Home//BIKE/January 2018/In This Issue
BIKE|January 2018Ninja H2 SXSupercharge your journey - Ninja H2 SXFor its second supercharger challenge, Kawasaki brings the unique sensory experience of a supercharged engine to the sport tourer category with the new Ninja H2 SX SE and Ninja H2 SX.Designed for real world applications and everyday road riding, the 200hp balanced supercharged engine of the Ninja H2 SX boasts stronger low to mid-range power output than the Ninja H2, along with superb fuel efficiency. The engine’s relaxed character is well suited to long distance riding and is easily manageable at slow speeds, while delivering the unique feeling of forced induction acceleration.Lightweight Sports TourerWeighing just 18kg more than the Ninja H2 and with a power-to-weight ratio between the Ninja H2 and ZZR1400, the Ninja H2 SX is a lightweight sports tourer with formidable potential.…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Z 900Z900: Now unleashed for A2 ridersThanks to its no-nonsense attitude, aggressive Sugomi styling and engaging riding experience, the Z900 has been a sales success over the last 12 months and for 2018 Kawasaki is able to offer the same willing, responsive ride experience to A2 licence holders with the introduction of a new 70kW Z900.The 70kW-variant Z900 shares the vast majority of its look and specification with its sibling and carries no badges or markings to set it apart from the full power Z900.Rider-focused SupernakedIt also incorporates the same rider features such as a tuned airbox assembly to deliver an aggressive intake sound, along with assist and slipper clutch technology, a lightweight and responsive tubular trellis chassis plus Kawasaki’s characteristic horizontal back-link suspension.Because this Z900 is tuned to give a…1 min
BIKE|January 2018DISTRACTED BYMOPEDS»The men of Bike , when putting together an issue of the magazine about the future of motorcycling technology, become obsessed with stone-age mopeds.MOUNTAINEERING»It’s all about getting a different angle. So we put ‘no head for heights’ snapper Simon Lee on top of a Sprinter van to get the action shot on page 86.THE NIKEN»The bike from the Milan show that has driven most office conversations is the three-wheel Yamaha NIKEN. Just what is that going to be like to ride?DASHBOARDS»Apparently we no longer have ‘clocks’ on bikes, but digital dashboards. Distracted? Definitely. ‘Tell me again, what’s this button actually for?’…1 min
BIKE|January 2018THE ADVENTURE INTERVIEW Dutch couragewith Lois Pryce I’ll be tinkering with my 1977 Yamaha XT500 over the winter months, getting it ready for a teeth-juddering ride to Spain next summer.» Where are you right now?I have just returned home to the Netherlands. I gave up everything to do my trip so I needed to find a new place to live, and now I am living next to the beach in the cutest little house.» You’ve just returned from a pretty epic solo ride…Yes, I rode from Amsterdam to Bali taking a big detour by looping Central Asia, going back to Iran and then heading east through Pakistan to India. Me and Zuki, a 2005 Suzuki V-Strom DL650, rode over 26,000 miles in 14 months. I figured if a Vespa can make it to the…4 min
BIKE|January 2018Ride like the windwith Jonathan Pearson Adventure bikes getting a (for once) useful custom makeover and fulfilling their destiny as genuine all-rounders is awesome. The weather dictating world championships is much less impressive…YOU’LL NO DOUBT have noticed specialist modifiers getting the backing of major manufacturers to convert production bikes into something extraordinary. And off road is no exception.These bikes tend to look better than they ride but Triumph have bucked the trend with a gloriously functional Tiger 800 XCx rally bike. Called the ‘Tramontana’ Tiger 800, the inspiration was to build something to compete in the 2000km Panafrica Rally in Morocco’s Saharan desert.Named after the north wind blowing into Spain from the Pyrenees, the Tramontana was conceived as, ‘a racing bike… to be raced in the most extreme terrain and conditions over distance.’…3 min
BIKE|January 2018The Rusty Butcherwith Gary Inman Nine days riding an Indian Bobber around California, watching bike races and visiting friends, in a scorching October was a treat. Returning to race on the beach at Mablethorpe was a much-needed slap of reality…‘The Rusty Butcher breaks them, mends them, jumps them again… The public lapped it up’IT’S EASY TO feel jealous of the Californians. They have the weather, countless events, world class creativity, dream destinations and boundless opportunities. On the downside, a lot of the major roads are terrible, and the traffic in the cities is apocalyptically horrendous. That said the American Dream is certainly A Thing. And I saw another example of it on my most recent trip to Cali…Mark Atkins trades under the name The Rusty Butcher and works out of an industrial…4 min
BIKE|January 2018LettersMust do betterSomething about December’s Bike has caused me to develop a twitch over the last few days. As the head teacher of a primary school I can’t cope with the plastic fantastic bikes on the inside page not being lined up in alphabetical order, by number plate. G, F and H is the current order. I’d be grateful if Bike could demonstrate higher academic standards.Adrian Shepherd, emailDuly noted. We will try harder in future. HWMega what?December issue, ‘Bike embraces the 1980s wonder bikes.’ Ducati Paso 750, BMW K1 and Honda CBR1000F. Mega bikes!!!! You actually took up seven pages with these icons!! What have you been smoking ? Good grief.The ’60s are best forgotten unless you have rose tinted glasses. The ’70s and it’s the arrival of the big…5 min
BIKE|January 2018Benelli Imperiale 400» Imperiale is a name from Benelli’s past. It originated at the start of the 1960s when Benelli took over Motobi, who’d been making the bike since the mid-1950s. That original was a sports 125 with horizontal cylinder, but we’ll overlook this discrepancy (the Leoncino tag on their still-coming-soon 500 is also from a tiddler). The new 400 air-cooled single has a chain driving its overhead cams, but is convincingly (at a distance) dressed-up with a fake bevel drive. The period look carries through cases cast with old-style lumpiness, Royal Enfield-style side panels and sprung seat, to the twin rear shocks and peashooters. It all works well. Let’s hope they keep it to £4k to compete with Mash……1 min
BIKE|January 2018Into the valleyAT THE MOMENT’ starts the email from the Bormio Tourist Office, ‘we still don’t know exactly when Stelvio pass will be closed. For sure it will be open on 4 November, but from Saturday evening to Monday there will be a snow storm.’ The fourth of November, so that’s in two days. So I need to thr sh this 2018 BMW R1200GS from Yorkshire to the Stelvio in under 48 hours…Easy work for this particular motorcycle, surely. It’s the R1200GS Adventure TE-spec: £17,120 with heated grips, cruise control, keyless ride, clutchless gear shifting and tyre pressure monitoring all included. On top of that BMW have fitted the £220 anti-theft alarm, the £595 new TFT Connectivity system that connects the all-digital dash to phones and earpieces, the new £295 emergency SOS…8 min
BIKE|January 2018Ducati 959 Panigale CorseBike says: ‘The 959 is a finer road bike than the 1299 and this adds lure. Anyone for a Dovi Rep?’Ducati always have smaller versions of the big-balled superbikes and there was a time when they too got the bling treatment. For example, the 999 and 999S were supported by both the 749 and a 749S. The tradition slipped with the arrival of the 848 and was ignored for the 899 and 959 Panigale, however they’re making up for things in 2018 with the new 959 Panigale Corse.No, so it’s not an S or an R model, but the Corse isn’t just some paint and carbon. It has these, obviously, with colours inspired by Dovisioso’s ballistic MotoGP racer, but the big change comes with endlessly-adjustable Öhlins suspension. Two-and-a-half kilos are…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Ducati Multistrada 1260» Anyone who rides a Multistrada 1200 complains at the lack of grunt. Except they don’t, of course – only a gibbering fruitloop could ever call the 1200 underpowered. So of course it’s now the Multistrada 1260.It’s the 1262cc variable-valve V-twin from the XDiavel. Peak output isn’t up by much, with 158bhp at 9500rpm and 95.5 lb.ft at 7500rpm, instead of 152bhp and 94 lb.ft for the 1200. The big news is at lower revs, with 18% more torque at a road-realistic 5500rpm. For stability with this clout, rake is relaxed from 24 to 25 degrees and the swingarm is 48mm longer, causing a 55mm wheelbase increase. It’s £14,435 on the road with modes, traction, hill hold control and cruise; the S version (£17,335) adds a two-way quickshifter, multimedia connection,…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Honda GL1800 Gold WingBike have already ridden it...‘Honda’s new Gold Wing is a significant upgrade at every level… The Gold Wing is dead, long live the Gold Wing’HONDA MEAN BUSINESS with their new GL1800. After producing more than 100 prototypes and several years of development, the new Gold Wing is slimmer, sleeker, more efficient and 48kg lighter. It’s a dramatic upgrade. Our sneak preview ride is after the recent MotoGP round at Motegi. Not the ideal test arena for a tourer, however it’s a smooth, open, controlled environment, and a not-to-be-missed opportunity when the bike’s still to be revealed (hence the wallpaper disguise). First I get some time on the previous couch-on-wheels, and frankly it feels pretty good. However, I then opt to try the new basic Gold Wing version, the one with…4 min
BIKE|January 2018Africa Twin Adventure SportsBike says: ‘Was hard to fault our 2016 Bike of the Year... but this looks even better.’Keen for the Africa Twin to stay on-the-ball, Honda have fitted a lighter balance shaft, new exhaust and bigger airbox for 2018. It’s ride-by-wire too, with improved traction control, has a lighter battery and tasty stainless steel wheels.There’s also a taller Adventure Sport version as well. It uses a flatter seat profile and a more upright riding position protected by a larger fairing and screen, has heated grips and power socket as standard, and carries an extra 5.4 litres of unleaded – enough, say Honda, for a range of over 310 miles. Suspension has 22mm more travel (and a big bashplate is there ready when you use it all), and it’s approved for full-knobbly…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Positively dashing» The days of sweeping needles and miles scrolling by on odometer wheels are gone. Big digi screens are big news.TFT (or thin film transistor) is the latest trend. This LCD technology provides high-contrast displays for easy reading in varying light. It also allows every millimetre of the screen to be altered and adjusted: tachometer and gear indicator layouts can be changed at the press of a button, with the rev counter switching from the left to right side of the screen, even when just changing rider modes. But the technological marvels don’t stop there.Get close to the rev limiter on a pre-2000 motorcycle, and the needle will start passing along a red warning line. But accelerate close to the edge on a new KTM Super Adventure S and the…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Kawasaki Z900RS and Z900RS CafePerhaps having realised the name of their zingy inline four naked sounds a bit like a model from their history, Kawasaki have done a retro job on the Z900. Styled ‘in homage’ to the Z1 of 1972, the new Z900RS retains much of the contemporary model but with changes that’ll revise the way it feels, as well as looks. The 948cc motor is retuned from a claimed 123 to 111bhp, and has slightly lower first and sixth gear ratios. And the polished stainless steel exhaust is the first that Kawasaki have ever made where they’ve put research into getting a just-so sound. The chassis has a less attacking stance, with slightly more relaxed geometry and upright riding position. Modernity sits alongside tradition, with an LCD screen next to analogue dials.…1 min
BIKE|January 2018KTM 790 Adventure RSold as a bike to pick up where the old 950/990 Adventure models left off, the 790 Adventure R is based around the new LC8c engine from the 790 Duke. Clearly a reaction to the Yamaha Ténéré 700 (see page71) it’s a proper tool, with low-slung fuel tanks and long-travel WP suspension. KTM say the 790 is a ‘lightweight, compact midweight travel enduro’ and are pitching it at ‘the hardcore adventure crowd’. A bike you’d be more tempted to hurl at a trail than their large-capacity V-twin Adventure models, in other words. It’s currently a prototype (boo), but we expect a finished version in the middle of 2018 (hurrah).…1 min
BIKE|January 2018V9 Roamer» We quite like Guzzi’s 853cc V-twin. The engine is pleasing, the chassis works as it should, and it’s well made. Our only issue was with the slightly-too-1980s colour scheme and image.It’s gentle evolution for Italy’s charming brandSo we’re pleased the Roamer is fettled for next year. There’s a discreet flyscreen to keep blast off the relaxed pulled-back riding position and longer rear shocks for an improved ‘light touring’ stance. Best of all are subtle new colours, that you’ll get to decide on. Pop to the Moto Guzzi stand at Motorcycle Live and they’ll be deciding which versions to import based on your reactions.There are also colour changes for the charming fat-tyred Bobber version of the V9. The black and grey bikes get graphics, and there’s a tasty new matt…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Royal Enfield ContinentalBikesays : ‘The style of the Conti’ 535, but with a proper engine’Based on the all-new Interceptor (previous page), the Continental GT is the factory-built café racer version. Royal Enfield see the upright Interceptor as something for sunny jaunts (the original 60s model was exported to the US and Enfield go big on California surf ‘n’ sun), where the new Conti’ is capturing the essence of British ton-up boys. Or at least that’s the angle they’re taking.Anyway. It’s the same 648cc, 47bhp twin and steel frame, but stance is altered with clip-on handlebars, more rearset footpegs and a slightly lower seat. It’s a more engaged riding position, and the GT will lean a few degrees further. Tank size drops from 13.7 to 12.5 litres, which seems odd. Colours are white,…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Triumph Tiger 800» Best bit about the latest Tiger 800? A shorter first gear. The current bike tends to feel more like a long-legged road bike than a punchy dual-purpose adventurer, and with engine changes for greater response it’ll give the triple a greater sense of excitement and improved off-road skill.It’ll be easier to manage in the muck, thanks to the ’bar being 10mm further back for better control while standing. Brakes are higher spec, suspension has new settings, and the 800 is approved for chunky tyres. As with the 1200 (left) there are endless small changes and updates, though it’s bigger stuff that stands out – whizz bang colour dash with joystick control, altered face with LED lights, glow-in-the-dark switches, five-position screen, tastier exhaust note. Oodles of other attractions depending on…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Yamaha Tracer 900GTBikesays : ‘The Tracer is the proof that there’s more to do-it-all bikes than a BMW GS for road riders. The GT reinforces the fact’They’ve flogged more than 35,000 examples in the three years the Tracer has been available. That’s quite a few. To ensure the chirpy-but-sensible, engaging-yet-civilised modern interpretation of a sports-tourer keeps its place as the sub-1000cc all-rounder of choice, Yamaha have made it more comfortable for both rider and pillion. There’s a larger screen, now adjustable with just one hand, plus subtle changes to the body. Plenty of ergonomic amendments as well: seats are new; the handlebar is slimmer for a more natural stance and arms out the blast; and passenger footrest assembly and grab handles are redesigned.They’ve also ‘enhanced the bike’s touring performance’ by altering the…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Yamaha NIKEN» Imagine hustling Yamaha’s invigorating, feel-good, punchy MT-09 along your favourite squiggling B-road and not having to worry about iffy road surfaces or damp patches. Imagine having a sense of grip and steadfast stability that let you concentrate on the joy of the ride, rather than the surface. More enjoyment, less worry.Bikesays : ‘Inspired, innovative, brave: this is surely 2018’s most exciting new bike’Say hello to Yamaha’s vision of the future. It’s easy mock a device so different to what we’re used to, however the benefits are real. You only need a blat on a Piaggio MP3 (see page 85) or Yam’s own Tricity to feel the confidence that comes from two front contact patches. Grip and braking stability are significantly increased. In the wet it’s a revelation.Yamaha’s NIKEN (pronounced…4 min
BIKE|January 2018Honda X-ADV‘Some bikes are just good fun for no reason and the X is one’RIDICULE, SO SAID Adam Ant, is nothing to be scared of. As a Hardly-Ableson rider of some years now, barbs and jibes from the less enlightened among us are meat and drink to me. So, with the Honda X-ADV parked up outside a rural H-D establishment, this time it was the turn of Hog riders to politely inquire: ‘What the f**k is that?’That, brothers in the wind, is an ‘Adventure’ scooter. The X-ADV scooter is officially an ‘Adventure’ device. It’s listed as a fully paid-up member of Honda’s ‘Adventure Family’. So it must be true. Right? Well, it’s no more an adventure scooter than a Crosstourer from the same ‘Family’ is an ‘Adventure’ bike.Two Vespas competed in…4 min
BIKE|January 2018Ducati SuperSport 5000 mile test‘The engine’s dreamy because of its sane power’THE ARRIVAL OF the Ducati SuperSport encouraged severe palpitations in men of a certain age, particularly those of us who want to ride Ducati sportsbikes, but are no longer prepared to put up with sore wrists and merciless neck ache. It’s a bugger getting old. We want the SS to be an ideal balance of charisma, with performance and practicality. As deputy editor Mike Armitage pointed out, ‘It’s got more power than a 916, but with modern electronics, decent suspension and a pillion seat. It should be utterly brilliant.’The SuperSport uses a similar chassis to the current Monster range, with a tubular trellis bolted to the top of the engine to support the steering head, and a subframe bolted to the back of…13 min
BIKE|January 2018Canyon Country» Utah is little-known among adventure riders, yet enjoys some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. Expect endless riding on well-laid tarmac and decent dirt roads punctuated by wacky geology. From Bryce Canyon to Arches National Park and the riding in between, this country will wow and inspire you.» Enter the state on Highway 141 along the Dolores River. This tarmac route burrows through a canyon from Nucla to Gateway before turning west and crossing the Colorado-Utah border. It climbs into the La Sal mountains with the odd 4000-foot drop to be aware of, and there are fantastic views of the Fisher Towers rock stacks. A final winding, scenic stretch follows the Colorado River towards the off-roading mecca of Moab.» Prefer riding on dirt? The White Rim Trail is one…4 min
BIKE|January 2018The pain in Spain‘It’s weird crashing in the dark. You’ve no idea what you’re going to hit’Pete Boast» road tester/racerWhen the call comes to race it must be answered. Team Classic Suzuki and I tackle the European Endurance Championship…WITH MY PREVIOUS team mate, Guy Martin, at home after the birth of his baby daughter, it was down to me and Michael Neeves, who knows Aragon, and Team Classic Suzuki.First job for me: learn the track. It’s a lot tighter than it looks on TV. My qualifying went OK, but as Neevesy went out the bike wouldn’t start, and backfired. With hindsight, that must have been the point when the starter gear screws sheared. After four laps he was in, losing power and trailing smoke.Crew chief Nathan decided to strip the motor, which meant…5 min
BIKE|January 2018Used bike Chooser ? ?Mark Williams Founding editorChristmas is coming and the wife’s hinting about biking again. So an easy ride that’s easy on my wallet seems appropriateThe sensible choice 2014 Honda SH125 £1895Honda’s SH125 is arguably better than any of the scooters I’ve owned for zipping round London these past 15 years: 4-stroke, unburstable twist ’n’ go engine, belt drive, 16in wheels for extra stability, plenty of storage and this one’s on just 5600 miles with a year’s ticket, from a pukka dealer. What could possibly go wrong? Well it could get nicked, but what sort of self-respecting hoody would be seen riding a pink scooter?Style with substance choice 2007 Kawasaki Eliminator EL125 £1995On occasions when the Editor lets me loose on a brand newie, the missus looks at the pics and gets…1 min
BIKE|January 2018HelloIt’s 1am and bucketing down. Lamp-lit Italian streets are awash with flood water and littered with leaves, and I’m tip-toeing over shiny cobbles back to a quiet hotel after the closing fanfare of Ducati’s 2018 World Premiere.It’s EICMA week in Milan: new bikes, stunning light shows, enthusiastic speeches. None more so than Ducati’s, who held their event on the stage of the Italian X Factor. Same director, too. You can read about their new flagship V4 on page 40. No other journalist at the bash had braved the rain and arrived by bike, let alone ridden over the Stelvio Pass on the trip down. See how BMW’s high-tech new R1200GS managed it on page 32.Tomorrow evening are the Yamaha and Honda events, where the huge story will undoubtedly be the…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Two wheels for the smartphone age...with Mike Armitage Electric bikes haven’t the sensual appeal of petrol engines, and the cost/range/charging balance isn’t right yet. But imagine being able to thrash a superbike without noise upsetting anyone... and then it costing pence to ‘refuel’.‘2030 vision of a carbon-free society’HOW DO YOU get more people on bikes? Cheap, cheerful commuters ? Perhaps the wow factor of mad pressure-charged hyperbikes? Nah. You create high-tech two-wheeled electronic devices that stand up on their own, interact with their owner and refuel via a socket. Earlier this year Honda showed their Riding Assist concept. Based on an NC750S, its self-balancing technology from the ASIMO robot helps the rider stay upright at low speed, and it can stand on its own. Now they have Riding Assist-e, with a new chassis and the…3 min
BIKE|January 2018EVENTSover Europe who love nothing better than to ride hundreds of miles in sub-zero temperatures in order to camp in a snowbound field. Ach, those crazy Germans. alteselefantentreffen.de20-21 January, 2018Adventure Travel Show, London OlympiaGet inspired to hit the road with in-depth motorcycle travel workshops, talks, films and tons of adventure inspiration from all over the globe. adventureshow.com14-17 June, 2018Horizons Unlimited, Baskerville Hall, UKThe longest running UK adventure motorcycle meet continues to draw riders from all over the globe. The grand Baskerville Hall is the perfect setting for ride outs into Wales, and hanging out with fellow travellers. horizonsunlimited.com/ events16-18 Feb, 2018Elephant Rally, Nurburgring, GermanyJoin thousands of lunatics and freeze your bits off at the legendary Elephant Rally. Now in its 51st year, it continues to attract motorcyclists from all…1 min
BIKE|January 2018EVENTSMud, mud, glorious mud…» 3 DecemberSouthern Experts Trial, Butser Limeworks, PetersfieldUK trials goes manic towards the end of the year as riders battle limited daylight hours and mud. Nowhere is more slippery than Butser Limeworks – southerners sliding feet up on the south downs guaranteed. hookwoodstrials.org.uk» 16 DecemberSuperprestigio, Barcelona, SpainIt’s time again for some of MotoGP’s (and Moto2/Moto3) biggest names to don steel shoes and hit the dirt oval in the Palau Sant Jordi. The Marquez versus American flat track racers showdown is the headline act, but the entertainment stretches through the heats as belief attempts to outwit grip. dtxbarcelona.com» 26 DecemberWild and Woolly, Blisworth, NorthantsThe 92nd running of this annual mudfest (or icefest, depending on prevailing conditions) is certain to be undisputed madness. Probably better watched with a hot…1 min
BIKE|January 2018EVENTS» 18 JanuarySnowQuake, Riva Valdobbia, ItalyThe frostbitten sibling of DirtQuake, held on a mini-Cadwell Park style track in the Italian Alps. The spirit is still race what you’ve got, so Guzzis bang bars with modified Ducati Scramblers, all on buzzsaw sharp, studded tyres. It’s held on the day before the previously recommended Motorbike Expo in Verona, so rent a car and make a trip of it. dirtquake.com» 9-11 FebruaryOne Motorcycle Show, Portland, USAFebruary is a write-off for most, but those can-do Americans have grasped the nettle and created not one, but two world class shows held annually in February. The first is the One Motorcycle Show, Portland, Oregon, now in its tenth year. Portland is a city in love with biking. Don’t dismiss the place as the hipster haven, they…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory» Calling Aprilia’s engineers perfectionists isn’t stretching it. This year’s highest-spec Tuono has a repositioned widget informing all the electronic rider aids, reworked ride-by-wire that saves 590g, a smarter ECU, tweaked engine internals for an extra 500rpm (and greater reliability), Öhlins suspension that’s 400g lighter, plus new discs and calipers. You might not feel any difference... but their focus on getting it spot-on is amazing. The electronic and engine changes also reach the RR version, and both versions of the RSV4 sportsbike (regular RR, swanky RF) also receive similar updates. The RSV4 RF also has revised colours for 2018.Bikesays : ‘The fabulous V4s didn’t need serious changes. Good job’Honing, polishing and buffing – the Noale factory takes the award hands-down for greatest attention to detail…1 min
BIKE|January 2018BMW F750GS and F850GS» Redesigned chassis and engine, new ergonomics, better accessories. BMW aren’t dicking about with their refreshed mid-weight adventurer. It’s even got its fuel tank in the regular position and the chain on the left.Bikesays : ‘This isn’t a subtle massage but complete reinvention. Let’s hope it keeps some feel of the F800GS...’Out goes the steel tube trellis frame, replaced with fabricated steel sheet. The design is like a CBR600RR, with twin spars and triangulated links dropping to the engine, and a steel subframe bolts on. BMW say it has significant advantages off-road, and they avoided aluminium for reasons of robustness. Geometry is crisper, with slightly steeper rake and reduced trail and wheelbase, for lighter handling.The parallel twin grows from 798 to 853cc. Firing interval is revised, with offset journals bringing…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Ready for take-offBike says: ‘Riding the craft-built bike wave for all they are worth, Bolton’s premier bike builders step confidently into 2018 with new versions of their Spitfire’WHEN, IN LATE 2016, CCM lost the supply of BMW derived engines for their GP450 adventure bike, the Bolton company needed a new plan. And quick. Inspiration came during the firm’s daily 10am tea and bacon butty break: ‘We all sat around a table and talked,’ says company director Austin Clews. ‘We were looking for something to bring to market quickly using the UK MSVA (Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval) route for registering bikes. Chris (Ratcliffe – chief design engineer) had a few ideas, as did a few of the boys downstairs on the factory floor and we said, ok let’s give it a go.’The MSVA…4 min
BIKE|January 2018Ducati Monster 821A FULL-SCALE ITALIAN LAUNCH for a Ducati without a capacity increase? That’s just a little surprising. More than any other manufacturer Ducati are committed to a ritual of volumetric accumulation, a philosophy they pursue rigorously. Take their sportsbikes: from the 916, through such greats as the 996, 1098 and onwards to the 1299. Historically it’s been a similar story with their Monster range, and yet 2018’s 821 shares the same numbers on the tail unit as its four-year-old sibling.‘We wanted to keep our middle Monster an 821 because we think it’s the perfect balance between the accessible 797 and the powerful 1200,’ explains product manager Stefano Tarabusi. ‘If we twinned the SuperSport’s 937cc with the 821’s efficient intake and exhaust system – it would make six or seven more horsepower.…4 min
BIKE|January 2018Energica EsseEsse9» Ignore the slightly curious name (which is inspired by a historic Italian road, built by the Romans from Rimini to Piacenza). Instead, rejoice in how the new EsseEsse9 at last drops the insistence that electric bikes need futuristic or wacky styling, and instead just looks cool. Like a bike should.It’s based on Energica’s existing Eva sportsbike and Ego naked, with a 107bhp AC motor that makes 132 lb.ft of thump at any and all revs. The old-school round headlamp has an oval daytime running light ‘embedded in a precious aluminium crown’. Nice, but we’re more impressed by the colour dash, four modes, fast charging and, most important, new prices – Energicas are five or six grand cheaper than before, with the EsseEsse9 cheapest at around £19,500. Still not peanuts...…1 min
BIKE|January 2018New Gold Wing: under the skin» Biggest change? A new die-cast aluminium frame carrying double-wishbone front suspension. With a conventional telescopic fork the forces from the suspension and steering all affect each other – shocks from bumps are passed to the steering, for example, and suspension compression under heavy braking can leave no wheel travel to deal with potholes. Honda’s system separates forces. A rigid front fork turns in a holder, hung on two short wishbones pivoting on bearings, and steered by short links. Up/down wheel movement is passed to a monoshock by the lower wishbone, taking suspension forces away from the steering.Bike says: ‘Yes, we like the riding modes and gizmos. But the Wing’s proper metal redesign relights the passion for Honda’s ability as real engineers.’Benefits? Wheel movement is nearer vertical than with tele…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Vitpilen 701» Take KTM’s rev-happy and mildly loopy 70bhp single-cylinder 690 Duke road bike and re-package it in pure and pared down bodywork and you’ve got a stunning naked street bike. That’s the 701 Vitpilen (it means ‘White Arrow’), and we want one. The KTM-owned Husqvarna brand first showed the concept at EICMA in 2014 as a 401. They’ll finally make it to dealers in the first quarter of 2018, in 701 and 401 variants. There will also be a 401 Svartpilen (it means ‘Black Arrow’), a dirt-bike styled variation on the theme. All the key components are lifted from the equivalent 390 and 690 KTM models, but there is no word yet on how much extra we’ll need to pay.Bikesays : ‘We still love last year’s 701 Supermoto, so the…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Kawasaki H2 SXBike says: ‘There’s nothing like the sensation of winding open the H2. Applying this unique acceleration to a high-tech, comfy, practical sports tourer is as exciting as it is unexpected. We can’t wait.’Skirts are still flapping from the sensational H2, however Kawasaki are on stage two of their supercharging scheme. And this time it’s ‘the beginning of real-world applications’ for forced-induction technology.The new H2 SX is a high-tech sports tourer with a blown 998cc inline four. Called the ‘Balanced Supercharged Engine’, it’s fully re-engineered (see ‘Blowers’ box) to deliver ridiculous power but with day-to-day efficiency – the SX has a power-to-weight ratio midway between the H2 and a ZZR1400, yet the fuel economy of a Versys 1000 (the last one we tested did 47mpg, so that’s 196 miles from the…2 min
BIKE|January 2018KTM Freeride E-XC / 250FIt’s hard not to like Freerides. Somewhere between a trials bike and an enduro weapon (sort of), they’re reassuring and simple to ride for the uninitiated, road legal, yet do unlikely things in experienced hands. They can do it quietly too, with the electric E-XC version. The latest one has a new 24.5bhp motor, larger quick-change battery, revised frame and updated WP suspension. Despite significantly more torque than a 390 Duke (delivered straight off rest) and weighing a moped-like 110kg, rated output is just 9kW so you can do CBT and ride one at 17 years old.The regular unleaded-burning Freeride 250F shares the chassis updates of the E-XC, and also gets a new 249.9cc four-stroke single that’s lighter, smaller and has a more linear spread of torque. Just the thing…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Dragster RR» MV’s Dragster RR is a sporty take on the Dragster, which is based on the Brutale. And for 2018 there’s a new Dragster RC. The initials stand for Reparto Corse, and it celebrates their Supersport and Superbike racers. The RC has its own engine maps for the gurgling 798cc triple and revised traction control, plus a modified quickshifter. It’s also got mechanical updates that are shared with a revised RR, including a heavier balance shaft, new exhaust valve, reworked gearbox and updated oil and water pumps. These updates are also found on the new similarly-painted F3 675 RC and F3 800 RC sportsbikes, which are now Euro 4. There’s a new F4 RC as well, with similar tweaks and paint.…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Royal Enfield InterceptorSIDE-BY-SIDEParallel twin layout uses bore and stroke of 78 x 67.8mm, giving 648cc. It makes 47bhp at 7100rpm and 38 lb.ft at 4000rpmRUMBLEOne-piece forged crankshaft is a first for Royal Enfield. Unlike old Brit plodders it uses a 270˚ firing interval (like an MT-07) for a more V-twin-like sound and feelMODERN TRANSA slip-assist clutch gives a light lever, and controls a six-speed gearboxTOP ENDDual throttles supply four valves per cylinder. Single overhead cam has central chain drive. Compression ratio is a relaxed 9.5:1SMOOTHThere’s a balance shaft ahead of the crank, cancelling primary vibrationBike says: ‘Good looking, finely built, and evidence that less genuinely can offer more. Could be the retro to be riding in 2018.’It might be reintroducing a name from the 1960s, however the new Interceptor is Royal Enfield’s…3 min
BIKE|January 2018Suzuki SV650XBikesays : ‘Gives the SV a bit more character, which is nice – but where are all the other new models they promised?’Not much amiss with the 645cc, 74bhp V-twin. It’ll zip to 125mph, averages over 50mpg, is as happy in town as on a B-road, and costs an accessible six grand or so.What it lacks next to an MT-07 or CB650F is wow. Perhaps the X version will help. Rather than being based on old café racers, it’s a homage to 1970s rally cars (really). It has a bikini fairing, clip-on ’bars and a new seat plus preload-adjustable forks (new for all SVs).A couple of years ago Suzuki told us they had loads of new bikes coming, but the 650X is it for ’18. In an era of three-wheel…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Yamaha Ténéré 700» Last year Yamaha showed their light, slim, exciting T7 adventure bike concept, and Bike gave you an exclusive test in the September ’17 issue. Now it’s made it into reality as the Ténéré 700 World Raid.Bikesays : ‘If the Ténéré keeps the supple ride and fun of the T7 it’ll be brilliant. Let’s hope for original XT600-style colour schemes...’Well, almost. The bike that Yamaha showed at EICMA in Milan was ‘a prototype being used to develop the final specification of the production model’. Thankfully the image and character of the MT-07-engined T7 appear to be intact, although the seat height has come down a tad. Yam also say the steel frame has been reworked to optimise on-road and off-road handling; given the dirt-heavy bias of the T7 we rode,…1 min
BIKE|January 2018INSIDE Motorcycling: the next ten yearsTHE ITS WORLD Congress is part trade show, where familiar automobile companies such as Honda and Toyota, and suppliers such as Bosch, show off their latest self-driving projects. Lesser-known companies that make everything from computer chips to the cameras used in autonomous vehicles vie for attention. Meanwhile upstairs, hundreds of technical sessions take place over four days. It’s Glastonbury for the nerds working on next-gen autonomous automobiles and connected traffic systems.Sessions have cryptic titles such as 5G in ITS: Powered by Satellite Communications. But this year, for the first time, there was also Utilizing V2X to Create the Future of Connected Motorcycles. And there was a booth introducing thousands of car guys and computer geeks to the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC).It’s about time. Several major car makers formed the Car…7 min
BIKE|January 2018More con essionsHusqvarna 701 SupermotoJohn Westlake »Contributor, ex-editorGrumpily intolerant of impractical motorcycles, so hated the Husky. Until he went ahead and rode one» Like most 50-year-olds, I can’t be doing with unnecessary discomfort. It annoys me. A 690cc single-cylinder supermoto? Sceptical doesn’t even come close. The hellish vibrations and that narrow saddle would mean I’d need surgery to extract a Husqvarna from my backside after a trip to the shops. And I would doubtless be late for the operation because the bike will be so appallingly slow. Why would anyone pay £8299 for that? And then I rode it…First observation is that the saddle is actually quite comfy if you slide back onto the fatter bit. And the riding position is positively sensible for anyone with an inside leg more than 30in.But…4 min
BIKE|January 2018Aprilia 1200sBATTERY UPGRADEThe Caponord’s battery is pushed hard by the 1197cc motor and the compressor for the bike’s semi-active suspension. Upgrade to a lithium ion battery for better and longer-lasting performance. We use Skyrich batteries, which we’ve found to be the most reliable. The Skyrich HJTX14H-FP-SWI fits the Caponord and the Dorsoduro. They cost £108, including delivery.NUTS AND BOLTSRear sprocket nuts come loose and should be checked every few rides. Set your torque wrench to 20Nm and if you can move the nuts, back them off and re-torque to 50Nm. Use a small amount of medium strength Loctite to keep them in place. Centrestand bolts are also known to fall out, so check them regularly. Higher quality bolts are available from dealers.FUEL LEVEL SENDERSThe wire that passes through the fuel pump…5 min
BIKE|January 2018Prosecution by mobile phoneSenior partner at White Dalton Solicitors with 20 years of legal experience‘Any app which records your speed over time as well as location is a dangerous thing’I am sure readers of Bike are wise enough not to use apps that show on social media their riding patterns, or otherwise invite thieves to know the exact pattern of movement of their motorcycles.But such apps do exist, for the dull witted.There are other apps which track your ride for reasons such as anti-theft, or so your family can tell if you are moving or you are not. The point is any app which records your movement can be used as evidence. The mere recording of a speed in excess of the speed limit on an uncalibrated app would not convict you of…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Day out at the beachJonathan Pearson» Off-road editorJP joins 700 riders at Britain’s biggest beach race for another tough test of KTM’s 250 fuel injected two-stroke…I HAVE A NEW ENTRY straight into my top five maddest moments on a bike and it’s the 2017 Weston Beach Race. Alongside the Romaniacs, French hillclimbs and R6 Cup racing, Weston is as life affirming as it gets.The annual beach race happens in October and attracts 70,000 spectators and almost 1000 riders over two days of racing. The KTM 250 EXC TPI and I are among the 700 riders tackling the Sunday solo race. Yes, 700. In one race. Imagine 700 of anything doing anything. Then imagine 700 dirt bikes all trying to race each other, in sand…The start of a Weston beach race is a charge of…3 min
BIKE|January 2018Oils well that ends well… perhapsTHE SWEET, SICKLY SMELL of burned oil is unmistakable. You wonder if it’s actually you. Maybe it’s that van. No it’s not. Then you see the smoke: rear cylinder. Most likely valve guides, the bores and new pistons are only five thousand miles old. Should have done the heads. Didn’t.They come off easily enough. Plugs out, exhaust off, carb off, get the piston at TDC both valves closed, out with the pushrods, five bolts and the head lifts off. You can’t do that with an Evo, or a Twin Cam, or a Milwaukee Eight. But then you don’t often have to. They’ve got other issues though. Sure enough the combustion chamber shows all the signs of burning as much oil as air/fuel – black gunge everywhere. And a helicoiled exhaust…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Scrappage scheme‘We haven’t a fully road legal bike between us’A CHALLENGE INVOLVING UNDERPOWERED machines always results in fevered excitement among the Bike magazine editorial team. Sadly the excitement doesn’t translate into logical thinking or worthwhile activity. Today we should be racing our mopeds, instead we are surveying four barely functioning devices, all lacking a Ministry of Transport certificate of road worthiness. A fifth machine has, miraculously, passed its MoT test but broke down on the return journey. It has been temporarily abandoned behind a hedge, somewhere in southern Lincolnshire.Recreating legendary motorsporting events, but on inappropriate bikes, is always a source of amusem*nt. The Mounte-Carlisle Rally (Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough to Carlisle), The Fracas Rally (battling through the arid wastes of The Peak District) and The MotoGiro d’Rutland (a lap of Britain’s smallest…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Ninja ZX10RShock news - Ninja ZX-10R SEThe standard bike has been a hit with riders the world over and with its track focused spec, the ZX-10RR has been dominant in WorldSBK. Now, they’re joined by the ZX-10R SE, which boasts state-of-the-art electronic suspension.Innovative ElectronicsDubbed KECS or “Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension”, it is a semi - active system for both the front fork and the rear damper. Developed in partnership with Showa, the system uses real-time damping adjustment and built-in stroke sensors on the fork and shock (a feature unique to the ZX-10R SE) to react extremely quickly to changing road and riding conditions; we are talking fractions of a second here!Three suspension modes (Road, Track and Manual) enable riders to choose settings to suit the riding environment be that road or…1 min
BIKE|January 2018stories by...Hugo WilsonThis month: It must be a special motorcycle if the editor actually volunteers to clean it himself, but after 5000 miles with the Ducati SuperSport we’re all very taken with it. Well, except for the mirrors.High mileage insight on page 94Mike ArmitageThis month: An engineer by training, and a massively experienced bike tester, Mike’s insight and analysis of the new bikes from EICMA is essential reading. And he’s open minded enough to rate the Kawasaki Vulcan too.New bikes page 29, Vulcan page 78Ben LindleyThis month: As we put the magazine together in Peterborough, young Ben is motoring back up through Germany, on his way back from the EICMA show. The Stelvio pass in November is a decent test of the updated BMW R1200GS.Ride to Milan on page 32Jonathan PearsonThis…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Chooser ? ?Down by £1100Yamaha XJR1300Launched as a 1200 in ’95, the XJR is the sole survivor of the original retro/ musclebike boom. Or was . We knew it was going and it’s finally slipped out of Yam’s range. Dealers are shifting stock – chorleyyamaha.co.uk ask £8635 otr for the Racer version, against £9739 list. Shop about and base ones are £8k. Lots of iconic metal for not much cash.£1600 savingSuzuki GSX-R1000Not an old model, pre-reg bike or an ex-demonstrator. We’re talking crate-fresh spanking example of the latest glitter and baubles GSX-R, which in R version was voted Bike of the Year by our panel of experts. Wheels (01733 358555) want £12,135 on the road – not only £1600 off list but almost in the territory of Yam’s less cunning R6.Cool £1885…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Mae rasys ffordd yn myndwith John Westlake When details of the Welsh Road Race landed in the Bike office it all went quiet as 2018 diaries were scribbled in. Riding glorious roads in August then watching road race stars thrash up and down a picturesque valley? It’s a long weekend not to miss.A lap with Steve Plater1. THE STARTFrom startline, up to sixth gear along the first section with a lot of blind crests which you could take flat out, but until you’ve learned the circuit you’ll be nipping your arse cheeks through here.2. CRESTSThen there’s a long left curve that drops down , down to 4th, flick right, and then you can’t see where you’re going because although it’s straight-ish, there are curves over crests.3.DROP OFFThen back to third and up to fourth…4 min
BIKE|January 2018Sunderland drowned and outThe highs and lows of racing are often dictated by riding conditions. Which was the case at the OiLibya Rally of Morocco where Britain’s only Dakar winner, Sam Sunderland, fell foul of flash flooding and dropped out of contention for the 2017 Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.For the second year in a row Sunderland was fighting Husqvarna’s Pablo Quintanilla for the world title going into the final round in Morocco. Sam won the Super Stage prologue race and was third on day one before drowning his KTM 450 RR rally bike in an impossible to read river crossing.Rally rules mean the previous day’s fastest riders lead out the next day and Sunderland was leading stage two when he had to make the decision to follow the marked route into the swollen…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Small bike conversionWhen a sudden, and very painful, bad back ruled me out of a long-standing big bike trip to Morocco I went straight out and bought a 150 mile ex-demo Honda CRF250 Rally from my local dealer. 50/50 road/trail tyres, luggage rack and the obligatory sheepskin and in two days it was ready to go to Africa.I finished running it in and changed the oil on the second day off the ferry in Spain. Three days later we were in the Sahara between Merzouga and Zagora, fighting the fesh-fesh and camping wherever we found ourselves at the end of the day. I’ve never done anything so hard on a bike, but what a brilliant trip.The Rally performed faultlessly. You have to pack light – tools, tent, sleeping bag, mattress and two…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Benelli 752 S» Back in the mists of time – well, 2006 – there was an exciting bike on Benelli’s show stand. The parallel twin 756cc Due had a cool cast aluminium frame and was shown often over the next few years. Bike was even promised a ride on a prototype... then it all went rather quiet.Over a decade later it’s here. Or the engine is. Now called the 752 S, it’s like the spy shot we had in the August ’16 issue. There’s a trellis frame and the swingarm is new, despite looking like the TRK502. USD forks are unadjustable, radial calipers are own-brand, and the pipe shown is an Arrow accessory. But if they can keep the price at around £6000 it’ll be cool. And it’s not the only new…1 min
BIKE|January 2018BMW K1600 Grand America» They’ve only just introduced the K1600B ‘bagger’ version of their riotous six-cylinder tourer, yet BMW have already messed with it. The result is the Grand America. It keeps the sloping cases of the 1600B and adds a top-box that doubles as a support for drowsy pillions. Standard-fit extras include engine bars, traction, heated bits, modes, cruise and the ability to bang-out Kajagoogoo at high volume. Options are many of course, and include the superbly named Austin Yellow paint scheme.At the opposite end of the scale is a new BMW scooter. The C400X is a 34bhp, 350cc single with constantly-variable transmission, traction control, space to stash two helmets, but no hook to hang a Tesco bag off.…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Ducati Panigale V4» Here are some numbers. 1103cc. 14:1 compression. 214bhp and just 198kg wet, giving 1.1 bhp-per-kilo. Make no mistake, Ducati’s all-new V4 superbike is pretty ruddy serious. However, there’s a great big ‘but’ to tag on the end. For while this radical new Panigale might have headline figures and use MotoGP influence, with its vast 91.5 lb.ft of torque, wide service intervals and new-found stability Ducati clearly haven’t overlooked us road riders (see box-out, right).Bikesays : ‘Given the current Panigale can be overwhelming, the V4 is a stupefying proposition. But it’ll be an epic experience on a fast A-road, and is the start of a new era for Ducati. Multistrada V4 in 2019?’The new ‘Stradale’ V4 engine doesn’t sound like a VFR800. Its crank pins are offset by 70˚ which…3 min
BIKE|January 2018Ducati Scrambler 1100» Think Scrambler, think thrumming power and simple enjoyment. Unless you’re thinking new 1100, which gets an extra 276cc, 32% more torque, fatter dimensions and comprehensive electronic wizardry.Bike says: ‘Ducati’s Scrambler was a massive success when introduced. The 1100 will sell, but has the slight air of wringing-out the whole idea a bit too much.’The 1100 uses the old Monster’s 1079cc V-twin. With a single throttle body and revised valve overlap it’s a soft tune, with 86bhp. Noticeably more than the 73bhp of the 803cc Scrambler, mind, and the 65 grunts of torque come at just 4750rpm. This motor is bolted to a new trellis frame, with similar geometry to the smaller version (24˚ rake, 112mm trail) but a longer wheelbase, up from 1445 to 1514mm. Taller seat too, at…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Harley-Davidson Fat Bob» Harley have shaken up their range for 2018. The Dyna platform, long seen as the stalwart of the Harley hardcore, has been unexpectedly axed. Dyna models are merged into the new Softail range, with a stiffer and lighter chassis featuring an adjustable monoshock hidden within the frame.Bikesays : ‘The trend for trad’ and custom bikes plays to Harley’s strengths – and the Fat Bob is spot-on’Spearheading the platform is an all-new Fat Bob that pushes Harley-Davidson further from the chrome-and-tassels stereotype than ever before. They talk of the design conjuring thoughts of apocalypse movie chase sequences. Not sure about all that, but the bobbed rear mudguard, diagonally slashed pipes and a letterbox LED headlight are certainly bold, as are the bronzed downpipes that curve around a choice of 107ci…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Honda CB1000RWith a 20bhp boost in power, 12kg of weight saving and completely different styling, it’s fair to say Honda’s heavily revised CB1000R is pretty much a new machine. Its 998cc Firebladederived inline four has larger valves with more lift, a redesigned head, larger throttles and is now ride-by-wire. Though power is up to 143bhp, focus is on shunt from 6000 to 8000rpm, and gearing is 4% lower – with the 20% increase in power-to-weight it’ll be way more lively. The engine sits 5mm higher in a new frame, for better side-to-side flicking, and uses Showa adjustable suspension. The riding position is a tad more relaxed and uses wider ’bars, and you get ample electronics with three-level traction, adjustable engine braking and riding modes. Just as exciting is the ‘Neo Sports…1 min
BIKE|January 2018FTR1200 Custom» Whoa there, don’t get too excited yet. The stunning looking FTR1200 has been built by Indian to celebrate their dominance of the 2017 American Flat Track series, but for the moment it’s only a one-off custom. The bike’s chassis bears a real similarity to the championship-winning FTR750, but it’s powered by the 1133cc V-twin from the Scout. ‘We will be interested in customer feedback,’ says Indian’s Euro boss Grant Bester. It looks fab, so let’s hope they make it. Meanwhile Indian’s only significant new production bike is the Bobber re-working of the Scout wth fatter front tyre, cut down (‘bobbed’) mudguards and black finishes, that we rode in the last issue of Bike .Sales are growing, bike tests are being won, ratings are soaring and race series victories bagged…1 min
BIKE|January 2018BLOWERS: VERSION 2» Jamie Turner is Professor of Engines at Bath Uni and Bike’s resident boffin. He delves inside the new H2 SX motor.‘Kawasaki claim this is effectively a new engine, and from what they say it’s hard to argue. The original H2R engine was clearly designed as a 300bhp device which was then detuned to 200-odd for the H2, where it then had a lower compression ratio and more substantial structure than would really be necessary for a street version. For Kawasaki, making a big statement with the H2R power output was probably vital for creating an impact and to provide a business case to carry on, but at the outset having two significantly different specifications would have made no sense –so the road engine was a compromised version of the…2 min
BIKE|January 2018KTM 790 DukeSlim, agile and unmistakably KTMThe new 790 is slim. You naturally slide into the slimmest point of the hourglass shape formed by tank and seat. To manage a 14-litre tank, the fuel cap is humped high up, with prongs that carry the 790 logo. The handlebar is raked backwards only slightly, and you need to lean a bit to control the substantial switchgear buttons well. It’s a pitched-forward, positive riding position for shorter riders, though a pointy pillion seat might irritate taller riders who like to sit a bit further back. However, the overall sensation is of an unmistakably agile machine. » Sales of nakeds are booming and the 600 to 800cc segment is always popular in Europe. So KTM have devised the most market-friendly bike possible.Bikesays : ‘There’s something…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Commando California» Norton have a new distributor in California, who’s doubtless rubbing his hands at the arrival of a new Commando California. It’s essentially the same 961cc parallel-twin as other Commandos, but with ’70s-style pulled-back ’bars for very different weight distribution and stance.It’s all jelly and ice-cream over in Castle DoningtonThe original 745cc Commando was first shown at Earl’s Court this time in 1967 (the Fastback styling of which is still a Bike favourite). That’s 50 years, so the three Commandos (new Cali’, sat-up Sport, clip-on Café Racer) are available in Anniversary guise. There will be fifty of each, as below, with Öhlins shocks and a polished fork (with ‘Roadholder’ tag), lots of carbon, silver head on black cylinders, noisy pipes, plenty of chrome and carbon, and numbered clocks. Tasty ’70s…1 min
BIKE|January 2018DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED IN THE UKINSIDE Royal EnfieldNext month» Royal Enfield’s new 648cc engine is the first product from their new UK tech centre in Leicestershire. Recently opened to the world’s press, Bike gained exclusive access ahead of this official launch for an in-depth nose about – and were the first people outside RE to see the new 650, where we grabbed this shot (left).Responsible for design and development of future models, it’s very impressive. We’ve seen inside other manufacturers but the new multi-million-pound set-up looks another step on. It’s breathtaking.After a period in rented offices in Leicester, the new tech centre opened on 8 May this year. Original plans were for 30 to 40 staff, but there are now 110 employees and RE are still recruiting – they expect to be at 130 in…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Triumph Tiger 1200» Cheerio Tiger Explorer, hello Tiger 1200. Although it’s based on the current bike’s 1215cc three-cylinder engine, shaft drive and substantial chassis, very many changes have been made to the big adventure-tourer during the transition. It might not be obvious from the outside, but there’s four years of development and up to 100 changes in there.There’s no escaping Triumph’s both-hands embracing of technology and the masses of toys and widgets. Both version of the Tiger 1200 (cast-wheel XR and spoke-wheel XC) get lights that look round corners, the full-colour multi-function dash from the Street Triple, new light-up switchgear, heated grips, LED lights, plus a quickshifter for lazy clutchless gear-swapping on up-shifts and down-shifts. As previously there are increasingly flasher variants, and the XRX, XRT, XCX and XCA models feature all…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Yamaha MT-09 SPYamaha’s original MT-09 had a supple rear shock and absorbent ride. We liked it, but its different feel led to criticism that it was ‘too soft’, so it was revamped for 2017 with a new fork and the XSR900’s less pliant rear shock. Now Yamaha go sportier still for 2018, with the MT-09 SP.There’s full adjustability in the new fork, with compression and rebound damping tweakable in both legs (base bike has compression in one, rebound in the other). An Öhlins shock with a remote adjuster is in the rear, and a range of accessory springs with different rates will let you tailor your SP precisely. The 847cc engine is unchanged but this doesn’t matter, as it’s a glorious road motor. New image though, the SP echoing the colours and…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Yamaha XT1200ZE Raid Edition» It might look like a ‘see what you can do’ image from their accessory catalogue, however the Raid Edition is the new flagship of the Super Ténéré range. Standard-fit bits include a larger screen, sizeable bash plate, fog lights, and aluminium panniers giving a handy 74 litres of stashing space. Although it’d be even handier if someone broke the tradition of using litres as the unit of measurement. It’s not as if you’re going to fill them with petrol, or beer (there’s a thought). Why can’t we have ‘20 fish ‘n’ chip suppers’ or maybe ‘200 pairs of pants’ instead?These new cases are also designed so extra clutter can be strapped on top. This is good: little looks as cool as a well-used adventure bike with tent and tool…1 min
BIKE|January 2018BMW R1200RT LE‘I feel like the master of all I survey when riding this BMW’I’M A SPORTSBIKE fan, always have been. I have a thing for sporty nakeds as well, however it’s purposeful, engaging, exciting race replicas that do it for me. Colleagues at Bike also reckon I’m a brand snob because there are certain sporty marques I like to feel associated with. Ducati, for example. And, being of modest proportions, I’m also drawn to bikes where it’s easy to touch the ground.Yet there would absolutely be a place for BMW’s sensible, sizeable, sauntering R1200RT tourer in my dream garage.Police representatives and cameramen on the Tour de France ride RTs. I’m neither of these, and I have no desire to travel round the globe either. I’m not even bothered about embarking on…4 min
BIKE|January 2018Kawasaki Vulcan S CafŽ‘Riding the Vulcan is as taxing as remembering to blink’KAWASAKI LIST THE Vulcan S within the ‘Cruiser’ section of their range. Someone should inform trade descriptions. It might look like a laid-back device for sauntering about, admiring yourself in shop windows and feeling smug, however this is a perky, light, exploitable roadster… just one that happens to be low and with long raked-out forks.Riding the Vulcan is as taxing as remembering to blink. Steering is light and accurate, despite the stretched-out 31 degrees of rake and 120mm of trail, and it rolls cleanly into, through and out of corners with its easy-turning 160/60 rear tyre. Though 228kg sounds quite chubby for a 649cc parallel twin, it’s flyweight for something with cruiser-style geometry and it’s all carried somewhere below the low-slung…6 min
BIKE|January 2018HOW TO SPOT ONE» 2011-2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200With a chassis based on the preceding 750 the Dorsoduro shows off new eight-valve V-twin. ABS and TC are optional on first year bikes.1197cc – 99bhp – 212kg dry – £5500-£6000» 2013-2017 Aprilia Caponord 1200Aprilia’s tourer uses an adapted Dorsoduro frame. Minor changes to engine – smaller 52mm throttle bodies and second fuel injector.1197cc – 99bhp – 214kg dry – £6000-£7000» 2013-2017 Aprilia Caponord 1200 Travel PackSold alongside the base model since launch, the ’Pack includes panniers, centrestand, cruise control and electronic suspension.1197cc – 99bhp – 228kg dry – £6500-£9500» 2015-2017 Aprilia Caponord 1200 RallyThe Rally boasts spoked wheels with 19in front, taller screen, fairing protectors and running lights. Aluminium-coated panniers, too.1197cc – 99bhp – 238kg dry – £9000-£12,500…1 min
BIKE|January 2018The TestsThis isn’t a limp brochure-style round-up of all the bikes you can buy. No, your guide is far more useful as it only contains bikes that we have tested, with comparable on-the-road prices plus data, expert opinion and must-know detail gathered by fussy full-time testers. We do hundreds of thousands of miles, dyno, datalog, weigh and answer the big questions. Don’t buy a new bike without reading this first.*ENGLISH INTERPRETATIONChoppers: hacked frames, bold style and comedy forks. They originated in ’60s America, evolving from bobbers and usually built around huge V-twins. But if you lived in Blighty you’d want a classier base... like perhaps an Ariel Square Four. This one was built in 1971 and has the finest exhaust system in the world.* CALIFORNIA’S CROSSERThis is an ATK. Started in…1 min
BIKE|January 2018Like oranges and lemonsFull-face Arai versus flip-front Schuberth in a head-to-head comparison of noise, fit and safety isn’t really comparing like with likePULLING ON A BRAND NEW CRASH HELMET feels good. The fresh smell that makes you inhale deeply, the perfectly clear visor which will never be quite the same again and the reassuring click of an unused vent. I’ve been there twice in the past three months, with a new Arai Chaser X and a new Schuberth E1 flip-front.I like Arais. Originally because Freddie Spencer wore them, then I found they fitted me perfectly. This is my first Schuberth.In this flouro colour scheme (make up your own mind, I love it) the Chaser X is £399.99. It’s got a removable lining, decent vents, a double D-ring fastening and it comes with Pinlock…3 min
BIKE|January 2018BikeLife It’s all in the DNAI’M HAVING DE JA VU… I’m sat astride our Honda CB650F negotiating the ludicrously sublime series of 90° corners on the A427 heading towards Upper Benefield just outside Oundle, Northamptonshire. It all feels very familiar. Many Bike magazine photos have been taken here, and still are to this day, but this is more than knowing the road.The reason it feels so familiar is that, among all the times I’ve ridden this road, I still remember riding it in 1999 on the original Honda Hornet, the CB650F’s grandad. Back then I had 97bhp on tap but now this CB packs a 649cc motor and produces 86bhp. The Hornet weighed 179kg (dry), the CB tops the scales at 208kg (wet). And the CB has more torque.Despite the stats the CB has Hornet…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Alright at the back?BALANCE IS THE GUZZI V7’s high point. Traditional feel and sensations are perfectly proportioned against modern manners and usability, and finish and quality are just-so for its price tag. The £8702 asking means less opulence than on a bike costing ten grand, though, and suspension isn’t as plush as it could be on bump-riddled B-roads.K-tech are known for trackday and race suspension, but offer rear shocks for the V7. The Razor Lite (£594) have oodles of preload adjustment, 32 clicks of rebound damping to faff with and adjustable length (-6mm/+4mm). At 390mm they’re also a good inch and a half longer than stock, so fitting them means precariously propping the Guzzi on off-cuts of 4x4 to get the rear wheel clear of the floor.Damping is certainly superior. Rather than crashing…2 min
BIKE|January 2018Blade goes onto the time machineUSING THE FIREBLADE FOR winter commuting duties might seem a bit like making a thoroughbred race horse pull the rag and bone cart for half a year. But one winter is equivalent to at least five summers, so the experiment will be a time machine, demonstrating how the Blade will hold up long term.To make it comparable with previous test bikes I put it through my winter prep routine, which involves coating anything rust-prone in anti-corrosion potion ACF-50. To do it properly you need to remove the fairing panels, which isn’t too hard on the Blade – just the usual mixture of allen bolts, screws, plastic press-rivets and the odd rubber press stud.The fairing panels are superb quality, made of thick, durable plastic that withstands my cackhanded bending. And the…1 min
