RiDE (UK) - 1 Nov 2025
THE TEN BEST NEW-BIKE BUYS
BMW R1300RS vs KAWASAKI NINJA 1100SX
STARRING...
THE PERFECT AUTUMN RIDE
‘BETTER THAN A TENERE 700’
30-LITRE RUCKSACKS
104mph and no ticket!
‘This Cfmoto is a turning point – it’s ace, irrespective of price’
Simon Hargreaves, contributor
Jim Moore, contributor
Steve Herbert-mattick, art director
This month’s highlights
…the Benda LFC 700 – a bizarre but laid-back cruiser
Norton’s new dawn, Imps closure, students free at MCL
When the going gets tough, tougher Tuareg gets going
Road trips, week-long tours, holidays and plenty more
Poster bikes, cruise control, and going above and beyond
An urban scoot crossed with a trackday tool…
36 THE BIG RIDE
58 RISE OF THE CHINESE ADVENTURE BIKE
44 THE UK’S 10 BEST NEW BIKE DEALS
Ask the Coach
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
Including Weise Norvik jeans
BIKES IN THIS ISSUE
Aprilia Tuareg Rally 660
Big-capacity bags in big test
Triumph Scrambler 400 X
Superb naked is a superbly affordable used buy
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Yamaha Ténéré 700
Yamaha Ténéré 700
The adventure bike blueprint is now a second-hand bargain
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
RIDE’S Bikes
Verdon Gorge, France
Ladybower Reservoir, South Yorkshire
How to send us your photos
Faido, Switzerland
Get your bike in
& win a Biketrac system
Julier Pass, Switzerland
Dare.
HAS SPEEDING BECOME A CASH COW FOR COPS?
104MPH ON THE M1 IN 2024? NO TICKET…
Speed courses rising
Norton prepare for their new dawn
SPORTSBIKE EXPECTED
FULL HOMOLOGATION
Dealership’s lifeline for RTW biker
Imps Display Team closes down
Students free at MCL
LETTER OF THE MONTH Inspiration – at last!
Bike that would make me, were I a child now, want to ride bikes. Nice one, Suzuki!
Amazing service. Well done, Abe.
Numerous stretches covered by average speed cameras, for which cruise control
– on the Katana – would be perfect.
‘I won my case but my insurer wants me to pay medical costs. Should I?’
‘What can I do to improve my terrible tank range?’
FIRST RIDES
A scooter with a 692cc motor and all sorts of track‑ready trinkets
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS: big questions answered
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We try out the latest member of the expanding Goldie family Aprilia Tuareg Rally
BIG QUESTIONS ANSWERED
…the crazy new Benda LFC 700
Tougher Tuareg
THE FACTS
TWEAKED MOTOR, SAME RESULT
STANDING TALL
MORE TO FIDDLE
Tougher Tuareg
BEYOND THE HYPE The bits that actually make a difference
Beezer balls-up
An urban oddity like no other
THE FACTS
THE FACTS
5 things you need to know about…
Transmission Power
Torque
Fuel capacity Seat height Wheelbase Weight
Rider aids
THE FACTS
Simon Hargreaves
Is it more fun or more fearsome?
Is the riding position better?
How good is the new suspension?
Q Has it got too much technology?
Q How well made is the Speed Triple?
What are the best options and add-ons
Q How much does it actually weigh?
How easy is it to work on?
What power does it make?
What’s it like to ride as a pillion? A It’s our favourite for the road, but hasn’t gone soft
What’s it like to ride as a pillion? A It’s our favourite for the road, but hasn’t gone soft
What are its rivals?
NEXT MONTH...
The North Norfolk Loop
The North Norfolk Loop
THE FACTS
Feed me, feed me, feed me...
Three great places to visit
HONDA GB350S
YAMAHA TRACER 7
YAMAHA TRACER 7
BMW F900XR
ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT
CFMOTO 675SR-R
SUZUKI GSX-S1000GX+
THREE GREAT BIKES WITH 0% FINANCE
SUZUKI GSX-S1000GX+
KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT
VOGE DS900X
TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER 400 X
VOGE DS900X
HOW IT SHOOK UP THE MARKET
THE
PRODUCT TEST
HIGH-MILE TEST
Strap in for a large-capacity rucksack test
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LATEST KIT RATED
Twelve months of test-topping clothing, tools, tech and more
‘They just feel like normal jeans’
Impressive for the price
A good adventure riding choice
Strong and stable
‘Brilliant value all‑round textile suit’
30-litre rucksacks
Fit to waterproofing: how we tested them
Jon Urry, beast of burden
WHAT THE TRIANGLES MEAN
6
RST Rucksack £49.99 A fairly basic rucksack with a low price tag
5
Qbag Backpack 15 £21.99 Cheap and cheerful, but fully waterproof
4
Kriega Roam 34 £239 Pricey, but very high level of fit and finish
3
Astars Rover Overland £209.99 Robust and excellent storage capacity
2
Klim Arsenal 30 £200 The perfect companion for a mucky ride
1
Oxford Atlas B-30 £169.99 Fully loaded and ready for touring action
30-LITRE RUCKSACKS
THE VERDICT Two rucksacks stand apart for their sheer ability
£169.99
£200
NEXT MONTH...
ON-BIKE TOOLKITS
BATTERYPOWERED HEATED GLOVES
DIY TRACKERS
THE YEAR’S BEST KIT
TOURING BOOTS
Oxford Calgary 2.0 £409.98
SUB-£500 TEXTILE SUITS
£319.99
Merlin Curborough
Halfords Motorists Tool Kit
LEATHER JACKETS
Richa Charleston Merlin Alton
WHAT THE TRIANGLES MEAN
Furygan WB08 Vented+ Merlin Shenstone II Cotec Air
BIKE BOOTS YOU CAN WALK IN
Enduristan Blizzard 2 £530
S100 Chain Lube White 2.0
LIGHTWEIGHT ALL-WEATHER GLOVES
WATERPROOF MESH JACKETS
LIGHTWEIGHT ADVENTURE LUGGAGE
Nexx X.lifecountry
£104.99
CHAIN LUBES
GROUND ANCHORS
Schuberth E2 HJC i80
R1300RS vs Ninja 1100SX in super-tourer smart-money battle
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What we’ve learned about 2025 updates in our first 2100 miles
Semi-retired legal man Andy Dalton on his Husqvarna FE501
BUYING GUIDE
ECONOMY FLYERS
Yamaha MT-09
Range to fuel light
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Yamaha MT-09
The best alternatives
‘I knew I’d be buying one within 10 miles’
Yamaha MT-09 2013-19 (2020-on)
Three ways to make it better Racefit Growler-x full system
What to look for on the test ride
Pyramid MT-09 SP fly screen
TELLING IT LIKE IT IS SINCE 1995
ROAD TRIP LEGENDS
PLUS
The best used tourers, starting from £3000
Simon Hargreaves
Simon Hargreaves
‘Both bikes have plenty of sporty yee‑haw’
BMW R1300RS SE ASA Triple Black
Engine
Power
Torque
Fuel capacity
Seat height
Wheelbase
Kerb weight
Rider aids
Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE Tourer
Engine
Power
Torque
Fuel capacity
Seat height
Wheelbase
Kerb weight
Rider aids
‘The Kawasaki’s more fun, but the BMW’S a better bet financially’
MONEY MATTERS
NEXT MONTH...
YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ 700 What we’ve learned after 2100 miles
THE FACTS
Katana’s Island adventure
THE FACTS
WHAT ARE THE BEST EXTRAS?
Talking a load of Rs
THE FACTS
THE FACTS
HOW TO TURN ENDURO TO ADVENTURE
#2 BMW R1200GS
Power Torque Weight Seat height
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