Table of contents for July 2022 in RiDE

‘You don’t have to spend a fortune to own a brilliant bike’ Our test of the best £8k new bikes (p50) proves that you don’t have to throw £20k at a motorcycle to get a fun, engaging machine. We’ve had a wonderful few weeks with these bikes and found Yamaha’s R7, Honda’s NC750X, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 and Kawasaki Z650RS to be brilliant motorcycles – and much more affordable than the big-money monsters. I love big, powerful motorcycles but, after two weeks of riding these every day, I feel I’m a better rider. None are slow by any means but each overtake is planned with more care and thought, my lines are more precise and momentum is not only conserved, it’s appreciated. There used to be a time when…

Goathland, North York Moors I only started riding in October last year and recently treated myself to a new Triumph Tiger Sport 660. It is the perfect confidence-inspiring bike for me and lets me enjoy some of the most amazing scenery in my local area. Recently, when we had a flash heatwave, I ventured on my longest ride yet through to Whitby, stopping at Goathland (home of Heartbeat and Hogsmeade station in Harry Potter) in the North York Moors to take this shot. I can’t wait for summer and am looking forward to putting even more miles on my Triumph! Mike Hassell Get your bike in RIDE & win a BikeTrac system Each month the Star Picture will win a BikeTrac security tracker with a year’s BikeTrac subscription. As well…

FEW WILL HAVE failed to notice recent cases where retailers were caught selling non-approved riding gear at motorcycle shows. Big events are a chance for riders to update riding kit. However, as we saw, some unscrupulous retailers are pulling the wool over riders’ eyes. They were ignoring their legal obligations, selling kit that either was not approved under the relevant standards, or was showing false ratings to suggest they met the necessary standards when in fact they did not. Neither is acceptable, since the consumer needs to know that what they are buying will protect them in the event of a crash. But just how bad a problem is it and how do you make sure the kit you are about to buy is genuine? Back to the beginning All…

GOOD NEWS! BIKERS CAN BREATHE a little easier after the Government confirmed that proposed new-vehicle ‘anti-tampering’ regulations won’t ban most motorcycle modifications as originally feared. The plans first came to light last year in a Government consultation document called The Future of Transport Regulatory Review – Modernising Vehicle Standards. Although only a proposal, this proved very controversial, as it was worded in a way that suggested all types of modifications to motorcycles could be outlawed. It also went further by proposing to oust the marketing, promotion and sale of ‘tampering services or products’ which could have proved disastrous for the bike industry. These proposals not only threatened the sale of items like aftermarket exhausts on new machines, but also even historic modifications on used bikes and potentially classic restorations. The…

Way back in 2009, I read an article by Simon Hargreaves which detailed a route around northern Scotland, starting near Stirling, discovering Glen Coe, Fort William, Glen Shiel, following the west coast and along to Tongue. He then guided us (my wife is a constant pillion) to Inverness to find Tomintoul, the Cairngorms and the magnificent old military road down to Perth. This was a big week away for us, as we were living in Essex. It was life changing. As a result, we now live in Moray and every riding day up here is like being on holiday. I’m now planning our first serious week away since Covid struck and I find that Mr Hargreaves has planned our holiday again. My intention was always to enjoy the Pennines and…

DISTANCE READY The new DesertX can cover big distance in comfort with 200 miles in one sitting a breeze SUSPENSION Specially developed by KYB, the Desert X boasts 230mm and 220mm of travel DUAL-SPORT RUBBER The Pirelli Scorpion STR Rally tyres offer great grip and feel on tarmac or in the dirt… DUCATI’S DESERTX IS the latest sign of its transformation from sportsbike specialist to an impressive all-round motorcycle manufacturer. Designed to enter the hotly-contested premium middleweight adventure category against the likes of KTM’s 890 Adventure R and Triumph’s 900 Rally Pro, the DesertX not only has to be a great road bike but superb at soaking up the rough stuff too; something its top-heavy Multistrada siblings couldn’t do. But our first ride in the Sardinian mountains shows that Ducati…

The bits that actually make a difference Suspension is much improved There’s more travel (230mm from 210mm), new valving and stiffer springs. The fork uppers have low-friction Kashima coating and there’s plush off-road damping. Damper not 100% necessary Öhlins steering damper is a thing of beauty. It has 16 adjustment steps but on standard rubber, we’ve never known a Ténéré get slappy. It could be useful on knobblies though. 43% greater fuel capacity 23-litre twin tanks are mounted lower than the standard T7 and you fill both at the fuel station; a link pipe and pump equalises the level. Width interferes with long-legged riders.…

1 IT’S GOING TO SELL Priced at £4599, the Scram 411 is £100 cheaper than the Himalayan and, with its funky ‘urban enduro’ looks, will appeal more to a younger rider than its slightly ‘old man’ adventure-bike sibling. Enfield is also offering the Scram for £111.21 a month on a three-year HP deal (6.9% APR) after a £1000 deposit, making it very affordable. Considering the Himalayan was the UK’s second best-selling adventure bike in 2021 behind the BMW GS, it is hard not to see the Scram succeeding. The new seat is also softer than the Himalayan’s, which will help… 2 ITS HEART IS UNCHANGED Enfield hasn’t altered the A2-legal 411cc air-cooled motor at all and why should it? Despite the fact it only has five gears and struggles on…

Munch & Go Horncastle Andy’s portacabin has just had a makeover but he still makes the county’s best on-the-go fry-up. Ask for a breakfast torp and you’ll not need to eat again until tea-time. facebook.com/MunchGoHorncastle Willingham Woods It’s not the height of cuisine and the menu of sandwiches, cakes and hot food is limited. However, Willy Woods is a popular biking grub-stop – so for a chin-wag and a brew-stop, it’s a must. Kitchenetta Woodhall Spa Eclectic delicatessen with a wide range of nibbles and treats but also serves good cake and coffee with tables under the arcade awning overlooking the main strip. kitchenetta.co.uk…

YOU CAN’T GET away from the fact we’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. However, the truth is as bikers we’ve known it for years. Over the least decade, the cost of bikes has crept up to the point where if you want Britain’s best-selling bike, BMW’s R1250GS, in a desirable spec, you’re looking at over £16k. They’re wonderful machines, and the numbers they shift show there is a market but each month, we get letters from readers who feel priced-out of the new-bike buying game. But it doesn’t have to be like this – there are some brilliant bikes on the market for half of that £16k benchmark – and outright power aside, they have very few compromises. But let’s make no bones about it, this is still…

JUNE 17-19 KNOCKHILL BRITISH SUPERBIKES Where Dunfermline, Scotland Price £50 for weekend ticket Details www.knockhill.com While many top UK circuits are becoming increasingly sanitized with giant run-off areas and spectator banks miles from the action, Knockhill still feels hairy. Tiny (just 1.3 miles long), frenetic and with big elevation changes, BSB’s best riders struggle to contain their 230bhp machines while the weather can be extremely unpredictable and there is always drama. The old-school feel of the circuit makes for compelling viewing – it’s the opposite of MotoGP-pleasing Silverstone – you’re super-close to the action and there isn’t a debris fence inside. If you want to make a biking weekend of it, there are some amazing roads in the area too, but watch out for cops… Insider tip There are some…

FLIP-FRONT LIDS ARE favoured by many riders for their practicality. If you are on and off the bike regularly, paying for fuel or toll roads for example, flip-front lids are a quick and easy way to be able to talk to another person clearly and be understood. This is also true of a rider and pillion who are out on an adventure – with flip-front lids, there is far less shouting when it comes to pointing out landmarks or asking for directions. Away from communicating, the way they close, with a tight neck seal, also shuts you off from the outside world. This helps make them quieter as well as less-draughty and warmer in cooler weather. They also (if homologated to be ridden as such) let you enjoy the benefits…

‘I’VE BROKEN EVERY bone you can imagine; I’ve had organs out learning how not to do this, so you can trust me when I say this works.” These are the final words of my morning classroom session in a pit garage of Anglesey Circuit and I’m not entirely sure how to take them. Is it a good thing that my coach for the day has crashed his brains out? Since the coach in question is former BSB racer Steve Brogan, I’d be stupid not to listen and try to put what I’ve been told into practice. In fact, I’d be stupid not to listen to any of the instructors at the BMW Performance Academy because they’ve got over 300 wins and several championships between them at various levels of motorcycle…

Steve Herbert-Mattick, art editor With the keys to our new 890 Duke in my pocket (p100), all I need is a list of awesome events to visit... PAGE 66 Jim Blackstock, product editor Now if I were to discover an £8000-sized empty space in my garage, what would I fill it with? PAGE 58 Simon Hargreaves, contributor I’m keen to see how Ducati’s DesertX fits with the Tigers, ATASs and 890s of this world. PAGE 26 SUBSCRIBE TO RiDE For more details, see page 107 or visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk…

HAVING MET UP at Macclesfield so I can fill up our long-term Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT, we nip up the road to our official start at therejuvenated Cat and Fiddle. It’s great to see it open again, even in a different form (the nation’s highest distillery, apparently, as a café), after so long closed and unloved. Over a quick coffee, and a quick look at the other bikes parked up, I remind Emma that she’d warned me in advance that shewas very slow, very nervy, and that she was worried I’d be bored following her on these wonderful roads. But she’s just zipped up the twisty bit from Macc quickly, smoothly and apparently with plenty of confidence. What’s going on? “It’s the bike! I bought the Yamaha MT-09 a while back…

1 Helmets Helmets must be certified to ECE22.05 to be allowed for sale in the UK. However, from January 2024, ECE22.06, comes into force for all helmets. 2 Clothing Jackets, trousers and jeans will have an EN17092 rating from B to A, AA or AAA, the latter being the highest protection rating. 3 Boots There are four digits in their EN13634 rating. The first shows the height – 1 for low and 2 for high – and the following three cover different forms of protection. 1 is a basic pass and 2 a superior pass, so look for as many 2s as possible. 4 Gloves With gloves’ EN13594 rating, 1 is a basic pass (and the highest possible for short gloves) and 2 a superior one, while ‘KP’ indicates knuckle…

Despite all the doom and gloom in the world right now, new-bike sales are showing a massive 32.4% increase in 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. Small, sub-125cc commuters are still the most popular sector with over 16,000 sold. And sales of mid-range 126-650cc machines have grown by 39% year-on-year, led by the best-selling Royal Enfield Meteor 350. Suzuki’s GSX-S1000 GT is leading the way in bikes up to 1000cc, with this market increasing by 37%. Electric bike sales are also booming; figures are up by 68% with sub-11kW commuters proving most popular.…

Different specifications Ducati offers five option packs to personalise the standard DesertX. A Touring pack (£2503.20), a Sports pack (£1935.60), a Rally pack (£1296), an Off-Road pack (£1134) and an Urban pack (£1026). Each comes with various accessories to suit that particular style of riding. Huge service intervals Ducati prides itself on building bikes with decent intervals between services these days. If you’ve spent £14k on a DesertX, the last thing you want is to be paying out every five minutes for oil, pads and other parts. The oil service is every two years or 9000 miles and the Desmo service is every 18,000 miles. Balanced handling The DesertX’s chassis is all-new, with a slimline steel trellis frame and aluminium swingarm holding 46mm KYB forks and shock in place. Both…

Entry-level has a high price THE WATER-COOLED NIGHTSTER is meant to be Harley’s entry-level machine but, at £13k, it’s not very easy on the wallet for riders new to the marque. The 60° Revolution Max 975T V-twin engine is heavily based around the 1250 engine found in the Pan America and the Sportster S. However, where the 1250 version features variable valve timing on both cams, the 975T only has it on the intake, giving it a very different character. But it is quite whirry and clattery in use. The Nightster gets ABS and traction control (TCS) as well as Drag-Torque Slip Control (DSCS) and even three power modes – Road, Sport and Rain. Rain and Road modes add a horrible lag in the throttle response to the point it…

DASH The 10.5-inch full-colour TFT dash features Bluetooth connectivity to link to a smartphone via the BMW Connected app. You can access maps, music and phone functions and the dash can show turn-by-turn navigation. There is a USB-C socket in a cubby hole that keep your phone cool ELECTRONICS The GTL has a six-axis IMU linked to the ABS and TC as well as the ESA, making all lean-responsive. There are three riding modes and two ESA modes. Cruise control, hill start, heated seats and grips, reverse and TPMS are standard on the GTL. The LE adds Gearshift Assist Pro, keyless ride, an alarm and central locking CHASSIS The aluminium die-cast frame is unchanged for 2022 but the ESA has evolved into Dynamic ESA ‘Next Generation.’ Linked to the IMU,…

BEST FOR RACE ACTION Cadwell Park Everyone knows where and what Cadwell Park is – it’s the mini-Nürburgring, the Grand Prix circuit of the Wolds, but you’d have to be daft to pass this close and not pop in on the off-chance some bikes are going round. Price of entry Depends what’s on but usually free during practice or open testing. BEST FOR FIGHTER JETS RAF Coningsby Coningsby is one of two Quick Reaction Alert stations in the UK and Eurofighters are always in the air practising dog-fighting or more often than not, shooting fellow RAF out of the sky. It’s also home to the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight, commemorating the RAF’s service. Price £9.80 for adults, with concessions BEST FOR VINTAGE GUITARS Old Hat Guitars Opened many years…

Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark ❯ £8351 ❯ 72bhp ❯ 49lb·ft ❯ 189kg The Dark is the base model Scrambler, so you don’t get the option of flashy colours, only black. Is this a bad thing? No; with its matt blacked-out look, the Dark is mean and moody and aside from the paint, is identical to the Icon. As standard you get cornering ABS, a USB port under the seat and a connected dash. A bike that has proved a big hit for Ducati, the Scrambler is easy-going and fun to ride. Suzuki V-Strom 650 ❯ £7999 ❯ 70bhp ❯ 46lb·ft ❯ 213kg A really under-rated do-it-all, the V-Strom 650 comes with ABS and traction control as standard and can be specified in the more rugged XT guise for £500 more.…

Novice BMW F900R › £8595 › 104bhp › 225kg A perfect bike for getting onto circuit for the first time and plenty of poke around a tight circuit like Anglesey. You have to work a bit harder to nail your body position due to the upright bars but if you’re not used to having 204bhp at your disposal, this is probably a better place to start. Intermediate and up BMW S1000RR › £16,280 › 204bhp › 197kg The Apex predator of the superbike world is blisteringly quick yet quite forgiving – flattering even. Jam-packed with electronic safety nets, you can afford to make a few mistakes and the bike will look after you. It’s not uncomfortable for a superbike.…

UPDATE 03 THE NT1100 GETS a lot of attention for a fairly understated black bike – I think its X-ADV-family resemblance isn’t bad at all... but I’m weird. Everyone wants to know what it’s like to ride: “Are they any good? I was thinking of getting a go on one, ” etc. I’ve been asked so often I’ve settled on a reply that best sums the Honda up: “It’s not the most exciting bike, ” I say. “But it’ll satisfy the hell out of you.” Except I might have to re-evaluate it in light of this month’s Big Ride around Lincolnshire. Presented with mild spring weather, rising sap, a series of well-known nadgery B-roads and a day to basically go a bit bananas, the Honda exceeded expectations. Limited ground clearance…

Last year, former deputy editor Martin Fitz-Gibbons bought what was advertised as an ‘Arai’ helmet at the knockdown price of £80 instead of £300, from an online seller. Despite a UK address, the helmet arrived from China and, unsurprisingly, was not genuine. It was sent wrapped in foam and though it looked like an Arai from a distance, we would not trust it. A textbook example of counterfeit kit. We also bought a pair of ‘motorcycle’ jeans from a brand we had never heard of through a well-known online retailer that were described as made with Kevlar and containing CE armour. Costing less than £44, there were no CE labels, raising suspicions they had not been tested or certified and the ‘CE’ armour was more like a thick mouse-mat. In…

‘In praise of Dalton’ One of the sections I love in RiDE is Ask The Lawyer. Invariably queries posted by readers are not only interesting but cover subjects all bikers can relate to, whether it’s points of law or insurance matters. As this is a bike magazine, one would expect Andrew to always pander to the biker posing the question and slant his counsel in the biker’s favour, but no. His advice is always impartial and backed up with rationale supporting it and that’s what we want to hear. I was particularly impressed with his reply to a query in May’s issue relating to an insurance claim by a reader’s injury accident. Not only did Andrew give excellent guidance to the reader, a recently retired soldier (thank you for your…

ADVENTURE-READY There’s long-travel suspension, wider footrests, a flatter seat, more ground clearance, off-road ABS modes and a new airbox to stop dirt ingress MILE-EATING ABILITY New 23-litre fuel tanks (up from 16) push range out to a claimed 300 miles. We’re looking forward to testing that SAME CP2 MILL Euro5-spec 689cc parallel twin is identical to the version in the MT-07 and Tracer7, producing useful torque and a 72bhp peak WITH ENOUGH FUEL capacity to hit 300 miles between fill-ups, high-quality, long-travel suspension and premium fit and finish, the Ténéré 700 World Raid is the most accomplished Yamaha adventure bike yet. Since its introduction in 2019, the Ténéré has caught the imagination of a generation of adventure riders who loved it for its compelling value (half the price of a…

Better but not by that much THE SUPER DUKE GT is Euro5-compliant for 2022 and there are a host of other improvements too, from lighter wheels and a new TFT dash and switchgear to improved ergonomics, an easier to adjust screen, heated grips as standard and a new optional ‘performance’ mode. But is it significantly better than before? For a big V-twin, it’s remarkably smooth and refined, thanks to its light and perfectly balanced internals. That said, the motor can become grumpy and flustered when asked to accelerate in a high gear from 3000rpm or below. The only hint of Euro5 meddling can be felt in off-corner drive between 3000-4000rpm. But once the motor’s spinning north of 4K it’s as keen and impressive as ever. There’s now even an optional…

THE FACTS The route This riotous 100 mile-loop around the Lincolnshire Wolds is a celebration of England’s unexpected B-road delights. A proper rider’s route to keep you on your toes, it features a torrent of rural chicanery the equal of anywhere in the country. Why it’s great It’s not about the scenery; the loop is all about revelling in the pure physics of motorcycle dynamics and exploring the relationship between chassis, engine and tarmac. When to go Never rammed with tourists (another advantage) so pretty much anytime is good, but early spring when the oil seed rape is in full bloom is undeniably exciting. Where to visit Cadwell Park is in easy reach and Willingham Woods is a popular biker meeting spot. THE LAW OF diminishing returns does not apply…

Best for The pure pleasure of riding a motorcycle, with the chance to learn something at every corner along the route. Length 100 miles. Route Revesby to Horncastle, then Baumber, Caistor, Market Rasen, Wragby, Bardney, Metheringham, Coningsby. Roads B1183, A158, B1225, A46, B1202, B1190, B1191, B1188, B1189, A153. Love it because Scintillating B-road action almost all the way; some of the best in the country. Take a picture at Coningsby airfield and Cadwell Park circuit. Stop for a cuppa at There are plenty of coffee stops along the way but the hot chocolate at Kitchenetta in Woodhall Spa is killer. For a pre-ride caffeine hit, then Munch & Go is a good start. ALSO TRY… Lincs east loop Best for Hitting the Lincolnshire coast. Length 115 miles. Route Revesby to…

DuraTread garage flooring £873 (35m2 value pack) www.duramat.co.uk I plumped for this Duramat interlocking PVC tile for my new garage. Laid directly over the concrete, these PVC tiles are hardwearing, tough and their 8mm thickness with a honeycomb pattern on the underside provide insulation. This is an industrial product and very different from soft, foam mats. At 50cm squares, once you’ve cleared your garage, fitting is fast. I cut the tiles that needed trimming with a circular saw and it took a day to floor my 3m x 10m garage. A year in and I’m pleased – they’re showing no signs of wear, resist sidestand weight, clean up easily and will outlast the garage. Not cheap but I’m glad I spent the money. Workzone 8-piece T-Handle Hex Key set £4.99 www.aldi.co.uk…

‘Practical and anything but dull in style’ FLIP-FRONT LIDS ARE a bit of an acquired taste. However, as you can see from our test, as well as being incredibly practical, they are actually anything but dull in style. In fact, some, like the AGV SportModular or the carbon HJC RPHA 90C Carbon, look every bit as cool as a full-face lid. One lid stood head and shoulders above the rest in this test – the Shoei Neotec II. A thoroughly tried and tested lid, the Neotec’s high comfort levels and fact all its features performed faultlessly secured it a clear win and RiDE’s Best Buy award. It’s not the flashiest of lids but it is well developed and effective. Another excellent performer was the AGV SportModular, which we felt was…

1 Carefree riding Everything is taken care of for you on the day. Unlike a trackday, you never have to consider your tyre pressures, when you need to put fuel in or even when it’s your turn on track because the school does it for you. The novelty value of just jumping on a fully prepped S1000RR and heading out onto track with a racing legend doesn’t wear off all day; you feel like a factory racer yourself. £649 may sound like a lot of money, but when you consider the VIP treatment you get, it’s not bad. Once you include bike hire at California Superbike School, for example, you’d be looking at £940 for a day on Level 1. 2 The coaches There’s no arguing with the racing credentials…

2011-2020 | £4500-10,250 | 130mph | 94bhp TRIUMPH’S MUCH-LOVED TIGER 800 is a brilliant used buy; simple as that. It has a combination of practicality, enjoyment, value and reliability few bikes can match. The 799cc three-cylinder engine is one of motorcycling’s greatest feats and it has a typically fine-handling Triumph chassis. It’s comfortable and it’s manageable for all. There’s even a Low version. Due to its long production run and the numbers built, there’s an 800 to suit most budgets too. Triumph’s mid-range Tiger was launched in 2010 and proved an immediate hit for its combination of adventure versatility and its characterful, flexible, fun motor. This success led to a significant update in 2015 which also saw the original two-model family being expanded to four, while a further significant update…

UPDATE 01 THE ROYAL ENFIELD Interceptor has been something of a phenomenon. To prove the point, in 2021 it was effectively the UK’s third-best selling bike behind the BMW GS/GSA and the Triumph Trident 660, with 1287 bikes bought. Having ridden it on various roads, I jumped at the chance of spending a summer with one, to see how it stands up to regular use. It’s the perfect summer cruiser and, with the days getting longer, I couldn’t wait to get the key. My first couple of rides were exploratory but a jaunt from deepest, darkest Devon to Peterborough for the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling, as well as a long-overdue catch-up with family and friends, gave me the chance to try the Interceptor in just about every kind of…

Celebrating the people Name Kim Leeson, 62 Bike 2015 BMW R1200GS Adventure Total miles 94,110 Miles per year 30,000 “BEFORE THE GS I owned a VFR800 V-TEC, which was a great bike but I’d just started to get into long-distance riding and touring. After I crashed it, I decided to get a machine built for mile-munching. There were a few options – the Tiger 1200 or the GS – but in the end, I opted for the BMW as I found the Tiger too top-heavy and cumbersome at low speed and the GSA has just so much road presence. “Despite its 30-litre tank, the GS carries its weight really well, helped by the design of the boxer engine which is really low-slung. I bought my GSA secondhand with 2700 miles…