ride

JUNE 2012 |

S U B S C R I B E T O R i D E

GET YOUR MAG EARLYClaim your Adventure Motorcycling

Routes book and get RiDE delivered

to your door every month. See page

28 for details of how to subscribe

I N T H I S I S S U E O N T H E C O V E R

W E L C O M E

ColiN ovErlaNd

EDitoR

Check out our great new back section, which packs a huge amount of useful info into just a few pages. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a

bike, choosing some new kit, planning a big adventure or wanting to brush up your DIY or riding skills, there’s a load of handy advice tucked away after the classified ads.

It replaces our hugely successful essential Motorcycle touring Guide, which occupied the back section through the winter and is now taking a rest. the idea is that we published those detailed routes at a time of year when you’d be planning your big trip for 2012 – and now’s

the time when you’re off enjoying that trip. the touring guide will be back later in

the year.the other stand-out feature in this issue

is our investigation into the complex challenges faced by any woman who rides a bike and wants to be properly kitted out. We’ve barely scratched the surface in this story – it’s a subject we’ll be returning to soon, with your help.

News + Views PLuS win a Nurburgring long weeked

Your Bikes 18

Letters 24

the riDe clinic 26

Subscribe to riDe 28

REAL-WoRLD ADVENtURE SPECiAL

Get your GS dirty 30

Six routes to the Millau Bridge 40

touring on a sportsbike 48

how to be ready for anything 52

Women bikers’ kit secrets 54

ce-approved textile suits 60

Mesh summer jackets 62

New riDer 68

Ducati SS used buying guide 70

Britain’s most satisfied owners 74

the riDe economy challenge 78

First ride: new Moto Guzzi V7 80

2012 BMW GS range 82

old vs new BMW S1000rr 84

First ride: BMW c600 Sport and c650 Gt

First ride: Aprilia SrV850 90

New Avon and Bridgestone tyres 92

New kit 99

essential Bikes 112

essential kit 117

essential riding Skills 124

essential Workshop 126

essential Adventure Biking 128

www.facebook.com/riDeMagazine

86 74Essential contactsWant to get in touch with us? riDe, Media house, Lynchwood, Peterborough Pe2 6eAtel: 01733 468 000 Fax: 01733 468 290Email: [email protected] to subscribe? call 0845 601 2672 or go to www.greatmagazines.co.uk/rideWant to advertise? call 01733 468892Got an editorial enquiry? call 01733 468081Can’t find RiDE in the shops? call 01733 555161Need a back issue? call 0845 601 1356 (uk) or 0044 1858 438828 (overseas)

JUNE 2012 |

S U B S C R I B E T O R i D E

GET YOUR MAG EARLYClaim your Adventure Motorcycling

Routes book and get RiDE delivered

to your door every month. See page

28 for details of how to subscribe

I N T H I S I S S U E O N T H E C O V E R

W E L C O M E

ColiN ovErlaNd

EDitoR

Check out our great new back section, which packs a huge amount of useful info into just a few pages. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a

bike, choosing some new kit, planning a big adventure or wanting to brush up your DIY or riding skills, there’s a load of handy advice tucked away after the classified ads.

It replaces our hugely successful essential Motorcycle touring Guide, which occupied the back section through the winter and is now taking a rest. the idea is that we published those detailed routes at a time of year when you’d be planning your big trip for 2012 – and now’s

the time when you’re off enjoying that trip. the touring guide will be back later in

the year.the other stand-out feature in this issue

is our investigation into the complex challenges faced by any woman who rides a bike and wants to be properly kitted out. We’ve barely scratched the surface in this story – it’s a subject we’ll be returning to soon, with your help.

News + Views PLuS win a Nurburgring long weeked

Your Bikes 18

Letters 24

the riDe clinic 26

Subscribe to riDe 28

REAL-WoRLD ADVENtURE SPECiAL

Get your GS dirty 30

Six routes to the Millau Bridge 40

touring on a sportsbike 48

how to be ready for anything 52

Women bikers’ kit secrets 54

ce-approved textile suits 60

Mesh summer jackets 62

New riDer 68

Ducati SS used buying guide 70

Britain’s most satisfied owners 74

the riDe economy challenge 78

First ride: new Moto Guzzi V7 80

2012 BMW GS range 82

old vs new BMW S1000rr 84

First ride: BMW c600 Sport and c650 Gt

First ride: Aprilia SrV850 90

New Avon and Bridgestone tyres 92

New kit 99

essential Bikes 112

essential kit 117

essential riding Skills 124

essential Workshop 126

essential Adventure Biking 128

www.facebook.com/riDeMagazine

86 74Essential contactsWant to get in touch with us? riDe, Media house, Lynchwood, Peterborough Pe2 6eAtel: 01733 468 000 Fax: 01733 468 290Email: [email protected] to subscribe? call 0845 601 2672 or go to www.greatmagazines.co.uk/rideWant to advertise? call 01733 468892Got an editorial enquiry? call 01733 468081Can’t find RiDE in the shops? call 01733 555161Need a back issue? call 0845 601 1356 (uk) or 0044 1858 438828 (overseas)

18 JUNE 2012 |

This bike was shown at the

NEC in 2006 and went into

storage for four years. I bought it last

year and I’ve done a bit to bling it up

– Gaz Hirst

My 1994 Honda CB500 fully

loaded in Jersey en route to

France for an awesome tour of

Western Europe – Nathan Sweeney

My 1997 Suzuki GSX-R750

SRAD at Silverstone where I

had just stopped for a breather on a

ride out – Redley

Me with my lovely new Yamaha

XJ6S Diversion having just

passed my Direct Access in Newport

on the Isle of Wight – Carrie Croft

Me and my mates Sully and

Silky out on a Sunday

afternoon ride-out on Captain 125s in

Kenya – Phil Rowland

My Suzuki RF900 cooling

down after ‘making progress’

from Coventry to Portland Bill in very

good time – Colin HarrisonMy Ducati ST3 at Goathland

which was used in the TV

series Heartbeat as the fictional

village of Aidensfield – Steve Gregan

My brand new 12-plate Suzuki

GSX1250FA ST ridden home

on March 1, ready for Europe in May

and August – Richard Ryan

Me on my Yamaha R1 and

my partner Sonje on her

Ducati Monster at Barmouth. This

was her first long ride out in nice

weather since passing her Direct

Access. We spent all day on the

fantastic North Wales roads, and

didn’t return home to Cheshire

until dark – Charlie Valentine

18 JUNE 2012 |

This bike was shown at the

NEC in 2006 and went into

storage for four years. I bought it last

year and I’ve done a bit to bling it up

– Gaz Hirst

My 1994 Honda CB500 fully

loaded in Jersey en route to

France for an awesome tour of

Western Europe – Nathan Sweeney

My 1997 Suzuki GSX-R750

SRAD at Silverstone where I

had just stopped for a breather on a

ride out – Redley

Me with my lovely new Yamaha

XJ6S Diversion having just

passed my Direct Access in Newport

on the Isle of Wight – Carrie Croft

Me and my mates Sully and

Silky out on a Sunday

afternoon ride-out on Captain 125s in

Kenya – Phil Rowland

My Suzuki RF900 cooling

down after ‘making progress’

from Coventry to Portland Bill in very

good time – Colin HarrisonMy Ducati ST3 at Goathland

which was used in the TV

series Heartbeat as the fictional

village of Aidensfield – Steve Gregan

My brand new 12-plate Suzuki

GSX1250FA ST ridden home

on March 1, ready for Europe in May

and August – Richard Ryan

Me on my Yamaha R1 and

my partner Sonje on her

Ducati Monster at Barmouth. This

was her first long ride out in nice

weather since passing her Direct

Access. We spent all day on the

fantastic North Wales roads, and

didn’t return home to Cheshire

until dark – Charlie Valentine

| JUNE 2012

R E A L W O R L D A D V E N T U R E S P E C I A L

The besT week off you’ve

ever hadWhat are your options if you’ve got a few days to

yourself: maybe a new route around France (p40)

or a blast through Spain (p48), or how about getting

your adventure bike dirty without leaving the UK?Words Rob Hoyles Pictures Mark Manning

JUNE 2012 |

| JUNE 2012

The besT week off you’ve

ever hadWhat are your options if you’ve got a few days to

yourself: maybe a new route around France (p40)

or a blast through Spain (p48), or how about getting

your adventure bike dirty without leaving the UK?Words Rob Hoyles Pictures Mark Manning

JUNE 2012 |

DOWNLOAD OUR ROUTES

Visit the Routes page on

www.ride.co.uk to download our

routes. Each route is plotted both

to and from Calais, with

recommended hotels and

Millau viewpoints

marked

DOWNLOAD OUR ROUTES

Visit the Routes page on

www.ride.co.uk to download our

routes. Each route is plotted both

to and from Calais, with

recommended hotels and

Millau viewpoints

marked

| JUNE 2012

T O T A L D I S T A N C E

1840 miles

MOJACAR

TERUEL

ZARAGOZA

TUDELA

PUEBLA DE DON FADRIQUE

LA PUERTA DE SEGURA

PAMPLONA

ST-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT

PORTSMOUTH

ROCAMADOUR

‘‘Just keep the sun behind you’’

T o u r i n g o n a s p o r t s b i k e

While other journalists board a plane after riding the new BMW S1000RR at Almeria, RiDE’s man heads

north for a three-day ride homeWords Matt Hull Pictures Jason Critchell

48 JUNE 2012 |

Touring? More like riding with

tunnel vision. Wooden ‘safety’ barriers

on my left pretend to be of use should

things go wrong but the beige rock on

my right gives no such impression.

Together they lead my eyes to the rapidly

changing vanishing point in front. Brake,

peel in late, search the exit and accelerate

out. Bit of a straight, try a quick grab of that

view, fail; look back in front, brake and

turn in. Again.

This section of road has been all second

and third gear, left corner after right. For

countless miles the A317 flings me like a

dog with a rag doll as it flows round the

side of the Sierra de Segura mountains. i’ve

never experienced anything like this on

road or the track. it’s taken 20 years of

riding but finally i’ve found motorcycle

nirvana. And it’s in Spain.

over the last 105 miles the route from

Puebla de Don Fadrique to la Puerta de

Segura has changed pace several times.

The southern section is tight as it winds up

the mountains, gaining height like a bird of

prey on a thermal. The generally good

surface still needs attention as every so

often i come across gravel or rocks strewn

liberally, not by cars or hoodlums but by

nature. And then there is the snow, sitting

at the side of the road, adding to my

scepticism about how much grip there is.

And boy it’s got cold quickly. The camber is

severe and works against you on left-

handers but hooks you in to right-handers;

just watch that snow.

into the small, remote town of Pontones i

get a feeling of being in the outback. This

town has to provide everything for its

people because it’s so far away from

anywhere. i buy a coffee from a grumpy

old woman who treats me like she hates

me and continue to Hornos where the road

flows more predictably. The S1000rr

could easily do the whole section in

second, while fourth easily has the torque

to deal with the mix of sweeping bends

and straights without scaring the natives,

of which there are very few. in fact i’ve

seen so few people for hours i’m starting to

realise just how far from home i am. i’m

not just a long way from home – i’m a long

way from civilisation.

The contrast with the most southern part

of the A317 is stark; Spain has so many

different personalities. From Maria i was

riding along dead straight roads as long as

the horizon would allow, heading north for

over 40 miles. The Sierra nevada

mountains topped by the winter Spanish

sun constantly stared at me in my mirrors.

But i’d started my journey in Mojacar, a

town typical of those Anglicised southern

Spanish seaside resorts, with a small stony

beach sandwiched in between the main

street and the rich blue Mediterranean Sea.

The day before had been spent

Sun, stunning scenery and loads of grip – Spain can be biking heaven

| JUNE 2012

T O T A L D I S T A N C E

1840 miles

MOJACAR

TERUEL

ZARAGOZA

TUDELA

PUEBLA DE DON FADRIQUE

LA PUERTA DE SEGURA

PAMPLONA

ST-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT

PORTSMOUTH

ROCAMADOUR

‘‘Just keep the sun behind you’’

T o u r i n g o n a s p o r t s b i k e

While other journalists board a plane after riding the new BMW S1000RR at Almeria, RiDE’s man heads

north for a three-day ride homeWords Matt Hull Pictures Jason Critchell

48 JUNE 2012 |

Touring? More like riding with

tunnel vision. Wooden ‘safety’ barriers

on my left pretend to be of use should

things go wrong but the beige rock on

my right gives no such impression.

Together they lead my eyes to the rapidly

changing vanishing point in front. Brake,

peel in late, search the exit and accelerate

out. Bit of a straight, try a quick grab of that

view, fail; look back in front, brake and

turn in. Again.

This section of road has been all second

and third gear, left corner after right. For

countless miles the A317 flings me like a

dog with a rag doll as it flows round the

side of the Sierra de Segura mountains. i’ve

never experienced anything like this on

road or the track. it’s taken 20 years of

riding but finally i’ve found motorcycle

nirvana. And it’s in Spain.

over the last 105 miles the route from

Puebla de Don Fadrique to la Puerta de

Segura has changed pace several times.

The southern section is tight as it winds up

the mountains, gaining height like a bird of

prey on a thermal. The generally good

surface still needs attention as every so

often i come across gravel or rocks strewn

liberally, not by cars or hoodlums but by

nature. And then there is the snow, sitting

at the side of the road, adding to my

scepticism about how much grip there is.

And boy it’s got cold quickly. The camber is

severe and works against you on left-

handers but hooks you in to right-handers;

just watch that snow.

into the small, remote town of Pontones i

get a feeling of being in the outback. This

town has to provide everything for its

people because it’s so far away from

anywhere. i buy a coffee from a grumpy

old woman who treats me like she hates

me and continue to Hornos where the road

flows more predictably. The S1000rr

could easily do the whole section in

second, while fourth easily has the torque

to deal with the mix of sweeping bends

and straights without scaring the natives,

of which there are very few. in fact i’ve

seen so few people for hours i’m starting to

realise just how far from home i am. i’m

not just a long way from home – i’m a long

way from civilisation.

The contrast with the most southern part

of the A317 is stark; Spain has so many

different personalities. From Maria i was

riding along dead straight roads as long as

the horizon would allow, heading north for

over 40 miles. The Sierra nevada

mountains topped by the winter Spanish

sun constantly stared at me in my mirrors.

But i’d started my journey in Mojacar, a

town typical of those Anglicised southern

Spanish seaside resorts, with a small stony

beach sandwiched in between the main

street and the rich blue Mediterranean Sea.

The day before had been spent

Sun, stunning scenery and loads of grip – Spain can be biking heaven

| JUNE2012

THE RiDE READER PANEL

P R O D U C T I N V E S T I G A T I O N

Why’s it so difficult for women to get decent riding gear?

RiDE’s investigation reveals an astonishing level of dissatisfaction with the choice of kit available to female bikers

Words Kate Barratt and Colin Overland Pictures Jason Critchell and Mark Manning

CAROLINE BARRETT

2000 Yamaha R6

DEE MAJORDucati 916

HELEN TURNERBMW R1200R

SUSANNE MARSHALL

Suzuki SV650 K1

CLARE SKINNERSuzuki SV650s

ZOE LADBROOKEHonda Bros

(among others)

KATE MINCHINTriumph

Speedmaster

NAILA SCARGILLYamaha

Diversion 600

JANET VAUGHANExperienced pillion now learning to ride

ANGELA FREEMANYamaha MT-03

and XT660X

KAYLEIGH NICOLAOU

Honda Hornet CB600F

KATE BARRATTHonda CBF125

SARAH SMITHSuzuki

GSX-R600 K7

Three different women, three different shapes, lots of problems – and a few

solutions. They’re wearing (left to right) Ixon Nirvana, Stein STJ 405 and

Ixon Electra jackets

BOOTSFemales don’t necessarily have feet any

smaller than men’s, but they do tend to

have thinner ankles and wider calves.

Finding the right boots was a nightmare for

Kayleigh: “I tried several pairs but wasn’t

able to get them done up over my calves.

A female shop assistant told me women

struggle because our calves start lower

down than men, so she recommended a

couple of different options. I ended up with

my Sidi Vertigos. The fastening mechanism

means you can tailor them to your legs,

making them incredibly comfortable.”

Helen bought the same boots, describing

them as her “dream purchase”, sniffed out

among ladies’ boots that she says were

“downgraded with less features” than

men’s. She also loves her Daytona Lady

Star GTXs too: “They have an extra inch in

the back of the boot which helps the

vertically challenged (like me) touch the

floor, although if it was across the whole

boot it would help more. Daytona have

really thought about ladies and the extra

inch is an innovative idea.”

Kate M ended up with a good result but

had to battle against a shop assistant who

thought he knew best: “For some reason

the guy in the shop seemed to be trying to

steer me away from trying on some men’s

Alpinestars S-MX5, but I stood my ground.

They tick all the boxes.”

Kate B found her

TCX boots in a charity

shop for £20. “I spent

almost a year riding in

walking boots before

finding a pair that fitted.

My leather trousers are

tapered at the bottom,

with an inside zip. Could

I find boots to fit over

these comfortably? Of

course not. A lot of

ladies’ boots that

I’ve seen don’t even

have a reinforced

leather patch for

changing gear,

suggesting that

manufacturers think

FIT, COLOur, COMFOrT, price,

availability… every single thing that’s

important about motorcycle clothing is

a major problem for female riders,

according to our research. We’ve spoken to

riders, pillions, shops, manufacturers and

distributors to investigate the extent of the

problem and highlight some of the best kit

and best retailers.

This is just a start. Clearly there are many

thousands of female riders we haven’t

spoken to, and there must be plenty of

helpful shops who we don’t yet know

about. But this much is clear: women have

a much tougher time than most blokes

when it comes to finding bike gear that’s

safe, comfortable and stylish.

So this is our challenge to the British bike

business: prove us wrong.

Every single member of the panel we

assembled has had problems getting hold

of the right gear. In many cases, the

journey has been a long and painful one.

Our women say they want the right fit,

without it compromising on protection.

And feeling comfortable on a bike

improves your control and enjoyment.

Caroline says: “It’s obvious that the

majority of riders are male but there is a

big and ever growing population of female

riders. I went to my local Hein Gericke, in

January, and they had little to no women’s

clothing. They suggested I go back in

March. I went back, and they had a sale on

men’s clothing, but they didn’t even have a

full set of ladies’ leathers or textiles.”

Getting the right size can be a nightmare.

Clare’s a petite 5ft 2in yet trousers still

come up short in the leg: “They even look

Simon Cowell-ish in the waist. And jackets

that fit across the shoulders are too tight

across the bust.”

Zoe agrees: “The main issue with

trousers is leg length and with jackets it’s

baggy arms. Clothes don’t seem to be

scaled down all over – some bits fit and

some are huge.” But Zoe believes

motorcycle clothing has come a long way

in the past decade or so: “There is more

choice in cost, colour, style and material,

although overall there’s still a big gap

between provision for men and women.”

If she could afford it, Naila would only

buy made-to-measure kit: “If you’re an

average height, they assume you’re fat. If

slim, they assume you’re short and have no

shape. If I want hips to fit, the waist is too

big. If the waist fits, it’s tight on the legs

and too short. If the legs fit OK, the waist

and hips end up massive.”

And even if it fits, sometimes the looks

are horribly misjudged. Pink stripes. Floral

embroidery. Butterfly emblems. Sound

familiar? Kayleigh says: “Not all female

bikers want to be plastered with something

that advertises the fact that they’re female

to all and sundry.”

Kayleigh has a biking mum with years of

wisdom to pass on, but not everyone is so

lucky: “The best thing to do is talk to other

bikers you know and don’t be afraid to ask

staff in your local bike shop for help – it’s

what they’re there for.”

Boots for women are sometimes more

suited to pillions than riders, lacking a

gearchange reinforcement

When choosing a crash helmet, the only thing that matters is that it fits. So get yourself measured

female bikers are all pillions. That’s why

I’m forced to wear men’s one-size-too-big

boots padded with an extra pair of socks.”

BUYING TIP Buy boots with a fastening

mechanism – not just a single zip – that allows

them to fit snugly around your legs.

| JUNE2012

THE RiDE READER PANEL

P R O D U C T I N V E S T I G A T I O N

Why’s it so difficult for women to get decent riding gear?

RiDE’s investigation reveals an astonishing level of dissatisfaction with the choice of kit available to female bikers

Words Kate Barratt and Colin Overland Pictures Jason Critchell and Mark Manning

CAROLINE BARRETT

2000 Yamaha R6

DEE MAJORDucati 916

HELEN TURNERBMW R1200R

SUSANNE MARSHALL

Suzuki SV650 K1

CLARE SKINNERSuzuki SV650s

ZOE LADBROOKEHonda Bros

(among others)

KATE MINCHINTriumph

Speedmaster

NAILA SCARGILLYamaha

Diversion 600

JANET VAUGHANExperienced pillion now learning to ride

ANGELA FREEMANYamaha MT-03

and XT660X

KAYLEIGH NICOLAOU

Honda Hornet CB600F

KATE BARRATTHonda CBF125

SARAH SMITHSuzuki

GSX-R600 K7

Three different women, three different shapes, lots of problems – and a few

solutions. They’re wearing (left to right) Ixon Nirvana, Stein STJ 405 and

Ixon Electra jackets

BOOTSFemales don’t necessarily have feet any

smaller than men’s, but they do tend to

have thinner ankles and wider calves.

Finding the right boots was a nightmare for

Kayleigh: “I tried several pairs but wasn’t

able to get them done up over my calves.

A female shop assistant told me women

struggle because our calves start lower

down than men, so she recommended a

couple of different options. I ended up with

my Sidi Vertigos. The fastening mechanism

means you can tailor them to your legs,

making them incredibly comfortable.”

Helen bought the same boots, describing

them as her “dream purchase”, sniffed out

among ladies’ boots that she says were

“downgraded with less features” than

men’s. She also loves her Daytona Lady

Star GTXs too: “They have an extra inch in

the back of the boot which helps the

vertically challenged (like me) touch the

floor, although if it was across the whole

boot it would help more. Daytona have

really thought about ladies and the extra

inch is an innovative idea.”

Kate M ended up with a good result but

had to battle against a shop assistant who

thought he knew best: “For some reason

the guy in the shop seemed to be trying to

steer me away from trying on some men’s

Alpinestars S-MX5, but I stood my ground.

They tick all the boxes.”

Kate B found her

TCX boots in a charity

shop for £20. “I spent

almost a year riding in

walking boots before

finding a pair that fitted.

My leather trousers are

tapered at the bottom,

with an inside zip. Could

I find boots to fit over

these comfortably? Of

course not. A lot of

ladies’ boots that

I’ve seen don’t even

have a reinforced

leather patch for

changing gear,

suggesting that

manufacturers think

FIT, COLOur, COMFOrT, price,

availability… every single thing that’s

important about motorcycle clothing is

a major problem for female riders,

according to our research. We’ve spoken to

riders, pillions, shops, manufacturers and

distributors to investigate the extent of the

problem and highlight some of the best kit

and best retailers.

This is just a start. Clearly there are many

thousands of female riders we haven’t

spoken to, and there must be plenty of

helpful shops who we don’t yet know

about. But this much is clear: women have

a much tougher time than most blokes

when it comes to finding bike gear that’s

safe, comfortable and stylish.

So this is our challenge to the British bike

business: prove us wrong.

Every single member of the panel we

assembled has had problems getting hold

of the right gear. In many cases, the

journey has been a long and painful one.

Our women say they want the right fit,

without it compromising on protection.

And feeling comfortable on a bike

improves your control and enjoyment.

Caroline says: “It’s obvious that the

majority of riders are male but there is a

big and ever growing population of female

riders. I went to my local Hein Gericke, in

January, and they had little to no women’s

clothing. They suggested I go back in

March. I went back, and they had a sale on

men’s clothing, but they didn’t even have a

full set of ladies’ leathers or textiles.”

Getting the right size can be a nightmare.

Clare’s a petite 5ft 2in yet trousers still

come up short in the leg: “They even look

Simon Cowell-ish in the waist. And jackets

that fit across the shoulders are too tight

across the bust.”

Zoe agrees: “The main issue with

trousers is leg length and with jackets it’s

baggy arms. Clothes don’t seem to be

scaled down all over – some bits fit and

some are huge.” But Zoe believes

motorcycle clothing has come a long way

in the past decade or so: “There is more

choice in cost, colour, style and material,

although overall there’s still a big gap

between provision for men and women.”

If she could afford it, Naila would only

buy made-to-measure kit: “If you’re an

average height, they assume you’re fat. If

slim, they assume you’re short and have no

shape. If I want hips to fit, the waist is too

big. If the waist fits, it’s tight on the legs

and too short. If the legs fit OK, the waist

and hips end up massive.”

And even if it fits, sometimes the looks

are horribly misjudged. Pink stripes. Floral

embroidery. Butterfly emblems. Sound

familiar? Kayleigh says: “Not all female

bikers want to be plastered with something

that advertises the fact that they’re female

to all and sundry.”

Kayleigh has a biking mum with years of

wisdom to pass on, but not everyone is so

lucky: “The best thing to do is talk to other

bikers you know and don’t be afraid to ask

staff in your local bike shop for help – it’s

what they’re there for.”

Boots for women are sometimes more

suited to pillions than riders, lacking a

gearchange reinforcement

When choosing a crash helmet, the only thing that matters is that it fits. So get yourself measured

female bikers are all pillions. That’s why

I’m forced to wear men’s one-size-too-big

boots padded with an extra pair of socks.”

BUYING TIP Buy boots with a fastening

mechanism – not just a single zip – that allows

them to fit snugly around your legs.

78 JUNE 2012 |

Rider’s notes: Stellar engine –

cliche-smooth and vastly powerful,

up to speed instantly on dual

carriageway (though I keep trying

to find a sixth gear which isn’t

there). It feels utterly planted when

settled in long sweepers, but on

A-roads and tighter roads is notably

reluctant to turn in. It feels awful on

bumpy roads as the under-damped

suspension boings backwards and

forwards. Placid and easy to control

through town, with perfect balance

and superb low-speed manners.

Very comfy, with the screen giving

decent wind protection.

KTM 990 Adventure> £8965 > 999cc V-twin > 106bhp > 130mph

TRIP DIsTance 40.2 miles

TIMe TaKen 65 minutes

aVeRage sPeeD 37.1mph

FUeL cOnsUMPTIOn 44.03mpg

Rider’s notes: Big, tall bike with

comfy riding position and

commanding view. The V-twin

burps its way rapidly up to speed

on dual carriageways, and that

small screen’s effective. Engine

braking is good, front brakes are

poor – they’re plagued by a

heartstopping pause before power

builds. Feels like it leans a long way,

though aware of tyre knobbles

rumbling over tarmac. Throttle is a

bit snatchy in town traffic if in too

high a gear (chain slaps too). Lovely

flow on open road and is agile

enough on the tighter sections –

wide bars help. The soft suspension

swallows any imperfections so the

ride is plush but not wallowy. Loses

time waiting at level crossings.

KTM 990 adventure is a hoot to ride on flowing roads, but snatchy throttle makes riding in town hard work

Bumpy roads leave both the XJ6 and FJR1300 feeling unsettled and vague

How frugal is your bike? Get in touch

and let us know [email protected]

NEXT MONTHsuzuki’s gsR750 and V-strom 650 and Honda’s nc700 face the RiDe TT

78 JUNE 2012 |

Rider’s notes: Stellar engine –

cliche-smooth and vastly powerful,

up to speed instantly on dual

carriageway (though I keep trying

to find a sixth gear which isn’t

there). It feels utterly planted when

settled in long sweepers, but on

A-roads and tighter roads is notably

reluctant to turn in. It feels awful on

bumpy roads as the under-damped

suspension boings backwards and

forwards. Placid and easy to control

through town, with perfect balance

and superb low-speed manners.

Very comfy, with the screen giving

decent wind protection.

KTM 990 Adventure> £8965 > 999cc V-twin > 106bhp > 130mph

TRIP DIsTance 40.2 miles

TIMe TaKen 65 minutes

aVeRage sPeeD 37.1mph

FUeL cOnsUMPTIOn 44.03mpg

Rider’s notes: Big, tall bike with

comfy riding position and

commanding view. The V-twin

burps its way rapidly up to speed

on dual carriageways, and that

small screen’s effective. Engine

braking is good, front brakes are

poor – they’re plagued by a

heartstopping pause before power

builds. Feels like it leans a long way,

though aware of tyre knobbles

rumbling over tarmac. Throttle is a

bit snatchy in town traffic if in too

high a gear (chain slaps too). Lovely

flow on open road and is agile

enough on the tighter sections –

wide bars help. The soft suspension

swallows any imperfections so the

ride is plush but not wallowy. Loses

time waiting at level crossings.

KTM 990 adventure is a hoot to ride on flowing roads, but snatchy throttle makes riding in town hard work

Bumpy roads leave both the XJ6 and FJR1300 feeling unsettled and vague

How frugal is your bike? Get in touch

and let us know [email protected]

NEXT MONTHsuzuki’s gsR750 and V-strom 650 and Honda’s nc700 face the RiDe TT

| JUNE 2012

E S S E N T I A L R I D I N G S K I L L S

Are you sitting comfortably?Good control flows from how you’re sitting on the bike. Get that right and every aspect of your riding becomes easier and betterWords Simon Weir Pictures Paul Bryant

Welcome to RiDe’s

essential Riding skills.

over the next six issues

we’ll be looking at the core

disciplines of riding – the things

experienced riders know (but may have

forgotten) and new riders need to master.

they’re the skills that make the

difference between riding and riding well.

everything starts with you – with how

you sit on the bike. Riding is a physical

activity, so using your body and the bike’s

controls well is crucial. clumsy inputs

remove finesse from the ride, making

everything harder than it should be. By

contrast, the best riders look relaxed on

the bike, because they are – which gives

them great control.

that’s why, before we start looking at

such riding staples as cornering and

overtaking, we’re going to get back to

basics. Now, are you sitting comfortably?

bAckside, hips, kneesDon’t sit hard up against the tank

– give yourself a bit of room. You

should be able to get your glove

between yourself and the tank,

which will stop you sitting up too

straight. When you need to support

your weight, use your knees to grip

the tank and take the weight off

your arms.

You can use your hips and knees

to help you steer. Gently tilting

your hips, so your crotch is

pointing at the apex of a corner,

will make the outside knee apply

pressure to the tank, making

cornering feel easier. On track, a

more aggressive flip of the hips

from one side to the other can help

change direction through chicanes.

bAckDon’t sit ramrod straight as this

will mean the arms will be pulled

back and the head will be getting a

proper buffeting. So just lean

forwards at a relaxed angle. You

don’t want to lie flat on the tank

in a racing crouch, just tilt

forward a little.

FeetThis is one area where we disagree with

police manual Roadcraft, which

suggests keeping the instep on the

footpeg at all times. That’s fine and

relaxing on straights, but for cornering

you want your control surfaces in

contact with the bike’s control surfaces

– so that’s the balls of the feet on the

pegs. You’ll have greater feel and will be

able to apply pressure to the pegs with

greater precision. Pushing down on the

inside peg helps initiate the turn and

then keeps the bike on line through the

corner. If you’re concerned about

turning in too early, a little conscious

pressure on the outside peg will stop

the bike tipping in too soon. When you

decide it is time to turn, transferring

pressure from the outside peg to the

inside one (combined with a flick of the

hips) really helps the bike turn fast.

124 JUNE 2012 |

hAnds Your grip on the bars should be light

but secure, like holding a baby bird:

firm enough to prevent it escaping

but without gripping so hard you’d

hurt it. If you ever hold the bars with

white knuckles it shows that you’re

not in control and you’re scaring

yourself – and also that you’re

removing your control. A tight grip

limits feel (especially for the

throttle) and means you’re likely to

grab at brake and clutch levers,

rather than use them progressively

and sensitively.

If you want to use the bars for

steering (active, positive, counter…

pick your term, it’s all steering to us)

then a light grip is essential. There’s

lots of scope for people to

overcomplicate and confuse this but

it really is simple: a little light

pressure on the inside bar helps the

bike turn. So to turn left, just nudge

the left-hand bar with the palm of

your hand. To turn right, nudge the

right-hand bar – and if you have a

light grip, you can do this without

affecting the throttle.

Arms And shouldersNice and relaxed: you should be able to

flap your elbows like a bird at any point.

As you ride, the bars will want to move

ever so slightly from side to side, as

imperfections in the road surface

deflect the tyre – it self-corrects

instantly, but only if your elbows and

shoulders are relaxed.

Always keep your elbows nice and low

– so your forearms are more or less

parallel with the road surface. This will

stop you sitting too straight and makes

it impossible to lock the arms rigidly. It

also makes the most of any steering

you do with the bars, as your inputs will

be in line with the axis around which

the yokes pivot.

heAd And neckThis is really vital: keep your chin up.

On bikes which tilt you forwards a long

way, it’s very easy to end up staring as

little as 40 metres ahead – and good

riding comes from good vision. The bike

goes where you look, so the further you

look the easier it is to get smoothly

down the road.

That also means

you don’t want

to just look ahead. Your head should be

almost constantly moving, as you turn it

to get a good look at every corner. If

you’re really craning your neck to look

into tighter corners, they’ll become

much easier as you’ll really see where

they go.

Don’t forget to look backwards as

well. If your neck and shoulders are

relaxed, it’ll be easier to make lifesaver

checks over your shoulder.

www.facebook.com/RiDEMagazine

| JUNE 2012

E S S E N T I A L R I D I N G S K I L L S

Are you sitting comfortably?Good control flows from how you’re sitting on the bike. Get that right and every aspect of your riding becomes easier and betterWords Simon Weir Pictures Paul Bryant

Welcome to RiDe’s

essential Riding skills.

over the next six issues

we’ll be looking at the core

disciplines of riding – the things

experienced riders know (but may have

forgotten) and new riders need to master.

they’re the skills that make the

difference between riding and riding well.

everything starts with you – with how

you sit on the bike. Riding is a physical

activity, so using your body and the bike’s

controls well is crucial. clumsy inputs

remove finesse from the ride, making

everything harder than it should be. By

contrast, the best riders look relaxed on

the bike, because they are – which gives

them great control.

that’s why, before we start looking at

such riding staples as cornering and

overtaking, we’re going to get back to

basics. Now, are you sitting comfortably?

bAckside, hips, kneesDon’t sit hard up against the tank

– give yourself a bit of room. You

should be able to get your glove

between yourself and the tank,

which will stop you sitting up too

straight. When you need to support

your weight, use your knees to grip

the tank and take the weight off

your arms.

You can use your hips and knees

to help you steer. Gently tilting

your hips, so your crotch is

pointing at the apex of a corner,

will make the outside knee apply

pressure to the tank, making

cornering feel easier. On track, a

more aggressive flip of the hips

from one side to the other can help

change direction through chicanes.

bAckDon’t sit ramrod straight as this

will mean the arms will be pulled

back and the head will be getting a

proper buffeting. So just lean

forwards at a relaxed angle. You

don’t want to lie flat on the tank

in a racing crouch, just tilt

forward a little.

FeetThis is one area where we disagree with

police manual Roadcraft, which

suggests keeping the instep on the

footpeg at all times. That’s fine and

relaxing on straights, but for cornering

you want your control surfaces in

contact with the bike’s control surfaces

– so that’s the balls of the feet on the

pegs. You’ll have greater feel and will be

able to apply pressure to the pegs with

greater precision. Pushing down on the

inside peg helps initiate the turn and

then keeps the bike on line through the

corner. If you’re concerned about

turning in too early, a little conscious

pressure on the outside peg will stop

the bike tipping in too soon. When you

decide it is time to turn, transferring

pressure from the outside peg to the

inside one (combined with a flick of the

hips) really helps the bike turn fast.

124 JUNE 2012 |

hAnds Your grip on the bars should be light

but secure, like holding a baby bird:

firm enough to prevent it escaping

but without gripping so hard you’d

hurt it. If you ever hold the bars with

white knuckles it shows that you’re

not in control and you’re scaring

yourself – and also that you’re

removing your control. A tight grip

limits feel (especially for the

throttle) and means you’re likely to

grab at brake and clutch levers,

rather than use them progressively

and sensitively.

If you want to use the bars for

steering (active, positive, counter…

pick your term, it’s all steering to us)

then a light grip is essential. There’s

lots of scope for people to

overcomplicate and confuse this but

it really is simple: a little light

pressure on the inside bar helps the

bike turn. So to turn left, just nudge

the left-hand bar with the palm of

your hand. To turn right, nudge the

right-hand bar – and if you have a

light grip, you can do this without

affecting the throttle.

Arms And shouldersNice and relaxed: you should be able to

flap your elbows like a bird at any point.

As you ride, the bars will want to move

ever so slightly from side to side, as

imperfections in the road surface

deflect the tyre – it self-corrects

instantly, but only if your elbows and

shoulders are relaxed.

Always keep your elbows nice and low

– so your forearms are more or less

parallel with the road surface. This will

stop you sitting too straight and makes

it impossible to lock the arms rigidly. It

also makes the most of any steering

you do with the bars, as your inputs will

be in line with the axis around which

the yokes pivot.

heAd And neckThis is really vital: keep your chin up.

On bikes which tilt you forwards a long

way, it’s very easy to end up staring as

little as 40 metres ahead – and good

riding comes from good vision. The bike

goes where you look, so the further you

look the easier it is to get smoothly

down the road.

That also means

you don’t want

to just look ahead. Your head should be

almost constantly moving, as you turn it

to get a good look at every corner. If

you’re really craning your neck to look

into tighter corners, they’ll become

much easier as you’ll really see where

they go.

Don’t forget to look backwards as

well. If your neck and shoulders are

relaxed, it’ll be easier to make lifesaver

checks over your shoulder.

www.facebook.com/RiDEMagazine

ride

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