Tabla de contenidos para January 2025 en RiDE

Welcome… Welcome to an issue packed with metal. The end of the year is always an exciting one for us as a slew of new bikes are released, but what's got us excited is the fact that among the best of the new-for-2025 tackle, many offer superb value. There's no getting away from the fact some are willing to pay big bucks for a bike (see how well the R1300GS and R1250GS Adventure have sold this year as proof), but we love getting good value on RiDE – and a few machines stand out. The first is Honda's new CB1000 Hornet. The standard bike is £9k and the SP version £10k – it feels like a return to where bike prices should be. Cheaper than the model it replaces, it…

SALES OF SUB-400CC bikes are soaring. A class that was ignored for decades by customers tempted away by larger-capacity machines is now looking like the hottest property in biking. Official Government new registration data shows that in 2015, when the current form of records began, motorcycles in the 301cc to 400cc sector were near the bottom of the charts – just 2720 found buyers that year. Fast-forward to 2023, the most recent full year's stats, and that number had nearly tripled to 7377. In the process, the 301cc to 400cc class jumped from the tenth most popular in the over-125cc rankings to third place. And sales are still heading upwards. The Motorcycle Industry Association's monthly results for 2024 show the 126cc to 500cc segment was up by 20.4 per cent…

NEW BIKES IT'S BUSINESS AS usual for the new £21,495 Multistrada V4 S. Its first raft of upgrades since its launch in 2021 are incremental ones. It's still every inch the high-performance tall-rounder, loaded with practicality and a race-derived motor with a bite as sharp as its bark, but there's no reason for owners of the current model to trade up. That said, the new lowering device fitted to this electronically suspended ‘S' model is worth having if you're short in the leg. The rear of the Ducati now automatically hunkers low to the ground below 6mph and lets a lets a 6ft me get both feet flat on the floor at a standstill with bent knees. Crucially it will make the job of handling a tall, heavy bike like…

THE YEAR 2025 is set to be one of the most exciting for a long time for new bikes. Thanks to a raft of new Euro emissions laws (yes, somehow they still apply to us), manufacturers have been beavering away – and the severity of the new regs means it's the perfect time to introduce entirely new bikes. What's most exciting is that among them is a new wave of more affordable machines. For years, manufacturers have been engaged in an arms race of tech and power – and while that's still going on, the best bikes of 2025 are more affordable and more focused on usability and fun. As a magazine that champions value and clever engineering, these bikes – all of which were shown at the EICMA show…

NEW METAL 2025 SUZUKI'S DR-Z4S IS proof manufacturers are putting evermore effort into small-capacity bikes. Based on the old Suzuki DR-Z400, sold in the UK between 2001 and 2009, the revised DR-Z is set to go head to head with the top-selling Honda CRF300L in the ever-growing non-enduro, small trail bike category – and on paper at least, it has a number of advantages over the CRF. The first big advantage should be power. The original DR-Z was killed by emissions but this is clean enough for Euro 5+. There's cleverer, ride-by-wire fuelling and a new cat, but also titanium intake valves, new cams for more bottom-end shove and a new dual-spark cylinder head. Suzuki say nearly every part of their DOHC single has been redesigned. The claimed 37bhp doesn't…

GARAGE LONG-TERM TEST BIKES UPDATE 01 THE DAYS OF saying ‘Chinese bikes are coming' are over – they are now here. And the Voge DS900X you see here is leading the vanguard. I first rode the DS900X a couple of months ago at the bike's UK launch and was instantly impressed. The launch happened on some pretty nasty roads – bumpy, narrow Peak District passes and lots of stop-start riding in town. The kind of roads that show up the worst traits and niggles in a bike. But I was impressed with the overwhelming level of competence. And now we're running one for the next six months to see if that feeling continues. It's not surprising that the Voge feels good. Loncin, which makes the bike, has been in partnership…

FRONT END MONTH IN BIKES HONDA HAVE REVEALED an all-new, forced-induction V3 motor in a bid to future-proof their internal combustion engines – and it could find its way into a production machine as soon as 2026. While Honda have shown a commitment to electric – showing off their EV Fun and EV Urban concepts at the EICMA trade show in Milan – engineers have also been busy putting their minds to what the next generation of internal combustion engine could look like. The result is a water-cooled 75° triple arranged in a V configuration with an electric compressor boosting intake air – a first for motorcycling. Honda say the engine layout provides a particularly slim and compact design, with the forward cylinder bank containing two pots and a single…

Q PASSED MY test four years ago and have been riding a Honda CB500X for the past couple of years – it's been great and I have really enjoyed it. I recently freed up some money, so I can afford a bigger bike. I'm interested to know what you think would help me improve my riding. Hugh Ledderer, email A THANKS FOR ASKING this one, Hugh, because it taps into an important issue: why do we ride bikes? For some there's an element of practicality – we need to commute, for example – but for most of us, bikes are about enjoyment. So, you'd think we'd all buy bikes that make every ride a joy, but that's not what I see. So many riders have been pressured by mates, marketing…

WITH A REALISTIC price tag, enough power to keep things interesting, proper touring ability and a decent level of standard equipment, the new Tiger Sport 800 stands out among the new bikes of 2025. An evolution of an already successful machine, it isn't innovative and doesn't push the boundaries, but at first glance looks to offer almost everything that many British bikers need from a bike. RiDE has been a fan of the Tiger Sport 660 since it was introduced in 2022. Based on the bones of the brilliant Trident 660, but with longer-travel suspension, a tall-rounder riding position and decent wind protection, it was a good, fun bike that was a great sports tourer for riders on their way up the ladder but also a great destination machine, too.…

NEW METAL 2025 DUCATI PANIGALE V2 DUCATI HAVE GONE radical with their new entry-level Panigale. They've dumped the 113bhp SuperSport 950 sports tourer, killed the old 154bhp Panigale V2 and made a machine that's a bit of a halfway house between the two. In a world where bigger is always better and more powerful is better still, it seems a bold decision – but there is method behind it. The old Panigale V2 was a rare sight on UK roads and its price didn't help. The base model was £17,195 and the Final Edition an eye-watering £23k. This new one still isn't exactly cheap – but it's now £14,995 for the base and £16,995 for the Öhlins-equipped, single-seat S. The idea is a bike that's easier to buy, easier over…

BEATING THE ELEMENTS YOUR GUIDE Simon's spent the past 33 years of his life professionally battling the elements – from snowy trips in the Scottish Highlands to get ciggies in the 1980s, to biblical rainstorms on the Massif Central, to 120°F heat in Morocco in the present day. He's had to learn the hard way. And he still doesn't drink enough water… THERE ARE NO prizes for riding in extreme weather conditions, and there's a big difference between struggling on manfully and struggling in man-folly. The golden rule when nature turns against you is to only ride if you feel safe. There are BSA Bantams yet to be recovered from the bottom of some Fenland ditches. But we all know the British weather is a fickle beast, and sometimes we'll…

RATED MOST BIKES NOWADAYS will come with some form of toolkit to help with a variety of bike-specific tasks, such as loosening wheel spindle nuts to adjust chain tension, alter preload for mechanical suspension, and cover the most basic jobs around the bike. However, if you're off on an adventure or a large tour, the chances are you want a little more in the way of backup in case you need to carry out unplanned maintenance or repairs. You could, of course, build your own toolkit - either buying specific tools to take with you or borrowing them from your home toolbox. But the former can be expensive, while the latter can leave you short in the garage and can be a real pain if you want to leave a…

GARAGE USED BIKES USED BUYING GUIDE 2018-2024 £1500-£4100 80mph 25bhp EVER WATCHED DETECTORISTS on TV? It sounds underwhelming – a sitcom about metal detector hobbyists did not set anyone's pants on fire with that elevator pitch. But it turned out to be one of the biggest hits of British TV in recent years. The Royal Enfield Himalayan is a bit like that. It was the first of the ‘new generation' of Enfield models from then-new owner Eicher Motors, initially offered only in the Indian home market before it was cleaned up with fuel injection instead of a carburettor for the rest of the world. Royal Enfield's previous models were essentially derived from post-war designs, which at best offered genuine classic charm and at worst were barely fit for use in…

HIGH-MILE HEROES Celebrating the people and bikes that go the distance Name Jools Goodwill, 56 Bike 2001 BMW K1200LT Total Miles 103,700 Miles per year 4500 “I BUY OLD bikes and ride the crap out of them year-round, as that's what I can afford,” says Jools. “I've owned the Great Green Whale for about three years – I bought it for next to nothing with 68,000 on the clock. Due to my partner's health, I haven't ridden much this year, or it would be on 120,000 by now, but I'm hoping to get back to longer rides soon. “A typical day out is 200-400 miles. The joys of living in glorious Yorkshire – great roads everywhere!” Any problems along the way? “It had lots of stuff wrong when I got…

YOUR RIDES THE FACTS Roads A352, A3030, A357, A350, B3081, B3078, A31, Rye Hill, Tout Hill, A352, A35, A37, A352. Distance 104 miles. Best suited to Something with plenty of torque and long legs. Nearest big town Dorchester. Famous for Cerne Giant, high fertility rates, tanks, bouncing-bomb test flights. RIDE READER DAVID ‘MITCH' MITCHELL Originally from Manchester, 51-year-old former fleet air arm engineer Mitch has been riding for 28 years but had a four-year hiatus in the mid-2010s before returning with a BMW R1100RT followed by a Triumph Sprint 1050ST. The latter was too uncomfortable for his wife LJ when she wanted to go pillion. That made way for this KTM 1290 Super Adventure, which is perfect for two-up rides yet offers Mitch enough solo fun as well. LJ has…

LETTER OF THE MONTH Labour of love I wanted to share the story of my Yamaha R1 that's just celebrated its 20th birthday. I bought the bike at the beginning of 2021 and it was incredible to ride from the get-go. However, in 2023 the infamous flywheel issue caught up with me – it failed while I was on the motorway, losing all power and lights late at night. I got married in April 2024 and because my wife also rides, our bikes played a role in the wedding, so I had an incentive to get it in perfect condition. Unfortunately, in June 2024 I was side-swiped by a car and the bike was written off by my insurance company. However, I bought it back and fixed it myself. Having…

THE 1300CC OVERHAUL has arrived for the Adventure flavour of the GS, as it did for the ‘small tank' version last year. Everything is new… yet it feels eerily familiar. Right from the first plonk-of-arse into the seat, you could close your eyes and be on the 1250 – the riding position is very similar, and releasing the clutch (if it has one – see Beyond the Hype) gives the same balanced, manageable feel that defies the considerable mass (269kg before you select anything from the option/accessory lists). The electronic suspension package and Telelever front end have the same floaty ride quality and assured composure as before, as is the power if you only tickle the motor up to the midrange. The only difference lies in the more free-revving feel…

Yamaha updated both MT-09 models for 2024, improving comfort, riding experience and – in the case of the SP model – fast and track riding performance. The latter is the sportier, flashier option – Yamaha describe the SP as their ultimate CP3-powered hypernaked – boasting uprated KYB forks, an Öhlins rear shock, superbike-spec Brembo Stylema calipers, R1M styling cues, and an additional two customisable track-focused riding modes. At £11,806, the SP costs £1700 more than the base MT-09. Its superior spec is obvious, but is it worth the extra over its already excellent stablemate or other proven packages within the class, such as Triumph's Street Triple R and RS, Kawasaki's Z900 and 900 SE, Ducati's Monster and Monster Plus, or KTM's ferocious new 990 Duke? The middleweight roadster class is…

DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk Best for Its fast and flowing start, then tighter and more engaging run at the end. Length 95 miles Route Winchester, Petersfield, Midhurst, Petworth, Washington, Steyning, Poynings, Pyecombe, Plumpton, Lewes, Alfriston, Exceat, Birling Gap, Eastbourne. Roads A272, A283, A2037, Edburton Road, Poynings Road, B2112, B2116, A276, A26, A27, Alfriston Road, unnamed road, A259, Birling Gap Road, Beachy Head Road, B2103. Love it because You can enjoy it on pretty much anything. Great variety of roads, lovely views almost everywhere, and you end on the south coast. Take a picture at The lay-by just before Beachy Head, looking back over the Seven Sisters. Stunning… Stop for a cuppa at If it's open, the kiosk at the bottom of Beachy Head is a nice spot for a cuppa.…

ON KTM'S 1390 Super Duke GT web page, under a picture of the GT getting it over, is a box that says “find a dealer”. In the circumstances we'd say that's good advice because you'll certainly need a bit of a relax after reading the GT's spec. The most extreme sports tourer in the world just got even more extreme. Capacity is up from 1301cc to 1350cc like the Super Adventure; power and torque is up from 173bhp and 104lb·ft to 187bhp and 107lb·ft – although the GT doesn't appear to get the Super Adventure's Camshift variable valve timing, nor an auto gearbox option. The GT also gets more handling with a Super Duke R Evo-based frame and revised semi-active WP suspension, plus a new touch-sensitive, wide-screen 8.8in TFT dash,…

RATED SENA Outrush R helmet £219.99 www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk THE CLAIM “The SENA Outrush R features a multi-density EPS liner, a lightweight shell and three-way ventilation located on the chin, top, and rear. The integrated sun visor and face shield offer protection from the harsh light and the elements on the road. Outrush R can pair to your smartphone via Bluetooth, letting you access a bevy of features on the go. You can listen to your favourite playlists, hear GPS navigation, and take phone calls.” THE REALITY I have tried helmets with integrated intercoms before and have always been a little disappointed. But this latest from SENA – now ECE22.06 approved and available in the UK via Sportsbikeshop - is pretty good. It uses a polycarbonate shell with a fairly thin lining,…

‘An interesting result based on two different styles of toolkit' This is an interesting result based on two quite different styles of toolkit. The Rothewald kit is initially impressive but it let down by a slightly odd combination of tools, resulting in a multi-tool that aims to serve several purposes but achieves none. The Black & Decker seems to place too much emphasis on drive bits and duplication, which suggests a lack of confidence in the product. The Sealey kit is nicely put together, as you would expect from a company with its stature. It didn't fit under our test seat but may well do on a bike with a large perch. The Halfords kit, which is aimed at motorists rather than motorcyclists, is an impressive offering and covers a…