2022-08-01 RiDE

Even stationary,
it looks fast...















Colour TFT dash in case
you find time for a glance







































































SEPTEMBER 2022 51

BRITAIN’S TOP-10 NAKEDS





Pure reminds you
BMW R why riding a bike is
so addictive
9 NINET PURE


Great customising potential
with air-cooled charm

Price £11,095 Power 108bhp Torque
86lb·ft Weight 219kg Seat height 805mm


At £11,095 the R nineT Pure is easy to
dismiss as one of those ‘hipster’ bikes that
is all fashion over function. However, this is
far from the case. BMW has done a great
job in giving its heritage model bags of soul
and thoroughly modern performance.
Much of a bike’s character comes from its
engine and the Pure’s boxer is bursting
with spirit. From the moment you rev it
and feel the torque reaction and hear the
rasping and raw exhaust note, the hairs on
the back of your neck start to stand up.
And this sensation doesn’t reduce when
you are on the move. It’ll lap up city riding
but head into the country and the boxer
thumps forward while the chassis attacks NEED TO KNOW
bends with balance and agility, thanks to
the motor’s low centre of gravity. It may Feels, looks and sounds like an RIDE VERDICT A genuinely
not be the most refined model out there old-school bike should. surprising machine to ride, the
but it is fun. Designed as a blank canvass to Pure has bags of performance, a
be tweaked and modified how you want, it Engine is quite aggressive great chassis and a wicked
is by far and away the best value of the R with snappy throttle response. exhaust note.
nineT range, too. JON URRY



SUZUKI everyone but we like the
Looks won’t suit
8GSX-S1000 camo side panels. Kind of...


Looks might be so-so but it
has loads of go-go…

Price £11,355 Power 150bhp Torque
78lb·ft Weight 214kg Seat height 810mm


When a motorcycle has one of the greatest
engines ever produced powering it, it can’t
help but be a contender. So it is no surprise
that primarily because of the GSX-R1000
K5-based motor, the naked GSX-S is a
bloody good motorcycle.
But it’s more than just power. The first
generation of GSX-S wasn’t great: the
fuelling was jerky, the rear shock was poor
and the looks weren’t to everyone’s taste.
But this all-round machine is much better.


The upgraded ride-by-wire system is as
NEED TO KNOW smooth as any on the market and is also
complemented by a near-perfect up/down
quickshifter. New suspension means it

Ace engine, gearbox and now handles neatly, holds a line and has
wonderful fuelling. masterful traction, even with basic TC. The
RIDE VERDICT Really good-fun, result is something that is a more effective,
Dash feels too cheap and power-packed naked. If you can quicker road bike than something like a
looks split opinion. get a deal, go for it… BMW S1000R, but costs less and is more

fun. MATT WILDEE


52 SEPTEMBER 2022

TRIUMPH great fun to ride and
The Trident is

7TRIDENT 660 astonishing value


The absolute bargain naked
middleweight

Price £7795 Power 80bhp Torque
47lb·ft Weight 189kg Seat height 805mm


On paper, this budget middleweight should
feel ordinary and not knock your socks off.
However, the reality is very different. To
ride, the Trident feels every bit a quality
motorcycle that strikes a balance between
chassis agility, triple-engine performance
and tech. How many other ‘budget’ rival
bikes have traction control, ABS and power
modes as standard and connectivity as an
optional extra? None.
Able to be restricted to A2-legal if
required, the Trident’s triple gives it a


beautiful heart and soul that, aside from a
NEED TO KNOW bit of a clunky gearbox and a touch of a
buzz, is hard to criticise. Laid-back when
required yet with poke thanks to low
The Trident is cheap to service RIDE VERDICT Much like the gearing, a high rev limit and a chassis that
with 10,000-mile intervals. original Street Triple, the Trident has all of the Street Triple’s agility, it is a
delivers far more in terms of recipe for huge amounts of fun.
Colours other than black cost performance, handling and fun And that’s what makes the Trident so
a £100 premium. than its bargain price suggests. special — it’s fun to ride but also appealing

to a wide range of owners. JON URRY



KAWASAKI many boxes and is a
The Z900RS ticks so
6Z900RS great all-rounder


It’s a modern-day reinvention
of a Kawasaki icon

Price £11,529 Power 109bhp Torque
73lb·ft Weight 215kg Seat height 835mm


50 years ago, Kawasaki bossed the idea of
an inline-four superbike with the Z1 900.
And its presence can still be felt in many of
Kawasaki’s current products, none more so
than the Z900RS, a nod to the Z1.
There are three RS models — the base
model, a 50th anniversary edition (stock
bike with Z1 paint), and the RS SE, with
uprated forks, Öhlins shock and Brembo
calipers. In terms of ride and handling, the
SE is a noticeable a step up from the base
model, but it’s also over £1000 more
expensive than an RS at £12,779.
Either makes an excellent road bike
however. The 948cc inline-four mill is NEED TO KNOW
tuned for midrange urge. Braking is superb
from either the standard Tokicos but Retro style with push-button
especially the SE’s Brembos. Handling is reliability. RIDE VERDICT The most
neutral and the steering light, with the authentic Japanese retro plays a
emphasis on ride quality rather than It’s not a true classic different game to its rivals with a
cornering prowess. That’s not to say the RS experience. more laid-back feel. We like…
won’t boogie – it definitely will. JIM MOORE


SEPTEMBER 2022 53

BRITAIN’S TOP-10 NAKEDS







DUCATI judged for simple, road-riding fun. And it is
so light — at 187kg wet, it’s even lighter
5MONSTER than the previous entry-level Monster 821
it now supersedes.
We reckon it’s the best naked Just like that first machine 29 years ago,
Ducati on the market the bike’s 90° V-twin dominates the bike
and in the same way that the original
Price £10,895 Power 111bhp Torque
69lb·ft Weight 187kg Seat height 820mm Monster was lighter than the 900SS it took
its motor from, the Monster is 18kg lighter
than its SuperSport 950 donor. There’s
It was Ducati’s 1993 Monster M900 that wonderful low-down and midrange torque Loads of character,
truly sparked the naked-bike revival. and that lack of mass means performance wonderful engine,
When Ducati designer Miguel Galluzzi is noticeable each time you open the sweet handling.
mated an 851 frame to the engine from a throttle. Wind on the gas and the Monster Size means it’s not the
900SS, then drew a tank and some drives inexorably forward, full of V-Twin best for larger riders.
rudimentary bodywork, he didn’t realise bluster and usable drive.
that he was creating an icon — but he was. It’s minimalist — almost as if there’s just RIDE VERDICT The Monster
Affordable, light, sexy and fun without some wheels and suspension bolted to a is back! This latest bike is
being too fast, it was an instant smash. motor which, when you look at Ducati’s more affordable, fun and
Over the years, Ducati’s Monsters got airbox-for-a-frame concept, isn’t far from proof that light is right.
bigger, heavier, faster and more expensive the truth. Save for preload on the rear, the
as their range expanded. The silliness suspension isn’t adjustable but both units
culminated with the range-topping 160bhp are perfectly sprung and damped. The say it is the best naked Ducati for over a
Monster 1200R — a big-money, track- Monster works superbly at the speeds that decade – mega-money Streetfighters
focussed Monster that wasn’t even actually most of us ride: light steering and agile included. The new V2 Streetfighter, for
that good around a track. handling imbuing you with devil-may- example, costs 40% more but has an
But now, the Monster has gone back to its care confidence. What’s more, there is a engine that only really pulls harder in the
roots. Using the 937cc, 111bhp twin we’ve level of finish and quality that makes the last part of its rev-range while the £19,395
already seen in the Multistrada and Monster feel like a premium product. It has V4 Streetfighter has so much power that
SuperSport, the new one-platform Monster all the electronics, too, if that’s your thing. riding one feels like a huge responsibility.
is paired to a simple chassis that’s perfectly Perfectly suited to B-road Britain, we’d The Monster is pure riding fun. MATT WILDEE


937 Monster is
nothing but pure,
simple riding fun
THE COSTS
SERVICING

Minor 9000 miles/£230
Major 18,000 miles/£500
PCP
£125.35/month x 36
(Deposit £2179, APR 8.9%,
optional final payment £6379)
PREDICTED VALUE
AFTER THREE YEARS
£7000












































54

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BRITAIN’S TOP-10 NAKEDS






















































THE COSTS

SERVICING
Minor 6000 miles/£250
Major 12,000 miles/£520
PCP
£154.10 a month x 36
(£2700 deposit, 7.9% APR, 4000
annual miles, £7402.50 final
payment.)
MT-10 boasts Japan’s PREDICTED VALUE
most-characterful four AFTER THREE YEARS
£8500

YAMAHA a big impact on this wonderful machine.
Physically far larger than the likes of the
4MT-10 Tuono V4, the MT-10 is a relaxing bike to

ride and its small screen is surprisingly
The best balance of good at deflecting wind onto your chest,
practicality and insanity helping ease the strain on your arm
muscles. It’s a pleasant place to spend time
Price £13,500 Power 164bhp Torque
83lb·ft Weight 212kg Seat height 835mm and although the clocks are a bit small and
cluttered (and lack connectivity) the
MT-10’s comfort levels mean it can most
Updated this year, Yamaha’s supernaked is certainly be taken on a tour and it even has The engine is beautiful
one of those bikes that doesn’t necessarily cruise control as standard. Then, when the and makes 163bhp feel
deliver the kind of ride you would expect motorways are gone and you can hit the oh-so-easy.
— but in a good way. On paper, you read twisty roads, the Yamaha comes alive. Fuel economy and tank
about the R1-derived engine and chassis The star of the MT’s show remains that range remain poor —
and you assume it will be a frothing, ultra- crossplane engine. Brimming with 40mpg and 116 miles
aggressive beast but then you ride it and low-end drive and now with a far more until reserve hurt.
quickly discover that while it can certainly compliant throttle connection, the sound
go bananas, it is actually remarkably and feel of the CP4 engine is so hard to beat RIDE VERDICT A great bike
refined, practical and full of character. And and makes the MT what it is. Smooth as that scratches that
the 2022 updates have made it even better. silk when cruising, rumbly and off-beat sportsbike itch without going
Although the bones of the MT remain the under power, it has an abundance of not over-the-top and forgetting it
same, the new model now has an IMU to only performance but also character. is built for road riders.
add angle-sensitivity to its electronics, Shame it’s so thirsty, though.
righting one of the areas that was left Handling is good but, while the MT-10
lacking when compared to its tech-heavy isn’t the most agile of supernakeds, its might be in danger of being developed into
rivals. The crossplane motor has a smidge suspension is both plush and beautifully irrelevance, this is a road bike first and
more grunt and the chassis tweaked to damped and the chassis has all the foremost and has a truly unique character.
bring more refinement to the ride quality. handling prowess you need for the road. The Yamaha MT-10 is our pick of the
Small changes, yes, but ones that have had While it seems the supernaked class bunch. JON URRY


56 SEPTEMBER 2022

TRIUMPH a level of equipment good enough to satisfy trackday, the Street Triple is best placed of

that trio to deliver. In fact, in the right
everyone from road riders to serious
3STREET trackday fanatics. hands an ST-RS even has the potential to
keep a Ducati Streetfighter V4 or a KTM
While the Street Triple RS is undeniably
TRIPLE RS exciting to ride, it’s also beautifully put Super Duke honest.
If you love sportsbikes but you’re no
The best way to get your together and just as happy to potter longer willing to sacrifice comfort in the
through town or clock off the miles on a
sportsbike thrills while naked mini-tour as it is hitting apexes on track, pursuit of performance, Triumph’s Street

Price £10,995 Power 121bhp Torque and that’s what gives it the edge over pure Triple RS is everything you’ll ever need in
58lb·ft Weight 166kg Seat height 825mm sportsbikes. In fact, you barely notice the one beautifully-formed package. JIM MOORE
lack of a fairing because the headlamp and
clock cowl do a respectable job of
Not only is Triumph’s Street Triple RS the protecting the rider from the windblast.
definitive naked middleweight sportsbike, There’s no shortage of performance from
this funky inline triple is also the best the Moto2 derived 765cc engine; it makes
argument yet as to why you don’t need a 121bhp at 11,750rpm, underpinned by
fully faired race replica to experience 58lb·ft of rich, creamy torque, so the Street
high-performance thrills. The Street Triple Triple is never short on response. Triumph
offers the capability and excitement of a has focussed on more precise machining
sub-litre race replica without the tolerances within the engine, particularly
discomfort, and the RS is the latest and on the crank, clutch and balancer shaft, to
most advanced of the breed. make the unit ultra-responsive on track You’ll never go back to a
What you get with the RS over the and more efficient on the road. And the faired sportsbike.
normal R model is an enhanced TFT dash chassis, with its advantage of a superior It makes you ride quick,
that’s Bluetooth, GoPro and turn-by-turn shock, brakes and tyres over the R model, everywhere.
sat-nav compatible. You also get Brembo is a masterclass in balance and agility.
M50 front calipers; an Öhlins STX40 shock; None of this technology comes cheap RIDE VERDICT Nimble, fun,
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 track-ready though. At £10,995, the RS costs £1500 useful and great value-for-
rubber; carbon-fibre-finished silencer; five more than the base R model but that’s on money for the level of toys,
riding modes (Road, Rain, Sport, Track and par with Yamaha’s MT-09 SP at £10,650 the Speed Triple RS is our
Rider-programmable); quickshifter; a ride- and Ducati’s £10,895 Monster. If you like to fave ‘supersport’ naked.
by-wire throttle and adjustable ABS. That’s spice up your riding with the occasional


If you want day-to-day
usability and superbike THE COSTS
performance, look no further SERVICING
Minor 10,000 miles/£270
Major 20,000 miles/ £450

PCP
£114.48 x 36 months
(Deposit £2199, APR 7.9%, optional
final payment £6476)
PREDICTED VALUE
AFTER THREE YEARS

£8000












































57

BRITAIN’S TOP-10 NAKEDS







THE COSTS


SERVICING
Minor 3000 miles/£160
Major 6000 miles/£225
PCP
£79.74 x 35 months
(Deposit £1199, APR 6.9%, optional
final payment £2763)
PREDICTED VALUE
AFTER THREE YEARS

£4000


















































































‘A perfect

antidote to


a frenetic,


modern life’



It won’t win
races but will
generate a smile



58 SEPTEMBER 2022

Proper retro
dials get a digital
fuel gauge
The Interceptor
has genuine
old-school charm












can’t have been accidental on Enfield’s
part. Nor can the delicious ‘snick’ you get
from the gearbox when changing up, again
very much like a proper classic. This is the
kind of inbuilt character that separates a
forgettable retro from a really good one,
and this Interceptor is definitely the latter.
Strip away the obvious nostalgia and the
Interceptor still delivers. Light steering and
an excellent turning circle make this a
ROYAL ENFIELD brilliant town bike, as do the light and
responsive controls. Equipment is spartan
2 INTERCEPTOR 650 but what you get is good — neat, functional


It’s a true ‘classic’ for the modern world clocks; decent mirrors; solid switchgear,
and even knee guards to prevent you from
Price £6039 Power 47bhp Torque 39lb·ft Weight 217kg Seat height 805mm burning your knees on the cylinder heads.
Of course, it’s not perfect. The brakes,
while adequate, lack feel and the kind of
Royal Enfield has hit a sweet spot with the Then there’s the aesthetics. In stock bite you’d normally expect of a front disc
Interceptor. Last year, this 650 twin was the form, the Interceptor radiates ’70s chic, that size. Piggyback shocks are stylistic
UK’s fourth best-selling motorcycle above with bold single-coloured tanks but this overkill on a bike of this type. And black
125cc. Only BMW’s perennially popular ‘Chrome’ model — at £6593 it’s £500 more rims work against the bike’s overall
R1250GS — in basic and Adventure spec than the base model — evokes the style of aesthetic; chrome rims, as fitted to the
— and Triumph’s Trident 660 sold more. the ’60s. From the mirror-finished tank stock Interceptor, would look so much
That’s an astonishing achievement for an and buffed aluminium clutch case cover, to better. But I can forgive all that and a whole
Anglo-Indian machine that wouldn’t have the cross-stitched seat and stylish upswept lot more because the Enfield — even this
looked out of place 50 years ago. chrome pipes, the Interceptor looks, well… flash one — costs almost £3000 less than a
But that’s the point. Royal Enfield offers just right. That’s why it’s proved such a hit Bonneville T100.
something completely different to most with those who love the idea of owning a We live in a frenetic, multi-connected,
manufacturers – an authentic blend of classic but don’t want to pay £10,000-plus 24-hour world and the Royal Enfield
nostalgia seamlessly spun with modern for the privilege or have to deal with the Interceptor is the perfect antidote to that.
production and engineering values, that’s constant hands-on maintenance that’s It’s easy to see why this twin has proven
allowed the Interceptor to rise above the required of most period machines. On the such a hit with owners. JIM MOORE
many pretenders in the retro scene. Interceptor, you thumb the starter and go…
Capturing the feel and essence of a Enfield has also raised its own bar in
classic isn’t easy, but RE has really tapped terms of engineering and quality control,
into its heritage to create the Interceptor. joining forces with legendary British
The firm’s own 692cc Constellation and chassis-builder Harris to develop its bikes.
Interceptor twins of the 1960s are this Admittedly, the Interceptor won’t win any
machine’s most-obvious influence but the races but it feels solidly built and well
650cc capacity is also deliberate, designed, more so than Enfields of old.
referencing the size and layout of Indeed, modernity has touched many
Triumph’s original Bonneville and Norton’s aspects of the bike: the fuel-injected
old Dominator. The noises produced by its engine is Euro5 compliant; braking is
twin chrome pipes also play into the bike’s bossed by a massive 320mm disc and ABS; The feel and charm of a
nostalgic charm. and the neat twin-dial instruments boast a classic without the cost
digital fuel gauge. And yet none of this or hassle.
detracts from the bike’s old-school charm. You’ll be forever
Brakes look Performance is modest. In fact, it feels polishing the thing to
great but lack bite cruel to force every last one of the motor’s keep it looking its best.
and feel 47 horses out to play. Better to snick up well
before the 7500rpm redline and waft along RIDE VERDICT A great-value
at more modest revs (70mph comes at machine that is a perfect
4500rpm, so motorway cruising is antidote to mega-money
relaxed). The way the engine thrums along supernakeds. Pure
is reminiscent of old British bikes, too. It motorcycling.
plies its trade to a similar rhythm and that


SEPTEMBER 2022 59

BRITAIN’S TOP-10 NAKEDS





















THE COSTS

SERVICING
Minor 6000 miles/£250
Major 12,000 miles/£520
PCP
£122.29 x36 months

(Deposit 2040, APR 7.9%, optional
final payment £5355)
PREDICTED VALUE
AFTER THREE YEARS
£7000





YAMAHA XSR900






Brilliant looks, great value and a superb

engine make it a compelling choice

Price £10,200 Power 117bhp Torque 69lb·ft Weight 193kg Seat height 810mm





Pound for pound, when it comes to value, with an inspiring rate of turn that is precise The joy of a naked
performance and equipment levels, we and always predictable. Riding one down motorcycle on a summer’s
reckon Yamaha’s XSR900 is the best new any B-road is an assault on the senses and day: biking at its purest...
naked on the market. Based on the 2021 full of inspiration. There’s no inertia to any
MT-09 platform, it boasts a chassis that’s of your inputs nor does the XSR ever feel
wonderfully exploitable, an engine that’s too lightweight or untrustworthy. It’s the
engaging, involving and sings the off-beat definition of perfect balance and huge fun.
song only a sorted triple can. No other bike Ahead, a section of bumps and twists
looks quite like it either. Like the MT-09 loom. The big KTM looks composed but so
but put off by its Transformers aesthetic? does the much-cheaper Yamaha. As I turn
You want the retro XSR900, then. into the left-hander, it hits a compression
I’m out with RiDE contributor Jon, but the MT-09-spec suspension shrugs it
sampling two very different naked bikes off and holds its line without shimmy or
and enjoying a rare respite in July’s shake — and any time you want it to turn
summer heatwave. Urry’s at the front on tighter, it will. There’s always more ground
the KTM Super Duke. He’s a smooth, quick clearance and always more grip from the
rider but the XSR never loses an inch to the
KTM and while Jon’s getting a sweat on,
doing battle with the torque and brutality
of the KTM’s 1301cc V-twin, I’m guiding
the Yamaha with my fingertips.
Based on the updated MT-09 introduced
last year, it is a much more capable bike
than the old XSR900 — and there wasn’t
much wrong with that. Now it carries its
weight much lower, has a 2.3kg lighter, Adjustable
stiffer frame and new lighter spin-forged suspension well
wheels, all of which equate to a motorcycle set from factory
















60 SEPTEMBER 2022

RETRO
DONE RIGHT
Shape of the tank
mimics early-90s sports
Yamahas perfectly — as
does that paint job
CLEVER STUFF
Riding modes, cornering ABS,
IMU-based traction, slide and
wheelie control could be
oppressive, but they never
spoil your fun































PROPER
SUSPENSION
Fully-adjustable forks
and preload/rebound-
adjustable shock are firm
but fair, provide great
support and have near-
perfect factory settings





































































SEPTEMBER 2022 61

BRITAIN’S TOP-10 NAKEDS






While retro
might be a stretch,
naked it surely is












































Bridgestone S22s. Mid-corner, the XSR
floods with feedback and as I get on the
gas, the XSR digs in and drives, subtle
fuelling hunting out grip and brimming
you with confidence.
The CP3 engine is pure joy, too. It now
boasts more capacity (from 847cc to
889cc), more power, more torque and an Fold-away pillion
up/down quickshifter that allows footrests are a very
intoxicating whip-crack gear-changes. The nice design touch
latest supernakeds with 200bhp baffle me
— the XSR’s117bhp is enough for anyone,
especially when it’s combined with a such
an abundant torque curve; it’s the perfect Light and nimble
motor for a naked motorcycle. without being
There’s huge amounts of grunt from low unstable or flighty
revs, right to the rush of the 11,000rpm
redline but if you never strayed into the top the fold-out, concealed footrest hangers
third of the rev-range, you’d still make are genius and there’s very little skimping
properly rapid progress. All airbox moan for a mid-priced bike. The Brembo master NEED TO KNOW
and three-cylinder baritone wail, you’ll cylinder (brakes are ace, by the way) and
never need an aftermarket exhaust, either. the invisible, but very clever, multi-axis
Soon, it’s time for a break and a ponder. rider aids prove that high quality abounds.
There is much to admire about the XSR It even has cruise control as standard.
and the detailing is so impressive. The There are a few imperfections. The seat’s
paintwork and graphics, harking back to a bit thin and while a day’s B-road riding
Gauloises-branded GP bikes, is so well doesn’t hurt, 400 miles on a motorway
judged. There are neat touches all over — might. But at least it’ll balance the pain in Superb chassis and the
your neck from the windblast. The TFT best engine of any
dash should be better though; like all middleweight.
Yamaha dashes, its typeface is too small — Tiny dash is frustrating
difficult enough to make me consider a and the seat’s not for
varifocal visor but ownership would breed 1000-mile days.
familiarity and also forgiveness. Really,
when it comes to problems, that’s it. RIDE VERDICT A
Drop-dead gorgeous, more exploitable wonderfully considered bike
and fun than any big-bore supernaked, from Yamaha, it offers great
and with a relatively accessible price, the
Text is small but value, performance and
you’ll get used to superb looks.
XSR 900 is a compelling mix. Not bad for
it... eventually...
an MT-09 in a retro tracksuit. MATT WILDEE

62 SEPTEMBER 2022

TIMELESS CLASSIC AN ALL NEW REFINED RIDING GROUND-UP
ICONIC STYLING BEATING HEART EXPERIENCE CHASSIS DESIGN







S T A R T Y O U R C L A S S I C J O U R N E Y T O D A Y











































































ROYALENFIELD ROYALENFIELDEUROPE

BE GREAT AT TAKING A PILLION


VISION
To be smooth, our man is
looking a long, long way
TRAINED PILLION ahead and soaking up
New pillions should always get a masses of detail about
pre-flight chat telling them their potential hazards
main job: sit still, relax and just
lean with the bike
THROTTLE
Grip the throttle lightly and
twist smoothly and you
can ride surprisingly fast
without the pillion noticing
PILLION KIT
Don’t give your pillion your
stinky old Frank Thomas
jacket from 1989. Kit them up
properly and they’re far more
likely to enjoy themselves













































ACCESSORISE
A back rest is the most
pillion-friendly piece of kit
out there. Adding some foam
to a topbox achieves the
same result



























BIKE PREPPED
Tyre pressures have been
upped by 4psi at each end
and the rear preload has
been increased by four turns









64 SEPTEMBER 2022

PLANNING
For every second of every
ATTITUDE ride, our rider has a plan. That
The way to a pillion’s heart way, they can smoothly stay
is through enjoyment not out of trouble that the pillion
terror — rabid acceleration won’t even know existed
and braking are a
fast-track to divorce




















IT TAKES











TWO, BABY















Taking a passenger on a motorcycle can be one of life’s

joys… or a potential nightmare. RiDE’s riding coach talks

us through making your pillion feel like one in a million



Words Ryan Decarteret, John Westlake Pictures Chippy Wood/Rapid Training







EING AN EXCELLENT rider for
pillions has a multitude of
advantages. The most obvious
one is that your partner is more
likely to want to join you on
excursions, which means you
have the opportunity to tempt
B them into your world of THE EXPERT
freedom, fresh air and new places. Achieve that, and
you’ll be out on the bike more, your other half will Ryan Decarteret
appreciate why you love riding so much and might Rapid Training coach Ryan is a
also begin to understand why it is essential you get a former National Crime Agency
new motorcycle. Or three. The second advantage is surveillance rider and now has
that the techniques you need to make you a great a regular skills column in RiDE.
pillion-friendly rider also make you faster, smoother
and safer too. There really is no downside…


SEPTEMBER 2022 65

BE GREAT AT TAKING A PILLION






THE FIVE RULES OF ü Reading the road

PILLION-FRIENDLY well will help smooth
your riding
RIDING




The two prime objectives of riding with a pillion are
safety and smoothness. There’s nothing as certain to put
off a pillion as crashing, or thinking you’re about to.
Secondly, if you can flow like liquid velvet through every
situation, even the most nervous of pillions will soon
relax and marvel at your motorcycle mastery. And,
fortunately, being super-smooth requires the same skills
and techniques as being fast and safe. The key ones are:


1 IMPROVE YOUR

ROAD READING


The single most transformational thing you can do for
your riding — whether with a pillion or not — is to
improve your ability to see and interpret detail at speed.
This is the key to fast, safe riding and it’s what gives great
riders so much more time and space to react and handle
whatever comes their way. If you get this right, that
all-important smoothness will naturally follow and your
pillions will love you.
Like any other skill, road reading improves with
focused practice — years of riding experience can only
get you so far. The trick is to start slow and go for detail.
Ride at a speed where you have time to see and register
all the crucial details — looking as far ahead as possible. TRY THIS
Focus on how early you see new information appearing
and how much detail you gather. And if you feel yourself Add the ‘so what?’ test to what you see. This helps
getting swamped, or realise you’re noticing hazards you stop you just scanning without thinking about the
could have actually seen seconds ago if you looked significance of potential hazards. So if you look
further ahead, slow down. across some fields and see a truck approaching, your
Remember: you can only ride as fast as you can see, so ‘so what?’ answer might be that the lorry could arrive
investing in your road-reading ability will not only make at the upcoming corner at the same time as you, so
you safer, it will make you faster too. And, crucially, your you might need to adjust your line and/or slow down.
pillion probably won’t notice you’re going any faster,
because everything feels so smooth.




2 MAKE PLANS ü View through right-
hand corners can help
with overtakes
It’s no good spotting a load of hazards nice and early
if you don’t do anything — you need to come up with
a plan. On the face of it, this is pretty simple: work
out where to place the bike, what speed to go, what
gear to be in, and if (or when) you need to indicate.
The problem is that new hazards arrive all the time
so your plan has to change to accommodate them.
Before you know it, you’re juggling position, speed
and gear relative to multiple, simultaneous hazards.
Take a right-hander for example. Advanced riding
theory says you move to the left to extend your view
into it. Simple. But then you see a blind driveway on
the left, so you could move to a more central position
to stay clear (but then your view is reduced), or you
could hold your position but reduce speed. And what
if it’s wet, but with a dry line somewhere? Or if
there’s nasty-looking camber? The truth is that
many riding situations have multiple solutions — no
two bends are the same and, even if they were, no




66 SEPTEMBER 2022

‘The two prime



objectives are



safety and




smoothness’






































P Going gently on the
controls will make a
huge difference



3 SORT YOUR


MACHINE CONTROL


This is the aspect of your riding that pillions assume
you’re getting wrong, perhaps because their helmet
occasionally bangs into yours or the bike feels ‘jerky’.
The culprit is generally not machine control — it’s
reading the road and planning — but there are things you
can do to improve matters by finessing your use of the
throttle and brakes.
two rides through them would be the same. Because of the weight of your pillion, the back brake
It’s complicated but there are some general will be more useful than usual, but the front brake is still
principles. Firstly, position your bike to optimise the main means of slowing down and the key to its use
safety, often to create space between you and the is — you guessed it — smoothness. If you load up the
hazard. Secondly, ride for stability; ie, keep the bike front brake smoothly — use two fingers for the best feel
going in the right direction. This might mean a — you give your pillion time to brace against the forces
grippy strip of road away from some gravel. And and if your bike has a decent grabrail, you can brake
thirdly, ride to get the best view of the road ahead. surprisingly hard without irritating your passenger.
Planning decisions are complex and the faster you The smoothness principle applies to the throttle too
ride, the faster they have to be made. And got right. but even more so if your bike has no pillion back rest.
Fierce acceleration can be terrifying if the pillion feels
TRY THIS like they’re going to fall off the back.



When planning overtakes, use right-hand corners to set TRY THIS
yourself up. As you approach the corner, leave a good
gap to the car or truck you’re following and move to the As soon as the bike has settled after you’ve turned it into a
left of your lane to get an early view of the road ahead corner, smoothly open the throttle enough to maintain speed.
as the bend opens up. Get in the right gear then, if the This increases stability and ground clearance and signals to
road ahead is clear, fire off the overtake as you exit the your pillion that you’ll be accelerating soon. Beware being
corner. And if it’s not, close the throttle and drop back. too aggressive though — besides unnerving your pillion, you
risk pushing the bike wide or even losing traction.




SEPTEMBER 2022 67

BE GREAT AT TAKING A PILLION





4 DON’T FEAR THE U-TURN



With an extra body perched up high, low-speed If you want a tighter turn, just slow down a fraction by
manoeuvres fill many riders with an understandable taking away some drive via the clutch — this will cause
sense of dread — toppling off is bad enough without the the bike to lean more. You control the tightness of the
main witness mentioning it over breakfast for the next turn as much with the clutch as the bars — you can keep
ten years. But with the right technique, the addition of a the throttle steady the entire time. Keep looking at your
passenger (even a whopper) needn’t make a great deal of exit and beyond, and keep the bike driving by playing
difference to your U-turns. out the clutch.
The first thing to do is look where you want to end up Some riders like to control speed with the rear brake
— not the halfway point but the final position. This but if you keep speeds low and concentrate on your
usually means you’ve got to twist your torso round and clutch control, you won’t need to.
swivel your head like an owl to look almost 180° behind
you and across. This is the point at which most U-turns TRY THIS
fail — if you look in the wrong place, that’s where you
will always end up. Slope off for an afternoon without your passenger and
Then smoothly set off, going slowly enough that you practise doing tight figure-of-eights in the corner of a
have to play the clutch around the biting point to drive supermarket car park. You’ll be surprised how fast your
forward. Keep your speed steady as you turn in and let confidence grows. It’s worth practising checking for traffic P Key to low-speed
the bike lean gently. You need the lean to turn — don’t to make sure you don’t forget when doing the real thing. U-turns is look where
you want to end up
just twist the handlebars.






















5 DOING DISTANCE


There are two important factors to consider for processing all the visual information, assessing the
successful long trips: your concentration levels and numerous risks, working out plans, and spotting
your pillion’s happiness. Fortunately, dealing with hazards takes a huge amount of energy.
both usually requires the same tactic: regular breaks. The upshot of this is that regular breaks are
Research has shown that the human brain uses important for riders and little-and-often is more
20% of the body’s energy supply when that human effective than slogging on until the fuel light comes
is sitting in a researcher’s laboratory, so we dread to on. A five-minute stroll while eating a banana once
think how much it consumes when riding a an hour can leave you surprisingly refreshed.
motorcycle. Almost certainly a lot more, which With nothing to distract them, your pillion will
explains why riding can be so exhausting, even if usually get bored and uncomfortable before you, so
we’re not physically doing very much. Simply it makes sense to pre-empt their needs too.

TRY THIS



If your pillion moans about those tedious motorway hauls,
invest in some sound-cancelling Bluetooth earbuds —
depending on your bike, it means they can listen to music,
podcasts etc at decent speeds. You could even consider a
rider-to-pillion intercom…





P Regular breaks are
essential for both
rider and pillion















68 SEPTEMBER 2022

PILLION-


FRIENDLY

ACCESSORIES






















Topbox (£120-500)
1 By far the best accessory for any pillion is a
back rest. A topbox has the added advantage that
you can put beer in it.
We recommend Shad SH58X, £233
www.shad.co.uk














Grabrails and pillion
2 grippers (£15-100)

Aftermarket grabrails often come with a rack which
can be useful. Pillion grippers have handles attached
to a belt worn by the rider — a more civilised version
of clinging on.
We recommend BikeIt pillion grippers, £9.99
www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Saddle covers or
3 cushions (£15-50)
Worth looking into if your pillion perch
is uncomfortable. Can be non-slip,
inflatable or memory foam.
We recommend ComfortAir
pillion cushion cover, £65
comfortair-moto.co.uk














Intercoms (£165)
T
4 o be able to chat with your pillion,
you don’t need a full-on MESH intercom. Two
Bluetooth units will allow you to chat as well as
listen to music or sat-nav instructions.
We recommend Cardo Spirit HD twin-pack
www.cardosystems.com






SEPTEMBER 2022 69

BE GREAT AT TAKING A PILLION







p Being comfortable
with a pillion opens up
a whole new world



























PILLION



QUESTIONS




ANSWERED







p Grab handles can
help pillion to steady
What should I advise my themselves
pillion to do? p You get on first,

Just go with the bike; lean as it leans and then the pillion with
use the grab handles rather than their arms both feet
around your waist. The less they move
around, the easier it is for you. It’s also
worth advising them to grip you with their
knees under braking and for you both to
work out a communication system for
stopping, etc if you don’t have an intercom.
you’re happy. The front preload will need
What should my tyre to be increased too to take account of the
pressures be? greater weight transfer under braking.
If you’re taking a pillion and holiday Don’t forget this will still apply if you have
clobber, you usually need to add between 4 semi-active suspension without an auto WIN A DAY’S
and 6psi but check your handbook. preload adjustment facility — the semi- PILLION-
active only does the damping.
Should I fiddle with my FRIENDLY
suspension? Any other adjustments?

Yes. Piling an extra ten stone (or Once you’ve fiddled with the preload, it’s TRAINING!
thereabouts) on the back of a bike means worth checking the headlight alignment
the rear preload definitely needs adjusting — it’s easy to end up with the dipped beam RiDE has teamed up with Rapid Training to
(assuming it was about right in the first pointing into oncoming drivers’ eyes. give you the chance to win a full day of
place). Check your manual to get a start one-to-one training with an expert riding
point but be prepared to tweak it until What’s the best way for a coach worth £395 — for free. And if you
pillion to get on the bike? choose to bring along your pillion of choice

You need to get on first and plonk both feet then so much the better. Rapid is one of
down to create a stable platform. If you Britain’s most respected advanced riding
can’t get both feet down, make sure the companies and every one of its coaches is
foot you do have on the ground is the side trained to Police Class 1 standard.
the pillion is getting on. Then tell your Enter the competition at
pillion to step onto a pillion footpeg and www.rapidtraining.co.
hold your shoulder to steady themselves as uk/Ride-pillion-
they swing their other leg over. Prepare for competition
a slight rock to the side they’re climbing on
P You’ll need to
but for light pillions, you’ll hardly notice.
increase preload to
cope with greater weight
70 SEPTEMBER 2022

Made in England • Custom Built Shocks




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NEW KIT RATED

74 Ruroc helmet
Plus leather jacket and more SUBSCRIBE TO
RIDE FOR JUST
£4 A MONTH!

See page 55 and 107
for details









HIGH-MILE TEST

76 Quad Lock mount

Is the big-money mount worth it?

THE
PRODUCT TEST

78 Two-piece leathers
Protection and convenience


RIDING
EXPERIENCE RATED

86 IAM RoadSmart
Road skills learned on track
















78



90 Kit round-up
A year of product testing Racetrack
protection with


road convenience










SEPTEMBER 2022 73

RATED



LATEST KIT RATED






‘Function as well as form’









Ruroc Atlas 4.0 From £375 getting it on felt like being born, the neck vents are fake — a styling legacy from
www.ruroc.com aperture is so tight. However, once on, it earlier models.
fits perfectly with no pressure points Vision from the massive aperture is
THE CLAIM nor pinching and a plush, tactile lining. exceptional. It is wide and deep and
“Atlas 4.0 is one of the first motorcycle One benefit of that aperture though is while the nose form is initially a little
helmets on the road to meet ECE 22.06. low noise. It is very quiet, even in distracting, you soon get used to it. You
Not only that, we exceed all testing turbulent traffic. And thankfully, it is get a clear and a dark visor in the box,
standards by 20%. RHEON integration stable too, doesn’t get yanked by both of which are optically excellent
has halved the transmission potential of shoulder checks or traffic wash and it though only one Pinlock insert — another
rotational energy to the brain.” was only a 30mph-gusting headwind is £25. Changing the visor is a doddle –
that caused any problems — that was two metal twist-catches and it’s off…
THE REALITY when the weight became apparent. There has clearly been a lot of
Despite its aggressive looks and Ventilation is very good — with a development gone into the Atlas 4.0 and
form-over-function initial impression, caveat. The main chin double-grille vent it shows — it’s very good, though not
the Atlas 4.0 from Ruroc is actually a admits plenty of air but the switch for it quite perfect. JIM BLACKSTOCK
very nice helmet, though you do have to is inside the helmet — you have to reach
jump through a few hoops. First is the in to turn it off if it is too much. There is
ü Main vent
weight; on our scales, it measured 1883g permanent air from the slit grilles which control is inside
with the optional Shockwave intercom can be a little off-putting, particularly in the chin-bar
fitted (test to follow). The second is the shoulder checks and I found the top vent
sizing; opting for my usual Medium, to be pretty ineffective. The lower side




APPROVAL
The Atlas 4.0 meets the incoming
ECE22.06 standard, meaning it is
future-proof and provides protection for
rotational impacts. It features flexible
Rheon armour in the lining to reduce ü Magnetic
energy transmission to the brain
catch is novel
but works


























VENTING
Chin vents are effective
though the control switch is
inside the chin-bar, which can
be annoying. Side vents catch
you out sometimes and the tiny
top vent is largely ineffective




SIZING
The neck aperture is very
small compared with the fitted
size of the helmet once on. As
a result, getting your head in
can be a struggle — be careful
with ear-rings



74 SEPTEMBER 2022

UNDER £100


‘Quality from




the outset’


Richa Charlestone £369.99
www.nevis.uk.com
THE CLAIM “Authentic leather
jacket with a contemporary
look. Airtech Control System Oxford first-aid kit £14.99
for controllable ventilation at www.oxfordproducts.co.uk
key areas. Removable thermal THE CLAIM “Certified to DIN 13167-
lining and fixed mesh lining. 2014 standard, with hygienically
High-end cow leather with D3O sealed contents, it is ultra-compact
armour and back protector.” and fits under most bike seats.”
THE REALITY This jacket from THE REALITY Small enough to be
Richa feels heavyweight thanks to stowed away on a bike or in a
the thick cow hide but the leather locations. All the zips are YKK and rucksack, this has most of what you
is actually very soft and supple there are plenty of pockets, need to patch someone up in a crash
and it’s comfortable in use, both including five on the outside and — and more importantly, an easy-to-
on the bike and off. The thermal four inside. It’s a lovely fit, letting understand first-aid manual to help
gilet makes it warm for chilly you move around easily and it you do it properly. We should all
mornings but when removed, it is seems a real shame to take it out carry one — and learn to use it.
surprising light and airy with in summer and get it covered in
cooling air entering from various dead bugs…








‘Proper go-

anywhere Twiins Dual 5.0 headset
£59.99
tyres’ www.jsaccessories.co.uk

THE CLAIM “The Twiins HF2 DUAL
Metzeler Karoo 4 £300 5.0 Bluetooth Headset is designed
www.metzeler.com for calls, music, and navigation info.”
‘Stiff but THE REALITY This all-in-one headset

THE CLAIM “On the road, a stiffer is simple to fit but less so to use. Its
carcass promotes line-holding comfortable’ operating button is on the mic inside
and grip in lean. Scoop-shaped your helmet, so it’s easier if you use
blocks maximise the effect on Road City boots £49.99 your phone controls or your vocal
soft terrain.” www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk assistant. Sound quality is average
THE REALITY A proper 50/50 and volume is on the low side,
adventure tyre, these work very THE CLAIM “Stylish denim textile riding especially for motorway use.
well on RiDE’s Ténéré World Raid. shoes with reinforced areas, non-slip
Not quite as sweet-steering as sole and easy ingress loop.” Laser high-leverage pliers
the OE Pirelli Scorpion Rally THE REALITY Like the Road mesh gloves £32.93
STRs, they have more grip and we tried last month, these short boots www.toolconnection.co.uk
feel on tarmac than they look like are excellent value at less than £50 and THE CLAIM “These heavy-duty
they would. On the trail, they’re come with a full 1-2-2-2 CE rating, combination pliers feature a double
confidence inspiring; the extra indicating superior passes in all key high-leverage design which reduces
side-grip over OE means hitting areas. They have a denim-style finish effort by up to 60%.”
the side of a rut or soft sand isn’t and are fairly rigid with thin padding yet THE REALITY While £33 is dear,
an automatic crash and when they are comfortable when on and these are more than ordinary pliers.
they lose grip, it’s predictable. flexible enough for walking around as The design may reduce effort but it
well as on the bike. They are reassuring also means, for the same effort, you
and with the kind of feel you get from get more force at the jaws. They grip
boots costing much more than £50. like no pliers we have ever seen and
Sizing is odd though; I usually take EU44 there are wire cutters and long-nose
bike boots but had to go down to EU42 versions available as well.
for these. They are a Sportsbikeshop
exclusive however, so getting the right
size and returns are very easy.


SEPTEMBER 2022 75

RATED



4000-MILE TEST EXPOSURE




Unless you buy the (£15)
optional weather-resistant (not
proof) poncho, your phone will
be exposed to the conditions







MODULAR DESIGN
The Quad Lock system is based
on a menu of components; there
are cases for a huge range of
phones, bike mounts to suit most
machines and circumstances
and extras, such as a vibration
dampener and charging options


































PROPER METAL
Part of the reason the Quad
Lock system is expensive is
QUADLOCK PHONE MOUNT £148.80 it seems wherever possible,
proper metal, as opposed to
plastic, is used for longevity
www.quadlockcase.co.uk and security
‘ Expensive but






oh-so effective’






Phone mounting system keeps phone safe for


thousands of miles but doesn’t come cheap





THE CLAIM THE REALITY
THE FACTS ‘The Quad Lock® Handlebar, Mirror and £150-odd is a huge amount of money to
Fork Stem Mount Kits for Motorcycles
hold your smartphone on your bike but,
and Scooters are the most secure and if you use it for navigation, calls or music
USED BY Jim Blackstock convenient iPhone mounts available. over big miles, you may consider it a
USED FOR Two years, for year-round Featuring a dual chassis suspension sound investment to protect your phone.
riding in all weathers system with precision engineered for a while and is based on several key
The Quadlock system has been around
Pictures Jim Blackstock adventurers, retros 0 0 Dampener reduces over 90% of high components. The first is a case for your
USED ON Nakeds, sports tourers,
silicone grommets, the Vibration
0 4 0
smartphone, now barely thicker than a
frequency vibrations. The weatherproof
TOTAL
Wireless Charging Head replaces the
normal case and allowing my iPhone to
1
MILES
standard mount head so you can charge
charge on normal wireless chargers.
76 SEPTEMBER 2022 your device as you ride.’ Next is the bike mount; I chose a

p Quadlock system places TESTING IN
smartphone where you need it
PROGRESS


RiDE staffers on kit they’ve
been using recently

Forcefield Ex-K Harness
Adventure body armour £399
www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com
Forcefield’s top-of-the-range body
armour is one of the most protective
P Case is the first systems on the market and I’ve
step. Huge range
covers most phones found it to be flexible, comfortable
and able to be used in lots of
different situations. With CE Level-2
protectors for the back, chest,
shoulders and elbows, I got it for trail
riding but it gives so much
confidence I’ll remove the shoulders
and elbow protectors (easy) and use
it under textile jackets for road riding
and even under one-piece leathers.
Held securely to your body, the
ü Vibration dampener armour is effective and is more
comprises three breathable than you’d give it credit
silicone rubber for. It isn’t cheap but it undercuts
insulating posts
some airbag vests. MATT WILDEE

the mount, turn it 45° to lock it in place
and you’re good to go. You can swap
between the two orientations in a split
second and I have never had the
slightest concern over the phone’s
security. It is effective, simple to use and
is portable across other bikes or cars,
with stick-on bosses at £15 for two.

The wear and tear

Largely none. The rubber posts on the
vibration dampener don’t show any LS2 Explorer £239.99
P Green light indicates signs of deterioration and the release www.ls2helmets.com
phone is charging mechanism works as well today as it We liked the Explorer in the July
wirelessly
ever has done. issue, though its drop-down sun
visor isn’t the best. Just after we
handlebar mount, as you can position went to press it stopped dropping
the phone wherever you like but there down on one side and no amount of
are other mounts available, including SCORES force on the switch would move it,
mirrors, ball-mounts and fork stems. though I could move it by hand; it’s
Vibrations are bad news for iPhones, Build quality .......... 8 likely under-greased at the factory.
so Quadlock developed a vibration Performance ......... 8 Used off-road, especially with
damper that fits between the bike mount Ease of use .......... 9 goggles (so visor up) dust and grit
and the phone bracket, with three Value for money ....... 7 fowls the mech. If this happens, it’s
rubber posts separating the two and Confidence ........... 9 within warranty and returned to the
eliminating a huge amount of vibration. dealer it came from, LS2 will collect,
My phone’s camera remains in perfect Total score 41/50 service and return it. Which is what
fettle after two years. they did and it’s now working fine.
The third component here is the STEVE HERBERT-MATTICK
wireless charging head. Although The Quad Lock system is very
expensive, it’s neat and easy to use. easy to use yet keeps your phone
Sitting on top of the vibration dampener, secure and accessible. The full
it is wired to a supply on the bike via a set-up tested here isn’t cheap but
USB lead to keep the phone charged, you can reduce costs by
whenever it’s on the mount. eliminating the wireless charging
The beauty of this system is its head, for example. JIM BLACKSTOCK
simplicity; you offer your phone up to


77

RATED













Our product tests are
carried out by real bikers
with years of experience
and on real bikes and are
combined with empirical
testing developed and
carried out by qualified
engineers.




WHAT THE

TRIANGLES
MEAN


For more than two decades,
the RiDE Best Buy and
Recommended triangles have
stood for performance and
value for money.


















❯ ❯ 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 Best Buy and
Recommended triangles stand
for quality and value for money.
Look for them when shopping.




78 SEPTEMBER 2022

THE PRODUCT TEST







Two-piece










leathers











Two-piece leather suits offer all the protection of

a one-piece with added convenience


Words Jon Urry Pictures Jason Critchell




HEN IT COMES to abrasion where two-piece leathers come in.
and penetration- Offering virtually the same level of YOUR TESTER
resistance, nothing beats protection as a set of one-piece leathers
W leather. Ever since the yet far more comfortable to wear both
first motorcycles took to the roads, on and off the bike, a quality two-piece Jon Urry
bikers have relied upon animal hides to suit strikes an excellent balance Jon is on two wheels
keep them safe and sound. Even now, between safety and useability. And not whatever the weather
well over a century later, it is still the only that, as so many are available with all-year round. More a
choice for everyone from MotoGP riders knee-sliders already attached, they can two-piece man, he
to trackday fans and Sunday tourers. be used on trackdays if you so wish for only wears one-piece leathers for
However, where sportsbike fans like proper protection. trackdays.
to squeeze into a highly-protective We have dipped into the two-piece
one-piece suit, for many of us these just leathers market and dug up our favourite
aren’t a viable option. Tailored to allow six sets that all can take knee-sliders as p Full set of
you to be comfortable in a racing standard and can be zipped together. two-piece
leathers weighed
crouch, when you are off the bike and Priced from £529.98 to £1059.98, we
walking around, you have to adopt a put them head-to-head to see which
Quasimodo strut or key parts of the we would recommend you spend
anatomy end up squashed. This is your hard-earned money on.





How we tested them


❯ ❯ Fit All the suits were ordered ❯ ❯ Comfort Any features that safety levels, with


to fit a UK size 44 (EU 54) with directly affect rider comfort points awarded for a high CE concessions for road
the trousers for a 34-inch waist levels, such as the collar’s lining, rating on the suit, armour, if a use rather than track work.

so they should all fit the same cuff adjustment, armour, back protector is included and ❯ ❯ Ease of use An rating of how
and if any were uncomfortable, breathability, effectiveness of the any reinforcement in critical easy they are to get in and out of,
tight or ill-fitting, this was noted. vents, comfort when sitting on a impact areas. how the zips work, if the joining
We also assessed how the bike or walking around was noted ❯ ❯ Features A general zips are easy to access, all the

armour sat, if the stretch panels and assessed. assessment of any features such things that make day-to-day life
did their job and how effectively ❯ ❯ Confidence How confidence- as thermal liners, pockets, with the two-piece leather suit

the jacket’s adjustability worked. inspiring the suit is in terms of its waterproofing, etc that are far easier.






SEPTEMBER 2022 79

RATED THE RiDE PRODUCT TEST




What to



look for… FIT OPTIONS
Although jackets come in standard

In a set of two-piece leathers sizes, often jeans can be bought in a
variety of leg lengths, from short to
long. Getting the right size will stop
the jeans bunching up uncomfortably
ARMOUR behind your knee or being too tight
Where is the armour located and on the ankle as they try to rise up
what standard is it? Most two-piece
suits have armour in the shoulders,
elbows and knees as standard with
some having it in the hips and back
as well or as an option. Sometimes
it can be a combination of Level-1
and 2. For ultimate protection, can
you add chest armour?
ZIPS
YKK is the benchmark zip manufacturer
and a chunkier zip is easier to do up.
BACK PROTECTOR Look to see if there is a tag to assist
Some jackets have no back with locating the zip with a gloved hand
protector or a non-CE-approved and also inspect the quality of the zip.
one, so check that the pocket is Again, for trackdays, you want as solid
large enough to fit a CE-approved and secure a zip as possible
protector (Level-1 or 2), which
can often be bought separately
from the manufacturer
POCKETS
How many pockets are there
and where are they located?
Internal pockets are handy to
keep your phone close at hand
and safe but external pockets
should be easy to access


ATTACHMENT
The jacket should be able to be
zipped to a set of leather jeans. How
far does the zip extend around the
jeans and is there a stretch panel to
assist with comfort? If you plan on LINING
doing trackdays, ideally you want a Although leather trousers are unlikely
long metal zip to ensure the jacket to have a removable lining, check
and trousers stay together in the how comfortable the inbuilt lining
event of an accident. Is it easy to feels. If the jacket has a removable
access the zip with the jacket on? lining, check how securely it attaches
to the inside of the jacket; one that
pulls out easily is very annoying


KNEE-SLIDERS
If you are considering taking to the
track, buy a set of jeans with
sliders already attached. If you
don’t end up using them or don’t
like the look, it is far easier to
remove a slider from the jeans STRETCH PANELS
than attempt to attach a new Velcro Leather can be quite firm and
backing so they can accept sliders unforgiving, so stretch panels in
areas that require flexibility, such
as the shoulders and groin, will
make the suit far more comfortable
to wear both on and off the bike






CE APPROVAL
Like all motorcycle clothing, two-piece
leathers must be CE approved and rated.
Jackets and trousers will be awarded a
rating that is either A, AA or AAA; the
latter is the highest protective rating. The
armour will also be CE-certified to Level-1
or 2; Level-2 indicates a greater
protective capacity for absorbing and
dissipating impact forces



80 SEPTEMBER 2022

6 Spidi Rider 2 jacket and RR THE FACTS



Pro 2 jeans £384.99 (Jacket),
£359.99 (jeans)
FIT
www.spidiuk.com WORST Construction Cowhide
CE ratings Jkt AA, Jns AAA
Armour S, E, H & K (L1)
As the jeans carry a AAA rating and the jacket
is AA rated, it seems these two garments Back protector? N, L2
£104.99
aren’t necessarily designed specifically as a
two-piece suit but they will work together. Chest protector? N, L1 £52.99
Very tight fitting, the Pro jeans feel like the Sliders S, K
bottom half of a one-piece suit with tight ankle Removable lining? No
and hip fitment, meaning putting them on is a Weight Jkt 2.61kg, Jns 2.45kg
struggle as they are very snug on the legs. Pockets Jkt 2 ex 1 int, Jns 0
In contrast, the Rider jacket is quite loose Vents Jkt 2, Jns 0
fitting with a comfortable lining and Joining zip Long
reasonably easy connecting zip. Pleasingly,
there is a water-resistant coating on the jeans THE SCORES
and you can add a thermal inner or the P Separate garments
will join but feel
waterproof H2OUT (£82.99) layer under the mis-matched FIT
jacket, which are welcome touches.
On a bike, the jeans’ waist cuts slightly into p External TPU p Knee sliders on COMFORT
you (this varies depending on your waist size) shoulder armour Pro jeans were
and the lining is a bit scratchy while your adds protection distinct shape EASE OF USE
movement also feels quite restricted by the
tight thigh leather. Sadly, Spidi doesn’t offer CONFIDENCE
any variation in leg length sizes on the Pro
jeans, so longer-legged riders may want to try FEATURES
before they buy. That said, the jacket is very
pleasant to wear with a lovely feel.
Overall, they feel a bit mis-matched and the Total 36/50
jeans would be improved by more comfort
and room for movement.

5 Held Street 3 jacket and THE FACTS


Rocket 3 jeans £430.61
WORST
(jacket) £370.51 (jeans)
www.held.de CONFIDENCE Construction Cowhide
CE rating Jkt A, Jns A
A sporty-feeling combination but a Armour S, E, K L1
disappointing CE rating of just A on both the Back protector? N, L2 £35
jacket and jeans. Tight fitting, the jeans are Chest protector? N, L1 £42
quite low cut and sporty but once on are Sliders S
comfortable, though another disappointment Removable lining? N
is the lack of knee sliders as standard though Weight Jkt 2.66kg, Jns 2.28kg
the Velcro mounts are there. A great touch Pockets Jkt 1 ex 2 int, Jns 0
when connecting to the jacket is the option of Vents Jkt perforated, Jns 0
a short or long zip with the long zip made of Joining zip Short and long
chunky metal, adding a feeling of security. The
connection feels snug like a one-piece suit as
it pulls the two halves together tightly though.
Not everyone will like the jacket’s cuff, which P A nice fit but a CE THE SCORES
grips your wrists quite tightly with no rating of A hit FIT
adjustment (as do the ankles), but the confidence
neoprene finish makes them comfortable and p Cuffs - like the p Double-flap main COMFORT
it prevents chafing and keep draughts out. ankles - were tight zip allows cooling
Also the double-flap main zip may not appeal but draught-proof air in EASE OF USE
to all, although it acts as an effective front
air-vent, so is hard to fault. An overall feeling CONFIDENCE
of snugness makes the Held feel like a
one-piece to wear, just with a cut that is far FEATURES
easier to walk around in and the only
downside to comfort was the knee armour,
which pressed a bit and felt rough. Total 37/50
It’s a shame the Held has such a low CE
rating, as it is a nice suit to wear.


SEPTEMBER 2022 81

RATED THE RiDE PRODUCT TEST


4 Alpinestars ATEM V4 jacket THE FACTS



and Missile V3 jeans £639.99
(jacket) £419.99 (jeans)
www.alpinestars.com Construction 1.3mm bovine
CE rating Jkt AA, Jns AA
Armour S, E, H, K L1
The most expensive two-piece tested, it is
disappointing that the Astars offering only has Back protector? N, L2 £48.99
a AA rating. However, it is worth noting that Chest protector? N, L2 £26.99
the jeans are ready for Alpinestars’ Tech-Air Sliders S, E, K
10 Airbag system to be fitted in the jacket, Removable lining? N
which extends the airbag into the hip area. Weight Jkt 2.97kg, Jns 2.75kg
A great-looking suit if you like the race style Pockets Jkt 2 Ext 3 Int, Jns 1
(it has a hump and external armour), the Vents Jkt Perforated, Jns 2
jacket comes in a good range of colours and Joining zip Long
the jeans have various leg-length options. The
jeans don’t have much give in the waist, so the
fit is quite tight, but there are Velcro adjusters THE SCORES
on the waist and lots of stretch panels so P Alpinestars had a
definite race feel to
while sung, the fit isn’t uncomfortable. it, with back hump FIT
Although the joining zip is quite small, it isn’t
tricky to reach and connecting the suit doesn’t p Joining zip is small p Lots of external COMFORT
require too much contortion, and it is great to but it works and is armour for more of
see tags on most of the zips. That said, the easy to use a race feel EASE OF USE
jacket’s lining is a bit scratchy.
Both on and off the bike, the jeans were CONFIDENCE
comfortable with no restriction of movement
and very effective knee vents (they retain the FEATURES
CE rating even when open). However, the
jacket’s armour did push slightly on the back
of my elbows and the lining’s lack of Total 38/50
plushness means a base layer is
recommended to avoid unwanted scratching.

3 Furygan Raptor Evo 2 jacket THE FACTS


jeans £459.99 (jacket)
£319.99 (jeans)
www.furygan.com Construction 1.4mm leather
CE rating Jkt AAA, Jns AAA
With a AAA rating throughout, the only thing Armour S, E, H, K L1
we could score the Raptor down on in terms Back protector? N, L2 £39.99
of confidence was a lack of back protector as Chest protector? N, L1 £22
standard. However, a Level-2 item is only Sliders S, E, K
£40-odd extra. And the same is true of its Removable lining? Jkt
features, which aside from vents and pockets Weight Jkt 3.19kg, Jns 2.47kg
in the jeans, aren’t left wanting anywhere. Pockets Jkt 2 Ext 2 Int, Jns 0
Quite a high-waisted set of jeans, it is a Vents Jkt 2, Jns 0
shame that the waist fasteners at the fly are Joining zip Short and long
pop-studs only where some rivals have a pop
stud and one fixed clasp for added security.
However, once on, the leather feels supple
and comfortable. The knee armour moved P A nice suit though THE SCORES
around a bit on the pair we tested but it the sizing was FIT
wasn’t a huge issue. The jacket has a lovely slightly off
feel to it with a comfortable lining (both the p Zip-open vents in COMFORT
removable and fixed one) and chunky the upper chest of
connecting zips (short and long), although the the jacket EASE OF USE
long zip’s action is a bit sticky.
On the bike, the Raptor has quite a baggy fit, CONFIDENCE
something that can see the leather bunching
up uncomfortably behind your knees and also FEATURES
the jacket riding up, causing the collar to
press annoyingly on your throat. It’s a suit
combination you need to try on to get the right P Poppers only at Total 41/50
size for your body shape, rather than fly; a proper clasp
would be handy
assuming your current size will be ok.


82 SEPTEMBER 2022

2 RST TracTech Evo 4 jacket THE FACTS



and jeans £299.99 (jacket)
£229.99 (jeans)
www.rst-moto.com Construction Cowhide leather
CE rating Jkt AAA, Jns AAA
Armour S, E, B, K L1, H L2
You cannot fault the EVO 4 when you look at
its safety rating and price. And in terms of Back protector? Y, L1
features, the jacket and jeans are only left Chest protector? N/A
lacking vents (they have perforated leather) Sliders S, K
with the jacket containing a removable lining. Removable lining? Jacket
Cut quite baggily and with a lot of room, the Weight Jkt 3.33kg, Jns 2.8kg
RST leathers don’t look the most stylish due to Pockets Jkt 2 Ext 1 Int, Jns 2
this (the jeans are very baggy) but this also Vents Jkt Perforated, Jns 0
makes them unrestrictive to wear and Joining zip Long
therefore, comfortable despite the fairly
tough-feeling leather.
The connecting zip is a bit awkward (it pulls THE SCORES
P RST suit is a little
the jeans up nicely, which is a factor in this baggy but better when
feeling) and the lack of pop-studs on the waist zipped together FIT
is a nuisance as the solid plastic part of the
Velcro connector can push on your stomach p External armour COMFORT
when you are sat down. at the shoulders
On the road, the EVO works well but the helps protection EASE OF USE
leather collar is a touch stiff, pushing on your
neck, and the cuffs’ openings are quite wide, CONFIDENCE
allowing a draft in. Also the leather is fairly
unforgiving and certainly requires a bit of FEATURES
bedding in to improve its flexibility.
While the EVO 4 feels a bit old-school,
lacking finesse and arguably not that stylish, P Definite circuit Total 42/50
use intended with
in terms of value for money, it’s very hard to aero hump
fault and performs well in a road environment.




REV’IT! Combi Apex jacket
and jeans £899.99 THE FACTS

1 www.revitsport.com
Construction Cowhide
As the Combi is bought as a complete suit, CE rating Jkt AAA, Jns AAA
you need to size it as you would a one-piece Armour S, E, H, K L1
set of leathers, which may be an issue if you Back protector? N, L2 £44.99
are a bit top or bottom-heavy as you can’t mix Chest protector? N, L1 £29.99
and match as you can with the other two- Sliders S, K
piece suits tested. Removable lining? N
A very sporty suit (it even has room for a Weight Jkt 3.03kg, Jns 2.93kg
hydration pack in its hump) the Apex is also Pockets Jkt 0 Ext 3 Int, Jns 0
very well thought out for road or track riders. Vents Jkt perf, Jns perf
As well as AAA-rated throughout, the jeans Joining zip Long
have stretch panels all around their waist,
meaning they slip on and off easily and fit
perfectly and comfortably, while the calves
have ‘expansion zips’ to help fit. The long P Rev’It clearly THE SCORES
connector zip is metal, which is good to see, designed as an FIT
although it could do with a pull tab to help with integral suit
doing it up as it is awkward and stiff to use. p No external p Stretch panels COMFORT
The lack of external pockets on the jacket and pockets but enough under arms for
jeans is a nod to track riders and isn’t that inside jacket comfort and fit EASE OF USE
annoying as there are internal pockets in the
jacket for a phone. CONFIDENCE
On the road, the Apex is a very comfortable
suit though the cuffs are a touch wide with no FEATURES
adjustment, which can be a pain with some
gloves, allowing room for draughts to enter.
That said, overall (aside from the connecting Total 44/50
zip...) this suit is very hard to find fault with
and is a joy to wear.


SEPTEMBER 2022 83

RATED THE RiDE PRODUCT TEST





ü Two-piece leathers
offer protection and
convenience























‘As with all leathers,


prices are high but you


get what you pay for’









- TWO-PIECE LEATHERS -


THE VERDICT






Rev’It suit delivers on every level





Two-piece leathers deliver
the safety and style
attributes of a one-piece yet
with a higher degree of
practicality and comfort.
As with all leather
products, the prices are
fairly high but you get what
you pay for. Our top three
boast AAA CE-ratings and
each offers the option of
upgrading their armour levels
should you wish.
The REV’IT! Combi Apex
jacket-and-jeans suit scored Rev’It! Combi RST TracTech Furygan Raptor
the highest and deserves the Apex £899.99 Evo 4 £529.98 Evo 2 £779.98
Best Buy triangle, as it Although expensive, the Top protection with an A two-piece suit that
delivered on every level — Combi from Rev’It has all affordable price tag from feels well developed and
protection, comfort, style the safety attributes you the British brand, the Evo thought out, the leather is
and ease of use. A lovely set would expect in a 4 suit is a bit baggy fitting supple and the slightly
of leathers to wear, tour or one-piece suit with the and lacks a touch of style larger fit will suit a lot of
scratch in. comfort of two-piece. A but it is an impressive riders’ physiques.
The RST TracTech Evo 4 lovely suit to wear. product nonetheless. Airbag-insert ready too.
suit thoroughly deserves a
Recommended triangle as its
budget price is certainly not
reflected in the specification. suit also earns a Few points split the final
Arguably not the best looking Recommended award, as mainly down to CE protective NEXT MONTH...
three places and it was
due mainly to a baggy fit, it is both garments set the safety
hard to criticise. standards yet still felt plush ratings and fit as to where Sporty textile jackets ridden
The Furygan Raptor Evo and comfortable to wear. they eventually finished. and rated on the road


84 SEPTEMBER 2022

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RATED

RIDING EXPERIENCE RATED








IAM ROADSMART




MOTORCYCLE




SKILLS DAY





We try track-based advanced training THE LOCATION
They don’t do bike trackdays at
the infamous 2.4-mile Thruxton
designed to make you a better road rider circuit near Andover in
Hampshire, which makes the IAM
Words Gareth Evans Pictures Adam Shorrock Skills Days a real treat. It’s the
fastest track in the UK
HERE ARE ONLY two ways of careful observation, early anticipation and
riding a motorbike on Thruxton planning and systematic use of the
these days: on an IAM Skills Day, vehicle’s controls to achieve maximum
T or taking part in a British vehicle stability’
Superbikes race. I’d booked onto the .
former, because I’m hardly a BSB-spec What to expect
rider. In fact, having only passed my test in The initial briefing set out the day’s
September 2019, I thought the road- itinerary; we’d do a classroom session for
focused training on offer sounded ideal. 20 minutes, followed by the same amount
This is what the IAM offers on its Skills of time on the circuit practising what we’d
Day, which teaches you about riding a bike learned, and then completing the hour
safely on the road, but without any of the with some downtime to think, absorb and
dangers or distractions, because they’re discuss. We were guaranteed we would all
held on racetracks. This means you’re free go home with more skills than we arrived
to explore the limits of your bike’s with and were told the focus of the day
acceleration, braking and cornering would be smoothness and precision.
without worrying that someone’s going to
pull out of a junction and spanner you.
The day is structured around a syllabus
from the well-known book Motorcycle
Roadcraft: the Police Rider’s Handbook.
Specifically, the sessions were aligned to
the acronym IPSGA — Information,
Position, Speed, Gears and Acceleration — a
process known as the ‘Planned System of ü Road speeds so
Driving’ that the IAM teaches ‘to promote jeans and riding
sneakers just about
acceptable


THE GUIDE
Del spent 38 years in the
forces, with over 300
parachute jumps to his name,
before deciding to learn the art
of motorcycling and becoming
an instructor with the IAM

THE FACTS



What is it? Track-
based training to
improve road-
riding skills.
Cost? £165.
What’s included? Full day of
tuition in groups of no more
than four learners to one instructor.
Six track sessions during the day plus
classroom learning .
Where is it? Thruxton, Mallory Park,
Croft or Blyton Park.
Where can I stay? I was in White
Horse Inn, Wiremead Lane, Mullends
Pond, Andover, SP11 8EE.
Duration? One day.
Do I need my own bike? Yes.
Contact www.iamroadsmart.com/
events/skills-days




















































THE RIDER
Gareth’s been riding since
September 2019 and is trying to
ride on all the circuits BSB race on
during 2022 on his Yamaha R7. He’s
no stranger to tracks, having spent
a lot of time on four wheels racing
when he was younger


















SEPTEMBER 2022 87

RATED







It was explained that the format would be ü Loose arms
a ducks-and-drakes arrangement behind are relaxed
the instructor for the sighting lap, followed arms... and
rider...
by each rider in our ‘team’ of four
demonstrating what they’d learned in front
of the instructor. On the start/finish straight p Each session
the leader peeled off and someone else started with a
briefing of the
took their place, so we all got feedback skills to be
when we returned to the assembly area. learned
There were three levels of tuition based
on confidence and ability; I picked the
middle. We were led outside to meet our
instructors and it was then that I met Del,
our friendly ex-Parachute Regiment carrying out each manoeuvre separately to
trainer, who (as you can probably imagine) ensure the bike remains stable. We learned
exuded a quiet confidence that set our about body position, weight transfer and
group immediately at ease. Most of the its impact on the tyre’s contact patch.
instructors had a background in the Police As the sessions flew by, it was clear this
or forces, and I found this to be reassuring. day was being run with military-grade
We headed out for our sighting laps. precision. Timeframes were tight to ensure
The old airfield is a wonderful place to be everyone got the circuit time they were
riding motorcycles — wide, open and fast take on learning from lots of different expecting but this was administered in a
— potentially faster than you’d go on the sources. However, some of it can be friendly way. The afternoon sessions
road of course but allowing you to put your contradictory. Although metered out loosened up a bit, doing away with the
skills into practice without having to worry constructively, I was disappointed to hear line-astern format for the final two. They
about other cars, junctions and the white my arms were too straight and my head introduced safe overtaking, using only the
noise of road riding. Today was about was tilted too far over when cornering. first third of the straights after corners.
improving skills, pure and simple. I can see their point about the arms. Naturally this sped things up but, given
Straight away I was getting feedback. It’s Having them too straight is bad for a the way the syllabus had been applied, it
always hard as a new rider — I love biking number of reasons; firstly it makes it didn’t ever feel risky. Everyone was simply
and I’m desperate to improve my skills, so harder to steer the bike as you lack riding to their own limits, overtaking with
leverage. Secondly, this would affect an courtesy and keeping out of each other’s
emergency situation, the process of having way. In fact, it was only when grabbing an
ü One of only two ways
stiff, straight arms makes your entire body additional gear through Goodwood Corner
to ride round Thruxton
stiff, too. Just concentrating on having that I realised not only was I smoother than
loose, bent arms when you steer makes a before, but I was quicker too.
bike feel lighter and more responsive. During the day, novices like me were
Each of the six sessions was an eye- encouraged to join the charity and
opener, with every one dedicated to a new complete the full Advanced Rider course,
technique and you can’t help but pick up and take advantage of the social aspects of
skills. The learning progressed through use the IAM as well as the tuition. Maybe that’s
of full throttle and hard braking, then on to a lifestyle leap too far at this point in my
selecting a responsive gear, focusing on biking life but I can understand the appeal.





We’ve done it too!


RiDE readers share their experience of the IAM RoadSmart skills day





‘I learned so much — ‘I had no idea my bike ‘A good course to do
and no pressure!’ could do any of that’ every year’

SUE REED, 58, TREVOR JOLLEY, 57, SAV , 54,
Triumph Tiger 900 BMW R1250GS BMW R1200RT


“It was fantastic. I started “I had no idea [my bike] “I have had an absolutely
off a little apprehensive but could do what I’ve just great day. I’ve done these
as the day’s gone on, I’ve really enjoyed it done with it. It’s been really, really clever. sort of courses before, so I had a fairly
and learned so much. There’s been no Del has been amazing with his patience good idea of what to expect. While I’ve
pressure to speed up, for example. and his critique isn’t over the top. He done a lot of training over the years, I
Everybody’s been so kind, very friendly notices stuff and he just points that out fouind this is a really good one to keep
and it’s been very well organised. I have and you try it, and he’s bob-on every refreshing every year or so. This is my
thoroughly enjoyed the whole course.” single time. I’ve come on a lot.” third one so far...”




88 SEPTEMBER 2022

ü Lack of other road
traffic means you can
really concentrate on
your riding




THREE


THINGS I



LEARNED…




Circuits for safety
There are huge advantages to learning road
1 craft in a sterile environment like a race
track. It offers a chance to push harder than you
would on a public road, learn your bike’s limits, and
practice with repeatability so the lessons sink in.
Riding the 130-ish miles home afterwards was a
joy, as I found I wasn’t thinking about things like
body positioning as much — it all felt more natural.
I’m also more confident in my brakes, having given
them a VERY good squeeze on track but also
learning to apply them more smoothly while riding.

A diverse day out p It wasn’t just

I’d worried my sports bike might be sportsbikes on the
2 somewhat unusual in this scenario but day but every kind of
there were Fireblades, Panigales and more, parked bike... and rider
alongside tourers like the ubiquitous BMW
R1250RT and adventure bikes like Triumph’s Tiger
900. There were bikes of nearly every type and the
people were just as diverse, with a wide range of
backgrounds, ages and abilities. The only things
everybody I met had in common were a thirst to
learn and a friendly, ego-free demeanour, and
those two things really added to the day.



Thrilling Thruxton
I’m no stranger to a racing circuit but this
3 one’s truly special; particularly on an R7
with only 72bhp and lithe handling. A few of the
corners require no brakes at all once you’re up to
speed and feeling confident — simply roll off and tip
in. It’s also very well sighted with hardly any
elevation change, so you can spot an apex and p Thruxton is the
commit to it. I left feeling in absolute awe of the UK’s fastest circuit
BSB riders racing there on really fast machinery.
That must be a serious assault on the senses… THE SCORES

Value for money . . . . . . . . . . 9
Enjoyment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Organisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10


Total score 26/30




As a training day in its own right, I
learned a lot that was directly
transferable to my road riding —
I’m more confident in my bike’s
ability to manoeuvre me out of
trouble. I’ve chalked it up as a very
valuable exercise that costs less
than your average trackday.
GARETH EVANS




SEPTEMBER 2022 89

RATED





THE YEAR’S






BEST KIT NOVEMBER 2021


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Here is what we’ve found that works www.gedoretools.co.uk

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AUGUST 2021 Siegen S0912 £88.14
SUMMER www.sealey.co.uk


BASELAYERS No overall winner as three sets each
did a great job but in different ways.


Knox Dry Inside £89.98 (pair)
www.planet-knox.com DECEMBER 2021
Soft and silky with a loose, against- SINGLE-LAYER
the-skin design, comfortable on the
bike and felt like they dissipated RIDING JEANS
moisture very well indeed.
Knox Shield £249.99
RECOMMENDED www.planet-knox.com
Forcefield Tech 2 £119.98 (pair)
Bull-It Tactical Icon £139.99
www.bull-it.com
SEPTEMBER 2021 As the winning products are no longer
SUB-£200 available, these two are Recommended


SPORTY BOOTS options. The Knox gave the best
protection in the test while the Bull-Its
also did well with a lower price and
TCX RT-Race £199.99 Level-2 armour.
www.nevis.uk.com
A boot that is at home on the circuit
and the road; great fit, comfort and
feel with protection and confidence.

RECOMMENDED
Spada Curve Evo £119.99
Prices and availability correct at time of testing. Check online for latest actual prices






JANUARY 2022
CHAIN
OCTOBER 2021
BUDGET CLEANERS

TEXTILE SUITS Oxford Products

Chain Cleaner £8.99
Oxford Montreal 4.0 suit www.oxfordproducts.com
£289.98

www.oxfordproducts.com Well priced, effective and
simple to use, Oxford
Packed with features, stylish to wear Products’ chain cleaner
and less than £300, the fourth-gen did exactly what was asked
Montreal deserves the Best Buy. of it. And it smelled nice too.

RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDED

Richa Phantom 2 J/Colorado T £339.98 WD-40 Motorbike Chain Cleaner £8.49
Weise Core £244.98 Sportsbikeshop Chain Cleaner £4.99


90 SEPTEMBER 2022

WHAT THE product has been tested and found to triangle means a product has done an
A RiDE Best Buy award means that a
A RiDE magazine Recommended
TRIANGLES MEAN excel in its field, while offering outstanding job at a higher price or an
exceptional value for money.
acceptable job at a much lower price.















FEBRUARY 2022 APRIL 2022
SUB-£100 BLUETOOTH

WINTER GLOVES HEADSETS



Richa Ice Polar JULY 2022
GTX Gloves £99.99 Cardo Spirit HD £130 FLIP-FRONT

www.nevis.uk.com www.cardosystems.com
Across the board, the Ice Polars Excellent sound quality and the ability HELMETS
performed very well and their to carry it to high-enough volume for
waterproofing was excellent. A great the road make this a great unit. It is Shoei Neotec II
option for winter riding that won’t also excellent value and easy to use. £529.99 - £619.99
disappoint in any area. www.shoeiassured.co.uk
RECOMMENDED A consistent performer that is hard to
RECOMMENDED Sena 5S £149 fault. It is comfortable, has all the

Weise Montana 150 £99.99 features you would expect and simply
works exactly as it should.
*pair, inc adaptors

MARCH 2022 RECOMMENDED
ADVENTURE- AGV SportModular £599.99 - £649.99
HJC RPHA 90S £419.99 - £519.99
TOURING SUITS


Rev’It! Sand 4 H2O £779.98 AUGUST 2022
www.revitsport.com/en/
MAY 2022 T-HANDLE

A well-considered suit with all the PADDOCK
features you would expect for rugged HEX-KEYS
trail riding yet is still comfortable for STANDS
tarmac use. Worth paying the extra for. Draper Expert 33873
Oxford Zero-G £215.97* £18.49 (list) £16.06 (online)
RECOMMENDED www.oxfordproducts.com www.drapertools.com (www.toolden.co.uk)

RST Pro Series Adventure-X £519.98
Easy-to-use stands that make lifting A well thought-out set of keys, with
a bike effortless with touches to large handles that are comfy and
ensure once in the air, your pride seem to have good strength and
and joy is held there safely. hardness. Online savings but less
than £20 even at list.
RECOMMENDED
R&G Elevation £203.96* RECOMMENDED
Harris Performance £247.20* Teng TTHex7 £31.89 (online)




JUNE 2022
SNEAKER-STYLE BOOTS



Spada Striders £69.99
www.spadaclothing.co.uk

Genuine trainer-like look and feel,
comfortable and a great fit.
Confidence-inspiring with good
protection and the highest-possible
CE rating for short boots.

RECOMMENDED

TCX Street 3s £149.99
DXR Bernies £64.99


SEPTEMBER 2022 91

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RIDE FOR JUST
£4 A MONTH!

BUYING GUIDE See page 55 and 107
for details
96 BMW S1000RR
How to buy a brilliant sportsbike


LONG-TERM TESTS

100 What we learned
1000 miles on Ténéré World Raid

102 The others
KTM 890 and RE Interceptor





































100




On and off-road

with the long-


HIGH-MILE distance Ténéré
HEROES

106 Yamaha XJR1300 SP

90,000-mile global traveller


SEPTEMBER 2022 95

GARAGE USED BIKES





SWITCHGEAR
USED BUYING GUIDE around 2010-11 after the change to a
A known trouble area on nearly all BMWs

more conventional layout in 2009. Both
switch blocks have been known to fail
with many replaced under warranty.
Although almost certainly fixed by now,
give the switchgear a careful inspection
and ensure all the buttons work

2010-2018 | £7250-12,500 | 184-186mph | 190-199bhp



BMW









S1000RR










How BMW’s first true superbike

revolutionized the category — and

why it’s a superb used buy today









RRIVING IN SHOWROOMS in
2010, the original S1000RR
was BMW’s first true
A superbike — and it caused
such a sensation that it changed the
brand’s image forever.
More powerful than all rivals, featuring
pioneering electronics and quirky,
asymmetric looks, the S1000RR stood
out immediately. But it also featured
pioneering, relatively roomy real-world
ergonomics, optional heated grips and,
by 2015, semi-active suspension and
cruise control. This made it a usable
road bike, albeit an explosive, fast one.
The very first bikes weren’t immune to
problems however, though nearly all
were sorted for the thoroughly updated
2012 model. There were further
refinements for the 2015, Euro4 machine
Words Phil West Pictures Jason Critchell, Bauer Archive
which in turn was replaced by an
all-new RR in 2019. Being a BMW, spec
levels can vary significantly.
But although now superseded, BMW’s
original superbike retains a potency,
almost timeless allure and devoted
following that few other sportsbikes of
its era can match. If you want blistering
performance yet tolerable road BRAKES
manners, European cache but decent Big Brembos generally aren’t a problem
durability and the spec options only a but check for excessive disc bluing
BMW can offer, the RR makes a brilliant which may indicate track use and
used buy. Here’s how to find the right ensure they aren’t warped. ABS Pro
one for you… impressively integrates with the four
riding modes — Rain, Sport, Race and
Slick — to improve braking accordingly
96 SEPTEMBER 2022

ENGINE
RR’s all-new four had biggest bore and
shortest stroke (80.0mm x 49.7mm) in its WHAT TO PAY
class when launched, meaning
stratospheric revs and power. However,
it is generally reliable especially if Dealer Private
serviced correctly and all recalls done, 2010 £7950 £7250
with almost all applying to Gen1 bikes.
There was a fuel-pump issue in 2010 and 2011 £8400 £8000
one for big-end bolts in 2011 COMFORT 2012 £8750 £8350
The RR’s riding position is roomier and 2013 £9250 £8750
more relaxed than most sportsbikes, and
particularly its Yamaha R1 and Kawasaki 2014 £9750 £9000
ZX-10R rivals, while later versions also 2015 £10,250 £9250
had cruise control and heated grips as 2016 £10,500 £9500
options. A taller comfort seat and screen
were also available from BMW, as was a 2017 £11,500 £10,500
range of bespoke soft luggage 2018 £12,500 £11,500





WHAT IT’LL


COST TO RUN



HOW MUCH TO INSURE?


£291.50 £338.57


Fully comp, TPF&T,
£450 excess £550 excess

2013 model worth £8000. 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 is 4000 miles. Quote as of May 2022
HOW FAR ON A TANK?

MPG Range to Range to
fuel light empty
Average 43 140 miles 166 miles

HOW MUCH TO SERVICE IT?

600 miles/first service Oil and filter
change. £142.
Annual service As first service. £142
plus brake fluid change every other year.
6000-mile service Similar to above.
£158.50.
12,000-mile service Similar to above
plus air filter change. £175.67.
Major service/every 18,000 miles As
6000/12,000 plus valve check, plugs
change and fork-oil change. £482.

WHAT IF I DROP IT?

R/H mirror ...................£76.50
Front brake lever ..............£78.50
RHS tank panel .............. £53.50 All prices inc VAT from BMW Motorrad UK
Indicator .................... £37.70
Footpeg .....................£75.00

GEARBOX Silencer (inc gaskets) ........ £860.00
The biggest worry on first-generation COSMETICS/DAMAGE RHS handlebar ...............£194.00
bikes, with sometimes weak gears and There are no particularly worrisome RHS engine cover ............ £82.50
dogs resulting in excessive wear, poor areas but as more than a few RRs have
engagement and occasionally been on track, check carefully for any
catastrophic failure, most commonly on damage and be suspicious of any frame
raced or trackday bikes. All should have or swingarm protectors. Conventional
been fixed under warranty and it’s not an crash bobbins, radiator protectors etc,
issue on later bikes. Quickshifter/blipper however, are welcome as long as decent
from 2015 model quality and correctly fitted
SEPTEMBER 2022 97

GARAGE USED BIKES Earlier-bike

switchgear can be
problematic

We own one!


RiDE readers’ highs and THE FACTS
lows of owning an S1000RR
BMW S1000RR (2013 model)

Engine 999cc DOHC inline four, 4v per
‘As easy as a 600 but cyl, l/c
with added attitude” Transmission Six-speed, chain

JONATHAN Power 193bhp @ 13,000rpm (claimed) WHICH SPEC/OPTIONS?
The first (2010) RR is basic, with three modes
SHIPLEY, 50 Torque 83lb·ft @ 9750rpm (claimed) and ABS. The lean-sensitive electronics (Race
2013 BMW S1000RR Fuel capacity 17.5 litres ABS, Dynamic Traction Control) came in with
MILEAGE 30,000 Seat height 820mm the later Sport version which also gained a
quickshifter. Cruise control was always an
Wheelbase 1422.7mm optional extra as were heated grips, the latter
“I’d previously had a Honda CBR only becoming available with the 2012 model.
600RR and Yamaha R6. I wanted to Kerb weight 204kg None of these are retro-fittable. Electronic
step up from 600s and considered a Rider aids Riding modes, traction semi-active suspension became an
big-bang R1 but it wasn’t as good control, ABS (more on later/different option from 2015. Further extras were
available as bolt-ons, via either
spec. The only faults have been models) BMW’s HP range or aftermarket
overheating in traffic — BMW say it’s
common — and limp mode twice in
the wet. I don’t think I’d change
anything as it’s pretty high spec. I’d
definitely buy again and recommend
it. I find it as easy as my previous
600s but with added attitude.”





















‘It’s everything I
hoped it would be!’

TONY KNIGHT, 49
2010 BMW S1000RR
MILEAGE 12,400


“I got it in September
2019 after a GSX-R750 SRAD. I’ve
added about 7000 miles since and
with my height (I’m 6ft) it fits me
perfectly and is so easy to ride. That
said, the screen is a bit low. Nothing’s The best alternatives
gone wrong and the only thing I’d
change is the hideous cat — I’ll be
changing to a full Akra system. I’d
absolutely recommend it: It’s a
cracking bike, more than enough for
any sportsbike rider and everything I
hoped it would be!”



2011-2015 Kawasaki ZX-10R 2009-2014 Yamaha YZF-R1
197bhp 83lb·ft 198kg 179bhp 85lb·ft 206kg
The first Japanese superbike to respond, the The first Crossplane crank, ‘big-bang’ R1 sounds
fourth-generation Ninja boasted a screaming top and goes like nothing else, making up for an
end, plenty of electronics, a compact, average top end with searing midrange drive.
track-focussed attitude and WSB success. But it lacked electronics and now looks dated.




98 SEPTEMBER 2022

THANKS
Thanks to Superbike Factory for use
of its BMW S1000RR and facilities.
www.superbikefactory.co.uk

WHICH MODEL?
After the first RRs, a Sport version
Look for an RR that
with extra electronics (ABS, DTC,
has been looked-after,
Gearshift assist) came later that not trashed on-track
year. An updated model arrived in
2012 with a new tail unit and higher
swingarm pivot but the engine was
significantly refined; smoother
with added grunt and improved
Stock screen can electronics. Chassis geometry was
be a bit low for revised, new suspension internals
taller riders improved ride and a ten-way
steering damper added. The 2015
model had 6bhp extra, asymmetric
face reversed, new electronics
(optional autoblipper and
semi-active suspension) and
Euro4 compliance. Replaced by
all-new, ShiftCam RR in 2019





What to look for


on the test ride



As with most bikes, be sure particular attention on older
to check out exactly which bikes to the right switch
model and spec of RR you’re block, although it’s likely to
looking at before riding and have been changed by now.
whether all servicing/recalls Warped and blued discs
have been done correctly. aren’t uncommon and can be
It’s also worth doing a a clue to track use. Gear-
thorough check to inspect for changes should be positive
track use and also to assess and clean. Riding positions
the desirability and fit of any are often customised with
extras — virtually no two RRs aftermarket seats, levers,
are the same, but ones loaded pegs, screen and clip-ons so
with factory options and be sure it’s what you want.
official extras add value. Also There’s a big choice of RRs
gauge when the next major out there, so examine its
service is due — valve-check condition and history closely;
services can be expensive. a pampered, loaded
On the move, check, ‘gentleman’s express’ is far
obviously, that everything more desirable than a tired
works correctly, paying and thrashed track refugee.










Three ways to make it better The S1000RR was a


gamechanger, bringing
p Michelin Power p BMW raised BMW kudos, power
5 tyres £350 pair comfort seat £265 and pioneering
The winner of our sporty Although roomier than most electronics to the
rubber test, these are supreme rivals, taller riders in particular class. Early models can seem a bit raw
on the road and work very well recommend BM’s own raised but later models have sophistication
on the track too. Quick P Akrapovic carbon ‘Comfort’ seat which is 20mm that’s still up with the best today.
steering and loads of feel suit silencer, complete taller than standard (so
the BMW perfectly. stainless system £1619 840mm). Double-bubble WHAT’S GOOD?
www.michelin.co.uk Aftermarket cans or de-cat screens are also common. Power, sophisticated electronics,
systems are almost bmw.europe-moto.com real-world usability, BMW badge and
compulsory with Akra’ and spec options
Arrow top of the wish lists.
www.performanceparts-ltd. NOT SO GOOD...
com Some first-gen niggles, divisive looks,
high purchase prices and service costs


SEPTEMBER 2022 99

GARAGE LONG-TERM TEST BIKES




2022 YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ 700 WORLD RAID




What we’ve







learned after







1058 miles









How does Yamaha’s new long-range

adventurer stack up in the real world?









AFTER THREE YEARS of
sales success and road-test
plaudits, Yamaha has
launched a new, upgraded
Ténéré. With upgraded
running gear and larger, long-distance THE FACTS
fuel tanks, it’s designed to be better
off-road but, at the same time, be able £11,800
to clock up to a claimed 300 miles in a
single filling. 72bhp 220kg
Obviously, with a higher level of MILES THIS MONTH
goodies comes 16kg of extra weight and
it also comes at a higher price as well. 1058
The £11,800 of the top-spec Ténéré is
the same territory as BMW’s F850 GS MPG THIS MONTH
Adventure and KTM’s 890 Adventure 50.1
range. But is it worth the money? This is
what we’ve found out so far…




It’s a decent
distance bike
1 e already knew how good
W
the stock T7 was as a road bike
but, despite an off-road bias, the
World Raid takes that to another
level on tarmac. There is a much
better ride and wind protection
and 50% more range. It is more
supple over bumps and better
over distance, thanks to a 15mm
taller screen which works well
with both full-face and peaky lids
and those wider tanks, which
take the blast and wet off your
knees in bad weather. The seat’s
OK, too. Smashing out a 200-mile
journey is easy. No back-ache,
no bum-ache, no cramp.






100 SEPTEMBER 2022