Tabla de contenidos para January 2026 en RiDE

‘After decades of riding bikes, new metal still excites us’ This month is all about the metal, with our massive guide to 2026's best new bikes. I've been into bikes since I was a kid, and as someone who pored over every word in every bike mag, I was always excited when news of the latest wave of bikes hit. It's the same today. There's always a frisson of curiosity when details of a new machine pings onto my email or some spy shots of an upcoming bike become available. We spend hours just looking at them, finding out everything we can. Then there's seeing them in the flesh. We're in the lucky position of being able to grill technical people from the manufacturers, but still nothing beats being able…

The UK only has a handful of hydrogen stations, with around 1000 worldwide – mostly in Asia, with China and South Korea leading the way. But if the issues of hydrogen production and distribution can be solved, fuel cells could be a better solution than combustion engines. Fuel cells turn hydrogen and oxygen from the air into electricity to create an EV that can be rapidly refuelled rather than recharged. Their emissions are even lower than a hydrogen combustion engine, which still emits nitrogen oxides and trace CO2; fuel cells emit only water and offer far better efficiency, with more of the hydrogen's stored power making it to the wheels than is possible using a combustion engine. On the downside, fuel cells are difficult to make and hence expensive, and…

Britain's motorcycle racing governing body is taking action against the sale of fake ‘approved’ gold stickers – required on helmets in Britain for both bike racing and trackdays. According to a statement released by the Auto-Cycle Union, more than 5000 counterfeit products have already been removed from the market, with a growing number of unauthorised stickers prompting action supported by both legal partners and Trading Standards. The legitimate stickers, which wear the words ‘British Motorcycle Sport’ and an ‘ACU approved’ logo, can be found on a wide range of full-face motorcycle helmets – often already attached to the product without need to buy one on the aftermarket. To achieve the standard, helmets undergo independent analysis by the organisation.…

Email ride@ride.co.uk Write to us RiDE, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough PE2 6EA LETTER OF THE MONTH The good groove of older bikes In reply to Ian Jones’ letter (RiDE, November) on the matter of seeing older bikes on the road, he'll be glad to know I'm very much in that groove. As you'll see from the image, the collection consists of a number pushing into their 30s, all in full working order and supported by a couple of newbies. Nothing beats the simplicity of working on most of these with no complicated electronics (apart from the Honda Gold Wing and Triumph Speed 400). Each bring joy and a smile regardless of when being ridden which is what motorbiking is all about. Steve Monk RIDE'S STAR LETTER WINS AN OXFORD MINT…

FIRST RIDE HONDA CB1000GT THE CB1000GT LOOKS set to be another hit for Honda: combining nearly 90 years of accumulated motorcycling know-how in a brilliant sports-tourer package, yet with a sticker price that offers value even the Chinese upstarts can't match. The brilliant Hornet donates its core platform – steel frame and ex-Fireblade engine from the standard version. A few tweaks to the fuel injection knock the sharp edges off the response, particularly in the bottom half of the rev range, for a smoother ride where the naked can be a bit hair-trigger. There's a small peak power/torque penalty, but not enough that you'd notice. A longer, beefier swingarm and a touch more ground clearance tweak the chassis for the new purpose. Showa's EERA electronic suspension digitally adjusts damping in…

FIRST RIDE LIVEWIRE S2 ALPINISTA THIS IS THE third version of LiveWire's S2 platform and the most conventional, with its 17in wheel and street bike style. The motor and battery are shared with the cruiser-ish Mulholland and street tracker Del Mar, but it's the top-priced model too – it's £10,599 following across-the-board price drops. The Alpinista is £900 more than the Mulholland and £1800 than the Del Mar, for reasons that are hard to fathom. Pricing questions aside, the switch to sport-sized wheels and more aggressive geometry has improved handling and grip, but it's still stable. The S2's claimed 197kg is comparable to many 800-900cc internal combustion nakeds. In some ways, it's as much fun as those conventional roadsters – 194lb·ft of torque delivered via direct drive means instant shove,…

Given the right conditions, the BSA is undeniably fun to ride. On smooth roads the Bantam zips along merrily with a pleasingly gruff exhaust note that makes it sound like it has a larger capacity. On a ride like this the BSA is enjoyable and has a certain charm to it, which is enhanced by the name on the tank. But should the road get uneven, the fact it's built to a cost starts to hamper ride quality. Over smooth undulations the suspension damping is acceptable and allows the bike to track the road's surface, but as soon as you hit a harsh bump the shocks throw in the towel and the kick is transferred through the bike. Harsh and unforgiving, your back takes the brunt of the impact. Unpleasant.…

No. 10 Café Bar and Bistro, Stamford Bridge The perfect way to ease yourself into the day with a splendid range of breakfasts in Stamford Bridge – loads of parking space out front, too. www.no10bistro.co.uk Dogh, Welburn Amazing little bakery, café and deli in Welburn village (turn right after the Carlisle monument) with a full range of breakfasts, pastries, sandwiches, wraps, jackets… you get the idea. Quality grub. www.dogh.co.uk Thomas the Baker, Helmsley Never mind the excellent deli and butcher, avail yourself of the takeaway's cakes, hot pastries, rolls, quiche – all freshly prepared on location behind the counter. www.thomasthebaker.co.uk…

NEW BIKES ARE great. Great to think about riding, great for ogling specs, great for working out how to afford the PCP repayments, and great at keeping us all dialled in. For those of us ready to pull the pin on a new bike, the appearance of one that fits your needs perfectly can be momentous. For some, the interest of the models helps us through a fallow period in biking – and they're always worth a sit on while walking around the NEC… This year was massive for new bikes, so it's not unsurprising to find 2026 is quieter for the big, established factories – especially given the dip in sales of new bikes across Europe, still struggling to recover from a slow first six months of 2025. Still,…

THREE ATTRACTIONS OF the original 2019 Ténéré 700 were its modest price, size and simplicity. It was an adventure bike we could easily afford, reasonably chuck about off-road, that wasn't loaded with electronics. Yamaha sold a boatload, then made a few variations, mostly with cosmetic differences: the Rally, then the World Rally and, in 2022, the World Raid. But the World Raid upped the bling. Its 72bhp 689cc 270° parallel twin and steel tube frame stayed the same, but twin fuel tanks took capacity to 23 litres and range to 200 miles, fully adjustable suspension got stiffer with more travel, a steering damper was draped across the headstock because the bike's new balance added more front weight bias, and the dash went to a 5in TFT. Still no cruise control,…

No surprise to discover that, like the DesertX (page 49), Multistrada, Streetfighter, Panigale and Hypermotard, Ducati's 2026 Monster also inherits the 890cc V2 engine and ditches the 937cc Testastretta V-twin. Ducati are tuning the new engine with different outputs for each model, and in the 2026 Monster the V2 motor makes the same claimed 109bhp as the previous bike at a slightly lower 9000rpm, and 2lb·ft less peak torque – 67lb·ft – at a slightly revvier 7250rpm. The new engine means a switch to valvetrain and cam train (with variable valve timing), losing cambelts and Desmo – which saves 5.9kg and extends valve service intervals to 28,000 miles. And we know from riding the new Multistrada V2 that the Monster will likely be smoother and more civilised, but a bit…

PLATFORM ENGINEERING IS like a Woolies pick ‘n’ mix, and Triumph were at it in the early 1990s. Back then it was shoehorning a big, brawny triple into everything from a street bike to an adventure bike… and 30 years later they're still at it. This time, Triumph have taken the 798cc, 113bhp triple from the 2025 Tiger Sport 800 and dressed it in the same street bike family styling as the Trident 660, with distinctive, rounded, retro-style tank, deep knee cutaways and shorty seat unit, but up-spec'd running gear and componentry – et voilà, the new Trident 800. Who said product planning is hard? The 800's 765 Street Triple-derived motor (it shares the same bore diameter as the sporty street bike, but with 2.3mm longer stroke) is a Hinckley…

Although never out of production since its launch in 1991, Kawasaki's KLE500 stopped coming to the UK in 2007, when it was effectively superseded by the Versys 650. And it was never a palpable hit in the UK – in the 1990s, a 47bhp 498cc parallel twin adventure bike (long before they were called adventure bikes) was wrong time, wrong place, wrong capacity, wrong power output. How times have changed, and nowadays that sounds like a recipe for sales. So, to meet the hour Kawasaki are reintroducing the KLE500 – and this time round it looks a much more appropriate proposition. Totally unrelated to the old KLE other than in name and concept, the new KLE uses the same 45bhp, 451cc parallel twin from the Z500 and Ninja 500, but…

Harking back to a featherweight Royal Enfield 126cc Second World War despatch bike, the Flying Flea name will be revived with two electric models. The C6 urban bike will be seen in the first half of 2026 and the newly unveiled S6 scrambler – with chain drive, spoked rims, knobblies and conventional USD forks – is due to be launched late in 2026. Royal Enfield haven't revealed the Flying Flea's specs but, it'll likely conform to A1 licence spec – which means 11kW or less and 0.1kW per kg power-to-weight. Other electric bikes in that class are machines like Maeving's RM series, which produces 9.6bhp continuous and 15bhp peak (in dual battery spec), and can briefly get up to 70mph. But range is limited at around 50-60 real-world miles. And…

KTM 390 Adventure R £6699 > 44bhp > 29lb·ft > 176kg (kerb) > 870mm seat The new kid on the block – and could end up being better than the CRF. The KTM is more powerful, more sophisticated, with better suspension and extra long-distance adventure ability. Reliability is unproven, though. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 From £5750 > 39bhp > 30lb·ft > 196kg (kerb) > 825mm seat Himmy is on the other end of the adventure spectrum – good on the road and capable of big tarmac trips, but is less able off-road, though fine for big gravel-road trips abroad. Better road bike than the CRF. CFMoto 450MT £5699 > 42bhp > 31lb·ft > 175kg (dry) > 800/820mm seat The left-field choice, the 450MT does what the CRF does but with…

1 What are you going to use it for? If you want to use a CFR300 Rally for off-roading, then try to buy one that's done some already. Ideally, some useful extras will already be fitted that will enhance the experience but won't add massively to the asking price. 2 How well has it been looked after? CRFs that haven't seen dirt have had an easier life, but if care and maintenance have been adjusted accordingly it's fine to consider any that have. Engine oil capacity is small so it should be changed by the book. Run the motor until the fan kicks in and check for unusual sounds, leaks or smoking. Inspect fork alignment, suspension action, chain and sprocket condition, and look inside the tank for rust. Noisy end cans won't…

2022-on | £2000-£4200 | 71mph | 20bhp TO THE UNEDUCATED eye, or indeed an educated one, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 looks like a relic from a bygone age. However, the word ‘retro’ is wholly misapplied here. This would be better described as ‘defiantly traditional’. Where other manufacturers offer retro motorcycles that are stylised pastiche disguising modern motors and running gear, Royal Enfield follow a path of ongoing evolution. The Classic 350 first appeared in 2009, inspired by the Bullet 350 that originated in 1948. Of course, Royal Enfield are not immune to the demands of modernity when it comes to the environment. For this Buying Guide, we're looking at the 2022-on Classic 350, which has Enfield's 349cc J-series single-cylinder engine, designed to meet Euro5 emissions regulations through a combination…

Don't bother attempting a motorway blast on a test ride. With a claimed top speed of 71mph, even going with the flow will be a challenge. Rather, stick to B-roads and town to enjoy the Classic 350 in its ideal environment. The Classic is not large in terms of displacement, but is well-proportioned elsewhere. Decide whether it will be a fit for you. Handling is easy, although the suspension, while good, can become flustered on the worst of our rutted, potholed roads. Better shocks and fork springs are available to help here. Instrumentation is basic as befits the old-school Enfield. There's no rev counter, but an accessory tacho is available echoing the style of the speedo (see ‘Three ways to make it better’, below). Not that you really need it;…

HONDA HAVE MOVED closer to making their electronically blown forced induction V3 concept a reality after revealing a more advanced V3R 900 E-Compressor Prototype at EICMA. First seen as a rolling tubular chassis and engine model at last year's show, it's moved on to feature modern naked bike bodywork, an LED headlight, TFT dash and flat bars – complete with detailed switchgear. Designed in a bid to increase the regulatory longevity of the conventional combustion engine, the concept model features a water-cooled motor with 75° V-angle and a 900cc displacement. Honda say its performance can rival a naturally aspirated 1200cc motor, although it's not clear what configuration of engine they are using to draw this comparison. Providing the additional performance is the inclusion of an electronically controlled compressor. It uses…

One of the world's largest motorcycle manufacturers has entered the UK with bold plans to take as much as 20 per cent of the market in just five years. Hero MotoCorp's arrival is being spearheaded by a £3499 Hunk 440, which is powered by a long-stroke, oil/air-cooled 440cc single, churning out a leisurely 27bhp and 27lb·ft of torque. The Indian brand – said to produce one motorcycle every 18 seconds – are headquartered in New Delhi, and will initially sell through a network of 25 UK dealerships under the MotoGB banner, before expanding to 45 outlets as more models arrive.…

‘I crashed after my brake stuck on. What can I do?’ Q I HAVE RECENTLY bought an old Suzuki GSX-R1100 having wanted one since I was a child. I love a classic sportsbike, and while the engine is solid and dependable, the bike was owned by someone who had suffered sudden hearing loss and had resultant balance problems. The knock-on from that was he dropped it on the drive, damaging both sides. In short, to get the bike back on the road, it needed a full service and a new clutch and front brake lever (he had broken off the ends). The shop asked if I wanted to replace both levers with aftermarket anodised blue versions. I thought that would look smart and I duly paid my bill and set…

It's well-suspended It may lack the apparent bling of the Öhlins shock on the Hornet SP, but that's spec-sheet engineering to some degree: the semi-active Showa kit on the CB1000GT will work better for more riders, more of the time. It's able to float over bumps, yet stand its ground when you give the Nissin brakes a good squeeze. They're just as good as the Hornet's Brembos, too. The support you need The bigger seat promises a far easier time of it on longer runs for both the rider's and pillion's backsides, and first impressions suggest it should be competitive with the Kawasaki Versys 1100 and Suzuki GSX-S1000GX in this area. Those big grab handles should provide your passenger with a secure handhold, too. Tweaks are easy enough Honda's switchgear…

FIRST RIDE QJMOTOR SRK900 1 IT'S NOT A COPY A parallel-twin naked isn't an exclusive idea, but unlike many Chinese manufacturers who produce their own versions of a better-known power plant (historically Kawasaki's 650, and more recently the KTM LC8c), QJMotor's 904cc engine doesn't share any clear design with another manufacturer. It claims 95bhp, which is a little down on some 900-ish rivals, but it goes and sounds well enough. Throttle response is a bit crude in places though – a Chinese bike calling card, it seems. 2 THERE ARE PLENTY OF ELECTRONICS It's no surprise that the nation that produces much of the world's electronic gadgets adorn their bikes with digital features. The 7in TFT dash contains all the usual instrumentation, talks to the tyre pressure monitors fitted as standard,…

Where rivals including the Honda GB350S and Royal Enfield's 350cc models use a basic air-cooled 2v SOHC engine, BSA have chosen a more modern liquid-cooled 4v DOHC motor – much like Triumph's 400 models. It's a smart move, because this gives the Bantam enough poke to feel like it can keep up with modern traffic, whereas both the Honda and the Royal Enfields run out of steam at 60mph. On the road, this extra grunt – and a six-speed gearbox – means overtakes or accelerating into fast-moving traffic requires far less planning, and results in safer manoeuvres. Sprightly to accelerate and easy-going in town, importantly the engine still looks retro enough to be visually appealing thanks to cooling fins, yet packs performance that ensures you aren't continually tap-dancing on the…

How much does it weigh? Fully fuelled and ready to go, the Bantam weighs 192kg, which is 7kg more than the 185kg it is claimed to weigh when 90 per cent fuelled. Our bike had some extras fitted, too. It's likely their claim is accurate. 1 Engine The 334cc single-cylinder engine is built for the Indian market (it is also used in a range of Jawa models) and, as such, is built to last. We wouldn't expect any mechanical issues even living on its rev limiter, as Mahindra know their stuff, and it appears easy to work on. It has a three-year warranty. 2 Details A few finer details let the side down. Examples include bolts that are a touch too long, areas where the paint doesn't seem brilliant, and a slight…

The BSA is pleasingly simple and feels the kind of bike that, valve clearances aside, you may be tempted to work on as everything is very accessible. A lock on the side pops the saddle off using the ignition key, and beneath is the battery and fuse box, meaning it takes seconds to wire in a 12V socket for heated clothing or a USB charger. That said, there is no underseat storage, which is a shame. A limited toolkit comes included. Should you wish to adjust the chain you may feel the need to buy a paddock stand as there is no centrestand – either as standard or an optional extra.…

Honda GB350S £3999 > 21bhp > 21lb·ft > 178kg (claimed) A huge sales success in the UK during 2025, the GB350S is powered by a 348cc SOHC 2v air-cooled single-cylinder engine that features traction control as standard as well as an assist and slipper clutch. Easy-going and fun to ride, the GB's retro styling gives it subtle appeal. Royal Enfield Classic 350 From £4459 > 20bhp > 20lb·ft > 195kg (claimed) Royal Enfield's 349cc SOHC 2v air-cooled single retro harks back to the firm's rich heritage – and this small-capacity motor is powering their revival. As well as the Classic, there is a Bullet 350, modern-looking HNTR 350 and Meteor 350 cruiser, all based around the same engine platform. Triumph Speed 400 £5345 > 40bhp > 28lb·ft > 170kg (claimed)…

BEST VIEW Carlton Bank Unexpected highlight on the route, the views from Carlton Bank overlooking the North York Moors are stunning. Also nearby is Lordstones Country Park, with a café and accommodation if it all gets bit too much and you need a lie-down. www.lordstones.com BEST STATELY HOME Castle Howard If you want to see how the other half used to live, stop at Castle Howard and enjoy an all-day mooch around one of the country's most opulent and preserved stately homes and gardens. Online tickets are £25 in autumn. www.castlehoward.co.uk BEST RUINS Byland Abbey Walk among the ruins and imagine the scale of the finished abbey, laid down by Cistercian monks 850 years ago. Nearby Rievaulx Abbey is bigger and better preserved, but you have to pay to get…

TAKE THE CB1000 Hornet, add a half-fairing with upright ergonomics, a 21-litre tank, quickshifter, cruise control, semi-active suspension, heated grips, adjustable screen, panniers and a centrestand (all as standard), call it the CB1000GT and sell it for a quid less than £12 grand, all in. Welcome back to sports-touring, Honda. And then some. When Honda unveiled the naked CB1000 Hornet last year, its mix of 150bhp inline four ex-Fireblade motor, a simple but effective chassis and sub-£9000 price tag (with upgraded Öhlins/Brembo SP version a grand more) made it a hit. But we can't have been alone in thinking: “Put a half-fairing, upright riding position, big tank and cruise on that, and where do I sign?”. The platform was crying out for big-miles practicality and, given the long-time absence of…

With its full spec and price still under wraps at the time of going to press, Ducati have dropped a few hints about the 2026 DesertX – and there's a fair amount we can work out for ourselves. We know the DesertX will get the new, more compact, lighter, variable-valved, non-Desmo 890cc V-twin that already powers the Multistrada V2, Panigale V2 and Streetfighter V2, and will be found in the new Monster and Hypermotard. It comes in numerous states of tune, but Ducati say it makes 108bhp at 9000rpm and 68lb·ft at 7000rpm in the DesertX – that's the same tune as the Monster but less than the other models, which makes sense for a bike with off-road capability. The switch from cambelts to cam chains means valve clearance service…

NORTON RETURN TO the road in volume, as the TVS Motor-owned company gear up with four new 2026 models. And while headlines have been hogged by the showy 1200cc V4 Manx hyper-naked and Manx R sportsbike, Norton's Atlas and Atlas GT are where the real interest lies. Because unlike the top-end Manx and Manx R, the Atlas and Atlas GT will be affordable, day-to-day practical middleweights – the GT as the 17in front, road-oriented version, and the Atlas the adventure-styled model with a 19in front and spoked rims. It hasn't been confirmed, but we'd bet our houses on both Atlases being manufactured by TVS Motor in India, where the company already build BMW's F-series G310 singles as well as the small matter of four million domestic sales of 125-312cc singles…

If anyone asks which modern bike engine could survive a nuclear war, the answer will be Suzuki's 90° 645cc V-twin. It was first introduced in the SV650 in 1999; Suzuki have since built more than half a million of them in 27 years of production. That's a pretty good return on investment. But we all thought it was curtains for the little V-twin when it looked as if Suzuki wouldn't update the SV for Euro5+. But in a plot twist, turns out Suzuki haven't given up on the SV motor yet. The SV-7GX is, in essence, an SV650 midi-tall-rounder – only without the ‘tall’; wheel travel is as per SV, seat height is a low 795mm (the extra 10mm over the SV comes from extra seat padding). But it has…

NO, IT'S NOT a London postcode – the WN7 is the first ‘large capacity’ electric bike from a Japanese factory. W comes from Honda's ‘Be The Wind’ philosophy; N is for ‘Naked’, – which hints at future designations for different models, but the WN is a fairing-free roadster – and 7 is a rating of Honda's own internal category of power output for electric bikes, between 0 to 9. But for more conventional units, the WN's figures are the equivalent of 67bhp and 74lb·ft – coincidentally, the same power as a 1969 CB750, but with the torque of a CB1000 Hornet. Except, being electric, the WN7 will deliver all that torque right off the throttle. Honda claim a 0-50m time of 3.9 seconds, so the WN will feel quicker off…

CFMOTO BENEFITED FROM their 2017 technology tie-up with KTM, producing 790 Duke and 790 Adventure bikes under licence, then spinning-off the technology to create replica machines at a lower price. Their naked 800NK and 800MT adventure ranges share internal engine architecture – such as crankcase design and bore and stroke – with KTM's 790s, and frame design, too. The new off-road-oriented 800MT-X also shares the KTM 790 Adventure's twin ‘saddle bag’-style fuel tanks. But for 2026 CFMoto have produced the 1000MT-X; an uprated 947cc parallel twin version of the 800MT-X that features – you guessed it – a lightly retuned version of the 990 motor from the KTM Duke, with KTM-style steel tube frame and familiar low-slung fuel tanks. So, basically, CFMoto have built the bike KTM were probably going…

Richa Orion GTX £529 (jacket), £429 (trousers) www.richa.eu THE CLAIM “Orion GTX two-piece suit is crafted for comfort and performance, featuring a four-way stretch Gore-Tex outer that remains dry and flexible in all weather. Removable thermal liners and Richa's Airflow Circulation System for adaptable ventilation. AA certification with D3O L1 protection at key points, plus reflective highlights for better night visibility.” THE REALITY The Orion GTX is impressively finished – it looks and feels like it's worth more than its asking price. Its lightweight construction and slim, tailored fit make it especially suitable for sports-tourers or naked bike riders, providing easy movement without excess bulk. On the bike, the suit is warm enough for most conditions, but performs best as a three-season set-up; in colder weather, you'll want an extra…

‘Halfords set ticked all the boxes – and you'll have change from £30’ This test proves that when it comes to tool round-ups, preconceptions should be left at the workshop door. We hadn't expected the Halfords Advanced set to be our top pick, but there it is. A winner among some very big names from the world of tools. For most of the sets, we would gladly exchange the smaller keys – anything below T20 – for a couple of larger ones; only the Sealey set goes above T40. That said, you would most likely use socket-drive keys for larger, more highly torqued fasteners. There was a mix of performance here – each set is way above the level of an ‘off the market’ set and should give years of…

2025-on Honda GB350S > 21bhp > 21lb·ft > 178kg Pretty much level pegging with the Enfield on performance, Honda's GB significantly undercuts its Indian rival in terms of new price. Used examples already available, too. 2024-on Triumph Speed 400 > 40bhp > 28lb·ft > 170kg Looking for a bit more bang for your buck while on an A2 licence, or looking for a classy middleweight retro, or both? The Speed 400 will tick those boxes. 2022-on BSA Gold Star 650 > 43bhp > 41lb·ft > 213kg An affectionate homage to the big Brit singles of yore, the BSA Gold Star has a fair bit of heft to shift with its 43bhp. However, it does so with a charming manner.…

FUTURE HISTORIANS WILL find rich pickings in the battles between political, environmental and capitalist forces woven through global efforts to meet net-zero CO2 emissions targets – with road transport the public face of the campaign despite being far from the worst offender. In 2021, when the European Commission proposed banning non-zero-emissions cars from sale by 2035, the deadline seemed way off and EV sales were accelerating fast. No deadline was set to end ICE motorcycle sales, but it was clearly going to follow. On four wheels, EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for less than three per cent of the European market in 2019, 10 per cent in 2020 and 18 per cent in 2021 – and the growth suggested they'd be dominant long before 2035. But since 2021 adoption has…

Kawasaki have announced the UK pricing on a range of new models for 2026, including the revived KLE500 family that's set to enter the A2-friendly adventure bike segment. The base model KLE will begin at £5999, with the SE model climbing to £6599 – both of which are on the money for the ultra-competitive small adventure segment. Pricing has also been confirmed for the updated ZX-10R superbike, which will now retail for £15,999 - more than £1500 cheaper than the returning Suzuki GSX-R1000R, which has been confirmed as starting from £17,599. But it wasn't just about new model pricing. Kawasaki also announced the UK arrival of a W230 retro, powered by a 233cc fuel-injected four-stroke engine. Limited numbers will be arriving in the UK from January, priced at £4654 -…

Chinese brand Benda raised eyebrows at EICMA with a radical small-capacity boxer hybrid cruiser concept that promises big-bike punch from just a 250cc capacity. Called the P51, the design pairs a compact DOHC liquid-cooled, horizontally opposed twin with an integrated electric motor, producing a combined 62bhp and a middleweight-troubling 74lb·ft of torque. Benda say that's enough to achieve 0–62mph in 3.7 seconds. The bike uses a combined drive system, with its petrol engine paired to a low and rear-mounted electric motor. The system can be used as an EV for fully automatic riding or run in full hybrid mode for maximum power. Despite the added hardware, Benda claim a kerb weight of 178kg – roughly in line with a typical 300-class naked. Benda European marketing manager Constantin Heinemann said: “In…

‘I'm switching from a sportsbike to an adventure bike. Do you have any tips?’ Q I'M MOVING FROM 20 years on sportsbikes to an adventure bike because of a back problem. I'm still an enthusiastic rider. What tips can you give me to get the most out of the bike? Jeremy Litchfield, email A AFTER YEARS OF racing and riding sportsbikes, I recently did 2000 miles on a Honda Africa Twin, so I know exactly what you're talking about. Moving to an adventure bike is a big change. The first aspect to consider is how you approach corners. Sportsbikes are designed to handle aggressive riding, so let you get away with things adventure bikes don't. For example, if you jab the front brake and rush into a corner on a…

FIRST RIDE KTM 390 SMC R SMALL-BORE, PRICE-CONSCIOUS MOTORCYCLES are in hot demand among both novice riders on the way up the ladder, and old hands looking for a downsized option. KTM now have four 390 models to choose from – enduro, adventure, street bike, and now this SMC R supermoto. And it's a hoot. WP Apex forks and shock are well sprung with plenty of adjustment, but out of the box the SMC's balance is suited to hard-hitting cornering, with great ride quality for such a light bike. The big pleasures come from attacking bends, taking advantage of the KTM's ultra-agile steering. High, wide bars give a domineering, front-endy feel, and plays best with a point-and-squirt style rather than sweeping lines. Use the well-damped forks and sharp 320mm single-disc…

US BRITS ARE keenly buying up small-capacity bikes that put price, ease of use and fun at the forefront of their design. After Royal Enfield led the way with the likes of the Interceptor 650 and Himalayan 411, machines such as the Honda GB350S and Triumph Speed 400 have picked up the baton and ran with it – topping the UK's new registration charts. And now there is a new bike hitting the market ready to tempt riders – but this one carries an iconic name from yesteryear. Following up on their reimagined Gold Star 650, which was released in 2023, BSA have introduced a Bantam 350 into their model range. A bike generally credited for getting post-war Britain moving again in the 1940s (BSA claim it's still the UK's…

It's undeniably remarkable value for money. After a deposit of less than £1000, you can have the £3499 BSA for £58.99 a month on a three-year PCP deal or £88.99 on HP over three years. Its closest rival price-wise is Royal Enfield's 350 range, but the Classic 350 is £4459, HNTR 350 £3899 and Bullet 350 £4629. Honda's GB350S is £3999 and the Triumph Speed 400 is £5345. If you want a British-named retro, the BSA is the cheapest option. The BSA's 3500-mile service intervals aren't too bad and the valve clearance check is every 7500 miles. We recorded economy figures of around 60mpg, which is pleasingly frugal, and insurance should be low.…

Crash bars £159 While not particularly attractive, they are sturdy and may be a good addition if you're returning to two wheels, or a newer rider. Quick to remove once you've gained confidence. Bar-end mirrors £149 As standard the Bantam comes with ‘Mickey Mouse ear’ mirrors; the accessory bar-end mirrors add a degree of style – although they do catch annoyingly on your hands, which is worth bearing in mind… Bridgestone BT46 From £250 The MRF Zapper FX-3 tyres are hard-wearing but not particularly confidence-inspiring. Bridgestone's BT46 will offer a more confident feel across the board, particularly in the wet.…

THE FACTS The route A 50-mile meander through the hills south of the North York Moors followed by a run up the fabled Helmsley TT. Why it's great Often overlooked in favour of the national park to the north, the Howardian Hills offer an alternative mooch through rolling countryside packed with history. When to go The trees look astonishing in the autumn, and there are fewer tourists, too. Where to visit Plenty of abbey ruins and castles, but who can resist a stop in Helmsley, halfway round the route? THINK OF RIDING in North Yorkshire and most of us would instantly dream of spinning between crags in the Dales or climbing up among the heather on the North York Moors. And with good reason; the national parks are blessed with…

DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk Best for Mooching along gently, enjoying rolling hillsides and slices of English history Length 53 miles Route Stamford Bridge, Claxton, Barton Hill, Terrington, Coxwold, Ampleforth, Sproxton, Helmsley, Chop Gate Roads The route is mostly on unclassified roads, with a handful of B-roads thrown in. Love it because It's a mix of nadgery back roads winding through classic English countryside with tons of history, and blast up the Helmsley TT to finish. Stop for a cuppa at It has to be Thomas the Baker in Helmsley. ALSO TRY… Best for Big skies across open moorland and big views of the North York Moors Length 55 miles Route Pickering, Kirkbymoorside, Hutton-le-Hole, Castleton, Danby, Whitby, Sleights, Saltergate, Pickering Roads A170, Gray Lane, Yan Brow, Blakey Road, West Lane, A171,…

If turning the Hornet into a sports-tourer is obvious, moulding it into a 1979 CB750F throwback with Freddie Spencer race bike paint (standard Honda colours in the late 1970s) is less expected. But the naked CB1000F roadster – basically a retro Hornet with 122bhp and costing £10,599 – is probably the end of CB1000 Hornet platform engineering for a while. We're unlikely to see it turned into an adventure bike or a sportsbike. But what the CB1000GT possibly hints at is a direction Honda could take for the CB750 Hornet in 2027. A CB750GT sports-tourer sounds like a great bike……

THE Z1000 WAS last seen on these shores in 2020, when its place in Kawasaki's model line-up was taken by the upstart Z900. But for 2026 the big Z is back as top naked Kawasaki, as long as you don't count the supercharged Z H2. And on the face of it, not much has changed. Kawasaki's ‘Sugomi’ design concept - ‘capturing the spirit of a hunting predator’ – is still their guide styling principle for the Z series, as it has been since 2014. And it's not hard to compare the looks of the 2026 Z1100 with its predecessor six years ago, because they're almost exactly the same – it's fair to say the image is getting a bit long in the tooth these days; a refresh is well overdue.…

The past decade of Norton's history has had an array of half-built, half-running then sorted, but slightly pointless superbikes. The Manx and Manx R will not be the same. The Manx is a naked with, er, ‘distinctive’ styling, and the R the sportsbike. Details of the R released so far include an all-new 72° 1200cc V4 making 203bhp, with semi-active Marzocchi suspension, Brembo Hypure calipers, a single-sided swingarm, lots of carbon fibre, and an 8in touchscreen TFT dash. Weight is said to be 204kg, and features include 17in carbon fibre wheels, full performance electronics including five rider modes, quickshifter, linear and cornering traction control, anti-wheelie and slide control, slope control, hill start, cornering ABS and cruise control. The Manx R riding position doesn't look too radical, but the polished top…

IT'S TAKEN BMW a while to get to grips with the growing A2 adventure category – a sub-47bhp class that includes Royal Enfield's Himalayan 450, CFMoto's 450MT, KTM's 390 Adventure and Honda's NX500. But for 2026 the F450GS arrives with typical BMW techno and styling swagger, but not at a typical BMW price. The F450GS starts at £6990 – admittedly top of the class, but only by a few hundred quid (although loading the BM with extras will bump it up, as usual). The heart of the new 450GS is a 420cc parallel twin – two 210cc pistons whizzing up and down, attached to the crank with a unique 135° between crankpins. This will give the motor a V-twin-style series of power pulses with a balancer shaft to counter vibration.…

ANOTHER ROAD TESTER approaches me at the end of my fine day out on Honda's CRF300 Rally. He's been sampling some super-fast superbikes and is slightly bemused as I regale him with an enthusiastic account of the brilliant time I've just had. Justifying the good cheer, I reveal tales of lovely back-road exploration followed by some rewarding trail riding, reminding him bikes without massive power still have the potential to give joy. I'm not sure he's convinced, but I very much am. The fact is, the humble CRF is far more endearing than you might think, and in the right circumstances can readily deliver fun times – you just need to alter your mindset to appreciate it more. Broad experience gained from many previous CRF rides, including a brilliant five-day…

WHAT TO PAY £2500 The cheapest CRF Rally - an early high-mile 250s. But we would pay more for a 300. £4000-5000 Gets you a choice of several Rally models from a dealer. £6000 Buys you a 2024-ish, very-low-mileage example from a dealer. EVOLUTION 2017 CRF250 Rally launches with 24bhp, 157kg wet weight and 10.1-litre tank. Based on the CRF250L traillie, but with more suspension and capacity. £5239. 2021 Increases in capacity to 286cc and 27bhp, with taller gearing and improved suspension, and 4kg lighter. Tank capacity increases to 12.8kg. A much better bike. £6579.…

ARAI RX-7V EVO £699-£799 > www.araihelmet.eu THE FACTS USED BY Matt Wildee USED FOR Three years USED ON Sportsbikes, nakeds, sports-tourers, retros TOTAL MILES THE CLAIM “State-of-the-art RX-7V Evo represents the summit of Arai's experience and know-how in helmet technology. With a new outer shell, revolutionary Variable Axis System visor system and significant increased smoother area around the temples, it offers the new benchmark in the premium helmet segment” THE REALITY I've been using Arai helmets for more than 20 years and have been constantly impressed with their build quality and the confidence they give – and this evolved RX-7V carries that on, with a couple of caveats. Over the past three years and 10,000 miles, its given good service, excelled in various conditions and still looks great. Designed as…

YAMAHA'S MT-07 IS so much more than just a middleweight twin. It's a perfect first ‘big bike’ and a hoot to ride, whether you're new to two wheels or a seasoned pair of hands. And they're a bargain to boot. Little surprise then that since arriving in 2014 the MT-07 has become one of Europe's bestselling motorcycles, with more than 160,000 units sold. The heart of the MT-07 is Yamaha's fabulous 689cc parallel twin, punching out 72bhp and 50lb·ft via a 270° crossplane crank (hence the CP2 tag) and a slick six-speed gearbox. Generous low-down drive makes town work and commuting a breeze, while a muscular midrange (for a middleweight twin) and an eager top end deliver fun, engaging A-road progress. A modest kerb weight of 179kg coupled with light…