Table of contents for November 2019 in RiDE

Each month the Star Picture will win a BikeTrac security tracker with a year’s BikeTrac subscription. As well as helping recover your bike if it is nicked, it logs journeys and gives live battery voltage information, too. How to send us your photos Email your most inspirational biking photos to us at ride@ride.co.uk with ‘Your Rides’ in the subject line. Please send us the original unedited photo file, ideally at least five megapixels in size. And don’t forget to include your full name, too.…

Best day to ride Avoid Bank Holidays, and Sundays are busy too — that’s when the police are out as well. Wednesdays and Thursdays around Sherburn will also be policed. The best time is the early part of the week. Best corner The best series of corners is the section just out of Ryther. It’s not Assen, but it’s got great camber changes and you can learn so much about road positioning and reading the road. Be careful ...in winter — don’t be surprised to come round a corner on a dry road and suddenly find damp or ice because the sun’s not got to it yet. Also, the tarmac is worn in places and a bit of rain makes it slick and slippery. Best place to eat Crema Coffee…

1 AT FULL WHACK IT SOUNDS LIKE A SCREAMING JET This Harley may not have an engine but it does have a unique personality. Turning drive from its longitudinally-mounted motor through 90° to the front sprocket is by bevel gears and they produce a whine that sounds like a screaming jet engine at full whack. There’s also a ‘Haptic Pulse’ that feels like a throbbing heart at a standstill, to let you know it’s ready to go 2 IT TAKES 40 MINUTES TO CHARGE TO 80% Harley claims a full charge will get you 146 miles at town speeds and 95 miles when you up the pace. During our test, we covered 66 miles and returned with 24 miles left. The LiveWire took 40 minutes to fast-charge to 80% and…

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? £8845 On-the-road cash price £149.99 PCP per month x36 £217.49 HP per month x36 HOW MUCH TO INSURE £225.42 Fully comp, £250 excess £129.67 TPF&T, £650 excess 2019 model, worth £8845. Based on a 52-year-old male engineer, married, licence held 25 years, 9 years NCB, no claims or convictions, for social, domestic and pleasure use. Bike is garaged with postcode WA14 1NU and annual mileage 5000 miles. Quotes supplied by www. MCNcompare.com in August 2019 HOW FAR ON A TANK? HOW MUCH TO SERVICE IT? 600 miles Replace oil and filter; basic check over bike. £199 6000 miles Replace oil (not filter); complete check over bike. £299 12,000 miles Replace oil, filter, spark plugs, air filter; regrease head bearings. £399 18,000 miles Minor service — as…

Cash price £12,890 Term £99.28 a month x 36 Deposit £4050, including £750 contribution from BMW APR 5.9% Final payment £6639.83 Why this is a great deal BMW will actually pay you £750 to take it off their hands. Effectively a cash discount, by taking the £750 BMW gifts you and combining it with a deposit of £3300, you can bring the monthly payments down to under the £100 mark. The APR rate of 5.9% is also reasonably low in the current motorcycle PCP market. Why this isn’t so good Aside from the fairly high deposit contribution, you are limited to 5000 miles a year, with excess mileage at 8.12p a mile. Considering the aR is an adventure tourer, owners may wish to cover more miles, which could result in…

Cash price £9300 Term £95.99 a month x 36 Deposit £1500 deposit APR 3.9% Final payment £5109 Why this is a good deal This is exactly the kind of bike that PCP was originally created for. After a very reasonable deposit of £1500, all it takes is £95.99 a month to own what is one of the best middleweights on the market. Triumph is offering a tempting 3.9% APR on the three-year PCP plan, so you are only paying £764 in interest over the whole term, which isn’t bad at all. Why this isn’t so good There is a slightly restrictive limit of 4000 miles a year, which on a bike as much fun as the Street Triple, is easy to exceed. Slip over this threshold and you will get…

Cash price £6495 Term £69.19 a month x 36 Deposit £1500 APR 4.9% Final payment £3105 Why this is a good deal There isn’t actually anything that spectacular about Yamaha’s PCP deal on the MT-07 but then again, it doesn’t need to be. A fairly conservative APR of 4.9% means that the already low price tag of the MT allows a headline figure of just £69.19 a month after a £1500 deposit. Basically, the MT-07 sells itself! Why this isn’t so good As margins are very tight on budget bikes, you will get heavily stung should you ride beyond the 4000-mile annual restriction. Yamaha charges 14.9p per mile excess, which would mean a charge of £149 per 1000 miles over the limit. Which when you put it on paper, doesn’t…

Cash price £16,645 Term £95.97 a month x 36 Deposit £4500 APR 0% Final payment £8690 Why this is a good deal Suzuki is currently offering the 2018 GSa-R1000R on 0% finance, which means on a three-year PCP deal you are only paying for depreciation. We spoke to Wheels Motorcycles in Peterborough, who confirmed it will offer 0% on the newer 2019 bike (Suzuki currently offers 7.9%) pictured here. So ring around for the same deal on the newer bike. Why this isn’t so good GSa-Rs tend to be hit hard by depreciation, which means they have lower than anticipated residual values. In the case of PCP that isn’t such a worry as you have a guaranteed value (£8690). However where with other bikes you can expect to get more…

The claim “The ‘go-to’ pack for the daily commuter and the weekend explorer, the R25 is a solid performer that’s built to last. The versatile large load area gives the flexibility to carry anything from a laptop to the weekly groceries and all in total riding comfort, with the full size Quadloc harness.” The reality I’ve used this rucksack almost non-stop for the last seven years and found it to be comfortable, waterproof enough to be usable year-round and to be honest, totally indestructible. I’ve tried using other rucksacks during that time (I had an Alpinestars Orbit which broke its chest buckle, and a Givi X317 which was great until it also bust its chest buckle, lost its finish and broke a zip) but I’ve kept coming back to the…

A RiDE Best Buy award means that a product has been tested under real-world and, where appropriate, laboratory conditions to assess its performance in all relevant criteria and has excelled in its field, while offering exceptional value for money. A RiDE magazine Recommended triangle means that a product has either done an outstanding job at a higher price or a reasonable job but at a significantly lower price. So while not worthy of a Best Buy, it still performs very well in one of these criteria. The RiDE Recommended triangles stand for quality and value for money. Look for them when shopping.…

The a-Spirit III is Shoei’s flagship race crash helmet and is the one you see Marc Marquez wearing in MotoGP. Complete with aerodynamic fins and even tear-off pegs, if you want a race replica over a solid colour, that will add an extra £100-£200 to the price tag.…

ABOUT A WEEK ago I replaced the Honda’s OE Thai-made Dunlop D214s with a pair of ze German-built Metzeler Sportec M7RRs — a 120/70 17in front costs around £100, the 180/55 rear from £130, depending on who you ask — I was, as usual, grinning all over my hirsute fizzog all the way home. Frickin’ fantastic tyres. Preconceptions are powerful; I’ve spent nearly 30 years believing Metzelers to be calming, reassuring, safe, comfortable hoops, because back in 1995 a pair took the slappiness away from my FZR600 and made it feel lovely. They’ve been ‘nice’ on a succession of my bikes since — rarely the outright grippiest or longest-lived, but always the... nicest. And now, on the CBR, they make the stock Showa suspension feel as if it’s had a…

DAVID ACKRILL Initially the movement alert was too sensitive - it kept sending alarms. Once adjusted, false alarms stopped. The ‘find my motorcycle’ feature worked well, as did the geo-fence system, although I had to push it 200 metres without the ignition on to test it. The journey tracking is a bit basic; it tells you where you have been and miles covered but triggers even when you push the bike into the garage. The battery disconnect alert worked well. Overall, I would recommend this unit. Scores Journey tracking/ routes function . . . . 8/10 Find my motorcycle feature . . . . . . . . . 10/10 Movement/battery disconnect alert . . 7/10 Quality or functionality of app . . . . . . . . 9/10…

Martin Fitz-Gibbons Contributor They say; ‘Buy the best helmet you can afford’ but does ‘best’ always mean ‘dearest’? I’m fascinated by RiDE’s Head-to-Head test of a top- of-the-range lid and its half-price range- mate (p77). But I’d never wear the £90 fake Arai I bought online... Jim Blackstock Product editor Having spent family holidays in the New Forest and enjoyed the infamous traffic jams, I’m keen to know what the roads are like on two wheels. Tim Thompson knows; he rode from the Wessex Downs, through the Forest and ended at the seaside. Simon Hargreaves Contributor We’ve been waiting for Yamaha’s Ténéré for nearly three years and there has been loads of hype, but does it actually deliver? The Big Questions Answered road test looks to find out. The verdict?…

‘For the money, I can’t fault it’ STEVE HOLMES Age 49 Height 5ft 9in Owns 2018 BMW R1200GS Adventure What’s good? It’s surprisingly spritely - I was very impressed at how well it pulled. There’s much more power than I expected. It’s very good fun, much more so than the Super Ténéré 1200. The wind protection’s great, even though the screen doesn’t look much. I like how the dash looks like a Dakar bike’s roadbook too. Overall, for a sub-£9000 bike, it ticks all the boxes. For that sort of money, I can’t really fault it. Not keen on? The seat would give you a bit of discomfort after a long day’s ride. While I didn’t miss most of my BMW’s electronics, I would like to have a quickshifter, as…

‘Watch out for the cops near Loomies’ BEN MOBRAY Honda CB500F “It is probably worth noting that the A272 from Petersfield to Petworth is currently a mobile camera hotspot. They take photos and make you pay for them even if you don’t like them. Police around Loomies are taking a keen interest in number plate size and what colour your visor is.” ‘Check out Mick’s Monster Burgers’ ALAN WATERS Honda CBR125R “Portsdown Hill is worth checking out. Both the Route 66 Burger bar and Mick’s Monster Burgers in Portsmouth (a gigantic ¾lb Cheese Burger is £5 - RiDE) are both worth a visit for the food. When it comes to riding, check out the roads through the New Forest and around the Western end of the county.” ‘Who doesn’t want…

Best for Chalkland drama Length 65 miles Route Highclere to Lymington via Andover and Winchester Roads A343, A3057, B3420, A272, A3090, A337, B3055 and B3054 Love it because It starts and finishes in wildly different landscapes. On the way south to the coast you encounter dark woodland tunnels, fast open hills and beautiful views into the Test Valley. The roads are tight and dotted with humpback bridges, tricky crests and dips that challenge and reward for mile after mile. An alternative route from Andover to Winchester via Stockbridge along the A3057 and B3409 is equally intense and uplifting. When you finally hit traffic in the New Forest you feel great — okay, smug — for being on a bike Take a picture of The New Forest ponies, holding up the…

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) is a form of financing new bikes. It’s split into three key parts; the deposit, the monthly payments and a final payment. Fundamentally, the deposit and the monthly payments — typically over three years — make up what the finance company thinks will be the depreciation. At the end of the term, you can: make a final payment and own the bike; hand the keys in and walk away; or use the bike as deposit and start all over again. It’s not for all but many people like changing bike every three years.…

Kawasaki Z1000SX Cash price £10,445 Deposit £3000 APR 6.3% Final payment £5287 Annual mileage 4000 Kawasaki’s inline-four sports tourer comes with angle-sensitive electronics and offers considerable value for money. The engine packs a serious punch and a Tourer Edition (£10,999) comes with colour-coded panniers as standard. Yamaha Tracer 900GT Cash price £10,995 Deposit £3000 APR 4.9% Final payment £5602.50 Annual mileage 4000 The GT version of Yamaha’s budget sports tourer adds a TFT dash, uprated suspension, cruise control, coloured panniers and heated grips for an extra £1600. The triple motor gives character while ABS and TC are standard. Ducati Multistrada 1260 Cash price £14,501 Deposit £5666 APR 7.7% Final payment £7073 Annual mileage 5000 Powered by a DVT V-twin, the Multistrada 1260 has the same 17-inch wheel set-up as the…

Yamaha YZF-R1 Cash price £16,645 Deposit £6500 APR 6.9% Final payment £8640 Annual mileage 4000 Details of the 2020 R1 are out but it’s essentially the 2019 bike bar a few small tweaks. More track-focused than the GSa-R, the R1 has a crossplane engine and beautiful exhaust note that sounds just like Rossi’s YcR-M1. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade Cash price £15,999 Deposit £2724.42 (plus £1000 from Honda and £1000 from dealer) APR 0% Final payment £7710.71 Annual mileage 4000 Great on the road, new electronics make it much better for 2019. Sales have been slow, hence 0% finance and £2000 deposit contribution. Kawasaki ZX-10R Performance Cash price £15,345 Deposit £6000 APR 6.3% Final payment £7460 Annual mileage 4000 Wild, argumentative and delivering a ferocious surge in power once the revs start…

Used Yamaha MT-09 Price £6500-£8399 Engine Inline triple, dohc, 12v Capacity 847cc Power 113bhp @ 10,000rpm Torque 65lb·ft @ 8500rpm Fuel capacity 14 litres Seat height 820mm Wheelbase 1440mm Kerb weight 193kg Rider aids ABS, two-stage traction control New Yamaha MT-09 SP Price £8000-£9399 Engine Inline triple, DOHC, 12v Capacity 847cc Power 113bhp @ 10,000rpm Torque 65lb·ft @ 8500rpm Fuel capacity 14 litres Seat height 820mm Wheelbase 1440mm Kerb weight 193kg Rider aids ABS, two-stage traction control…

Eleveit SP 01 boots £179.99 www.tri-motive.com THE CLAIM The SP 01 has a durable and lightweight microfibre upper and a breathable mesh liner, with ankle and heel protection, toe sliders, shin plate and a double-compound rubber sole. THE REALITY Light and all-day comfy, we’ve tested these on back-road blasts, a trackday and a race meeting. They give a reassuringly snug feeling, while the sole has plenty of grip and feel. However, the Velcro band over the zip can catch on heelguards. Shin plates are awkward to tuck inside jeans too.…

‘It works a charm’ NATHAN SKYRME  Bag Vango Switchback, £30 “I use a Vango 15L Switchback hydration rucksack. Supposedly made for light hiking this little pack had three compartments, two side pockets, a stuff-pack flap, a two-litre internal water bladder, breathable back mesh and loads of reflective to boot! Also has a built-in rain-cover but seems fairly water resistant without it. Could do with more space though.” ‘I ruddy love it’ RACHEL WILLETT  Bag Course Slipstream, £50 “My Course backpack is awesome and I only paid £15 for it in a sale. It moulds to my back so is extremely comfortable. Its rounded back means you don’t get that wind pulling you back. It has plenty of room for a weekend away, has padding and an area to hold a…

THE TEST This was a blind test. At no point did Matt or Bruce know which tyres they were on — the notes on the test were generated before they knew which tyres they were on. Both riders rode our set route; Matt taking the first stint, with an emphasis on warm-up time and stability, then Bruce focussed just on outright performance. Each rider gave marks out of ten for each set of tyres, rating steering, confidence, stability, ride quality and feel. We also measured operating temperature and emergency-stop braking distances. Conditions on the test route were dry, 22°C and we used the manufacturer’s recommended cold pressures throughout the test. THE ROUTE A 22-mile ride taking in fast, flowing A-roads, bumpy B-roads, a motorway stint, plus urban, over a variety…

HOW MUCH TO INSURE? £120 Fully comp, £500 excess £105 TPF&T, £200 excess 2012 model, worth £2500. Based on a 52-year-old male engineer, married, licence held 8 years, 9 years NCB, no claims or convictions, for social, domestic and pleasure use. Bike is garaged with rural postcode and annual mileage of 5000 miles. HOW FAR ON A TANK? HOW MUCH TO SERVICE IT? 7500 miles Oil, plugs and oil filter: £175 11,500 miles Oil, plugs, oil filter and air filter: £199 15,000 miles Oil, plugs, oil and air filter, valve clearances: £345 Prices supplied by JHS Racing WHAT IF I DROP IT? Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£69.59 Front brake lever. . . . . .…

Andreani Fork Cartridge Kit £415 Stock forks are soft and lack damping; stiffer springs and heavier oil improves it. A cartridge kit upgrade transforms the bike though. brooksuspension.co.uk Nitron NTR R1 £462 Rear shock is also soft and under-damped. Resist the temptation to fit a shock from another model and buy an aftermarket shock. nitron.co.uk Stainless race exhaust £790 Any V-twin deserves to be heard as well as seen — the exhaust system most in favour with SVs at the moment is the US-made M4, as a slip-on end can for £289. jhsracingstore.co.uk…

BMW Navigator VI sat nav Huge £900 gets you a prep kit (£200) and the Garmin-built unit (£699 RRP). Works OK but BMW’s — free — phone app displays turn-by-turn instructions on the dash instead so you don’t need the sat nav... Michelin Pilot Road 4s Not the latest version of Michelin’s sport-touring rubber but the OE Pilot Road 4s grip nicely, give good feedback, inspire confidence and have lasted well — 3500 miles and only just starting to square. BMW Touring screen We tried a Touring screen to reduce windblast. Fitted, one ride to work, one home again and removed — far too much noise and turbulence at the helmet. COSTS SO FAR Fuel 307.5 litres in 3390 miles £397.59 Oil 1l of BMW Advantec Ultimate £17.26 Servicing None…

THE HONDA CRF250L is a new addition to RiDE’s garage — and despite looking like a lairy, trail-chewing crosser, is actually economical, good around town and cheap. We’ve ended up with a £4899 CRF250L on the test fleet after a chance chat I had with a Honda dealer. He said loads of Africa Twin owners were buying them as second bikes for commuting and a spot of green-laning because their running costs are so low, the consequence of damage is small and they only cost £69 a month on the drip. First impressions are good — provided you’re realistic about the performance of a 24bhp motorcycle. It feels far lighter than its 146kg claim and there is a smooth, broad(ish) spread of power that makes it decent in town, a…

‘Don’t let fear of theft control your life’ Tracker says… A motorcycle represents freedom on the open road — a fact which results in many motorcyclists spending a lot of time searching for just the right motorcycle. However, this means that the impact of motorcycle theft goes much deeper — there are both financial and emotional consequences: loss of custom additions; loss of no-claims bonus; loss of insurance excess and corresponding uplift in premium; replacement hire costs. Don’t let fear of motorcycle theft control your life. Disitrbuted exclusively in the UK by Oxford Products, once installed, the dealer registers the unit and subscription and you’re all set. Download the Tracker app to get instant messages to tell you if your bike is moved; highlight its location in real time; recall…

Products tested by RiDE readers, for RiDE readers. Complementing RiDE’s extensive kit tests, on these pages we’re turning things over to you. Each time, one brand-new product — from a visor sponge to a flip-front lid to a textile suit to a set of tyres — is used, evaluated and rated by a fresh panel of regular RiDE readers. These judges are free to use the product however they like, decide for themselves how well it lives up to the manufacturer’s claims, then deliver their scores and comments. RiDE Reader Rated is unique, allowing a range of voices to be heard from across a broad spectrum of motorcyclists. If there’s an issue with something, the RiDE Reader Rated panel will find it. And if they give something a thumbs-up, you…

Passo Rombo, Italy I recently organised a trip for Les Snare, my friend and ex-colleague. Les used to be my motorcycle sergeant but we have both been retired for several years now. He recently turned 70 years old and has always wanted to ride the Stelvio Pass, so I organised a trip for him with four other friends. We all have big tourers but Les has a Burgman 400, not that it stopped him having a great time! We travelled over 2000 miles in a week, taking in eight countries and several passes, including the Flüella, Umbrail, Timmelsjoch and Route des Crêtes in France. Les would be made up to see himself in RiDE. Rhys Reynolds…

1 No fakes have entered the supply stream, so the easiest way to make sure is always buy from a reputable dealer. 2 A bit of common sense goes a long way — if a helmet is too cheap to be true online, then it almost certainly is. 3 Bought a suspect helmet? Check the chinstrap — only genuine lids have the safety E- marked label stitched in. 4 If you’re still not sure contact the relevant UK distributor and send them a photo — they’re best placed to know. 5 If you buy a fake, especially from an auction site, contact the site immediately, as well as Trading Standards.…

BMW F850GS £9875 94bhp 68lb·ft 229kg In its most basic, standard spec, an F850GS is only £1030 more than the Ténéré which, given its far gruntier motor, means it merits consideration. Comes with basic traction control, a 12v socket and a TFT dash, but has a smaller fuel tank and feels a lot heavier. KTM 790 Adventure £11,099 94bhp 65lb·ft 214kg Even the cheaper of KTM’s two new 790s is still £2250 more than the Ténéré. A much lower seat height, a much larger (20-litre) fuel tank, and much more power. Far more gadgets, rider aids and electronic options but overall, the KTM feels more of a road bike. Suzuki V-Strom 650XT £8145 70bhp 46lb·ft 216kg A chunkier, comfier and more affordable choice. The V-Strom is a more substantial all-rounder…

Breakfast, A343 The George and Dragon Handily positioned in Hurstbourne Tarrant on the A343, the breakfasts are superb. Virtually everything on the menu is locally produced and even the muesli is hand-made. Nothing wrong with that. Lunch, A272 Loomies Moto Café Hampshire’s top meeting place, with a huge menu and friendly atmosphere. The helmet hanging baskets and visor cleaning service are great touches. Find it on the junction with the A32. Dinner/supper/tea, B3057 The Crown Super-friendly thatched pub in King’s Somborne with great food and a thriving bike night every Wednesday with T-shirt awards and a special menu for those who want to eat.…

BMW BILLS THE S1000XR as an adventure sportsbike though in many ways, this undersells what is actually not only a remarkably practical machine, but also one that has a considerable sting in its tail. If you still have that urge to ride a sportsbike, but are done with low clip-on bars, the XR could be your ideal next bike. Powered by a reworked version of the firm’s inline-four RR engine, the XR has now got over a few teething issues that plagued the original (vibrating bars and dodgy switchgear) and as a result, has matured into an excellent sports tourer that has a huge range of electronic assists and touring accessories. With high bars putting you in an adventure-bike riding position and a decent fairing sheltering you from the worst…

THERE ARE THREE versions of Triumph’s Street Triple — the S, R and RS — with the specification of the bike as well as the performance of its engine varying between models. While it is, quite naturally, very tempting to simply tick the RS box and go for the highest specification available, if you are a road rider the smartest move is to save a few quid and instead opt for the R. Why? It’s a far nicer bike to ride. The R may be 5bhp down on the RS, but it has the same 57lb·ft of torque and its triple engine’s tune means it makes that oh-so-useful drive 2000rpm lower down the rev range, which equates to a far less frantic ride. Where the RS can become hard work,…

THE LONG-AWAITED UPDATED GSX-R1000 eventually materialised in 2017 after a fair bit of teasing from Suzuki. However its arrival wasn’t met with quite the fanfare Suzuki was hoping for, simply because in the meantime, the competition had moved the game on in terms of power and technology. That said, Suzuki did get so much right on its all-new GSX-R that it shouldn’t necessarily be overlooked. Returning to the roots of the GSX-R’s ethos, Suzuki gave its new superbike some very clever technology that while remarkably simple in its actuation, is actually very good news for road riders. Called Suzuki Racing Variable Valve Timing (SR-VVT) the system introduces a welcome boost of low-end grunt into the GSX-R’s engine, something that until BMW also added variable valve timing this year on the…

Better brake pads £75 The OE pads are a touch dead feeling and if you want a bit of extra bite, then a set of higher-friction brakes pads is a cost-effective way of increasing your stopping power. Jared recommends Brembo SC1 road and track pads (£75), which he says have a noticeable upgrade with more power and feel. www.bikehps.com Confidence-giving tyres £220 The OE Bridgestone S20 tyres are very hard and unforgiving in their feel. To keep that sporty feel, RiDE recommends Michelin Power RSs. They steer and work well in every condition and you should get 4000 miles from a rear. www.michelin.co.uk Suspension that works From £250 K-Tech’s Razor-R (£415) represents good value. Fork upgrades range from a set of £40 upgraded springs and £100+ rebuild…

Alpinestars Tech base layer top £64.99 www.alpinestars.com THE CLAIM This long-sleeved top wicks moisture away from the skin in warm conditions and regulates body temperature in cooler ones. Also helps to get leathers on. THE REALITY It’s a tight fit — an M/L coming up more like an M — but when on, it’s comfy and unobtrusive. Definitely helps keep the skin dry and moves moisture away, feeling cool. Very nice. Thunderbolt cleaning wipes £22.99 www.unlimitedpassion.co.uk THE CLAIM A premium all-in-one cleaning solution. Easily portable and negates using water as the product degreases, removes bugs and tar spots, washes, waxes, polishes and protects — all in one. THE REALITY Remarkably effective, clearing caked-on chain lube from a wheel. Maker’s claims of two or three wipes doing a bike are optimistic…

The Ryd is Shoei’s entry-level street helmet but it still comes with a Pinlock insert as standard, as well as a removable lining and emergency release cheek pads. To keep costs down, it’s only available in solid colours and like the a-Spirit III, there’s no drop-down sun visor.…

‘It has an impressive amount of torque’ PETER LOBB 45 Miles 72,000 Annual mileage 20,000 “I was always a two-stroke man but in 2012, I needed a bike to commute on and when I took the SV for a test ride it had so much more torque it was a completely different experience. I’d always quite fancied one when they came out, and it just suited me. It’s getting on a bit now and I’ve had to repair a few things on it but not the engine — I just get it serviced.” ‘It under-filled the oil and blew it up’ THOMAS EVANS 24 Miles 56,000 Annual mileage 7000 “Seven years ago I had a go on an SV and fell in love with the torque and the sound, so…

THE LAST FOUR months of Multistrada custodianship have been enlightening, quite simply because of the breadth of the Multi’s abilities. Everso slightly naughty Sunday rides, commuting, touring, trackdays and green-laning — it feels remarkably at home doing it all — and while you might say a BMW GS could do the same, the Ducati has a sense of fun that its German rival doesn’t. But that doesn’t mean it is perfect out of the box. I’ve already put a taller screen (it’s a bit better) and plumbed for Ducati’s comfort seat (why isn’t it standard?). And for an £13,355 adventure-sports-touring bike, the Multistrada 950 has a mish-mash of standard equipment. Sure, you get semi-active suspension and a TFT dash, but you don’t get panniers, a centrestand or heated grips. Ducati…

A FEW MILES north-west of the Yorkshire market town of Kirkbymoorside is a layby. This dusty corner on a quiet backroad — point Google Streetview to (54.325582, -0.987770 ) — marks the southern end of the Rudland Rigg. An ancient track that’s been traversed since the Stone Age, it climbs up, over and through the North York Moors. Popular with Land Rover-ists, this ten-mile dirt track is today’s test for our Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE. Lightly knobbly Metzeler Karoo Street tyres are left at road pressure, Off Road mode is selected, and my magnetic Givi tankbag of overnight essentials clings to the Triumph’s small tank. I stand on the pegs and thrumble steadily along this laser-straight lane of orange, stoney dirt splitting vibrant green and purple heather. I took the…

A RiDE staffer tested the system fitted to their own personal bike. “Tracker came to the RiDE office to fit the unit, which took about an hour and a half. The technician then ran through how it works and sent the email link to activate the unit and download the app. Navigating around the app is straightforward and the options and functions are useful, with bike location, maps, routes and bike security settings all easy to use. There is also a number of functions that can help monitor fuel economy, running costs and mileages, if that’s your thing. Re-setting the geo-fence boundaries for a variety of different locations (e.g. home and work) is a useful feature. When I park at work, and in the garage at home, the bike can…

If you want to become a part of a future RiDE Reader Rated feature, start by heading to our Facebook page. Click on www.facebook.com/ RiDEmagazineBauerMedia/ (or just search for ‘RiDE magazine’‚ and look for the blue tick), like our page, and keep your eyes peeled. We’ll post our calls for volunteer product testers there and explain how to get in touch. If you’re successfully selected, you’ll be sent the product to be tested, along with an evaluation form to complete and give your feedback. Simple! Suggest a product Got a burning desire to see a particular piece of kit reviewed by the RiDE Reader Rated panel? Send your suggestions to ride@ride.co.uk…

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