Tabla de contenidos para September 2025 en RiDE

Welcome to a road-trip-tastic issue of RiDE. Our big premium touring issue is always our favourite to put together simply because it involves riding motorcycles a long way to lovely locations. This month I’ve been overloaded with amazing sights, great riding and all that’s brilliant about motorcycles. I’ve had two great UK road trips for our Britain’s Great Getaways supplement, but also enjoyed an amazing few days in Croatia. I’ve been lucky enough to ride in virtually every European country, but the Adriatic Highway that heads down the Croatian coast may be the most beautiful piece of tarmac I’ve ever ridden and proof it’s sometimes worth investing in a bucket list trip. I aim to return, without a snapper in tow, for fun. In fact, our whole travel special starting…

Reader Jamie Hudson sent us these pictures of a vast pothole in Derbyshire and the damage it caused to his BMW R1200GS in August last year. “As we left a small village, the speed limit increased to 60mph, and we started up a hill,” he explained. “The setting sun was directly in our eyes, making visibility difficult even with a tinted visor. “Just as I reached the crest of the hill, there was an enormous bang. I immediately thought I had run over something and stopped about 30 yards further down the road. To my shock, both my front and rear tyres were flat, and the rims bent.” “This pothole was unbelievably deep - easily the height of a £5 note standing on its end - and about 3ft wide…

Seeing clearly The Matrix system works with the IMU and a forward-facing camera in the nose to detect traffic, lighting and surroundings, which allows the individual LEDs in the lower section of the light to switch on and off depending on what you’re following, what’s coming, and if you’re leaning. It works incredibly well, never out-thinks itself, and feels reliable. Maybe the best lights on any production bike. No clutch lever, no problem No manual option here – for the GT+ you can only have Y-AMT, which has two automatic options (steadier, and slightly more spirited) along with a manual mode, with shifters on the left handlebar. It’s incredibly good on the Tracer, feels intuitive, and lets you feel like you’re taking control of the bike. The tech and build make it…

THE AFTERNOON SUN is almost too much today, shining bright through the clearest of windswept skies. The light bounces off the smashed marble cliffs, picking up the spume and spray of the Adriatic as it breaks at its base. Behind me, jagged cliffs rise and roll into hills, greening as they climb. A thousand feet above me is the town of Gospić, the road to it a wonder of serpentine canyons, paved in flawless tarmac. It’s all beyond perfect, to the point of being a little overwhelming. I’m parked up in a lay-by, catching my breath after the intensity of the E65 Adriatic Highway, a confection of twists and turns that follows the rough-hewn coastline of Europe’s most picturesque country. The past few miles have been a blur of corner-carving,…

1 Vision is everything when it comes to corners Safe cornering is all about positioning for safety and vision - the further you can see through a bend, the quicker you can spot a potential hazard ahead and the sooner oncoming vehicles can see you. The IAM teach about vanishing points, and you need to ensure this point is always moving at a faster rate than you are approaching it. If it is coming towards you or not moving away from you, the bend is tightening; if it is moving away, the bend is opening out. Ideally you should be over-cautious entering a bend then accelerate out when you can see the exit is clear. Road positioning will give you better visibility through a corner. In an ideal world on entry…

Dunlop SportSmart Mk4 from £330 www.dunlop.eu THE CLAIM “A major revision for the SportSmart, with increased silica content to promote compound flexibility at low temperatures. New compound unlocks previously unattained levels of grip while the front tyre provides significantly enhanced handling through revised casing tension and ply line optimisation. There’s reduced steering effort obtained through revised rear sidewall and shoulder construction.” THE REALITY These are good sporty road tyres. Tested on our Honda CB1000 Hornet, they seem well-suited to rapid road riding, and their characteristics mean they’d liven up a sports tourer, too. They were an instant improvement on the Hornet’s OE Dunlop RoadSport 2s, warming up quickly but possessing predictable characteristics when cool as well. Once warm, you’re presented with as much grip as you’d ever need for the…

‘It’s hard to turn your back on this style of footwear’ When you ride for a decent amount of time in short boots such as the six tested, then walk around in them at an event, it is hard to turn your back on this style of footwear again – especially if you’re a ‘jacket and jeans’ rider who likes to walk around off the bike. It was impressive that five of the six boots passed the waterproofing test as they were completely submerged up to their gusset area. And to be fair to Merlin, the fact one boot stayed water-tight and the other leaked hints at a small manufacturing defect in the boot we tested (they have a two-year guarantee) rather than a design issue. But there have to…

BMW R1300GS ADVENTURE TE TROPHY 07178 MILES FINAL UPDATE MILEAGE RUBS INTO our motorcycling souls like dubbin on leather, worn the into creases in the corners of our eyes. You can always tell someone who habitually puts in the big-time saddle hours – when they look in the mirror, Nick Sanders is staring back. Don’t be alarmed, your face will return to normal in a week or two. It certainly makes me take do a double-take, mid-Scotland tour. I’ve brought the big GS all the way up to the outstanding Aultguish Inn, just north of Garve in the Highlands, for a 10-day tour with my Front End Chatter podcast pals. The R1300GS Adventure is the tool for the job because it not only has the torque to lug my undercrackers…

SUZUKI HAVE AGAIN expanded their middleweight parallel twin offering with a new GSX-8T and GSX-8TT duo, said to be inspired by naked machinery of the 1970s. Both retros make use of the Japanese brand’s 776cc parallel twin engine – a motor already found in the GSX-8S, GSX-8R, and V-Strom 800 families – which should make the T and TT a direct competitor to the likes of Yamaha’s XSR700. As before, the engine continues to make use of a cross balancer to reduce vibrations, and you get a short exhaust muffler exiting by the rider’s right foot. It’s housed in the same steel frame as the 8S. They also share the 8S’s subframe. Both bikes get traction control, power modes, a two-way quickshifter, and a colour TFT dash. They do, however,…

Q I’M TERRIFIED OF filtering. I’m convinced everyone is out to get me and I feel so vulnerable. What can be done? Bob Jenkins, email A THE MOST OBVIOUS thing to do is not filter. Lots of motorcyclists don’t bother – and while sitting in traffic may seem like a waste of time to some of us, there’s no shame in it. Each to their own – and I’d much rather you arrived slightly later and enjoyed your ride rather than gaining a couple of minutes and feeling shaky. But on the assumption that you want to filter without nerves, let’s go through some steps to get you in the groove. The first thing to remember is that filtering is completely legal and – if done sensibly – carries low…

YAMAHA’S TRACER 7 and Tracer 7 GT have always been about real-world usability – unintimidating, affordable, and great fun – making them ideal not just for those stepping up to a bigger bike, but for anyone seeking stress-free, everyday adventure. For 2025, Yamaha haven’t reinvented the Tracer, but with a host of thoughtful updates they’ve produced the most polished and satisfying versions yet. Styling is fresher, the new dash finally feels modern, and with the ride-by-wire throttle, cruise control, and three rider modes, the Tracer 7 shrugs off its ‘budget’ image. On the road, the lively handling and composed ride steal the show. Gone is the soft, wallowy feel of older models – now the bike feels confident, planted and, if you have a favourite set of corners, genuinely fun.…

DUCATI MADE A bold decision for 2025 – in updating their complete V2 model range (Panigale, Streetfighter and Multistrada), they focused on reduced weight, ease of use and agility over peak performance. A change brought about by replacing the 937cc Testastretta 11° motor with an all-new 890cc unit. Ducati have also redesigned the Multistrada V2S and shed 18kg over the outgoing Multistrada V2 model, which is quite a proportion of its overall weight. Add in some extra tech – including updated Skyhook suspension on the S model as tested, and a monocoque chassis that aims to take full advantage of its new lighter proportions – and on paper Ducati’s middleweight adventurer is a tempting prospect. But how is it in reality? Is gambling on riders prioritising weight over outright performance…

THE FACTS SHARKS ARE NATURE’S most astonishing survivors. They’ve existed on planet Earth for between 350 and 450 million years, depending on how you count it. In that time they’ve seen dinosaurs come and go, survived five global mass extinction events, and hung around longer than spiders, cockroaches and even trees. That kind of staying power only happens when something is pretty special – and when it’s also adaptable, versatile and resilient. Suzuki’s SV650 is a two-wheeled shark. Not in the conventional sense, perhaps. The friendly middleweight has hardly carved out a fearsome reputation as an apex predator, nor inspired a litany of camp Hollywood horror flicks. But the SV has shown astounding staying power. Fireblades, GSs and Speed Triples? The names have been around longer, but the bikes themselves…

KNOX HANDROID MK4 £229 ❱ www.planet-knox.com THE FACTS THE CLAIM “The award-winning Handroid set the standard for motorcycle gloves with its unique exoskeleton design. The new MK IV evolves this legacy with a sleek, modern look and lower-profile spines for improved aerodynamics and comfort. “Made from premium 0.8mm Korean leather and sustainable kangaroo hide, it offers exceptional strength and feel. Upgraded protection includes the new SPS Impact system and a gel-lined metacarpal protector. The BOA closure system now features a secure one-step dial-in fit. Enhanced comfort comes from finger box construction. Built by expert craftsmen and CE-approved through 15 rigorous tests, the MK IV is the most advanced Handroid yet.” THE REALITY I’ve used these gloves for the past four summers and have found them to be excellent sports gloves…

SEPTEMBER 2024 ADVENTURE TOURING HELMETS Scorpion ADF-9000 £299.99-£395.99 A great all-round performance, with decent noise figures, fit, comfort and features. And a bargain, with prices starting at less than £300. OCTOBER 2024 LEATHER JACKETS Spada Hanzo £319.99 A lovely jacket with top-line protection, great design touches and stacks of cooling airflow. Also a very nice price. Richa Charleston £389.99 A proper heavyweight jacket, though this disappears when you wear it. Lovely finish, excellent fit. Sleeveless thermal liner is useful, too. Merlin Alton £299.99 Super-soft, supple and flexible, works with and without the liner, and has contemporary look and feel. NOVEMBER 2024 TOURING BOOTS Eleveit Venom £199.99 A lovely looking boot that is comfortable on and off the bike, fits really nicely, leaves room for thicker socks and kept all water…

Name Jacob Chwialkowski, 24 Bike 2001 BMW R1150GS Total miles 148,478 Miles per year 6000 SINCE JACOB’S BIKE is the same age as he is, it’s a fair bet someone else did most of its impressive mileage. “Yes, that’s true. I purchased it a little over two years ago hovering around the 130,000 miles mark. I got it with no history or documents, so sometimes wonder about the places and adventures it’s been on. “Since then I’ve used it for commuting and for exploring the area I live. It’s had a good couple of thousand miles of back-country forest road adventuring as well as longer trips.” Any problems under your ownership? “Nothing that I would be upset with the bike for. I had to replace the clutch slave cylinder, caused by what I…

WHEN LABOUR CAME to power last year, it pledged to fix a million additional potholes every year of the current Parliament. It has followed up with £1.6 billion of road maintenance funding for local authorities – £500 million more than before – with the specific aim of bringing roads back up to scratch. In her October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “For too long, potholes have been an all too visible reminder of our failure to invest as a nation. Today, that changes with a £500m increase in road maintenance budgets next year, more than delivering on our manifesto commitment.” But even with that money, it’s an uphill task to get on top of the growing plague of potholes, caused by decades of underinvestment in roads despite the £40 billion…

Bikers have raised fears about autonomous buses and taxis – set to arrive on UK roads next year – as the Government announced plans for small-scale trials. Plans to introduce autonomous vehicles had previously been pushed to 2027, but they’ve now been given the green light to launch by spring 2026 under new rules outlined in the Autonomous Vehicles (AV) Act. The trials will see fleets of driverless vehicles operating in selected areas, ahead of a potential wider roll-out when the full AV Act takes effect in 2027. It’s a move that’s been criticised by motorcycle industry groups. Craig Carey-Clinch, executive director of the National Motorcyclists Council, said: “It is essential that the Government gets this right. A thirst for growth cannot come before safety, particularly for the most vulnerable…

LETTER OF THE MONTH 'To have and to read…' I accept that normally you like scenic pictures of bikes in far off places, but I thought you’d like this. My daughter was getting married, and during a lull in proceedings my wife caught me reading RiDE under the table. I think everyone enjoyed the telling off I received… Peter Watson R That’s commitment, Peter. I trust you gave the issue to your daughter to read on the honeymoon… Jim Moore RIDE'S STAR LETTER WINS AN OXFORD MINT CLEANING BUNDLE WORTH £35 The MINT range is split into CLEAN, DETAIL, MAINTAIN and we’re kicking off CLEANING. www.oxfordproducts.com What, no KTM? RiDE is the best ‘all-round’ bike mag available. However, after reading the article on the Yamaha Ténéré 700 (August issue), I was really…

SINCE ITS INCEPTION 10 years ago, the Tracer 9 (or Tracer 900 at the beginning) has been at the sportier end of the sports-touring spectrum. As the years have passed, Yamaha have worked to calm the Tracer 9 range down a touch – and for the flagship 2025 Tracer 9 GT+ they’ve gone further. Yamaha have added a dash of maturity to the mix, and packed it with technology usually only found on more expensive, bigger-bore adventure bikes. And the result is a serious touring flagship. While the focus for the 2025 Tracer 9 GT+ is on the touring aspect, it still retains its sporty nature to an impressively high level. Subtle chassis tweaks not only support additional load and luggage, but also boost agility without losing too much stability.…

GO TO THE ISLE OF MAN FOR THE ROADS AND THE RACING Nowhere does biking like the Isle of Man – and the Manx Grand Prix is this month IF I COULD persuade my family, I’d move to the Isle of Man tomorrow. I love the beauty, the small-town nature of the place, the opportunities for a bracing, outdoors life, and how it reminds me of my childhood seaside summers of the ’80s. Oh, and it’s the motorcycling capital of the world. We all know about the TT, but what’s always impressive is how much motorcycle racing takes over The Island when the racing isn’t on – as the painted kerbs, safety barriers and monolithic grandstand and pits at Douglas testify. And while the IOM is worth a biking holiday…

ALONG WITH HERDING cats and taking orders for tartan paint, my day job is to keep our scatterbrained editor Matt and his budget on track. It’s not always the easiest, but it certainly makes you aware how much things cost. So, with prices rising and the cost of getting away ever-higher, I wanted to know the true cost of a six-day tour in France. Sometimes, however, it’s best not to know… DAY ONE Ride HQ to Sillé-le-Guillaume, 424 miles I’m excited, it’s that time of year where I leave hubby at home to head off on an adventure. I’m off to Dordogne, via the Eurotunnel. I plan to overnight with mates to keep costs down but this makes it a long day ride. Motorways and toll roads make progress quick,…

2002-2018 | £2000-£6750 | 145mph | 125bhp THE ST1100 PAN European won hearts on its launch in 1990. The game-changing tourer might have been pricey, but its speed, civility, refinement and equipment level (bikes with a full fairing, integral panniers, and shaft drive were rare back then) quickly helped it become the new benchmark. Others tried, but none got close to the Pan’s blend of usable power, handling and comfort. To professionals like the police, breakdown and taxi firms, the ST was first choice. Spec changes weren’t radical during its 12-year reign. In 1992 an ABS/traction control model became an option. Subsequent versions had slight cosmetic revisions, and in 1996 the Pan’s brakes were upgraded and equipped with the CBS linked system – the standard-braked version remaining an option. Both…

Regardless of age and mileage, a well-kept ST1300 should still look and sound good and ride very well. Ideally, start it from cold and let it warm up fully. It’s a quiet engine, and any untoward noise at any engine temperature should be treated with suspicion. As should any coolant or oil leaks. Be mindful of the Pan’s very heavy feel from a standstill. Wheeling it around with the engine off can feel precarious. But once you’re under way, there’s a seemingly miraculous weight loss. Good clutch and gearbox action are very important, with some issues indicating potential pricey fixes. Throttle response should be keen though not too sharp, with a lovely smooth, turbine-like build-up of power. The motor can get hot in town. Similarly, handling manners should be equally…

THE ORIGINAL KATANA split opinion. Its futuristic styling was so different to anything else that it inspired either love or hate. There was no in between. Then in 2019 Suzuki revived the Katana by giving its GSX-S1000 a makeover in the same way the GSX1100E became the ’81 original. While the modern Kat’s lines doff a cap to its forebear, its presence has proven far less polarising. Admiring glances are the norm when parked up, followed by the inevitable “is it any good?” Well, having done almost 3000 miles on it, I can say it is. But it has issues - some I’ll have to live with, others I’ve rectified or plan to. But so far, it’s been a blast… THE FACTS £12,600 ❱ 150bhp ❱ 215kg SINCE LAST UPDATE…