Índice para May 2018 em RiDE

MOST OF US would like to ride more — yes, we all need more time, but sometimes we also need a reason to go further afield than our regular routes. This is where the Great British Ride Out comes in (p60). With almost 200 landmarks across the length of Britain — from castles to cafés, dealerships to lighthouses — there are loads of destinations. We’re going to spend the summer searching for the best routes between whichever of the numerous points of interest take our fancy. I’ve already used it to plan RiDE’s South Coast 500 (p65). We’d like you to get involved too: use a few of our checkpoints to plan your own Great British Ride Out, go for a great ride, then share your route with us. Enjoy…

USED BIKE PRICES Think new bikes are pricey? A 1951 Vincent Black Lightning has just become the world’s most expensive motorcycle. The 998cc V-twin sold at a Bonhams auction in Las Vegas for $929,000 (almost £670,000). The Black Lightning was the lighter, faster version of the famed Black Shadow, and only 33 were ever made. Not a bad investment, given it only cost £508 when it was launched. TFT FOR FREE BMW is upgrading any new R1200GS bought before the end of March with a free TFT display. The new-for-2018 instrument panel is normally an optional extra costing £595. The TFT dash can be connected between a phone and headset via Bluetooth to let you control music or calls via the bike’s switchgear, and can also work with a navigation…

YOUR NEXT GREAT RIDE LE MANS, FRANCE 48.263086, -0.185519 WHERE DO YOU look for the first signs of spring? Around RiDE’s Peterborough offices, the hoardings announcing TruckFest are more dependable than daffodils, but an even more reliable indicator of the turn of the season is the return of racing to the European stage. MotoGP lands at Jerez in southern Spain at the start of May. By the end of the month, the world’s fastest riders will be bashing fairings around the Le Mans circuit in northern France. It’s a race that’s as accessible as it is exciting. You don’t need the focus of a race to make this a great destination (though Le Mans also hosts the 24-hour bike race on April 21-22). It’s easy to have a brilliant long…

IT ALWAYS AMAZES me the difference a border can make. Neighbouring countries can have such obvious differences in the space of a few hundred meters. There were two that struck me immediately when I left Ethiopia and entered Sudan. The first was the lack of livestock on the roads. There were still camels and goats, but here the shepherds would keep them just off the road with a practiced crowd control that was impressive. No longer did I have to stop and weave my way through the herds. Second was the lack of people asking for money. We were back to the friendly, no-agenda waving now and, as much as I loved Ethiopia, I found this refreshing. Khartoum is a city that welcomes guests, though there didn’t seem to be…

SEASONS AREN’T as good as they used to be. Climate change has blurred the boundary between winter and spring into an extended period of salty seaweed brown sandwiched between frozen monochrome and the heart-warming blossom of full colour. Yet as Triumph’s Bobber revels happily in the early morning sunlight of the evergreen A427, thumping across unfolding hills between the posh Northamptonshire town of Oundle and its less salubrious neighbour, Corby, the roadside is dotted with the golden tips of crocuses spearheading the charge to summer. So let that be the new yardstick of seasonal change — flowers. Besides, RiDE editor Simon has challenged me to put together a springtime riding route that celebrates the Bobber as Triumph’s fastestselling bike ever and also links together cool places to stop and visit…

Q I ride a Yamaha Ténéré XT660Z and would like to know the all-up loading weight of the bike. As the girlfriend and I are going to the Southern 100 on the Isle of Man this year, we’ll be taking camping gear. I’ve looked in the owners’ manual and it states 190Kg — but is that whole weight including rider or weight excluding rider? A No — that’s the full weight you can put on the bike: two humans and all your luggage. Fine for a pair of slender short-arses with silk clothes and a tiny mountaineering tent; more of a challenge for normal-sized people with clothes and gear. However, a payload of 190kg is fairly typical. Even many really big bikes don’t lug that much more (eg BMW GS Adventure, 217kg).…

HJC R-PHA Max Evo Discontinued but was £369.99 Replaced by HJC RPHA 90 £399.99 to £449.99 www.oxfordproducts.com IT IS WITH much sadness that I feel I need to retire my trusty HJC R-PHA Max Evo helmet. I’ve been using it for three years and it has covered over 50,000 miles. It has looked after me on a daily basis, come rain or shine while riding around the entire UK. In fact, I also used this helmet while photographing RiDE’s touring supplements around all of France, Spain and Portugal (twice). The chunky chin vent was easy to use and provided plenty of air throughout our Spanish trip, which averaged 38°C. The lining has always been supremely comfortable and manages to wick moisture away effectively — handy when riding in the Spanish…

WHAT IT IS EN ROUTE BIKERS Where Chiang Mai, north Thailand How long Tours from 1-7 days Who’s it for All riding abilities More info www.enroutebikers.com CHIANG MAI, THAILAND. Home of Buddhist temples, impressive scenery, tuk-tuks, elephants, the odd ladyboy, Muay Thai (the sport that sees two fighters put on boxing gloves, then kick each other in the head), the greatest food in the world and the starting point for some of the most amazing riding in the country. It’s 8am and I’m sitting in the reception of En Route Bikers drinking the first good cup of coffee I’ve had in weeks, discussing the plan for today’s riding with owner Julien. I’m taking a one-day tour in the mountains surrounding the city using one of the firm’s Yamaha MT-07s. Though…

R2 and R2 Carbon £369.99 - £439.99, Carbon £569.99 The R2 full-face sports helmet shares the C4’s DFP construction and uses the same built-in speaker, microphone and Bluetooth system. It also has a ShinyTex interior and effective cooling vents in the forehead and chin to prevent you from getting too hot. The carbon-fibre version is new for this year. SR2 £599.99 - £689.99 Aerodynamic and directionally stable full-face race helmet features a noise-reducing wind deflector and a distortion-free 2D racing visor with a scratch-resistant anti-fog coating. Two head vents and a two-way chin vent aid cooling, while the helmet is impressively light weighing just 1285g. C3 Pro £489.99 - £599.99 Ultra-quiet flip-front sports helmet has been fine-tuned for high-speed aerodynamic efficiency and comes with Pinlock anti-fog system and a drop-down…

Atom SV £129.99 - £149.99 The Atom is MT’s take on the flip-up touring helmet. To reduce the wind noise inherent in the flip-up design, the Atom features a four-way neck curtain and lower liner flaps. The shell uses the latest polymer technology, while the flip-up mechanism is fully lockable. You also get a drop-down sun visor, plus a Pinlock Max Vision insert. Available in sizes XS-XXL. Blade 2 SV £99.99 - £129.99 MT’s popular full-face Blade has been completely updated for 2018 with a new and more sporty-looking shell. It incorporates an easy-to-use drop-down internal sun visor and an excellent ventilation system, which make it ideal for summer riding. The internal Supermax liner is easy to remove and it also comes with a Pinlock Max Vision-equipped visor, making visibility…

Axces III £339.99 - £429.99 The Axces III is Arai’s entry-level full-face helmet but its spec is still extremely high-end. A brand-new helmet just last year, it uses a Super-Fibre outer shell, has a widescreen aperture and comes with a Pinlock-ready Max Vision visor. It’s intended for all kinds of daily use, from scooters to superbikes. The Axces comes in four plain and eight patterned designs, including this new ‘Sense’ graphic (£429.99). QV £479.99 - £559.99 A new helmet for 2018, Arai describes the QV as “the new ultimate sports-touring helmet”. It shares the same outer shell as the flagship RX-7V race helmet but uses a different ventilation system. The smooth shape and design mean long-distance riders now benefit from the same improved ‘glancing-off’ impact performance as the RX-7V. It’s…

Is it right for you? Before you start shoving your head into dozens of lids in a shop, have a good look at the vast range of styles and features available to work out what’s right for your use, your riding, your bike and your style. Owning an adventure bike doesn’t force you into wearing an adventure lid - if you do lots of high-speed motorway miles, you could find a lighter, more stable, peakless sports lid is a better bet. Conversely, if you ride a superbike but spend most of your time commuting across town then a flip-up chinbar might prove to be far more useful day-to-day than a race-developed venting system. Drop-down or dark visor? Internal drop-down sun visors are increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why.…

Tom jacket £266.99 A sheep’s-leather jacket with classic styling that’s ideal for use in warmer weather, thanks to its perforated outer. It has a light-mesh lining and features CPS armour in the shoulders and elbows, while the Reflactive system offers on-demand hi-vis. The Tom is available in sizes S-3XL. Gig Pro gloves £69.99 This vintage-style goat-leather glove is new for 2018 and features soft D3O inserts on the knuckles and palm. With adjustable Velcro wrist straps and touchscreen fingertips, it offers an ideal combination of practicality, style and protection. Available in black and Vintage brown, and in sizes XS-XXL. El’Jet helmet £129.99 A stylish and versatile jet helmet that’s designed for urban use and can be worn four ways: as an open face; with a long, clear visor; with a…

Nivala suit £1199.99 jacket, £849.99 trousers Range-topping jacket mirrors the Arma-T in construction but has a down-filled liner that can be worn separately. The zip-together trousers are also down-lined. Armacor and D3O armour abounds, along with lots of stretch panels and adjusters. Overpass suit £589.99 jacket, £489.99 trousers Two-layer Gore-Tex laminate adventure/ off-road suit which can be worn over the Forsair jacket (below). Jacket has six pockets, stretch panels and arm adjustment; vented trousers fit over adventure boots and knee braces. Saana suit £999.99 Rukka’s first-ever one-piece has a Cordura outer shell and a Gore-Tex membrane and is designed to be worn over regular clothing, so is perfect for commuters. You get D3O armour, too, plus internal braces that help support the weight of the suit. Forsair jacket £399.99 This…

Glenmore jacket £189.99 This waxed-cotton jacket shares much of its spec with the Ashland but has an even more distinctly traditional cut, which is as contemporarily stylish off the bike as on it. It’s equally well appointed as the Ashland too, with CE-approved armour in the shoulders, elbows and back, a breathable, waterproof membrane and a removable thermal lining. The Glenmore comes in black or brown and sizes S-3XL. Victory gloves £49.99 Weise’s elegant retro-look summer glove incorporates knuckle and finger reinforcement and memory foam inserts into its goat-leather construction. A Chamude panel on the palm gives added grip and there’s also a small rubber pull tab on the cuff. Available in black, tan or brown, and in sizes XS-4XL.…

Hero Gore-Tex £219.99 Vintage-look full-grain, all-weather leather boots are Gore-Tex lined and incorporate toe, heel and ankle protection. They feature front lace-up and side-zip fastenings, the footbeds are anatomic and replaceable and the soles have a specific tread to offer superior grip on any surface. Vibe Waterproof £119.99 Modern, sporty-looking leather-and-suede ankle boots ideal for commuting in all weathers thanks to a waterproof lining. The speed lacing system with quick-sliding loops and Velcro fastening makes them quick and easy to get on and off, with ankle protection and reinforcement in the toe. The exclusive rubber sole ensures grip and stability on all surfaces. SP-Master £229.99 Sporty-looking Gore-Tex-lined waterproof and breathable boots feature TCX’s polyurethane Ankle Retention System, as well as a PU heel guard, interchangeable toe slider and an ergonomic…

Martin Fitz-Gibbons Deputy editor I’m a retro-sceptic, immune to the contagious outbreak of nostalgia infecting motorcycling today. At least, until I rode the Z900RS. I loved it but will my colleagues agree? How will it fare when subjected to the revealing, real-world RiDE Road Test? PAGE 66 Kev Raymond Features writer Sat nav is a lovely idea but, to my mind, too complicated to be entirely satisfactory. My colleagues disagree — perhaps the answers to the ten most common problems will help me get more from the clever, irritating box of tricks. PAGE 100 Caroline Barrett Editorial assistant I’ve been lucky enough to visit Canada and New Zealand in the past few years, but they don’t look anywhere as wild and exotic as the deserts of North Africa. Can touring…

RACING IN WALES (AGAIN) The highly anticipated Welsh Road Race, originally scheduled for this August, has been postponed until 2019. The TT-style race, planned to take place on military roads in the Epynt hills north of the Brecon Beacons, has been called off after organisers claimed that there wasn’t enough time to get the event sanctioned by the ACU, British motorcycle racing’s governing body. LONDON MAYOR (AGAIN) Fresh from his debut in this column last month, London mayor Sadiq Khan is in our bad books again. February 28th marked the end of a public consultation on his proposals to expand London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone. If they go through, every rider on a pre-Euro3 machine will have to pay £12.50 a day to ride in central London. A Honda CG125…

Why you should go Though just across the border of the European Union, Turkey’s people, culture, traditions, landscapes and architecture make you feel like you’re a million miles from home. Turkey is not just about Mediterranean beach life — this is where east meets west. Cross the Bosphorus and you are in Asia. There are ancient sites like Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the Mediterranean, and the city of Troy. There are spectacular rock formations in the Cappadocia, the giant heads of Mount Nemrut and the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, with the famous spice markets, Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque. What’s it like to ride? Riding in Turkey is easy and enjoyable. It’s very scenic, with good stops for eating and sightseeing, with plenty of photo…

FORCEFIELD Protection isn’t a racket, it’s a very serious business — and one of the most serious manufacturers of protective kit is Northamptonshire-based Forcefield. The firm produces a huge range of high-performance back protectors, armoured layers and upgrade insert armour, as well as base layers. www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com ROYAL ENFIELD You might not yet be aware of it, but in fairly humble surroundings in the East Midlands one of the world’s most advanced motorcycle development technology facilities has just come on line. Costing tens of millions of pounds, purpose-built with the latest tech ranging from state-of-the-art CAD design and 3D printers to a Pandora’s box of engineering equipment — including fully equipped workshops and brand-new dynos — it’s also staffed with over 120 of the best design and development brains from across…

Q I’m 6ft 4in tall, the same as your editor. Where does he go to get textile trousers? I need some that will fit properly. A Any brand that does a specific long-fit. The catch is that these tend to be the premium ones. We’d look at items from Halvarssons, Held, Rev’It, Dane or Rukka. So far, the winners in the trouser stakes for editor Simon are the Dane Lyngby trousers (£460, www.daneclothing.uk) which pip the Rukka Armaxions (£650, www.tranam.co.uk) by having two pockets, rather than just one and costing less. Both use top-end Gore-Tex laminate, for extreme-weather resistance. Q The cold weather has caused me real problems with misting in my crash helmet. What’s the best solution to this? A The best solution is a Pinlock — though even…

SPRING IS HERE. Lambs are putting their watches forward an hour as they frolic among the daffodils, while across the land motorcyclists are reaching for their crash helmets with renewed enthusiasm and fresh intent. At last, time for some fun… It’s a great time to give your riding gear a once-over too. Better to find out now that your lid is out of date, or those textiles have shrunk over winter (funny how they do that) than the day before a two-week tour. If you do discover some surprise kit quandaries, RiDE’s Gear Guide 2018 is here to help. Packed with the latest helmets, leathers, gloves, boots and more, there’s a wealth of ideas to refresh your riding gear - and for every budget and style. See you out there.…

K5-S £269.99 - £299.99 The latest version of this mid-priced sports helmet has a new construction for its inner liner, with high-performance fabrics and no stitching in sensitive areas, making for an extremely comfortable fit. The lightweight shell is made from a carbon/ fibreglass mix and stability and aerodynamic performance are maximised thanks to an incorporated spoiler. It also has an internal drop-down sun visor, a removable nose guard, five large vents at the front to help keep your head cool and a new wind protector to minimise noise. X3000 £299.99 - £399.99, Ago replica £549.99 Vintage shape and style combined with modern design, materials and safety. The X3000 uses a fibreglass shell, has a removable and washable interior and a dual-button visor. It comes in four plain colours (white,…

Exo Combat £189.99 Aggressive ‘road warrior’ styling and a removable chin piece help make this Scorpion’s best seller. It’s technically an open-face lid (the chin bar offers no real crash protection) but you get a washable lining, clear and tinted visors and a quiet, wind-tunnel-tested design. Comes in two shell sizes. ADX-1 £199.99 - £239.99  Polycarbonate flip-front adventure-style helmet comes with a drop-down sun visor, Pinlock anti-fog system, multi-adjustable ventilation, aero skirt, commssystem speaker pockets and a removable, washable lining. Comes in two shell sizes. EXO-490 £109.99 - £139.99 Scorpion’s impressively well-equipped entry-level polycarbonate helmet has a drop-down sun visor, removable and washable lining and a SpeedShift quick-change visor system that is Pinlock-compatible. Comes in three shell sizes and with a five-year warranty. EXO-510 £159.99 - £199.99 Scorpion’s best-selling full-face…

1 Visual inspection Before you get stuck in with the elbow grease, take a minute to give the lid a thorough look over, all the way round. Check that all the vents still open and close as they should, that the visor action is smooth and, crucially, that the chinstrap isn’t showing any signs of wearing, tearing or fraying. Inspect the outer shell for the slightest evidence of cracks or splits — unfortunately, no matter how small, just one means it’s time for a new lid. 2 Clean the outside If the helmet is caked in dead flies or dried-on gunk, wrap it with a layer or two of soaked kitchen roll and leaving it for a few hours — the muck will come off far easier once it’s rehydrated…

S-Drak £299.99 - £349.99 The new S-Drak follows on from Shark’s cult-favourite Drak helmet and features a carbon-fibre-skin shell, an internal visor, an edgy-looking mask, a streamlined look, unconventional styling and the highest-quality finishes. It is available in eight different colour options and in sizes XS-XXL. Spartan Carbon £369.99 - £409.99 The state-of-the-art Spartan Carbon is now available in six new colour schemes, including two variations of the Sylvain Guintoli replica. This sporty-looking full-face helmet has been developed using the latest Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technology and is designed for optimal aerodynamics and comfort, making it ideal for all-round use. It comes in sizes XS-XXL. Evo-One 2 £349.99 - £399.99 This revised version of Shark’s market-leading Evo-One modular helmet includes a new locking/unlocking system for the flip-up chin guard, giving…

Cruze jacket £499.99 This hand-distressed premium cowhide jacket features CE-approved shoulder and elbow protectors, a removable thermal lining, four outer pockets (including one arm pocket) and three inner pockets, plus a ‘unique’ shoulder design for enhanced comfort. There’s hip and cuff adjustment and it’s available in sizes S-3XL. Jericho jacket £269.99 This retro, waxed-cotton-look, waterproof/breathable CE-approved armoured textile jacket has a removable thermal lining and a hood zipped into the collar. It also comes with a choice of removable arm and chest badges, so you can tweak the look to your own preference. You get hip, waist and cuff adjustments, too, along with six outer pockets and three inner ones. Sizes S-3XL. Maddock jacket £229.99 A waxed-cotton-look jacket with a waterproof, breathable membrane and a removable thermal lining. Segura likes…

Creedo jacket £369.99 This leather and textile body-fit jacket is made from a combination of buffalo hide and synthetic Serica. It is fully CE approved and has a removable thermal lining, shoulder and adjustable elbow armour and waist and cuff adjustment, plus a three-year warranty. It comes in sizes S-4XL. C Protect Airbag £369.99 The soft-shell C Protect Airbag jacket is designed to be worn over your riding kit. It attaches to your bike with a tether and inflates in just 0.1 seconds if you come off. The C Protect can be used time and again if not ripped, thanks to its easily replaceable inflation cartridges. It can be adjusted to fit over a wide variety of jacket styles and lengths. Greenwich jacket £199.99 This waterproof, breathable, CE-approved jacket has…

Spada Burnout £129.99 www.spadaclothing.co.uk Modest price for a great spec, including a CE Level 1 back protector, a removable thermal lining and effective size adjusters. Kept the rider dry in our waterproofing tests. Recently superseded by the Burnout II (£139.99), the original is now being discounted by online stores. Büse Rico £189.99 www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk Comfortable textile jacket with a neoprene collar, a warm thermal liner and effective venting. Armour in shoulders and elbows but no back protector fitted as standard. Poppers to adjust arms, Velcro cuff adjusters and five external pockets. Weise Corsa £99.99 www.weise.co.uk Incredible value — less than £100 buys a comfy jacket with lots of arm adjustment, a Level-1 back protector and Level-2 shoulder and elbow armour. There is a removable windproof and waterproof lining, but our testing…

Security Evo 3 £989.98 (standard), £1399.98 (GP Race) This boot-within-a-boot consists of a kangaroo-leather outer skin encasing an aramid/plastic/Kevlar ankle-hinged rigid inner shoe. The GP Race version adds ceramic and Kevlar outer protection and added toe protection on the inner shoe. Roadstar GTX £399.99 Daytona’s best-seller has a hydrophobic cowhide construction with Gore-Tex linings, extra ankle and shin protection, a steel shank in the sole, a broad range of calf width adjustment and double zips fastening at the back for easy entry. Evo Voltex GTX £749.99 These Gore-Tex-lined multipurpose sport/touring boots adopt a similar approach to the Security Evo 3’s two-piece construction, with a cowhide outer shell and an aramid/plastic hard-shell inner boot with latex padding and a hinged ankle. Strive GTX £399.99 Very similar to the Roadstar but designed…

Sidi Black Rain £194.99 www.sidiselect.co.uk Feels like a sporty summer boot: light and well-sized with good protection and feel on the pegs and the pedals, but no toe slider (if that matters to you). Lorica construction rather than leather, with a Raintex membrane that aced our waterproofing tests. Alpinestars SMX-S WP £179.99 www.alpinestars.com CE-approved touring boots with plenty of protection including toe, shin and heel guards. Snug calf meaning a struggle to get trousers tucked in but stayed 100% dry in our waterproofing tests. Have the feel of a good all-year boot thanks to good padded lining. RST Paragon II CE WP £119.99 www.rst-moto.com Sporty touring boots that feel, look and perform way beyond their price. Extremely comfortable, with a good mix of protection, feel and walking ability. Leather construction…

Legion £159.99 Designed specifically to be worn under jeans, the Legions are fully CE approved, with D3O ankle protection, and are both waterproof and breathable. Come in black or brown. Ranger £194.99 Waterproof, breathable boots made from full-grain oil-treated leather are fully CE approved with D3O ankle protection and front lace and side zip fastenings for a secure fit and ease of entry. Aryol £169.99 Waterproof, breathable, CE-approved touring boots have a leather and synthetic laminated upper, ventilated toe, ankle and shin reinforcement and a calf stretch panel. Patrol £149.99 Waterproof, breathable, fully CE-approved casual-styled leather boots have D3O ankle protection and reinforcement at the toe and heel. Come in sizes UK 7 to 12. Avantour Evo £259.99 Rugged off-road/adventure-style boots have a full-grain leather construction and are fully CE…

Vegas £209.99 The Vegas jeans are lined with Twaron in the seat, hips and knees and come with adjustable Knox knee armour that can be removed via an external zip, along with pockets provided for hip armour. Available in blue or black. Titanium £319.99 The Italian firm’s toughest jeans are CE Level 2 compliant thanks to a full Twaron lining and approved knee and hip armour, making them ‘the safest jeans on earth’, according to PMJ. They also feature Velcro leg adjustment and are available in blue only. Storm £259.99 As the name suggests, the Storm jeans offer weather resistance thanks to their removable, breathable, fleece-quilted waterproof lining. Ultracor Cordura construction provides the abrasion resistance, along with knee and hip armour. Casual fit, available in blue only. Lady Rider £159.99…

Do they fit correctly? A glove needs to fit like a… well, you know the rest. The body of the glove needs to feel evenly snug and secure across both the palm and the back of the hand, while the fingers and thumb of the glove need to be filled out without leaving masses of empty material. Check that any hard armour sits correctly when you make a fist. Ensure that the adjustment and wrist straps give a secure fit, so the glove can’t simply be pulled off. Decide whether you want the glove to go inside or outside your jacket, then check the two cuffs work well together. Does it offer proper protection? Knuckle protection comes in two forms: hard and soft. In our experience, hard knuckle armour with…

WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD to a great summer of riding. Of course, that’s something we look forward to every year… but it doesn’t always happen. For a lot of us, the trouble is finding an excuse to ride them — and not just the same old route from home to bike meet or café and back again. That’s when riding the bike starts to look less pressing than cutting the grass or painting the fence… and before too long someone’s muttering; “I don’t get to ride as much as I’d like…” So we’d like you to take part in the Great British Ride Out. It’s not called that because there are cakes involved (well, they can be if you like) but simply because we want to celebrate — and discover —…

STYLING Unashamedly retro, the Z900RS draws heavily on the design cues of the 1972 Z1 and pulls it off in great style SUSPENSION Fully adjustable at both ends and damping works for comfort and performance. Soft from the factory but not soggy ENGINE The 900cc inline four has masses of midrange torque, giving it excellent performance and rideability on motorways and fast B-roads THE JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS have been a bit slow joining the retro revolution but are now beginning to celebrate their heritage. Kawasaki’s new Z900RS promises to bring the performance bang up to date while still keeping the classic lines. The Z prefix has been used on a succession of big Kawasaki street bikes. With the latest crop, the firm uses it to connect the new models to the…

FROM THE ORIGINAL launch in 1987, there was a Transalp in Honda’s range for over 25 years — and for much of that time, from original 600, through updated 650 (2000) and this 700cc (actually 680cc) version in 2008, it was looked on with bemusement by most British riders. In the early days, that was because 80s and 90s Britain was sportsbike mad — horsepower and handling were kings and a 50bhp, 95mph trailie with soft suspension and a budget build just didn’t cut it. Then into this century the adventure-bike cult took over, so you might have thought the Transalp would have its day in the sun, but everyone wanted a big engine and as many toys as possible – an underpowered middleweight with no frills didn’t cut it…

Dainese Travelguard trousers £289.95 www.dainese.com I HAD TO take the biggest size of these strides to get the leg length I need, so there’s loads of room at the waist and, frankly, comfort suffered as they’re clearly meant to be a snug, slim fit. There’s CE Level 1 armour at the knees but just foam pads at the hips (shame), a warm thermal liner and surprisingly effective vents on the thighs, plus two large pockets and scope to attach braces. They’re lined with a Gore-Tex Membrane but in heavy weather the outer soaked up enough water that the crotch felt damp even though they didn’t leak. Disappointing — especially given the price. SIMON WEIR Dainese Carvemaster www.dainese.com I USED THE trousers with this jacket - now superseded by the fractionally…

I took my Honda Fireblade out at the weekend — but not for long as three incidents made it feel as if I was being hunted by the Grim Reaper. Within two miles of setting off, I entered a roundabout and a car came straight at me, having given no glance to his right whatsoever before entering the roundabout. I carried on for another four miles and followed a car onto the next roundabout. The car was indicating right to go around the roundabout; I was going straight on so continued — only for the car to change lanes at the last minute, causing me to swerve and brake hard. Thinking it couldn’t get any worse I continued into my local town and sat behind a large van at a…

NXR £379.99 - £489.99 This multi-layer composite full-face sports helmet has an integrated spoiler, multiple-density liner for optimised protection, quick release Pinlock visor and double-D-ring fastening system. In case of emergency, the NXR also features EQRS to aid safe removal in the event of a crash. For optimum ventilation performance the NXR has four air inlets across the brow and chin, with six exhaust vents at the rear. It’s available in a wide variety of plain colours and graphics, including a brand new Marc Márquez replica. J • O £299.99 - £349.99 Combining classic looks with the latest technology, the J•O features an organic and multi-composite fibre shell which ensures excellent rigidity and impact absorption. The goggle-style visor can be set to three positions for the perfect fit while the…

Zephir £129.99 - £149.99 This touring helmet is designed with high functionality in mind. It has an R-3P terpolymers shell and features Vemar’s Klima System (VKS) for maximum ventilation without compromising noise or aerodynamics. It also has a wide aperture that enhances vision, along with a drop-down sun visor and a handy slot to accommodate communication systems. Taku £119.99 This full-face off-road helmet is designed for riders taking their first steps in the world of motocross. The Taku features an R-3P terpolymers shell with a base shape designed to complement an off-road neck brace. There’s also a double D-ring chin strap and a wide aperture to give a good field of vision. Cooling airflow inside the helmet is aided by the VKS ventilation set-up. Sharki £149.99 - £169.99 The Sharki…

Arai RX-7V From £669.99 www.whyarai.co.uk Excellent venting, comparatively quiet, high-quality feel and a fantastic interior. Extremely comfortable, though it’s not the lightest design and visor change system isn’t the quickest. Five-star SHARP rating, a five-year warranty and ready for the Pinlock Max Vision insert. Plain and multiple race-rep colours. Shark Race-R Pro Carbon From £549.90 www.nevis.uk.com Carbon-fibre/aramid construction makes for a light shell. Excellent venting and a solid, secure visor. Interior wicks sweat effectively, glasses are accommodated with ease and the neck curtain seals well. Five-star SHARP rating. Shoei Hornet ADV From £439.99 www.shoeiassured.co.uk Sublimely comfortable adventure helmet that’s perfect for road riders. Removable peak doesn’t catch any wind at speed, the interior feels plush and quiet and the visor aperture accepts goggles easily. Lid gets warm if you’re into…

Tractech Evo R gloves £89.99 Kangaroo-leather palm, an aramid lining across the back of the hand, carbon knuckle protection and a new palm slider all combine to make an extremely high-spec racing glove. Other features include improved venting, linked pinky and ring fingers and double wrist straps. As tested and approved by Alex Lowes at the Suzuka Eight-Hour and Ian Hutchinson at the Isle of Man TT. Tractech Evo 3 boots £129.99 The new Tractech Evo 3 have been developed on road and track to offer both excellent safety and all-day comfort. Improvements include new hard-wearing soles, enlarged toe sections and a redesigned shin plate with improved impact protection. The hinged ankle support prevents overextension in the event of a fall. A waterproof version of the Evo 3 is also…

Lyngby Air trousers £529.99 A great match for the Nimbus jacket, the Lyngby Air trousers also use Gore-Tex Pro material to provide maximum comfort and weather protection. Large material reinforcements made of Gore-Tex Armacor are combined with elastic zones made of stretch Gore-Tex Pro three-layer laminate, with thigh ventilation through the membrane using special Rainblocker YKK vent zippers. These trousers also incorporate reflective 3M Scotchlite material and feature removable thermal inner trousers. Hygge midlayer jacket £124.99 A practical, comfortable, warm, duck-down midlayer jacket, engineered to fit beneath all Dane motorcycle jackets — and you can even wear it on its own when not on the bike. The Dane Hygge jacket has a diagonal zipper, so you can still easily open your over-jacket and the zippers won’t cross or be uncomfortable.…

Original jeans £149.99 Stylish, casual denim riding jeans that are wearable both on and off the bike. The Originals are made from a mix of Cordura cotton and polyester and include removable D3O armour in the hips and knees. They’re a straight fit and come in washed blue or navy blue as well as regular and short leg lengths. Hawker jacket £279.99 Richa’s nod to the neo-retro trend includes this new Hawker jacket made from thick buffalo leather. It comes in a rich brown colour with white stripes and subtle branding on the upper arm, while featuring D3O armour in the back, shoulders and elbows. Available in sizes S-6XL. Scirocco jacket £199.99 The Scirocco is ideal for changeable weather conditions, offering optimum ventilation with mesh on the chest, back and…

What is it made from? The term ‘textile’ covers a lot of ground, from thin, lightweight summer jackets to thicker, heavier winter suits. A higher denier number means a more dense version of a fabric, typically with better abrasion resistance — so a 600D polyester jacket will be tougher than a 400D polyester jacket. However, denier can’t be compared across fabrics, so 600D polyester isn’t the same as 600D Cordura. Mesh sections or panels give great airflow and breathability but are more vulnerable in a crash. Consider your requirements and priorities and buy accordingly. Can you adjust it? Make sure the jacket fits you well with all of its removable thermal or waterproof layers in place. It should be fairly snug to keep the armour in the right place —…

Do they fit correctly? Every manufacturer’s sizing will be slightly different, so don’t assume that having been a 43 in one trusted brand for years will mean you’re automatically a 43 in another. Think about what you’re likely to want to wear under the boot too — if you’re using them all year round, will you want to wear thick winter socks? If so, you might want to consider going up one size. But if your foot slops around inside the boot, it’ll cause problems both on the bike (reduced protection) and off it (blisters). What do you want to wear them with? Will you be wearing your waterproof boots with leathers, textiles or protective jeans? Or more than one of the above? All trousers fit boots differently — leathers…

Tuzo Blitz £41.99 www.mandp.co.uk Chunky leather gloves with knuckle armour and a soft scaphoid protector. Waterproof but can get a bit sweaty. Was a Best Buy at the original £29.99 price. It’s since risen to £41.99 but they are still decent value. Alpinestars Valparaiso Drystar £89.99 www.alpinestars.com A mix of textile with leather/ suede fingers and palm. Pinky and ring fingers are joined together. Stayed totally dry in our testing and gave excellent feel - though they could be warmer. Furygan Quartz £59.99 www.nevis.uk.com CE-approved textile gloves with hard knuckle protectors. Comfortable with good feel and totally waterproof in our testing, though could be slightly warmer. The best sub-£60 all-year gloves we’ve tested. Richa Hurricane GTX £99.99 www.nevis.uk.com CE-marked textile gloves with leather palms and fingers. Thin lining gives good…