ventilation is good, even in hot weather, but opening the two top vents noticeably increases interior noise. Vision is as good as it was at the first impression, but the visor lock release button can be fiddly. The blue-tinted drop-down sun visor takes a little getting used to, but you soon tune into it. It's a great everyday helmet that will do pretty much all that is asked of it. JIM BLACKSTOCK Eleveit Venom…

‘The Alpinestars have excellent feel off-road’ The Alpinestars Corozal Adventure boots get the highest score here. We found them to be excellent on the road and we are confident they would work well on the light-to-medium off-road excursions most adventure bike riders would contemplate. On the basis of their comfort and ability in both touring and adventure use, we feel these boots are worthy of a RiDE Best Buy triangle. Behind the Alpinestars, the TCX Drifter and the Forma Terra Evo Dry boots are separated by a single point. But both boots do things slightly differently. The Forma Terra Evo Dry boots tell a similar tale to the Alpinestars, but spun through 180°. They are perfectly competent and comfortable on the road, but if you want to venture farther off…

>Max Sholl, 59 >2011 Sprint ST >10,000 miles The highs I own a Speed Triple and wanted something similar for touring. I love the engine – it's a happy medium between a twin and inline four, with loads of midrange torque and no top-end buzziness. It's a sports tourer in the true sense - it eats miles and you can go scratching on it. The lows It is built on a budget and there are things that annoy me, such as the cheap reg/rec, poor stator terminals under the tank, and weak pannier to grab rail mounting. I also hate the fact it doesn't have a digital speedo. The tweaks The rear shock is woeful and forks even worse, so I had it serviced and revalved, and modified the fork…

FRONT END RiDE INVESTIGATES T ECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS IN motorcycling isn't a steady flow. Instead, it moves in fits and starts – so sometimes we see revolutionary change in a handful of years followed by fallow periods. But there's every indication that bikes are going to evolve substantially over the next decade. It's clear the bikes of 2033 will be quite different to those we enjoy today. Everything's electric The UK government has a target to end the sale of ‘non-zero emission’ bikes by 2035 – and although it's yet to be set in stone, it's a clear indication of the political pressure on manufacturers to accelerate their electric bike development. Bikes in the sub-125cc class face an even earlier deadline of 2030, although, again, no legislation is in place yet. With or…

Kawasaki has continued to drip-feed details on the Eliminator 500 cruiser range, which was first seen in June 2023 and will join the line-up from January 2024. The laid-back, A2-friendly machines will come in a standard Eliminator trim, as well as an SE version that features a special colour and graphics package, headlamp cowl, rubber fork covers, handlebar mounted USB-C port and unique seat. Both will be powered by a 451cc parallel twin derived from the 399cc unit in the Ninja 400 and Z400 family. Expect the mapping to be more for gentle cruising, than thrashing around. Featuring a tubular steel frame, and a die-cast swingarm, it also gets full LED lighting and an LCD display perched atop the raked-out front end.…

‘I'm thinking about doing a trackday for the first time. Any advice?’ Q I'VE NEVER DONE a trackday but have a feeling I'd enjoy it – certainly, my mates reckon I will. Can you offer me any advice? I ride a 2014 Triumph Speed Triple. Harry Langsdale A IF YOU GET a few things right, you'll have a brilliant time. The first job is to choose the correct trackday, because they differ. The ideal choice would be one with a structured course – that way you get professional coaching, the track isn't busy and there's no risk of getting dive-bombed by wannabe racers. Rapid Training runs exactly this sort of day, taking you through the basic machine control skills you'll need to progress quickly – much faster than if you…

THE SILENCE S01+ is the firm's new flagship electric offering. Silence says the Spanish-built S01+ can do 68mph – 6mph faster than the S01 – although the extra oomph is released for just 30 seconds by hitting a ‘push to pass’ button. It then needs a two-minute rest before it can be used again. The Plus's shock boasts a threaded preload collar as well as 27 clicks of compression damping adjustment. Wind it fully hard and the shock barely budges when you push down on the seat. The forks also now offer preload adjustment, but their tops are buried beneath the bodywork, making access difficult. The suspension works fine most of the time, but is crashy over rougher roads and potholes. Stopping power is strong, but in normal riding it's…

THE BIG RIDE PART ONE THE FACTS The route A combination of the best coast roads in the South West. It takes in everything from fast, flowing A-roads and smaller (but just as rhythmical) B-roads to tighter and more technical smaller lanes. Starting from the top-right corner of North Devon we head along the Atlantic Highway to Land's End then east along the south Cornish coast to Falmouth. Why it's great The scenery is varied but always stunning; you're rarely more than ten minutes from a jaw-dropping sea view. The roads are fantastic – you'll get to experience everything from momentum-loving swingers to gears-and-brakes twisties. When to go Midweek, as far from school holidays as possible. The further west the quieter the roads are – but be ready for all…

DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE ride.co.uk Best for Something nimble, upright, energetic and willing Length 274 miles Route Watchet, Woolacombe, Barnstaple, Bude, Padstow, Newquay, Hayle, St Ives, Land's End, Penzance, Helston, Falmouth Roads A39, B3343, A39, B3248, A39, Marine Drive Bude, A39, A389, B3276, A3075, Coast Road, B3301, B3306, A30, B3305, A30, A394, A39 Love it because It's a long run but its nature is so varied and it is fun all the way – with every possible kind of road you can imagine Take a picture at Hartland Quay looking along the coast Stop for a cuppa at Not Hartland Quay. Try Lizard Point – stunning views and history to go with your refreshment ALSO TRY… Best for Enjoying the outstanding scenery – and the quality of the riding – of…

REAL ADVENTURE THERE ARE MOMENTS in everyone's life that seem bizarre, but the sight of 20 perspiring, mud-covered men in motocross boots stumbling around a semi-derelict churchyard in the middle of the recon Beacons looking for the grave of a long-dead resident takes quite some beating. But if you've entered the Taffy Dakar, this is a reality. A one-day on and off-road event for adventure bikes, the Taffy is basically orienteering for motorcycles. Run in late spring, teams of competitors are given a series of map waypoints all ver the beacon – your mission is to hit as many as you can in a set time. Some are tags on trees with a number that needs jotting down, while others require some detective work – and most require a decent…

RATED THE RiDE PRODUCT TEST THE POPULARITY OF the dual-sport or adventure bike has given rise to a massive range of products designed to suit buyers and riders of these machines. We now have dual-sport tyres, as well as adventure-style road helmets, gloves and clothing. And naturally, adventure touring boots. Of course, many adventure bike riders tend not to venture far from sealed roads, but plenty do. And the great thing about modern adventure bikes is that they will – assuming the rider has the skill – do a pretty good job of coping with both on-road and off-road travels. However, like tyres and clothing, boots need to offer a good compromise of comfort and safety to suit both eventualities. They need to be comfortable, breathable and waterproof for stints on…

GARAGE LONG-TERM TEST BIKES 2023 HONDA CB750 HORNET WHEN YOU HEAR the name Honda Hornet, it is definitely a blast from the past – and the iconic name has been reprised for this new 755cc parallel twin. The previous evolution was killed off in 2014 after 16 successful years, but with a gap in its product range Honda felt the time was right to introduce the middleweight naked to its line-up. We've been impressed with the bike over short-term tests this year, but wanted to see how it would cope with more miles and time. With this in mind, editor Matt threw me the keys to find out all a potential Hornet owner would need to know. The results are more than positive… THE FACTS £6999 > 91bhp > 190kg MILES…

GARAGE LONG-TERM TEST BIKES UPDATE 03 WHEN PEOPLE SAY ‘track bike’ you don't think of an MT-10. But from the moment the Yamaha hit the sweeps of Snetterton, it felt at home and prompted me to have more fun on track than I've had for years. Due the free-revving nature of the Yamaha's CP4 motor, its agile, confidence-inspiring handling, and the amount of feel I got from the suspension and tyres, my love for track riding has reignited. And I wasn't expecting that… I meet up with Simon early on the day for noise testing and sign-on. The MT-10 had monstered the A14 and A11 on the way in, sitting happy at 80-odd on the cruise control, tiny flyscreen doing a decent job of deflecting most of the windblast. As…

UPDATE 01 RiDE'S TAKEN DELIVERY of a Triumph Tiger Sport 660 for a few months – and Matt's chucked me the keys for a big foreign road trip to Germany. I'd heard great things about Triumph's baby all-rounder – it's won awards and rave reviews from colleagues, so I was keen to give the 660cc triple a go. I've been exploring the local roads around Rutland, taken the long commute to the office, and covered around 100 miles and have seen a healthy 55.4mpg. First impressions have been positive. Weighing in at 206kg, it's one of the lightest bike in the class, and weight is evenly distributed and disappears when on the move. Riding position is upright, which means visibility is great – and on the short rides I've taken…

HIGH-MILE HEROES Celebrating the people and bikes that go the distance RUNNING COSTS “I get 46mpg average – it runs well on E10. Insurance is cheap, but some parts are getting expensive and difficult to track down.” CORROSION “The enclosed rear wheel means all the crud gets thrown forwards and soaks the exhaust, fuel tank, swingarm and alternator, setting off serious corrosion.” TYRES “It's a bit fussy. Bridgestones are excellent when new, but square off badly. My favourite was the Avon Storm 3D X-M – 8000 miles a pair, wear evenly, quite cheap. But they're no longer made.” Name Ali Finlay, 65 Bike 2000 Honda ST1100 Total Miles 188,250 Miles per year 8000 ALI'S NOT FAZED by high-mileage bikes – he bought this Pan-European in 2010 when it already had 98,000 miles on…

YOUR RIDES MY FAVOURITE RIDE CHEDDAR GORGE LOOP YOUR RIDES MY FAVOURITE RIDE THE FACTS Roads A370, Brockley Combe Road, A38, A371, B3135, A37, A368, A39, A4, A36, A431. Distance 62 miles Best suited to Anything quick and well-suspended Nearest big town Bristol Famous for Students, sherry and slavery (although not necessarily all at the same time) RiDE READER RICH BENTHAM Rich, 57, flogs Mercedes cars for a living but spends his downtime on two wheels. He's been riding since his teens, starting on a Honda SS50, and he currently rides a new KTM 790 Duke, which replaced a Kawasaki Z900 (“written off in Spain by a car hitting me”). He lives in Bristol and covers about 12,000 miles a year for fun, commuting, on trackdays, touring, and as an IAM observer…

LETTER OF THE MONTH Always read the small print Earlier this year, my wife and I booked a motorcycle tour in the Canary Islands. The cost included ‘insurance’, but when we arrived we were told we hadn't completed a section of the tour's terms and conditions; we signed tit without reading the small print. On our third day we were told to park in an off-road location that I considered to be precarious. My bike – a Honda NC750X DCT - toppled over and suffered what I assessed to be superficial damage to the frame mounting the plastics - I have worked on bikes for more than 40 years. I even offered to send a replacement from the UK, at my own cost of £230. But returning home I got…

THERE ARE NOW four versions of the Multistrada V4: the base model; the V4 S with Skyhook electronic suspension; the V4 Rally with its 30-litre tank; and now this – the V4 S Grand Tour kitted out for touring from the factory. You can all but build one yourself from a V4 S with the ‘Travel and Radar’ accessories pack, and other bits from the goodies catalogue, in theory. The £23,595 Grand Tour is £600 more than the V4 S Travel and Radar, featuring the same front and rear radar for adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection, panniers totalling 60 litres of capacity, heated seats and grips, plus a centrestand. It also has auxiliary fog lights, keyless fuel cap, tyre pressure sensors, tasteful ‘Grand Tour’ paint job, and other…

Some outstanding motorcycles have been launched in 2023, brimming with great tech, mouth-watering showroom appeal and superb running gear. After a decade of the Japanese manufacturers being usurped by the Europeans, this year saw Honda and Suzuki hit back with new middleweight engine concepts, and Yamaha launch perhaps the most techno-packed bike of all time But the Euro marques are still coming up with the goods. Moto Guzzi reinvented itself, KTM refined its leadership of the middleweight adventure bike class and Triumph brought out what may be one of the all-time best-value naked bikes. The march of technology and the refinement of traditional engineering has combined to make the machines of 2023 the best we've ever ridden. But which is the best? To find out, we selected six RiDE readers…

PEOPLE'S BIKE OF THE YEAR NOW A FEW generations in – and with upgraded adjustable WP suspension, refined ergonomics and enhanced tech for 2023 – the KTM 890 Adventure is built to tackle both tarmac and trails with ease Thanks to the combination of a punchy 889cc parallel twin motor, dynamic chassis and deceivingly low centre of gravity, the middle-of-the-range Adventure model has become a favourite for novice off-roaders and hardcore adventurers alike. This year's updates may seem subtle, but they have transformed the KTM into one of the best sub-litre adventure bikes money can buy. But what did our readers think? No stranger to adventure bikes, Multistrada V4 S-owner Richard was left seriously impressed by the 890 Adventure's capabilities, relishing the benefits its weight distribution and upgraded suspension has…

PEOPLE'S BIKE OF THE YEAR THE BEST BIT THE SHEER PACE “This is the best handling bike that I've ever ridden - and I've been riding for almost 50 years. The right rider could seriously embarrass sportsbikes on the road. It truly is an amazing thing to ride.” CRAIG THE STREET TRIPLE has always been a class-defining naked machine. Since Triumph unveiled the first iteration in 2007, the marriage of a middleweight triple motor in a sporty roadster guise has been a devastating combination, blending an energetic ride with an impressive level of usability. Yet 16 years after the first Street Triple broke cover and flew out of showrooms, the latest iteration has absolutely blown the socks of our RiDE panellists – well, five out of six of them. THE…

First we undertook a ride on urban, rural and faster A-roads to assess how they felt in everyday use. We included a section of broken roads, which we covered stood up on our long-term KTM 790 Adventure with the footpeg rubbers removed. Finally, we tested waterproofing using a pressure washer and immersed them in 150mm of water. This may seem extreme but it is conceivable you may end up submersed in a stream or river crossing, or get soaked feet due to puddles. > FIT All boots were requested in EU44 (UK9.5) size. Our tester has wide feet, so we looked at how well they fitted, how secure the heel felt, whether they pinched or if there was excess space in the toe. > COMFORT We considered the boots’ comfort…

THERE ARE TWO schools of thought when it comes to the design of adventur bikes with off-road leanings. One is to take a big-displacement engine and package it in a sophisticated chassis loaded with rider aids. The second is to adhere to the principles of simplicity and utility. Yamaha's Ténéré 700 pitches its adventure tent firmly in the second camp. Adopting the 689cc, 72bhp parallel twin from the MT-07 naked roadster, the Ténéré 700 has more power and stomp than the Ténéré 600 single that preceded it. The choice of engine and absence of tech helped keep dry weight down to 187kg (205kg wet). The sole concession to rider aids is ABS, which can be switched off by those venturing off-road. Suspension errs on the softer side, reflecting its off-road…

>Steve ‘Big Sven’ Pickering, 57 >2006 Sprint ST >55,000 miles The highs I like that the engine isn't aggressive and has a nice, smooth pickup in almost any gear. That said, although it may not rip your face off, it's no slouch. Due to its substantial size, it always feels really planted on the road, and has genuine long-distance comfort. It's very easy to live with. The lows When I first got it, it overheated regularly. But that was down to the radiator being so dented, it was practically a flat plate. I replaced the whole system. I've also suffered with reg/rec failure. The tweaks Among the best mods has been fitting Armstrong discs and Brembo pads, and swapping the 19T front sprocket for 18T. I had a low-speed offand…

GARAGE LONG-TERM TEST BIKES UPDATE 04 IT'S BEEN ANOTHER great month with the KTM 790 Adventure, learning more about what it can – and just as importantly, can't – do. I'll start with the can't. I went along to a local TRF (Trail Riders Fellowship) fun day and rode a lap of the beginners’ circuit cut into the fields and woods of a Devon farm. It transpired that this track – tight, narrow, very, very slippery, and in places just millimetres from ditches, streams and, ultimately, disaster – wasn't right for either me or the bike. We got round the lap but there were far too many near misses for my liking and I aborted after one tour, breaking a lifetime's habit and actually listening to my gut instinct. However,…

UPDATE 04 THE FACTS £8165 > 82bhp > 202kg MILES THIS MONTH 535 MPG THIS MONTH 40.3 I WASN'T 100% looking forward to my first trackday in ages – I was concerned the GSX-8S would be lost on the back straight. I want everyone to clear off so I can tag on to a few slower Advanced Groupies and follow them through the corners. And that's what happens. Yup, my perfect dance partner is the Suzuki. Its 82bhp won't cause an existential crisis – not for me, staring in hollow-eyed despair next to a 200bhp WSB-refugee BMW M1000RR as my ego leaks from my boots. I find myself as one with the 8S; we're out of our depth but treading water at the same, er, pace. The Dunlop SportSmart TTs…